The dust-glittered ground crunched under the weight of Mikasa's dirtied boots as she came to an abrupt halt, just short of the last line of defence keeping Eren from her. Having slipped by the few scattered guards that were lingering around the perimetre, she'd finally come face to face with the holding cell of her adopted brother.

She leant over, hands poised on her kneecaps as her dry lips parted slightly, releasing the torrid puffs of air in heavy, uneven pants. The soft droplets of rain hit her form. Mikasa's tongue darted out instinctually to wet the plush swell of her lips with the warm muscle, and then raised her hand up, using the back of it to wipe away the perspiration and rain that clung desperately to her porcelain skin. One final pant escaped Mikasa's mouth as she straightened her spine, eyes snapped up to lock onto the old, fortress-like door that lead down into the dungeons below.

Mikasa's onyx eyes held a fiery determination only she was capable of as she took the final few steps toward the offending, ancient mahogany door. The force and speed of which she hauled the heavy open with sent a jolt of pain through her wrapped arm. Surpressing a groan, Mikasa scowled and entered over the threshold into the dark portal below – door moaning behind her at its age and weight as it was closed.

Darkness collapsed around Mikasa. Her pupils dialated habitually, and she took a shaky breath, her orbs focused down into the depths of stone pillar steps, where some semblance of a light source was flickering warily.

Her feet carried her swiftly down the thick stone staircase, careful not to lose her footing as she descended. Upon reaching the final step, she came into the faintly lit corridor that lead down into two others. Mikasa peered down the sombre route she planned to take, mentally thanking Sasha for informing her where they'd taken the boy.

Albeit, the girl was unsure why Eren was taken here at all, unconvinced that the dungeon was a fitting place for a boy who'd just been saved from his captures. Why not take him to his room? The infirmary? Confusion tolled in her mind, but she shook it off absentmindedly, concluding it wasn't relevant right now to think of such things. The need to see him was more prominent. More necessary.
Mikasa took a moment to regain some control over her palpitating heart.

He was back.

This thought alone shattered any previous attempt at calming herself; her heart was now hammering wildly in her chest, but to her dismay, she couldn't believe he really was here until she saw him for herself, in front of her own eyes.

The teenager made her way down the dreary tunnel, lined with dim torches in an arbitrary pattern. As she neared the end and turned to the left, not too far from her stood a ruly soldier. He immediately stood at attention, quickly becoming aware of her presence.

"Oi, you there! Y'shouldn't be down 'ere!" his strongly lilted voice echoed down the stone-walled tunnel, and he reached his large hand out as he neared Mikasa in an attempt to apprehend her. His endeavours were in futile as Mikasa quickly darted away from his grasp, scraping her back against the stone wall behind her as she dodge away from him.

"I need to see him." Mikasa spat out far more hostile than she'd intended, and it caused the man to raise an eyebrow at her.

"Nah, I can't let y'past, I have me orders: the Jager kid ain't allowed no visitors right now, s'rry sweet'art."

The patronising tone he used resulted in Mikasa louring up at the towering male with her deep set eyes, the intensity nearly causing him to flinch.

"Someone's there with the kid now, y'ain't gettin' by - get lost, darlin'."

Several silent seconds hung in the dry, ambient air, but she made no start to move. The male rolled his auburn eyes in a mocking manner, reaching out his hands once more in another attempt to grab the girl. Having expected such, Mikasa quickly ducked from his hand, narrowly missing his thick digits from gripping her collar, and nimbly skimmed past him - using her leg as a tool to send the man flying before hurrying along down the mundane tunnel.

She was not going to be stopped from seeing Eren, especially not when she was so close to the boy.

A loud clang of metal was heard behind her as the would-be guard of the year connected with it. The man staggered against the cell behind him.

"Oi! Get back 'ere!" he called angrily, trying to regain himself before heading after the spunky teen.

Mikasa came to an immediate halt when she came into view of Eren's cell, her chest rose and fell softly and her eyes peered intently, almost cautiously through the metal bars that confined him.

