Part 28
Heavy Hearts

"Fury's back?"

"I thought she died years ago…"

"I heard she went AWOL."

"Surely she can't be allowed back into the Scouts?"

"Why did she leave anyway?"

"We're all scared… But none have us are that cowardly to leave."

Fury sighed as the whispered assumptions continued. She was now back within Wall Rose. Civilians lined the streets like always whenever the Scouts returned from expeditions. Like always, they mumbled in disappointment at how few of them always returned.

"Captain Levi! Sir!" Bellowed a mid-aged man as he approached Levi himself, who pulled his horse behind him, blocking out the civilians opinions. "Sorry to be such a bother to you, Captain, I was just wondering when I'd be able to see Petra again. She's always so focused to the Scouts, her mother and I rarely see her anymore."

Fury looked on with pained eyes, noticing the blank expression Levi gave himself upon his visage. He was always left with the gruelling responsibility of informing families of their deceased loved ones. Fury was never too sure if she could carry such a burden, as well as carrying her own as well.

"She left her mother and me a letter before she departed. She's always been so dedicated to you, Captain. Her mother and I only wish she could perhaps settle down one day and get married, but of course Petra puts her job first."

Blanking out most of the surrounding noise, Fury was then snapped back to reality as the air was met with a painful wail coming from Petra's father as Levi stood with a hand placed upon the gentleman's shoulder; handing him Petra's Scout insignia to him as that's all he was able to offer other than his condolences and apology. Fury felt a gnaw eat at her as she could somewhat feel the man's pain of losing his daughter.

"She fought bravely." Levi muttered, attempting to comfort the grief stricken father. "She always did. And I'll carry the memory of her with me for as long as I can." He couldn't bring himself to utter the truth in how she died. It was undignified and Levi, as cold as he could be at times, refused to allow this man to be left with the image of his daughter being mercilessly killed by a Titan. He couldn't bring himself to tell the man that he ordered for Petra's body, among the rest of his squad, to be dumped recklessly just to prevent themselves from being eaten by a pursing Titan as well.

Fury left the cart in which she was upon. Looking back, seeing it was still empty. She sighed in angst. Could she have tried harder to at least allow the bodies return to their families? Fury then noticed Jean looking over at her with an expression she was not familiar with. Shock? Fear? Disgust? There was no way the reveal of her Bloodborn abilities could remain hidden now. Not with both Levi and Jean themselves witnessing it.

"Fury." Then came the commanding tone of Erwin, who had approached the female; allowing a Scout recruit to take his white stallion back to the stables. Fury looked up towards the towering man. She could see the disappointment upon his own face. They failed in capturing the Female Titan, but Fury knew well enough that the loss of lives weighed upon the man. "I have reports to file out. But I would like for you to be at my office by sunset. That's an order."

Fury nodded. That's all she could offer as Erwin then turned on his heel to walk away towards the barracks. Now she was left surrounded by whimpering cadets who had lost their closest friends. Families were heard sobbing as they were informed of their loved ones who had not returned back home with the rest of the formation. Could any of this been avoided at all? Fury felt her burdens becoming heavier again. It was too good to be true to think that Hexis had managed to take some of that weight off her shoulders. But with the world she lived in, it's presumed that most people suffer from burdens one way or another.

"What a fucking mess…" Levi gritted his teeth, rubbing his hand down his cheek as he emitted a sigh; watching on as Petra's father dragged his body back home to bring his wife news no parent should ever have to endure.

"Levi… I…" Fury had no idea what to say. The two were now evidently distant as friends. What could she do? Hug him? Kiss him again? How that would be uncalled for right now.

"I don't want to hear it." The raven-haired male soon snapped back, narrowing his eyes. "You're back. Fine. But I'm in no mood to whip up a return party for you."

"Sarcasm." She pointed out, just like he once did all those years back when down in the Underground. He shrugged his shoulders, removing his gaze away from her. Sarcasm was probably all he had right now. This only added more guilt for Fury. "Your ankle…"

Levi looked down, eyes still narrowed. "Sprained." He answered. Better than it being broken, that's for sure. "But I can't do much in this condition…" Did he hold Fury to blame for his state? She did, after all, go too far with their assault against the Female Titan. Had Levi not hurt himself in the process of pushing her out of the way, could the bodies of his squad return with them after all? Fury knew Levi well. Three Titans would've have been of no worry to him to have taken down. But his injury prevented any risk. "Fuck… The amount of reports I'm going to have to file out because of this bullshit."

He was still talking to her, in his own foul-mouthed way. That was something, as least. "I'll explain what I can to you. You have my word." Fury then told him. Being a Captain, he would most likely be informed of it all anyway. For now, all Levi could off her in return was a nod of his own. With a small limp, he tore himself away from conversing with her anymore. No doubt he was in pain and that in itself pained Fury for knowing he was hurting on the inside. Despite the passing of 4 years, she still cared. Even if she never showed it herself.

Right now, Fury had Erwin to contend with. Another she left behind with no real explanation. And now she had to reveal what she was. How would he view her after this? For the first time in goodness knows how long, Fury felt nervous; scared almost to confront the Commander with her small notebook of details in which she kept with her throughout the years she was gone. Fury couldn't run from this one. It needed to be dealt with head on.

And so, in taking a breath of fresh air, her legs began to carry her towards the barracks.