(Sorry for the extreme lateness. [Again.] But against all odds I did again and uploaded! I'm really sorry, but it's just that I get these intense bouts of laziness despite knowing what I want to type! Anywho, thanks to Animelover1013 for pointing out the errors in the characters' names. I was reading from a different source and I guess they aren't as accurate as other sources to read manga from. Nonetheless…ENJOY!)
'Single Quotation Italics': Thoughts
Underlined Italics: Attack/Move Names
"Double Quotation Normal": Speech
Italics: Emphasis
'Single Quotation Bold Italics': Tailed-Beast or Titan Thoughts
"Double Quotation Bold": Tailed-Beast or Titan Speech
"Double Quotation Bold Italics": Tailed-Beast Telepathy
Chapter 2: Ride Home for the Humans
Third Person
Kurama's mirthful cachinnations came to a slow halt, his mandible shutting against his maxilla upon the complete silencing of his laughter. For a brief moment Kurama cast a downward gaze at where a sword would have been embedded if he was made of mortal flesh and bone. Eyes snapping back to focus on the troupe of humans he had encountered and terrified, Kurama scrutinized them somewhat. They were all...so small. Which is something that Kurama had always expected of humans; at least until he had seen the titans, then he thought that those were the humans of this world. 'Not making that mistake again.' Thoughtfully added the Nine-Tails. Firm gaze still upon the human troupe, Kurama shifted forwards into a crouched position, leaning towards the group. The humans, in turn, took several steps back, prepared to flee further if necessary. 'As if they could actually get away from me.' Thought Kurama, and had only partially parted his maws to speak, only to realize that perhaps first greetings aren't best made with a booming voice. Kurama closed his mouth and sighed through his nostrils. 'Telepathy it is, then.'
It was with a gentle metaphorical 'shove' that Kurama made telepathic connections to each and every mind of the humans that stood beneath his shadow. Before Kurama would 'speak' to the infantry in front of him, he pondered over what first to say to them; especially after he had just terrorized them. Something Kurama was sure of that didn't win him any brownie or cookie points…Naruto's wife sure knew how to bake.
"Humans." Kurama began, relaying his words through the psychic connection; the soldiers receiving his words within their minds.
"Huh?" Kuklo uttered, and swiveled his head around in search of the voice that he had seemingly heard. Several of the Survey Corps members mimicked Kuklo, however, their search for Kurama's voice was a reluctant one. The soldiers had their discipline and knew to never take their eyes off a threat, and thus tossed quick glances around before averting their sight from whatever direction they gazed into. It couldn't have been the giant nine-tailed beast, its voice would be booming if it could speak, causing even the earth beneath them to shake. Kuklo prayed that the fox wasn't intelligent, prayed that it wasn't cunning; the titan he and the Survey corpsmen ran from sure wasn't smart. 'But what if intelligence varied depending on the titan?' Kuklo paled at the thought, a cunning and intelligent titan meant—
"Up here, humans, I'm nowhere else." Kurama hinted through the connection, unknowingly interrupting and confirming the fear of one of the humans below. There was also a tinge of annoyance in the tone of the voice he projected with his will. The humans, finally aware of from where the voice emanated from, displayed an array of emotion that ranged from shock, to fear and concern. Kurama was sure that the humans would attempt to at least communicate with him, regarding that he apparently called to them first—and that he scared them out of their wits. It was not to be, however, for instead of the calm and discipline expected of a soldier, Kurama was met with surprised cries. Cries ranging from "It speaks!" to despondent mutterings of "We're doomed..." really, while it was somewhat endearing, Kurama became rapidly irritated once more.A limit was reached within no time at all, even more so with the broody ones muttering about the end of humanity. "Would you quit your babbling!? I thought you humans were the epitome of millions of years of evolution—fucking act like it!" The fox snapped, his irritation quickly transformed into a burst of wrath. All the reactions that the humans made in response to his current doings were inexcusable to Kurama; and so Kurama raised his right arm to the peak of its range and clenched his paw-hand into a fist before bringing the appendage back down, smashing the closed hand into the ground. The nutrient-lacking soil and rock was cratered, a spider web of destruction surrounded the paw-hand that collided with the ground. Luckily the impact wasn't made with too much strength, otherwise the humans might not be around anymore... 'Note to self: watch own strength unless absolutely necessary.' Kurama mentally chided himself for nearly obliterating the humans.
