A/N: Well, here is your Valentine's Day present for all you lovely readers! (Even if it is like 2 weeks late...)We reached a great landmark last chapter, and got to a whole 100+ reviews! It really means a lot to see you guys supporting this story with every update, and I can't thank you enough!

Well, I'm not going to bore you with formalities, let's get onto the new chapter, ne?

Happy (Late) Valentine's Day, everyone, if you didn't have a Valentine before, well now you do! ^-^

~SnK~

Daitan Futekina – Fearless

Chapter 17

Don't fall reluctant heroes

Give me your strength

Our lives are so short

Don't fall reluctant heroes

I wanna be brave like you

Can't look back; we will not come back

Once again – each time after time

So, once again, I'm hiding in my room

The peaceful times are what made us blind

'So, you can't fly if you never try.'

You told me long ago

But you left the wall, outside the gate

So, more than ever, it's real

Kukri relaxed, gripping onto the rogue titan's hair as he stumbled throughout the streets, boulder carried dangerously close to her head.

She didn't move, though; she knew Eren would never let her get hurt.

Well, that and the fact that she was too exhausted to move.

"Keep going, Eren. We'll get there. Together." She breathed out, shifting ever so slightly on top of the titan's head.

Armin had left, determined to find Mikasa. He had wanted to take her with him, but she convinced him to leave her. She knew Eren now had complete control of his titan body, but she didn't want to take any chances, so she settled for muttering encouraging words to him, hoping he could hear.

With a busted arm, it was the most she could do.

"You can do it, Eren. I know you can. Just keep on moving."

She received a low, affectionate grumble in response, at which she smiled weakly. She found her strength diminishing. A bone had torn through her skin, and the wound she had received earlier had re-opened, making both arms bleed heavily.

If she didn't get both patched up soon, she could bleed to death.

Eren knew this, and pushed himself to move faster, determined to get the albino help as soon as possible. He didn't know what he'd do if she died.

I'll get you to safety, Kukri. Just hold on a little longer.

As if in response, Kukri let out a low chuckle, eyes fluttering closed. "I'll try, Eren. I'll... try..."

A shallow breath confirmed his fears, Kukri had fallen unconscious.

If anything, this only spurred him on further, with his footfalls making the ground shake with the added weight of the rock he was carrying.

Wake up, Kukri! You'll be fine if you just wake up!

It was strange. Only minutes earlier it was her and Armin shouting that to him.

Armin and Mikasa heard Eren's frantic growls, and turned their attention to him, fearing the worst.

"Is he alright?! He's not going to drop it is he?!" Armin shouted to his raven-haired friend, who simply continued running, though she still threw a quick look over her shoulder at the struggling titan behind them.

A quick look was all she needed to see Kukri's slumped form.

"It's Kukri! She's not moving!"

Armin too turned to look at the white-haired girl, briefly wondering if she had succumbed to the blood-loss and died.

No, she can't have. If she did, Eren would go berserk. He's relatively calm, considering.

"She's just unconscious! Keep moving! We have to get that breach closed!"

One by one, both titans and soldiers fell, whittling down the numbers on both sides to a mere 10 or so, but as Mikasa cut the last of their foes down, Eren wasted no time in throwing the boulder at the opening, effectively sealing it.

Riko let tears drip freely from her face as she let the yellow flare fly, signalling a victory for mankind that would be remembered for centuries.

"Today, for the first time... mankind triumphed over the titans."

But the battle was not yet won.

Eren, like Kukri before him, was thoroughly exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and slumped forward to his knees, not even registering the albino's body as it slid from the top of his head to land on the ground roughly. She didn't make any sound of protest, too out of it to even realize she was dropped, though a pool of blood quickly spread around her when the bone that protruded from her tore through more and more skin, as titans and soldiers alike closed in.

"Mikasa, you check on Kukri, I'll get Eren out of here!"

The ravenette nodded in response, veering off to reach the bleeding albino as Armin proceeded to cut the rest of Eren's body out of his titan form.

Mikasa went to turn the tiny girl over, though stopped short when another titan came into view. She reached for her blades, but when the titans around them fell, she found herself gaping.

"Mikasa... that's..."

"The wings of freedom..." Eren muttered, now free from his confines and staring in awe at the green cloak that fluttered in the wind.

Standing before them was Lance Corporal Levi, blades and cloak covered in blood which steamed away, evaporating in the air.

As his blue eyes turned to the broken girl beside them, Mikasa could tell exactly how he felt.

He was positively furious.

"She'd better not be dead, for your sake."

