"Clarissa Daren Ackerman," A way too familiar voice called. Clarissa winced at the name then instantly stood up placing her arms behind her back. In front of her there was a tall woman. She had long brown hair and green eyes. Her scowl was all too familiar to Clarissa.
"Yes Ma'am," Clarissa said in a shaky voice. Mikasa, Eren, and Armin turned around to watch the situation.
"What the hell are you doing in the military?!" She raised her voice. Clarissa closed her eyes and took a deep breath to settle her anger. She opened her eyes again hoping that the woman in front of her would disappear. But to no appeal she is still standing there.
"Helping humanity, Ma'am." Clarissa said trying to steady her voice. The womans eyebrows scrunched together more, if it was even possible. Eren took a step towards the two.
"Did you ask for permission?!" The woman snapped. Clarissa sighed and shook her head.
"I didn't think I would have to. I thought you were dead, you weren't there for me to ask." Clarissa said finally able to steady her voice. The woman shook her head.
"Well I am here now and I do not accept your decision. Resign immediately!" The woman yelled getting the attention of people around her. Most of them Clarissa's comrades. Armin's eyes widened and he took some steps forward.
"Unfortunately that is not your choice to make. I am of age, therefor I can make decisions myself." Clarissa said. This only made the womaner angrier.
"Clarissa Da-"
"Don't you dare use that name!" Clarissa yelled dropping her arms to her side. The woman's jaw opened slightly then she shook her head.
"Oh, does it make you feel guilty? That you killed yo-"
"You will not speak of that!" Clarissa yelled. Armin walked closer to Clarissa.
"Why? Because your incapable military friends don't know you are a cold-blooded murderer?"The woman yelled causing Armin and Eren gasp. Clarissa clenched her fists and she looked down to her feet. She took a deep breath then placed her hands behind her back again, regaining her control.
Armin, Eren, and Mikasa waiting to see what she was going to say. They mostly expected her to punch the woman. Clarissa sure did want to punch her, but she held herself from it.
"It does not come up during casual conversation, no." Clarissa said with an even voice that even surprised herself.
"Do they even know about your sisters?!" The woman yelled. Clarissa took a deep breath and looked to the ground.
"Not everyone, no." Clarissa said lowly.
"You ungrateful ch-"
"That is enough." A stern voice said. Clarissa looked up and Captain Levi was walking towards them. The woman turned to him.
"Who do you think you are choosing how I treat my daughter?!" The woman yelled. Everyone around them gasped except for Captain Levi. He kept his stoic look.
"I am her superior, she is under my command. If you have any issues with her joining the military bring it up with me." Captain Levi said. Commander Hange came around the corner and paused confused by the situation.
"Good, I want her taken out of the military!" Clarissa's mother, Mrs. Lilith said. Commander Hange's eyes widened.
"I am sorry, she is nineteen. You don't have authority over that." Captain Levi said. Clarissa looked over the small crowd. Clarissa's eyes landed on someone.
"Clarey!" The girl yelled running up to Clarissa. Clarissa ran up to the girl and pulled her into a hug. Tears started running down her cheek.
"Alina! You are alive!" Clarissa said crying into the Alina's neck. Alina was a good bit shorter than her but Clarissa made it a point to hold her as close as she could.
"Everdeen," Captain Levi called. Clarissa released the embrace and turned to Captain Levi.
"Yes sir?" Clarissa asked wiping her tear away.
"Who is this woman?" Captain Levi asked. Clarissa took a deep breath.
"My adoptive mother sir." Clarissa said. Captain Levi nodded slowly.
"And who is that?" Captain Levi asked looking back at Alina. Clarissa looked at Alina then she looked back at Captain Levi.
"My sister, step-sister." Clarissa said. Captain Levi nodded then turned around.
"They will be coming back to the base with us." Captain Levi said before he walked away. Clarissa's jaw fell open. She had no idea what Mrs. Lilith and Captain Levi were talking about, but knowing Mrs. Lilith it was probably an ultimatum saying she had to be with Clarissa.
Despite her anger Clarissa turned to Alina and grabbed her face in her hands. Clarissa looked right into her eyes. Her eyes were still as dull as they were the last Clarissa saw them. Clarissa grabbed onto Alina's wrists. Clarissa hand could wrap completely around her wrist. Clarissa looked up at Alina. Alina looked past Clarissa at the ground.
"You still aren't eating. Are you?" Clarissa asked calmly. Alina said nothing. Clarissa grabbed onto Alina's head and made it so Alina had to look into Clarissa's eyes. "You're not eating." Alina looked down to the ground and shook her head.
"No, sorry." Alina said, too softly. Clarissa closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. When Clarissa opened her eyes again she smiled.
"No need to say sorry, once we get to the military base I will make sure you get food." Clarissa said. Alina looked up at Clarissa and smiled lightly.
"Okay, who are they?" Alina asked looking past Clarissa. Clarissa turned and she was looking at Armin, Eren and Mikasa. Clarissa grabbed onto one of Alina's wrists.
"They are my friends, come meet them." Clarissa said with a smile walking up to the three. Clarissa let go of Alina's hand. "This is Alina, my younger sister." Clarissa said proudly. Armin was the first person to step forward.
"My name is Armin, it nice to meet you." Armin said shaking Alina's hand. Eren was the most surprised one. Mikasa just nodded to Alina.
