A/N: Looks who's still alive, me that's who. Sorry about the random disappearance my laptop just completely died and I needed to get a new one haha. Thanks for reading and stuff last time~ Anyway, here we go, new chapter. Just another quick note, sentences/dialogue in italics is a memory, dream or letter. Also for new readers/old ones this chapter has new content now, just putting that out there. Feel free to drop in a review to tell me your thoughts on it!

Erwin ran a single hand through his hair in an attempt to smooth it down. The spring morning felt more like one in winter once the wind had picked up, disturbing the ashes that had laid still and silent in the empty ruins of the mountain town. The air was thick with it and a couple of people had been fining it difficult to breath and several soldiers had gotten more than an eye full of it. This was the part of the job that he hated the most: clean up.

There was one major difference with this situation which he hadn't quite decided if it was good or not. There were no bodies. Not even the remains of one could be found. Some were probably cremated by the fires and he guessed the demon had taken the rest away to eat. That was the funny thing about demons, they either left their entire bloody mess behind or simply vanished without a trace.

The soldiers were out scanning the entire area for any signs of the beast. Luckily, the town wasn't that big. This district was mostly reliant upon fishing, farming and mining. The mountains were rich in ore and rare minerals, the ground was fertile enough and the salmon trade was booming. Usually this would pump a lot of money into the local communities but, that wasn't the case. The land owners in this district were money grabbing pigs. If Erwin was a betting man he'd put all the money he had on the owner of this town not even noticing it had been burnt to the ground. What was one less derelict farming town after all?

'I'll kill and destroy as much as I can...'

Those few words echoed through his mind. There was no possible way that person had done this. This wasn't their kind of style. They were more subtle like a deadly poison seeping into your blood and killing you from the inside out. Not pleasant but, not over the top. No, this had been a normal demon after all. He sighed deeply leaning back against the tree not truly paying attention to any dirt that it would acquire in doing so.

"Lean against the damned tree, you can wash your fucking jacket yourself later."

He was still nagging him even being so very far away. He really missed that little sod. He looked up acknowledging the approaching Hanji as she approached from afar. Before he could even ask her how the survivors were, her mouth was already running as if she knew exactly what he was about to say.

"The kids are fine. No need to worry though, the kiddo who got burnt up will be fine with lost of rest and good care. You know, I just as surprised as you are that he even survived such extensive burns as well, I mean... I reckon there's more to this that what meets the eye."

He hummed in agreement, studying her for several seconds.

"You have an idea already don't you?"

"Well... I... it's not really anything yet but, I think we should keep a very close eye on all of them, especially the blond kid."

He slightly tilted his head to the side, a gesture he often used to indicate that he was interested in the subject at hand.

"I've not thought too much into it, you've just got to trust me on this."

He could see the eagerness in her eyes and also how much she was pleading him. At last he shook his head and sighed.

"Fine. I'll wait for the explanation but, you are not to do anything without my express permission, understood?"

The smile that crept onto her face after those words sent a shiver down his spine. He knew she was up to something and that something would probably cost them. He knew she wouldn't intentionally harm anyone but, her experiments were usually disastrous. The most recent one had left a distinct scent of rotting eggs lingering in the air around their headquarters.

She happily skipped away, that big grin still plastered across her face. It was all he could to call after her not to set much on fire this time.

Eren lingered at the doorway of the small cramped horse drawn coach. Mikasa had fallen asleep after having been awoke earlier than what she had been used to. He was carefully watching the strange woman chatter to the blond man who had gotten off from his horse to help them. He guessed that man was the leader, after all, he had been leading the group here and now everyone seemed to be asking him for permission to go somewhere or do something. He seemed kind enough, but there was something just not right about him.

Hanji on the other hand seemed really genuine about everything she did. He saw her turn and come bouncing back to where he was. He quickly slipped back inside plopping back down on the section of makeshift bed they had been given while they rested. He didn't know what was going to happen next. He knew they couldn't just be abandoned here alone. The soldiers would mos likely take them to the city and dump them all in an orphanage. Of course Armin would be taken to a hospital or something. He hoped that they wouldn't be separated. If they did he didn't know what he'd do.

