A house is not a home.

Manjushage began a new life with Levi and his friends. Since her features were too Asian-like, they asked her to stay at home for a few weeks, until people forgot her. Farlan gave her a hat to hide her long, dark hair, and wondered if it wouldn't be better for her to have a new name. After all, if anyone heard them say her actual one, people would know she was actually alive. Levi agreed after an hesitation, and the four of them searched for an idea. Isabel had plenty of them, but the girl mostly didn't like them. Names like Molly or Gwen, she thought, wouldn't suit her. Farlan asked her if her name had any meaning, so that they could look for something approaching. They learnt that 'Manjushage' meant 'spider lily', which was a red flower and symbolised death or abandon. It meant, in an old asian language of flowers, 'we'll never see each other again'. The Asian girl said, ironically, that it kind of matched with her.

When the group ended up with no more ideas of names, Levi stared at her and then said :

"There's no hurry right now. You can still be Manjushage for a moment, until we found you a new name."
"Yeah !" Isabel agreed with a smile. "Anyways, you're our dear imouto-chan ! It would be nice to call you like that forever !"

"Isabel...", Farlan sighed. "Let her breathe, com'on."

The Asian girl grinned when the two of them began to argue about Isabel being overprotective or not. Levi left the room, followed by Manjushage. She wondered why he had helped her in the first place. She also wished to know what he had told to Mikasa while she was crying, that night. But the man obviously had many hidden secrets, and she couldn't force him to talk. After all, they were quite the same. He had been through horrible things, just like her, and even more, due to him being older. That was why he took care of his friends so much ; he wouldn't allow himself to loose any of them. Although their arguments were a constant and quite annoying, he liked it. It reminded him that he wasn't alone. Unlike her, he had someone to care about.

When she reached what she supposed was the boys' room, she found Levi searching something in a closet. He must have seen her, because his voice called :

"Oi, stop sneaking around. Help me cleaning the top floor's mess."
"Alright !"

It appeared that she was good at cleaning ; actually, she hated dust and dirt as much as he did. They were quite efficient when they worked together : in an hour, they've cleaned most of the top floor, where the trio used to stock food, drinks and all kind of devices. While taking out dust, Manjushage found several 3D Maneuver Gear, and couldn't help but feel curious about it. Levi, following her gaze, explained that they had been stolen years before from the Military Police. No one had ever been able to take them back. The girl asked how he had learnt to use it ; he just said that he had trained very hard, for entiere weeks until he perfectly mastered the gear. There was no real secret about it ; only hard work. She looked at him with fascinated eyes, impressed. To her, Levi was the strongest fighter of the Underground, and probably even stronger than most of the soldiers of the surface. He had both physical and psycological strenght, and although he seemed unexpressive, she knew he was not. She had seen him ruffling Isabel's hair or holding Mikasa against him when she was asleep ; she had seen him feeling concerned about herself when she had been beaten up. He was just too proud to show his emotions.

"Nee, Levi... One day, could you teach me how to use the gear ? I mean, when people would forget me..."
"I told you it was hard", the man said. "And I'm not what we could call a patient teacher."

"Maybe you're not. But you're the best teacher I could get anyways." He glanced at her, and saw a determined light in the deepth of her eyes. "Please, Levi... I promise I'll do my best..."
He paused to stare at her, a blank expression on his face but shilghtly curious. He had seen Manjusage doing acrobaties on the roofs of the Underground ; he had seen her twist her limbs in position only the supplest athlete could do, thanks to an hard training. Deep inside, he knew that she could master the 3D Maneuver Gear without so much difficulties. Yet, right now, it was impossible : if someone, anyone, saw her face and recognized her features...

"Fine. We'll start training in a few weeks, when I'll consider that it's safe."
"Really ? You promise ?" Her eyes were brighter than anything else. "Yay ! Thank you, thank you ! You're the best !"

She hugged him quickly before returning to her cleaning, much happier than she was the day before. Levi couldn't help but grin a little, a soft feeling spreading in his chest.

Weeks pasted by with Manjushage living with the trio, taking care of the house while they 'worked' outside. Isabel became very close to the child ; after all, they had both been saved by Levi at one point, and had found a new home. Farlan too liked her ; she wasn't as expressive or hot-headed as Isabel, nor as logical as himself, but she was reasonnable and thoughtful, and, just like Levi, she had a deep sense of when she should pass a limit or not. And, they must all admit that she was kind of cute too : even hiding her beautiful hair and wearing rags, she had one of the rettiest faces they had ever seen, altough it was skinny and pale of never having seen the sun.

One evening, as the trio came back to their house, they found her cooking their dinner, and preparing tea. Levi shoot a death glare at the teapot, and she giggled before explaining :

"I know you love tea, so I managed to get some today..."