Rigidly, Mikasa's entire frame froze still as her eyes raked over his body; it was covered in dried blood, the red liquid had stained the sheets beneath him slightly, the crimson pattern on the white linen looked much like wings spread open, as if Eren were capable of flight. His usually wide, enthusiastic emerald eyes were shut, and the tanned skin he always had was paler than she remembered. Mikasa stared blankly at his face, eyes stinging from the threat of falling tears. Dragging her eyes over his pallid features once more, she paused at his mouth, hung lightly open. It didn't even look like his chest was moving.

Was he even breathing?

When guard finally reached Eren's cell, he was panting dramatically, yelling random curses at her, but Mikasa's gaze never left Eren's body. She was uncaring toward the guard's presence, almost ignoring it completely. The tall male quirked a brow and peeped into the cell, his face grimaced at the sight inside causing his gaze to shoot straight back to the girl nearing the dimly lit cell – she reached her hand out to touch the cold metal bars, wrapping her fingers around an icy rod.

Hanji stood over him, her body looming over his unconscious form, inspecting him. The slashes on his toned chest were deep and Hanji held a bandage in the palm of her hand, recently having wrapped his head in the material. Mikasa stared at his still body, eyes not taking a second to even blink. She couldn't look away. Her hues refused to, they only wanted to take in the sight before her.

She needed to.

What had happened? Why was he hurt so badly? He wasn't healing – why? She should have been there. If she had been there, this wouldn't have happened. Eren was hurt because she hadn't protected him like she had sworn to.

The girls face was striken with anger and pain as she bit down on her lower lip hard. Mikasa clenched her shaking hands into tight balled fists around the cell's bars. This was avoidable. He was hurt because she hadn't been there.

Rage seethed within Mikasa's skin. The fuel ignited, causing her to shake slightly at the tense posture she held. She could blame herself, but it was just as much his fault. He hadn't let her go. He'd not permitted it, he refused to let her leave, kept her here against her will and he caused Eren to be injured.

Her lip quaked against her teeth as she broke the skin with her pearl canines, the pain failed at forcing her mind away from her rampant thoughts.

Feet from her, the guard stood awkwardly, peering down at her, his gaze rose to Hanji within the cell and the older woman nodded to him, signalling it was acceptable.

The man acknowledged, bowing his head and glanced at the girl before him once more before turning back down the hall, hand scratching the back of his head.

Mikasa's scowl softened, but only slightly, as she walked into the cell after pushing the metal barred door open, the screech of metal against stone shattered through the air, causing Mikasa to cringe. She stepped into the cell, her eyes never leaving Eren's body the entire time. He was so still, almost lifeless.

She hadn't protected him. This was her fault: Eren was hurt because of her failure. Mikasa's eyes pricked, tears lightly forming in her worried, glowering eyes.

Beside the bed, the older woman patted Eren's head softly, ruffling his damp strands as she rose, before turning to Mikasa. Hanji noted the pained, desperate look plastered across the girls face, her dainty mouth was hung open as if wanting to speak, but no sound escaped the girl. She clearly didn't know what to say, or what to do, lost in her torrid thoughts.

"He's going to be okay." the robust voice of the goggle-adorned female spoke, breaking the brittle silence. Mikasa's gaze finally snapped away from Eren to the woman, seeking for truth in the other's stark words.

"From what I know, the little runt transformed after taking one hell of a beating." Hanji affectionately patted the boys head, "He put up a good fight, and saved many people out there." she spoke softly, her usual cheery tone was still lightly evident in her words, and Mikasa almost cringed at it.

It would be a crime to be happy right now; he'd been hurt and she'd not been there to protect him, her promise to their shared mother was fractured beyond repair.

Mikasa's eyes scanned over his body again, looking at the wounds closer up now. He looked so still, like he wasn't even alive. Her heart clenched at the sight as her eyes flew back to his face, if it wasn't for the blood and the wounds, Mikasa would almost label Eren as looking peaceful. Mikasa bunched her eyebrows together, heart trembling at the abominable scene.

"He's just exhausted," Hanji consoled once more, "his body has already started healing - he looked worse when he first arrived." Mikasa's stomach curdled at the vile thought as Hanji looked down at the boy on the bed with calm eyes, "He'll be alright, just make sure you are the same."

