Written: 9/22/2014

Edited: 7/16/2017

Note: This was written a long time ago as you can tell. (Points to written date and edited date). I will probably continue this once i get caught up with the manga. I do fulltime work and full time college so please dont expect updates like crazy. I may even split it into small written segments. I don't know as of right now. I thought this would be interesting to get out because half the things I write, end up sitting on my drive and never seeing the light of day.

Warning: FEM ITACHI. Female Itachi, woman, has female parts Itachi! Do you understand it? FEMALE ITACHI? yes, she is not male Itachi in this one!

You have been warned! if you wish for not fem Itachi? Go somewhere else.

I don't own anything that isn't mine. I write for myself thank you very much. Appreciate any reviews on thoughts if I should make something out of this and delve deeper?

Dancing Crow

Itachi had died by his brother's hand. He had died then and had come back under Kabuto's Edo Tensei. To add to that effect, he had passed on once more, finally able to tell his brother that he would always love him, no matter what he became.

As he moved on though, Itachi felt a hollow feeling settling in his stomach. He would not see the end of this war.

He would never know if his little brother survived like he wanted him to.

Oooo

There was no way to tell time in this place, but Itachi could say that it had been quite a long time. His solitary day though, finally came to an end when a woman appeared before him with a hollow look in her eyes. Itachi though, knew that look. Too many times had he seen it upon people who fought in wars or went through something horrific.

Shifting, Itachi could only raise an eyebrow as the woman jerked at his movement. Eyes shifting to him, she finally showed the emotion for confusion.

Warm brown eyes flickered over his form and her brown hair flowed freely around her face in gentle waves. She watched him for a bit before an odd spark appeared in her eyes. It was like the life was seeping back in, if only for a couple of minutes.

She finally took a step towards him, her hand suddenly reaching out to rest against his cheek. He knew that he didn't look too healthy, still having those sickly looking features from when he first passed away. It was obvious that she was worried over him, a stranger. The thing was she reminded him so much of his own mother that it hurt. It made his heart ache.

"Please…please help keep my son, Eren, safe? Please?" she finally whispered, eyes wide and begging him to accept.

Itachi's brows furrowed, mind wondering what she was asking of him exactly.

"Please, be the mother I couldn't be, for him and Mikasa, please…?"

With a small quirk of his eyebrow, Itachi found himself finally agreeing with the woman, knowing that her spirit would be able to move on if he eased her worry.

"They shall be kept safe…" he murmured, wishing he could move on as well as he gazed at the bright smile that lit her whole face. A golden light enveloped the woman as she drew his stiff form into a tight embrace.

"Thank you."

Itachi stood there, not understanding what the woman had expected of him. Did she realized that he was dead, or had she really been that desperate in making sure her son and this person called Mikasa, were safe?

Her warm embrace still lingered, even though her spirit was put to rest.

Itachi sighed, sweeping his bangs out of his face before they fell back.

Why did he even ease the woman's worries anyway?

He would never know.

Oooo

His eyes flew open, sound penetrating his ears in a ringing buzz. He couldn't understand anything as his hearing refused to adjust to everything around him.

Faces morphed into open frightened faces as he took in everything. Tears streaming down their cheeks and despair written everywhere.

'Civilian's' was the first thought going through his head as children continued screaming and sobbing in peoples holds. The rocking motion told Itachi that he was on a ship.

Where was he?

His ears ringing, chakra buzzing wildly under his skin, he finally lifted his hands, gazing at long fingers, thin and feminine. Letting them drop, Itachi breathed in deep, surprise flickering across his face as he realized something, three important details.

He was no longer sick. He could feel the openness in his lungs, nothing constricting his airways.

His vision was no longer blurry. He could see clearly through his eyes like he remembered a long, long time ago. Nothing was out of focus, and as his eyes bled into red, vision crystal clear, he knew his life was going to be difficult once more.

The last thing he finally noticed was that he was no longer dead, but very much alive.

Itachi was one to plan out everything. He did it in his previous life, having made sure that Sasuke had been the one to kill him as well. This though, was not part of his plan.

Looking down at his feminine hands again, he finally resolved himself, looking up to take in the stricken faces once more before his coal black eyes glanced up even further.

All he could see was a large river, which they were sailing on, and open fields surrounding them. Just by sight alone, Itachi couldn't pinpoint where they were. Was this even his world?

It couldn't be he didn't sense anything even relatively close to chakra.

There was also the fact that he was already dead in his world. It wasn't possible to bring the dead fully back to life. Edo Tensei had been the closest they could get.

Itachi's lips thinned as he took in plenty of details, years of training and being a Shinobi had him memorizing and analyzing his findings in seconds. Shifting just barely, Itachi froze as he found his body feeling a lot more different than what he had been use to.

Female. He was a female.

'Please be the mother I couldn't be.' Echoed in his ears and Itachi could only clench his hands on his thighs, not wanting to bring attention to his new body.

He was a Shinobi, easily adaptable in any situation. One had to be to survive.

Itachi would have time to mentally debate over his situation when he was alone and not surrounded by a ship full of panicking citizens.

His, no, her ears picked up the jumbled words of 'Titan's' and the fall of the wall that protected them. 'Wall Maria had been breached'. Shiganshina District was destroyed. There was a lot that Itachi didn't know about this place and she could already tell that this world was also seeing its own horrors.

Itachi shifted her body again a frown flashing as she realized that she was also a lot smaller, almost like when she was growing up.

Her eyes flickered over everyone again, her lips tightly pressed together as she watched everyone around her wallow in despair. It was like the war again, when she had been subjected to it by her father. How had she even ended up on this ship?

It was obvious that no one had even given her a second glance in the mayhem, but it stunned her how easily someone could appear and not cause a scene. Were people here just not that aware of their surroundings as she had been in her other life? A Shinobi's awareness meant either life or death.

