Title: The Promise

Part: 1 out of 2

Pairings: BertholdtXSasha, JeanXSasha, maybe slight ConnyXSasha

Warning: Spoilers (?) Language

Genre: Angst

Summary: Bertholdt has always understood Sasha. Somehow she has always felt safe with him and when they're fighting together she's not so afraid. Will she still feel the same when she learns the truth?

[Set after the events of Chapter 50 and assuming everyone's still in one piece -minus Erwin-/shot]

[Further note: I'm gonna add Squad/CommanderXSasha [NOT ROMANTICALLY _] just because I think they'd be cute being like parents...to Sasha...don't get mad please..]

With the crisis somewhat averted, Sasha was ordered to wait for the other recon corps soldiers to join her at headquarters. It had been odd that she hadn't had any orders up until now, but she had hoped severely that her friends were all alright. For all she knew they could all be dead, after all they didn't have any weapons and there was no telling what could happen to them now.

She exhaled a breath, a sinking feeling deepening inside her chest. Something had to be wrong, but she couldn't place her finger on it. Her mind then trailed to Bertholdt, who along with Conny, Christa and Ymir-she had grown quite close to. They liked to meet in private, away from prying eyes of their peers and sometimes they simply sat in silence as they ate their ration for the day [with Sasha stealing some of Bertholdt's food].

How she hoped he was alright, but she mentally slapped herself for even doubting his ability as a soldier. He was one of the strongest out of them, he placed third in graduation and that was a feat in itself.

"Sasha, are you afraid?"

She shook her head, recalling a lost memory. Being afraid was an understatement in her case, she was terrified! Though, it was okay to be afraid-it was only natural. She was human, an insignificant one at that-and she was expected to go head to head with Titans! That was a terrifying thought in itself...

She looked around at other squad members who managed to get out with their lives. There were few, but even then that was a miracle. It was a miracle that she herself had survived, but seeing that child there defenseless...how could she run away and live with it? She couldn't have faced her father again after that.

Brave.

Her father had called her that, and it was like a weight lifted off her shoulders. It was good to have come to terms with her father and his decisions, how immature she had been...so simple minded. No wonder people called her dumb.

"The Recon Corps are returning!"

Her head jolted up, looking around she fumbled to get into formation as the troops rolled into the headquarters. Her eyes scanned for any signs of her comrades, immediately catching eyes with Conny. She saw everyone, though Eren looked broken and the others didn't look too good themselves.

Where was Bertholdt and the others? Her eyes scanned the area for Reiner, hoping that if she saw him that he could tell her of his whereabouts and if he survived. But, he wasn't there either. What was going on?

There was a tense feeling in the air was she approached her comrades, and for once she noticed a serious look to Conny's face she hasn't seen for a long time. She glanced around the room before turning to Jean, hoping he could offer some answers; "What happened...?" She asked quietly, "If...I may ask..."

Jean looked up at her, eyes dark and hollow. That was right, she hadn't been there-she didn't know that..."Sasha." He said quietly, his voice hoarse; "How close were you to Bertholdt?"

"Jean, I don't think that's an appropriate question right now-" Armin countered, but was stopped by Mikasa.

"What do you mean?" Sasha questioned back, fear apparent in her voice.

"You sat with him and Reiner a lot, didn't you?"

By then the brown haired soldier was growing frustrated, "What does any of that have to do with his whereabouts?! What happened to him?! And Reiner, and Ymir for that matter!"

Conny put his hands on Sasha's soldiers, giving Jean a look before turning her away. "I'll tell you on the way to the infirmary, will you help me?"

"Conny, she deserves to know now-"

"What difference does it make when she knows it?!"

Sasha looked between the two male soldiers before turning to Mikasa and the others, "Will someone just tell me?! If they're dead, just tell me now! I'm not a baby, I can handle it!"

"They're traitors."

If Mikasa's voice had been any sharper it would have cut through concrete, and it terrified Sasha deeply. Bertholdt would never betray them, how could Mikasa ever consider the idea of him being a traitor? And the other two, they wouldn't think of it! "You're lying," She spat back at the other female, "they would never-!"

"I'm sorry Sasha, but it's true." Conny intervened, "Reiner is the Armored Titan and Bertholdt is the Colossal Titan."

"...he's what?"

"Don't act stupid Sasha," Mikasa snapped, losing her patience, "if you knew Bertholdt well enough you wouldn't be so surprised."

Armin put his hands on his friend's shoulder, "Mikasa, Sasha couldn't have known. Bertholdt wouldn't tell her anything like that."

