Her fever was high, the sweat from it coating her brow and making her hair stick to her forehead. She was bedridden, trying, and failing, to fend off the sickness that had overtaken her. It had come so suddenly, sweeping her off her feat as weakness took her legs. It wasn't soon after, that she began hallucinating and fainting. Her appetite was nearly non-existent, and her already frail old body began to deteriorate.

In summary, she was dying.

She glanced at the young man sitting next to her bed, eyes glancing at a book, but she knew he wasn't reading it. He was busy lost in thought, trying to come up with a way to heal her. There wasn't any, and they both knew it.

He was her son, her only flesh and blood. He was the spitting image of his father, one he never knew. She had never told him the truth of who he was, and she'd be damned if she would die with that secret.

"Son," She held her hand out to him, and he immediately sat forward in concern, "I need to tell you something."

"Save your strength, Mom." He answered, pressing his hand to her forehead. He tried to hold in the grimace, but she saw it, "Whatever it is, you can tell me when you're better."

"I'm dying, son." She said, and he squeezed his eyes shut. They had both known it was true, but had never said the words out loud. "I need to tell you before I go."

He nodded slowly, "Okay. Okay, Ma."

"You're father," She started, "wasn't just a soldier who I spent the night with before he went away to war. I loved him with my entire soul. It's why I never remarried in all these years."

"I…" His brows burrowed in confusion, "You knew him?"

"I did." She smiled, conjuring the image of a strong-willed, blonde-haired man who had given so much and received so little, "He was the most amazing man I've ever met."

"That jewelry box." She lifted her hand to point to one of the drawers of her dresser behind him, "In the very bottom of it, there's an old locket."

He turned and grabbed it, letting it rest in his lap while he searched for the object she'd described. Her chest constricted when he pulled it out, the oval piece dangling delicately from the gold chain. She hadn't looked at it in so long, she didn't even know if the picture inside would be any good.

Opening it, his eyes widened slightly, and he said, "That looks just like me."

"You inherited his looks most definitely." She reached out for the locket, pausing as it lay in her fingers. Willing herself to, she met the sight of that man, the one she'd so loved, and smiled, "Yes, you certainly did."

"He was a soldier."

"He was, but our relationship was far more than one night on the eve of a great war." She decided to tell him all of it, from the very beginning, "I would like to tell you about him, if you don't mind a long story."

He shook his head, leaning forward to take her bony, grey hand in his, "Please. I want to know."

"It was the year 850, right before the beginning of the Mid-East War." She settled back against the pillows, letting the memories flow through her mind for the first time in a long time, "I was out with my friend Hannah, getting brunch. He caught my hat when the wind blew it right off my head. I think I knew right when I looked at him, that I would love him. It took me a while to realize it though. He was a Warrior, a Titan shifter, the wielder of the Jaw Titan."

His face, the last time she'd seen him, flashed through those memories.

"Porco Galliard."

It was a particularly windy day, made evident by the flapping skirts of the women of Liberio. It certainly wasn't a day for sun hats, but she'd worn one anyway due to a horrendous case of bad hair.

Katherine Stoll held the hat tight to her head as she and her friend, Hannah, lazily made their way to a nice cafe in the middle of the city. It was a Saturday afternoon, both of you needing a good bite to eat after a busy week at the dress boutique you worked in.

"Honestly, Kat, why did you wear that thing?" Hannah asked, turning her sapphire gaze on her, "It's windy as all get out."

"It pulls off the outfit." Katherine said sheepishly.

"I swear-" Hannah started, but never finished.

Kat smiled at her friend, a hot-tempered blue eyed, blonde haired little thing. She stood at about five foot, four inches, not possibly weighing more than a hundred and twenty pounds. Hannah was someone who didn't take any nonsense from anyone, and definitely wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She had a very strong personality, and sometimes Kat wished she could be as bold and social as her.

As they neared the cafe, Kat, without thinking, let her hands fall to her sides. A strong gust of wind tore through the streets, kicking up dust and sending anything that wasn't securely on the ground, flying. This included her hat.

She gasped as it left her head, desperately trying to grab it as it soared through the air. Her deep chocolate ponytail whipped in the wind, little stray whisps wildly singing about her face.

A different hand caught it mid-flight, and she turned to find a handsome man in a Marleyan military uniform snatching it from the sky. He was lean, broad-shouldered, and tall. His blonde hair was slicked back into an undercut, the perfect style for his features. Though he was dressed in a jacket, she knew underneath the layers were muscles hardened by military service. His hazel eyes met hers, and he began making his way toward her, arm outstretching, "Ma'am, your hat."