He looked over at his friends sleeping without a care in the world and suddenly realized how tired he was as well. It would be so nice to just slip off into a blissful slumber but, he didn't want to. He needed to stay awake in case his father came back. In case the demon came back.

He yawned, stretching his weak arms above his head in a reaching manner. They had already been treated to food even if it was all canned and preserved. He felt like he hadn't eaten in weeks and he was glad to accept it. He was used to not having much to eat as most of the food they could get was far too expensive and any vegetables they grew in their small farm were sold to the landowner so he could then send it to the big cities.

Eren was just dozing off when there were shouts from outside. He jumped up immediately, fully alert all thoughts of sleep gone from his mind. He slowly made his way to the door, peeping around the corner. People we're rushing around, panicked expressions on their faces. Everything seemed so fast moving and it made his head spin. He had never seen anything like this before. Everything he knew was slow moving, peaceful and calm. This mess was out of control.

Hanji had been stood beside the coach. She gently ruffled his hair before quickly pushing him back inside.

"You'll wanna stay put for a while, kiddo. This is about to get nasty." She told him, becoming rather serious.

"What happened?" He asked trying to keep the fear from seeping into his voice.

"Something is coming. We don't know what, we don't know where from. Just something is coming and it's angry."

She ran a hand through her hair before looking round the corner of the door.

"Look after your friends okay? There's gonna be a lot of loud noises and they'll probably wake up."

She turned and began walking away. Eren suddenly noticed the gun she was carrying. They were going to fight this something. This could be the very last time he could see this strange woman with her bubbly nature and bright smiles.

"Please don't die." He whispered barely audible.

She turned and flashed him a big grin.

"I'll be back. Keep that door shut, okay. Don't come out until I say so."

He nodded, carefully pulling the little door closed before heavily sitting down next to Armin again. He took several deep breaths. He was terrified. He had no father to come and tell him a story when he'd had a bad dream, no mother to sing him to sleep. They could die. They could all die. He rubbed his eyes fiercely, determined not to cry. If he cried then he'd look weak in front of his friends. He was the one who had to protect them after all.

A small cold hand went up to his cheek, causing him to stop all movements. He removed his hands from his eyes which were now red and bleary, to look down at Mikasa, her eyes peeping out from under her dark hair.

"It's okay to cry." She whispered, "It's no use to hold everything in, you'll just hurt yourself."

It was a could of seconds before he noticed that he had begun crying. He quickly tried to rub them away again but, was caught by Mikasa again. She shook her head slightly, telling him no. Eren sighed and lowered his hands calming down slightly.

"There's a demon coming." He said as if he were discussing the weather.

"I know. I heard."

He nodded laying down on the thick covers all the weariness from before coming back. Just as he was drifting off the first gunshots began ringing out.

The beast had come bringing with it clouds of dark black mist that had all but eliminated visibility. Soldier's were falling left right and centre. Chances of survival were diminishing fast. Erwin and Hanji stood back to back, both tired from the fight, both praying for help. Another scream echoed off to the left of them followed by a sickening crunch as the body of a new cadet was torn in two.

"Oh God." Hanji whispered, clutching her gun closer to her body.

She was shaking in fear. Never in all her days had she fought a demon like this. Never in all her days had she fought something so... powerful! The mist was dense and black as night so she couldn't even see where she was shooting. For all she knew she could of shot a few soldiers.

"Hey... Erwin. If we die here... I want to tell you something."

"What?"

He sounded tired behind her and defiantly deserved a rest if they lived. Hell, all of them could.

"It wasn't your fault... none of it was your fault, okay? I forgive you."

He laughed and without even seeing him she knew he was shaking his head in denial.

"You should try telling that to the demon out there."

"I'll try because here it comes!"

The beast was swift, dashing through the mist with ease. It tore apart anything in it's way, flinging the bodies in any direction. Hanji felt the cold dread set into her as it sped right towards her. Suddenly she felt a cold rush of air as it sailed right over her head, elegant black feathered wings lifting it's body right off the ground. She heard Erwin gasp behind her. They had been spared.

"What... is that thing?" She asked to the black mist.

