Chapter One: More than just a Beast
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
A.N: Yoooo everyone, how's your new year going? good I hope. Here's one of the Aot fics, I promised the other is on it's way, the next fic to be published should bee the Helluva Boss fic, I have been working on for a while now, so please be patient.
There's some people I would like to thank for all the help and planning that went into this fic, First would be Helghy, a brilliant writer who I can't recommend enough for you all to read, please go give his fics some love. I would also like to thank Aizenthegoat, he was also a big help and made sure that I got this fic out for you all, please read his stuff also or even better join his discord, you can talk to me or even any of the other fantastic writter's who are a part of his server, here's the link if your interested /KHNTFVnT
oh before I forget, big thanks to new writer AgentOrange26, who was kind enough to beta this chapter for me.
also I just want to let everyone know that this story was inspired by the fic Discovering Hope. Brilliantly written by Gavin Tyson. If you haven't read it then give it a read because you are missing out.
Fair warning. Some parts of this chapter is in first person but the rest of it is in third person point of view.
I suppose that's all I have to say, enjoy!.
How long had she been here? In this distorted land of sand and light? She couldn't be sure. All she knew was she must take care of her children.
Grains crunched underneath her worn sandals, the humble cloth that she used to cover herself wrinkled with her hunched movement. The bucket she constantly carried around creaked with every step.
She would never stop, she could never stop.
Her blond locks trailed down like a waterfall, shadowing her eyes, yet she couldn't resist. Craning her neck back she stared at the large pillar of light that looked like a tree, wriggling as if it was alive.
"Maria would have thought this place to be so beautiful…" her voice sounded distraught at the mention of Maria, her daughter. Her baby.
A sudden shock went through the lone wanderer of the endless paths, her eyes gaining a hint of life. She rushed past the claymade statutes of her children, each varying in shape and size.
Something was happening, something that had never happened before.
Falling to her knees, she started to mold and shape the sand, her eyes welling up with tears as she started to craft a babe. She could hear his desperate cries.
"Shhhh, it's okay. I'm here" she could hear the agony in his wails, something had happened but it's okay, she was here.
As she continued to craft the child, she couldn't help but remember the lullaby she would sing to her babies, the ones she missed the most and the greatest regret of her life.
The sky is dark and the hills are white
As the storm-king speeds from the north to-night;
And this is the song the storm-king sings,
As over the world his cloak he flings:
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep";
He rustles his wings and gruffly sings:
"Sleep, little one, sleep."
On yonder mountain-side a vine
Clings at the foot of a mother pine;
The tree bends over the trembling thing,
And only the vine can hear her sing:
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep—
What shall you fear when I am here?
Sleep, little one, sleep."
The king may sing in his bitter flight,
The tree may croon to the vine to-night,
But the little snowflake at my breast
Liketh the song I sing the best—
Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;
Weary thou art, a-next my heart
Sleep, little one, sleep~
He was done, he was perfect.
She reached down and placed a gentle kiss on his crown "Be born little king, grow strong, grow big…"
A mother would always do what she must for her child, even if it causes suffering to herself but that's okay, for she was the founder, she was Ymir….
It was bright.
That was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. A searing white light. I blinded myself once more. That was too much.
Slow. I needed to be slow this time. Hesitantly I peered one open followed by the other. Everything was blurred together. I could make out faint shapes but it was difficult.
My hands traced the cold surface as I tried to figure out where I am. It was a leisurely process as my vision got clearer, I started to truly see.
Tall pointy things sprouted from the ground, all the same colour but only darker than the smaller ones on the ground. I was completely surrounded by them.
I looked down at my clawed hands. Slowly I reached down, fingers running through the small little spikes on the ground. My chest rumbled at the pleasant feeling.
"Groooaaaaaa…."
I felt my ear twitch, that sound. I…I heard it before. It was soothing.
With a bit of a struggle, I tried to stand. Stumbling a few times as I did. Turning I saw something. It wasn't like everything else.
It was pink like me but much larger. It was very thin, ribs protruding painfully into its skin. It's head didn't seem to match its body.
