Hi! Sorry for the wait! I kinda rushed the ending of this chapter but I still hope that you'll like this one! LOVE YOU ALL!
I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND AOT
_
CHAPTER 21
Her eyes have been just staring blankly at the dull looking ceiling ever since she woke up for God knows how long. There's no pain. She just layed there like a doll, not muttering any single word to make use of the quiet surrounding, which is her own room down the basement.
She definitely can remember everything, and that's the reason why she's like this. Apparently, Sakura just finished arranging those flashes of memories in sequence, the voice was a bit hazy but she got the gist of it. And it's from a man, she's so sure of it.
Everyone's dead -- It's his fault -- He's sorry -- He's going somewhere -- Then he's gone.
Last but not the least, the settings is in a dark forest. And that made her wonder... Was that her memory or it's from one of those kids?
And she's having a hunch and is ninety-five percent sure that it was hers.
Well, the fact that she went missing around midnight and was found as the sun rises in the middle of a forest is the one and only proof. She also falls into a coma and woke up with the strange new set of chakra that cause her to be annoyingly weak.
And she fucking hates the fact that she gets nosebleeds and dizzy spells just by using a tiny bit of it. Hell, even if she's not doing anything she still feel so exhausted. Earlier, when she examines herself again, she was not even surprised to found her chakra depleted half of her supply.
She sighed, biting her lip thinking back at those memories. Now that she started it, there's no way she will leave her thoughts hanging. Could it be... Naruto? The man... If he says everyone's gone... did he mean that...
They lose the war?
Just by thinking about it made her want to lock herself in a room and break down. Sakura remembers how that voice wavered with sadness as he stated that it's all his fault. As much as Sakura analyze every words, the more she wished that it is just a dream. A tragic, dreadful and gruesome nightmare that she made while she was stuck between life and death situation.
Exhaling with a shaky breath, she continued. That man also said that he will be back, if she applied it to Naruto, knowing that he's the type who always wants to bring justice, then does he mean that he'll go back to their world and fix everything?
Wait.
How did they even met in the first place? Rather... Have they even met in the first place?
Before Sakura can even comprehend the situation, a very loud thunder was heard. And she thinks that it is not only an ordinary thunder, because as soon as it comes out, a familiar horrible feeling crepted up to her senses that literally made her jump from her sheets without thinking twice.
Sakura run with her might in the dark hallway as if she's ghost with flying boosters. Her heart is pounding hard in her chest thinking the worst-case scenario.
'Please be safe!' Was the only thing running in her mind for all of her comrades.
Squinting her eyes as the sun meets her face, Sakura turned right where she senses the two titans. With her bare feet, Sakura saw the building where they were located, it is once a tiny village near the castle and they used it as one of their resting spots. Thankfully they were on the other side of it so they can't see her insane speed. Sakura clenched her fist readying her fighting stance as she reaches the destination little by little. Just a little more!
"SHANA--"
Sakura stopped in her tracks as she saw the scene that she was not expecting. Eren is in a titan form except it is only a one whole arm and a chest. She paused and wondered her eyes at the vicinity of the area. She's sure that she can feel two titans, but where is the other one?
"Don't make any moves!"
"Prove it!"
"You think we can't kill you?!"
"Are you even listening?!"
Putting those thoughts aside, she looked at them once again and saw all other except Levi is surrounding them, shouting hurtful words towards the poor boy. They obviously mean it, but they are just scared. And she understands that. Thankfully, Levi is a composed person and is handling the situation well. Getting herself all together, she run to them with full speed but in a normal manner.
"SAKURA! STOP RIGHT THERE! IT'S DANGEROUS!" Eld warned her but she doesn't listen. And by that everyone turned their head in her direction. Confusion plastered on their faces when she stands right beside Eren's titan form and raised her arms indicating that she's protecting him.
Putting a stern face, she looked at Oluo and Eld whom she could only see in her position. "I need you to calm down and put those swords back... Please." Eren stared at her with teary eyes, the pressure that they're giving him suddenly gone when she takes his side without any second thoughts.
"EREN!" A squeal was heard and Sakura already know who that is.
"CAN I TOUCH THAT ARM?! HEY, IS IT OKAY? IT IS OKAY RIGHT?!"
"Please wait!"
A sound of steam emitted. "It's hot! It's damn hot when there's no skin! It's super hot!" Because of Hange's sudden appearance, everyone's attention was focused on her and that made Sakura sigh in relief. She peeked at her direction and a man with a familiar face approach the screaming woman on the ground.
