"Is there anyone else with you?" Erwin sneered down at him. Farlan and Isabel shook their heads, but they looked to Levi. Leave Luna alone or have her exposed to the horrors they all knew awaited them above ground.

"We have no one else." He said, a steely cold tone he had learned to train into his voice.

"Take them away, men." Erwin commanded. As they were dragged away from the alley way, Levi looked up to the pub they had planned to save Luna from in just mere moments. He could see the window, and he swore for a moment he saw a flash of pale hair in the window. She'd be waiting now. He put his head down, not wanting to feel the tightening in his chest anymore.

Suddenly he jolted up from his short sleep. "Levi?" He heard Luna murmur.

"Luna? Are you ok?" he whispered to her, suddenly wide awake.

"Did you stay with me?" she muttered, rolling her neck weakly to the side.

"I've not left your side Luna." He said. She placed a hand on her cheek. He hadn't been touched like this in years. He shut his eyes.

"Levi… What happened? Please tell me." She begged quietly. A tear escaped from her eye.

"Please don't cry Luna." He said, whipping the tear from her cheek. "Isabel, Farlan and I were captured by the Scouting Legion as we were coming to get you. Commander Erwin had been tracking us for months, and finally caught us. They demanded to know whether there was another one of us, but we told them it was just us three. You were too young to come above ground. We couldn't do that to you."

"Where are they?" she asked, sitting up with great effort. Levi helped by putting her arm under her shoulder and propping her up. She smiled at him, that cute smile he remembered. His face went white. Asking for Isabel and Farlan. He closed his eyes, remembering their bodies, and breathed out a rattling breath.

"Isabel and Farlan were killed in their first real expedition beyond the walls, fresh out of training. I left my group to try and kill Erwin under the cover of heavy rain. A titan tore them apart while I wasn't there. We retrieved the bodies. We can visit them, if you wish." He rattled off the emotionless speech he had rehearsed in his head many times, just in case he ever saw Luna again. The light drained from Luna's face, her smile slowly dropping into a look of shock. Her eyes lost their sparkle. She looked at her hands, now in her lap. They were pale and soft. Just then, they heard a voice. "I don't care Hanji! He fucking lied to me!"

"Oh shit!" Levi jumped up. Just then a handsome, tall blonde man burst through the door, along with Hanji. "Commander please!" she shouted. He strode towards the pair. He seized the shorter man by his front. "You little bastard! I ASKED YOU WHETHER THERE WAS ANYONE ELSE." He hollered in Levi's face. He head butted Levi in the nose, and a 'crack' echoed through the room. He had broken Levi's nose. Luna attempted to get out of the bed.

"No! Stop!" she tried to shout, it coming out as a whimper. She fell off the bed with a load 'whack'. She crawled her way round the bed towards the two. Erwin had his eyes on her, while his hands where still on the front collar of the shorter man. A trickle of blood dripped down Levi's nose.

Standing on wobbly legs, Luna drew to her full height of about five foot one. She glared at Erwin with a blazing hatred.

"Are you Commander Erwin?" she demanded, her voice suddenly dripping with anger. Erwin's expression suddenly softened at her. He always had a soft spot for beautiful women. Dropping Levi, he leaned down a little, smiling.

"Hello, yes I am Commander Erwin Smi-"and he was suddenly cut off but a sudden punch to the mouth, stumbling back. Then, Luna delivered a roundhouse kick to his jaw, which sent him sailing to the floor. He tried to get back up, but was met with her knee to the chin. Erwin lay there on the floor, dazed. Hanji grabbed Luna from behind. Hanji picked her up underneath the breast so not to disturb the wound. Luna kicked and punched. She had powerful legs. Levi took a hankie out of his pocket, and whipped his nose of blood. Hanji would have to fix it properly for him after this was done. How in Hell she hadnt busted a stitch, let alone be overtaken by the pain she was most probably in, they didn't know.

"Don't fucking touch him again! You piece of shit, I'll kill you!" Luna spat. Her recent wound had not deterred her. The words resonated inside both Erwin and Levi, the same words Levi had screamed at him when he had just killed the titan who killed Isabel and Farlan. Levi got up, and took her from Hanji. He held her close, her face smashed into his neck. She wrapped her arms around him. Erwin and Hanji were shocked. In the whole seven years they'd known him, he had not touched anyone unless absolutely necessary, and even then he had done so gingerly. Even when Petra had hugged him when she was alive, he held his arms at his sides and winced uncomfortably. But he held Luna like there had been no time lost between them. Erwin exited the room.

-later-

Walking down the corridor, he saw Levi half the corridor away from him, about to enter his office. This gave him an idea. Erwin knew Levi cared for this girl, more than he had ever cared for Petra even. He knew, by conceiling her in the Underground, Levi wanted to protect her from the Titans. He ran after Levi, catching him by the shoulder.

"Levi, where are you going?" Erwin demanded.

