A/N: Hey guys! :) Here's another chappie as a reward for all ur awesome feedback, faves and likes.

And for those who want to know why I'm so late with this chapter, it's really simple. I suffered a creative burnout and couldn't brain to save my life. It sucked, but I'm slowly coming back, lol. Also I've been battling bronchitis on top of everything else so yeah it hasn't been a fun couple of months.

Has anyone read the latest manga chapter? I've got a feeling Eren's capture is imminent and we'll finally travel to the Homeland and get beyond the walls for a few volumes. Other than the fact a few key characters might be dead, this current Shiganshina arc is probably the bloodiest battle to date. And as of chp 81, I'm legitimately scared for Levi's life. :'(

FYI: there will be no incest in this story with the Wolf siblings folks. just...nope.

Lexira: lol I'm glad Sierra's entertaining you. She's definitely a person you want on your side in a fight even though she acts like an insensitive prick most of the time. And that's the other reason I like her so much. Unlike Mikasa, she didn't have an Eren or Levi to save the day and had to literally scratch and claw her way out of a situation that would've killed a lesser person.

wolfenergy17: yanno, out of all the amazing reviews I've gotten regarding Sierra, yours is my favorite so far and yes, the raw, unrefined form is intentional. granted I could've spent more time describing stuff but that's not my style. I've found the bare bones approach more favorable as it can convey a raw grittiness not found in a more polished work. as for how she escaped the Underground and got into the Survey Corps-I hinted at that in earlier chapters-but since ur curious I'll be expanding on that in future chps. And yes, I can't wait to write more interactions between her and Eren.

As always, enjoy and don't forget to review! :)

Sina District - Grand Military Ball, Mayor's Mansion - 848

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'This is stupid,' Sierra thought as she peered through the carriage's small window, the Mayor's opulate mansion drawing closer. 'I swear to God, if the alcohol spread Hange mentioned just to get me to attend this gay ball and I find out she lied to me, I am going to break her damn legs.'

Truth be told, she hated Military Balls and usually found ways of avoiding attendance required of senior personnel. Most of the time she worked on a mountain of paperwork or spent her time down at the training grounds overseeing and running punishing ODM drills for fresh titan bait.

And it worked out.

Most of the time.

But this year the hag had been bound and determined to make her mingle with people. Who were callous, lazy slobs that didn't care what happened outside their illusionary bubble that was Wall Sina.

That and the fact that nosy ginger Petra had deluged her with so many questions over who her plus one would be or what dress she was going to wear that Sierra wound up threatening to put her in the infirmary a month if she didn't shut the hell up.

For some reason, the announcement of not going to the ball made Ral pinch her brows together in disappointment. But her superior's threat of physical violence deterred the petite woman from pressing the matter. She'd gotten a taste of Sierra's Ripper wrath and she wasn't keen on repeating the experience.

So she'd put the incident out of her mind and settled in for a long day of paperwork.

Until an hour before the carriages were bound to leave Hange burst through her office door, all smart in a pair of dress slacks, button up shirt and her tan jacket.

"Sierra! What're you doing?!" The crazy scientist demanded light glinting off her round lenses. "It's almost time to leave for the Military Ball and you're not ready!"

"Who cares hag? I hate those damn things." Sierra didn't bother looking at her friend, pen scratching away at a form. "You should know that by now."

"But-"

"No." Sierra shot her friend a hard stare, not bothering to hide her utter disgust for the Interior elite. "Don't even ask. I don't have a stupid plus one. I ain't stuffing myself into a stupid dress or going to this stupid ball where a bunch of worthless fatties get together and pat themselves on the back for ignoring reality."

"But-"

"And I'm NOT gonna pretend to go and 'mingle with other people' because humanity in general are a bunch of greedy, self-destructive bastards that I've got no time to stop and feel sorry for, not to mention the fact I hate crowds-"

"SIERRA." Hange barked, snapping her out of her bitter rant. "ENOUGH." When she saw she had the shorter woman's attention. "I was trying to say this bash is gonna have a full tap on hand. Beer, wine, spirits the works. You don't have to mingle if ya don't want to."

