The day was cold. Commander Smith walked into camp. The fire crackled as he threw in a log. Levi was relaxing with a cup of Black Vanilla Chai Tea. "Captain," Erwin called, "There's something I want to show you."

Levi set down his cup of tea on a sanded, clean stump. He followed the commander through the tall evergreen forest. They made it to a birch tree with golden leaves. You stood beneath in a cloak much like the scouts'.

"Levi, this is our Ranger."

The Captain held a hand on his ODM gear. "So you're the mysterious person. Tsk, I remember counting you in a mission once, screwing up the report. Got an apology?"

You turned and bowed. Erwin held the back of his subordinate's cravat. He whispered harshly, "I expect you to make friends with The Ranger, we owe a certain debt."

Levi adjusted his tone accordingly, "There were no casualties. Humanity seems to have a new protector."

You nod slightly, careful to not let your hair slip from the hood. Your face mask was perfect for the weather, additionally good to meet Levi. The Commander smiled. "The Ranger saved my life last year. If it weren't for their cunning and caution, more than just my life would be lost."

You hold up two hands as if you're telling the Commander to stop. Levi thought through the notion. He took another time to inspect the build of his friend's savior. The two scouts admired the quiescence standing before them. "Oi, can you talk? If you have a tongue, best use it."

You look toward Erwin to explain. The kind Commander obliged, "I have never heard their voice. Just respect the fact and you'll find The Ranger to be reliable in the most unsuspecting times."

Levi stared at you differently than the first two times this meeting. The cold wind swept a cluster of leaves off the birch. You bow, grateful to Erwin. You switch on your personally customized ODM gear. With a relaxed salute, you swing into the upper branches of pine trees. Your heart beat tightly in happiness.

Commander turned around to return to camp. "I know trusting people is hard, but when times get tough, remember that people need as much trust as they give you."

"You sound like you're dying."

"Ah, I am becoming an old man. Maybe even growing in a few grey hairs. War makes men wary and wise."

They headed back into camp. Levi poured his cold tea to the ground. You sat on an overhead branch, alert for titans. Loyalty lay with a pounding heart.

Hanji went wide-eyed. The person stood on a titan that almost squashed her mobile science kit. "Thank you so much! You're very handy. Hey, are you Ranger Levi told me about?"

You were curious as to why Levi would talk about you. You didn't want to linger and jumped to go away. "Wait! I am alone here."

You released the grapple. Hanji couldn't be left alone. You would be an irresponsible ranger. Then you wondered why she was out alone. Hanji picked up a large backpack sort of contraption. "Interesting,"

She approached you and stuck her face directly in yours. "That mask is black wool. Hey, you have some long eyelashes." You stepped back, pulling out your sword. "Fear not. I won't harm you, Ranger. Strict orders. Have my word. Wow, never thought I could have the pleasure of meeting you." You started walking in a direction toward the nearest wall. Hanji skipped next to you, "I assume you salvaged your gear from fallen soldiers. I wonder how you get the cartons though. Unless you have a different way of charging the 3-d gear."

You unequipped the gear and took off the outer shell. Hanji squealed. You reassembled it and got up. The scientist did a twirl and clung to your arm. "That gives me an idea. Wow! How- uh?"

You had pried her off and hid behind a tree. You weren't used to touching or human contact much. "Oh, I am sorry! I never considered it. My camp is a mile down that way anyway. Thanks for escorting me back and for the idea!"

The noisy scientist skipped away while you were traumatized by her friendliness. Hanji went to her drawing board and sketched out a new design for the maneuver gear.

Two years passed. Many things had been revealed about the secret of titans. Early spring had warmed quicker than expected. The sun rays smiled bright, causing the snow to turn slushy. Grass peaked out, while animals peaked out of their burrows. You watch nature embrace the cycle. Unfortunately, you have been tracking an abnormal. With vigilance, you are careful to not make noise following the fifteen-meter. It hadn't noticed you. Setting the blades in their place, you hopped to an upper branch. Then you jumped.

Titan blood spilled, steaming into the ground. It evaporated within seconds. "Fuck you," The man you pulled from the nape growled. You punched him square in the face. The brass knuckles half tore his cheek off. His limbs were spilling blood. The crimson liquid poured down. He coughed blood, you pin him to the titan's bone. He screamed in pain. You held a shard of metal to his neck. "Okay! I will talk! Stop-"

The blunt blade pressed flat to his jaw. He gasped, "I promise to not try anything."

