Hey Guys! I'm not going to waffle about everything right now I really just wanna get this chapter up.
I will say though that I read your reviews and there was many comments about the lack of Eremika and yes I am a very good writer at not getting to the point as you can tell. Hopefully however, this chapter gives you a a spark of Eremika as yes it's happening in this part! It's not as much as I might have liked but you wanted smaller chapters every week so I tried my best.
Anyway I hope you Enjoy this Chapter and the little hints of the past I put in now and then. One thing I always loved about SnK is the little memories they always put in. The Jean OVA ones were so cute to me!
Happy Reading!
Beta read by Kubiyo!
(^ She has a fic on her page that you should check out in my opinion :) ^)
DICLAIMER - NO RIGHTS TO ATTACK ON TITAN GO TO ME JUST MY FANFICTION
(Eren's POV)
Usually when I wake up after what feels like a long sleep I have breakfast and a talk with Armin. What I'd give for that right now.
Instead of breakfast at HQ I'm rewarded with a swollen, dislocated shoulder. My usually cheery conversation with Armin is replaced by titan grunts and clawing hands as I'm slowly pressed further into the alley.
Mornings sure could be going better.
My measly attempt to pop my shoulder back in failed, of course. My arm just looks like a bulging mess. Looks like I need to work on my first aid skills.
I scan the narrow alley for a gap inbetween the titans but all I can see is limbs and excited faces. I don't think I've seen this many titans on top of each other at once. These obviously haven't had a human being around for a while.
I breathe in deeply, calming myself down. As long as they can't reach me here, they'll probably lose interest in a few hours.
That is, if I haven't died of a blood clot in my arm by then. I can already see my veins defined and pressing against my skin. I pull my sleeve down as far as it can go, trying not to think about it. The pain is driving me crazy enough as it is.
Hands push deeper into my little space as smaller titans emerge between the legs of the bigger ones. A 3-meter class titan comes into view, its eyes locking onto mine.
Shit.
The creature crawls through the stamping legs, barely acknowledging the times it gets crushed against the wall. It keeps coming until it's clear of the others, heading straight down the alley.
My eyes widen and everything freezes for a moment. I forget the pain in my arm and the other titans. All I can see are the eyes of the titan approaching me. My heart pounding against my ribcage brings me back to the real world and my legs push my body backwards, away from the titan.
The houses that make up the alley are small and wooden, most of them rotten and falling apart and wouldn't stand a chance against a banging titan. A strong iron door or a basement would be good about now but all I've got are these termite ridden shacks.
I dart my eyes away from the titans, just long enough for me to catch sight of a house that still reminds me of a house. A few more shuffles back and I'll be there. It'll have to do.
I scurry back enough to line up with the door and before the titan can pounce, I'm up on my feet and running for it.
My good arm smashes against the door with full force and whatever lock was on it shatters, sending me flying across the kitchen floor inside. Thank god the door slams shut behind me.
The 3-meter class arrives seconds later, peering through the window before moving towards the door. Without thinking I run straight for the door, checking for a lock but only seeing the busted wooden latch on the floor. I dart my eyes around for anything that can hold the titan off but everything is rotten and useless. I push myself against the door in desperation. A large jolt from the other side causes me to fall onto the floor again. I don't have time to reposition myself before another charge from the titan sends the wooden door raining down on me in splinters. One catches my cheek, sending a trail of blood down my chin.
I wipe the trickle away as I watch the titan struggle to fit through the door frame. The wooden structure cracks at the force.
An outstretched hand attempts to pull me through but I still carry enough sense to pull out my blades. I swipe its fingers away with one clean movement, ejecting hot steam into my face.
The titan looks confused at its hand for a moment and I almost marvel at its stupidity.
"That's right, you lost your fingers, you idiot! Come in here and feel what it's like to lose your eyesight!" I scream in anger, though I'm not sure if I'm angry with myself or the titan.
It looks away from its hand and back to me, its eyes boring into my skull. It looks at its hand again and I begin to think it's questioning me, but before I can thoroughly check If I'm right I'm already on the floor again.