"You're just saying that to get me to go," Sierra narrowed her eyes at the taller woman. Not fully convinced this was all just her way of bribing her into attending the function, even though she and the crazy hag were drinking buddies.

Hange pinched the bridge of her nose. 'I don't know why I bother putting myself through this drama.' She thought. As much as she liked her friend, the younger woman was a handful. 'Honestly. It's just for a few hours then she can go home.'

But she was going to be late and Moblit would be frantically looking for her any second.

Right on cue her assistant came rushing around the corner, breathless.

"Squad Leader-"

"I know Moblit." She gave Sierra a parting glance only to find her head bent over another form, scratching away and blew out a heavy breath. "Let's go."

'Thank God. Finally.' Sierra thought as her hand signed off on the bottom of another enlistment form. Another twenty minutes passed in this fashion before she decided to take a breather.

With most of the staff gone to the Ball, the lower ranks had the rest of the evening off. Normally Sierra relished the quiet.

But she'd heard Hange sigh and realized she couldn't become a total shut-in and let her demons win. That meant her tormentors would win.

Those depraved sadistic meatsacks who called themselves human traffickers. Those brothel johns-who were nothing more than poorly veiled rapists-who'd made her life and countless other girls' a living hell. If she didn't learn to suck a few things up, fight against the sinister voice that said all men were beasts and humans can't be trusted...

Then she was still that traumatized nine year old girl who wanted someone to find her. Make her feel safe in a cold, cruel world that devoured the weak.

So instead of returning to her desk, Sierra forced her feet to walk over to her room and opened her closet.

'I can't believe I'm doing this. Ok Wolf. Breathe. You're going just for drinks.' She silently instructed her mind as she pulled down a imperial purple sleeveless v-neck top and a pair of black slacks that would flow as she walked with a set of shiny black heeled boots, the only dressy outfit she owned. The shirt wouldn't cover up the scars on her neck and arms but she didn't care. Hopefully the marks would serve as a deterrent to unsolicited attention.

She went with minimal makeup, applying eyeshadow in tapered lines. What the prostitutes called the 'cat's eye' style and some blush on her cheeks. Then she slipped her bolo tie over her neck. The ruby red stone would be the only ornament she wore.

Before Sierra could talk herself out of it, she was rattling towards the Interior in an officer's carriage. Back toward the place of her worst nightmares. The darkest years of her life lay beneath the city's opulent skin. And the closer she got, her apprehension grew, causing knots to form in her stomach.

All too soon the carriage was pulling up in front of the wrought iron gate and two burly MPs guarding the entrance to the Mayor's mansion. One of them walked up and opened the door.

"Good afternoon ma'am. Do you have an invitation?"

She held up a cream-colored piece of paper with the invite's engraved words on the front and passed it to the guard. After skimming over it, he handed it back. "Everything appears to be in order. Enjoy the ball Major Wolf."

She grunted and swept past, ignoring his outstretched hand. 'I don't need his help walking up the damn stairs,' she thought as the other guard opened the magnificent carved front door for her to pass into the foyer.

Sierra paused as she took in her surroundings. The ball was slated to last well into the night and from the boisterious sounds throughout the house, the elite crust was living it up. She slowly wended her way through the lively crowd, eyes constantly shifting, body on high alert.

She huffed in relief when she spotted the extravagant fully-stocked bar set up at the far end of the ballroom, not five feet from the double doors bearing Sina's crest. Smart. Perfect so that an overly intoxicated guest could make a quick dash to the bathroom if needed.

'Huh.' Sierra thought as she sidled up to the bar ordering a dry vodka with squeezed lime. 'So the hag wasn't lying after all. Guess she gets to keep her legs in one piece.'

She'd chosen a stool closest to the walnut paneled door so she could see who came in and out. The short woman gazed out over the packed ballroom, internally scoffing at the obnoxious display of wealth and at the sickening amount-in Sierra's mind at least-of public displays of affection being flaunted by well-dressed couples on the dancefloor.

