Hi again,

I'm sorry this is a day late from promised. Thank you for all the reviews, follows and favorites and feel free to leave a review if anything seems strange or if you'd like to see more of something! There's not too much to say about this chapter beforehand so here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin or Naruto.

A few days had passed and nothing of mentionable notice had really happened, aside from the copious amount of training I had undergone. I finished updating my journal and glanced out the window. Cleaning had taken up much of the past two days. Each of us were assigned a daily chore which would be completed along with caring for our mounts. A schedule was quickly established and every night I fell into bed exhausted. While the other trainees were given only basic training, my training was also supplemented with extra lessons based on the history of this world and the Scouting Legion's intelligence of titans. Hanji was more than happy to inform me of their knowledge. I spent a solid night listening to her various theories, which involved many that became repetitive after a while. I couldn't say I was exactly sad to see her go and take care of other business back in another district.

Since that one night no new dreams had plagued me. It was disappointing to say the least. I was stuck here for an indefinite amount of time, not that I was really complaining. I had made plenty of friends among the other members of the Corps, though I couldn't help but feel like I had other friends back home that needed me more. The only thing that had really kept me going was the fact that I would soon be meeting with Ren again for another session. Before the meeting I had done my own form of training so I didn't embarrass myself again.

Mouthwatering odors had seeped underneath the door as I sat on my bed, indicating the completion of dinner. I got up from my bed and put my journal back on the desk, blowing out the candle as I left the room.

As I walked down the stairs I could hear Sasha and Jean, who had kitchen duty, arguing about what final seasoning should be added to the food. "Just because we work for the military doesn't mean that we had to suffer from bland food!" Argued Sasha, she was armed with a ladle and looked pretty close to whacking Jean on the head with it.

"But you don't have to kill it! You'll make it too strong and then it will be ruined." Retorted Jean.

I decided to try and help them out of with this one. I poked my head in the kitchen to give them my two cents. "I agree with Sasha on this one."

Connie entered past me to get more plates. "Jean I think you should step down for this one. Sasha is our culinary expert here." Sasha gave him a warm smile in response.

"Fine, go ahead and do what you want. Everyone will agree with me that you overdid it," he complained, walking out of the room to call everyone to dinner.

Sasha's smile grew as she turned around to finish the rest of the dinner preparations. I walked outside to get some water from a nearby stream. There wasn't much else to drink here since it was so secluded, besides tea as Levi had forbidden us from consuming alcohol. I quickly grabbed a barrelful and hurried back. The horses neighed at me as I passed the stable to get back to the house.

By the time I made it back everyone was already seated at their respective spots, waiting patiently for me to return. It was moments like this that I felt like I really belonged. I quickly doled out water to the minors before I sat. The moment my body had settled into the chair the crew became akin to a group of animals. In this house you had to be fast to get the prime pieces of meat. Of course the best pieces were given to Levi's squad but Sasha always managed to save a couple of pieces for the rest of us.

Sasha quickly snatched one of the aforementioned pieces for herself before grabbing a potato and digging in. Eren and Jean eyed each other before Reiner managed to grab the next best selection for himself from under their noses. The rest of us stayed out of it, knowing that we would at least get something to eat.

Sasha truly was a culinary genius. The meat was perfectly tenderized and seasoned. We made sure to tell this to Jean as well.

"Hey Jean, what were you saying about the meat being over seasoned? You seem to be enjoying it too much if that's the case," I instigated.

"Yeah Jean, I can't believe you would enjoy something this delicious. I thought you only liked things that were bland." Joined in Connie with a large grin. Sasha blushed in pleasure at the underlying complements.

"Guys…" warned Marco with a nervous glance at Jean, who was slowly turning red with anger.

"You know what guys, I think I know why he thinks it has too much flavor. He just wants to go back to eating plain old oats and hay," taunted Eren. Connie and I snickered at his comment.

This was the final straw for Jean. He glared at each of us in barely disguised fury. If looks could kill I think I would have been six feet under. Jean finished what was left of his plate before he got up from the table and disappeared into the kitchen.

Krista looked after him with a worried look. "You really shouldn't taunt him like that." Marco nodded in agreement.

"But it's so easy," I replied with a wide grin. Connie and Eren exchanged grins with me. Reiner had a small smirk on his face from the exchange. Ymir looked bored and Bertholdt looked nervously after Jean.

