After more than a year, I'm back with a new chapter! Thank you for waiting and supporting this story.

As I began to regain conscious, I smelled pine in the distance, a familiar scent. I opened my eyes, before me was a field of sunflowers, all in full bloom. A gust of wind blew in my hair as I turned around. A familiar man sat beside me with a smile. His reddish hair rustled in the wind.

"It's been a while." He laughed. "You've grown." He patted my head. "Just as I thought, you've grown into a fine lady ."

True enough, I returned to my 16 year old body.

"What are you... Why are you here?" I asked hesitantly.

"I guess fate decided to bring us back together."

As he finished his sentence, I jumped on him, embracing him in my arms. Tears of sentiment and joy came streaming down my face.

"I missed you, Lorenzo-nii-chan." I said between sobs.

"I missed you too."

"You promised you'd come back."

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't even say goodbye."

"I'm so-"

"Stop apologizing! You selfishly left Rivaille and me! Did you know how hard it was for us? If you're really sorry you shouldn't have left us in the first place! Who are you to just die off and leave us like that? You selfish idiot!" I cried as I spoke.

He held me in his arms.

"Yeah, Just as you said, I'm nothing but a selfish idiot, but let me tell you this, I've never once forgotten about you guys. We're a family, remember? No matter where I am, I'll always be looking out for the two of you." Lorenzo said as he gently caressed my head.

I sniffled, trying to stop crying.

"Then… If I'm here… does that mean that I am…"

"No. It's not your time yet. You should go back. Rivaille and your friends are waiting for you on the other side."

I stood up and wiped my tears.

"But…"

"Don't worry, no matter how hard things are, I'll be watching you. So don't forget that you're never alone."

I smiled.

"Will I ever see you again?" I asked.

"You will, when the time is right." He gave me an assured smile. "I'll be waiting for you when that time comes

"Can I ask you one last thing before I go? Why did you join the Recon Corps?"

He was a little surprised but his mouth melted into a smile again.

"The truth was, in the past I did some bad things, and at first, I joined to repay for my sins, if not I couldn't face my little sister, but then, when I went on my first expedition, I saw how beautiful the outside world was. Land as far as your eyes can see: a sky so vast even the birds can't fly past and so much more. In the end, I thought, wouldn't it be great if one day, the 3 of us could go and explore? It would have been so much fun."

"It would have been." A tear came to my eye.

"Don't make that sort of face. It's going to make me cry too. You should get going."

I wiped the tear away.

"Don't worry this isn't goodbye, I'll see you later." Lorenzo said, teary eyed.

"Yeah… See you later…"

Everything around me was enveloped by a bright blinding light.

By the time I regained consciousness again, I found myself in an unfamiliar room, the room was filled with a heavy scent of disinfectant. It took some effort but I managed to open my eyes only to close them again when greeted by the blinding light.

Was that all just a dream? It seemed so real… I was in the middle of the mission, then what happened? Nicholas?!

I propped myself into a sitting position but a wincing pain at my waist shot me back down.

"Ouch!" I muttered as I laid back down.

"I wouldn't move if I were you." A voice spoke.

I bent my neck over to find a mid-aged woman clad in white, standing by the window.

"Where's Nicholas? He was with me." I asked.

"Oh, the boy? He's fine but he has yet to regain conscious. You came in with a broken rib and a few fractured bones, that boy on the other hand, almost bled to death, it's a miracle that you're both still alive." She replied.

"Thank goodness…" a sigh of relief swept through me.

She came to my side and helped me sit up.

"Are you hungry?" She asked.

As she mentioned, my stomach gave me a small reminder.

Flushed, I nodded.

"Well you must be. You've been out for 3 days!" She chuckled.

"3 days?" I exclaimed.

"I'll go bring you something that's easy to eat." The nurse said as she left the room.

"Thank you."

The room door clicked closed. I looked out of the window.

So three day has passed...

Suddenly, I heard the door open again.

