The night was thankfully uneventful so we packed up and began moving again at first light. Chatter was kept quiet, just in case, but it never stopped. I guess we were too wired up to stay silent, much to Levi's chargin.

"We need some supplies from the town, so the 104th cadets, except Eren and Historia, will go in undercover. The rest of us are too noticeable." Levi flicked his over to the troops behind us. I nodded in agreement. Any one would be able to notice Levi or myself if they got too close. Sending in the younger cadets to wander around in the market wouldn't seem out of place.

"We should stay in the forest outskirts, close enough in case there is trouble but far away enough to run if the MP catches a whiff of us." Steve popped up, urging his horse forward.

I frowned as I thought.

"The MP would be crawling all over the town and some of them may even be out hunting for us. To be on the safe side, we'll move further into the forest. Hanji's squad and the remaining of Levi's squad should stay with them. Special Ops will fan out into the surrounding forest and keep watch."

I raised an eyebrpw at Levi, asking whether he approved of the plan.

"Tch. Fine." Despite the short answer, there was a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

I smiled. I knew he wouldn't like being kept out of the action but Eren and Historia were the priorities. If anyone could protect them, it was Levi.

After a few more miles in, we came to a stop and spread out the plan. Jean, Mikasa, Conny and Armin agreed to head into town, their 3DMG off and heavy cloaks over their forms. Sasha pouted on one side of the field when Levi refused to let her go. Once she smelt those marketplace food stalls, she was a goner. Eren and Historia sat around the horses, having small talk between themselves. Hanji's members also hung around, relaxedly discussing something. With a flick of my head, the Special Ops fanned themselves out into the surround bush, naturally melting into the canopy.

"I wonder how Hanji's doing." I mused, strolling my way through the trees. Levi walked beside me, despite agreeing to stay near the horses.

"Shitty glasses is probably punching someone in the face right now."

I laughed. "And then would analyse her hand for the bruising pattern that would turn up later."

Then there was scuffle to our left, the noise barely covered by the natural sounds of the forest. Levi and I instantly pulled out our blades and split up. I headed to the left of the noise, treading silently through the dirt. My eyes darted across my vision, trying to spot a movement. There was a metallic click as I slowed my steps.

"Shit!" I swore and dropped to the ground.

BANG!

A bullet tore through the leaves, piercing the air where my head had been a second ago. I rolled back onto the balls of my feet, gritting my teeth and glanced up. My eyes widened as they stared down the barrel of a shot gun, held by an MP only a few metres away from me. They brushed away the foilage and stepped out into the clearing. The metal gun glinted into the late afternoon sun. Instead of fear, annoyance ripped through my mind and I gathered my energy into my feet, ready to take that MP into hell with me. However, there was a brief whirring sound before Levi burst through the greenery. He smashed into the gun-MP from behind, sending the officer flying past me, gun now out of hand. The Captain also soared past me, eyes honed in on the enemy.

"Levi!" I called twisting to watch him.

"Behind!" he yelled back and quickly engaged in a fight. At his command, I spun back around and leapt up into the trees. Eyes scrambling, I leapt in the opposite direction from Levi, hoping to round back on the second MP and catch him off guard.

"Hazura!" Levi bellowed, an annoyed warning tone in his voice. I shook my head in amusement and finally dropped below the canopy, retracing my steps. I spied Levi up ahead, wiping his blade with a cloth. Dots of red liquid trailed in the dirt from where he was standing and into the bushes. There was another click as a gun was loaded.

I realised that between Levi and I stood the second MP officer, a woman with long brown hair tied into a single ponytail. It seemed like she didn't hear me as she braced the butt of her rifle against her shoulder, aiming. At Levi.

"Captain!" called a voice. I recognized it immediately.

Steve. Shit, he'll be caught in the crossfire.

I immediately pulled my right arm back and hurled my blade at her. The sliver sliced the air before coming to a halt, deep in the back of her right shoulder. She screamed and jerked her rifle upwards. A bullet exploded from the barrel, disappearing harmlessly into the trees. I dub my heels into the dirt and vaulted forward, legs pumping. I reached out and grabbed a hold of my embedded weapon. My left blade arced around, pressing against her neck...

Before I knew it, my left arm brandished a bloody blade, the forest now void of the woman's screams. I breathed heavily as my adrenaline subsided. The body and rifle fell noisily to the ground at my feet. The world around me blurred as I focused my gaze onto the red liquid dripping from my weapon and mixing in with the forest floor.

A set of hands gripped onto my arms and shoved me backwards. There was a muffled conversation before I watched Steve race away, back towards Eren and the others. He sent me a nod in thanks before he left. Thanks? Who would thank me for-

"Get a grip! Hazura!"

I startled back into reality and my gaze focused in on Levi. My breaths were coming in short gasps, my eyes open wide. His tight grip loosened slightly when I blinked up at him. A small cut ran across his left cheek, still red but not bleeding. My left hand grip slacked, dropping my blade. Both hands involuntarily reached out and cupped his face in between them. He made a noise of surprise, eyes widening.

"You're all right? Not hurt?" the words rushed out of me, adrenaline still coursing strongly. For a moment, nothing happened and we stood there like idiots. Slowly, Levi's own hands reached up. Instead of ripping mine off like I expected, he gently ran his fingers over my hands and pulled them down, keeping them wrapped in his.

"I'm fine."

My heart finally stuttered back into its' normal pace. Honestly a bit difficult with Levi's calm grey irises gazing at me like that. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness."

"Captain, a few more minutes and we're good to- oh." Steve stuttered to a stop, his mouth gaping.

I pulled away from Levi's hold and chuckled to cover up my embarrassment.

"Close your mouth, Steve. You might eat a bug out here."

"Tch, let's head back then, brat. We need to get out of here." Levi resumed his normal personality and flicked his head.

Grinning, I looped an arm around Steve and we all headed back to the rest of the group.