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

Now read on.

Chapter Cover: Sarah leaning against a wall with bloodied handprints upon it.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Blood on my Hands

We are all seating inside the carriage as they were moving throughout the night. It was dead silent within it as we were all thinking about what had just happened just earlier with the MPs seemingly hunting for us right now. I held my rifle in my hand with a light frown thinking about everything that had happened. I was curious as to why they would want me for. There is no way that they could have known about my ability to transform into a Titan yet, only the Scouts will know that and I doubt any of them would have told anyone.

The only other reason would be because of my relation to Ashler. But even so, how did they know about it? They couldn't have discovered my connection to the Ashler…unless the Pastor said something but if he did, when I was there with the MPs back at the barrack, they didn't seem to be aware of it at all, but even so…

"Captain Levi," Armin spoke out drawing eyes toward him, "What is this plan you're talking about earlier to draw whoever is after us."

Levi glanced at him.

"Just a simple body double mission," he said.

"Body double?" Eren repeated, "You mean…like we did in Stohess?"

"Right," Levi agreed, "Whoever is aiming for us is coming after Eren and Historia, then we will give them 'Eren' and 'Historia'. I doubt that whoever is going to come after us will know the difference if we placed body double if they're going after us through description. We'll be using that against them."

"So Eren is not going to play bait again?" I asked.

"From our enemy's point of view, he is," Levi said, "However, we still don't know why they need him for. When we reach Trost, we'll separate into two teams. Most of the Cadets will join me while Eren, Historia and Sarah will be in the carriage. Walking around in broad daylight will surely draw out their attention toward us."

Levi looked at Jean.

"You'll be taking Eren's place again Jean," he said, "And I don't want to hear any complains about it is that clear?"

"Yes sir," the young man said, though from his tone he seems to be against the idea of going as Eren's double.

"But, if we're having a double mission, none of the girls here are in Kr…Historia's built," I told the Captain.

"I know," Levi said, "But we're going on appearances…and I'm sure that Armin will be good enough."

"Armin?"

"Me?"

"Him?"

"Like I said," Levi told us with a frown upon his features, "The people who are after us don't know what Historia look like other than description. A short blond girl with blue eyes that is part of the Scouts, Armin is short enough to fit the bill, we'll just give him some fake hair and dress him up in girl's clothing. He'll be able to pass as a girl easily enough…enough to fool our supposed pursuers."

I thought about it.

It was a solid plan thought the though of Armin dressed in girl's clothing caused me to chortle and from how Connie's shoulders were shaking, I wasn't the only one holding back laughs. Eren looked a little put off and Armin looked pale but there was a trace of amusement within Mikasa's eyes as she was staring at her childhood friend.

"Won't they be thrown off if I'm not here?" I asked the Captain, "The order is to capture all three of us."

"Your capture is for your execution," Levi told me, "However, we know that they don't want to kill Eren or Historia. Placing you in the front lines like that will be dangerous and I won't put you in danger needlessly."

I stared at the short man across me for a few moments before nodding lightly.

"Yes sir."

"I'm surprised they are even after Sarah," Mikasa said, "They couldn't have known about your transformation into a Titan, did they?"

"I'm as surprised as you are Mikasa," I told her giving the girl a glance, "The only people who knew are you guys, Commander Erwin and Pixis along with Captain Hange and Moblit now. I doubt any of them would speak with the MPs about it. It makes me wonder if the Ashler is the reason why I'm being targeted and considering how little I know about them…"

"Ashler?" Historia said.

I glanced at the girl. She was looking at me with surprise within her blue eyes, the first time I saw emotions within them since our stay at the small house.

"You know the name?" Eren asked her.

Historia looked down.

"I just…felt like I heard that name somewhere before," she said, "Sorry."

"It's okay," I told her with a light smile.

Levi stayed quiet not saying anything.

We've reached Trost district the next day around midday. Armin had dressed up as Historia and I couldn't help the grin upon my lips as I looked at him in the long skirt he had. His hair was lengthened with the fake one and Connie and Sasha couldn't help but chortle at him.

"Will you stop laughing?" the young man said, "I'm embarrassed enough as it is."

He fumbled with the long-sleeved shirt that he was wearing.

"Thanks for the shirt Sarah," he said.

"Yeah," I told him, "At least I have one that actually fit you. Despite you and Historia being similar, her clothing however is a different story…. however Armin, be careful okay."

"I will," the young man answered with a small smile, "I'll try not to get your shirt dirty."

I shook my head at him as Levi, Eren and Historia approached. The captain was already dressed in his traveling cloak.

"Eren, Historia, and Sarah," he said, "You'll be in the wagon heading for Pixis. We'll trust that he is on our side since he knows about you. Nifa will be in charge of tailing the wagon to make sure everything goes according to plan. We'll meet up when we're done learning what we can about the reason why they want Eren and Historia."

I nodded at the man giving him a salute as Eren and Historia climbed up into carriage that I was beside. I glanced toward the others noticing the teasing that both Sasha and Connie were giving Armin. I let out a small smile at the sight and my eyes found Mikasa looking in my direction. Her eyes probably followed Eren there and then her eyes met mine.

