Chapter 22 Rising Tension

It had been several days since Gohan and the others had arrived at the old castle, and had taken no time at all to begin scheduling out the days events'. Wake up, exercise, get breakfast, study expedition plans and procedure, exercise, have lunch, give a lecture about the fundamentals of Ki control/study Erens' Titan ability, exercise again, dinner, study whatever was left over, and bed.

Gohan idly wondered whether this was how Instructor Shadis had felt when he'd been a cadet, watching a bunch of exhausted people stagger about an open field, exhausted but determined. And with a couple of standouts as well. The majority of the people running were actually all fairly close as a consequence of them all being some of the best of their divisions, a fact that neither division actually seemed happy about as they tried to prove their side as the best. The scouts prided themselves on being the most experienced and felt this should mean they were the best at this as well. The two Military Police were trying to prove that they were living up to the reputation they were supposed to have as being recruited from the best of the cadets. And the Garrison soldiers were seeking to prove themselves as being capable in spite of their own reputation as simply being "the rest". If you were exceptional you were an MP, if you were stupidly brave you were a scout, and everyone else went to the Garrison. They'd more than proved themselves at Trost in Gohan's opinion, but he knew that wasn't a benchmark they were willing to stop at. No, they had to keep pace with the others if they wanted to feel deserving about taking pride in themselves.

Unfortunately for them, Captain Levi wasn't making it easy. Even with his shorter stature, he had a surprising amount of speed and stamina to use, something which kept him up at the front consistently. It really was no wonder that Eren seemed to idolise him the way he did, even if he was currently idolising the man from the rear of the group, not necessarily unfit but simply outclassed.

It also wasn't a surprise to see Mikasa was keeping up the best however, as he personally knew how fit she was after several years of training alongside her. She was almost tied with Captain Levi, and he knew she was still pacing herself. He reckoned he probably knew her body as well as she did.

…that came out wrong.

He looked away from the runners to hide his blush, not that he really needed to considering he was fairly far away from them all. But he couldn't help the embarrassment anyway. Years spent exercising around a bunch of hormonal teenagers had meant he'd gotten used to… suggestions, but it didn't stop considering he was for all intents and purposes, still a hormonal teenager. It was probably pretty normal for a human, but he had no idea how his Saiyan was or would be affecting him, having quite obviously given very little thought to asking Vegeta about it.

He tried briefly to remember if his dad had ever told him anything about it, but that was fairly fruitless. His father was hardly the most academic of people, and wouldn't have noticed anything out of the ordinary happening to him. Besides, he'd been stuck up on the lookout for his whole puberty period.

Oh, there was something.

Bulma had once mentioned about his father going through a drastic change in between the fight against King Piccolo and the third World Martial Arts Tournament they participated in. He pulled out a small pad from his pocket and a pencil, beginning to write down his quick theory. If a full blooded Saiyan went through puberty in a quick spurt as it sounded like his father had, then how would it be different for him?

Would he be a halfway point? Quicker than a normal human but longer than a Saiyan? Maybe it was a combination, a slow progression like the others but then have a sudden surge? Or maybe something else would happen, some kind of other reaction courtesy of his mixed genes. He did have a habit of exploding as a kid.

Exploding with rage that is, though the other kind did happen perhaps more than it should. Was that a sign of hormonal extremes developing much earlier than usual? Did that mean that puberty was over?

"Important notes?" Asked the panting form of Petra Ral as she came to a halt near him, her skin glistening with a sheen of sweat that dampened her clothes.

No. No it wasn't over…

"Uh, yes. Very important notes. About… Ki, and stuff." He cleared his throat as everyone else finally arrived, Eren coming in last and dropping to his knees while gasping for air. Mikasa was by his side with some water not even a moment later but he batted away her offer, apparently preferring to simply suffer with his no doubt rough and dry mouth.

"In fact, I think it might be a good time to try and bring out some Ki yourselves." He continued, distracting himself from the twinge of sympathy he felt for Mikasa.

"Should we take a break first? Y'know, cool down a little?" Asked Eld, fanning himself as best he could with his hand. He and several others were already helping themselves to the towels and water that Gohan had prepared for them, but did little to stop the immediate problem of their red faces.

"It might be better actually, don't worry it's not tiring."

