AN: Hello readers, don't be afraid to comment and review, any helpful evaluation to improve I will be grateful. Anyways enjoy the fifth chapter :)
Expedition of Rivals
A year finally past, a good portion of recruits dropped out to the work in the fields north of wall Rose. Wasted resources and potential. Shadis sighed and pinch the bridge of his nose, has this generation of recruits become so soft, politely speaking, he had thought up far worser insults to some recruits but that's in the past and they no longer under his instruction.
A knock on the door brought to his attention.
"Come in" he simply stated, awaited who would knock at this hour of the morning, Through the door a tall man with blonde hair and bushy eyebrows, wearing the uniform with the wings of freedom as his insignia.
"Commander Erwin Smith, which do I owe this visit?" Shadis eyes raised sceptical his former second came to visit.
"Pleasure visit, today. I have recently come back from the previous expedition" He coolly stated, to which Shadis nodded.
"It's quite unexpected that you come as a pleasure visit, usually it be straight down to business and plan for the next expedition." Shadis raised his arm to the chair in front which Erwin gladly took. "Drink?" He asked standing up to pull out a bottle of whisky from the cabinet.
Erwin stared at the bottle for a short second and nodded "Small glass, would be grateful" which Shadis gladly poured into two small glasses.
"I take it is a victory drink" Shadis joked to which was received a short laugh from Erwin.
"Indeed, out of fifty scouts that went along on the expedition, we lost only two. We managed to gain a few supply bases further than expected, thanks to the long, range scouting formation. We were able to steer clear most titans, sadly we can not account for abnormals" he stated as fact. Shadis can only acknowledge, that the abnormals can be unpredictable.
Yet his mind turned to something else. "What of the Armoured and colossal titan?" He inquired, Erwin can only shake his head, further stating that they have not been sighted but assume they are either outside wall maria or somewhere within.
A long silence between the two, as they reminisce past events and the fallen. To then Erwin gave his leave and thanked for the drink, leaving Shadis to start his day, he needs to get these recruits into the best soldiers they can be, he just needs to sort out the kinks or the chains will fall apart, starting with the growing rivalry between a few recruits.
In the Boy's barracks, Eran and Connie is sniggering as Jean watches closely to Bertholdt's magnificent form, somehow during the night he now is sleeping with legs stretched and tied behind is neck and arm in different direction.
"I predict it be a forecast of sun for the first part of the day, followed by a forecast of overcast" Jean deduced as he calculates and predicts through the form Bertholdt is in. Reiner and Alan burst out laughing at such and joined in the fun and argued that it be Thunder and lightning with extreme downpour of rain. The group bellowed in laughter.
"Man, when we win this war, we should all go for drinks" Connie stated, smiling at his statement, Eren relaxed of the idea, the world rid of titans, damn that be a dream, a dream he would make happen.
Alan and Reiner agreed, saying they get the first round, or few. Armin was content to see the ocean first, as it was his and Erens dream to see what's beyond the walls.
A short pause as Bertholdt stirs in his sleep as somehow, he managed to free his legs, to the group's astonishment. He suddenly opened his eye's gazing upon the group. "Morning, what's up?" he muttered stretching his legs and arms like nothing causing the group holding back their laughs at how casual he is about it like it never happened.
"Right guys let get ready. We have about thirty minutes before the Drill instructor comes dragging us out, naked if we are not quick" Reiner calmly said pointing to the clock on the wall ticking away.
A grumble came from some of the boys but complied anyways knowing that their terrifying drill instructor would have them train stark naked if he feels like it.
Didn't take to long for them to stand at their usual spot at attention, all mixed in groups, preferable away from their rivals and close to their friends in that common order, awaiting their commander to appear they await in silence. Shadis strolled in and came at the top of the decking in front, giving him even more height in stature and his usual staring down his titan fodder.
Shadis stared down each single one of them, noting down on where they stand, and see some glares shared before his arrival on who is friendly and who is not.
"ALRIGHT YOU WASTE OF HUMAN RESOURCES!" He bellowed causing all troops to raise even higher at attention, all giving their salute. 'At least the small stupid boy from ragako has his right hand on the right place'.
"Today is the start of your second year of training, Today will be the most fucking hardest year of your pathetic miserable lives" Shadis paused for effect seeing more of the troops gets nervous. "You passed and learnt the basics of strategy, basic hand to hand combat and the use of the ODM gear, Hell I'm surprised you can clean the highly maintained piece of equipment when you all can't clean after your own genitals". Hearing a snicker from a few, not amused he continued.
"Today we be having a test of survival. Teamwork is a must to pass and survive, or I may be bringing your sad dead rotting fucking corpse to your mamas or if you failed miserably I personally throw it for the titans to chew on for far more better candidates" pause for effect, content to see the sweat dropping from their heads and stared into each of their eyes, not concerned that a few kept their composure and with hardened faces, good that is what he want to see, soldiers in the making.