~SnK~

"Do you fear the titans?"

Kukri raised an eyebrow at Annie's question, swinging her legs back and forth complacently as they sat on the fence overlooking the lake. The moon above them bathed the area in a white glow, clouds drifting past it leisurely.

They weren't supposed to be out at night, but neither of them cared.

"No." She finally replied, now turning fully to face her friend. "Do you?"

The older girl was silent for several seconds, before a tentative voice spilled out of her mouth, so unlike her usual sharp tone. "Yes."

Kukri now fell silent too, though not surprized in the slightest. It was perfectly normal to be afraid of the hungry giants, and she wasn't one to judge someone in the first place.

"They destroy everything..." The blonde muttered, blue eyes downcast as she stared at her boots. Kukri said nothing, knowing the girl just needed a listening ear, and not a lecture.

"How can you be so fearless?" She asked, turning to look at the albino with furrowed brows.

Kukri gave a light smile in response, startling the blonde. Seeing her lips set in anything but an emotionless line was almost unbelievable. "Who ever said I was?" She said bemusedly. She turned away, looking up at the moon with her crimson eyes. "Truth is, I'm scared of a lot of things."

Annie snorted, throwing her a disbelieving look, though the albino didn't avert her attention from the glowing circle in the sky. "Like what?"

"You expect me to just tell you?"

"Yes."

Silence.

Annie sighed, turning around to join her friend in staring at the moon in contemplation. "You can tell me, you know. We're friends, aren't-"

"Sleeping." Kukri interrupted, a frown marring her pale face as the blonde looked at her with wide eyes.

"What?"

"Sleep. I'm scared of falling asleep." The albino admitted, eyes falling downcast guiltily as she fidgeted. "If I go to sleep, then I might never wake up. I might never get to say goodbye. Don't you ever wonder why I'm always so eager to get out here?"

Annie was at a loss for words, blue eyes wide. After several seconds, though, she re-gathered her senses, and after a moment's hesitation, pulled the younger girl into her arms.

Kukri froze, head resting on the blonde's chest as her eyes widened, hearing her heart-beat like a mantra. It was like she had never been hugged before.

"You won't have to be scared anymore. That, I promise."

~SnK~

"Where's Kukri?!"

Levi stared impassively at the brunette that lay in the cell before them, cyan eyes wide and confused. Erwin had told the livid corporal to calm himself earlier, as he was ready to kill the boy in his sleep for what he had done to Kukri.

He could do that, sure, but that didn't mean he was going to like it.

"As you can see, you are in an underground dungeon. You're currently in the custody of the Military Police, but we finally got permission to see you a little while ago."

"You're Kukri's father... Commander Erwin Smith..." Eren trailed off, recognising the man.

Levi's scowl, if possible, deepened, and his already lidded eyes narrowed. "Well done, brat, have a cookie." He muttered sourly, though after a look from his commanding officer, he stood down, resisting the urge to cave the boy's face in with his fist.

His smug face needs a little re-arrangement...

He normally wasn't one for off-hand violence, but he had a reason. A very good reason.

Kukri was still in bed-rest, even though she was completely healed, save scars.

That was what confused him.

It had been little over two days since they re-took Trost, but already Kukri's wounds had healed as though they were never even there. Hanji had been ecstatic, determined to experiment further on the girl, wondering if being eaten by a titan played any part in it, but Levi adamantly refused, having taken charge of the girl since she arrived. He may have seemed like an over-protective mother hen, but he really couldn't have cared less. He wasn't going to let the crazy scientist do what she wanted with his Kukri.

Yes, she was indeed his.

She was his friend.

She was his apprentice.

She was his, in general.

"That key-!"

"Yeah, it's yours. I'll give it back later."

Levi's musings were snapped, and he now paid complete and utter attention to the two, who stared at each other with an intense gaze. He could think about Kukri's strange behaviour later, for now, he had work to do.

"The basement of your house – Dr Jaeger's house in Shiganshina - holds the secret of the titans. Am I right?"

There was a pause, before the brunette responded. "Yes. Probably. Or at least, that's what my father said." Eren replied warily. He still wasn't sure what was happening, why he was chained up, or why the Lance Corporal was glaring holes through him, but if there was one thing he wanted to know, it was about Kukri. Where was she? Was she awake? Was she, dare he even think it... dead? "Where is Kukri?" He tried again, and this time, Corporal Levi answered.

"She's on bed-rest. No thanks to you." He replied bitterly, blue eyes flashing. The little brat just didn't get it, did he?

"What!? Is she hurt?! Is she okay?!"

