It took a long long time to process this.. sorry for the late update.
"Mikasa Ackerman?" murmurs Levi.
Levi reviewed the old files of the Ackerman family's murder report 10 years ago, stated that the girl has killed one adult man with a knife with fatal stab wounds done by a girl who in fact, logically, would not be able to fight an adult man, precisely a thug.
"Uncle. Do you think she has awakened her power?" asked Levi, Kenny Ackerman smoking his ciggaretes shrugs indifferently, "Who knows, but from the report, I think it's not normal for a girl, don't you think?"
"But doesn't she live... normally? I've never heard anything from her."
"That's because I asked Grisha Yaeger to hide her. And the Yaegers did that well."
Levi momentarily looked at his uncle. "Why uncle?"
"Uri once warned me. Rod Reiss insisted on marrying his children to the Ackerman Clan and hoped the Fritz clan descendants would have Ackerman's power, he was still looking for the girl, daughter of Ackermans and Shogun Clan to marry Urklyn Reiss, who would receive the throne later after him. But, the reason why is Uri very interested marrying you to Frieda Reiss, I'm sure he doesn't know you're an Ackerman, I think he just wants the humanity strongest soldier to marry her beloved niece."
"Tch.. Uncle, is that why you asked me to marry this boy?" asked Levi.
"For me... An alliance with your own Clan is much better than with an outsider. Who can protect that girl... It's you, Levi. You know I'm not young anymore. I'm on my limit, no matter how strong we are... age is a nature, it just happes that way."
Levi looked at him cynically, "You said that like you're going to die tomorrow."
"Levi, we've been slaughtered by the royal family. I prefer to be slaughtered again, rather than enslaved by the royals."
"Uncle..."
"The citizens... We know it's only a matter of time for Uri as the king of this country. He won't be long with the disease he suffered, Rod will soon become king in a year. Our existence, he will come to the Ackerman Clan in any time after Uri's death, Levi. You and me... We won't be touched by Rod, Rod is afraid of us. But that girl, we don't know if she can defend herself like we did all this time. Rod targeted the remain of Ackerman Clan's to bear him a children to be a soldier for his right hand. But he won't bother us directly because he couldn't touch us, Levi. But, the rest of remaining members of the clan... that girl especially. We don't know when Rod could find her any time and impregnate her to carry the Ackerman and Fritz's blood."
Levi grunted, "Rod Reiss... Asshole."
Kenny chuckles, "The fact that he is Uri's younger brother and a potential successor to the royals makes me wonder if Rod is really Uri's younger brother."
Kenny Ackerman exhales his cigar, smoke coming out from his mouth then from the window of the carriage they were riding in. Several times, the carriages were shaken through the streets of Shiganshina district.
"I promised her once. 10 years ago, to give her the freedom to live," Kenny Ackerman said. "But I don't think I can give her the right to live her life the way the girl might have hoped."
That night, ten years ago, Kenny Ackerman and Levi stared at the lifeless bodies of Charlie and Mizuki Ackerman who died tragically carried by the Military Police, Levi is glancing at Kenny but the man didn't show any emotion.
"Uncle, who did it?" asks Levi.
Kenny chuckles, but Levi looks at him wondering why Kenny is laughing. The next second he realized, he saw his uncle's darkened eyes, Levi knew very well it was the same look when his uncle was determined to kill somene.
"Well, Levi. Tonight I'm going to show you how to kill someone properly." Kenny grins.
"Uncle... You know you can't kill the successor to the royal throne."
"Wait... Where's the girl's body?" asked Kenny after confirming that the bodies carried on stretchers were only two. "Girl?" Levi's murmurs.
"Oi. Caven... Did anyone survive?" Kenny asked Trauten who at that time had become Kenny's right-hand.
"The person who reported it first is... Doctor Yaeger. He reported Mikasa Ackerman... the 9-year-old girl was rescued by Eren Yaeger, his son and teamed up to kill 3 robbers."
"Where is she now?" asks Kenny, lits up his cigar.
"Oi, Sergei, you were the one who received a report from Doctor Yaeger, did you see any girl survived?" asks Caven to a soldier that now carrying a stretcher.
"Yes... The poor girl survived and killed the robbers. She was taken by Doctor Yaeger to Shiganshina District."
"Caven. Make a report that no one has survived this incident." said Kenny in a tone Caven knows it very well that it's a must.
"What? You know I can't falsify a report that's going to be submitted to the Mitras." she protested.
"I don't care. I know you're a smart woman and will outsmart it somehow easily."
Kenny exhales his cigar, "We're going to Yaeger's house, Levi."
Levi raised his eyebrows. "For what?"