Damn titan knocked me down while I was thinking!
I rub my head, ignoring the blood that comes away with my hand. I can worry about my body falling apart later. I have to kill this bumbling buffoon first!
Grabbing my blade, I stride over to the door again, my blood boiling. I ready myself, planning that I'll jump on this titan's back and kill it. Far fetched, maybe, but I'm crazy enough at the moment to do it.
I take a deep breath again and charge out the shameful wooden house and back out into the alley, my blades positioned to strike.
I don't know whether to laugh or scream at what is around me or rather what isn't around me.
The titan that attacked me is running fast down the alley away from me, not even looking back.
I look around me in all directions and raise my eyebrows at the clear space on all sides. Not a single titan in sight.
In any other case I would question why all the titans have suddenly shot off. However, now I just take it all as a lucky break to run as fast as I can in the other direction.
I take off down the alley, away from the loud footsteps and groan at the echo behind me. Maybe if I was as crazy as Hanji, I might turn and run the other away to check it all out, but I'm not. I'll just let whatever those titans want deal with them all.
I trip and fall multiple times, running over the cracked streets. It's all just one thin passage after another and its takes me a while to realize I'm lost.
This whole town is a maze.
I try the old trick my dad told me about mazes of following the left wall but it doesn't work. I just end up back near the titan-filled alley where it all started.
I curse under my breath in anger. I swear, this village was really small.
The alley is quiet and the thuds of walking titans have faded slightly. Maybe risking a look from the top of one of these houses might be worth a try. If worst comes to worst, I could die a painful death from a titan eating me. Saves me looking for a way out of this town in the state I am, at least.
I tap my gas canister on my gear, checking my gas. Nearly empty. I bite my lip as I think about how much this will last me. Maybe half an hour of manoeuvring if I'm lucky?
I put my hand gears on my belt away, deciding to save the rest of the gas for later. I guess I can scale my way up.
The building opposite to me seems like a good shot to climb. There are enough holes in the damn thing it might as well be a massive ladder.
I approach the wall and begin to climb carefully, watching my footing. My arm complains every time I put strain on my abs, sending shocks across my nerves. The building may only be 7 meters up but just by looking down I can tell the fall would be the end of me. I mean I don't even know how much strength I can use now, let alone the fact I'm falling apart!
Just as that thought pops into my head I make a wrong step and suddenly I'm dangling by my right arm. Bits of rotten wood and debris rain down on the floor as my feet scrape across the building.
My arm muscles strain against the weight of my body. I attempt at using my other injured arm to support me, causing a sharp sound of pain to escape my throat. I need to remind myself not to try that again.
I manage to regain my footing on what once was probably a window ledge but now is just a plank of sorry looking wood. I really don't want to rely on this thing to hold my weight, I would much rather have a stairway or a full tank of gas, but that all sounds like a dream to me now.
With a lot of struggle and multiple accounts of my arm trying to kill me I manage to reach the top of the building.
I don't even bother thinking about the many holes in the roof as I walk across the tiles, the infrastructure groaning under my weight.
The village is definitely not as big as it seemed from down there. The street system really did make it feel like a city.
I look away from the ground and back up towards the surrounding area. At first it seems almost like there have been no signs of any titans. The place is deserted in the west part of the village. It's not until you face the other way that you see everything that's gone wrong. Steam radiates off mass piles of titan bodies, each one appearing to have a perfect cut to the neck. Only a trained solider could have done that.
The first thought is that military has actually caught up to me. Maybe I wasn't as far ahead as I thought I was. Could they really be that fast at catching me? Levi told me that they might come after me, but already? How long was I blacked out for?
More titans advance from the north of the village towards the steaming mounds in front of me. Sounds of metal and gas echo across the house tops, no more than 2 streets down.
I duck down onto my knees out of fear that I may be caught.
A 5-meter class titan crosses in front of me and I press myself against the roof as a figure zips past me on their gear. Too fast for me to tell which section of the military they are from.
The titan wafts their hands about, trying to catch the attacker but within 5 seconds, the creature is already falling face first to the floor.
