*
THE BARRACKS
Walking down the hallways down towards the barracks, towards the back, I finally see my recruits all preparing to disperse to the secret location. We needed to keep Eren and Historia safe, at all costs and to ensure humanity's safety as well. Walking down the flight of stairs, I finally reach their level as Jean hoists a heavy sack of grain on his shoulders. Their faces were solemn, but masked with their distraction.
These young recruits still needed more training, and experience to prepare them for the outside world. Finding myself slowly reminiscing back to training these kids, I longed to see the ones that had also fallen since then. They didn't deserve to live short lives, but I was grateful that I sketched portraits before I forgot their faces. That settling guilt would just continue to eat at me, if I forgotten them.
"Corporal.....?"
Snapping back to reality Sasha stood in front of me, along with Connie who seems to be helping them out with packing for their next destination, and mission. It wasn't anything heavy to learn, but it was just something to keep them out of harm's way for now.
"How are all of you going?" I ask softly, wanting to see if anyone was alright, especially after what just went up a few days ago. "How's Mikasa? Is her ribs alright?"
Sasha nods, "She's managing, she's starting to walk around for a bit," She informs me. "Do you want to see he--"
Shaking my head, I fold my arms.
"No need, let her rest for now........." shifting my focus on the children. ".........Sasha, thanks for remaining calm and composed......I heard great things from Hanji, a few officers."
Her eyes widen, before sheepishly scratching the back of her neck.
"It was nothing....." She brushes it off, though I heard she saved a child at least. It seems the people she went to aid, all fled to safety only remaining one deceased woman. It seems only Ragako was wiped out completely, which left Connie homeless.
"Oi! Move your dumbass!!"
My head snaps in the direction, before seeing both Eren and Jean at each other's throats again, as usual. It gave me warm memories where they started out, knowing it's better this way than to have nothing but silence and the atmosphere melancholy. A soft smile subconsciously drifts to my lips, while leaning against the beam beside me. A contented sigh draws from me, before thinking about what the royal government might think, as we kept Eren forcefully.
Grimacing by just even thinking about it, disgusted me.
"Alright! You two knock it off!" I warn the two, with a light chuckle following after. They both freeze on the spot, seeing them turn to me. "The faster you get things prepared, the sooner you can head off!"
I wasn't prepared what was to follow, as Jean's eyes widen with relief.
"Corporal! You're awake!" he exclaims, in surprise. "Are you feeling okay? Should you even be stand--"
"I'm okay Jean, no need to be concerned," I ensure him. "I'm stronger than you think I am, and I just got back from my investigation. So, too late to order me to rest, right?"
I noticed Eren looked rather uneasy when his eyes meet mine, before averting them away finding interest in a few crates nearby. He simply walked over and began loading the wagon up, without saying another word, keeping himself distracted. Jean clicks his teeth with a grunt at Eren, before walking away.
"Yes,"
With a deep exhale I turn to the kids, "Anyway, hurry this up....." I usher them, knowing they must start heading off to the safe location for them. More specifically for Eren and Historia, being two major targets. ".....the Captain and I will be there by tomorrow, so I expect the place to be tidy and clean....hmm?"
The kids all nod in unison, while I notice Mikasa about to lift up some crates.
"Mikasa.....!" I raise my voice waringly, causing her movements to hesitate. "....just rest up, let the boys deal with it all.....your ribs won't heal."
"But I--"
"Please?" stepping towards her, I place a tender hand upon her shoulder. "I know how you're feeling right now, but.......you need time to heal."
Her onyx eyes were clouded with confliction, trying to be persistent.
The silence was enough to allow her to sink back to reality, knowing she couldn't keep pushing herself like this. Eren is safe in our hands, so she doesn't need to get all protective right now. It's just been a heavy week, so I would rather see her calm and composed and at rest. It's hard, I know and I get it. Seriously she's a child, and it pains me to know they have to mature so young to become soldiers of the wall.
Finally after a moment of hesitation, she sighs feeling her shoulder loosen beneath my hand.
She sighs out a "Okay," heading towards the wagon, and sat upon the seat at the back with a solemn expression. She's troubling me, knowing we might need to have a talk. Discussion, or to spread my awareness to all the kids mental health. I wanted to at least give them some kind of comfort, if I'm gonna be charge with them as my new soldiers.
Though my anxiety slowly starts to come back, overthinking if I might not be able to save them.
