Hey guys. Sorry I'm a tad late on the update. Just a heads up guys. With each chapter break there is some passage of time. Not everything is happening at the same moment. In some instances theres a few hours and in other instances at least a day has gone by. Remember they don't have phones and shit so communications between the capital and the Survey Corp headquarters take a while. idk how long, i'll let you guys decide that lol. Enjoy!
"Alright, easy does it, Kiddo." Jean picks Ina up and sits her on his horse's saddle. After making sure she's settled he climbs on and sits behind her.
"You ready?"
The young girl just nods.
They ride around the compound and to the nearby field. It's right about time for the sun to set. They were all hoping that a ride around base accompanied by a beautiful sunset might help make her feel a little better even if just for a moment. She's been so down lately. Barely talking or smiling. She hasn't been herself since Levi's departure. They know she just wants her Papa, but they also know that she can't do anything besides wait for his return. Her big brothers and sisters can only try to make her smile every now and then. Jean volunteered to take Ina out, but not before Eren got in a few tasteless horse jokes.
"Notice the sky this evening?" Jean points out to her as they ride at an easy pace through a nearby meadow.
"Let's stop here for a second."
Jean holds Ina as he jumps down from his horse and then helps her down. Hand in hand they explore their gorgeous surroundings.
"What are they, big brother?" Ina points at the yellow flowers that make up most of the meadow.
"Sunflowers, kiddo."
"They're made from the sun?"
Jean has never found another human being as adorable as this little girl. Everything about her brings a smile to his face. If someone told him that he'd care this much about some little twerp he wouldn't believe them, and he'd smack them for referring to Ina as just 'some little twerp'. He'd say they were crazy. But no, he's crazy about her. Would do anything to keep her smiling and he no longer wants to live in a world where he can't hear that adorable laugh. That's why he and the others have been trying to go above and beyond to cheer her up. It's been so long since she graced the base with her adorable giggle. Jean misses it.
"That's right. Each flower has just a little drop of sunlight."
"They're so pretty." Ina remarks quietly.
Jean kneels and picks one of the smaller flowers. "Pretty flower for a very pretty girl." He places the flower in her hair. She blushes just slightly and smiles but only for a moment.
"Can we watch the sun go to sleep, big brother?"
"Sure can." Jean hugs her close. "But only if you smile for big brother."
Ina just responds by sitting down in the soft grass. Her strained smile shows Jean that she really is trying. She wants to smile and be happy. But she can't. Papa showed her the sun going to sleep. It just makes her think of him. Makes her miss him more.
"Do you think… Papa is watching the sun too?"
In the little bit of light that remains, Jean notices a tear on her cheek.
"I don't know, Ina." He says truthfully. "But I know he's thinking about you every minute of the day."
"I forgot. Papa likes the stars more." She whimpers. She leans on Jean as she starts to cry harder. He just puts his arm around her and let's her get it all out.
"What was the last thing he told you?" Jean asks after a few moments of silence.
"That… That I'd see him again." Ina sniffs.
"Captain Levi never goes back on his word. You'll see him again, Ina. That much I can promise you."
Ina nods. She takes a deep breath and wipes the tears from her face. She looks back up at the sky.
"Thanks for bringing me here, big brother." She feels the soft petals of the sunflower in her hair.
"I'm glad you like it." He kisses her cheek.
"Where is she?" Erwin storms into the barracks.
"She's taking a bath. Is there a problem, sir?" Eren stands.
"There isn't much time. I've just been informed that the Military Police want to take Ina into custody." Erwin states.
"No way!" Sasha and Connie jump to their feet.
"Whatever they want her for it can't be good, you have to know that." Eren wants to be angry but at this point is just so confused.
"Dok contacted me as a courtesy. The MPs are already on their way. If they find Ina they will take her."
"But why?! What is this about?" Armin asks.
"A number of the men responsible for her abuse have been brought forward on charges. They demanded to know why they're being reprimanded and insisted that the accuser step forward."
"She's not doing this." Jean speaks up. The others nod their agreement.