"She's fine, brat, quit your blubbering."

Once more, Erwin put the conversation back on track, not wanting to think about his daughter, or the pain she was in 2 days prior. "Levi. Calm yourself."

"So you have amnesia and your father is missing. Awfully convenient, don't you think?"

"We've already concluded he has no reason to lie, Levi." Erwin said in rebuttal sternly, turning back to Eren afterwards. "But there is still so much we don't know. For now, the most important thing to inquire about is your intentions."

"My... intentions?" Eren asked, not quite sure what was being asked of him.

"To return to your house, we must re-take the Shiganshina district of Wall Maria. It would take drastic measures to re-seal the broken gate. We'd need your titan strength." Erwin concluded, leaning forward in his chair to look the brunette directly in the eye. "Our fate rides on a titan, it seems."

Eren just stared, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation. They wanted to take back Shiganshina? By using him?

"The Colossal and Armoured Titans are probably just like you. Your intentions are the key here. The key to freeing mankind from its despair." With that, he held the key up for the titan-shifter to see.

Eren instinctively leant forward to take it, before remembering he was shackled to the bed. "I'll... I'll..." Exterminate them. I'm going to kill them all. Every single fucking one.

"Answer the man, scum. What are you going to do?" Levi asked, scowling at the boy's indecisiveness.

"I want to join the Recon Corps, and kill as many titans I can, sir!"

Levi's eyes flashed at this. Did the kid realize what he was saying? He wanted to become a member of same group as him? The man who wanted vengeance more than anything? Was he stupid?

Maybe he was, it didn't make a difference to the raven-haired man.

Besides, this way, he would get the retribution he thirsted for.

"I'll take responsibility of him, Erwin. Tell that to the higher ups." He didn't even care that he was ordering his superior around, he wanted revenge, and he was damn well going to get it.

Kukri'd better be fucking grateful. I'm doing this for her, after all.

He walked forward, staring monotonously at the brunette boy, who looked at him with a confused gaze. "Don't get me wrong, it's not like I trust or like him. I hate him, in fact. If he betrays us or goes berserk, it'll just give me another reason to cut him down. The higher ups shouldn't have a problem with that."

He saw the boy be visibly shaken, and nearly smirked in response. Nearly.

"I'll accept your application to Recon Corps."

He moved to walk away, determined to at-least visit the albino before the day was out, but the kid's voice stopped him.

"Can I see Kukri now?"

He threw one final look over his shoulder, this one just as hate-filled as the first, blue eyes burning holes into the brunette's face.

"No."

~SnK~

Kukri watched from the side-lines as Eren kneeled, bolted to the floor as countless people stared on with fear and anxiousness. She bit her lip nervously, almost tearing off skin, and shuffling closer to Armin and Mikasa. The blonde boy must have seen her worried gaze and fidgeting, for a second later, his hand intertwined with hers comfortingly, and he sent her a re-assuring smile.

Kukri's eyes softened; she appreciated the gesture. Squeezing his hand in her own, she turned her gaze back to Eren, who looked a mixture of shocked and confused.

His eyes turned to meet hers, and she felt fresh tears coming on. She hadn't seen him in days, both Erwin and Levi refusing to let her walk more than 10 meters away from her room, and now here he was, looking all skin and bones.

Oh God, Eren, what have they done to you? You look starved...

"Eren Jaeger, yes?"

And so the games began.

"You are a soldier, sworn to sacrifice your life for the greater good. Is that correct?"

"Yes, sir..."

"This is an exceptional situation. This tribunal will be held under military, not civilian, law. The final decision rests entirely in my hands. Your fate will be decided here. Do you have any objections?"

"No, sir..."

The tension in the room was unmistakable, and Kukri let go of Armin's hand simply because she was worried she was squeezing the life out of it. She didn't want the poor boy to suffer for her nervousness.

"As anticipated, concealing your existence has proved impossible. We must make your existence public in some form or a threat to humanity other than titans may arise."

While Kukri could understand the Miliatry Police's fear of the titan shifter, their distrust was both unrequited and unappreciated. There was no need to call him names and make him feel like he was worse than dirt.

Kukri had heard the names people in the hallways would call him, some even to her face not realizing she was a friend. It killed her inside to know people hated him when he had helped them so selflessly.

"What I will decide today is which force will take custody of you."

That's what I'm worried about. Kukri thought, biting feverishly on her lip, eyes dancing between the heated glares of the Military Police and the cool facades of the Scouting Legion. If the MP gets their hands on him... No. Stop that. Everything's going to be fine. Erwin and Levi are doing all they can, so stop panicking.

