A/N: I did promise I would update more frequently now that I'm on holidays and here we are! Expect more tension and angst! Thanks for all the reviews again by the way!

Disclaimer: I don't own Attack on Titan or any of its characters.

Chapter Seven: A Forgotten Gift

It's been four days since we captured the titans and my squad has been assigned to keep watch on the experimentation area. Obviously, we couldn't bring them inside the bunker, they wouldn't fit and some of the other civilians wouldn't feel too happy about it. So, we built a small holding area on the surface where Hanji currently runs her experiments.

It's my turn to take my break but rather than dismissing it as I usually do or going inside to eat, I return to ground level and walk up to the crazy squad leader. She talks amicably to the titans, jumping back and laughing her head off when they try to eat her before repeating the procedure. Most of her squad seems tense and unsure, leaping out of their skin every time Hanji needs to dodge a bite. The older members seem used to it and go about their research casually.

"How's it coming along?" I ask as soon as I reach her.

She turns towards me and looks slightly surprised at my sudden appearance. I don't meet her gaze though, my eyes are fixated on the titan that is currently staring at me like a hungry animal. I can see her push her glasses up her nose and shake her head out of the corner of my eye.

"Not too well, I'm afraid," she answers, squatting down and cocking her head at the titan. "They seem to be exactly the same as all the other research subjects."

"You've ran all the usual tests?" I ask.

"Yes, but neither show any signs of once being human. If your squad hadn't seen them turn, then I doubt we would've ever known they had. They display all the characteristics of a normal titan, dependancy on sunlight, regeneration, no intelligence, etcetera."

"What about their inner organs? Do they have a reproduction system? Digestive system? Anything different?"

She shakes her head. "No. We haven't dissected one yet but I can tell you now that they have the same build as any other titan."

"Have you touched the nape of their necks yet?"

"No, we've been saving that test for last just in case the procedure goes wrong and we lose one of our subjects." She looks at me and her eyes gleam with interest behind her glasses. "I never realised you took such an interest in titans."

"I was looking through some of your notes from previous experiments over the past few days," I admit. "I don't usually have an interest in titans unless it involves killing them."

"You're welcome to join in on the experiments if you wish."

"I appreciate the offer but I think I'll pass," I say, looking to the ground. "I just want to figure out why this is happening and stop it."

There's a hand on my shoulder and Hanji gives me an understanding look. "We all want that, Mikasa but don't let this consume you. This isn't your burden to bear, you didn't cause this."

"But I did promise that little girl I would help her," I say bitterly.

"She was beyond help. You shouldn't feel responsible for her death, it wasn't your fault."

I know she's right, it wasn't my fault, there was nothing I could've done. On the inside, I don't feel the same. There's something within me, just a tiny feeling in my gut that tells me I could've done something, to at least ease her pain. Why hadn't I just cut her down when she first started changing? Why couldn't I have saved her all that pain?

"Besides, you're helping her find peace now," Hanji says suddenly and I look at her in confusion. "You're giving her death meaning, if she had've died alone, it would've been in vain and terrifying for her but you found her and made sure she knew she wasn't completely alone. By relaying the information to me and capturing these delightful subjects for me, you're helping not only her but probably her family and the rest of mankind. Be proud of yourself."

I don't really see the sense in her words although I do appreciate the fact that she's trying to cheer me up. I turn away from her, beginning to make my way back towards the bunker but I pause and give her one last glance.

"Pride has nothing to do with this."


Usually, when I'm angry, I go to the training room to unleash my fury on an inanimate object rather than a human being. I don't have a problem with taking it out on other people but my superiors do and I suppose my comrades do as well.

That's not the reason why I'm here now though.

I push the door open, a bottle of water in my free hand. I feel more relaxed in my shorts and tank top and the cold metal against my bare feet is kind of liberating. Armin had originally asked me to play a game of chess with him but I told him I had other things to do. It's not that I don't like chess, I just need to stop thinking for a while and beating the sand out of a bag is exactly how I'm gonna do it.

I barely even bother stretching or warming up my muscles, instead I waste no time in getting into my usual position and begin my routine. I throw punch after punch at it, my muscles contracting with each blow. I jump and swing my leg at it in a strong kick before landing and renewing my assault, never stopping.

Every time my fists connects, I feel as if I'm punching my thoughts out of my mind. The shocks that run up my arm from impact are like electrical impulses that shatter my worries into dust. The sweat that falls from my skin are equivalent to the amount of tears I've cried over the last few weeks.

In a state of anger, I rip my scarf off as it begins to annoy me and smother me. It falls slowly to the side and I force my hits to become stronger and more fierce. My pace quickens and my breath comes rapidly. A cry escapes my lips with each blow and my brows draw together in determination. My teeth grit and I jump higher into the air, twirling and using my momentum to deliver a devastating kick to the bag.

