Inhale, exhale, all you hear is the echo of your breath, inhale, exhale, your pulse racing. Then the breath of your horse which you sit upon, the up and down movements, every click. You're blocking out any background noise... until...

"CAPTAIN!!" A shout from behind.

Levi snaps back into reality. Remembering what he's here for.

Protect Eren that's all that matters right now.

"CAPTAIN!!" Another shout from behind, this time a female's voice.

"Keep moving." Levi states with no tremble in his voice.

From behind he hears anger and frustration and on top of that, a loud—

—CRASH—

The female titan is gaining in distance and murdering the reinforcements.

—THUD THUD THUD—

The Earth shaking sound of her giant feet smashing into the ground as she gets closer and closer to Levi's Squad. A loud eardrum braking scream comes from Eren as the female titan reaches for him. Then she stumbles, slowing her down but quickly gets back on pace and speeds up. Auruo gasps as he spots the female titan almost right on top of him.

"Keep moving" Levi repeats but in a louder tone.

"CAPTAIN! LET US FIGHT!!" Shouts Gunther from behind.

Eld's teeth grid as he looks behind to see the same terrifying scene Auruo sees.

—SPLAT—

Another reinforcement soldier murdered.

"CAPTAIN! SHE'S KILLING THEM. SHE'S MURDERING THEM ALL!! IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING THEN IT'S LIKE SAYING THAT WE'RE THE MURDERERS!!" Eren shouts at the Captain.

"JUST KEEP MOVING!" Levi commands.

"LEVI!!" Shouts Eren as tears fall down his face. "LEVI! SHE'S KILLING THEM, IF WE DON'T FIGHT THEN WE'LL DIE TOO! LEVI!!"

The words repeat in Levi head....
She's killing them... CAPTAIN! KILL!MURDERER!! We're the murderers... LEVI!PETRA!! We'll die too...
....As images flash in his mind of his comrades death, Auruo, Gunther, Eld and Petra.

—BOLT—

Levi gasps as he wakes up from a horrible nightmare but to realize it's more of a terrifying memory.

Why... why me?...

Levi crouches down. "Why Petra?" Levi wimps as tears roll down his cheeks.

I never told her... I never got a goodbye... I never do... Why does this happen to me?
Shut up! Stay Focused! I can't afford to have regrets. It will cloud my future decisions...

Levi sighs as he gets out of his bed. He then checks the alarm clock.

It's only 2:40 a.m. What was I thinking? I can't sleep! Might as well get ready... maybe try to get some rest in my chair?

He walks over to his closet, grabbing his greyish white long-sleeved button up shirt along with his white jeans and the rest of his uniform. He takes off his tank top to reveal his well trained upper body. After tying up his white cravat and throwing on his brown cropped jacket, he sits on his chair where his army green Survey Corp. coat hangs over. He slowly shuts his eyes and drifts off into another dream.

"Petra Ral. Age 29, 10 titan kills to her credit, 48 assists. She strongly devotes herself to defend humanity as a soldier"

"Not bad." Levi says as Petra's face turns red due to the distance between her and Captain Levi and her eyes drifts to the top left corner. "Give her a coat, she's on my squad from now on." Levi demands to one of the soldiers carrying brand new and clean army green Survey Corp. coats. "Do you have what it takes?" He asks Patra.

"Yes, Sir!" Petra shouts with a blushing face.

"Call me Captain from now on." Levi orders.

"Yes, Captain! Thank you Captain!" Petra shouts but with a little curve in her lips.

* * *

Looking out beyond the wall lies a vast valley with high winds blowing through the grass and the very little trees there are. Looking from up upon wall Rose above Trost stands Captain Levi and Commander Erwin.

"Levi" Commander Erwin calls.

"What is it?" Levi replies in an expressionless tone.

"We need to get to Eren Jaeger's basement." The Commander states. "We're leaving in a week. Since you lost your Squad to the female titan you'll be riding with me."

"Don't remind me." Levi demands in a more angry tone this time.

"Now don't start regretting." The Commander says turning his head to face Captain Levi.

"I've already started." Levi snaps back.

Levi then sighs. "I'll be taking my leave now... maybe have some tea." Levi blurts out while he turns away from Commander Erwin and starts walking away.

"Why do you hold your cups like that?...  Haha, You're funny Captain." Petra's voice echos in Levi mind and the image of her beautiful smile plays in his head.

Stop... Stop... Stop... Stop... why are you in my head now?

Levi rides his black stallion back to his headquarters as the flash of memory continues.

"It's because my cup's handle from my first tea set broke while I was holding it and the cup shattered on the floor. So now I hold it on the top rim of the cup like this. I once had a dream to open my own tea shop." Levi explains.

