Hey guys, sorry for the delay, had some exams, thank u for reading and for your nice comments, I really loved them.
This is a slow chapter, but read it till the end , the end is the best part.
2 months later
35 expédition behind the walls
"Today we must capture a titan" Hanji screamed at the the soliders who were readying there horses.
Levi rolled his eyes at her "Tch, you'r so hopeless four eyes" he muttered.
She ignored him and beamed as soon as she saw Sakura who has just arrived "Oh Sakura, the girl I wanted, you are to be with my my team in this mission"
"Hin!?" Sakura looked perplexed, no one told her about that when they were given the mission formation, before she could say anything Levi grabbed Hanji's shirt "What the hell are you talking about four eyes!"
"Hhh, Relax Levi, I'm only borrowing your subordinate for this mission, she's fast and skilled, she'll perfect for my plan"
Hanji tried explaining, but Levi wasn't having any of it "No, and this is final" he said.
"But Leeeevaaiiii, I got Erwin's approval"
The captain made an angry face " You two planned this?" He spat, looking Erwin's way
Erwin nodded "Sorry Levi, we knew you wouldn't agree, and based on the last mission, and trainings Sakura seemes to be a perfect choice for this mission" he said before turning to look at Sakura "You have nothing to worry about Sakura , Hanji will explain your role of the mission during the ride to the wall, not complicated, now we better hurry" with that he turned away, mounting his horse, Levi huffed shooting a glare at Hanji before taking off.
It was now Sakura next to Hanji.
"So, you know the mission Sakura capturing a titan" Hanji said, her eyes sparkling.
"I still don't understand, what for?" she said.
Hanji opend her arms "Duh to study"
"We already know how to kill them, I don't think there's anything more to study"
Hanji looked at her with disappointment "To think that Levi has corrupted you so quickly"
Sakura glared at Hanji "Corrupted me? How so?"
"Because that's something he would say, besides weren't you there when I talked about the importance of studying titans yesterday?"
Oh yeah, she remembere now
"Fine I'll help, just tell me my new role in the mission"
The brunette beamed "Oh thank you Sakura, now your role is simple you will drag one titan toward us, and that's it, make sure it follows you, but not catch you"
"me and the rest of my team will be waiting for you in the middle of the formation, with the weapon we build to catch the titan, it's made of barrels filled with hooks, like the once in the ODMGear, it's heavy we can't move it, so the titan will have to come to us, all the others will be around us protecting my team, when u start leading the titan toward us send a signal, so all teams knows, you've the danger signal too if things goes Bad, miche team will be the closest to to you "
Added the brunette sounding more and more excited.
Sakura took in the information for a moment" I see, will I be alone? " she asked.
" Why of course not Sakura, Levi will kill me if do that , two of my team will go with you, mobilet and Erza "
After 20 minutes of riding Sakura sensed titans approaching." They are here " she shouted above the galloping of the horses.
Two seconds later they were in plain sight of titans, as soon as they saw the soldiers the titans shot off after them at full speed.
Sakura forced her horse to turn around and run as fast at he can, mobilet and Erza followed, they were supposed to reach were Hanji is waiting, but Hanji only needed one titan, and there was 4 following them, 3 needs to be killed.
She slowed down a bit. The titan was so close, she felt a hand reach at them, she moved away, avoiding the titan hand, her heart was beating faster and faster, there was no choice but to kill the 3 titans now.
"Let's finish them off now, leave one" she screamed at her companions who nodded, and moved to engage.
She had gotten very good with titans now,
She moved fast, jumped to the top of the titans head, and to his neck, mobilet killed one too, erza however was struggling with the titan she was supposed to kill.
Sakura was on her horse already leading one titan away, mobilet too. She turned to check on Erza, more titans approached her, 5 now.
"Damn, I need to go back, you continue leading this titan to Hanji"
"No, I'll go back, you go"
Sakura paid mobilet no mind and immediately run toward erza, she sent her hook to the titan neck signaling for her horse to run forward. She sliced the titan hand forcing him to let go of erza who fell down immediately.
Now she was a pray for one injured titan and 4 healthy once.