"Squad Leader! You're being too reckless!"
However, Hange seems like she doesn't hear anything as she stands back up and looked at Eren. "Eren! Isn't that hot? How exactly are you connected with that arm?! I really want to see!"
Then out of curiosity, Sakura looked at Eren's hand which is engulf by the skin, quite mesmerize by the sight of it. Until he pulled it on his own. Sakura can clearly see the panic in his eyes given the circumstances.
"Hey Eren! Don't do anything rash!" Oluo shouted. Then Eren successfully got away from his linked with his titan and lots of steam emitted from it but with the force, it made him out of balance. Sakura reacted quickly and caught him just in time.
Sakura carefully placed him on the grass and their eyes met. Exhaustion and sadness are now filling his expression, and Sakura want him to at least feel a bit better so she smiled then pet his head to comfort him.
"EHHHH! Wait Eren that's too soon! There's so much more I..." Hange put her hands on her head freaking out as she watched the titan in front of her turn into gas, but as she turned her eyes to the left, she saw a spoon in its hand, making her stop.
Meanwhile, as everyone finally calmed down, Levi walked up to Eren. "Captain Levi..."
The brat's complexion is enough to be considered that he wasn't in his best condition. But he still asked. "How are you feeling?"
His heavy breathing was all they can hear. "Not... too good." Sakura bit her lip then make eye contact to Oluo, Petra, Eld, and Gunther who looked regretful from their previous actions. She smiled but they all averted their eyes, of course she doesn't have the right to judge them, after all, they are just scared.
"Come on Eren, let's get you up." Sakura offered her hands and he gladly accept it. With a shaky feet, Eren force himself to stood back up and hang his arms on Sakura's shoulder for support, he's confused as to why she's here, but right now, he's really thankful that Sakura came.
He moaned finding his voice. "Thank you..." That brought a content feeling for Sakura.
"It's getting dark, you go back first." Levi announced like nothing happened, and Hange did the same to the man with her. Everyone oblige without argue, they scattered to get all their horses and as for Levi who was left behind, he calmly walked toward Sakura. While Hange is still standing beside the steaming titan corpse who seemed like she's in a deep thought.
Knowing that she needs to explain herself, Sakura proceeded to talk first. "I woke up at least half an hour ago then I heard the explosion and came here as soon as possible." But he just continued to approached her until they're few inches apart.
"Yeah I can see that." He nonchalantly stated looking at her feet. Feeling confused by his action, Sakura step back a bit, but immediately became embarrassed when he's true motive is to snatched Eren from her to take in charge of him. She cleared her throat.
Sakura quickly looked at Eren to scan his whole state. "Do you feel anything weird besides being exhausted?"
Eren immediately shook his head. "None at all." She nodded her head in understanding. Although she wants to ask more about the other titan, she decided that it would be better to discussed without Eren.
"Then we shall take our leave." Levi ordered then turned his head to Hange's. "Hey shitty glasses! Stop brooding, we're going back!" The captain started moved slowly with Eren on his side. And Sakura took this opportunity to scan her surroundings more to fully secure the area. It continues for a few seconds and as confusing as it may be, there's really no other titan besides the one near them.
"Ah yeah! I'm coming! Wait, Sakura. Where's your horse?"
In the end, Sakura rode back with Hange back to the castle. Thankfully, they didn't question her any further on how she get there, beside it will take just a few minutes to get there without a horse.
ᓚᘏᗢ
Darkness engulfs the insides of the castle and their only source of light are the torch that was place on the walls. After Eren recovered from his state earlier, he was afraid to face his Captain's squad. Levi, as the said Captain, must have felt a big sense of responsibility to clear everything out so he didn't leave his side until then. And now, they're currently having the 'talk.'
"Until I saw that they were actually ready to kill me, I didn't understand... that they doubted me so much." Eren kept his gaze on the stoned floor while playing with his fingertips in a hope to make his anxiety vanish. What if they're still scared of him? What if the think of him now as a titan that they needed to kill and not as a member of the scouts?
Levi sighed. "Of course they do. That's why I chose them. People say you only truly become a full member of survey corps after making it back alive from a mission. But whenever you fight the titans, you never have enough information." Levi looked at the brat and continued when he's still wearing that face.
