A/N: Alright ladies and gentlmen, good news and bad news. Good news first. My surgeries are over. Bad news: Now I have to WORK to pay for everything. Still, I'm feeling a bit better now. Really. Kinda. Sorta. I'm hanging tough though, having just come out of the woods...only to work my ass off as a bloody dishwasher! Not fun! Not fun at alll! UUUUUGH! I'm woking almost daily and I feel like crap, as to that effect. But nevertheless, despite this pesky little hiccup-I wanted to get word out any way I could, and since for some strange reason the site is being buggy, I wasnt able to work on this anywhere near as much as I would've liked. Still...THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK!

I love you guys so much! *Cries*

Now, this chapter might be a bit confusing consider I haven't updated in awhile. With good reason! My job has been beating the living hell out of my as of late! This was REALLY had to write with being tired from work; exhausting, actually. But I'm proud of it, and I hope you enjoy it as I finally get some rest.

On another note, someone comissioned me to write this, but even then, I never thought I'd enjoy it this much...

Well...here ya go! =D

...I'm only Human! Sorry for the wait and sorry that its short! Nevertheless, this story is REVIVED!

"Proud is he who would lay down his life...for the cause."

~?

Reconstruct

"Reckless!"

"Itai!" Naruto hissed as Petra swatted him on the back of the head with a roll of gauze. "Heeeeey there, you shouldn't hit a hero!" The blow didn't so much hurt as it did humble, reminding him once more of his reckless behavior in bolting back to the walls ahead of his squad. Erwin and Levi had done little to reprimand him for his actions it but Petra had been giving him hell the moment she'd finished tending to his wounds. It certainly didn't help that he'd momentarily maxed out his regeneration the night before; he had a nasty burn on the side of his cheek, to prove it. The injury would likely disappear once his chakra built back up, but until then he was as mortal as the rest of them, unwilling to call upon Kurama's chakra to mend something so minor.

"And to think I once called you a pussy." his old friend huffed.

"Hey, I sealed the breach didn't I?" he grumbled as much to the fox as he did Petra, wincing when the woman applied anesthetic to the wound. "Ow! Can't you be a little more gentle?!"

"...I take it back."

'Oi!'

"I can't believe you did that." Disbelief didn't even come close to explaining how Petra felt in this moment. "What if something happened to you?" Yes, there was shock. But there was also joy. A fierce pride bubbling up inside her, threatening to explode outwards in a joyous shout at the slightest provocation. She'd been right about him, after all. Naruto really did value the lives of his comrades above his own. He was proud of the fact, those bright blue shimmered with it even now. There would be no apologies for his suicidal actions. At least, not today. After all, the wall was sealed; now the reconstruction could begin.

"I have no idea what you're talking about-ow."

Another gentle swat.

"You're incredibly reckless, you know that?"

"Would you have it any other way, babe?" Naruto grinned. "As I recall, you rather enjoyed me being "reckless" a couple of weeks ago..."

"Baka!" she sputtered, a furious blush adjourning her cheeks. "We're in public!"

"And your point is...?"

Petra flushed, her hands fumbling at the bandage she was applying to his cheek. It was so easy to forget that Naruto's mouth didn't have a filter; he said whatever he wanted whenever he wanted, consquences damned despite that. Probably why the monarchy wasn't so fond of him. Yes, they'd allowed him into the walls all those years ago and yes they'd made no move to throw him out since, but more and more she was beginning to fear that there was some sort of plot against him her brash blond; he had made himself many enemies within this city, many men who knew how to hold grudges.

How long would it be before someone moved against him, she wondered? A human with otherwordly abilities, capable of transforming into a Titan at will...winning the hearts and minds of the people no less. There was no way the King would tolerate something like this overlong. It was simply human nature to control what they couldn't understand and destroy that which would not be controlled. It certainly didn't help that Naruto had torn the Military Police a new one when they'd tried to take have poor Eren executed this morning...the crater in the courtroom certainly attested to his temper.

"Have you even considered just how much power I possess? I could kill you all with a flick of my little finger...and you wouldn't be able to do a damn thing." That was all he'd said, but it had been enough to get the boy assigned to the Survey Corps. He seemed intent to make all the nobility his enemy; no matter the cost. Or was that really his intention at all? Petra didn't know...and that worried. This balance of power in the walls was rapidly shifting in favor of Naruto and his students with each passing day. Clerics like Pastor Nick and other important figures finding themselves a thing of the past as the common folk began to worship the "Shinobi" he was creating in this new age, revering their new protects as gods given human form. A brave new world, clashing agains the corruption of the old.

Something was going to give soon. But what? She didn't know.

Just thinking about that expression was enough to make her shiver...and she wasn't sure if it was a pleasant one.

"Hey, boss!"

