Author's Note: IMPORTANT! Okay so I know you all love my Red String of Fate Fanfic. But as I reread it, I realized...there's so much room for improvement. So many arcs were rushed, or not written well. SO, I am going to write an official REBOOT for it. The reboot will be split into five long fanfics. They will go in this order: Red String of Fate Junior High, Red String High School, Red String University, Red String Family, and Red String New Generation. I will be updating this one and High school back to back. I will keep the old version up, but this is something I really want to do.

Prologue

Eren Jaeger never really thought much of his life. At only 9 years old, he just knew the simple things in life. Video games, snacks, his family and his friends.

Like other children his age, he hated school and didn't have a care in the world. He lived with his parents, Grisha and Carla Jaeger, in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

The neighborhood was close to a play ground, and was close enough to the school even to walk there. The streets were filled with gorgeous Sakura trees.

But today was a different day. Eren's parents had told him they were going to meet their new neighbors at the play ground.

"Why do we have to meet them?", Eren asked, whining a bit. He didn't want to be pulled away from his new video game he just got yesterday.

"Because, your father knows Mr. Ackerman and they just moved here from another country. They need someone to talk to and know", Carla replied.

Eren frowned. What did that even have to do with him?

"Besides Eren, you need more friends", Grisha added. They exited the house, and began walking down the street. It was late winter, but the weather was perfect.

There was a cool breeze, but it was overall warm outside. They were getting a very early Spring.

"I got friends", Eren muttered. "A friend. You need more friends than Armin. The Ackermans have a little girl around your age. She doesn't speak English too well yet, but she could use some friends", Grisha explained.

Eren continued to sulk, as they walked down the road. The park came into sight.

The park had a small pond with ducks, and benches. The play ground had a slide, swings, and a seesaw.

As they got closer, Eren saw a family indeed waiting by the pond. He blinked, seeing the little girl. She was kneeling in front of the pond, curiously, watching the ducks.

She was especially focused on a mother duck, teaching her chicks to swim. The girl had somewhat long black hair, and deep bluish black eyes.

She also had skin as white as the snow. She wore a pink jacket over her shoulders, in a simple, long white summer dress.

Her mother, who looked a lot like her, was sitting on the bench. Her father, who had dark blonde hair, waved over at the Jaegers.

"Grisha, over here!", he called. "Sorry, did we keep you waiting Herrick?", Grisha asked, as the two shook hands.

"Not at all", Herrick assured him. "You must be Carla", Herrick said. "Its great to finally meet you", Carla smiled.

"This is my wife, Akane", Herrick introduced as Akane stood up, coming over. "Pleased to meet you both", she said kindly.

"It's so great to finally meet you", Grisha shook her hand. The sets of parents exchanged glances then. While it was true they wanted to meet, and Grisha and Herrick knew each other, they all had a bigger reason for meeting.

The Jaegers were concerned with their son's lack of social life, while the Ackermans knew their daughter was very shy, and needed a friend in this new home.

It was a win win situation, but the parents were worried if the two would even get along.

Grisha coughed. "Eren, this is Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman", he introduced. "Hello", Eren simply said, looking bored.

"It's nice to meet you, Eren", Herrick smiled. "Mikasa!", Akane called then, looking over her shoulder. Mikasa looked up from the pond.

She stood up, and came over. Seeing the strangers, Mikasa suddenly squeaked and hid behind her mother. Eren blinked, looking at her.

She was so shy...even cute.

Mikasa's mother spoke to her in Japanese, in a gentle tone, telling her to be polite and introduce herself.

Mikasa bit her lip nervously, but she nodded and very slowly stepped out from behind her mother.

"H-Hello...my name is Mikasa", she said in a small voice. Her accent was still quite strong. Eren could see she was extremely shy.

He smiled then. "Konichiwa, watashi wa Eren-san", he spoke clear Japanese. Mikasa's eyes widened a bit, surprised.

"Your son speaks Japanese?", asked Herrick, impressed. "Yes, we made him take some foreign language classes...I told you they'd pay off Eren", Carla said.

"Okay you were right...", Eren grumbled. "Isn't that lucky, Mikasa?", Akane smiled.

Mikasa looked at Eren. "E-Eren...", she said his name, still speaking with a strong Japanese accent.

"Mikasa...that's a pretty name", Eren said, he said this in Japanese. Color reached Mikasa's cheeks.

"Come on, I'll show you the play ground", Eren took her small hand, causing the little girl to blush only more.

The children went to the swings, while the parents watched.

As they children spoke in Japanese to each other, Eren gently pushed Mikasa on the swing. "So when did your family move here?", he asked.

"Two weeks ago", Mikasa replied, her voice still quiet.

"How do you like it?", asked Eren. "It's pretty...", Mikasa admitted softly. "Hey, maybe if you want, you can meet my friend Armin", Eren offered.

