Back again with another chapter! Thank you again for all those that have read and followed the story. I really hope you're enjoying it! It has been a struggle getting back into writing, but I have found it to be a nice outlet. Don't forget to review if you can, follow, favorite, etc. Thank you again wonderful readers!

As the story turns…

Chapter Four: The Interrogation

The journey to the Scout's headquarters was quiet. It was fortunate that it was somewhat isolated from the rest of civilization so that people didn't really notice her. Although, to be sure she stayed somewhat invisible, Levi gave her his cape and pulled the hood up over her face. Last thing they needed was for word to get back to the Military Police that they had taken someone into custody. They already didn't trust the Scouts, and she would stick out like a sore thumb if anyone could see her.

She only raised an eyebrow at the Captain as he kept making sure her face wasn't visible. He just rolled his eyes at the look she gave him. "You're...distracting." He said. Not meeting her eyes as the words came out of his mouth.

"Is that so, Captain?" She smirked at him. He clearly was uncomfortable at the admission, but the comment didn't make him blush like her kinky one did.

Serenity rode with Levi on his horse. She sat in front of him, while he had an arm secured around her waist to keep her from falling. She stiffened initially when his hand made contact with her body, but she soon relaxed into the touch and leaned back against him - her head once again resting on his chest. Levi remained still, but he would be lying to himself if he said he didn't enjoy having her there. His heart sped up a bit, and he had to blink at how his body was betraying him. He just hoped she didn't notice.

Erwin noticed though, and he wondered exactly what was going on between Levi and this woman. He would have to keep an eye on them. It seemed Levi's normal defenses were crumbling around him, and it didn't sit too well with the Commander.

Soon they arrived at an old looking castle. Levi dismounted his horse, leaving Serenity to frown at the loss of his warmth and smell. He smelled like soap and cinnamon, and she enjoyed having the scent envelop her during the journey.

Once Levi was settled on the ground, he reached up to assist Serenity since her hands were still bound behind her back. She managed to get down from the horse without face planting, but she did trip before catching herself. Levi only smirked at her as she blushed in embarrassment.

"You try getting off a horse without using your hands." She shot at him, clearly aggravated, but a touch of playfulness was hidden in her eyes.

"You could just be clumsy, brat." Levi teased her but stopped as soon as Erwin approached the pair.

"Armin, Mikasa." The two stood to attention as Erwin addressed then. "Lead Serenity to the cells. The Captain and I will be there momentarily. Do not leave her sight until someone is there to relieve you." Erwin said.

"Yes Commander!" The two cadets said as they gave an impressive salute to Erwin.

Erwin watched as she was led away. He waited until she was out of earshot before he turned his eye back to the Captain. He studied him for a bit, noticing that Levi made no outward appearance of emotion as Serenity was led away.

"What's going on with you two?" Erwin asked bluntly.

Levi faltered in his stoic gaze with the Commander. He was not sure how to answer that. He didn't know what was going on, but was it that obvious to everyone that he had been distracted by her? He usually held himself with such professionalism, so this lapse in judgment hit him. He was then grateful that she had insisted on being bound. She was right, it would have reflected poorly on him if he hadn't. Still though, he clearly was becoming too relaxed with this girl if others were starting to notice.

"Nothing Commander." Levi said. Not fully believing the words himself.

"You seem to be getting awfully familiar with her, Levi." Erwin said. "I am not saying this to question your commitment or resolve. I can recognize that she is very beautiful, anyone with eyes can see that. Perhaps one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Regardless of that though, what I need to know at this point is are you compromised?"

Levi stiffened. He did a mental check on himself and realized how much he had let his guard down with this woman. To the point that the Commander was questioning if he could be trusted to deal with her. In his entire life, Levi had never allowed himself to behave or think in such a way. How was she able to break him in the short span of time that they have known each other? Who was she? His carelessness could have put the Scouts in danger. He shook his head at the thought. He will pull back and start looking at the situation objectively. He would have to ignore the way she made his heart flutter. The way she was able to get those around her to trust her so easily. He would not be some simp that falls to the whims and wishes of a pretty face. He still believed she wasn't a threat, but he would start monitoring himself better in how he acted around her. He was Levi Ackerman. Nothing affected him.

Levi's eyes met Erwin's. "I apologize if my actions thus far have caused you to doubt me, but I assure you they will not happen again, Commander." Levi said.

