A/N: Argh! I blame Rikudo-75 for this! Here I was, content to update all my old stories, then HE has to go and suggest a new idea! I was happy! I was content! And then I was introduced to what I know regard as possibly one of THE best animes of all time. Shingeki no Kyojin. Otherwise known as Attack on Titan. A powerful script, beautiful music and damn good acting. I've already become acquainted with all of the anime, and am up to the most recent chapter of the manga. Naturally, I'm enjoying it, and I hope you are as well!
In that regard, I'm fairly certain no one has dared to try this before. And with that, I proudly present to you the long-waited and continuousl awesome continuation of...
...I'm only Human! Its a nice looong chapter, just like last time! A lot happens in this one, as we take a better look at just how Naruto's students have progressed, as well as how they deal with all the responsibilites of leadership now that his secret has finally been revealed...
"Righteous is he who stands by his friends...
~?
Breach
The hour passed by far too swiftly.
"I can't believe we did that." Disbelief didn't even come close to explaining how Naruto felt in this moment. Yes, there was shock. But there was also joy. A fierce radiance bubbling up inside him, threatening to explode outwards in a joyous shout at the slightest provocation. He lay there with her, his body no longer slicked with the sweat of their exertions, but warm and dry.
"Regrets?" she whispered, his lips nibbling at his ear.
"None." he sighed happily.
Annie rose her head up from his chest and kissed him before she got up from their impromptu bed of grass and leaves to find her clothes. She even walks around differently than other women, Naruto thought, to himself recalling the last time he'd been with Mei; she had slid out from the covers with only a smoldering smile and left him behind to change, uncaring if his attention traced across every inch of her body. Annie simply strode around the clearing, bending over to retrieve articles of clothing as she discovered them, slowly gathering up her uniform. She has nothing to be shy about, anyway, he thought as she had bent over to pick up the white underwear he tugged off with his teeth only an hour earlier that evening.
She shot a look at him as he watched her, her cheeks dusted with pink, as she put her clothes on, underwear first. There was just something...so godman cute about that.
"That was certainly an interesting hour." Naruto murmurred to himself as he pulled up his pants and readjusted his belt, holstering on his gear once more. Hidden away in the shadows afforded both by the trees and the sun he felt almost at ease, despite his nakedness. All of his earlier anger and frustration were gone, having vanished with the light on the horizon. It was as if he'd had a knot trapped inside his stomach for these last three years-a terrible tautness that'd refused to leave him alone. Until now.
"Me neither!" Kurama's satisfaction was tantamount to joyous weeping. "It's been so long since you've been with a woman...and you bedded the best fo the bunch! Ya done this old fox proud!"
'Shaddap will ya...
The last sage risked one last glance over his shoulder and was well rewarded with a glimpse of alabaster skin just before Annie Leonhart reclaimed her scattered articles of clothing, slipped her shirt back on. It suddenly struck him that she hadn't been wearing a bra the entire time. Well now. That'd be an interesting little fact to remember.
"Hentai. she scolded as she caught him staring, pausing to cross both arms before her bare bosom. "S-Stop staring at me like that."
"Hey," Naruto replied, "I was just making sure I didn't bruise you anywhere." They'd certainly been rough enough to push their regeneration to its limits; biting and scratching and clawing with everything they had, and more. It must've brought a smile to his face, because her scowl deepened.
"Hentai."
"It's not like you weren't looking either," he continued, "In fact, your eyes were wandering quite a bit when we-
"HEN-TAI."
The forcefulness of her statment prompted him to perform an about-face; he'd no desire to anger her after their wonderful lovemaking. Then as Annie Leonhart often did, she surprised him. A slow sigh snaked between his teeth as he felt all the softness of her female form press itself against his still-bare back, her arms following suit seconds later. Annie. Who would've thought that despite their differences, this would actually happen? Not him, not at all! Never, even in a million years! The slightest of smiles pulled at his whiskered cheeks at such a thought. Ya know, I could get used to this...
"You have a lot of scars." she murmured into his back.
Naruto sighed, blue eyes drifting shut in the evening light. He'd known this was coming. Seen it a mile away. Annie simply wasn't the type to keep her mouth shut. If she wanted to say something then damnit she'd say it. Didn't matter if it hurt your feelings or not. Even now could feel her running her fingiertips up and down his back, her crystal-colored eyes tracing evey line that were meant to be seen, and some that weren't. Annnie was silent for a long time, he could feel her scrutiny boring into his very soul. She was curious. Dying to ask him where he'd gotten so many wounds.
"So?" he asked at last. "Are you curious?"
"...yes."
Naruto tsked softly to himself and turned in her arms, presenting his body, unto hers, nuzzling his head into her neck. There was slightest hitch in her breath as he did so-it was the sweetest sound he'd ever heard. The swell of her bare breasts pushing up against his chest, skin to skin, was enough to send shiviers shooting down his spine. Once more, he was stricken by just how small she seemed here, held in his arms; he was heads and shoulders taller than her and certainly much stronger. And yet for all that she lacked in size, he knew Annie could give anyone a brutal beating if she were so inclined. She was feisty. Cold at times. And yet at other as he'd so recently learned, she coud be downright warm. It was just one of the many things he was beginning to love about her.
