HANJI'S P.O.V.
Hanji squealed with exitment as she ran up to the underground entrance, startling the cadet placed as guard.
"THIS IS IT! I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE UNDERGROUND BEFORE!" Hanji screamed, laughing manically and heavily disturbing the cadet.
"W-why are you so exited? It's awful down there!" He grimaced. Hanji grinned a cheeky grin and pat him on the cheek making him blush furiously and freeze up.
"Can't be worse than the titans! See you later!" She cackled as she ran down the steps and into the darkness.
An hour later and she was annoyed to say she was rather lost. To her dismay she was so entranced by the sights and the sounds and the people, recording everything she could see in the notebook that she had lost the way back where she was supposed to meet Levi and discuss how things were going in their little undercover operation. She had promised Levi she would stay by the gate in her letter and he promised that if she broke her promise that there would be dire consquences. So now that she had... she was feeling a little nervous about the short mans reaction.
Although it wasn't her fault! The underground was fascinating and the people were even more so. She had already been mugged twice! Of course she wasn't so stupid as to bring money down here but the men had then asked for her shoes! The good thing was that she wasn't in a soldier get up, just casual clothes and a brown cloak meaning no one was after her 3DMG. Still she needed those shoes to walk, so she opted for the easier option of punching the sensitive points in their nervous system before running away, laughing like a madwoman. How Moblit would panic if he was with her right now. Of course the worried boy thought she was in Trost running an errand and if Hanji had her way he would never find out.
It had been a week since Levi left on 'leave' and they had been communicating every chance they got. Hanji had been very busy in her duties but as it was her day off she didn't hesitate to come down and check on the progress. If she was honest she thought Levi would have found Dilan by now. Meaning she had overestimated his skills (which was unlikely) or there was a snag in the plan. She had wrote to him about this and he had replied that there was a problem but he shouldn't talk about it so freely in the post. So here she was, ready to talk. But the only problem was... she couldn't find the damn shorty anywhere.
"Excuse me miss, are you lost?" The deepest voice she had ever heard boomed behind her. Hanji turned around to be met with the saggy chest of the person and wrenched her neck up as far as it could go to see the top of his head. The man was a giant. A very bald, very fat, giant. Still, no need to be stereotypical. Perhaps he was a nice guy.
"Woah! Hey there! Yes I seem to have gotten myself in a bit of trouble!" She chuckled, scratching the back of her head. The man smirked.
"Well I'll help you darling. Where're ya going?" He said suggestively, taking a step towards her. Hanji blinked before she burst out laughing. Was this guy making the moves on her? How hilarious. Although before she could compose herself from her hysterics, she was grabbed around the neck in an iron grip and shoved into an alley way. Well this is not a preferable situation.
"Okay... there... let's just... talk this out." She reasoned gasping. The man smirked.
"Rather not, crazy bitch." He replied, tightening the hold on her neck slightly before suddenly the bald man was gone and she fell to the floor, coughing and gasping to the sounds of punches and kicks in the background.
"The fuck did I say, shitty glasses?! Stay at the fucking entrance!" Levi's voice ran out through her ears, although her eyes were blurry, and her head was dizzying with the lack of oxygen.
"Sorry..." She wheezed, managing a weak laugh. Levi sighed and knelt down, moving her hands to look at the damage.
"It's not bad. You'll be fine." He said with a shrug. Hanji nodded, still trying to suck in the air. "Hey... you alright?" Levi asked, resting a hand on her shoulder. Hanji took in a final large breath before snapping her eyes up to meet his and grinning.
"Perfect! I have finally felt strangulation. Interesting. It hurts a lot more than drowning I'll tell you that. Although, my notes on that aren't conclusive since I never actually drowned." She laughed; her voice only slightly strained as she wrote up her notes in her pad. She heard Levi sigh loudly and pinch the brim of his nose.
"Let's go before I kill you myself." Levi said, grabbing her arm and hoisting her off of the floor. Hanji pat herself down of the dust, sparing a glance to the man and wincing at the condition of his face before running after Levi who had walked off down the street.
"Levi! Wait up!"
10 minutes or so later, they were sitting down at a booth in a bar. Apparently, bars were one of the safest places in the underground during the day. A fun fact that Hanji made sure to note down in her book.
"So!" She smiled, intertwining her hands together and leaning her chin on them. "How's the hunt for sweet little Dil?" She asked. Levi glared at her.
