Chasing Ghosts [Attack on Titan](Wattys 2014 Winner)

Chapter twenty-five- I'll teach you!

Chapter twenty five

I don’t know how long I stood out there, but soon my eyes grew droopy and I went inside climbing up the stairs as quietly as I could. I slipped into my room flopping down in the bed closing my eyes and drifting off

~~

I awoke the next day shifting and looking out the window into the day. It was cloudy and I could almost smell the rain. I sat up slowly my hair was a tousled mess on my head. I grumbled, brushing it out. Sometimes being a girl was hard. I changed into my jacket and pants, pulling on the straps over my chest.  I went downstairs, everyone was already down there. “You're up late.” Said Erwin as I walked down the steps. I rubbed my eyes and yawned “I am?” I asked. He nodded “Its eleven.” I blinked “Whoa nelly.” He raised his eyebrow at me “Whoa nelly? That’s the first time I've heard that.” I got some food and sat across from him. “It’s better then swearing, right?” I said though a mouth-full. He chuckled, and gave me a half smile. “That’s true.” I finished up and looked over at the others. Gunter, Eld and Levi were chatting quietly. Oluo and Petra looked to be bickering over something. I smiled softly watching them. The golden haired commander followed my gaze “They'll make a great team one day, thanks to you.” He said looking over at me.

I looked up at him slightly surprised “Levi has no interest in friends.” I said. Erwin looked down at his drink swishing the liquid around in the white mug. “Maybe so,  but people change.” I listened, there was something in his words that I couldn't quite get. A hidden meaning perhaps..? I just nodded in agreement “Hmm.” I said quietly.  I gazed at them as the sunlight streamed through the window illuminated the group in gold and white. They would grow into great warriors; I could see it by the way they acted.  “Perhaps some team building exercises?” I said to the commander who just nodded at me. I eyed him “Your quiet today, what’s up?” He blinked blankly at me “I'm just thinking.” He said. Erwin got up “Everyone, outside. Five minutes.” He left me without a word. I frowned slightly but thought nothing of it, I'm sure he must have been worried about me. I knew that Tamaki wouldn't give me a bad grade. I went outside and stood next to him while the trainees filed out. “Today, we will be pairing you up into groups of five.” He said. “Basic team work and communication is necessary for a smooth journey.” He said  “Petra, Oluo, Gunther, Eld and Levi will be working with Alya.”  Erwin looked over at me and I nodded going to my group.

Levi grumbled and rolled his eyes but Petra greeted me with a grin. Erwin grouped off the others and off we went. I decided to take them to an open space to see if they could learn to work together were there gear would be almost useless.  I stood in front of the five “Alright, I want to see how you'll work together if you can’t get away using buildings or trees.” I said. I knew how to do this, but I wanted to see what they could do. The four nodded and Levi let out a loud yawn “Whatever.” He grumbled. I scowled at him, noticing a flash of brown and green eyes in the distance. Of course, Tamaki would be watching us.

“All right. Let’s imagine there is a titan after you and one of your team makes- Petra, is out of gas. Go.” I said the five raced across the grass there were a few small trees on the out skirts of the field and I guessed that’s what they were going for. I watched them, Petra keeping up just fine but as the four used there gas and wires to get into a small tree they left their team mate on the ground. She looked at me for help and I sighed, running towards them my scarlet hair flying out behind me. I grabbed the girls waste and flew myself into the tree. “That was terrible.” I said “I might not be around, you have to work together.” I said. Levi rolled his eyes “Try again.” We returned to the starting point “Let’s see if you can do it with even less gas. Everyone remove one of your canisters.” I ordered. Gunther gave me a look like I was completely insane but did as he was ordered. Levi frowned but behaved. “Ok go.” I said they ran towards the trees again, I frowned slightly. “Stop.” I ordered, they all skidded to a halt and looked back at me. “Don’t use the trees.” Levi sighed loudly “Then how do we get away smart one.” He growled.