Birds were chirping, the dew coated grass swaying in a gentle breeze. Teardrops seemed to drip from the leaves of trees and into puddles, which reflected the soft blue of the March sky. I hummed softly and snuggled further into my covers. What a wonderful--

"OW! FUCK!" I yelped, glaring to the foot that had so rudely slammed into my eye a moment before.

"Oh! Sorry," Emile grinned innocently. She jumped down from her bunk, sauntering to the door. "Everybody else is up already. We mortals have training in an hour." She chuckled. I groaned, hugging my ribs. I'd managed to get myself injured enough for the nurses in the infirmary to ban me from any formal training this month. Of course, I had spent all of yesterday training with Fran just to send a big FU to the bitchy guy that runs the nursing-wing, but I was now reaping the consequences of my actions. I hurt like hell.

Emilee turned to me, her beautiful face twisting up in thought. "By the way, an officer stopped by earlier with a message for you." I perked up in interest. "You're being summoned to MHB by...Elijah? Asikah?"

I gasped, jumping out of bed and getting dressed. Emilee gave me a weird look but didn't comment, instead opting to make her leave to get breakfast. I pulled on my uniform white pants and my usual black, boat necked undershirt. My jacket hadn't yet been replaced, so I grabbed my cloak off its hanger on my bed. Quickly lacing my uniform boots, I jogged a few steps to the door, but had to stop and clutch my ribs in pain. Why was I so determined to ignore any orders the doctor gave me?

Huffing impatiently, I walked as quickly as I could without causing myself pain. Although I was free today, no carriages would be running from HQ into town since it wasn't a Legion holiday. If I wanted to get to Trost, I'd have to go by horse. My face scrunched at the thought. My ribs were already in pain; this was not going to help. But, I hadn't seen Asikah in over a month. I would have to suck it up.

By the time I reached the stables, the sun was high in the sky. I saddled up an unclaimed horse, figuring I'd need a new stead anyway, and mounted it painfully. A ride to Trost would take about an hour if I rode at a trot. I didn't think my body could handle a full run all the way there. I'd have to make do.

-T-

By the time I'd passed off my horse to a young boy at MHB, I was ready to cry from the pain in my chest. I scanned the outside of the building before inching up the cobblestone steps at the entrance. It looked to be strongly built. The outside was a sandy brown color, looking worn but well kept. Small shrubs lined the outside, which had a few small windows spread throughout its many stories. The Military Home for Boys was an orphanage owned and operated by associates of Keith Shadis of the Trainee Corps. It was there that boys, whom's parents were KIA, were sheltered and trained until they reached suitable age to move out or enlist into training. This was also where Asikah had been taken upon my induction into the Recon Corps.

I entered the building, my pace quickening as I approached a group of boys. There were five of them, ranging in ages from about eight to fourteen, all huddled up around of the oldest, who were both dressed in the cross-sword uniform for Trainees. "Hey!" I called out. They all turned to face me.

One of the Trainees raised an eyebrow at me, looking me up and down in a way that made me feel like punching him. "Wha'chu wantin' then, darlin?"

I scowled at him, hackles raising. "Excuse me?"

He squatted down to my height, a shit-eating grin stretched across his face. "Been a while since I've had to bend down so low, you know. Sure hope you'll make this visit worth my trouble..."

I seriously considered drawing my blades and stabbing him right there, but, upon remembering I'd left my gear back home, I settled for sweeping his feet out from under him and letting him fall backwards onto his ass. I stood above him and cocked an eyebrow. "Better?"

His friends behind him howled with laughter at the display, the other soldier stepping forward. "Pretty badass," He laughed, extending a hand. "I'm Jax. And that dumbass at your feet is Kane, but we all call him Gunner."

I studied him suspiciously, but accepted the handshake. "Nyx."

He had a unique sort of face. Jax's left eye was shielded by a black eyepatch and a long, fading scar trailed from where his jaw began all the way to his collar bone. He had shaggy brown hair that was cut choppily above his ears and matched his visible eye. He looked a little bit younger than me, maybe by a couple years, but the way he carried himself reminded me of the thirty-year old veterans that I worked with. His grip on my hand was strong and firm, however very controlled. I smiled a little, deciding I liked him.