She snorted and turned away downing the rest of her drink. 'This is pathetic. Grown men and women making complete fools out of themselves...and for what? Just so they look good for their potential sugar daddy or baby mama? Nah, it ain't about that. It's all about the money and how much fatter their accounts and bellies can get-'

"Excuse me miss, but is this seat taken?"

She snapped out of her thoughts at a smooth male voice that dared to intrude in her personal space. Tall and dapper he smiled down at her, showing all his teeth as he gestured with a gloved hand to the stool next to hers. She found herself tensing up at this stranger's bold approach. His light brown eyes had a gleam of mischief and she didn't like the fact he was one of those peacocks who thought they were God's gift to women.

So when she spotted a knot of men who looked to be his friends failing to not stare as their ringleader tried to hit on her, she decided to cut him off at the pass.

"Yes."

His plastic smile faltered a bit but he pressed on, like he thought she was cute playing hard to get and she'd cave if he kept smiling.

"So who's the lucky guy?" he continued silk shirt rustling as he adjusted his stance. Earning a low-key glare for his attempt to flirt with the dangerous looking female who looked like she wanted to break his jaw than engage in small talk.

"Does it look like I'm interested in talking to you, dumbass? Like even remotely?"

He blinked at the vulgar response. 'Aww, how cute,' she thought watching him shift his weight yet again on well-polished dress shoes. 'He's one of them 'sensitive' types. Bet his mama covered his ears a lot when he was small and fainted when someone cussed.'

"I-I just wanted to see if-"

"If what? That you could just sidle up here and buy me a drink? Ask me for a dance? Because the answer's not only no, but hell no." Anger simmered in Sierra's veins, threatening to erupt into a full-fledged explosion.

The tall gentleman gaped at her, unable to believe this woman kept shutting him down. But he was quick to recover.

"Then please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Preston Finch."

She nearly choked on her drink but managed to pass it off as a hard swallow. A very hard swallow.

'Finch?!' She thought, the shock of his introduction threatening to make her faint. 'No way. Get the hell outta here.'

Finch reached for her arm, concern written all over his face.

"Ma'am, are you okay?"

Sierra jerked away before his fingers could make contact. Nope. This wasn't going to happen. Memories of bruised knuckles and dirt-stained clothes flooded her mind. Memories of more carefree, innocent times before the endless nightmare started.

Of home.

"I don't care who the hell ya are," she snapped, irises frosting over. "Get out of my face. Permanently."

He made to open his mouth then closed it. Something in her gaze unnerved him on a primal level.

"As you wish madam. Good evening."

He tipped his hat to her and walked back to his friends, the dancing couples obscuring his retreating form as the group moved to another part of the gigantic mansion.

She blew out a heavy breath. Crisis averted. Now all she had to do was slam back one more stiff round and then leave-

"That prick givin' you trouble, she-wolf?"

Sierra stiffened slightly at Levi's smooth baritone, the man himself appearing almost like magic from her left, looking very sharp in his evening wear. 'Bastard knows how ta cut a suit. Who'd have thought?'

"Nope. I shut his game down real fast." She narrowed her eyes at his dressy clothes and that old man scarf he insisted on wearing. "Wait a second...why are you even wearing a suit? Or even here for that matter? You hate military balls."

He snorted at that, rolling his eyes as he signaled the bartender for a drink.

"So do you. What gives?"

She rested her chin on folded hands.

"Hange happened."

"Ah."

She pressed her legs together, trying not to bolt out of the door. Levi sitting less than five feet from her was starting to wreak havoc on traumatized nerves. 'Calm your tits, Sierra. This is Levi for God's sake. Not one of those...animals. He's not gonna hurt you.'

"Major?"

Oh.

That's why. He's gone soft.

Petra swooped into her line of sight, a vision in a fluttery gown of pale blue and silver trim. Amber eyes wide in disbelief.

"Oh my God. Y-you actually came-augh!"

She fell back a few steps, clutching her right arm where Sierra had landed a heavy punch.

"Jesus, Ral. Shut the hell up. No need to make a scene."

