Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan, that right belongs to Hajime Isayama; nor do I own InuYasha, that right belongs to the talented Rumiko Takahashi. I do own the crazy Idea that I am putting the character through.
Levi watched the woman as she finished mucking out the stables. He had learned to read her like an open book. Not that it was hot to do. She wore her emotions openly. Just like Jaeger, though the brat was getting better at putting on a blank mask. Though she had Jaeger beat at one thing. She could clean and was just as particular as himself.
Narrowing his eyes as he watched Kagome swaying her body to whatever song was running through her mind — wondering if she would eventually start belting out the words in her strange language. Levi did not like how she would slip in some foreign words when she talked. Which was one of his pet peeves with her? She had no respect or decorum when addressing him.
Giving a small shake of his head, Levi caught a brief flash of red in his peripheral vision and drawing his attention from his unwanted charge. Only to catch another brief flash of that red again. This time it was closer to where he was. So, deciding to track it while refocusing on the errant woman, he was being forced to babysit.
That brief flash of red kept getting closer to the stables. As if that were the goal. Giving a soft tsk, Levi gave what he was presuming was one of the civilian children a small bit of praise. They were staying well hidden before they moved at randomly timed intervals. Though the moment the red flashed again, he knew it was hair color, and he sprang into action. His reflexes were giving him an advantage as he grabbed the back of what seemed to be a young boy's shirt — hauling him up roughly.
The way the boy's bright green eyes went wide as he looked at Levi spoke volumes. Obviously, the child was surprised he'd been spotted, let alone caught. Though he didn't seem happy about how he was being handled. Quickly Levi shook the boy, hearing as his teeth clicked against each other in his mouth.
"What are you doing here, boy? This is not a play area," He growled down at the boy.
The lack of reaction had Levi narrowing his eyes. Only to feel the fine hairs on the back of his neck raise just as a smile curled the boy's lips upwards into a smirk — his bright green eyes reflecting movement from behind Levi.
Stepping to the side and twisting, Levi avoided being hit by the brush end of a broom that smelled like horse shit. Telling him who his would-be attacker was. Forcing a soft hiss of annoyance to escape his mouth as he sidestepped again to avoid the broom once more. Which he could tell from a quick look at Kagome wasn't going to stop, her eyes flashed with her anger.
"Woman, you will cease this course of action, now," He commanded her, only to get a very colorful epithet of what he could do with himself as she continued attacking him.
Erwin had been informed that Kagome was attacking Levi, yet again. A fairly frequent occurrence over the last seven days. They were like cats and dogs. And while it was amusing to see and hear, this was one of those times it was not funny because they were in the middle of the courtyard, making a spectacle of themselves.
"What started it this time?" He asked Reiner, who'd been on stable duty with Kagome.
There was a long pause before Reiner answer, "The Captain caught a young civilian sneaking around. And well, you know how Captain Levi is to trespassers, Sir."
Smothering a groan as they walked out the doors leading to the courtyard. They had learned earlier in the week Kagome had an overprotective soft spot for kids. And could be downright terrifying. Which was saying something because they faced Titans on an almost daily basis and lived, knowing one wrong move could mean death to not just them, but their whole squad.
Erwin came to a complete halt as his gaze landed on the duo and young red-haired youth. The latter was trying his best not to laugh hysterically, while he watched as a purple-faced Kagome kept swinging and thrusting the broom like a weapon at Levi. Who kept dodging it, not making an effort to disarm her. Erwin knew it was likely because this particular broom was used to sweep the stables and had feces on it. Levi would avoid it due to his OCD about staying as clean as possible and not liking being covered in that particular type of filth.
Knowing he had to put a stop to it, Erwin stepped forward and spoke loudly, "Alright, you two, knock it off. Everyone else get back to your duties. Now!"
Everybody's reaction was instant. Levi and Kagome stopped mid-action. Kagome was swinging, Levi actually blocking. Their eyes turned toward him, boring into his person — neither happy at being stopped. So, Erwin just lifted an expectant eyebrow. Still, neither of them spoke up. Making Erwin move closer to them, finally getting a good look at the civilian. Easily nothing the brilliant shade of his hair and color of his eyes.