"So, uh, how can we help you?" He asked, releasing my hand with a small grin.

My smile dropped as I remembered my purpose here. "I need to speak with...urm...whoever it is that's in charge here? I'm - uh - expected."

He tilted his head quizzically at my attempt to sound confident. His eye traveled down to my cloak, widening when he spotted the Wings of Freedom insignia. His focus shot back to my face as he searched for something. "Wait...You aren't, by any chance, Asikah Bently's older sister, are you?" I nodded urgently. He cracked a smile, turning down the hallway to my left. "Never would have guessed."

I would've been shocked if he had. Asi and I looked almost nothing alike. He didn't resemble either of our parents much at all, leading me to be even more firm in my belief that our mother had been unfaithful. He had ringlets of golden blonde that were kept short since he complained they tickled his ears. His features still held the pudginess of adolescence and his chubby cheeks were painted with a myriad of dark freckles that seemed to cover his skin entirely.

I, however, took after our mother. The one thing Asi and I had in common were our eyes, a shining bronze framed by thick, dark lashes. My features had lost their child-like softness and had begun to take on a sort of maturity, showing even more of my mother in me. Although a dissmisable parent, my mother had been quite the beauty. One would have to be to have such a long line of lovers for when her husband was away.

Jax nodded surely at me. "I know who you need to talk to," He said, motioning for me to follow him.

I had to force myself not the sprint down the hall, else I'd surely be zapped by my ribs and fall on my face, but instead steadily speedwalked down the corridor Jax was leading me through. We passed several doors, which I assumed were dorms, that adorned children's drawings, military insignia, and colorful nametags. Finally, Jax slowed to a stop and pointed at a door with a large red cross on it. My heart sped up dangerously.

"Last I saw, Dr. Jeager was in there checking him out. He should tell you everything you need to know."

I nodded mutely and focused on calming myself down. I couldn't go inside in my current state and risk scaring Asi. Jax seemed to read this on my face, as he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and smiled sympathetically. I swallowed thickly, quickly thanking Jax for his help, and pushed the door open.

The room was much better lit than the rest of the building. The room was small and cluttered. Two of the walls were occupied by a sink and shelves of herbs and bandages. A petite table stood next to a line of three cots that were pushed snugly together. And, on one of those cots, slept Asikah. I rushed to his side, nearly knocking over one of the shelves in my haste. I placed my hand on his head, feeling relieved when I detected no fever. However, he was paler than normal. His fingers had also curled in on themselves in odd angles. Just as I was about to reach for them, the door swung open.

A man entered. He was tall and thin, spectacles on his nose and brown hair pulled into a low ponytail. He paused at the sight of me as realization clicked in his eyes. "Ah. You must be Onyx Bently."

I couldn't find my voice to respond, so I nodded.

"I see. I contacted you as soon as I could, but I couldn't arrange an escort for you, I apologize. I'm Dr. Jeager," He said kindly, joining me at my brother's side.

I ignored his introduction, looking up at him protectively. "What happened?"

"He passed out."

"Yes, I can fucking see that,"

"Language, please, Ms. Bently."

I glared at him impatiently. "What's wrong with my little brother?"

Dr. Jeager frowned, reaching for his 'doctor clipboard.' "Well, Ms. Bently," He started hesitantly.

"Don't worry about sugar coating stuff, old man," I snapped. I pointed to the insignia on my cloak. "I can handle it."

His eyes followed my gesture and he nodded. "Your brother has abnormally thin blood cells."

I furrowed my brows, not sure what that meant. "Okay? What's wrong with that?"

His features slumped in sadness. "Well...normally, human blood cells should be about four times as thick as Asikah's are. Their size allows them to be pumped all around the body. Asikah's are one-fourth of their proper size, meaning his cells are both too cluttered together and too thin to effectively preform their functions."

I lowered my hand, dread filling my head. "Well, what does that mean?"

