The barracks were quiet. It felt all wrong. It felt like the whole world was against them, and for once, Kuro didn't feel sad or lonely... he was just angry. There was no way they were going to stop him from fulfilling his promise. Hell! He'd go out alone if he had to.

"I can't believe we lost Levi Squad..." Connie finally spoke up, breaking the silence. "All four of em..."

"If they couldn't do it, how are we supposed to?" Jean muttered. "Those four were hand-picked by Captain Levi."

"Hand-picked but had never met a titan with intelligence before." Kuro was stood leant against the wall. "It was clear, like Armin said, she wanted Eren. They were in her way.  Although... so were we, so... why didn't she kill us when we fought her? Granted, she nearly got Reiner, but... she could have easily finished us off... so why didn't she? Why not kill us then head to get Eren?"

"Because we weren't her objective," Armin said quietly. "Like you said, she killed those who got in her way." He sighed, dropping his head into his hands.

"Then why kill everyone else?" Kuro's voice raised slightly. "We were only as in the way as they were. We've killed Titans before. We could have killed her! We were all a threat! Why leave us round as witnesses? It doesn't make any sense!"

"We COULDN'T have killed her," Mikasa snapped, sitting up from her place in the corner. "Levi Squad couldn't kill her... Eren in his titan form couldn't do it. AND... Captain Levi couldn't do it."

Armin's eyes widened. "You saw the Captain fight her?"

Mikasa nodded, her eyes averted with a scowl. "He... was incredible," she admitted. "And he almost did it... but she has the ability to harden her skin. Our blades couldn't even dent her nape. In fact, Captain Levi was injured in the fight. She's intelligent... that much is certain." Mikasa hung her head. "But we got Eren back..."

Kuro sighed. "I'm sorry... it's just... this all feels so hopeless. We're not kids back in Shiganshina anymore. We're soldiers and we only made it back because some stupid Titan took pity on us." He kicked his bed. "What are we to do now? We need Eren back. We can't let the MPs have their way. Bunch of cowards. I'd sooner trust him in Titan form with Section Commander running her experiments and we know what happened to the last two."

Armin flopped backwards to lay down on the bed. "I need to think..." he said quietly, and he closed his eyes, his wrist resting against his forehead.

Jean stood up. "Well, it isn't curfew yet," he said with a lowered brow. "I need some air." He walked out of the barracks with long and heavy strides.

"Jean has a point. I'm gonna blow off some steam. Leave you in a little bit of peace Armin." Kuro headed out as well. Maybe he could get some training in. Standing around complaining wasn't going to get him anywhere.

Kuro passed by Hange's office, and the door was open only a little. Through the thin opening, he saw the Section Commander sitting on the wood floor with her back against the wall. Papers were scattered all around her in such a way that it looked like she'd gotten angry and swiped them off her desk. Now, she just sat staring, her legs straight out in front of her in a wide V-shape with her hands flopped between them.

He looked at the scene before him. He couldn't just leave her like that. It didn't sit right with him especially since she'd been really kind to him. Kuro knocked softly on the door. "Section Commander?"

Hange looked up. "What is it, Kuro?" she asked plainly, but softly.

"Do you need any help? I see your assistant isn't around." He stood by the door.

"Oh. Moblit." Hange looked down again. It was only then that Kuro realized she was intoxicated... both from the slight slur in her words and from the half empty glass bottle beside her. "I ummm..." She shut her eyes and slid her hand down her face. "...I gave him the night off. Let him go see his family."

"I see." He moved forward a little. "I don't mind standing in for him Section Commander." With the state she was in, along with what she was like normally... it was a surprise that he actually left her. Although, the pull of family was quite strong. At least Kuro was without any family left so he would always be free... and they wouldn't have to bring his body back when he died on a mission... like he should have done during the expedition.

Hange hung her head and shook it a little. Her shoulders were slumped, and her bangs fell forward over her eyes and her glasses. "I don't have anything for you to do at the moment," she mumbled. "Un...less you can mmaybe go look for my red journal for me." She sighed and lifted her head again only to drop it back against the wall and close her eyes. "I mmmust have left it... downstairss..." Her words trailed off. She was so exhausted. And drunk.

