Isa made her way back from Trost, smiling fondly at her conversation with Armin. He was such a sweetheart, and it amazed her that someone who'd gone through so much, could still dream, could still hope. He'd watched his entire district get demolished by titans, watched people get devoured, trampled on, crushed by debris, and yet he still smiled, he still laughed.

As they'd walked, he'd told her all about his friends, Eren and Mikasa, and she was truly happy for him that he had friends who watched out for him. She'd been so angry to see those three boys attacking him, someone so innocent, so pure, so full of life. She'd wanted to do nothing more than to take him back with her and keep him safe and protected.

But that was completely unrealistic.

He'd told her about how Eren had lost his mother and father after Wall Maria fell. She'd hated to hear that he'd lost his parents so young and was now orphaned. No child deserved that. No child deserved to lose both parents to the titans.

She'd loved hearing him talk about the ocean and fire water. It gave her a drive to keep going and survive outside the walls. To defeat the titans, so that she could see all of that, and more.

It was late evening when she finally walked inside the base, after settling Luna into her stall, stopping by Hange's office to let her know she was back. She made quick work of cleaning up and changing clothes. She knew Hange and Levi had a meeting soon with Erwin, and she needed to get back to Luna.

She dropped off her dirty laundry in her room and picked up the little bottle of fragrance on her nightstand, smiling softly at it.

One morning, she'd come back to her room and seen a box sitting on her bed, and when she'd opened it, a bottle of fragrance smelling of tea and lavender had been nestled inside, with a note that said,

'Don't break this one, - L.'

She'd laughed at the simple note, it had been so, Levi. That abrupt way of speaking he had, and she had practically been able to see the smirk on his face, hear that teasing note in his voice that she loved so much.

She'd been so touched that he'd thought of her enough to get it for her, though she'd also felt guilty. She didn't like the idea of him spending his money on her, for something that had been her fault. She had been the one who had broken the fragrance bottle, and yet he had gone out of his way to replace it for her.

And yet, the fact that he'd recognized just how much it had hurt her to lose that one last piece of Ethel had sent a warmth rushing through her.

That man has done so much for me. He says that I've helped him, but I'm not sure how.

Is it because of how I helped him with Isabel and Furlan?

Is that why he's gone so far out of his way to help me through this?

Because I did the same for him?

She lightly dabbed some of the fragrance on her pulse point, wanting that comforting reminder of Ethel where before it would have brought tears to her eyes, it now brought a content smile to her face.

She couldn't help but laugh at the mere thought of the Captain Levi going to shop for a woman's fragrance. She would have loved to have seen the reaction of the shopkeeper.

Though, she imagined one surly look from Levi would have stopped the shopkeeper from saying anything. She wouldn't have been surprised if the person had cowered or even squeaked in fear.

She could only imagine some of the rumors of the Captain Levi being taken, buying gifts for some 'fair maiden,' breaking the hearts of his adoring and annoying fans.

If anything, he'd probably prefer that to the constant attention. At least those rumors would quell his adoring fans. Despite the way she loved to tease him about all the women who threw themselves at him, she could tell he didn't enjoy the attention.

They both knew the only reason they wanted him, was because of the position he held. Sure there were most likely women who appreciated his looks, his strength, his demeanor, but there were some women who just wanted to be the one to say that they managed to catch a man holding a powerful position.

She made her way out to Luna's stall, and sat next to the mare, rubbing gentle circles across the mare's muzzle and between her ears. She still refused to leave Luna alone for too long. Levi was supposed to come sit with her later on in the night, but he currently had a meeting with Erwin and Hange.

She wasn't sure how much longer she could take this. The constant stress of whether or not this person would attack while she was away from Luna was taking its toll on her. She was constantly on edge, and on the verge of snapping.

As ridiculous and pathetic as it felt, the only time she felt a semblance of relaxation, was when Levi was near.

She did her best to keep it hidden from Levi. She could tell he was also getting frustrated at not having made any progress.

She hoped his meeting would be over soon.

Normally she was perfectly fine with being on her own, but the addition of this threat to Luna, she needed him near, needed that sense of safety she got from him, that added strength she felt just from being in his presence.