Love.
Ah, that was a new one, wasn't it? He'd sealed off his heart since Mei's death all those years ago, only to have it wrenched open once again by these blasted kids. He was still adjusting to such a concept. He loved all his students in equal measure: Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Mina, Sasha, Christa, Annie herself, and last but not least-though unbeknownst to the others-Marco. He cared for all of them Naruto told himself, and yet he knew he'd be lying to himself if his female students didn't have a slight edge over the others, just as Annie had momentarily carved for herself the lead spot in his heart. For now. He still wasn't sure how he'd explain to the others what had happened here today; the longer they stayed her, the greater the chance they risked of creating...complications.
His thoughts soon proved prohetic as Annie touched a hand to his neck, caressing the very spots where Haku's needles had torn into him when he was just a boy. It had been his first true shinobi combat outside the village-those demon brothers didn't count-and he'd nearly died. Now that had been a close one. Naruto spent the next fifteen minutes allowing her to examine him, spending undue time he shouldn't have. It was an enlightening experience to say the least. All the while the sun continued to sink lower and lower toward the horizon.
"And this?" at last she traced a faint indentation just below his right pectoral.
"Well, that's what happens when your best friend shoves a Chidori through your lung and outta your back." Naruto found himself replying. "It hurt like a bitch at the time-wha?" Just then he noticed her disbelief; clearly she was wondering how anyone, not just him, could survive such a debilitating wound. "Don't make that face! You know how I heal."
"Yes, but...
"But?"
"That's the same technique you taught Mikasa."
"Yeah." he felt wistful just talking about it. "I know she won't misuse it, though. She might have Uchiha blood, but she's a good kid."
They stared at each a long moment before he finally released her, bending down to retrieve his battered jacket.
"So am I still a pervert?" he purred at her.
"I hate you." she murmurred.
"I am fully aware of that, Annie," he said, glancing down at himself. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected attention?" A smirk stretched across his face, leaving her weak and wanting; she had no idea how much longer she could hold herself from sexually assaulting him again. He kissed her fingers tips one at a time; each brush and passing of his lips leaving her face flushing. She reached up, and grabbed at his half slung jacket, seeking to pull him closer-
Riiiiiiip.
Both blonde's blinked as Naruto's jacket, beaten and battered from their lovemaking, split down the center.
"Eh?"
Annie started giggling at him. The expression on his face as the shirt ripped had been wonderful; he had looked down in mild surprise but when he returned his gaze to her, it was a very sheepish look that he wore.
"I told you that shirt was ruined," she said as she leaned forward and kissed him, hoping that this slight derailment wouldn't affect his desire for her. He laughed and hungrily kissed her back, leaning into her, forcing her to lie back down on the tree. Another fifteen minutes died that way.
When she was fully dressed, she came over to him and kissed him for a final time. They stood like that for a long instant cherishing the moment-
BA-KRANG!
Naruto reluctantly tore his lips from hers as a black flare roared into the sky. Pixis was waiting for him. Whatever plan he had for restoring troop morale, was about to begin.
She looked slightly saddened as they neared the wall once more. "Well then, I guess this is it, isn't it? You're going to go play hero now, aren't you?"
"I'm the only one who can make sure Eren doesn't go berserk."
"If you make it back in one piece," she said, her subtle look of sorrow vanishing as she smiled deviously at him. "Then perhaps we'll do this again." he started in surprise as she stood up on her tip-toes, her lips pushing against his mouth with a ferocity he hadn't expected. She didn't even give him time to return the kiss; she simply turned and left without another word. Naruto listened to her retreat-observing her departure silently, as her footsteps took his fellow blonde further and further away from him. He sighed and closed his eyes, placing his hands behind his head. The entire hour flashed through his minds again, and again and he couldn't help but smile as her last words echoed in his mind: "Perhaps we'll do this again."
Well, he thought, smiling. At least there's that.
Pixis was waiting for him as he climbed the wall. So too, were his students. None dared wonder where he had been for so long; it wasn't as though the titans below were going anywhere. The only risk that lay in waiting was that more and more of them would doubtlessly come through the gap as time went on. Granted, that risk could be countered by shadow clones, but, his students didn't have anywhere as much pull in the technique as he did; he really couldn't expect a counter offensive from them in that regard.
"You certainly took your time." the wizened commander noted.
"Had some business to wrap up." Naruto drawled. Annie scaled the wall seconds later and for the most part, paid him no attention. Her intentions were betrayed in the slightest glance at him, her eyes softening as they held his. Naruto stubbornly fought the urge to smile back. They'd agreed to arrive separately, it would arouse suspicions if they were seen together. Besides, the last thing they, or anyone needed right now was dissent in the ranks, and a relationship between student and teacher would do just that.
"Are you prepared to throw your life away?"
"Hardly." the blonde rolled his shoulders. "But if that's what it takes to seal the hole...who am I to judge?"
"Well said." Pixis took a deep breath and exhaled it in the same instant, facing towards the troops gathered below. Then:
"ATTENTION!"