Petra glanced up, that thought falling away from her as another Naruto dropped down from a nearby rooftop, this one easily distinguishable by the its soot - soaked body. Indeed, the clone looked as though it had been rummaging around in the ruins, but any such thought perished the moment she saw what-who-the doppleganger was carrying. Clutched in his those worn arms, currently clinging to him for dear life was a little girl, her flaxxen hair wreathed in dust and debris. She could not have looked a more sorry sight if she'd tried. Brown eyes peered back at them, hesitant and fearful.

"Found a survivor." it beamed. Petra gawped.

By the walls, she'd never get used to the idea of more than one Naruto. The idea that he could clone himself was one thing, but to see so many of him-nearly a dozen or more-flitting about the city like flies, tasked with keeping peace and order, rescuing civilians trapped beneath the rubble, clearing out Titan corpses, and tending to the wounded...it still shocked her to realize how abominably powerful the blond truly was. Why he helld himsel to the Survey Corps, she'd never know.

"Good work." Naruto didn't even bother to look up as the kage bunshin presented her to him. Poor thing looked scared out of her wits. Probably, still was, considering the clone had just dug her out of a collapsed house, she'd need more than a warm meal and a hot bath to wash away today's trauma.

"Hello there." He put on his most winning smile. "What's your name?"

"A-Anna." she squeaked softly.

"How old are you?"

"Ten...

"Where are your parents?"

...eaten."

Behind him, Petra cringed.

There was a silence.

"Do you have any relatives to take care of you?" he pressed on ignoring the ache in his gut. A quiet shake of the head confirmed his suspicions.

"Hrmm...I'll look after you until we can find you a home, then." Naruto finally looked up, directing his sapphiric gaze at his still-present clone. "Alrighty you, take her back to my place and get her cleaned up. Then feed her. Make certain she gets some sleep, put her under a genjutsu if you have to. I want no expense spared do you understand?"

The doppleganger snapped off a smart salute. "Yessir!"

"Are you alright with this?" he asked little Anna.

The slowest of nods was her only answer; a quick application of healing chakra and she was on her way.

"I can't believe you just did that." Petra gaze snapped toward him, unable to convey her disbelief.

"Did what?"

She raised the roll of gauze menacingly.

"What?!" the blond shrugged, uncaring for her gawp. "Orphanages are evil! I got tossed out of mine when I was only five years old! Five, I tell you! You think I'm gonna send her someplace like that?!" Alrighty, maybe he was a little biased when it came to the idea of an orphanage, but there had been exenuating circumstances! For all he knew they were just as bad in this age as they were in his! He wasn't about to entrust the poor girl to a system like that! And besides, it wasn't as though he couldn't look after her with his clones...

"You're really good with kids, aren't you?" Petra smiled. "Just taking her in like that...

"Well, you did say you always wanted a daughter-

BOP!

"Naruto!"

"Fine, fine! I'll be serious." The eternal shinobi sighed softly, standing. "I guess I just can't stand to see her left alone. She reminds me of myself when I was her age, ya know?" Truth be told...he'd never really thought about it like that until now. People needed help, and so he helped. Never once had he considered that most of those people were children, nor the fact that he was simply an able hand when it came to raising kids. Who was he to turn them away? Speaking of which...I think its time for me to get going. Lots of work ta do!"

Before Petra could reply, he was gone in a yellow flash, sending black spots speckling before her vision. She didn't even bother to chase after him; if the blond had used Hiraishin just now, he was probably on the other side of the city. Honestly, he just didn't seem to be able to sit still for more than instant. Probably why she fell for him in the first place. Naruto was always moving, always striving, and always helping, never asking for anything in return. He was the very definition of selfless, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Always on the move...

"Owowowow!" Sasha whimpered in Naruto arms as he carried her back to base. "Dont move so fast, sensei! I'm soooore!"

"That's what you get for releasing three gates!" the blonde chided his disciple, refusing to slacken his pace in the slighest. "Your body's not sturdy enough to handle the backlash yet!" He'd happened upon her limping a ways back to the barracks, and in typical Naruto fashion, had taken charge of the situation. But with so little of his and Kurama's chakra remained-and still more expended by traversing half the city via Hiraishin-master and student were forced to do things the old fashioned way.

They walked.

"Still," the brunette flushed quietly, "its kinda nice, being carried like a princess...

"What was that?" Naruto blinked.

"N-Nothing!"

The low gurgle of her stomach reminded him of Sasha's plight once more. Yup, definitley an Akimichi, this one. More and more he was convinced that this girl was a long lost descendant of Chouji-the botomless pit that was her stomach certainly seemed to attest to that. Didn't mean she hadn't surprised him, though.

"You almost died, and you're hungry?" His deadpann was barely concealed.