True to his word, it wasn't tiring. He had them all sit in a semi-circle around him as he sat with legs crossed and arms held out.

"Okay, so. Ki, is the energy within your body as I explained at the start, it essentially is you. So in order to connect with it, you have to reach deep within yourself, you have to truly feel your body. Now, everyone take a deep breath." He took one himself and the others followed. "In through the nose, and out through the mouth. Keep it going, and try to slow down your heart rate. Don't force it, be calm."

A few more deep breaths came and went, all with varying levels of enthusiasm. He waited until everyone was more or less in sync before continuing. "Close your eyes, keep your breathing going. Shut out everything in your mind. Don't think about it, just make your breathing instinctual, and try to feel the world around you."

Peace and tranquillity, that was the best way. "Hear the birds chirp in the trees. Hear the buzzing of the bees. It's nature, completely natural, let yourself be one with the world around you."

He took note of people's faces as they listened to his words, watched as the creases of stress began to ease off. Faces slacked, a wave of true relaxation went over some of them as they let their bodies ease off, but not droop. Most had it understood in at least some capacity, but then there was Eren. The boy somehow managed to look even more agitated, like he was forcing himself to calm down.

Damn it, he was going to have to try and figure something out with him. In the meantime though… "Alright, now take that extension, that feeling of being one with the world, and slide it inwards as well. Don't pull back, just extend it to within your body, to your core. Feel the warmth inside you, feel the beating of your heart. Your body is alive, let its life flow through you. Feel the energy as it flows into your shoulders, and down your arms. Let it flow down into your fingertips, and then just let it… ease out."

He stretched out his own senses, feeling how people were progressing. They were close, almost all of them. Many of them had already managed to reach the point that their Ki actually was flowing through them, it just needed one more step to become real, to physically manifest. "When you feel it flowing, when it's ready, just give it a final little push."

A single golden light appeared among the group, though it was a stretch to call it even a glimmer of energy. A pin prick sized spot of yellow energy was wilting in and out of existence between Captain Levi's fingertips. He noticed, and opened his eyes with a focussed gaze, his face tensing as he tried to force it fully out. The light grew brighter for a moment, before sputtering and going out completely.

"Whoa…" Came a mutter from one of his team, but Gohan didn't turn to see who had said it. Instead, he watched Levi's reaction to see what he would do, how he would react having already gotten so close just to lose it at the last second.

The man paused, took a deep breath, and tried again.

"Well done Captain Levi." Said Gohan, not really for the man's sake so much as the others who had all turned to watch. "He almost had it, but lost his concentration at the end when he tried to push it completely. In time it'll become second nature to you, but for now remember to work with your body."

The others all seemed to nod and return to what they were doing, some of them having heeded his advice. Unfortunately, too many of them had seen the Captain get close and prove it possible, that they were trying to rush it and do the same.

It took a good while before anyone else showed any results, with most growing frustrated at their lack of progress. That was only exacerbated when Captain Levi finally produced his energy again and managed to hold it on the second time. Gohan told him to simply keep it out for as long as he could, and to try and study how it felt, before turning to help the others.

Mikasa was next, and managed to draw her energy out completely without sputtering which was fairly impressive. In time several others joined them as well. The two MP's, Rico, Eld and Oluo, the latter of whom was less than magnanimous in his victory. It had taken a good hour of coaching, but eventually he had managed to get a fair number of people drawing out Ki, and that was something he was more than happy with.

"Excellent work today everyone! You've all done extremely well." He gave a clap as he spoke which may not have started any rounds of applause, but did get him a few appreciative smiles in return. "For everyone who's managed to bring out their Ki today, we'll work on using Ki in your training tomorrow, for now I think everyone should take a day to relax and we'll continue working tomorrow."

A couple of heads nodded, and people began to stand up before Captain Levi spoke again. "Everyone take note of what you've learned today and keep practicing on your own time if you failed. Mikasa, Eren, you two are cooking tonight, go head to the kitchen and begin."

The duo accepted their job and moved on, though Eren's frustration was evident as he walked off with a huff and an idle kick of the dirt. Levi definitely noticed by the way he watched the man leave, but decided to let it go instead of putting the boy in his place. With nothing else said, people began to scatter, moving off to do their own things and relax for the first time in what already felt like a lifetime.