I look up for the figure again, but it seems that they have already moved onto their next kill. Three 7-meter class titans surround the square, though I don't see any more titans coming. The steam must have drawn the last of them out.
My jaw hangs agape a little before I can even realize that one of the titans is falling to the ground. How the hell?
I scan the area again, feeling a spike of jealously for the hunter's skill with the gear. They are almost as good with it as Captain Levi!
Steam produced off the titan's decaying body in front of my hiding spot obscures the fight and I stand up, attempting to see well. My head is screaming at me for being so ridiculous, if it's the king's men, then standing up is going to end in me with a blade in my back!
Everything is telling me not to but yet, I can't help just standing there in the open, watching the way they elegantly move.
Another waft of steam blocks my vision as I walk on the roof, searching for a visible window to watch the battle.
Another thud confirms the next titan is down.
Now ignoring all instincts to hide, I walk across the rooftops towards a visible spot, my mind a jumble of madness. I manage to reach a clear viewpoint of the last titan, its neck facing me, giving me a perfect seat to see the figure. I wait silently for the last strike.
Minutes pass and I begin to think they've given up or moved on. Hell, they might even be dead.
I strain my neck, looking around the streets searching for any signs of movement, but everything is just as quiet as it was before I even got here. There's not even a single titan apart from this one.
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. I just risked my life to see this idiot and the minute I have the chance they've just shot off.
Turning my back on the titan, I begin to walk towards the buildings edge. No point standing around here like titan food.
My hand is just on the roofs edge when I hear it, the clink of manoeuvre gear.
Without thinking, I scramble back over to the viewpoint, spotting the figure leaning on the titan's neck, their two blades implanted firmly into the neck. A ragged breath escapes my lips as everything fits together in my mind.
Normal people would be transfixed on the agility of the persons skill to kill a titan as silent and easily as they did.
Not me.
I can't tear my eyes away from the clothes they wear, the green cloak, bearing the wings of freedom on its back and the familiar, warm red scarf around their porcelain white neck.
Mikasa.
My throat goes dry as she falls with the titan, riding on its back as it plummets to the ground.
All this time she's been following me. She's been tracking me. She's been looking for me. My head is spinning as it fights with every emotion possible.
So I don't have to be out here on my own anymore? How could she put herself in danger like this? Did she think I couldn't survive on my own? Why didn't the rest of the legion accompany her? Will she be angry with me for not saying goodbye?
If I opened my arms to her right now, would she run into them?
For some strange reason, the strongest thought out of them all is that last one.
My mouth is open and ready to speak but all that comes out when I try is a pitiful sound, like a wheezing or dying animal. I can't even get off my knees to go to her.
Mikasa steps off the titan's decomposing body and returns her blades to their holster. I guess she's cleaned out the whole area. I feel a pang of jealously go off in my stomach. I couldn't even take down one and she's taken down, what, 30?
Worst part is, she doesn't even look fazed by any of it.
I continue to kneel of the rooftop, just watching her movements. Some part of me still thinks it's all a dream, or a nightmare. I still haven't figured out which one it is yet.
She scans the area and looks down the street before crouching down on the floor to retrieve a lost blade. From this angle I notice that she's looking in the blade's reflection, at all the smouldering titan blood that's plastered across her face. She takes her cloak and wipes it away, pretending not to notice the deep gash across her forehead.
I smirk a little at her; she never likes to admit it when she's wounded. I don't think she cares to seem weakened.
I blank out, remembering as kids how she once cut her knee on a rock while running through the meadow after me. She didn't even cry when blood started pouring down her leg like a waterfall. I find it quite funny how she even told me not to get my father. Even then, she was strong.
I'm suddenly snapped out of my daze by footsteps running away from my rooftop. I shoot my head up, forgetting the meadow to see Mikasa running down the street into the distance. Her head swipes from side to side and I realise she's searching for me. Of course, that's why she's here. I've always hated how overprotective she can be sometimes.
She continues to run, soon to be blocked from my view by titan bodies that have built up around the town.
Realizing, my legs force me to scramble to my feet, even though everything aches. I return my gaze to Mikasa. She's nearly round the corner. I need to catch her.
