Ackerman
A few weeks, maybe a few months have passed, Alan is not entirely sure anymore.
He writes in his diary that he keeps on his person, filling in the pages with his own thoughts and secrets. Some pages he draws mostly some that come to mind, some his nightmares, the titan with the reaching hand, his hand clenched at his pencil as he got the picture in his mind. He shook his head forgetting the feeling and the memory. He sometimes confides with Bertholdt about it sometimes Eren, While Eren can proclaim vengeance against that titan that nearly took his friends life, Bertholdt is different, he can only nod and talks about his village he came from knowing the feeling of loss, the one he told Eren on that night he came to ask them for help.
He was surprised to say the least when Eren and Armin came to Reiner and Bertholdt for help on the ODM. Alan only walked in on them as Eren was talking about his mother being eaten. Alan pitied him, he knew the feel of loss, catching Berthold's eye, Alan can simply nod as Bert told his and Reiner's origins from where they came from the village from the south of the wall, with no warning to catch them, so they was attacked unawares by titans.
Reiner then decided to take them out with Alan and Bertholdt walking along with them into the woods, until they come to this clearing that caught all their breaths, with the valley of tree's and a lake in the distance reflecting the moonlight. What caught Alan's attention the most was Reiner declaring that he wants to become a soldier so he can return to his hometown, leaving a feeling in all them. Alan placed his hand on Reiner's shoulder giving him his genuine smiles and looked to Eren "We will all return home".
That following day Eren showed determination that made Alan feel proud as he manages to gain balance on a faulty belt which impresses him even more. When Eren is cheering for his victory Alan cheered with him, feeling he gained yet another friend in this cruel world
Some of his time he been sparring with Annie, learning a few techniques that she willing to share with him. He noticed how she tries to keep up with his style of fighting which is unexpected to say the least.
Annie as Alan noticed is that she is powerful with her kicks when if caught unaware can send a poor soul keeling over on their head without any warning, disorientating them before the second kick.
Alan's fighting style is like a living trap, he leaves out weaknesses that apparent to be his strength. In their first close quarters they went basic fighting styles, while Alan tests his opponents, he pulls his strengths without showing what he's capable first off, then when he figure out where their limit is, he up's his ante, wiping the floor with them.
Now the one on one combat is now seeming to bore him.
When paired off with Armin, he more likely teaches him and tests his abilities. Poor kid, he stared at him in pity.
"Remember Armin, brute strength is not always the answer" Alan spoke in between amateur punches and shoves from the little blonde before him.
Armin huffing and attempting to catch his breath groaned in his shoulders as Alan slightly tapped his shoulder sending a shock in his nerves. "Easy from someone who fights like a walking trap"
Alan's eyes squinted a slight bit as if trying to find a way to help this kid. "Every fight is a battlefield, strategies on what you want to do and force the your opponent to do exactly what you want" demonstrating with Armin charging with the wooden knife, Alan side stepped and slightly kicked the back of his knee, making Armin fall to his knees.
His hand reached to Armin as he gladly took it lifting him up "And when the opening is there, you take it, without hesitation" The point he's trying to make is to make quick decisions and plan it like the strategy room, learn your opponents quickly and exploit their weaknesses so they couldn't recover from it.
Slightly nodding and processing the information Armin gasping for his breath.
"Oh Alan" a feminine voice cried out. Causing the two to head turn to the direction of a, very smaller, pretty blonde.
Christa Lenz giving a look of disapproval to the taller soldier as if chastising his actions. "You shouldn't beat your opponents, to easily and leaving them for the dirt." Quickly holding some water and pouring it into Armin's mouth as if he's a wounded soldier on the battlefield.
The eyebrow cocks up amused at seeing how delicate she's treating him and kept a straight face when seeing the blush creeping on the boy's face. 'Seriously?' Alan shook his head in amusement. "Seriously Christa, they need to learn how to fight and be able to stand on their own quickly, I doubt the Titans would show some favour".
Frowning "We are not titans, and these are people who needs help when we need to" she huffed. GAH this woman is so considerate, many guys here would consider her a goddess on the way she treats them and coddles them, as if serving their own needs before hers.