"I ask the Military Police for their Proposal."

"I, commander of the Military Police, Nile Dawk, will present my proposal."

Breathing steadily, Kukri unwillingly locked eyes with the man, pursing her lips when he sent an almost challenging glare from across the room.

Just you wait, asshole. You won't get your filthy hands on Eren any time soon.

"After a thorough investigation of Eren's body, we believe he should be executed immediately. It is true that his titan power overcame our previous peril, but his existence now threatens to spark a civil war. So we ask him to die for humanity's sake leaving behind all the information he can."

At this, Kukri's hands balled into fists, shaking with concealed rage. How dare that filthy snake of a man decide who lives and who dies? She fought to her dying breath to protect her comrades and now they were going to throw away the thing that would help her most.

I'll murder every Military Police bastard in this room before you get Eren to lie down and die.

"There is no need for that!" Kukri's gaze now turned to the priest beside the MP Commander, eyes narrowing at his pointed finger.

Put that away you fucking slug.

"He is an invasive pest! He has deceived the walls that embody God's wisdom! He must be killed at once!"

Kukri felt Armin's hand on her shoulder, holding her back from pummelling the impudent priest. The blonde boy could see the rage roll of her in waves, and the anger didn't go unnoticed by Levi or Erwin, either.

She needs to calm down, she's gonna ruin everything if she speaks out. Levi thought, eyes slightly narrowing at her rage. She was taught better discipline than that.

"That's quite enough. We'll hear the Recon Corps' proposal next."

Kukri took a deep breath, calming down as her adoptive father began to speak. She knew he would do all he could to get custody of the titan shifter, for both her and the fate of humanity.

"I, 13th commander of the Recon Corps, Erwin Smith, will present my proposal. We would welcome Eren as an official member of our forces and use his power to re-take Wall Maria. That is all."

Silence ensued.

"That is all?"

"Yes, sir. With his power, we can re-take Wall Maria. We believe it is clear what our priorities should be."

"I see."

Kukri froze.

He'll never go for that! Not with those damned priests throwing in their opinions on the matter every second! What is he thinking? Does he not have a plan?!

Her frantic eyes met Levi's, the Lance Corporal staring back with a cool-headed gaze. She knew what he was trying to tell her with his stare, but that didn't mean she liked it.

Calm down, Kukri, let them handle it. They'll get him free, like they promised.

"And where do you plan to begin this mission? Pixis, the Trost wall has been completely sealed, correct?"

"Yes, it can never be opened again."

"We would like to set out from Karanes, in the east. From there, we will proceed to the district of Shiganshina. We will determine the route as we go."

"Wait a minute!" Everyone's gaze turned to the man from the sidelines who stood, wide-eyed, and hanging over the railing. "Shouldn't we re-seal all the gates once and for all!? The Colossal Titan can only destroy the gates! If we strengthen them, we needn't endure further attacks!"

Kukri could understand where the man was coming from, but she for one was not the type to underestimate the titans, not after seeing what they did to Trost.

"You talk a lot, pig, but where is your proof that the titans will wait while we seal the gates?" Kukri nearly smiled seeing Levi take action; he had been disturbingly quiet the entire time, simply staring and watching the proceedings. It wasn't like him, to just sit there while idiots took the mantle.

You're all getting it now. Kukri thought cockily, having been on the receiving end of Levi's lectures more than once herself.

"The 'we' you speak of are only those you wish to protect, the people filling your pockets with money. The people who starve because there isn't enough land to sow don't even figure into the thoughts of you pigs." He observed, face as impassive as ever.

"We just thought that we could survive by sealing the gates-"

"Silence, impious traitor! Mere humans, altering the walls the Gods so graciously gave us?! Can you truly see those walls, God's work far beyond human capabilities,
and not understand?!"

"They're getting too worked up." Kukri observed, watching the men argue amongst themselves. "They're losing sight of the true objective, here."

Levi nodded in agreement, happy the girl was finally reining her temper.

But he didn't doubt an interjection.

"Silence."

And there it was.

"You may discuss your personal opinions and philosophies elsewhere."

Kukri found herself rather liking this man – albeit uncertainly. He was direct, and knew when things were needed and when they were not. It was respectable, at the very least.

"Jaeger, I wish to confirm some things. One – Can you continue to serve as a soldier, using your titan powers to benefit humanity?"

"Yes, sir, I can!"