Kenny clears his throat, "I'm not going to ignore that kid like the way I did to you."
"I'll be back in Sina tomorrow." Grisha Yaeger said while eating her potato soup, the middle-aged man is Mikasa's adoptive father, he looks thinner as he aged. The Yaegers are enjoying their dinner.
"Will you be at home next month?" asked Eren without looking at his father who was actually sitting in front of him, the man asked in a flat tone, as if he knew the question would get the same answer as usual but he kept asking it.
"I don't know," Grisha replied.
"Can't you stay? Many people in Shiganshina need your help."
"Lord Lenz needs my help in the Stohess District."
"But dad- "
"Eren, come with me. Lenz's family has a sick child, you're going to learn a lot about her disease."
Eren clenched his fist. "I'll stay here. How long will you continue to run away from home after mom's death?"
Grisha Yaeger was almost choked to hear his son painful question.
"I am not running away. Lord Lenz needs our help."
Eren laughed, "You keep saying that people need you. But you were not there when I need you. When mom needed you."
"Eren..." Mikasa softly says, she grasps one hand of Eren that clenched so hard out of anger.
"That's right, isn't it? Why did you force me to become a doctor, while you couldn't save mom? Stop being a coward and run away from your family."
"Eren... Being a doctor is a noble job, it's not that I didn't help your mother. You have to understand... death is sometimes inevitable. You need to let go of your mom..." said Grisha Yaeger, his eyes flashed implying all the suffering and sadness of losing his belofed wife a year ago.
"And you have to stop running away dad."
"I - " Grisha Yaeger was cut off with the knock on door, which was then followed by an open door. They were silent because they heard the sound of light footsteps of Yaeger's maid who bowed to greet them in the dining room and then informed, "Mr. Yaeger, you have guests."
"Now? Is it a patient?"
"He didn't say anything, sir."
"All right." Grisha Yaeger got up and disappeared behind the door.
"Eren... Doctor Yaeger has done all he can to cure your mother's illness." says Mikasa when they are alone on that room.
The young man replies with a scoff. "He didn't try his best. He even left this house, left us."
Mikasa Ackerman just sighed long. After Carla Yaeger's death a years ago, the son and father seemed to lose their aim. Eren, who could not accept the death of her mother who died of illness, constantly blamed her father, no wonder Grisha Yaeger continued to travel to avoid his son's guilt.
"My father. He's the best doctor in the country, Mikasa. He helped a lot of people but not with my mom. My father and you asked me to let mom go that way? I don't want to be a doctor."
"What are you going to do, Eren?"
"I'll run away. I'm going to live my life anything but not a doctor, I'm sick of it,"
Without thinking Mikasa says, "I'll come with you,"
"You can't," Eren replied.
"You're going to act recklessly, Eren. I'll take care of you,"
"You're not my mother, stop acting like that. It makes me sick."
Eren's last words stunned her. That's right.
After Carla's death, Mikasa tries to behave like her, to restore the warmth of this family. Suddenly, she recalled the memories when she first came to this house. Eren continued to hold the sleeves of her nightgown along the way after she was invited by Doctor Yaeger, then she was greeted so warmly by Carla as soon as she entered Yaeger's residence. She remember that night so cold that she can't feel her legs anymore.
But Carla's embrace soothed her empty soul, Mikasa felt she had died for a mere seconds that night, she could not feel her heartbeat when watching a huge bandit decapitate her mother in front of her own eyes for the day.
Mikasa still remembers Grisha Yaeger stroking her head softly, the man said, "This is Mikasa. Daughter of my patient. She has no one, she'll stay here with us. "
Carla Yaeger didn't question anything other than continue to hug her tightly. "You must be cold, I've cooked soup, let's warm your body," the woman says in a way her mother would do successfully making Mikasa cry right away.
"Miss Mikasa, your presence is expected in the living room by Doctor Yaeger." the head maid said, recalling her from her daydreams.
"You need to do what you think is right, Mikasa. You have to make a choice for your life too," Eren said as he rose from his seat.
Mikasa Ackerman sighs, she rises as she watches Eren's back that she stares one last time before Eren disappears into his room.
In the living room, Mikasa was bewildered to see Doctor Yaeger talking with two men. Upon seeing the guest, Mikasa remembers very well what happened on the day that her parents were killed in front of her own eyes, that doesn't exclude the memories of these two men coming to pick her up shortly after she came to Yaeger's family.
Grisha Yaeger who heard her arrival, smiles at Mikasa and hints to joining them. Mikasa bow down to greet the three of them and sits next to Grisha.
