hello again! Sorry for the wait. ...finals suck. especially as a freshman. thestruggle. But blah. I'm back with Chapter 2! :D Hope you enjoy! And thank you again to my awesome Beta's! ~ Please R&R~ -Mimi Blue

By my Side

Chapter 2: Gone

3 weeks later

Mikasa lifted her head up from the soft cream colored pillow, still in a hazy slumber. The sky shimmered dull blue light; it was barely beginning to turn dawn.

Time to get up and start the day.

She sighed in annoyance, and lifted her arms around her head, feeling guilty at the bit of satisfaction she felt at hearing all the stiff bones in her shoulder and neck crack. Hurrying, she changed into her beige Survey Corps uniform and quickly made the bed, surveying her surroundings before rushing out the door. She was the first one up in the girls dorms, as always.

As Mikasa made her way to Eren's dorm, she silently pondered at the slowly escalating situation they were currently stuck in.

It had been three weeks. No word whatsoever from the Military Police. That should have made Mikasa feel some hope, that maybe they wouldn't be coming after all.

Not for her.

Instead, it had only caused her more paranoia. If the MP could have came earlier, she perhaps could have gotten over her grief, because, after all, she knew it was coming. She would have been able to fight back with all her might. But now, she was in a state of uneasiness.

The first few days, she was her fierce, normal stoic self. She was angry, a fighter, ready to explode if anyone even went so far as to even touch Eren. She was confident that if the MP busted in that very moment, Mikasa would have the power to take them down.

But now that weeks have passed, her power and will were long gone. Instead of being strong and courageous, she was now terrified, a feeling very unfamiliar to her. Uncertainty frightened her. She had become overly attached to Eren, even more so than before.

Everywhere he went, Mikasa had to follow him, to check if he was alright. Every morning she got up early to ensure he was still breathing, still alive. And every night she went to bed unreasonably late, to make sure he was completely safe. She was needy, almost desperate. She knew she was majorly annoying him, but she couldn't stop herself.

One of humanity's strongest soldiers had staggered. The dark-haired female hated what she had become. Yet Mikasa couldn't stop what she had become.

If the MP burst into the Survey Corps HQ right now, Mikasa wasn't sure what she would do. That was why the thought of them coming to take him now terrified her. She had to keep him safe.

True to her word, she had not informed Eren of his fate. As much as she hated that damned corporal she couldn't deny that what he was saying actually made sense. Telling Eren would just make things worse.

She heaved another huge sigh while running through the building to reach the men's dorm. He ... had to be safe now, right? They wouldn't take him so early in the day.

She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice as she collided right into a disgustingly familiar corporal. He seemed to be in a hurry as well, oblivious to her presence, hence the reason they bumped into one another. Levi was usually a very alert person, so she knew something was off in order for him to completely collide into another person.

"...Ah!" She groaned in a mixture of pain and shock. His entire body had fallen on top of her, crushing her to the ground. She was thoroughly repulsed. Every second she wasted with this beast's body on top of hers, another second that could be spent checking on Eren's well being was wasted.

"...Damn" She heard his distinct grunt of annoyance. Struggling, the female pushed him off of her and just barely managed to wriggle free. He followed suit and promptly lifted himself from off the ground. For a few seconds they faced each other not saying a word, just glaring. If looks could kill, both the corporal and Mikasa would be nothing but a mere pile of ashes.

Not taking his narrowed eyes off her, Levi cleared his throat. " ...So." He spat. "You're up early, aren't you, Ackerman?"

"None of your business." She responded equally as coldly. A few more moments of silence followed.

She wanted to leave, to get out of there, fast.

Eren awaited.

But she didn't know what to say that would swiftly end the conversation without making anything too awkward. He cleared his throat once more before frowning at her again.

"Well then. I have to attend to some ...business. Don't forget to check in for breakfast at 6." He said, giving her a pointed look. She gave a quick nod, and bounced on her feet nervously, anxious to rush to Eren the moment Levi escaped her sight.

He turned around so his back faced hers and took a small step forward before pausing. The conversation had ended. Why wasn't he leaving?

She opened her mouth about to say something witty, when he suddenly spun around and looked at her.