"Where ?"

"Er... Actually, I had to steal it from my old house..."
"So you walked out ?!" Farlan hitched. "You know it's dangerous..."

"Don't worry ! I did my best so that no one could see me ! And I never stopped or talked, I'm sure..."
"Maju."

She stiffened at Levi's call. He must be upset, annoyed... She lowered her head, knowing he would be mad at her, and her breath got caught when he took her chin. His clear blue eyes didn't show any anger as he stared into her deep black ones.

"Don't do that again, understood ?" She nodded frantically. "If there's smething you want from outside, ask us, but don't take so many risks for some tea." She agreed, saddened, and he added to comfort her. "Come on, don't make that face. Let's eat, and then, we'l train you to the 3D Maneuver Gear."
She raised her head, gaping at them all. Isabel nodded and the little girl had to prevent herself from hugging them all.

But she soon understood that Levi wasn't patient at all, even though he seemed to try his best not to shout or swear. Actually, the girl was doing pretty well : she knew for the beginning how to keep her balance on the gear, and was supple enough to move with it. But still, she was young, tiny and the whole package was damn heavy for her. Needless to say that she could hardly walk with it, although she could use it. Levi sighed at the sight of her, breathing heavily to bear that weight. It was true that Isabel and Farlan were taller and older than her when they had started training. And Levi was also heavier than her, although the height gap wasn't as large.

"Stop", he called. "Wait a minute." She obeyed and turned her pale face to his. "Remove the Gear, I want to see something."

"I didn't know it was so heavy...", she muttered under her breath while he observed her without it.

"Tell me, how did you become so supple ?" She blinked, not understandind, and he sighed. "I saw you jumping from the roofs and landing with no visible effort although other people would have died in the process. I saw you twist your back so that your feet and hands could touch the same ground. And I saw you killing a men by breaking his neck with nothing more than your legs. How did you learn that ?"
"Huh... My father taught me when I was young. I mean, younger. As soon as I learnt to walk, he made me bear the pain of twisting my back and limbs in order to make it easy for me. It was hard, and damn painful too, but eventually I managed to master my body perfectly."
"Hmm. Well the Gear works the same way. I'm going to tell you a secret", he said. "When I first started using it, I couldn't walk either. I was short and light, and that fucking thing seemed to be heavier than my own self."
"Then how did you learn to control it ?"
"I had to accept it as a part of my body. I trained hard to make myself stronger, and, little by little, it seemed to become lighter. That's basically the same as when you learnt to bear the pain in your muscles."
"... I guess I understand. Can I try again ?"
He nodded and handed the Gear to her. She trained hard the following days, when they weren't at home. She forced herself to run into the house with the Gear on ; she made exercises to keep both her balance and suppleness even with it. Sometimes it seemed that her legs were about to collapse and crumble of the pain. Most of the time, she was so exhausted that she feel asleep with the Gear, just after Levi and his friends came back home. And she kept on training everday, not noticing that the weight became lighter and lighter, just as Levi had told her. Actually, she was the one getting stronger and heavier, and in comparison, her equipment was no longer a burden.

One day that the trio arrived sooner than the usual, they found the little girl doing gymnastics -like for instance moving her leg until it was in the precise angle of her back- without grimacing of the pain. It was then when Levi asked her to try and 'fly'. She wasn't self-confident at first, believing she wasn't ready. But the trio didn't let her go, and she soon found herself outside at nighttime.

"Wh-what if they catch us ?"
"You think they can ? The Military Police does nothing against us, we're too fast !" Isabel said with a certain arrogance.

"And we'll prevent them from chasing you", Farlan added. "Now go ahead, imouto-chan !"

She gulped, unsure of what to do. A glance to Levi told her that it was the time. She triggered the Gear on, and maneuvered swiftly. In matter of minutes, she felt herself flying as easily as if she had always been a bird ; free as she had never been before. Some members from the Military Police tried to follow her, but they also had to deal with the others, and she didn't have to worry about anything else than her height and direction.

"Hey, she's good !", Isabel shouted to her old friends.

"Yeah, she's even faster than us !", Farlan noticed.