The Pinkett gritted her teeth as she screamed and charged toward the first one, the one closer to the injured Erza, if she's gonna survive, she'll make sure Erza survives too, which means she had to defend her, stay focused and defend her teammates and herself .
She managed to kill one titan, injure another one , then grabbed Erza and climbed her horse, she sent him a signal
10 minutes ago, he's late, but he's here now.
"Good job Ryo" she said patting the horse and speeding away, titans after her.
Couldn't lead them to were Hanji is, so she sent another danger flare and kept riding her horse. At this rate either titans would get to her when she's tired or her friends would see her. She didn't Waite for long tho, for In less than 5 minutes horses approached her, miche team
"Hey there Sakura, good job, go will take care of the rest" miche smiled at her and charged at the titans.
A success, the mission was a success, but she was so tired to do anything, traveling from outside the walls to the headquarters just after being chased by titans wasn't easy at all, it reminded her of the long missions she did for konoha.
They were to stop in Wall rose and rest for 2 hours before counting, can't stay the night with a titan in their possession.
Eld sat by her side, Petra on the other side "How's your hand?" the blond asked her.
Sakura looked at the small injury in her hand, it was minor injury "Nothing to worry about" she said shrugging.
"You did a real good job today Sakura, saving Erza and all" Petra hugged Sakura a little while talking "But I was worried about you"
Sakura smiled, this people in here were showing her so much love, something she can't give them back, caring about others had only brought her pain, it's better If she keep herself distant.
She was lost in her thoughts when Eld spoke "I... Was going to come after you, when mobilet showed up without you, i was worried, but capitain Levi refused, I'm sorry Sakura"
Why isn't she surprised? Levi would never change the plan for anyone's sake.
"I'm fine Eld, miche team was closer anyway, I'm sure captain Levi knows that too"
Eld offered her a warm smile "I'm glad you'r not hurt, otherwise I'll have to look for another morning run partner"
The Pinkett glared at him "Is that why were you worried?"
He nodded a wider smile on his face "That and missing the chance to see the most beautiful eyes in the world"
As soon as that left his mouth he blushed, Sakura's face turned a shade of pink too "Thank you, I guess" She murmured.
"Hey pinky wanna make a bet?"
It was oulé, Sakura resisted the urge to groan, how many times had she told him not to call her pinky!!
"I'll beat you anyway old man" she said.
Oulé pushed Eld away and sat beside her, the blond shot him a rather nasty look but oulé was being such a thickhead that he didn't even notice. "Don't act so high and..." he started but was cut off when he bit his toung harshly.
Sakura giggled and Petra sighed, Eld on the other hand smirked "You deserved that oulé"
After the pain stopped oulé turned to Sakura again "I bet captain Levi will punish you for disobeying the orders"
Sakura frowned "You mean for Saving commarads?"
"The captain don't care, you'll see, he was frustrated to here from mobilet that you went back alone to save Erza, he even cursed more than normal"
Sakura shrugged " Well I don't care" as soon as she finished her words the dark haired capitain appeared, a scowl on his face as usual " we are resuming the trip, hurry up, we need to reach the headquarters before morning."
She was tired but smelly, and a shower was in order, can't sleep smelling like a fish, Sakura grabbed her clothes, a new soap and some flower product used for bathroom she purchased during their travel through the city, it wasn't anything like her old shampoo and conditioner but it was enough, it smelled good, and Sakura was a fan of good smells.
The bathroom would be empty at this hour, so she went in and started her bath.
Her muscles relaxed under the hot water and she let out a content sighed which quickly made her frown, here she was enjoying her time while her friends and family dead, she out of all of them got another chance while they didn't, was she worthy? Why didn't Naruto save himself? He deserved it, after all he was the hero, why not Hinata? The sweet angel? Or ino, or anyone?. Or maybe the gods punishment was for her to live in this life without her friends, all alone.
Thinking about it now , she wasn't alone in here , she had made some new friends, and it seems like they do care for her.
