AN: Hello everyone! I am back with another update! I just wanted to let you know that I have also edited AND updated my Inuyasha x Naruto crossover, "Kunoichi of the Leaf". So, if any of you want, go ahead and read that but I advise you to read it from the beginning since I kind of added and took off some things. Anyways, here is the third chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not and never will own Inuyasha or Attack on Titan. They belong to their respective authors, Rumiko Takahashi and Hajime Isayama.

Kagome: 16-17

Mikasa, Eren, Armin: 10-11

Chapter Three: My Resolve

"…N-Nee-chan…" She looked at Souta as his voice was filled with pain. "I-I…don't want to die," his voice trembled as they dangled in the titan's grasp.

"You're not going to!" she retorted with a sob, ignoring the steaming blood running down her arms. "I won't let you!" she stretched out an arm towards her brother, trying to reach him. Tears and snot were streaming down his face as they were brought closer above the titan's grinning mouth.

"I…I'm sorry for everything, Nee-chan."

She watched in horror, a scream ripping through her as the titan let go of her brother's leg and he was swallowed up by its awaiting jaws.

"No, Sooooouuutaa!"

"No!" Kagome woke up with a shout, her arm stretched out in mid-air.

She could hear the bells outside chiming as sunlight peeked through the windows overhead.

Her heart pounded in her chest as sweat drenched her form. She took in a shaking breath as she rubbed a hand down her face and realized she had been crying.

It was the same dream. The one she'd been having everyday now for the past week ever since that fateful day.

The day the titans breached Wall Maria. The day their home had been destroyed. The day Carla had been killed. The day she lost her brother.

She clutched her side as her form started to tremble at the reminder and she buried her head in her knees, ignoring the pain from her bandaged ribs. Tears blurred her vision and she closed them as she broke down, sobbing silently from her spot on the floor.

She couldn't even remember what happened after her brother was swallowed up by that titan. The only reminder of that horrifying event were a few bruised ribs she sustained after she had blacked out. All she knew was that Hannes had rescued her while she was unconscious and brought her to the boat with Mikasa and Eren to evacuate.

By the time she finally came to, they were already inside Wall Sina, packed with hundreds of other refugees in a temporary shelter provided by the government after the horrible incident. And when she had found Hannes a couple days later and asked him what had happened, she remembered the haunted look he gave her when he replied.

"Hannes," Kagome called out as she found the older man among several others of the Garrison. She rushed up to him at that moment, catching her breath while clutching her bruised side.

"Kagome." His voice was filled with surprise as he left his group to meet her and stared at the girl. "You shouldn't be moving around like that," he said as he steadied the girl, but paused when she looked up at him in desperation.

She clutched at his arms. "I-I need to know," she said.

"What?"

"I need to know what happened when you came back for me. I don't remember anything except Souta b-being swallowed by that…by that…" she didn't finish her sentence and clutched the man's uniform tighter, trembling. "What…what happened to Souta? What happened to my brother?" she asked, her voice shaking as the last memory of her sibling flashed in her mind.

Hannes face became pale as his expression turned grim before he turned his face away from her in silence. "…I'm sorry, Kagome," he spoke after a moment, unable to look at her. "I was too late. I couldn't find anything left of him."

Kagome could feel the tears well up in her eyes at his words and she fell to her knees in defeat, feeling herself go numb.

"When I came back, I found you alone and unconscious on a roof," he explained, crouching next to her and watched the tears spill from her eyes. He seemed to want to say more before he shook his head, deciding against it. His own heart felt heavy at her broken expression, feeling guilty, and he brought the girl into his arms, letting her tears stain his uniform as she broke down.

Kagome could not hold in her anguished wails as she sobbed into the man's shirt, her cries drowning out his voice as he whispered broken apologies.

After that, the nightmares didn't go away, plaguing her with the constant reminder of her brother's death.

Why did these kinds of things always happen to her? Why couldn't she live in peace? Why did it seem like everyone she loved would always be ripped away from her in the end? Just like what happened to Mikasa's parents. Just like what happened to her family.

She could hear the screams around her.

Fire was everywhere as the smell of burning flesh penetrated the air.

She was crawling to the shed to escape the destruction. Pain flooded her as blood poured out of her wounds.

"Nee-chan…" she heard her brother whimper as she reached the door of the shed. He was huddled in the corner, blood and dirt smeared on his clothes as he trembled in fear at the chaos outside. "You're back!" he cried as he scrambled to get up and pull her inside.

She groaned in pain as her wounds aggravated her. "We need to get away!"

"But—what about Kaa-san and Jii-san?!"