"Armin?", asked Mikasa. "He's my best friend, I think you two might get along", Eren told her.

The Jaegers and Ackermans watched their kids. "So far so good...", Carla stated.

"I really hope they get along, Mikasa really needs a friend", Akane said anxiously.

Despite it being a very simple meeting, Eren and Mikasa would have never guessed this meeting..was the start of a very long relationship.

End Prologue

Armin Arlet felt his back hit the concrete wall roughly, as he grimaced painfully. It was another day for him, being bullied by the older kids.

"Are you sure you're even a dude, Arlet? You look more like a girl to me!", one of the bullies said meanly. Armin glared, refusing to fight back, as he looked away.

"Creepy kid, he doesn't even defend himself!", another laughed. "Because there's no point...you guys are simply not worth my time", Armin growled.

"You little bastard...", the bully went to hit Armin.

"HEY!", a voice yelled. The kids watched, to see Eren Jaeger sprinting towards them. "Oh look its Jaeger", they all grinned, ready for a fight.

Suddenly, the group froze in fear. Running alongside Eren, was Mikasa. She had a glare on her face as well.

"Oh shit! Mikasa's with him!", the bullies suddenly staggered back, and ran off, booking it down the street.

"Yea you better run!", Eren yelled, as he and Mikasa ran up to Armin. "Armin, daijobuesu?", Mikasa asked if he was alright in Japanese.

She was slowly learning English thanks to Eren, but she still spoke her native language at times. To the point even Armin was beginning to learn Japanese just from being around Mikasa.

"Yeah, thanks you two", Armin answered, as he took Eren's hand, getting to his feet. It had been only a week since Eren and Mikasa met.

The two became close friends, and were also close with Armin. They had become quite the trio.

Armin was often bullied for being weak, so Eren and Mikasa defended him. Eren and Armin learned despite how small she looked, Mikasa was strong. She always managed to give the bullies black eyes, bloody noses, and even threw one once.

The trio went to the library after the fact. "I wish I was stronger...", Armin sighed. He was sitting with Eren and Mikasa in the kids room of the library.

There were children books, and even a colorful mat on the floor where little kids were playing with building blocks, plushies, and building logs.

Eren, Mikasa and Armin sat at a table away from the commotion of the toddlers, as Eren was teaching Mikasa more English from a book.

"Don't worry about it Armin", Eren assured his friend, as he showed Mikasa the words in the book. Mikasa focused.

He was teaching her simple words at first, but Mikasa was extremely smart. So she was learning fast.

"I'll be right back you guys, you want anything to drink?", Armin asked. The library had a whole cafe section, where they sold hot chocolate, lemonade, iced tea, coffee, and juice.

"Sure, I'll take a lemonade", Eren replied. "Jusu...oh, I mean Juice", Mikasa said, still getting used to English.

Armin nodded, as he went to get them the drinks.

"Let's see...how about we try this. Scar told Simba to run, and never return, can you read that aloud?", Eren asked.

They were using some Disney books for practice. Mikasa especially loved Lady and the Tramp, and The little Mermaid.

Mikasa looked at the words closely on the picture book. "Scar told Sim..Simba to run, and never re..return", she read. Her accent was getting more understandable.

"Great job, Mikasa!", Eren praised her, smiling. Mikasa blushed a bit, smiling back.

When Armin returned, he saw the two interacting. "And can you tell me what animals chased Simba into the desert?", Eren asked her.

"Hye..hyenas", Mikasa replied, blushing. "Awesome! You're learning so fast!", Eren grinned, as he turned the page.

Armin smiled. He could see how much the two got along.

He came over with their drinks. He handed Mikasa the orange juice box with a straw, and gave Eren the paper cup with a lid and hot chocolate in it.

He got himself a paper cup of lemonade. "Thanks Armin", Eren said. "Thank you, Armin", Mikasa added.

"It's no problem. You're really learning, Mikasa", Armin said, impressed. Mikasa blushed, looking down shyly a bit.

"It's...only because Eren's a great teacher", she said sheepishly.

"Trust me, its you Mikasa. It took me two months to learn only a little Japanese. It's only taken you a week to learn just as much English", Eren told her, smiling.

About two more weeks went by, and it was even warmer outside. It was also Valentines day. Mikasa got up early to head to school.

Her bedroom had a twin sized bed with pink sheets and a pink quilt, a computer desk with a laptop, a dresser, a closet, and a whole shelf full of stuffed animals.

There were plush cats, a plush wolf, a plush white Bengal tiger, and even some teddy bears and anime themed plushies.

She also had a calender hanging above her bed, and a cat shaped alarm clock on her nightstand with a lamp. She also had some Disney and anime merchandise.