"That's my lovely Christa, always helping others in need" A freckled brunette by the name of Ymir. Alan slanted his eyes at her. There's something to her he can't put his finger on, Ymir seemed to notice his stare and shrugged it off. "Not this guy know help when he needs it" she commented, with Alan giving an emotionless stare, which seem to unnerve her a bit.
Suddenly one of the recruits come barging forward grabbing the attention of the four. "That guy seems to pick on the ones weaker than him" Spitting to the ground.
Garrus Dreiken. Geez this guy again. The one that nearly punched his lights out near the beginning of training.
As if accepting the invitation "So Garrus, would you like to give me a one on one, or would you like to have a one on four" eyeing the group of much larger boys behind him.
Garrus looking behind him snickered "Seeing that you look so bored, maybe we should liven it up a bit, since you're the instructor pet and even the recruit's favourite" 'Thought Reiner is everybody's favourite?' Garrus's face darkened to a menacing grin "How about it bitch?"
Before Alan can give an answer, Reiner came by seeing the commotion "Hey now, we are soldiers. We are not meant to go against each other throats. It is our duty to protect and watch each other backs" He glared at the four troublemakers. Grunting come from the opposite side they stared at each other.
Not so far Mikasa and Eren was watching from the side-lines, Eren eager to see Alan fight once more and trying to fight like him, Mikasa giving slight interest. She's curious, her stoic face but her eyes remain on Alan, noticing how his face is unmoving, unfazed by the ideal. 'Usually people get angry and confrontational' glancing to Eren as she thought this. Do something on a Impulse she walked forward to the group.
Before Garrus could respond he, became nervous as he glanced to this Asian goddess walking to their general direction. He hesitated until the said beauty came up making her the attention.
"Alan let's spar" she spoke suddenly, making the desired target focus onto her. Face yet unmoving and nodded. Moving to a clearer area.
Now everyone stopped fighting, now gazing upon the two top fighters, Jean taking the opportunity to make some bets. Connie and Sasha stopping their unique stances to watch the battle.
Even Shadis watched from afar. He would admit even he was interested in how the top students would compete.
Reiner and Christa were concerned for their safety, while Annie, watched with interest, which is unusual for her. Bertholdt, well Bertholdt is being nervous for some reason.
Alan gazed on Mikasa, now that they are face to face, he was curious on something. "What's your last name? I am very sure it's not Yeager" he joked.
Stoic as usual, she shook her head "Ackerman" she said simply.
Alan lost his composure but quickly regained it. 'That explains a lot of things' he nodded his head and took a fighting stance, right foot bent in front, with his fists in front of his chest height. Mikasa did the same, now they start circling their chosen field.
To the audience it just people circling, to Armin and Shadis, it's whoever would make the first move. It is not always the first move that wins the field, but the follow up usually decides the outcome.
In a flash Mikasa steps in fist closing to his face, which Alan at the last second swerved to dodge the punch but followed up with a sudden right heel coming flying to his jaw, causing him to spin in the air.
Alan gained control of his body and landed his on his two feet, spitting out blood, his eye's widened at the sight but cocked his eye up keeping his mouth close. Mikasa eye's narrowed and then move for another jab. This time Alan leaned backwards and backwards kick into Mikasa's ribs, causing her to gasp for breath.
The crowd was on edge, some was getting excited at first blood, some was cheering for the fight to continue.
Mikasa held her ribs and grunted. She eyes him and realised he allowed the first hit. A sudden chill went down her spine, but her stomach was doing somersaults. This sudden feeling made her feel alive inside.
What Alan didn't intend was for her to draw blood. He gotten cocky. He breathed slowly, allowing his instincts, his blood to run freely. As if made of air he's now in front of Mikasa. Eyes narrowed; mouth slightly open as if his breath was giving life to steam. Mikasa barely blocked the jab to her stomach but soon ended up flipping in the air with a simple sweep of the leg. Her eyes soon see the sky but didn't see any more than that as a sudden arm came underneath. She blinked. She has not felt the cold embrace of the hard ground.
A lot of ooooh's echoed as if the sight was mesmerising. Alan caught her before she hit the ground. With a swift moment she's on her feet, facing him again this time he lift his hand up and flexed his fingers, egging for more. Mikasa happily obliged as if wanting the feel this feeling she been wanting. Blows shot and blocked. Flips and hard hitting to the ground.