Not wanting to have the same deja-vu moments again, losing every single squad I led or even instructed while battling the beasts of the land. Every single one I lead, all fell to their deaths and I blamed myself every day. I couldn't help it, but feel responsible. Thinks fell straight to hell, but I know I shouldn't worry as much. I wasn't a target to anyone, except the anonymous person beyond these walls. So I'm safe, so no worries there.
I'm a Corporal, and a superior to these children, but this time Levi is with me.
"Everyone!" I call, earning their attention gradually. Giving them a tender conciliatory look, "I'm sorry you all had to go through that, but I hope you understand the things we had to sacrifice....."
Dammit, now I sounded cold-hearted! Great job Akira!
"......but I just want you all to know, if it wasn't for you all.....Eren or even Historia wouldn't have been rescued," I admit softly, shoving the fact that I was clearly abducted. "I wish I could change time, but things just go unplanned. So expect the unexpected, I guess......."
"Corporal....."
Armin walks up to me, "It's fine, no need to apologise or explain," he assures me, while I still felt a little part of the blame. It's just out of habit, I guess. "We clearly all understand, so right now....we'll watch over Eren and Historia. They're our friends, comrades, so we're willing to follow your orders."
Taken back, I soon smile with a light chuckle.
Ruffling his blonde hair I earn a small pout, "Gosh, you all are growing fast......stop it," I lightly joke, causing him to smile in return. "Seriously, you all have grown. I can't wait to see you all grow up, and become fine soldiers......or however you follow your path. Bunch of dumbasses, I'll call ya!"
Sighing deeply, I soon wave my hand to the wagon.
"Anyway, as I said.....Captain Levi and I will be there about tomorrow morning," I remind them, heading to the flight of stairs. "So Eren!"
His head shots up, wide eyes and all.
"Or even Armin.......watch over Mikasa, and make sure she doesn't work herself!" I instruct the two, before they nod in unison. Softly smiling I make my way up the stairs again, "I'll trust you all anyway, we just need to take care of a few things......"
"Yes ma'am!"
Shaking my head with a quiet but warm laugh, I head back to my room at the back of the barracks. Once I disappear into the dark hallways, my smile soon falters while thinking back on Miche again. I can't help but feel uneasy about it all, no matter how I try to shake it. Whether it was a shifter or not, it was still dangerous. However Levi and I could easily take him down, with no problem at all.
*
Brushing against the surface of the rough paper, the comfortable silence of the torch flickering echoes subtly. The light gave me enough, as my eyes trail along the portrait of Miche. I previously was drawing him a while back, but never got to finish. Touching up the strands of hair, along with his eyebrows, I chew the inside of my cheek preventing myself to cry.
I wasn't on the verge of tears, but more holding in the anger that boiled inside.
Going over all the members of Miche's squad, minus Tomas who was still alive and well, I made a cross beside their name meaning death. I couldn't even bare to see Nanaba, not even believing she was gone. It was hard to accept, but death was around me. It was hard to push through all the blood, my comrades had shed.
~Knock~Knock~
"State name and business!" my eyes flutter from the pages to the door, with a dry expression.
"It's me,"
He opens the door as it slowly creaks open, before closing. Holding my book closely, my eyes flicker back to sketching Miche, not wanting to forget. Finally finishing up the details, the bed beside me dips lowly before feeling arms wrap around my shoulders, pulling me in to his warmth. Warm lips meet my temple, before noticing his stillness.
"What's this......?" He questions, his interest was gained. "....is this a hobby....or?"
"What? Is it bad?"
He shook his head with a scoff, "No, far opposite of that," he replies honestly, while I sheepishly tap my pencil against my bottom lip. His hands trails around the rim of my leather book, eyes fixated on my drawing. He seemed to be intrigued, but far more surprised than I assumed he would be. "This is.........amazing, love.....all these years and you didn't tell me about this?"
His eyes soon shift to meet mine, seeing his expression soften.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me?" he questions, after a matter of silence.
Sighing heavily I grip the book, "I guess........others say it's a waste of time," admitting softly. "I've held a love for art, and drawing.......but ever since becoming a soldier, I tried to get my priorities straight. However........"
My stomach churns, realising I'm opening up to more of myself to him.
"....However?" he awaits for me to resume, while I steadily remain composed and in check with how heavy drawing has become for me.
".......these portraits are to remind me of the comrades, that I once knew," I shakily say, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Actually, I have something.......you might wanna see......."
He looks at me with confusion, while I pull out another leather sketchbook.
