Yo...

Time for a new chapter, and I wish all of you happy 2015...

Enjoy...

Chapter 10

Legacy of Team 4

(5 Days Later)

He could barely walk any further, every part of his body hurt as hell. His legs were becoming so numb he was starting to believe he might just have lost them, his vision was so hazy that he could barely see a few feet ahead of him. His only hope were the frame of the large walls that seemed to be getting closer...

He didn't know how he was going to get inside, there were still Titans on the outskirts and all he had left was a single flare.

Would the Garrison forces even risk opening the gates for a single soldier who got left behind?

But he had to do it...

Humanity's survival was depending on it, the diary he was carrying in his hands was the key to so many questions.

Only God knew how hard he had struggled to survive in the world outside the walls, deprived of sleep, food, continuously hunted by Titans. His clothes reeked of mud, titan blood and so much crap. His fair face had became red due to extreme environmental exposure he had endured. Thankfully, he had been able to find a small stream on his way back...

Or he would have definitely died due to lack of water in his body...

Not only had he learned a few tricks that could increase the survival chances of survey corps in the war against Titans, but with the information which he was bringing back would definitely help clear the tainted name of his mother and her team. Their sacrifice would finally be recognized by the government...

Only 1 more kilometer...

His eyes widened in horror when his weak legs gave out and he collapsed flat on the ground. He tried to crawl, but couldn't make himself move beyond a few meters.

The tired officer's gaze landed on the flare gun hanging on his thigh...

"No (pant)...more...I...can't..."

Knowing he couldn't move any further, he fired the last flare he had as the bright red smoke screen sent a clear signal across to any Garrison soldier standing guard around Wall Maria. Red smoke was generally used to signify the sighting of Titans, but in case of rare emergencies it was also used to imply that a soldier needed help.

He effectively placed the precious diary on the bark of a tree, and took cover beneath it. The guards would definitely able to zero in on the source of the smoke and see his body.

At the very least they would send out a search party to investigate, and they would find this important diary.

He had done everything in his power, everything he was taught in training to survive in what was perhaps the most difficult mission humanity had undertaken in a long time.

The only thing he could hope for now would be rescue teams getting to him first...

Before the Titans did, however those beasts would certainly not going to enjoy eating him.

"I taste and smell like shit either way..." joked the young boy, before falling into a deep slumber.

(Zhinhashina District)

Captain Hannes of the Garrison forces had a very troublesome time these days. His previously boring job, which required slim to no work had suddenly became an eye sore in the eyes of the people. Sure, before the people didn't like how idly the Garrison forces acted and didn't aid much in humanity's fight against Titans.

But they were usually saved since the Survey Corps also didn't earn any great victories with their useless expeditions, so the people's ire was mostly directed towards the heroes of humanity rather than people like him.

However, things had changed now.

With the capture of a Titan, the Survey Corps had proved their worth to humanity and regained their lost respect.

And now with no one else to curse at, the people had started getting irritated with the Garrison and people like him. His soldiers quickly needed to prove they were needed or their livelihoods would be at stake, the free 'donations' which people gave them regularly were decreasing day by day.

"Captain, red smoke..." screamed a young 20 year old girl,

He quickly ordered his nearby soldiers to give him their small telescope, and it took the lazy bums 5 fucking minutes to find such a thing. And humanity had entrusted these idiots with their safety?

Instead of getting angry at his men, his focus was on discovering why a red smoke was fired from outside the walls. No Survey Corps soldiers had ventured out of the walls after their last successful mission, what the hell was going on?

As he looked through the magnifying glass of his equipment, his eyes widened to the size of dinner plates when he saw a boy dressed in tattered military uniform lying unconscious in the shade of a tree. His face was covered by a mask, and it didn't take him a moment to recognize the boy as the Survey Corps Lieutenant who had stayed behind to save his platoon.

"Bloody hell, that crazy bastard..." said Hannes in shock,

His own soldiers didn't realize why their leader was so shocked, but when they verified what he had seen they were simply stunned.

"Captain, there are Titans closing in on him. Distance: 4 Kilometers and closing..." said another young soldier urgently,

"They must have heard the sound of that flare getting fired from its gun. Those filthy beasts..."

"What should we do?"

They were surprised when the usually drunk Hannes turned towards them with a renowned fire burning in his eyes.

"Team 1, load up the cannon's. Drive the nearby Titans away from the walls..." barked Hannes, completely surprising his soldiers.

"Sir?''

