A month had passed since the scouts had first set up camp in the forest, and it wasn't getting any more bearable for the sober scouts. Everyone maintained patrols and positions in the trees, continuously lurking to see if there were any changes. There weren't, not within the forest at least.

"How much longer are we expected to wait here?" Kaya asked. "I'm running low on tea."

"I sent a messenger out earlier, hopefully they'll come back with some news." Levi answered, shifting his gaze towards Zeke, he was reading, again. "He looks as though he's enjoying that book." Levi said, sarcastically.

"What is this, his 6th time?" The ghoul slightly laughed.

"Something tells me he's been eavesdropping more than listening."

"Definitely, though he's always talking to Sally whenever his nose isn't in it. I've told her to keep a distance, but she's just too nice to leave him alone." The ghoul sighed. To her, she was still bewildered at how her squad managed to be so different, yet all having equal experiences.

"Can I ask you something?" Levi wondered.

"Shoot." The ghoul turned to look at him once more.

"When you said we've already gone through the worst of it, do you really think so?" He questioned, but in truth, Kaya didn't even know her answer.

"I'd like to think so, but who can say. Everything's gone to shit and we all know it, the only people who don't seem to care are those idiots who keep stuffing their faces with wine." She eyed the prisoner. "And him. He either doesn't care or he doesn't need to. I don't trust him one bit."

Levi nodded, he felt the same way. However, neither of the scouts could put their finger on the real issue at hand, their isolation didn't grant them any favours. "I've got a few things I wanna run by him, you coming?" He asked the ghoul, who nodded and followed him down towards the campfire.

"Sally." Kaya said to her squad member. "He's a prisoner, act like it." She warned the blonde and watched her lower her head, walking away in slight shame.

"Aw, don't be so strict Kaya, you're not jealous of her, are you?" The titan mocked, to which Kaya glared at him with a disgusted expression.

"I'd rather chew off my own foot." She sat beside Levi on the fallen tree.

"And I'd rather you didn't speak to her that way, that is, unless you want me to cut off your tongue. You shouldn't have to worry, it would grow back, right?" Levi threatened and the ghoul couldn't contain her smirk.

"I take it you two didn't come down here to continue glaring, so what's your question?" Zeke cut to the point, he caught on fast, knowing the two scouts would rather be anywhere but near him.

"Ragako." Levi began. "What happened, how did the villagers turn titan."

Kaya still didn't understand. Zeke had already told them the same story, multiple times upon his initial capture, but then again, Levi didn't like to let things go so easily. Of course, Kaya still resented Zeke for his actions and always would, but she didn't need to hear about Ragako anymore than he did.

"It's called a gas weapon. The gas was made with some of my spinal fluid, inhaling even a small amount makes any subjects of Ymir freeze up, lose control of their bodies and fall unconscious. This also edges a coordinate inside them, I used this path to send the power of the titans to said coordinate. And that's why the people of that village transformed into titans." The prisoner explained, carelessly brushing over the fact that he'd murdered innocent people and children in cold blood.

"It was called Ragako, not that village. And seeing as you murdered every person who lived there, you should learn the name you bearded shit." Levi insulted.

"Look, its. not like I wanted to do it. I just, did what was needed to convince Marley that I was loyal to them. If they had learned the truth, I never could've brought hope to this island."

"Hope. Is that what people are calling it now? Im not usually an optimist but I'd say our situation is far from it."Kaya rested her head into her hands, she hated to admit it, but she felt more safe when it was simplistic, humanity vs titan.

"None of this is new to you, I told you guys the exact same thing when I first got here. Why do you keep asking me about it?" Zeke questioned.

"Because I can see that you aren't burdened by a shred of guilt from the things you've done. I still can't tell if you actually want to save Eldia. But it's clear that those lives meant nothing to you." The captain answered, it was as though he had those words practiced, he knew Zeke would question his words.

"Doubt you were well liked by the ladies." Zeke mocked, not knowing that the woman sat next to Levi was his girlfriend. "Considering how you think you know how everyone is feeling."

"I do know." Levi countered. "And I was liked enough." He slightly averted his gaze towards the Lieutenant, who tried so hard to conceal her laughter. The two scouts didn't blame Zeke for not noticing, after all, they hadn't exactly made it easy for him to guess. In fact, they tried to avoid each other, only conversing when it came to professional matters. However, they only did this for one reason only, they couldn't give the enemy any weaknesses to exploit. Both could admit that they were each other's weakness.

"Wow, isn't this interesting?" Zeke cheered. "Looks like I figured it out."

"Figured what out?" Kaya rolled her eyes, he was trying to make them admit to something.

"I always thought he was less harsh on you, guess now, I know why." Zeke taunted.

"If you've got something to say then spit it out." Levi demanded, also growing tired of his games.

"So, how long have you two been together?" The titan asked. At this point, both scouts knew they couldn't form an excuse, their facial expressions already gave it away to Zeke, he'd found their weakness.

"Since we retook wall Maria." Levi finally replied, causing Zeke to become slightly amused.

"Well, isn't this romantic, the way you two acted, I would never have guessed." He laughed. "Cmon Levi, don't be so uptight."

After hearing his words, Kaya knew what Zeke was implying, and she wasn't going to let him jeopardise their mission, or what she had with Levi. So the ghoul stood from her seat and walked towards the campfire, her pain tolerance was far greater than that of a human, and her healing factor meant she didn't have to worry about the long term effects of her current actions. Slowly, she reached into the fire and grabbed a burning stick before then closing in on Zeke with the stick clenched in her hand.

"Listen up you bearded bastard." The ghoul pushed the flames toward his face, making Zeke lean back. "Keep your damn nose in your book, before I toast it and switch up my diet." She threatened, though there was no way she was going to eat Zeke, just the thought made her want to vomit.

"Looks like I struck a nerve." Zeke nervously chuckled, but he soon stopped when Kaya pushed the flames closer to his face. "Let's calm down, I meant no harm. Besides, when will I see Eren?" He changed the subject, causing the ghoul to throw the stick back into the fire, a bundle of sparks flew upon the impact.

"It isn't our call to make, we're waiting for HQ." Levi answered, regathering his composure and hiding his small smile. He was glad Kaya had stuck up for them, though he was slightly concerned that she'd hurt her hands.

"If your commanders think that they have time to spare, then they couldn't be more wrong."

"On that one point, we agree." Levi nodded, looking at Kaya's hands to see if there was any severe damage.

"Levi, it'll heal, it always does." She comforted, keeping her tone low so Zeke wouldn't hear her so clearly.

However the duo's attention was dragged elsewhere when they saw the messenger they'd sent out earlier. He looked panicked and had more urgency than he did prior.

"Captain Levi, Lieutenant Kaya. I have news from the interior." He alerted and began to whisper into their ears, a precaution that was worth taking. "Premier Zackery had been assassinated and Eren Yeager has escaped." He quietly informed, making both the scouts faces take a more concerned expression.

"What? Are you serious?" Levi asked loudly.

"But..." The ghoul struggled to find the right words, it wasn't the first time she'd been confused during the new changes made, but at this moment, she wasn't confused, she knew exactly what was happening. War.

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Authors note: the next chapters going to be huge and filled with action. But I'm going on holiday and it may take a while, unless I manage to write it before I leave. Enjoy.