She then turned her gaze to Mikasa, the younger girls eyes still locked with the boy's serene face. The older woman watched her eyes narrow more, pained at the sight before her. Hanji quirked a smile, "I need to report to Erwin: watch him while I'm gone, won't you?"

It was less of a question, more of a command – one Mikasa was more than happy to oblige to.

She finally snapped her eyes from Eren's form and looked to Haji, the older woman had a small smile on her face as she approached her, patting her shoulder lightly as she walked by, she shut the barred cell door behind her, casting a glance back to the duo in the cell. Turning, she headed down the hall, her footsteps echoed and soon vanished from earshot.

"Eren…" Mikasa's voice was just above a whisper, his name was so softly spoken, Mikasa herself barely heard it. Her light footsteps against the floor echoed with each steady step she took and she moved closer to the side of his bed, closer to his side. She dropped down to the floor by the wooden bed, knees pressing harshly against the cold stone floor. Mikasa carefully reached her pale hand out and ran her digits down him arm softly, not wanting to cause him pain, "Eren…" she repeated, several octaves louder than before, and though he didn't respond vocally, his eyes flickered lightly beneath his closed lids.

A warm rush of happiness surged through Mikasa's body, he was alive.
Mikasa's tears finally broke free of their captivity, the beads slowly running thin streaks of salty liquid down her pale skin. "I missed you, Eren." she whispered, her voice quivering slightly.

Reaching her hand out instinctively, Mikasa grasped a hold of Eren's calloused hand that was resting on the beige sheets - she gripped it possessively, and pulled it up to her face. Her other hand soon joined it, both hands clamping over his single one in a protective shell. Mikasa's eyes blinked in flutters, causing more tears to cascade downward as she pressed the cupped hand to her face, against her wet cheek. She hunched herself over the bed slightly, inhaling his scent; he smelled of blood, sweat and death. The aromas tickled at Mikasa's nose and she narrowed her eyes - she could barely smell Eren's own unqiue scent, it was heavily shrouded and masked by the others. This alone riled Mikasa, and she took a shaky breath as she gripped his hand tighter, her fingers clamping over his fist like a vice grip, murmuring his name softly against his warm skin.

Eren's scent, though barely evident through the others, was a far cry from what she had become accustomed to over the fortnight; the musky, deep alluring smell of Corporal Levi. Mikasa jolted at that unnecessary, wicked thought, not sure why she'd even think of such a deplorable thing.

She loved how Eren smelled, why would she even try to compare his to that bastards?

Eren's smell was soft and inviting, he smelled of… Eren. That mans scent wasn't even comparable to his, he-

Her thoughts were quickly jolted from their path as a light, but deep groan escaped from the form on the bed, her eyes shot open, the pupils dilated and wide. Mikasa took a shaky breath, "Eren?" her voice was eager but hung heavily with worry.

Eren's head slowly moved at the soft, worried call of his name; his eyes quivered slightly as his bandaged head lolled to the side, his cheek pressing against the cool material of the plush pillow. Mikasa's heart sped up, hammering in her chest as Eren's eyes slowly began to part. He was rousing.

The boy's eyes stopped parting as they reached their halfway point, his pupils were wide, eyes seemed lost, confused - disorientated - he didn't know where he was. Eren could just make out a dark silhouette just mere feet from of him. The torch above them on the wall shone a hazy, dim light over them, but he couldn't make out the face, his eyes were unfocused. Eren quickly became aware of the dull pain etching through his form. A strong pulsing feeling could be felt inside his skull; the light above them worsening it with it's bright colour, making Eren squint and grunt in annoyance.

"Eren…"

Eren's eyes opened again. He recognised that voice, so very well.

"Mi…"

"Eren? Eren, are you okay?" she sounded worried, nigh on desperate.

"Hnn..." Mikasa eyes were wide with worry at his response as she leant closer, her hands gripped his hand tightly, not wanting to let go of it.

Eren soon became aware of the warmth engulfing his right hand, a strong grip encasing it, he sent his hazy, unfocused gaze down to it, two hands; one wrapped in a white, dirtied bandage; the other soft and pale, were gripping a hold of his hand possessively. He closed his blurry eyes at the sight, there was definitely no doubt in his mind it was her. He lolled his head back over so he was facing the ceiling, letting out a pained grunt as he raised his free hand to cover his eyes from the burning light of the flames above.