"It means that, unless he is given proper treatment and this malformation is stabilized, his cells will no longer carry the substantial amount of oxygen needed by each of the organs, they will be too unstable to properly clot and close wounds, and they may begin to stick to the walls of his veins to the point that he could loose the use of any external limbs that his heart can not pump blood to."

My vision was swimming as I took this in. "Which means?"

Dr. Jeager hesitated. "Which means he could become paralyzed. And, if not treated, could succumb to organ failure and be lost to us."

I lowered myself shakily onto the cot behind me, pinching the material of my pants between my fingers. Asi paralyzed? He would be crushed. Never, had I seen him go a day without running and skipping and leaping. I looked back up to Dr. Jeager, poorly masking my anguish. "Can you treat him?"

He hung his head. "I can. But not without special supplies, expensive medicines, and extensive labor. It would be a high fee."

I sighed. I had expected that. We didn't have much, but, now that I had a steady flow of income lining our pockets, just maybe this would be within reach. "How much?"

His answer almost made me cry.

I didn't have that much! Hell, even half a year from now, I wouldn't have that much! And they want it monthly??

I started to panic, standing up and pacing circles around the small space. Being in the Recon Corps, there was no chance of picking up a second day job. Maybe if I could find something that would have night shifts? But, even with two paychecks coming in, I would have to get a third job on top of that to be able to afford Asi's care. The only way to pull that off would be resigning from the military, but I couldn't do that because my being a soldier was the only reason Asi was here and not begging in the streets of Wall Sina. As much as I hated to admit it, Erwin had locked me into a cage. If I left, he'd discharge Asi from this orphanage. I had no choice but to stay.

Dr. Jeager's hand on my shoulder made me realize he'd been calling my name for a good minute or so. I blinked dazedly at him, stumbling back and plopping back onto the cot. "Ms. Bently," He began gently. "I know better than anyone how tight money can be. I'm willing to find a way to make this work."

I shook my head. "I can't get that money. There's no possible way."

He sighed sadly, reaching down and picking up the cloak I had dropped. Looking at it, something appeared to have occurred to him. "You're a Cadet, aren't you?"

I frowned, not sure why that was important. "Yes?"

"I'm well acquainted with the previous commander of the Scouting Regiment. I believe I could ask Keith to pull some strings. I believe in your cause beyond the walls. Perhaps, if you could not pay all in coin, you can make up the difference through action."

I widened my eyes at his offer. Hope bloomed in my chest. However- "And should I fall?" I asked.

He looked down at Asi, who slept soundly, wrapped around a stuffed rabbit I'd stolen for him on his fourth birthday. "I hope that will not come to pass. For your sake. And his."

-T-

I marched purposefully down the hall that lead to Erwin's office. Reaching the door, I knocked without a thought, knowing that if I mulled it over, I would come to my senses and go to bed. I heard the debating voices go silent as Erwin called for me to enter. Letting out a sharp sigh, I pushed the door open. Surrounding Erwin's desk were Mike, Hanji, Levi, and Fran. A map was laid open in front of them, a model formation beginning to take shape. They all looked at me expectantly, slight intrigue in a few of their gazes.

Meeting only Erwin's eyes, I stiffly saluted.

He straightened up in his seat, nodding to me. "As you were." He folded his hands in front of his mouth. "What do you wish to report, Onyx?"

"Sir," Don't do it, don't be stupid! "It has come to my attention that my younger brother has fallen ill, potentially fatally," Stop, stop, STOP! "I am aware that I have been given permission to compensate for his treatment by way of action within my Legion." YOU'RE GONNA GET YOURSELF KILLED, DUMBFUCK!

Erwin nodded thoughtfully. "I was informed of your situation by Former Commander Shadis this afternoon."

"Sir," I swallowed my mounting fear, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I would like to volunteer for any and all expeditions within or beyond the walls from this point until the end of my career."

Soft exclamations of shock were audible throughout the room. Chancing a glance around, Fran looked stunned, and even Levi had a subtle air of surprise about him. I looked back to the Commander, who seemed taken aback, but also incredibly smug, as if he knew things would turn out this way.

He nodded solemnly. "Permission granted."