It must have sensed me creeping forward, it's hair on top of its head that shined like the bright light parted and its eyes….The colour of the sky. Bright and something else, a sort of warmth that filled me with comfort.
Slowly it crawled forward. Startled, I started to back away. Fear creeping into my chest. I was ready to flee.
Then I heard it again.
"Groooaaaaa~"
I slowly walked forward in a sort of daze, my chest felt warm. Who was this? I knew who this was….
They were important to me.
It finally hit me, she was my creator, life giver, caretaker…mother.
She crooned as her long arm swooped me up, bringing me to her chest. I nuzzled as the warmth overlapped me. I felt safe.
Something long and wet swiped across me. Looking up, I saw her tongue peak out of her mouth. She was grooming me.
BANG!
Mother was frightened, not for herself but for me. Hair swinging as she started looking around wildly. Something was coming.
She held me tight, leaving the area in a hurry. Crushing anything that was in her path. I held on as tight as my weak limbs would allow me.
Everything was starting to mesh and blend together.
My eyes started to forcefully close, this time they wouldn't open till much later when the sky was at its darkest with small bits of light. The most amazing thing I had ever seen.
It's been many days since my birth, since then I've been travelling with my mother. Seeing what the world had to offer.
It was hard sometimes. The others that were like us, they constantly tried to hurt or eat me. Just earlier today, a male approached my mother and me. Head much larger than his body, drool staining the ground as his bulging brown eyes focused on me.
He didn't get very far before mother put an end to him, currently she was crouched over our brethren, the area around us was stained red.
Crunch!
I looked towards my mother, she was a very messy eater. The juice and bits of meat slipped past her large fingers.
She stopped and looked down at me, her eyes looked dark and sad. I didn't understand.
Why was she sad?
She brought her hand down to me, filled with the meat of our brethren.
My stomach started to hurt as I looked down at red meaty chunks. My mouth started to water, my jaw unhinged and with a growl I lunged forward, tearing it apart like a ravenous animal.
By the time I was done, I was covered from my head to my feet in steaming red blood. I grumbled as I tried to wipe my face but only managed to spread the blood around.
Mother must have thought I looked strange because she started to release a weird sound.
"Gahahahaha" My chest felt funny, the sounds she was making…I liked them. I wanted to hear more of them. I much preferred her like this then when she was in despair.
Once she was done making those nice sounds, mother turned to me and she scooped me up. I grumbled as she started to groom me.
Something cut the session short, Mother tensed as she heard a familiar sound of stumping and rumbling. We were quick and ready to flee but relaxed when we saw it was our herd.
There were three of them, the largest of the trio was almost as tall as my mother. It was strange as he looked the most different out of all of us.
He didn't have any hair on his head but around his mouth and chin, reaching down to his chest, as well as his big protruding belly.
To his right was a more stronger and tougher built male. His body seemed to be made for sporadic movements.
The last one was definitely the shortest of us all. It was an odd looking group but we all stuck together or at least we tried to.
I watched as my mother seemed to be having a conversation. Growls and grunts were their language.
Once again we began to move, but I jumped out of my mother's arms to sit on beards shoulder. Relaxing as the wind rustled my hair. I wonder what more we will see. Maybe add more people to our herd. That would be nice….
It was a new day, the sun was high and bright, the sky an enchanting blue, I couldn't help but admire everything as I trotted beside my mother at a slow and steady pace. I'm not sure how but I was slowly getting bigger. Where once I was only half the size of her leg, I was reaching close to her hip.
I was so sure I would stay the smallest of our pack but it would seem the more I eat and liquid I drink I grow.
It was strange but I didn't mind.
Walking together side by side, her eyes glazed over. Looking down at me with a croon before looking back up.
After every second full moon Mother would take us to the giant white mountain. A strange place. It wasn't like the other mountains. It didn't have a pointed tip, it just stretched far and wide.
We would walk around the white prominence looking for something. I wasn't sure what. A crack, an opening, anything.
It seemed like she desperately wanted to get across but I had no idea why. What was on the other side? I suppose one day we would find out and maybe she would find what she was looking for.
KASHROOOMMMM!