"You may all think that you be passing with your fuck buddies joined hip to hip, I am sorry to say that will not be happening, you will all be put into groups of Five, and sent off in the wilderness to survive." Even more content that some faces dropped as if predicting what would happen. Good, very good, he rather sees them see what life will throw at them, for them to survive against the titans they must trust even their worst enemy to survive. "In ONE hour, time I will put up the list of the groups that you will all be with, you will be thrown to the wolves for a few days depends on how long you will complete the task, put all your first years training into this. DISMISSED!" he strolled off back to his cabin where his office resides.
Leaving the group to their thoughts and to themselves, Mikasa, suddenly was tensed, what if she isn't with Eren what would happen then, her anxiety of the situation increases, unaware that three people are watching her unrest.
Jean looked on towards her, concerned for her, yet scowled at the reason he knew to be true and turned his head towards the reason of her unrest, Eren Yeager. How is that suicidal Bastard seem to have her hooked on him and doesn't treat her right, the mere thought drove him insane.
Garrus looked to her also concerned for her unrest, he wished to hold her and comfort her, telling her everything is alright, yet refrain from doing so, unsure of her reason for being unrestful.
Alan on the other hand just watched her, he knew what's going on in her mind, it was obvious to him why she was like this, he glanced to Eren and then back to her, he sighed to himself and walked over to Christa and Ymir, he steadied his beating heart, yet unsure to feel glad or be saddened at her distress towards Eren. He understood that she is attached to Eren in a way that she needs him in his life, what he wants to know what and how, so she can really be free to make her own choices.
"Hey Grumpy! Why the miserable face" teased Ymir, receiving an annoyed luck from Christa. Ymir only shrugged and left to her thoughts.
"Don't mind Ymir, she's only put off knowing that she won't have friendly faces around" pointed innocently to the equally grumpy Ymir. Her face dictates otherwise stating she doesn't want to be away from her but wouldn't have it another way.
Alan chuckled at the comical reaction, glancing to Christa and to Ymir, then whispering to Ymir's ear "Would it be ok knowing that she might be with people able to keep her safe… oh just say Reiner" he smirked, receiving a spiteful glare from Ymir, thinking she will gut the bastard before leaving her alone with him. Another chortle came from his lips, amused, he spotted his Brother from a far and wandered to his direction.
Reiner waved over to him with his uplifting smile as always "Isn't this interesting, pairing off with people we are unfamiliar with" spoken with eagerness noticing Alan's amusement of his statement "What? It's a soldier Duty to watch everyone's back not just their own personal friends, it's what builds camaraderie and trust" glancing to Christa not so far away avoiding Ymir's glare in the process. "Perhaps we could get lucky and get paired with more benevolent goddesses", receiving a groan from Annie's lips as she just overheard something revolting.
"Does it matter who we grouped with, as long we do what we have to do" She muttered with Bertholdt silently agreeing with her words.
Alan nodded his agreement "Let's hope we won't be grouped with people that ends with killing each other" calmly pointing both at Eren and Jean "I say we be peachy" he grinned, causing Annie to roll her eyes.
"That goes to you and that Garrus what's his name" making Alan go stoic for a second, not really wishing to show such anger to his newly found pain in the arse. With a concerned look "You take care of yourself an try not to get yourselves killed; I doubt you be around much friendly faces". Pointing to Shadis now putting up lists of groups of fives onto the wall then standing not too far from it.
Shadis wished to observe the reactions, he gets a kick from seeing the despair in peoples faces, it's his job to break them all down and mould them into the best soldiers he wants them to possibly be.
One by one groups of people are either smiling or breaking into tears, seeing they are with their rivals, even that Garrus Dreiken guy seems displeased yet very excited at the same time, good and bad he thought, on what he wondered but It's a start. His attention is now towards the strongest human of the 104th, anticipating his reaction, he was somewhat displeased yet content with the man's reaction, started with a scowl that he thought he wouldn't possibly make yet his demeanour changed in an instant as one of his eyebrow cocked up in confusion. Shadis notes in his head, the man does not like surprises that catches him off guard.
Reiner seemed very, very, pleased with the outcome to Ymir's dismay yet his smile of triumph seems to be noticed by some nearby and looked at his group. The Humm of envy raged through most of the boys who happen to see he has Christa in his group.
Mikasa waited in anticipation as she stared at the group, finding Eren's name first, her heart pounding and starts to tense as she could not see her name in it, but sadly Jean and Eren are in the same group, thankfully Armin is in it, maybe just maybe he can keep the peace.
She proceeds to find which group she is placed, she soon found on the fifth page on the wall, without realising her anxiety lessoned and she relaxed as see saw Alan's name in her group. Puzzled now why she's feeling like this, her stoic face gave way to a furrow of her brows, trying to place the reason of this feeling, but pay no heed. She noticed that Garrus is in the same group along with Daz and Sasha.