Levi was silent, but when she turned herself to face them, he grinned ; she wore the happiest smile he had ever seen, it made her face and orbs bright. They returned home, escaping from the Military Police, and no one saw them, much to the child's relief and the trio's amusement. As soon as they got rid of their 3D Maneuver Gears, Farlan and Isabel gave their compliments to their tiny friend for having perfrmed such a nice first fly. Isabel repeatedly hugged her and sang along 'hip, hip, hip, hurray !', until Farlan sighed tat she was noisy. They began to argue, as usual, and Manjushage smiled at that familiar scene. Levi's hand ruffled her dark locks, finally free from her hat, making her jump. She looked up at him and whispered a 'thank you' ; she couldn't tell how happy she was with words. Nothing could express her joy. The short man replied with a monotone 'you welcome' and then, with a gentler one, he announced :

"I think I have an idea of new name." Farlan an Isabel stopped their fight and listened to him, surprised. Manjushage waited, quite curious. "What do you think of Bird ?"
"Bird ? Like... a bird ?", Isabel repeated.

"Well, it would suit you, Maju. After all, you were kind of good at the Maneuver Gear ; I must admit that you looked pretty much like a bird back then."
"Really ?"

"That's true !", the ginger-haired one cried. "Hey, you're good at giving names, Aniki !"

He rolled his eyes and glanced at the first interested.

"What do you think ?"
"... I love it ! It's even better than Maju !", she said, excitedly, much to the three thugs' pleasure. She hugged them all and, as Levi gently stoke her cheek, she heard him announce :

"Perfect then. You're our Little Bird now."

Bird lived happily for months, helping the thug trio with the domestic chores and with some jobs that requiered her presence. She didn't get out of the house too often, except when it was late and dark outside, and only if Levi had agreed. He had grown overprotective about her, which was normal because, as Isabel used to say, 'she was their beloved Little Bird !". Actually, the tiny, helpless, frail child had began to grow, slowly, but due to her years of malnutrition, stravation and hard work, she knew she wouldn't be tall ; not even as tall as Isabel. But anyways, she was the happiest she had ever been with them. Sometimes, she would regret Kiyoko and her family, but the thought of them in the surface, living in their own house, made her feel better.

However, those peaceful times found an end with the arrival of a strange man who came at their house. Bird was hidden in her bedroom, beneath the shadow of her bed, and couldn't hear the conversation. She did no move until Farlan came to tell her that it was fine. Apparently, the man wanted them to take a document from a certain Smith. Erwin Smith, he had said. An important member of the Survey Corps. But why ? Bird asked that question and found no answer. After a few researchs, Farlan learnt that the document must have something to do with a nobleman on the surface called Lobov. The young girl muttered it seemed dangerous, more dangerous than anything they have done before ; but the man had offered them to live in the surface if they did the job. Plus, they have been said that the Survey Corps would find them anyways ; they would have to make a choice.

Levi didn't like the idea so much, but in the end, he agreed to say that, if it was true and the Survey Corps contacted them, he would agree and achieve the job. Bird felt that it was not a good idea ; but she made no sound. After all, they were all strong and fast with their Gears on, probably stronger and faster than any soldier. Maybe, it wasn't as risky as she thought.

Still, when the trio came back after being catched by the actual Erwin Smith, she couldn't help but feel shocked. A soldier had thrown Levi's face in the mud, covering it with filth. She had to act surprised, as if not understanding what was going on even though it was part of their plan. That's why, while Levi changed his clothes and cleaned his face, she snooped on the soldiers that followed her friends. Both were tall, they were the tallest men she had ever seen. Erwin Smith was a well-built soldier with blond hair and acute blue eyes ; she noticed his eyebrows were funny. The other, called Mike, was even taller than his superior, and wasn't very talkative ; but he was the first one to notice her presence. He nodded in her direction, so that Erwin turned his face to her.

The soldier smiled gently and kneeled in front of her.

"Hey, who are you, little girl ?" She didn't reply, used not to talk at anyone except from the trio for the past two years. He reached his hand out. "I'm Erwin Smith. Your look reminds me of Levi's. I guess you're a relative of his-"
"Get your dirty hand far from her before I change my mind", came Levi's voice, colder and harsher than the usual.

Erwin stood up, not even trying to hide his amused grin. The short man took Bird in his arms and hugged her, and she knew that part of him was scared about leaving the Underground without her. So she hugged him back and whispered lowly :

"It's dangerous."

"Shh, don't worry", was his reply. "We'll come back as soon as possible to take you upthere. There are stocks of food in the first floor, and you have enough money to get some more if we're late. Remember not to go out when there's still many people outside, right ? It'll be fine."
"There are titans upthere, and they want you to kill them", she murmured, her voice a little acute. "What if..."
"Everything will turn out fine. Do you trust me ?"
"Always."
"Then I promise I'll come back for you. Anytime."
And he kissed her forehead to comfort her, before his two friends came to hug her themselves. They repeated the same advices and the same promises, and she had to smile because if she didn't smile she would cry. She gave a white scarf to Levi before he left, just as she had given a collarlace to Isabel a few days before, and a shirt to Farlan even before. He ruffled her hair for the last time, giving er a warm smile, and left. The soldiers said nothing, but saluted her before leaving. And then, she was alone in her empty house, and went to her bedroom to find a little warmth.
The little warmth appeared to be an old scarf of Levi's that he had given to her one winter, because she was cold in her bed.

