Chapter 8

Training in Trost

The Cadets arrive in Trost for a training excercise. They had a year before they graduated from the Cadet Corps. Kara was excited. She got word that the Survey Corps were staying in Trost and Levi would be helping observe the training with Pyxis. Kara had gotten the okay to go see her father after the training was done.

Kara walked with Jean as they arrive at Trost. Sasha and Conny were walking in front of them. The four became unseprable and Kara and Jean were keeping the two in line when goofing off. Sasha and Conny seemed to notice how the two were getting close and both kept looking out for each other. Some wondered why the two didn't just admit they had feelings for each other. Jean was lost in thought as they walked through the streets.

"Hey." Kara bumped his shoulder. "You got a far off look." Jean tched.

"Just not thrilled to be home." Jean said.

"I forgot you lived here. You going to visit your mother?" Kara asked.

"Tch. Like I'll have time." Jean said.

"I heard Thomas is visiting his family and I heard Kara got permission to go see her Father at the HQ." Sasha said. Jean looked at Kara.

"Your father is in Trost?" Jean asked. Kara nodded.

"He's also observing our training tomorrow." Kara said. The trios eyes widen. They entered the gate to Trost. They walked down the streets.

"This is awesome! It's my first time in a wall city!" Conny said.

"There's lots of tasty things to eat!" Sasha said. Kara rolled her eyes.

"Hey, guys!" Jean called to his friends. Sasha and Conny looked back at Jean. "When you join the Garrison, you can play here all day. I'll visit you when I'm in the MP!" Jean started laughing. Conny, Sasha, and Kara glared at him. "And I'm sure Kara will visit us when she's not on mission with the Scouts." Jean looked at Kara and gulped. She was glaring at him. Marco and Armin were walking behind Kara and Jean.

"Say, where's your house, Jean?" Armin asked.

"Who gives a damn?" Jean said. Kara looked at him.

"Aren't you gonna visit?" Marco asked. Kara saw anger on Jean's face as he closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

"Your mom would be happy!" Armin said. Jean turned and glared at Marco and Armin.

"Shut up guys! Just can it!" Jean yelled. He faced forward and saw Kara glaring at him. She walked ahead from him and joined Sasha and Conny.

Training time. Kara stood on the roof with Marco and Bertholdt. Jean was with Annie and Armin while Sasha and Conny were with Reiner. Bells started ringing and war yells came as everyone ran off the roofs. Kara, Marco, and Bertholdt went flying into the air. The training was to prepare them for an Invasion of Titans in the city. Garrison soldiers were evacuating the civilians. Marco was leading his group. Kara and Bertholdt stayed behind him. Jean was leading his group away from where they were suppose to be.

"Jean! Why are we way up front?! We're supposed to cover the advance squad.." Armin called as they ran across the roofs.

"Don't be an idiot! Killing Titans is what makes us soldiers!" Jean yelled. They jumped off a roof.

"You just wanna boost your score or do you want to impress Kara?" Annie said. Jean clenched his jaws.

"Neither." Jean said. He sent hooks flying as the others follow.

Levi stood on a roof with Pyxis and his squad. He had his arms crossed as he watched. Erwin was surprised he volunteered to watch this, but he allowed it. Anika was looking through the paricope.

"Commander. Squad 21 is out of position." Anka said. Levi's eyes land on the Commander as he heard snoring. Levi rolled his eyes as Anka handed Levi the telescope. He brings it to his eyes and watches as Squad 21 head the wrong way.

"Tch. Brats." Levi said. He scanned the area till he found Kara running across the roof towards one of the wooden Titans. She flipped in the air and sliced the neck.

"Nice one Kara!" Marco called. she shot off in the direction the others in her squad were heading. He was impressed. She was doing well.

"Commander?" Anka asked. Levi lowered the periscope to see Pyxis asleep on his feet.

'Typical.' Levi thought. Anka stood up. "Commander." She yelled in his ear. He jolted awake.

"Time for lunch?" Pyxis asked.

"Didn't you just eat?" Anka said as Pyxis went to drink from his canister and Anka rips it out of his hand. Anka comes over to the other soldier.

"He's to happy." Anka said.

"There's finally something going on. Let him be." Other soldier said. Pyxis pulls out another canister and drinked it.