"If you're talking about the mass murderer. I got a few good leads at the beginning of the week. But then..." Levi trailed off and sighed, running a hand through his hair. Hanji noticed he looked more tired than usual.
"Then..." She encouraged.
"Then I figured out the lead that could possibly lead me to Dilan and it disappeared." He huffed, crossing his arms, obviously annoyed. Hanji frowned slightly.
"What do you mean by disappeared?" She questioned.
"Kenny the ripper. You remember the name?" Levi asked. Hanji's eyes widened a fraction and she nodded. "Dilan used to work for him, and she showed me the place when we were searching for those kids. I found out from a source that Kenny was the closest to a business partner that Madam Han possesses but when I went to his place... everyone inside was dead." Levi explained, his eyes hard with irritation.
"He's the only one that can lead us to Han?" Hanji asked seriously. Levi nodded.
"The only one that would help us anyway." He sighed, swirling around the liquid in the glass he wasn't drinking. They had to order to look less suspicious, but they were on duty and they needed to remain sharp.
"Why's that?" Hanji questioned. Levi rolled his eyes which told her the explanation was right in front of her face. She giggled at her own stupidity when she realised. "Han destroyed his business. He'll want revenge." She got the picture. Levi nodded.
"Exactly. There's also another reason he could help but it could also be our downfall." Levi mumbled. Hanji wanted to ask but the distant expression on her friend's face told her otherwise.
"So. We'll just have to find him then. Simple." She said cheerfully. Levi gave her a look.
"Easier said than done, four eyes. But what do you think we're doing in here anyway?" He replied. Hanji made a face.
"Hah?"
"This is Kenny's favourite bar. I've been staking it out all week. Hasn't showed up yet but Kenny's a terrible drunk. It's only a matter of time." He sighed, looking out the window at the passers-by. Hanji had noticed the young man always wore the weight of the world on his face and it troubled her sometimes. She wished he could find someone to ease his pain and for a long while she thought it was going to be Dilan. Then the girl disappeared and Hanji had lost hope for a bit before deciding she had to be alive. The universe wouldn't be that cruel right? The stubborn pair were clearly meant for each other but neither of them were ready to know that yet. She would tell them when the time was right. Hanji refocused, wondering how he knew these things about Kenny.
"How do you-" Hanji was about to ask but trailed off as the bell at the front rung as the door was opened and a tall, tall man came walking in. He was tall, as mentioned, lean and wearing a dark leather trench coat that reached his ankles and was covered with an assortment of stains, a few of which she was convinced were blood. He had a pale sharp face which was mostly covered by the large cowboy hat he was wearing. Hanji felt a shiver run down her spine as Kenny's eyes scanned the crowd, momentarily locking with hers. The grey irises burned into hers and she gulped slowly getting an edgy feeling that she only ever got around titans. This man was dangerous and was not to be underestimated.
"Oi. What's up with that constipated look?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Is Kenny tall?" Levi have her a weird look but answered anyway.
"Yes. Why-"
"Does he have a horrible taste in clothing?" She continued, her eyes not leaving the man as he sat down at a both in the corner. Levi hesitated, tensing a bit.
"... yes." Hanji looked at Levi for a moment.
"Is that Kenny?" She whispered, jutting her head towards the corner. Levi leant a head on his hand and turned it subtly, trying not to be obvious. When his eyes found the same man that continued to make Hanji shift, the nerves running thought her body creating a generous amount of adrenaline, she watched as Levi's whole frame tensed up and he hurriedly looked forward again, downing his drink, dread clear on his face. "Levi how do you know him?" Hanji whispered, anxiously. She had never seen Levi so apprehensive before. Levi sighed and rubbed his head.
"What I tell you says between us?" He asked, not looking at her. Hanji nodded seriously. They may have their spats, but Levi was a close friend and she would never betray his trust. He sighed and hesitated before answering. "Kenny took me in as a kid. Taught me everything I know before abandoning me a year later. It's how I know him, unfortunately. I'm telling you this because I trust you but it's also unlikely that he won't bring it up. He loves to shove it in my face." Levi gritted the last bit. Hanji was shocked but knew he didn't need her to display that emotion right now.
"Okay... so what now?" She asked. Levi looked happy with the subject change.