Which is why Gohan was so surprised when Petra walked up to him.

"Oh, uh hey Petra. Something I can help you with?" He asked innocently, rubbing a hand through his hair before wondering if that made him look like he was showing off and stopping.

"Yeah. I think I was pretty close there, so could you give me a little hand? Like a one on one session?"

His mouth was moving before he could really think about it, offering a sure, no problem, and following her. It wasn't until he had already been walking a short distance that he realised the situation might look a little…off.

"So…like this?"

Gohan watched as Petra tensed her hands, gripping an imaginary ball as she tried desperately to summon out her Ki. Her eyes were narrow and focused, a bead of sweat beginning to form on her furrowed brow. In front of her however, Gohan tried to hide his awkward frown.

"Uh, not quite. As I've said it's not something you can really…force." He took her hands in his and she relaxed quickly, eyes rising to his awaiting guidance. "See, you don't need to be focused to get in touch with your Ki, only to control it. But to bring it out, all you need to do is" he let go of her hands, and a small orb appeared bloomed into existence between them "relax."

She looked at it in awe for a moment, before she chuckled and turned away in embarrassment. "This is so different to anything I've ever done before. Training to join the Scouts was all about focus you know?" She climbed to her feet, feeling the need to stretch her muscles after being sat down in the grassy field for so long. As Gohan stood to join her she dropped her voice to a mock drill instructor.

"Focus on the Titans, always watch for openings, keep an eye out for your teammates, I swear if you cadets bump into each other again you're gonna beg for the Titans to get to you before I do."

She chuckled at the memory, Gohan smiling as he thought back to some of the teachings he'd been given in his own boot camp. Petra gazed across the field at their headquarters, a couple of figures could be seen lazing about under the sun and enjoying their time off.

Gohan noticed their comrades, but his eyes watched only her as emotions flickered across her face. "You seem bothered." There was a twitch in her eye which could almost be a wince, she hesitated, but relented.

"I guess it's just…it's hard not to focus. Not to feel like I have to drive myself forwards every time I try this. I mean, the captain's got it, and he's about as driven as you can be."

Gohan awkwardly scratched at the back of his head as he searched for the right words to answer that. "Well uh…Captain Levi is a bit of a natural I suppose."

It was the wrong thing to say, and Gohan was mentally kicking himself as he watched Petra lower her head subconsciously. "Um! But none of what he can do is impossible, uh, anyone can learn it, others have managed it as well. It just might, take some more, time…"

She nodded in thought, but something was itching in the back of Gohan's mind. "If you don't mind me asking, why specifically did you mention the captain?"

She looked back at him in confusion. "Huh?" She didn't seem offended at all, more bewildered that he had apparently picked up on something she'd never known was there.

"Well, you singled out Captain Levi as being able to use Ki, but you don't really seem bothered about the others doing it as well."

She turned away, staring at some grass as she collected her thoughts. He hoped he hadn't crossed some kind of line, but he really was curious to know. If there was some kind of lingering frustration, perhaps that was why she was struggling to fully relax. When she'd apparently readied her words, she turned back to him.

"The captain is the best of us. Out of, the entire history of the scouts there hasn't been anyone as good as him."

"You will be, I'm sure you'll be just as strong as him in no time."

The words stumbled out of his mouth, but they seemed to do the job as Petra raised her head slightly, before shaking her thoughts away her doubts and forcing out a smile. "So then, since I have to relax to be able to draw on my Ki, seems you should help me with that. What helps you relax?"

"Oh, uh…reading?" His answer was awkward, and almost regretful as he found himself hoping that she didn't think it was 'un-cool' to like to read. When she merely raised an eyebrow, questioning if that was all, he continued. "And uh, fishing. Or, swimming in general I guess. There was a lake nearby that my dad and I used to go to a lot, when I was a child."

"Really!? What's it like?" Petra stepped closer to Gohan, looking up into his eyes with something akin to wonder.

"Fishing?"

"No, swimming! I've never done it."

He blinked in surprise. "R…really? How come?"

She looked away embarrassed. "Well when I was young there wasn't anywhere nearby I could learn. And by the time I was older there wasn't any point. They didn't teach us in boot camp, Titans don't exactly seem great swimmers do they?"