All at once the sursurus of fearful whispers below fell silent. Even Naruto was amazed at the man's ability to project his voice!
"I will now elaborate on the plan to recapture Trost District! The objective of this plan is to seal the hole in the destroyed gate! I will now explain how we intend to seal that hole!"
"Belonging to the Survey Corps this is Uzumaki Naruto! And his student, of the Training Corps, Eren Jeager! They are the product of successful top-secret Titan-transformation research. They are each capable of generating a Titan's body and moving it according to their will! In their Titan form, one of them will lift the large boulder in the vicinity of the front gate, carry it to the destroyed gate, and seal it! Your duty is...to protect them from other Titans until they've moved that boulder!
"Carry that large boulder? That's just...Has mankind finally taken control of the Titans?"
"You're lying!" Dazz screamed! "I won't risk my life for a retarded reason like that! What do you think we are?! We're not disposable blades, you know!"
Up on the wall, Naruto twitched.
"That little shit...is he still bitching around? I should've killed him when I had the chance!"
Beside him, Sasha stiffened.
'Oh crap, sensei's getting pissed...
Still the cries continued to rise, growing steadily louder with each moment, each passing second...
"Human weapons he says!"
"That's obviously a lie!"
"Making fools of us...
"They're telling us to die here today. I'm out of here!"
"Me too!"
"Same here!"
"I've had enough of this!"
Though the soldiers continued to panic, Pixis stood strong in the face of this adversity.
"Heed my command!" he declared! "Those who desert us now will all be pardoned! Once a man surrenders to their fear of Titans, they are no longer fit for battle! Those who've experienced that terrible fear, are free to leave! Furthermore, those of you who want your parents, siblings, and loved ones to experience that same fear for themselves may also leave!"
There was a silence. Slowly but surely, the murmurrings of dissent morphed into ones of resolve; and Naruto realized the commander's brilliance. Few, if any, of the soldiers were willing to condemn those they deemed precious to death at the hands of the Titans.
"Let us think back to four years ago." The commander continued. "Recall the plan to recapture Wall Maria. Though I presume you all know this without me having to say, the plan itself sounded glorious, but in essence, it was a way to rid ourselves of the unemployed that the government was unable to support! The only reason everyone maintained their silence was because we managed to survive with these confined walls, thanks to their sacrifices! All of mankind bears that sin, including myself!"
"Well, that explains a lot." Naruto experienced a bitter epiphany just then. "I was wondering what happened to all those I rescued...and they were sent off the slaughter instead?!"
"Such is the way of humanity." Kurama shared in his disgust. "In our time, no one would've dared do such a thing...
If Pixis recognized the killer intnet, he said little otherwise. "Because the inhabitants of Wall Maria were few in number, the conflict did not escalate. But what about now?! If wall Rose is breached reducing the mouths to feed by a fifth won't suffice! Not even a half of the remaining population can be supported within only Wall Sina! Should mankind cease to exist, it would not be because we were all devoured by Titans! We humans would be our own end!"
"We mustn't die within narrower walls." he spread his arms wide, his voice piquing at the last. "I implore you, my fellow soldiers! Die where you stand today, so that your loved ones may not die tomorrow!"
Only a few minutes later, Mikasa found Naruto giving them a similair speech. He'd gathered them here atop the wall sometime afterwards. The plan was made, their decision set. They, as Naruto's students, would serve as the vanguard, excepting Armin, who would remain behind due to his tactical prowess. Besides, his frail body wasn't exactly suited to battle. But that wasn't the problem here.
Fear. Confusion. Dread.
She could see it in the eyes of Jean and the others; they were baffled in more ways than one. Not only that Naruto had secretly taught and trained Marco-gifting him techniques he daren't teach them, but that he'd kept this monstruous ability under wraps all this time. Remarkably, Sasha seemed the least bit phazed by it all; if anything she seemed...relieved? But that didn't make any sense. Only she and Armin had witnessed Naruto's ungodly Titan form, exempting Eren of course. So why then, did the potato girl seem so at ease?
Mikasa silently made a note to inquire further.
"Listen well!" Naruto cleared his throat, gaining his student's attention, silencing their murmurs. "I know you weren't expecting this! None of you were! You may be surprised by what you have been told here today! You might be shocked by what you have learned! And its all true. Every last bit of it." His blue eyes took them each in turn; warm and emphatic. "That's right; I possess the same power as Eren; the power to transform into a Titan at will! For the last three years I have held this power and kept it a secret from each of you. Mikasa and Armin have seen it for themselves and they aren't afraid. But there is another secret I have yet to tell you lot and," here he did roll his shoulders, "I suppose now's as good a time as any. Kurama, if you will?"
As if on cue, sapphire irises snapped into scarlet. When next he spoke his voice was not his own, but that of another. It was if a coin had been flipped; if Naruto was heads, then this...other him was certainly tails. She'd not been able to put her finger on it before, but she was almost certain she recognized this other half, this darker persona...it was almost as if she knew him.