Rummaging through every portrait of my comrades, my eyes flicker through seeing red slashes over each page, indicating they're not with us no more. Once I finally reach the pages, I hear his breath hitch in the back of his throat. His hands gently trail around the two portraits, that nestled before us. His eyes were wide, filled with confliction of emotions. However, his eyes soon sink to a tender warmth, noticing they begin to grow glassy.
"Levi.....?"
He chuckles through his light tears, that barely rested in his eyes.
"I never thought.......I would remember their faces again," He admits, noticing his voice deepens, as if he was preventing himself to let his emotions to take over. "Their eyes..........you've put so much detail into them, that I........."
My eyes rest half-lidded with a tender smile, "Isabel warmed up to me, and even though Farlan was an ass to me.........I still had a heart that cared for them both," coaxing my words, as if they were a part of me. "......Isabel called me big sis, as if she was my own. It made me feel wanted, needed and loved."
Suddenly fingers drift to my chin, turning he tilts my head up to meet his eyes.
"Thank you," pressing a soft peck on my nose, then to my cheek before burying his face into the crook of my neck. His arms slowly wrap around my plush waist, feeling his body sinking into me, with a heavy content sigh. Alarmed by his sudden gesture, warm tears on my neck soaks into my shirt, realising what this was about. His left hands snakes around my waist and tugs me closer, feeling his body grow heavy emotionally and physically with relief.
"I'm sorry," I whisper softly, releasing my book on the bedside table.
My hand soon travels up his back before caressing his hand, running my fingers through his raven locks gently. In slow gentle caresses, warm tears still soak through my shirt. It pains me to see him this way, but it's better behind closed doors. I've always wanted to show him the sketches, but I was afraid it would bring memories he didn't want to dig up again. It was a heavy burden he had to bear, but I wanted to help him carry that.
"It's.....not your fault," he muffles against my neck, pressing a soft kiss across my flesh. "I'm relieved."
Humming softly accepting it, but in reality I still blame myself for their deaths.
I was in charge, and they slipped through my fingers without my protection. Selfishly I wished for my life instead, hating to see him break in front of me. Yet, this was the first time I've held him out of comfort and solitary. He was also the tough guy, not showing an ounce of weakness. Not wanting to admit that, I could see it.
My fingers rake through his hair gently, while my eyes go into a bit of a daze.
The silence was enough to drown out any sound, only feeling the world was just us two. He was vulnerable, and I wanted to comfort him. Recalling that night when he lost both Farlan and Isabel, he called me pathetic. All his words, still clung to me since. But my sincerity was also real, and true to my word. My love for Levi has grown more and more, as I'm almost at death's door.
My hair drifts over my eyes, gazing down at him lovingly.
"I'm here Levi, I won't leave you,"
*
MEANWHILE - WITHIN WALL ROSE - TROST TAVERN - (3rd POV)
The tavern was filled with people, talking or getting drunk out of their own problems and issues to their daily lives. They all seemed to all be selfish, with their complaining, they're also forgetting the big picture to what the Scouts risking their lives for. Heavy aroma of the bitter ale, and musky scent of men walking in and lounging about. Worries were soon dissolved the moment, alcohol entered their systems hoping to waste away their pain and pointless complaints.
A stranger enters the tavern, with a dark cloak dressed over his head.
Walking comfortably at a slow pace, his boots heavily clank against the ground with every dreading second. His eyes were shadowed from the burning lamps, that flickered audibly due to the sound around. His attention finds a man sitting at the bar, downing a pint of beer steadily not being affected by his consumption.
Intrigued by the man, he walks on over and sat down on the wooden stool.
Without even glancing his way, "Big day?" The old man assumes, his voice hoarse and scratchy. His accent was thick with a western accent.
"Indeed," The stranger replies, while his accent thickens with emphasis. The bartender notices and rushes to the man, "Just a beer thanks."
"On it,"
In a few seconds a beer, full to the brim, was brought to him instantly.
The stranger turns to the cowboy looking man, wearing a hat and a vest, with dark pants with long brown boots tucked beneath the hems. "You're a local here?" He asks, breaking the silence between the two.
"Nope, just.........on a business trip....." he clicks his tongue, while chugging the rest of his beer down, with a few drops of liquor rolling down his chin. He exhales with a hearty laugh, "What about you? Local?"
"Nope..........on a business trip, supposed to meet with someone," The stranger replies, before downing his liquor.
"So......you're the guy I'm supposed to meet," The cowboy assumes, turning fully around to face the man. He was judging his appearance, "Take that cloak, it's quite stuffy in here dontcha think?"
The stranger swallows thickly, before wiping the corner of his mouth.