"Mikasa... Do you remember, Kenny Ackerman? He's your distant relative," asked Grisha, with a hand signature politely points at the man infront of them, the grinning old man, Kenny at Mikasa.
Mikasa stares at Kenny. "Ah... yes, how are you doing, uncle?
Kenny chuckles, "Mikasa you remember me... It's been a long time, huh?"
Mikasa vaguely remembers her childhood memory, she remembers very well because the people who once visited their residence in the Shiganshina mountainous were only Doctors Yaeger, Eren and Kenny Ackerman. Kenny Ackerman visited his family several times and he was greeted warmly by his parents.
The last time he met Kenny is the night his parents were murdered, Kenny Ackerman with the shorty next to him coming all along way to Shiganshina District with the intention of pick her up.
"Kenny Ackerman?" Grisha Yaeger momentarily stands in terrified at the doorway to find a surprisingly a guest this late, he peeks into the house slowly to make sure Carla is at the dinner table with Mikasa and Eren is just starting a dinner.
"Yes, that's my name. Or you might hear it in town as Kenny the Ripper," Kenny says coldly.
Grisha clears his throat nervously, he surely reluctant to let the killer of Military Police soldier, if true, enter his house "You said you are Mr. Ackerman's distant family?"
"It doesn't look like, isn't? Charlie and I are a lot different. He farmed while I killed people, while I killed the polices. But, we're connected. I heard you took Mikasa with you. Thank you for that but I come here to pick her up, I'll take care of Mikasa from now on." Kenny says peeking behind Grisha's back where Kenny certainly knows, Yaeger's whole family was sitting at the dinner table, sitting quietly carefully eavesdropping their conversation.
"What? How can a murderer take care of Mikasa?!" says Carla Yaeger frantically opposed the terrible idea and came to interrupt her husband's conversation, but her trembling legs explained everything. That the women and husband himself is terrified of Kenny Ackerman.
"I promised to Charlie I'd bring peace to her. Where's Mikasa?" Kenny said again still trying to be patient and friendly.
"No, I'm going to raise Mikasa the way I raised my son, Eren. I'm not going to let Mikasa grow with a murderer."
"Ouch. Mrs. Yaeger, you hurt me. But Mikasa, is my family." Kenny said again, his eyes squinted fiercely at Carla then stared sharply at Grisha Yaeger. Levi, who was standing next to Kenny, noticed the tense in silence, knowing when is exactly he have to act, when to be quiet and observe the whole scene. Levi sees Kenny has pulled his knife out of his suit and deliberately confirms that Grisha Yaeger saw it.
Grisha Yaeger gulps nervously, seeing Kenny playing a knife in his hand making a sweat on his temple come down so quickly.
"Mikasa come here." Grisha finally gives up, he knows he won't win against this tall guy.
"Grisha... You can't hand Mikasa over to this guy." Carla Yaeger pleaded to her husband. Mikasa gets out of her chair obediently and approaches the doorway, she sees Kenny smiling at her and a cold-faced man standing next to him.
"You've been through a lot," said Kenny greets her, Levi himself didn't expect to hear a gentle tone from his uncle. Kenny holds Mikasa's little hand. "Come on," says Kenny.
Mikasa can only obey, her gaze is still blank from the shock after her parents died a while ago so she just nodded and follows the man.
"Mikasa... Do you know this guy?" ask Grisha.
Mikasa stares intensely at Kenny's slightly covered face by his cowboy hat, "He's an uncle."
"See? I told you, didn't I?" Kenny said, "Thank you, Doctor Yaeger, for saving her. But I'll take care of her now,"
Kenny Ackerman took her hand and turnsaround and starts to step away, he steps a few but stops immediately because Mikasa stop her little steps. Eren stops her. Little Mikasa turns around, Eren once again holding her sleeves.
"Are you... will you play with me again?" asks Eren, her emerald green round eyes stares calmly at Mikasa.
Mikasa stares at the red scarf around her neck, the red scarf that gives her warmth, and then she looks at Eren. Then she turned towards Kenny, plainly asking. "Can I stay?"
Kenny sees Mikasa's hopeful gaze. How the obsidian eyes looks empty earlier, but now sparks with hope. Kenny chuckles.
It looks like it's going to be okay, Kenny's going to spare this little girl's life for the next few years.
"Kenny, don't worry. My wife and I will take care of Mikasa like my own child."
Kenny didn't say a word for a moment before finally giving up, "Alright."
"I need to speak briefly with you, Doctor Yaeger." Kenny said. Grisha nods, "Carla, you can take Mikasa and Eren sleep," Grisha says, Carla immediately nods and brings the two into the house, Kenny waves her little arms at Mikasa and assures that Mikasa sees her one last time.