She pulled the necklace off of her neck, gently stroking across the letters, a peaceful smile on her face. She knew that Levi thought the gift was something simple, not much, but it truly was everything to her. Not just because it came from him, but because he had gotten her something so thoughtful, something with meaning.

She remembered the things she used to get in Mitras.

Gaudy, frilly dresses that were uncomfortable to wear with the fitted corsets the servants always pulled too tight.

Boring books of etiquette, how to host dinner parties, how to be a proper lady, when she'd wanted nothing more than to curl up in her window seat and read books of people finding the loves of their lives, the journeys they took to get there, the ups and downs, the fights, the romance. Dreaming of the day where she might have that.

Those people had drilled into her that there would be no way any man would ever want her, for her. They would tell her how she was so plain, boring, not very pretty, hair and eyes too brown, the color of dirt and mud.

Men wanted pretty women with blue or green eyes full of color.

Men wanted pretty women with blonde or fiery red hair.

Men wanted quiet women, who only spoke when spoken to. Women who would listen to them and only them and wouldn't talk back or question them. Men didn't want outspoken women.

Men wanted women who were slender, fragile, and dainty.

While she was by no means curvy, she certainly wasn't slender. She was in the middle, average. Her breasts were large enough that they were noticeable, but not really attention grabbers, even with the corsets. Through years of ODM use, her waist was now trim, the dip a bit more prominent than it had been when she was younger, flaring out to subtle hips.

They'd told her the only way she'd ever have anyone, would be through them.

How am I supposed to believe what everyone tells me, when I have all these insecurities that keep telling me I couldn't possibly be something he'd want?

I…I don't even know how to get rid of them.

At first, she hadn't believed them, but as a child, it's easier for those roots to take hold. A child hasn't lived long enough to have a sense of self-esteem strong enough to fight off cruel and belittling comments.

Hange had spent countless hours trying to convince her that she wasn't plain or ugly, that she was beautiful, inside and out, but it was hard to kill off those rooted doubts stuck to her like never ending weeds.

She desperately wanted to rid herself of those doubts, those insecurities, but they festered inside her, refusing to leave her, refusing to let her be at peace.

Lost in thought she didn't notice the person entering Luna's stall until they were standing in front of her.

Blinking, her eyes took in the hips in front of her, a sheathed knife resting on the person's belt that had her heart thumping and nerves jangling.

'I've become well acquainted with my knife. I'll be carving up your body in no time.'

She looked up to meet the eyes of Uma, and was instantly on edge, though she kept it contained.

'Promise me that you'll keep your guard up around her.'

Alright, Levi, here's my chance to prove that you're wrong, and then we can let Uma know about the notes so she can keep herself safe too.

She forced a smile on her face. "Hi Uma, other than training, I haven't really seen you around in a while."

Uma shrugged, and Isa noted that it was full of indifference. "Yea, I haven't really felt like being around anyone."

She patted the ground next to her, hoping she wouldn't regret it. "Do you want to sit and talk about it? You know I'm always here."

I can't act like I'm suspicious of her because if it is her, which I don't think it is, then that could trigger her to do something.

Uma smirked as she sat next to Isa. "I know, Isa. You're such a good friend. I really appreciate you convincing Commander Erwin to let me go home. I don't know how you managed to do that."

Isa hoped that the smile on her face was still convincing. Uma's tone, the look on her face, and the way she'd said friend was putting her on edge. "I just told him that you'd had a death in the family, and that it would probably be best for you to stay inside the walls. I would have hated for something to happen to you outside the walls."

You're overreacting. Uma's your friend.

Has she always been this way and I just never noticed it?

Uma's smirk turned to a sneer that Isa didn't catch now that Uma was beside her instead of in front of her. "You're always thinking of others, Isa. It's…touching."

The way Uma said touching, her tone indicating that she found it anything but, had Isa side-eyeing her, warning bells starting to ring in her ears.

"I haven't had the chance to check on you, Isa. How have you been? I heard you lost someone close recently."

"Yea, an older woman named Ethel, and then Sherri."

