The Guardian's Tale (AOT fanfiction)

-Assassin's Bullet-

The Armored and the Attack...two enemies that were once friends...equalling in strength as well as wits and determination, one who's will to live was slowly fading, and the other who's will to live had already long since vanished. I didn't know why, but at that moment, my body acted on its own accord and I sunk back into the Titan flesh below me. 

I can still...save you.

Just as the two Titans lunged at each other with their arms out and fists ready to meet one another's flesh, I used the last of my strength to jump in front of Reiner. Eren tried to pull back but he had reacted too late and his crystallized fist met my stomach, shattering my armor plates. Completely out of stamina, I broke free of my Titan and tilted my head back, my eyes clouded by exhaustion and my body riddled with cuts and burns. 

"YUKI !" Jean yelled, followed by the familiar sound of ODM gear as he landed next to me. "You really are an idiot..."

"J-Jean..." A weak smile formed on my lips as I greeted him.

He sighed and shook his head before carefully picking me up, almost as if he thought that the slightest misstep would break my body in two. After a slight moment of hesitation, he shot one of his hooks into the side of the airship, landing on the netting before turning to the soldiers.

"Protect the airship from the enemy below !"He ordered."Give them all the explosives you got ! Get in as fast as you can.Let them know that none of their weapons can shoot down this airship."

"Jean !" Lobov called out. "You should get in now and give Miss Uchiha the treatment she needs. I'll handle the rear."

Just before Jean could knock on the steel door in front of us, it slid open to reveal Sasha and Connie, both of them immediately extending their hands to us. I weakly grabbed Sasha's and she pulled me up before wrapping her arms around me in a protective embrace. Wasting no time, Connie grabbed a small medical case and started wrapping bandages around my wounds.

"Who's here ?" Jean asked as he started assisting Connie.

"We're still waiting for Squad Lima in the front." He informed us. "We've currently confirmed six deaths."

I lowered my head as a sign of grief and slightly winced as the last bandage found itself wrapped around my exposed stomach. Exhausted, I plopped back into Sasha's arms as she gently stroked my hair, making a sense of calm and relief wash over me.

"Just compare it to the losses we gave to the enemy." Floch spoke up, raising his fist up in the air as a sign of victory. "It's a huge victory ! The new Eldian empire's first battle has ended with a huge victory ! Now rejoice, that's how we pay tribute to our six fallen heroes !"

"Does he ever shut up ?" I mumbled as everyone started cheering. "The more he talks, the more I wanna throw him out of this airship."

I slowly got up along with Connie while Sasha stood guard at the door, watching out for enemy soldiers. When I looked back, I noticed that Jean's face had gone from an emotionless expression to one full of regret and tiredness.

"First battle huh..." He repeated. "Just how many times do we have to do this ? Just...how many more do we need to kill ?"

After a slight moment of silence, Connie walked over and wrapped his arms around all three of us, pulling us in for a group hug.

"For now, once again, we survived this one." He pointed out. "I feel sorry for our lost friends...but you guys are special to me. That's how I feel."

Feeling the atmosphere relax a little bit, I playfully poked his cheek and noticed that Sasha had placed her hand on his arm. Jeez...just tell him already.