Outside the Walls (Attack on Titan fanfiction)

Chapter 11- Crash and Burn

So... she must have had Aya when she was... 19, I think. Hanji was deep in thought, bent over a book. Her hand was furiously scribbling her theories and notes. But... who's the father? We never bothered to ask before. The brown eyed woman stopped, then sat back and put her fingers through her hair, making her ponytail come loose.

And now we won't be able to. Hanji sighed and fastened her hair again. A few quick knocks made her look up. The door opened, revealing Ayano and Levi. Hanji closed her book and grinned at them.

"And for what do I owe the pleasure?" She said, standing up and stretched her long body, looking down at the two exceptionally short people.

"It's your turn." Levi said, tossing the end of the leash to Hanji. She looked at him quizzically. "Tell her what she'll be doing on the expedition." Levi then marched away and grumbled about having to watch over two brats.

Hanji then smiled down at Ayano. Despite her expressionless face, her eyes were alert and attentive. Usually they would hold no interest whatsoever. "Very well! Let's start with your notebook." The woman bent down to reach one of her lower drawers, letting go of the leash temporarily. She opened it, revealing dozens of books of every size. She took out a book bound in green leather and another wrapped in blue material. She handed them to Ayano.

"The green one is where you'll write all of your findings. Everything from what you ate for breakfast, to the memories that resurface and what happens when you're with the titans. You need to catalogue everything. Heck, I can't begin to tell you how important it is that you write down every single little detail!" Hanji's face turned serious. "Do you understand?"

Ayano nodded, holding the green book tightly. "I'll take it everywhere with me. Promise." Hanji smiled.

"Great! The blue one is for drawings." The Squad Leader gestured to a piece of paper and handed Ayano some graphite. "How's your drawing skill?"

The short girl blinked a few times, then shrugged and sat down in front of the paper. She stared at the blank piece of paper, not knowing how to show her skills.

If she had any.

A thought struck her mind like lightning and her hand moved on its own. A face so familiar to her started to form on the paper, Hanji looking over her shoulder in awe. Her mouth hung open when Ayano sat back after a while.

The person on the paper was staring critically at them, his cold eyes a perfect replica of the real person. Ayano had drawn Levi perfectly. Hanji squealed at this and clapped.

"Oh, it's like I'm staring at his stupid eyes for real! Where did you learn to draw like that?" Hanji's eyes sparkled at Ayano through the glasses.

"I have a... theory... that like my memories, my skills are resurfacing."

"Aah." Hanji then took the paper. "Well, that's great! Now your findings can be better, since your sketches will be accurate." Glasses squinted at the drawn Levi. "And you can do it quickly. That's another advantage." Hanji smiled down at Ayano. "This will be terrific! Humanity will really get another chance because of you, Ayano."

Ayano was surprised at first, then she smiled at Hanji ever so slightly. "Thanks. It's nice to know I'm more than a burden." Hanji stared at the titan shifter, then practically pounced on her and hugged her tightly.

"Ooh~! Don't say that! You're another step forward for humanity! Another titan shifter is... is..." Hanji stopped and looked at Ayano. Her blank and somewhat cold demeanour was back. Looks like she reverted back to her other self... Hanji thought. Now the Squad Leader just smiled lightly and took hold of Ayano's leash again.