She stopped and clasped her hand around his arm, a giggling smile stretching across her face. "Could you picture it? One of those big 10 metre ones, flopping around and tripping over like it's caught in a puddle?"

Gohan chuckled silently, picturing the terror of the world be foiled by their own clumsiness as they thrashed about in a lake. An idea formed while he thought. "Well hey, why don't I teach you?"

"Huh?"

"Well there's a lake not far from here, we could take some time out of our training and I could teach you."

She turned away for a moment, thinking, before she turned back with eyes narrowed at him. "And let me guess, if we're going to be swimming together, I'm gonna need to strip down, aren't I?"

Gohan choked.

"This is all some elaborate plan just to get me into my underwear isn't it!?"

"N-n-no! No it's, i-i-i-it's not like that at all!"

Her eyes bore into his as he held up his hand apologetically. And then, she laughed. "Hahaha, oh I'm sorry, it was just too good of an opportunity to let pass." She chuckled again, Gohan laughing nervously as he felt the panic leaving him. "Relax, I know that would happen, I'd love to learn."

"Oh, so you're ok with it?"

"Of course. This is the army, what you think I've never seen naked people before?"

Gohan flushed at the mere suggestion of the topic. "Well I mean uh…"

"You lose that kind of embarrassment pretty quickly, even when it comes to the opposite sex. When you're all training and sweating and cleaning up together, I think I saw my first naked guy in the first few days. I mean, didn't you? With girls I mean."

Gohan's face was almost entirely beet red now, and his eyes were darting around to find anywhere to look except for at the woman who was taking such joy in embarrassing him. "I uh, well I didn't you know, look. I always averted my eyes."

Petra couldn't help it, she was completely giggling now, picturing Gohan always hiding away whenever so much as a shirt came off near him in boot camp. "Oh wow, how did you manage it? Are you telling me that not once you saw somebody naked?"

He was silent.

Petra wasn't, instead she found herself laughing heartily as Gohan's face struggled to go even redder from embarrassment. Despite it though, there was a cheer in his eyes which he struggled to hide.

"Ok ok ok, whoo give me a second." Petra took a deep breath, exhaling even as her smile struggled trying to twitch higher and break out into another fit of laughter. "Alright alright, you have got to tell me who it was. No no no wait don't tell me" she cut him off as his mouth had barely begun to open "I want to guess. Hmmm, was it Mikasa?"

"W-why would you think that?"

"Oh c'mon that was a good guess. You two are good friends and you were in boot camp together, it was clearly bound to happen at some point. Well? Was I right?"

"Uh…" His eyes looked away in guilt.

"Oh my god. I got it one!"

"Uhhhh, yes captain! Coming back now!"

Petra looked back to see no signal from their base, but that didn't stop Gohan from quick stepping past in what was almost a complete jog.

"I can't believe I got it right first time! Does Eren know? Does she know?"

Gohan's almost jog became an almost sprint, and Petra couldn't help when her laughter returned in full force, and she chased after him happily.

Mikasa sliced up the carrots in an almost trance like state, methodically chopping and moving on even as her mind was a whirl with thoughts. Thoughts centred around one particular person who was stood only a few short steps away. Unlike her, Eren wasn't as deft in the kitchen despite how many times he'd had to help his mother cook, and the way he fumbled about only made his annoyance grow.

She needn't hear the curses he was muttering under his breath to tell just how close to the edge he was getting, it was obvious in how he was tensing, in that very particular way that made it seem like he was about to snap. Which of course, he always did.

A particularly loud crash echoed behind her as Eren accidentally elbowed a tray of bread loaves onto the floor, scattering food and flour across the floor. "Damn it!" He yelled, adding even more to the noise as the metal tray bounced and continued skid along the floor.

"What's going on in there!?" Came the omnipresent demand of Captain Levi, sending a visible nervous chill down Eren's spine.

"Nothing sir! Just…dropped a tray sir…" He meekly admitted, before dropping down and attempting to salvage what he could of the bread loaves. With a final slice and drag of her hand, Mikasa moved the carrots into a bowl and grabbed the sweeping brush they kept nearby. She'd made good speed, and so she had enough time to help Eren get cleaned up and back to work, a fact he clearly knew as he shot her dirty looks whilst giving the breads a quick wipe over.