She stared intently as she got back up, something felt off. On paper they are evenly matched but the way he swerves and blocks and charges unexpectantly yet not enough for her to be seriously hurt personally. His body is like a living trap and he's only allowing her mark to hit, to keep up appearances, as if he's testing her, finding her limits before pushing his strength inch by inch, both grunting, yet she's more out of breath than he, yet he only gave shallow short breaths as if he's possessed.
Another suddenly realisation hit her. He was Holding back.
Mikasa mind went hazy. She knew deep down she could not keep up on her own. Yet she slightly allows herself to smile, only he can see. As if acknowledging the outcome. His eyes soften and nodded, simply moving to her and sweeping her back leg so her balance falls, landed on her back.
Silence hit the training field and only roars for the winner's side and whines of the losers as the bets were exchanged, with Jean, tears strolling down from his eyes with Connie proclaiming his Genius knew the outcome.
Jean lost a big bet to Connie of all people. The shame to his pride. His best friend Marco can only just pat his back and smile at his distress and not calling it a total loss.
Mikasa reverting her face to the usual stoic self gotten up and nodded for a well-earned fight, returned to where Eren stood.
Eren was speechless "Damn Mikasa… that was… Damn." Unable to get the words out of his mouth, he handed water to her which she happily accepted. Eye's now gazing to the man that beat her, when she was known as the strongest. As she drank her fill from near dehydration, she watched him as Reiner clapped his back and proclaiming his Brother is now the strongest of the 104th, with Christa chastising his behaviour and brutality in the fight, but seem glad that it hasn't gotten worse. Connie congratulating him on a very big win and gave him some rations as thanks with Sasha in toe eyeing said rations.
Bertholdt came along with water handing it to him and telling him to be more careful, which he nodded as he quenches his thirst yet as he does so, his gaze did not leave hers. A sudden slight blush came to her face as she pulled her red scarf to face hiding it and starting to feel more confused with the feeling she just felt during and after the fight.
At the edge observing the whole thing, Shadis closed his eyes for a brief moment, He may have found his Number One top soldier of the entire 104th with nearly a year in, but then again time wold change if the Asian would come on top.
Garrus scowled at the spectacle and skulked away bring his three other friends with him. Losing the bet to that freak, yet he felt unnerved how the freak kept his cool and tipped the fight into his favour. He must have cheated or took advantage, her appearance for that spar was too coincidental, as if he planned it.
Yes, that's exactly what happened he thought, he must have pressured her into throwing that fight, no way the strongest Trainee can be beaten to the likes of him.
He further skulked away, determined to train harder, so he can beat him with his own strength.
Night came quickly in the Girls barracks Mina was questioning Mikasa on how he was like in the fight.
"Come on, you have to admit he's pretty hot, to get caught like that, makes any girl swoon" she said hazily eyed, imagining herself to be caught in his arm before the fall.
"Jeez Mina! why not beat the bush and go fuck his brains out will you" teased Ymir making the black-haired pigtailed blush. Christa gaped at her vulgarity and swatted her arm. "What? I'm only speaking from what I'm seeing, if no one will say anything I will"
"Ymir" Christa pouted "You shouldn't be too blunt sometimes, you know" Ymir just smiles smugly at her little lovely Christa, just shrugs and continues her remarks.
Sasha on the other hand was being all too happy "He's something alright, he gave me the rations Connie got from him." Her eyes dreaming onto the food now in her belly.
"Only because he gave you food. Dammit potato girl, you fuck any man that gives you food" Ymir bluntly stated, earning another gape and swat from Christa.
Sasha just glanced at Ymir "I'm not that type of girl, besides I think he just gave it to me because I just simply asked for it" she retorted in her posh accent, trying hard not to revert to her village accent, she's embarrassed by. The guy caught her accent once and just pretended it never happened much to her relief, only when she talks about hunting that it suddenly creeps out, he just smiled and just continued the talk about the subject ignoring the fact her accent changed. She liked him for that for not mentioning it and treated her normal, while everyone else just comments on the sudden change and teases her. Even Christa mentions it but always notes that it never bothers her.
During all this commotion Mikasa can only just watch out their window into the night sky. Remembering the night Eren rescued her from her fate and his rage for her to Fight. She places the tuff of her scarf to her lower face, breathing in the scent she fondly cherishes, that he gave her. He made her a member his family through this scarf after losing the one she loved and lost that night.