"No way! You, open a tea shop? Haha!" Petra giggles.

Levi returns to base, walking his horse and then tying him up in his stall. It begins to rain as Levi opens the door to the run down castle. The sound of the droplet hitting the muddy ground annoys Levi so much. Just thinking of how much muck it's going to create drives him insane.

"Captain, I made your favourite tea, black tea!" Petra's sweet voice calls out to Levi.

"T-Thank you... Petra." Levi stutters.

After that scene plays in his head, Levi sips his tea he made for himself. Not as good as Petra makes it, unfortunately. He sets the 3/4 empty cup down on the little plate still with his fingers gripping on the top rim of the cup. He tosses the cup towards the floor and it shatters into pieces.

"Tsk" Levi lets out.

Levi then stares at the broken cup on the floor.
"Ugh"

The chair creeks as Levi pushes it back to get let himself up and out of the chair. He then walks towards the broom closet, he creeks the door open and takes the broom out then starts sweeping up the cup. Trying not to get the ends of the broom wet from the left over tea that spilt out of the broken cup. He sweeps the pieces into the dust pan and throws the pieces in the trash can. He then gets a damp rag and gets down on his knees and starts soaking up the tea in the rag. Runs over to the sink and rings out the rag. Levi lets out a sigh as he let's his mind drift to another memory.

"Captain?" Says a female with a sweet voice.

"What is it?" Levi asks with an emotionless tone knowing actually who was calling.

"Ummmm... i-if y-you need some help, I can. Well you see, I saw you working hard and I thought that maybe I can give you some help." Petra stutters.

Levi turns his head to face her. "That would be great, thank you." Levi kindly appreciates.

While Petra was sweeping by the dining table, she glances at her Captain, watching his hands scrub the kitchen counter. She then notices that his hands looked red. She gasps and rushes over to him. She takes his hand into hers.

"Captain, these are bleach burns!" Petra squeals. "You've been working too hard have a break, I'll take care of the rest." Petra insists.

"P-Petra..." Levi stutters her name.

Petra quickly backs away with a red face. "Oh! Sorry, Captain." She apologizes.

"No that's fine thank you, but you might want to button up your shirt you'll give men the wrong idea." Levi says slowly walking away.

Petra looks down to see that she left a few buttons loose at the top of her shirt, showing her cleavage. Her face turns bright red as she turns around and buttons up her shirt.

Levi turns his head to see Petra facing away. I can't be having these feelings... I'm her Captain for crying out loud! Levi thought.

"Oh... Petra why did you have to leave me alone?" Levi whispered as that scene played in his head.

"CAPTAIN LEVI, SIR!" Shouts Jean, one of Levi's new recruits.

"WHAT IS IT?" Levi demands in Frustration.

Jean got a little startled after seeing the Captain lash out. He finally worked up the courage to answer. "IT'S EREN! HE'S LOST CONTROL!" Jean shouts.

—ROAR—

Eren lets out loud ear aching roars in his titan form.

Dammit Eren, why did you have to go and pull this crap?

"Tsk" Levi let out. 

"EREN! CUT IT OUT OR I'LL CUT YOUR HEAD OFF!! CHOOSE QUICKLY I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!!" Levi yells at Eren in his intimating tone.

Eren stops and stares down at the Captain.

"YA THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!" Levi shouts out.

"UH... CAPTAIN!?" Connie, another one of Levi's new recruits shouts to the Captain.

"Huh?" Levi questions as he looks back.

He see a giant hand swoop in and tries to hit him, but Levi's quick reflexes kick in and he shoots a grappling hook from his 3d maneuver gear. The hook pierces through the top layer of skin from Eren's titan form pulling Levi through the air and over the swooping giant hand, and still moving upwards. The hook returns to it's origin as Levi spins around, he attaches blades to the empty handles. The sword in his right hand is then flipped around to face behind him. Levi shoots another grappling hook towards Eren's nape. It attaches and pulls Levi towards his target as gas from the gear releases to speed him up, Levi then whips around and starts spinning. The rotation in his blades slashes through Eren's tough flesh as blood splatters everywhere causing steam to build up. Out from the slot that Levi sliced open, Eren emerges with a confused and terrifying expression. Levi doesn't hesitate as he flips the sword in his right hand back to face in front again. Levi raises his arm, Eren then closes his eyes.

—SHING—

The sound when two swords collide. Standing there was Mikasa shielding Eren from the blow. Mikasa, another new recruit stares into the Captain's eyes.

"Don't touch Eren..." She says in a raspy voice.

"Tsk" Levi lets out. "Mikasa, don't speak to your Captain like that." Levi says bluntly.