She tried her best to ignore the feelings of shame he made her feel. All she wanted to do was help him, yet every time she did she was just making things worse. She wasn't blind to how she had pushed him, the unyielding loyalty she felt for him had him chafing so often against her. She did try to hold back, but it was always reflective, when she had time to think on her actions. But in the moment, she always found herself reacting instead, impulse taking over and driving Eren further away even as she tried to bring him in.

He snatched a bread loaf out of her hand as she held it out to him, putting it back on the tray and moving on. Had he cared to look, he may have seen Mikasa turn her head away, hiding the tears that were beginning to sting at her eyes. Without a word she returned to her side of the kitchen, picking up the knife once more and lifelessly chopping up vegetables.

Gohans words and warnings were echoing through her mind, telling her that she had to do something. But what could she do? Whenever she tried, all she ever did was push him away. She forced her mind to still, breathing out a deep breath she hadn't even realised she was holding. With nothing but the sound of chopping and trays being moved into the oven, she relaxed.

The door flung open as a panting and panicked Gohan stood in the doorway.

"She's lying I swear!"

And then the door was promptly slammed shut, the sound of quick footsteps and Captain Levi's shouts echoing from the corridor.

"What was that about?" Eren muttered, staring at the now closed door in equal confusion to Mikasa. "Did you say something?" He asked.

"No." She answered, before feeling the need to add. "What would I have said?" The words slipped out before she realised, and she almost slapped a hand over her mouth with how soon she regretted them as she saw Eren begin to tense.

"I don't know, I'm sure you would have found something." He accused, not even bothering to look at her and instead feigning busy work with whatever he had in front of him.

Mikasa could only stare at his back, almost in disbelief were she not so frustratingly used to it. She knew she should keep quiet, just take it on the teeth and avoid taking things further, but her body was acting automatically now. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means." Eren spat back, so clearly not wanting to continue yet so ready as well.

"No, tell me." She heard the warning in his voice and ignored it anyway.

"Oh come on, you're always telling people things about me that you shouldn't. It's like you think my life is some kind of open book to everyone. Just because you're obsessed with knowing everything I do doesn't mean everyone else is!" The words stung as Erens voice rose, annoyance shifting into anger as his movements in the kitchen became more forceful. With his growing aggravation however, his hands became clumsy, and it wasn't long before he fumbled with some food and his temper burned hot once more.

"It just never ends with you! Always sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong, and if you aren't making me look bad, then you're just trying to show me up at every turn!"

The sound of wood splitting silenced the room, Eren and Mikasa looking in surprise at what had broke. It was one of the chopping boards, cracked neatly in half by the kitchen knife being stabbed through it. The knife that was still held by Mikasa.

She hadn't realised. She released it with a shaky hand, shocked by the violent reaction she'd had without even knowing. For a few seconds all was quiet, before she turned and quickly headed to the door.

"Mikasa-" Eren started, but she didn't slow for a second, swinging the door open and speeding out without giving him a chance for whatever it was he'd wanted to explain. Storming down the castle hallway Mikasa's mind was lost in whirlwind of emotions. Anger, hurt, sadness, fear, confusion… she was lost in it all and only made worse by the pain she could physically feel. The soreness of her hand from how tightly she'd gripped the knife, the biting tears that were trying to make their presence known. She forced herself to ignore it, to push it all away and hide it. She just needed some time to breathe, and then it would all be gone.

"Oh hey Mikasa, guess what interesting story I heard?" Came the teasing voice of Petra as she rounded the corner and came face to face with her. For a woman who was a few years older than Mikasa herself, the ginger haired girl looked so much like a smug child who'd overheard something she shouldn't have. But her real maturity shone through a moment later as her expression faded away, obviously picking up on Mikasa's own distress. With the ability one could only get from actual experience, Petra transitioned smoothly and subtly away from her coy smile, to one more friendly and approachable.

Petra moved to Mikasa's side, making sure she still gave the girl plenty of personal space. "I was going to take a walk outside, get some nice fresh air. Come join me?" It was enough of both a question and a statement that Mikasa found herself at least agreeable enough to follow, the two of them continuing down the corridor and towards the stairs.