Erwin gave a curt nod to Levi, still not entirely convinced, but willing to accept his answer for the time being. Levi had never willingly put soldiers in danger. Erwin looked around to ensure that it was just he and Levi outside before asking, "So, what other information did you get out of her that you were unwilling to share in front of everyone else?"

"Apart from the fact that she has no clue what Titans are or the history behind them, she also believes them to have once been human." Levi said.

Erwin's eyes widened. "Why does she believe that? You don't think they could have been human, do you?" He asked.

"I don't know the answer to that. I'm sure anything is possible, but the reason behind her belief was, in her words, they had a sadness in their eyes and looked lost - as if someone had stolen their soul." Levi said. Recalling the words of Serenity. "I've never even taken the chance to study a Titan that closely, or even look past the fact that they all but wiped out humanity, but she saw it. Instantaneously."

"How can she even see something like that?" Erwin asked.

Because she holds such sadness in her own eyes. Broken people can see that sort of thing. Levi thought, but didn't say it out loud. "I'm not sure, but the strangest thing is the Titans apparently are not be interested in her. She said that she approached the wall without issue. That the Titans just looked at her but made no move to attack. So, her being a shifter wouldn't make sense. Titans are overly attracted to shifters. Then again, it makes her sound inhuman..."

Erwin could only stare at Levi. "You mean, they have no desire to eat her? Weren't you attacked?"

"We were, but even then, the Titan made no move to eat her. In fact, she wouldn't have ended up in its hand if she wasn't trying to foolishly protect me." Levi said. "She had no second thoughts about placing her life in danger...for mine." Levi sighed at how readily she pushed him aside, only putting herself in more danger.

"I see." Erwin said. "Perhaps that is why you have let your guard drop some. It would make sense. It is an outward display of honor, but such things can be fabricated, and we can't ignore the fact that the Titans don't respond to her. I wonder why that is?"

Levi stiffened at the mention of letting his guard down but made no move to argue the point. He knew the Commander was right. Instead, he just continued. "But that is the thing, they do respond to her. It is like they understand her."

"What?!" Erwin asked incredulously.

"Just before the Titan attacked me, she yelled for it to stop - and it did." Levi said. Still in disbelief of what had happened. "She begged it not to kill me, that there had to be another way, that killing me wouldn't cure its pain. It was as if the Titan was listening to her, but I guess it was too far gone. It still attacked."

Erwin couldn't believe what he was hearing. Who was this woman?

"I tried to call her out on it, about her foolishness," Levi continued, "but she started spouting off nonsense about trying to save lives. I think she just doesn't want anyone else dying. When I told her about the current population size, she sobbed. Saying that 'she failed.' What that means, I still don't know, but she did let slip that the population used to be seven billion, which makes absolutely no sense according to our own history."

Erwin's mind was in overdrive. Seven billion?! He thought. How was that possible? Were his beliefs, right? Did the government rewrite history and hid the truth from the people? Were they trying to control humanity? What more did she know? Did she know about how humanity used to be? Did she know about what came before the three walls? Before Titans? Before any of it?

Levi shifted on his feet uncomfortably. Erwin had been silent for far too long, and it made him wonder what exactly was going through his mind.

Finally, Erwin took a deep breath. "If that is the case Levi, it is good you suggested not to report her presence to the Military Police. She would be in a body bag before we ever got any useful information out of her. She may be an enemy, she may be an ally, but either way she clearly has some knowledge that could be beneficial in exposing the corrupt government here."

"If I may speak freely Commander?" Levi asked. Erwin just nodded at him.

"While I will stick to my word about not letting my guard down around her again, and that it was a mistake to do so, I truly believe she holds no ill intentions for any living creature. Be they human or Titan." Levi said. "There is something about her that I can't quite explain. It goes beyond her physical appearance. She just has the air of a guardian. A protector. It could be that my senses are way off..." Levi's voice trailed off, realizing at this point he was just rambling.

Erwin stared intently at the Captain. It was unlike him to trust someone so quickly, but clearly this woman struck a nerve with him. While Levi might not completely trust her, it was clear that he was enamored with her. Erwin just smirked at Levi finally showing some emotion other than indifference, irritation, anger, and violence.

"I will take your words into consideration." Erwin said. "But we still need to speak with her. Especially considering all the information that you have told me."

Levi nodded in agreement as they made their way into headquarters.