She was about to thank him, when she heard the snap of Hannah's fan, followed by a noise of disgust. Glancing back at her in surprise, Hannah was glaring at the soldier with her fan concealing the bottom half of her face. Kat followed her gaze to the red armband around the soldier's bicep. An Eldian and honorary Marleyan.

Though the true Marleyan people couldn't do anything about the honoraries, they still turned their nose up in disgust at their Eldian blood. In their eyes, they were still devils. Vile, disgusting human beings, if they could even call them that.

Kat didn't understand the difference between either side, other than the genes that they inherited. If anything, she thought the Eldians were far more superior, being able to shift into huge, otherworldly beings. Marleyans were just…Marleyans. Bitter and hateful, full of spite.

The soldier's eyes widened and turned cold, and he looked away from them before muttering, "My apologies." He knelt down, intending to place her hat on the ground.

Someone like Hannah, who looked down on him and his people, would have preferred their hat be trampled through the mud and dust, rather than an Eldian touch it. But Kat wasn't her friend, and she had just bought that hat.

"No," She reached out to take it from him, clearly catching him off guard, "thank you for saving my hat."

He rose to his full height, straightening the jacket of his uniform. Behind him, a beautiful woman with dark hair, and a man with light hair and dead eyes, watched her warily. She couldn't blame them, both of them wearing the same red armband, for wanting to protect one of their own.

"It was nothing." He grumbled, turning to fall into step next to his friends.

"Why'd you take it from him?" Hannah asked as they continued their journey to the cafe, "It's ruined now."

Kat shrugged, "I just bought it, I didn't want it to get full of dirt."

"But that Eldian touched it."

"He's an honorary Marleyan," Kat corrected, "and a soldier. If there's a war like they say there will be, he'll most likely be fighting in it. You should be mindful of that before turning your nose up at him."

Hannah snorted, "God. Got a crush on him or what?"

"That would be perfect." Kat said, making her spin around, "I can just see your face if I told you I was dating an Eldian."

"Don't even joke about it." Hannah groaned, sticking her tongue out to mock puking.

Kat laughed along with her, but the laugh didn't quite meet her eyes. Being with an Eldian wasn't something she ruled out of her life. Unable to help herself, she glanced back over her shoulder. The soldier was nothing but a spec now, his back to her. She shook her head at herself. As if he'd be looking back.

Two days later found her strolling to work, the sun finally poking through the grey storm clouds. Kat looked up at it, squinting from its rays, and figured it probably wouldn't stay out long. With talks of war, the doom and gloom provided a perfect ominous backdrop.

A flash of white caught the corner of her eye, and she just managed to make out a red armband as she turned. Her eyes met the back of a blonde undercut, next to a dark haired woman. They were the soldiers from Saturday.

Kat didn't know what possessed her to call, "Excuse me, soldier?" And reach out to put a hand on his bicep, and she doubted she ever would. He was in mid-sentence, cut off by her hand on his arm, and he turned with fire in his eyes. His face contorted into an angry frown, but when he noticed that she was Marleyan, he bit back whatever words he may have said.

She noticed his look of irritation, and released his arm, saying, "Oh! Forgive me, I didn't mean to grab you. You just took me by surprise."

There was a look of suspicion in his gaze, along with the woman's at his side. She figured there wasn't much to trust in someone from Marley.

"I took you by surprise?" He asked, crossing his arms.

Kat smiled sheepishly, "I wasn't expecting to see you again."

The soldier arched an eyebrow, "Do I know you?"

"You were the one who saved my hat."

Recognition flashed across his features, but his walls still remained standing, "Oh, on Saturday."

"Mhmm," Kat clasped her hands together and bowed, "I wan't to apologize."

He stiffened, and she saw his surprise when she righted herself. Glancing around, his brows furrowed and he asked, "Apologize for what?"

"My friend's behavior." She answered, "Hannah is among the old way of thinking."

"'Old way of thinking'?" That same cold gaze from the other day returned, "I guess I didn't know there was such a thing."

Kat knew she'd slipped up. Of course he never saw an end to the discrimination, no matter how small or large it might be.

"I didn't mean offense-"

"I know you didn't." He cut her off, turning to continue on his way, "How could you know what it's like to experience that way of thinking you say is old."

"Please," She continued, causing him to stop, "I wanted to repay your kindness."

