A/N: Surprise, surprise!
New chapter again says I!
Really got into this, if ya can't tell~!
Also, finished reading the manga, hence the instant inspiration for a new chapter. Also, I have this to say, so SPOILERS for those of you who haven't tread far into the manga yet. Also nooooo YMIR WHY YOU DO THIS?! I'm sure all of you know what I'm talking about when I say this, both manga and anime purists alike. And I say this, she ain't making any such foolish decisions in this story of mine!
Now, I think I speak for all of us when I say:
FUCK MARLEY AND FUCK ELDIA TOO.
Fuck them and their brainwashing right into the ground.
Reiner especially.
Would you believe I felt guilty killing him off? Regret, even?
WELL I CERTAINLY DON'T FEEL THE SAME WAY NOW!
I'll be the first to admit that Paradis island is no paradise at all, but at least SOME people there have their heads screwed on straight.
Not the fucking mainland!
But no, REINER!
My stomach literally TURNED INSIDE OUT after witnessing Reiner's insane devotion to a people who tormented and TORTURED him mentally as well as physically. YES I understand his reasoning and YES I can see why he would think that way. HOWEVER! Its no excuse. His mindset made Annie and the others seem BALANCED by comparison. Fanatacism at its worst. Demons, they call the people on Paradis island. Monsters. Cruel, twisted people. Well, if that's what they think...
THEY'LL BLOODY WELL GET TO SEE THOSE DEMONS VERY SOON!
Also, a quote from a favorite poem of mine, Ozymandias, contained within.
I own nothing!
And a BUNCH of ships sail this chapter, if ya know what I mean...
"Surprise."
"Don't you "surprise" me! When the hell did this happen?!"
~?
Reluctant Heroes
Ymir felt like dancing.
As though all the weight in the world had suddenly been lifted from her shoulders all at once; so too did she feel like she could fly. Soar. Like life had given her wings and left her light as a feather! Yet, more than that, a deep sense of relief had taken wing within her. With every step she took she put more and more distance between her and the burning forest at her back. Many had lost their lives there. Connie, for instance. Plucky little guy didn't deserve to get crushed and devoured like that. In another life-another universe-she might have perished out here as well, doomed to die beyond the walls. Yet that was neither here nor there.
Because she was finally free.
Beautifully, joyously, wonderfully free.
Every step forward testified to it; she had nothing left holding her down. Nothing that might bind her to her past, or her own guilt. Here, now, she was truly free for the first time in her life. Once she'd discovered Reiner and Bertholdt's identities in the forest, she had felt trapped. On some level she understood how it came this; she'd devoured their comrade, knowing or not, and regained human form because of it. Didn't she owe them because of that? What if they went after Historia? Should she help them against Naruto? Guilt had threatened to cripple her. Consume her. Tear her apart.
In the end, that decision had been made for her.
Naruto had descended on them like a storm.
Reiner was no more and Bertholdt, well...
...he wasn't long for this world, now.
So, not much of a choice there.
Ymir shuddered at thought.
'And to think I almost...
Stupid girl, what had she been thinking? Had she allied herself with those two-even if she'd willingly given herself over to them to protect Historia-what future would she have had? The only known way to gain a titan's power was to consume a titan shifter. That meant death for her. And what life would there have been for Historia outside the walls? No, that would have been folly. Acting only on their word was too flimsy a promise to trust her life to; a flimsy web with many strings attached.
Naruto had no such strings when it came to loyalty.
If you were an enemy, then you had to die. If you were a friend, then he'd march through the very fires of hell itself to save you. Simple as that. Nothing would come between him and his goals, true, but he genuinely seemed to value the thoughts and opinions of his allies as well. Ymir had seen witnessed this firsthand over the years; seen it in his every act of kindness and courage. Yes, he was often an unholy terror to his foes but if you counted yourself among his allies, there was no length he wouldn't go to for you.
So she'd asked him straight:
"What am I to you?"
She remembered their brief, stilted conversation well.
"To me? Hmm." he'd stared up at the sky for a long moment, considering as the cart rocked gently to and fro. Then, abruptly, he laughed. "Good question! If I had to guess, I'd say you're an adorably troublesome little sister. You're family. Always have been and always will be."
"HA?! Little sister?!"
"Hey, I call 'em like I see them...
"I'm older than you, for crying out loud!"
"Being a titan all those years doesn't count."
"Tch. Pushy bastard."
A red eye reappeared over his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I could've sworn you said something...?"