Three men came to their door that day, her father instantly killed at their doorstep, her mother resisted, protecting her only child from them, but that only lead to her death as well. Darkness came and she opens her eyes to two men arguing over her battered corpse, her hands bound unable to move. A knock came to the door, A man with a scruffy stubble, quite fatty built opens it to see Eren, peering through the door, his emerald eyes glanced to her and contorted in rage as he instantly stabbed him in the heart, the man fell, the second gapes in shock at what happened.
Eren charged pouncing on the man and brought him on his back, repeatedly stabbing and puncturing the man's chest, until he's dead, even then he screams DIE! After the man gasped his last breath. He untied her, unable to move, she remembered the third.
"There's a third" she whimpers, suddenly the door flung open the third man, tall and muscular with cropped brown hair, only acknowledges his dead friends on the ground, in a fit of rage he grabbed Eren by the throat, choking him, She picks up the knife in front of her, hands trembling, Eren can only gasp between breaths.
His eyes screaming at her to kill him, Her lips trembled, 'I can't'. she's losing her will and Eren knows this, so he did what he knows best.
"FIGHT DAMMIT!" he raged causing the man to faulter in his grasp but still held. "IF YOU DON'T FIGHT, WE WILL DIE HERE!" he screamed.
Her eye's looked to the knife still trembling but ready to stand her ground with Eren glaring at her he pushed one more scream, filled with all his rage in his voice.
"FIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!" with that, something in Mikasa broke, her blood rushed, she charged, her back foot breaking the floor boards, she plunged the knife into the unexpecting back of the thug that killed her parents, he gasped his last breath, shocked to notice that the girl is the one to end him.
Shortly after the military police along with Grisha Yeager, kneeling next to his son, worried and horrified for what just happened, he scrutinized him for his actions, Eren's only defence is that if he didn't fight then they both will be killed.
Mikasa just stood there, feeling empty until Eren wraps his scarf around her neck. She looks up tears forming in her eyes towards Eren, His eye's tired yet calm. "Let's got home" he simply said and her heart filled with joy and grief, knowing she has a family again to fill the void.
The memory left her mind as quick as it left. Her heart sees Eren as family, her brother. She couldn't lose him, not like her parents and Armin shortly after became part of their little family.
Yet something with the man that even she knows hides his true emotion behind his face that he masks so well with cheeriness yet like her with eh, she could see it in his eye's as he can see through hers. Her Heart pounds at the sight of him, her stomach turns sour when the girls fawn other him. She could not place these feelings, she compared it to her feelings for Eren which pales in comparison which she has now, yet she still compels to protect Eren more, for some reason.
She enjoyed his touch as he caught her in that fight, even if it's just to put her back into the game. She traced back to when it started, and it must have been to when he caught her the first time at the beginning of their training.
She looked to the night sky as she lowers her scarf, wondering if he's out in the night sky, flying as if he's free from all burdens, even if it's a short while.
Not too far from their barracks sitting in the tree leaning on the thickest branch.
Alan sat their looking at the dim light that he suspects where she may be gazing from, he pulled out his pencil and his leather-bound diary. He starts sketching her face as if he could see her as she is now. His mind tormented, couldn't shake the feeling he had from the fight, the feeling of being alive, first time in many years he was pushed past his limits, Forcing him to tap into something deeper that his blood demanded it, their dance as he would call it was invigorating.
There was something between them during their dance of strength, their will, yet couldn't quite place it. Yet he hopes that there is something but dreads and resists it's pull. He stops sketching for a moment and looks to the night sky, the Crescent moon giving as much light it could possibly give yet still concealed him. He glanced to the Bowie knife strapped to his leg.
Feeling alone to his thoughts, he resisted the tears, threatening to be drawn from his Blue eyes. His face now stoic, forcing himself to forget. He looked at the drawing of Mikasa looking out the window with her usual stoic face yet gave some life to her eye's where her real emotions hide. He let himself absorb into it forgetting that day when the walls fell. Forgetting sound, the people screams and the smell of blood. He allowed to forget the hand that reached.
Deciding it is time to head back before Shadis would look for him, why he turns a blind eye to his night time excursions, but dares not question it, maybe he actually got a soft spot from the guy or he knows he wouldn't do any harm.
He smiled as he flew one more time for the night.