Chapter: 17

HEY GUYS! Oh my gosh...like...I can't even say how long it's been O-O. So sorry it took so long to update this story but, yeaah college and life and lack of motivation buuuut here's the next chapter! As usual sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes, I using my limited free time to proof read these XD. Reviewing and favoriting is appreciated ^-^

I had to keep light on my feet. It didn't dawn upon me until just a few seconds ago that I still had my survey corps uniform on. And the worst part is, I have no clothes to change into, so I guess it's just hiding in the shadows for now. As I approached the council room I made sure to avoid people at all costs. I was weaving around Teepee's, slipping into building's shadows, and jumping behind trees.

Crouching down behind some wicker barrels against a house, I peered around the side of the wall to see the council hall was only some ways away.

You're almost there. You're almost there.

Waiting patiently for a moment to pounce, my heart started to pound loudly in my chest. I felt exposed, like I was a mouse hiding from a million hawks. They're all like me, hybrids, so the possibility for them to detect me is pretty high. All I was leaning on was my element of surprise. It's not like they are on alert for possible intruders and we have never had any in the past. Not to mention they have no idea that I'm here. I just hope I can keep this up for a few more minutes.

I was just waiting on one dude. He was rearranging the bags in his hands and decided to stop in the middle of the road. I bit my lip, as I hung onto his every move. As he shifted a larger sack to his right side, he deemed his work worthy and started to march on.

Thank God.

Swiftly running straight across the deserted street I rounded over to the side of the council hall. I know of a back entrance my grandfather brought me through at one time. He was giving me a tour, of this once little town, years ago. It was never really used, so he thought it would be interesting for me to see what was built. This council hall was used for official members that traveled here long ago. It was when we used to observe the humans. But that has been long forgotten. We have no interest in them now. This small base was more popular when we first started to observe the humans progress, and after some time, we only checked it around once a year, so this base was never used. Then many years later when the wall was broken down, it was used slightly more frequently to observe the titans that were now within the walls….but 3 years have passed since I've been home…so I really have no idea of its use now. It doesn't make sense for so many people to be here.

Grabbing onto a loose wooden board I pushed it to the side to find a door handle. Quickly opening the door, I flew in and pulled it shut.

Alright you're in. Half the battle is over.

Walking through the dark room, I thanked God I was able to see in the dark. Even so all the clutter in the room was unexpected. This room barely had anything in it the last time I was here. Now, there are tons of boxes and barrels of supplies and scrolls everywhere.

What the heck is going on?

As I weaved in and out of boxes I headed down the dark corridor. I knew that there was going to be another opening coming up ahead, but I needed to keep going straight…well for now. Passing up an opening on my left, I reached some stairs. Walking up the steps, I peered through a crack in the floor boards. I didn't see anyone, nor did I hear anyone either. Taking a chance I pushed up on the wooden panels, opening the small hatch. I only opened it a small crack to just get a look around.

Ok…no ones in here.

Pushing the floor board back down, I went to check the other rooms. I had to know where everyone was, so when I went to the Chief's room, I wouldn't run into anyone. Running back down the corridor, I headed down the other path I passed earlier.

This should lead to the actual council room. Hope everyone is in there.

Sure enough before I even reached the stairs to the room, I heard mumbling voices.

Ok council room is full. Now I just gotta hope the hallway to the Chief's room is deserted.

Scurrying down the hallway, I headed to the only path left. This path is back in the main room I was in, when I first came into this secret passageway. Then again, it really isn't a path. All it is, is stairs.

As I reached the main room, I almost collided with the boxes in my way.

Holy crap!...man if anyone needed to evacuate from here, they'd kill themselves before they'd get out.

Rounding the boxes I saw the dark opening on the left side of the room. I remember coming down these stairs…and all I can recall about them is that they were really, really LONG. But that's from my 6 year old self's point of view, so hopefully it's not as bad as I previously thought. Many steps later of jogging up the stairs I realized my 6 year old self was correct.

Jeez, they really need to get a new passage way system here.