"That was fast." I said expecting the nurse to be back.

"Please excuse me for the intrusion." Unexpectedly, a male voice replied.

A tall man pushed aside the curtain that was separating me and the next bed.

"Commander Erwin?!" I said, I was about to get up and salute out of habit but the pain shot me back down.

"Please don't strain yourself and lay down. I'm sorry for visiting under such short notice."

"That's completely fine!" I answered nervously, after all this was the first time I ever spoke with the commander face to face, it was rather nerve wrecking.

"I'm here too!" Hanji said as she barged in, pushing Rivaille aside.

"Hanji-san too?"

Somehow, Hanji's presence calmed me down, a little.

He took a seat at the foot of my bed.

"You are Alice Berux, part of the 104th trainee dispatch, am I correct?"

"Yes I am."

"I'm sorry for bothering you while you've just regained conscious. I'll get to the point, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

"Of course! Ask me anything!"

"Your position in the expedition was in the relay team of the right flank, were you not?"

"Yes, I was there."

"Could you tell what happened? I'm afraid you're the only one I can ask at the moment. Try to remember, even the slightest thing could be crucial."

"Well… It began to rain…"

My memory was still a little fuzzy, so I had to think hard but whenever I tried to recall anything, all that came to my mind was nothing but the image of gore and death. I covered my mouth with my hand to prevent myself from throwing up.

"Are you alright?" Hanji asked.

"I'm fine." I said as I swallowed and took a deep breath, hoping to calm myself. "It was raining really hard and it was difficult to see and hear, but I'll do my best to tell you all I can remember."

Hanji took out a notebook and pen, signaling me to begin.

As I said, I told them everything in the most detailed explanation I could make. They listened to every word I said attentively, making notes of the smallest of detail. No one interrupted me or asked me further. When I was finished, there came a short pause and the Commander got off his chair.

"Thank you very much, you've provided us with some vital informaation. I apologize for making you relive that experience. Well then, take care, Miss Berux." He shook my hand.

Simultaneously, the nurse came in with a bowl of soup.

"My, it's rare to see you here Commander!" The nurse exclaimed.

"I was only here to question one of the patients. I'll be taking my leave now"

"Oh yes, I don't want to keep you here. I'm sure you're awfully busy, be off now."

"Good day, Hanji. I was just about to pour myself a cup of tea, fancy a cup?" the nurse asked.

"Oh~ I'd-"

"Don't you still have that report to write Hanji?" Erwin glanced at Hanji..

Hanji gulped.

"I'm sorry but I have to refuse, maybe next time." Hanji said.

They left the room.

"You're welcome anytime." The nurse replied, then, she turned to me. "It's a little early but here's your dinner."

"I'm sorry but I think I lost my appetite." I answered.

"Oh my, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm just a little tired."

"All right, you should get some rest. I'll leave it here for you."

I slid back into the sheets and buried my head into the hard and lumpy pillow. I scrunched my hand into a tight fist.

No, I can't cry. I don't deserve to. It was my fault. After all, if only I had been stronger then maybe I could have protected them. Instead I'm always getting saved by others.

When I woke up, night had already fell. The room was dark, lidded only by a dim candle light. The door slowly clicked open, a familiar high pitched voice called out.

"Yo! How are you doing?"

I looked over to the source.

"Julie!" I exclaimed. I would have jumped off the bed and hugged her but my injuries forbid me from doing so.

"Finally awake, Sleeping Beauty?" Julie laughed. "I was about to give you a wake up kiss, but I guess I'm no 'Prince Charming'."

She came up closer to me.

"You hungry? I'll go fetch you something." She smiled as she turned away but her smile felt different.

"Julie wait."

She stopped in her tracks.

"Are you… alright?" I asked.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" She replied me with the same empty smile again and she trotted out of the room.

She came back a few minutes later, I was tempted to ask what was bothering her but I felt that that was a taboo.

"Here say 'ah'!" She said as she lifted up a spoon of stew for me.