"W-What?! Me?! Nope! Not a word! You must be hearing things!"
They rode on in silence a moment longer, she on her horse, he resting comfortably in the cart. Then the bastard went and surprised her again.
"Historia will be queen, soon. And you're going to marry her."
The abrupt declaration nearly sent Ymir tumbling from her horse!
"HA?!
"I meant what I said, ya know." Naruto shifted slightly, lowering his voice just so. "We've tipped the scales too far to come back from this." the bemused glint had left his eyes, those cerulean orbs now resembled chips of hardened sapphire, harsh and cutting. "I fully expect a certain someone to make their move against the Survey Corps soon, and by extension, us. And when they do, we'll be ready. We'll annihilate them." he made a fist with his good arm, feigning a crushing motion. "Crush 'em, and put Historia on the throne. Can I count on you to protect Historia when that time comes?"
"But...getting married...
"Have a problem with that, Ymir?" just like that, the lopsided smile slid back into place, the glimpse of his true self vanishing in an instant. "Isn't that what you wanted? I don't think Historia would protest. Hmm. Maybe we should help her pick out a wedding dress...
"I...that's not...you can't...!"
"Can. Am. Did."
"HEY!"
That little chat had worked wonders for her morale. It reminded her that she wasn't alone. Whatever hell might exist in the walls, she knew now that she could face it with a steadfast heart. Alone she might've despaired and done something reckless, but now? Only now did she truly experience courage. She didn't have to protect Historia alone. Whatever threats emerged to challenge her, she knew she wouldn't have to face them by her stony lonesome and despair. Why not?
Because Ymir had friends.
Because she had allies.
Family.
Just the thought of it put a little spring in her step. Family. How long had been since she'd had one of those? Funny how it took him twisting her arm to remind her. Of course, she cared for the stupid oaf in her own way, but it was that particular remark that stuck with her. He trusted in her enough to not only confide in her, but to entrust her with a vital mission. He saw her as family. Not an enemy, not a burden, even. A sister. Nothing more, nothing less. Good. Made things less...awkward. Just as well, Ymir thought. She rather preferred the fairer sex at any rate.
Speaking of whom!
Christa -no, Historia, Ymir ruthlessly corrected herself for the slip- looked positively radiant in the morning light right about now. Only some yards away she could be seen talking calmly with Eren. Then the faintest ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and found itself caught in her hair, lending it a saintly aura. In the early morning light she seemed to shine-an iridescent halo alighting around her head. Ymir narrowly strangled a sigh. She truly was an angel, and never had Ymir felt more unworthy of her. She didn't deserve this fiercely loyal girl as her companion, let alone her partner. Knowing what she knew now, it made her feel dirty. Filthy, for ever trying to take advantage of her, for ever falling in love with her. Yet even after learning the truth, those feelings hadn't changed...honestly, that left her downright giddy.
'After a day like today, I really ought to just take her aside and...hmm.'
An impish grin stole over Ymir's face at the thought.
No time like the present.
"Hi-sto-ria!"
"Eeep!"
With a mighty shouting dive, Ymira glommed the object of her affections, spun her about, and promptly proceeded to kiss her breathless.
"Its a great day to be alive, isn't it?" she laughed, holding the little blonde tight.
"Um...yes?" Historia blinked, flushing furiously. "W-What's all this about...?"
"Gah, you're adorable!"
"Ha?" Eren frowned at them, unable to understand her good humor. "What's gotten into you, Ymir?"
"Oh, nothing. I just realized I'm free!"
"Eh?"
Unbidden, her gaze tracked to the cart where he lay.
She really would have to find a way to pay him back for all this...
(...)
Well, that was done and now they would have to live with it.
Naruto exhaled a thin cloud of steam into the faint light, smiling quietly as Ymir's little spectacle unfolded just out of sight.
'Ah, good kids. Glad we could save 'em.'
Blue eyes watched the sun continue its slow, inexorable crawl over the horizon. Reluctantly the fog began to lift, revealing the aftermath of the battle as the veil of darkness receded and the morning made itself known. Say what you would, but he found there was something downright poetic about a sunrise. It reminded him that however powerful they might seem, the forces of darkness could never reign forever. Sooner or later, good would have its day and the truth would come to light. Witnessing the shadows flee from that light almost gave him hope. A new day was dawning and with it came the sweet reminder of the Survey Corps triumph.
Not his.
Their victory.
"Don't let it go to your head." Kurama chided darkly. "You've already an ego as it is."
