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Eren Jaeger. To some he was a monster, to others humanities last hope. He trained hard but at times it was easy to see the fear in his eyes. Every fight could be his last. He feared his Titan form, still unsure of it. Corps members whispered fearfully to one another, questioning if they should risk their lives for the sake of protecting him. They would always grow quiet if Eren entered the room, casting the boy nervous glances or glares. Though he'd been with them for months now their were still questions, but no answers. It was hard for some to trust him.

But not you. Though you were a year younger you trusted the new recruit with your life. When others were scared you were curious, watching while Hanji bombarded him with questions. His eyes were determined as all of this happened but you'd seen the fear there, the worry. Armin was always at his side along with Mikasa. The blonde was extremely loyal, one of the smartest among the new members. Mikasa on the other hand was strong, quiet, and overly protective of the shifter. Her eyes were always searching. Every so often you'd lock eyes with you. Those eyes were angry, but she broke eye contact first every time.

You wouldn't allow her to bully you, but you couldn't stop her from hurting you. She'd always move closer to Eren, mumbling so quietly to him so you wouldn't hear. It wasn't hard to see you respected him and you enjoyed everyone of the conversations you shared. It was more than that though. When his eyes would meet yours you would suddenly feel embarrassed, looking away while he grinned. At first you just assumed your feelings for him would pass but each day they grew stronger.

"Y/N?"

"Hmm?" You looked across your table to see Hanji. She set her food tray in front of her. "When did she get there? "What's up?"

"You've been staring, Y/N." Hanji grinned and wiggled her eyebrows. "When are you going to tell Jaeger you have the hots for him?"

"Hanji..." you said warningly.

"Hey everyone! Y/N-" You slammed your hands over her mouth, muffling her loud words. Her eyes sparkled playfully.

"Hanji! What the hell?" you exclaimed. "Are you crazy?"

"That's a really dumb question," Levi muttered as he passed by, tea in hand. "Hanji please let us eat in peace."

"You know you love meee," Hanji called after him. Leaning on her raised elbows she met your eyes. "If you don't do something soon I'm going to die. I can't take the suspense."

"Good." She pouted at your mumbling. "He's... close with Mikasa," you added in a whisper. "That's why I haven't said anything. I don't want to lose his friendship. It's better this way." Shaking your head sadly you stood up. "We have training to do. Erwin mentioned taking the cadets through the forest on a ride. There haven't been many titan sightings there but if there are its all good practice." Every trip to the forest was a gamble but a few of the corps members loved to go there and hunt. It'd been so long since any titans roamed that area, probably because humans weren't there often enough.

"Are we going to split up?" Hanji raised an eyebrow. "Did Erwin select groups?"

"I believe so. I'll grab the papers and meet you outside. Will you gather the cadets and get them to saddle up?"

Hanji gave a little salute. "Yess, Ma'am." She stuck her tongue out. It was hard to believe she was your superior.

Shaking your head you left the dining room, glancing once more over your shoulder at Eren. His eyes were trailing you and when he saw you turn he grinned widely. Quickly you turned away, cursing the blush on your cheeks. It didn't take long to reach the commander's office. Before knocking you cleared your throat, hoping your face was back to it's normal color.

"Name and business?"

"It's Y/N, sir."

"Ah, come on in."

The commander sat at his desk. He smiled warmly. "I assume you're hear for the paper?" You nodded and he pulled them from a drawer, holding them out to you. As your eyes scanned the list he continued. "I want the groups to meet in the middle of the forest, near the river. The teams will split up right away and take different routes. As I mentioned before Hanji will be leading one group, as will Mike and yourself. You'll all have your gear, just in case, though I hope you don't have to use it."

Poor Sasha and Connie, you smiled as you thought. Anyone following Hanji will have a great time. Next you scanned the names under Mike before moving to yourself. Jean, Christa, and...You gripped the paper tightly. "Um sir...Eren Jaeger? Isn't he supposed to stay with Levi?" Why isn't Levi coming anyway? It's his duty to keep an eye on Eren.

"Levi has other matters to attend to today," Erwin replied. "I trust you to keep Eren in line. Since it's a simple training exercise I doubt Levi will be needed. Can you handle this?"

"Of course sir!" You saluted, narrowing your eyes. "I'll do my best today, Sir."

"Then you're dismissed."

Nodding, you made your way out of the room. The sigh you'd been holding was loud in the empty hallway. The walk to the stables seemed to go by quickly. You had to allow your eyes a moment to adjust to the bright sunlight. Warm winds blew, carrying the voices of the waiting groups.

"Took you long enough," Hanji laughed when you stopped at her side. "Your horse is saddled and ready to go. I had one of the cadet's do it."

"Thank you. Gather around!" you called in a raised voice. "Here are your teams for today! Armin Arlert, Sasha Blouse, Connie Springer, and Ymir will be with Hanji. With Mike we have Reiner Braun, Bertolt Hoover, and Mikasa Ackerman. On my team are Jean Kirstein, Christa Reiss, and ...Eren Jaeger. Please meet with your leaders now and prepare to set out." Everyone moved around, leading their mounts to gather with their groups. You scanned the area for your horse. "Hanji said..."

"Y/N?"

You turned, blinking at Eren. Two horses followed him, one a chestnut brown mare, the other a black stallion. His hand brushed yours when he handed you the reins to the darker animal and he averted his gaze.

"Hanji asked me to saddle her up for you."

You patted the stallion's neck. "You're actually lucky you survived," you teased. "War doesn't usually like others touching him."

"I barely survived the battle with him. I should be rewarded for my bravery." Eren blinked innocently. "I could have died and it would have all been for you."

"My brave prince," you laughed, shaking your head.

