Chapter 15:

HEYYY! SOSOSOSOSO sorry that I haven't updated in forever! I just wasn't sure what to do next and wanted to make sure what I decided to do won't lead anywhere so it took some thinking~. Anywho I hope you like the next chapter! (again sorry for any grammar or spelling errors I missed...I'm terrible) Reviewing and favoriting is appreciated! ^-^

"Wait Catori."

With my swords in hand, I rolled my head up to meet Erwin's gaze.

"A little more insurance," he continued looking back down at the titan. "SECOND AND THIRD WAVES FIRE!"

More rounds were then fired and just like before all you could hear was booming and the clanking of metal piercing through her skin.

"Fire the spare rounds!"

I had to cover my ears from the loud sounds and squint my eyes from all the smoke and sparks. Soon the firing stopped and the smoke started to clear. Waving my hand in front of my face I looked down below to see the titans condition. She was still in the same position, half kneeling while covering the back of her neck.

"FIRE!"

WHAT AGAIN?!

Only one cannon was hot then and it attacked to the titans behind. My eyes followed the metal rod that was attached to the arrows and it led to Hanji. She was the one who fired the last cannon.

Wondered where she was~

"Poor thing~. Can't so much as bat an eyelash can we~. Must be terribly frustrating~. These things are designed so that the more heal your wounds the more immobilized your joints become," I heard Haji coo from a lower tree branch.

"Hehe~."

Yup there's that creepy laugh of hers.

"Levi."

Bringing my attention back to Erwin I saw he was nodding his head towards the female titan. He then looked across form us and put his hand up.

Who is he signaling to? Is it Mike? He seems to be the only one over there that Erwin would as to—

Levi then jumped from the branch as did Mike and from their actions I presumed they were going to try and make a cut at the female titan's hands. Although as they got close, her hands hardened, it was like a sheet of crystal was covering it. And I knew what it was.

They won't be able to cut through that.

Sure enough when they tried to cut her hands their swords shattered. A very shocked expression was worn on their faces as they pushed back from the female titan. I nervously bit on my lip Mike made his way up to Erwin and I. Levi decided to land on the titan's head.

If she has the ability to do that, will we be able to cut through?

As Mike landed on the branch he held up his broken swords and shook his head. Looking up at Erwin, he seemed to be in deep thought. Again he held up his hand and another solider came and laded by us.

"Yes sir."

"Prepare the explosives. Blow his hands off."

WHAT.

"Yes sir. But there's a chance that the amount we carry has enough power to blow up what's inside."

"Then set them to amputate the wrists," Erwin continued walking towards the solider and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Set them all off on my signal."

"Roger," the solider replied heading off.

My eyes went back to Levi who was still on her head.

What is he doing?

Listening intently, I could hear his words to the female titan.

"Hey…Why not just come out? We don't have time to waste. So what do you think will happen now? Do you believe you can escape? I wish you'd consider all the trouble we're going through. As I recall you killed my troops in various ways. Did you find it fun? Right now I'm having fun."

Furrowing my eyebrows I was a bit taken back.

You're sadistic side is showing Levi~.

"Oh right. I wanted to ask you something. Is it ok if we cut off your hands and legs? They'll grow back right? I'm talking about your limbs not the titan's. We need you alive after all."

A little after he spoke the female titan opened he mouth letting out some sort of grunt, but it quickly rose into a piercing scream. It was so powerful that it caused powerful gusts of wind and it felt like the very earth was shaking. The trees shook and my long hair rippled through the gusts of wind. Considering my acute hearing, it was more than excruciating to listen to. I choked and writhed in pain and fell on my knees and she continued to screech and bellow. No matter how much I tried to cover my ears, the loud screams found their way in. When her cried finally came to a stop, I rolled over and gasped for breath. My whole head was foggy and I felt like all my nerves were on end.

I hope Kiwi's ears are alright since she's not as close as I am…but still, she must be hurting. Hope Roy is taking care of her.

"Catori, are you alright?" I heard Erwin say.

Finally opening my watering eyes, I tried to form words.

