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

Chapter 25: A Gathering Storm

The air in the Scouts' headquarters was thick with unease, and Kat felt it weigh on her with every step she took. The whispers had grown louder over the past few days, turning from vague suspicions to outright accusations. The more time passed, the more the fingers pointed in her direction. She couldn't escape the words that followed her everywhere.

"Traitor."

"Just like her father."

Each accusation cut deeper than the last, a steady drip of venom that eroded the small hope she had left. She kept her head down, trying to focus on her duties, but even those felt tainted by the stares that lingered on her back.

"Kat senpai."

She looked up, startled, to see Jean standing nearby. His expression was conflicted, like he didn't know whether to pity her or judge her. He opened his mouth, then hesitated.

"What is it, Jean?" Kat asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

"There's talk," he said quietly, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "The elders are meeting again. They're saying... they're saying you might be banished."

Kat's breath hitched. "Banishment? That's... that's not possible. I've done nothing wrong!"

Jean shrugged helplessly. "It doesn't matter what you've done. It's what they believe. The council is leaning on the idea that you're just like your father. If they decide that, you'll be sent beyond the walls."

Kat felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. The very idea of being cast out, left to fend for herself against titans, felt like a death sentence. "I'm not a traitor neither my father was," she whispered, more to herself than Jean.

"I know," Jean replied softly, but his eyes were filled with doubt, as if he wasn't sure what to believe anymore.

She shook her head and turned away. "Thanks for letting me know."

Later that day, Kat stood in the training yard, going through the motions of her drills, trying to block out the thoughts of the council, the accusations, and the weight pressing down on her. But it was impossible. Her focus was scattered, her movements sluggish.

"Keep your form tight."

Kat froze. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Levi. His voice, sharp and cold, had cut through the noise in her mind.

She slowly straightened and turned to face him. He stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. His eyes met hers, and for a brief second, she thought she saw something there—something other than the distance he had been showing her for weeks. But it was gone as quickly as it had come.

"Sloppy movements like that will get you killed," he said, his voice lacking any warmth. "If you can't even manage basic drills, it's no wonder the council is losing faith in you."

Kat clenched her fists. She knew what he was doing, playing his part to keep suspicion off him. But it still stung. "I'm doing the best I can," she muttered.

"Not good enough." Levi stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "The moment you hesitate, the moment you second-guess yourself, people die. Remember that."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, it was just the two of them in the quiet of the training yard, a million unsaid words hanging between them.

"I am not the enemy, Heichou," Kat said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Levi's expression didn't change, but his gaze lingered on her face for a second longer than necessary. "No," he said quietly. "You're not. But you better make sure the council knows that too."