"Team 2, get ready to open the gates as soon as the Titans are driven away. Team 3, get your gear and horses ready as you will be accompanying me. We are getting that boy back..." ordered Hannes quickly,

"Sir, we cannot venture outside the walls without prior government permission..." said his second in command nervously,

"Let's inform the Survey Corps. They'll figure out something to get one of their own back..."

"Yeah, why should we risk our lives?"

Hannes never considered himself a brave man, but he was no coward either. And certainly not a traitor, and hearing such disrespectful comments from his fellow soldiers only made him believe that humanity was losing itself in these walls. That kid out there had risked everything he had in order to give these useless people a better future, and these fully trained soldiers didn't have the balls to rescue one of their comrades?

Hell, they didn't even consider the boy as a fellow soldier only because he belonged to a different outfit...

He knew making the lazy, selfish Garrison soldiers agree on moral standards would be a futile effort. So he did the only thing which would get these assholes to move...

"You idiots, the people are already dissatisfied with us and cutting the 'donations' they usually give us. If we don't do something to prove our worth, all of you will lose whatever little privileges you are enjoying right now. By saving the new hero of the people, we can get the public off our asses. Do you understand, morons?" asked Hannes angrily,

The disappointed captain was relieved when realization dawned on the faces of his useless soldiers and without wasting another second they moved to fulfill the orders assigned to them.

His eyes turned towards the boy who was all alone and defenseless in enemy territory...

"I just hope this doesn't come to bite me back in the ass..."

(Survey Corps Base)

Kakashi silently opened the door to a room, and saw his childhood friend sitting idly near her window. The past few days had been the toughest time in their lives, and Kallen was certainly not able to accept reality.

"The dead have no regrets, the survivors do..."

That was what Levi had said to him when he asked him to help Kallen. But the captain had flatly refused and advised that she strengthened her heart, more friends of her would keep dying as long as they were a Survey Corps member. And one day she would too...

He dare not say such a thing to Kallen, if only Levi knew that woman are different than men. Kakashi himself didn't know how was he supposed to help her, when he was also suffering from the death of his best friend.

He didn't know what Naruto was to her, did she feel responsible for him as he felt for the two of them? Did she have feelings for the blonde idiot? Or what was it?

Probably he would never receive answers for these questions...

Without further thinking, he stepped inside the room. A steaming bowl of ramen was in his hands, and he hoped providing the girl her favorite dish would help to some extent in getting her out of depression.

"Kallen, eat this please..." said Kakashi kindly, as he sat beside her on the bed.

The masked boy saw her looking at him with her lifeless eyes for a moment before going back to her previous activity of staring at the vast open field through the window.

"Kallen..."

"I'm not hungry" her reply was terse, voice cold.

"Naruto wouldn't want you to starve yourself. Since we work in the shadows, his name will probably not be remembered by the people after some time. That's why we must survive and fight for his dream, remember him every day..." said Kakashi soothingly, and gently grabbed her hand.

Still, she remained unresponsive...

Kakashi's own eyes reverted towards the ramen as memories of the 3 of them eating it came flooding back in his mind.

"He may have been a clueless idiot, but he was the kindest among us. Please do start living again at least for his sake..." requested Kakashi, and gave her one last smile before walking towards the exit.

"You're amazing, Kakashi. Our best friend died, and still you're so composed..." she said, sarcasm and disappointment evident in her eyes.

He had his back turned towards her so she could not see his face. and it made her even more angry.

"I guess you're used to things like this..." said Kallen calmly,

She saw his fists clenching tightly, as his body started trembling a little.

"Composed? Used to it?" asked Kakashi sadly,

The next moment his hands roughly grabbed the collar of her shirt and yanked her forward to bring her closer to him. Their lips were mere inches apart, but her eyes were only focused on the tears in his eyes.

"It's true, that I've seen many lives fall before me. However...he was my best friend too!" yelled Kakashi angrily, making her take a step back but he didn't let go.

"Kakashi..."

"This pain...no one gets used to it. But these emotions would affect our next mission, that's why I act like I'm fine" shouted Kakashi

"I..."

"We fight for humanity's survival just like Naruto. What good will I be if I can't fulfill the goal for which he sacrificed his life? And you call me composed, even I..." said Kakashi hesitantly, and stopped himself from speaking any further.

He let go of her collars and quickly started wiping the few tears he had in his eyes, meanwhile Kallen felt even more miserable than before.

"To think that Kakashi would feel this way. That's right...from the very start he took care of me and Naruto. What the hell am I doing? I can't lose my nerve and hurt him like this, being like this won't bring Naruto back...