It wasn't his typical everyday stern Levi glare, nor was it the disgusted bored expression he always had. It was a somewhat normal glance, the kind of look that actual humans give each other. And for the first time Mikasa traced a sense of emotion from those dark soulless orbs of his.

He was trying to tell her something. His face was contorted in a strange way; almost looking like sadness.

Regret. Desperation.

Eren.

They were coming.

The corporal's steady gaze fell in an instant and without another word, he spun on his foot and kept walking like nothing ever happened. Typical of him.

Mikasa didn't waste a second more. She needed to find Eren. Now.

She sprinted as fast as she could to the boy's dormitory. The speed began to make her lungs slightly burn, but she paid it no heed. After all, she had experienced far worse in her day.

She came to a screeching halt when she reached his dorm. Unsure what to do next, she just stood in front of the door breathing in and out. Her forehead was soaked with sweat but she didn't care. Inhaling sharply, she swung open the door.

He had to be there. He had to be.

Relief swooped through her like a hurricane when she saw him still in his bed, in a peaceful slumber. A idiotic smile fell onto her face as she slid to the floor, feeling nothing but pure unadulterated relief.

She became slowly aware of all the other dorm room inhabitant's eyes fixed on her, watching her like she was some foreign creature. She heard Armin's shy voice venture forward, "Mikasa...? What are you doing here?"

She glanced at Armin for a brief second before shaking her head and striding over to Eren. Everyone was watching her, she knew, but honestly she couldn't care less.

"Eren." She murmured, leaning down to face him.

"Mmmm," He groaned, rolling over. "Eren." She repeated, this time her voice stronger.

He lazily opened a single eye but the instant he realized who it was leaning over him, he sat bolt upright and scooted away as far as possible.

"M-mikasa?! Wh-what are you DOING here?!" He spluttered. His whole body was plastered against the back wall, trying to scoot back even further but to no avail. Mikasa noted with a hint of satisfaction that he was blushing.

His fellow dorm mates started snickering, which only worsened his obvious embarrassment and horror at the situation he was in.

"I need to talk to you" Mikasa said calmly. All her horror and desperation were mostly gone now, since she saw him. He gave her an odd look, almost like he was testing her. For what, she didn't know.

"...Fine." He muttered grumpily, his cheeks still a fiery red color. He waited for her to back away before slowly slinking out of the bed. The boys continued to give annoying cat calls and whoops, but Eren turned around and glared at them.

"Shut the f**k up." He grumbled, his eyes narrowed dangerously. However his hair was still tousled messily and his pajamas were clinging to his body with sweat, all which certainly took away from the angry facade he was trying to put on.

He scowled at them once more before following Mikasa out of the dorm.

She rounded the corner before coming to a halting stop. He backed up quickly to avoid bumping into her. He couldn't lie; recently Eren had become increasingly terrified of Mikasa.

Her random mood changes; one second looking weak and desperate, the next acting like this. It frustrated him and he didn't know how to respond to it.

He looked up into her dark eyes, waiting.

"Mikasa... what is it ?" His voice was cautious, reflecting his recent unease at Mikasa's behavior.

"Eren..." She murmured, her face suddenly clouding over. She took a gentle step forward and lightly touched his face. He shifted his feet uncomfortably and brought his gaze down to the floor.

He suddenly felt her arms around his. He was shocked and was ready to pull away from her grip, fast, when he felt her arms trembling. She was shaking in fear and her breaths were quick and shallow. He even felt the back of his shirt grow damp with her tears.

He stood there frozen for a few moments, unsure how to respond. He felt that he should comfort her in some way but he was extremely inexperienced when it came to that sort of thing.

He awkwardly decided to pat her shoulder, muttering forced phrases such as- "It'll be okay" "Don't worry" I'll be here to protect you".

She inhaled sharply and pulled away as soon as that last word exited his mouth. Her eyes were a mixture of fury and despair, anger and fear, rage and horror. She backed away, her eyes never leaving his.

"No... No you won't... Eren don't say that... you won't be there... You-you won't..." She sputtered incoherently as her eyes filled with tears. She shook her head rapidly.

"You won't be there!" She spat. She didn't seem to be mad at him specifically, but just mad at something in general.

He was confused, to say the least. Did she think he was just going to leave her randomly? Was that what all of this was about?

