Hello everyone! Sorry I took so long. You know with school starting and all, I'm lucky I have any free time anymore. Just a friendly reminder that the rating of this will change eventually :). Here it is! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Something strange?

We left at five o'clock in the morning. On any typical morning, everyone would be tired as hell, but since we were going outside of the wall, tensions were immediately high as we packed up. Even though there was word of titans being gone, there was no real reassurance.

Usually the only people we can hear talking was either Irvin, Hanji, and occasionally Rivaille. I could also hear whispers from other people about how apprehensive they were about this entire operation. Even though it was mostly quiet when it came to voices, everyone moved hastily as it didn't take long to mount up.

When the announcement about the titan situation got out to the public, all I could see were relieved faces and happy smiles around the crowd. I sat there looking a bit grave as I was deep in thought. I would have been a lot happier if we didn't have to leave the safety of the walls.

"Pst! Jean, are you ok?" Marco asked as his horse slowly walked next to mine.

"I'm fine. I just have an uneasy feeling you now? I can't put my finger on it." I told him. Marco gave a half hearted smile.

"I know how you feel. But I'm just trying to imagine a world without titans. Just think of how much we could explore the world without being terrified of being eaten." he said with a slight chuckle. Talk of exploring the world just made me think of that conversation I had with Armin. I looked around for him. He was a few horses in front of me and right next to Eren as they were conversing silently.

"Yeah..." I said as I continued to stare at the back of Armin's head. A moment passed before I noticed that Marco didn't say anything. I looked at him realizing that he was staring at me. "What?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"It's nothing, it's just..." Marco gestured to the far left of Eren where Mikasa was. "Mikasa's over there, yet you were staring somewhere else." he said.

"Pff, come on. I don't stare at her that much." I said. Clearly that was a bit of a lie, but this time I wasn't!

"Yeah, but you always have the same face when you're doing it. This time it looked like you were making the face to," Marco leaned forward and squinted a bit. "Eren?"

"What? Hell no!" I snapped.

"Haha, I'm guest kidding. But if you're willing to move on, I'll be really proud." He said with a chuckled. I rolled my eyes. That can't be right. I'm not moving on. And if I was I wouldn't be interested in Armin, right?

Armin. I've been thinking a lot about that kid. This shouldn't be happening, but I think I've gotten addicted to his shining eyes and warm smile. Despite what goes on usually all I want to do is see him smile. I can't help but think this way sub-consciously.

My thoughts were interrupted as the line of horses began to move forward. "Look alive, Jean." Marco said. I visibly straightened. Man, this job is so stressful. I'm surprised I haven't grown any grey hairs by now.

There was a few cheering coming from the crowd, mainly from the children and young adults, but that was fine too. You'd be lucky to get anything from the older individuals since all they care about is where their tax dollars are going towards.

Once every last horse exited the gates, it immediately closed afterwards. We were now entering non-human territory. After we extended to about 2 to 3 kilometers, Irvin gave the signal from the front of the coven to split into our three groups. Irvin's group went north, Hanji's group went northeast, and Rivaille's group northwest.

I was in Rivaille's group. I was glad that people like Marco and Armin were a part of my group, but was peeved that Mikasa wasn't and Eren was. The plan was to go in one direction for about 30 kilometers and if a group comes across some titans, then the group must send out a flare signaling the others. But once a group goes pass 30 kilometers without encountering a single titan, a blue flare will be fired to signal the others to head north once more than we'll all eventually meet.

This was going to be a long mission and I know it. Wall Maria was thousands of kilometers in diameter so the different branches of the scouting legion are doing the same mission around the outer wall. There's no telling what can come of this mission. It could either go really good, or really bad. It's usually the second option which is the main reason everyone is in such a panic.

But right now, everything was going good. Too good I might add. We've been riding for almost 3 hours and there hasn't been one sighting of a titan yet. Not even a flare signal from the other groups. At some point I was able to make it up front where the Corporal was. I overheard him talking with Eren and Armin.

"Don't ask me, this is the first for me too," I heard Rivaille say. "I've never gone this far outside the walls without seeing a single titan. What exactly are these bastards playing at?" he sneered.

"Sir, the horses are starting the slow down considerably. We'll eventually have to stop and take a break." Armin put forth. It was true, we've been running for hours and I just now noticed that we defiantly started this journey much faster than this.

"Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing." the Corporal replied. "See that pond over there," he gestured to the small body of water to our right. "We'll stop their for now. Let's go." he led his horse to that direction and the rest of us followed.

Armin POV

I took a big swig of water from my canteen. "Be careful, Armin. We need to make that last." Eren said. I smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, it's just a little hot out." I said. The horses idly drank at the pond while everyone sat and watched as if a titan was going to come out of nowhere at any moment. But so far the scenery was clear as it has been since this morning.

Eren, Jean, Marco, and I were sitting on the grass in a circle. "So think about it guys, what if titans are gone now. I mean how would you explain this, look around!" Eren preached waving his hands around.

"Don't jinx it Jeager, you could say that one moment then bam titan city." Jean said skeptically.

"Yeah, I agree" I added. "Titans can't just suddenly disappear can they? I don't know, I just have a really bad feeling about all of this."

"I guess you're right, but having no titans around is certainly relieving. I mean look at everyone." Marco gestured to the squad who were talking amongst themselves. Usually everyone stays deathly silent during missions and we'd all have critical expressions on our faces. The air was even lighter. Although the unsettling feeling of being exposed to the outside world was still there.

"Whatever's going on, I'm still mad that Mikasa isn't here. I would have gladly traded you for her." Jean said specifically to Eren. Eren rolled his eyes.

"It's not like she wants anything to do with you anyway." Eren countered smugly. "And plus you're looking for love in the wrong place my long faced friend. Right Armin?"

Jean frowned angrily. "And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" he demanded. I felt my heart skip a beat as I realized what Eren was insinuating. Jean turned to me. "What does he mean?" My mouth hung open as I tried to think of what to say.

"I...uh...Well, I think..." I thought for a second. "I think that you should realize that Mikasa isn't really interested...in you...necessarily..." I said timidly.

"What? So your saying that I have no chance with her?" Jean turned to Marco who just shrugged.

"That's what I've trying to tell you." he said a-matter-of-factly.

"B-but..." I started to get Jeans attention back. "There is someone that does show interest in you in particular." I said.

"Really?" Jean's eyes widened a bit.

" Yeah I mean, that person could be standing right under your nose as we speak." I laughed trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. But I almost lost my cool when Jean gripped my shoulders.

"Are you saying it's someone here right now? Who is it? Tell me!" he shook me a little. Marco straitened and plopped his fist on his palm as if he just figured things out.

"Oh...their right Jean, you are looking in the wrong place." he said patting the brunette on the back.

"What? You know too? Just tell me already! I thought you guys were my friends, come on! Is it someone I know? Is she pretty? Does she think I'm good looking?" Jean asked a whole bunch of questions, each one boosting his own ego.

Eren face palmed while Marco shook his head disappointedly. "You are the biggest moron." Eren mumbled. Before Jean could respond Rivaille walked up to us.

"Oi, brats. Break time is over it's time to get moving." he said then walked away. I breathed a small sigh of relief. Rivaille came just enough time before Jean started asking too many questions. I think Eren would have exploded with the truth if that went on. Jean may seem smart usually, but he can be an idiot too sometimes.

I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

See you next time guys! (◡‿◡✿)