Dark clouds rolled in, thunder rattled the sky like destructive armies battling for dominance. Something pelted my head, then another and another.
I was wet and cold yet I didn't mind it. It was amazing.
Water was falling from the sky. I could never imagine something like this was possible.
The water steamed off both myself and my mother but I don't think she minded. Craning her head back and opening her lipless mouth wide, drinking until she was satisfied.
My chest rumbled as I turned to face her with a lipless smile of my own. I crooned as I pointed at the small little puddles, all she did was tilt her head and watch.
I stomped around watching as the water in the ground splashed up to meet the ones falling from the blackened sky.
I don't know how long I spent jumping and stomping but by the time I was done, completely soaked. Tiredly I rubbed my eyes, brushing aside my damp wet hair.
Tensing as I felt the ground shake, looking up, I saw it was my mother. Long arms reached down and plucked me up, once again I was nuzzled up against her chest.
I wonder if there were others like us but I don't think there are. I wonder if any of them were born the way I was. If they could act like my mother and I.
"Grooooaaarrrr" Her sky blue eyes looked so sad. I guess she gets like that. Sometimes it's as if she's disappointed that she couldn't find what she was looking for.
I get more worried when she's hungry. Her eyes go dead and she'll attack another of our kind. She'll eat and eat until there's nothing left.
Only for that light in her eyes to return.
I've begun to notice I'm not like her or everyone else of our kind. I'm different. I'm not sure how yet but I know deep inside.
I looked over to my mother, once again she was gazing at the walls with a familiar fondness she would look at me with.
It made me wonder…who was over there? Was a member of our herd missing? Were they stuck over there? Did they need help?. It made me wonder was it Mothers other half who was missing?
If that was the case was he the only other one in the world that was like us?
If that was the case then I promised myself that I would find a way over. I will find my missing herd members.
I would never leave my family behind, I would fight anyone to keep them safe. No matter the cost.
There was no greater prison than one's mind, no one could make you suffer better than yourself. These depressing thoughts were coming from a tired and depressed Grisha Yeager.
He wasn't sure why he did this to himself, nor could he explain how he could experience his dreams or memories so vividly. Perhaps it was the power of the Attack Titan.
Perhaps he was going mad.
Grisha lifted a tired hand to his eyes, rubbing them softly as he was forced to remember them.
His boy. His beautiful boy.
The Eldian had many regrets in his life but the way he failed his son will forever haunt him. Grisha could still remember that terrible day.
The day his world crumbled around him.
Tiny blue eyes stared up at him, welling up with tears as Marlayan soldiers intruded into his home, roughly arresting himself and Dina.
Grisha tried to fight to save his wife but he failed. Just like back then…
"That's it Zeke! Come on! Walk towards Papa!" Paradis' best doctor silently cried as he listened to his first wife's sweet words.
Baby Zeke's innocent laughter as he stumbled towards his fathers outstretched arms.
"You can do it son! Come on, you can do it!" Dina and his parents cheered as Zeke rushed into my arms, holding onto me tightly.
Grisha wanted nothing more than to cry but he's seen this memory so much that he's become sort of numb to the feeling or so he liked to tell himself.
"PLEASE NO! I'M PREGNANT! PLEASE DON'T HURT US!"
"DINA! DINAAA!"
"Please…just stop," Grisha begged. He could remember it all perfectly. Dina's tearful smile as she cradled her stomach, looking over to him with such love and acceptance.
"Darling…I promise we'll find eachother again" Then she fell, a single gold bolt cast from the heavens and struck his wife.
Changing her from a kind, caring woman into a cannibalistic, monstrous Titan.
"Why…" Grisha sobbed into his hands. Was this meant to be the rest of his life? Constant suffering until he passed everything onto Eren? Maybe this was what he deserved.
Pitter, patter, pitter, patter!
The great doctor felt…confused? He was the only one here, or so he would be.
Looking up, Grisha was surprised to see a little blond boy, walking towards him. Dina's eyes looked back into his own.
Was this a new cruel trick being played by his brain? Showing him images of what his unborn child could have looked at? Damn.