"I can eat by myself, Julie."

"You're an injured person and an injured person should just shut up and let others treat them."

"Fine 'ah'."

"Good girl."

After managing to eat almost half of the bowl, Julie set it down on her lap. Her expression changed to a serious one.

"Alice… We decided."

"Who is we?" I asked.

"Us trainee or at least what's left of us."

I muttered a soft 'oh'.

"We decided that we're going to have a talk about what we're going to do… tonight." She fiddled with her sleeves a little. "So I was wondering if you would come. That's if you are up to it. I don't want you to push yourself."

"Alright…"

"You sure?"

"Well, I'll need some help sneaking out of here."

"Then we'll be partners in crime." She looked a little relieved. "I'll go return the tray."

At this point I could no longer understand what she was thinking. Julie was always cheerful but now she just seemed like she was forcing herself. I'm sure just like everyone she's having a hard time coping with everything…

Julie waited till midnight to get me. She helped me off my bed. I put an arms across her shoulders and the other on a crutch. She led me to the back courtyard, it was a cold night, it made me regret not taking along an overcoat. We approached the barn where the Recon Corps stored their equipment. A fire had already been lid inside. The others were sitting there on crates, warming up by the fire.

Juane looked up.

"Ah, they're here." He quickly made a place for me to sit. "How are your wounds?"

"I've been better." I said.

"Should you be moving around?"

"Well, no." I said.

Julie coughed, silencing Juane.

"We didn't come here for small talk." Julie said.

"She's right." a fellow trainee, Henry said. "I'll cut to the chase. We all saw it right? The titans and what they do to people."

Everyone made a painful expression.

"I've decided." He continued. "I'm leaving the Recon Corps."

"Wha-"

Juane interrupted me. "Me too."

"Why?" I asked. "Didn't you guys say that you wanted to save humanity?!"

"I was only pulled in by that hot headed Nicholas!" Henry said.

"Then why?"

"Even that idiot lost a leg! There were more than 30 of us but look at how many of us are left! If we keep this up, sooner or later we're all going to die! I'm not going to commit suicide for nothing!"

I couldn't say anything. Part of me knew what he had said was true.

"Me too…" Julie said.

"Julie?"

"I can't stay here! I don't ever want to see a titan ever again!" Julie looked broken, so lost. "If I'm lucky I might still be able to get into the military police if I can't then at least part of the garrison."

"If we all write a resignation letter and appeal together, I'm sure that the commander had no choice but to let us go." Henry said. "I think we've all come to a conclusion. He looked at me. "So, what about you, Berux? What are you going to do?"

"I-I…"

"You saw it too right? How terrifying they are?"

"I know…"

I saw it too… How titans eat humans… how they ate Tanya, Nina…

"I-I"

"Alice…" Julie looked at me, her eyes silently begged me.

"I… I'll quit the Recon…" I said.

"Then it's decided! We'll submit our resignation letters first thing tomorrow!" Henry said.

With that everyone dismissed themselves, all a little light hearted.

"Alice, you did the right thing." Julie said as she held my hands in her palm.

Am I really?...

The next morning.

All of us gathered in front of the Commander's office. Henry knocked on the door. We went in as soon as we heard a soft 'come in." we lined up in front of his desk. Commander Erwin looked up from his documents, behind him stood Rivaille, Hanji and Mike. It seemed that they were discussing about something important.

"How may I help you?" The commander asked.

Henry was the first to go up to him and handed in his letter.

"This is?" Erwin asked, his expression unchanged.

"My letter of resignation, sir."

"I don't blame you for withdrawing, many new recruits often feel that way after their first expedition. Just set your letters down and I'll look into them later."

"Thank you very much sir!" Henry saluted and left the room.

His actions were followed by everyone. I was the last after Julie, I went up with my letter. I was hesitant to put it down. Julie who was about to leave the room turned around to see the letter still in my hands.

"Alice, hurry up." Julie whispered.

