Sasha

871 – Ackerman Military Training Grounds

Sasha is 13 years old. She is practicing at a fire range in the Training Grounds at her estate. She is quite skilled with a rifle, trained mainly by Hitch, and is extremely skilled at swordplay due to her years of training with her mother.

Her attitude remained mostly the same since her childhood, she still was a troublemaker, only much smarter and cunning. Her body had already developed, much to her dislike, as she felt her feminine and slender figure did not suit her. Unlike her mother she was not very tall, kept her messy hair at mid length and wore a ponytail. Sasha usually wore a farmer's hat tilted down to cover her face, she felt very self-conscious about her eyes and her marks. Her mother and everyone she knew tried help with her insecurities, as she was very pretty, but to no avail.

She mostly wore comfortable training clothes. She kept a dagger her mother gave her with her at all times. She detested housework or helping her mother with farming and taking care of cattle, she longed for a live in the city and joining the military. This concerned Mikasa very much… she felt guilty as well.

Hitch: Come one Sasha, do you need glasses or something? KILL THAT MAN OVER THERE.

Sasha: YOU ARE DISTRACTING ME DAMMIT! Also, what the hell that is just a wooden board. Who are you killing in your head?

Hitch: The chief of the MPs of course. Bastard has kept me here for years like a babysitter. I will be the head of the military someday, you'll see!

Sasha: Yeah right, better imagine that is your head so you can end your suffering.

Hitch: Maybe YOU should do that, given how terrible you are at this.

Sasha hits the target right at the center.

Sasha: You were saying?

Hitch: What? I knew you would hit it if I teased you. You like to be treated badly, don't you? All you Yeagers are crazy masochists.

Mikasa approaches: Sasha… come on. Get washed and ready. We are going.

Sasha excitedly jumps over the fence of the training grounds and runs to her house.

Hitch: She is quite skilled already. I'll say she can kill any fanatic that crosses her path. You can be more relaxed Mikasa. You know, to try something different?

Mikasa: I don't like things to be different. Thanks Hitch.

Hitch: You are all crazy. What a crazy family.

Mikasa, since Sasha was 11 years old, begun to take her to different places under very heavy guard, disguised as one of her aides and cloaked. She never left her side, this was starting to bother Sasha very much.

Sasha fidgeting in the car: Where are we going today mom?

Mikasa: To the cemetery.

Sasha: Ugh… you are always taking me to where dead people are…

Mikasa: There is nothing wrong with visiting your loved ones Sasha…

Sasha: Yeah… would be better if they were alive though… maybe we can go to Marley someday?

Mikasa reflexing: Maybe…

Sasha losing it: REALLY?! YESSSSSSS.

Mikasa: I'm still considering it…

Sasha: You can't take it back now! Oh there is so much I want to see! And I haven't seen uncle Armin in so long!

Mikasa: Yeah… I miss them too.

Sasha hugs Mikasa: Aw getting mushy mom? I love it when you are like that.

Mikasa softly smiles: I guess it's because it's today…

Stohess – Military Cemetery

The cemetery was closed to the public for the day due to Mikasa and Sasha's visit. It was the anniversary of the passing of someone very important for Mikasa. She visited the grave every year…

Sasha reads the epitaph on the grave they visited.

Sasha Blouse

Rest with feast.

Forever

Sasha to herself: What the? What a crazy epitaph. I guess it was true that all she thought about was food.

It was the first time Mikasa had brought her daughter to visit Sasha's grave. Mikasa had spoken about her many times before, but it still felt strange to visit the grave of the person she got her name from.

Mikasa, as she did every year, sat behind Sasha's grave for some time in reflection. She brought flowers and a single piece of bread as offerings to Sasha.

After an hour, they started to head to the capital for a reunion with Sasha's family.

Mikasa did not talk at all during the journey, all she did was look through the window.

Sasha: Mom? Are you okay?