...I have to move forward as a soldier" thought Kallen with determination,

Kakashi was definitely left speechless when she gave a tight slap to herself, the impact leaving a bright red mark on her fair cheeks as she hissed in pain.

"What are you doing, Kallen?" asked Kakashi worriedly, as he gently rubbed the wounded skin on her face.

"That was me regaining focus, don't worry about me..." replied Kallen seriously,

He gently nursed the wound she had suffered on her own, but she grabbed his hand as an apologetic smile arrived on her lips.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi. I was inconsiderate of your feelings..." said Kallen remorsefully,

"Kallen..."

She surprised him by helping him wipe his tears, followed by planting a soft kiss on his forehead making his cheeks blush a little. What was this feeling in his gut?

"I promise you that I won't die, I will never make you sad like this again..." pledged Kallen, bringing a smile on his face.

"Thank you..."

"We'll keep on fighting for Naruto's dream and free humanity from these walls and Titans. We'll create the new world which Naruto dreamed of..."

A bright smile came on his face as he gave her a light hug, one which she returned without any hesitation.

"We will for sure..."

They were interrupted when one of the soldiers quickly barged into the room disrupting their privacy. Kallen was just about to scold the boy, when Kakashi raised his hand as he saw how harshly their comrade was panting.

It could only be something urgent.

"New orders, you two have been ordered to go to Zhingashina district right now!" said the soldier tiredly,

They both looked at each other, curious from this new development but quickly ran out of the room in order to complete their orders.

They were good soldiers, after all...

A commotion had gathered around by the time they reached the border city, what the Survey Corps soldiers couldn't understand were the cocky smiles on the Garrison soldier's faces. Kakashi and Kallen were only able to gather a small squad on such an urgent basis.

Erwin and Levi had been summoned to the capital to explain their actions behind capturing of a Titan, and what further plans they had.

Hange Zoe was the acting commander currently and it would be a cold day in hell before both of them decided to register themselves on her shit list. That woman was bat shit crazy, so when she asked them to urgently go to Zhingashina district they ran as if the death itself was after them.

"I wonder why the hell they even called us? It's not like there's a Titan crawling through the streets and they need our help..." said Kallen sarcastically,

Her eyes shifted towards Kakashi who was eerily silent, and was sharply observing a corner in which guards had formed a perimeter in order to restrict the civilians from getting through.

At the same time, Eren and Mikasa could not understand why Grisha Yeager had been called out here on an urgent basis. Their father/guardian was a doctor and it only meant someone important was hurt...

And the arrival of the Survey Corps only added to increase their suspicions.

Meanwhile, Petra was keenly watching the red haired survey corps girl. She was being shipped off to boot camp after 2 days, and looking at this girl made her confident that one day her dream of joining the corps was going to be accomplished.

"Look, they're here..." yelled a Garrison soldier, attracting Hannes's attention.

He waved over to Kakashi who narrowed his eyes and just when he was about to move towards the man, he caught a glimpse of someone.

"NARUTO!"

His doubts were proved correct when Kallen's eyes landed on their heavily injured friend, and she gave a harsh yank to her horse making it charge quickly towards their injured comrade.

He also approached towards the Garrison commander, as a faint hope was born inside his heart.

The overjoyed Survey Corps officers failed to notice two sets of eyes widening on hearing Kallen's overjoyed voice. Eren couldn't understand why Mikasa had suddenly started trembling as her eyes were fixed on the two Survey Corps officers. It was as if she had seen them and the injured boy in the past.

On the opposite side of the street, Petra Ral had also gone in a state of shock. That name, it couldn't be...

Memories of their encounter in the cemetery, him placing flowers on Kushina and Kasumi's graves, that shy nature, that voice...

The only thing that could discredit her claim was the blonde hair, but it was a single negative point against all the several other proofs. She tried to move closer in order to get a good look at his face, but was sternly stopped by the Garrison forces.

Her gaze hardened when she saw tears freely falling from the red head girl's eyes as she cradled the injured boy in her lap.

"Naruto, is that really you?" thought Petra in shock,

Kakashi was left speechless, he could not concentrate on the boasts which Hannes was making, or the surprise of his own soldiers, or Kallen's overjoyed tears. His friend had made it back to the walls, it was a bloody miracle...

"You need to get him to a hospital quickly..." said Grisha Yeager gravely,

"What happened? Is he injured?" asked Kallen worriedly, as she tightened her embrace.