He was free to talk. "The short goblin and his squad are apprehending Nero. There is a titan shifter among them. That's all-"

You slap the new skin. His eyes widened, "His name is Eren Yeager."

Traitors don't deserve to live. You leave the pathetic scum dead atop his useless titan body.

A trip around the forest revealed a small team of three titans. They headed in one direction. A wide rolling field gave way to rays slipping from clouds. Before the fleshy monsters reached the treeline, two were down. The last one was a runt of thirteen meters. Landing, you almost slipped into a puddle. You pulled down the mask, breathing heavily. The little titan had no interest in you. The world was so beautiful, but the titans were an ugly scar of the Eldian's doing. Before the titan got out of sight, you pulled over the green hood and black mask.

The horses moved at a brisk trot. Mikasa was at Eren's left while Levi led in the front. Armin was behind the pack with a supplies bag. Sasha and Connie were the furthest in formation to the side. Trees splotched hills while the water ran down the middles. "Eren," Mikasa called, "Armin looks sick. When we camp down, we should ask."

Eren looked back to the clever blond. His nose was tinted red. Besides that, there wasn't much else.

A deep howl blasted across the field. The diamond-shaped formation closed to a triangle. Levi equipped blades. The titan was short and furious. Hey, kinda like our Captain! It ran in an obscure fashion. The head was skewed in a forty-five degree angle. The captain signaled the right side to merge into a circle behind. From the corner of Armin's eyes, he could swear he saw a green cloaked figure. He shook it off with a subtle sneeze. Levi dismounted by leaping into the air. Despite the size and limp, the titan cleverly rolled on the ground trying to crush the bug that buzzed around it. Mikasa steered the formation to circle the titan. Levi landed a clean blow to the nape, vitiating the titan. The circle closed in. The corps held its hand tight. Armin noticed this and used a knife to pry the limp fingers. "Captain!" He attempted a clear voice despite the stuffiness. Levi walked to the situation. "It is a message from the person signing, Nero."

Connie dismounted, walking to Sasha. He was injured and gone for three days before. "Nero?"

"He is a titan who can spit fire. Hanji's team almost died two days ago."

"No way."

"Honestly, do you ever pay attention?" Sasha let out a small giggle, "Your left leg strap is unbuckled."

Connie quickly buckled it in panic.

Armin read the letter out loud, "Hanji Zoe took something of mine. I would like to repay her. Take this as a friendly warning. I have more of where this came from. Nero."

Armin was confused. The letter was threatening, but it was delivered with a very lacking number of titans. The blond looked up to the captain. Levi had begun to think the same. "We should break camp at sundown. Mikasa is to be on the sides with Sasha. Connie, pair with Armin."

"Sir, the forest surrounds the field. Maybe they have rallied titans to attack from behind." Sasha offered.

The Captain mounted his horse. "That is why we are going to pick up the pace. Don't look back."

Eren examined the captain's face. His grey eyes looked bored, but the mouth conveyed worry. The squad mounted their horses and rode into the forest.

A titan corpse accompanied by a man's lay on the forest floor. Armin jumped down to examine the sight. "He was abnormal. Odd for a titan to leave the body out. A revolt?"

"Let's keep going. We have ground to cover," Levi made his horse press forward. Eren saw a disgusted face on Mikasa. Armin approached Mikasa and Eren. The red scarfed beauty sighed, "The captain is being vague today."

"He must be preoccupied. Hanji almost died, after all. They are close. Mikasa gets the same way with you, Eren." Armin analyzed.

"This seems different," Eren pointed out, "He hasn't scolded me since we made it to the field. In fact, he didn't even yell at Connie for being incorrectly strapped in. He is concerned about something."

"What was with the, 'don't look back' part?"

Armin and Eren pondered the statement. Armin coughed. "Maybe it is referring to the 'look back while running, you'll slow down'."

Mikasa shook her head. Eren giggled, "Maybe he caught what Armin has."

The two broke up conversation. Mikasa could not give up suspicion.

You leaned against a tree looking at the thistle pine needles. Five titans in total that day. The sixth lay with Levi's squad. You wondered if they knew Eren was a titan. Without any time to lose, you took a shortcut.