I gave her a light nod one she returned before I climbed aboard the carriage closing the curtain.

Time to see if this plan will work or not.

Looking at both my companions who were already seating down, I placed my rifle on the ground and took a seat beside Historia. Keiji, one of the Scout members who was with us, took his place as the driver and then we were off, the carriage heading straight for Trost District. We were silent inside, the wagon feeling suddenly too large without the rest of the team there. I thought back to the rest of the team and hoped that things went well.

The city of Trost was in full swing when we arrived, moving through the streets quickly. I could hear the conversation of the people, the other carriages moving through the streets. The last time I was in Trost was just the other day when Hange and I went to meet with Nick and the man was found dead by the MPs who probably were the ones who murdered him and the time before that was during the Titan invasion a month ago.

Now that I think about it, Caleb has a home here in Trost didn't it?

"Will it really work again?" Eren spoke out after a while drawing my eyes toward him, "I mean…with that horse face of his. We look nothing alike."

I let out a sigh.

"I doubt looks will matter. I mean, the last time that happened you guys managed to fool the MPs in Stohess."

He looked at me.

"Maybe," he said, "Well, whatever it is, good luck Jean."

I hope things work out well this time, I thought, Given the Scout's reputation with risky plans…people always ended up dying one way or another. But those times they were Titans involved and not against people…I hope things go well.

I stayed seated, with my hands joined together listening to the city and the sound of the wheels of the wagon and of the other things that were happening outside. I was worried about the others, but I had to have faith they'll be able to pull through despite how little we have to go on, but we had Captain Levi with us and he is one of the best soldiers in service currently.

Yeah, they will be fine.

I glanced up toward Historia who was completely quiet as usual. She was the one that hardly said anything the whole time we have been making the plan. Well, other than the time she mentioned having heard the name Ashler somewhere before.

"Historia," I asked drawing her eyes toward me, "You said you heard the name Ashler before from somewhere right?"

The girl gave a small nod.

"Where did you hear about it?"

Historia stayed silent for a moment, turning her gaze away from me. for a moment, I thought that she wasn't about to answer but then she spoke out.

"Where I lived, before I joined the Cadets" she said, "They were a lot of old books there. I've read all of them at least once before and that's probably where I have read the name."

"A book?" I repeated.

"Yes," she said, "About notable things that some noble families has done in the century since humanity lived within the Walls."

I blinked.

Then the Ashler…they were a noble family within the Walls?

"The book didn't say anything else?" I pressed.

Historia shook her head.

"Sorry, it's just… being a while since I've read it, I don't remember everything," she said.

I let out a smile.

"Don't worry about it," I told her, "What you said give me some ground at least. If they were a noble family within the Walls then there has to be records of them somewhere at least. When we've finished dealing with this crisis at the moment, I'll have an idea of where to start looking."

"Can any of you clue me in on what the hell you guys are talking about?"

Both Historia and I glanced at Eren who looked thoroughly confused at us. I spent some time filling him in about my discovery about the Ashler and their connection to me. The young man seems to think a little.

"Is that what you wanted to talk to Nick about?"

"I wanted to see if he knew anything about Ashler family," I told him, "But the MPs got to him before we could even talk to him and now…the government launched the order for my execution."

I looked down at my joined hands.

"It makes me wonder what did they do for the government to be so afraid," I said softly, "Or why Reiner and Berthold seems to know about them as well if they are from outside of the Walls."

Silence reigned within the wagon at my statement and no one talked after that. The wagon continued through the city until it came to a stop somewhere. I glanced toward the front at the back of our driver making my way toward it.

"Hey you there, out of the way," Keiji yelled.

"What's going on?" I asked him.

"Just a crowd," the man said turning his head toward me, "You just seat back. We're almost where we need to go."

I nodded at him, glancing toward the crowd in front of us which was starting to clear out. I moved back toward my seat glancing at the other two.

"Seems that we're almost there," I told them.

Eren and Historia nodded at but they didn't say anything at all. Then, the sound of a gunshot resonated from somewhere behind us. I glanced at the direction it came from surprised but feeling suddenly tense. Eren seems to be surprised at the sound as well.

"What the hell…?" he asked surprised.

The wagon started to move again, gaining speed.

More shots resonated in the distance.

"Are those gunshots?" I asked no one in particular.

Eren instantly launched himself toward the front to speak with Keiji.

"Hey, are we being attacked or what?" he asked.

"Just stay down," Keiji suddenly yelled at him and shook the reign in his hands.

The wagon picked up even more speed and by Keiji's tone, something must have happened. I feel my heart within my chest hammering with the sudden burst of adrenaline that was within me. Then something tore through the corner of the clothed top of the wagon which was suddenly ripped open, revealing the bright sunlight into the place we were in.

Three people were in the air above us, all of them wearing some strange outfit upon themselves. I stared up at them, shocked at how they could be up there without the sight of the ODM gas canister at their hip but I didn't have time to think for suddenly Historia let out a sudden scream, collapsing upon the floor of the wagon unconscious.

"Historia," both Eren and I yelled, worried and shocked at what had happened.