"Small chance of that."
Victory or not, it was still a Pyrrhic one.
What had once been a towering forest was now little more than
They'd suffered a number of casualties to be sure-far less than what they might've endured originally-but the true knowledge of what they'd sacrificed to get here cast a pall on him and him alone. Exhaling heavily, the battered blond slumped down against the cart and tried to let the rocking of the wheels lull him into complacency. It only served to further aggravate his already frayed nerves. Every bump felt like a jagged knife upon his back, a neverending reminder of what he'd had to endure-to sacrifice-to make it this far.
Blue eyes slid down to one of the two people occupying the cart with him.
The first was a distraught Bertholdt, bound and gagged to prevent any attempt at transformation on his part. Additionally, he'd been blinded and deafened for good measure; ears stuffed full of wax to prevent him from realizing where he was. His hands and feet-rather, the stubs that passed for them-were to be severed at regular intervals, a cruel procedure designed to prevent his body from healing properly. Annie had been viciously thorough in that regard. Naruto didn't envy him his fate.
It remained to be seen who would inherit the power of the Colossal Titan.
Any one of the Survey Corps might be a possible candidate.
Personally, he was leaning toward Erwin.
Jean and Armin were certainly capable, true, but they didn't possess the fortitude of that man. And who better to command such incredible power than one of his most trusted friends?
He certainly wasn't going to subject Sasha to a trauma like that. Not when she was still dealing with problems of her own. Even now she was loping behind the Survey Corps, taking great care not to trod upon any of her allies. He'd managed to fashion her makeshift clothes of a sort from animal hides and a bit of woodcraft, but that was a temporary solution at best. The logistics of feeding someone that large were utterly impossible; if they brought her back to the Wall in her current state she'd exhaust their food supplies in a matter of days. Spirits, how was he going to get her back to normal size?! That was another problem to deal with! And it still left him with the matter of Bertholdt. Who could they feed him to?
Who?
Perhaps Annie?
Was it possible for a titan shifter to have more than one power?
What little he knew suggested that such a phenomenon might exist, but...
...no, he wasn't willing to sacrifice someone solely for the sake of that hypothesis.
He'd lost too many already. Bertholdt, like Reiner, Connie, even Marco and so many others before them in his life, was a victim. Yet another torn apart under the endless grind of life. Another spark to be snuffed out at the whims of death. How many more had to die because of his own shortcomings? How many more would the gods of war take from him in this endless conflict before they were finally satisfied? Part of him already knew the answer. As many as it took to end things He shouldn't have been surprised.
Shinobi ended lives; they didn't save them.
It would've been ironic if it didn't sicken him so.
These hands weren't meant to hold anyone. They could only destroy.
"My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings." he murmured blackly to himself, averting his eyes from the ruined forest. "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair. Nothing beside remains. Round the decay of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, the lone and level sands stretch far away."
"Didn't think you were a poet."
"Oh, fuck off."
In the end, he found his gaze drawn back to the cart's second occupant, sleeping soundly in his lap. Snoring, even. Absently he ran a hand through her dark hair, smiling as she stirred slightly. At this, he was able to forget his dark thoughts, if only for a moment.
Mina.
Only the upper echelons of the Survey Corps understood what had truly become of Reiner; that this seemingly harmless girl was the new Armored Titan. Erwin and Levi had sworn him to secrecy on the matter until they reached the Walls, but he fully expected the news to find its way through the ranks long before they made it back to the civilazation. Truth had a way of getting out, even in this world. Carolina had done her duty to the end; entered oblivion and emerged changed for it. The extent of those changes remained to be seen. Had she inherited Reiner's memories? Was she still herself, or had she been overtaken by them? She hadn't woken long enough to tell him. Still...
She'd live.
For a little while.
Thirteen short years.
Once that term was up...
Naruto shuddered at the thought.
...no. He mustn't think about, or dwell on it. He absolutely refused to.
Bertholdt had coughed up that juicy tidbit only some hours ago.
It might not be true.
But if it was...
...they didn't have much time.
There had be a way to circumvent the yearly limit. Had to be. The idea that he and his allies were condemned to either a short life or a quick death...it would be impossible to live with otherwise. She'd never grow old. Never get to see the peaceful world everyone was fighting so hard to achieve. Would he change things if he could? Certainly. But it was done now. Still, he he couldn't be sure if the red sunrise meant good luck, or if it was merely a portend of some future disaster. All this worrying made him crave a cigar-but no, Mikasa would have his hide if he went back to that.