"Kenny's dangerous. Do not underestimate him. Actually... I should go by myself. I don't want him knowing your face." Levi said decisively, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the table as he glanced at Kenny again.
"Levi." Hanji called, sensing his distress. Levi looked at her and while his face was straight as always, emotion was evident in his eyes. "If this man's dangerous, then I have your back over there, no arguing with me on that. But if it makes you feel better, I'll stay quiet and do what you say for once." She said, offering a cheeky smile. Levi seemed to calm down a bit before going back to his usually dicky self.
"Sure. I'll believe it when I see it, shit head." He scoffed. Hanji laughed and shook her head. The man was so moody. Hopefully Dilan would change that.
"So, when do we talk to him?" Hanji asked.
"Kenny's at his happiest when he's got a drink in his hand. We'll wait 10 minutes. Maybe he won't attack us on sight." Levi shrugged casually. Hanji chuckled and looked out the window.
"Guess we'll have to wait and see." She smirked.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Unfortunately, the 10 minutes were up way too soon. Kenny was still at the booth by himself, drink in hand. Levi had no feasible excuse not to go over there even if he was wracking his mind for one. He had been searching for the man all week without rest. He's finally there, why was he freezing up so much? Because the mans a monster that's why.
It was dark and cold. Kenny had dragged Levi up out of the warm sheets of his bed, muttering the only words that made his whole body freeze up; time to teach someone a lesson. It was pitch black as they walked along the streets of the underground. Levi followed Kenny wordlessly, hugging himself for warmth and trying to ignore the burning ache in his toes as they froze up from the cold due to the numerous holes in his shoes. It was the 4th time Kenny had taken him out since he had brought Levi into his care. Or whatever you could call it. It didn't seem like care to Levi. But he was only 5. Perhaps he couldn't see the bigger picture yet.
Kenny stopped suddenly and Levi barely managed to stop before bumping into him. The man turned around and crouched down to his height, resting a heavy hand on his messy raven locks and giving the small boy his signature manic grin.
"Stay here, boy. Don't move, we clear?" He said seriously. Levi nodded and Kenny was gone around the corner. Levi shifted nervously looking left and right in the darkness. He tried to keep his breathing even, feeling like the shadows were out to get him. He knew what was coming next and it was worse than the silence.
"AHH!" the screams started, and the begging followed. Levi closed his eyes tight and pressed his hands over his ears, waiting for it to be over. He didn't understand why Kenny brought him to listen. The screams haunted his sleep and he couldn't get them out of his head. Why was he here? Did Kenny do this to make him suffer? Levi flinched as the screams stopped and Kenny poked his head around the corner, his jacket and neck coated with a few sprays of blood that made his eyes widened. He wondered who had just died. Did they deserve it? Kenny scoffed and grabbed a fistful of his shirt, dragging him forward.
"Wipe that expression off your face, runt. People know you're scared and they can use it against you." Kenny muttered and Levi had to ground his teeth to keep them from chattering. They entered an open door before Levi could ask what was going on and Kenny pushed him into the room. He stumbled but caught himself, blinking as something wet and warm soaked through his shoe and looked down, staring in horror at the deep crimson puddle he was standing in. A loud groan brought him out of his panic as he snapped his head up to the near dead man tied into a chair. He was beaten and horribly disfigured, a deep gash in the side of his head that was spewing like a fountain. "Pretty nice, huh kid? But I'll teach you how to tie people up for torture another time." Kenny said casually. Levi looked at the man with wide eyes, feeling a shiver run down his spine.
"P-please... I-I have a daughter..." The man croaked. Kenny laughed and punched him in the stomach making him cough loudly, gasping for breath as he spluttered out some blood, a few drops landing by Levi's feet.
"Shut up, Robert. If you cared about your daughter missing her daddy then you wouldn't have stolen from me." Kenny hissed, punching him in the face and the man cried out again in anguish. Levi was breathing heavily at this point, backing away slowly, flinching as his back hit a wooden beam in the middle of the room.
"Kenny... I want to go home." Levi whispered; his panicked voice barely audible. Kenny laughed, waving him off.
"Nonsense, I brought you here to teach you. So! First things first." Kenny grinned, grabbing a knife from his belt, the shiny metal glinting in the flickering candlelight. Levi and the captive gulped simultaneously.