Kuklo was left speechless, just as he had been for the last while after having discovered the fox-titan's speech ability, especially after the outburst made by the fox-titan; the soldiers of the Survey Corps. had been just as stunned by the development. The captain, which Kuklo had never been properly introduced to, had observed with a more critical eye and observed with a steely look. The captain stepped forth, having been the first to regain all his bearings. "So you speak." A blank statement by the captain, made to open up paths of conversation if only to get a small understanding of the fox-titan. "Yes, I do, human." Kurama responded with a simple answer, he would give nothing away about himself, nor would he betray any emotion; having prepared himself to withstand a possible onslaught of ass kissing from the people he looms over.
The captain pondered his words carefully, a slip of the tongue could be the undoing of them all. "Are you entertained? Because we lost our horses after pushing them too much to get away from your faux chase." Rebuked the captain, clearly displeased by the fox's actions; however, his words were laced with a convincing cool. The commander, however displeased he might be at the actions of the beast towering over him and his troupe, attempted to hold an air of calm and civility so as to not antagonize the gargantuan animal.
"Thoroughly entertained. I could honestly care less about what happens to you humans." Bluffed Kurama, in reality the fox wouldn't allow a single hair to be removed from the humans' head until they were under safe conditions. Naruto wouldn't either—bless the knucklehead's soul—and so neither would Kurama, following the blonde's example. "However, for my...transgressionsKurama emphasized the word, as if to be sarcastic—for appearances sake, of course, "I will return you to your shelter, and from there we part." Offered Kurama, using the opportunity to have the humans lead him to their home—and hopefully confirm what the walls he had seen earlier were. "I'm allowing a few minutes to make your decision." Said Kurama with a tone that would leave no room for argument.
The captain was skeptical about the offer made to him and his troupe. 'This could just as easily be a trap to lure us in.' Reflected the captain, feeling apprehension in having to decline or accept what could be a titan's trap to devour them all sooner or later. 'What if it isn't? We could safely get out of titan's territory outside the walls in the grasp of an obvious apex predator...'either risk the chances of safety and survival, as well as their lives by riding what is without a doubt the world's largest titan, or duke it out with the wild world outside the walls amongst ravenous titans; a fate no man or woman would prefer to face—being torn apart without mercy when it would be easier to commit suicide...—at all. The captain looked over his right shoulder and observed the stowaway-boy and his soldiers. Every Survey member was discussing the possibilities with each other, the boy even tossing in a few ounces of his own input, apparently. 'Better to come to a unanimous consensus and—' the captain couldn't finish his thought for a voice from the ranks cried out. "Commander!" Shouted the stowaway-boy whilst jogging to the front and coming to the leader's side—the boy refused to take his eyes of the fox while addressing the captain.
First Person - Kuklo
I was more than sure that we were all done for, that death was coming for us all—not even the knife Sharle had given me would have helped against this enormous beast—the good luck charm that it was also supposed to be. Fortunately, or otherwise depending on who was asked, the fox-titan barked a hearty laugh that left everyone dumbfounded. This effect doubled when it spoke, and left a silence full of so much tension that the pressure and trepidation could be felt from the air. Soon enough silence gave way to panic and sorrow—it was intelligent and cunning, what rational person wouldn't feel solemn?—followed by somber acceptance. At least our loved ones would be safe, from the menace, having driven it far away from the wall. 'Sharle...' my last thoughts were of the girl that gave me reason to live—to survive. This fox-titan could leave us for dead and it wouldn't blink even once. Then it got angry and persuaded us all to go quiet. The damage it caused with its fist alone to the terrain was devastating.
A moment after the fox-titan's outburst, I overheard the captain conversing with the beast. It was civil at least, as far civil went between a titan and what could be its prey, anyhow. Then it came; something so unbelievably convenient that it was just that: unbelievable. The fox-titan had offer them all safe passage to the walls—and despite the dangers of such a thing, I jogged up to the commander as I called out to him.
"Captain!" I approached while addressing the leader of the soldiers out on this expedition-gone-wrong. The man in question turned slightly towards me and spared a glance, addressing me visually, however, briefly, rather than verbalize his acknowledgement, it seemed that the commander wasn't willing to fully take his eyes off the beast either, unlike a few of the soldiers that have let their guard down around the gargantuan fox.
