The day the world stops spinning

A few hours later, the cadets were spread out across the walls cleaning the cannons. Tonight they would choose After an emotionally draining reunion with Levi and Hanji I bid them farewell on their newest expedition and race up to the Wall Rose cannons for cleaning duties.

I smile and wave at my peers before assisting Connie and Marco in cleaning a set of cannons. After a few minutes Eren swaggers over, leaning against the cannon curiously, "so Kaminari, I was wondering where you went after running off earlier. We looked all over for you and couldn't find you anywhere."

Out the corner of my eyes I see Connie and Marco's hands slow in cleaning the cannon to listen in on myself and Eren's conversation.

I finish wiping off a spot of dirt (because I'm a little OCD due to Levi's OCD with cleaning), then wipe my brow a as a slight scowl makes it's way to my face. "You know it's rude to stick your nose into other people's business, but if you must know I met up with an old friend. Now buzz off!" I glower in distaste at the nosey brunette.

Eren's green orbs widen in fright, waving his hands defensively, "okay, okay! I'm sorry , I didn't mean to pry. Shesh! There's no need to give me that look."

My distasteful look softens slightly into a look of amusement but I don't reply and focus on cleaning the cannons.

⚔️

As Kaminari's eyes once again become focused on the cannon, the surrounding cadets visibly relax.

It was an unspoken rule amongst cadets not to anger the stunning blonde, no matter how innocent and delicate she appears to be and for some reason that they cannot fathom, they have the utmost respect for the seemingly wise and experienced girl.

She was like a mystery that they all desperately tried to solve, but not even her closest friends truthfully knew anything more than her first name.

She was often referred to as 'the Pandora's box of cadets' because whenever their curiosity peaked and they asked a question about her past, the aura around her shifted into one radiating danger with a large amount of killer intent becoming noticeable.

Then she would either remain mute or act horribly cold towards them until Armin appears, reminding them that curiosity is the trait in humans that can most easily be, and is most often, their downfall. Hence the saying, 'curiosity killed the cat.'

She was dangerous and they all knew it, but the full extent to her vast knowledge and strength was unknown and that was what unsettled them the most.

The cadets try hide the curiosity bubbling within them and attempt to focus on the task ahead of them.ey

The 'Suicidal bastard', AKA Eren suddenly tunes back into the conversation at hand, "What the hell do you mean, you're joining the Scout Brigade? You were so set on the Military Police!" he asks Connie in astonishment.

Thomas Wagner approaches the cannon that Connie, Kaminari and Marco were cleaning, "Huh?! You're joining the Scouts?!" he asks making Connie become irritated "Yeah, I am!"

Marco warily watches as Kaminari's hands clench into fist at Connie's admittance.

Thomas sends Eren a cheeky smile "Sounds like your speech yesterday won him over!" Connie hides his embarrassed face from view. "M-Mind your own business! I decided it on my own!" Thomas laughs at the boy's expense "Don't be so embarrassed. You're not the only one."

Eren's eyes widen is disbelief, "Thomas You don't mean-" "Stop fooling yourselves." Interrupts an agitated blonde from next Marco.

The cadets once again become rigid and silent as the blonde's face shows a very angered expression that sends shivers down their spines, "you all talk about choosing the Scouts like its going to be all fun expeditions and heroically killing titans. You don't seem to understand the horror of losing your comrades to a titan or feeling helpless when you accidentally get your friends killed because of your ignorance. You just don't understand."

The cadets share an uneasy look until Eren puckers up the courage to voice the question they are all wondering about, "Kaminari if you're just a cadet....how would you know what it's like to be apart the scouts?"

The girl in question stands, throwing the rag on the ground angrily but gives the cadets a a look of both distraught and wisdom. "Because I'm not like the rest of you. I've seen and experienced things you can't even fathom and yet I can't tell you because I'm still sworn to secrecy for another day. Until after we choose what we want to do with our future, whether that be the Scouts, the Military Police or the Garrison Regiment."

