*
"Akira.....Akira......?"
Blinking a few times, I was in confusion for a moment before realisation hits me. Lena stood in front of me, snapping her fingers sharply while her brows knitted together with worry. Rolling back my shoulders I come back to my senses, before giving her a quick smile.
"Hmm, what was it you were saying?" I ask, as the room was crowded with injured men and women from the battle earlier.
She slumps forward leaning her elbows on her knees, while just giving me her usual concerned look which always left me feeling guilty. Whatever she was saying, guess I wasn't entirely listening in. My arm was numbed from the blood loss, which left me wondering if she's already gauzed it.
"Seriously Akira, you've been shot and stabbed......" she sighs with defeat, before her face contorts with irritation. Irking an eyebrow, she gives me a scolding look. "......so don't over do it, please? You're one of our finest and strongest soldiers, losing you will affect everything and....."
The frustration was so shaking in her voice, as if she was terrified. Did I really worry her, because this is the first time she's almost broken down. Her hand was shaking visibly, but she covers it up by folding her arms together.
Lifting my good arm I pat her shoulder, seeing a surprised look in her teary auburn eyes that glazed over.
"Lena, I'm fine alright," I assure her, decisively. She tries to avoid my eyes, knowing she felt guilty for both my wounds. I get it, but it was also my battle too. "You may be my assistant, a comrade and sister.........but, you don't have to be my mother. That's my job, okay?"
I could tell she felt frustrated like she was responsible, making me give her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"Kay?" I repeat myself, making her slowly nod in defeat.
She ran her fingers through her blonde hair, with a heavy sigh.
"Yeah......sorry," before slumping herself back, as she shifts her attention to the metal tray beside her. "Anyway, we have to properly treat your wound......"
Nodding, she ushers someone over which to my surprise was Moblit who was watching over Hanji finally resting up for now. Adjusting myself on the medical bed, Lena walks over to unwind the bloodied cloth that was dry and crusty. Peeling it off carefully, the pressure finally gives my arm somewhat relief before she peels another layer off.
Waiting for her to clean the wound, a short gasp hitches in her throat.
Her gloved fingers rest tenderly around the bullet wound, making me grimace through my teeth quietly. She ushers Moblit to have a look, before feeling a warm light drifts over blinding me from the side.
Seething through my teeth, "What is it?"
"Um.........it seems, some of the bullet pieces were still left when shot," her voice grew more unquiet, the more time lingered forward. My head cranes to the side to the two, as I saw the flesh was shredded and fresh blood oozing down my arm slowly.
"It seems we might need to do a careful procedure," Moblit admits, even though it seems like it might be a painful process.
Shaking my head, I wave my good hand.
"Just get it done and over with, I'll be fine," I assure the two, as the thought made my gut churn sickeningly. Even though it was my first time being shot, I still remained calm. Previous to blade wounds, rope burns, and whiplashes, this wasn't a walk in the park.
"But--"
My eyes met hers with a stern, trusting look, "I know you can do it, so please? Stop worrying, and just get the damn pieces out!"
"Yes, Corporal," Moblit agrees, before he rushes over to grab a few things. "Lena, get her on her right side so we can get better light!"
"Right,"
Lifting myself full onto the bed I felt another presence approaching us, as my eyes follow up to meet his. He was checking over the wound, before landing on me on the furthest corner of the infirmary room. I could tell he was indeed exhausted, and troubled with alot of questions right now. Assuming everything slightly settled down outside at the wall of orvud district, I felt at ease knowing the civilians were safe.
Levi approaches me and checks my bullet wound, which was a ghastly sight to see.
"Shit.......Lena, it's not infected?" he asks, while she looks at him nervously.
"Um, well....." her eyes slices to mine, as if she was asking permission to tell him. Giving her a quiet nod of approval, she took a deep breath in and out showing a more calm expression on her face. ".....she's alright, but...bits of the bullet is still imbedded in the flesh--"
"What?" his voice raises higher, but I press a hand upon his chest firmly. His steel gaze pierces into my own, before softening that soon matched mine.
"I'm fine, don't worry....." pressing a soft kiss to his lips, before pulling away. He studies my face for a moment, while his warm shaky breath tickles my lips. ".....so, what are you doing now? Do you need anything?"