"They're dead Souta! They're both dead!" her brother flinched at the outburst, sobbing as her words registered in his mind.

She clutched her head in pain at the memory.

Weak.

That's what she was.

If only she wasn't so weak. If only she had been stronger. If only she had the strength to protect her loved ones. Then, maybe everyone she held dear wouldn't have died. Maybe her brother would still be alive.

Her fists clenched her skirt as her thoughts took a dark turn.

"Kagome." A worried voice broke her out of her thoughts and Kagome looked up to see Mikasa and Eren standing at the entrance of the building she was in.

"Eren. Mikasa-chan. When did you guys wake up?" She quickly wiped the tears from her face with her sleeve.

The two came over to her as she asked the question.

"Half an hour ago." Eren said as Mikasa kneeled next to the older girl.

Mikasa stared at the older girl's face for a moment. "Are you okay?" she asked, knowing Kagome was trying to hide fact that she had been crying.

"You were crying again, weren't you?" Eren asked, noticing puffiness around her eyes.

Kagome gave a quiet sigh at their concern. "I just woke up from a dream."

Eren brows furrowed at that. "More like a nightmare," he muttered under his breath as he watched Mikasa help the girl up before she dusted herself off.

Even though Kagome never told them, they knew she was having nightmares of that time.

Letting it go for now, he decided to change the subject. "They're supposed to be handing out rations right now. We should hurry up if we want to get anything," he said, albeit reluctantly, walking beside her as they headed to where soldiers were handing out rations to the refugees.

Kagome nodded as she absently took in the surroundings of the shelter they were in. People were gathered in lines, waiting for their share of food to be distributed as others grumbled and complained about the long wait. Some were even fighting to be closer to the front so they could get theirs first, the hunger getting to them.

It would take all day for them to get their own food.

The three turned around as they heard Armin call out to them.

"Kagome! Eren! Mikasa!" Armin stopped in front of the three as he caught his breath.

"Armin-kun?" Kagome blinked in surprise as she saw the small loaves of bread in his arms.

He smiled as he gave each of them a loaf. "Look! Grandpa was able to get these for us!"

Kagome smiled at the boy's happy expression before frowning in concern. "He must have been here since dawn to get it," she exclaimed.

Armin gave a reassuring look. "Don't worry about it, Kagome. He's wants to help out as much as he can. Especially since you're still hurt," he said, gesturing to the bandages hidden under her shirt.

Kagome's eyes softened at his words. "Well, tell him we said, 'thank you'."

"I will!"

"Tch." Kagome looked up behind the boy and saw one of the soldiers standing there with a scowl on his face as he glared at them before walking away.

"What's his problem," Eren said with a frown as they all stared at the man's retreating form.

"It's because there's not enough food for everyone," Armin explained, looking down at the bread in his hand. "This is probably all we'll get for today, since there's so many refugees." He clutched the loaf a little tighter. "There's always been a shortage of food, and you know how people always looked down on those who lived on the outskirts," he said, referring to the fallen districts of Wall Maria.

Eren took in his words, continuing to glare at the man as he heard him talk with some other soldiers.

"Why do we even have to share our food with outsiders."

The four gave a quiet gasp at the soldier's words, Eren's frown deepening as he continued. "I mean, the titans broke through the wall anyway. They should've eaten more of them."

His words made Kagome furious, and she clenched her fist as Eren stomped towards the soldier continuing to make such callous remarks about them.

He ignored Armin's call as he went up to the man, clenching his fist at what he was saying.

"This will just make the food shortage worse—Ouch!" He clutched his shin in pain, glaring at the boy who had just kicked him. "What the hell are you doing, you brat?!" he said and raised his fist up to punch the kid.

He fell to the ground as a fist collided with his own cheek, groaning at the pain as his head hit the ground. "The hell—you bitch!" he cursed when he saw that it was the older girl who punched him in the face.

"Don't you dare touch him." Kagome looked down at him with a scowl as she pushed Eren behind her. She glared at the other soldiers with him. "You have no right to say any of those things!"

"What'd you say?!"

"You don't even know what you're talking about. You've never even seen it happen with your own eyes!" Eren shouted as he stood beside the older girl, glaring hatefully at the man on the ground. "You've never seen how they eat people!"

Kagome grabbed Eren's shoulder in comfort, carefully watching the man as he got up from the floor.

The soldier growled in frustration. "Shut up, you damn brat!" He yelled but paused as Armin came between them.

"We're really sorry, sir!" Armin said as he bowed his head in apology. "They're just frustrated because they're hungry. That's why they're acting like that." He bowed his head again, hoping to appease the angry man. "We're really sorry!"