"Eren! Don't try to move," came a panicked, protective voice, "you're injured, don't move…" the last part came out as a harsh whisper.

Eren's gaze went back to her, eyes now somewhat focusing, allowing him to be able to slightly make out her face in the light. She looked worried, protective, like Mikasa always did whenever she looked at him. Her eyebrows were furrowed, eyes looked pained and hurt, her mouth hung slightly open, chest rising and falling softly. Eren released a sighed and then silence engulfed the room, her soft breathing and his thumping heart were the only sounds he could distinguish within the confined space, and it relaxed him slightly.

Eren rolled his head back in Mikasa's direction.

"W-what h-" he panted heavily, his dry tongue felt like sandpaper in mouth as he tried to continue, "What happened?"

At his coarse sounding voice and question, the girl beside him stared at him lost, not quite sure how to answer. She didn't know what had happened. She hadn't been there…

"Did you save me…" he paused, wetting his lips with his tongue and narrowing his eyes slightly at his next word, "again?" Mikasa stared down at him, her grip on his hand tightened roughly as she bowed her head, resting her forehead against his fist within her hands.

Moments passed, but the seconds seemed like an eternity for Mikasa as she knelt on the cold stone floor, the pit in her stomach ached - she hadn't been the one to save Eren. She'd failed.

"No."

Eren turned his head over more to face her, cheek once again hitting the pillow.

The boy didn't reply, he just stared at her, his eyes a mix of emotion and disorienation. Mikasa's head was still bowed, forehead pressed forcefully against his encase hand. He could lightly feel dampness tracing down her skin when he slightly pulled away, his had was beginning to cramp from the unyielding grip of the girl before him. Mikasa's head shot back slightly as the retreating hand, she released her grip reluctantly, but she kept her head facing down, eyes fixating on the sheets of the bed where Eren lay. She let a heavy sigh escape her lips.

"I missed you, Eren."

There was a soft silence within the room, only the soft shuffling of sheets were heard as Eren attempted to sit up, a groan was heard as he struggled up.

"I know, Mikasa." came his grunted reply, leaning back against the headboard of the bed, "Is everyone else okay?"

Mikasa's head nodded sincerely, she'd seen them at the gates before she'd been told where Eren was taken to - they were fine.

"You're bleeding," Eren remarked, directing his attention to Mikasa lip. Mikasa shrugged it off absentmindedly, licking away any remnants of sanguine. Several moments ticked by.

"Eren…" her lips parted, wanting to speak more, but unsure of what exactly to say, she faltered, "I'm sorry."

"Hah? Sorry for what?" he questioned quizzically, his voice deep and groggy sounding.

Mikasa clenched her fists, not really sure what it was she had solely apologised for. There were many things Mikasa wanted – needed - to apologise to Eren for; some minor, some she didn't want to dwell on at the moment, and some involving acts that made her body feel odd - uncharacteristically so.

The onyx haired girl bit her lip and raised her head, a smile awkwardly wide on her face, lacking true happiness, soft tears streaking down her ivory face.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you, Eren." she immediately bowed her head down again, pressing her face against the damp sheets, hiding her face.

"Eh? Mikasa...you don't have to always save me." he said almost irritably, but his tone lightened, "I can take care of myself, you know."

Mikasa nodded knowingly against the sheets, she knew that, she'd always known that.

Eren was strong, he always had been; he'd saved her when she was kidnapped as a child, he'd shown her how to live life, given her a family, his scarf and he'd been there for her through her life, along with Armin, ever since they were kids. But, Mikasa made a promise, and she'd broken it – shattered it into oblivion, and that pained her tremendously.

Eren's sigh broke the silence that was seeping around the duo. He sent his gaze to Mikasa; her head was still bowed, onyx hair shielding her face from his, "Mikasa, don't be like that." he murmured out softly, "I'm fine, stop worrying about me so much." he pursed his dry lips childish endearment, "It's not necessary."