"Sensei!" she whined, squirming. "Its not my fault! I used up a lot of energy and I'm hurt! I can barely move!"

"Aw, want me to kiss it better?"

"Y-You wouldn't dare!" Sasha suddenly looked very uncomfortable with that. The light peck he delivered served only to dust her cheeks a pretty pink.

"Guess I'll have to spoon feed you, then." Naruto remarked, drawing his lips away.

Unsurprisingly, that drew a smile from her.

"I'd actually like that."

"My, she's a bold one."

Naruto would've said more had he not caught sight of Annie at that very moment. He saw her alighted upon a nearby roof, seemingly staring off into space. Her eyes had a vacant glint to them that instantly set him on edge all over again. Something had happened. He didn't know what, but whatever it was, it had clearly rattled the shifter to her very core. With a single leap, his legs straining at the movement, he reached her side, an uncomfortable pall hanging over them.

"So you survived." he smiled, straining.

"I found someone." was all she would say. Without another word, she turned, pointing down the alley. There. Huddled by a broken wall. A body. Or what was left of one. It looked as though a giant fist had crushed their very being to a pulph mass. Poor bastard. But who was he? Setting Sasha down he jumped back into the alley, eyes straining in the gloom.

"What are you-

Naruto felt his heart jump into his throat, then plummet into his stomach at the sight of the broken, bloated, eviscerated body laying in a heap behind Annie. The alleway seemed to shrink around him as he recognized those black eyes and hair, the coat he'd given him upon graduation. Marco. Oh no. No no no no. This wasn't happening. Couldn't be happening. The sight of him was like a mighty sucker punch-knocking the breath out of him in a mighty whoosh, shattering his smile into glassy shards of misery. Marco. His student. His beloved disciple...

...was dead.

Whomever ended him was going to pay!

His eyes cut to Annie, burning with the fury of a thousand suns.

"Who?" he demanded.

"I didn't see who did it." there was no emotion in her voice; even with Sage Mode he sensed nothing from her. It was if she'd simply ceased to be in his mind's eye. He could see her now as she jumped down to land in a crouch beside him, but her emotions were simply...Gone. She'd switched herself off to cope for the time being, and nothing could change that.

Sasha was worse.

Somehow she managed to stumble down the roof after Annie in spite of her aching muscles. Where Annie was numb, the brunette was raw. She was a malestrom of emotion; one that mirrored his own. Anger. Sorrow. Confusion. Loss. Seeing those emotions locked within her only hurt all the more.

"Sensei," she whispered, "I'm so sorry."

With those words, his fury sputtered and died, snuffed out by grief.

Sorrow was not an alien emotion for Uzumaki Naruto, but the harsh tears stinging at his eyes most certainly were. He couldn't recall the last time he'd cried; it felt like an age now. He sank to his knees, gasping, Bereft, and in the arms of his students did the only thing he could think to do, something he hadn't done in a very long time.

He wept.

A/N: Aaaaaand there we have it, folks. We see that the Monarchy isn't as accepting of Naruto as we first assumed, he's got a small cult revolving around him and his girls-Petra included-and then to top off what seemed like a positive day, he finally realizes he's suffered 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 repercussions for Annie attacking Marco? Did she even do it? Did the blade ever connect? Or did someone else have at hand in this dastardly deed?! The plot thickens! 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)

"Well, damn." Naruto whisted softly, eyeing the rifles pointed at his chest, fingers cocked and ready on the triggers. "If I'd known you fuckers were going to try something like this I would've brought snacks." His words sent a ripple of fear shooting through the assembled brigade. "So? To what do I owe this welcome?

"Uzumaki Naruto," Nile swallowed. "I'm sorry about this, but by order of his majesty, you need to come with us. We've already taken your students into custody-

"Do you think me a fool?" The blond cocked his head aside, scowling. "I know for a fact that none of my kids would be captured by you. I trained them better than that. Come now man, if you're going to bluff you ought to at least make it a good one."

"That doesn't change the fact that you'll be coming with us-

"No." came the reply, his cross-shaped irises regarding them coldly. "I don't think I'll be going anywhere with you."

"Y-You've got nothing now." one of them men, a male, laughed at what he thought to be folly. "Nothing but your bloody knives and your fancy karate gimmicks. We have guns-

Whatever offense diatribe the man had been preparing ended when the businsess end of a flung kunai struck his forehead. His eyes rolled, back, words trailing off into a strangled gurgle as he collapsed. Dead before he even hit the ground.

Naruto chortled; it was a deep, throaty chuckle as everyone drew back from him.

"No," he goaded quietly," what you have are bullets and the hope that when your guns are empty, I'll no longer be standing, because if I am...

A knife flicked into his hand.

...you'll all be dead before you've reloaded."

R&R! =D