"You know he doesn't take these things too lightly," said Armin in an exasperated voice.

"You really should know better by now Eren," added Mikasa.

"I know, but it's like Naruto said, it's easy to get a rise out of him."

After that we finished our meals with quiet conversation. Connie and I washed the dishes before I went to Petra, who had a stack of books in front of her in the dining room. It had been decided that she would be the best one suited towards giving me history lessons. It seemed like forever before we finished. My mind kept wondering back to tonight's training session.

"Are you okay Naruto? You usually seem so excited to learn," asked Petra with a slight frown.

"Ah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired." I replied with a fake yawn.

"Alright, we'll finish for tonight then. There isn't too much more we need to cover before we're done here. The recorded history is kept under tight security by the church so there really isn't too much to learn."

"Really?" I asked in surprised. History didn't seem like something that should be kept from the general public to me.

"Yeah, you have to go through the church to get any restricted information which then has to go through to the monarchy in the inner wall. It's really too much of a bother so few people really do it. You could say that I'm an exception to the rule. It was one of the reasons that Levi selected me for his squad," she said proudly.

I thought this through. From what I had been told of the history here it did seem like the government and the church were closely linked, perhaps too linked in my opinion. I thanked Petra for the lesson and brought the assigned reading up to my room. I owed the organization even more for the language jutsu Midori had given me. It seemed that it could translate the written language as well. Just one less thing I would have to learn from this place.

I walked into my room, carefully closing the door in my wake. I had bid Armin and Eren goodnight, feigning a headache so that they'd leave me alone. I waited until I couldn't see any more light under the door, indicating that the other residents were settling down to go to sleep. I quickly unlocked the latch on the window and left, climbing to the roof to avoid Eld, who was put on first watch for the night.

The last few nights I had snuck out of the house to practice using Kurama's chakra in preparation for the meeting with Ren. I could now use up to two tails worth of power without getting carried away with the help of kage bunshins to speed up the process. I found that I needed to focus on remaining calm while I used it. So far I had been successful but I hadn't been able to use it with the help of anyone so I didn't know how I would be able to maintain control in the midst of battle. I knew that soon the tags would be useless, as explained to me by Katsumi. I felt for the necklace around my neck as I ran towards the spot where I had initially met Ren. I felt a certain comfort in holding the cool citrine stone. It was a small comfort knowing that even if I lost control that I would have some back-up plan, even if I didn't yet know what it would entail.

Hey Kurama, are you ready? I asked the fox.

I'm the demon fox of Konoha, isn't it you that should be asking yourself if you're ready?

Hey I was just trying to be considerate. After all we are partners. I added with a small smirk.

In the loosest possible meaning. I would still love to get out of this container. Ah if only I was free. If the humans think titans are bad then they can't begin to imagine what I'd be like. The fox daydreamed about a reign of terror while I rolled my eyes. The only foreseeable way he would be free was if I died and if I died I would be taking him with me.

Yeah, yeah, but for now you need to focus. I have no desire to get my ass kicked by a midget again.

Fine, growled the fox with slight annoyance. It seemed that he had come to accept me at least a little more over the past few days. He still had his moments though in which his innate desire to create disasters would act up. I'd have to stop using his chakra and wait until it passed. I was lucky that I hadn't been bored to death through his rants and tirades involving what he'd do if he had the chance.

I gently tapped into the flow of red chakra that resided near the center of the seal. I could feel it slowly slither across my skin in a red glow. I held up a hand to see slightly sharpened nails extended from my nail beds. Previously I had only used his chakra while in a meditation so I had no idea of what the physical effects truly were. I knew the fox was scary enough as it was and with that in mind I could only begin to picture what features of his had reached my outward appearance.

I finally reached my destination, using my enhanced sense of smell find Ren. I was surprised to find a new scent alongside the petite girl's. She emerged from the woods with a women of medium build. Her amber hair was pin straight and pulled back in a loose bun with bangs framing her porcelain face. Her eyes were a serene green for one moment, turning glacial blue the next. I was slightly mesmerized by the change. She examined me with a ghost of a smile on her face.

"You made it! I was starting to think that you'd died while I was gone!" Exclaimed Ren.