"I—I think so…I just…my head…it was so loud…" I winced taking his hand he offered.

He gave me a concerned look, also aware of my sensitive hearing. It was one of the reasons they found me so valuable.

"Erwin it stinks," Mike said with a grave look on his face.

"What direction?"

"Multiple sources. They're coming from all directions at once."

Nodding my head, my hearing started to come back.

"I can hear them too….there's a lot of them Erwin..." I gasped my eyes widening.

Turning to the soldiers down below, Erwin bellowed.

"Ready the explosives now!"

"They'll come from the east first…they're close" I said moving my head around.

They're already here….

Sure enough, not too far off, there were 3 titans closing in.

"Cart guard team intercept!" Erwin yelled.

As the team went to fight the titans, the titans completely ignored them, as though they weren't even there. They kept running forward, heading towards the female titan.

What are they doing?

Levi was still on the female titan and didn't seem all too happy to see the new arrival. Swiftly jumping off her head, he spun and sliced through the necks of the 3 titans.

My eyes caught another smaller titan running up towards her. As soon as he reached her ankle he started to bite it.

They…they want to eat her?!...What did she do?

The sound of booming feet penetrated my ears.

They're all coming now!

Whipping to the side, I saw a swarm of titans coming from all directions and like the others they were all headed towards her.

"All soldiers engage!"

Heading the captain's orders I plummeted down below with the others and the slaughter began. It seemed to be never ending. Slicing right and left. Spurts of blood splattering my body. The titans just kept coming. Even with Levi and I killing many, the group of titans never seemed to get smaller.

"Men, retreat!" Erwins voice boomed above the sound of metal swords and clouds of steam.

Landing on the nearest tree I looked up at Erwin.

"Back into formation! Return to Karanes!"

We all made our way back up into the high branches, watching the female titan being devoured.

Why?...why would she call them here if she was to be eaten…it doesn't make sense…was it to just have herself be eaten so she wouldn't be caught?...

"Catori. Levi."

Erwins voice brought me from my thoughts.

"Refill your gas and your blades."

"There isn't time. I think I have plenty," Levi replied.

"Why?" I asked turning towards Erwin as well.

"That's an order. Follow it."

Taking a glance at Levi, he only looked at Erwin.

"Roger, Erwin," was all Levi said before descending.

Giving Erwin one questioning look I said, "Yes sir."

"And Catori."

"Hmm?"

"Don't stray away from Levi. And do as you're told."

Furrowing my eyebrows I knew he knew something I didn't, but I was soon to find out.

"…yes sir."

******line break****

"Why haven't I found them yet? They shouldn't be this far ahead," I said to myself I continued to search for Eren and Levi's team.

Levi and I were ordered to find his team and Eren. For some reason he had us go in totally opposite directions, so, so much for not straying away from Levi. We were to set off a flare when we found them. I had been navigating through the trees for some time now and still haven't found them. Something wasn't right.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

In the distance resonated a large roar and it was in direction I was going in.

"Is that?..."

It has to be!

"If Eren had to turn into a titan what does that mean? Why would he have to?!"

As I continued in the direction of the loud roars I noticed something ahead….and I didn't want to believe what I thought it was.

No….no it couldn't be.

Coming to a stop on a tree limb, I stared at the ground in horror.

"Gunther….Eld….P-petra…..Oulo," I gasped looking at their bloodied limp bodies.

"I was too late…. I was too late AGAIN!" I screamed punching the trunk of the tree.

NO…NO NO NO…she did this….that titan...

Clenching my fists, tears freely rolled down my face.

"I'm sorry….I-I'm s-so sorry…"

Hearing more roars coming from ahead I knew I couldn't stay to grieve. I had to help Eren first. Jumping down from the branch I continued to push forward and as I did, I could hear more pounding.

It doesn't just sound like Eren….there's two titans….OH NO.

In the distance I could see the female titan and Eren fighting. I've never seen his titan form but that had to be him. Still a distance away all I could do was watch as the female titan took her hand and sliced Erens head clean off. Gasping in horror I sped up as fast as I could.