She sat there for a long time, listening to the sobbing, the howls of anger and pain, as the ship rocked down the large river, heading for a gigantic wall in the distance.

Itachi's eyes scanned it from this distance, taking in the height of it and already she realized that it was built to keep things out than in. Her mouth went dry as her face settled into a neutral mask, refusing to show emotion.

Too long had she hid behind a façade. Too long had she sacrificed her life, values, and so much more, just for the sake of her little brother and village. Her hands fisted the fabric of her dress, just realizing that she was in a plain shin length outfit. It didn't bother her though, for being plain would make her forgettable.

The wall drew closer and Itachi let her eyes bleed red once more, taking in the detail with a gaze that would pick up anything.

She bit the inside of her cheek. There were no seams in the walls. They were solidly built walls, something that just didn't seem possible. What was it made out of?

Itachi closed her eyes, opening them to reveal coal ones once more.

What was going on?

Once they passed through, Itachi found her eyes taking in the shocked expressions of the town's people. It was obvious that they didn't expect to see them. To see so many people on a boat like they were. People were calling out questions and others were whispering to one another. Itachi picked up their words though, chakra making it possible to hear their words.

"Wall Maria was breached."

"The first ship that arrived said it was a Titan! Taller than the wall!"

"That's not possible, it's fifty meters tall!"

So, just like the words she was picking up on within this ship. These walls did keep out something called Titans and there was one taller than their walls. It had been the cause of the breach.

These people were terrified of Titans.

Her black orbs shifted from place to place, finding that the large village had somewhat of a touch of Konoha in it, but much sturdier with a clash of different cultures.

It was like many different kinds of cultures were shoved together in haste. Was that the cause of the Titans?

Standing up as people began to flood out of the ship and onto land, Itachi realized that she was very short. She had to be at least four feet something.

Was she not the same age as when she died? How much had changed?

Her mouth felt dry and her heart sped up as she took a step forward. This was a world she knew nothing about and she wondered what this woman had gotten her into when she asked her to help keep her son safe.

"Name?" someone's voice broke through her chaotic thoughts and Itachi looked up at the man, his face held fear upon it. He was glancing back towards the closing gates that had let them through. Like something would try and break through them.

Her lips parted and the man before her jerked his attention back towards her, his face flushing when he finally took in her appearance.

"Itachi…Uchiha…" she responded, face remaining unchanged as she finally locked eyes with him. She might be female now, but she'd have to get use to that idea first before anything else.

"Itachi Uchiha?" he murmured and Itachi instantly knew, when he murmured those words, that her name was foreign to him.

How could she understand them then?

'Please, help keep my son safe!'

She would have flinched, if not for the years of her training.

Could Itachi do it again? Just to protect someone she didn't even know? She had done everything in her power to ensure that Sasuke had survived and gotten stronger. To redeem the honor of their clan with him killing her.

She had more or less promised the spirit of the woman anyways. Was getting another chance at life her gift?

She would probably never know.

Oooo

The first time she had realized that they would be in shelters was when everyone on the ships were directed in a certain direction. She had been cautious, knowing that refugees weren't always openly welcomed.

They were a group of people that needed to be fed, sheltered, and taken care of. Not something that most villagers wanted to deal with.

Itachi though, had been directed into the female sheltered area, gaining a small room with three other girls around her age.

She kept her distance, blank eyes watching the three as they spoke to each other, eyes hollow. Itachi had, after gazing around the room, noticed that all four beds had sheets, pillows, and three sets of clothing each, quite a lot for them, considering that they were refugees.

It was the mirror on the wall above the dresser that had her pausing, taking in her appearance.

She looked exactly like herself, but very feminine like. She had shrunk and by the shape of her face and body, she could place herself at fourteen. Her hair was also longer, but she still had it in the same style as before.

Itachi looked haunting, obviously standing out from these blue and green eyed girls with fair skin and light colored hair. They had even cast her curious glances.

The surprising thing though, was the stress lines under her eyes had softened, the harshness of them having been taken away and only leaving slight lines. It was her father's and Clan's fault for stressing her out though. She had been only a child and being the Clan Heir had caused her to bare a burden that she truly never wanted.

Itachi had noticed other details about her body, having a decent sized chest and a very well toned body, but she looked away, not able to take in these facts right away. Sure, she had done plenty of transformations to go unseen, but to actually change genders? It would take a bit of time to change the way she thought.

It was a good thing she had been required to learn everything from male to female in her other life. Being a Shinobi, one had to know the opposite sex to accomplish missions if they had to act.

The next day, all refugees were required to take on jobs. Children were not required to do anything as of yet. It was the teens and anyone older that were in healthy condition that were told to help.

Itachi had set to work handing out food until she figured out where else to go. She might have been a genius and always trying to keep her emotions behind a façade, but to see the relieved and thankful expressions on people's faces had brightened her day.

Especially when she knew that a tragedy had struck them.

Oooo

There were many kids her age and younger. They had evacuated the children first, the next couple of generations able to reproduce and have children and help out with anything that was needed. They were young and expandable.

Itachi though, had kept an eye on a trio. They were younger than she was. Two were boys and the last was a girl. It was almost like a Genin team.

The boy with blonde hair was quite shy. He had blue eyes from even at this distance and he seemed friendly from what she could read in his actions.

Then there was the other boy, teal green eyes and brown hair. He was full of hate for the world, always having a scowl on his face unless one of his friends soothed him and made him laugh. That was rare though.

The last was the girl, black hair and black eyes, so much like Itachi that she had thought she had belonged to the Uchiha clan if she hadn't been brought to a different world. She was harder to understand. The girl was stoic and followed the brown haired boy like a lost puppy. She was intelligent too, from what Itachi could see.

She wasn't blind to the fact that there could be others with high IQ's in this world. Itachi knew that there had been many like her in her previous world. She wanted to meet this girl, but she held back, not knowing if it would be right to get involved with anyone.