The soft ground made it easier to track a squad of horsemen. You felt tired. The hot weather made wearing a cloak less pleasant. Breezing through the airbrushed cooler wind shook the leaves. Shadows were favorable. The noon was a game of speed. After a while, your specialized ODM gear was running low on power. You find the willow pond, a common checkpoint for traveling with scouts. You hung the heavy green cloak on a branch. Stretching over a tree, you gaze at the sparkling water. Trees are filled with songs of birds. Willow vines had already started leaving. Shutting your eyes, you take a quick nap.

A twig snap wakes you up. Almost falling off the branch, you jolt. Blond hair peeks out from scarce light. Getting closer, the person can be identified as Armin Arlet. He had found your cloak. You watched him circle the tree it was on. The ODM gear hadn't been discovered yet. The teen was different from the first you saw him. He held a tired look about his air. You waited for him to leave. The blonde had left with your cloak. Equipping the fully charged ODM gear, you jumped to recover your cloak, knowing he would lead to Eren.

Mikasa couldn't sleep. Eren was out collecting wood for the fire. Armin was out scouting, while the rest were sleeping. Captain Levi was nowhere to be seen. Armin walked into camp with a bundle of cloth. "Mikasa, look what I found by the pond."

The cloth was a large green cloak that was like theirs, except it didn't have a symbol. She got up. "Have you seen Eren?"

Armin set the cloak on a log. The two ventured to find their friend.

You had lost track of Armin. A deer had distracted you and it was difficult to hear much else than a prancing, noisy deer. You caught sight of a boy holding sticks in his arms. He was talking to himself, "Nero is such a weird name. I can't believe he made us dispatch. As if there wasn't enough going on."

You didn't know who he was, but you knew who Nero was. You sprung down, kicking the boy on the head. The boy dropped the sticks. He scrambled up before you could grab him. It wasn't too difficult to restrain him, but he was strong. Just as you got the boy in a chokehold, a blade was pressed to your neck. The irony was odd.

"Let go of him," The vicious female voice commanded. A strand of red cloth hung down, brushing your cheek. Mikasa Akerman had you in a compromise. Armin emerged from behind a tree. He tilted his head, "Who are you?"

You let go of the boy, throwing him toward Mikasa, and maneuvered to the lowest branch. You looked at the three. They stared back. Mikasa handed the boy to Armin. She maneuvered toward you. You rolled through the air to dodge the raging Akerman. You had seen her on missions before. The boy, not so much. Her fighting style mirrored Levi Akerman's in many ways. "Why are you here?"

You block one of her strong punches and kick her gut. You moved with sprezzatura. She paused which allowed the time to roundhouse kick her off the tree. She fell far and you grabbed both boys by their shirts. They put up a minimal struggle. Holding them to a tree, you tied them to it. Mikasa panted, "Unhand them, Bastard."

She ran toward you. This time, fighting her was harder. She was strong and well trained. Staying nimble, you dodged her blows. The moon had started rising. The only splash of color around was the red scarf. You caught it and used it to defeat her. The boys had gotten free of the rope. Armin held a blade in his hand. You stopped beating the Akerman. Seeing the boy, you knew killing him would foil Nero's plan. Lunging at the boy titan, you took Armin's blade. Armin had a spare. Then a harsh voice called out. "Oi! Stand down. These are my men. The Hell do you think you are doing?"

It was the devilishly handsome Captain Levi. You unhandled Eren despite your goodwill. Mikasa shoved past you. Levi held up your cloak, "Whoever took this, left it at camp."

Armin gasped, putting the pieces of the puzzle together. "I did, sir. I found it on a tree branch. It must have belonged to The Ranger. I didn't realize."

"The ranger tried to kill Eren!" Mikasa wanted nothing more than to wring the neck of the mysterious person.

You looked at Levi, who was used to you as an accompanist. Though he wasn't the one confused. You knew now that Nero meant you to kill someone who could foil his plan. You had fallen for a classic blunder. Eren got up. The moonlight was strong, chasing away many shadows. You walk up to Levi, grabbing the cloak. The captain frowned. "I don't know why you are trying to kill Eren, has he done something?"

The three looked at their squad leader shocked. You hand Levi a slip of paper. Levi reads it. "Mikasa, Eren, go back to camp. Armin stays here."

The bitter pair leaves. Mikasa held Eren up despite the beating she took. Armin slowly approaches the situation. Levi rips up the piece of paper. "This is the fabled Ranger. Eren mentioned Nero and Ranger knew he was a titan. Now that shit's sorted, don't shovel it into the other pile."