My lips part and I whisper her name, my voice cracking. She continues to fade away into the smoke.
"Mikasa…" I choke out, a little louder, but she still doesn't turn. Like she's going to hear that!
It's now or never, I think.
I cup my hands over my mouth. "Mikasa!" I scream, shaking my lungs.
She stops in her tracks just before the steam cloud. Her body turns slowly to face my direction and our eyes meet across the blood and dust.
Neither one of us moves as we stand there like statues. It feels like we're together but alone completely.
My heart pounds in my chest and my breaths are almost painful. I feel like my body might shatter at any moment.
The wind whistles around us in spirals, whipping Mikasa's hair across her face, yet I don't tear my gaze from her face. I don't want to blink and see her vanish.
At first I begin to think its all one never ending dream, that I'm still blacked out from injury in the alley. Maybe it is a dream, maybe I never woke up from fixing my arm. It's all too still to be real.
My breath catches as she begins to come forward. Her feet shuffle at first, unsure of whether to move. Then all at once she's running towards me, her blades clanking inside her gear.
My eyes widen at her sudden movement, she's just coming, not even looking around. This can't be a dream…
Without thinking I do the same, ignoring any feeling of danger, any feeling of pain, I just run.
I swing down using my gear from the roof and sprint across the square, jumping over bodies and fallen debris as I go. All this time we never leave each others eyes. I notice Mikasa's are watering. I've never seen her cry before. I smile at the sight and find my own cheeks wet with tears. Not tears of sadness, but happiness. I really didn't think I'd ever smile again after leaving then walls. Only Mikasa could do that.
We reach each other and it's like a crash. Our panting bodies collide against each other and I wrap my arms around her, bringing her into my chest. I breathe against her abnormally soft hair and I let the tears fall. It's all just one big mess but neither of us seems to care.
Seeing her now has made me realize. How could I just leave her alone? I can't imagine never seeing her again.
I laugh into her hair. "You're so stupid Mikasa, you could've gotten yourself killed," I whisper into her ear, my voice shaking.
She smiles against my neck, "Eren, we both know you can't be alone, I need you and you need me. Anything else is unnatural."
My grin widens and I tighten my arms around her.
I can't believe she would just risk everything like that. I wouldn't be surprised if she went against Levi as well. I would have loved to see that.
There's another thing I can't help thinking about and I don't know how to feel. She didn't mention the word family once.
When we leave each others arms I notice Mikasa's face flush, though only for a second. She doesn't even look at me.
I feel slightly shy myself. I've never hugged her like that before, maybe it's the fact I was just desperate for human company.
She adjusts her scarf and looks back towards me, biting her lip. I feel a slight spike of warmth in my stomach.
I look away from her, what's gotten into me? You're dying Eren, your arm is falling off! Don't think about anything else right now.
"I cleared them all out. You really got yourself in a mess, Eren. Are you okay? Did any of them hurt you?When was the last time you slept?" Mikasa says, eyeing me.
I roll my injured shoulder back, trying to stand up straight and look strong. I feel everything but strong but I don't need her babying me. I should be helping her. "Yeah, I just pulled a muscle in my arm, that's all," I lie.
Mikasa's eyes narrow. "Eren, if you're injured I can help. Let me see," she says in a calm tone.
"Mikasa, its okay. I don't need your- Ahhh!" I let out a cry of pain as she presses her hand onto my dislocated shoulder.
"That fucking hurt!" I shout, grabbing my shoulder.
Mikasa stares into my eyes and pushes me down to the floor before coming up behind me. "I'll do it again if you don't let me see it. Just be silent," she orders, and for once I follow what she's saying. I'll let her help just once. Maybe she knows more than I do.
She begins with taking off my torn cloak and jacket. I hear her gasp a little as she edges my shirt down to take a look. I know it looks bad, but this bad?
"Eren, how did you-?" she starts but I interrupt her, not wanting to think back to my many failures.
"Doesn't matter, can you fix it?" I ask.
She trails her fingers down my shoulder and back, sending shivers through my spine. Her touch is like silk.