"Why? Aren't you happy to at least meet me?" He questions, arching an eyebrow. "Besides, this is an urgent matter.......skip the formalities and tell me who you are, hmm? Best to become mutuals, then mysterious allies?"
The man drly chuckles raising his hand, to signal for another veer before peering back to the cloaked man.
"I only speak to people who show themselves first, it's bad manners," He implies slyly, while being sincere but rather manipulatively. "Whether you're from beyond the walls, it's not my problem. I have my hands tied, with my own problems......so if you wann--"
The mysterious man slowly took his hood off, unmasking his identity.
"There......" he simply states, while lifting his pint. His cold cobalt eyes glare towards the man. ".....now will you cooperate with me?"
The cowboy grins ear to ear before licking his bottom lip, with such an amused expression dawning on his face.
"Well, what a sight for a man like you!" he laughs, taking in the appearance of the man before him. His features were rather younger, but a few grey streaks hung close to his eyes. His hair was pulled back into a traditional asian messy bun, with his hair raven black. A large scar marred right across from his left eye over the bridge of his nose to sharp messy point below his right eye.
"Dontcha look a little young for this?" he studies the man.
The mysterious man just sarcastically chuckles, seeing that he was being highly underestimated for his appearance.
"And this scar.....where did you get that, boy?" The man gestures to left side of the stranger's face. "Looks like you went through hell, I would 'assume."
The strange shifts to face the man, elbow resting on the bench rather calmly.
"I'm only in my early forties, so please....humour me some more, hmmm?" his voice grew more sinister, while the old man got a sudden chill up his spine. "What's the famous Kenny the Ripper, got to say to a man like me?"
Kenny's eyebrows furrowed together, while a shadow casts over his eyes.
He knew this was no joke no more, as the mysterious man's aura shifts to something darker. He couldn't shake the feeling what it was, but the man before him was rather far more dangerous than he could ever be. It wasn't out of strength, or the tendency to kill. No, it was something more diabolical than what he was thinking.
"Tch.......so you found out? Guess no introduction are made....except for you," Kenny sighs tipping his hat, leaning back against his stool. "Seriously, this world has gone to shit......I need to know your name at least if you're gonna come join my little squad."
Kenny was rather cautious now, that this man has shown a side he was shaken up about. Whether he hasn't met the man, he can tell when someone is more psychotic than himself when he was a serial killer in his days.
"So a name is in order?" he clears his throat. "Just.......call me Ronin.....that's all you need to know."
Kenny nods, knowingly he shared a name at least.
"Right......so mysterious and scary," Kenny jokes, trying to ease the tension that suffocated the room between the two. He could this man has more muscle than himself, and shared more scars than he could see. Either way, this man was the ticket to fulfilling his mission.
"But I've got a small request, if I may?" The stranger continues, while eyeing Kenny with an intent to either kill or negotiate. "A woman......in fact........"
"A woman?"
He nods subtly, lowering his voice.
"She goes by Yamasaki, I've heard her family was killed off......." He began, while Kenny narrows his eyes with suspicion. "........you see, I'm a hunter...... Knowing you're a bloodthirsty son of a bitch, you wouldn't mind sparing me some information."
Kenny smirks, "So, you're looking for someone........who are you trying to find, exactly?"
Ronin's eyes shift to a more icy glance, with a serious expression.
"Yamasaki......."
Kenny keeps himself composed by the answer he's received, but soon he starts to smirk deviously as if he doesn't give a shit. "Yamasaki? You mean humanity's second strongest soldier of the walls? Akira Yamasaki?"
Ronin clicks his teeth and chugged his beer, swallowing thickly.
"Sure, we can go with that, where do you think I can find her?" He questions quietly, but enough so Kenny can hear. His finger trails around the rim of the empty glass, eager to know her whereabouts.
Kenny scoffs to his question, knowing he's the only one to the key in finding her.
"Being in the Survey Corps, her location is unknown......they jump around from time to time," He explains rather casually, that it wasn't entailing to where she could be found. "Not much word has been spread on that fierce girly, but if you're targeting her, well..........guess you need to understand whatever goes around here isn't easy."
His tone darkens, trying to intimidate the stranger.
"I don't strive for any easy," He condescends, but the blood thirsty intent was flickering behind his eyes. Even Kenny was cautious of him, even though their goals were indefinite. "I'll work with ya, if you make my request true."
"Which is what? What is your true goal?"
Ronin rolls his eyes with a sigh, and places some change on the bench for another.
"Just some business that should've been done, long ago,"
--------------------------------------