"There are many situations you can't anticipate, no matter what. They've had to cultivate the ability to take quick actions, and make ruthless decisions by assuming the worst-case scenario. But that doesn't mean that they've become heartless. It's not like they've felt nothing when they turn their swords on you." Fortunately, he must have said what the boy wanted to hear when he looked up to him with a hope in his eyes.
"Captain Levi, Squad Leader wants to see you."
On the other hand, Sakura was sitting with the others in an awkward silence. Well, except Hange who kept asking her about everything as long as it is not about the secret between them two. Like anything about sensing titans and such. Until the two came back. She spins around and saw Eren closing the door, standing up, she offered him her seat but he refused. She frowned and slap him on the back gently.
"I said, sit." She threatened enough to make him scared and do what she wants. She smirked.
"Take a long crap?" Hange joked while Levi walked up to her with a now smug looked face. "Actually, it's pleasantly quick."
"I wasn't sure what to tell the brass... Well for now, look at this." She placed the cloth that she was holding from earlier only to reveal its inside.
"A teaspoon?" Someone asked.
Hange picked up the utensil. "Yes, the right hand of titan that Eren created was holding this. Like this, between its index finger and thumb." Then demonstrated what she saw. "It's hard to imagine that was an accident. And for some reason, the heat and pressure didn't wrap the spoon at all... Anything come to mind?" Hange asked Eren with so much interest in her eyes.
"I was trying to pick it up... I transformed right after." Eren answered uncomfortably.
"I see... That explains why you couldn't transform earlier... 'Kill the titans'... 'Block the cannon shell'... 'Lift the boulder'... In each case you had a clear goal in mind before you transformed. My theory is, that your self-inflicted injury probably isn't the sole trigger. You may need some goal as well."
"It's true that when I transformed this time, it was like the time I blocked the canon shell but... I turned into a titan by picking up a spoon? What the hell is this?" Eren stated with horror. Sakura watched everyone's reaction and they're guilt are probably eating them right now.
"In other words, you didn't deliberately change without permission?" Gunther worriedly asked.
"No sir..." Eren answered that made him sighed exasperatedly. Well, they really messed up, didn't they?
They've decided. The four nodded to each other and slowly brought their hands to their mouth, then bit it that made everyone shocked. Of course, except Levi, he probably knows that this is coming.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Eren panicked.
"That hurt..." One of them muttered that made Sakura chuckled, remembering the pain.
"This isn't easy. I'm amaze you can bite through, Eren." Eld stated.
"We made the wrong decision. This is a small price to pay. Not that it makes difference." Gunther said, Eren was too shocked to say the least, he couldn't form any words.
"Keeping you under control is our job. And there's nothing wrong with that. So don't get cocky!" You already know who this might be.
"I'm sorry Eren. We've been so jumpy, you must be disappointed with our stupidity." Petra started looking downcast and regretful. "However, even so... We're going to rely on you. And we want you to rely on us. So... have faith in us."
After their little speech Sakura was also loss at words, thinking back from Konoha, she remembered how wholesome being with her friends, supporting each other no matter what. Just like this moment right now. She smiled to all of them, hiding the sadness behind it.
Eren gulped, this thing doesn't happen every time, and having someone who wants to be with you in this kind of life-and-death situation makes him tearing up a bit. "Y-yes... I will."
ᓚᘏᗢ
Sakura gently knocked on the wooden door. They talk a bit much after the highlight of the day, mainly about what they did while Sakura slept for almost one day straight. She knows that her superiors are still up and the pink haired took this chance to finally talk to them about earlier. She can even hear their fuzzy voices behind it.
"Come in." Hange said from the other side of the room. Sakura slowly push the door then closed it without turning her back on them.
"I have something to say." Then she walks straight to the center of the room, it's a habit.
Levi arranges all the papers he's working on, putting it aside then looked at her. "Spill it out."
"So like I said earlier, I woke up before the explosion so I rushed to your location as fast as I could. And got there in no time because of my ability but... the strange thing is that I'm sure that there's two titans in that area, so I was really shocked when all I saw was Eren's unformed titan. It's bugging me until now... What do you say?" She confessed. And a looked of pure confusion crossed Hange's face while Levi was looking intently whether she's saying the truth or not.
Hange put her thumb and index finger under her chin to think. "That's weird..."
"Maybe you're mistaken." Levi clasp both his hands then looked her quizzically on the eyes. "Perhaps it is you, you're sensing." He stated that made Sakura to frown at him.