Mikasa: Yes dear… just remembering …

Sasha concerned: Um… sad memories?

Mikasa: No…not really…

A moment of silence ensues.

Mikasa: Do you know why I named you Sasha?

Sasha: Not really now that you mention it… you have talked about her… but never really told me why you decided to name me after her.

Mikasa: Well… I never had many friends growing up… I guess you already imagined that… the only people in my life were your father and Armin…

But when we enrolled at the academy… this bizarre girl started to approach me… she was mocked due to the way she spoke and her obsession with food… but something about her made me feel connected to her…

I felt at ease with her… maybe it was because she also felt out of place… she became my first new friend there… she was such a light in that cruel world we lived in… she was always happy and made us laugh, even at her own expense… and her obsession with something as simple as food… how it made her so happy… was truly something that made you feel life was worth living…

When I think of her… and our moments together… I can't help but feel really happy… she gave me hope… that there are many things to enjoy in live… even something as simple as a good meal.

So… when I held you in my arms… and saw your little face… I felt that her message had come through in me… a moment as simple as that… made life worthwhile.

Sasha is tearing up and hugs Mikasa. She sometimes forgot how much her mother loves her… even if she didn't show it as much.

Mikasa caresses her daughter's head as softly whispers: I'm sorry… I ever doubted…

Sasha heard what she said but did not understand what she meant, but decided to ignore it.

Mitras – The Royal Palace

Historia had invited Sasha's family to a meal in honor of Sasha as she did every year. Niccolo had been assigned years ago as the Royal Palace's chef. Connie and Jean were there too; Armin and Annie excused themselves as Leopold was sick.

Instead of a sad gathering, it was a very lively and happy one, Niccolo enjoyed preparing the best dishes he had in his menu to his family and friends. Sasha felt warm inside seeing this, especially that her mother was enjoying herself.

After the meal was over, the adults started to drink. Sasha decided to leave the table as it was becoming too embarrassing for her, so she walked around the castle in the places she was allowed to roam and stopped at a window to look outside.

She started to think just how free Sasha Blouse was… free to live and love whatever she wanted… and how she did not felt like that at all. She started to think she was failing the name she was given.

Ymir: Hey little devil… what are you doing here alone in the dark?

Sasha: Hey princess… just felt like getting out of there you know? It was getting too embarrassing seeing a bunch of old people acting like kids.

Ymir: Haha I know! And mom gets very emotional when she drinks… she is probably crying right now.

Sasha: My mom really gets hammered when she drinks. Maybe she needs it. I'm probably going to have carry her to the car.

Ymir: Yeah you are staying here tonight. They all get so drunk they just sleep at the castle quarters. It happens every year.

Sasha: Wow really? Never would have imagined it.

Ymir: Yeah your mom is pretty fun when she is drunk haha.

Sasha ashamed: Don't tell me more please…

Ymir: In about an hour, things will get good. You definitely have to watch.

Sasha: NO!

Ymir: HAHA! I'm dragging you there.

Sasha smiles but she still feels distant from where she was.

Ymir: What's the matter with you? Do you need a drink?

Sasha: It's nothing… don't you ever wish… you could do whatever you want?

Ymir: Well I DO whatever I want. I'm the princess!

Sasha: Yeah… keep kidding yourself idiot.

Ymir: Huh?! What do you say that?

Sasha: You are a princess. You are born with a job. Even if think you can do whatever you like… you really don't. Doesn't you mother forbids you from going anywhere alone without escort? Can you just go where ever you want when ever you want?

Ymir is deep in thought.

Sasha: Yeah I guessed so… it's even worse for me. You can just put a cloak or something, wear commoner clothes, and nobody would know who you are. I have these eyes and scratches in my face.

Ymir: Hm… maybe you can just cover your face? Say that you are burned or something?

Sasha hadn't thought about that: Hmm… you could be unto something.

Hey… how about we… plan on getting away from our prisons… just for a day?