"What are you talking about, Mikasa? Do you think I would really just leave?" The whole thing seemed almost silly to him. This was the big buildup? To all her odd behavior in the last few weeks?

No, he knew her better than that. There had to be something deeper beneath the childish words she was spouting.

"Eren, y-you-" She began, her voice pleading and desperate. "Y-you, you're going to-" She cut herself short suddenly and clutched her hands to her mouth, eyes widened.

'Idiot...' She thought to herself. She had almost given it all away. Just because of her silly emotional outburst. She shook her head once more, bringing her eyes to the floor.

"...Sorry. It's-It's nothing, Eren." She said quietly, tears welling up again. She was acting so out of character. But she couldn't help it. When it came to Eren, there was no boundaries to her actions.

"I-I'll protect you, Eren. No matter what." The anguish had faded from her voice and was now replaced with the familiar maternal tone that drove Eren crazy. Yet her body was still shaking.

He was about to shout back as he usually did, protesting that he could take care of himself perfectly fine, but something in her voice held him back. He gritted his teeth and nodded.

"I know." He said. "You always do." He eyed her trembling figure with caution and lightly patted her back as he walked past her back into the dorms.

"I'll see you later today, okay?"

Later

Mikasa had spent the rest of the day by his side. She still was embarrassed about making a fool of herself that morning, but she had to do what must be done.

Protect him.

She had concealed 2 knifes in her pockets to fight when the MP arrived. She knew they were going to.

But, she felt that today she was ready. Her earlier encounter with Eren had somewhat raised her spirits.

She thought she was ready.

She really wasn't.

Dinner

Mikasa sat down next to Eren on the small wooden benches in the main hall. He eyed her warily but said nothing. His concentration was focused on Jean and Connie having a stupid conversation about who was hotter; Christa or Sasha. No one seemed to be siding for Sasha except Connie.

Mikasa watched him tenderly; admiring the way his emerald eyes softened when he smiled, his reluctant but beautiful smile, his tousled hazel hair. It was all perfect. It was all something she could never lose.

Never.

A door from the opposite side of the room suddenly swung open, bringing with it the sound of heavy harsh footsteps. The second she heard it, she knew. Her stomach dropped.

This is what she was waiting for. She was ready. She would fight.

She stood up quickly, knocking down many plates and silverware in the process. She ignored the shouting directed at her and kept her eyes narrowed focused on the men who had entered the hall.

Twenty-five, maybe thirty, armed men filed into the room while a short pudgy little man who was obviously the leader of the group stood in front.

She heard his disgusting little voice, dripping with venom, as he stared across the room right at her. His beady little black eyes made her want to throw up.

"I am here, under the order of His Majesty, to arrest Eren Jaeger." He spat, his voice loud and clear.

Without a second thought, without any thought at all, Mikasa ran forward screaming like a mad man, knives in hand. She would kill them. Before they got Eren. They would never get him.

She vaguely heard people screaming her name behind her. She didn't care. She knew she was acting idiotic, that she would never, under normal circumstances, make a boldly stupid attack like this. She didn't care. The second she had heard that repugnant man utter his name, she just ran. She couldn't stop herself.

She felt a sudden blinding pain in her leg and she crumpled to the ground, horrified. She had been shot. Yet she was still conscious. Rough hands gripped her arms, pushing her back. She struggled with all the force she could muster trying to ignore the horrible pain in her leg. Of course it meant nothing to the soldiers though.

She stopped though when she caught sight of him. Eren. His back turned, handcuffs being tightened. Silent tears dripping down his face.

What was he doing...? Why wasn't he resisting?! She knew he could, he had the strength to. But he wasn't.

"EREN!" She cried, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Through one last poor effort, she tried to break out of the soldiers grip. Nothing happened. "EREN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! RUN!" She screamed.

He turned to face her, trying to force a bittersweet smile on his face. Trying to keep the gathering tears out of his eyes.

"I'm sorry Mikasa." He said softly. And, for the last time, their eyes met.

The last thing she saw was his retreating figure being led away by the military police. Then everything blacked out.

Hue hue poor Eren. and Mikasa. :( Not much Levi in this chapter, but expect him a lot more in the next few chapters. I can't wait to write more as Levi (it is so obnoxiously fun). Anyways, please let me know what you think of this story? Thanks guys~

-MimiBlue