Serenity sat on the edge of the bed in the cell. It was in the basement of the headquarters, and it appeared there were chains around to keep other wayward prisoners at bay. Armin apologized for having to put her in there, she only smiled at the boy and told him that she understood why she needed to be there. Mikasa only stared at her. Unsure of what to think of the situation. Serenity was sure that Mikasa was frustrated that she wasn't going after her friend, but it seemed the dark-haired girl had finally accepted her limits and knew it was a fool's mission to go at it on her own with no plan.

Serenity gave them no trouble, and Armin untied her hands once she was inside. He didn't seem to fear or question her. His heart was pure and trusting.

They didn't exchange any pleasantries, knowing that any conversation that took place at this point needed to be with either the Commander or the Captain. They stood at the edge of the door leading to the cells. They didn't stare at her but stayed alert – as was their duty.

Serenity nervously picked at her nails. She knew they would want answers, the question was how much she was willing to give. Sure, when she was here before as Sailor Moon, the people of Earth knew of her existence. They celebrated it, but they never knew her true identity. At least not until the time she rose to the throne as Queen, but by then she was certain no one even remember the cry baby Usagi from so many years ago. Would it be ok to reveal her identity?

She was hesitant to do so, fearing that such a move would only complicate things further. They didn't need to know her identity. Not yet at least. Her goal was to help and move on. Any longer here, and she would find it unbearable to leave. She always grew attached to people far too quickly. That couldn't be allowed. She was a lone warrior. Isolation her only friend. She sighed at the thought as she cradled her head in her hands.

"You are relieved from your duties." Serenity heard a voice say as she looked up. Her eyes catching those steel grey ones as she saw Levi once again. The Commander was right behind him telling Mikasa and Armin it was ok to leave. Once the two left, Serenity was left alone with the two imposing men. She took a deep breath as she prepared herself for the interrogation.

"Hello." She said weakly as the two made their way closer to her cell.

Erwin gave her a small smile, but Levi's face remained stoic as ever.

"How are the accommodations?" Erwin asked. Amusement behind his eyes.

"Real five-star hotel you got here." Serenity joked before she sighed. "In all honesty, I've been in worse places. At least you're not actively trying to kill me, yet at least." She winked at them.

"So, we have tried the 'who are you' question, and it seems to get us nowhere. So, why don't we start out with some specifics instead." Erwin started. "Where are you from?"

Serenity looked at the man. Still unsure how to answer. She was from two places. The Moon and Tokyo. Neither of which would make sense to the men standing in front of her, but Tokyo likely would be the less conspicuous answer. She really should lie, but it just wasn't in her nature, but she didn't have to tell them everything. Not right now.

"I'm from a place called Tokyo." She finally decided. "And before you ask, no, I can't go back there even if I tried. It was destroyed long ago, along with those that lived there. I have no home anymore. This is why I was traveling, to see if I could find any trace of civilization. Your wall was the first thing I noticed, and I came straight here."

Erwin nodded. "How is it that you knew nothing about the Titans? I am assuming your home was destroyed by them."

"Then you are wrong in your assumption." Serenity said. "It was destroyed, yes, but not by Titans. It was something far more menacing that did the damage."

"What on Earth could be more menacing than Titans that feed off humans?" Erwin asked. He had a hard time believing there was something worse out there.

Serenity paused. She could answer in truth. It was clear from her brief conversation with Levi that the history of the world had been wiped out. They wouldn't know. They would either believe her or think she was crazy. Either decision wouldn't stop her from her mission to help. She knew she could break out of this cell, but she wanted these people to trust her. It would make it a lot easier for her mission if she could utilize the information they held, but their cooperation wasn't necessary.

"A demon." She said truthfully. "Known as Chaos. It feeds off the hearts and souls of the living. Controls them just to bring about the destruction of all." Her eyes became completely void of emotion as she thought of Chaos. It was because of Chaos that her life became what it is now.

Levi noticed the sudden shift in her eyes but didn't say anything. He was observing her to see if she was speaking truth, but what she said made absolutely no sense.

"Demon?" Levi questioned.

"An evil entity. Not something physical like a Titan." Serenity explained. "It can only utilize its power by infecting life, but when it does, its power and destruction hold no bounds."

"So, your home was destroyed by this thing." Erwin asked. Very skeptical at this point as he raised an eyebrow at the girl.

"Truth is stranger than fiction, Commander." Serenity commented.

