Dangit, Erwin

Chapter 1: Missing Commanders

Checking around to see how the cleaning was going, Levi took a close look at how well of a job the recruits were doing.

Levi felt like snapping each one of their brooms or chucking whatever they were using out the window, and cleaning it up himself. No matter how long each one of the brats took they still couldn't clean for shit.

Five times. Levi had told Eren five times to go back to the upstairs bathroom and clean it again. It got to the point where he scolded the cadet for doing a lousy cleaning job and telling him he'd better at least do a semi-good job in the dining room.

Everyone else was doing a decent job. Armin was a smart kid and picked up on Levi's expectations, and Mikasa was pretty good at getting all the dust. Other cadets had their on and off moments like Sasha. Levi had heard about her problem so he purposefully assigned her everywhere else but the kitchen. Though he still had to keep an eye on her because he's already had to yank her out of the kitchen seven times.

It's only noon. They started cleaning the moment the sun rose. Who the hell needs to eat that much? (Sasha apparently)

The captain woke them all up, saying the place had gotten out of hand and it was time everyone pitched in and did something about it. That and so far their assistance wasn't needed today. Some, half awake and barely conscious, dared to glare at him for waking them up so early while others moved on without a question.

Hange gave him a confused look, "but spring cleaning isn't for another few weeks." Levi shoved a mop and pail in her hands.

"Blame the number of messy brats that's running around. If we wait any longer we'll have to burn the place for it to be fully clean." He told her with his usual scowl and walked off. Anyone who's ever worked with the captain would know that he was a clean freak. What they don't know is that cleaning is also the way he deals with his worry and stress.

When word came at eight o'clock that Commander Erwin Smith was M.I.A. everyone but Levi was surprised.

---
"What do they mean Erwin is M.I.A.? I didn't realize he was called out." Eren said to those he trained with. Armin nodded, cleaning out his mares horseshoes. Jean carried a large sack of oats over his shoulder and opened his stallion's stall using his foot. Sasha, being who she is, was eating one of the carrots that was meant for her horse. Jean swore he saw her horse glance longingly at the orange and green vegetable.

"Maybe we missed the announcement? Technically they don't have to tell us shit. All they really have to do is point us in the direction of the nearest titan and explain the plan to us. If we aren't needed then why tell us?" Connie pointed out while grooming his horse.

"But Erwin is our commander. Without knowing where he went we can't help him out!" Mikasa put a hand on Eren's shoulder.

"Nobody knows what the hell goes on in the commander's head. He always has hidden purposes that he fails to share with the class! He knew that the female titan was human and yet he neglected to give us that bit of information." Jean argued, pouring the oats for his horse. The sound of a door slamming made everyone in the barn halt in their chores. Sasha bit into another carrot nervously as she watched their short captain march over in their direction.

They all prepared to get yelled at; Sasha clutched her carrot tightly as if he was going to take it away. To their surprise he stalked right past them, not even sparing them a glance and stopped in front of his horse's stall. He didn't speak, just continued to stare at his horse for a moment as if he was contemplating something. Instead he grabbed the pale next to the stall and walked back out, this time ripping the carrot out of Sasha's hands with great speed and tossing it to her horse. Sasha, too shocked by the sudden movement, didn't have time to glare at her horse when it happily caught the last bit in its mouth.

Armin looked over towards the captain's horse. 'He was contemplating whether or not he should do something. And whatever that something is it involved his horse. If only I could understand Captain Levi better.' It's always hard to tell what the captain is thinking with his always expressionless face and lack of talking. Well...unless he's criticizing someone or they decided to get on his nerves.

"We all agree that was odd right?" Connie asked. Jean shrugged his shoulders and went back to what he was doing.

"Yeah, well he's always odd if you haven't noticed."