Attack on Titan: Bloodline -- Version 2

• Chapter 18 •

The Scouts stood up in the treetops, blades drawn and on edge for what seemed like hours. Lorraine felt her nerves beginning to get the better of her. She stood close to Reiner, her hands quivering lightly. She wasn't afraid of these Titans. She was mostly scared for Eren and, oddly, for Levi. Reiner glanced down at her, seeing her pale face and her trembling hands. He asked calmly, "You okay, Love?" She nodded.

"No. I'm not okay, Reiner."

Her heart was beating faster by the minute. Titans scratched at the tree trunks and fumbled around below. Ymir said, holding her blades by her sides in a bored manner, "Hey, guys. They didn't necessarily say we had to engage the Titans...right?" Bertholdt said softly, "I suppose so." Ymir added, sheathing her blades, "Then let's save our gas, blades, and energy, why don't we?" Reiner said, resheathing his own blades, "Good idea, Ymir. That way, if something happens, we'll be ready." Lorraine slid her blades into their sheaths, but she was still tense. She didn't say a word as she looked back into the forest. Reiner looked back, finally realizing what was wrong.

"Hey," he said gently, "I'm sure Eren will be okay. He's with Levi Squad after all." She sighed. She finally said, "Reiner. I...I-I want to believe you. I just can't shake this really bad feeling." He reached out to her, embracing her tightly and holding her head against his chest. He knew that always seemed to calm her down. He kissed the top of her head and said, "It's okay, Lorraine. We're all on edge, here. It's only natural." She closed her eyes, wrapping her relatively small arms around his waist. She let out a breath that she didn't even realize she was holding. Ymir scoffed.

"If you two lovebirds start making out, I'm leaving."

Bertholdt gave her a severe look. Reiner ignored her and gently pulled away from Lorraine. Lorraine said, "Thanks. You always know how to make me feel like everything will be okay...e-even if it's not." Her hands slid down his forearms until their hands linked together. They turned to look down over the edge to the ground below. There were three smaller Titans and a larger one in their area, lumbering at them mindlessly. Grunts and groans were heard from them below.

About ten minutes went by with very little happening. Reiner and Lorraine had decided to cuddle up, leaning on the tree. Lorraine sat in his lap, leaning back on his chest while he played with her long ponytail. His fingers twirled and combed through the soft, black strands. She rested her hands on her belly, looking out into the forest blankly. Somehow, feeling his chest rising and falling with his gentle breathing seemed to help her to relax.

"This one's a quick study, huh?"

Ymir grabbed her blades and swung down, killing a smaller Titan who had figured out how to climb up the trees. With a loud crash, the Titan was down and Ymir returned to her perch in the trees. Reiner and Lorraine stood up. Lorraine said, "Nice shot, Ymir. Unfortunately, this means they do have the capabilities to learn." Reiner said in a serious tone, "Yeah. That's scary. I wonder what-"

The four turned their heads towards the center of the forest, listening to the echo of the loud, ringing noise. Lorraine asked under her breath, "An acoustic round...?" Bertholdt said anxiously, "Sounds like it. I wonder...?" Ymir sighed. A very strong silence fell between them. Only the sounds of the forest and the Titans below them were heard. Ymir finally broke the silence and asked, "Hey. Any of you seen where my Krista went?" Reiner shook his head.

"No. Sorry. We split up when we got up here."

Another Titan managed to dig its nails into the bark of Reiner and Lorraine's tree. Lorraine gritted her teeth. She looked out into the field and said, "I wonder if they'll give the order to retreat soon...?" Ymir said, "What, are you scared, Buttercup?" Lorraine whipped her head around and said annoyedly, "So what if I am?" Ymir snickered. Lorraine said, sighing, "I'll be honest. I am scared...just not for me. I-I'm scared that Eren's in danger. If that Female Titan really is after him, I have a feeling that she won't stop killing people until she's got him. She's powerful. That's why I'm scared." Ymir said, "Look, you said Eren's with Levi's Squad, right?" Lorraine nodded. Ymir said in a dull tone, "Then, I'm sure he'll be fine. Hell, Levi alone would probably be enough to kick any Titan's ass." Lorraine sighed, but before they could continue, the sounds of explosions began to rumble through the trees.