"I wonder what dinner will be.." Pxyis said.

"You'll have to wait like the rest of us, old man." Levi said.

Jean was soaring through the city and came across one of the wooden Titans.

"Found one. It's mine." Jean said. Hooks came past and Mikasa soured by and cut the nape of the wooden Titan. Jean gasped. Mikasa left.

'No surprise there. You're the only one who can surpass me.' Jean thought.

"This way, guys!" Jean called to his other two comrades as he shot hooks one way and headed in the direction and found some Wood Titans.

"This time.." Jean started.

"Thanks as usual, Jean!" Conny soared over him. He smirked as Jean looked at him. He sliced the neck of one of the wood Titans. "Don't mind if I do!"

"Jerk!" Jean yells as he soars around and goes to attack Conny. "That's bullshit!" Slicing came and Jean turned to see the other two Titans had slices in the necks of the Wood Titans. Reiner landed on the roof.

"Sorry, Jean!" Reiner called as Sasha landed on the Titan she cut.

"Woo-hoo!" Sasha cheered as Jean landed on the roof. Hooks came flying as Kara, Marco, and Thomas landed on the roof.

"Jean. Are you guys suppose to be backing the advance squad?" Kara asked, raising an eyebrow. Jean clenched his jaw.

After the training. Kara stood at a stand getting an apple as the others were standing by a wall. She walked back over.

"Stealing is dirty, you thieves!" Jean yelled. He was pissed that he couldn't get one of the wood Titans. Kara, Marco, and Thomas had some. Conny and Sasha were sitting leaning against the wall and Jean towered over them. Kara came up to Reiner.

"Their fighting still?" Kara asked. Reiner sighed, but nodded.

"I found those targets before you did!" Jean said.

"Dirty? What a naive thing to say, Jean. When hunting prey, manners go out the window." Sasha said.

"Tch. Screw your woodsman logic, Potato Girl." Jean said. Sasha gasped.

"Potato?! I thought everyone forgot about that! You're mean!" Sasha said, bolting to her feet. Conny got to his feet.

"Yeah! Apologize to Sasha!" Conny said. Kara sighed.

"For starteres, those dummies were in our zone." Reiner said.

"Yeah, yeah! You've been acting weird today, yelling and stuff.. You itching to see mommy again?" Conny asked.

"That's why..." Sasha said. Jean got in Sasha's face.

"Not a chance in hell!" Jean yelled. The trio got in a fighting stance. Kara facepalmed.

"And you actually like this guy?" Annie whispered, making Kara jump. A red tint came to her checks.

"I don't know what your talking about." Kara whispered as Reiner apporached the trio.

"Cut if out, you two. And Jean, too. Or forget joining the MP." Reiner said.

"Tch! Let's settle this during tomorrow's training. Whoever tags more wins." Jean said.

"Interesting!" Kara quickly snaps to attention and puts her hand over her heart as Pyxis approaches with Anka and one of his men. Levi was walking with Pyxis.

"Commander Pyxis." Kara said as everyone quickly followed. Levi was next to Pyxis not looking thrilled. "Captain Levi." Levi's eyes land on his daughter. There was a hint of a smile on his face, but disappeared in a flash.

"You did mention your daughter was in the Cadets." Pyxis said. Levi nodded. He turned to the Trio. "I'll oversee your contest. Your competitiveness and fighting spirit are worthy of praise. However, to compete during training is inexcusable!" Jean gulped. Pyxis took a drink from his canister. Kara knew it was alchol. Levi eyed the Commander. "Compete with cook." Everyone gasped.

"What?" Jean said.

"Compete with cooking!" Commander Pyxis said.

"Huh!" Jean said. Kara smacked him upside the head. "Ow!"

"Cooking?!" Sasha said, her eyes shinning.

"Yes, with cooking. Cooking contest!" Pyxis said, holding out his arms.

"Old man lost his mind." Levi said, earning a snort from Kara.

"Cooking?"

"For real?

"Why cooking?"

"We should've taken all his drinks." Soldier next to Anka said. Anka nodded.

"But, Commander Pyxis... We're soldiers! What does cooking.." Sasha shoved a potato in front of Jean's face.