Isa noticed an odd glint in Uma's eyes at the mention of Sherri that had her trying to shift away ever so slightly. Before she could, Uma had wrapped an arm around her shoulders, keeping her near. The grip on her shoulder had Isa's heart picking up its pace and the hairs on the back of her neck prickling in place.

Was…was Levi, right? Fuck. This is not good. If he's right about her…

"I've never showed you this knife, have I?" Uma pulled the knife from its sheath, the blade reflecting the moonlight, casting shadows across Uma's face as she lightly turned the tip on her finger. "My mother gave it to me when I was younger, told me I would need something to protect myself as I got older."

'I'll etch the names of your loved ones into your flesh so that the memory of your failure will rest with you for all eternity.'

A suspicious light came into Isa's eyes that she desperately tried to hide, but Uma caught on to it.

Uma's face turned cold and callous, her voice apathetic. "Oh, Isa. I was worried you'd begin to suspect me before I had the chance to actually finish. No matter. I'll just finish you now." There was a hint of maniacal glee in her voice, as if she'd been hoping that Isa would catch on.

Isa didn't have time to move when Uma's arm came up, striking down hard onto Isa's temple with the butt of her knife and Isa's world went black.

As Levi rode, he noticed that everything around him was starting to look gray, everything caught between light and dark. The sound of Luna's hooves connecting to the ground echoing throughout the night were muffled. The forest wasn't far, but it was a matter of how far into it Uma had taken Isa.

He didn't realize it, but desperation had laid its gray veil over him and was forcing images of Isa to play through his mind, the simplest memories, taunting him of what he might lose.

The way her hair looked when she left it loose, so soft, and his fingers always itched to touch it, ruffle it, thread themselves through the strands. He was always captivated by the hints of gold and red that played in her beautiful brown hair in the sunlight, sending a fiery glow around her.

The way her nose twitched when she was trying to hold back a laugh. And the musical laughter that followed it when she failed. He didn't know what it was, but her laugh was so…enchanting, so full of life, just like her.

The way her smile always reached her eyes, somehow brightening them even further. Her smile reached inside him, calling to a part of him he hadn't known existed until he met her.

The fact that she even laughed at the things he said, instead of looking at him with confusion or fear.

That little light in her eyes whenever she teased him that called to his playful side.

The way her brows furrowed when she concentrated.

The way she was able to draw such beautiful pictures, capturing every excruciating detail, coming to life on the pages, and all he could muster up was a not bad. Yet she always seemed content with that, as if she knew what he was trying to say.

The way she'd asked him if he blamed her for Isabel and Furlan's deaths, eyes begging to know the answer. As if he could ever blame her.

The way her light touches on his cheek or his hand, the way she'd stroke his hair when she hugged him, or the simple way she held him, filled a void he hadn't realized existed. Those light, affectionate gestures that had him wondering again if she wanted more.

Could she?

The way her eyes would darken, deepen, full of promises and mysteries if he held her gaze for too long, giving him hope that maybe she did want more.

Is it even possible?

The way she was able to find joy in the simplest things.

Him ruffling her hair or flicking her forehead.

Lying out on the grass after a long day of training, the sun casting a gentle glow around her that made her look both strong and delicate.

Spending time with her horse, whether it be riding or simply sitting there, stroking the mare's forehead.

The way she didn't seem to care if he didn't always talk, or never said much. She was always willing to either sit in silence with him or even fill the silence with her own chatter that he was always willing to listen to. The sound of her sweet voice made him feel at ease.

Then the veil of desperation cruelly forced the memories to shift into something darker, that had him gripping Luna's mane even tighter as his heart clenched tighter.

A decapitated head.

A severed corpse.

The lifeless eyes of the two people he'd cared about more than anything else.

Except this time, it was Isa's decapitated head, Isa's severed corpse, Isa's lifeless eyes, that beautiful warmth in them gone.

No, we're not outside the walls. That can't happen while we're inside the walls.

But Levi knew all too well that inside the walls didn't mean a person was safe. He knew the dangers of other humans, and how they could be worse than the titans.

At least with titans you knew who the enemies were.

Humans…anyone could be an enemy, even the friendliest of people.

