Hey guys, here is the next chapter of this fanfic. Hope you have enjoyed the read so far.

Anyway, read on.

Chapter Cover: Armin standing in front of Eren and Sarah...

Chapter Twenty-Five

Resolve

It was late in the afternoon when we finally reach the Wall.

The sight of Coloneth District in the distance was like a breath of fresh after a long day and despite having simply left it just this morning, it felt like years since I have seen the Gate. The exhaustion of transforming and riding on a horse all day was starting to catch up to me and I couldn't wait to simply get this entire mission over with.

There was a melancholic air among the people that were around me that made me think back to the time when I was back in Trost when I found the Cadets seating on the roof of the building completely hopeless about the situation we had found ourselves in. To feel this exhausted and defeated after just one mission? It made me wonders exactly how does the Scouts managed to do this for years on end? To hang on to what was seemed to be nothing but a pipe dream…

How did you do it Uncle Markus, I thought thinking about the uncle that I could scarcely remember, Maria and my mother's brother, How did you keep going mission after mission?

The sound of the bells ringing from the distance drew me from my thoughts as I glanced forward at the approaching district in front of us and from what I can see, I can tell that the Gates was slowly opening. I let out a small sigh guiding my horse forward following the rest of the people until we reached through the tunnel and into the city.

It was a well-known factor that the Scouts never gained a warm welcome whenever they return from a mission. It was something everybody knew and back at the Capital people treated them like they were a joke most of the time. Common citizens however, are most vocal about it, since they are there on the street whenever the Scouts return from the mission, muttering their dislikes of the Regiment and about what was the point of doing all of these missions if they were going to all end up in failure.

It was my first time feeling the brunt of that dislike first hand thought. I had descended from Souris and was now guiding the animal forward, keeping my gaze forward only not even giving the common folks around us a second glance. Out of sight, out of mind…

Wish I could say the same about their voices thought…like some of them didn't even bother to mutter their voices as they were speaking about us.

"They're a lot fewer than this morning."

"They were all rearing to go…and they're already coming back?"

"Must have been bad one,"

"Our taxes hard at work ladies and gentlemen,"

The sarcasm in that man's tone cause me to tighten my grip upon the horse leash but other than that, I couldn't do much. If only that damn female Titan didn't interfere…if only we knew about what was out there…

If only I had helped more…

No…this wasn't my fault. They were going to have deaths either way regardless if I had helped out or not…however, the muttering around us were rising even more and more becoming angrier and angrier at the Scouts for always failing in their mission and the hundred of lives that were always snuffed out beyond these walls and into Titan territory.

"Give us some answers goddamn it,"

"Was it really worth it? Are all those lives lost?"

"You really think what was on their mind when they died that this was for the good of humanity?"

"We have a right to know?"

The crowd had become a mob as they were all yelling at our backs about the cost of each of the mission that the Scouts had made but none of us had any answer to give. What could we say anyway? They were kind of right in a way. Their money are what making these mission possible and with so many failures that the Scouts had faced over the years and with how many soldiers died on this mission thanks to the Female Titan…

I don't think the Scout had been in such a disadvantage for many years.

We left the city behind and returned to headquarters before we were dismissed. I made my way toward the stall so that I could place Souris there. I patted him on the head a few times before placing some food and some water for the horse and then leaving the place behind walking almost like I was in a daze until I returned my room, not speaking to anyone at all.

I removed the cloak as well as the jacket looking at the blood that was upon the sleeves of my clothing. The feeling of the broken arm returned causing me to raise a hand toward my left arm, thought more toward the part were it had been broken however, now all that was just unblemished skin with no sign of any scarring at all. I stared at the spot for a few moments before continuing with my routine of changing my clothing and getting a quick shower in too.

When I was done, I placed fresh clothing upon my form and even despite all of that, I still didn't feel like doing anything at all. With the people's reaction to us, it won't be long before the central government send their representative to us. We promised to deliver results at the courtroom, but the mission had been a massive failure.

Eren is going to be killed because of this failure…but will the Scout allow it? With that Eren represented and what had happened at the forest of Giant Trees, there was no way that they would simply allow Eren to died like that….it just wasn't possible…not when Commander Erwin had done all of this to get us to capture the spy but despite of her escape…

I let out a sigh and decided to step out of the room. I was exhausted, but I couldn't sleep because of all those thoughts running through my mind. I decided to go look for the others, at least, the few that I could find and maybe strike a conversation with them. If I stay alone any longer after everything that had just happened, I wont like were those thoughts take me.