"I…I'm sorry Julie." I ripped the letter. Everyone in the room was surprised, even the ever calm Heichou. This was the first time a new recruit had withdrew a resignation letter.

"Alice, what are you doing?" Julie shouted.

"I can't… I'm sorry Julie! I can't do this. I can't quit. I thought about it, but in the end, I just can't! I can't give up on my dreams just like that!" I looked at Julie.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I'm not as brave as you. I'm leaving, with or without you." She said almost crying, and closed the door behind her.

Julie…

"Cadet Berux was it?" Commander Erwin spoke, cutting the silence.

"Y-yes!" I replied.

"Are you certain with your decision? The path that you chose would only bring you pain and grief."

"Yes. I'm sure."

"In that case, I give you my greatest respect. Not many recruits would have done what you did. We, the Recon Corps will accept a soldier like you with open hands." He stood up and saluted. "Cadet, I acknowledge your bravery. In the matter of fact, we were just discussing of forming a small platoon, led by Corporal Rivaille. I'd like you to be a part of this special squad."

"Me?!" Alice exclaimed.

Rivaille shot Erwin a glare.

"Yes, I heard that you have quite a bit of potential, you managed to take down 3 titans by yourself in the last expedition, which is quite a feat for an inexperienced soldier. Besides, currently, you're the only new recruit left and your team captain had already passed on. You'll need someone to guide you and who better, then to be trained by the best? Of course, we'd wait for your injuries to recover before we commence training but what do you say?"

"I'd gladly accept your proposal!"

Rivaille clicked his tongue.

"Perfect. In that case, I'll discuss this further with you another time, for now you should go back to the ward and rest. Rivaille, would you be kind enough as to escort her back?"

The two left the room in silence. Rivaille slammed the door close. I let out a sigh of relief, being in that room was more nerve wrecking than you could ever imagined. Rivaille walked off.

"Wha- Wait for me." I said.

Unexpectedly, he turned around with rage in his eyes.

"You're an idiot. You should have left when you had the chance. Why did you have to go and do that?" Rivaille growled.

"I don't regret it." I said as I looked into his eyes, full of determination.

"The military isn't a place for kids to play! Do you understand that?"

"I'm not here to play!"

"I don't think you understand. People die here all the time and one wrong move and you could wind up dead too. Knowing that are you still willing to risk your life?" He said as he took a step closer.

"Yes."

"Very well, don't regret those words." He turned around again and reached out his hand.

"W-what?" I asked, a little startled.

"You're not used to those crutches, am I right?"

I smiled.

"Thanks."

As I thought, he's the same old Rivaille that I know.

Even after all these years, his hands were still big and warm. A sense of nostalgia came over me.

He walked me to my ward room, and helped me sit on the bed.

"How are your injuries?" He asked.

"They're not as bad as it looks, don't worry, I'll be back on my two feet in no time!"

"Good. We'll start your training soon before your sorry excuse for muscles turn into fat."

"That's rude! I might not look like it but I'm pretty strong!"

"We'll see." Rivaille replied, not convinced by her words.

"That's right, you know while I was unconscious…. I saw Lorenzo-nii in my dreams."

Rivaille's eyes opened with surprise.

"He said that he'll be waiting for us."

"Is that so?... That idiot, is he asking us to die or something?" Rivaille said, but a small smile formed on his lips.

"This time, I properly said my goodbyes."

"I see. That's good."

Rivaille began walking towards the door.

"Wait, Rivaille. One more thing. On that day, after I passed out, I heard someone's voice, do you know who saved me?"

"No, I don't." He said and closed the door.

He stood outside the empty corridor.

Shit, didn't think she heard that…

Let dem reviews rain!

P.S. Would you like if i had a short Special Corps ARC , before Eren comes in? It's going to be about the newly formed Rivaille's team.

Please vote here! Just take away the spacing of the link.

strawpoll. me/ 5684788

FanFiction doesn't allow links. I'll wait till the 16 October!