Mikasa brakes the stare between her and the Captain to then look at Eren. She plants her knees down beside him and starts helping him out. Cutting him out of the steaming titan body, Eren looks at Mikasa.

"What did I do? Did I lose control again? Is that why the Captain's mad?" Eren questions Mikasa.

"It's not your fault." Mikasa reassures him.

Levi jumps down putting his blades back or what ever's left. He makes his way to the castle doors.

"Calm down!" Levi orders he's squad.

"Captain! You should step away from him!" Petra calls out.

"No, I think you should." Levi snaps back.

Auruo, Gunther, Eld and Petra are all scared and the angered at the scene of Eren partly transformed titan arm.

"One move and you're dead greenhorn!" Auruo shouts.

"AURUO!" Levi yells.

"Who said you can transform?!" Shouts Eld.

Eren, terrified himself, he tries to get himself loose. His squad mates stand there ground while Levi tries to calm them down. Eren then brakes free and falls the ground as steam starts building up.

"NOOOOOOOO!" Shouts a psychotic scientist, Hange. "IT'S GOING AWAY!!" Hange cries.

Levi pulls Petra away from the scene.

"I'm sorry Captain, I just got scared." Petra pleads.

"No it's not about that, we were having a conversation about and the 57th expedition." Levi refresh's her memory.

"Oh that..." Petra says softly. "Ummm... it's nothing." Petra backs down.

Levi watches her as she walks away, knowing full well that she had something to say but couldn't.

Levi snaps back into reality and looks back to the steaming titan corps then looks at his new squad. Armin Alert, Mikasa Ackerman, Connie Springer, Sasha Blouse, Jean Kirschtein, Krista Lenz and Eren Jaeger.

I miss my old squad.

* * *

"Change in plans" Commander Erwin states while he looks out the window to the small room. "The 58th expedition will be set in two days. Oh, and Levi?"

"What is it?" Levi answers in his signature tone.

"I decided that you will ride with your new squad alone, in the rear centre, you won't have to accompany me anymore." Erwin states. "Make sure they are well educated on the task at hand, other than that, I think they're ready." Erwin's last words on the subject.

"I see, well, then I'll trust your judgment." Levi confesses.

The chair Levi sat on, stood beside a small round table, unoccupied as Levi shuts the door behind him after leaving the quiet room. On the other side stands Erwin, turned towards the door with a determined look across his face.

* * *

Levi returns to base on his black stallion. Ties him up in his stall and walks towards the entrance to the castle. He put a hand on the cold door handle but hesitates after hearing arguing from inside.

"HEY!!!" Eren yells.

"What's the matter, suicidal maniac!? Jean shouts.

"OH I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S THE MATTER HORSE FACE!!" Eren screams at Jean.

"I'd like to see you try Er—" Jean says before being cut off.

The door swings open revealing a short man with a blank expression standing in the door way. Everyone shuts their mouths and stares at their Captain.

"What's going on?" Levi questioned.

"N-Nothing" Eren says quickly getting back to sweeping the floor while everybody else continue's their task as well.

"Listen up!" Levi orders.

Again everyone stops what they're doing and turns around to face the Captain.

"There's been a change in plans, the expedition will begin in two days. " Levi states.

"Wha-" Jean says then cut off.

"WHAT!" Eren shouts cutting off Jean.

"Yes, we'll be riding alone as a squad in the rear centre." Levi begins. "Since we captured the female titan a week ago, it should go as planned."

"What if there are more like her, sir?" Eren blurts our.

"That's why we have a new flare color created for that reason." Levi stated.

"What color?" Mikasa asked.

"A light blue. You'll learn more about it tomorrow." Levi answers.

Levi walks down the candle lit hallway when he comes across Hange' s office. Leaning on the door frame, Hange glances at him.

"What are you doing up this late?" Levi questions.

"I could say the same about you." Hange's comeback.

"Tsk." Levi lets out. "I could've been on my way to bed right now, but that stench I smell, I came here for an answer." Levi snaps back.

"Haha, I didn't know you cared." Hange laughs. "Well if you want to know so badly, I guess I'll tell you. It's the new flare smoke we'll be using for the upcoming expedition." Hange smirks.

"What for?" Levi asks.

"Well, it's going to be used to warn others of titans that are similar to the female titan, you know, the one that murdered your special operation squad?" Hange pokes at Levi's nerves.

"Of course I know, four eyes!" Levi says in an annoyed and angered tone.

"Don't worry, it won't happen again after we use these. Well, Commander Erwin's making a plan for the expedition as we speak." Hange says blows out the candle, signalling that she's off to bed.

"Of course he's still up." Levi whispers as he walks back into the dark hallway.

* * *

The next morning Levi sits in one of the dining chairs as he sips at his black tea.