To Mikasa's surprise when the two of them were eventually outside, Petra was content to sit down and simply make idle chatter. She wasn't talking about anything in particular, the odd comments about the land around the castle, or what they could do to spruce up their rooms, anything that could be a comfortable but one-sided conversation. She clearly knew what she was doing, and left Mikasa to feel relaxed enough to talk about things when she wanted to, or even just giving her the chance to relax in peace. When she finished her most recent aimless conversation, Mikasa finally spoke up.

"What will you do if you leave the scouts?"

Perhaps a pessimistic start given the suggestion that there was a considerable chance she wouldn't be leaving, but Petra took it on the chin enough to answer.

"Settle down, have kids. Maybe become an instructor for a while to make some money for retirement." A simple answer perhaps, but truthfully Petra was happy with it. She knew why she joined, and she didn't regret it, but she knew there was a good chance where this might all lead. Planning for the future was smart, it was good to have purpose, but she was still living in the here and now. "What about you? What will you do?"

"I don't know. I really… don't know." She muttered, eyes gazing off into nothing. "I haven't thought about what I would do in a long time, I can't even remember what I used to dream of."

A soft silence followed, and Petra was quick to make sure it didn't drag on into awkwardness. "Well, how about the basics then. Do you think you'll marry?"

Mikasa shrugged non-committedly, feeling a mix of apathy and uncertainty. "I don't know. I haven't felt anything like that yet."

"But do you think you could? When I think about who I'd want to marry, it'd be someone I would understand and connect with deeper than anyone else. Someone who supports and helps me, who I can lean on and feel safe." She had a wistful look on her face as she thought about her imagined future soul mate. "And of course he's gotta be hot. You think I'm gonna run for hours every day to not get some eye candy in return? I want some abs I can grate cheese on."

Mikasa giggled. She couldn't help it, Petra said it so nonchalantly and with such cheeky sincerity that she couldn't help but laugh. From Petras satisfied smirk, it seemed that had been her intent. "Oh really? I thought you were supposed to do all that running because you were a good soldier, are you telling me its all so you can look pretty?"

"Damn right, I want a hunk after all of this. I've seen you and your routine, you telling me that six pack isn't just a little for show?"

"A total coincidence I swear."

God how long had it been since Mikasa had teased someone or been teased and been able to smile and laugh. She savoured the moment while she could, a new yet familiar bit of fun. But the fun couldn't last forever as Petra decided to steer the conversation back towards the elephant in the room.

"So why do you train Mikasa?"

She clearly hesitated before speaking, though Petra couldn't tell if it was not wanting to tell her or just not wanting to admit something she didn't like. "I have to protect Eren."

Petra nodded in silence, thinking over her words. "He saved your life, so you think you owe him yours."

"He did more than that," she defended, knowing what presumptions Petra was already making about her. "He taught me to fight, to live." A pause. "I have to repay him for that, and he hates me for it."

"Do you?"

Mikasa looked at her in a mixture of shock and anger. "What!? Of course I have to repay him!"

Petra raised her hands apologetically. "All I mean is, do you have to owe him your life in return. Help him, support him, but don't give up your second chance at life at the same time."

"How? Every time I try to help he pushes me away. He's not- I have to be there to protect him."

And there it was Petra noticed. She didn't believe Eren was strong enough to survive without her, so she threw everything she had into protecting him. Sadly, Petra almost agreed with her. Eren was practically suicidal in his determination to kill all the Titans, and had essentially done such during the battle of Trost. Had it not been for his Titan powers, he very well would be dead.

Petra was quiet, as was Mikasa as the two thought on the words they'd exchanged before Petra suddenly hopped to her feet. "Ok then, I have an idea. Come with me." She held out a hand much to Mikasa's confusion, she could get up by herself without difficulty. Except, even as she prepared to simply stand up, she didn't, staring at the offered arm instead.

After a moment had passed, she took it.

The knocking on his door came as a surprise, as Gohan didn't think anyone would want him again before dinner time. He was equally surprised when he opened it to see Petra and Mikasa stood there, and not with the latter in an embarrassed blush like he might have expected. Instead, they were both looking at him with determination.

"Gohan," Petra began, Mikasa willing to let her take the lead in whatever was going on, "we want your help."

"With what?" He asked, bemused.

"We're going to make Eren strong."