"…Whatever," the man finally said as he realized all the people staring at the commotion. "Just remember, you would've been dead without us. You should be more grateful." Just as he turned to leave, he heard one of them mutter under their breath. "What did you say?" He turned back towards them with a scowl.

Kagome ignored Armin as she stared at the man with a hard expression. "I'd rather die than leech off your 'kindness'," she spit out the last word in disgust.

She took a step forward as she glowered at the soldiers surrounding him, "…'Dead without you people'?" her bangs covered her eyes as she shook in anger, "If that were true…then where were you when all those people were devoured by titans as they cried for help?" she continued as her voice rose in volume, "Where were you when people watched their loved ones get torn apart by those monsters?! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WATCHED MY BROTHER GET EATEN BEFORE MY OWN EYES?!" Her eyes were ablaze as she glared at the man.

They had no right to say any of their words. Not when they hid behind the inner walls, not even caring about the people left to die as they enjoyed their own comfort and safety.

Kagome panted as rage filled her the more she thought about it.

Silence rang through the entire area as the truth rang in their ears. Even the soldiers were shocked speechless as they stared at her with wide eyes, unsure of what to do.

Kagome clenched the bread in her hand, her fist shaking, before throwing it at the man in fury.

"Take your stupid bread," she said, "I don't need pity from people who only act tough when they're hiding like cowards." With that, she grabbed Eren and Mikasa's hand and left the scene, Armin picking up the bread she had thrown before following them.

"You guys need to eat!" Armin urged as he tried to make Eren and Kagome eat their bread.

Mikasa stared at the two in silence as Kagome had her head buried in her knees while Eren threw the loaf back at his friend in frustration.

Eren was fuming in front of them as he clenched his fist in anger.

"I don't need this piece of crap!"

"Eren, what are you doing?!"

Eren turned his angry eyes to Armin, "Doesn't it piss you off? We can't do anything against the Titans because we live off such pity!" he shouted.

"That's because it's impossible to defeat them!" Armin retorted, trying to make him see reason. "The only choice we have is to live inside the walls. If you do anything rash, you'll die the same way my parents did!" his voice was desperate by the time he finished.

"So that's why you're sucking up to those people?! Even when they treat us like trash?!" Eren gritted his teeth as he remembered what happened earlier. "Aren't you ashamed?!"

"But that's all we can do right now!"

"That's just an excuse!" His shout startled the blond as he grabbed the front of his shirt.

His words had Kagome look up in time to see Eren scream in the boy's face.

"If that's what you want, then just continue living like livestock, you weak piece of shit!"

"Eren!" Kagome shouted, unable to take anymore.

Armin looked at him with wide eyes at the accusation before Eren was suddenly thrown away from him by Mikasa as she punched him in the face.

Kagome stared at the girl in surprise at her outburst, watching as she looked down at the boy with a hard stare.

Mikasa stared at the fallen boy for a moment before speaking. "If Armin is weak, then so are we," she stated as she saw Eren glare at her. "We couldn't even escape the titans or leave the city by ourselves. Even the food we eat is from someone else," she said before glancing at the older girl next to her.

"There's not even a chance for any of us to take down even one Titan as weak as we are."

Kagome clenched her hands as her words seemed to stab at her and looked down as Mikasa continued.

Mikasa stared at them hard. "What's important now is staying alive…just like your mother said." She grabbed two loaves from Armin's hands and proceeded to stuff one in Eren's mouth. "Eat. Eat and stay alive," she commanded as she pushed the bread, forcing him to chew. She turned to Kagome and lifted the other loaf towards her, "I won't let you starve yourself to death," she stated, looking straight into her blue eyes. "I won't let you."

Tears sprang forth from Kagome's eyes as she heard her words, realizing she wasn't the only one who was hurting. How could she forget? She wasn't the only one to lose someone. She wasn't the only one grieving. And yet, despite all that, Mikasa was pushing through, staying strong for them.

Unable to hold it in any longer, she launched herself at the younger girl, pulling her into a hug.

"G-Gomenasai…Gomenasai, Mikasa-chan," she repeated as she cried into her shoulder, clutching her tighter before lifting her head back up.

Looking to Eren, she saw him break down and pulled him into a hug, opening her arm for Armin to join in their embrace.

Tears continued to stream down her face as she held onto them with all she was worth. "We'll live. We'll live…for Oba-san…for Souta," she lifted her teary gaze to each of them, "…for us."

A few days after their emotional breakdown, the four were sent with the rest of the refugees to cultivate the land and secure food.

But even their efforts could not prevent the food shortage that came.

