Riding for what seemed like forever, we came upon a patch of giant trees. I looked up in awe, because this is one of the things my family had mentioned. I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing it with my own eyes.

Levi came to a stop and turned around to look at us, "We're going to set up a small base right here. Remember to remain vigilent."

We all dismounted and began unpacking our things.

Carrying my bag over my shoulder, I walked over to Levi. I looked at him and said, "That was really impressive back there. I can't believe you guys defeated them all."

Levi looked at me and pulled me aside, "How did Eren react?"

"He seemed a little upset. He said that he should've been out there helping," I answered him.

He thought for a moment before asking, "So there was no difference in the way he acted?"

"None that I could see," I said.

He nodded his head and looked in Eren's direction, "That's good. Perhaps everything will go fine." He turned back to me, "You better go place your bags with the others. We've got things to do."

I passed by Eld and Gunther as they started to get a fire built. As I set my bag down with the others, I looked over to see Oruo with a cloth to his mouth and Petra was scolding him.

I made my way over to them and asked, "What happened?"

Petra let out a sigh. She pointed at Oruo and said, "This idiot never learns to keep his mouth shut when he's on his horse." She turned her gaze to him, "One of these days you're going to bite your tongue off."

Oruo tried to argue with her but couldn't due to the cloth inside his mouth.

I stifled a laugh and pat Oruo on the shoulder, "I really think you should listen to Petra. It sounds like she knows what she's talking about."

Shaking his head, Oruo rolled his eyes and said nothing.

Turning my attention away from Oruo and Petra, I looked over and saw Eren tending to the horses. A smile crossed my face as one of the horse's tried to eat at Eren's hair.

"Looks like someone could care less about the oats in the bucket," I said to Eren as I approached from behind.

He tried to push the horse away, "You think?"

I let out a laugh, reached into my pocket, and pulled out an apple I had grabbed from my bag. I made a clicking sound with my tongue, "Come here, boy. Look what I got." I held the apple out in my hand and watched the horse carefully. Releasing Eren's hair, he let out a snort and trotted over to me. He gently took the apple from my hand and ate it. I stroked his muzzle and spoke softly, "You're such a good boy."

"So you have a way with animals?" Eren asked.

I looked over at him with a smile and answered, "I guess so. As a kid, I was always out playing with stray dogs and cats. My mom always told me that the animals took a liking to me, because I have a kind heart."

Eren smiled a little and lowered his head. He stayed that way for a moment before looking back up and meeting my eyes, "I believe what she said is true."

My face reddened and I averted my gaze, "Thank you." I looked back at him and quietly said, "I'm going to go check in with Levi and see what's going on."

He opened his mouth to say something but before he could, I turned and walked away.

What's going on with me? I became so nervous when Eren said that to me. This isn't like me at all. Could what Levi said be true? Do I like Eren more than a friend? I don't know what to do. I've never experienced this before.

As I was lost in my thoughts and not paying attention to where I was going, I soon made contact with something hard and very rough. I quickly backed away and found that I had hit a tree. I let out a groan and rubbed my forehead.

"Kaira, what are you doing?" Levi's voice came from behind.

By now my face was beet red. I cleared my throat and turned to face him, "I'm not doing anything."

"Don't even say that. I just watched you walk into a tree head on," he said crossing his arms.

I peeked around him to where Eren was still standing with the horse. I fiddled with my hands and asked, "You don't think Eren saw, do you?"

"Eren? What does he have to do-" Levi stopped midsentence and grabbed me by the arm. He looked me in the eyes, "Kaira, tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."

"It's your fault. You're the one who said all those weird things," I said quietly.

He shook his head in disbelief, "No, no, no. You should've just ignored me."

I lowered my head and spoke softly, "I can't ignore you. You're my guardian. It's only natural that I'd listen to you." I let out a sigh, "If you don't want me to...I won't."

Levi remained quiet for a moment before saying, "I guess I can't really say anything, because it's going to happen sooner or later." He lifted my face to look me in the eyes once more, "Kaira, I just want you to watch over yourself. All right?"

My eyes sparkled and a smile crossed my face. I looked at him and sincerely said, "I'll be sure to."

He ruffled my hair, "Come on, I have to gather and talk to the others."

I nodded my head at him and we both made our way over to the others.

Levi looked around at everyone and said, "I want everyone to equip themselves with their ODM gear. We'll be heading into the trees shortly."

"The trees? What business do we have going in there?" I asked in confusion.

Levi turned to me, "We're going on a hunt. Our objective lies in those woods."

"What exactly are we hunting?" I continued to question.

"Anything we can find. Rabbits. Deer. Bear. Titans," he said with a smirk.

I looked back over my shoulder at the trees and I swear they appeared larger than they were a minute ago. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried my best to remain calm. I guess the thought of running into a Titan amongst those trees was getting to me. But I knew sooner or later I'd have to face off with one. I joined the Scouts, after all.

To Be Continued...