She could have killed him. She could have hit his vital point, but she didn't. She wants Eren alive.

As Eren's titan body fell to the ground, the female titan knelt down by the nape of his neck.

Oh my gosh she's unhinging her jaw….she's going to take him!

I was now finally in range. But by the time I was she had already bit his neck and ripped up the first layer of skin leaving Eren's body out in the open.

NO I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HIM TOO!

Flinging myself down below, I went for her jaw. With an unhinged jaw she couldn't snatch up Eren in her mouth. She was so distracted with Eren she took no notice to me and I was able to swoop down and slice through her skin, causing her jaw to go limp. I skidded on the ground and immediately flung back up slicing through her eyes. I swung back around about to go for her neck.

If I keep on being quick she won't have time to harden her skin. Now if I can just get to her neck.

But of course, just like she did before, she covered the back of her neck with her hand. Growling in annoyance I decided it was pointless trying to kill her and the best thing to do now was get Eren.

Jumping back down to Eren's limp body I started to quickly and yet carefully cut him out.

"Eren can you hear me?" I said resting his head on my shoulder as I continued to cut him out.

He didn't respond to me and just let his head loll into to crook of my neck. Cutting one of the last tensions keeping him in, I glanced up.

HOW IS HER EYE HEALING THAT FAST? I got to get out of here now!

Throwing Eren over my shoulder I jumped to the nearest tree. But before I could fully land on the branch I felt a great pressure on my side. Processing everything in the millisecond I had, I realized she hit me. Releasing Eren, I threw him on the large branch. Thankfully these branches are so thick that when I threw him, there was enough room so he wouldn't fall off. Turning on my side I tried to put my grappling hooks into a near tree, but I was falling to quickly and as soon as my hooks pulled me up I was skidding on the ground. I rolled a small distance before coming to a stop.

"UGhhh."

Thankfully she when she hit me her eye wasn't fully healed so she couldn't see all too well. That way she only hit the side of my gear vs me and I only got the force from the tips of her fingers vs her whole palm….sadly though it damaged my gear. Some might not be able to tell but I could. It was going to give soon. I needed to get out quick.

Sitting up I saw she was slowly walking towards me.

Crap….I was too slow.

Shakingly getting up I spotted Mikasa by Eren. She must have not been too far behind me. I had to give her time to get away.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SO BIG. THAT NOTHING CAN KILL YOU HUH? WELL YOU NEVER FOUGHT ME YET. CONSIDER THIS YOU'RE LAST DAY ON EARTH!" I yelled up to the titan.

She narrowed her eyes and started to charge at me. I waited till she raised her foot to kick me to move. I used my gear to slide me across the ground to near branch. Every time I moved she was right on top of me. I was constantly moving. Jumping from the branch I was on I went to head upwards.

If I get high enough she won't be able to reach me.

But that plan soon failed as I started to descend.

You had to give out now!?

Throwing my hands up, I grabbed onto a branch and swung myself forward before she could hit me. As soon as I landed one of the thick branches I veered around to the other side of the tree and started to take off my gear.

"Come on…come on!"

I hoped Mikasa just took Eren instead of watching to see if I was ok. I thought about yelling out for her to go, but that would just bring the females attention back to Eren and I did not need that. Finally throwing off the last of it I let out a sigh of relief.

Looks like I'm doing this the old fashion way.

Since I have natural agility and flexibility, climbing trees is more than an easy task.

Leaping forward onto a branch I looked her right in the eye.

"Thought you had me there didn't you? See here's the thing about me. I don't need gear to fight you. I'm a whole other kind of being. One that you have never dealt with. Let's see how long until you can catch the kitty cat."

She tried to snatch me and probably squish me between her fingers but I was too quick. Jumping from branch to branch I evaded all her attacks, but I was only on defense. I still had to go on the offensive.

This titan's fast and smart. When she realizes that Eren was taken away, she won't waste her time with me. But how am I supposed to go on the offensive when I don't have my gear? Not to mention she can harden her skin. If I had my gear I could slice her up before she could even attempt to harden her skin but that was no longer an option.