"Over our dead bodies were giving her back to those monsters." Sasha crosses her arms. "Sorry commander." She shrugs. Clearly not sorry in the slightest.
"You can't stop this?" Connie already sounds defeated. "There's nothing you can do for her?" All the young soldiers look to Erwin, hoping for a silver lining.
"No." The commander notices all the teenagers deflate. "This is out of my hands."
"Commander! They just want to silence her. They don't care about what happened, they'll just hurt her. She might even be killed!" The others cringe when they realize that Armin is definitely right.
"I'm sorry, Arlert, but there is nothing I can do."
"In that case, we're taking this into our own hands. You don't have to take any part in it, we're acting of our own free will. We're not letting anyone hurt Ina."
"You'll do no such thing." Erwin bites back.
"Then charge us with insubordination!" Eren yells. "We aren't afraid of you and we certainly aren't worried about the law."
"We fear her father." Sasha concludes. "We can't just stand by and let this happen. How could we live with ourselves?"
"Well, I can't stop you if you choose an alternative route. But it will have to wait." The exhausted commander runs a hand over his face.
"This can't wait!" Several of them yell at once.
"It'd be in everyone's best interest." Erwin responds. "I have an assignment for the 104th. It will be off base, so pack accordingly. You leave as soon as possible."
"Commander?"
"As soon as possible. Am I understood?"
"Sir!" They all stand and salute.
"I'll have the details of the assignment prepared by the time you're ready to depart." He leaves.
"Sasha, go get them. Tell them everything." Armin instructs. "Come on guys, we have to 'pack'." He says to everyone else.
"Where are we going?" Ina is confused.
Everyone looks nervous, but no one is saying anything. Instead of going to bed, they packed a bag a full of her clothes. Now she's on a horse with Krista in the middle of the night. Why is everyone so quiet?
"Can someone tell me what's happening? Where are we going?" She knows better than to be afraid, but she really can't help it. Her fear is about ready to take over her system.
"Please…" Panic is running ice cold through her bloodstream.
"Shh Ina. It's alright." Krista hugs her from behind. "It's going to be alright." She whispers.
"Sister, I'm scared." Ina whimpers. "I can't breathe." She gasps quietly.
"Guys we need to stop." Krista informs the others as she brings her horse to a stop.
The others rush over to Krista and Ina. Eren helps Ina down, he can feel her trembling as she tries to hold off her panic.
"It's alright." Eren whispers as he holds her tight. "You're alright."
"I'm scared." Ina gasps. "What's happening?"
"I know, Ina, but it's okay. You're still safe. You're okay. Can you say it with me?"
Her whimper is muffled by his cloak and she buries her face in his chest.
"I'm okay." Eren whispers.
"... I'm okay."
"Good girl. One more time, Ina. I'm okay." He rubs small soothing circles on her back.
"I'm okay."
"Ina, look at me." Eren places a gentle hand on her cheek. "I know you're confused, but you have to trust us, okay? We'll explain everything soon."
Ina looks into his bright green eyes. "Okay."
"Will you be okay if we keep going?" Eren makes sure Ina can stand on her own. He puts her hood back on her head. It sure was nice of Erwin to have one made in her size. She loves it.
"Thank you, big brother." Ina rests her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."
"Let's go." Eren stands and takes her hand.
The group of young soldiers and their tiny companion set off once again. Ina holds onto Eren with both hands as they walk. When she gets sleepy, Eren carries her on his back and they continue on.
It's the early hours of the morning when they reach their destination; an old cabin.
They lay Ina down in one of the rooms with Sasha keeping an eye on her. The rest of the 104th sit in the dusty living room and discuss the nature of their 'assignment'. On the official report, they are here to surveil the area as well as take inventory of the supplies at this cabin. Unofficially, they are to wait here with Ina until Erwin sends someone to tell them it's safe for her to return. Nobody wants to be the one to tell Ina they're in hiding. Who knows how she'd react if she knew that the MPs were after her. They don't want to put her through that. She's already stressed enough and she doesn't even know what's going on. Armin suggests they take things slowly when explaining things to her. Details won't do her any good. The less she knows about who they're running from, the better.