Itachi would just keep an eye on them.

Oooo

Itachi had noticed the letters first before her lips thinned. It wasn't her written language. Even though the woman's spirit had helped her understand spoken words, it didn't help that she couldn't write or read them.

Sharingan flashing, she scanned the sign one more time before they faded to their onyx color. Examining the crowd, Itachi noticed an elderly woman outside her shop, handing out what fruit she had. Glancing at the sign in front of her, Itachi made up her mind. She would never learn without at least someone helping her and directing her in the right direction.

Itachi knew she had caught the older woman's attention as she stood across the street with her piercing gaze. It was unnerving to many people, especially when she kept her emotions hidden.

The woman blinked before a pleasant smile came across her face. Itachi hesitated a second before weaving through the crowd with ease. She was set on seeing if this woman would help her.

"Afternoon sweetheart." She greeted, smile easing Itachi's mind as she read the woman's body.

She was friendly, kind, and thought of other people first. She had an easy life so far, probably a mother of at least two or more children.

"Afternoon...might I inquire about your assistance with something?"

She paused, her smile slipping slightly as she finally took in the girl before her.

Long black hair in a low ponytail, onyx eyes framed by long lashes, bangs sweeping in their way. She had a thin, but lovely frame, tan dress, white apron. She was a lovely girl, one that would grow into a beautiful woman.

"Of course dear." She finally concluded, smiling at her.

Itachi finally sighed. "I wish to learn how to read and write, so I can apply for anything requiring those skills."

She found the woman opening and closing her mouth before Itachi cut her off quickly.

"I'll do work and anything that you need me to do, please, it will not take longer than a month." No, it wouldn't, not with the Sharingan.

Damned bloodline was a curse and a blessing.

The elderly lady quickly agreed and that was how Itachi found herself helping out at a small shop that made many different kinds of baked goods whenever they could afford it.

Oooo

Itachi snapped the book shut, having read an entire library worth of information on the Titans and the history of these people. Their struggles, the way they were trying to survive and find a way to defeat these monsters once and for all.

The fact that they had created a device called Three Dimensional Maneuver Gear had also seized her interest. Itachi was skilled at being a Shinobi, but these gears would have made a major difference in her world. Sure, Shinobi were very flexible, fast, and everything else, but this gear would have made them all the more deadlier.

It had taken months to learn everything, or as much as possible about this world, and on top of that, get use to this body.

The only thing she was truly grateful for was the fact that she retained all her abilities she had when she was a Shinobi.

Itachi loathed war, but to ensure the survival of humans, these Titans needed to be wiped out. She had learned enough over the course of these past months and, having lived in a shelter for those weeks, she was starting to see the appeal in going into the military.

Even doing her fair share of work here wasn't enough to keep her fed.

She could also protect this woman's son, Eren, by joining the military to eradicate the chances of him getting hurt.

She needed to do something before the famine got even harder to deal with. Soup and bread each day isn't going to cut it.

Sometimes, it was only bread for the refugees as well.

Oooo

Flipping another page, Itachi realized that none of these books went in depth about the construction of the walls. They only mentioned that these walls were built to protect humanity.

Flipping to another page, she frowned, brows furrowing. There should have been a whole book written on the construction of something that literally 'saved' these people.

Something didn't settle with her, with this whole situation. It made her remember all those secrets that Konoha had, the secrets that she had uncovered and those that she committed.

Itachi would have some prying to do. At least, attempt to find out hidden information.

Oooo

Itachi watched with narrowed eyes as the Military Police Brigade proceeded to antagonize some of the civilians once again.

She had learned about all of the military positions and as she watched them, she felt nothing but disgust well within her stomach.

They knew nothing of war, fear, sorrow, sacrifice. They hid like the cowards they were behind their stations.

All her life she had been groomed to lead the Uchiha Clan. Told to train, to take as many missions as possible, to excel above everyone. She was taught that fear would mean her death. Hesitance was not acceptable. These military people abused their positions and hurt the people they were supposed to protect.

It wasn't until one of the men raised a hand against a girl a bit older than her, that Itachi found herself dropping her bag and stepping in.

Her lithe fingers curled tightly around his wrist, chakra keeping him from making contact. She never did like making a commotion, always keeping to herself, but they were the military, the people they depended on the most to keep them safe from the Titans.

To think that they would lower themselves and hit a civilian.

"W-what the hell do you think you're doing?" the man finally spat, glaring at the Uchiha. Itachi sent a glare towards the man, onyx eyes sending chills down his spine before turning her attention onto the older girl.

"Please continue with your task." And she nodded and hurried on, stopping quite a distance away to see what would happen to Itachi. She had, after all, gained an audience.

"I was talkin-"

"Do not think that hitting a civilian is acceptable." She finally stated, turning her coal colored orbs onto him. "We've been trying our best to fit in and help. We've lost our home and you interfering with our tasks cause problems for others as well."

The resounding strike echoed throughout the silent street and Itachi let her hand fall to her side, the man's wrist holding a deep bruise shaped like a hand.

She hated war. She hated fighting. She despised her family for making her train so hard, yet loved them anyways. Uchiha prodigy followed her everywhere. She was a pacifist, wanting nothing but a peaceful life. Façade helping her keep her sanity.

Death had been her sanctuary once Sasuke had ended her pain.

She had been torn from there by a spirit and told to help keep her son safe and be the mother that she couldn't be.

Itachi took a step back, cheek bright red from the hit that the man landed on her. Face blank, she merely bowed and straightened back up.

"Have a good day." And turned, ignoring the worried shouts and the pissed off military man.

She would be this world's savior.

Itachi had, after all, sacrifice everything just for the sake of Konoha and Sasuke. She could do it again, but for humanity instead, for Eren.

Itachi couldn't be the mother that that woman had been, no, she would take a different route. She silently apologized to the woman about not being able to take her place as a parental figure.