He tipped his head back, glancing sidelong at her. His voice was sharp, "I don't need your charity."

"And I'm not offering it." Kat shot back, surprising herself with her equally as pointed tone, "I just want to thank you for the kindness you showed me."

The woman, who'd been silent the whole time, made a strangled noise in her throat, the corners of her mouth pulling. He gave her a glare, saying, "You already said thank you."

"Dinner." Kat said, ignoring his last statement, "I'd like to take you to dinner."

He sighed, "You do know I'm Eldian right?"

"I'm aware."

For the first time, his eyes held something of amusement. He crossed his arms, "You're very persistent, you know that?"

"I've been told." She answered.

"Fine. You're treating me right?" A smug smile tugged at his lips.

"I'd like to, yes."

"Then I don't want to go to any restaurants." He said, "I'd rather get food at a bar. It tastes better."

"If that's what you'd like." Kat agreed, "I was thinking this Saturday-"

"Can't. I have…plans." He looked away, "Has to be sooner than that."

"Friday, then?"

He almost looked like he was going to refuse again, but then said, "Deal. Friday night it is."

"Great." Kat smiled, searching for a piece of paper in her purse. Ripping one off of a receipt she had, she wrote down her address and gave it to him, "In case you'd like to pick me up. Or I can meet you somewhere."

He took the paper, but said, "Meet me at Bruisers. It's on Lasalle Street, by First Avenue. Eight o'clock."

"See you then." Kat said, and then, "What do I call you?"

He stuffed the paper with her address on it, into his pocket, "My name is Porco Galliard."

"Katherine Stoll."

The week seemed to drag after their encounter, and she found herself looking forward to their little rendezvous. But as Friday neared, the nerves started setting it. And when she looked at herself in the mirror that Friday night, at the hair that was half up, half down, she couldn't stop the butterflies in her stomach.

It wasn't even like it was a date.

Porco was standing outside the bar he'd told her about, leaning against the building with his hands jammed in his pockets. In place of the uniform she'd only ever seen him in, he wore a white t-shirt and green bomber, tan pants tucked into black boots. She noticed the beaded thread around his neck, disappearing under his shirt. Dog tags no doubt. The usual red armband was in its place around his bicep.

He pushed off the building when he saw her, offering his arm as they walked towards the door. She took it, heart hammering in her chest. It was an awkward silence between them for a bit, two strangers looking for something to say.

"I've never been here before." She said finally, glancing around the room when they slipped inside.

"It's a usual haunt of mine." He looked down at her, and she swore there was some color to his cheeks, "The burgers are good."

"You'll be surprised to know I've never eaten a burger before."

"Shut the hell up." Porco looked horrified, "Who hasn't eaten a burger before?"

"Guilty." She fell into the seat next to him, "I guess you could say I had a wealthy upbringing. Things like burgers that you eat with your hands were seen as savage."

"Sounds ridiculous if you ask me." He muttered.

"It was." She agreed, and then looked up at all the bottles lining the shelves, "What do you recommend?"

He scoffed, smug look on his face as he said, "I suppose you only drank wine?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Rich people amaze me." His words were light, "I'll order you something, but you have to give it a chance."

Kat grinned at him, "I'm feeling a little crazy tonight. I don't usually do this."

"That's cause the guys you go out with are probably rich snobs who don't know how to have fun." He flagged the bartender down, who had just come from the back where she could smell food cooking, "Stick with me, Katherine, and I'll show you a good time."

Porco ordered them drinks and food, things Kat had never heard of in her life. It was true, she'd been born wealthy and privileged. Her upbringing included the best education there was, dresses, jewelry, anything she could have ever wanted.

Anything but happiness.

That wealth was suffocating. She got to have that grand education, but was expected to be a housewife, mindless and obedient. Useful for housework and pumping out babies. Kat refused to let that be her life. She wanted more than that. She was more than that. So she'd left, shunned by her mother and father, her two sisters.

"I've only gone on a date two times." She mused, watching the bartender concoct whatever Porco had ordered, "And both were men looking for a nice little housewife."

"Isn't that what girls want?" Porco asked, lifting an eyebrow.

She chuckled, "I'm sure, but not me. I'd like to be married someday, but I'm not going to be some weak little helpless thing. I want to be equal, and I won't marry someone who doesn't think I am."

He listened intently, resting his head against his knuckles, "That's a good sentiment. Hold onto that."