It must be hard for their young friend. Though outgoing as she was, Sasha only seemed to trust few with her true feelings. And Bertholdt had been one of them. Armin wouldn't admit it to the other two, but he has seen them sitting next to each other-huddled close to each other and he could have sworn Bertholdt had kissed the top of her head tenderly.

At the time it had been a beautiful sight, as dark as their tasks were and how dreary their lives were it was nice to see that two of them seemed happy with each other. Maybe Bertholdt had really loved Sasha, he could have gauged a reaction from him about her-but it wasn't the time then.

He let out a breathe, watching as Conny led his best friend along with him to get his own injuries checked out. Following them was Jean, who was keeping close to their usual cheerful comrade. Commander Erwin wanted to brief them all soon after the injuries were taken care of, and he wondered idly if Sasha would be questioned thanks to her close proximity to both Bertholdt and Reiner.

However, what would she know? She wasn't from their hometown, she was from just a dainty little village named Dauper if he recalled correctly. But that didn't stop Armin from worrying about his friend.

He hoped she would be alright.

"Sasha, are you afraid?"

Sasha had ran outside during lunch, wanting nothing to do with the talk of Titans and exterminating them all. What she didn't know was that she had been followed, by none other than her fellow classmate. "Bertholdt?" She questioned, looking up into his chocolate brown eyes who seemed to look at her with the same curiosity.

He gave her a small smile before taking a seat next to her; "Are you afraid?"

"What kind of question is that?" She murmured, taking a bite of her bread; "Of course I'm afraid, that's why I want the Titans to go away."

"Then why did you leave in the middle of the conversation?"

Sasha blushed a little, "Because I'm scared to fight them..."

"You were brave when we fought them the first time," Bertholdt kept his smile, "and you were brave enough to join the Scouting Region."

"I don't know how that constitutes me as being brave."

The tall male laughed softly, "You're braver than you give yourself credit for."

"You always know what to say..."

Suddenly she felt an arm envelop her in an embrace, her blush deepened when he pulled her close to him and when he kissed her on the top of her head. She felt herself relax a little more, smiling to herself as she snuggled close to him. "Don't worry Sasha," He said quietly, "there's nothing to be afraid of-I'll always come for you when you need me."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise."

'I need you, Bertholdt.'

Sasha sat very still next to Conny as they listened to the briefing, something about traitors and how they should be more careful from now on. She was hardly listening, her mind was fogged with broken promises and the thought of having to go at this alone. Traitor or not, Bertholdt hadn't forgotten his promise until now. She wondered idly if he was thinking about her this very moment.

She doubted it.

After they were sent to go rest she was pulled aside by Hanji, who asked if they could speak with her. It appeared the leaders were talking to all of the 104th squad members, herself included. She wondered if her close relationship to Bertholdt would come into play and she prayed silently that it wouldn't.

Even now she wouldn't know what to tell them. She had no idea that Bertholdt was holding all of that in, though they talked to each other about everything. Except the fact that he was the Colossal Titan. She thought bitterly, sitting down in the chair as ordered by the female Squad leader.

In the room was Commander Erwin, despite missing an arm he wanted to listen in to what she and her comrades had to say about the three titan shifters. On Hanji's right was Levi Rivialle, who she never really interacted with-but the mere presence of him made her shiver in fear. What she would do just to hug Bertholdt for comfort right now...

"Sasha Braus, graduated in the Top 10 being ranked number 9, am I correct?"

Sasha stared at the older female, and merely nodded. Hanji had always been her favorite squad leader, well only based on the fact she was the only one she had a chance to interact with besides Mike. The thought of the missing Squad leader only seemed to upset her more, she didn't know what happened to him after they seperated.

"You weren't present when the Colossal Titan and Armored Titan appeared."

"I was sent with the squad that went more North, towards my own village Dauper;" Sasha said quietly, "we returned after we evacuated as many people as we could. Though we weren't equipped with our gear...m'am..."

Hanji hummed in response, eyeing the young girl quietly. She was telling the truth, from what she gathered she had been the only squad member from 104th not present at the time of the discovery of the three titan shifters. However she had learned that the girl was close to Bertholdt, and Ymir along with Christa.

Also with being close to Bertholdt, she must've been close to Reiner as well-so was this girl hiding anything? She didn't see why she would have any premises to betray them, but they didnt' want to take anymore chances. "Braus, if there is any information you can give us about Bertholdt, Ymir and Reiner-I would advise you to give it to us now."

The young girl froze suddenly, she could feel them looking at her as they awaited her answer. What was she going to tell them? She didn't know anything, but would they believe that? Bertholdt only talked little about himself and his hometown and she never pried. Usually it was just him listening to her talk about herself, he always seemed more interested in listening to her than talk about himself.