She had to follow her own path.

Oooo

Chakra kept her on top of the lake that she had found. Sweat ran down her back and her chest heaved, her training taking its toll.

Itachi had been training for hours throughout the night. She would not lose her abilities. It was probably the only way to fight the Titans if they were too strong for Humanity. She would fight. Itachi had, after all, finally resolved herself to her fate.

It was all she's ever known anyways, and a life of sitting back and watching wasn't an option.

Oooo

Itachi had come to find out that the trio that she kept an eye on was the boy she was sent to help keep safe. The name Eren was what caused her to pause in her step, wondering if this was the right person. It was the blonde haired boy calling out to the girl, Mikasa, that informed Itachi that these two were her targets.

She couldn't coax herself to introduce herself to them. Itachi though, would protect them to the best of her abilities from the shadows until she finally deemed it right to introduce herself.

Oooo

Itachi could only stare at the gathering of older men and women and those well beyond the years of their physical peak stood crowded together. All children, teens eighteen and under were kept back.

She could feel her body freezing up, watching as they climbed upon the ships that would head back to the place they had escaped almost exactly a year ago.

They were sending them to their deaths!

Itachi's hands clenched tightly within her apron, her mind in turmoil. She could wipe them out herself! She had learned so much about them, but she just didn't know when to apply herself. To think that the King was willing to send them to their deaths? What kind of leader does that?

Itachi could feel the hate boiling within her, yet she kept her face unreadable. Just like the time she was told to eradicate her family.

She could still hear those orders given to her, whispering in the back of her mind, taunting her and telling her that this was the reason she lost her entire family other than Sasuke. It was the Clans fault! She mentally concluded, still feeling something gnawing at her. It was their fault for planning a coup. Itachi quickly threw her musings behind a wall. She couldn't think of that, not now, not with the situation happening before her.

Her eyes morphed into red, basic level of the Sharingan burning all those faces into her mind. She would not forget them. She will not forget what a King did to his people.

Armin's grandfather was in that crowd as well, surprising Itachi. He was old, but fit enough to join in with trying to retake Wall Maria. They were sending these people out so they wouldn't have to feed and house them any longer. It was a death sentence.

She found herself looking towards Armin, her empty eyes boring into the sobbing boy. He would not see his grandfather after this day, Itachi was sure of it.

Oooo

The first time she had heard of the Wall Cult, Itachi had found her attention honing in on them. They were a group that worshiped the Walls, claiming them holy.

She had, at first, thought it was nothing but a result of having the walls constantly keeping the Titans out, but there was something that Itachi started to pick up on.

The way they preached.

The way they didn't want anyone even touching the walls.

The way they preached about modifications such as cannons being placed on the walls, claiming that it was maiming the wall.

If that wasn't suspicious, Itachi didn't know what was. She had been a Shinobi for too long. Having also found no written documentary on the Walls themselves, Itachi knew that something significant had happened to gain those walls.

Itachi though, pushed aside her instincts to go and investigate. She couldn't be caught yet, not without learning everything from the Military first.

She needed their ways of fighting to increase her chances of survival. Even with being a shinobi, Itachi deemed the best way to ensure she keeps her cover, is to act normal until something came up.

Oooo

Itachi looked down at the paper in her hands. She knew that the next batch of recruits would be setting out for training a little over a week. She knew that they were trying to coax as many people as possible, especially the children when they were old enough.

Itachi found her hand hesitating to sign her life away. All for a boy that she didn't know.

It wasn't Sasuke.

It wasn't Konoha.

It…wasn't what she had planned for herself.

She scowled and finally signed her name, jagged and messy because of how she felt. Her façade was slipping. Her stoic façade, the one she kept her emotions hidden behind since she was but a little boy in her other life.

With a deep breath, she finally handed the recruiters the papers, getting a smile from one of those Military brats that was nothing but a coward.

Itachi would show them what a true Shinobi, a true Military person, was supposed to do. Fear was pushed down and the will of fire was meant to burn bright. She would prove to them that these things could be taken down.

Humanity will rise.

Oooo

"I am Itachi Uchiha…" she finally broke the silence, the trio watching her with wide eyes. Itachi had deemed it the right time to introduce herself, seeing that she wouldn't be around this area any longer. Mikasa was looking at her in surprise, having instantly spotted the oriental blood she carried.

Itachi was a pure bred, highly sought after. Mikasa was only half, her mother having been full.

"You're heading for the 'Landfill' soon." She stated as she took in every single flicker of emotion passing over their faces. Itachi wasn't one to dismiss any kind of response.

"Um..what…" Armin began, falling silent as he flushed under Itachi's gaze. She knew she was intimidating. Finally, she let a smile break her façade, eyes closing as a result. When she finally opened her eyes again, all three were flushed and wide eyed.

"I'm going to be joining the Survey Corps."

Eren's eyes lit up as he looked at the teen before him.

"Really?" he breathed, Mikasa also looking interested. She might not like the fact that Eren thought of joining the Military, but she did respect them for what they did.

"I will protect you three." She concluded, wanting them to understand that she would be there for them. If anything, Itachi needed to have something to protect. That is what makes a difference in fighting.

To fight for Humanity only would never help keep her will of fire strong. It had once been Sasuke, her everything, but now, she was looking towards these kids, not just Eren.

Mikasa, who Itachi was glancing at, gazed at her with open distrust, but she could see the hesitation. Her protection meant Eren would have someone else also protecting him.

The three finally introduced themselves, warming up to Itachi, no matter how much her façade kept most of her emotions hidden.

It was only right that Itachi finally introduce herself.

She might not be able to see them in the coming years once they parted.

Oooo

Meeting with the Trio once more, Itachi couldn't help but slightly smile as they lit up, their faces somewhat relaxing at the sight of the older teen.