"What about you?" Kat asked, eyeing the drink as the bartender slid it over to her. It was red and smelled of coconuts. "I'm sure plenty of girls ask out a man in uniform. Or men for that matter."

Porco grimaced, "Girls are my taste. No offense to guys who like other guys, though. And no, there's not girls lining up. You're the first one who's ever asked."

Kat snorted, "Okay, sure."

"Seriously." He held up his arm, "This band is a repellant. No one wants a devil."

"You should give yourself more credit." Kat said, "You're an honorary Marleyan after all."

His smile was bitter, "I'm beginning to think it wasn't worth it."

"Why's that?"

"I lost a lot." His eyes were distant, "And people still hate me for something I didn't get to choose."

Kat didn't know what to say to that, wondering what exactly that 'a lot' was, so she took a drink of the red concoction in front of her. Coconut and orange juice, cherry, and maybe…pineapple juice? Whatever it was, Kat decided she liked it. It tasted just like juice.

"This is really good." She said, holding it up.

"Well don't drink it too fast," His grin was mischievous, "those things are dangerous."

"I'll try."

"Can I ask you something?" He turned those hazel eyes on her, full of confusion.

She rose her eyebrows for him to continue, sipping her drink.

"Why did you take that hat from me?" He asked, "And why take me out for food as a thank you? Anyone else would have had me set it on the ground and consider telling my supervisor what happened."

"Because that was an expensive hat and you saved me an enormous dry cleaning bill." She rested her head against her hand, "I don't have an ulterior motive, if that's what you're wondering."

"But why?" He frowned, "Aren't you embarrassed to be seen with me? A Marleyan and an Eldian?"

She laughed, "No, Porco. Even if you weren't an honorary Marleyan, I still would have asked you here. I don't care what kind of blood you have, or if you're some sort of devil or whatever they say you're supposed to be. To me, the only difference is that you wear an armband and I don't."

"I don't get it, though." He looked away, down at his own drink, "Why do you think like that?"

"Because not all Marleyans do, just like not all Eldians are bad people." She answered, "There's bad ones on both sides, but there's good ones, too. It's just the hard part finding them sometimes."

Porco nodded, "Well I'm glad I found you, then."

"Me too, Porco."

Kat decided not to listen to him about the dangers of those drinks, which was a mistake. Even the burger, which was one of the most delicious things she'd ever eaten, didn't soak up nearly enough of the alcohol floating around in her stomach.

Despite that, she enjoyed her time with Porco, the both of them laughing about such mundane things. With him, she didn't have to worry about being prim and proper, or watch what she said, like she felt she had to with Hannah and the other Marleyans. He was loud and boisterous, carefree. He teased her about things that were normal to him, things that she'd been taught were 'uncivilized'. They kept up a good banter throughout the night, turning from friendly to flirtatious. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but the nearness of him made her head swim. Had he always been this attractive?

Her cheeks were burning, the room swimming, "You weren't kidding about those drinks."

Porco, whose face was also stained pink, said, "Don't say I never warned you."

She groaned, looking at the clock, "I don't want to go home yet."

"Then don't." Porco shrugged, "I plan on staying out longer."

"Could I maybe stay with you?" Kat asked, "I haven't had this much fun in forever."

"Sure, but if you want to stay, I want to show you something." He said, "Can you walk?"

She clambered to her feet, swaying once, and then grinned, "Yep looks like it."

Throwing enough money for the bill down on the counter, she followed him out the door and into the dark windy night.

He lead her down streets she'd never been on before, and if she had half a mind, she should have been cautious about getting lost with a man she didn't really know. For some reason, though, she trusted him. Trusted that his integrity and intentions were pure.

Finally they stopped in front of a towering water fountain, and she was shocked that she'd never known about it. A slew of winged men rose up out of the water, their faces mixes of sorrow and anger. Water flowed from the pots some held, others mid swing with a spear.

Coins littered the pool of the fountain, the water crystal clear. It glowed blue in the light of the lanterns in the square.

"People throw coins in to make wishes." Porco said in her ear, bending down slightly to do so. She clenched her jaw at how near he was, making her stomach twist sharply. "I don't know if you knew that. Things I think everyone knows about, you don't seem to."

"This I have heard about." She dared twist her head to look at him their faces inches apart, "But I've never done it."

"Well then," He grinned, holding up two coins, "make a wish."

She grinned too, taking one from him and standing with him at the edge of the fountain. They both closed their eyes, willing their wishes to reality in their heads. She heard a splash as Porco tossed his in, and she followed suit.