That's why it had taken him so long to trust Isa, to be willing to be around her. He still wasn't sure how she'd done it, but he'd finally realized just how wrong he'd been about her. And the way she'd simply reassured him that she'd understood why it had taken him so long, that he didn't need to apologize.

He wasn't sure when or how it happened. Just all the little things she'd done for him, for Isabel, for Furlan, had all added up, and yet she'd never asked for anything in return.

He'd asked her countless times what it was she'd wanted, what her play was. And she'd defiantly told him that people can do nice things for others without wanting something in return.

Even still, the most she'd ever asked for were the simplest of things.

Help taking care of her after the old woman died.

Just to hold her. And when he'd held her, it had taken too long for her to stop shivering, and he'd done his best to warm her. Despite the fact that he'd had the water almost as hot as it could go, her skin had still been cold to the touch as she lay in his bed.

Help with this damn note writer who he wanted to tear apart limb from limb.

Fucking Uma of all people.

He hated that he'd been right about her. He'd hoped, for Isa's sake, that he'd been wrong. Now he couldn't help but wonder if he should have pushed harder, been more persistent. If there had been something else he could have done that would have led them to Uma sooner.

Because now, Isa was out there, alone, with Uma, someone who wanted to hurt her, and he had no way of knowing where she was, and had no way of knowing if he'd been right to trust her horse.

But he had an inkling sense that he had been right. The way Luna had bolted directly to him as soon as she saw him after she'd been avoiding the other Scouts. And the way she'd pulled at his jacket, almost in desperation.

He would trust Isa's words, the way she always trusted him. She was one of the few people he fully trusted with everything he had.

He kept telling himself that she would be fine, that he'd get there in time, and reminded himself that he'd need to keep it together and not drag her into his arms and never let go as soon as he did. He would wait until they were back on base, when everything was over and she was safe, and then he would hold her and never let go.

He only hoped he wasn't too late.

He didn't know if he could keep going if he was too late.

Please get there in time.

Not…not like them.

Isa's eyes slowly fluttered open as she struggled to pull herself out of the darkness that was trying to yank her back. Her temple was throbbing from where Uma had hit her.

As her eyes focused, she noticed she was surrounded by trees, the moonlight casting shadows around her.

We must still be on base. The forest on base is the closest one for miles. I don't think Uma would waste time dragging me around. She'd run the risk of running into someone if she did.

She didn't see her beautiful horse anywhere and the fear of what could have happened while she was unconscious had her heart racing and her skin prickling.

She forced herself to her feet, fighting off the dizziness as she stood. "What did you do to Luna?" Her tone was sharp, eyes shooting daggers at Uma.

Uma rolled her eyes. "Relax. Your horse ran off a while ago, probably abandoned a lost cause."

She glared at the person she'd considered a friend, someone she'd trusted. "What the hell, Uma. I thought we were friends."

She chuckled darkly. "Please, as if I would ever want to be friends with someone as whiny and pathetic as you. You sound as pathetic now as you did that night at the tavern. I could tell Levi let him kiss you out of pity. As if he would ever want someone as plain and pathetic as you."

The jabs were doing their job, piercing Isa's skin and shattering her heart.

"I…I don't believe you." She tried to make her voice certain, but the doubts Uma was feeding made her tone come off weak.

"Really?" She taunted, a knowing smirk on her face. "You don't sound very sure of yourself. Then again, when do you ever?"

Don't…don't listen to her, Isa. She's trying to get under your skin.

Isa watched as Uma pulled out her knife from the sheath on her waistband.

"Now. I told you I've become well acquainted with my knife. Let's test out my skills, shall we?" There was a dark glee in Uma's face.

'Are you going to cry, or are you going to fight?'

Fight Levi, I'll always choose fight if it means I get to see you again.

Pushing aside the pain from Uma's jabs, she brought up her fists in the fighting stance that Levi had drilled into her endlessly. "I don't know what you expect, but I'm not the weak fighter I was back during training." There was a confidence growing in her as she spoke.

I know I can do this. I've fought with Levi. And it's like he said, if I can take him, even if he's holding back, then I can take just about anyone.

I will not lose.