Levi miscalculated. He was careless.
In the underground, when screams were heard people looked the other way. In the scouts, it was usually some poor soul who'd lost a loved one to the Titans or a limb. In the capital, when screams are heard, the authorities are called. He should have known. He was far too reckless, especially when he stopped attempting to keep that insufferable bastard quiet.
Levi isn't as upset about being caught, as he is about not getting to the rest. But who knows? Maybe they're all closer than he thinks. Maybe he could use getting caught to his advantage.
"Well, if it isn't humanity's strongest soldier." Levi can hear the smile on the MP guards lips, but he doesn't bother to look up. "How'd you sleep, big guy? Were you comfortable?" He knocks on the bars of Levi's cell and laughs.
That laugh. Levi hates that it sends shivers down his spine.
You would know. He thinks.
He hears the jingle of keys and flinches when the door to his cell creeks. Dammit.
"Time for breakfast. You know the drill." The guard grabs Levi by his hair and pulls. "Or do I need to remind you?"
He won't dignify these bastards with a response. Luckily for him, the MP takes his silence as an answer.
"Good little soldier." He releases Levi's hair.
Levi's shackles are undone one at a time. Once he's free he drops to the floor and holds back a groan of pain. Of all the ways to immobilize him. If he weren't flexible, Levi imagines his shoulders would have popped out of their sockets ages ago. He's almost certain that's the idea behind this primitive holding method. He doesn't need to be reminded of what to do next. He waits until his shackles are replaced before adjusting his position on this dirty ass floor. The guard grabs Levi by his neck and pushes him against the wall, pressing his forearm against Levi's neck with bruising force.
He comes far too close for Levi's comfort and starts to whisper. "Any funny business and this will be the last meal you ever eat. Got it?"
He can't speak. His air is being completely cut off. Levi just attempts to nod. When he is released he looks away from the guard and quietly gasps for air. He won't give them the satisfaction of making even the smallest sound.
The guard leaves and returns with a tray in his hands. He sets it down in front of Levi- who only has eyes for that water. He hasn't even heard the sound of water in 3 days. He chokes as he impatiently gulps it down. It's disgusting. It tastes more like he imagines a sewer would.
"What is this?" He coughs.
"Toilet water. Only the best for Humanity's Strongest." The guard laughs as he locks Levi's cell and leaves.
Don't you dare.
Levi has to fight the incredibly strong urge to vomit.
Not here. Not now.
His eyes water and his stomach churns.
Don't.
He places a hand over his mouth and waits for the sickening feeling to pass.
Levi pushes the tray away. He's no longer hungry.
Ina. At least you're safe. At least they won't find you.
He'll suffer for as long as these pigs want, only so she won't have to.
"Don't play around with us Erwin. We know the kid is here."
"This is the army, not a daycare center. How would I find the time or resources to accommodate a child?" Erwin asks. "I can barely look after my own soldiers with this budget."
"I couldn't care less. Just give it to us and we'll be out of your hair."
If he weren't good at what he does, Erwin would have flinched when he heard this MP refer to Ina as 'it'. Right before he socked the guy in his jaw.
"Believe me, Captain. I'll gladly cooperate with you. But I assure you there is no child here. I'll even help you search the base."
The MP captain sighs impatiently. "Just grant us access to your soldiers for questioning."
"So long as it doesn't get in the way of their training, by all means, question away."
- (at least a day has passed. These event are not happening simultaneously)
There you have it! Another chapter down! Things do get a little more intense as well as a little emotional. It takes a while for things to calm down again. If this chapter confused you at all, that was the idea. I didn't realize it until I finished it, but we are supposed to get a sense of the chaos and the confusion. That's why there's a lot of jumping around to different scenes and times. That's what I was trying to get across but as I've said many times I'm still new to the world of writing so please do forgive me for anything that's not clear. I'll see you guys next time!