"What'd you wish for?" She asked.

He gave her a look, "You can't tell anyone what you wish for, or it won't happen."

"Oh," She was glum, "well that's no fun."

They stood and stared at the fountain for a while in a comfortable silence. Kat still felt the effects of the alcohol, but she managed to stay on her feet. She glanced at Porco, who was next to her, but he was already looking.

He cleared his throat, the tips of his ears bright red, along with the bridge of his nose, "You know, Katherine, you're really beautiful."

She was thankful, then, for the redness the alcohol caused, "Thank you."

He turned to face her, "I wouldn't mind-"

A drop of water splashed on her hand, and she looked up to the sky as rain gradually started to fall around them.

Whatever he was going to say, was lost to the rain. After a moment, his voice was quiet, "I guess that's our cue to call it a night."

Kat felt disappointment settle over her. She didn't want to go home, or call it a night. It had been so fun. The suspense of whatever he was about to tell her still hung between them, and he knew it.

"Probably a good thing." He continued, "I have to leave in the morning."

"Where are you going?" She asked, letting him steer her from the square.

"First, let me walk you home?"

"Sure."

"Then lead the way." He fell into step next to her, "I'm shipping out. My unit is going to be one of the first to start this war."

She looked up at him in surprise, worry for this man she'd only just met, gripping her gut, "So we are going to war."

Porco nodded, "It's inevitable."

"What do you do? In the military."

He hesitated, the look of distrust still in his eyes, the walls she'd been scaling growing ever higher. Not meeting her gaze, he said, "I'm part of a…special unit."

"Oh, top secret?" She asked, pretending to zip her mouth and throw away the key, "That's okay, you don't have to tell me."

After walking for a bit in silence, though, he sighed and said, "I'm part of the Warrior unit. The Titan shifters."

Kat tried, and failed, to hide the total shock on her face. Especially because a bitter look took over his features, and those walls he built around himself, the ones who'd opened for just a moment, began to close. He had been so unassuming, so vastly different than what she thought the Warriors would be like. Then again, they were people. What exactly did she think they would act like?

"I…wasn't expecting that." She said evenly, trying to gain some ground, "You don't seem like…"

"A Titan?" He asked.

"And that girl that you were with?"

"Pieck. She's also a Warrior."

"So that means you'll be right on the front lines." Kat breathed, "Doesn't it?"

He yawned next to her, "Yeah, I suppose it does."

The rain that had been just a trickle now poured down on then, the skies opening up with fury. Kat gasped sharply at the coolness of it, her hair plastered to her head. Porco looked about as worse for the wear as stray strands of his undercut clung to his temples.

"It's not far!" She shouted to him over the roar of the rain.

They both jogged the rest of the way, gratefully stumbling into the entryway of her apartment when they arrived. Panting, they both laughed at themselves, looking equivalent to drowned rats.

"Well come inside," Kat offered, "the rain doesn't look like it'll be ending anytime soon."

"I really should be going." Porco said, not moving from his position at the door.

She could see that uncertainty, that suspicious nature of his, still guarding him.

"If you must." She said softly, "I suppose I won't see you again after this? For a while, at least."

He nodded, "I think it'll be a long war."

"Then you'll be safe, yeah?" She smiled, gentle, soft.

There was a look then, one mixed with confusion and surprise and, maybe, affection. Looking down, he answered, "I'll try, no promises."

"I guess that's as good as I'm get with a hothead like you."

He chuckled, opening the door of the apartment, "Then, thank you, Katherine, for spending my last night home with me, and making me forget for just a little bit that I'm going to war tomorrow."

"It was my pleasure, Porco." She said, wringing her hands together, "Truly."

He closed the door behind him, and she stared at it. The first person to make her feel at ease, to be herself around, and he was gone with no telling when he'd return. If he'd return.

No. She'd regret it every day if she just let him leave now. So, perhaps it was the alcohol, or maybe she really was more courageous than she gave herself credit for, but she ripped the door open and called, "Porco!"

He turned in surprise, the rain beating down on him.

"I-" She fumbled for words, "I'd like to make you forget, for just a little while longer."

He was soaking wet as he took her in his arms, his lips firm and pleading against hers. He held her head in his hands in that entryway, kissing her like it was his last day on earth. He broke away from her, pressing his forehead to hers, "You don't have to tell me twice."