I will see him again.

I will see Hange again.

I will not let them go through what I went through.

Determination was filling her body, filling her eyes, sharpening them, preparing her for battle.

I've taken down countless titans.

I can do this.

I will win.

A sneer crossed across Uma's features. "Is that so? Well then it'll make killing you even sweeter."

'If you can make your opponent angry and lose control, that gives you the upper hand, so long as you keep control.'

Think Isa, find her insecurities, find a weakness.

"What happened to your little plan? I think you're a bit ahead of schedule. Or did you realize that you'd never stand a chance against Levi or Hange."

She threw her head back as she laughed maniacally. "I realized that I'd broken you when I heard you screaming that day you found my little note, so there was honestly no need to even bother with them."

Uma started pacing back and forth, almost predatory in the act. "It brought such joy to my heart to hear you break into pieces that day. Plus, when we were in the stables, I could tell you were growing suspicious of me. I couldn't have you figuring it out before I got to kill you."

A sadistic light now filled her eyes. "If anything, it'll be fun to watch the two of them suffer after they realize you're dead. I'll tell them I came across your poor helpless body that was probably murdered by some random criminal."

"They'll never believe you." Her voice was a dark growl, eyes flashing with warning, watching Uma's every move.

Uma cackled, a sound that sent more chills washing across Isa's skin. "It doesn't matter whether or not they believe me. Once you're dead it won't matter anymore, and they won't be able to prove anything."

'Don't let your opponent get under your skin. Once they do, you're losing. If you're losing, you're as good as dead.'

She shoved aside the taunting, refusing to let Uma win.

"You think your mother would appreciate you killing all these people? What would she think?" Isa's voice had turned mocking as she searched for something to get under Uma's skin.

Uma's eyes flashed as she snarled. She pointed her knife at Isa. "Don't you dare, fucking mention my mother."

There we go.

Isa refused to break Uma's gaze, chin raising defiantly, like she'd done so many times with Levi. "It must be nice, Uma, to have had a mother for so long. You seemed pretty torn up about her death that day, or was that all just an act too?"

Uma's eyes narrowed dangerously, the scowl on her face twisting further. "You don't know what you're talking about." Her voice was a low growl that was meant to threaten Isa, but if anything, it spurred her on.

"You know what it's like to lose a mother, so why would you take away someone else's?"

"Because you're the reason she's dead! You're the reason she died two years ago."

Isa kept her shock at the new information in check, instead, raising an indifferent brow at her, shrugging as if she couldn't care less. "Last time I checked, I don't go around killing people's mothers."

Isa watched as Uma's eye twitched at her reaction, her teeth bared, the white of them flashing in the moonlight. "You stupid bitch! I was meant to join the Military Police so I could take my mother to the interior and get her better treatment. But you!" Her voice had reached a shrill pitch as she jabbed her knife in Isa's direction. "You stole. My place in the top ten. Because of that, my mother got worse and worse until she died. She was all I had left in this world, and you took her from me."

Uma's voice dropped to a menacing, enraged growl Isa had never heard from her before. "So I wanted to take everything that you loved from you."

In that moment, Isa could see what would have happened if she had let herself succumb to her rage and grief, if Levi hadn't pulled her out of that dark and dangerous fury.

Thank you, Levi.

"I didn't steal shit, Uma. If anything, I worked hard. Maybe if you'd worked harder, then you would have made the top ten."

Isa was ashamed of what she was about to say next, knowing exactly what self-blame and doubt felt like, but she needed to break Uma so she'd have a better chance.

"If anything, it's your fault your mother is dead." Isa's voice had turned icy cold as her taunts took hold.

There was an eerie quiet as time froze, the only sounds were the sounds of Uma's enraged breaths, her face contorting to one of pure hate that perhaps two years ago, would have had Isa trembling in fear, but now, now it fueled her, telling her she'd succeeded in getting under Uma's skin. It gave her the confidence she needed for what she knew was going to come next.

Isa could practically here the crack echo in the night as Uma snapped.

A broken shriek filled the air as Uma lunged at Isa. Isa ducked and dodged as Uma swung the knife at her.