"My name's Mikasa." Mikasa said. Then she looked at Eren. "That is Eren." Mikasa said because Eren wasn't going to speak. Clarissa smiled and turned to Alina.
"Eren, wipe that look off of your face and greet her. She is only a year younger than you. It shouldn't be that hard to speak with her." Clarissa said with a smile. Eren nodded and put his hand out.
"Sorry, it's nice to meet you." Alina shook his hand. Commander Hange walked up to the small group.
"Sorry to break up this party, but I need Clarissa." Commander Hange said. Clarissa turned to her and nodded. "We have to make sure the gate is closed properly!" Clarissa knew this wasn't an actual thing needed to get done. It was probably Commander Hange's way of getting information out of her. Clarissa should know this from the two weeks she spent under her watch.
Clarissa turned to Alina then she turned to Armin. "Don't let Alina out of you sight. I just got her back. If you lose her I will-Just don't lose her." Clarissa said. Armin nodded.
"Okay," Armin said. Clarissa turned to Alina. Alina nodded and smiled. Clarissa smiled back at Alina then she joined Commander Hange walking down the path towards the gate.
"I hear your mo-"
"I prefer if you don't call her by that." Clarissa said cutting her off. Commander Hange nodded.
"Okay, I heard the woman say that you killed someone. Is that correct?" Commander Hange asked. Clarissa sighed and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes Commander Hange eyes were stuck on her.
"I would be lying if I said no. But before you go any further, it was self defense." Clarissa said placing her arms behind her back. Commander Hange nodded.
"How old were you?" Commander Hange asked.
"Twelve or eleven, I can't remember. I already went to court for it, it was decided as self defense. Not to mention the fact that I was too young to be punished if was labeled as first degree murder." Clarissa said. Commander Hange smiled and laughed slightly. Clarissa squinted her eyes at her.
"It is not on your file." Commander Hange said.
"No, because you are looking under Clarissa Everdeen." Clarissa said. Commander Hange nodded as they got to the closed gate.
"What name would it be under then?" Commander Hange said looking over the gate. Way too close.
"Clarissa Daren Ackerman," Clarissa said. She grimaced hearing the name come out of her lips. Commander Hange nodded and turned to Clarissa.
"The gate looks good! Get ready for departure in half an hour!" Commander Hange said then she ran up to Captain Levi and put her arm around his shoulder. Clarissa sighed and turned back and went down the road. She got back to where her friends were. They were sitting down on crates. Armin, Eren and Alina were talking. Clarissa smiled and sat down with them. Alina stood up and ran into Clarissa's arms. Clarissa's eyes widened at the sudden movement then she embraced Alina.
"Alessandra, she-"
"I know, I knew once I didn't see her." Clarissa whispered. Alina nodded then sat down on a crate beside Clarissa. Just when Clarissa thought she was enjoying the moment Mrs. Lilith walked up to the group. As soon as she approached everyone quieted.
"Clarissa Dar-"
"Don't use that name. It is not my name anymore." Clarissa said. Mrs. Lilith shook her head in disgust and she chuckled.
"What do you mean? It is your name." Mrs. Lilith said. Clarissa stood up and walked up to her.
"My name is Clarissa Ackerman. In no way is that idiots name in my name!" Clarissa said. Mrs. Lilith laughed. Clarissa kept her deadpan expression.
"Then what about your official ID?" Mrs. Lilith asked crossing her arms. Clarissa shook her head.
"That means nothing. The military has me enlisted as Clarissa Everdeen." Clarissa said. Mrs. Lilith went to speak again but she was interrupted by Commander Erwin.
"I was informed by Captain Levi you will be staying at the base. Because of that I will need to ask you some questions." Commander Erwin said. Mrs. Lilith nodded and walked away with not as much as a glance back. Clarissa turned around and sat back down beside Alina.
"Ackerman, your last name is Ackerman?" Eren asked. Clarissa looked up and eyed him guiltily.
"Wait, they didn't know Clarey?" Alina asked. Clarissa sighed and looked to the ground. She felt like crying. She was sure she was crying. It is too much for one day. Clarissa watched many people die, her mother trash talked her friends, her secret about her name was released to everyone. It is too much.
"Clare you are crying." Armin said. Clarissa lifted her hand to her cheek. She was indeed crying.
"You are overwhelmed." Alina said. Clarissa looked over at her surprised. Then she remembered how observant Alina actually was. Her caring green eyes helped comfort Clarissa. "I am not exactly happy about having to go to a military base. You aren't happy about your secret being out. We both have problems, one thing we can agree on is that Mrs. Lilith will hate seeing you under someone else's command." Clarissa laughed slightly and nodded.
"Okay," Clarissa said then she turned to Armin, Eren and Mikasa. They were waiting for Clarissa to say something. It would make everything worse if Clarissa didn't explain anything at this point. "My real last name is Ackerman. When I joined the military I lost all of my memory for reasons I would rather not say. I took up the last name of my adoptive family: Everdeen. When I got my memory back I was worried about telling guys because I thought it would change the way you look at me."
"Why would a last name change the way we look at you?" Mikasa said. Clarissa's eyes widened. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but this wasn't it. "Skill or personality do not alter by a simple name." Eren and Armin nodded. Mikasa was right. They was no reason to of been worried about it.
"Thank you for understanding." Clarissa said.
"Why wouldn't we?" Armin said. Clarissa shook her head and smiled.