"Well, I am waiting for an explanation," He said, stopping about two feet from them.
When the boy edged closer to Kagome, Erwin saw her eyes narrow as she stiffened. It was such a small action his mouth almost fell open when she suddenly spun and grabbed the boy by his earlobe. Pinching it in a manner he knew was painful as she pulled the child to stand by her.
"I'll say this only once Rīdā (Leader), if the sukebe (creep) Captain touches my son again, I will take a rusty cheese grater to his manhood," She said in a calm manner that sent a chill down his spine. The look in her eyes left no room for doubt she'd do it too.
Shooting a glance at Levi, Erwin saw he had his standard blank mask in place. Though he was eyeing Kagome with a dark interest. Raising a hand, Erwin pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Okaa-san(mom)!" The boy whined.
Looking at the boy again, Erwin wondered how a boy of that age and coloring could be Kagome's child.
"Adoptive son, Rīdā (leader)," Kagome said. "Now, if you'll excuse us, there is much to discuss between him and myself."
With that said, all he could do was move aside as she dragged the poor boy along. Erwin did not want her wrath directed at himself. He was tracking their progress until Kagome stopped by the doors leading into the command building. Setting down the broom and glancing back at him.
"I will answer all your questions now, Rīdā(leader) Erwin. You may bring the hentai(perverted) with you, but he needs to bathe first," She stated, a small devilish smile curling her lips. "I refuse to talk to someone smelling of a horses backside. It is highly offensive and insulting."
Once she finished speaking, Erwin let a low chuckle escaped. Turning, Erwin looked at Levi. His friend had specks of horse shit all over his person and seemed ready to kill something or rather someone as his mind put everything together. Kagome had not attacked with intent to hit Levi but to get Levi filthy. Each of her movements Erwin realized had been calculated. Giving him information, she was trained to handle a weapon of sorts. And the realization of it all made him laugh aloud. Earning him a dark glare from Levi.
"Go wash, I will call for Jaeger, Mikasa, Armin, and Hange. Then we shall get the answers we want from our prison guest," He said, turning and walking away, attempting and failing to smother his laughter.
She was behind the makeshift changing-slash-bathroom curtain when she both felt and heard the others arrive. It had been an hour since she vacated the courtyard, feeling smug, even though she'd been royally pissed. A mother's instincts were never to be underestimated. And while she had known both Shippo and Kirara were in the city for the last two days. Seeing Levi manhandle her baby, who was dumb enough to have been caught, had sent her into over-protective mommy mode. Of course, Shippo was still nursing a sore ear as he sat on her bed, petting Kirara. Who had snuck in with her yellow backpack, while she had been distracting everyone by attacking Levi.
Of course, Kagome had utilized a few things that she always kept in that pack. So, when the sound of everyone stopping outside her little prison room, Kagome pulled the makeshift curtain to the side and revealed herself. Only to raise a single eyebrow at everyone's reaction, or lack thereof, except in the case of one person. It had a small smile curling her lips at the corners as she moved to stand before them. The bars of the cell the only thing separating them all.
"Rīdā(leader) Erwin Smith, Zoe Hange, Eren Jaeger, Mikasa, Erwin, and Hentai(pervert) Captain," She said softly, respectfully, as she bowed at the waist.
When she rose, Kagome fought to keep the smile from her lips. The way they were staring at her, or rather what she wore. Glad that they were finally reacting. Not a fool, Kagome strode forward, stopping in the dead center of a circle entirely made from fuda's, smoothing the fabric of her dark blue hakama's out. And wasn't disappointed when Hange spoke up, eyes shining with her need to know.
"What are you wearing? What are those little strips of paper? When where they brought in? How come when you were brought here you didn't bring your adoptive child? When did you adopt him?"
Kagome would have openly laughed like Shippo was, but chose not to when Levi spun to look at the excitable woman.
"Shut up, shitty specs. I'd like to know something a bit more important, like how Kagome acquired all this. As the boy did not have it on his person," he snapped.
Keeping her gaze focused on Erwin, Kagome waited for him to give the cue she should speak. Though she found his face a blank mask, his eyes vacant, while his aura spiked with a mix of amusement and annoyance at his two subordinates.
"If you two are finished," He stated softly, causing both Hange and Levi to go still and quiet.