Isa remembered that in training, Uma had always been a formidable foe when it came to hand to hand combat.

But where before it would have filled her with insecurities, confidence she hadn't known she possessed took over her.

She knew she'd gotten better, she'd been training with Levi. He didn't hand out compliments or praise unless he meant them. When it came to training, he didn't care about whether or not a comment hurt her feelings, and she'd never let them. The whole point of him helping her had been for moments like this.

So that when she was alone against an opponent who wanted to end her life, she'd be able to take care of herself.

And the feeling of that confidence was empowering for her. If anything, it sharpened and sped up her movements as she pushed back against Uma, refusing to cower, refusing to back down, refusing to give up.

Fight! I choose fight dammit!

I'm not weak!

I will not lose!

If anything, her skills had improved whereas Uma's had remained stagnant, having become arrogant in her abilities, consumed by rage that had led to an obsession with ending Isa and everything she cared about.

She'd spent the last several months going through the motions in training, enough to keep away suspicion from herself, but somewhere between her mother's death and the current moment, she'd stopped caring about anything else other than destroying Isa.

Her sole focus had been to survive until she finished her yearning for vengeance. Vengeance against someone she felt had taken the only person left in her life who'd given a damn about her.

Isa noticed this weakness, and took advantage of it, as a hard punch landed on Uma's nose with a loud crunch as blood spurted out of her nose, and Uma stumbled back a few steps. The hatred in her eyes grew into a disdain that Isa had never seen directed towards her before. It was even worse than Derek's hostile gaze, worse than the hate from Lucy's mother.

Isa could see just how much Uma had been consumed by her grief, hatred, and rage. It had destroyed her from the inside out, and she couldn't help but shudder at what could have been for her.

She didn't have long to think though, because Uma came back at Isa full force, driven by blind fury and pure hate.

When Uma's foot connected hard on the tender flesh of Isa's stomach, her breath was knocked out of her and she was forced back a few steps, doubling over in the process.

'Never take your eyes off your opponent. Even if they've got you down, keep your eyes on them.'

She forced her eyes up just in time to see Uma swinging down with her knife and she ducked out of the way, dodging, not yet feeling the knife connect with the soft flesh of her upper arm, adrenaline numbing the pain, sharpening her focus.

Isa continued to hold her own against Uma, managing to land a few blows here and there, though, some of Uma's punches and kicks managed to land.

The difference between Uma and Isa was their drive. Isa was being driven by confidence, and a desire to protect herself and make it back home, to the people she loved with all her being. Her confidence and her love for Levi and Hange, all the people she'd lost, was filling her, pushing her to keep fighting and never give up.

Fight!

Uma was driven by a rage and desire to destroy and seek revenge, crippling her.

Uma's anger was keeping her blinded, giving Isa the upper hand. When she finally found an opening, she took it.

It happened after she'd knocked Uma back a few paces. When Uma charged towards her hands not set to strike, instead, she was pumping her arms to gain speed in the hopes of catching Isa off guard, Isa was ready.

She raced towards Uma to tackle, and when Uma's extended, locked leg connected to the ground Isa used her body to ram into it, and a sickening crack filled the air followed by an agonized scream falling from Uma's mouth.

Isa had to hold back the bile that rose in her throat at the sound of Uma's knee knocking out of joint.

'You're not done fighting until they're either dead, knocked out, restrained, or too injured to move. Don't think that just because they're down, you're done. Never let your guard down.'

Isa landed beside Uma and scrambled up as Uma forced herself to her feet, sheer adrenaline and will preventing her from feeling the full pain of her dislocated knee. She limped over to Isa, swinging her knife hand.

Isa ducked under Uma's arm as she swung the knife out, grabbing her arm and wrenching it, hard behind her back, twisting it up until she heard a nauseating pop coming from Uma's shoulder that echoed in her mind as Uma cried out.

Forcing back the resurgence of that urge to vomit, she kept hard pressure on Uma's arm as she bent Uma's wrist back.

"Drop the damn knife Uma, if you want any chance of keeping your fucking arm connected to your body." She tugged Uma's arm up hard to emphasize her point.

