Titan Tamer [Attack on Titan]

Chapter Eleven - Worlds Apart

"I don''t get how things happened like this." I spoke quietly to Jean, the both of us walking with torches ablaze, us walking in the dark. We both have our maneouvering gear, so we are pretty safe, but neither of us have come in contact with a titan; not once since the village. I feel something bizzare in the air, but I can't tell why I feel so uneasy. "I don't either. I hope we can re-group with the others soon though." Jean replied, him sticking close to me. I think he was the only scout who had his maneuvering gear on hand; I hope the others are okay. "You've grown up so much since I met you." I said, looking to him with a slight smile. "Yeah? How so?" He asked, us breaking the air a little. "You just. . . Believe a lot more in yourself, you trust your team." "Whenever I am with you, I am at my best." He'd said this earlier too, it made me somewhat happy. "I'm glad you respect me so much Jean." I told him, me spotting something rather large and dark. "You grew on me." He chuckled, me steering him in the direction of the blob but stopped short. "Back here." I told him, motioning for him to get up into the only big tree around. We easily got up and I perched myself on a tall branch, close to the top. "Look there." I said pointing to the large castle. I can see titans all around it, trying to break in. "What the hell. . ." Jean murmured, the two of us extinguishing our flames so thangs to we wouldn't be noticed. "The others must be on the inside." I don't know how much the two of us can do at this point. If Levi were here, we could take them all on that on, but Jean, though his skills better. . . I don't think he would be able to handle this. "The sun should be coming up soon." Jean said, looking towards the wall. "Right. That will be our only opportunity. The best we can hope for is that they can make it until morning." I replied, seating myself down and resting my head on my knees; hoping to at least get a little bit of rest.

"Azure! Where the fuck are you!?" I heard his voice yell, clearly even though he is at least ten trees away from our position. "Corporal! She isn't going to come out if you yell like that. Aoi is a delicate girl you know." Petra scolded, Gunther sighing loudly. "It seems they are looking for us." Jeremiah said in my ear, the two of us perched up higher than usual, so we wouldn't be spotted by the squad who are zipping through the trees. We had to move into the forest, as we'd seen horse tracks earlier. Jeremiah and I had snuck out a few days ago, camping outside the walls; father than usual. I hate being cooped up at the stupid HQ with stupid Levi and stupid Erwin. I get bored and lonely. But I have to admit it's better than the training grounds, I hated it there more. How long have I been with the Survey Corps? Two months now? "I think we can get away, we just have to be careful." I replied, really not wanting to get caught again. It's not as if I don't come back, I would on my own terms except its fun to piss Levi off. He's too tense. "Whatever you say boss." Jeremiah eplied with a chuckle, this boy being my best friend since training. He was let out early from training too, on my wish. It's supposed to be three years training, I got out in a years time, me bringing Jeremiah with me so I wouldn't be alone. The leader wasn't happy about that, but Erwin assured him that Jeremiah would continue necessary training with the Survey Corps; him really having trained hard in this new place. Jeremiah was one of the top of our class anyways, he would have definitely made it into the top ten. "You really messed up this time." Eld said, me now spotting them. "Me? What did I do?" Oluo demanded, shuffling his feet against the ground. "It was your turn to watch her." Gunther said, this being untrue in the extreme. Levi was supposed to be watching me like Erwin asked, but failed miserably because he had better things to do with his time. "Want to play with them instead?" Jeremiah asked, me thinking for a moment. "A bet?" I asked, wanting to make this more interesting. "Sure. If I get caught first, I'll buy you more acrylic paint." I agreed to this term. "Okay and if I get caught first, I'll be your slave for a month." "Deal. Have fun doing my laundry for a month." He said with a grin, bringing his fingers to his lips and making a high pitched squealing sound. "For fucks sake." Levi cursed, the group coming towards us. "Prepare to lose Jeremy!" I exclaimed, rushing down at the group and plowing through them like they weren't even there. "Azure!" Levi raged, him barking out orders to the others. I smiled to myself, never did I think that this would be as fun as it is. "Aoi! It's time to stop playing games!" Petra called to me, her, Levi and Gunther on my tail. I fiddled with my gear, allowing myself to face them an still maneuver easily. Levi frowned, I am going just as fast as them; if not faster and going backwards. "Me? Playing games? Never." I chuckled, not bothering to look and see if I'll run into a tree or something. I knew this forest, better than anyone; and it pissed Levi off. "Stop this Azure. Not only are you wasting my time but. . ." "Oh, humanities strongest warrior can't take down a little girl who is using the 3D gear backwards? She's kicking his ass right now! Shall we see how good you really are, Heichou?" I teased, him growling and propelling forwards faster. I matched his speed, taking a plunge downwards and flipping around so I could move better; me remaining at the same speed. He's not talking anymore, he's serious. I spun around a few trees, seeing Jeremiah not too far off. He seems to be growing tired though; Oulo and Eld are catching up to him. "Hm." I hummed to myself, breaking the treeline and falling into a field of tall grass. I bent low, crawling slowly away and then deciding to remain where I am. If Levi sees the grass moving; he'll find my position.... I heard him break the treeline a few minutes later, it seems that he had lost track of me. "Aoi I am serious. I am done with your games." He said, me able to see his boots from my hiding place. He only ever uses my real name when he's serious; even though we've been together for only two months; I've got him figured out pretty well. "Corporal, games are for children." I replied softly so that he couldn't pinpoint my exact placement. "This is the sixth time this month; and we are only two weeks into March. What drives you to do this? Do you think that this job isn't busy enough? Exciting enough? If you hate it, then leave." "This is the closest I have been to home in two years. You have no idea what it feels like." I replied, my hands absently ripping at the weeds in the soil at my feet. "I know exactly what I agreed to by leaving with you and Erwin. I've seen more Titan than any of the scouts in my class. I turned thirteen today and know more than I should about this twisted system we call life. I am the Azure Flame and I sure ain't scared of you Levi. So don't fuck with me; I don't need a babysitter." I spat, my temper rising. I watched his position shift, coming slightly closer, before I saw him bend down in a crouch; me able to see his knees now. Levi is eight years older than me, him sitting at twenty one. He thinks he knows everything; such a smart ass. "You turned thirteen today?" He asked, me knowing now he knows exactly where I am. "Yeah I did." I replied, not bothering to move. "Is that why Jeremiah agreed to this?" "Jeremy always listens to me; he may be two years older, but he never acts better." "And I do?" Levi asked. "You've never recognized that I am of equal strength to you." I replied, keeping my eyes on his knees. He let out a huff of air, "I know you don't trust us; but we want to be a place that you can call home one day." I was surprised in his change of voice, the way his words suddenly softened and became enticing for me to listen to. "You don't have to trust everyone. Not even I do really. Just a few people or maybe just to start; just one for you. I wouldn't mind being that person." He said, me gritting my teeth. I don't want to cry, not here; not now. "I've never experienced what you have, that's right. But I have my own shitty things that have happened, that have really messed me up. But things do get better Aoi. I'll listen. To whatever you have to say. No matter what time of day or night; I want your trust." I stood up slowly and walked towards him, the man not moving until I wrapped my arms around his shoulders; sobbing uncontrollably. He's said something that I have been waiting to hear for a very long time. . . Why is it that my heart wavers like this? I thought I hated him. . .