"Of course, Section Commander." He saluted before going to hunt for the journal. He'd start downstairs since that's where she said it might be. At least it gave him something to do other than random and unfocused training. He walked quietly. It seemed wrong to move quickly with loud footsteps. Especially since everyone seemed to be in mourning.

The downstairs of the barracks was a windowless basement, lit dimly by oil lamp wall sconces. There was a large conference room with a long, oak table, and it was here that Captain Levi sat with a lukewarm cup of black tea. He was no longer in uniform, but he wore instead plain, loose black pants with a cotton civilian shirt. His arms were crossed on the tabletop, and his slender, stormy blue eyes looked down into his teacup... but his gaze was a million miles away.

Kuro hadn't expected to see the Captain down there but it was quiet and out of the way. He didn't look like he wanted to be disturbed so... maybe... if he was quiet, he could sneak around and have a look for the journal. He walked around and kept he steps as quiet as possible. He looked around the tables and even on the floor... before spotting the book right next to the Captain. Typical. Kuro took quiet steps towards him but stopped a little way back and saluted. "Captain?"

Of course, Kuro's presence had been known to Levi all along, but he just hadn't reacted. His head felt foggy, and his whole being ached with loss.

Farlan and Isabel were so heavy on his mind tonight...

And Gunther.

And Eld.

And Oluo.

And Petra

...and Kuchel. His mother who had loved him more than anyone.

And Kenny, who had left him without care.

They surrounded him like ghosts, silent and ethereal in that quiet basement room. And the throbbing pain in his leg wasn't making things any better.

"What is it, soldier?" Levi asked quietly, not looking up.

"My apologies Captain. I didn't want to have to disturb you, but I was wondering if you could pass me the journal beside you. Section Commander Hange misplaced it and asked me to look for it for her." As soon as he had it, he could leave the Captain in peace. Despite how stoic he was, the loss must have taken its toll on him as well as the injury Mikasa said he had sustained.

Levi's eyes shifted over to the journal. "Tch. Always misplacing things, that one. Here you go." He picked up the journal and held it out, making eye contact like the soldier he was.

Kuro took the journal. "Thank you Captain." He stepped back a little and looked at the floor. "I also offer my condolences and an apology. The squad I was with had the opportunity to stop her, but we failed. So I apologise for my lack of ability on the battlefield."

Levi looked back down into his tea. "There's no need for that, soldier," he stated lowly. "We all had an opportunity today and failed... Commander Erwin... my Squad... Eren... me."

"Mikasa said that you saved Eren from the female titan. At least that is one victory, sir." He held the journal behind his back. Tapping it with his fingers for a second, he thought about what to say. "I understand how hard it is to lose your family sir. It never grows easier... even if you expect it, but... if you don't mind me saying, Sir, as long as we keep them with us, we'll never have truly lost them. By saying their names and speaking their stories, they will live on. Today may have been a failure, but we'll fight harder next time to make sure their deaths are not worthless. Those I have lost have guided me to where I am now, Sir. Without them giving everything, I wouldn't be standing here now, Captain."

Levi's eyes lifted, his expression stoic as it ever was. But his eyes... they gave him away. There was so much pain in them. So, so much pain...

Slowly, he nodded once, his parted hair falling forward a little as he did. "I couldn't agree more," he said quietly. Then he sighed and leaned forward a bit, looking downward as he slid his hand back through his ink-black hair. It spilled over his fingertips before falling into place again on either side of his forehead. "Your efforts don't go unnoticed," he commented firmly. "I've seen the dedication with which you put your hands to your tasks."

Levi let his forearms come to rest against the wood tabletop, his strong shoulders bearing the weight of, not only the horrific events of the day, but a lifetime spent pushing, striving, fighting... there were few who ever saw the Captain in such a state. He rarely allowed it. But he was only human... and no one can be strong all the time.

A pair of slim, grey-blue eyes looked right into those of the younger man. "You're a fine soldier, Kuro," Levi said simply.

"Thank you, Captain." He saluted and turned to leave but something else crossed his mind. Maybe now... in the quiet... it was the correct chance to say it. While all was odd and chaotic... it could be said now and lost in the chaos later.