Finally reaching the top of the stairs I saw the door leading to my destination. Slowly grabbing the handle I cracked it open. Since I saw no one to the right of the hallway and didn't hear of any presence, I opened the door more to get a look at the left side.

Alright…it's all clear.

Swiftly leaving the door, I silently closed it.

I wonder how long this is taking me. Everyone else is still waiting for me to come back…Have they been found? And if they have what is happening to them? I mean of course they could have found them by now. They are pretty easy to spot.

As my thoughts raced through my head I gingerly moved towards the huge Oak doors in front of me, still standing with its rough matte wood, like I remember. My hand slowly reached towards the door, but quickly recoiled. A cold chill ran down my back and my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. I was so terrified my teeth started to chatter. I had to clench them to stop the clinking noise.

Could I face him?...After all this time? After leaving?...and not saying goodbye?

Putting my head in my hands, I tried to slow my heart rate. But it was no use, my thoughts were not going to be silenced.

He could think I'm dead. He could think Kiwi's dead. What if he's mad? Will he kick me out of the tribe?...especially since I brought them here? Will…..he let them stay—

"Come…come in," I hearty voice rasped from the other end of the door.

That's him….he still sounds the same. But he sounds worried….his…just something about the way he spoke didn't seem quite right.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I opened the door. I felt an icy silence as I entered the room. I could feel his eyes bearing into me. As I slowly forcefully tore my eyes that were glued to the floor, I heard his voice.

"I…I thought I was wrong. I swore that was you're sent on the other side of that door. And your breathing. It always had a unique sound…"

Biting my lip, my eyes shot down to my feet. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. Immediately I felt a jolt on my body, an embrace. My eyes wide with shock, I felt the familiar warmth I loved as a child.

"But it is you. I couldn't believe it. You're home. You're back," his voice cracked, with his grip tightening. "My precious Catori has come home."

As soon as the embrace came, it left.

"Although, that does not change what you have done," he mumbled, slowly walking back to his desk.

"You left…for 3 years. You could have died. You could have endangered our people—"

"Grandfather please," I uttered cutting him off. "I didn't come back."

"Then why are you here child?" he asked completely perplexed.

Sighing, I swallowed the saliva that was pooling in my mouth. There was really no good way to say what I have done.

"My…my team and I were out an exhibition and…there…there were so many titans. The-the heard wasn't supposed to be coming around this time of year…."

Feeling my hesitation my grandfather urged me, "Go on."

"I….I had to….I had to do what I had to do…"

"What did you do?"

"I didn't think you'd all be here," I said just above a whisper.

There was a long pause of silence. I knew he was worried as to what I was going to say next. He had to be. My whole body reeked of fear.

"I brought them here."

"What?...Catori you didn't."

"I had to. They would have died," I said raising my head to meet his.

Shaking his head, his eyes went to the floor.

"How could you? How could you have brought them to our home? You have endangered our people! Do you know what you have done? This was not a decision you had the authority to—"

"We were wrong!" I blurted out.

"What?"

"We were so wrong…about what we thought…These people, they face an unimaginable terror every day of their lives," my voice quivered.

"We had NO idea of the horrors they face…I've seen what these titans can do. You can never really see them as horrendous monsters until you actually face them…the way they can make a chill go down your spine. How your whole body is trembling in fear…We had no right to say that we had ANY idea of what these people go through… I've seen it…I've lived it…"

Tears on the verge of rolling down my face, I continued.

"I've seen lives taken…lives destroyed…families broken…people loosing hope…loosing themselves…"

As the tears started to fall, I had to fight to keep my voice steady.

"Do…do you know what it's like to see life slip away from someone's eyes. To just have them gone…forever? And knowing they could have lived to see another day? That there was NO reason they should have died. For 3 years!...for 3 years I've had to see that! Had to endure that! And knowing there was nothing I could do about it! I've tried…I've tried so hard to save lives, do the right thing, allow these people a way out…but that's nothing that one person could do…"

"Catori—"

"Oh but that's not all," I laughed in disgust.