She had promised them protection and they had been seeing her since the beginning of that week.

"Itachi, when do you leave?" Eren suddenly asked and Itachi tilted her head, gazing at the boy, eyes lingering on his teal green eyes. It always surprised her how vivid his eyes were. Even with Dojutsu in her previous world and other colors, there hadn't been anyone with eyes quite like his.

"Soon… I'll be leaving soon and I'll be fighting Titans not long after." She replied and then shifted her gaze towards Mikasa. There was utter devotion to the boy next to her. She was border lining obsession and it was something that had Itachi pursing her lips.

She hoped the girl wouldn't drive herself insane and cause harm to those that approach her adoptive brother. She could end up seriously hurt.

"Careful Mikasa." She finally found herself saying. "Fixation can lead to an unclear mind and harm others in the process."

The furrowing of Mikasa's brows told Itachi that she didn't understand what she was trying to say.

It didn't surprise Itachi. The girl would never see her devotion towards Eren as an obsession.

At the same time, at least it was a devotion that would keep them alive and Mikasa moving forward.

Oooo

Itachi had been in Anbu when 'he' had just turned eleven at that time. She had been highly skilled and labeled an S-rank missing nin by the time she was thirteen. There was no human in this world that could surpass her skill because of her chakra. The thing was, Itachi knew never to underestimate people. She would never let herself gain an ego that could bring her down.

She had too much respect for others to allow that kind of room for judgement.

Now, as she stood before a commander that would be training them for some time, Itachi knew she had to excel if she wanted to graduate early once more. She wasn't a genius for no reason. Four years of training also seemed to be a bit much for her as well, not when she could be out there, killing those Titans.

The thing was, would they allow her to leave early, or would they make her do her four years?

The yelling of the commander brought her back to the present.

He was trying to intimidate them, weed out the weak willed, just like how one of their Anbu tests had required. Itachi stood with a blank face, her eyes dull as she watched him move to those that he deemed too weak.

It wasn't even the second day and she could already pick out those that wouldn't last.

She was in for a tough couple of years, but she'd make it.

Itachi was, after all, a soldier already.

Oooo

Black eyes stared at the struggling person before them. Their task was to test their Aptitude, to make sure they were able to balance. It was something that made Itachi furrow her brows. She had the aptitude to maneuver like no one here, it was almost insulting to her fellow Shinobi.

"Itachi Uchiha."

Her name had the girl walking forward with confidence, head held high. She would not fail this. She had been through too much to fail at the task of simply balancing. It almost made her wish her father had made everything this easy.

The wires were hooked to her and as they cranked her up, she shifted to accommodate her weight. She didn't even waiver as they pulled her up even higher.

The stare she got from her commander had Itachi shifting her gaze ahead of her, eyes on the distant trees.

"Very good, Uchiha."

Itachi didn't make any friends. She had always been too far advance for their minds. She wasn't saying it to insult their intelligence and claim that she was better than them, no, it was just the fact that no one ever bothered befriending a person that succeed easily at things they struggled with. It made a pang go through her heart. She missed the utter love and devotion from her little brother, when all he cared about was Itachi playing with him. She missed the brotherly connection with Shisui. Itachi missed so much.

It was easy to hear them murmuring about her, sending her glares and wondering if she was somehow cheating. She knew that she would never be liked if she kept surpassing them in everything and anything. Though, it wasn't like Itachi cared.

They would hate her either way, so she didn't even bother to try. Jealousy bred hatred and it wasn't something she wanted to face within her peers.

Oooo

There were layers upon layers of Genjutsu traps around her bed. She had to share a room with the female recruits, so she couldn't just place Genjutsu around without accidently having one of them running into it. The thing though, was the fact that she was paranoid. Itachi worried that some people wouldn't hesitate to hurt her, even if they were being trained to kill Titans.

The first time she had tried Genjutsu on people in this world, she had realized that it was different than her own people.

Attacking their system with an illusion, she had come to a conclusion that it was the senses that she needed to fully incorporate. When before, Genjutsu worked against the persons chakra system, snaring it and entangling it into an illusion. This dealt with their senses, seeing that they didn't exactly have a chakra system for her to snag onto.

Her first target had been a drunk person stumbling home after midnight.

She had followed him silently, stalking the man from above before her eyes bled red.

From there, she had to cast a couple Genjutsu before she found a way for them to work.

In a way, she felt bad for the drunk man, his fumbling limbs and cries causing him to walk into multiple walls because of the Genjutsu.

Maybe she should have found a different victim.

Oooo

If it was one thing Itachi absolutely refused, it was using her Mangekyō Sharingan.

Sure, it would be a weapon of mass destruction against these Titans, but Itachi couldn't risk the chance of going blind like she had been.

Too long had she gone with bad eyesight because of overusing her Mangekyō Sharingan. It didn't help that she absolutely refused to replant her eyes with another Uchiha's to make it eternal.

No, she would only use it when she was placed in a life or death situation, one that she knew she couldn't get out of. Itachi wasn't going to experiment to see if she could actually go blind in this world from using her Mangekyō Sharingan too much. She wouldn't risk it.

For all she knew, it had an eternal Mangekyō, but again, Itachi rather keep her eyesight and not test its limits. She had done it once, not again.

Oooo

Her skills surpassed everyone in her trainee group and beyond. It was unthinkable and as she stood before her commander, she was gazed down upon with a silent stare, one that told her he was wondering what to do with her.

"You've excelled in everything we've thrown your way. Even more advanced situations than your trainees. We'll be privately training you in 3D Maneuver Gear and increasing your academic information."

Itachi had already learned the inner workings of their 3D Maneuver Gear. That was the first thing they began learning about. She had paid attention and had already had the entire information stored. She could properly clean and put it back together. She knew how to take it apart and fix broken pieces, and how to utilize it. This was the only route the girl could see herself going down anyways. So, ensuring that she had the entire workings of the 3D Maneuver Gear down and the ability to fix it was essential.

