A Wall Of Blue Roses(Un Mur de Roses Bleues)

Returning To HQ

The sun was beginning to set as the Survey Corps were set to return to HQ. It was something they dreaded so much as crowds of people would gather to see them return. As they were on their way, they were greeted with crowds of people who were already waiting, lining the streets to watch the cadets and their leaders returning. They always did and with them, there was always going to be disappointed looks and remarks coming from the civilians.

(Listen all you people)

(Try and understand)

(You may be a soldier)

(Woman, child or man)

(But there won't be many coming home)

(No, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many)

(Maybe ten out of twenty)

(But there won't be many coming home)

Belle sadly hung her head down, choosing not to pay attention to the comments, the citizens were throwing the Survey Corps' way.

(Now the old folks will remember)

(On that dark and dismal day)

(How their hearts were choked with pride)

(As their children marched away)

(Now the glory is all gone)

(They are left alone)

(And there won't be many coming home)

(No, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many)

(Maybe five out of twenty)

(But there won't be many coming home)

The cadets' hearts felt like dropping to the pits of their stomachs as some of the citizens began mourning the losses of their sons and daughters who were cadets of the Scouting Legion, their lives taken away thanks to the Titans.

(Look real closely at the soldier)

(Coming at you through the haze)

(He may be the younger brother who ran away)

(And before you kill another)

(Listen to what I say)

(Oh, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many)

(There may be not any)

(But there won't be many coming home)

Belle's eyes shot open as she heard a voice praising her and the others. She turned and saw it belonged to a small girl standing with her big brother, both smiling. She exchanged a small one in return.

(If they all came back but one)

(He was still some mother's son)

(And there won't be many coming home)

Feeling a hand touching her shoulder, Belle turned to see Kristof offering a comforting smile at the bittersweet time. Belle smiled in return as the continued riding back to HQ to rest and recover.

(Oh, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many coming home)

(Oh, there won't be many coming home...)

~~~

"Thank all that is good, this expedition's done with." Iona sighed, having changed into her nightclothes after washing in her bathroom.

"You're telling me." Remarked Ymir, stretching.

"I feel so sorry for those poor cadets." Piped up Christa, sadly, tears ready to start oozing out of her crystal blue eyes and roll down her cheeks. Ymir saw this and pulled the petite blonde into a comforting embrace, allowing her to cry into her shoulder as she whispered words of comfort to her.

Belle was somehow too miserable to speak. She couldn't help but feel terrible that she couldn't save that soldier from arriving at death's door as Lorenzo passed by and noticed her.

"I know it hurts, cara. But he died a hero's death. You mustn't blame yourself." Lorenzo placed his hands on her shoulders in a reassuring way.

"Merci, Lorenzo."

"Nessun problema." The squad leader replied. "Now, off to bed. It's getting late."

Belle nodded and bade the others goodnight. Once she arrived in her room and got into bed, she began to ponder on whatever became of her brother and her hidden sentiments for Levi. Whatever could they mean? Was there something new about her bound to be revealed?

Questions in her mind, she now feared, might never be answered. And just like that, not only did she have to protect herself, her brother or everyone she cared about, but her heart.