"My own people thought I was crazy. The very people that stand on the notion to always help those in need, that all life is sacred. Our ancestors would be so disgusted in us! For years we let this happen until ONE 16 year old, A CHILD, decided to do the right thing!…You have no idea what I went through! A whole two years I thought everyone in my village thought I was some completely delusional person until, my own sister, a 14 year old, comes to tell me I was right…that what I did, what I was doing, was right…for nights I questioned myself…was I doing the right thing? Was I wrong? Should I go home? Back and forth…for days. You all made me feel like I was being punished for doing what I knew was right and NO one stood beside me…and the ones that weren't against me said it was a lost cause…How can you all say we are good people when we refuse help those that cannot help themselves, when especially we have the means to do so! That is way beyond hypocritical. That's being selfish!" I croaked with my voice quivering.

"Catori that is enough—"

"YOU…"

"That was to ensure—"

"YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!"

Huffing and puffing, I couldn't contain myself. For years I felt betrayed by my own people. Despite many nights of longing to go home, deep down, I had anger and resentment boiling inside. No one seemed to care about the people inside the walls. But how could they say that? Many years ago, our tribes had no one to help them…no one who stood up for them…and now what are we doing?...

"Catori…I understand you are angry, but that does not change that you've brought these people here. How can we possibly let them go back since they've seen our sanctuary? We cannot let the word of our existence spread."

"Years ago our people had no one stand up for them. They were alone. There was no help. They were annihilated. Labeled as naïve savages. Don't you think they wanted someone to help? Just waiting for someone to stand by them, even though they were a lost cause. Why?! Why can't you see we are doing exactly what the immigrants did to our people years ago —"

"Do not tell me what I already know. I know very well of what—"

"But that is EXCATLY what we are doing to them. We are only looking out for ourselves! WE ARE JUST STANDING BY WHILE A WHOLE POPULATION IS BEING ERRADICATED."

My grandfather went silent at the pitch of my voice. By now I had completely lost my composure. My anger was boiling over.

"Our ancestors would be SO horrified at what we have done. What he have allowed to happen….how disappointed and disgusted they would be," I sobbed biting my lip.

A long deafening silence plagued the room. My voice was so shaky, I couldn't bring myself to form words. I just stood there trying to contain myself.

"They can stay."

"What?" I slurred, looking up at my grandfather.

"They can stay. We have plenty of room. I will inform the council of this and we shall make an announcement. As long as they follow our rules they are free to be here until the titans pass. And…we shall have a celebration," he said forming a small smile.

"W-why?"

"Because my granddaughters have come home," he replied placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Now child, go gather your friends and bring them to the temple. We have to rid them of their sent or titans will linger in the area."

"Yes grandfather," I said unsure of why he had a change of heart.

"But grandfather, why—"

"We shall talk later. Now you must go to your friends. It won't take long for them to be noticed."

Nodding my head I turned to leave his office. I was unsure of what to feel. It's not like he addressed what I said…it was kind of swept under the rug….but he is right. I have to hurry. There's not time to stand around. I just wonder what he'll have to say to me later.

*****line break******

"As I said, I cannot answer any questions until she comes back," Kiwi huffed sitting on the ground.

"Are you dismissing your superior?" Levi grunted taking a step towards Kiwi.

"If you have any further questions, please direct them to Mr. Tree," she replied, motioning her hand over to the pine.

"What's come over her? She's never known to disobey orders…her sister's rubbing off on her."

"Hey, I'm not trying to be a bad cadet, I just can't say anything until my sister comes back. I'm not good at explaining!" Kiwi stuttered.

"Well now would be a good time to start," Erwin interjected.

"Fine. This is a base where our people used to do stuff in. It was abandoned, but it isn't now for some reason. And that's all I know," she replied with a nod of her head.

"That barely covers what's going on."

"I'm done talking!" Kiwi groaned, curling into a ball.

As Erwin let out a sigh, Levi rolled his eyes.