Though, the first time she had used the gear, she was sent skidding across the ground before halting on chakra filled legs.

It would take some time getting used to before she could maneuver around with this added on affect.

Oooo

The gas that was released from the tanks sent Itachi soaring through the air, her hair flying wildly behind her, still tied in a low ponytail. Grapple hooks shot out from the gear and slammed into a tree, reeling her in and angling her at the right degree. Releasing the grapple hooks hold, she pulled back her arms and shifted her weight, spinning with speed that should have left her dizzy.

Chakra pumped through her blades as she finally swung her swords, digging them deep within the targets only vital point and leaving a deep cut out V in the Titans neck.

That was her tenth target, taken out within less than a minute.

Itachi though, was focusing Chakra into her feet, so in a sense, she knew she was cheating. Every time she landed, she would push herself off with a burst of chakra, using little gas to propel her forward. Itachi knew that reserving the gas, she could make the most of it.

The grapple hooks were what made it even better for her. With a certain shift of her body, she could instantly angle herself on the right path instead of landing and changing her direction. Even twisting in mid air to dodge Kunai could not compare to this technique.

"Time!"

Itachi landed on a tree limb, her hands instantly placing her handgrips back into their holders as her chakra gripped the tree, keeping her from falling.

"You've increased your Titan kills by two this time." Shadis, her commander, stated. He had been overseeing her studies since they had learned about her ability to learn incredibly fast. He seemed quite pleased with her skills.

If only they knew what she was capable of actually doing.

Oooo

Her teachers could only keep giving the girl more and more information as she advanced at an incredibly fast rate.

"She's already surpassed Levi's record…" someone whispered.

"Another person to add to Humanities last hope." Another gushed.

"Already in her last year of training and it's only been a year and a half… They said that she would have even graduated already if they weren't keeping her to learn everything on a deeper level."

Itachi could only distance herself from the whispering praises. It was like long before, when she was getting praised by her family members and the villagers. How easily she took in everything, became the pride of the Uchiha clan. It was happening all over again, just somewhere different.

"You've gotten a letter…" Shadis stated, scowling down at the girl eating her meal. Itachi glanced up and took the letter being held out to her. Looking at it, she found a frown making its way onto her face.

"The King has personally invited you to be one of his top guards."

"No." was her instant reply, onyx eyes narrowing. Shadis could only stare at her, wondering if he had actually mistaken the girl's possible course of action. Most of all the trainees came to join either the Garrison, or Military Police Brigade. This girl had been striving for the top marks without difficulty. She could be accepted into any division if she wished it.

"Are you saying that you're not going to join those that personally protect him?"

Itachi set the letter on the table, turning her attention to Shadis. "I will never protect a King that sends his own civilians to their death."

She knew she was stepping over a line, but the look of understanding that flashed across Shadis' face had her realizing that he knew what she was talking about. She had always been able to figure people out.

Itachi had known that Shadis had thought she was heading for the safety of Wall Sina. She had known that he had thought her to be another one of those trainees that came to try and hide away. There were probably numerous batches of trainees that went for that position or the Garrison. Itachi was not like them.

"I'm also going to destroy every last one of those Titans to protect people that matter to me." Even if those people weren't family or barely even acquaintances. She would protect them.

Itachi and Shadis stared at one another for a minute before he nodded his head. He had accepted her choice. Something stirred within her, a brief clench of her heart before it went away. It, in a way, reminded her of her Clan, not accepting anything less but the best from her.

"I see. I'll even recommend you to Commander Erwin Smith. He took over the Survey Corps after I resigned."

Itachi sent him a glance before nodding her head. "The Survey Corps is what I desire to join."

Shadis sent one last lingering glance at the letter that sat before Itachi before turning and heading out of the building. The King would be frustrated at her refusal and would probably be asking her for an actual personal visit just to try and sway her. He knew Levi had already been recruited by the King quite a number of times already.

Itachi on the other hand, glared at the letter. She would never serve a man like this. She understood sacrifice and when to not hesitate in that sacrifice, but to send a whole entire group of untrained civilians to their death, it made her curse the man.

If it was the famine, they should have made more crops to tend to. Bred the animals a bit more, make them work harder. Spread them out further, to other town settlements. Killing them should have not been the first course of action.

Itachi though, knew that the King and them within the inner walls of Sina were well fed. It was just a given. She knew, at a logical view point, that they had been running out of food with so many people and that they wouldn't have lasted come winter, but they could have attempted something else than just outright sending them to their deaths.

The thing was, Itachi's analytical side knew that even if they weren't sent out, death would have found many of them, even possibly spreading a sickness because of so many that would probably pass away.

That thought made her appreciate her chakra all the more. With a simple jutsu that all Anbu were taught, they could kill bacteria in their water so they could drink it without fear of becoming sick. Flushing chakra through their system when they became sick lessened the potent of said sickness. Living in the wilderness between missions, learning to survive, was a must.

Though, in the end, the Kings actions reminded Itachi too much of the act she committed to keep Konoha and Sasuke safe. Way too much and it struck a cord.

She didn't want people to die when they could be taught to fight back. To be given a chance to continue living and fighting for their precious people.

Oooo

Erwin glanced at the letter he had just been handed. They weren't too busy these past few weeks. Most of it was trying to get to the walls and see if they could take back Wall Maria. Close up the first hole that the armored Titan breached. There were too many deaths though, so they had fallen back for now.

Too many possible recruits went to the Military Police Brigade or The Garrison. Even if many did show up to join, they soon left after Erwin gave his speech. The last batch that wanted to join had only left him with four brave ones, the rest, they left and didn't look back.

The disappointment he felt when he watched each and every new person turn their backs on him and his group, was weighing him down little by little.