Mikasa raised her head slightly, her lips appearing from beneath the streams of hair, Eren's emerald eyes locked onto her face almost naturally, "Ah," he murmured. Mikasa's head rose up further, eyes locking with his momentarily, "I'm hungry."

As if on cue, Eren's stomach grumbled angrily from the endless pit within his weak body – the timing resulted in Mikasa hitching a laugh, a genuine smile played on her fair lips.

She glanced down at his body, even now his wounds weren't healed, but they did look better than when she'd first arrived, and that was a relief.

Eren's hand was rested back down on the bed, and Mikasa caught sight of it, reaching for it with hers once more. Eren glanced sideways at her, innately used to this foible of Mikasa's. He didn't move it away.

"...Eren Jager transformed in the midst of our fight with the Shifters. We managed to advance upon their position they held for the night - hiding out within the Giant Trees, not far from a village to the South, several days ride from here. They'd not made much progress, though currently we are unsure as to why." Erwin's voice spoke strongly, "Our advantage was solely based upon them residing in their human forms - causing their escape to halt, he..."

The Scouting Legions Commander's voice seemed to drift off into the distance recesses of Levi's mind, he leant back in his chair, somewhat slouched as he laxly strummed his fingers against his healing appendage.

"...Eren was injured heavily during the altercation with a group of Titans that appeared..."

That was no surprise, the kid was always the one to get involved in unnecessary fights. Levi glanced down at the scarf that he held in hand, it was filthy, and Levi still found it incredible the owner could stand to wear the damned thing around her neck in such a state.

"...Braun was the only one to transform, we assume at this time that Bertolt Hoover was unable to transform, this saved us much effort and caused the ultimate rescue of Eren Jager. "

"Ohh~! Perhaps, much like Eren, they require rest to sustain their transformation." Hanji smiled wickedly, happy at any information gathered on the enemy.

"I gather it would have gone much worse, had he been able to at that time." Pixis spoke plainly, Erwin nodded at his interjection.

Levi looked over to Hanji who had a devilish smile coaxing its way across her face, unable to contain her emotions. He interally scoffed at the loon.

"We can assume so. Even so, Eren became heavily injured. The Titan's soon took to attacking Reiner Braun, engaging in an altercation with one another, halting his advance in retrieving Eren once again."

Hanji's eyes gleamed in excitement, smile growing wider by the second - the Titans had attacked Reiner? A plethora of thoughts rushed through the womans mind at this knowledge. However, she refrained from speaking out again. Levi felt a rising desire to throw someting at the woman to rid her of her creepy smile.

"...other shifter, Ymir, stayed back to aid in our escape, and was safely returned with us. We can only assume they will strike back..."

Hanji nodded in sync with the other officers within the room, an agreed action amongst the officers.

Pixis sighed heavily, "Ah, yes, but the boy is alright, Erwin?"

Erwin turned his gaze to the bald, older male, "Yes, he was injured grievously, but with his regenerative capabilities, he should be healed soon." Pixis nodded, "Out of precaution we have confined him to the dungeon; in his current state we were unsure if he would shift into his Titan form unnecessarily."

"Yes, that would have been a bother." an officer muttered dryly.

A few of the other older officers muttered dreary responses, amongst them were some from the Military Police, a few spoke in hushed tones, commenting how Eren shouldn't even be within the walls after the events verse the Female Titan.

"And what if the child does tranform? How can you be certain he won't threaten our lives?"

Levi's rolled his eyes, he didn't want to listen to the old farts with their unnecessary drabble right now.

"Oi, you'd not be the people to handle the brat if that were to happen, so why worry your saggy asses about it so much?" he drawled to them, they looked at him with annoyance and shock at his brash attitude.

Some minor muttering followed to scorn the Corporal's tone, causing Levi to scowl unimpressed. His rapping fingers stopped. As he went to rise, a voice beckoned him.

"Levi."

Levi's gaze rose to Erwin, his eyes held some restraint, "Head over to Eren and check on him." Levi stared at the man for a moment, masking his boiling annoyance within himself, before closing his eyes, nodding in acknowledgement at his Commander.

Levi closed the door behind himself, and walked briskly down the droll hallway, he reached up and ran a hand through his hair. His impending destination was surely going to have a certain female dotting around the boy like a lost puppy, it would be uncharacteristic is she wasn't, and Levi's lidded eyes closed in annoyance.

