Instructor Shadis gave everyone a big, long speech on how terrible they were, save Mikasa, Annie, and myself, and how that needs to improve, etc... As soon as we were dismissed, people started coming up to me left and right.

"Europa, how do you do that spin kick!?"

"Europa, where'd you learn to fight like that!?"

"Europa, will you teach me some of your moves!?"

My head was starting to hurt. Would you all just shuuut the fuck up? I began elbowing your way through the crowd of people, ignoring their words, when suddenly everyone stopped moving around and saluted. I looked over to see Captain Levi standing before everyone. I slowly saluted him as well. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Everyone, leave, now." He commanded them. "Except you, Europa." He said meeting your gaze. Ahh. He said my name. I felt my cheeks warm and instantly I looked away from his penetrating stare. I huffed. Just what was happening to me? I walked forward till I was before him.

"Why?" I snapped. Regarding me up and down he said "Hange requests your presence in the office now that you are done." He snapped back.

"And you stayed this whole time just to tell me?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow. The captain shifted on his feet and looked away for a moment then straight back at me, eyes sharp. "She didn't leave me much of a choice. It's not like I wanted to be here, brat. I've much better things to do than babysit the likes of you." He growled. I fumed. "Why are you so fucking rude?" I blurted out. Immediately, I clasped my hands over my mouth. Ohhhh shit. Ohhhhhh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. His eyes narrowed to slits and he got right in my face. "You just earned yourself a full week of cleaning the mess hall and my office. Everyday. You will not sleep until it is finished, everyday. Is that understood, brat?" He explained darkly. I ground my teeth together. "Crystal, captain." I managed to reply. "Good. Now let's go."

We walked in silence back to the office. I wasn't quite sure why he was walking with me; his job was done, after all, he had told me where to go. He was unusually quiet, too, and it seemed as though something was bothering him. I was tempted to ask, but figured he was just angry from my outburst earlier. Either way, I didn't think I had any business asking him how he feels. He doesn't care about me so why should I care for him?

I opened the office door to find Hange submerged under a mountain of fresh papers. "EUROPA! FINALLY!" Hange yelled, jumping from her feet. "How was training? Good? Great. Now, let's get to business." Completely ignoring the captain, I took a seat across from her and began reading her notes. Captain Levi took to leaning against the wall and looking around at the still messy room.

"I thought I ordered you to clean this room up, brat?"

I looked up from my notes and turned around. "And I said I'm not doing it, I believe." Levi looked from Hange to me, hoping she'd back him up. She didn't even flinch. Actually, I didn't think she even heard the exchange. He looked back at me. "Two weeks cleaning the hall and my office. I'll add another week for every day this office isn't clean." He snapped. My blood boiled and I glared daggers at him, but his blank expression did not falter. I kept my mouth shut and turned back around to my notes.

"Okay Hange, I'm all caught up. What's the plan?" I asked leaning back in the chair and putting my hands behind my head. She pushed her glasses up and stared at me. A grin that would put even the Cheshire cat to shame spread across her lips.

"We are going to go capture some test subjects." She said calmly. I stared at her blankly, hoping my assumption was wrong. She didn't say anything else, just waited for my reply. "...and by test subjects you mean titans, correct?"

"What the fuck else would she mean?" Levi answered for her. I turned around slowly and seethed at him. "I don't recall asking you." I spat. He was pushing me to my absolute limits. I turned back around and Hange nodded. "I know you don't have experience with the real thing or the 3D gear yet so that's why this expedition isn't until next week. Gives you some time to train a little bit." A devilish grin bloomed across her face once more. "And the captain here was kind enough to volunteer to be your personal teacher until then."

"Absolutely not." Him and I said at the same time. Hange held her hands up in neutrality. "I didn't decide this. Commander Erwin's orders." I closed my eyes and turned away from him. The universe wants me to kill him. That's the only logical conclusion for this.

"You are to be in my office at six am sharp. Dont be late." And with that Levi left the room. I looked at Hange once more. "He really seems to dislike you, Europa. And I haven't the faintest idea why." She added, sarcastically. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. I'll survive. Let's just start designing some experiments."

Being cooped up in that office for hours made me realize just how hungry I had become. I wandered down to the mess hall and grabbed myself a loaf of bread, some soup, and a cup of green tea. My lovely, little secluded spot in the back was free. I parked myself in the seat, opened my book, and...