In a sudden boom "Alright Cadets, times up! You know who's in your group, the equipment you be having is simple" Holding out his hand symbolising how many they be able to acquire. "You would be having the basics survival necessities, A map of the area you be thrown into, A days Rations, Survival gear, consisting matches, rope and basic first aid" Holding his fingers down as he lists off the equipment needed "Also last but not least your ODM gear, use them wisely as your only able to carry the gas you have plus one canister each for spare." Again, watching each and everyone's reaction, content they understood, he proceeds to tell them the objective.
"You mission is simple, get to the village marked on this map, with all members accounted for. You will have one person recording the events in the book provided, is that understood" All recruits gave their salute and yelled yes sir, confirming their objective. Before he marched off, he turned around with an evil grin plastered to his face.
"First group to make it to the village first and back, gets bonus marks to their overall grade AND" paused to let the effect sink in "Be able to have meat along with their meals for the next week" after that he dismissed them to start on their objective.
In a massive rush all groups got together to organise their party and set off immediately, with the thought of Meat on their mind for a whole week.
To Alan's group dismay they have Sasha, going crazy at the mention of meat, terrifying poor Daz if he doesn't hurry up, she will be having his Arse as meat if they don't complete the task first. Causing the poor guy panic in fright and stumbling and dropping everything, infuriating Sasha, prompting Mikasa to restrain her with ease until she calms down.
Amusing sight of Mikasa seeming so stoic during the confrontation, that It must be part of her everyday activities, mostly likely getting in between Eren and Jean, when they have their spats.
Alan remembers being like that with Reiner, always looking out for him and go against anyone who against him, it's like the two facing the world. Sadly, Reiner is more than capable of handling any situation, putting Alans trust into his actions and be there, each step of the way. Alan is blessed to find someone like Reiner, it fills a void in him as family.
Garrus just howled finding the potato girl amusing, 'didn't know the guy was capable of such emotion', until the Black greyish eye's glanced towards him and the mood sour, face turned into a sneer, then proceed to take charge.
"Ok, since Sasha is extremely motivated, we need to pick up this pace. Days' worth of rations between us, isn't going to cut it and by judging the location of the village, the quickest route is through the forest and between the mountain pass, if we go by Sasha's eagerness it be a 3 day ride, maybe more judging we been given our use of ODM's" pointing out the landscape of the map following the finger at their starting point going to where to be a forest and a mountain between the village location.
Obviously going around it would take a lot longer, Which Garrus would be betting the other Cadets will be using to avoid death. But only the Brave and the best can get over the quickest route, Sasha maybe, but himself and Mikasa can. Gaz will need a lot of help to control his fear. Alan, well Alan needs to have an accident.
Forming a plan will be tricky and to have Mikasa not noticing will be tricky, non the less roles must be given. "Right we need a leader and since I have taken control on our route" Alan raised an eyebrow, not one to argue but fuck that, that's a catastrophe in the making. Grunting his disapproval, Garrus eyes darted to him once again. "Problem Braun?"
"Yeah Dreiken, I'm not going to have you lead, just because you say so" Argued Alan, as the two squabbled not noticing Daz was already writing on the given book by Shadis, Daz given his weaknesses, seem to have a good memory and writing as fast as he can between the spats.
"Uh guys, can you repeat that last sentence again?" Nervously asked, not wanting their ire turned on him.
"I said he can suck my big polished cock for all I care" Garrus whirled round staring poor Daz down until gazing down to the book and pen in his hand. Few seconds passed in silence as the both Garrus and Alan was registering at the sight. 'Well Shit' Garrus paling, Alan just raising his eyebrow which is the only movement on his face.
"Daz" Alan calmly asked, "Who gave you the role of recorder?"
Daz grey eyes darting between the two intimidating men, fear oozing out of him, pointed to the woman to their right with an intimidating presence matching theirs.
Eyes darted to Mikasa who just nonchalantly shrugged "Progress wasn't being made, so I just gave him the book. Sasha will be our hunter since she knows how to hunt. Leadership will be a group decision."
Blinks in progression and grudgingly accepted, Garrus blushing at her assertiveness, with Alan amused with his signature eyebrow raised.
'Well this is going at a good start' Alan thought. "So, I take it we taking the mountain pass?"
Mikasa shook her head "We be going through the forest; the mountain pass will be decided once we know what we are looking at. Any questions?"
With a unanimous no they collected the rest of the gear and took to their horses and follow the path with the forest to the horizon.
The path was simple enough, overlooking the hills seeing other groups in the distance, Sasha was getting anxious looking in front and behind her as if somethings not right.