The 58th Expedition is tomorrow.

Levi sets his cup down on the saucer, as he pulls himself up from the wooden chair. He takes the saucer and the cup to the sink and starts washing them. He doesn't like leaving things dirty. As the hot water runs down his cold hands, his mind drifts off again.

Levi watches Petra as she washes the pile of dishes that sits on the counter beside her. Gets up for the dining chair that sits beside the long rectangular dining table. He starts walking over to Petra. Petra then notices Levi opening a drawer right next to her, she then blushes as she feels his hot atmosphere around her and quickly turns her head to the sink to continue washing dishes. Levi notices that she quickened her pace. He then takes a plate from the stash of dirty dashes and reaches into sink. He slides closer to Petra and starts washing the plate with the cloth he pulled out from the drawer beside Petra. His hands bump into Petra's, she stops scrubbing.

"W-What are y-you doing, C-Captain?" Petra stutters with a bright red face.

"Washing dishes, what does it look like?" Levi says as he continues to wash.

"Oh! Umm... ya, of course. I just... Nevermind." Petra stutters as she slowly rolls her eyes towards her Captain.

She watches as he arms move back and forth, she never noticed how muscular his shoulders were. She then moved her eyes towards his lips.

"They look so soft..." Petra whispers.

Levi's head shot up at her voice. "What was that?" Levi asks softly.

Petra then realizes what she said and her face turns to a bright red. "Nothing!" She blurts out.

"Uh, ok?" Levi says confused.

* * *

Mikasa, Eren, Armin, Jean, Sasha, Connie and Krista all sit in a class room paying close attention to the instructor as he gives out the important information about the expedition.

"Let's talk about the light blue flare. It will be used when you spot a titan that seems stranger than an abnormal. Only!" The instructor informed.

"What are some signs for knowing if a titan is like the female titan?" Shouts Krista.

"Well, uh, for your squad, um, Captain Levi will inform you when to use it. So, uh, don't worry too much about that." The instructor nervously chuckles. "Well any other questions?.... no? Ok you are all dismissed." The instructor ordered.

* * *

Levi sits in his chair, staring at a piece of fabric that lies on the corner of his desk. He looks closer as it resembles the Wings of Freedom symbol. He reaches out for it and picks it up. As he rubs his thumb up and down the fabric, he feel the rough way the stitches aline. Levi then closes his eyes, an attempt to fall asleep as the fabric sits softly in his hand.

After the call for retreat, Levi returns to the place where his comrades lay lifeless on the forest bed. First thing Levi does, was to walk over to Petra's still body. Levi kneels down beside Petra as the soft wind blows through her strawberry blonde hair. Levi sits there for a while staring at her golden brown eyes as tears roll down his face. He puts a hand over her eyes to shut them. She's still warm...

"She's still warm." Levi whispers.

Levi lays her head against his chest and shoulder as he puts his right arm under her upper back and slowly picks her with his left arm under her knees.

Levi arrives back to where Erwin had set the retrieve and recovery spot and carefully places Petra's body beside her fallen comrades. Covering her up in white sheets, Levi tugs at a spot of the sheet to reveal the Wings of Freedom patch on her left jacket pocket. He then tares it off and sticks it into his pocket.

The wagons were loaded, everyone on their horses and with the Commanders signal, they were off. As the wall Rose came into view, titans were approaching from the rear, fast. They ran faster and faster until they were almost right on top of the rear wagon where all the body's were being carried. No one knew what to do until Levi showed up.

"Dump the bodies!" Levi ordered. "Consider this as their last duty towards humanity." Levi went on.

"We can't be doing this! We can't seriously be doing this!" A soldier in the wagon yells.

"We have no other choice." Another soldier in the wagon says as he lets the tail gate down and starts dumbing the bodies out.

Levi looks back as he spots Petra's body being tossed out of the wagon. Her hair ever still beautiful flows in the wind as she hits the ground and rolls behind a giant rock. Levi closes his eyes as a tear falls down his left cheek. The wagon speeds up, slowly losing the titans that were chasing them. Finally almost home.

Once they arrived back inside the walls. Levi walks alone as an average sized man walks up to him.

"Hey, Captain Levi, I'm Petra's Father and, um, I got this letter from her some what recently. Uh, and she really seems devoted to you and devoted in every way. Well, uh, as her parent, I'm kind of worried that uh, I think it's too early for her to be thinking about marriage, she's still has so much to experience in life, and don't get me wrong but she deserves a good future with someone that can be with her through thick and thin, do you know what I mean?" Petra's father blabbered.

Levi did not respond. All he had was a blank and dead expression on his face. Did she really think of me as someone like that? The words of Petra's father played in his mind. Did she love me?