A troubled sigh leaves his lips, while waiting for Moblit to return with a few more medical supplies.
"Kenny's still at the Chapel," he replies, honestly which left shivers to run down my spine. "I'm heading back there, question him and see if we're able to bring him back to question him....hopefully get answers from him, as well."
My eyebrows furrowed together, "You sure he could've survived that cave in?" i question, worriedly. "I mean, that man that was......." lowering my voice, enough for him to hear. ".....hunting me.......he, he didn't survive....so what makes you thi--"
"A hunch,"
Arching an eyebrow, "A hunch? A stubborn man then, if you ask me," I retort quietly, with a dryly scoff still not believing he's an Ackerman. "Wonder what relation he is to Mikasa, if he's an Ackerman.......it's...a mystery to me."
Levi seems to fallen quiet, when his hands slowly cup either side of my face and cradled it gently. Seems like he doesn't mind to be seen now, the way he was looking into my eyes in a way.
"Don't worry yourself, Lena and Moblit will take care of you til I get back," He says, pressing a chase kiss upon my temple. Closing my eyes I embraced the warmth his kisses felt, feeling more at ease he was safe.
"When will you be back?" fluttering my eyes open, he pulls away.
"About later tonight, don't worry," he assures me. "Won't be long, and we'll try and find that man's body......to confirm his death....alright?"
Humming softly, his thumb shifts to my bottom lip and presses one more kiss upon mine swiftly.
"Thank you, just stay safe," I firmly warn him, while he nods.
Clicking his teeth together he lowers his hands and turns to Lena with a nod, before taking his leave. The warm that rose to my cheeks left a coldness, wanting his hands cupping my face again. It just brought me at ease, but now I have to wait a while for him to come back.
"So........."
My head swivels around to see a teasing expression, plastered upon my assistants face while she twirls the tweezers in hand.
"........finally he's open about it?" She arches an eyebrow, while feel the heat rising from my neck to my cheeks.
"I-I guess? I don't know," I mumble, lying myself onto my side. "Come on, let's just.....get this over and done with.....okay?"
She walks around to meet my face, as I tried to cover it up with my back facing her.
Bending down she smirks, "Can I be the godmother?--"
"Lena, it all depends on now?" I warn her, playfully while she sighs standing back up. With a huff, Moblit finally comes back with a few things. Grasping at a few things, they begin to clean around my wound with fresh water. Tender the skin was, the flesh was definitely torn and I had to just endure the pain a little longer.
Wincing slightly from how sensitive my shoulder has become, a comforting hand rests on my own hand.
"It's gonna be alright, Corporal," Moblit warmly assures me, giving me somewhat relief and comfort by his words.
"Alright, time to start," Lena spoke up, before a cloth was placed in front of my face. "Bite into this, cause this isn't gonna be a pretty procedure."
With the help of Moblit, my teeth encase around the cloth and clenched firmly.
Within moments she begins to sink the metal tweezers in, while the warmth of the lantern coaxes one side of my face. My eyes shot open while the pain shot through my arm, causing my heart rate to spike up. Heavily breathing through my nose, a tried my hardest to bite back a painful cry.
Tears subconsciously roll down, dipping in the corner of my eye and over my nose slowly.
"Got one, but a few more to go," Lena whispers, while Moblit grunts.
"Don't say how many, it will only make it less comfortable," He scolds her quietly, while I'm trying to recover from just one.
"Sorry," she apologises, before slowly repeating the same simple instructions.
My good hand claws at the blanket beneath me, trying to find something as the pain kept throbbing agonisingly. Whimpers vibrate against my throat, while she continues taking the shards out one by one. I could feel blood resurfacing, leaving a heavy trail down my arm and side.
My vision was cloudy, before feeling my arm numbed again feeling my mind drift somewhere else.
"That's it, we're done....." Moblit soothes out, confirming their procedure was a success to some degree. "....alright, let's close the wounds up quickly before being more exposed to an infection."
"Right,"
My eyes hazily drift to the ceiling of the infirmary, while everyone's voices grew faint with every passing second. Fluttering my eyes closed, things begin to drift off to a subtle calmness. Whether it was my head spinning, or my ears losing hearing, all my body wanted was rest.
"Hey, Corporal......stay awake," Lena warningly exclaims, earning a slight shake to wake myself up.
