Was She... A Traitor? | Levi X OC

Chapter 9: The Weight of Secrets

The next day dawned bright, but Kat's focus was sharp as she stood in front of a dartboard in the squads personal training grounds, practicing her knife-throwing. Each knife flew with precision, sinking deeply into the wooden board with a satisfying thud. She wasn't as perfect as Levi, but she was getting better—quick, calculated, and deadly. Her small frame belied her strength.

She was in the zone, concentrating hard on her throws, when Levi interrupted, his voice cool and sharp as always.

"Burnedead," he called out, crossing his arms as he approached. "You've improved. But you're still too slow on your follow-up."

Kat turned, her baby-like tone slipping out naturally as she greeted him. "Levi-heichou, you're always so critical," she said with a small pout, though there was affection in her voice. "I'm trying my best."

Levi raised an eyebrow, his serious tone unchanging. "Trying isn't enough. You need to know what to do without hesitation. Out there, hesitation gets people killed."

Kat nodded, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. "I know... but I'm getting better, right?"

Levi didn't respond immediately, but the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth was enough of an acknowledgment. "Let's talk," he said, his tone shifting ever so slightly to something more instructional. He was still the mentor, still the teacher, but there was a familiarity between them that only came with years of working closely together.

As they sat down on a nearby bench, Levi shifted into his usual teaching mode. "You think you know enough? Let's test that. If you were in a situation where a small boy, an old man, and a young woman were in danger from a Titan, who would you save first, and why?"

Kat blinked, her brow furrowing as she thought. "The small boy," she answered confidently. "Because he's the most vulnerable, and the others—if they have experience or strength—could hold on longer or help in their own ways."

Levi nodded, clearly satisfied with her answer, though he didn't show it. "And if it were a group of soldiers?"

"The one most capable of defending the others," she replied. "We can't save everyone, but if I can save someone who can help protect the rest, we have a better chance of survival."

Levi's sharp eyes remained on her, silently impressed with her reasoning. "Good. But don't forget—sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones that keep you alive. You can't always save everyone."

They talked for a while longer, with Levi posing different hypothetical scenarios. Despite his usual serious demeanor, there was a warmth in their interactions—something that had grown over the years of training together. Kat respected Levi immensely, and in her own way, she cared for him deeply, almost like a husband figure, though she would never dare say that aloud.

As their conversation turned light, they began to discuss mundane topics—weather, training schedules, and the state of the Scouts. Levi would offer his usual gruff replies, while Kat maintained her playful, baby-like tone, teasing him occasionally, which earned her a glare or a muttered "tch."

But then, as the conversation wound down, Kat's tone shifted. "Levi-heichou..." she began softly, almost hesitantly.

Levi raised an eyebrow, sensing the change in her demeanor. "What is it?"

"I... I've been thinking about the Military Cops lately," she said, her voice cautious, as if treading on dangerous ground. "I know you told me not to dwell on it, but... I can't stop thinking about what happened to my parents."

Levi's expression immediately darkened, and he tried to steer the conversation away. "Kat, we've been over this. Focus on what's in front of you. The past won't help you."

But Kat, now wrapped by years of growing confidence, pressed on. "I remember... when I was a kid, someone came to visit my father. He wore a Military Cops badge. I don't remember much, but I think he had a hat and maybe a bit of a beard. I didn't get a good look at his face, but... if I see him again, I think I'd recognize him."

Levi's eyes widened, and for a brief moment, his usually controlled expression faltered. The description... the hat, the Military Cops badge, the slight beard... Kenny.

Damn it. Levi's mind raced, his body going stiff as he fought to keep his composure. He knew exactly who she was describing. Kenny the Ripper. The man who had shaped parts of Levi's own brutal past. The last thing he wanted was for Kat to go poking around in that dangerous world. He couldn't let her get involved.

In an instant, his demeanor changed. His voice hardened, and he abruptly shifted the conversation. "Burnedead," he snapped, standing up. "I thought I told you to take those fire logs to the base. What are they still doing here?"

Kat blinked, confused by the sudden shift in tone. "I... I'm sorry, I must've forgotten," she stammered, her heart sinking. She had been so caught up in their conversation that she hadn't noticed the pile of logs still sitting nearby.

"Get it done now," Levi ordered, his voice sharper than before, a note of finality in his tone.

Kat, taken aback, nodded quickly, scrambling to her feet. "Yes, Heichou," she said, her voice small, the weight of his order heavy in the air. She gathered the logs and loaded them onto the wooden cart nearby, preparing to take them to the base.

Just as she was about to leave, Levi stopped her again, his tone serious and unwavering. "And Burnedead... listen closely. You're not a fully responsible Scout yet. You should NOT confront the Military Cops or anyone like them until I say so. Do you understand?"

Kat paused, her heart sinking further. "But—"

"Do you understand?" Levi repeated, his voice louder, more forceful.

Kat, now feeling a mix of frustration and obedience, nodded. "Hai, Heichou," she said, her voice louder and more firm this time. She picked up the reins of the horse, guiding the cart forward. But as she walked away, there was a heaviness in her chest, a lingering feeling that something wasn't right.

Levi watched her go, his expression unreadable. Once she was out of sight, he let out a frustrated breath, rubbing his temple. How long can I keep her from digging into this? he thought to himself. He knew that eventually, she would cross paths with the truth, and when that happened...

He clenched his fists. Kenny wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she got in his way. She's not ready. He knew what he was capable of. Kat might have grown stronger over the years, but against someone like Kenny, she was still no match.

Damn it, Levi cursed silently. I've got to get her stronger, faster. This isn't enough. He thought of her cheerful, innocent demeanor, her playful nature with the market-goers, the way she was slowly becoming a version of him. But that wasn't enough. She needed to be prepared for the worst—for people like Kenny.

With a scowl, he turned away from the training grounds. I need to figure out what to do before that day comes, he thought grimly. She's not ready. Not yet. But she will be.

As Levi walked away, the weight of the future pressed heavily on his mind. He had to protect her—whether she liked it or not. And no matter what, he couldn't let her face the past alone. Not yet.

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