" You might think you saved him today." Kenny said, put the knife back in his suit pocket. "Mikasa Ackerman. She's special, I'm sure you know who is her parents were, Doctor Yaeger, and the reason her family was murdered. You work for the nobles in Sina. You know why and who."
Grisha Yaeger nodded, "I didn't expect this to happen again."
"Neither do I. I've made Mikasa's status is dead on the reports." Kenny said looking at him sharply, "Your next job is to hide her even though the fact that she survived. I want you to take care of herthe way you take care of your son, and... You need to keep her as a secret. She doesn't have to attend a social party that will invite people in Sina to know that she's alive. I'll leave her to you."
"All right. I'll follow what you've said, Kenny."
Kenny chuckles, "Well, anyways, I'm not fit to be a father of a girl."
"If...someday I am, or this man..." Kenny refers to Levi, "... Coming back here, that means something precarious threatens he and I've judged you're incapable of protecting her any further. The only can protect her is myself or Levi. I hope you don't stand on my way like you did tonight. Am I make myself clear? "
"I understand, thank you, Kenny."
Kenny laughs, "No... No, I should thank you for at least saving her."
"Ah... yes, how are you, uncle?" asked Mikasa, after she recalled the whole memory of Kenny Ackerman.
Kenny chuckled, "Mikasa you remember me... It's been a long time, huh?"
"I'm fine, I see you've raised Mikasa very well just like my request, Doctor Yaeger," Kenny continued.
Grisha Yaeger nodded, "Mikasa... has grown into a graceful woman. Carla raised her," Grisha recalls, smiling at Mikasa who was still no expression as always, but the woman's mind starts questions why her uncle came here now after all this time.
"I need to thank your wife, Doctor Yaeger. Mikasa wouldn't be like this without your wife, right?" asked Kenny.
"My wife died a few years ago," Grisha said with a stoic smile, Kenny nodding awkwardly.
Kenny's sharp eyes catches Mikasa's nervous gesture as she looks up himself and Levi.
"You... must be wondering why I'm here." said Kenny referring to Mikasa.
"Doctor Yaeger, I'm here... to keep my statement 10 years ago." says Kenny to Grisha. Grisha listens attentively, the man is convinced Kenny's intention to came here is nothing but a serious matter just like what Kenny has said 10 years ago. Grisha has heard a lot about the legend that is in fact true about Kenny the Ripper
"I remember," Grisha said.
"Before anything, I wanted to introduce my colleague, he 's my right hand. Captain Levi of the Scout Legion, have you heard of it?"
Grisha nodded, "The humanity strongest soldier. Captain Levi has been in talks in town for the past few years."
Kenny laughs, "Yes, I think this shorty is pretty famous in town. Levi and I are the same. So as Mikasa." Kenny said in a different tone as his eyes flashed when he said his words, Grisha immediately understood Kenny's word.
"Mikasa... Your father and I were in the conversation to marry you to the right man. Captain Levi is the right man," Kenny told Mikasa. Levi notices Mikasa's calm manner even after hearing Kenny's statement.
"I think Mikasa is old enough to get married," Kenny continued, while Levi and Mikasa both showed no reaction.
Grisha smiles, "I'm lucky you came and brought someone you can count on to look after her,"
"I... don't need to be taking care of." said Mikasa slowly, her looks is confident, but Levi notices how she unconsciously squeezed her own fingers nervously. Mikasa does not understand Kenny's sudden arrival and suddenly comes with the intention of marrying her to a stranger, Captain Levi, whoever the man is... Mikasa does not intend to marry with anyone in anytime soon. And Eren...
"Mikasa... You know I won't be home again... and I cannot take care of you in the future."
"Doctor Yaeger... Eren will.."
"The one who will take care of Eren is me, Eren is my responsibility. I'm sorry, but I don't think I can take care of you anymore." Grisha says firmly, Mikasa staring at her adoptive father in disbelief, but Mikasa can't argue with anything.
Grisha sighed. "This world... Much bigger than you think, there are limits that humans can't overcome, including me who no longer can take care of you. You will remain my daughter, but the true you is an Ackerman."
"Is... Have I been such a burden all this time?" asked Mikasa.
"Mikasa... I'm not planning to get rid of you, if that's what you think. It's for your own good, I honestly don't know what to do next, and Kenny Ackerman knows exactly what you have to do." Grisha says.
"Mikasa... You're special, Eren and I are not. You need someone as special as you, for you,"
"Well, Kenny... so when will the wedding be held?" says Grisha again. While Mikasa not saying a words.
I'm open to reviews and criticism. So feel free to write any of it yes!