Memories that Bind Us {Levi x OC}

Chapter Six {Ascent}

Anna brushed herself off as she struggled to get back to her feet. Heavy breaths escaped her dry lips as she set sights on her target: Levi. Three full months had passed since the anniversary of Anna's arrival and Levi had been helping to increase her combat skills and strength at every possible hour. No longer was she someone who couldn't put up a fight, but someone who could at the very least fight off someone her own size.

A lot of thought and effort had gone into the training schedule that Levi had Anna on. He never went easy on the girl, never giving an inch when they had their mock fights. Ever since that day under the sun, he knew that her goal was to land a hit on him so they could go above ground. Levi wanted to make sure she earned that strike.

It felt odd for Furlan and Isabel to see the most inexperienced of the group to become so adept in combat, but agreed it was the best choice for her own protection. Despite becoming more competent with her fists, she still had her innocent charm, constantly smiling and laughing with everyone in the room.

Anna looked ahead, charging towards her opponent; determination filling her deep green eyes. She held one first close for defence and out of for offence as she'd been taught. Levi stood his ground as she approached, analysing her movements. She was far more balanced than when they had first started, and her attacks were far sharper. It was clear she was now thinking carefully about her actions.

Using the speed she had gained from her training, she attempted to throw Levi off guard by changing the direction of her movement. The man raised a brow at the new technique but again managed to easily return her to the dirt beneath them. She groaned on impact, but like every other time, she prepared herself to go again.

"You're getting better," Levi commented. Out of breath, Anna simply nodded, "Your stance is getting stronger and you're making smarter decisions."

"W-why aren't I-I g-getting clo-ser?" Anna asked in between heavy breaths. Her usual cheery tone was gone and replaced by a determined and frustrated one. Levi, as she asked, brushed out the creases in his sleeves.

"It won't happen immediately. It takes a lot of fucking practice to learn all this shit," he explained. She nodded and took a deep breath. "You're making progress and for now that's all that matters for now. Let's go again."

Anna again set up her stance when Levi noticed a fault in it, "You're footing's wrong." Anna looked down and frowned as she searched for the problem. Levi sighed as he walked over to her, "Have your back foot slightly further back and be on the balls of your feet. It gives you more speed." Anna did as instructed, getting ready to charge forward once more.

Levi could see something was different this time. With that one change, he anticipated that her speed would cause fending her off to be a pain. He could also recognise the focused flame held in her gaze; it was the same he had when he was in her shoes.

As anticipated, Anna pushed off faster than any prior attempt as if she were flying towards him. Levi set his stance appropriately but was caught off guard when Anna changed her direction a second time. He didn't realise that she had picked up the techniques that Furlan often used when the two men sparred.

As she landed a hit to his side, Anna jumped back from Levi and grinned, "I got you!" She cheered as much as she could between heavy breaths. Levi barely flinched, dusting off the spot on his shirt where she made contact.

"You got me because of speed, but there was no strength in the hit," Levi commented, dampening the high spirits of Anna, "But you're getting there. Remember, it's going to take time, and I won't go easy on you."

"I know; I'll keep practicing so I can protect not just myself but you guys as well," Anna said as her honest smile returned to her face, making Levi's knees grow weak. As the months passed on, he had noticed more occasions where the little things his companion did caused unwanted emotions, unwanted weakness. No matter how logical his thoughts, his feelings didn't follow them.