"Hey, Europa!" A voice called in the distance. I sighed and closed my book. It was Eren, and he was walking toward me, all smiles. "Hi, Eren." I managed a smile as well. "I was coming over to ask if you wanted to come sit with all of us. You don't have to sit alone, you know!" That was certainly not what I thought he was going to say, but I welcomed the offer. It never hurt to make some friends, I supposed. I grabbed my belongings and followed Eren over to the table. I sat at the farthest end and greeted everyone. There was a heavy silence around the group. It seemed as though my presence had made everyone tense. "Uhh... You guys can, you know, relax, I'm not going to bite anyone." There was a visible difference in everyone's posture and the chatter started up once more. I busied myself with my bread and observed everyone.

Mikasa was like a constant shadow to Eren. She seemed very nonchalant, but I also noticed she was on constant alert. Armin and Eren were talking and joking with her and it was obvious these three had been friends for quite a long time prior to all this. Their camaraderie was genuine and they had full trust in one another. Connie and Jean talked amongst themselves quietly, Jean consistently flickering his gaze toward Mikasa. Ohhhh, wow. Okay. I would have never guessed that. Reiner and Burthold also talked quietly amongst themselves. It would appear that they've known each other for a while as well.

"Europa?"

I snapped out of my thoughts. "Huh?" I replied. "Jeez, airhead. I've said your name like four times now." Eren replied. I chuckled, "I'm sorry. I space out like that sometimes. What's up?" I asked curiously. He hesitated. I sighed internally. "...well um, we were wondering..." He paused and looked around the table "...ahh, where did you learn to fight like that?" He said quickly. I pursed my lips and closed my eyes for a moment. "We can talk about this all once and only once so if you have a question, ask it." I took a sip of tea. "I learned from someone a long time ago."

"How long have you been fighting?" Eren asked again.

"Sixteen years." I took another sip of tea. "Where are you from? Is that where you learned it?" Armin asked. "The underground city. And yes." They were quiet for a second. "You're from the underground, originally?" Hange asked, suddenly right behind me. "What the actual fuck?! Where did you come from?!" I snapped, scared, then sighed.

"Yes. I was born there and left after I was called upon to go inside wall Maria to tend to the injured survivors of Shiganshina." I said, sipping your tea once more. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin all squirmed in their seats. Oh no...they must be from there. "Hmm. That's interesting. Levi is from the underground too." She said back.

And then it hit me...

The ground was hard and cold beneath me. I laid there, motionless, wondering what I should do. I was only a child, after all. It had been a few days that I'd been out here now. Blood, crusted and dry, was still all over my hands, their blood. My mom and dad were dead and I had no idea why. I was in shock.

Suddenly a hooded figure spotted me and walked over. I tensed in fear, knowing full well this place was full of bad people. The figure knelt down in front of me and pushed their hood back. Young, thundercloud colored eyes stared at me in curiosity. The stranger held out a hand. Gingerly, I took it in my own and the stranger helped me to my feet. "Let's get you cleaned up and get some food in you." He said, sounding slightly annoyed. My instincts told me that I could trust this man, and so I did, grasping his hand tighter and followed him wherever he took me.

The memory subsided.

Of course I knew Levi. That's what this nagging feeling had been. But it was so long ago since he had left. He had changed so much. Oh, he probably has no clue who the fuck I am.

I tried to keep my face blank after she said that but Mikasa noticed. "Well, great for him." Was all I could muster.

"Anyway, I'm just coming over to give you the itinerary for next week. Have fun trrraaaiiinnninnnggg!" She sang and walked away. I pinched the bridge of my nose and raised my eyes. "Does anyone have any other questions? No? Cool." I said, indicating the end of their allotted time. I picked up my book and pretended to read. The others regarded me stragely but brushed it off and continued their original conversations.

How many years has it been now? 10 at least? I never thought in a million years that I'd see Levi Ackerman again. Ever. He had found me outside of my house shaking and terrified after my parents had been murdered. To this day I don't know why he chose to help me, but I have always been forever grateful to him. After he taught me how to defend myself and how to survive on my own and then suddenly I never saw him again. He just disappeared. Probably to come here, now that I thought about it. Feeling a little overwhelmed, I excused myself from the table and headed back to my room.

I lay on my bed thinking about this revelation. Should I confront him about it? And where were Isabel and Farlan? I remembered them never leaving his side. Maybe they went their separate ways, I thought sadly. I took a shower and decided to go to sleep since I had to be in the captain's office bright and early. I groaned at the thought, pulled the blanket over my head, and fell asleep.