She remembered Eld's compliment from today and her face flushed, was he flirting with her? No, can't be, she denied. Shocking her head to get his sweet face and smile out of her mind. He's really sweet and handsome. She thought before getting out of the tube and drying her body .
To her surprise Petra was still awake when she got back to the room they share.
"You didn't sleep yet"
"No, but I will now, the captain requested that you meet him in his office as soon as possible" said the brunette and crushed down on her pillow.
Sakura groaned, she's so tired to deal with the ever angry captain, Well now she had no choice but to go see him, she owed him in some way, his talk to her that night made her trust herself more, think of the people she might be able to save if she stopped thinking about the past and focused on the future, ever since their talk she felt less guilty for her friends death.
She knocked on the door and jumped slightly when she heard the confirmation to go in, she opened and saluted immediately, though she unsurprised to see him head down in the pile of papers
She crossed the room and took the seat opposite from him, now up close she could see his half dump dark locks, someone other than her took a shower in here.
"You knew I didn't want you to accept hanji's stupid mission right?" he said not looking at her. Normally that would annoy her, but she couldn't be angry with the captain, it appears that he has a lot of work to do.
"Four eyes is a snicky little shit, she knew you were courageous, and you'll do everything you can to succeed , she had been watching you for the last month, saw how rexless you are, she even knew how good of a sensor you are" he added sounding angrier.
"Well it's over now, what's the point of talking about it?"
She said
Levi finally stopped moving his pen and looked up at her "The point is, you should never accept her request again, if she had asked me beforehand, I would never agree to let her borrow one of my subordinate, never, you should have said no, or at least not risk your damn life like a fool, you may not regret it now, but who knows next time"
She opened her mouth to give a hot reply but decided against it, she only nodded.
"what no reply? I thought you were injured in your hand not your mouth" he proded.
"I didn't realize you cared enough about me to bother" she said.
To his credit he didn't take the bait "Just remember to use your mind before risking your life again " he said
Sakura shrugged "I'm proud of saving my teammate, it was worthy risking my life"
Levi huffed "Tch, you could have died you know that right? And we would have lost two people instead on one"
"Those who breaks the rules are scum but those who abandone their friends are worst than scum, sir" she muttered.
Levi narrowed his eyes at her " an interesting point of view"
He went back to his work "You are to help in the kitchen for the next week as a punishment, now you may go" He added.
Sakura was about to go but looking at all the papers on top of Levi's desk made her stop, she wasn't ready to sleep yet, why not help?
" Want me to help you captain ?" she offered.
Levi looked at her frowning " excuse me?"
"I can help you finish the paper work, if you want"
He was supposed to refuse, but something compelled him to agree.
"If you think you can, be my guest"
"Of course I can" she walked around and took some of the papers to his left, standing so close to him, he managed to catch her smell, god she smelled of lilies and something else he can't precise, so good, and good smells were his weak point, he couldn't help but take a long breath in.
"Alright, let's see what are you reading captain. " She said opening the first file
Levi watched as she tucked her hair behind her ear, bit her lower lip and started reading the first file.
Her smell assaulted him, adding to the fact that she was murmuring while reading, this was a bad idea.
"You sure, you can understand? I mean sure you speak fluently now, but what about reading and writing" He said earning himself a glare from the Pinkett
"For your informations, i'v been able to read and write for a while now, I'v been reading some of Commander Erwin's books"
He chuckled against himself, trust Erwin to give someone who had just learned the language his heavy politic books and stupid novels "Erwin books are a pile of shit, you should read something else" he said.
"Hanji's books?" she offered.
"Hell no, those are probably about titans and other weird shit. "
"I borrowed a book from Petra, wasn't bad, it's title" the sunset passion " she said.
"Sunset's Passions !! " Levi frowned " The hell is that? "
" it's about a girl and a boy _" she tried to explain but he cut her off "It's a shitty sex book Sakura " he said.
"You are too forward captain, and you didn't read it to juge if it's shitty or not " she said.
"Tch, I don't have to read it to know , it's as clear as the sun, By the Walls ! Did you actually like that rubbish? "
She giggled, his reaction was funny "You may borrow it when I'm done. If you read it, your literary experience will be complete. And," she added with a coy smile, "it will give you some creative ideas of things to do with ladies ."