They were too afraid to venture outside the walls, looking towards the inner ones to keep them safe. The further they looked back, the further they got from finding a way to ultimately destroy these beings.

Sighing, he finally picked up the letter that had been delivered to him. His eyebrow raised though, when he recognized the seal on it.

"What does he want?" he found himself murmuring, knowing that Keith Shadis usually didn't bother him unless absolutely necessary. Ever since that expedition outside the walls had ended horribly and with nothing even gained, he had taken a psychological turn. It haunted him, the deaths on his shoulders that is. So many had died that day before Wall Maria fell. They had come back with many wounded and on top of that, many had died.

He was a fine soldier, just not meant to lead.

As Erwin read the letter, he couldn't help but find his disbelief rising with each passing sentence. There couldn't possibly be a trainee like he was talking about. They had gotten lucky with Levi when he forced him to join, and now, to think that they could possibly get another person to instill hope within them had the man wanting to go and meet this so called prodigy. To think that Shadis had only had her for a year and a half now as well.

Levi needed to hear this as well. If anything, they would gladly take this person in if he saw potential.

Oooo

Itachi stretched her limbs, pumping chakra to them to get them warmed up and loosened. It wouldn't do to sprain something foolishly. Even with basic medical ninjutsu on hand, she wanted to avoid injuries as much as possible.

She would have to experiment on Medical Chakra as well, use small birds and fish if anything, to further her mediocre skills. This world was unforgiving and dangerous, not something she should let a small basic skill dwindle to nothing.

Doing laps early in the morning before anyone rose as well was quite comforting, especially when she could run full speed and get an actual workout.

She was halfway done with her morning workout when Shadis appeared before her, his scowl prominent. Itachi had heard him coming this way quite a while ago.

"Erwin Smith will be seeing you today."

Itachi didn't even make a face at that information, taking it in before nodding her head.

"I'll proceed to my quarters to get ready." Was her reply before heading for her room. After having surpassed her trainees, she had been moved to a different training location to continue. It had also come to her attention that Eren and his two friends had also joined the Camp a year after she had started.

It displeased her, having been tasked in protecting the woman's son, but there was nothing she could do. Especially when given a second chance, obviously do to that woman. Turning her back was not how Itachi saw repaying the woman her gratitude. So she took it and used it as her reason to fight them, for herself. For another life to enjoy without the weight of her clan.

The warm water cascaded down her body relaxed her muscles, letting the girl breathe in deeply and enjoy the warmth.

Washing her hair and then scrubbing her body to get the sweat and dirt off, she finally washed off and got out, drying down and getting dressed quickly.

She had already adjusted to her body, but even if Itachi was used to it, she still found herself thinking like she was still a male once in a while. It was a given, having grown up as one, but these days, Itachi found that she referred to herself as female more than anything.

It was almost like something switched in the back of her mind and made her accept her feminine thoughts.

It had to be that Spirit's fault. There was no way Itachi would have truly accepted 'his' change so easily. 'He' had been level headed and rational throughout 'his' entire life, to suddenly be changed into a female should have been a bit harder to accept.

'It had to be my Shinobi training and the shifting of my chakra too…' she inwardly thought. Shinobi were taught to adjust to any situation as quickly as possible. There was also the fact that female chakra circulations were focused more towards the center of them than male Shinobi's. She knew her system had shifted to accommodate her change.

Tying her hair back like she had always done, Itachi finally headed towards Shadis' office.

Hopefully this would be the start of her finally being able to help out Humanity.

Knocking, Shadis quickly called for her to come in and as she sat in an empty chair, Itachi couldn't help but sit with her back straight, even if they weren't on the floor like when in a meeting at home with her father or Clan.

"They should be here soon…" Shadis murmured, staring out the window as he leaned against the wall. "Erwin expressed some interest in you already."

The footsteps that Itachi picked up on down the hall had her standing, turning to face the door as they stopped outside of it. Shadis also stood at attention as the door was opened, revealing a tall man with blonde hair and blue eyes. Itachi, for a second, thought of the forth Hokage and Naruto when she noticed these two striking similarities. Even Armin had made her think of the same people when she first saw him.

The person behind him was shorter, at least over five feet and a couple inches. Itachi though, was probably almost a full inch shorter than that, maybe two. She hadn't grown much taller since getting here either. Her body might have become fuller, but not taller.

He had short black hair that was styled with an undercut and grey eyes. His stoic face only informed her of how much he kept himself at a distance.

Itachi knew that façade all too well. Death does things to people.

Bowing towards the two in a formal greeting she was use to, she then finally lifted her arms into the standard salute for the military here.

The blonde one took her in, onyx eyes locking with his briefly before he nodded his head in her direction.

"At ease. I'm assuming you are Itachi Uchiha?"

Itachi let her hands fall to her side as she analyzed both of them. Her mind filing away information she instantly picked up. Their body positions and making sure they didn't seem hostile towards her.

"I am." She finally nodded, her gaze flickering towards the black haired man.

Shadis motioned for them to sit down and Itachi sat at the circular table in the room.

"I am Commander Erwin Smith, and this is Squad Leader Levi." Erwin finally stated. "Your Instructor, Keith Shadis, has recommended you to us. Mentioned that you might be able to help humanity."

Itachi wasn't even fazed as she kept eye contact with Erwin. She could also feel Levi staring at her, trying to see if she would cave under the pressure.

These people, even if they had fought Titans, didn't know the effects of Shinobi wars and the constant death Shinobi brought. Humanity was, so far, united here from what she's seen so far. Itachi had been through too many situations that placed a lot of pressure on her. The massacre of her clan was on her hands. The blood of many, be they civilians or high-ranking Shinobi.

"I wish to join the Survey Corps." Was her response and she noticed that Levi had raised an eyebrow at her unwavering statement.

"Oh?" he mused, finally making a noise. Itachi's gaze flickered to him and she didn't let his stare go. "Some brat thinks she's good enough for us?"