"Three years to this day," the stranger in Naruto's body began, "You witnessed this brat transform into a giant fox. I trust you haven't forgotten? That form was me. The great Kurama! I reside within your precious sensei, and my chakra dwells within two of you." His lips pulled back to expose sharp, deadly teeth. "Its so nice to finally lay eyes on the rest of you with my own eyes. Do try not to panic and die today, little meatbags. It'd be such a shame if your potential went to waste."
Kurama blinked, and just like that, Naruto was back in control. Blue eyes regarded them cooly, waiting for panic to break out. When none did, he sighed.
"Many things have changed." his voice was a touch softer, than she'd ever heard. "As I told you yesterday, you are no longer my students. And I am no longer your teacher. But with these revelations, your viewpoint of me has doubtlessly changed even further. Some of you may even think me a monster! But one thing hasn't changed; to me, you are still my precious students! And as such, I still care for each of you! I would gladly lay down my life here at your feet if it meant I could keep you all alive. But I cannot do that! My strength, is needed here today. Your strength is needed here today But if any of you think me a monster...if any of you have succumbed to fear, feel free to walk away at this very moment! I will not stop you!"
"Bullshit." Mina Carolina croaked out, startling her fellow blackette. Her sensei gave her the look, but otherwise didn't comment on this less than delicate response. Apparently that was close enough to how he'd thought she'd feel when he revealed his less than savory history...
"Sensei," she continued, stepping to him, "Why should we be afraid of you?"
"I'm not saying you shout." Naruto replied stoically, staring down at the shorter girl. "Only that I won't blame you for your fear-mmph." His words died then and there as her mouth found his, seeking not his cheek, this time, but his lips, her tongue caging his for what felt like an eternity. Mikasa bristled at the sight, her mouth forming a small, open O at the sight. That little wench! How dare she do such a thing! She wouldn't stand for it! Almost before she thought to stop herself, she stepped to her sensei and elbowed Mina aside, taking one of his arms for her own; to her dismay, Mina did the exact same thing.
"You're not allowed to kiss him." she said softly, refusing to falter under the girl's wither glare.
"And why is that?"
Mina clutched Naruto tighter. "B-Because you don't care about him like I do!"
"What?!"
Mina refused to give ground, she held tighter to the baffled blond and stuck out her tongue, her resolve didn't waver in the slightest. Ridiculous! Both girls glared at one another, sparks flew betwixt and between them. Out of the corner of her eye Mikasa watched Arim sweatdrop at the odd behavior. Jean's reaction was slightly more...outstanding. The boy practically facepalmed. Doubtless, her fellow disciple was less than pleased by this strange, unusual brach of etiqutte...or perhaps he was just jealous? Only kami knew. Just as Mikasa knew she wasn't about to yield to her rival for Naruto's affections.
Their standoff lasted all of an instant longer; then, to their dual disbelief, Naruto shook himself free.
"I appreciate your feelings," he began slowly, "But now isn't the time for this. We'll discuss it later, assuming we live through today." Mikasa didn't like that. At all. By effectively telling them not to display their feeling in public, he was basically telling them to shut the hell up and get along with one another. As if Mikasa could after what she'd just seen!
"But sensei-
"N-Naruto's right." someone seconded, severing that thought. "Now isn't the time for this."
Mikasa's eyebrows shot up.
"Christa?"
Well now, this was a surprise, Naruto mused to himself. Though everyone seemed surprise-and in Annie's case, more than slightly miffed-by Mikasa and Mina's display of affection, no one actually spoke out against his command. None admitted that they were afraid to give up their lives today, terrified that they all might die a horrible death before today was through. Each stood fast and strong, refusing to even consider the possiblty of their own impending demise."
"Well, aren't you a lucky bastard." Kurama butted in. "You've got most of your female students pining after you and one in the sack already. Its almost a shame that Christa lass has a thing for Ymir you know...
'Okay, we are not talking about this.'
Drawing himself up to his full height, the blonde crossed both arms behind his back. Whatever had stirred in his heart, it was gone now.
"Ever since the Titans appeared, mankind has not once claimed victory over them! For every inch the Titans advanced, you have retreated in kind, continually giving up territory! How-ever, when this plan succeeds, mankind wil recapture territory from the Titans for the first time in history! That moment will mark the first time mankind has triumphed over the Titans! Compared to all that mankind has lost thus far, this may be overwhelmingly insignificant. However, despite that, to mankind...
...it will be a great advance! I have faith in each of you! Go out there and kick some titan ass!"
...is what you said," Kurama growled as they traversed the city," but do you have an guarantee that brat won't snap and attack us instead?" Naruto was silent for a long moment at that one, the only sound to be heard was that of his maneuver gear carrying them to the boulder. There was only the wind in his hair and the knowledge that no matter happened here today, people were goind to die. He'd already abandoned the notion of saving everyone; he simply wanted to get the breach plugged as swiftly as possible before something happened. Sasha and Mikasa would be accompany him this far alongside the elite squad, but as even the best generals knew, sometimes the most well-laid plans went awry.
In short, he really didn't have an answer for the fox's inquiry.
"Nope."
"So basically, we're winging it. Again." the kitsune's deadpann was barely concealed.
"Pretty much."
A flash of green light to his right signaled the start of Eren's transformation, cutting off whatever his tenant might've said.