"Yes, it's just dislocated and very swollen." She answers. "I'll just have to pull it back in. Ready?"
I turn around, sharply alarmed. "What now?"
"Yes now. There are no titans and you certainly can't use your gear, so why not?"
I look at my bulging shoulder. Mikasa waits for my reply.
"Well, shouldn't we get inside?" I say, thinking of how it'll look, me writhing around in pain.
Mikasa cocks her head to the side slightly. "Eh?"
I look at the distant tower building. "Well, you know-ahhhhh!"
I lash out in pain as Mikasa pulls my arm back into its socket. I glare at her as she gives a hint of a smile.
"No need to be so loud," she says.
"Hmm," I moan, rolling my arm back a forth in a way that's not friendly, "Thanks, I guess."
I put my uniform back on. Mikasa stands up and brushes herself off looking away. I stand up to join her.
"We should head towards the nearest supply store. I'm nearly out of gas." Mikasa taps her gas can. It sounds almost empty.
"Yeah, good idea." She begins to walk forwards ahead, towards the plains outside the village. It suddenly occurs to me: I don't know where my horse is. I look over at Mikasa and open my mouth to say something.
"Hey Mikasa, have you seen-," I start, but she shushes me. I look over to where she's facing, confused. I don't see anything.
Mikasa crouches down against a building and I do the same. She draws her blades.
"I thought you killed them all?" I rasp.
"I did, but your screaming must have drawn more," she whispers, slightly annoyed.
Has she tried staying quiet when you're in that much pain? I put the away and pull out my own blades. I look down the street to see 3 titans approaching.
No gas. Aching all over. This should be fun.
"How do we approach this?" I ask Mikasa.
"'We don't. You stay here, you're still healing. I can see the steam radiating off your skin." She says.
I look down to see she's right. I didn't even notice. I suddenly realise what she's insinuating.
"Hey, I am not going to let you fight them on your own! I'm nearly healed and you're exhausted!" I snap.
"Eren, you will just get in the way! Please just stay here. I'll be back in a minute. If you died right now I wouldn't even know what to do," she pleads, her face still calm and collected.
"You're not even suppose to be here Mikasa."
I sigh in annoyance and she takes that as a yes.
Mikasa runs off towards the titans before I can even argue.
"Mikasa, wait!" I call, but she's already racing down the street. "Argh!"
I scan the buildings and pick one out that I can reach. She's not losing me that easily.
I fly my hooks onto a roof and use my remaining gas to pull myself up. I look over to see Mikasa already battling away at the titans. I can see she's outnumbered.
I run along the roofs going as fast as I can, but a uptilted tile makes me trip. My arm throbs in pain. I grab it in annoyance. "Damn it, damn me, just damn everything!" I shout, standing up, just staring at the fight.
One titan slams to the ground as Mikasa slices it through.
A familiar feeling of jealously runs through me. How can she move that fast? She has never shown any motivation to fight. I must try twice as much as she does. Like, what is she playing at?
Mikasa tries at the second titan and misses its neck by inches. Its hand grabs her wire.
I gasp in shock as she's pulled backwards. If I could just heal quicker I wouldn't have to stand here. I stare down at my arm. Hurry the fuck up!
I look up just in time to see Mikasa luckily spins out of the titans grasp.
Sighing and unconsciously tugging at my neck angrily, I draw my attention to the pain I feel. I pull at my shoulder thinking injuring myself more might help in some way. I suddenly hear a click and a jet of steam escape from my arm. Electric feeling courses through my veins as my body light's up and my eyes widen in shock. Oh no.
Everything goes red in my mind. Out of all the times to turn into a titan, it had to be now.
Well, so much for being quiet.
What you think? A little taster of whats to come and (finally) the reunion. Will Eren be able to keep his emotions and anger undercontrol? Will the king send any men after the two of them? How will Mikasa react to Eren's instincts protect the both of them?
1 week wait to find out! Really excited to write the next chapter but I won't spoil why.
As always reviews and comments are lovely and helpful. Feel free to follow I'll Always Run With You to be updated on new chapters!
Till next time ^.^
