Hey guys (and gals) hurrah for the three day weekend, enjoy work free time and use it wisely, I hope you have a great day, feel free to review; and you know the drill be now, so on with the story…
"I will not teach a load of insolent, brats, I want you all to run the trail five times, and I will be standing here to make sure that you finish each and every lap running, not dragging your feet" Shadis was receiving stares from the Cadets standing in front of him. It was snowing and the wind was harshly blowing against the already shivering children who had bundled up with all of the coats they possessed. "Damn it Hanji get those two girls who are always sick out here, and our early graduate" he shouted, glaring right back at the kids with a more menacing look. Of course the two females he was speaking of were Talia and Tiffany. The Scientist stepped forward slightly and was about to say 'well Ember is really not well at the moment, I don't think she should be running twenty miles in the snow' but just as she opened her mouth Shadis held up a hand, "no complaints, Hanji, get me those girls, it seems Ember is the only one some of these children will follow" he said snidely. Levi shrugged his shoulder looking to Hanji with a bored look as per usual. Sighing the Scientist ran and knocked on the two doors. Talia and Tiffany slowly made their way out but not as slowly as Ember. When she came out she was dressed in her warmest and held her head up high looking as bored as Levi had before, however Hanji could see the rings under the girls eyes and the way her eyes were cloudy with sleep, and a slight sheen of sweat covered her face. Ember quickly swept her long sleeve over her face and the perspiration was gone and she looked as normal.
Ember nodded her head as she ran past Levi giving him a quick salute then flying past him down the lane her scarf flowing behind her as she lead the way for the other Cadets following slightly behind her. It took the short haired girl about ten minutes to get into the rhythm of the run, her steps light and direct at the same time, at first her breathing was slightly labored but then evened out as well.
In a small farmhouse down a lane not but seven miles from the village a mother and her daughter were at the window pealing apples for applesauce, the scent was already wafting in the room as a pan full of the delicious mixture of fruit, honey and cinnamon was boiling on the small stove. "Mama?" questioned the little girl, pointing out the frosted window, "Why are those people running on the lake, is it dangerous?" inquired the tyke. Her mother took on the beautiful scene unfolding before her. The frozen lake reflected the Cadets forms as they quickly, or slowly made their way across the frozen ground, cutting across to the path on the other side that lead to the town. It touched the older woman's heart as that her husband was is the stationary guard at that moment. "They're the soldiers' darling, the bravest and best of us. Respect them because of what they do for us" she finished smiling and watched as the last of the stragglers behind past her window, she gave a slight salute and her daughter imitated her mother smiling up at her.
On the second lap Ember sighed ah she ran back once more into the moving flock of people and bent down and this time helped Armin to his feet, he like nine others had tripped on the icy ground. Darting back to the front her breath showing in the air, once in front again she joined Mikasa who was now keeping up with Ember, the girl noticed that Ember was running more slowly than normal and she wanted to make sure that the short haired girl was alright. It that nobody had tripped during the next three laps until they reached the town on the fifth lap when Ethel tripped on a patch of ice and sprained her ankle. Immobilized everyone gathered around her, she blushed not used to being surrounded by loads of people. A few of the boys were arguing on how to get Ethel back to the base but then one of them realized that doing that would make them late to get back to base. Not only would they miss dinner but they would have to face the wrath of Shadis. All now seemed much more hesitant to continue with their plan, finally Ember stated, "There is an obvious solution to this problem, I take her back, the rest of you go ahead, we'll catch up" she said in her normal unemotional voice. "But what about you, I figure that Shadis won't like you being late either!" stated Armin with worry. "I'm on Levi's squad, I'll talk to him, get on then" she stated leaning down and helping the other girl up. "Alright, see you later Ember" said Armin and Eren as they ran down the path following the others ahead of them. "Can you walk at all?" questioned Ember. The blond shook her head no.
That is how it came about that an hour later the short haired girl walked into base carrying Ethel piggyback style and Shadis was waiting for her. "Took your time did you, for that brat, run another round, and don't go trying to find Levi he is in his office at the moment doing work for Erwin, I'll be waiting for you right here when you get back, I shall give you the rest of your punishment, now off with you" she stated pushing the already tired girl away. Shrugging her shoulders the girl slowly walked forward then pushing herself into a jog her legs burning slightly.
Levi was in his office going over the new list of the top ten Cadets and drinking a cup of tea whist doing so, he was focused on his task when Hanji broke into his room as the door flew open a flash of lighting illuminated the room. "What is it glasses?" he asked looking up from the page. "You and I have to tell Erwin to get a grip on Shadis he just sent Ember back out there to run more because she was helping a hurt Cadet" she sighed putting her arms over his chest. "What a bad move from him, who does he think he is punishing people on my squad" he sneered. "Exactly what I was thinking" the Scientist stated interrupting his thoughts, 'who does he think he is messing with my friends the prick.' "Let's get this over with then" said Levi getting up and following his friend outside, the moment they did it started to pour and lighting illuminated the sky.
Ember was halfway done with her punishment when the torrent started, ignoring the cold rain she continued on, getting more tired as time went on. When at last she did reach the lane that lead to the military headquarters the rain was so fast coming down she could hardly see in front of her but she made out a figure, thinking it was Shadis the girl picked up her pace. Hanji had been waiting for the new recruit to reach the base for ten minutes and just now she had turned the corner. Ember was so tired that she fell into Hanji's arms, the Scientist could feel the heat radiating off her. Quickly putting her hand across Embers face and pulled it away her hand hurt because of how hot the girl's skin was. "Gosh, I got to get you warm" she whispered to herself. Levi was descending the stairs he was worried about Ember, 'why am I worried, she's strong' he thought, but still the feeling prevailed, once he saw Hanji carrying her he ran to the scientist's side. "She's sick, extremely warm" she stated looking down to him. "Give her to me" he said taking the girl into his arms, "Go get supplies, I'll take her to the infirmary" he said running up the stair he had just gone down.
Thirty minutes later Ember opened her eyes and found herself in a bed, turning her head she was Levi leaning over her he placed a rag with cold water on her forehead. "I got you some tea" he said looking around slightly awkward, he was waiting for Hanji to return with some medicine to bring down the girls fever. Levi put his hand under her back and sat her up so she could drink the warm liquid that would help her. She took a drink of the sweet drink and relaxed back into the pillows beneath her. "Thank you, Corporal" she said closing her eyes again. "It's Levi idiot" he said smiling slightly as she slipped back into her dreams. He looked down at her and covered her body with a blanket then grabbed another blanket from the closet and put it over her. She had not yet realized that she was not wearing a top or pants because her clothes were sopping wet. Thus Hanji had taken them off and simply put her under a mound of covers. Levi sat back down in a chair by her bed waiting for Hanji to show up again. He was planning to wait up all night for Hanji if he had to; he had two reasons for doing this. His first he knew that Shadis made a nightly visit to this room, he said that he needed medical alcohol for his arthritis, but all the older members knew that he was a hopeless drunk at times. Levi didn't want him finding Ember in here all alone and with hardly any clothing on, secondly he somehow felt good about waiting up for her, like she had done for him that one night. With that thought he tried to clear his mind from the thoughts that swelled into his head. With that he stayed up, afraid of what he would dream if her closed his eyes…