Petra gingerly rubbed her bicep. "Major, do you really need to beat me or the boys up everytime we cross paths?"

Sierra raised her eyebrows.

"Because your punches could kill us one day."

She rolled her eyes, a devious smirk working over her face. 'Wimp.' was her acidic thought. 'I've killed people for far worse things.'

"My fists won't be the cause of yer demise Ral. If titans don't get ya, then married life will."

The highlight of the entire ball-besides getting smashed out of her skull with a delighted Hange-was the sight of Petra sputtering, cheeks tomato red and Levi's legendary death glare as he pulled the small woman away to dance.

Stohess - present day

Twelve feet above the ground, Sierra glared down at the tall muscular man who made no attempt to draw his paring blades. Damn unicorn. What the hell does he want with me?

"Sierra, you're-" He took a step toward her, voice low and husky, laden with strong emotions. "You're alive-"

A gleam of silver flashed towards his face.

Jarell barely had time to swat the thrown blade away with his forearm, mentally thanking his martial arts training as it made a clattering sound in the dirt behind him. Sierra had always been good with a variety of weapons blades being her specialty.

This was no exception.

"Sis stop! It's me! It's your brother Jarell! I'm not gonna hurt you-"

A growl bubbled out of her throat as she launched herself at him with the speed of a striking snake. Forcing him into an evasive roll. She doesn't remember you idiot. You're just another corrupt MP in her eyes.

"Die, bastard."

He shivered at the emotional void in her rich alto tones. Nevertheless, he stood up and raised his arms, palms spread wide. Leaving himself completely open to a fatal attack.

"I'm not going to fight my own flesh and blood."

She landed on wary feet in the mouth of the alley. Fiery strands of hair dancing with her movements. He couldn't help but take in her scarred flesh. Especially the mark dangerously close to her throat.

"Stop following me. You sellout."

The harsh insult snapped the tall man's horrified stare at the long scar adorning her neck. Running across her cheek. Rage filled his chest, forcing him to tamp it down. Wanting to murder the bastard who carved up his sister's flesh.

And she was only getting warmed up.

"What happened to you?"

What happened? Sierra thought as her fingers tightened on the triggers of her gear as violent memories of the Underground slammed into her with the force of a cannonball. What happened?! Is this idiot for real right now?

"Shut up. You don't get to ask me that." Sierra spat clutching her blades in a white-knuckle death grip. "And forget any sort of family reunion. The military's my home."

Jarell licked dry lips unsure of his next move. When he embarked on his quest to find his older sister, he was expecting to encounter a trembling, shell-shocked husk of her former self. Not this vicious bloodthirsty ripper. "Sis, d'ya have any idea the hell we've lived for ten years?" She blinked at his heated tone. "Mom thinks you're dead. So does Gray and Keen. Dad died of a broken heart because he spent all of his life savings trying to find you alive. And I've got a wife and two nephews who deserve to know you. I didn't join the damn Military Police to play the power games. I did it because I promised Dad I'd continue his search. That I would find you. And I did."

She kept staring at him, silver eyes hooded. Silent. But at least she was hearing him out instead of attacking again.

Dad's dead? Sierra felt the axis to her world tilt at her brother's sudden outburst. No. That can't be right-

Jarell noticed her hesitancy. Prayed it would soften her aggressive stance and at least get her to talk to him.

"Sis-"

"Stop." Her voice came out low and flat raising her swords. "The Sierra you knew is dead." Levi. She needed to find Levi. Had to get away from this place and the man who used to be her constant playmate and confidant who was stirring up chaotic waters. "We're done here."

Suddenly Jarell noticed with a bit of a start, her blades were dripping crimson.

He opened his mouth but before he could respond, a sharp stinging in his upper right arm and left cheek snapped it shut in stunned surprise.

Wait, when did she cut me? I didn't even see it!

He lifted his hand to touch his cheek, then down at his arm in total disbelief at the dark stain spreading on his sleeve. When he shifted his gaze back to where his sister stood in the alley's mouth, his eyes were met by a mocking emptiness.

TBC...