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Recap:

I rocketed towards the Captain, who was still sitting by the trunk. As I grew closer, my eyes widened.

"Shit, I didn't think this far." I murmured, just before smashing into the Corporal.

I sent both of us tumbling off the branch and into nothingness. A shriek tore out of me as my world turned upside down and the air rushed into my head. A sudden hand latched onto my wrist and yanked hard, almost pulling it out of its socket. I winced in pain before realising I was now upright. Blinking to my senses, I fingered a trigger, a wire shooting out and latching onto a nearby trunk. Rather than pulling myself to a stop and risk dislocating my hips, I swung on the momentum, tumbling painfully onto the dirt. A groan escaped from me as I stretched my limbs, slowly turning myself over onto my back.

Bruised and battered but otherwise unharmed.

That was, until Levi landed on top of me, the force shoving my head into the forest floor. I gasped as all my breath ripped out of my lungs and Levi swore colourfully.

There was a silence, as Linda and Sophie both paused to watch on. After a few seconds of awkward cricket sounds, groans of pain resonated from Levi and myself. Hoots of laughter exploded from my comrades and I bit my lip in embarrassment.

"Actually, you might be wrong, it seems like you're having much more fun than we are here. Uh, Corporal, we'll go get the others for the next round." Called Linda before their chuckles faded into the forest. The silence ensued again and I squeezed my eyes closed from pain and embarrassment. Wall Rose, save me.

"Competitiveness is great if you don't kill someone in the process." Levi scolded, shifting uncomfortably above me. I flinched as his 3DMG pinched my skin, my eyes flying open, dark spots dotting my sight.

"Ok, point taken, now get off me." I blinked the black spots out of my vision before my brain registered the position we found ourselves in. Levi was on his stomach, draped across my midriff. When we turned our heads to look at each other, it was too close for comfort. My breath faltered as my gaze locked with his and a flicker of emotion passed in his grey eyes. Neither one of us wanted to break the gaze, either too shocked to or didn't want to. I myself couldn't tell why I didn't move.

AAAARRRRRCK!

A sudden screech from an unwanted bird effectively broke the silence and knocked some sense into of us. I blinked rapidly, regaining my mind and looked away, cheeks tinged with a blush. I rolled off my back and onto my stomach, sending Levi off and onto his ass on the dirt next to me. My nose brushed the ground as I stared at the dirt, hiding my face until I was sure I had it under control. We took a deep breath in as we lay side by side, slowly growing accustomed to our new bruises to both our body and reputations.

"You could have seriously hurt yourself, brat." Levi murmured, absentmindedly brushing down his now dirty uniform.

"Um, yeah, I'll think it through next time."

"Next time?"

My mouth tilted into a smile and I let out a chuckle. The awkwardness broke instantly and I met his unamused expression.

"Sorry sir. I mean, there wont be a next time, sir."

Levi rolled his eyes and hopped back onto his feet, seemingly fit as a fiddle again. He held out a hand for me.

"Come on, get up."

I grinned and grabbed onto the help.

"Yes sir."

"Stop calling me that."

Soon enough, it was time for the usual Titan training and the squad once again met up outside the forest but now on the Southern end. This was where the wooden Titans were set up, and a moderate ways away from the other grading exams. Brian, Sophie and Jack were bickering about the dodging techniques, claiming the stalling tactics used on themselves were unfair.

"You drew your sword!"

"I did not!"

"Well, you were thinking it."

"Maybe that's because you headbutted him?"

"Speaking of headbutting, I heard you had an unfortunate encounter with the Cap't here, Hazura?"

I turned and glared at Sophie, who quickly began whistling in innocence. Of course, she would blab to the world about my accident.

"I just...slightly misjudged my landing, that's all." My gaze darted around the sky before I faced the ground. There was no way I was looking at Levi. I was embarrassed enough as it was.

"If your target was the Corporal, then I wouldn't say you misjudged it all." Brian snickered.

"Come here, you little-!" I leapt forward and snagged Brian into a friendly headlock.

"Enough." Commanded Levi and we instantly silenced. I let go of Brian's neck and he sent me a wink in return. I glanced at the sky.

God, if there was time to make a hole underneath me, now would be great.

"Split."

The Special Ops began to stretch our fingers, preparing for the most important task of all, deciding on the two teams of three. This final combination could make or break us.

"Scissors, paper, rock!"

"Despite our differences, I think it's pretty evenly matched." Linda commented, as the two teams swapped glances between ourselves.

"You're lucky you're not on the same team as me." I teased Brian, raising a blade to point at him. He fluttered his eyes at me.

"Who? Me? Don't worry about me, I can tease you about both the Captain and you losing this round."

"Not on my watch." Jack answered, placing a hand on my shoulder.

Brian, Steve and Linda stood on one side of the forest entry. Jack, Sophie and myself stood on the other. Levi then emerged from the leaves after checking that the Titans were ready. He shifted his weight as he faced us, face still holding that bored expression.

"There are 20 Titans. You have 30 minutes. Each Titan is being watched so I can validate who finished it and who assisted. Stay within the Southern corner of the forest. Any questions? Good. Go."

With that sudden start, all six of us vaulted into the air before silver wires whisked us head first into the trees.

Game on.