Sorry this is such a short chapter, I should have the next one up hopefully by the weekend.
They were all lined up against the gate. Armin was entrusted with another horse as he lined up with Squad Leader Ness and Luke Siss. They both looked so confident, going out in front of Titans was no longer frightening. Eren was with Squad Levi and Mikasa was with Connie farther up in the formation. Kara was quite a bit closer to his squad. She was speaking gently to her horse; head pressed against its muzzle, and then looked up at him. A small smile broke on her face through her fear. They had a moment so she walked over to him.
"Konrad is with you're your friend Sasha," she stated matter of fact. "Hopefully this will be a routine scout, as if there is such a thing." He knew something was wrong in the tone of her voice. Like Mikasa she spoke in facts and didn't like to express emotion. But she was far different then his old friend. Unlike Mikasa, it seemed Kara almost didn't understand her feelings and was often frustrated by them. Mikasa comprehended them, but chose to ignore them, until they came spilling over in anger and tears, generally over Eren. "I, uh, wanted to give you this before we left. Just in case, well you know…" She slipped a folded note into his hand.
Armin studied his new friend for a moment, she knew something. Kara was picking continuously at a patch of scaly skin behind her ear. She had also picked at several forming pimples on her chin. No one else would have noticed but Armin did. He didn't know what came over him or why he did it, but he held her tightly. Her body stiffened, and she then awkwardly placed her arms around the smaller boy, but didn't embrace him quite as tightly. What had come over him?
"Kara, whatever you do, promise me you'll stay safe." She flashed a look of annoyance, but then if softened. All his feeling for his friend's safety, Eren, Mikasa, even Oscar, Connie, Jean and Sasha flooded unto her. The others weren't near him now, and Jean would make fun of him if he hugged the older boy. She was the one who came to him, and she was all he had at this moment.
"Thin Blood, you know I can't promise that anymore then you can. What happens today is beyond our control, but this is what we volunteered for." Then she paused and nodded slowly. "I will do my best. Konrad made me promise the same thing. For some strange reason he's been absolutely insistent that things are not as they seem. Our experiments with Squad Leader Hange have opened up something in his head. He's getting stronger and stronger at opening my door to him, even when I don't want to talk to him. Yesterday, before bed, he forced his way into my mind and started going on about how some of our comrades aren't what they seem. Apparently, Erwin thinks so too. Konrad couldn't figure out anything specific, just that we all need to watch our backs. At least he's not reading my thoughts, but I'm thinking the more he works with Hange….I don't know… Konrad, shut up… So…" She stiffened for a moment, glanced around to see if anyone had heard her, and kissed Armin on the head again. Her lips were soft and left the younger boy blushing. "So, my genius friend, you need to heed your own advice and stay alive. I'm sure you've already halfway figured it out, haven't you?" Surprisingly, he understood her; he's been thinking the same thing since Commander Erwin's speech. Something else was going on, and it was on a need to know basis. Kara moved to leave before turning around, her eyes glistening with uncharacteristic, unshed tears.
"One thing Mother, our Mother told Konrad and me before she… well she knew she was sick so… shit, here it is, 'If there is ever a tomorrow, when we're not together. There is something you must always remember: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is: Even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. As her finger tips fell off, she sauntered away, and he knew she had recited that for her bother more so then him.
There was more to the slightly older Valka twin, but only ten minutes, then met the eye, underneath his composed, outgoing persona, there was an up tapped power. While Kara had an almost immutable intuition, could Konrad really learn to read minds? Armin didn't have time to ponder anymore, the gate was about to open. He unfolded the piece of paper Kara had given him, expecting a note, but only found a detailed drawing of the two. It was almost a photograph from when he'd first talked with her at the campsite. Every detail from the position of the stars, the flames of the fire, and the mild look on her charming face was delineated in perfect detail. His eyes watered for a moment before sliding it in to the pocket by his heart. If she wasn't careful, he may grow to love her… even if Jean did call her Kara Krazy.
There was an eerie calm as the group trampled through the wall. The small village outside Karanese looked like it had once been beautiful and prosperous. Armin noticed Oscar looking at the small huts longingly. They all continued forward quickly, constantly alert for Titan signs. It wasn't long before Armin saw the red flare go up. It was from Jean's side. He fired his back. A black flare shot up, deviant. He watched as Squad Leader Ness and Luke Siss jumped in to action. How could they look so calm? His head was about to explode, and his heart was about to beat out of his chest. Then She came up… and he was certain this was it.