"Ken, he's a kid. If you must do this, d-don't show him." Robert begged weakly. His head was hung low, sticky red blood oozing down his chin. Kenny smirked devilishly and punched him in the face once more. Robert was shaking and mumbling something incoherent as Kenny grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled his bruised and broken face up sharply.
"You speak one more word and I will pay your daughter a little visit, yeah? Maybe I'll make the runt try the methods I'm about to teach him out on someone his own size." Kenny threatened darkly and the man paled, nodding quickly in understanding. Levi was frozen to the spot, trying to remember how to breath as he swallowed the bile rising in his throat.
Kenny returned back to his lesson promptly. "Most painful places to stab someone." Kenny announced before driving the dagger into Roberts knee cap forcing the man to realise a blood curdling scream.
"AHH! FUCK, NO PLEASE!" He cried hysterically. Kenny grinned in amusement, giving the very pale Levi a 'see' look before he ripped the dagger out, enlisting another hellish scream from the man.
"Elbows work well too but wrists..." Kenny smirked, grabbing the man's and turning it over before raising his arm and ignoring the man's pleads to stop as he brought the sharp weapon down, the force going straight through the wrist and embedding in the wood of the chair. Safe to say the man screamed out bloody murder. "Wrists are good. But there are a lot of blood vessels there. So, you've got to be quick from then on to get the information you want or enact the amount of pain required before he bleeds out. A quick loophole for this is to carry around another knife and leave the blade in there." Kenny said casually as if he was talking about the weather. Levi wasn't sure if this was real. It was too nightmarish to be real right? He was beginning to shake, and his knees were feeling weak.
"Please... y-your upsetting him..." Robert said weakly, choking up some blood. Levi's eyes widened even further if that was possible. Why would a man in such pain care about his mental wellbeing right now? Kenny scoffed and turned to Levi who supressed a flinch under his gaze.
"Your fine, right boy? It's not like you're a pussy right? I won't have pussy's living under my roof." He said in a dark tone, his dark stormy eyes boring into Levi's head. Levi glanced at the man before forcing a nod. Kenny grinned, going back to his cheerful façade. "Perfect. Let's continue then."
And continue Kenny did. Levi stood there, frozen with fear for the next god knows how long. It felt like years to him. He watched, petrified, as Kenny slashed, stabbed, gouged, even peeling off some of the poor man's nails. Robert was in absolute agony, begging for his death and that's when Kenny finally stopped, wiping his hands on his leather trench coat and sighing in satisfaction.
"Well, we did it. Once their begging for death, you know you've crushed their will. Especially when they've actually got something to live for. I mean this coward has a daughter. He should have fought to the last second. Pathetic." He grimaced and Levi blinked back the tears as the man whimpered in pain and sorrow, completely broken. A complete shell of a man. "Go on then, runt, finish him off." Kenny sighed, offering Levi the knife. Levi flinched at looked up to the tall man in dread.
"W-what?" He whispered shakily. Kenny frowned.
"I'm sorry, did I stutter?" He spat and Levi gulped. "Finish. Him. Off." He ordered, shoving the knife in Levi's hands. He stared at it in horror, the handle slick with blood. He could barely even see the silver material anymore. Levi's breath hitched as he was suddenly shoved forward and looked from the beaten man back to his guardian.
"Please don't make me." He begged, a tear dripping down his face by accident and he quickly wiped it away. Kenny crouched down to his eye level, his face stern and unrelenting.
"Finish him off. Or this will continue. His pain will continue in the worse ways imaginable. And that pain... his pain. It will be on you." Kenny whispered. Levi couldn't breathe. How could he do this?
"Please kid... it hurts... I want to die..." He croaked, sobbing slightly. Kenny took his hand holding the knife and placed the steal against the man's throat before letting go, leaving Levi to keep it there.
"Do it." Kenny ordered. Levi's pulse rose. He couldn't do it.
"I can't!" He yelled.
"DO IT!" Kenny bellowed.
"FUCKING KILL ME!" The man screamed.
"KILL HIM LEVI!"
"DO IT!"
"KILL ME!"
"DON'T BE A FUCKING COWARD!" "
FUCKING DO IT!"
"LEVI!"