With a defeated and pained whimper, Uma's grip on the knife loosened and Isa pulled it from her grasp, tucking it into her boot.

She kicked the back of Uma's uninjured knee, sending her to the ground. "Don't ever fucking underestimate me again." She snarled.

As she searched around for anything she could use to restrain Uma's hands, she heard the telltale sound of hooves pounding on the ground.

She looked up and a wave of relief washed through her as she saw Levi and Hange barreling their way towards her on top of their horses.

She watched as Levi didn't even wait for Luna to fully stop, stumbling off her, racing to Isa's side as he skid to a stop beside her.

He placed a hand on her shoulder that she thought she felt tremble, ever so slightly. "Are you alright?" He sounded out of breath, and Isa thought she heard the slightest hint of fear in his voice.

Ironic that I was just thinking earlier that I would find it hard to believe he'd be scared of anything.

She watched as the rage in his eyes faded into something gentler, maybe relief. She gave him a reassuring smile as she brought her hand up to the one he had on her shoulder, tracing her thumb across the dips and grooves, wanting to comfort. "I'm…I'm fine, Levi."

There was no way for Isa to know how much self-restraint Levi was exerting in the moment to keep from pulling her against him, just so that he could feel she was safe. He knew that if he did, he wouldn't let her go, and they needed to get her back to base.

Hange came crashing into Isa, enveloping her in a fierce hug from behind that threatened to crush her.

The sudden force around her was cutting off her ability to breathe. "Hange, can't breathe."

The hug loosened ever so slightly as Hange buried her face on top of Isa's head. "I'm sorry, Isa. I'm so sorry. Please, I'm…I'm so sorry."

Isa stroked at Hange's arm. She could feel her friend's tears as they landed on her head. "Hange, it's okay, I'm okay. Don't apologize. This isn't your fault. It's hers." Isa gave Uma's back a good kick for good measure and Uma grunted at the contact.

When Hange pulled back, Isa noticed there was some blood on the sleeve of her jacket. "Hange, did you hurt yourself, you've got some blood there."

Hange looked down at her shirt. "No, this isn't from me." Hange looked up at Isa's arm where her jacket was torn. "Isa, take your jacket off."

Confused, Isa looked down and noticed the bloody tear. She pulled her jacket off and was surprised to see a long cut along the delicate flesh of her arm, blood now working to clot and close the wound.

"That looks like it might be a little deep. It might need some stitches, Isa."

Without a word, Levi pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, gently wrapping it around the cut, and tying it tight enough to work to stop the blood flow.

She gave him a gentle smile. "Thanks, Levi."

His only response was to reach up and ruffle gently at her hair.

Hange looked at Levi. "Levi, I need you to take Uma. You're the only one I can trust to handle her and make sure she doesn't try anything else."

Levi looked as if he wanted to refuse, didn't want to leave Isa's side for even a second. Isa placed a gentle hand on the one Levi had on her shoulder, drawing his gaze to her.

"It's okay, Levi." She murmured, stroking his hand lightly. "I need you to take Uma, please. I don't know if a dislocated shoulder and knee is enough to keep her from trying something. She's been putting up an act this whole time, she could be doing the same right now. Please." Her voice was a hushed whisper that only he could hear, as she squeezed his hand lightly.

He looked at her for a long moment, those eyes focused only on hers, before nodding. Her breath hitched when he lifted a hand to gently tuck some hair behind her ears, before grazing lightly down the side of her face.

The act didn't go unnoticed by Hange who tucked that information away for later.

He turned to the woman kneeling on the ground whimpering in pain as she looked at them over her shoulder. His eyes darkened and narrowed with the resurgence of that icy fury that had her scrambling back, cowering away from him as she trembled.

The irony wasn't lost on Isa. This same woman had taunted her, sneered at her, tortured her for years, and had just tried to kill her, yet now, in the face of Levi's menacing glare, she had turned into a trembling, pitiful, cowardly puddle.

Who's pathetic now, bitch?

"Come on." His voice had lost that warmth he reserved only for Isa, and had turned colder than Isa had ever heard, colder than it had been when she'd first met him, as he grabbed Uma's injured arm yanking her to her feet.