A slight frown tugged at Itachi's lips. She would probably be at least twenty-three if she hadn't been put into this world at fourteen, so no, she didn't like being called 'brat'. A whisper hissed in the back of her mind.

'You would have been on that expedition to take back Wall Maria.' Her mind supplied.

To come back as the only survivor? She would have been immediately detained and questioned. Maybe even sentenced to death for fear of working with the enemy.

"I believe that I am capable of adding another skilled body to the Survey Corps." Was her immediate response.

Both refused to back down, faces devoid of emotion.

"Tch." Levi found himself murmuring, looking towards Erwin with a raised eyebrow.

"We'll test her skills before even making a decision." Erwin replied, standing up and causing the chair to scrape against the floor. Itachi instantly followed after the three that began to leave the room, their loud footsteps ahead of her while her feet were cushioned by chakra. It was a habit after years of assassinations and other missions.

Itachi ran through the basic courses, having done them over a dozen times. She flew through the air, swinging and severing large chunks from the fake titans. It wasn't until she heard the slight hiss of gas coming her way that she unlatched her hooks and let gravity instantly take her, gaze locking with Levi as he flew right above her.

He was testing her.

Her grapple hooks flew out and, with a harsh yank, she sent herself speeding through the forest, proceeding to take out any fake titan she came across and dodging out of Levi's way.

Another target down and Itachi twisted sharply to her left, gas propelling her out of the way as Levi swung in under her and tried to disrupt her course. Even if he seemed like he was trying to get them both killed, Itachi could see some of his reasoning.

'If that were an uncontrolled comrade, you'd both be dead or seriously injured.'

It was onto the last stretch of taking out the targets that Itachi came to an abrupt halt when she felt the hairs on her neck stand on edge.

Eyes flashing red for a mere second, she spun around, blades catching and grinding against another pair of blades. Sparks flew and she gritted her teeth while pushing chakra into her arms to hold off his momentum and chakra in her feet to keep her from falling.

In a way, she hadn't expected him to attack, but it didn't leave her scrambling in surprise. Never underestimate an opponent.

Just like when she had a sword long ago, she swiftly maneuvered it around, catching Levi by surprise as she stepped within his guard and harshly pressed it against his neck, onyx eyes dancing with different scenarios if he were to move. There was also the fact that she had already killed so many people in her life that this position didn't even faze her.

"I would not hesitate to kill, be it human or Titan." She remarked, voice level and face serious.

He was about to make a smart comment right back at her, Itachi could tell by the way his eyes seemed to spark, but they were interrupted.

"I believe that is enough, Levi." Erwin stated before turning his attention onto Itachi. "You have great skill and I'd like to see it grow. Shadis," Erwin then turned towards her Instructor. "I will be taking Uchiha from here on. She will be put to good use."

Itachi backed away from her Squad Leader, sheathing her weapons and placing her handgrips in their holders.

"Levi," Erwin addressed the smaller man, his brows slightly furrowing before he finally agreed on what he was thinking. "You shall be in charge of Uchiha. She'll be a part of your squad once you've brought her up to par."

"This shitty brat? You've got to be kidding me…" Levi suddenly spat and Itachi found her eyebrow rising in wonder. She had never had that kind of reaction before. Usually if she were placed on a team in Konoha, they would complain about getting a kid on their team, always nagging about how 'he' surpassed them and so much more. But to hear her being referred to as a 'Shitty brat'? That was something utterly new to her.

Itachi could only watch Levi fight off whatever he was feeling. His eyes told her that he was thinking the worst, that he would have another comrade die in battle. She could see it, even if he didn't announce it to the world.

Itachi also knew that, even if she was considered a prodigy, she had a high chance of dying, even with the usage of chakra. Those thoughts didn't sooth her. Even if she found death a sanctuary before, she wanted to live a life that wasn't fully planned to her death.

From there, once they got back, Itachi was told to pack her bags and follow them, Erwin sending her a lingering look as she stalked down the hall with her head held high.

"Arrogant brat. She'll get herself killed if she doesn't understand the difference between Skill and Pride." Levi finally murmured, Itachi finding a slight crook appearing in the corner of her lip as she heard his words. He'd sooner or later learn that she never underestimates her opponents.

Itachi also knew that Levi was much harder to defeat. He had thought her just a lucky brat, but now that he knew she had skill, he'd take her seriously.

Itachi couldn't wait to spar with him. That would be an interesting situation.

Oooo

The woman before her reminded her of a blonde haired person that she had been tasked in kidnapping. Why was everyone reminding her of Uzumaki Naruto? It was unusual.

She was loud and obnoxious, glasses glinting in the light as she took in the teen before her. A large smile was on her face and Itachi could only lean back as she came in close, noses almost touching.

"And Levi didn't put up a fight? That's saying something! Usually he doesn't like gaining new teammates…" she murmured, but then smiled as she shoved her hand into Itachi's face as she pulled back.

"Names Hange Zoe. I conduct the research on Titans here and I'll be one of your training buddies!"

For some reason, Itachi felt something clench in the bottom of her stomach, her already pale skin finding a shade even lighter.

This woman, from what she could already tell, was beyond eccentric and would probably be one person she didn't want to get on the wrong side of.

Especially not with her Titan obsession being an indication as to what she might do if she found out about Itachi's chakra and Bloodline.

Oooo

Ducking underneath the swing, Itachi swiftly countered, grasping the wrist and stepping within Hange's range before hooking her leg behind hers and sending her to the ground. They had been going at hand to hand combat for a while and Itachi knew that Hange had been enthralled by her Taijutsu, having never seen the style she fought with.

She had already asked her at least twenty times already on where she had learned the fighting style, but Itachi had only smirked and shook her head.

Hange, Itachi had finally decided, was a very curious and knowledge seeking individual.

She would do anything to satisfy her need for knowledge.