The small nod of his head was all she needed. Turning, she looked at Shippo, who grinned cheekily as he fanned out more of the fudas. Before dashing around the interior of the cell first, then the hall of the dungeon, placing a fuda in strategic points. This would take a while, and she didn't want eavesdroppers listening in. Once Shippo had finished, he stayed outside of the cell, next to Erwin.
"My story is long, and you all will find it practically impossible to believe. So, to help you believe, I'll stay in this circle of fuda. Each is inscribed with a word to keep me from lying," Kagome said.
The wash of skepticism on everyone's face spoke volumes. Of course, Kagome had expected it. She was bringing her hands up, clapping them twice as she muttered a prayer to activate not just her little circle, but all the fuda's, casting the dungeon in a Lilac glow. Kagome just smiled a cold smile at the group before her, while Shippo and Kirara flinched just a bit at her Reiki washing over them.
"If you don't believe me, we can test it on one of you...Say, the Hentai(pervert) Captain, since he is the biggest stick in the mud," She whispered just loud enough to be heard by all.
Seconds ticked by before Erwin spoke, his blue eyes narrowed to mere slits as he looked at her. "What exactly did you just do, Kagome?"
Lifting her chin, softening that cold smile, she replied, "I cast a barrier so no one can enter or leave before I take it down. Also, adding in a silencing aspect so no one can hear us. As well as make it so what is talked about here cannot be spoken outside of this barrier, ever. I like my secrets and am taking a huge risk, Rīdā (leader), in trusting all of you. As for this circle, I already explained it."
Again they looked at her with disbelief until Erwin indicated Levi should enter the cell and stand in a circle. The dark, humorless glare Levi shot her said he had an even stronger dislike of her now. Not that it bothered her in the least — which she indicated with a slow roll of her shoulders.
Once he stood in the center, the papers glowed white. And at that, Kagome waved a hand at Erwin to ask his questions, which he did like it was an interrogation — starting with the basics, like name, age, rank. Then he progressed into more personal questions until he asked Levi his honest and personal thoughts on Eren Jaeger.
The way Levi's face scrunched up as if he just bit into something foul had the fuda's light pulsing. Indicating he was fighting the compulsion to speak from the heart. Already Kagome knew the bullheaded, foul-mouthed, ill-tempered man was private. And Levi fighting (and losing) to keep from answering the question was no surprise.
"He is an annoying brat, who is often too much trouble for the worth. But Loyal, hard-working, and earnest. A bit too much sometimes. Though he needs to get rid of his naivete and bleeding heart, neither have a place on the battlefield and grow the fuck up. Otherwise, he'll continue to make a good scout."
The shock that washed over everyone's, but Shippo's and Erwin's faces were priceless. Making Kagome wish she had a camera. Especially for Levi's, since he looked as if he just drank spoiled milk as Levi walked stiffly from the circle and cell, his aura screaming he felt violated.
"If that is sufficient, Rīdā (Leader) Erwin?" she asked.
When he nodded his head, Kagome made her way back into the center of her little circle — not bothering to hide her amusement at their various reactions.
"Well, to answer your previous questions. These are the traditional clothes for my profession. Those pieces of paper have Kanji and Hiragana in my native language, Japanese. As for my son, Hange, he was out gathering new herbs to dry for medicinal purposes," She said
Pausing to take a breath, Kagome let her eyes rest on Levi, who was glowering darkly at her, almost brooding in her mind.
"As to how I acquired my stuff... well while everyone was preoccupied with what was happening, none of you noticed Kirara sneaking into the building and down here dragging my bag with her." she finished.
With a wave of her hand to direct everybody's attention towards her little trundle bed. A soft mewl was coming from the small two-tailed cat who was sitting on her yellow backpack.
"Kirara... Thank you. Now please leave the cell," Kagome softly asked.
She was turning her head to track the small demon's progress. Only to raise her eyebrows when said cat jumped up and onto Erwin's shoulder easily. Just to nuzzle him affectionately. It was a clear statement of what the demon cat thought of the man.
"Okay, I hope you, Kiddies are ready for storytime because my story began more than ten years ago. Before I arrived in your world and that forest..."
TBC!