"Naruto."
Speak of the devil.
Sneaky little shinobi, that one!
Restraining his surprise, Naruto turned his head and found himself level with a pair of familiar, dark eyes.
"Yo." he managed mildly. "Didn't hear ya there, Mikasa."
Her blank gaze reflected the faintest apprehension.
...sorry."
"Bah, its alright."
Sometimes he forgot just how absolutely quiet she could be when she wanted. Must have something to do with being part Uchiha. He hadn't even noticed her leave climb into the cart until she was nearly on top of him. Hmm. Maybe he'd gone and taught her a little too well. Something in her haunted gaze held him, spoke volumes to her frazzled state. Aha. She wanted to talk. Resigning himself to a sleepless trip after all, the injured warrior propped himself up on his good arm and beckoned her closer with the other.
"We haven't had a chance to talk lately, have we?" he ventured, making room for her on the cart. "C'mon. Sit. Tell me what's bothering you." He didn't need to tell her twice; she slid in neatly beside him to occupy the vacant space on his right, claiming that limb a moment later. Just a bit too tightly.
An involuntary hiss snaked between Naruto's teeth.
"Ow."
Mikasa noticed his pain instantly, eyeing the torn sleeve.
"You're hurt."
It was not a question.
"Eh? Oh, this?" He forced a laugh and tried to dismiss her claim by waving his weakened arm about as if it were fine, fighting to ignore the screaming ligaments and fractured bones. "It's nothing. Just overdid it when I was fighting Bertholdt. Oughta get better in a couple days, give or take. Nothing to get upset about...eh?"
Too late.
The girl was already glaring bloody red daggers at Berholdt, her face eerily calm. If one hadn't known her, they might've thought her serene. Peaceful. Not Naruto. As he observed her, her right hand twitched ever so slightly, a telltale sign of exactly what she intended to do. He could already see her trying to lean forward, better position herself so that she might discretely reach down and grip the young man's throat. Even a blind man could sense her intentions-such was her killing intent.
It was actually a little terrifying, all told.
"Oi, oi, oi! Mikasa!" Naruto lunged up and grabbed her from behind before she could do something she'd regret, forcibly wrangling her down against him. "Don't you fucking dare! We need him alive, remember?! Cool your head!" He nearly paid dearly for his efforts to restrain her; for Ackerman bucked in his grasp and rounded on him with a snarl, her gaze fierce like that of a wild beast. Naruto stiffened, remembering too late her aversion to all things unexpected, wondering if she might lash out at him in her blood rage. She certainly looked like she might. Eventually reason prevailed however and Mikasa slumped against him, defeated.
"Let me go." she muttered halfheartedly.
"Not until you calm down."
"I am calm." she replied flatly. "I'm going to strangle him. Calmly."
"No, you're not." Naruto chastised her firmly. "We need him alive...for now."
...fine." after a moment's consideration, she relented, sagging against him. "For now."
"Trust me," the blond soothed, hoping to distract her. "What we have planned for him is far worse. But enough about grim things! How're Eren and Armin doing? You three getting along alright?"
"They're my family." despite her protests, the girl's face colored rosily. "It...isn't like that. Already told you."
Part of him wondered about that.
Of all those he'd trained, he understood Mikasa the least. She'd taken to his tutelage better than most; on a level that didn't even seem human. She rarely expressed open emotion unless provoked, yet in the same vein she could prove downright outgoing at times. Introverted at others. All he knew was that she fiercely valued her family to an irrational degree. Somehow, he'd found himself a part of that little circle. Even then, she still wouldn't open up to him, not completely. Apparently this had something to do with her bloodline, but he couldn't be sure until he knew more. Even Levi was more predictable than her and that was saying something!
"Alright, alright." Naruto demurred, taking pity on her. "Won't press ya."
"Hmm."
They lay there in silence for a time, the peace broken only by the occsasional bump in the road.
"Are you going to let Berholdt go?" she asked abruptly.
Naruto arched an eyebrow in quiet annoyance.
"You mean am I going to let him live?"
"Yes. That."
"Maybe."
He wasn't lying; once they'd torn him out of the Colossal Titan and started cutting, he'd screamed for mercy. Maybe Jean was right. He'd already taken Reiner's life. Did he really have the right to do again? To another? It had been easy to take Reiner's life in a fit of rage, but now he found doubt creeping in. Could he have gone about it a different way? Given the choice, would he have? He couldn't speak for himself. Even now, he was so horribly angry with the two of them, longing to lash out, and yet...