With everything going so fast and having to make quick decisions I didn't realize what branch I decided to land on. It wasn't a thick one like the others, just a small one I was using to leap off of. And that was my mistake…it was a dead branch. Putting that much force on the branch caused it to break and by that time she was already on top of me. I had nowhere to go. Everything went slow. I stared into her eyes and she stared in to mine.

I only got one shot at this. Hope it works.

Putting my arm up to shield the side of my face, I curled my body. Closing my eyes I felt my skin harden.

The force of the impact was so great that it caused my body to be flung right into the trunk of a tree. I could feel the outer bark completely crunch underneath my body. Fragments of wood and crystal surged through the air. Falling from the tree I hit the ground with a silent thud. I moved to sit up and looked down at my arm. The crystal outer coating didn't have enough time to form so it cracked. There was a low rumble, so I looked up to find the female titan looking at me with curious eyes. She seemed to be more than shocked at my ability. Sadly though, this ability takes a lot of energy. My whole body felt numb and my breathing was heavy.

It was silent for a moment before she started walking towards me.

"C-crap..."

What do I do now?...I can't even move. DANGIT! It can't end like this! Not here. Not now. Not with all the people I'm leaving behind….and the people I'll hurt.

In a desperate attempt to move, I shakingly stood up.

No this isn't gunna work…I still need at least 10 minutes to fully recover. But I have to try.

With all my strength I ran into the heap of trees. Interweaving in and out I tried to confuse her. With so many trees it's more than easy to hide, although I had to be quick enough. I was getting low on energy and her by the loud booming she wasn't too far behind. Rounding a large tree I climbed up it as fast as I could and hid in the leaves. I gasped for air as my lungs burned and my head was hazy.

If she finds me now I don't think I'll be quick enough.

A sound pierced my ears and I knew I had to move.

She's gunna hit from the left.

Leaping from the tree I was barely able to grasp onto a nearby branch.

"CATORI!" I heard a voice call out.

Looking past the branches I saw Levi cut the female titans Achilles tendons so she had fallen to the ground.

I could have so done that….I was just focused on Eren is all.

"Could use a little help here!" I gasped out as my grip was slipping.

He quickly spotted me and curved around the tree snatching me up

"Catori where is your gear?"

"It broke."

"I see. Are you alright?"

"Yes, I think so."

As we quickly made our way back to the others, everything that happened today all came flooding back. I bit my lip suppressing a sob.

He had to know. He had to have seen. They were on the way here.

I didn't know what to say, so I chose to say nothing at all.

We finally arrived with the others as they were gathering the dead bodies. The clenched feeling in my chest was almost unbearable. As we landed, Levi was still holding me. Not too far off Erwin had spotted us and walked over.

"What happened?"

"The female titan janked up my gear so Levi had to bring me back."

He nodded his head and walked off tending to other things, but he still had a look of concern on his face.

"I'm going to put you down, you're heavy."

"Thanks," I snarled as he started to set me down.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, I started to sway.

"I thought you said you were ok," he deadpanned.

"Yes, I am ok."

He rolled his eyes and helped me sit on the ground (or more like forced).

"Sit."

He proceeded to walk over to the wrapped bodies.

It's them…

I tightened my fists until my knuckles where a creamy white. I could finally let go. Letting out a choked sob, I clawed at the grass beneath me. The feelings of my first mission as a cadet and squad leader were brought back to me. The feeling of anger, devastation, sorrow, regret, sadness, and grief. My first mission as a squad leader, one of my members was killed. I was completely devastated. I blamed myself and I still do. Since that day I swore to my group, that I would never let anything happen to them. As long as I was there that they would be safe. I promised that all my loved ones, my friends, would make it.

"Erwin I cannot accept this!"

Looking up, my vision was a bit blurry from my tear filled eyes.

"Please, he's an old friend. We're from the same town."

What is going on?

Slowly getting up I staggered over.

"We just want to bring him home."

"Want who home?" I questioned looking at the two young men.

"Aren't you supposed to be sitting down?"

