1.5 Graduating and Stupid Captains

*Edit: 2020.

Dinner had come around quicker than expected after a tough training session. Kaminari quickly scoured the room, looking for someone pleasant to sit with. Jean? Nope, too annoying. Krista? Nah, then she'd have to talk to Ymir, who still gave her a bad vibe. And Armin? He was the most logical choice.

The boy nodded towards Kaminari as she sat before turning back to those opposite him. "It's not right, Eren. But before, only the Scout Regiment had a chance of running into titans." Kaminari begun to dig into her dinner as the over energetic, Eren nods dismissively as if he accepted what he'd been told. But anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him, knew that he was too stubborn.

She had bitten into a piece of bread as Jean's annoying voice is heard. Honestly he wasn't the worst, but to Kaminari it was like bashing her head against a wall. He was so damn self righteous, that made others just want to yet themselves off the nearest building when his motor mouth got going.

"The Military Police only recruit the best." He bragged to a wistful looking Marco. Marco was one who Kaminari liked, but he was too kind. Too innocent and she wondered how long he'd last. Though she hated to admit how he was a breath of fresh air from her usual doom and gloom thoughts.

"More like the cowards." Kaminari muttered to Armin. She felt a little guilty when Marco's face falters at her declaration, as he tried to remain hopeful. "But it would be amazing to be a stones throw away from the King."

Almost immediately Jean shot him down, with an eerie look on his face. "Don't act like some misty eyed kid. We all know you just want safety and a cushy bed in the interior." Jean's mocking tone was clear, and unnecessary. Kaminari entertained the idea of shoving a fork into his eye to shit him up but put that aside as another thought came to mind.

Well, last time I was in the interior, was in a jail cell for treason. Just because I have a set of wings and claws, those idiots wanted to have me executed. Tch. Kaminari thought, bitterly. Different was unusual and unusual needed to be eradicated. Anything unique or strange was feared. That's what they had told her at her hearing.

Opposite her, Eren let out an over dramatic sigh. "Oh poor, Jean. Your head wouldn't fit in the interior anyway." Many cadets had to bite back the laughter threatening to boil over. A silent agreement murmured throughout the room, and on a table to the left, Connie and Reiner snickered shamelessly at Eren's comment, who took the opportunity to continue. "It seems backwards to me," Eren said, wistfully. "Spending all your time tuning your skills, only to never see a titan."

'He's kind of right. You'd think that your strongest soldiers should be fighting to try win the battle, not protecting the interior where their skills get dull from never using them.' Kaminari continued eating her soup as she ignored the scuffle taking place. It was good soup and the bread wasn't too bad either.

Armin gasped and grabbed onto Kaminari's arm, forcing her attention away from her soup. She looked up to Eren and Jean getting in each other's faces and almost wanted to tell them to kiss and make up but thought better of it.

Instead she placed a hand over Armin's, with a disgruntled expression on her face as she grabbed the two by their shirts and bashing their heads together. She let go of them, unceremoniously dropping their bodies to the ground. "Guys, stop it."

The idiots rubbed their foreheads but were too stubborn to stop as they continued their screaming match. I'm not paid to deal with this shit, Kaminari thought as she sat back down.

She leaned her head against Armin's shoulder with an award winning smile on her face. "You don't mind do you?" She ask, watching how he flushed and shook his head. Cute.

She watched along with the rest of the cadets as Eren suddenly looked hella confident. In one fluid motion Jean went from standing to having p his legs swept out from under him. The boy gasped as his back hit the floor, and after a second appeared embarrassed when he asked what that move was. Eren was stunned that he actually succeeded in copying Annie's move, and mocked Jean, calling him a joke.

The cadets eyed the door as it creaked open and Commander Shadis' voice could be heard loud and clear. "Someone care to explain the little ruckus just now?" He scanned the room, his gaze lingered on Eren's table. But he wasn't looking at the boy, and instead to the Kaminari who just raised her brow as if to say. Figure it out yourself.

Thankfully Mikasa took initiative and raised her hand. The cadets were curious as to what she would say and her response didn't disappoint. "Sasha passed gas, Commander." The occupants of the room broke out into hushed laughter, as the Commander regarded what he was told lightly. He knew it was a lie but didn't address it. Why bother?

"Why am I not surprised? For the love of God, learn some self control."

As soon as he shut the door, Kaminari burst into uncontrollable giggles and buried her head into Armin's shoulder. The cinnamon roll gently patted her head, whispering for her to 'relax or he might catch on to the lie.'

⚔️

The next afternoon was the day of the Cadet's graduation. While Kaminari did enjoy making friends, she was glad to be going back to Captain Levi and Hanji soon.

"Do you have heart?"

"Sir!"

The glint in the Commander's eyes relayed satisfaction as he stood tall at the front of the group. "As of this moment, you have three options open to you. Choose wisely. The Garrison Regiment that reinforce and man the walls. The Scout Regiment that goes into titan country to reclaim what was ours and finally the Military Police Regiment, that is under orders of his Royal Majesty."