"Jean! What do you know about cooking?!" Sasha asked.

"Yeah! I bet your mom cooked all your meals!" Conny said.

"I'll teach you not to underestimate cooking, Jean Boy!" Sasha said. She bites into her food. Sasha made animalistic sounds as she chewed. Jean clenched his fists together.

"Bring it on! Cooking or cleaning. I don't care! Once I beat you, you stay outta my way, Potato Girl.

"Very well. The showdown will be tonight at 23:00! Bring the tastiest meal you've ever made!" Pyxis said. Cadets cheered. Kara looked to see Reiner, Annie, and Armin not looking happy.

"Good luck with that." Kara said. The three sighed.

"Kara." Levi called. Kara came over.

"Father." Kara said.

"Your coming with me to HQ. You got the rest of the day off. Four eyes keeps bugging me when your visiting." Levi said.

"Yeah. I was planning to after this training." Kara said.

"Kara." Jean hurried over. Levi eyed him. Jean gulped.

"I'm heading to Scouting HQ to see friends." Kara said.

"Will you be back for the cook off?" Jean asked. Levi studied the two.

"Yeah. I will." Kara said with a smile on her face. Jean smiled.

"We're gonna be hunting the boar that is attacking around here." Jean said.

"Good luck especially if Sasha has the same thought." Kara said. She came up to him and kissed his check, not realizing her father was behind her. Jean's checks go red and Kara's did as well. Levi raised an eyebrow. Luckily it was just Levi that. Everyone was focused on talking of the cook off. Kara turned and saw Levi staring.

"Jean. Let's go." Annie said.

"Yeah." Jean said.

"So. Whose the boy?" Levi said as they walked towards Scouting HQ.

"Just a friend." Kara said.

"That kiss on the check didn't seem like something. Do I have to interigate him?" Levi asked.

"Leave him alone, father. He's been good to me and we've helped each other through the training." Kara said. Levi looked at her.

"I'm just happy that your opening up to more people. He better not hurt you or I'll personally feed his ass to one of the Titans." Levi said as they neared HQ.

"Yes father." Kara said.

"KARA!" Hange's voice yelled as they came into the Mess Hall. She pulled Kara into a death hug. Petra ran over and joined the hug.

"Hange. Petra. Your killing me." Kara gasped.

"Let her go, four eyes. I promised Pyxis that I bring her back in one piece." Levi growled.

"Hange. Let the Cadet go." Erwin said, coming in. Hange and Petra let her go. Kara breathed in air.

"Petra get a pot of tea going." Levi said.

"Yes Captain." Petra said, leaving. Erwin came over to Kara.

"Glad you were able to come." Erwin said.

"I just got to be back by nightfall so I can watch a cooking contest between my friends." Kara said. Erwin raised an eyebrow.

"The old man has two cadets doing a cook off for him." Levi said.

"How much had he to drink?" Oluo asked.

"He did have red checks." Kara said.

"To much." Levi grumbled. They sat at the table. Levi was at the head with Kara next to him. She started telling them of her training.

"So how long is this training suppose to go again?" Gunther asked.

"The next couple days." Kara said.

"So Kara. Got any boyfriends?" Oluo asked. Levi nearly spit out his drink and glared at Oluo.

"No." Kara said.

"Then why you kiss that boy on his check?" Levi asked. Kara's checks turned red.

"He's just a friend." Kara said as she took a sip of her tea, hiding her embarressment. Levi didn't look convinced.

Sunset. Kara and Levi walked back to the city.

"Make way! Boar meat coming through!" Conny called. Levi and Kara stopped to see Sasha sitting on top of a dead boar with Conny and Reiner on either side.

"Meat! Meat! Meat!" Sasah called.

"Make way! Make way!" Conny called.

"I'll see you later tonight." Levi said and he disapperaed. Kara found Jean, Armin, and Annie watching the boar move away.

"Son of a bitch!" Jean yelled.

"Take it your hunt didn't go well?" Kara asked, coming over to Annie. Annie shook her head.

In the mess hall. Kara sat nex to Jean as they ate. Armin and Annie sat in front of them.

"How was your trip to see the Scouts?" Armin asked.

"It was nice." Kara said. A cup spilled and Kara looked to see Jean had spilled his cup. Jean picked it up.