"Sir... Captain," he turned around to look at him. "You probably already know this but like Eren, Mikasa and Armin, I too am from Shiganshina. On the day when the Colossal Titan attacked... I lost the only people I'd ever looked up to, my mother and father. I was 10 and was left to take care of both myself and my little brother. He was 7 at the time. Wall Rose wasn't the safety we had hoped for, and without anyone to look out for us... I went astray to try to keep us alive. I stole and fought and did whatever I could to get either another scrap of food or another layer of clothing. It was all for nought as my brother died just under a year after we lost our parents. I promised him that I would make it back to Wall Maria and see the world beyond it. That's when I turned to look at the Scouts. I've been lost for so long, and now I think I've finally found my path and... hearing that from you makes me believe that this is the right choice. From the moment I set foot in here, you've been the one to look up to. I trust you. Even when all seems lost, you're able to keep going. I made a promise to my brother and now I make one to you. Captain Levi. I promise to follow you all the way to Wall Maria and then on to the horizon after."

The Captain kept his eyes on the young Scout as he spoke. His expression didn't change... not even a little. But he heard every word.

"All these soldiers..." he thought. "These kids. Looking up to me like I'm some great leader. I don't know how to lead... I just know how to kill. I'm damn good at it... but I've never asked for heroism. All these people worshipping the ground I walk on while they themselves aren't willing to lift a finger. Tch. Spare me."

As Kuro finished speaking, the Captain was quiet for a moment. His thoughts continued...

"But then there are those like this kid. Those that get it. Those who aren't just willing to kick back in security while the rest of us are soaked in the blood of human sacrifice. As long as we have hearts like these... humanity has a chance in hell of beating the titans."

"I appreciate that," Levi finally said aloud. "In return, I promise to maintain your trust." He nodded once.

"Thank you Captain." He looked at the book in his hand. "I should get this back to the Section Commander before she decides to drink the rest of whatever was in that bottle she had with her." He saluted and left, making his way quietly back up the stairs. He knocked on the door. "Section Commander. I've found your journal."

Hange was still against the wall with her legs straight out, but her top half had slumped sideways, and she was sound asleep. The soft, flickering light glinted off the glasses that sat crooked on her nose.

Kuro sighed and went to place the journal on her desk. He looked around and picked up here green cloak and placed it over her. It was better than nothing. He left the room and pulled the door shut behind him. No point waking her up over just the journal.

As Kuro pulled the door shut, he heard the Captain's voice. "She in there?" he asked. The soft lighting illuminated his features. He looked... different somehow without his uniform. He didn't even have shoes on.

"Captain." Kuro was a little stunned as he hadn't expected to see him there. He thought he would remain downstairs... at least for the time being. "She is, Sir. However, she's passed out on the floor so I used her cloak as a blanket. Wasn't quite sure what else to do."

Levi nodded. He moved passed Kuro into the office, stopping briefly to look around the room at the mess Hange had made. Then his eyes fell on her passed out form. His top lip curled a bit. "Tch... you shitty glasses," he muttered, and he walked over to her. Kneeling down, he wrapped one arm under her shoulders and sat her upright, then slid the other arm under her knees. Pressing his weight into his right leg, he stood up, wincing even still.

"Mmh... Levi?" Hange's words were barely a mumble as her eyelids fluttered and her head bobbed.

"Yeah, Four Eyes, it's me." The Captain's voice was soft as he hoisted her into his arms, turning to leave the room. Glancing at Kuro as he passed him, he ordered quietly, "Turn down the lamps, and then return to your barracks."

"Yes, Sir," Kuro replied equally as quietly before turning to sort the lamps out.

Hange's forehead dropped to lay against the base of Levi's neck. "You'rrre hurt..." she slurred, protesting against being carried.

"And you're drunk." Levi's voice trailed down the hallway, his bare footsteps against the wood floor uneven as he favored his left leg.

"Yeahhhh..."

"Tch. Your breath smells like shit."

"Ppffftttt!"

"Ug--! You're disgusting!"

"Youu lovve mee..."

"Stop talking."

And then their voices disappeared, and only silence remained.