"How can you have such little confidence in me?" I asked with a sour expression. It's not like I was entirely hopeless.

"Ren would you mind your manners? I've told you it's rude to say things like that," reprimanded the stranger. She approached me gracefully, leaving the leaves and twigs under her feet undisturbed. My name is Umi. It has been decreed that I shall also aid in your training." Greeted the stranger.

Her voice had a calming quality and I could feel my nerves fading as I was influenced by it. Ren impatiently crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Alright, now that that's out of the way let's get too it!" She shouted as she closed the distance between us. Her arm was raised as she ran at me. Using Kurama's chakra I found that I could easily see the path she was going to take. I quickly ducked and slammed my fist into her stomach. Her breath left her lungs as she was propelled into a tree.

"Awesome!" She declared as she removed herself. "You have improved which means I don't have to hold back." She ran towards me once more as I moved to meet her.

The fight continued in a flurry of fists and feet. We moved fast enough that we would appear to be nothing but a blur to a normal human's sight. I soon grew irritated as my attacks were met blow for blow with Ren's. Neither of us seemed to have the advantage now that I had mastered some of Kurama's power. I slowly increased the flow and felt the second tail form. My control wavered a couple of times but I felt mostly in control. Kurama watched the flow of the battle with interest from within his cage, providing his insight every now and then. This was the most amount of action either of us had seen in almost a week.

I was still being matched by Ren so I increased it even further. The third tail formed and I could feel my control slip a little more. Anger rushed in as I charged head on into Ren. I kept fighting, landing a blow on her cheek while she aimed an uppercut to my chin. Both connected in midair, causing each of us to become launched backwards. I growled in an animalistic manner.

At this point Umi acted, revealing her purpose in my training. She walked slowly towards me with a soothing expression. "Naruto, calm down," she ordered, repeating the command softly as she came closer. I could feel Kurama's chakra calm down as it reduced its turbulent flow, allowing me to focus once more. I shook my head before I charged past Umi and back towards Ren.

I could hear Umi say "very good" before I became focused on Ren once more. The fight continued like this for an hour longer. Umi would constantly make soft commands that would reduce the agitated flow of chakra and Kurama's innate anger. This became a more common occurrence as the fight continued. Towards the end of the hour I could no longer hear Umi's voice or her gentle commands. Chakra started to gather around my body in a suffocating flow as Kurama's chakra became overpowering. The raw energy caused pain to explode as my skin was torn to shreds under its pressure. I yelled in pain, the smaller, rational part of me expecting Ren to help me as she did last time. Except this time she didn't.

I tried to stay focused but found that it was nearly impossible in this position. Kurama's chakra became denser as it began to form a thick cocoon, surrounding my abused body. I screamed once more before all sound was erased from the world.

I opened my eyes to find myself in Kurama's sewer-prison. I could still see my body, though it seemed to be from an outsider's point of view, my appearance had completely changed. I was the monster I had feared I would become. I was crouched on all fours, muscles clenched and ready to charge at Ren as I growled a challenge. Ren stepped back slightly and gestured to Umi.

The women reached under the collar of her black cloak and took out a pendent which was suspended from a chain hanging around her neck. She held it out in front of her, causing golden chains to hold my body in place as my own pendent responded. I roared in frustration as I was held in place. I struggled against my bonds but to no avail.

Kurama's chakra was slowly forced back and I regained my normal appearance. My body was covered in burn marks and the skin held a raw quality that promised infection if it wasn't treated. I found my vision drifting as my inner consciousness was forced out of Kurama's cell. I found myself in a position of extreme agony as I fully entered my body once more. I struggled to maintain alert of my surroundings as Kurama's chakra healed the worst of my wounds. I shakily stood up on weak limbs. I touched the stone around my own neck to find that it was now warm to the touch. I looked back towards Umi to find that her pendent was identical to my own, indicating a connection between them.

"How…" I had a coughing fit as I tried to get the words out. Umi sympathetically handed me a flask. I sniffed the contents briefly to discover that it was only water before I indulged my raw throat. I closed the lid and began again. "How did you do that?"

"I'm able to connect this pendent to your own to stop the flow of chakra. Its more complex but that is all you need to understand," offered Umi in the way of an explanation. She looked slightly paler, if possible, then she had before.