I turned my gaze toward the people that were in the air, my ODM handles in my hands.

"Eren, get the gun now," I yelled at him.

How the hell did they find us? I thought, Did the decoy mission fail?

The boy did as I asked, reaching where the weapon was but he never reached it for something seems to hit him right in the neck. He raised a hand toward it but he simply collapsed upon the ground out of it just like Historia was. I stared at him shocked at what had happened before drawing out my blades looking at the enemy in front of me, seeing that they were aiming their guns at me.

Guns…on an ODM? Impossible…

Their weapons fired aiming straight at me and I felt pain on my shoulder as I found myself falling out of the wagon and Keiji yelling my name. However, despite me being upside down, I instantly shot out of my cable straight up toward the building nearest to me before launching myself up there with a burst of gas. I landed against the wall, blood dripping my shoulder but I barely noticed it as I glanced up at the direction in front of me finding the carriage going away but Keiji was no longer at the control of it.

A young woman was.

Wait…where is…

"Sarah," a familiar voice yelled out.

I glanced at if finding Captain Levi there. The man had an urgent look upon his face.

"No time to rest, c'mon move, we can't let them take Eren and Historia," he yelled at me.

I nodded launched myself after him following the wagon. I can feel my teeth gritting in anger as the two of us flew through the air together aiming for our target which was turning a corner. We turned the corner as well, finding ourselves face to face with a whole squadron of the MPs in the strange ODM gear that allowed them to wield guns…

Without he even said a word, the two of us reacted as one. While Levi used his gear to reverse toward the ground, I launched one toward the left and just as the soldiers opened fire upon us. I didn't even look behind me launching straight toward an alleyway as more gunshots echoed around me. I aimed low toward the ground, letting my boot slide upon the floor before launching two hooks upward aiming each of them aiming straight toward one of the buildings that were beside me.

I launched upward with a burst of gas, and started to move again, avoiding obstacles and poles that were around, chancing a glance behind me. I noticed three soldiers with the strange ODM following after me all of them armed with guns, which sounded quite impossible but the proof was the reason I have a bleeding shoulder right about now.

Shit…I won't be losing my team…not again, I thought, I have to get rid of these guys and meet up with captain Levi again then we can save Eren and Historia…

My eyes spied a bridge here and I quickly changed direction hearing the others following me as well. As I was moving through the air, I clicked on a pair of blades, drawing them out before passing beneath the bridge. At the same time, I launched my cable straight at the side of the bridge which I quickly pulled myself up and stabbed my blades against its side, landing on a crouch there.

The three people that were following me passed bellow, just a few seconds after that, most of them looking around but never up. The first two passed first and then the third one some time after and that was when a struck. I unhooked my cable letting myself free fall for a few seconds before launching my hooks forward aiming straight toward the third one's turned back.

With the speed I was moving, he barely had time to react when I was upon him stabbing him straight through his neck, his blood splattering upon my clothing and face. I broke the blade from the handle in my hand and continued forward, my eyes fixed upon the other two. I attached another blade in place while I zoomed straight at the men who's attention was drawn toward me.

"Hey…," he yelled out but didn't even have time to raise his gun due to how close I was to him.

It's just a Titan's nape…

My blades moved, slicing at his throat with precision causing him to gurgle as piece of his throat flew out from the strike of my pairing blades, blood staining my clothing and my blades. The third guy, noticing what I had done, aimed his weapon straight at me.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH," he yelled.

I twisted my body into a horizontal position just as he fired and I heard the building behind me crack from the shot. Then with my right hand, I unhooked the blade from the handle and launched it at him with all the strength I had. I noticed how his eyes widened lightly at the deadly projectile spinning in his direction for a split second before it was buried in his head, deep into his skull.

Then he was dead, his body crashing against the wall of a building with a sickening crunch, hanging there since his hook was still attached to the wall. I landed down on the ground in a crouch, reeling my hook back in. I glanced at the body in front of me seeing the blood that was against the wall it hit and it was then I realized just how hard I was breathing.

I glanced at my hands which were wet from the blood that was on my handle…the blood of the man I just killed…and they were shaking. Both of my hands were shaking stained with blood.

Blood of the men I killed without hesitation.

"In this world, If you want something Sarah, you're going to have to fight with all your heart for it. This world we lived in, it's going to want to bury you with cruelty and despair, but you have to crawl with all your might and even then you might not get it."

Maria let out a small chuckle.

"Wishing for it," she continued, "Is not going to get you anywhere. All you can do is stand on your own two feet and fight because that's the only way you survive."

I opened my eyes, staring up at the body in front of me.

Fight for that's the only way you survive, I thought.

I glanced down at my hands and they were stilled. Steam rose from the wounds that on my shoulder and it slowly disappeared until it was completely gone.

No more hesitation.

My hands tightened into fists.

I hesitated so many times in the past and that always cost me…well no more. They get in my way…they die.

The sounds of gunshots in the distance drew my eyes toward the direction they were coming from.

Captain Levi.

Launching my cable forward I left the area I was in, as well as the bodies that were in it.

No more hesitation...Sarah's resolve grow...

Next Time: Blood on My Hands part 2