"You can't trust him." Mikasa interjected forcefully, grabbing him by the scruff of his cloak. "He tried to kill Armin! And because of him, Connie...
...I know."
"Then how can you say that?!" she demanded! "How can you just forgive him for-
Naruto exhaled in a slow, long suffering sigh aand he pinched his nose.
"Mikasa."
"Yes?"
"If told you to kill the king, right here, right now, if I ordered you to massacre him and the nobility, would you do it?"
Ackerman blinked, considering the sudden inquiry.
...yes?"
"You wouldn't hesitate?" a keen eye found hers, narrowing. "Not at all?"
"No." she shook her head.
"And why is that?"
"Because I trust you." she replied instantaneously, knowing the words to be true before she'd even spoken them. "You don't act without plan, and if you told me to do that, you would have one. Besides...you're not like me." averting her gaze with a touch of shame, she took his hand in hers, squeezing tightly. "You wouldn't kill unless you had to."
Naruto clapped his hands sharply.
"Yes! That! Thank you! Do you see what I mean? Reiner and Bertholdt they're not entirely at fault here. They were just soldiers. Just kids...following orders." the words trickled out on a sigh as he palmed his face. "Yes," he held up a hand to forestall her argument, "They attacked us, and for that, Reiner paid the price in full. Bertholdt's likely going to suffer for this as well. But I understand something now; something I didn't see before. Who sent them here? Ah, I see your expression. Blame the ones who set them on this path in the first place. As for the rest...its not so easy to know what ought to be done with them. Should they be killed? Or spared? Is the leadership to blame? Or do the grunts hold just as much guilt? I don't know. I'm tired. I just wanna rest and stop thinking about this shit."
Mikasa turned her head away in disgust.
"I...They don't deserve to live at all."
His blue eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hey, don't talk like that."
"But its true, isn't it?"
"Sometimes you just have to give people a chance, Mikasa." Naruto chastised. "The whole world could change if you do that. Look at Annie and Ymir. Would you rather have fought them?"
Ackerman bit her tongue and looked away to conceal her anger.
...what if I don't want things to change?"
His scowl thinned somewhat.
"Ah. I see."
Did he?
Her view of the world was far more pragmatic in nature due to her own upbringing; in her mind, one didn't toy with their foes. Enemies were meant to be killed. The first clash should always be the last. Misguided mercy merely gave them another opportunity to strike at you. Turn your back on them and they'd surely cut you down. The only good enemy was a dead one. Why couldn't he understand that? As far as Mikasa was concerned, he'd already proven her view countless times. If Reiner and Bertholdt had truly taken his teachings to heart, they wouldn't have turned on them. Of the three, only Annie had been the one to listen to him. Even Ymir had merely been a happy coincidence; who knew what side she would have taken had things turned out differently?
In this alone, they would always disagree.
"Rest, then."
"Ha?"
Naruto arched an eyebrow as she took hold of his face, but otherwise didn't resist as she pulled his head into her lap. Even for Mikasa, such a bold display was all but unheard of. What the hell was she up to? When he tried to raise his head, he found a considerable resistance set against him. Not that he couldn't break free of course, but if he did that he felt her touching gesture would be ruined.
Instead, he simply sighed.
"You're not going to let me up, are you?"
"No." Mikasa declared firmly, threading her fingers through his blood-crusted hair with great care. "You said it yourself. You need to rest. So...rest. I'll kill any titan that tries to touch you." she gazed down up at him in fervor, putting emphasis on ever word. "They won't take you."
Naruto found himself inclined to argue that she was injured as well, but acquiesced to her request.
"Coming from you, that's the best I can get, I suppose."
Staaaaaaaaaaaaare.
"Alright, alright." he drawled in resignation at her piercing gaze. "I'm closing my eyes, see? This is me closing them. But you can't expect me to just...fall...
To his dismay, sleep claimed him immediately.
(...An Unspecified Amount of Time Later...)
"ALL UNITS! FULL STOP!"
The cart slammed to a halt with an abrupt clang, jarring Naruto out of a particularly nasty dream to throw him headlong against its wooden frame. In the ensuing chaos that followed-trapped in a tangle of arms and legs he could barely make sense of-the battered blond somehow righted himself and managed to claw his way upright. What in blazes?! Even as his mind flailed for answers his body was already in motion; years of hardened training and instinct flung him off the cart to land in a pointed crouch, blade in hand.