"This is getting us nowhere. You," Levi said pointing to Ohan. "What is this place? What's going on?"

"Hey man, just as the lady said, my lips are sealed," he chimed, zipping his lips.

"I can easily unzip that for you, brat," Levi replied, raising a blade a little too close to Ohan's face.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Catori wouldn't be too happy if you killed her honey bunches."

"She does not call you that…" Kiwi deadpanned from her fetal position.

"How would you know?" Ohan countered.

"Because she called you ain-chain behind your back," Kiwi replied, emphasizing the native word.

"WHAT?...you lie," Ohan grunted tilting his head up.

Giving a devious smirk, Kiwi slowly turned her head, "I never lie~."

"Enough!"

Kiwi and Ohan directed their attention the very livid Levi. He moved his sword up to Ohan's neck.

"I am done playing games."

"Levi stop!"

Heads turned at the sound of my voice.

"Put. Your. Sword. Down," I commanded.

Levi clicked his tongue and craned his head back to look at me. Slowly he lowered his blade and turned to face me. His eyes were wide with shock. And I knew why. My ears and tail were still out in the open. I didn't bother to put them away. It would be pointless really. They would soon find out everything.

"What….what are those?" he gaped, his pupils mere dots.

I didn't know the best way to explain things. There was neither really an easy answer nor an answer that wouldn't be shocking. I was screwed either way.

"These are my ears and my tail. Nothing more."

No one said anything. It was completely silent.

"Soooo wait. Can I bring mine out now since you seem to be going all natural~?" Ohan purred.

"Ohan not now!—"

"So I wasn't seeing things then," Levi muttered.

"What?"

"In the cave. I knew I saw something on that boys head. I'm never wrong."

I sighed wondering how far this conversation was going to go. I need to get these guys to the temple.

"Is it true?"

Looking up I saw Roy had stepped forward.

"This…this is you?"

He looked hurt, and yet intrigued. It was probably a sight to see, someone with feline features, and yet everything you thought you knew about them may be a lie.

"Yes. This is me Roy."

His cast his eyes down at his feet.

"Why…why didn't you tell me?"

"You should know Roy. I couldn't. I couldn't jeopardize mine or Kiwi's safety. I mean again, you above all people should know that—"

"But it's me, Catori, me. Your right hand man. The person always at your side. I've been your best friend for years. We told each other everything. I thought you trusted me…I thought….I thought…."

Words seemed to be caught in this throat. I felt terrible. I hope he didn't think that for those 3 years everything we had was a lie. Everything was real. He just didn't know what I was.

"Roy. Everything that I have done has all been real. Our friendship, that battles we fought, were all real. I'm a survey corps solider and your squad leader. It's just….some extra baggage."

"That's some pretty big baggage," Levi grumbled, crossing his arms.

He didn't seem too happy with me either.

I need to change the subject and I need to change it quick. It will be easier to explain once we get to the temple.

"Listen, I talked it over with the chief and everything is fine. You are all welcome to stay here until the titans pass. Right now I need to take you down to the temple to…take care of your scent."

"My scent? What's wrong with it," he said with a dark glare.

"It attracts titans. It's human scent after all."

"Right….and clearly you aren't."

Looking down at me feet I shook off the anxiety I had.

"Come on. I'll lead the way."

The large pit in my stomach had only gotten worse. It was still unclear as how everyone was going to react to this….and by the looks of it…it already doesn't seem promising.

Sorry I didn't get into the actual base more, but some things had to happen first aaand now you know a little big more about Catori and Kiwi's background! ^-^ The next chapter should be pretty interesting, possible drama, but mainly fun fluff and partying ^-^! I'm still a little low on ideas soooo any ideas are REALLY appreciated. And as usual any comments or suggestions are always welcome!~ C U IN the next UPDATE!

Cly****

******shoutouts******

earthlover: Awwwwwww thanks so much! *hugs* You're so sweet ^-^! And I'm so happy you like my story! Sorry it took me so long to update, but I hope you liked the new chapter! Again, thanks so much it means a lot! ^-^