Finding Strength [Attack on Titan Fanfic]

• Chapter Seventeen •

Kira shakily opened her eyes as she felt movement. Her vision refocused and blinked as she stared at the armored titan's neck. She looked around before her eyes widened. His hand was cupped against his neck, trapping her. She shifted before blinking as her arms were tied behind her and there was cloth in her mouth. She gave muffled profanities, glaring. She kicked at the armored skin, glaring. She groaned in frustration as this was getting her nowhere. She looked at the opening between one of his fingers and peered out. Where's Eren? She thought. She grunted as movement suddenly stopped. What's going on?

     She looked through the opening again before shrieking in fear as a titan's eye popped up. She moved farther back in the enclosed space, eyes wide. She then gasped as her legs began to get absorbed in Reiner's skin. She struggled against it, beginning to panic. No! Stop! She thought and gave muffled protests. She flinched as the armored titan's hands fell away from his neck before her eyes widened as he began to take the titans down that surrounded him. She looked around before spotting Bertholdt. She glared daggers at him before blinking as she saw Eren tied behind him. She looked out in the distance and smiled in relief as she saw the Survey Corps. Thank God! She thought.

     Kira watched them before her eyes widening as she saw Commander Erwin get taken by a titan, his arm caught in the titan's mouth. Her pupils shrunk and she trembled. Oh my God... no... why is this happening...? She thought. She clenched her teeth as she saw other soldiers get grabbed by titans and eaten. She looked away, eyes filled with sadness and rage. She blinked as she saw Ymir on Reiner's shoulder before blinking as she saw Christa. She gave muffled screams to get Christa's attention. Christa looked at her, her blue eyes widened before she looked away. Kira's eyes widened before they narrowed and she glared angrily.

     "I'm sorry, Kira. But I'm coming along with you guys." Christa said and looked at her.

     Kira could only glare at her, shaking her head in rage. She struggled to get her legs free but wasn't able to.

     "Eren! Kira!" Mikasa called as she shot her grappling hooks and flew in the air. She had her blades out and ready to kill anything in sight. She gave a battle cry and swooped down to attack Ymir. She growled in anger before blinking as Christa got in the way of her targeted area. She landed on the back of Reiner's head.

"Christa get out of the fucking way!" Mikasa snapped, glaring.

"No, Mikasa! You can't kill her! Please! She has to go with them and do this or she'll die!" Christa pleaded, her blue eyes wide.

"Tough shit. There's only so many lives I can give a damn about." Mikasa snapped, her gray eyes narrowed. "So either it's Eren and Kira or the bitch that I'm going to kill."

Christa's eyes widened. "No, Mikasa please." She tried to plead but Mikasa wasn't going to change her mind.

     Mikasa stared at Ymir, glaring daggers. "Looks like we know who you picked." She growled at Christa and leaped to attack Ymir. She gritted her teeth as Ymir jumped down with Christa holding onto her.

     Mikasa shot her grappling hooks onto Reiner before gasping and crying out in pain as a titan grabbed her.

     Kira's eyes widened in horror. She gave muffled cries as she struggled harder to get her legs free. She kicked as much as she could and looked over before sighing in relief as Jean swooped in and got Mikasa free from the titan's grasp. She blinked as the armored titan stopped running and stayed in place. She gasped as titans began to swarm him. She looked over as Armin then appeared on the side of Reiner's head. He stared down at Bertholdt before a menacing look appeared on his face.

"What is this Bertholdt?" Armin asked, his voice soft. "Are you really going to leave your comrade behind like that?" He asked. "What would Annie think of this?"

     Bertholdt's eyes widened at him before he glared, trembling as his rage began to bubble as Armin spoke of Annie.

     "As we speak she's being tortured underground. You can't possibly think of leaving her with that happening to her." Armin said, his blue eyes widened and darkened. "Oh but don't worry they're making sure not to kill her. The pain she's going through right now would be enough to drive anyone mad."

     "Shut up! You bastard! I'll kill you!" Bertholdt yelled in rage before gasping in pain as Commander Erwin appeared and slashed across his abdomen, setting Eren free.

     Mikasa swooped in and caught Eren while Commander Erwin landed on the horse. Armin quickly moved to Kira and tried to pierce the armored titan's skin. "It's not going through!" He said, worriedly.

     Kira looked at him, red eyes widened and beginning to water. Armin looked at her before quickly taking the clothe out of her mouth. "Forgive me." He said and pressed the blade to her arm. He pursed his lips, his hands trembling. His eyes were wide as he stared at the blade in his hands.

     Kira looked at him, eyes wide before she looked at him. "Do it Armin. Please! It's the only other option!" She said, pleadingly.

     Armin's hands shook more, his blue eyes beginning to water. "I can't! I can't do it! I can't hurt you! I'm sorry!" He cried.

     Kira looked at him, eyes wide before smiling softly. "It's okay." She whispered. She glanced behind him before her eyes widened as a titan's hand appeared. "Be ready with your ODM gear." She said. "I'll be okay."

     Before Armin could say anything Kira head butted him off the armored titan and just in time before he was grabbed by the titan. She watched as Armin used his ODM gear and maneuvered his way to safety as the others retreated. A tear ran down her cheek as she watched them flee, being able to hear Armin's cry. She bit the inside of her cheek and tried to bite harder but only failed, not being able to do it.

     "We'll soon meet. You'll see that this was the best choice for you."

     Kira squeezed her eyes shut as she heard the voice. She shakily opened her eyes as her head began to pound with pain. No... this is not the best choice... meet soon..? She thought to herself. She shook her head before pressing against the armored titan's neck as his hand came up to cover her again. Tears streamed down her face as she felt the armored titan begin to run. She dropped her head, shoulders shaking as she sobbed. She closed her eyes, letting her body slump. She softly hiccuped, trembling.

     "I look forward to meeting you."