The cadets take a moment to absorb the information unveiled by their mysterious comrade, all except one biting their tongues. "So you're saying that tomorrow you will be able to tell us why you are sworn to secrecy about your life before we met you?" Marco asks hopefully.

A bitter smile flashes across her face briefly before becoming slightly rueful, "that's exactly what I'm saying Marco"

The four cadets can barely keep a smile off of their faces when Sasha arrives, holding something behind her back. "Can you guys keep a secret? I brought some meat from the officers' storehouse!" she exclaims gleefully, holding the container full of meat in the cadet's line of sight, and thankfully drawing their attention away from Kaminari.

"Sasha! They can throw you in the clinker for that! Do you want to end up in solitary confinement?!" states Eren worriedly. Connie is quick to speak next, "You really are crazy! So much so, it's scary."

Sasha continues to stare dreamily at the stolen rations, Kaminari swears she can almost see hearts in her eyes. "We can all share it later. All sliced up, and between some bread-" "Go put it back!" shrills Connie.

"Yeah! After we lost all that land, meat's become really valuable." Mina explains cautiously.

Sasha's love struck expression isn't phased by the facts as she continues to gaze longingly at the meat. "It'll be fine! We can just raise more cattle and sheep once we retake our land! And it's fine, I'm willing to share~" she bribes.

Kaminari lifts her head and her emerald eyes glisten in amusement watching the cadets cave in, one by one.

Mina takes a deep breath and surprisingly is the first one to fold, "I would really like a slice please!" And just like that they all cave, chorusing "I'll have some of the meat too!" "M-Me too! Save me some!" "I'll have some too, of course!"

Sasha smiles in accomplishment, doing a little happy dance before approaching the working Kaminari. "Would you like to have some meat with us Kami?" The blonde cocks her head thoughtfully, "sure, I guess it has been a while since I've last had some."

The brunette claps her hands happily, giving her first friend of the 104th Cadets a hug before scooting back to work.

Thomas swaps with Marco so that he's next to Kaminari, flashing her a small smile which she reciprocates. "Guys, why are you just standing there? We'll get found out if we don't get back to work! Lunch isn't for a while!"

As soon as all the cadets settle back into their work a flash of yellow lightning blinds them momentarily, the steam shoots out in every direction, throwing them all off the wall, except Kaminari. Her wings emerge, tearing holes in her cadets jacket, the wing's steel armour deflects the attack.

Once the assault of hot steam recedes Kaminari quickly retracts her wings from view, but to her surprise the Colossal titan was watching her movements with interest.

She stares daringly into the eyes of the humongous titan but for some reason they seemed almost familiar, as if she were peering at a friend.

'But that's crazy, no one can shift into a titan. But then again I can sprout wings and fly, so it might not sound as bizarre as I think.' She reminds herself.

She breaks eye contact with the titan as she hears Eren calling her name, she walks to the edge yelling down to the fallen cadets. "UP HERE!" The Titan then kicks a gaping hole in Wall Rose.

Eren wastes no time in launching towards the titan in white hot anger, screaming as if he were in some kind of trance "I'm going to drive out every last one! Prepare for battle! The target is the Colossal Titan dead ahead! This is our chance! Don't let it get away!"

Kaminari finds herself rooted in place watching Eren use his 3DMG gear to launch at the titan's nape. She watches as he swings his blades but the Titan disappears in a puff of steam, leaving Eren reeling back to the wall.

He lands in a heap next to Kaminari, his eyes wide in shock and horror stare into Kaminari's calm green orbs in confusion. "Aren't you shocked?" He asks exasperated.

She helps him up from his crouched position, not even looking at him by instead into the distance where Titans are drawing closer. "The event itself was shocking but there is a time and place for emotions to run wild, this is not the time nor place for it. You gather these guys, I'll speed ahead to warn HQ."

Kaminari ignores his weak protest and speeds off in the direction of HQ with two questions in mind.

How many lives will have to be sacrificed this time?

And where the hell is Captain Levi when you need him!

A/N: Not edited.