"Aaaaand that's our cue."
As one, the blonde disengaged his maneuver gear and raised a thumb to his mouth. Blood spurted againsts his tongue as he sank his teeth into the lone digit, his figure engulfed in a lightning bolt of pure power. There was a terrifying sensation of weightlessness, then gravity took hold, sending his body crashing down into a nearby building. He lay there for a moment, making absolutely certain he had control. Then, and only then did he begin to move; his titan form levering itself out of the debris in silence, its breath causing the very earth to tremble. Blazing crimson orbs surveyed all before him, his six arms working as one to lever his body out of the evacuated building into which he had fallen.
He stood tall and proud, surveying the humans lining the rooftop, searching for any signs that anything was amiss. Finding nothing, he allowed his body to relax. If only minutely.
"Is he in control?" Rico wondered aloud.
As though he'd read her mind, the gigantic blonde flashed a single thumbs up with one of his many hands. He turned to face the boulder, waiting for Eren to take the lead.
"Alright then. Now let's get this over with-huh?"
Naruto frowned at Eren's Titan form. It was behaving strangely. Instead of lifting the boulder as had been the plan, it was just...standing there, gazing off into empty space, uncaring even as countles soldiers began to perish around them. Sasha and the others-his precious shinobi students, were out there buying time for Eren to lift the boulder-while the task of personally protecting him fell to Naruto's Titan form. And all because he himself didn't want any part of the glory. He was beginning to regret that decision. Tch!
At this rate he'd have to do it himself!
Striding forward, he reached out with one of his six arms, seeking to jostle the smaller Titan by the shoulder.
"Oi," Jeager." he growled. "Get your head out of yer ass! We need to move!"
No response.
Naruto shook him again, roughly this time.
"Eren!"
THAT got a response. The titan turned to face him, green eyes narrow. A low growl left his lips, causing the blonde to stiffen.
"What in the world...?"
"Dodge!"
Perhaps it was his confusion; or maybe the misguided belief that Eren wouldn't dare attack him for fear of what he'd seen earlier. Regardless, Naruto found himself unprepared as the rogue titan lurched to its feet, eyes little more than slits in the back of its head, hands clenched into fists-
Uh-oh.
Clenched knuckles barreled into his unprotected face...
...hard.
It all happened so fast, Sasha realized.
One moment Naruto and Eren were standing there; the next, Eren attacked her senpai. Even as part of her itched to defend him, her training kicked in, cold reasoning dousing the flames of her anger. Now was not the time for a burning heart. Cooler heads needed to prevail. Titans were closing in. Naruto and Eren couldn't afford to fight now. But she could. Her affinity was earth. She could easily use the Land itself to keep them tied down for a few precious minutes in order to finish them off. But that would require speed. Speed she alone possesed. The only risk that presented was getting awfully close...no! She had to do this! Even if it meant her life would be rendered forfeit...
Her heart sank into her stomach at the thought. Steeling herself, she dug deep into the resevoir that was her chakra then deeper still, reaching for the Eight Gates that her mentor had taught her. Three of them opened almost immediately, her hair standing on end, her skin staining itself the color of blood. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, unable to believe what they were witnessing
"Here goes nothing!"
Naruto grunted in surprise, staggering back a step, jaw hanging loose fron the blow. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Sasha hurtling toward the enroaching titans. Somehow, the sight of his student hurling herself in the face of the enemy galvanized him; any regrets he might've had at harming Eren vanished in that instant. Fine then. If that brat wanted to lose himself in that Titan body of his...
"So you wanna play, huh?!"
Eren's response was to roar and lunge, slavering maw split wide for the kill! His senpai didn't even bother to backpedal or block; insteads he struck upward with all sixs arms, driving massive fists into the smaller titan's torso with all the force of an explosive typhoon. They struck the earth together as one-grappling and growling and grabbing at one another each seeking the upper hand when none seemed to be found. But while Eren's smaller body afforded him a smaller target, Naruto was a good five meters larger, stronger, and with arms to spare.
Within seconds he'd levered himself upward, utilizing his massive build to prevent his berserk student from dealing a potentially crippling blow. The Titan tried to strike him in the face and received headbutt, staggering its body for a precious pair of seconds. Naruto didn't know whether Eren was remotely sane enough to realize his mistake, but he was about to pay for it dearly. Two arms locked around the smaller titan's shoulders, in a vicious vice and pulled preventing him from utilizing his superhuman strength ever again again.
Forgive me, Eren!
This was Naruto's last thought before he ripped the Titan's arms off with his almighty strength, severing them at the shoulders. Eren screamed; roaring in pain as steam spouted from the stumps that had once been his arms, screamed as Naruto thrust him down to the ground Fists met face all at once, all six of his arms working as one single entity, striking and striking and striking, poundiing down with relentless force.
"You! Stupid! Buffoon!" he ground out between each blow. "I! Don't! Have! Time! For! This! Come to your senses! Back to yourself Didn't you want to go outside?! To see the world, beyond these walls and the ocean?! SNAP THE FUCK OUT OF IT!"