"Such a nuisance." he snarled, more aggressively than he'd intended.

After reaching the steps leading down to the dungeons, the rain had stopped, the clouds above him were clearing, the sun slowly peeking through the remaining ash, unruly cloud masses. Levi reached out and opened the hefty wooden door, heading his way down the large stone slab steps. Upon reaching the bottom, he saw a soldier slouching lazily against the wall across from an empty cell. Levi's eyes remained lidded as he approached the man, his footsteps were near silent, taking the other by surprise, he lurched up, and fumbled to salute the shorter man. Levi met his eyes with a disapproving glare and continued to the left and down the tunnel.

Soft murmurings were coming from the cell at the end of the dim hall, and Levi knew without a doubt who they belonged to. As he neared it, he slowed his movements, listening to their murmurings.

"Eren," Mikasa's soft voice was distinct through the utter silence of the hallway where Levi stood. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Mikasa, quit fussing." Eren replied, he sounded tired, "I'm alright."

Levi's eye's locked onto the two figures through the bars as he stopped just a few inches from the door to the cell, concealing him from their eyes and knowledge. Mikasa was knelt by the bed, Eren residing ontop of it, in the centre of the small cell, leant up against the headboard. From what Levi could make out, the brat was bloodied and filthy.

An arched eyebrow on Levi's head twitched in annoyance at the sight. It was diplorable. Why hadn't they cleaned the brat?

Levi took note of the bowl of water besides Mikasa on the lone table by the bed. A damp cloth was grasped within Mikasa's unbandaged hand, and she reached up, careful as she woped the blood stains from Eren's lightly tanned face. Levi narrowed his eyes, an odd feeling welling inside of him.

He blinked and directed his eyes down, Eren's left hand rested casually on his stomach, and the boy was looking down at Mikasa with those eyes - Levi's eyebrows narrowed again, this time more dangerously. Eren's opposite hand was laid beside him, and as Mikasa rested the cloth back into the bowl, Mikasa's hands went in a beeline to his hand, cupping it. She then dipped down and pressed her face to the enclosed hand.

Levi stared at the scene before him, his hands unintentionally clenched by his sides; he disliked this scene before him far more than he wanted to admit. His lips thinned and he looked away, crossing his arms over his chest out of habit.

The boy was fine. He didn't want to be subjected to this kind of behaviour from the both of them.

Mikasa was lightly aware of a looming presence, but took no heed to the feeling as she buried her hand into Eren's.

"Mikasa!" he whined, "I'm fine." he tried to pull his hand away, but her sad frown made him sigh and let her have her own way. Eren's eye's landed on Mikasa's neck, and he frowned confused. Why hadn't he noticed sooner?

"Hey, Mikasa?"

The ashen haired girl raised her head immediately at Eren's call, "Yes, Eren?"

"Where's the scarf?"

Mikasa found herself unable to fathom what he was asking, "Huh?"

Eren frowned again, "The one I gave you, you're not wearing it." he muttered, frowning at the girl perplexed - for some reason it made Eren confused and... oddly hurt.

Mikasa froze and raised her hand to her neck hoping it was there. Shit. She hadn't taken it from Levi earlier in the courtyard. Mikasa raised her gaze back to Eren, his eyes locked with hers, still waiting for an answer.

"Uh, I-" Eren raised an eyebrow at her behaviour, "I must have left it in my room." she feigned a timid laugh and looked away, down to the bedsheets once more.

Eren thinned his eyes. Mikasa never forget to wear it, she wore it almost religiously, but just as he was about to speak again, his ears quirked up as he heard a scruff of boots against the stone floor from out within the hallway. He raised his head, eyes narrowing in question. Who was there?

Levi turned on his heel and quickly made his way back down the way he had come, passing the guard once more, the man saluted him as he passed by.

The man took note of how the Corporal seemed out of sorts, but wasn't about to ask him anything, fearing he'd quickly lose his head.

The Corporal walked briskly up the steps, the red scarf within his grasp, his annoyance and unwanted feelings seeping from him as he made his way toward his secluded office.