"Thanks," I knew that I wouldn't have been able to snap out of that one on my own. I had known the three tailed state was bad. What I hadn't realized was that I would have absolutely no control once the forth tailed state was initiated. Umi presented a small smiled before she left.

"Wait.." I called to find that her scent had completely disappeared. Weird.

"What was that about?" I asked Ren, who had remained behind.

"How am I supposed to know? Umi's just like that. She does her part and leaves."

"Okay then, um, so how did I do?" I asked. I figured I had at least done better than the last time. Besides feeling dead on my feet, I found that I didn't feel nearly as many aches as the last time I had sparred with the organization member.

Ren looked contemplative before she answered. "You did better but you still have a long way to go. You seem to have mastered the easier parts. The tags are pretty much next to useless now though. We'll meet here in two days from now," she replied in an uncharacteristically serious tone. She turned and left, leaving me alone.

Well I thought I had improved. I thought as I turned back in the direction I had come from. I hurried through the trees as fast as I could with my depleted reservoirs of chakra in mind. I was surprised that so much was missing. When I went to ask Kurama about it I found that he was fast asleep, either that or he was faking it which was quite possible.

As I approached the building I found Oluo on guard duty. A change in guard meant that I had been gone for a good four hours, leaving me with little time to recuperate from my mini adventure. I ran up the side of the building and through the window to my room. I collapsed on the bed and passed out.

I grudgingly removed myself from my bed as Gunther knocked on the door, waking us up for the day. I stretched my aching muscles. Surprisingly they didn't feel as bad as they had back when I had initially taken on Ren. I ran a hand through my hair as a made my way down the hall. I made my way into the dining room to find Jean with a grin on his face. I should have been cautioned by this but I was too sleep deprived to really think about this minor fact. I sat in my seat and waited for everyone else to enter. The food was set on the table, but before I could reach for the porridge Jean set down a covered plate in front of myself, Connie and Eren. I looked at it suspiciously.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Oh just a little something I whipped up myself for you. I thought you'd like to eat the delicacy of my hometown," He replied.

"Uh thanks," I responded as I looked at Connie and Eren. They shrugged and reached to uncover their plates as well. I felt my heart sink as I looked at the meal placed before me. On the plate was a small pile of oats and a few pieces of hay. A meal suited for a horse.

"What is this?" Asked Connie. He examined his plate in disgust and shock. Eren looked dumbfounded at his own display of food.

"You guys wanted to know what bland tastes like. I thought I'd show you myself. In my town it's often considered insulting to the cook if you don't eat all of what's placed in front of you," explained Jean with a mischievous grin.

"But this is horse food," exclaimed Connie in horror.

"Are you saying that my village's food isn't good enough?"

"What's going on here?" Asked Levi as he got up to inspect the commotion. He looked down at Eren's plate before looking around the table. "Is the food not good enough for you?" Asked the Corporal with a dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"N-no sir," stuttered Eren as he put a spoonful of oats on his spoon. He gulped nervously as he placed the spoon of oats in his mouth, wincing at the taste. Levi looked around at Connie and myself before we repeated the action. Satisfied he walked into the kitchen to take care of his plate.

The room could no longer contain their laughter at our humiliation. The three of us blushed deeply, our appetites disappearing on the spot. "You can call me a horse all you like but at least I've never eaten like one," exclaimed Jean triumphantly before he sat to enjoy his meal.

"You are so dead," whispered Eren angrily.

Jean just smirked in response.

That day's competition was heighted by the need for revenge. Unfortunately Eren and Jean were matched against each other for combat training. Both of them used more force then what would be deemed necessary to disarm their opponent. But by the end of the day they seemed satisfied, at least for now. I spent the rest of the day thinking of ways to get revenge, only to decide that it was at a tie, until the next time.

(End)

All right I'd just like to make a short note here. I know Naruto has to be very angry in order to use Kurama's chakra in the manga and anime but I think that perhaps he could still use it and remain uninfluenced if he's in a calm state of mind. His control of this will be better then it might be in cannon but I'd like to think that it's because he lost his memories that he'd have an easier time relaxing his mind because he can't remember his troubled past. I might incorporate a couple of time skips in future chapters because I feel like reading about his training isn't exactly thrilling. The titan shifters will also have a bigger part in upcoming chapters so stay turned for that and finally thanks for reading!