One morning...

As soon as I woke up, I gazed at the ceiling, feeling surprisingly refreshed. I sat up and let out a small yawn as I stretched. I feel that now is the time to start again.

I got up from my bed, washed up and changed into my scout uniform. Once I was ready, I stepped out of my room, making for Captain Levi's office door. I knocked on it, then reached for the handle, entering before he could answer. I approached his desk, noticing the few documents neatly laid out atop it. He looked up from his work and as soon as he met my gaze, I said,

"I'm ready to train."

He put his writing instrument down on the table, then crossed his arms, examining Y/N's face, then her stance. She watched the captain's piercing gaze shift multiple times, aware of what he was doing. Regardless, she felt somewhat nervous because of his silence.

After a few moments, he unfolded his arms, stood up from his chair and walked past me, making way to the door.

"Let's go," he finally said. He opened the door and stepped out. I followed him out of his office and out of the building.

As soon as both soldiers were outside, wasting little time, Levi turned around and lunged at Y/N, trying to attack. Since he gave her no warning, she reacted accordingly. She blocked the strike and distances herself from her opponent.

...

While the scouts resumed their expeditions, Levi and Y/N trained with each other, particularly in close combat. He felt it was necessary to focus on having Y/N regain her speed, flexibility, and momentum.

Although this training was meant for her to return to combat, Levi wasn't going to go easy on her. He is aware of what Y/N is capable of and wants her to get back to or even surpass that level.

During some training sessions, there were a few instances in which Y/N failed to defend or strike, making Levi overpower her.

•~•~•~•~•~•

"Your reaction time has slowed."

He twisted and held my arm behind my back, holding me down harshly on the dirt ground. I tried to get out of his grip, but it was proving to be very difficult.

While I've been recovering, I wondered if he was going to go easy on me. I didn't want to be taken lightly since I haven't been too physically active for some time....but the training he's been putting me through says otherwise...

When he finally let go and got off me, I got up and fixed my uniform. As I was dusting myself off, I quickly glanced at him, then swiftly retrieved my switch blade, using this moment to my advantage to strike.

As soon as I got close enough to attack, he dodged instantaneously, grabbing and twisting my wrist harshly, making me let go of my weapon. In the blink of an eye, he tackled me on the ground, pinning my wrists down on either sides of my head, using his body to keep me from getting up.

"Obvious."

Slightly out of breath, I stared at him and said, "Do you plan on staying on top of me or are we going to keep training?"

Before he got off me, he got closer to my face, staring deeply into my eyes. "Try to attack me without any weapons. That's an order."

In that moment, I didn't know if I felt intimidated or surprised from having him that close to me again.

When he was off me, I got up from the ground and picked my switch blade up. I wiped it against my shirt, closed it, and put it back into my pocket. What can I do to overpower the Captain?

As I dusted myself off again and glanced at him, I thought of something. I assumed position and right when I was about to attack, I heard someone scream out,

"Y/N!!!!!"

Before I knew it, I was tackled to the ground which knocked the air out of my lungs. Looking down at who had rushed me, I saw messily tied back auburn hair. Hange looked up at me, smiling brightly and embracing me tightly.

"A heads up would've been nice!" I groaned out.

She let go and got off me, then helped me up.

"Section Commander!"

"Calm down, she and I are fine," she answered, dusting herself off. I watched the new soldier approach and stand beside her. I glanced at Hange. When she noticed my gaze, she looked at the soldier beside her, then said,

"Oh, right! Y/N, this is Moblit Berner. Moblit, this is Y/N."

"The Section Commander has told me much about you. It's nice to see you have recuperated," he said. I nodded at him, then from behind them, I noticed the other scouts approaching.

"I'm glad to see you're better," said Eren.

"I knew she'd bounce back quick!" Conny assured.

"Of course she would. She's one of the toughest soldiers in this regiment," Reiner commented.

"You need to make sure you eat a lot. Possibly saving me some too," Sasha suggested.

Even though Y/N didn't show it, she appreciated everyones' praise.

Levi watched as the soldiers socialized with her. He didn't realize the serene sensation he felt seeing Y/N at ease. Erwin soon approached him and informed him of what's been happening.

"As much as I enjoyed this little talk, you all need to get cleaned up and get some rest," I instructed. They nodded and entered the building.

As I watched everyone go inside, I remembered something.

"Jean!"

He turned around and I approached him. "I need to speak with you for a moment. Follow me." He nodded and I stepped in front of him, going inside and showing him to my room.

I approached and opened the door, inviting him in. "Have a seat at the desk," I told him as I went up to my drawer.

"I know some time has passed since the incident but...thank you. I appreciate what you did for me. You've come a long way from when you first started," I said as I opened the drawer.

As soon as I found the item, I took it out and turned around, a little surprised upon seeing a small smile on Jean's face. Before he could say anything, I went up to him and handed him the item.

His jacket.

He stood up from the seat, looked at me, and received his jacket back.

"The scouts and I are by your side Y/N," he assured.

I nodded, then reached out, held his shoulder and said, "Go get some rest. You've worked hard soldier." He gently smiled again and nodded. I let go of him and we left my room. He made his way to the barracks while I returned outside, continuing my training with Levi.

...

XX/XX/850
03:45am

With each passing day, I've felt my strength returning.

The constant movement after remaining sedentary for a while has caused me to be sore, however, it is a familiar kind of sore.

A kind of sore that I know I am provoking onto my being.

My improvements however are only my own.

The soldiers that saved me have also been a major part of my recovery.

Regarding my comrades, I feel there is a difference in how I perceive them.

I do not know how to express my emotions about them.

I am grateful...grateful for their support and...kindness.

I am relieved that their injuries were tended to.

I am amazed...

Amazed that they were willing to risk their lives to rescue someone like me.

The relationship I have with them...is this what people call...friendship?

I wonder now...

Have I grown too close to them?

To her?

To him?

—————

Y/N was unsure of her emotions towards the group of soldiers.

Nonetheless, with this group, she feels a strong connection...

They had seen her at her weakest...at her most vulnerable...and they cared and supported her.

She hasn't realized that the bond she has with this group is something strong.

Something profound.

It is something that she has yearned for ever since she was a child...

A family.

...

With each day that went by, something peculiar occurred.

The Titans stopped appearing.

Commander Erwin, Captain Levi, Section Commander Hange, and a handful of scouts went to inspect some of the territory outside the Walls, only to come up empty-handed.

After this discovery, Erwin decided to use this time to their advantage, having Eren use his Titan powers to seal the remaining gates.

Unfortunately, with the amount of training and experiments Hange has held with Eren, he only managed to seal the inner gate, using larger pieces of rubble to prevent any more infiltration.

Everyone remained at HQ for the meantime while Erwin tried to figure out what to do with this new phenomenon.