"I'm taking Luna to Isabel and Farlan's graves. She wants to say goodbye." He said stiffly. He was obviously still angry about Erwin hitting him, even though Levi felt he deserved it.

"Where is she now?" Erwin questioned. Levi stood strong.

"Getting clean, and putting some different clothes on. Why?"

"I must speak to you about her when you come back." With this, he turned and left Levi stunned. Levi was confused, shaking his head, he stalked to his office. Opening the door, he shut it behind him. He knew exactly what was coming. He went to his desk, pulling out a photo that Isabel had saved to have done of them while in the underground. It was a group photo, the day they had been in the market when the guy with a camera was there. He took their group photo, and Isabel had given it to Levi because she knew, secretly, he had wanted one. There Farlan and Isabel were, smiling wide, their eyes closed and their expressions happy. And in the middle, was Luna. She had been with them for about a year. She had that awkward smile she had always donned, and there was Levi. A whisper of a smile on his lips. He had his arm wrapped around Luna, like he usually did. They looked so young. You wouldn't have guessed by then Luna had already killed two men. Shaking his head, he pocketed the photo, trying not to crumple it further.

-In Hanji's room-

Brushing through her hair, Hanji wondered at Luna's soft beauty. How someone this heart-stoppingly beautiful hadn't been heard of before. Even girls from the Underground city had been heard of before, and a rich merchant or even a noble had taken her for a wife. She sighed, as this was the exact shade she had wanted her hair when she was younger.

"Hanji… has Levi ever mentioned me before?" she said, not looking in the mirror, scared to meet her gaze.

Hanji stopped brushing her hair. She thought… Levi never told her anything about the life before the military. He hadn't even spoken to her about Farlan and Isabel. Then… it hit her. The performance in the recovery unit, holding her close that way.

"I think he kept it quiet so Erwin wouldn't attempt to find you. The Scouting Legion has a high percentage of casualties. Recently, Levi's entire squad was wiped out. I don't think he wanted that life for you." Hanji whispered under her breath. Though this did make her feel a lot better, it still upset her that he had left her. Hanji resumed brushing her just damp hair.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Hanji asked, suddenly remembering how fast such a small woman took down an experienced man like Erwin. Luna smiled down at her hands again.

"After I was left alone… The man in the room came round and tried to… you know. I panicked, and I stabbed with in the neck with a letter opener. It was awful, it wasn't like you'd think it was. He stopped, and started like… fitting. The blood wasn't spurting but I'd hit his jugular. I felt awful… It wasn't needed. I ran from the inn and hid. I then followed a group of thugs around for a while, watching how they fought with those they came across. I picked it up quite easily, and because I'm small and a girl people underestimate my punches." Luna looked grim, her mouth set in a straight line. Hanji decided not to push the subject any more than needed.

Waiting outside of Hanji's room, he stood there, leaning against the wall. He couldn't believe it, even after all these years, she wanted to see him. Him, who left her in the underground to rot. The door of Hanji's room opened, and Luna stepped out. Levi stopped, actually drinking her in. Seven years do things to a girls' body that nothing else could. The simple black top, the one he'd seen on Hanji plenty of times off duty, curved to expose the smallest bit of cleavage. Her black trousers wrapped around and hugged her legs and thighs in ways that he hadn't thought possible. She was wearing the same black knee boots she had arrived in. Hanji had done something to her thick blonde hair, plaiting it down her back. Luna smiled weakly at Levi. He internally shook himself. He felt uncomfortable in his restricting, formal uniform. "Thanks Hanji, I'll hopefully see you later." She smiled at her new found friend. He held his arms behind his back, and silently led her towards the door.

The door led out into the grounds, were some new recruits could be seen brawling with each other. 'Sparing' as the higher ups liked to refer to it. It was really just a way to find out everyone's weakness and strength, and play at it. They all stopped and stared at Levi, one of the best soldiers within their ranks. Then, their eyes met the form of the new girl, who stood far too close to Levi for his usual comfort. They were seen walking towards the stables. Before rounding the corner, Levi turned and looked down at Luna. "In the Underground. Did you get a chance to see a horse?" his face was a blanket of calm, not changing. Luna shook her head. "Well you're about to meet mine."

Luna had only heard stories of them, and seen pictures in books she had had when she was small. Levi pulled her round the corner, leading her to the barn. "This is King." He announced, a small sliver of pride leaking into his tone. Standing at sixteen hands high (which is 5 foot 4 inches, just taller than Levi) King was a blackened nightmare. A stallion, the barn used him as the stud, purely because of how powerful he was. His coat was completely black, bar a small white patch on the side of its snout, and it shone in the day light. Luna was terrified of him. Levi stood behind her, making sure she couldn't run away. She moved back into Levi's chest, and felt uncomfortable. "He's… he's huge!" Luna whispered. Levi couldn't help but crack a smile. A rarity nowadays. She sounded like a little girl.