Armin acknowledged you. "Ranger," He smiled, "I heard stories. Sorry about stealing your cloak. It- Wow, you must have been the one to defeat the dead titan guy back there. I saw you pass by our team this morning."

You waved a hand. Captain looked aside, "Aiight, bail before anything happens."

The blond left. The captain looked mad. "Don't ever try that again."

You started to walk backward. His fearsome glare in pale light was scary. "I'll be damned to report an attack in the night. Do you want to be our enemy? Cuz' it looks that way. Better bet your ass I'll report you. One false move, that is it."

He turned around, holding a palm to his head, "It was you who slew the titans. Oi, what am I to tell them, Ranger? If you want to stay in the shadows, don't pull stunts like that."

You hung your head down feeling stupid. In desperation, you misjudged the situation. Eren wasn't on Nero's side. Guilt burrowed in your gut. Oddly, you felt a slight relief. Eren was an ally. The squad was not in grave danger. Then you realized your hair was showing, cloak still off. The Captain looked down to your now revealed figure. Levi knew now, just like Erwin did. The Ranger is female.

"Sorry," You let the words pass, as the night was silent. Levi turned to look at the owner of such a fair voice. He stared into the honest eyes. Instead of being mad, he was surprised. "So finally, the silent Ranger finds a voice. Not dumb as we thought. Isn't this an improvement." His voice hinted at solid sarcasm. "Now you can make your own excuses."

He walked closer to you. Levi knew you were not use to direct confrontation. Though he couldn't resist finding a reaction in the seeming expressionless, mysterious, Ranger. "You know what I found out? Every time Commander Erwin reported 'luck' it was really coded for 'you'. I just don't understand. What was he indebted to you for?" Levi kept walking closer, "Why do you help us? How come you have combat training military-grade?"

You walked backward to keep space. Sticking out roots tripped you up. You had to look down, but the captain demanded attention. "Look at me, Ranger."

Your back touched flat to a tree with a light thump. Your heart beat like a drum. Holding the cloak spread in your hands, you pressed it against you as a cover. "P-please, stop."

"Stop was all you had to say, Ranger. See, communication isn't that hard, is it? If street scum can break stuff down, an intelligent titan slayer should be able to do the same." He had stopped moving forward. Your arm was held in a protective blocking set. You wanted desperately to leave the Captain's anger. For a minute, it was just you and him in the moonlit forest. A frozen picture. He finally sighed, "You can help. I didn't mean to scare you away or-" Levi was at a loss of words. Rarely had people earned praise from him. But the Ranger always did her best for them. "I won't scold you for doing good. There are many cowards and evil people in this world. Not many have the guts to do things properly on their own accord. I mean, well," Levi was having trouble looking the noble ranger in the eyes. "Thank you. Thanks for being a good person."

Your cheeks grew hot. Your breathing speed to match your heartbeat. The moonlight cast solid shadows on Captain Levi's handsome face. You got away from the captain. Before leaving, you looked back. Levi hadn't expected the ranger to turn around. Doki Doki pounded Levi's heart. At long last, someone had captured his admiration.

Eren woke up with Mikasa in his tent. She was sound asleep at the tent entrance. He saw a peak of light at the top of his tent. It was morning. They had both fought The Ranger last night. Eren felt responsible. He unzipped the tent with as little noise as possible; Unsuccessfully. I mean, the little zippers on a tent are hellishly loud. How can anyone stay asleep through that noise? Stuff sounds like a riding lawnmower out the window.

Mikasa inhaled deeply, "Eren, I couldn't protect you."

Eren instantly stooped down to her side. "No, you did well. I didn't die, Levi didn't try and kill us. You're my hero, Mikasa"

The Akerman blushed. Were her hopes of a returned love true? Armin walked to the tent, "You're all awake, good."

Eren decided the time wasn't right to say anything after the night they had. Connie and Sasha were cooking breakfast. Levi was having Peach Oolong. "I looked ahead. The ride is a whole day until we reach where Nero is hiding."

Connie was confused, "If it was a day's out, how'd you-"

Sasha thumped Connie in the back. "Don't mind him, sir, he doesn't think before speaking."

Armin, Mikasa, and Eren knew where Levi got the information. Something told them the night didn't exist, as far as their lives as scouts were concerned.

They all sat down to eat the last of their meat and the cracker.

Levi looked up to the canopy of leaves and smiled at the sky, toward the person in the branches, you.