Uma cried out in pain when the movement jarred her shoulder.

"I suggest you move without any issues, and you might not lose full function in your arm. Don't test me."

Knowing she was defeated, Uma nodded, avoiding eye contact, limping as she walked. A whimper escaped her every few steps.

Isa couldn't help but shiver at the icy darkness in his voice, hoping that the tone would never be directed towards her, though she knew it never would be.

As she walked, she couldn't help but wince as the movement stretched the bruised skin of her stomach.

"What is it Isa?"

Hange's question had Levi's head snapping back to look at Isa, eyes feral and full of concern.

"I'm fine. I just think I have some bruises on my stomach and moving stretched them."

Levi's glare somehow turned even icier as he turned back to look at the pitiful woman struggling to walk. The look had her recoiling even further.

Ignoring the pain from the bruises, Isa ran up to Luna and wrapped her arms around the mare's neck. She could feel the sweat on Luna's fur. She pulled back to rub an affectionate hand on her muzzle. "Thank you, Luna. I'm going to take good care of you as soon as we get back, I promise."

Luna huffed and laid her head over Isa's shoulder as if to say, I'm just glad you're safe.

Once they'd arrived back to base, Isa and Hange took the horses to the stables while Levi took Uma inside to be dealt with. She could see the curious gazes of some of the Scouts looking at the windows, but she ignored them. Her only concern was making sure Luna was cleaned up and comfortable.

She took extra care to brush off the sweat and dirt that had built up, giving the mare soothing rubs here and there. She gave her extra hay and plenty of water, and even snagged some sugar cubes from her locker. She lay a warm blanket over her back, and once she was satisfied that Luna was cared for, she stepped back to look into the mare's eyes.

Complete adoration, love, and fondness filled Isa as she rubbed the mare's muzzle.

"You are, the very best horse a person could ever ask for Luna. I love you, so very much."

Luna's ears flickered towards Isa as she gave a hushed nicker as if to say, I love you too.

Isa placed a gentle kiss on the mare's nose before turning to walk out of the stall where Hange was waiting, looking as if she were filled with guilt, eyes pooling with unshed tears.

Isa pulled her best friend into a hug.

Hange's voice trembled as she spoke. "Isa, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. Levi from the beginning thought it was Uma. I should have listened to him. I should have done more digging. If I had found out Uma's placement at the end of training sooner, maybe I could have started piecing it together—"

Isa pulled back, placing her hands on Hange's arms, forcing her friend to meet her eyes. "Hange, stop." She kept her voice quiet, and soothing.

Hange looked at her friend, lip trembling. "Isa, I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you. You're my sister, and she almost took you from me." Her voice was shaky as unshed tears made it hard to talk.

"Hange, someone once told me that there's no point in wondering, because it doesn't change what happened. Say it Hange, say this wasn't my fault."

"This wasn't my fault." A small smile crossed Hange's face as Isa watched the guilty clouds fade from her eyes.

Isa gave Hange's arms a reassuring squeeze. "There you go. What was it that you always told me?"

Hange couldn't help but smile at her friend. "Not to blame yourself."

A gentle smile filled Isa's face. "That's right. Don't blame yourself Hange. It wasn't your fault. The person at fault, is the one inside with a dislocated knee and a dislocated shoulder, who turned into a puddle of fear at one look from Levi."

That drew a laugh from Hange as she pulled her friend back in for a hug. "Come on, let's go get you cleaned and patched up."

Isa followed Hange into the base, listening to Hange fill her in on everything she'd found on why Uma had targeted her. As they walked, she could feel the lingering remnants of that confidence that had filled her. While she now felt more confident in her abilities, it would take time for that confidence to spread into other aspects of life.

She relished in the fact that she'd just fought her first—and hopefully her last—life or death fight with another human and won.

I'm not weak.

And the thought brought a joyous smile to her face.

A/N:

Fight scenes are really hard to write, especially since I'm not a fighter, so I was winging it for the most part and did a lot of research on how certain joints can become dislocated. Yay for Isa kicking Uma's ass!

Thanks for reading! :) Feel free to let me know what you thought, if you want :P