Glancing over I saw Levi glaring at me.

"And you two. If you confirmed he's dead that's enough. Whether you have the body dead is dead. It won't change anything."

"Levi," I growled.

He better not take this any farther.

"We'll say Ivan and the others went missing. That is my final decision," Erwin stated as he and Levi walked away.

"Do you two have any human feelings at all!?" the one man shouted at them.

Erwin and Levi kept walking.

What do I do? I understand the risk of getting them, but…is not recovering the bodies right? Especially since it's so important to these two.

"I'll do it." I said looking at them both.

"What?"

"I'll get him."

"No you aren't."

Yet it again it was Levi shooting another glare at me.

"You are to do no such thing. We will not have you risking this whole squad or you for that matter, for a body."

"You making it seem like killing titans is hard for me. You know—"

"I'm very well aware of your skill, but you are in no state to kill titans."

"I'll be fine."

"If I recall that is what you told Roy before you went off like an idiot to be eaten by a titan and had all of us thinking you were dead!" he snapped.

There was a moment of silence before I muttered, "Yes. That is true. But if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to save Marco."

"I don't care what heroic scenario you have in that big head of yours but you are not going."

"Then why don't you go?! Humanities strongest?" I mocked losing my temper.

Narrowing his eyes he walked up to me.

"Do not pull me into your little tiff."

Raising an eyebrow, I could tell something wasn't right. He's hiding something.

"Maybe I should be asking if you're ok," I murmured.

"What did you say?"

"You hurt yourself didn't you?"

He let out a silent growl and turned away, starting to walk back. I was now focused on his body looking at his movements. After he took a few steps I could tell that he was slightly limping, it was almost unnoticeable. It was probably from when he was fighting the female titan when he cut her Achilles tendons.

He's right though….I'm in no state to kill a titan…but maybe in a state to just evade one.

I quickly stepped over to the two men who had lost their friend.

"We have to do this quick. Follow me."

They seemed a bit hesitant, since Erwin and Levi clearly stated that they were to leave their friends body behind, but they followed me nonetheless.

"Where is he?"

"He's right at the entrance of the forest. Over there," one of the young men pointed.

"Ok here's what we're gunna do. I'm faster than you both so I'll get his body. But Levi was right. I'm not feeling so hot, so while I grab his body, if a titan comes by, one of you slice the titan's neck. And no matter what we cannot lead any titan back here. Got it?"

They both furiously shook their heads, showing they understood.

"Alright let's go."

Quickly slipping back to the entrance of the forest unnoticed we landed on one of the high branches.

Hope huh bun is not going to check up on me soon.

"H-he's right there…"

Looking to where the one man motioned to, I saw the body. It looked so lifeless…like an empty shell.

"There's no titan's. Now's our chance!" The other man said about to pounce.

"WAIT," I high whispered giving him a glare, "What did I say? I was to get his body. And secondly there are titans right over there."

Jutting a finger to the left, there were two titans ambling around.

"We can't mess this up. And we most importantly can't bring them back. Go on my mark."

It didn't take long for the two titans to get disinterested in the area and go further into the forest.

"Alright, you keep watch. I'm gunna get him," I said jumping down below.

Quickly touching the ground I grabbed the body and headed up to into the trees.

"See," I slightly panted, "Easy enough."

As I handed the men the body, a low rumble pierced my ears.

"What is it?" One of the men asked.

"It's nothing. Let's head back before they notice we're gone."

Yeaaaah sorry to leave you there but hey, I made it pretty long this time so that's something~. But yeah the next chapter is going to be SUPER interesting~...and dramatic...and yeah a lot is going to go down. Also I'm updating my Free! fanfic today so if ya got nothing to do, go check that out! *shameless promoting* But yeah as usual any comments or suggestions are always welcome! I love hearing what you guys think! C U in the next update!

Cly****

*****shoutouts******

Guest: Aw thanks so much! Heh, yeah he probably did, I just didn't write about it, but who knows maybe she still has it XD.

Carter: Awww thankies! I'll try to update as soon as I can! ^-^