"How were you the lone survivor?" Erwin questioned. Still nowhere close to figuring out who this girl was.

The question threw Serenity for a moment as she began to nervously pick at her nails again. She looked away from them. Unshed tears filled her eyes as she tried to get a hold of her emotions - refusing to allow them to see her like this. The images of her Senshi's dead bodies lying around her, sacrificing themselves for her, filled her mind.

"I was unfortunate, I guess." She said in a strained voice. A single tear rolling down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away trying to take deep breaths.

"Unfortunate? How is that unfortunate?" Erwin questioned. Thrown by her answer.

"Imagine losing everything. Everything you truly loved and held dear. Then having to continue on in life with a constant reminder that you are alone in this world. It would have been a blessing if I had died that day, instead my people sacrificed their lives so I could live." Serenity choked out.

Levi stiffened at hearing her. The emotion in her voice catching him off guard. He knew what it felt like to lose people. All of them did. "We do understand." He said.

"I'm sure to a degree you do, but this...it haunts me to this day. Even after all this time, the images never go away." Serenity took another breath as she buried the memories within her once again. The walls guarding her emotions rebuilding. "So, I keep pushing. I keep surviving. For them. For their sacrifice." She finally looked back at the men; the emotional turmoil gone from her eyes leaving only a blank stare.

Erwin and Levi could only blink at her. Baffled at her sudden change in disposition, but she continued.

"It is not something we could have fought at the time. Chaos is very powerful, so we stood no chance against it. I escaped with my life only to see everything else turned to ruin. I have been alone since." Serenity said. "At least until I found you. I know things are strange, and you don't know me, but please believe that I want to help. I am sorry to have not been here sooner. All I want to do is save lives, even if there are so few left."

"Captain Levi said that you claimed the population used to be seven billion, where did you get that information?" Erwin asked, trying to steer the conversation to the questions he needed to answered.

"What do you mean how did I get that information? Is that not known here?" Serenity deflected the questions back at him, needing to know more about this place as well. "Captain told me the year was 850. What exactly happened here? Why are humans concentrated in one place?"

Erwin's eyebrows shot up as he listened to her questions. Did she truly not know? Not even the year? "I am afraid that is not what has been portrayed to us. Yes, the population was larger than it is now, but I would remember if it were that size. Obviously, Titans are the reason we are concentrated in one place. The walls protected us, and had protected us for the last 100 years, until they finally broke through. As far as the year, how did you not know that yourself?"

"Time really wasn't something we concerned ourselves with in Crystal Tokyo." Serenity answered simply – mentally slapping herself at the slip up of the name. She hoped they wouldn't notice. It was the truth at least.

Levi had noticed though but didn't press it further. Not now at least. He rolled his eyes at her ability to avoid answers, but he couldn't help but admire the girl for her quick wit. The real question was what was she truly trying to hide from them?

"Captain Ackerman says that it appeared as if you can communicate with the Titans, and that they don't actively try and devour you, do you know why that is?" Erwin asked.

"I'll give you the same answer I gave the Captain, I don't know. Up until recently I had no idea what a Titan was, but they didn't attack me. At least not until I attempted to protect the Captain." Serenity answered. "I am convinced that they were once human, and something happened to them to make them the way they are now."

"Why is that?" Erwin blurted out.

"Just a gut feeling, I guess. The look in their eyes, maybe. It is not that different from the youma we had to face in Tokyo. Once human, turned monster. We were able to fight them at one point, then we figured out how to heal them, but ultimately Chaos had too much control and we were overpowered. Perhaps if you focused more on trying to help the creatures, maybe your situation would change. It appears what you have been doing so far isn't working." Serenity said. Almost regretting her words, but she knew something needed to be done or all of humanity would be gone, and she would not allow that to happen.

"How were you able to heal the, what did you call them, youmas?" Levi interjected. Hoping that maybe she had an answer that would help them.

"I am not sure if the process would work on Titans, they seem a different being altogether." Serenity mumbled. "However, the process is difficult to explain. I would have to study them more." Still actively avoiding answering completely.

At that point, another soldier she didn't know came into the room. She had glasses and was tall. "Captain, Commander, the reinforcements have arrived. I think I have found a potential route where they went, but if we don't reach there before nightfall, we may lose them." The woman was still bandaged from the injuries she had sustained earlier. Serenity recognized her as one of the soldiers that were unconscious at the top of the wall.