"Levi!" Hanji's hissed quietly voice snapped him out of his dark memories, and he blinked, trying to remember where he was. Fuck he hated then that happened. Hanji put a hand on his shoulder grounding him and he breathed out, calming down as everything fell into place. "You alright?" She asked, concern clear in the way she wasn't being a crazy bitch right now. Levi forced a nod and refocused, running a hand through his hair and trying to shake the memories out of his head. He wasn't a kid anymore. Kenny didn't have control over him. He didn't have to be controlled.
Levi glanced over to the man in the booth before standing decisively. This was for Dilan anyway. His feelings on the matter were irrelevant. Kenny was right about one thing. Showing emotions on your face got you nowhere.
"Let's go. Don't interact with him and don't let him get a rise out of you, no matter what he says." Levi said seriously. Hanji nodded and they walked over. Guess this was it. No turning back now.
Levi slid into the side of the booth opposite to Kenny and watched with an odd satisfaction as the man's eyes widened in surprise. Although he had learnt not to trust this man a long time ago. There was a fairly decent chance it was an act and he had known they were both there for a long time now. No matter though. It didn't change the plan.
"Kenny." Levi greeted as Hanji sat down next to him. Levi watched with a straight face as a wide smile appeared on his ex-guardian's face.
"RUNT! I MISSED YOU!" He grinned. Levi narrowed his eyes.
"No, you didn't." He retorted. Kenny frowned, feigning hurt.
"Why wouldn't I miss you? You were practically a son." He pouted, glugging drink. Levi felt his anger rise but stayed calm.
"I was a project. One that clearly failed otherwise you wouldn't have up and left out of nowhere." Levi said nonchalantly. Kenny smiled.
"Aw, but it was indeed the exact opposite my boy. I left because you were ready. And now look at you." He grinned, scratching his stubbly neck. "Humanities strongest. I've read about you in the paper ya know? Your strength is mine. Your success is because of me. Show a little fucking gratitude, kid." Kenny scoffed, downing the last of his beer. Levi clenched his fists under the table, willing himself to remain composed. Having the bastard acting all possessive over him sure brought up a lot of shit. It was one of the first things he ever said to him after dragging him out of the room holding his mother's corpse.
"Your alive because of me. Remember that, runt." Kenny told him as they walked away into the night.
"He doesn't owe you shit." Hanji spat, snapping him out of it. Kenny frowned.
"And who the fuck are you?" He asked. Hanji opened her mouth, but Levi gave her a stern look and she backed down, falling quiet again. Kenny smirked. "Probably a good choice. I would have loved to make you scream though. I have nothing to occupy my time anymore. You would have saved me a good few days of boredom." He said smugly, reaching out to stroke Hanji's cheek. The brunet grimaced and leant away but Levi caught the hand before it got anywhere near her anyway.
"Don't touch her." Levi growled a warning, shoving the hand back to Kenny's body. He rubbed the now red wrist, smiling at the woman.
"Who's this, your girlfriend? No offense boy but she doesn't look like your type." Kenny pointed out and Levi scowled at him. Hanji seemed to sense Levi's impending explosion as she laughed loudly banging her fists on the table and surprise both Kenny and him.
"Girlfriend?" She squeaked out before bursting out into hysterics again. Kenny raised an eyebrow at the woman.
"She crazy?" Kenny asked Levi. The raven sighed in annoyance.
"Matter of opinion." Levi mumbled, flicking the brunet on the head. "Oi. Shit head. Let's focus up, shall we?" He gritted. Hanji sucked in a few deep breaths before refocusing.
"Of course, of course. Sorry but that was rather hilarious. You've noticed the height difference, haven't you?" She started chatting like her and the serial killer thug were old friends catching up. Kenny laughed loudly as Levi glared at her.
"Man! I like this one, Levi. She's fucking insane." He laughed. Levi sighed. What the fuck was this? A social gathering.
"Why thank you Kenny. I wish I could reciprocate but I kind of hate you so..." Hanji shrugged. Kenny chuckled and nodded.
"Fair enough, girl. Fair enough." Kenny tried to drink his beer again, frowning as he remembered it was empty.
"Now onto the actual fucking reason we're here." Levi said, giving Hanji a pointed look. She made a 'sorry' face in return. Kenny chuckled.
"You here to kill me, boy?" He questioned, raising a slender eyebrow.
"Not yet. We know about your business and we know what happened to it." Levi informed, monotoned and watching as anger flashed in Kenny's eyes. Even if it wasn't directed at them, it left no guarantees and still managed to put Levi on defence mode.