Only then, still hard on the heels of his nightmare, did he realize they weren't in any danger.
Were they?
His vision took a moment to adjust to the afternoon light, slightly less so to realize that everything was well. The Wall loomed in the distance, much closer now than they'd been a few short hours ago. Was that how long he'd slept? As the rest of his senses adjusted he found he could see Mikasa's back hunched down deeper in the cart, cursing quietly as she nursed a rather large bump on her head. No doubt it stemmed from the sudden stop. Ah. Even the vaunted Ackerman could be caught off guard it seemed.
Behind her, Mina's head popped up from the cart with a start, eyes bleary from sleep.
"What?" she yawned, palming her mouth. "Why did we stop?"
Naruto startled in surprise of his own.
"Oh, you're up! How are-
"There he is! Get him!"
He never got to finish that sentence.
"Kit, I hate to be that guy, but on your left!"
For at that very moment, Annie made her presence known. Loudly. Forcefully. Naruto barely glimpsed her coming up behind him; in doing so, he failed to notice an equally irate Petra approaching on his right. By then it was too late and the trap was sprung. In an instant they'd claimed his arms and proceeded to haul him away, leaving his feet to drag deep furrows into the earth behind him. His brain short-circuited spectacularly and it belatedly occurred to him that he might have made a mistake in not escaping when he had the chance.
"Eh?"
Before he could offer anything further in the way of protest, they dragged him off.
"Uh, girls?"
Silence reigned supreme.
"Wait, what did I do this time?!"
Petra outright refused to look at him.
"Uhm...am I missing something, here?"
Annie's only response was to pull ever harder.
"Shit." he swore. "Okay, whatever it is, I can explain...
By now Naruto realized that not only were Annie and Petra dragging him away from everyone else, but they were also pulling him toward the relative cover offered by a lone tree. This...boded poorly. Now in all fairness, he could not recall having done anything to upset them, but he couldn't be sure. He'd been nothing but a gentlemen to them both for as long as he could remember, yet their baleful silence spoke of dire tidings. Moreso when they hauled him behind said tree and out of sight.
Damnit.
"Will someone please tell me what's this all about?" he pleaded.
"Ohhh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Annie hissed.
...very much so, yes. Can I have my arm back?"
Petra shot him a smile.
"No."
Naruto looked this way and that, desperately searching for an escape, but to no avail. Annie still had a firm hold of his right arm, and Petra his left. Try as he might he couldn't bring himself to escape-it felt as if all his might had been drained away. The wrath of a woman was truly a terrifying thing indeed! Petra's bashful look put him ever so slightly at ease, but Annie's baleful glare only made him wriggle all the more. Fly! Fly, you fool! His mind clamored wildly for an exit and finding none available, promptly shut down.
'Sorry, kid. You're on your own.'
Traitor!
"Erm...girls? Did I do something wrong?"
Petra's face turned rosy.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong, but...
"The hell he didn't!" Annie snapped, her own pale complexion burning red.
"Be that as it may, I have no idea what I did." Naruto deadpanned. "Could you just tell me?"
Petra and Annie remained scarlet.
For a fleeting instant he froze.
Then came the storm.
"I'm pregnant/I'm pregnant, you ass!"
"Oh. You're just pregnant." a pause, as the realization sank in. "The...the both of you. Wow...that's...I don't even...eeeeeeeeh...
"And there he goes." Kurama facepalmed.
Naruto flared Sage Mode, saw it, promptly blew a smoke ring and toppled backwards, eyes rolling white in his head.
Thousands of thoughts flitted through his mind in an instant, summarized by a single word.
Life.
He was going to be a father.
Spirits!
Mercifully, he was already out cold long before time his skull struck the floor, and as such never felt the pain of his head kissing the hardened roots; nor did he hear the latter's loud cry of denunciation. Annie remained none too pleased-bastard's own fault for knocking her up and he thought he could just pass out?! Ohhhhh, there would be a reckoning for this! Growling, she seized him by the collar and procceeded to shake her fellow blond senseless.
"Hey, don't pass out!"
No response.
A finger poked his cheek.
"Is he dead?" Petra frowned.
Annie colored madly.
"He'll wish he was as soon as he wakes up!"
Fortunately-or unfortunately depending on one's view-performed that very task not a moment later.
"Oi. Move, will ya?"
"Wait, Captain, what are-
CRUNCH.