"So this is what you would have looked like huh? You look so much like your mother" Grisha fell to a knee, so he was now at eye level with his child "But I see a bit of myself. You have my nose"
"…" the little lad just titled his head as large thin hands cupped his face, stroking his whiskered cheeks with a tenderness and love only a parent could give.
"My boy…I'm so sorry you couldn't live to see this world" Grisha whispered as he rested his head against the child's own "My boy…"
The haunted father, stilled as he felt something small brush his bearded cheek. Looking down he saw it was his son, comforting him.
Grisha crumbled as he held his son, he held him tight and he never wanted to let go. He knew it was impossible to bring things from your dream to life but at this very moment he wanted nothing more than to wake with his boy alive and well.
"We never gave you a name did we? Your mother and I?" Tiny blue eyes stared up at the broken man, curious but content. As if he knew who the man was "I met a good man, over in Marley. He was from the oriental. Taught me about his home and it's history"
Grisha sat, brushing his hand through his son's messy blond hair, smiling as the boy started to nod off "Naruto. Your mother would have liked that name I think"
For the first time in perhaps years, the nightmares didn't come.
For the first time in years, Grisha had a good night's rest.
It was a brisk morning. A fresh dew covered the grass and trees, the seasons having changed the landscape once more.
A chill wind swept through the lands, over lakes and across mountains.
Large intimidating blue eyes slowly opened. A large exhale of air left his nose in a burst of steam.
The cold autumn air did nothing to his hot skin, as he walked out of his home, Naruto couldn't help but grumble and release a great big yawn, his jagged mouth spreading wide as steam escaped in a quick burst.
Land shook with every step, the trees rustled and water rippled, yet he made sure to avoid stepping on any life, avoiding trampling on any creatures that may be too close or unable to move from his heavy stride.
Naruto crouched down to a single knee, his large hand reaching down and scooping up a small handful of water, thin trails fell like a heavy waterfall as he brought the cool liquid to his mouth.
Chest rumbling as he felt refreshed, his thirst was quenched.
The water's ripples ceased and the Titan could see himself clearly. Hair shining as bright as the sun, yet protruding horn like fragments that were shaped sort of like a crown, a strong muscular body, something that heavily differed from his race. Everyone else was snapped oddly, their body either too thin or too fat, unmade for combat but that never stopped them from trying to kill him.
The others of his race learnt the hard way to stay away, many killed and eaten, his dominance was known far and wide.
He was the alpha, he was the king.
Naruto tilted his head back as he took a deep breath, his chest started to bulge, muscles grew in size.
"WRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAA!" His titanic cry was heard far and wide, animals trembled in submission, Titan's started to flee from his territory.
The world grew quiet, except for the wind that blew his long blond locks. Naruto exhaled steam from his mouth as he walked away from the river. The tree line grew thinner and thinner until his crystal blue eyes took in the open landscape, leading to a very familiar white structure.
He gained a look of melancholy as he raised his gigantic hand and placed it softly against the cool stone, the memories of his mother started to flood his thoughts, he hadn't seen her in so long, not since that day….
"Gggggrrrrrooooaaaarrrr!" Naruto growled as he looked over his shoulder, three titans of decent size were charging at him with hunger shining in their dull eyes.
It would seem his roar wasn't enough warning for some to understand but that's fine. He needed a distraction.
Naruto caught the leader by the face, slamming it aggressively into the ground, shattering the back of its skull. Hot steaming blood and bits of brain, sprayed across the bright green grass, staining it a sizzling crimson red.
The gangly Titan on his left charged at him with its mouth open wide, his strong jaws closing in around the blond titan's arm.
Naruto roared in fury, his jagged maw open wide. With surprising swiftness, he viciously ripped open it's throat. The gigantic creature could only soundlessly croak as its head stayed attached by only a few strands of muscle.
The last titan used the blond's distraction to its advantage, sneaking around to his blind spot, hands open wide as it leapt from the ground onto his back, roaring as it reached and chomped down on his nape.
Crunch!