"He should be dead, there are several injuries over his body possibly from Titan encounters. His body is badly dehydrated, I can't understand how he even managed to get here..." explained Grisha seriously,

"Yeah, he would be dead if me and my boys didn't risk our lives to get him inside the walls. Still, he's a tough little bastard..." said Hannes proudly, and was surprised when he received a crisp salute from Kakashi.

"Thank you for your help, Captain. We are in your debt, now I would like to take him to our medical station. We won't forget what you did for us today..." said Kakashi gratefully, earning a nod from Hannes.

"Glad to help..."

He was intrigued when Hannes took out a worn out diary from his pocket and handed it over to him, the book had traces of blood and was not in a good condition. The Garrison captain noticed his questioning look and pointed his finger towards Naruto.

"Your friend was holding it as if his life was depending on it. It took 2 men to get his hands off that diary..." confessed Hannes,

Kakashi curiously opened the first page, and the name "Corporal Alex Kruzweski" was written on it. Below it was written the name of "Team 4" along with a photograph.

Observing closely he was surprised when the people in the picture were Survey Corps soldiers, all of them were gathered around a red headed woman. One look on Naruto's face was enough to show that this was his mother.

He flipped a few more pages and saw the entry of the man's life as a child, he turned a few more pages until he reached the last one...

"Kakashi, we need to get Naruto to the hospital. Check the diary later..." scolded Kallen harshly, as Grisha finished bandaging some of the boy's wounds.

"Yeah, you're right..."

Closing the diary, he safely tucked it in his pocket and went forward to help Kallen pick up their injured comrade. He smiled when the spark came back in her eyes and that of the other Survey Corps soldiers, their hero was alive and that was all that mattered to them.

As they carried Naruto back to their medical station, they failed to miss Petra and Mikasa's eyes that were glued on Naruto's injured form.

(One Week Later)

He slowly opened his eyes only to find Hange Zoe inches away from his face, freaking out he nearly collapsed out of the bed but Kallen's firm hand prevented him from getting injured.

"So, sleeping beauty is finally awake?" asked Hange curiously,

"Captain, you scared me there..." said Naruto tiredly, a sigh escaping from his lips.

Not a moment later, a harsh slap impacted with the side of his face creating a bright red mark. Before he could even get over his shock, a crying girl had swept him in a bear hug.

"(Sniff) Don't ever do that again..." said an overjoyed Kallen, as she squeezed the bloody life out of him.

He helplessly looked towards Hange but she was busy reading a report, while Kakashi was standing in a corner whistling happily. The bastard was enjoying this...

He wanted nothing more than to rip her away from his arms, no doubt he cared a lot about her but he had taken a vow.

Never to get too attached to any female ever again....

Kakashi understood it and tried to convey it to Kallen many times, but she kept on coming like a moth attracted to flame. He valued her friendship and her presence in his life, but there was only one reason for which he was still prolonging his existence.

But somehow he didn't have the heart to deny her the hug, even if it made him uncomfortable. You see, no matter how much of a bastard he was there were some emotions he valued.

So, he sat there as she cried and continued hugging him for 5 continous minutes. Guess, he should have gotten used to her antics over the years...

"Women..." thought Naruto disappointedly,

At last, his tough mask cracked and he hesitantly placed a hand on her back which surprisingly reduced her crying.

"It's okay...I'm back now" said Naruto carefully, choosing each word with great caution.

Kallen sniffed a little before smiling and breaking the hug, much to his relief. Naruto then immediately looked towards Hange who was now looking at him directly, a serious expression visible in her eyes. And when Hange Zoe was serious, you better get your shit together.

"Where did you find that diary?" asked Hange flatly,

"I had to take several detours on my way back in order to avoid confrontation with Titans. The deviations indirectly led me to Sector 22 where I found a corpse on whom this diary was hanging, the deceased soldier was wearing the Survey Corps uniform..." answered Naruto,

His eyes narrowed when Hange went stiff as a rock...

"Did you discover cause of death?" asked Hange quickly,

"Stab wound to the heart, and a gunshot straight in the head. Corporal Alex Kruzweski of Team 4 was executed..." announced Naruto dangerously,

"I see..." was the only response from Hange,

"It's not a coincidence isn't it? One member of my mother's team was executed, and other died saving my life? And it all leads back to my father..." said Naruto darkly, his voice full of hatred.

Kallen flinched when she saw the unending hatred burning in his eyes, and it made her extremely sad.