"Fucking bastards." Kenny mumbled, ordering another round.
"So, you know who attacked you too then?" Hanji interpreted. Kenny nodded.
"Madam fucking Han. That bitch is so fucking unpredictable. Or is she..." Kenny looked at them with predatorial eyes. "I heard your precious corps raided her place a few days before she slaughtered my men." He slammed his drink on the table and Hanji reacted with a hand on her blade. Levi stayed deadly still, only giving Hanji a look to back down. If they were to start a fight with Kenny, they wouldn't win. "How the fuck did they link me with your fucking mistake!?" He yelled angrily. Kenny always loved to place the blame.
"The fuck if I know." Levi growled back. He couldn't tell them the link was Dilan. Kenny would stop at nothing to kill her. "But I'd say we finally have a common interest." Levi said in a bored voice, thanking fuck as Kenny calmed down a bit.
"Oh yeah?" Kenny muttered, quick to snatch the drink of the barman as he came over. Levi nodded
"You want revenge. We want in Han's place. Tell us where it is, and we can fuck it up from the inside. We'll help you get in and you can go off and kill as many guards as your heart desires." Levi offered. Kenny smirked.
"Only a crazy person would want in Han's. What's she got on you?" Kenny asked.
"None of your business. That wasn't part of the deal." Levi said simply. Kenny sighed.
"The deals not possible, boy. Sure, I know the place but it's impenetrable. It's not like you have the fucking master key." Kenny grumbled and Hanji cursed under her breath while Levi's ears pricked. That key he grabbed... was that it? It had to be.
"And what if I did?" Levi replied and Kenny's manic eyes snapped over to his. Levi braced himself for what was about to happen next. In one second Kenny was sitting on the table, legs either side of Levi. He had grabbed a fistful of his collar and was holding a dangerously sharp knife to his throat. Hanji's eyes widened in panic, but Levi stayed looking terrifyingly calm just like the bastard had taught him. He knew this was coming anyway, Kenny was pretty predictable once you knew him.
"The fuck you say, runt? Choose your next words carefully." He warned quietly. Levi glanced up to him.
"I have the key. I also have her ledgers and check stubs. They are not on me and you won't find them. You kill me, they die with me." Levi replied in a monotoned voice. Kenny glared at him and kept the knife at his throat. The silence was thick with tension and Levi almost wasn't sure how this was going to go down before Kenny cracked a smirk and removed the knife.
"Well played, boy." He chuckled, sliding back into his section of the booth. Levi frowned, wiping a drop of blood off of his neck with his thumb. Hanji gave him a worried look and he assured her he was fine. "I'm considering your proposal there. But I'll need time to get some men and... I want the ledger." Kenny said seriously. Levi clenched his jaw, internally rolling his eyes at himself. Mentioning the ledger was a rookie mistake, although he needed to prove to Kenny that he had gotten in that draw since if Kenny knew about the key, he likely knew what the key was underneath.
"I'll get you the ledger. Only if we make it out alive and we get what we came for." Levi offered. Kenny tilted his head curiously.
"Well then you might want to tell me so I can help you. If I only get the ledger on those conditions, then maybe I'll screw my revenge and guarantee your success eh? I've been inside the place before, I know where shit is." He smirked, twirling the knife around in his hands. Levi knew he was right and with Kenny they might actually pull this off but... what if he recognises Dilan and decides to kill her for what she did? On the other hand. They break from Kenny and they might not make it.
"Levi, he's got a point." Hanji said, analysing the situation in the same way as him. Levi sighed.
"Fine. They've got one of our men." He said vaguely. Kenny smiled, intrigued.
"Then why haven't the corps gone all raidy on them, huh?" He questioned. Levi didn't answer. "Aw, Levi, don't tell me you still care about people? That's the one lesson I hoped you'd remember. A man gets left behind; they are dead. Caring about people gets you nowhere. I've tried to instil that in you your whole life." He sighed, feigning disappointment. Levi felt himself tense slightly at the man's words.
"What do you mean my whole life?" He asked, trying to keep his voice even. Kenny flashed him a wicked smirk.
"Don't you recall? I sent those mercenaries to kill your stupid little friends way back. See, I never stopped caring I just-" Levi cut him off by pressing a sword to the guys throat with such strength that Kenny had to crane his head back.