And Reiner wouldn't say anything, he just simply teased them about being with each other [secretly] and well she never talked to Ymir about this kind of stuff. Ymir was always just telling her to 'be herself', that was all. "Answer the question, brat." She flinched, not looking the Corporal in his eyes.

"I don't know anything, they never talked to me about that kind of stuff." She said finally, terrified that they wouldn't believe her-despite the fact that she was indeed telling them the truth. "Bertholdt always just said that he came from the same town as Reiner and I never really talked to Reiner much about anything."

Hanji's gaze softened. She was telling the truth, all three of them could tell that from her expressions. The poor cadet was just heartbroken over the loss of her friends, despite them being traitors she could tell that the young girl was still worrying over their safety. She didn't live the battle that they had, and they could understand why she was so upset at the accusations being tossed her way.

"Thank you for being honest," Hanji said softly, "you may go and rest now."

Sasha thanked her quietly, saluted her leaders and took her leave. As she left Levi furrowed his brow, "Do you think she could possibly be lying to save face?"

"No," She replied, "she has no reason to lie. If she had known something I'm certain she would've told us, the girl is terrified of Titans and if she knew beforehand about Bertholdt and the others I doubt she'd have a close relationship with them."

Levi sighed, but nodded. With Sasha being their last cadet to interrogate he went over to Erwin, "Shouldn't you be resting? We could have handled the interrogations ourselves, you know."

"I wanted to hear what they had to say." Erwin replied quietly, a gentle smile creeping on his face; "It seems none of them knew about those three, however we'll still have to keep a sharp eye on that group."

"It's impossible for all of them to suddenly be titan shifters," Hanji mused, "that would be surprising in the least."

"You would find it fascinating and keep them locked up for experiments." The shorter leader spat, "Wouldn't you?"

"Maybe.."

Sasha bunked with Christa that night. With Ymir gone, what usually was a trio of girls turned into a duo. They slept in the same room as Mikasa, however the other girl was brooding somewhere in the corner and they dared not to bother her. Especially the young blonde, who herself had been threatened if she stood in the way of Mikasa and her intent on killing Ymir despite not knowing her true intentions.

They thought of all people Mikasa would understand the bonds that were made, but she was blind in her need to protect Eren that she didn't care who died so long as her family was safe. It was understandable, if not scary in the least.

Sasha leaned back against the headboard, next to her Christa curled up and they both were left to ponder about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Besides Bertholdt, Sasha was very concerned for Ymir. Despite being one of the toughest gals in the troupe, well she still was worried about her mental state. Especially now that her and Christa had been seperated. It was odd to see Christa without her now.

The brown haired girl curled a blanket around the petite blonde, wondering idly if she would ever be alright. She wanted her to reunite with her best friend as soon as possible, even through her own heartache she felt Christa's pain through the air. It was heartwrenching to see her so upset.

"Sasha...?" Christa spoke softly, "Do you think Ymir could come back someday?"

"Of course," She answered her, "don't think for a minute Ymir could stand being away from you too long, after all she was always protective over you the most."

"The only way she will come back is in chains or dead."

Sasha turned to Mikasa, knowing that she was upset over the ordeal herself-but she didn't need to say things like that. Not to Christa at least. "Mikasa, why don't you go check on Eren if you're concerned about his wellbeing? Christa's still upset despite what happened, of all people you should understand."

Mikasa just was silent, so Sasha continued; "We don't know Ymir's intentions yet, she was scared because from what I understand Reiner and Bertholdt threatened her. And they must've threatened Eren too. She wanted to protect Christa with all she had-"

"What do you know? You weren't there."

Christa tugged on Sasha, before turning to Mikasa herself; "Please stop, I don't want to talk about this anymore..."

She sighed quietly, but nodded. She didn't need to get into arguments with anyone at the moment and she didn't need to defend Ymir or Bertholdt's actions. What Bertholdt did was unforgivable and Reiner too, but Ymir they were unsure of. She curled up, letting Christa pull closer to her and they took comfort in each other as they started to drift off.

Nothing was said for the rest of the night, however Sasha felt that very soon things would blow up between them.

She just hoped she survived it all.

She wanted to see him one last time.

Note: This was intended to be a one shot, however it didn't turn out this way. I hope you like it despite it being a little sloppy, I haven't really written for a while and this is my first Attack on Titan fanfiction!

Also I have made an 8tracks list for the BertholdtXSasha pairing! Look for me on there as attackonsasha and the playlist is called Broken Pieces!

Thank you for reading! If you want please review!