A/N: NOTICE! Okay, so I know I said I wanted to have this done by November 25. Oops. I had a different idea that I like better. That idea has nothing to do with this story. I'm going to be participating in NANOWRIMO this year in my own way. I'm using the month to finish up my long Death Note fanfic because I think that would be the best way to do this.

What that means is that I will be in a total media black out as far as Fanfiction goes for the entire month of November, so sorry guys, no finished story by then. It also means there won't be an update until early December at the earliest. For that I am so sorry.

I just wanted to let you all know before I disappeared randomly, but I didn't want to just post a little author note about it because I hate fake chapters. Thus, I whipped up a short, short story. It's one I toyed around with for a while but ultimately discarded because I didn't think I could make it long enough to fit my quota. I had another, longer one in progress, but I'm fighting with that one because I'm not sure if I want to scrap the entire thing or not because I don't like it very much.

Anyways, I'll talk a bit more at the end.

ENJOY!

Summary: Mikasa has dealings with a very frustrating horse. Luckily, Eren comes by to help out.

Word Count: 1,322

Warnings: It's a bit silly I guess. Oh and language. Mild language. And a very punny title.

DISCLAIMER: This was made for entertainment purposes only with no intent on copy infringement.

Horsing Around

However, she was supposed to be heading out with the Scouting Corps in a few minutes, and that meant she would have to ride a horse to keep up with them. It wasn't her first time riding - even if she hadn't had much to do with them, she'd had some. This particular horse was just being stubborn. Part of Mikasa wondered if it were half-donkey.

As if reading her thoughts, the magnificent white animal tossed its head and gave her an unimpressed look. "If the shoe fits," she muttered bitterly.

And great. She was replying to a horse - with a pun no less... She needed more sleep, she decided.

Since they had been preparing to leave for some time already, most of the other horses were already out of the stables save one or two of them. Earlier, Mikasa had been tasked with other duties this morning, and someone else had saddled and bridled the beast along with the other remaining mounts. All she had to do was climb on. However, every time she tried, the stupid thing reared back and dumped her off it, or if she did stay on, it would buck and protest until she got off if only to keep from hurting the animal. It didn't seem to mind injuring itself as long as she stayed away. What was it about her that it hated so much?

Suddenly, it sniffed proudly and stamped its hoof.

With a sigh, Mikasa though she'd try a new tactic. Obviously, blunt force wasn't working, so she cautiously edged forward until she was standing right in front of the animal, looking directly in its wet-pebble eyes, which were regarding her with wariness. However, it didn't back away this time. That was a start. Slowly, to keep from startling the horse, Mikasa brought her hands up and began petting its face and neck, whispering sweet words.

It seemed to work because it began leaning into her hands after a moment. Then it looked her right in the face ... and sneezed. Growling under her breath, Mikasa stepped back and wiped off a mixture of spit and snot from her face before sending another scathing glare at the stupid animal. "Alright. That's enough."

Once more, she stepped up and grabbed the reigns. Whinnying and startling immediately, the white horse tried to pull away from her. This time, Mikasa tugged it back towards herself and hoisted herself up. Again, it started bucking and knocking into the walls and generally upsetting the other horses. However, Mikasa wasn't having any of it. Despite the fight the animal was putting up, she tugged the reigns to the side and tried to get it to move forward. They only made it a few steps into the middle of the stable before the horse managed to dislodge her, and Mikasa found herself on her ass in a mound of hay, oats, mud, and other substances she refused to name.

It was in that place that he found her. "Mikasa?"

Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice immediately. "Eren!" A blush rose to her cheeks as his eyes wandered over her form, confusion knitting his brow.

"What are you doing?" he asked, making his way towards her.

Somehow, her blush grew darker. Honestly, it was a miracle she hadn't combusted yet. "My stubborn horse put me here." Grasping the hand he offered, Mikasa hauled herself to her feet.

Eren scratched the back of his head as he glanced between her and the calm, gentle, deceiving animal beside them. "What exactly do you mean?"

"The horse-" she nodded to it with her head, "- it's dumb, and mean, and refusing to let me ride it."

"Let me try," Eren offered, as he dusted a strand of hay off her shoulder.

Shrugging, Mikasa crossed her arms. "Fine. You'll see what I mean then." Then she took a step back though she didn't go too far. She didn't trust that stupid beast not to hurt Eren. In a horrible, morbid part of herself, she almost wanted it to try something so she would have just cause to get rid of it. However, that was petty, and Mikasa quashed the thought, watching. If nothing else, perhaps this would be amusing.

Eren took a minute to pet the animal, like she had just done before her last attempt, and it didn't even sneeze on him. Rolling her eyes, she thought, 'At least he's making better progress than I did.' Then he pulled an apple out of one of his pockets and offered it to the animal. Frankly, Mikasa scoffed at treating an animal that was so stubborn and dumb, but she wasn't going to interrupt either way.

Then. THEN. Mikasa couldn't believe it worked. She hadn't even considered that success was an option. THEN the animal simply stood there contentedly as Eren pulled himself up onto the saddle and settled into place. The two freshly graduated cadets stood there for a long moment, waiting for the animal to begin bucking and flailing like it had before. But nothing happened. No, the stupid thing was as happy as could be.

"What?" Mikasa demanded, glare turning dark as she took a step forward. The horse whinnied at the dark-haired girl's approach but calmed swiftly as Eren petted it.

Laughing, Eren shrugged. "Maybe it just doesn't like you."

Mikasa muttered something he wouldn't catch under her breath as she turned her head and glared at an unsuspecting wall. Later, whenever Eren brought it up, she would most certainly deny that she had acted petulantly because this was hardly petulance. This was ... Well, it didn't matter what it was. It simply wasn't petulance.

"Don't worry, Mikasa," he told her brightly, and Mikasa looked back to meet his eyes. They were shining with mirth, and for once, they were missing the nervousness about the upcoming mission. Of course, it would return later, but Mikasa was glad she could help him even for a moment. "There are those of us who do like you," Eren finished, giving her a wide smile.

Blushing again now, Mikasa averted her eyes. "Since that stupid horse-" Said horse whinnied in protest. "- likes you so much. You can ride it, and I'll take yours."

Eren shrugged again. "That's fine. I like this nice, tame one anyways." His grin turned cheeky, and she felt the urge to punch him in the arm. Bonus points if the horse bucked him off because of her nearness to it.

However, she heard the others calling for them to assemble outside, so she hurried over to the other horse. At least this would go easier. Likely, the other horse just formed a vendetta against her for whatever reason.

A few moment later, outside the stable, Captain Levi heard a loud crash, and jerked his head to look towards the stable. A shout that sounded suspiciously like "Stupid horses!" came from inside followed by laughter. Rolling his eyes, the expert soldier frowned and petted his own horse.

"What have those damn brats done now?" he asked himself as he turned his mount and headed towards the disturbance.

The End

A/N: Well, there you go! Short yes, but hopefully still enjoyable. :) Also, we are officially in double digit chapters. Wish I could've given y'all a better one to go into that with but not much I can do now. I want to thank you all for the support for this story so much. You honestly have no idea how much it all means to me.

Whelp ... I thought I had more to say about this one, but I honestly don't ... I'll remember in like two minutes, I swear ...

I guess just don't worry I WILL be back. In a month. *cringes* sorry. But hey! Some of you have waited longer for updates before! So maybe not so bad. Also, I'll get to do a Christmas one since we'll be in December. Well, as Christmas as I can get for AoT.

See you in a month!

Thanks for reading!

ONWARD!

-Alyssa