She let him pick her up, let his hands roam over the curve of her behind, up her shirt to skim over the bare skin of her back. Goosebumps rose up against her flesh, and she sighed into his mouth as he kissed her again, her legs wrapping around his waist.

He laid her down on her bed, stripping himself, and then her, of their wet clothing. His hands and mouth explored every inch of her body, kissing, biting, caressing her, until she was ready to melt.

When he sank down between her legs, his tongue lit her on fire. She had never felt such a flame in her life, swirling and licking inside her until she exploded. Her body quaked, cries tearing from her throat as she shattered around his fingers.

And then he made love to her, sweet and rough and intimate. He took it slow, each thrust filling her so full she barely had the sense to think. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, his dog tags falling to the hollow part of her own. She traced one hand lower to feel the curve of his back as he thrusted into her, the other playing with the short hairs at the back of his head.

When his breathing grew more ragged and her own pleasure took over her mind, she whispered his name into his ear, letting it tumble over and over with each thrust. He slammed into her one final time, grunting and panting into the crook of her neck.

Later, as Kat was about to drift off to sleep, she felt the bed shift as he rose to his feet. She watched as he started pulling on his clothes, dread filling her stomach once again, "This is goodbye, isn't it?"

His eyes met hers, and he said, "I'm sorry if I woke you."

She shook her head, "You didn't."

"If you want," He scratched the back of his head, "we're leaving from the train station at six. You wouldn't be the only one there saying goodbye."

"Then I'll come."

She did, finding herself yawning and blinking blearily in a sea of people. How was she supposed to find him in time? But a flash of blonde hair in front by the trains had her heading that way.

He was standing with his back turned, with that woman Pieck, and a few other men she didn't know. Tapping his shoulder, he turned and smiled, so unlike the last time she'd snuck up on him.

"You actually came." He sounded more surprised than she thought he would have.

"Of course." She said, "I wanted to send you off."

His friends, the other Warriors, nonchalantly shuffled down a ways to give them some privacy.

"Listen, I, uh-" Pink stained his cheeks, "Last night…makes it really hard to leave."

Kat didn't know what to say to that, memories of their bodies together flashing through her ind.

He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, not meeting her gaze as he said, "I have something to give you, if you want it."

She tilted her head in question, "Oh?"

"It's kind of embarrassing." He mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

"It can't be so bad." She said, hiding a smile.

He groaned, but pulled something out of his pocket and held it out to her, looking everywhere but at it, "I thought…maybe you'd want it."

She took it from him, her eyebrows raising. It was a small picture of him, professionally done, no doubt his military portrait. She giggled, and he looked at her in exasperation, but she shook her head, "Then that makes giving you this less embarrassing."

Out of her pocket she produced a picture of herself, of the ones she had gotten with Hannah. He took it, and they both laughed as red splotched their ears.

"I just thought that maybe you'd like to remember that there could be something waiting for you when you come home." She said softly, looking at the picture in his hands.

"You know I don't expect you to wait for me." He was quiet, "No one knows how long the war will be."

"I know." She said, running a thumb over his knuckles.

"Will you write to me?" He asked as the train whistle bellowed, and the throngs of soldiers began to shuffle forward.

"Every chance I get." She said, clutching onto his jacket.

He bent down to press his lips to hers, this time sweet and gentle, just a little desperate to hold on as long as he could. But he had to pull away, wrapping his arms around her for a last embrace, whispering into her ear, "I'll come back to you, Katherine."

The determination in his voice made her believe that he would. She would keep faith in him, in his abilities as a soldier and a Warrior.

"Stay safe." She said sharply.

He let her go and drifted into the sea of soldiers, migrating back toward the other Warriors. The scene was pure chaos, the shouting and shuffling of soldiers, the blare of the train whistle, but the pounding in Kat's ears drowned it all out.

Porco waved to her out the window of the train, and she stood there staring after him even after it was long gone. Others did as well, milling about like they didn't quite know what to do now. She stood there just a little longer than the rest, before returning to her apartment, the smell of the man she'd just met still on her pillow. It had been a whirlwind, but she knew already that he was someone she'd wait for.

And so she began to count the days until he would come back to her.

A/N: Thanks for reading everyone. I had a hiatus while I got my life in order. Since writing my last chapter on this profile, I've gotten married, bought a house, and have some fur babies of my own. I'm starting over this profile and making a clean slate, minus one story that I have a very big soft spot for.

So in regards to this story, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy! The summaries I'm horrible with, so it'll be much better than what I wrote there. Having such few characters to work with is a struggle!

Until next time!