The mess hall was deserted probably that most of the Scouts were getting rested from the mission and I haven't seen anyone when I stepped out in the courtyard either. They were some officers on duty but it was no one that I recognized so I simply left the area completely until my eyes found Armin and Jean together, the two were walking by themselves discussing something from the looks of it and as I was approaching, the two stopped in their conversation and Armin gave a light smile.

"Sarah," he greeted.

"Hey," I answered back, not sure if I should smile or not. After everything that had happened today I don't think I'll be smiling for a long while.

"What were you guys talking about?" I asked, looking curiously at them.

The two exchanged glances.

"Armin here has a theory about the identity of the Female Titan," Jean said.

I blinked in shock, surprised at the young man.

"How?"

"Well, I didn't really have time to think about it while we were out in the fields," Armin said, "But on our way back, I have been going over the encounter in my mind repeatedly…"

"Encounter?" I repeated before realizing what he was saying, "You mean you fought against her?"

"Yeah," Jean said drawing my eyes, "Almost lost our lives fighting against her…if Reiner hadn't been there we would have been completely wiped out."

"Reiner did help," Armin admitted.

"Then who is she?"

"I only have some thoughts about it," Armin said simply, "I wanted to organize my thoughts before talking to the Commander. I don't want to throw anyone to the dogs without proof…but, while we were out there, she reacted to something I said…"

I looked at him.

"Something you said?"

"She was about to kill Jean…and I shouted to Jean to not let that suicidal maniac die in vain and she stopped moving all together."

I blinked at him as something clicked in my mind.

"Eren…she reacted to the nickname?"

Armin looked at me, his eyes seemingly hooded with whatever knowledge he has.

"That nickname is something that only someone from the 104th would have known," the blonde said, "Someone that was in our class…Sarah, your mind instantly jumped to Eren without even me saying his name…that would mean whoever she is…"

"Is also from our class," I whispered, shaking my head, "I had a feeling back when Commander Erwin told us we were going beyond the wall that something was going on but this…"

"You figured it out?"

Armin's tone was curious, and I looked at him.

"I didn't know who she was, but I figured that we had a spy in our midst because of the Female Titan's attack," I said, "It's because of her that the mission failed…that is, if our mission had been to head out to Shingashina right away."

Jean sighed.

"We'll see soon enough," he said, "Listen, I'm going to go and get some rest. After a day like today…"

"Maybe you have the right idea," I told him, "However, the thing is I can't calm my mind down to sleep enough even with how exhausted I feel right now."

Armin was confused.

"How can you be that tired…we barely did anything other than riding horses?"

I feel myself stiffen at the question. Goddamn it, I was supposed to keep my exhaustion secret so that no one will suspect anything. Am I become so comfortable with them that I could let it slip to the group that I am a Titan shifter like Eren is?

Maybe it's because I trust them, I thought looking at Armin's confused face and Jean puzzled expression, But it's not enough…not enough to tell them that and not only that…I don't trust the government right now…and I won't let Maria's sacrifice go to waste.

"Armin…, I had to watch too many people die today," I told him, "It's not like Trost when we were not ready to face the Titans…this is what we chose to become and yet…after just one mission, I'm completely worn out."

I leaned against the wall.

"Makes me wonder if I had the mentality to continue with the Scouts," I murmured softly.

"Then…where were you positioned?" Jean asked.

I give him a glance.

"The Right Wing," I answered, "I was with the spotter when the swarm of Titans…"

I trailed off remembering being thrown off from Souris and my arm breaking. Subconsciously, I raised an arm toward my left one touching the spot where I had broken it and the bone had pierced out of the skin. It looked completely normal now but that was the only reason as to why they had been blood upon my jacket.

"Still doesn't know how I am still alive thought," I whispered softly.

"I heard everyone died from that side, for you to survive it you were lucky," Armin said, softly.

I gave the boy a look and let out a small laugh.

"A strange kind of luck," I answered him, "Say…where is Mikasa? I hadn't seen her around here."

"She is with Eren," Armin said, "He is still resting from his transformation. I'm guessing it takes it toll upon the person to transform into a Titan…"

He trailed off to think but I didn't think much of it at all, however I let out a small hum. The sun had long since set and the stars were slowly starting to appear one after the other as I was looking up toward them with a light frown upon my features. I knew that most of the people in the Scouts were getting rest right now from the expedition.

"There you guys are," a familiar voice said.

It was Connie and Sasha and the duo were running toward us.

"What's the matter with you two?" Jean asked, a frown upon his face.

"Someone from the Capital came by earlier," Connie said, "They sent a message to the Commander."

"A message?"

"They have three days to return Eren Yeager to the Central Government," Sasha said, "Their custody of Eren has come to an end."

I feel my eyes widen lightly at this.