The giant's teeth shattered against the natural platting running up Naruto's spine and over his nape, protecting him from the surprise attack. A gigantic hand reached around, grabbing the inferior Titan by it's hair and throwing it harshly to the ground.
"Grrrrrr…." Desperately it tried to flee, clawing at the earth, leaving trenches from its large thick fingers.
Naruto reached down, getting a tight hold around the back of its neck. The muscles in his arms bulged, the smaller Titan gave a pained whimper as its neck started to tear, steaming blood slowly dripping down its chest.
The titanic blond gave a savage roar as he ripped it's head clean off its shoulders, spine still attached and dripping with fluid.
Naruto glared down at the head with a look of disgust before dripping it to the earth below. Growling as he stomped away from the area, uncaring of the three large bodies disintegrating behind him.
As he walked back into the tree line, he stopped once he came across a group of four little ones staring up at him in fear, three males and a single female. It always seemed odd to him, how his kind hungered for them more than anything else and yet, he didn't feel the same craving.
Naruto growled a simple warning 'Stay away'. With that said he wandered home, back to his cave.
It looked like the day was beginning to set to night but just before he entered his little abode, he stopped to watch the sky shift to an out of worldly mixture of colours, the sun resting gently on the horizon. It was beautiful.
"Hmph" Naruto closed the entrance to his home with a large boulder, shrouding himself in darkness, the only source of light peaked was small beams that managed to slip past the large hunk of stone.
It illuminated the cave enough so he could see the carvings on the wall. One stood out in particular, it was the largest and first one he had made. It was his mother and himself, together wandering the giant white mountain.
Those strong crystal blue eyes began to slowly close, he missed her so much and Naruto could only hope he would find her again someday…
Naruto frowned as he found himself in a world of total blackness, this strange place, he hasn't been here in a long time…
"Naruto?" The whiskered blond whirled around to see Grisha, much older, he looked so tired but at the sight of his son, he gained life "Is that really you? I…I didn't know-"
"…" Naruto titled his head as his father pulled him into a tight hug, the man was shaking yet he refused to let his son go. He couldn't.
"I don't know how but you survived…you're alive" Grisha laughed at the cruelty of the world, to know his boy was alive and yet be short on time "Oh Dina, if only you could see our boy. He's grown so much. He still has your eyes…" Grisha whispered, he loved Carla very much, she was a wonderful wife and mother but by the founder, he missed Dina very much.
They had suffered, loved and fought together. They had gone through with their son Zeke, with his parents, with his sister, with all his fellow eldians.
When he lost Dina and Zeke, his world had shattered but he found the will to keep moving forward. To keep fighting.
Grisha's eyes hardened as he gripped his son's shoulders tightly "I don't have much time, you won't see me again but you're not alone. You have two brothers, _ and _, you have to find them Naruto"
For whatever reason, Naruto couldn't hear the names of his brothers, yet that wouldn't deter him from finding them. He would search the ends of the world for them.
Grisha saw his son nod, the determination in his eyes. A great weight was lifted off the man's shoulders "That's my boy"
The older Eldian still looked tired, taking off his glasses to rub at his eyes.
"I truly wish I had more time.." Grisha whispered before pulling Naruto into one last hug "I want you to live a nice full life, find someone to love, someone who will always be by your side and please fix our family. I love you son"
The whiskered blond felt his eyes water as he returned the warm embrace "Fa..ther"
The world started to shift, Grisha disappeared in a blink of an eye, leaving Naruto alone in the darkness.
He sat down and pondered, his thoughts stuck on his fathers words. He had brothers, more family was out there.
But where? Naruto had traveled the land, climbed the highest mountains, seen the lake that looked like it would never end.
However he knew, he knew there was a place that he has yet to explore, past the giant white mountain. His family was there.
The whiskered blond knew what he had to do, he had to go beyond where he's never gone before and find his brothers.
Maybe then, he wouldn't be so alone anymore…
A new day, yet nothing seemed to change. Naruto moved the boulder guarding his home, stepped outside with his eyes narrowed.
His nose twitched as he picked up some unfamiliar scents, little ones. They had wandered into his territory and blood had been spilt. Possibly eaten by one of his brethren.