Naruto jolted back to life with a painted grunt as a certain Ackerman's boot slammed into his stomach. The result was immediate; the blond came up swinging, spitting every oath imaginable and a few beyond them.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
"Oi, you three." Levi's voice cracked like a whip, cutting the cord. "Stop being lovey-dovey for three seconds and get over here. C'mon. We've got a prisoner." When both master and students exchanged a baffled glance, his frown only grew all the more pronounced. "Caught some bastard following us. Erwin's got him. Says he wants a word with you."
"Alright-
"And the rest of the 104th."
Annie's brow shot up.
'What?'
They hastened back to the rest of the corps, passing a prone Sasha as she stood guard over Bertholdt and the cart in which he slumbered. After a moment's hesitation, Mina climbed over said cart and scrambled to their side. Uttering another oath, Mikasa climbed down after her, idly rubbing her head.
"Is that why the Commander ordered us to stop?"
"No." Levi replied with flat humor. "Felt like taking a stroll."
Mina forcibly bit her lip to stifle an unexpected burst of laughter.
Naruto narrowly restrained a smile of his own.
"Jeez you're grouchy today, buddy!"
"Oi. Do you want me to gut you?"
"Alright, alright! I'm coming!"
"You're an absolute monster when you want to be, ya know that?" the elder Ackerman remarked as they walked, his voice lowered to prevent others from catching their conversation. "Feeding people to titans? Founding a cult? Now you're plotting a revolt? I'm seriously starting to wonder if you're even human anymore under that facade of yours." Mikasa bridled angrily at what she doubtlessly perceived to be an insult on Levi's part but to her disbelief, the blond barked a laugh and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Tell me something I don't know! I'd be amazed if anyone thinks I'm human once this is over."
Mina nearly missed a step and tripped over her own two feet.
How could he throw his humanity away so easily?
She still didn't understand it.
Mina averted her gaze.
"You shouldn't say things like that, you know. It'll give people the wrong idea."
"Hmm. You might be right." Naruto confessed with a shrug, "But I wouldn't be me if I didn't speak my mind now, would I? Would you?"
Ah, there it was. The crux of the matter. More and more, Naruto seemed willing to do whatever it took to save humanity; even if it meant going to dangerous extremes. Mina understood his anger, she truly did, but the way he'd casually dismissed the idea of being guilty just now...either he'd become terribly skilled at deflecting attention away from himself or he'd simply chosen to lie. That worried her. If she couldn't tell when he was lying, how did she know when he might be telling the truth?
"I'm still me." she answered reluctantly. "I think? How do you answer a question like that?"
His laughter soothed her fears, somewhat.
"Then you're still you."
In short order they were presented with the prisoner in question, his face wreathed in burns and obscured by mud. Somehow had fished out a tarp from the Corps supplies and propped up a makeshift tarp of sorts; in at least so-much as to shield them from the worst of the sun's heat. Though he lay seated on a chair, arms and legs bound behind his back, he nevertheless maintained his composure in the face of his guard's questioning. Much to the latter's annoyance.
"-really necessary, Jean?" the captive rasped as they drew within earshot, his voice little more than a hoarse whisper. "If I wanted to escape by now, I could have."
"Like hell you could!" Jean snapped. "You're not going anywhere! And how the hell do you know me?!"
...impulsive as ever, I see. How's Connie?"
"HA?!" with a snarl Eren slugged the prisoner, nearly rocking him backward. "He's dead, you bastard! Don't talk about him like that!"
"Eren!" Armin cried, moving to restrain the enraged shifter. "Calm down! Hitting him won't help!"
"Hmm. My condolences."
To their disbelief, their captive genuinely appeared contrite.
Naruto chose that moment to intervene.
"Right, then. Eren, stop slugging him for a moment and calm down." he sighed then, crossing his arms to address their captive. "Who the hell are you, why were you following us, and why shouldn't I gut you where you stand? Well? Out with it. Who are ya? Speak!"
The scarred man tilted his head, regarding them.
"My name is Marco Bott." he raised his disfigured face, taking them all in at a glance, unheeding of their startled expressions. "Formerly of the 104th and sage-in-training. I come to you bearing crucial information about the walls and mankind. I cordially ask that you hear me out before trying and executing me. Also," he paused, looking just a bit sheepish. "Its...good to see you all again."
Annie swore and crossed herself vehemently, her face pallid.
Naruto bit his tongue until he tasted blood in his mouth.
For a fleeting moment, hope burned within him.
Then anger clamped down.
Hard.