He paused and gestured to the ten cadets on the raised platform, each standing rigid and proud. "Take a look. These are the top ten of your class!" A sense of pride washed over Kaminari as she was named as the top ranked cadet. Anything less would be shameful.

She looked down the line to the faces of her comrades with pride. Mikasa, Reiner, Bertolt, Annie, Eren, Jean, Marco, Connie and Sasha. The top ten of the class was an accomplishment many wouldn't forget for a while.

Her green eyes met golden ones down the line and as soon as they were dismissed, his serious face softened. Kaminari wrapped Reiner and Bertolt in a hug, the two giants were hard to reach but she persisted.

"I can't believe we're finally done!" She gushed, excitedly. Her mind buzzed at the thought of seeing her favourite scouts again, but was determined to share this time with her favourite giants. "I can't wait to join the Survey Corps. What about you guys?"

She caught Reiner and Bertolt share an look that sent chills down her spine but tried to push it aside. No, don't doubt your friends, she told herself. Reiner ruffled her blonde hair affectionately, the grin was almost enough to cast her doubts aside. "We'll talk about that later. Come on, Kaminari. Let's go celebrate."

Kaminari nodded enthusiastically as Reiner threw his arm over my shoulders and dragging her to where the celebration was taking place. Bertolt flanked her other side, and while his happy expression was meant to reassure her, Kaminari couldn't help but feel like things were gonna escalate quickly,

The smile on her face didn't falter as they mingled with their comrades but the gnawing in her gut left her wondering, what had her friends so worried?

⚔️

Day faded into night as the celebration that begun at graduation ceremony hadn't stopped, as it moved to the mess hall for dinner. Tables were filled with plenty of food and dishes that were considered a delicacy.

Reiner sat with Annie, Kaminari and Bertolt, as they spoke about their options. It was a task to decide which regiment to join, but Kaminari was already decided, which confused her friends. She just said that it was what she wanted to do, and she respected that they chose another path. Annie said she was stupid for throwing away a chance at living within the walls.

"The scouts have always been my goal. I don't want the easy life with all the work I've put in, I've been trained to fight titans." Eren Jaeger's voice carried atop the chatter of cadets, many of which quieted at the proclamation.

"Are you insane?!" Bertolt's voice quivered, with so many eyes turning his way. "How many people have died? We're talking one fifth of the population. If that doesn't paint a picture for you, I don't know what will. This is our life now, we can't beat them."

A mild depression overwhelms the newly graduated cadets. It was tragic to think of all those souls lost that day, and Kaminari couldn't help but remember the faces of those who she tried to delay the inevitable for. Men, women and children, who never stood a chance against titans.

"You're not wrong." Kaminari sighed as she stood, ignoring how her comrades looked her way. "The last attack literally killed 20% of the population, but that doesn't mean that we just roll over and die, when we can fight and actually have a shot at a life worth living!" Her voice was loud and her fists clenched as she picked her next words carefully. "I'm not going to stop fighting, so that one day people can go outside these walls and not live in fear!"

"Things have changed, those titans aren't the big mystery they were five years ago." Eren stood, which was expected of him as the resident suicidal bastard, who was determined to make it to the Scouts. "There's a long way to go but we've made progress, every battle we've fought has taught us a lesson, given us the tiniest bit of hope. Humanity's future lies outside the walls. Kaminari and I will clear the way, even if we're by ourselves!" He grits his teeth and stalks out of the hall leaving the atmosphere still tense, Mikasa and Armin charge after him.

Kaminari however didn't want to leave the celebration or her friends so quickly. The eyes of so many lingered, she placed her hands on her hips and grinned. "Go back to partying you lazy bastards. I don't need you staring at me all night."

She sat back down beside Reiner who just watched her, amused at how things played out. "Wow. Who knew you could deliver a speech like that? Maybe your calling is within the walls to give me inspirational speeches to get out of bed in the morning."

"Doubt that," she snorted. "And there's a lot that you don't know about me, Reiner. Besides, I reckon it was mostly Eren's doing, I just aided and abetted." She sipped from her cup, looking at Bertolt who shook his head.

"You sound like you've just admitted to committing a crime." His eyes crinkled as he grinned.

"Oh officer, I just aided and abetted but I swear I'd didn't do anything wrong!" Kaminari sarcastically threw her hands in the air, barely missing Reiner by a hair. "Hey, watch it!" He grumbled.

I give him a cheeky smile patting his head, much to his annoyance and Bertolt's amusement. "So sorry, darling. Did I almost hit you?" Annie and Bertolt chuckle as Reiner wrapped his arm around Kaminari's waist.

"I'm afraid so honey, I've told you many times to be careful when talking and gesturing at the same time. It's dangerous to everyone around you." Kaminari whacked his arm looked away into the crowd. Her friends were the best.