"Gwaaaaaaaaa!"
Naruto's head snapped towards the sound, the roads of agony. There was rustling from the trees and the mad stomping of feet.
The trees broke, a steaming body splattered in front of the blond titan. Claw and bite marks littered the body, what could have done this to an abnormal?.
Naruto got his answer as a small creature rushed out in front of him, stopping once it saw his imposing side. It softly growled at the blond, never minding its steaming missing limb.
"Groooooaaaa!" Two large Titan's emerged, beady eyes locked on the wounded by his feet. They rushed forward with slobber dripping down their chest.
The blue eyed blond growled in annoyance, stepping over the injured Titan, he charged forward. Roaring as he threw his fist forward, his enemy's head exploded from the force of his blow. It's headless body slumped over, dissolving into a skeleton.
The remaining enemy, Titan, didn't give Naruto a second thought. Rushing past him in a gamble to finish it's prey.
Something caught it's leg in a tight hold, preventing it from consuming the wounded, only inches away.
Naruto growled as he yanked his arm back, dragging the hungry Titan through the dirt. He rested his foot on the back of it's skull, his clawed feet digging past the muscle, tissue and bone.
Crunch!
It's head cracked apart like stone, brain and bone spewed across the ground in large meaty chunks. The air sizzled from it's boiling blood, just like it's partner, it too started to decompose to just a skeleton.
It was done.
Naruto turned his attention back to the small injured Titan. Taking a knee, he watched as the steam stopped and a new leg had taken the spot of the old.
It groaned and clawed at the ground, a bulge started to appear at the nape of its neck. Something was struggling to burst free.
Splitch!
Something was emerging from its neck, it was…it was….a little one.
Naruto's eyes widened. It was impossible, it shouldn't be possible and yet the proof was in front of him.
A strange feeling overcame him,he felt weak, his vision was starting to darken, one last roar managed to escape before he slumped forward. His giant blue eyes are lifeless.
Just like the titan before, the plating protecting his neck was gone. The skin ripped and tore in a large spray of blood.
A little one layed in the steaming blood puddle, staring at the sky with shaking blue eyes. It was Naruto in his true body.
The whiskered blond looked confused, staring at his smaller and none clawed hands. Tree's towered over him, the land looked more vast and the sky deeper than ever before.
"Y-You're a Titan shifter?" A woman's voice called out, it was her. The one who emerged from her own Titan.
She was tall, slightly more than he was and the blond certainly wasn't short.
Chestnut brown hair hung down gracefully to her shoulders, a dusting of freckles graced her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, enhancing her lovely gray coloured eyes.
Naruto couldn't take his eyes off her, he traced the entirety of her naked form with his powerful gaze.
Her skin looked soft and smooth, a light dusting of tan that seemed to only ritchen her appearance. Her breast, very fair in size, suitable for her tall and voluptuous frame.
Her hips and backside created an irresistible swell, calling to an instinct that had laid dormant in the whiskered blond.
Naruto shook his head with a grunt, turning and walking away from the woman. He needed to find his lake.
"Hey wait!"
He walked through a similar looking land,
Now dwarfing him in size. It was a big change to what he was used to.
It didn't take long to find his territory. His lake looked more refreshing than it ever had before, the waterfall crashing against the stone, the moonlight creating a certain type of ethereal glow too the water.
Without hesitation he walked into the lake, sighing in content as it quickly went past his waist and up to his chest.
It felt absolutely divine.
Naruto sighed as he started to float on his back, the whiskered blond felt the water ripple and move around his body, his hair swaying with the silent current.
The sky was pitch black with a mass of stars creating something quite beautiful. There were millions of them, shining brightly.
yet something was different.
A strange sort of light that was a mixture of different colours was dancing in the blackened sky. It was out of worldly, perhaps one of the most alluring things Naruto had ever seen.
He wasn't the only one, the woman who had emerged from her own Titan was staring up at the sky with tears in her eyes.
After so long, she was free. Her endless torment was over. She couldn't help but take a moment to savour this moment for as long as she could.
Suddenly freezing when the sound of something emerging from the water, it was him. She didn't know how but she knew, they were the same. Both once trapped and now finally free.