Marco?
Alive?
Impossible.
He'd seen his corpse, checked him for vitals.
And now this...this impostor claimed to be him?
"You'll excuse me if I don't believe you."
The burned man hung his head.
"I expected as much. Perhaps a demonstration would be better? I do apologize."
"For what?"
"For this."
Dark eyes burned gold and all hell broke loose.
With a simple flex of "Marco's" arms, the rope binding his arms frayed and the chair shattered. Quicker than most, Jean moved to restrain him, only to find himself flung up into the tarp, where he tangled in the tent and went down, tangled up in the thick fabric. Sparing no glance for his ill-fated attacker, the burned man ducked and tucked his legs beneath him, freeing his limbs to sweep Eren's legs and hurl him back into the rest. Thus freed, he slammed what remained of the chair down against the ground to shatter like so much driftwood, peppering those assembled with broken shards of oak. He made as if to step forward, only to find a pair of fresh blades pressed against his throat
All this took place in less than an instant.
"Do you recognize me now?"
"Those eyes...!"
The man who claimed to be Marco stood slowly amidst the wreckage, uncaring of Naruto's blades to his throat. He didn't seem t have a care in the world, his only admission of weakness being that he seemed to favor a slightly lopsided stance when he stood, rolling his shoulders and favoring his good leg. Golden eyes-the eyes of a sage-burned out at them all, calm, yet somehow warm and gentle. Naruto glowered back at him, keenly aware of the chakra writhing and twisting in the young man before him.
"I wasn't exactly expecting a warm welcome, but this? Ouch. That hurts." he feigned clutching at his chest with an arm. "That really hurts. Still...long time no see."
And then, just like that, the conflict ended as Annie shoved Naruto aside and slammed into the battered youth.
Naruto blinked.
"Eh?" he managed eloquently.
"MARCOOOOOOOO!"
"Ow! Not the ribs, Annie! They're sore!"
"How in the HELL are you alive?!" Naruto growled.
Marco cracked a small eye smile.
"There's a bit of a story there."
"Tell me everything."
A/N: Hooray for happy endings! Is this a happy ending? Hmm. Good lord I am TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRED! I pulled an all nighter to write this and I've got a super long shift tomorrow! Still, there we are! MARCO IS ALIVE! How, you ask? Did he fake his death? He did indeed. Did Naruto know? He certainly did not. Don't worry, its all part of the plan. Answers aplenty next chapter! A lot happened in this chapter and more will in the next. Is Zeke down for the count? Who knows?
Only a few chapters left now!
Yes, I know, I KNOW, you guys and gals all want the Annie and Petra scene. These last few chapters have been heavy on action, as one might expect. It's coming, but it just hasn't played out yet. I didn't want to shoehorn it in here. Next chapter for sure! Plenty of romance abounds!
Also, let's establish a list of the Titan Shifters, neh?
Naruto = Asura Titan. (Original)
Zeke = Beast Titan.
Eren = Attack Titan + Coordinate.
Pieck = Cartman Titan.
Ymir = Dancing Titan.
Annie = Female Titan.
Mina = Armored Titan.
? = Colossal Titan.
And there we go! Hope you guys and gals enjoyed this chapter!
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly?
And of course, the previews!
(Preview)
Naruto sighed.
Then he raised his head.
"Listen well, you lot!" He barked, pitching his voice to carry to those standing in the plaza below. "I'm about to ask you to break every rule you've ever been taught and for that, I'm truly sorry. Shinobi are meant to work in the shadows. Unseen, we use the darkness to serve the light. We kill enemies who threaten our nation, but today, you will be turning your blades not on titans, but humans. Cast aside your pride. Throw away your mercy. Abandon your hesitation here and now. They'll only impede you from this point on. And make no mistake. This is it. War. Kill or be killed. If you hesitate, you will die.
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Now, we didn't start this fight. But we're damn well going to finish it."
"What do you want?"
"What all men want and long for. An end."
"So. You think this island is full of demons. Monsters and malcontents. That we'll destroy your world and dance on the ashes. Funny thing, though. These "demons" would've left all of you well enough alone if you hadn't meddled in our affairs. Ah, but now you have and its too late for apologies, ya know! You think ME a monster? You think I'm some damn demon you can just shout at until I go away? WRONG! You've gone and poked a bear one too many times my friends and now...now...!
"No, wait-
"I'LL FUCKING SHOW YOU HOW MUCH OF A DEMON I CAN BE!"
R&R~!