"Levi, stop." Hanji said but Levi wasn't listening. It was him. He sent those guys to kill Izzy and Farlan. He threatened his family and that wouldn't stand.
"Finally got that anger out of you, huh? I knew it was still there." He chuckled, unintentionally cutting himself with the blade as Levi pressed harder. One swipe and the manipulation would be over. Kenny would be gone.
"Levi, we need him. For Dilan." Hanji whispered and Levi blinked. If he killed Kenny, Dilan would die. Fuck, I can't do this. Not yet anyway. Slowly and reluctantly, Levi removed the sword. Hanji breathed a sigh of relief as Kenny laughed.
"Like I said, boy. You care too much." He smirked. Levi ignored him, refocusing. He sure as hell wasn't doing this for fun. There was a purpose to being here and that was to get Dilan back.
"Where's Han's place." Levi got straight back to business, sheathing his blade like nothing had happened. Kenny shook his head, taking a glug of his beer.
"That's not how this works. I will show you the place." Kenny informed. Levi narrowed his eyes at the man.
"And how are we supposed to trust you aren't leading us into a trap?" Levi asked sceptically. Kenny rolled his eyes.
"They want me dead. I was barely able to escape that place with my life. Besides, I want the ledger, so I'll help you out, just this once." Kenny shrugged. Levi grit his teeth but guessed the man's point was valid. He had probable cause to help them out without turning on them. At least until the ledger was in his hands.
"Fine. When do we go?" Levi asked.
"I'll need a few days to get some men." Kenny said with a shrug. Levi and Hanji shared a look. They didn't know how long Dilan would last. It had been too long already.
"We don't have a few days. Make it one or the deals off." Levi said firmly. Kenny smirked.
"I taught you well, runt. Fine. One day. Meet back here at 12 and we'll head off then." Kenny nodded and Levi stood up.
"Don't be late." He glared before walking off, Hanji closely behind him as they left the bar.
"That guy was a piece of work. He raised you?" She questioned in disbelief. Levi shook his head.
"Kenny was just a bad turn. My family raised me." Levi replied briefly a sadness filling his soul. Hanji stayed quiet for the rest of the wall back to the hotel, sensing his drop-in mood. They were one step closer to finding Dilan though, so it was a step in the right direction.
"You're not coming." Levi said for the millionth time.
"I AM!" Hanji yelled back.
"You're not."
"AM!"
"Not." He repeated in a bored tone, not letting the crazy brunet get a rise out of him. This had been going on for quite some time. After their meeting with Kenny, Hanji and Levi had gone back to the inn he had been staying in, going over a strategy for what to do when Kenny tries to betray them. Levi had expected Hanji to leave when it got dark but to his dismay the crazy shit told him she was staying before crawling in the bed and instantly falling into a deep sleep. No matter how much shaking or yelling Levi did she didn't wake up and he had no choice but to accept defeat for the night, sleeping on the sofa. Except when he woke up and told Hanji got get off her arse so he could wake her back to the gate she claimed she was abandoning her duties at the scouts for the day to help him bring back Dilan. They had been in an argument about it for the duration of the day. It was currently and hour before Levi had to meet Kenny and he was getting pissed but not showing it. He needed to escort Hanji back to the gate so the trouble that happened yesterday didn't take place again but he also needed to get ready and get to the bar so he would be late.
"I'm coming, Levi! I'm your superior officer god damnit, you will listen to me." She growled. Levi gave her a bored look.
"I'm on leave and your off duty. You're not my superior officer, just an annoying shit who clearly has a death wish." Levi commented lazily, leaning back in his chair. Hanji looked close to exploding with frustration and opened her mouth but cut herself off. Levi raised an eyebrow as she took a deep breath and sat down on the bed. "Finally give up?" Levi mused, curious as a smirk spread across Hanji's face.
"No, I'm about to lay down the facts. One, you're going in blind with people you can't trust. You will need someone, whether you like it or not, to have your back. Two, Dilan is likely to be exhausted from whatever hells she's been put through and won't be able to stand. How are you supposed to fight if your carrying her? Unless you're stupid enough to trust her with one of Kenny's men?" Hanji said logically and Levi's eyes widened a fraction. He hadn't thought about that. The brat could probably barely stand. Levi had just been working on the assumption that once he freed Dilan, she could kick ass with him but that was an unrealistic reality. Someone would have to carry her out of there. "You see it now, shorty? It's the only option. I'll keep Dilan standing while you protect the both of us." She smirked, happily, knowing she got him. Levi raked a hand through his hair in annoyance, gritting his teeth. There were no other options.