A year after, the Central Government launched a campaign to retake Wall Maria using the refugees. Although publicly they said it was the reason for the campaign, everyone knew the truth.

There were 250 thousand of them, including Armin's grandfather; almost a fifth of the total population. However, barely even a 100 survived.

This was their plan all along, to reduce the mouths to feed in order to lessen the strain on the food supply.

With their sacrifice, the food shortage did improve, albeit a little, for the rest who survived. However, this did little for those who suffered from the lives that were lost.

"The titans are to blame."

Eren leaned against the wall, his head faced turned down as he listened to Armin's quiet sobs next to him.

Mikasa stood there quietly, watching the blond with sad eyes as he mourned for the loss of his only remaining family.

Kagome held the boy in her arms as his tears soaked her shirt, his shoulders shaking as he continued to cry while clinging to the straw hat in his hands.

His grandfather's hat.

The torch lights burned dimly in the darkness, illuminating their forms with an orange glow.

Eren let his body slide to the ground in a crouch. "If only we could defeat them," Eren spoke up again. "Then we could regain our place in this world."

Hearing his words, Kagome looked at the boy with a solemn expression. "You're going to join the Scouts, aren't you?"

Seeing the determination burning in his eyes, she stayed silent, knowing his answer.

Eren nodded at her question. "I'm going to apply for military training next year," he stated. "I'll become strong enough to fight them." His voice burned with conviction, glaring into the darkness as Armin stared at him from Kagome's arms.

"Me too."

Eren turned to him in shock. "Armin?"

"I'm going too!" Armin repeated, his tears stopping at that instant.

"I'll join you too," Mikasa added after a minute, shocking him even further.

"Mikasa? You don't have to! Didn't you say that survival is the most important thing?!" He tried to persuade her out of it.

She only blinked at his attempt. "That's exactly why I'll be there to ensure your safety."

At her words, Eren looked to the ground in thought.

Kagome closed her eyes for a moment as she took in their words. They were really going to go through with it, weren't they? Yet, she could not blame them for it.

Just a little over a year ago, Eren had been arguing with his parents about the same thing. Now, after all the disputes with his mother about the insanity of wanting to join the corps, here he was, more determined than ever.

But with everything that happened, everything they went through, she knew the outcome was inevitable.

"I'm going to be a soldier too! I'm going to join the Survey Corps!"

She could almost hear the resolve in her brother's voice as she remembered the words he spoke that day and tears gathered behind her lids at the reminder.

"No parent in their right mind would want their children to put their lives on the line."

"It's my life, not hers."

She remembered their last argument before everything had went to hell.

"She doesn't want you to throw away your life like that!"

"Who said I was throwing away my life?!"

"Can't you understand she's just worried about you, Souta?!"

"Why should she be? We're not even real family!"

His words had struck something deep inside her then, and she remembered the way she slapped him before she even realized it.

"…You spoiled…ungrateful little…" Kagome voice trembled as she clenched her stinging hand into a fist. "After everything we've been through…after everything they've done for us…you have the gall to…"

If only she hadn't been so hasty.

If only she'd been more understanding.

If only she hadn't fought with him that last moment.

If only she'd been a better sister.

If only she wasn't so weak.

Maybe then, he wouldn't have died.

"I…I'm sorry for everything, Nee-chan."

Maybe then, she wouldn't have to live with this guilt for the rest of her life.

She sucked in a deep breath to keep her tears at bay.

No.

She wouldn't let it happen. Not again.

Her mind made up, Kagome opened her eyes as spoke up, "I won't let you guys go alone."

The three looked at her in surprise.

"But, Kagome. I-I thought you were against it!" Eren stared at her as she gave a humorless chuckle.

"Eren, I think it's too late for that now." They could hear the pain in her voice and saw the wetness in her eyes. "I already know no matter what I say, you aren't going to change your mind. So, don't think I'll just sit here doing nothing while you risk your lives fighting them."

At Eren's conflicted expression, she let go of Armin and stood up from the ground. "If we're going to do this, then we're doing it together." She gave a small smile as Mikasa came to stand next to her. "Besides, I can't have you guys leave me just yet."

I won't let you die.

She held her hands out to the two sitting down, waiting as they stared at her for a moment.

Eren and Armin glanced at each other before finally grasping her offered hands, pulling up to a stand.

Eren stared at her with determination. "All right. We're in this together."

"For better or for worse." She agreed, squeezing his hand in affirmation.

Not this time.

AN: And there you have it! I hope you liked this chapter. Remember to leave a review telling me whether you loved it, thought it was okay, or just plain hated the whole thing. If I get 10 reviews in the next 48 hours, I will immediately upload another chapter!