Flying with a broken wing

Year 828

Pov: Taro

I saluted the commanding officers as the walked down the line, inspecting up head to toe. We were preparing for a mission outside the walls, and everything had to run smoothly.
My squad leader, a middle age man with smile lines etched into his face, stopped at the end of my row. I felt my stomach drop as he said,
"Zara, what are you doing here."
My heart started pounding as I looked over and saw her in full scouting gear, harness, cloak and all. She was now 11 years old, and could barely fit into the smallest size clothing, but she still pulled it off. That to her was like being a full time soldier, except the small detail of no training at all.
She saluted and stood tall.
"I want to go on the recon corps mission with you sir!" Her voice held a mature note of respect to it, but I knew her better.
"No Zara, you are a child, I won't allow you to go!" I yelled at her, stepping out of the line. My squad all nodded in agreement, but the corporal held up his hand, stopping us.

The sun blazed down on our sweaty backs, as we watched Zara hold her own against the hand to hand combat instructor. She rolled past him nimbly, then jumped up, trying to throw a side kick to his jaw, but aimed to high, and ended up swinging her leg above his head, throwing her off kilter.
"Wow, she is flexible!" a girl to the right exclaimed, but all I saw was she missed. The instructor took the opportunity to snapped a fist under her jaw, throwing her head up, as she stumbled back.
The crowed gasped, and I resisted the urge to run to her side. The instructor looked worried, and tried to stop the fight, but Zara raised her small hand in the air, signaling that she wasn't finished. She took off her jacket, and cracked her small knuckles. She sprung into action, throwing punches, and kicks. Everyone landing a blow onto her opponent.
The instructor stopped the fight, and Zara knelt over with exhaustion.
"She is very fast, just lacks strength and proper technique, but she held her own at 11, so I give her points for that."
Zara's face dropped, and she fell to her back, panting and staring at the blue sky.
My squad captain nodded, and knelt down next to her.
"You can go with us next time, if you promise to train super hard while in between."
Her face lit up, and she jumped up, hugging the man.
"I promise, I will work super hard and get stronger. I need to kill the titans that ate my parents..."
A chill ran through the group. "Even if I get swallowed, I will cut my way out, and attack every last one." Her words held power for such a small girl, though she lacked knowledge on the beasts. My squad leader ruffled her hair, and helped her up. She laughed and clipped on the gear, that was almost the same size as herself, and zoomed into the surrounding trees, laughing the whole way. So young, so innocent to the evils of the world, and most of all, filled with more power than she knows what to do with.