My focus was fading in and out, while another pair of hands helped me up.
"Easy, she's survived a bullet wound," Moblit says, propping up a pillow against the wall behind me. Blinking my eyes a few times, they hazily drift to meet Lena's frantic ones that tried to find anything to help with the pain.
"It's.....fine," I drawl out, with a weak chuckle. "Just stitch and gauze my wounds, I'll....be--"
"Hey, hey stay with us!" Lena calls, in dismay.
However everything begins to grow black, feeling body go numb.
*
MEANWHILE ~ AT THE REISS CHAPEL (Levi's POV)
The day was going by quickly as a squad of fresh Scouts, and I headed down to the chapel. Many questions were threading and weaving through my mind, I couldn't understand the reasoning as to why Kenny left me all those years ago. Leaving me with no message, or even just a good excuse wasn't enough to fulfill my pleading questions.
Yet, there many things I don't know about which always left a mystery behind, for ones to find later.
Despite that we've taken down Rod Reiss, I knew more obstacles will lay awake in our path. Though I wasn't sure what to expect, my main concern shifts to Akira who has been excessively pushing herself too much. Though I hate to admit my concerns to anyone, her well-being is my own responsibility.
Being shot and still fought strong, entirely showed herself in a new light. Not once since I've seen her waver, or even step back for any lazy excuse. She just continues to surprise me, since the female titan's attack.
Since the false breach, that costed a few squads, her abduction, to everything else that happened.
Knowing she is in safe hands currently, my mind was at ease and now I could focus solely on questioning Kenny. With a few personal questions, and informal ones that would spill further about the truth behind these damned walls. With everything causing damage during our travels to the Chapel, a trail was left with nothing but burnt trees and the earth dry to just fine soil.
Walking down the cave in where we came out of, my hands gripped the rifle firmly while my eyes grazed over the state.
Blood was pooling beneath heavy clumps of rocks, and earth. Carnage buried under, and their weaponry laid wake straying not far from their hands. I grimace slightly, before shifting over trying to find anything on the man that stalked Akira personally.
Thinking about it, made me wonder what Akira did to make this man hunger blood lust towards her. Why he focused solely on murdering her, or abducting her in the first place?
What does Akira know, that I don't? Should I even ask?
No, that would just be rude sticking my nose into her own business.....
"Captain Levi!!!!!"
Turning sharply on my heel I met with one of the Scouts, "What? You look like you're gonna shit yourself,"
The soldier pants heavily, "We've found Kenny Ackerman--He's still alive!"
Realisation hits me as my eyes widen, surprised the bastard even made it out and is still hanging onto life.
Finally following behind the soldier eagerly wanting to interrogate him myself, I wasted no time hurrying over. Approaching the old geezer, he looked pathetic and disgusting with his burns that littered across one side. He clutched the heavy wound I gave to him, which means he's fighting to stay alive.
"Kenny..."
His eyes opened at the sound of my voice, but our rifle aimed at him cautiously.
"Ah shit, not you aga--" he hacks up blood, coughing harshly from the damage I inflicted on him.
My eyes calmly rested upon his sorry state, "Fond what's left of your squad, it looks like they were crushed in the cavin-in," arching an eyebrow. "I guess you were the only survivor?"
Kenny closes his eyes weakly, with a deep rumble of pain in his throat, "Mmm...sure, looks that way,"
My eyes hardened knowing he has no strength to move, or do anything to disarm me at any moment. Knowing what I'm capable of doing, I turn to the Scout soldier nudging my rifle in the direction we came from.
"Report back, I'm fine alone," I order firmly, confident that I will get through to him wanting ask more personal questions. The soldier lowers his rifle, before nodding in response.
"Understood sir,"
Finally having alone time with Kenny left the air quite heavy, wanting to know who I am to this very man before me. My childhood, my life, who I was. It all depended on his answers to my own questions, right here and now. Though he looked like shit, I'm sure if he was gonna survive.
"Between the burns and the blood you've lost," I gesture my rifle to his wound, my eyes keenly rested on him. "There's nothing that can save you now."
A grin slowly curls upon his bloodied lips, grimacing slightly.