Such as a doll from the anime Cardcaptor Sakura, and a plush Lady from Lady and the Tramp, along with a poster of a famous Japanese singer named Yui Ishikawa.

She brushed her black hair, and hurried over to her desk.

There was a photo on her desk in a frame of herself, Eren and Armin. Mikasa blushed a bit, as she then picked up the wrapped present next to the photo.

The present had pink wrapped, with red ribbon tied at the top. There was a tag taped to it, saying "To Eren, Love Mikasa"

It was Valentines day, and Mikasa planned on giving this to Eren. She blushed even more, holding it close to her heart.

"Eren...", she mused. It was no joke she had a huge crush on Eren at this point. And truth be told, Eren had a crush on her as well.

"Mikasa! Sweetie, breakfast is ready!", her mom called from downstairs. "Coming, mommy!", Mikasa replied. She spoke English much clearer now.

She got into her school uniform, put the gift in her bag, and hurried downstairs.

She entered the kitchen, to see her mom was setting the table, as the smell of eggs and bacon filled the room.

"Good morning", Mikasa greeted. "Good morning, Mikasa", Akane smiled. "How'd you sleep, princess?", Herrick asked, sitting at the table.

"Good, dad", Mikasa replied as she sat at the table, and began eating. Akane smiled then, seeing the gift in her daughter's bag.

"Are you giving that to Eren for Valentines?", she asked. Mikasa instantly turned red. "Mommy...please...", she cried, embarrassed.

"Eren? The Jaeger boy?", Herrick raised his eyebrow, protective of his daughter. "Yes, daddy", Mikasa answered.

The family began to eat, and Mikasa blinked, looking up at the small TV that was in the kitchen. It was on the news channel.

"...So far police have not been able to catch the suspects involved in the crime...", the news reporter stated, before cutting to commercial.

"Looks like they're still on the loose...", Akane said, worriedly. "That's towns away, dear. Don't worry", Herrick assured his wife.

"What's towns away?", asked Mikasa. "Nothing honey", Akane quickly changed the channel to a kids station.

Many adults in the neighborhood knew some gang members were on the loose, only about 100 miles away. There have been 3 murders so far by them, and mass robberies.

There was even an almost kidnap case.

After Mikasa finished her breakfast, she grabbed her bag and hurried to school.

Mikasa was anxious in class the whole time...their teacher let them know they could exchange Valentines gift at break, but Mikasa couldn't wait.

She kept looking at Eren, who was sitting a few desks down from her.

She wondered...if Eren remembered to buy her something. Eren too was fidgeting in class. He kept glancing in his bag, at his present for Mikasa.

It had taken all his and Armin's lunch money, and even all day to get it. He thought back to what happened.

Three Days Ago...

"Come ON! Damn it, this thing is totally rigged!", Eren slammed his fist down on the control panel of the Claw Machine. It was sunset.

It was a stand alone one on the street, sitting right outside a toy shop. It was nearly impossible to get anything out of it.

But Eren was determined. He had his eye on a plush anime girl. The anime girl was from Sailor Moon, and it was Sailor Saturn.

Mikasa had spotted it a few days earlier, and really wanted it. She explained to Eren it was easy to get in her home country, but here it was expensive everywhere else.

It was amazing it was in a common claw machine. So, Eren decided he was going to get it for her, and surprise her.

But it was not easy. The Sailor Saturn plush was buried under at least ten other stuffed animals. Eren struggled to just grab the stuffed animals on top of it, to move them.

He did manage to get a plush frog out, which Armin happily kept.

"Eren, just give up! This is impossible, Mikasa loves you, she'll accept any gift you get her", Armin pressed, worriedly.

"No, it has to be this Armin! She wanted this! And I'm gonna get it for her!", Eren put more change in, as he moved the joy stick.

Some people watched the scene. "Isn't that cute? He's trying to get it for his little girlfriend", a lady said to her friend.

"She's NOT my girlfriend!", Eren growled, defensive. The ladies simply giggled, as they went into the store.

"Who are you kidding? If you didn't care about Mikasa, you wouldn't be going through this right now", Armin pointed out. Eren was red, but chose to ignore him.

"Come on!", Eren managed to move a plush Penguin.

Other people were beginning to stare, even the store owner inside was watching, impressed. "Has that kid been there for three hours?", he wondered, checking the time.

"Wow...we're really attracting a crowd", Armin muttered.

"One more time! Armin, I need more change! I just need to move one more plush!", Eren demanded. "But this is my lunch money!", Armin whined.

"There's more important things in life other than lunch, Armin!", Eren yelled at Armin, holding his hand out for more change.

"Wow that's a first out of you", Armin muttered, but he handed the change over. Eren inserted it into the machine.