The following days, she tried to work a little in order not to feel bored. cleaning absolutely the whole house, training with her Maneuver Gear (that the soldiers haven't even seen) or doing gymnastics to get stronger. But soon, she found no more dust to chase or filth to clean, and she had to find new activities. She read painfully the few books Farlan had in his bedroom, and daydreamt about the stories they told. She had dreamt about her friends upthere, too, worried about their well-being, scared of them forgetting her. But Levi had promised he would come back ; and he wasn't a liar. She had no reason to think he would let her alone. She had to have faith on him.

That's why, when he appeared, wearing the Survey Corps uniform and the scarf she had made, in the living room, after weeks of absence, she almost jumped on him to release her joy. But his face was sad, and he was alone. She understood too quickly, and saw his light eyes darken. He took her and pressed her tiny frame against his chest, burrying his face in her neck while she threw her arms around his. He didn't have to talk, but she heard him whisper :

"Isabel and Farlan died during the expedition. It was my fault. That job, the document about Lobov... Everything was fake. They died for nothing. I saw them being killed but I couldn't save them. I'm sorry, Little Bird..."
Deep inside, she knew Levi wasn't alright ; he rarely talked that much, and wasn't so polite either. But his heart was hurt, badly, after his best friends' death. And Little Bird was the only one he would allow himself to show his weakness. She caressed his hair, holding back her tears, and replied :

"It's alright... It's not your fault. I know it. It's alright ; everything will turn out fine, I promise. I'm here, Levi..."

At that last word, she broke into tears and he had to hug her closer to prevent herself from falling on her knees. Levi felt horrible to see that even when he was the culprit, she tried to help him. She seemed to take a part of his grief and guilt as hers, in order to light the weight on his shoulders. And it was terrible to know that Farlan and Isabel were like a brother and a sister to her, and that she was alone now. They were the two left. Broken inside, strong on the outside. A few hours later, they would probably be as stoic and unexpressive as always ; but they allowed themselves some time to be weak.

"That Erwin Smith", Levi whispered in her ear, "offered me some kind of appartement where you could live. On the surface, in one of the Survey Corps HQ."
"You... you became a soldier ? A titular one ?"
"Yeah."
"So you're going to see the outside world ? And fight the titans ?"

"Yeah."

"... I want to go with you !" He blinked at that statement, and she repeated, determined. "I'll go with you, I'll join the Survey Corps too ! This way, you'll never be alone, and we'll stay together !"
"No !" He wouldn't accept that. Never. He wouldn't let his little sister get killed too. "I won't let you do that. Not after what happened to them. You must be live..."
"I don't want you to die either !"
"I'm strong, and if I died, I would deserve it. You know I did pretty bad things. I'm a killer, a thief..."
"I am too. And what would happen if you died outside the walls and I end alone ? I don't want you to leave me alone... Not you..."
He made her forehead rest on his shoulder, wiping her tears in the process. "I'll never let that happen. I promised you I would always come back, right ?" She nodded. "I want you to promise me something. You won't join the Survey Corps, except if one day, I ask you to. I know you would be a wonderful soldier ; the best, maybe. But you're my sister and I must protect you. Okay ?"

She nodded after an hesitation and he thanked her with a soft kiss on her forehead. After that, she took her little belongings -his scarf, some books that belonged to Farlan, a ribbon that used to be Isabel's, tea that she had found in her old house, and her 3D Maneuver Gear- and followed him outside. They would left the Underground forever. As they walked through the streets, many curious eyes glanced at them ; Levi becoming a soldier and holding on to an unknown child's hand, that was quite something. But Levi's blades and his deadly glare prevented anyone from asking anything. They were in front of the door, leadind towards the surface, when the short man took off her hat, letting her dark, shining hair free. People around them recognised it and gaped at that sight. Someone even yelled in disbelief : "the Asian girl is alive !". Said girl blinked, not understanding why her brother had done such a thing. But he was already walking to the stairs, and she followed without a doubt.

Most of the Underground thugs saw the supposedly dead child walking to the top of the stairs, towards the sun and the freedom, while they were trapped down there. As for Levi, when he reached the top, where Erwin Smith and Hange Zoe waited for him, he turned to see Bird. Her beautiful dark eyes that shone of fascination and happiness under that brand new blue sky, her long black hair that floated swiftly with the wind, her smile that grew larger and larger as she embraced the sight of that unknown universe... Definitely, it was worth all the pain. It was worth it all.