"Get some rest..." said Hange flatly, and exited quickly from the room.

Kallen glanced around nervously but saw Naruto eyeing Kakashi with a business like look, and with a quick hug she exited from the room too leaving the two best friends alone.

"You're hiding something..." said Kakashi calmly, as Naruto sighed.

"You know me too well, Kakashi..." replied Naruto tiredly,

"I'm listening..."

He tried to make Kakashi see reason, but his friend simply glared at him. "Out with it" was the command visible in Kakashi's voice...

"I heard voices in the forest, human voices. I think there are people beyond the walls..." said Naruto hesitantly, and averted his eyes fearing the way Kakashi would rebuke his claim.

"I believe you..."

His eyes widened when Kakashi accepted his claim, the older boy still had the calm look in his eyes.

"Kakashi..."

"You told me your father killed your sister because she was an Uzumaki, and is holding your mother captive. He also said the answers you seek are within the walls...everything leads back to you and your clan" explained Kakashi seriously,

"If that was true, then he should have killed me too. I'm an Uzumaki too, he's simply trying to fool me again..." said Naruto bitterly, but Kakashi shook his head.

"Your hatred makes you blind. Naruto, I've been in the Survey Corps for years and there are very interesting facts I learned about your parents. The reason your father didn't kill you is because you are just like him, you have his eyes, you have the same kind of hatred in your heart..."

"Stop it..."

"There is always a reason behind every action, that's all. I won't tell you how to deal with your father, but you are connected to this mess. We just how to figure out how..." said Kakashi calmly, gaining a tired nod from his best friend.

Naruto slowly got up from his bed and walked towards the window, his calm blue eyes observing the surroundings of Wall Maria.

"Who is Petra Ral?" asked Kakashi curiously, as Naruto's eyebrows twitched in annoyance.

"So you followed me to the cemetery that day..." said Naruto irritatedly,

"Just keeping you safe..." mused Kakashi bemusedly,

"There is something called privacy, you know..."

"Did you say something?"

He sighed on his friend's antics, yet at the same time he valued it more than anything else. To some extent, Kakashi had been able to fill the void in his heart which his family had created.

"She was someone from a past I wish to forget..." answered Naruto honestly,

"A friend?" questioned Kakashi,

"My best friend..."

"You're really strange, Naruto. You've got 2 amazing girls pining after you, and you always run away. Scaredy cat?" teased Kakashi, but stopped when he saw the look in the blonde boy's eyes.

"Women complicate things, and after what happened in the past I don't want to get too close to any female ever. I've lived my life for the sake of one goal, and I don't expect Kallen or Petra to understand. I walk the path of carnage and destruction, and if I get too attached I won't be able to make the decisions which are needed to be made..." explained Naruto seriously,

"I think they like you, both of them..." said Kakashi hesitantly,

"There is nothing in me to like, Kallen will see it in time. You're far better than me, a good guy it should be you she should be worried about. She or Petra can neither stop me or save me from my path..." answered Naruto confidently,

"Even if it means you have to sacrifice the most beautiful thing in life?" questioned Kakashi curiously,

"A person who can't sacrifice anything can never change anything. My war is with Titans and my father, both of whom are monsters. I saw it in Petra's eyes, she still remembers me..." said Naruto confusedly,

"Girls love bad boys more than the good ones..." said Kakashi wryly,

"Why?"

"Girls think they can save them, or maybe they present a challenge. If they win or are able to change a bad boy, then girls think they are worth something. I don't know clearly, but I believe these are some of the reasons..." suggested Kakashi,

"What if someone doesn't want to be saved?" asked Naruto silently, as Kakashi smiled.

"Then it makes the quest even more appealing..."

His answer brought an amused smile on Naruto's face, but it didn't last long as the boy's sharp eyes widened in horror.

Kakashi froze in fear when his eyes landed on a giant titan more than 50 feet tall, the mighty creature was hovering over the walls of Zhingashina district. His murderous eyes casting a dark shadow over the humans...

BOOM!

The next second a violent earthquake shook every single building within wall Maria, as several craters, people, debris flew in the air.

Naruto's dark red eyes came to life, as he quickly jumped towards another window in the room, the curious soldiers of the Survey Corps who were casually sitting in the base's ground floor froze when they saw a commanding look in their recently healed leader's eyes.

"2ND PLATOON PREPARE FOR COMBAT!"

The Titan Invasion had just began...

Author's Notes: End of chapter.

Reviews are always appreciated.

Until next time,

Blackwolf501