"Oh no," Armin said shocked.

"I think it's best if you talk to the Commander about your suspicions Armin," Jean told him.

The blond boy nodded before walking off, thought he gave me a strange look before he fully left. I stared at his back, confused at the glance but I didn't say anything at all. I let out a sigh again, knowing that things are going to be changing once again.

"Say, do you know where Mikasa is?" I asked Connie.

"I think she is still with Eren right?" the short young man said, "I don't think she knows about this yet…"

"I'll tell her…so where is Eren?"

"I think I saw them put him in a room back there," Sasha said, "If he is resting, he should still be in there."

I gave her a slight nod of thanks before making my way where she had told us to go. I made my way toward the direction of the room and blinked finding Mikasa stepping outside of the room not too far away from where I was. As I was approaching, Mikasa instantly looked up at me.

"Sarah?" she said.

"How's Eren?" I asked her coming to a stand in front of her.

"He is fine," she answered, "Sleeping off the exhaustion but he should be up and about tomorrow…is that why you came here?"

"No," I told her crossing my arms, "Was a little worried about you as well since I didn't see you since we came back… but it seems that you were alright after all."

Mikasa stayed silent for a moment, almost like she was thinking about something.

"Sarah…do you…," she started but then cut herself off shaking her head, "No it's nothing. I'm probably just imagining it."

I approached the girl placing a hand upon her shoulder.

"Is everything alright Mikasa?" I asked her, truly worried about her.

She gave me a brief nod.

"I'm…" she started, "It's just been a long day. Probably too tired from the looks of it. I might just go to sleep and get some rest too…how about you? You look like you're about to pass out where you're standing."

I gave out a low chuckle.

"Is it that noticeable?"

Mikasa only nodded, blunt as always.

"I might get some rest too…but the reason why I came here has something to do with Eren thought," I told her, keeping those dark eyes upon me, "I know you'll probably heard about it tomorrow, but the Central government had revoked the Scout's custody of Eren."

Mikasa narrowed her eyes as she looked down toward the ground.

"They didn't waste any time, did they?" she murmured softly but I heard every word.

I removed my hand from her shoulder, realizing that I still had it up there and Mikasa didn't shrug it off. She was pretty distant to most of the group however, she didn't push me off so I guess since we're friends, it might be okay.

"No…no they didn't," I said simply, "But we still have time Mikasa…I don't think Commander Erwin would let Eren died after what happened during the Expedition."

Mikasa reacted at that but she nodded all the same.

"But for now, lets get some rest," I told her.

Three days later, found me and a few of the Scouts preparing our horses. Commander Erwin had come and told us that since not all of where needed to go to the capital, the rest of us will retreat to the interior of Wall Rose into the Scout building we're we'll be on stand by. Most Squad Leader Hange's squad as well as Erwin along with Levi were all going to the Interior with Eren along with Armin and Mikasa and Jean while the rest of us where staying behind.

I turned my attention away from Souris taking notice of Eren walking alongside Armin and Mikasa. The trio were wearing cloaks upon their bodies and I quickly made my way toward them drawing Eren's attention. The boy seemed to be a little pale and given the situation, I don't blame him for being like that.

"Sarah," he greeted me, "You're not going with us."

I shook my head.

"No," I told him, "I wasn't chosen as a member of the escort mission that'll be going with us."

"That's strange," Eren said, "I wonder why. You're pretty skilled with an ODM…"

"Eren," Mikasa said, "Remember Commander Erwin's words."

The boy fell silent at that. I glanced at the duo for a few moments before something clicked in my mind.

"You know who she is…don't you?" I said.

Eren and Mikasa instantly looked at me and Armin seems to stiffen lightly. From their reaction, that might as well have been an answer. Armin made to open his mouth but I instantly raised my hand.

"No…it's best you don't tell me," I said to him before glancing at Eren, "You'll tell me next time we meet. However, are you okay being used as bait again for whoever she is?"

"It's either that or Eren will be killed," Armin spoke out.

"Eren?" I asked.

The boy glanced at me.

"I agreed to it," he said, "It's the only way that will work."

I let out a small sigh.

"Alright, if you're sure," I told him, "But be careful okay, to all of you. I don't want to see someone else I know die."

The trio nodded at me and I smiled a little.

"C'mon let's get a move on," a voice spoke out, it was Hange and the woman was fully geared up.

"Right," Eren said, "See you soon."

With that the three of them left and I stood there looking at their turned back.

Be careful…Mikasa.

The group separate...

Next Time: Invasion.

Yay now we're done with Season One stuff and now let's move on to Season Two.

Hope you have enjoyed the read.

Jacques0 out.

R&R