The end of the night rolled around quickly and Reiner and Bertolt walk her to her room after parting ways with Annie. Kaminari gave both boys a hug and kiss on the cheek before bidding them goodnight. Tomorrow, everything was going to change and it all comes down to the decisions they would make.

⚔️

After breakfast Kaminari had left with a handful of cadets to see the Scout Regiment returning from their last outing. "Heads up! The main unit of the Scout Regiment is back!"

"Look it's Commander Erwin! Did you give those bastards a smashing?"

"Look it's Captain Levi! They say he's equal to an entire brigade by himself!"

Kaminari but back a smirk at the sight of her short ass Captain and his on brand response. "Tch. Spare me, please." It was good to see he hadn't changed much since she had left. It made Kaminari all the more ready to dive head first into Scout life once again.

"Hey wait- Where's the Angel, Kaminari? Did she perish in battle?" A man yelled out. The crowd chattered loudly, and appeared visibly rattled as assumptions about her whereabouts grew. From beside the 'missing' Kaminari, Armin gulped and whispered out a plea that left her feeling a little guilty. "Please, no. Let her be okay."

Kaminari forced her gaze forward as Levi waved off their concern. "My second in Command, Kaminari Moriko is on special assignment and will be back in a few days. There's no need to worry." A wave of relief ripples through the crowd and Armin visibly relaxes as his prayers are answered.

Levi's dark eyes flicker through the crowd and stare in the cadets direction. His gaze met Kaminari's and moved towards the building that she recognised they always went to for a restock of equipment. She sent back a minute nod and turned to the cadets. "I have to go to the toilet. I'll find you guys later, okay?" She didn't even wait for a response before rushing off through the crowds to the building.

Once certain her friends weren't following her, she approached the Supply Depo building and pulled out her ID card. "I'm Kaminari Moriko. I'm here to see Commander Erwin and Captain Levi."

The balding man stared her up and down before shaking his head. He didn't believe her. "Stop lying. Kaminari Moriko is on special assignment and she's surely not a kid. Go away before I drag you out of here."

"Try it and see where it gets you. I can't promise I won't kick your ass." She pursed her lips in frustration, as the man reached out to grab her arm. Kaminari ducked and moved behind him, twisting his arm behind his back and forcing him to the ground. She pushed his face into the ground, applying more pressure. He cried out in pain for assistance when a voice cut through the chaos.

"Brat! That's enough, let the poor man go."

"Yes, sir." Kaminari automatically released the struggling man, and looked into the eyes of the Captain. The bald man shakily made his way to his feet, glaring at the blonde. "Sir do you know this child- " the girl turned and punched him in the gut. "I'm not a child!"

She was pulled off of the man by Hanji, who almost suffocated her in a hug. When released Kaminari lunged at Levi. He darts to the side swinging his fist. Kaminari shove his fist to the side and kicked him into the nearby wall.

Hanji scolds the girl and rushed over to help the stubborn man up, who just pushes her assistance aside "Tch. Looks like your still sharp, Kaminari." He hadn't tried that hard, and Kaminari was furious. As much as she loved the man, god he pissed her off.

"Yeah? No thanks to you! I've been through hell trying to socialise with those cadets." She spat out in a venomous tone. She didn't mention how she had indeed made friends, that'd only boost his ego and not help her case.

"I did it for your own good, brat-" his face had softened slightly compared to his usual scowl, but that wasn't enough to calm Kaminari down.

"My own good? Seriously is that the best you could come up with?" She scoffed, fists clenched by her sides. "I was a seven year old child when I was taken from everything I'd ever known and thrown into the survey corps. Then once I finally found a sort of normalcy in my life, I'm ripped away from you and sent to 'socialise' with people my age. Which is a joke because I'm pretty much socially inept due to my initial incarceration in the first place! So please, enlighten me. How was it for my own good?"

Hanji looked away with tears in her eyes and Commander Erwin sent the girl pitiful look. She didn't look their way, eager to keep herself from feeling guilty for what she was saying. Levi uncrossed his arms with a sigh. "Come here, brat."

Kaminari felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes but stubbornly shook her head. He moves closer and pulled her into a hug which she desperately tried get out of. "Damn it, Levi just leave me alone! Why can't you just listen? I don't want your pity when your just going to abandon me again." She shoved him away.

"Shut up, brat! I'm not leaving you behind again." Levi pulled her closer, ignoring how she thrashed and pushed him away. "It was wrong for me to do it last time and I'm sorry. I regretted sending you away the moment I agreed to it. But tomorrow you can come back to where you belong, with me and Hanji."

She finally stop struggling and return the hug, unable to escape even when she tried and accepted that maybe he was actually sorry. "I really missed you, Captain." Levi gave her a light squeeze and closed his eyes. "I missed you too, shit head."

A/N: Not edited.