He bowed playfully. "I live to serve you, my lady."

"Eren," Mikasa said sternly putting a hand on his shoulder as she led her horse by. "Be careful, will you?"

He groaned. "Mikasa, it's just a training exercise! I'm not a child, you know!"

"He's in good hands, Ackerman. Now get to your team." There was no way you'd allow her to challenge your authority. You were a leader right now. "I believe they're waiting for you."

Mikasa glared before walking off. Jean and Christa mounted their horses and you followed suit. Eren did the same, reigning his horse to stand besides yours. "Ignore Mikasa," he murmured, leaning close. "She can't stop herself from acting like that at times. She still thinks of me as a kid. Believe me it gets annoying."

For a moment you wanted to tell him she wasn't just acting like a big sister. Jealousy drove Mikasa. If he didn't realize that now he would have to on his own. You gave him a nod and signaled for the rest of the group to follow. Hanji's team took the lead, racing off. The eccentric woman squealed loudly and Mike shot you an exasperated look.

The ride to the forest became silent. Though they'd ridden this way many times before they were uncomfortable. Sasha was the only who looked around with wide, excited eyes. The food crazy girl looked around. You began to worry she would break formation in search of something to bring home for dinner. A sharp call from Ymir had Sasha lowering her head while the rest of the recruits laughed. Spirits lifted some talked quietly to one another.

"What's the point of this again?" Jean's horse ran opposite of Eren's. He frowned. "Isn't it just a waste of time?"

"No, it's not. We're working on teamwork. Plus this gives you a chance to bond more with your horse." You stroked your mount's neck. "I remember doing this. When I first met War I was terrified. But Erwin told me this horse was meant to work with me and now we're a team."

Jean rolled his eyes. The forest loomed ahead. "But it's just a horse."

   Anger flashed in your eyes. You urged War on, and flicked the reins to turn sharply in front of Jean. His horse stopped, rearing in surprise, and throwing her rider to the ground. Jean hit the ground hard. He grunted, staring up with wide eyes. War snorted, pawing at the ground. Gently, you rubbed his neck. Jean's horse leaned down to sniff at his hair and nuzzled him.

"Without this horse you wouldn't survive on any of your missions. The bond between horse and rider is important. Since she show's such loyalty to an ass like you, I think you could at least show her the same. Otherwise she might just let you become titan fodder."

War turned as you whipped the reins to the side and took off. Those who didn't understand how important the horses were to the corps were idiots. Without horses the missions outside of the walls were impossible. Outrunning a titan on foot was unheard of, but with a horse people had a chance. If Jean had to learn that the hard way it was his own fault. There was only so much that you could teach.

Hanji and Mike's groups vanished into the trees. Sighing you forced War to a stop, turning in your saddle. Christa watched Jean while he pulled himself back onto his mare. You frowned. Eren was no where to be seen. Turning back to face the forest you jumped in your seat, glaring at the teal eyed boy. He laughed.

"Dammit, Eren!"

"Didn't you see me pass you?" Eren shook his head, eyes bright with laughter. You hadn't but you didn't want to admit it. You were embarrassed that you had let your anger get the best of you. Eren nudged his horse forward a few steps, stopping when he was beside you. "Don't let that asshole bother you. You have every right to kick his face in. Or do you want me to? I mean...an orders and order and all..."

"Eren," you said, trying to sound strict. It didn't work and you smiled despite your exhaustion with how the day was going. "Just get back in formation okay?"

Eren shrugged. "Are you sure you're alright?" Damn him, you thought, looking away. You couldn't take the concern in his eyes.

"Get back in formation, Eren." Jean and Christa were back, and you rose and eyebrow at Jean. He looked away. "You alright, Jean?"

"Fine. Let's just go," he mumbled.

Your group was the last the enter the darkness of the trees. Even with the forest being oddly silent you couldn't hear the Hanji or Mike's teams. "Come on," you called over your shoulder. "They must be pretty far ahead. If we want to meet them before the sun starts to set we better hurry."

War whiniied loudly and you pulled the stallion to a halt. You held up a hand to signal the others to stop.

"What is it?" Christa asked.

The bushes shook. Growls filled the air. Amber eyes glowed from the shadows. The voice of your grandfather echoed at the back of your mind.

Before Titans there were animals that man feared. While these animals barely ever attacked humans, they stole from them. People took too much of their land and the beasts wanted what was rightfully theirs. After some time their fangs latched onto human skin. Fear and hunger drove them to attack the men who threatened their kin, their young. If you ever see their amber eyes run, my dear. For they have never forgotten what man did to them. Fear their cries in the night.

"Wolves," you murmured, shaking. The word felt weird on you tongue.

One of the large beasts slunk out of the bushes, followed by another, and another. War took a few steps back as more appeared making the pack much larger than what you'd read about in books. Ten sets of eyes blazed in hunger.

"Y/N?" Christa whispered fearfully.

The lead wolf snapped at War's legs. The stallion reared. You clung tightly to his neck, tightening your legs around the saddle in an attempt to hold on. War's legs hit the ground for a moment before he reared again, kicking at the wolf. Snarls filled the air as you fell, unable to keep hold of your horse any longer. You gasped when you hit the ground, wincing at the pain that blurred your vision.

"Y/N!" Eren screamed and you groaned forcing yourself to sit up. "Get up! Hurry!"

War reared, kicking wildly at the wolves. They circled the stallion who stood in front of you protectively. Your team stared at you, too frightened to move. This was an enemy they'd never faced. Only Eren looked enraged, pulling his blades from his sides. The wolves growled, eyes darting from War to Eren then back again. You grabbed at your own weapons, unsteady when you tried to stand. Snarling the lead wolf lunged.

"Y/N!"