AoT SnK: (Jean x OC) Something worth fighting for

Chapter Eighteen

                The morning of the expedition was busy, with everyone getting ready, preperations were underway. I hadn't seen Jean till we were all ready to leave wall Rose. Jean would look at me like he had something to say but held it in. We both knew now wasn't the time for private discussions. I smiled back at him before facing foraward, ready to venture beyond the walls. Our objective is to make it to Shiganshina and uncover the secrets of the titans. I stared at the back of commander Erwin's head. Commander Erwin...I entrust my life to you..

                Commander Erwin shouted the command to move out. I grinned at Jean before racing forward with the group. Papa's necklace bounced against me. Papa, Mama, Gem, watch over me today....I stared at the open land that was part of wall Maria. Rose rode to my left while Jean was to my right, riding next to them had made me some what comfortable. Rose seemed lost in thought as she took in the scenery of  Wall Maria. I didn't blame her, somehow i found myself lost in thought. My last memories of Papa had played through my mind.

                Papa wore his wings of freedom cloak over his soldier uniform, standing tall by the door as he smiled at Mama. "shush, don't cry Claire, you have too stay strong for the children. " he murmured. Gem, held my hand as we both looked up at Mama's crying face, and Papa's sad smile. "You aren't coming back are you?" she cried. Papa simply patted her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Have faith in me Claire, I'll return soon enough." Gem wobbled to Mama and hugged her leg in a failed attempt to comfort her. At least she was trying, and Mama knew it too. 

                Mama picked up Gem and held her close as she sobbed into Gem's tiny shoulder. I looked at Papa with my big pale blue eyes. "Papa where are you going?" Papa kneeled down and put his hand on my head, ruffling my light brown hair. "Papa is going to see the outside world Kat. I'm going to see life beyond these dusty walls. One day Kat, you'll leave these walls yourself.." Papa smiled down at me before placing a kiss on my forehead and turning back to Mama. Papa gave Mama his wings of freedom necklace and walked out of the door.

                ' You'll leave these walls yourself'    Papa's words echoed through my mind. I heard Jean shout to me. "Kat! The commander has ordered the formation!" I snapped back to reality, focusing on the plan and where i was stationed. It wasn't too far with Jean, but not close enough to talk to him. Our job was just to pass the flares back and  forth, sounded simple enough, if only it actually worked like that.

                I noticed some black flares, Variants..After a while the whole right flank stopped sending flares. This caused me to worry so i looked at my surroundings. Jean noticed something was wrong to and turned to look at me. Jean pointed in the direction Armin was stationed, I nodded back at him and followed close behind. I looked around for Rose but she had disappeared after we went into formation. Praying for her safety, i continued onward with Jean till we found Reiner and Armin. "Armin!" i shouted, relieved he was okay. 

                Armin began to talk about a female titan who must be looking for Eren. I gazed at the unique variant ahead of us, as Armin told us the plan. Distract the titan for as long as we can. I pulled my hood on and stayed next to Armin as instructed.  Jean was the first one to strike the titan, an attempt to that had failed, affirming that this titan was intelligent. Titan Shifter...I noticed the female titan turn around to Armin, preparing to strike. I have to help him! I jumped off my horse and glided over to Armin just as the female titan knocked us both back into the air and hitting the ground with a loud thud.

                "Kat! Armin!" Jean shouted. I lay there next to Armin, struggling to get up, trying to stay concious. "K-Kat.." Armin whispered. "Are you okay Armin?" i whispered. I felt the titan shifter stand behind me as it took a closer look checking if either of us were Eren. "I'm sorry i couldn't get to you fast enough Armin.." I wheezed as I fell unconcious. I wasnt quick enough to help Armin..I'm sorry...

                                *Jean's POV* 

                I watched as Armin and Kat were hit and flying through the air. Kat did her best to reach Armin and wrap her arms around him, attempting to block him from the blow. Even in her attempts, they both hit their heads hard on the ground. Kat tried to prop herself up on her elbow but went limp and fell back to the ground. Reiner attempted to hit the female titan but she grabbed him quickly. Just when we thought he had been crushed by the female titan, Reiner cut the titan shifter's fingers, jumping to the ground and picking up Armin and Kat.

                Reiner handed Kat to me as we ran off too a safe distance. Finding shelter between a few trees, Reiner bandaged Armin's head and Kat's head, arm and ankle. Kat was slipping in and out of conciousness, every now and then talking to us but passed out shortly after. I sighed and called for our horses. Reiner's was the only horse that we had, and surely that wouldnt be enough to carry all four of us. My thoughts were on Kat's condition, was she going to be okay? would we have to leave her behind till we got help? I really hope it doesnt come to that...

                                *Kat's POV*

                Everytime i would wake up, I'd get a sharp pain in my head, I couldn't move my arm or ankle without cringing.  I would ask the others question but slip back into unconciousness before i'd get an answer. Finally woke up again when Armin,Jean, and Reiner were discussing who should stay behind. I struggled to stand up, almost falling back down, but managed to use a tree for some support. "Where's my horse?" I murmured. Reiner and Armin looked back at me, surprised to see me standing. I clutched my arm in pain as i turned my body to face them.

                Before Armin could answer me, Jean called out "Some one is out in the distance!" We all turned our attention towards the mystery rider with two horses, both Armin and Jean's. I sighed with relief as Krista rode up to us. "Everyone ar you okay?" she asked. The boys nodded while i just smiled back at her. I fought to stay focused but my vision was blurry and everyone's words were muffled. I forced my mind to focus as Krista said. "Thank goodness everyone is okay." The sun shined brilliantly against her, making her look like some angel. The boys stood there staring at her, while i sat back and sighed. Oh pleeeaaassse.

                Armin offered me to ride with him but Jean came up behind me and said "Kat will ride with me." Armin looked at me then back at Jean, before nodding. Jean guided me to his horse, which i appreciated because my vision got worse and worse with each step i took. "I-I can get on myself.." I murmured. I tried jumping onto the horse but fell back instead, clutching my head with my good arm. "I got you.." Jean whispered while catching me. Jean helped me onto the horse and sat behind me, keeping me safe in his arms, making sure i wouldn't fall off.

                I rested my head against his chest, ignoring the stares from Krista, Reiner, and Armin. We began to ride off, I held my injured arm close to my chest, wanting to keep it from moving as much as possible. Jean ocassionally looked down at me with a worried expression, I wanted to tell him i was okay, but my head began to hurt before making me pass out. The ride to the forest was all a blur, making me frustrated that I couldn't stay awake. Kat..wake up..I heard a familiar voice whisper in my sleep. I wish i could, but i just can't.