He hissed through his teeth. "I'd rather be caught dead than read that rubbish"
She leaned back in her seat . "Then I suppose you're just like commander Erwin ."
"Erwin " he asked eyes widening , falling into her trap. "You asked Erwin to read it ?"
"He refused, of course," she said . "we are still having our study hour, so I offered him the book, he was surprised, but declined nicely, unlike you ."
" I'm not nice " he said.
"So? What should I read captain? " she asked.
"I don't know, what are the kind of books you love to read? And please not sex books "
Mmm she took a minute to think " Romance, war, history something like that" .
Levi nodded "What about poetry?" he asked sounding almost hopeful.
"Guess if it's well written" she said "Though I'm not sure I can understand the complicated metaphors yet"
Levi nodded "When you think you are good enough to read poetry I can give you some suggestions" he said.
He have no idea why he had offered to give her one of his poetry books.
They worked in silence for a while, neither of them saying anything.
Levi raised his head to pour more tea when he noticed the way the soft glow of the candle illuminated her cheekbones at just the right flattering angels and highlighted the gentle curve of her brows as they met in concertation, she seemed so young and gentle at the moment, nothing like the solider he saw at the battlefield. She must have felt his stare for she looked up at him "Something wrong captain?"
"No, finish that and go have some sleep you need it brat"
He said that and went back to work Cursing himself for allowing his focus to be distracted by her, what was special about the girl anyway?.
"Why are you calling us brats and kids, for your informations I'm gonna be turning seventeen soon" thinking about her close birthday made her heart ache in pain, a birthday without her loved once.
Levi didn't miss that, but he didn't ask, instead he said " that will still make you a kid"
She huffed "And how old are you exactly Mr old, 19, 20 ?"
Levi frowned "I'm 23 Sakura".
The Pinkett mouth opened in awe "23?!! No way, you look so young"
"I'll take that as a compliment" he muttered.
Sakura went silent for minute, thinking, is Petra aware of the captain age? Was it okay to be involved with someone older than you when you'r under age in here? Petra is only 16, and captain Levi is a grown up man of 23 year old, is it legal? What was the legal age anyway? In konoha Shinobi's had a different standard than civilians, so maybe here too.
She looked at the captain as he worked, he looks so young, and to be honest he is handsome, especially with his face not frowning, his hair looked to be so soft, maybe Petra had a reason to like him after all, despite his personality, he's actually quite good looking.
Her thoughts were cut by his gaze "What are you looking at?"
(Was she checking him out?, no can't be, but the way she was looking at him, and the blush on her face can only mean that she was checking him out. He thought to himself.)
Sakura averted her eyes for a minute and then decided to ask "what is the consent age around here captain ?"
Levi wasn't sure he understood "Consent age?" he asked.
The Pinkett took a minute before saying "The legal age for someone to sleep with someone older, an adult " she tried explaining as best as she could.
Levi's brows drew closer "There's a legal age for that?" he asked.
"Wait, you don't have a legal age?"
He shock his head "No, you had one in your home?"
Sakura nodded " Why of course, it's 17 for civilians and 15 for soldiers" she explained.
"we don't have a legal age in here, if you want to sleep with someone go ahead no one will stop you or anything " he said.
Sakura's face turned à shade of pink "Why... You... I Wasn't asking for me, anyways it sounds weird not having a legal age"
Levi's eyes went back to the paper again "Try to be careful when you do it though, pregnancy is not allowed in the military"
He muttered.
he was teasing her and she knew it.
Sakura stood from her chair "I'v finished, this file, I will be going, good-night captain"
"Good night Sakura, have some rest" he said.
He went back to work, replying the conversation in his mind, legal age? What on earth is she planning to do ? He wondered, and suddenly something clicked in his mind, she asked about his age first, then... No noway. He can't be that hopeful, why would someone so young and beautiful think of him in that way. Besides even if she wanted him, he couldn't do it, she's his subordinate for the walls sake.