"But the report on Trost's defences says this; "Immediately after turning into a titan, he swung his fist at Mikasa Ackerman and Kukri Smith. While Ackerman proceeded to attempt to talk some sense into him, he took Smith in his hand, before once more proceeding to punch himself in an attempt to kill Ackerman.""

Kukri saw Eren turn, looking shocked at this revelation, to look at Kukri and Mikasa. Almost ashamed, Mikasa pulled her hair to cover her face.

He doesn't remember anything... but he responded to me... how is that possible?

"Is Mikasa Ackerman present?"

"Yes, sir, that's me."

"And is it true that after turning into a titan, Jaeger attacked you?"

Several seconds passed monotonously before Mikasa let her eyes fall guiltily to the ground, mouth set in a firm line. "Yes, it's true."

Kukri grit her teeth at the bashed shouts and murmurs that echoed throughout the room from scared people, who now had yet another reason to fear the titan shifter.

They're letting their fear overcome them... They're going to go crazy...

"He's just another no-good titan!"

"He's going to kill us all the second he gets the chance!"

The room was once again calmed, people returning to their seats as the judge turned to the nervous albino next.

"And is Kukri Smith present?"

"Yes, sir."

Kukri felt several eyes on her as she stood stock-still, eyes blank. "And is it true that Jaeger took custody of you while in Titan form?"

Silence.

What do I say?! If I say the wrong thing, they'll waste no time in sentencing Eren to death. Don't mess this up, Kukri. Don't mess this up.

"He was protecting me, sir. It may have been slightly unconventional, but he was trying to keep me safe and away from the crossfire. It happens any time, whether he is in control or not. I believe we can use this to our advantage, however. We already know-"

"She's an accomplice! Chain her up as well!"

"How do we know she's even human?!"

"I would like to question that as well, sir." Dawk said, holding a report and reading from it intently. "Reports from the battle say Kukri Smith sustained several wounds in battle, consisting of various open wounds, broken bones, one that tore through skin, and deep cuts. Yet here she is, awake after only a day of rest."

Kukri scowled, eyes darkening. She didn't know why she was able to regenerate wounds so fast, but just throwing out assumptions that she wasn't as human as the rest of them was both stupid and fearful. Frightening for both them and her.

She told herself this, but it didn't re-assure her.

"This, coupled with Squad Leader Hanji Zoe's investigations on the two titans captured from Trost, would appear to indicate Kukri Smith is too a Titan Shifter." Dawk finished, looking to the judge, mouth set in a firm line. His gaze turned to the shocked albino for a mere second, but that was enough for Kukri to see the look in his eyes.

He really was scared of her.

"That is a serious accusation, Commander. What other proof do you have?"

"We've known for decades that titans have regenerative abilities, and Miss Zoe has recently discovered a mysterious lack of weight in a titan's body, despite their strength. If we test, I am almost certain we will find these attributes in Miss Smith. I would propose we dissect her, to see if her stomach is that of a titan's, and to test her regenerative abilities."

"Torture, I hope..."

"Monsters like them don't deserve to live!"

"If she's what they say, then she shouldn't be so hesitant right?"

"She's our soldier, she's supposed to do what is best for humanity. If that means death, then so be it!"

"Wait! Leave Kukri out of this!" Kukri's heart stopped when Eren lashed out, eyes widening.

No! Don't do anything stupid, Eren! If you speak out, they'll kill you without a second thought!

"I may be a monster, but she has nothing to do with this! She's my best friend, it's only natural for me to protect her!"

"How can we trust you?!"

"It's true! She's saved civilians and her comrades countless times on the field! Isn't that enough for you people?!"

"If you're covering for her, that means she must be one of you! Chain her up too; we can't have her moving at all!"

"You're wrong." Everyone's gaze turned to the titan shifter, whose gaze was locked firmly on the floor. "You're just coming up with idiotic theories because you're scared."

Dawk took a step forward threateningly, not liking the tone Eren had, as though he was ordering them around. "What did you say?"

"All of you people, you've never even seen a titan. What are you so afraid of? What is the point if the people with the means and power do not fight? If you're afraid to fight for survival, then help me! You're all cowards! Bet everything you have on me if you must, but don't you dare lay a finger on her!"

Kukri stared in awe at Eren, crimson eyes wide and unassuming.

Eren...

She didn't see Levi until it was too late.

~SnK~

A/N: Sorry guys, this chapter didn't really stay up to par with the others, even if it was a bit longer... I'll make it up to you guys next time with some LevixKukri goodness, mkay?

Stay tuned for the next Chappie, it's gonna be a good one! (I hope...)

Aisaka-Chan, signing out.