"I think we should take it up on its offer," the captain had opened his mouth to speak, likely against whatever it was I had to say but I interrupted whatever he was about to say to refute me, "think about it, either we deal with worse methods of dying in an attempt to survive on the way back ourselves, or possibly die in one swoop by taking a chance with this titan—and that's with thinking that this fox-titan might not be luring us." Let it not be known to any of these people that the only reason I'm willing to be carried by such a towering creature is in the hopes that I'd see Charles once again, I had also done what I wanted and proved to myself that I wasn't a titan once and for all. "Sir, it's the best chance we have." After having said my piece, I let captain stew with his thoughts, and I hoped he would take the offer.
First Person - Carlo Pikale
'This is unbelievable—a titian that can speak, even offering us passage to the walls.' That was too good to be true, and I wasn't just about to hand myself—or any of those under me—over on a silver platter. That stowaway boy had approached me and urged me to take the offer, his arguments were fine points: either way, we die. It was only a matter of choosing our deaths, apparently, whether to die at the hands of titans that would eat us like children with no table manners, or die at the cunning of this enormous fox-titan. I already favored the latter, however, what about the men and women? 'Would they be willing?' There was no guarantee of anything, and it caused me to ponder further. Too many unknowns here—more unknowns than the usual study of the titans, now there was this. To say the least: I'm terrified. Again, there is no guarantee.
"How can I trust you to keep your word?" I finally responded to the giant fox. My words were smooth, a blanket of calm cooling my mind to match my words. Now was not the time to let emotions take the reins; this situation has the potential to get us all killed, or save us all.
I shifted my gaze to me the gargantuan's eyes, craning my head upwards to get the best view of its orbs from where I stood. The beast responded logically and betrayed nothing. "You can't. You can only trust me to keep the 'titans' at bay. For all you know, I'll kill you all after passing a kilometer." I noticed the emphasis it put on 'titans.' Perhaps it took it as an insult that what we considered titanic was minuscule to him. Nonetheless I ended up agreeing. There were two choices presented to me: die one way, or the other. The other was best. "Alright, on behalf of the Survey Corps., I, Carlo Pikale, Captain, enlist your aid in traveling to our home!" My voice was projected louder than usual, so that everyone would be privy to my choice. The corpsmen and women muttered and talked amongst each other—the braver ones walked over and took positions at my side—the stowaway boy, too. The remaining bunch became much more confident after having seen the rest line up from what I saw. I was proud of them all for standing with me, because for all I knew…we'd be walking into the belly of the beast and I would rather have no one else at my back and side.
"So that's how it is, hm?" Observed the fox—it grinned, it actually grinned. The fox-titan lowered an enormous hand—'or paw? Paw-hand?' As a unit everyone alongside me stepped onto the beast's hand.
Third Person
Carlo Pikale, alongside the whole troupe—and the stowaway—staggered as the enormous paw-hand they stood in rose. It felt as if gravity was made much harsher; their legs felt as if they'd give out. Carlo was near one of the finger-like appendages on the paw hand and thus used it to brace himself for the duration of the ride up until he and everyone else were presented with the top of their benefactor's head, and fearing the fox possibly-suddenly turning its hand over to drop them to their death, leapt onto the beast's head.
Everyone, much to Kurama's mirth, made a mad dash for his head and latched on as if their lives depended on it. Kurama couldn't help but mess with the humans for another moment and exaggerated his head movement; doing some neck stretches, Kurama shifted his head side-to-side, front and back, then around in a circle, all before repeating the process in an inverted manner—he was aware of the individual hands gripping his pelt with all their strength, so the humans would be fine. Probably. The yells Kurama earned from his stretching made him want to explode into a fit of laughter and fill the air with his booming voice instead of the telepathic crap he has to use, otherwise risk deafening and-or terrifying the humans. 'Humans are so damn fragile without chakra...' Kurama huffed, displeased with the lack of chakra nowadays, and it was only—what? His first day still? When one is a gargantuan whole of badassery, Kurama understood that distance could easily be crossed with his size and speed...he truly missed those days he spent with the blonde knucklehead and his family. 'Shouldn't have thought of chakra...brought up some good memories.' It's not that Kurama didn't want to remember and fall into a daze of momentary nostalgia, but Kurama currently had a duty—no matter how minuscule a duty it was—to the humans and thus rose to stand at the peak of his height atop his hind legs.