The next week was kind of boring, they only had theirs normal chores to do, every morning, Sakura would go for her morning run with Eld, than she'll train by herself, and later help in the kitchen.
Today however was special today she learned about the spring festival.
"Woah, candyyy " her green eyes wide open as she looked at the candy bag .
Eld who was standing in front of her laughed heartedly "You seem like a kid a little kid Sakura, happy Lunar "
"what? Lunar? today? Why has no one mentioned you have a celebration today ? Is there a feast tonight?"
He rolled his eyes. "It's a silly holiday to celebrate the coming of spring . The bonfires just produce ash to cover the fields."
"As an offering to the walls to keep them safe" said Petra.
"A way to waist money ." commented Eld
Petra glared at him "So says you," she said as she stood to salute Levi who was just passing by.
"Captain, happy lunar" she said smiling.
The dark haired man glanced at the trio, Petra's face à little flushed for whatever reason god knows, Eld standing tall next to Sakura, and Sakura... She was munching something and looking at him.
"Hin" was his only reply.
He can hear sakura saying "Ruuude" but he ignored her.
"Captain will you be participating in today's party?" it was Eld who asked.
"I don't partake in such superstitious nonsense." he said and walked away.
With a shrug and glowing eyes, Sakura pulled out a handful of sweets. Oh, how she adored candy!
She issued a jolly laugh and crammed some of the candy into her mouth. One by one, she chewed through the assortment, and she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as she tasted all of the flavors and textures. When she finally stopped chewing, she noticed Eld gazing at her.
"What " she asked.
"You ate half the bag!"
"Was I supposed to save it?"
"I would have liked some!"
"You never told me that Eld ."
"Because I didn't expect you to consume all of it before breakfast!"
She snatched the bag from him. "Well, that just shows poor judgment on your part, doesn't it?"
"It's seven in the morning." petra swept the sugar into her cupped palm. "You'll make yourself sick."
"Sick? Who can get sick from candy?" Sakura made a face and exposed her crimson teeth.
"You look like a demon," said Petra "Just don't open your mouth and no one will notice."
"You and I both know that's not possible."
To her surprise, both of her companion laughed. "Happy lunar " she said feeling happy for the first time in a while.
"We should prepare for the party today, let's go Sakura"
Hanji drugged him to the party, he hated the stupid parties were people waist tons of food for nothing.
"Look at all the food Levi"
"Shut up, four eyes, it's just food"
Hanji snorted " Oh come on, it's a celebration day today, relax, even your team is having nice time, look at them"
His team was seating on the table across from him, their table full of food, and laughters could be heard from miles away , even the Pinkett was laughing, but there was something not right with her, her smiles held some hidden sadness in them.
Dancers were filling the floor, Sakura watched in awe as people danced, beautiful, she thought.
Eld had asked her for a dance , but as much as she wanted to try, she couldn't, she had never seen such a dance, and it seemed complicated.
"I don't know how to dance really" she said.
Oulé let out a laugh "Of course you don't silly, you'r a villager, only people from the inside cities of Wall rose and people from Wall Sina knows how to waltz"
She continued watching dancers trying to distract herself from the thoughts of her up coming birthday and how it's gonna be her first birthday alone.
many asked Petra for a dance, but she declined, looking at only one man, the man who'll never ask her to dance with him, Sakura doubt it the captain knows how to dance anyway.
"Petra, I'm going to the washrooms , try accepting one of the nice soliders invitation, your knight will never ask you for a dance"
With that being said she walked off, pushing through people to the washrooms.
When she finished, the Pinkett took a different way to the party, in order to avoid the crowds, and ended up in a small cliff, a place were she's able to see the party from away ,and hear the lovely music.
She stood there enjoying the lovely sight of the town, the colors the sounds, smells of food, it reminded her of konoha's festival, the only difference is that she isn't wearing her lovely kimono or eating dango's.
Levi who wanted to take some air, away from hanji's blubbering, didn't expect to find the Pinkett dancing on her own on the cliff, He didn't know if he should laugh, yell, or just go back and pretend he'd never seen it. She turned, an sweeping motion that brought her to face him, and halted.