"Relax. You guys will find something." Kara said.

"Its already sunset and we got till 23:00." Jean said. Kara went to open her mouth when the door opened.

"Is Jean Kirschtein here?!" A guard called. Jean looked towards the man and quickly got up to go to him.

"Sir! That's me!" Jean said.

"What did Jean do now?" Kara asked. Annie and Armin shrug.

"Your mother is here." The guard said, making everyone look at Jean.

"HUH?!" Jean asked.

A woman with brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail and holding a basket, came in.

"Jean Boy!" The woman said as she walked up to Jean. Kara stood with Mikasa and Armin, watching. Eren snickered at the nickname. "Jean Boy, why haven't you come home?!" She rested a hand on his chest. Jean looked so uncomfortable. "Thomas Wagner visited his, you know."

"Jean Boy? Who's that?" Cadet whispered.

"It's Jean, right?" Another whispered.

"You're such a silly boy." Jean's mother said. She saw a spill on his pants from the water and grabbed a hankerchief. "Did you spill soup on your pants? My goodness." She reaches to whipe it off.

"Cut it out!" Jean yelled. Kara's eyes widen.

"But Jean bo.."

"Forget it! Just go home!" Jean yelled, pushing his mother away.

"Jean." Kara said, coming up to him. He wouldn't look at her. Jean's mother looked at her and Eren and she pulled apples out of the basket.

"But I brought these for every.." She puts them on the table but Jean knocks the apples off the table.

"Nobody wants it!" Jean said.

"Jean!" Eren said. He picks up the apples.

"Jean Boy!" His mother said. Jean turns to look at his mother. She looks around at all the Cadets. "Everyone, I hope you're getting along with my poor little son." She gasped and reached into the basket and pulled out something. "Jean Boy. I made your favorite..."

"Just leave already!" Jean said, grabbing his mom by the arm and leading her up the steps. He pushes her out and slams the door.

"You should be nicer to you mom, Jean Bo." Jean quickly turns and give Eren a murderous look. "I mean Jean." Jean stormed down the steps towards Eren.

"Are you trying to start something Suicidal Maniac!" Jean yelled. Kara got in front of Jean as Mikasa grabbed Eren. "Kara. Get out of my way. I'm gonna teach this runt a lesson." Kara pushed him back. "Kara!" He stopped when she saw a pissed off look on her face.

"Teach him what? Your mother came to visit you and you treat her like that! Eren's right. You should of been nicer to her." Kara said. Jean looked into her grey eyes.

"Whatever." Jean said as he moved away. Kara watched him go. She wondered what happened that made Jean go sower on his mother. Annie and Armin went to look for Jean. Kara went to get some fresh air. Jean's mother was standing there, crying.

"Hey." Kara said, coming over. Jean's mother looked at her.

"Your the girl that was standing near Jean? You a friend of his?" His mother asked.

"I guess you can say that. Sorry for how he treated you. I'm Kara Ackerman." Kara said.

"I'm glad to know my son is making friends and especially with a pretty girl like you." Jean's mother said. Kara blushed. Jean's mother couldn't help but smile. "Can you give this to him? It's one of his favorites." She held out something that was wrapped up.

"Yes." Kara said. Jean's mother disappeared. Kara went to find Jean. She heard a scream and ran towrads the source. She found Jean and Annie bent over Armin, whose legs were bent in odd directions.

"What the hell happened?" Kara asked, running down the steps.

"Armin fell down the steps and broke both legs." Annie said.

"Go get help." Kara said, looking at Annie. Annie quickly got up and ran to find guards. "Hold on Armin."

Guards came and took Armin to the infirmary. Kara went to check to see if anyone needed her for the day and went to find Jean. Jean was coming out of the infirmary.

"How's Armin?" Kara asked.

"Both legs are broken so he's out of training." Jean said. The two stood in silence for a bit. "What you have in your hand?"

"I ran into your mother when I went to get air and she asked me to give this to you." Kara put the red bag in his hand. Jean opened a letter from his mother.

"Tsk." Jean said. He opened the package and Kara looked in and found an omlet with vegitables in the container. Jean stared at the omlet in shock. "Mom."

"Jean?" Kara asked. Jean looked at her.