"Oh, yeah? I wonder......." his voice grew hoarse and dry, while pulling something out that made me quietly gasp in surprise. A tin box, left with a syringe, serum and long needle carefully placed in a red velvet box. ".....swiped this sucker out of Rod's bag back in the cave....seems if I just stick myself, I'll turn into a big, strong titan...."
He fell silent for a moment, as the sun was slowly setting in the corner of my eyes.
".....one of the dumb ones, unfortunately," He gravells jokingly, as if sandpaper was rubbing against his throat. "But for a while, it oughtta keep me.....alive."
I stared at him apathetically, while wondering he didn't do it sooner. If so, why on earth would he be telling me? He had hours to take it, so what held him back in not taking the opportunity to end it, to become mindless?
Tilting my chin, "You had the time and strength to inject yourself, before I got here if you wanted," I point out, sternly. "Why didn't you?"
He weakly smirks, "Fair point, I guess....I'm just scared," he admits, his voice dragging behind. "If i don't inject it right, then........I might turn out the same as Rod....all messed up-like."
"I know you're not just sitting here waiting to bleed to death," I state, bluntly. "Surely, you have a better excuse than that."
"Well, runt.....the thing is, I don't feel like dyin' without my dream comin' true," He spoke up, dryly. "But.....I see now...after all this time, I think I see why he did it..."
"Huh?"
He weakly laughs through clenched teeth, before opening his eye.
"We humans, we're all the same," he grins. "Every last one of us......for some it's drinkin'.....for some it's women.....for some, even religion....family.....the King.....Dreams........Children.....Power.....All of us had to spend our lives drunk on somethin'. Else we'd have no cause to keep pushin' on. Everyone was a slave to somethin'.....even him."
Suddenly he coughs up a heavy amount of blood, as I grimaced with disgust.
He finally stops for a moment, "So, what's your poison, runt? Heroics? That girl?"
Annoyed with him stalling I drop my rifle and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him to focus on me. "Kenny! tell me everything you know about the King!" I demand sternly, knowing his time is slowly ending. "The first King! Why didn't he want mankind to survive?!"
"Dunno, beats me," he rasps out. "That said, I know that's part of the reason.....that we Ackerman's decided to turn coat--" he cough up blood, as it splatters across my cheek while my eyes widen as he claimed I'm an Ackerman.
"So......apparently, that's my name as well?" I assume. "Tell me, who are you? What were you to my mom?"
He chuckles with a wide grin, "Heh, you dumbass......I'm just her brother," before he hacks more blood, while I stood at him in shock. So that would mean, he is my Uncle? All this time......? So.....then....
"That day, why?" I question. "Why did you leave me?"
"Because......I just wasn't cut out......to be somebody's dad," he admits, while struggling for air. "Also........a warning to......that girl of yer's.....Akira, was it?"
Furrowing my eyebrows with confusion, he held a grim expression weakly.
"She's......in danger," he groans, while blood continues to coat his chin while lazily gazing up. "He's.......alive, and boy is he.......pissed."
My skin crawls knowing who he's mentioning, but I couldn't understand the relation or reasoning by this mystery assassin or whatever he was. An enemy, I knew all too well.
"Who is he, and why does he want her?" I demand, though I still finally discovered who Kenny was to me. Akira's life could be in danger, and if I don't figure something out now I might lose her too. I couldn't, not after everything we've went through for years.
"Another Uncle.............out for blood," he simply replies, as my eyes widen in horror. "Yet......*Cough*........one thing's for sure.....his blood lust is greater than mine.......when I was the Ripper in my prime...."
That left a bad taste in my mouth, feeling my stomach churning in response.
My hands grip firmly on his shoulders, "Where is he? How long ago did you see him last?" I demand, panic rising in my voice.
"Don't know..........but keep that girl safe," he croaks out, with a smirk. "She's an eye-catcher.........and a strong one too.......shit, she can really kick yer ass if she wanted too..........."
"Dammit Kenny! Where is he?!"
He suddenly slams the he tin against my chest, causing my eyes to widen before seeing the life slowly draining from his eyes. However the feelings I felt there and then, were ambivlience. Confliction, torn at the seams wondering why i feel lost the moment he drew his last breath.
Swallowing thickly, I stare blankly at the tin then back to him.
"Kenny........." my voice barely a whisper, but more of a longing for him to wake up as if it was a joke. What a bastard he was.
Shit, I don't understand it all!!
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