DISCLAIMER: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin or it's characters, plot, etc. They are owned by Hajime Isayama. Though, I do own Inari Magnolia, Shepp, and my own creations/ adaptations I add in this story. Hope you enjoy my story!

Chapter 2

Not long after Isabel left, Shepp showed up to escort me around the small shops. Shepp was a long-time family friend. Our mother had been good friends with his. He was not much older than Isabel. He was rather tall for his age, as well as broad. Living in the slums, let alone the Underground did that to young men. They had to stay strong or else. He had soft golden eyes that shown with kindness and long, mousy brown hair he kept tide up in a ponytail. Rather odd for a man his age, yet it suited him. Maybe I only thought that because I was so used to seeing him with long hair. He was quite popular with the ladies since his politeness was often mistaken for flirting, yet stayed humble and dismissed their unrequited love. Part of me believed he had a thing for Isabel. What will happen when he finds out we are leaving for the surface? I quickly dismiss this thought, focusing instead on the task at hand.

He stood close next to me as I browsed around. My heart was brimming with joy and I could hardly keep my composure. I am excited for my new life above. We had already bought the groceries, yet he questioned why I had bought so little. I shrugged of the question and answered plainly that Isabel was getting the rest.

We were now making it to the retail shops, the crowd of buyers growing around us. I took my time looking at the items, waiting for something special to catch my eye.

"Inari? Why are we here?" Shepp asks.

"Because Isabel told me I could buy something nice today. She's getting a big reward today, so it's fine," I answer, not looking away from the array of expensive cloths and fabrics. Shepp is aware of Isabel's dealing in Levi's gang. Though he doesn't support it, he is glad that we are able to financially stay afloat, yet only barely. It's just enough for food and shelter.

"I'm sure anything you buy will be nice on you. No need to fuss," he sighs out, stretching his muscled arms up high, then placing them behind his head.

"Oh shush. I want to make a good purchase."

He laughs and stays silent at my side. We went from shop to shop, nothing really standing out. We were near the end of the shopping district, about one more shop to go, before the little district opened up to a wide, empty, back street. A group of three girls had caught sight of Shepp and swarmed him. This was usual so I waved him off, telling him I'll still be in eyesight in the next shop over. He nodded, regretful of his burden of good looks and manners. He entertained the girls, trying to dismiss them, as I wandered to the next shop. It was filled with beautiful scarves and sashes of many patterns and designs. Hats hung from hooks and jewelry was neatly placed in a small glass case.

My fingers traced over the delicate embroidery on the scarves. These were far too delicate for me. I shuffled through the variety of hats, the shopkeeper watching me intently, yet none caught my fancy. I walked to the showcase, my eyes immediately found two identical necklaces. Each on a fine, silver chain hung a sparrow, its wings spread out as if it were soaring. I will buy both. One for me and one for Isabel. A symbol of our freedom. We will fly high like these sparrows in the sunshine soon, very soon. I call for the shopkeeper to make my purchase. I immediately place one around my neck and put the other in the pocket of my shorts.

I step out of the shop, proud of my purchases, only to be blasted by a quick breeze and the sound of metal clanking. I look to its source, seeing a young man with black hair and steely grey eyes fly by on 3D maneuver gear, followed by two others. One of which was my sister! They zoom by in the empty back street and I immediately rush after them to see them in action. I stand in the middle of the empty street watching them soar farther away. Suddenly, two men in green cloaks zip past me, almost nocking me off balance. They too are using 3D maneuver gear. I spy a military symbol on one's hidden jacket; my heart jumps into my throat. They are pursuing my sister and her comrades!

I yell for them to stop, but they are too far away now. My feet act on their own and I chase them down the street, though they are too quick. I keep them in sight, trying to catch up. I hear Shepp screaming behind me, but I refuse to stop. I must help my sister! They are long gone from sight now, yet I follow the smell of expended gas from their gear. I turn a corner and spy my sister and her two comrades in the grips of the military, being cuffed, and forced to kneel before a man, presumably the leader of this military team. I'm about to run to my sister to aid her, when I am ripped back to the shadows of a nearby alley. I feel a hand cover my mouth and a strong arm wrap around my dainty waist.

"Are you crazy?! If you go out there guns blazing, you'll meet the same fate," Shepp whispers in my ear. I simply try to get out of his grasp. My sister is in trouble! She needs my help! I can't let her be taken away! She's all I have! Shepp tightens his grip around me and peeks his head around the corner.

"Stop fussing and think for a moment. If you stop, I'll let you go," his warm breath tickles my neck, causing me to blush and stand in his arms frozen. "There, that wasn't so hard. Now keep quiet," he continues, finally releasing me. I scramble to the opposite side of the alley, hiding my red face. This is no time to feel flustered by a guy… who was far too close… anyway. I peer around the corner.

The man with black hair, who flew by me earlier, had his faced pressed into the ground in a murky puddle. The military leader had blonde hair and stern eyebrows and appeared to be questioning the other in the puddle. My sister was kneeling with them as well. I feared for her, but if I rush out there now, I might be shot for interfering with a military investigation. Damn it! I feel useless! I glance towards Shepp, who is watching the scene as well. He seems just as angry I. His brows pulled together, his jaw clenched, his rage slowly coming to the surface.

Suddenly, I hear a commotion and look back at my sister, only to find her being dragged away with her comrades. Something inside me snaps. I run out into the street, straight towards the closest soldier, kicking him the back of the knees, then slamming foot into his back, making him crash to the ground. By now, the others are alerted to my presence, but I don't stop. My sister's two comrades are being loaded into a guarded wagon. Before they put her in with them, I grab the cloak of the one holding her, pulling him backwards, then connecting my fist with his face in a blind fury.

"Run, Isabel!" I scream at her, tears brimming my eyes. She simply stands there in shock. I continue my assault, aiming a round-house kick to the gut of another soldier. Then, I spy the blonde military captain and aim my anger at him. I rush at him, ready to bloody his face. I reel my arm back, readying to punch those eyebrows right off his face, yet just as my fist is about to connect with his jaw, he grabs my arm, spins me around, pinning my arm between my shoulder blades painfully.

"Let her go, you pig!" I shout at him.

"Inari," I hear her voice carry over the fray softly. I look over to Isabel, still standing by the wagon, a small smile on her face, a tear running down her cheek.

"Run! Run home!"

"Inari, stop. We made a deal already," she steps closer to me. The man still holds me, trapped in his strong grip. I can't run.

"What do you mean?" I stammer out.

"I am to join the Survey Corp. If I do so, I will be free from charges. It might not be tonight like I promised, but I will get your freedom, sister," she says, turning to leave.

"Wait! Don't leave me! How can I live without you?"

She turns back to me, "You have Shepp to care for you. I promise I will come for you. Be strong."

With a last burst of adrenaline, I free myself from the captain and run to Isabel. I grip her in a tight hug, letting my tears fall.

"Promise?" I sob.

"Promise," She whispers against my ear. I can feel her tears on my neck. I take the sparrow necklace out of my pocket. I pull away from her hug and clasp it around her neck. She looks at it, smiling. She says, "I thought I told you to get something for yourself?"

"I have one too," I say, pulling my own from under my shirt, "We both have one, so we are never apart."

She starts to cry again and I pull her in for one last hug. "Fly swift," I whisper in her ear.

"Fly high," Isabel responds.

And then she is ripped from my world and tossed into the harsh world above. Though, I know she sleeps under a sky and I under a cavern, I know that we still sleep on the same earth.