"I think you know better than me."

Her eyes went wide and she nearly dropped her gun as she sunk to her knees. This couldn't be happening. This was just not right. It was like it was happening again.

The others had left about five hours ago bust she refused to move. She wouldn't leave her friend like this. She refused to leave. She didn't care how grave the injuries or how long she would have to wait, she would not leave. It as wrong. It was so so wrong. Just because the damned walls collapsed upon their friend and nearly crushed them the others were just going to leave.

She could hear the laboured breathing and smell the terrible stench of blood but, she wouldn't leave. She couldn't force herself to move even if she wanted to. Even when that broken body became twisted, black wings arching gracefully away from it's body, long claws extending from it's hands and pale eyes turning red with rage.

She felt someone grab her as she sat in horror watching the terrible creature before her. She couldn't look away, couldn't do anything.

Hanji was so deeply lost in her own disbelief that she didn't even notice Erwin fall with a grunt beside her or see the demon looming over her.

She looked up deep into it's eyes and it looked back.

"I'm sorry." She said simply.

"I know." It replied.

Then it was gone, vanishing into the dissipating black mist to haunt her nightmares again, silently watching. Always watching with those sad, lonely blood red eyes. She felt the hot tears begin to trickle down her cold cheeks and then began to sob.

"I'm so sorry... I couldn't even save you."

Erwin rolled on to his side, wincing in pain. He looked over at Hanji curled in a ball, completely in hysterics. He had forgotten that she had seen it all, she had seen the change. They never spoke of it, never even mentioned it. He knew she didn't forgive him, he didn't forgive himself but, they were alive. He dragged himself over, body protesting in pain and gently rubbed her back. She bounced out of her protective ball and latched onto him, arms gripping onto him as she bawled into his shirt.

He he carefully hugged her back, trying to calm her down the best he could.

After about half an hour, Hanji had calmed immensely and had begun counting casualties and treating the wounded. They had lost many good soldiers. She had been quite content to work on her own before a new cadet had come over and just begun helping her out. He seemed to know what he was doing and knew plenty about medicine. He said his parents were doctors. Moblit was his name if she remembered correctly. He would make a good assistant eventually.

That was how she found herself, cleaning her glasses and going to check on the kids. She know knew who and what the demon was so she knew that they would be fine. Always seemed to have a soft spot for kids. She knocked once on the door before opening it. The girl and boy with brown hair were fast asleep but, the injured child was wide awake, probably startled by the guns.

"Hey, you feeling better now?"

He nodded quickly, smiling up at her. She smiled back pushing all memory of the awful experience from her mind.

"Sorry about all the noise before, did it wake you up?"

"Yup but, I'm glad you didn't get hurt. It must have been scary, I know I was scared when the demon came too."

She ruffled his hair affectionately with a short laugh.

"It'll be okay now. We'll be leaving soon and you can come live with me in the big city. Does that sound like fun?"

He nodded again, smile lighting up his face and let a genuine grin creep onto her face. At least something good had come from this whole ordeal. She ruffled his hair a second time before pushing up her glasses which had been slowly slipping down her nose. She noted that they had a thin layer of grime that she would have to clean off again later. In fact if she remembered correctly, she had been needing to give them a good scrub for a while now.

'A piss poor attempt.' she thought to herself, mimicking those words that had been said over and over.

She set about gathering stray covers and pillows that had been either kicked or thrown away in the children's sleep while the blond child with his intense blue eye watched her intently. She wondered how a person his age and in this kind of setting could have such a vibrant colour to his eyes. To her struggling mind at this moment he looked like he had just stepped over the borders of reality and fairytale. He was like summer in the midst of winter. Bright and colourful among bleak and monochrome surroundings. This child was much different than his two friends.

She cast her gaze other the other two, curled up side by side in a deep slumber. The boy who had run up to them seeking help was known as Eren she had found. He was brash and rather bold and had picked several fights with the girl in their group. He was a nice boy though, genuinely kind and very protective over his friends. He had been told that his mother had died and that had seemed to of made him a little lost she supposed. His father had apparently escaped but, was nowhere to be found. If the demon the day before hadn't tracked the good doctor down, he was certainly dead now.