Erwin nodded. "Very well. Hange, notify the others that can still wield a blade that we are to head out now. You stay at headquarters and continue healing. You can't fight in the state you're in right now."

Hange gave a salute as she exited the room. Serenity looked at Erwin and Levi, wanting nothing more to help them, but knew she would be rejected. "I guess there is no point in me asking to assist in this expedition." She said quietly.

"There isn't." Erwin confirmed. "Not until we know more. Not only that, but fighting Titans is a trained skill with required equipment. Both of which you do not currently have. If we can be convinced that you are no threat, perhaps then I can discuss with the other leaders about allowing you to train. Under supervision of course, but we are a long way to that point. Until then, you will be kept here, and I will instruct any guards stationed here to treat you with civility. Should any of them cause you problems, report it to me or the Captain when we return."

Serenity nodded. Erwin began to walk out of the room before stopping and turning to Levi. He was still rooted to the spot, staring at the girl.

Serenity blushed under his fierce gaze, but she didn't break it. He was trying to read her.

"Are you coming, Captain?" Erwin asked, studying the two.

"Yes Commander, if I may have a moment." Erwin nodded at the request, but made note to ask him about the private interaction later. Perhaps Levi could pull more information from her. She seemed to somewhat trust him.

"Don't be long, Captain." Erwin said as he exited the room.

Once he was gone, Levi stepped forward and handed Serenity a couple of books through the bars of the cell. She hadn't even noticed he had been holding them. She looked up at him in confusion as she took them.

"So, you don't lose your mind in boredom. I know you must have a lot of questions, hopefully some of the answers will be in those." Levi said as he motioned to the books.

"Thank you, Captain." Serenity said with a bright smile that caused Levi's breath to hitch slightly.

"What exactly are you trying so desperately to hide?" Levi questioned. Unable to stop himself. He wanted to know more. Not just for the sake of the Scouts, but to satisfy his own curiosity.

"It is hard to explain, Captain." Serenity said, adverting her eyes from him momentarily. "Perhaps I fear the information will be too much to handle given everything that is going on. Perhaps I fear that it will only serve to further confuse and lose focus on the issue at hand - to save life. It is information that is..." she paused trying to find the right words "...difficult for me to trust others with – for fear of putting them in danger." She looked into his eyes, and he could see the honesty behind them.

More questions flooded his mind, but he knew he didn't have the time. They had to go after Jaegar. They could not lose him. He just nodded at her as he started to walk out.

"Captain." Her voice caused him to pause before turning to her. "You're hurt. Is it your ankle? You're limping. Should you really go when it hasn't fully healed?" Concern in her voice.

"I have dealt with it for a while. Nothing I can't handle." Levi answered. "Besides, I don't have much choice. This is going to be a dangerous mission, and I need to be there."

"Humanity's Strongest Soldier." Serenity whispered. She reached out a hand through the bar, motioning for him to come closer. He hesitated at first, but walked to where he was standing right in front of her. Inches separating them as they studied each other.

Serenity knew that what she was about to do would cause only more distrust to be thrown at her, but she couldn't allow him to go into such a situation injured the way he was. She knew very well that he could end up dying, and she didn't want that. She kept her eyes on him as she gently kneeled in front of him. She grabbed his ankle gently through the bars and lifted it. Levi was about to protest, but then he saw her eyes close and a warm feeling flooded through his body. Almost as if a light was filling him with new strength and purpose. When the feeling subsided, he turned back to the girl wondering what exactly happened. She stood up and only offered him a smile.

When Levi set his foot down, he noticed the pain wasn't there anymore. It felt as if it had never been injured. He put more pressure on it just to be sure, but it was gone. All of the pain was gone. His eyes widened as he stared back at her. "How..." he trailed off, words no longer forming in his mind.

She placed a soft hand on his cheek before saying, "come back safe, Captain." She then retreated into the cell and sat on the bed, picking up one of the books he provided her.

Levi stood there for what seemed like an eternity before his mind finally caught up with him. He wanted to stay. Wanted to ask more questions. What just happened? It would all have to wait though. They had a suicidal brat named Jaegar they needed to rescue. With a sigh he turned on his heels and walked out of the room.

Don't forget to please review! Next up Serenity will finally meet Eren Jaegar, and what other questions will the Scouts have for her after what just happened with Levi? Stay tuned!

-Lizzy