His fist struck down for a final time, smashing the titan flash in the face. Still no response. Had Eren lost himself to the Titan for good? In any case, he didn't have time to sit and wait around for him to awake. Growling, Naruto strode to the boulder, his six arms flexing in anticipation as he appproached the gigantic rock. He only hoped Mikasa would forgive him for abandoning her foster brother.
"Naruto's approaching the boulder!" Dimly, as though from a great distance, he could hear Ian barking out orders. "Defend him at all costs!" Grunting, the blonde took himself to task and wrapped all six of his arms into the gigantic rock. With a supreme efforts, he began to pull. Heeaavy! That was his first thought when his arms closed around it, even with his titanic strength, it took him more than several seconds to muster the power needed just to lift it off the ground, let alone over his head and into the air. But in time he succeeded, hoisting it high with some strain.
There was just one problem.
Ian and the others were doing their job, but there were far more Titans than there should be. More than they, or their limited numbers could hope to handle alones. To the East, he could see Sasha struggling to hold off another wave of Titans; her chakra usage was spiking faster than her kill count it seemed. Was it because of Kurama's chakra, he wondered?
Now that he had to tend to the task of moving the boulder himself, now that he'd finally gotten the damn thing off the ground and onto his back, how the hell was he supposed to get it to the gate, in once piece? With his greater size and strength he'd originally been meant to protect Eren, utilizing his control to keep the Titans off him. Now, forced to attend the task alone, he realized he sacrificing himself might very well become an all too real option. Even now he could see the Titans lumbering towards him, alerted by his massive form just standing there, holding the boulder. This couldn't possibly end well. If he had to stop and defend himself in each instance, they'd never get this hole closed.
Behind him, something stirred in his peripheals. Naruto could only pray that it was Eren.
"Have you come to your senses yet?"
A low, warbling growl greeted him as something grabbed him from behind. Nope! Definitely not Eren!
"Sunuva-
Teeth clamped down on the aberrant's neck, crushing vertebrae in an instant. The Rogue Titan swung the body down with gusto, tearing it to pieces with the sheer momentum of its throw. Seemingly satisified with this kill, it dropped the now smoldering corpse to the ground.
Eren stared at him for a long moment, then he lurched to his feet. His arms returned in an instant, flesh and muscle sprouting over bone. He took one look at them-glanced at Naruto-then back to the Titans. Something seemed to resolve itself in those green eyes. He watched the boy-become-Titan raise a hand and thump it once against his chest. As if that weren't enough, he opened his mouth and gave a might-sounding.
"ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAARGH!"
Naruto grunted.
"I'll take that as a yes!"
With fire in his face and Eren at his back, he strode forward into the jaws of death. He could only pray for the safety of his students now; there fate was no longer in his hands but their own...
"Sunuva bitch!"
Jean Kirchstein was cursing that very fate as he barreled down the streets of Trost, trying-and failing-to outrun the swarm of Titans he'd attracted. They were gaining on him, slow but steady. Damn maneuver gear! Of all the times to malfunction! It had broken at the worst possible time! Now what would he do?! He was barely outrunning them as things stood, but if this kept up...
In the end, inspiration came from the most unlikely of sources.
A torch flickered in his peripheals as he ran; against all odds, someone had forgotten to put it out before they fled.
Jean had never considered the practial applications for fire before joining the military. Upon becoming a shinobi he'd thought even less of such things. For the last three years he'd trained relentlessly from dawn to dusk and it was only in the last month of his training that Naruto ever mentioned affinities. Sasha had taken to earth. Annie, air. Mikasa lingered in lightning. Mina was like a fish in well, water. And Christa-their sweet, gentle little Christa had two affinities, water and earth. Armin had none, though he appeared to be well-rounded in each category. Marco's main profficiency-when the hell did Naruto have time to train him?-was that of Sennin Techniques, making up for his relative his lack of jutsu. But what did Jean have?
Fire.
According to Naruto, he had a natural talent bordering on that of an Uchiha's. He'd had the smallest amount of chakra from the beginning but Naruto had worked with him, helped him to raise that meager reserve of all but lackluster into something magnificent. He'd taught him one of the most powerful jutsu he'd even witnessed, a great fire cataclysm that could wipe out an entire army-an entire city-if used incorrectly. Just one usage depleted a fourth of his own reserves, for Jean to use such a technique, it all but exhausted nearly all his chakra. But what choice did he have?! His maneuver gear wasn't working properly, and if those Titans got a hold of him, it was game over!
Steeling himself, he drew in a deep breath, kneading the chakra in his stomach, giving it shape and form.
"Goka Mekkakyu."
He exhaled mightily, expelling all the chakra he'd been stoking in his lungs. The great fireball that burst forth from his lips was no fireball at all; it was a rising, focused inferno that swept forward in a straight line, roiling forward. Into the titans. The great goliaths had just enough time to realize their folly before the blaze overtook their position, swallowing them whole. But it didn't stop there. Jean balked, baffled as the hot blaze kept going-sweeping onward in a fierce arc, incinerating a score of neary buildings, charring them to ash alongside the Titan's he'd attacked.
Oh shit!