Hanji didn't know much about the girl, Mikasa. So far she had been mostly silent apart from silencing Eren when he tried to argue with her. She also seemed very protective of her friends, always silently watching them with a calm steady gaze. She had refused to leave the blond boy's side (whose name Hanji couldn't quite remember at the moment. She wasn't good with stuff like that) even when she was offered to have a look at all their equipment and even warm food while Hanji was having a look at he extent of the boy's injuries. Eren had of course stayed too. She had a feeling that where ever one went the other would follow.

There was a quick knock at the door and she carefully looked through the little window to see Moblit stood there looking rather awkward. He had probably come for some medical supplies or something. She unlocked the door and greeted him with a big smile although she certainly wasn't smiling on the inside.

Covers? Oh right that's what the poor lad wanted. She shaved the pile she had collected into his arms and he thanked her kindly taking it over to the make shift medical tent they had erected. The man looked slightly bemused before returning back where he went came from. She sighed deeply and put a hand to her head. Today of all days.

She had to wonder why that demon in the black mist attacked them. What was the purpose? What did it want? Why was it here?! Did it forgive her for her sins or did it simply come to torment her? Countless nights she'd spent reliving those moments of laboured breathing and muted whimpering. The person who existed before the demon wasn't there any longer, she knew that but, it had seemed so human! Looking into those eyes, those eyes filled with pain and malice and sorrow and every emotion in between! It was human it was too human to be real.

"Are you okay?"

The small timid voice broke her from her panic. She turned, sweat rolling down her brow and fixed her eyes onto the boy across the room. Worry was clearly worn on his face, his eyes betraying his concern. She took several deep breaths, steadying herself as she stood up straighter. Hanji hadn't realized that she had slumped against the wall of the enclosed space and found herself very embarrassed by the whole ordeal. She smiled thinly.

"I'm okay, not great but, okay."

That eased the boy's worry a little and she was glad to see his frown straighten out. He didn't look good with such a face. She smiled a little wider this time pushing up her glasses again. She plopped herself down ungracefully onto the floor next to him. At least she could make him smile even if she couldn't make anyone else do so.

Looking at him up close, she could see his features more clearly. His hair was a light natural blond and his eyes really were the brightest colour of blue she had ever seen. She thought that Erwin's eyes were really bright but, this kids were so alive and filled with emotion. She could tell he was slightly underweight from probably not having enough to eat most days. Winter had just passed and the animals around these parts would all be in hibernation or will of moved on so hunting would have been poor for the last few months. Of course nothing could be grown in the winter so they would have had to spend all their savings on food and drink over the cold period.

He looked up at her in curiosity as if he were studying her like she was him. He really reminded her of herself a very long time ago when she had been just a child herself. So full of bright ideas and silly dreams. She never thought she's of ended up here. At last she decided that she'd freaked the poor kid out enough and settled on the idea of attempting a conversation.

"You've had a proper rough time of it haven't you? I bet it's tough having to go through all this at this time of year."

He hummed in agreement.

"It's scary. We don't have a home any more I mean, not yet anyway. You said before that we could come with you to the city, right?"

"Yeah, yeah I did." She sighed leaning back against the wooden panels.

"And you said that I could come and live with you."

She had to admit, she did say that but, she didn't know how Erwin would react with her moving in a group of homeless children into their headquarters. He friend used to be great with kids for some reason and she had no doubts that Erwin would of agreed had they still be with them. She reasoned that he couldn't say no after all he had done for them thus far, it would be like abandoning them all over again. He had to say yes. She wouldn't have it any other way.

"Yes," She said at last ruffling that sunlight coloured hair, "All three of you can come and live with us in the big city, all together. I promise."

He smiled then, once again but, this time the smile reached his ears and lit up his face and Hanji couldn't help but smile back wider than she had in what was most likely years. It was a warm smile, like summer. That's right, she had finally managed to thaw the frost and reach a new season. She had finally traded her endless winter for summer. Outside unnoticed by the occupants of the carriage a single black feather fell from the sky silently coming to rest in the shadows.