She couldn't help but tense as he stood before her, his body strong and intimidating, yet his face soft and welcoming.
His eyes spoke to her, saying more than words could. Naruto didn't say anything as he sat next to her, resting his chin on his knees as he went back to staring at the sky.
"Can you understand what I'm saying?"
She couldn't help but sigh in relief, that was good. They could communicate.
"Can you speak?"
Naruto frowned as he brought a hand to his throat, growling as he seemed to struggle to get something out "Na…Ru…To"
"Ymir" The now named Ymir glanced at the muscular blond from the corner of her eye "Thank you for saving me"
Naruto just gave a nod, the air started to fog with his breath. It wasn't noticeable thanks to their heated bodies but it was clear they needed shelter.
Ymir watched with a frown as the blond started to stand and walk away, stopping to look over his shoulder at her, his eyes once again speaking for him.
You coming?.
With no other option, the brunette followed her fellow shifter. Picking up sticks and some stones in the process.
It didn't take the duo long to reach Naruto's 'home'. The whiskered blond frowned, it was strange feeling small.
Clink!
Clink!
Clink!
Ymir struck the stone against one another, over and over, waiting for a spark. Naruto watched as the tall beauty made a fire, lighting up the cave and illuminating the two.
"How long were you stuck like that? As a Titan?" The shifter frowned in thought at her words, all his life. He had been living inside a Titan his entire life and he never knew.
He could see she was waiting for an answer, he found it best just to answer it with a simple "Long…time"
"Did you ever eat anyone…people?" Ymir's voice cracked at the question, staring at Naruto intently.
"Yes…" the female shifter released a shaky breath at his answer, resting her chin on her knees as she watched him through the fire.
She didn't look away as his powerful eyes turned towards her, Ymir held his gaze as she asked something that would define their relationship for years to come "Did you…Did you want to stay together?"
Naruto took a moment to think, he didn't keep the brunette waiting long for his answer "I…would…like…to…stay…together"
"I guess that makes us partners for now" Ymir whispered, yet he managed to hear her all the same.
Very soon the fire dwindled to nothing but embers, Ymir was sleeping soundly but Naruto was once again staring at the carvings on the wall.
Something big was going to happen, he wasn't sure what it was but one thing he did know. He was getting closer and closer to finding his brothers.
Over the white mountain.
That's what Naruto has wanted ever since he was small and he had finally done it but it wasn't what he was expecting. Hidden were people, just like himself and Ymir, but they weren't like us. They couldn't protect themselves when the Titan's broke in.
Slaughtering Men, Women and children like mindless sheep.
They easily passed the second wall by scaling it on Ymir's Titan.
Now they were engrossed with the people, spending the last few years working whatever job they could get. Waiting till the time was right to join the military.
Now? The shifting duo sat in a tavern drinking to their heart's content. People sang, they moved and they got drunk. Yet everyone was able to throw their cares away, forgetting about what laid outside the walls for one night.
Music was playing from across the room, couples and the drunkard's were dancing, yet a certain blond and brunette were keeping to themselves.
"Ahhhhh~ that's the good stuff" Ymir sighed as she slammed her wooden mug roughly against the table, a look of contentment on her lovely features, glancing over to her companion with a smirk.
Naruto noticed her creeping closer, the whiskered blond smiled as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her in close as he sat his own drink down, giving her his full attention.
"Are you sure you still want to go with me?" Ymir was silent as she messed around with the mug, nuzzling into his muscular frame "You're free to do what you like you know? I won't stop you if you want go somewhere else"
Ymir chuckled, shaking her head before looking up at him, stroking a whiskered cheek with her finger "I've survived this long by sticking by you, I don't think I'm gonna be quick to change that"
"Thank you, Ymir" Naruto smiled into her hair, he was very thankful for her, for everything she's done for him, taught him, showed him "I'd be very lost without you"
Ymir felt her freckled cheeks heat up, the cause wasn't all the Alcohol she had been knocking back most the night. She hated to admit but she really fell for the blond.