His mind railed against this sudden turnabout, instinctively fought the realization that he might've killed someone just now, reminding itself that everyon had already been evacuated. Jean seriously hoped that was the case...he didn't think he'd be able to bear such a catastrophic loss of life. Still it was then, as the titans collapsed in a smoldering heap, that Jean realized something.
Fire was a handy tool to have.
"Suiryu!" (Water Dragon)
Mina Carolina shouted with all her might and drew upon her chakra, willing the moisture to resonate in the air around her body, taking the shape she so desired. That of a dragon. Its great bulk towered over her and all she'd come to protect, leering down at the Titans lining the street. When it had at last grown large enough she willed the beast forward, its body flooding the streets-its teeth making short work of necks and heads alike in swift succession below.
"Armin!" she called. "Do it! Now!"
"Right!"
Her fellow student rushed past, a wedge of kunai in each hand. He leapt and let them fly, each knife armed with an explosive tag. They sank straight and true, landing just below the neck of each titan. The blond landed beside her, and raised his hand into a sign.
"Katsu!"
An explosion rocked the streets below, effectively finishing off the wrechid lives of the Titans.
"Its a shame Christa couldn't join us." he mused to himself. "Would've made things easier...
"Mizurapa!"
His head snapped around just in time to witness the blackette forcefully expel a gout of water from her lips, blasting a climbing aberrant off its purch to join the others in the flood down below.
Mina wiped a beat of sweat from her brow.
"No, its nothing...
She stood and the worst disadvantage here, with no water to draw upon and manipulate, she was forced to create it entirely with her own reserves. It was exhausting work but for every life she saved she felt as though she'd done a world of good; for each survivor meant another loved one would return safely to their families.
Loved one.
Her cheeks flushed at the thought; an image of Naruto emerging in her mind.
'I can't believe I k-kissed him back there!'
Just the thought of it made her squirm! She'd actually cursed at him and then kissed him! There was no way someone as powerful-wonderful- and so incredibly kind as Naruto could ever possibly return her feelings! But still...it was well worth it! If she could bring herself to do such a thing in public, then there might be a chance for her yet..
"M-Mina...
The blackette blinked, drawn from her swooning by Armin's voice.
"Hmm?"
Armin pointed to the still soaked streets. "I think you overdid it a little."
"Oops." she sweatdropped at the small flooded she'd created. "I really hope that evaporates before sensei sees...
"Disappear."
Annie flicked her fingers and an invisible wind erupted fromher palms, slamming into each Titan nearest her, eviscerating their necks to bloody shreds. Three more Titans perished before her unseen assaults, their lives snatched before they'd even knew what had killed them. Beside her two more toppled as Marco blurred past them, ending their lives crushing cuts to the neck. So that, was the power of his senjutsu then. She'd known that Sage Mode gave an individual unbelievable strength, skill, and speed, but this was ridiculous!
Being the elite of Naruto's pupils, the pair had an entire sector to themselves. Annie was almost grateful for that. It meant she didn't have to deal with the precocious elites and seeing as she barely knew Marco, she did not have a reason to be particularly aggressive towards him...until now.
"Ano...Annie-san...
...yeah?"
"Aren't you overdoing things a little?"
"Huh?"
The blonde glared bloody red daggers at Marco, daring him to say something else; she didn't care if he was Naruto's successor or prodigy or anything. For some reason her blood still continued to boil. Perhaps it'd to do with what she'd seen back on the wall. Perhaps it was that the sight of Mina and Mikasa each clinging to her sensei. Whatever it was, it inflamed her fury to an almost righteous degree. It was only then that she saw his eyes, that she realized Marco was still using sage mode. Strange. Why was Marco still using...
"It's strange." he murmurred, peering intently at her. "I can sense Titans when I'm like this...and for a second there, you...no." He shook his head, suddenly sheepish. "I'm still new at this. I must've made a mistake, or something...
"What?" Annie pressed, feeling a snake of dread slither into her gut. A snake of losing everything she'd ever known, everything she'd just gained. "W-What're you talking about?"
"For a second there, you had the same aura as a Titan."
Annie froze. Oh no. No no no. He was going to screw everything up! Just when she'd finally thought herself to have found a bit of solace! It had to be taken away. In that instant he mind shut down, presenting her with two possibilities. Kill or be killed. If there was any chance that Marco was suspicious, if he acted on those suspicions and told someone...everything would be ruined. She was suddenly conscious of the blade in her hand, its weight-the weight of what she now had to do-seemed impossibly heavy. She couldn't risk it. Couldn't trust him as she trusted Naruto; he wasn't reliable, trustworthy, or anything like his mentor.
She panicked. He'd tell everyone! Then she'd have no choice but to run, run or be killed, both by her own people and those within the walls. She would never be safe again, all because of him...because of she'd made a stupid decision and slipped up. But there was a way out of this, she realized. If Marco never told anyone...
"Oi...Marco..."
"Hai?"
"What's that over there?" she pointed in a random direction, silently hoping he'd fall for her trick. He did.
"I don't see anything-
Biting back tears, Annie waited until she was certain his back was completely turned...
...then she raised her sword high and cut down at his body.
The entire world was a blur to Mikasa Ackerman.