"King is a gentle giant, to some. Give him this," Levi dropped a slice of apple into her hand "and he'll be fine. He'll take the apple and let you pet him." Luna was hesitant. The biggest animal she had seen were dogs, and even they were quite small. This horse was a few inches taller than her. But she couldn't be weak. Not in front of Levi. She held out her shaking hand to the horse, the apple in her palm. As his lips tickled the palm of her hand, she giggled. After he had finished chewing, he leaned forward, holding his head towards her. She laughed. "Awww, he's so sweet." she smiled.

"Are you ready?" Levi asked quietly. He removed his cloak, and drapped it around her shoulders. he said, fastening the cloak around her shoulders. He couldn't lie, she did suit the colours. It made her look strong, powerful. Much different to the young girl he pulled out of the gutter. He helped her onto the horse, and then clambered on himself. King was a tad big for Levi, however, wouldn't settle for anything smaller. King had been his steed for three years, and had seen him through some of the worst expeditions he had ever known. "On King." And the powerful beast moved forward. "Hold on to me Luna." Levi muttered. He felt her hands grip his sides, and he dug his heels into King. They had to get to the otherside of the city before nightfall.

The journey was over faster than they begun. Before long, they were at the edge of the city. The dingier part. "Pull the hood up, hide your hair. No one else can know you're here." he said darkly. Luna quickly did so. No sooner had she done this, a buxom woman came round the corner. Luna may be from the Underground, but she knew a prostitute when she saw one. "Captain Levi Ackerman. What a surprise. Can I interest you in anything today?" She laughed, pushing her breasts up towards the young man. Luna felt her heart drop. Surely the proper young man she knew hadn't turned to prostitution. He scoffed. "Not today Rosa, just like last week. And the last seven years. I'm merely here for your charming company." Levi remarke,d not cracking a smile at his own attempt at humour. "In fact, I was wondering if you could refresh my memory as to where the Final Resting Place of the Fallen is."

"Oh Captain, you don't want to go there. O'rrible, depressing place that is."

"On the contrary, I came here with an old friend to honour some even older friends." he glanced over his shoulder at Luna. Rosa narrowed her eyes. "Say, let me have a look at you my girl." Rosa approached the horse. King shuffled back a few inches, but steadily got used to the presence of the brash woman. Rosa looked into Luna's face. Luna realised Rosa would have been beautiful... in her day. Up close, she realised the marks of age had started to appear a while ago. "I say Levi, this is the prettiest friend I've ever seen you bring round here. Prettier than that red headed one. Shame about her really." She then pointed to a small road set away from the market stalls and the shops along the town street. "Down there. Don't be too long ok? You know how the roads get." Levi nodded, and without warning, shot off. They were making good time.

All fell silent as they approached the gates. Iron wrought gates, it allowed the eye to see the miles of white headstones. Thousands upon thousands of them dotted the lush green grass. "Levi... Who did she mean when she said 'the red headed one'." Luna choked out, hoping the woman meant Isabel and not someone else.

People stared at Levi as he rose through the streets.

"Look, it's him!"

"Humanity's greatest soldier."

"Captain Levi!"

"Who's that on the horse with him? I didn't know he was married."

Luna blushed. People where staring at them.

"Levi do people always stare at you this much?" She questioned, her cheeks bright red.

"No." He said nothing more. His voice was empty, devoid of all emotion. They must be close. They took a sudden left turn off a side street. A woman in a skirt and an off the shoulder top that exposed most of her breasts stood against the wall, talking to a tall shady looking man in a hat. "'Ello Captain. Up for a bit of fun?" The lady snickered. Levi rolled his eyes.

"No thank you Betsie." He scowled slightly. Betsie continued to giggle, until she locked eyes with Luna. "Already found yourself a bit, aye? She's far too beautiful to be from this back alley establishment. Where did you get her, Wall Sina?" Betsie giggled, a serious undertone to her voice.

"Tch." Levi made a noise at the woman.

"She's prettier than the other one. The red head. Shame about her really." Luna heard her parting comment. As they rode past and into an open field, Luna asked the question, addressing the proverbial elephant.

"Who was that Levi?" It made her feel sick at the thought he'd keep such dirty company.

"She sees me whenever I come here, and whenever I come to find something I can't find in the markets in the main square. Sometimes they don't save me tea, sometimes it's other things. But I know better than to consort with prostitutes, I don't want a disease." That put Lunas mind at rest.

"Who did she mean by the red headed one?" She felt Levi tense.

"The red head Betsie was reffering to would have been Petra. Petra joined the Survey Corps at a rather young age. Her mother and father didn't want her to leave home, so they addressed me personally. They believed 'humanities greatest soldier' could have looked after their daughter. he was in my squadren. They begged me to marry her, so I could always watch over her. But... my entire squad was wiped out."

"How?"

"I'll tell you the story one day." They continued trotting, the slow, steady pace.