"Come on Levi, we both know she's not like that." Fortunately, Hange always had her back whenever Levi did this to her. "Anyway, we won't confirm it if we didn't do anything. You said you immediately sense two titans as soon as Eren transformed right?"
Sakura nodded. "You're right."
"Then I think you should also come with us during our experiments."
"Yeah... I thought so too."
A moment of silence came, Sakura knew she still have to stay here regarding other important matters but she just can't bring herself to start the conversation. She bit the inside of her cheek and sighed, she knows that they're dying to ask about it too.
"Listen... About the new recruits..." Sakura initiated, looking at them with pure seriousness. "I failed." She waited for their reactions but as she expected they're not even looked intrigued, it's not like they have high hopes for her right? If it is then, honestly speaking, it's better for her part.
"I'm not helping them or anything, it's just that... I think they have the ability to hide themselves to counteract mine." She's so busy thinking about that unknown man earlier that she forgot about this.
This time, her words finally took them by shock. "No way..." Hange muttered.
"If they have that then it will be much harder for us to catch them. Fucking bastards." Levi growled.
"Yeah..." Now that Sakura thought about this, another big mystery unfold that was needed to fathom. "It's like they know what we're planning." She whispered and lifted her head only to meet the worried expressions of the two.
"I'm in vulnerable state right now, so I need to train as soon as possible." She mentioned that caught their attentions. "I want to help." But with this sentence, Sakura notice them averted their gaze.
She bit her lip. She doesn't know what they're thinking of her right now unlike before where they can only see her as weapon or pawn of all sorts. But now that they have Eren, a much more innocent, easy to control, and have the determination to erase all the titans on earth, she doesn't know what's her purpose for them now.
It's not like she depends on them or something, but it just hurts so much to think that they keep her for what? For back up? Although she firmly said that they shouldn't trust her for their own benefits, the fact that she's the only one who's aware of everything makes her heart shattered. Sakura lowered her head, unbeknownst with the quick glance that the two made.
"To be honest... we have someone in mind that might be one of them." Hange confessed that made Sakura's brow raised.
"Really?"
"Come here." Levi commanded and she walked up to his desk where different papers were neatly compiled. Since photography is not yet invented in this world, all they have is rough sketches of people in their personal forms. Sakura looked closely to the faces as Levi laid out all the forms so she can see it all, before Sakura analyze all of the faces Levi pointed at something so she had to look at it.
Levi stood. "His name is Isaac Seidel, 17 years old, from your 'kids' class." He joked, Sakura don't know how to put it but she will just think of it as one. "We started suspecting him since the inspection. His 3DMG gear was surprisingly clean like it was just used." He delineated and Sakura listened intently.
Hange joined them too then put her hand on Sakura's shoulder and the other hand on the table. "He also comes with no background that's why we found him suspicious. However, it's pretty common since the people from wall Maria evacuated here in a rush that they can't take important files with them."
"So that's the case..." She muttered, running her eyes to all the sketched faces until her eyes widened.
"Do you still remember those faces whom you pinned as target?" He asked, giving Seidel's paper to her hands.
Sakura blinked, trying to get out from being frozen. "A-ah. Wait a minute." She stuttered, hiding her true feelings. With a shaky hand, Sakura pick up those resumes of people that she remembered, including 'his'. Acting normal than ever, Sakura wait as Levi put away those what left on the side. And she guessed she needs to lay it out again for a better view.
Silence visited them as they tried to memorize all the name and faces that's needed. "Hmmm. Now what should we do?"
"We're running out of time... we need to solve this as soon as possible." Levi growled. It's true, but this time, Sakura isn't really sure if she wants to help them anymore. If only she can take back her word from earlier.
"We should discuss this with Erwin before we make our move."
"Erwin will just probably sent someone to keep an eye on them, but the only problem is who will be the one to do that?"
She kept quiet and let them decide the plan, because all she can see right now is the same face that she knew, but with a different name. Ragnar Braun. The same man that she bumped into that night. Why did she forget about this very important thing?! Sakura's itching to slap herself as of this moment for her stupidity. She wants to run right, right now to meet him but she doesn't move.
His face... there's no doubt about it. It's really him. She furrowed her brows. Now that she finally knows where he is, why isn't she happy? What's this feeling? Is it because the short moment that they had? She can't believe on how he just let her go like that. Like... He doesn't know her. At all.
'Naruto... Are you mad at me?'