But that wasn't a surprise, he was the only good thing to ever happen to her. Out of all her years of suffering, he was like a golden light that kept her going and gave her strength.
"Do you think you'll find them? Your brothers?" Naruto looked uncertain at Ymir's question, his mind swirling with different what ifs. What if he never finds them, what if he couldn't keep his promise to his father, what if he never found and fixed his mother.
"I have too" the freckled brunette could feel his conviction, his desire, the need to find his family. Their hands locked together under the table.
"Then it's decided. We'll look for them together" Naruto gave her a small kiss in gratitude, tightening his hold on Ymir, he softly whispered.
"Thank you"
That's how the two stayed for the rest of the night, where they were supposed to be, together.
(The Next Day)
Ymir found herself whistling a jolly sort of tune as she strolled the local market, eyeing every seller's abundance of item's, her eyes stopping on a cart filled with different types of fruits and vegetables.
Swiftly she swiped three apples without anyone seeing, stuffing them in her coat pockets, blending in with the locals. The owner of the cart was none the wiser.
The tall freckled beauty started to whistle once more, keeping an eye out for her partner in crime.
Ymir didn't have to look long, he was fairly easy to spot. Sitting on a pillar in the shade, watching his fellow future recruits saying their farewells and goodbyes to family and loved ones.
Naruto finally seemed to notice her, a small smile spreading across his lips. He was soon by her side "Where did you go off to?"
"Breakfast" the whiskered blond took the offered apple with a raised brow, his blue eyes shining mischievously.
"Where did you happen to find this apple?" Ymir smirked as she took out her own, sinking her teeth into the juicy fruit.
"The seller had plenty, perhaps even too much. I relieved him of his extra stock, a kindness" Naruto shook his head with a smile.
"Of course, how foolish of me. You truly are too kind, Ymir" the freckled brunette winked at the whiskered blond, taking another bite of her apple, as the horse-drawn carriages started to arrive.
"I know"
"Um excuse me" a sweet voice broke the two out of their little moment, looking down to see a short but very pretty blond, staring up at the two with her bright baby blue eyes "Is this where everyone is going for the military?"
Naruto looked surprised to see someone of her stature asking about the military, so did Ymir if her raised brow meant anything "Uh yeah, the carriages are about to take everyone soon. You want to stay with us?"
"Yes please" the small blond then have the Titan shifting duo the purest smile, the sun seemed to shine on her in a golden holy light, only enhancing her beauty "I'm Historia"
Naruto smiled as he softly shook Historia's hand "Naruto, this is Ymir. It's nice to meet you Historia"
"Those of you who are enlisting or are already enlisted, please come this way!"
The trio was lucky to find themselves in the same carriage, sitting quietly as they were rocked back and forth from the bumpy road.
Historia seemed to clench at her stomach, her face looking pained. Naruto frowned as he called out to the girl "You okay?"
"I'm fine, I just haven't managed to find anything to eat in a couple days…" the whiskered blond glanced over to his partner, more specifically the apple in her pocket.
Ymir seemed to sense what he wanted, the brunette frowned as she looked over to the other woman in the carriage "You want something to eat? What can you give me in return?"
"I don't have much on me" the female shifter looked like she was about to deny Historia but an elbow from her partner made her reconsider.
"How about this, I'll give you this nice, big, juicy apple but you owe us both a favour. Sound fair?" The tiny blond frowned her brows in thought, weighing the pros and cons in her mind. She seemed to only need a few seconds before agreeing to Ymir's deal "Enjoy"
Historia clumsily caught the apple, smiling as she bowed her head in gratitude "Thank you"
"Don't mention it"
Once again the carriage was quiet, the only sounds being the crunching of an apple, the horses neighing outside and the gravel of the road grinding beneath the wheels.
Naruto sighed, resting his hand against his fist, eyeing the window and the scenery with a look of disinterest. His thoughts linger on his brothers.
He wasn't sure how but he had a gut feeling, telling him he would find what he's looking for in the military.
The subtle graze of Ymir's hand against his own, reminded him he wasn't alone. That she was by his side, just like she promised she would.
'I will find them father, I swear I will…'
