Attack on Titan: Bloodline -- Version 2

• Chapter 31 •

The newly-formed Levi Squad arrived at the small cabin just as the sun began to peek through the trees, sprinkling light over the tranquil woodland. Levi jumped off his horse, stating sharply, "Dismount and take your things inside. We're camping out here for awhile. No telling how long we might be here, though." Jean walked over to Lorraine and took her waist as she swung her legs around to the one side of her horse, lowering her gently to the ground. Levi continued, "Today, your task is going to be to clean this cabin from top to bottom. I expect that shouldn't be too hard for you brats, right?"

Eren said confidently, "Yes, Sir."

Levi grabbed the reins of his horse and said, "I'll be out with Hanji preparing for our experiments later. Now, get to work." As Levi walked off, Lorraine sighed, taking the reins of her own horse and following Eren, Armin, and Mikasa. Sasha and Connie both went inside, leaving Jean to take care of their horses while they made the first trip inside the relatively small cabin. The Scouts untacked their horses inside the stable that was conveniently located next to the cabin, Armin stopping to help Lorraine, whose arm was still tied up in a sling to prevent her from moving it too much. He took note of her red and swollen eyes.

He wondered, "Has she been crying again?" He let out a soft breath, concerned for her wellbeing, though he realized that there wasn't much he could do to help her right now, so he continued on with the day's tasks.

They managed to bring all of their supplies inside and got to work on cleaning the cabin, which had been abandoned for quite a while. Eren, experienced with the Captain's cleaning regiments, took charge and made a list of what needed to be done. It wasn't long before the Scouts were working up a sweat, making short work of the mess created by years of neglect. Lorraine had volunteered to help clean the kitchen and was scrubbing away the caked-on dust and grime with her free hand. She looked up from her work, a bead of sweat rolling down her cheek as she looked outside and saw Historia and Mikasa gathering and chopping firewood.

"Connie," Jean shouted from a different room, heading outside, "Make sure not to break the windows. I'll be back." Lorraine sighed. She looked down at her arm, then grimaced, returning to her work, scrubbing at the counters. Eren walked in, broom in hand, a white cloth wrapped around his head like she had seen Levi do before.

"Lorraine?" he asked surprisingly softly, "Lo, are you alright? You're in here all by yourself with one arm. You really should have someone--"

"I'm fine," she cut him off. He watched as she scrubbed harder. She turned her head away from Eren sharply, moving on to another spot in the kitchen. Eren gripped his broom and said, "Alright. Sorry to bother you." Lorraine gripped the rag in her hand, listening as Eren walked out of the room.

Armin and Jean walked in, carrying more of their bags of supplies, followed by Mikasa and Krista, holding firewood. He called, "We're back." Eren snapped at them, "Hey! Did you all wipe your feet before walking in here?!"

"You're joking," Jean barked, "Did you not see all the stuff we're carrying?!" Lorraine, hearing the commotion, walked out into the entry, still holding the rag in her hand.

Eren said sternly, "You really think an excuse like that will fly with Captain Levi?!" He visibly shuddered and continued, "It's bad enough I had to make your bed for you--"

"What are you, my mom!?"

Armin asked over the arguement, "Mikasa, I told you, you shouldn't be chopping firewood! You got grabbed by a Titan!"

Mikasa said nonchalantly, "Gotta stay in shape somehow."

Armin and Eren both sighed. Eren said under his breath, "I caught her doing sit-ups earlier. It's a waste of energy to try and stop her." Sasha walked downstairs with Connie, helping the others to unpack a bit more.