Kurama kept still a moment upon standing to allow the humans a brief respite so that they might accommodate themselves upon his head—and the humans did just that. Carlo Pikale had laid himself down towards the front of Kurama's cranium, having decided that this was the best way to avoid a fall to his death. The rest of Pikale's band of Survey members lingered somewhere behind him, having chosen to lay upon the fox's head as well to keep from being knocked over. Now, if Kurama were to break into a sprint—either on all fours or as he is—there wouldn't be a snowball's chance in hell that the soldiers would last very long before being knocked down. Kurama and Carlo realized that, despite not having uttered a peep to each other as the Nine-Tails began his trek towards the walls he had seen earlier on. Kurama's fur isn't exactly long enough to tangle any of the people on his head or limbs, but the fox wasn't exactly comfortable with the humans being somewhere that he might have to constantly shift himself to avoid the humans' falling off.
"So fox," began Pikale, as the stowaway took position just adjacent to him, a question in mind. There might as well be no beating around the bush, "how much further?" The question was made to divine something from Kurama, the great fox just knew it somehow. "The structure is in the distance, and once I drop you at the entrance I'm leaving." Responded the fox, albeit there was a bit of a bluff there. Kurama had no intentions of truly going anywhere other than the human settlement; however, without any knowledge about today's customs, or other settlements, plus the reaction the troupe upon his head had towards his appearance...it would be better to enter with a change in size and an illusion, otherwise risk too much.
First person - Kurama
Just in the distance was the wall I had seen previously, nothing about it changed; and if anything about it were to change at all, it would be the patrols atop the wall. If they hadn't seen me running at them before while I was on all fours then they definitely see me now at the peak of my height. As usual I took care to manage my mass to avoid prints during the walk. With my paw-hands lazily at my sides with every step I took, slightly swaying, my eyes never left the wall that I approached. It would be better if the humans atop the wall thought that I was naught but a hallucination brought on by the sun and their vivid imagination...and so the illusion was cast. From anyone else's view and thoughts, aside from those that caught a ride from me, I disappeared, dismissed as a product of the sun and their imagination, combined with having had worked for quite a while already. By the time a few of the soldiers on my head fell asleep—apparently my fur is comfortably soft—the wall was just in front of me. The structure made for keeping out threats was nothing to me, for with the flick of the wrist I'd be able to knock the construct down; I wouldn't even have to move the wrist, honestly. This wall meant for protecting the remains of humanity isn't even a quarter fraction of my height.
I lowered myself onto all fours to reduce elevation, and even then I was still several meters taller. "Tch, can't believe I'm lowering myself to the level of a meager wall," I chided to both myself and the humans through the telepathic connection, there shouldn't be any reason why I'd lower myself to a standard that isn't mine unless I wished it, "you humans better be grateful I let myself bow so low just to get you here."
"And believe me, we are grateful for what you've done for us—especially for not going back on your word." Responded a youthful voice as a male leapt from my snout and onto the wall—a shudder made its way throughout my whole body as the image of green spandex, bowl cuts, and large eyebrows made its way into my mind. I examined the first person that moved off my head. The boy's most notable feature is the scar over his right eye, most likely from a past struggle. "You're not in uniform—aren't you servicing the military like the rest?" I questioned the boy. Just as the boy—adolescent from what I can tell—was about to respond, the commanding officer had opened his mouth to speak over what the boy had to say. "You kept your word." Stated the captain. It almost sounded like a question for a moment and I didn't doubt that thought, especially since the validity of a giant creature's word is more than likely to crumble at a moment's notice. "I did, what of it?" I responded, a slight snarl have gone past my muzzle as if to threaten the captain for his insolent words. "No, no! Think nothing of it…it's just that we haven't had the best of…experiences with titanic beings, to say the least." The captain quickly returned, appeasing me with his nervous and rapid response—more like making me bust my ass laughing in my mind. Riling humans up never gets old. "Now, if you're done, take your people and go, else I go back on my word and gobble you up." I said harshly, my deadly teeth bared for the captain and the rest to see. They all complied except for the boy, he stayed, despite my threat, in order to finish what he was say, apparently.
"Well...about that...I'm really just a stowaway with something to prove." Finally responded the boy, putting his right hand to the back of his head for a light scratch. A nervous gesture. Just as I was about to ask my own question the rest of the riders departed and interrupted my speech. At least the space atop my cranium was left vacant. "What's your name, boy?" I inquired right away, I found my entrance ticket, apparently.
The youth answered right away. "Kuklo."
(And there it is, ladies and gentlemen! Third/second chapter! Depends on if you count the prologue or not. Hopefully I don't take too long with the next one. I shouldn't since it's my favorite bit of Before the Fall. As for the whole "When are we going to get to the main story?" thing, it'll happen in another few chapters, since I don't want to take too long with BtF. I don't know, really.)