"Ackerman! How do you expect to protect this brat if the mere mention of his name causes you to be distracted!" Levi was scolding Mikasa for failing today's round of training.

No reply came from Mikasa. She just lowered her head and walked towards the door to get her injuries treated. Levi questioning her ability to protect Eren had wounded her pride. What's worse is that she agreed with him. I won't be able to protect Eren. I've pretty much failed. An aura of sadness was emanating from her. The aura wasn't what got Eren's attention, the fact that her lips were bleeding had him burning on the inside.

"Jaeger you're next!" Levi ordered.

"Y-yes sir!" Eren stepped forward.

Fuck! Jean and Armin thought. They knew all too well that Eren was just as protective of Mikasa as she was protective of Eren. Eren just made every effort to keep this a secret since he knew how it hurt to let Mikasa, the one he should be protecting, protect him. He usually let her do things he was confident she could handle. He never wanted to hurt her, emotionally or physically, unless it was for her own good.

Eren first took his usual stance. Then he began wildly jabbing and performing his usual attacks.

Predictable. Levi thought. When will this brat ever-

The sound of Mikasa slamming the door behind her registered into both their ears.

Eren's fighting technique and strength changed. He cancelled his wild left hook. Immediately, his right hand moved towards Levi in a chop, using gravity to his advantage.

That's nothing. Levi was unimpressed. I'll just block with my left then counterattack with my right.

It was a good plan... until Eren's chop made contact with a force he had not anticipated. Levi was nearly knocked off balance.

What the fuck!? He swore to himself. There was no time. Levi raised his defense. He was a professional, he had a defensive posture prepared just in case he had no time to think in a fight. He noticed Eren moving towards him, fast.

Is he coming in for a left hook, right jab or a tackle? Levi came to the realization that this was a different Eren. He's coming for a Left Hook! He decided in a fraction of a second. I'll kick your feet from under you when I'm done blocking your Left Hook, brat!

Eren proceeded with the left hook. Eren's left hook pushed Levi's right arm out of the way. Levi wasn't in a position to get to Eren's feet. He had no defense on his right at all.

Eren pushed forward. Using his legs to help power his next attack.

The last thing Levi saw was Eren's left elbow heading towards his face while he was defenseless. He found himself on the dirt moments later, unable to grasp the reality of what just happened.

Eren helped him up. "Heichou, please hold back when you're practicing with Mikasa." Levi looked at Eren. "I know you hate losing but there's no need to hurt her too much."

Eren's eyes gave off a different kind of aura, an aura like Levi's.

"O-okay."

That day the wolf received a grim reminder of how far the savage dog was willing to go for his mate.