Well, the last option was no longer a possibility. Laughter or yelling, then. Though neither felt appropriate now.
Even in the moonlight, he could see her scowl. "I'm... I just... " she tried saying something, anything.
"Are you spying on me " she spatt, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "I came here so I could hear all that lovely music, it's all" The waltz was still playing, filling the frozen air around them with sound.
She was babbling, and her face was dark enough for him to know she was beyond blushing.
"What were trying to do exactly Sakura?"
He asked trying not to laugh, this was so funny.
"Told you , dance, alone, or more like practicing the dance steps Petra taught me this morning and I saw people doing" she explained not looking at his face.
"That didn't look anything like dancing to me, looked like you were moving around like some crazy woman" he muttered.
Sakura glared at him "It's not as if you can dance at all captain" she said
Levi raised one dark eyebrow at her "Who said I can't?"
"It's obvious, you'r too stiff to be able to dance"
"Well then you'r wrong, I'm able to dance" he said, not knowing why he even bothered.
Sakura narrowed her eyes at him "Oh really? ,then how come you've never danced tonight?"
"Not doing it, doesn't mean I can't"
Sakura crossed her arms over her chest "as long as I didn't see with my own eyes, I'll say you are either a horrible dancer, or can't move with the music at all"
"believe whatever you want pinky "
"Oh come on, don't you wanna prove me wrong captain ?"
"No" he shrugged.
"Just one dance, and I know whome to ask for a dance, no one stranger I promise" she smirked, if she managed to convince him to agree, he'll certainly choose Petra for the dance.
Levi's gray eyes were fixed on her when he spoke " If I turned out to be a good dancer, what do I get?" he said.
Okay that wasn't expected, maybe the captain isn't as boring as he appears to be .
"What do you want?"
"You'll be doing stable duty for a week" he said.
Sakura sighed, if this was the price she has to pay in order to help her friend, so be it.
"Fine" she muttered.
The pinkett stared as Levi outstretched his hand for her "What?" she said.
"You want me to dance right?, then come I'll show you how we dance"
Was he offering to dance with her?no, this wasn't the plan, then again she didn't have any plan 10 minutes ago, it was a mere coincidence that he saw her.
"With me?" she asked sounding like a fool even to herself.
"Is there anyone else in here Sakura?" he took few steps closer and was now stood right in front of her, his face mere inches from here, she could smell his soap and parfum.
The moonlight caught in his gray Bleu eyes, setting them shining.
"What didn't you understand?" he said
Her throat tightened, and she looked at his extended hand, flecked with callouses and scars.
She accepted his hand as he leand closer and murmured "Just follow my lead, and try your best not to step on me"
His fingers were warm, . He slid his other hand around her waist as she braced one of hers on his arm. She looked up at him when he began to move—a slow step, then another, and another, easing into the steady rhythm of the waltz.
He stared back at her, neither of them smiling—somehow beyond smiling at that moment. The waltz built, louder, faster, and Levi steered her into it, she stepped on him few times, but he didn't say anything, kept his poker face in place.
"You are a good dancer, never expected that" she said.
"Not hard, it's like fighting styles, you learn and I happened to be a quik learner" he said.
the music exploded around them, and he took her with it, spinning her so that her cloak fanned out around her. Each step was flawless and lethal.
The rest of the world quieted into nothing. In that moment, he spun her , and she flowed smoothly through the air before snapping back into his arms.
The dance was over, Levi made sure to remind her of the stable work tomorrow as he walked away, and Sakura stood there, not knowing what to think, had she really danced with the captain? Damn what is she going to tell Petra now?
Levi on the other hand, had more serious problems to take care of, god damn it, he was aroused, it was the fault of that beautiful smell, or eyes, or the way she pressed her body against him, and maybe his lack of sexual activities lately, was she aware of her effect on him? He doubt it, for her damanor didn't change, and he thanked the walls for it.
why had he agreed to dance with her in the first place ?
So thank u for reading guys, hope you like this chapter, don't forget to tell me what you think and if you have any suggestions
By the way, what is the consent age in your country?