"I figured what I'm giving Pyxis. Thank you." Jean said. He kissed her check and ran. Kara's eyes widen as a blush came to her checks as Jean ran to find his squad.

The Cook off. Pyxis sat at a table. Levi stood with Anka and the other soldier as Jean and his squad stood on one side and Sasha and her squad stood on the other. Kara stood with Mikasa and Eren as they stood in front of the stage with other cadets. Pyxis looked at the two squads.

"I hope you've prepared some amazing meals." Pyxis said. Sadies was standing next to Pyxis.

"We shall now commence the cooking contest between Jean Kirschtein and Sasha Braus of the 104th Cadet Corps." Sadies said. Cadets cheered. Kara looked at Jean as he stood with a straight face. "First up, Sasha Braus!"

"Sir!" Sasha said. She wheeled the cart over to Sadies. She set the plate in front of him and lifted the lid. "Enjoy." Jean looked nervous.

"Hmm?" Pyxis said, looking down at the meat.

"Meat!"

"It's meat!"

"What kind of meat?"

"That looks so good."

Jean clenched his jaw as Pyxis cut into the meat.

"We shall see." Pyxis said. He takes a bite out of the meat and eyes widen. He just sat there.

"Commander?" Anka asked.

"Come on, old man. Wake up." Levi grumbled.

"What happened."

"He hasn't moved."

"Is he okay?" Eren asked.

"Look, he's spellbound!" Conny said as the three smiled evily.

"We've got this!" Reiner said.

"Yeah! Now it's Jean's turn!" Sasha said. Jean looked at Armin who nodded. Jean looked to see Kara standing with Eren and Mikasa and they were watching. Kara smiled at Jean. Jean blushed a bit remembering he had kissed her check for giving him the omlet and pushed the cart up to the table. Pyxis looked at him as he set the plate down.

"Enjoy!" Jean said, pulling the lid off the plate to reveal the omlet.

"Hmm?" Pyxis asked. Sasha and Conny looked confused.

"What's that, an omlet?"

"He thinks he can beat meat with that?"

"Will you guys shut up." Kara grumbled.

"Oh? Well, isn't this cute." Pyxis said. Jean looked nerbous.

"Please, have a taste." Jean said. Pyxis started to eat it till it was gone. Pyxis whiped his mouth.

"He's not saying anything." Conny said.

"Looks like we've won." Reiner said.

"Yeah. There's nothing in the world that tops meat." Sasha said. Pyxis stood up.

"I've made my decision. The winner of this cooking contest.." Pyxis said. Kara held her breathe as they waited for his response. "Is Jean Kirschtein!" The Cadets started cheering. Kara let out the breath and smiled big. Jean looked shocked. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see Armin giving him a thumbs up and Annie gave him an approving nod. Jean looked at Kara to see her smiling at him. He smiled back. Sasha ran till she was standing in front of the Commander.

"Oi. Brat." Levi grumbled.

"I'm not conviced! Why?! How can meat lose?!" Sasha asked.

"Answer me, my young cadet: What is meat?" Pyxis asked.

"Meat is meat!" Sasha said.

"That's right. Meat is meat. It is nothing more and nothing less. Meat is meat. It's for that reason you have lost." Pyxis said. Sasha started crying and fell to her knees.

"I'm so ashamed!" Sasha cried.

"That convinced her?" Reiner asked.

"I foresake the potatoes and veggies that have treated me well!" Sasha said. Pyxis just smiled and walked away. "I can't believe I tried to win by just cooking meat!" Jean came over to her and held out his hand to her.

"Don't be ashamed." Jean said. Sasha looked up at him. "You're not he only one who cooked a simple dish."

"I'm sorry, Jean!" Sasha took his hand and he helped her up.

"It's no big deal." Jean said. They stepped down from the stage. Kara ran up and hugged Jean.

"I knew you could do it." Kara said. Jean hugged her.

"Hey. Want to go with me to see my mother?" Jean said. Kara smiled up at him.

"I would like that." Kara said. Kara linked her arms with Jean as they follow the others out of the courtyard to head to bed.

AN: I couldn't resist. LOL. Graduation is next chapter. Any predictions of if Kara will make the top 10 and if so what place? Till next time.