The force sends it flying across the hall, the rope coming away from the hook it had been suspended on. With a sigh, I take a step back before walking towards it with the intention of putting it back up and starting again.

"Leave it."

I pause in my stride, his voice causing my muscles to unconsciously clench and restrict movement. Footsteps resound behind me but I don't turn to look at Levi.

"Why?" My voice sounds dull to my own ears.

"It's not a worthy opponent," he answers, stopping a few feet behind me.

"And you are?" I ask, finally turning towards him and raising a brow.

His state of dress catches me off-guard and I can't help but stare at him, my cool demeanour dropping instantly. He wears normal training pants with socks however his top half is bare, exposing his chiselled abs and toned chest. He looks as though he is cut out of marble; sleek, smooth and perfect in every way.

"If I can distract you this easily, then I must be," his lips twitch and he doesn't even bother to cover up or put a shirt on.

My jaw clenches. "That sounds like a challenge."

"Take it as you will." He raises his fists in front of him.

I mimic his movement. "Fine."

There's a dead silence between us, our gaze never breaking. I don't realise that we're circling each other until he's suddenly standing in front of the discarded punchbag. One of his dark eyebrows raises in question and he twists his hands, making a gesture that clearly says 'come at me.'

"Ladies first."

My eyes narrow and I charge forward.

The first strike is blocked, the second is dodged, the third is countered and the fourth connects with his attack. I block the next strike with my forearm, muscles trembling from the force of it. He moves forward with a horizontal strike and I respond by dropping low and sweeping my leg out. The attack takes him by surprise and the second he's on his back I launch myself into the air, ready to come down on him with force.

I don't anticipate him bringing his legs up to connect with my stomach. The blow isn't as hard as I think it will be, partially because he bends his knees upon impact before straightening them and leaving me suspended in the air above him.

I pause, looking down at him, the warmth of the soles of his feet seeping into my stomach. He crosses his arms over his chest, meeting my gaze, his lips twitching.

The fact that this amuses him only angers me more.

I slap my hands onto his legs, pushing them downward and curling my head forwards. Gravity claims me and I practically fall into his lap, straddling his hips, my hands on his arms, holding him in place. My face lingers over his, most of my hair falling downwards to either tickle his cheeks or cover my skin. I know he can see me clearly, because his eyes are glued to mine and this isn't the first time I can't read the emotions that lurk within them.

Something tickles my neck and I can hear a chain falling. To me, it sounds like a fairy's laughter, small, barely audible and holding a twinkling quality. I can see something move beneath my chin and Levi's eyes snap towards it before they widen slightly.

"You kept it," he says softly. His voice is so quiet I can barely hear it but regardless, his statement catches me by surprise.

"What?" I can't help the confusion in my tone as I release his arms and lean back, sitting up straight. Something hard and metallic hits my collarbone but before I can look, he sits up too, one hand reaching towards my neck.

"The necklace I gave you," he clarifies, holding the delicately crafted black wing between his fingers. "You're still wearing it."

"I did say I would never take it off."

"I remember," his breath brushes over my neck and I can't stop the shiver that runs through me. I only hope he doesn't notice. "The diamonds are still intact."

"It must have cost you a fortune," I murmur, gazing at him.

"Only about two month's wages," he says dryly, raising his eyes to meet mine.

"Do you want it back?" I ask reaching up to the back of my neck to unclasp it. "Maybe you can give it to Petra..."

His hands are on top of mine in a second and the serious look in his eyes is enough to make me freeze in my place. His rough fingers curl around my palms and I feel his thumb run over my skin softly. I can't help the confusion that's written clearly on my face as I stare at him.

"No," he replies firmly, his eyes never leaving mine. "I bought it for you and only you." He pauses and his hand moves up to cup my cheek, thumb running over the soft skin over my cheekbone. "The diamonds match your eyes."

This is one of the things I love so much about him. When we're alone like this, just the two of us, he shows the gentler side of his personality. I remember sneaking out of my dorm to spend the night with him when I had nightmares I didn't want to talk about and he would just hold me and rub my back until I fell asleep. I always used to feel so important, being one of the only people who could ever see this side that he hides from the world.

This is also one of the things that kills me now.

"Levi, I-"

There's a feminine gasp and a door slams shut on the other side of the hall. We both turn, his hands leaving my cheek and our moment broken. I know exactly who had been spying on us and who is probably running off to her room in shock but somehow, I don't feel guilty.

Levi doesn't look guilty but his soft expression is gone. It takes all of my willpower to get off of him and stand up, looking away from his face. He mimics me and releases a tired and annoyed sigh.

"I should..."

"Go," I finish for him. My voice isn't bitter or angry, it's understanding and to be honest, I'm more surprised than he is. With a small nod, I take a step away from him. "I know," I add softly.

Turning towards the discarded punchbag, I pick it up and place it back where it belongs before getting into a ready position. I don't look back and watch Levi leave because at this stage, I've seen him do it enough times.