"Come on!", he focused, sweating even as he positioned the joy stick. He just had to move a plush Unicorn, and he would be clear to get the Sailor Saturn plush.

He pressed the red button, and the claw moved down. It grabbed the Unicorn plush, and began to lift it up.

"Yes, that's it!", Eren grinned. But suddenly, the Unicorn's leg brushed against a plush Mickey Mouse, and that started a chain reaction.

Ten plushies toppled over, burying the plush Sailor Saturn all over again.

"NOOO!", Eren gripped the control panel, in complete horror. "That's it then...", Armin sighed sadly.

"Give me a break!", Eren growled, shakily.

The store door opened, as the store owner stepped out.

"Look kid, would it make you happy if I just unlocked the thing, and got it for you?", the store owner asked.

Eren blinked, looking at him. "What...?", he asked. "You'd really do that, sir?", Armin smiled.

"You're kinda creating a scene, and its almost dark, so your parents must be worried. Besides, you must have put $20 of change into this thing", the store owner replied.

"Yes, thank you sir! Thank you so much!", Eren's eyes lit up.

In the end, the store owner got the Sailor Saturn plush out for Eren.

Present

When class finally ended, Eren and Mikasa met up in the courtyard. "Eren!", Mikasa smiled. "Hey Mikasa!", Eren grinned.

They were both excited to give each other a gift.

"So...um...Eren, I...I got you something", Mikasa said quietly, blushing. Eren blinked. "Really?", he asked excited.

Mikasa nodded nervously, extremely red as she handed over the gift. Eren took it, and opened it. His face lit up then.

"No way!", Eren saw inside was the finest quality chocolate. Chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered chips, and regular milk chocolate pieces, and a heart shaped chocolate bar on a stick like a lolipop.

"Mikasa! This is amazing!", Eren began munching on the chocolate covered pretzels. "Ahh...heaven..!", he grinned, loving the taste.

Mikasa blushed, she beamed. "You like it?", she asked. "Like it?! I love it! Oh..", Eren wiped the chocolate from his mouth. "Um...here!", he handed her the wrapped present, blushing.

Mikasa's heart skipped a beat, as she turned red. "Eren...for me?", she asked, taking it. "Yeah...sorry if its not wrapped well", Eren answered.

Mikasa blinked, as she began to unwrap her. Her eyes widened then, as she froze. She was holding the plush she wanted.

"Eren...!", she cried, breathlessly. "That's the one, right?", asked Eren.

Mikasa hugged it close to her chest. "Yes! Thank you, Eren!", she cried, as she then wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

Eren blushed, but hugged her back. "I'm glad you like it", he smiled.

Since Armin didn't have a valentine, Eren shared some of his chocolate with him, and he and Mikasa spent the day with Armin.

At sunset, the trio were walking home. "Hey, I got a new video game! You guys want to come over to play? It's a zombie one!", Eren grinned, excited.

"You really shouldn't play such violent games, Eren", Mikasa pointed out softly, still hugging her plush tightly.

"Oh lighten up, Mikasa! Armin, you down?", asked Eren, grinning.

"Sure!", Armin nodded. "Sorry, but my parents and I planned on watching a movie tonight", Mikasa apologized, as they stopped in front of her house.

"You and your parents are really close", Armin smiled. "Yeah...sorry guys", Mikasa said.

"It's cool, we'll see you in school tomorrow", Eren smiled. Mikasa nodded, blushing.

"See you tomorrow", she said.

Eren and Armin went to Eren's house, while Mikasa went inside of her own home.

Only about an hour later, Eren and Armin were invested in their video game, shooting zombies, and eating popcorn.

Eren had his bedroom window opened since it was warm outside.

"I keep dying!", Armin whined. "Just get more health!", Eren said, concentrating on his own side of the screen.

At the Ackerman house, Mikasa was in the living room picking out a movie with her dad. Akane was in the kitchen, preparing dinner.

"Which one tonight, sweetie?", Herrick asked. "Lady and the Tramp", Mikasa answered. Herrick smiled at his daughter.

"That one again?", he asked. Mikasa nodded eagerly. "All right princess...", Herrick paused then, hearing a loud knock at the front door.

"Who could that be? Sweetie, go around and put the movie in", Herrick told his daughter. Mikasa nodded, as Herrick went into the kitchen, where the front door was.

Mikasa popped the DVD case opened, she heard her father say something, when suddenly...

BANG

A loud gunshot was heard so suddenly, it made Mikasa's heart jump to her throat, as she dropped the DVD. Her breathing froze, and her eyes widened, her ears actually went blocked from the loud sound.

And after...it was much too silent in the kitchen. Mikasa's feet felt like they were glued to the floor, the sound had terrified her.

She forced them to move though, and slowly went to peer into the kitchen.

She didn't say anything, as she held her breath, looking in from the living room.