At the outstet of Naruto and Eren's conflict, she'd wanted nothing more to step in. But she just couldn't. Couldn't bring herself to choose between the boy that had saved her as a child, and the man who had taught her everything she knew, just and all. And so she'd flung herself away, tears in her eyes, emotions tearing at her heart as she continued to fend off the Titans until Naruto finally got Eren under control. That...had been five minutes ago. Maybe longer. Mikasa no longer knew.
What she did know was thus; for some reason, she was in perfect form on a sudden. Indeed, the world was a blur. Every titan she encountered seemed to be moving in slow motion, their movements stiff and slugggish in comparison to her own. Sometimes, she even managed to predict what they would do before they did it! Her kill count continued to skyrocket, before she finally found the cause of her sudden increase in ability. Until this moment she'd assumed it to be her anger at Mina; aggression driving her to try harder and harder to prover herself in the eyes of her sensei.
Now she knew otherwise.
She caught sight of herself in a nearby window then; and her heart nearly stopped. Why were her eyes red? Wait, that wasn't right. They were indeed red, but she could see a tomoe within each of thems, a single black comma mark standing out against her scarlet irises. A prickle of very real fear touched at her heart.
"What's...happening to me?"
"So you've finally activated your Sharingan, hmm?" Kurama's voice rebounded through her head. "Interesting."
"What?!"
"You needn't shout." the fox yawned. "Some of my chakra dwells within you and Braus, its only natural I'd want to keep tabs on my investments. Speaking of which, you may want to take a look over yonder."
Mikasa's gaze snapped back toward the breach; sure enough she could see something moving in its direction. Titans. Two of them. But that could only mean...
Naruto.
She couldn't help it; her eyes began to mist over as she saw him carrying the boulder; a veritable Atlas bearing all the weight of the world on his shoulders. But...that didn't make any sense! Eren was supposed to have been the one to carry the boulder, not the blonde. Had something happened? Even so, they were nearly to the gate! Eren just had to protect him for a few more seconds...
"Oi, gaki."
Mikasa started as the sound of someone's maneuver gear dragged her from her reverie. A figure alighted effortlessly upon the rooftop beside her, his coat bearing the Wings of Freedom upon his back. He stared back at her for a long moment, dark eyes narrowing at the sight of her still-crimson orbs. Belatedly, Mikasa realized that the Scouting Legion had finally arrived.
"What's the situation here?" Levi demanded to know.
Numbed, Mikasa could only point down toward the breach in the same instant that Naruto's titan body broke into a run. It was as though he'd finally realized that the goal stood within sight; only a few precious yards of open, titan-free space separated him from the gate now that the Titans had been drawn to Eren. Despite herself, the blackette felt just a touch afraid as she uttered a single, solitary word. There was something about it-that glint in her eyes, which left her undoubtedly at ease.
"That."
Levi followed her arm, eyes widenind slightly as he recognized the six-armed titan bolting for the breach, boulder raised firmly in his many hands.
"Oi, oi...isn't that-
"Orah!
With a mighty roar and an equally lengthy heave, Naruto slammed the massive rock down against the gate with a resounding thud. Cracks burst against the wall, rising from the sudden impact as the boulder barred the hole forever barring the titans that sought to climb inside. Naruto stood there for a long moment, hunched down in his final exertion. Then he stood; a low, throaty growl fled from his jaws. All the titans in the area held his gaze, unknowing of the terror that had been freed to feed upon them. They were far too focused on Eren Jeager. That then, was their first mistake. Also their last.
"Now then...
...time for the second course!"
A/N: Aaaaaand there we have it, folks. A lot's happened in this chapter as we bring the Defense of Trost to a close; Naruto solidifyed his tenuous bond with Annie, knocked some much-needed sense into Eren, and suffering his first significant casualty on the loss of one of his most precious students. Betcha thought it was going to be Jean or Sasha, hmm? Nope! Never meant to place either of them into harms way! But the question remains...
...what will be the repercussionsfor Annie attacking Marco? Last but not least, it seems Mikasa and the others have finally gotten wind of just what happened between the two blondes...this can't possibly end well! What will happen! Who will live, who will die?! Will Naruto survive their righteous female fury?! Find out next time on...
...I'm Only Human!
So...in the immortal words of Atlas...
...Review...Would Ya Kindly? And of course, enjoy the preview!
(Preview)
"Owowowow!" Sasha whimpered in Naruto's arms as he carried her back to base. "Dont move so fast, sensei! I'm sore!"
"That's what you get for releasing three gates!" the blonde chided his disciple, refusing to slacken his pace in the slighest.
"Still," the brunette flushed quietly, "its kinda nice, being carried like a princess...
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing!"
Naruto would've said more had he not caught sight of Annie at that very moment.
"So you survived." he smiled.
"I found someone." was all she would say. Without another word, she stepped aside.
Naruto fel the his heart drop into his throat, plummet into his stomach at the sight of the broken, bloated, eviscerated body laying in a heap behind her. The alleway seemed to shrink around him as he recognized those black eyes and hair, the coat he'd given him upon graduation. Marco...
...was dead.
R&R! =D