"We aren't the last to leave Sash, you can calm it" Alan calmly stated getting annoyed with the constant fidgeting of the girl and the glares digging into he back of his head.
Sasha riding to his right whirled her head round to him as if to disagree "Well if you two didn't stop arguing with leadership we would have a good head start and the chance of meat" drooling the last word out.
"Sash, your drooling again" Alan pointed out, literally watching the said drool just moving down her chin, causing her to swish her head, causing the blasted thing to cling down. 'My god, that thing is just clinging for dear life' Alan stared down at the drool just threatening to fly into his direction as she swished her head. "Maybe just wipe it before you kill someone with that thing" nervous at the sight that just itching to get rid of.
Mikasa at back smiled at the interaction, finding it endearing, wait? When did she find something like that endearing? Was it the sight or is it the irritation of the man she was looking at this whole time, confused she raised her scarf to her lower face finding solace to calm her thoughts.
Daz was recording the interaction to Garrus's frustration.
"Daz, you don't have to record every single detail that has happened." He growled gritting his teeth.
Daz nearly dropping the book at the sudden reaction, trying miserably to keep his composure "But, but, but every small detail is crucial, how would we get better or improve our understanding on our task?"
A loud pop originated from Garrus as his eyes grows wide and mouth gapes open. "Unless we can find understanding from the potato girls life threatening drool experience, I highly doubt its important detail" again gritting through teeth, trying to control whatever left of his temper.
Sasha embarrassed apologise and wiped the hostile drool clinging from her mouth with the cloak that she is wearing. Satisfied, Alan looked behind, his face sporting a grin to the rest of the group. "I don't know Dreiken, every experience must be learnt from, we will never know how to deal with it if that deathly drool were to swing to your direction" Receiving a laugh from both Sasha and Daz.
Garrus scowled, if he could kill with his glares that freak will have a million holes in him.
Alan glanced to the back and saw Mikasa looking down, deciding to slow down to the back, allowing the rest to go past him, giving Daz a look of don't you dare record this conversation, Daz immediately complied to Garrus sigh of relief put the book in the satchel on the horse.
Slowly levelling to Mikasa's speed, Glancing to her direction, waiting for a good distance between them two and the three in front he hummed a tune, which seem to distract Mikasa for a while, until her greyish eye's moved to meet his. Taking the chance to see his features in more detail.
His face is smooth and white, his hair cropped short with his fringe tufted upwards slightly. His nose seem slightly bent at his bridge, wondering when he broke it, but his blue eye's are as dark as the deepest part of the lake, it's as if she could get lost in them if gazed too long, at time when he's alone his face is stoic, unmoving most the time and only his right eyebrow lifts when he found amusement. Only time she ever saw his smile is when he was around Reiner or other people he considers friends, even Eren was fortunate to receive it, the thought of him made her break eye contact and her confused thoughts returned.
"Food for your thoughts" Alan simply asked, not expecting a lot from her he waited.
"Nothing of importance" Mikasa said drawing her scarf to her face once more, Alan noticing this stayed silent for a time being.
"Ok, I take it your missing a very special person right now and having problems dealing with it" Simply stating something as a fact which caused Mikasa to meet the blue gaze again.
'How would he know that?' she wondered
"I can tell, even though I may seem talkative or cheery" pointing to the grin plastered on his face "I get the feeling that I'm missing something or someone and find something to distract myself from it" answering the question she had in her mind.
Mikasa blinked "Who do you miss?" asking a personal question she would find if asked herself and regretted it instantly.
Receiving a smile "Reiner, as I said he's my brother, not by blood, but he was there when I needed someone after the wall fell and losing everything, he was there and he took me in." glancing down being fond of the memory he immersed himself into. "but sadly there are times we separate and I have to make friends along the way"
Humming in agreement Mikasa entertained the idea of making friends outside of her little group. She treasures Eren as a brother but come to realise that she thought she could love him far more but she was unsure on how Eren see's her, only a sister? Or something more. With Alan, something about him that she could connect to, the same feeling of loneliness with their special person, glancing down to his left leg saddled in the horse buckle, she spotted a knife sheathed in black leather attached to it.
"Did Reiner give you that knife?" causing the man to look down his leg, his face stoic but his eye's saddened while gazing for too long.
Mikasa looked away regretting her words. "I'm sorry I do not mean to be too personal."
Receiving a sigh "It's alright, just not something I'm not fond in talking about" removing his eyes for the object. Wishing to change the subject. "So, since you know mine, who's yours" giving her a grin of his own.
Mikasa paused for a while, debating to answer, but fair is fair, he did answer her question. "Eren" simply stating.
"Oh? Mind telling me about what he's like besides the hot-headed suicidal tendencies to hook up with the titans" Alan joked hoping to ease the tension and her unease.
Mikasa gave him rare smile and proceeds to tell him about Eren, avoiding the subject of the night he rescued her.