"You do exactly as I say. Exactly. I hear even a single argument from you, and I'll pull you from the operation." Levi said seriously. Hanji smiled widely and nodded, pumping her fist in the air.
"Hell yes! We're coming sweet little Dil!" She cackled, dancing around the room. Levi rolled his eyes and sighed. We're coming you suicidal maniac.
A few hours later and it was about to go down. the 10 of them were in black cloaks, hiding around the corner of the place. It was bigger than the last base. Heavily armed too. There was a fair chance this was a terrible idea. How the hell did Dilan escape in the first place? Although she's the brat so it didn't surprise him that she found a way. Levi and Hanji had met up with Kenny and his guys at the bar a while ago. Levi had asked if he could vouch for these guys and Kenny informed, they all owed him their lives and they were too scared of him to betray him anyway. Levi couldn't deny that logic.
It was a tall building, taller than the last one. It was surrounded by a metal fence with barbed wire on the outside, only one way in and one way out. Three guards were stationed on the outside, still like statues, like they were expecting trouble to roll up. Kenny had informed Levi that the main building was a clothes factory that actually made Han a decent profit too. It was the basement, like the last one, that held the illegal crap. Madam Han sure liked her secret doors. Apparently, the workers in the basement were slaves. No one was allowed to go in or out without the master key that only Han possessed. Even the guards down there were trapped until she decided to go out again.
Kenny had been down there a few times and claims it's a decent size of the underground. The biggest maze within the walls. Yep. This was definitely a terrible idea. Too late to turn back now.
"What's the plan then?" Levi asked Kenny. He knew the layout so it was logical he would take lead.
"Kill the guards, replace them with three of my boys. We go inside, take down whoever we see, infiltrate the basement, kill everyone on sight as we move to the jail cells. Grab your guy, kill everyone else and head back." Kenny said with a shrug. Levi blinked at him. That was the worse plan ever.
"How are you still alive?!" He hissed. Kenny chuckled.
"The world likes me apparently." He said with a smug smile. Levi rolled his eyes.
"The world has shit judgement." He mumbled and Kenny frowned. "Here's the plan. We knock out the guards, replace them with your boys. Using the key we infiltrate the basement. We sneak through the base, hiding in the shadows, incapacitating anyone who notices us. We make it through to the jail cells, doing our very best to avoid conflict if necessary. The place is going to be loaded with manpower. We create a racket and they'll overpower us quickly." Levi said logically. Kenny looked reluctant.
"He has a point. We're only 13 people out of hundreds." Hanji chimed in and Kenny sighed.
"Fine, runt. We'll go with your plan. But if we die, that's on you." Kenny added, smirking. Levi glared at him.
"If you betray us, I will slit your throat." He growled quietly. Kenny smiled and nodded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." He replied and shared a look with his men who nodded to him in response.
"Let's go." Levi ordered, rounding the corners and unsheathing his weapons.
20 minutes later and the plan had already gone pretty badly. 3 of Kenny's men were dead since the bastard failed to follow the 'knock out' plan and killed someone pretty brutally. He died screaming, alerting everyone else. They had all glared at Kenny who simply shrugged and wiped the blood off of his face, grinning as footsteps rounded the corner. They had gotten pretty far despite having to kill a few guards every few minutes and Kenny kept telling them they were almost there.
"HOW FAR!?" Hanji asked again, stabbing a man in the stomach and kicking his body away with her foot. Kenny turned around to reply before someone ran at him.
"One moment." He called, turning and shooting him in the head. Levi rolled his eyes, running at a guy, turning and slashing. "Nice one, kid." Kenny praised. Levi glared at him.
"Shut the fuck up. How far?" Levi asked, gritting his teeth as another ran at him and he used his 3DMG to shoot him in the stomach.
"AH!" one of Kenny's men screamed as they were shot in the side. Kenny reloaded his gun and killed the shooter with a terrifyingly accurate bullet to the centre of his forehead before killing his screaming guy too. His other 3 remaining men gulped.
"Seriously." Levi deadpanned, turning on his heal to knock out the last guard. Kenny shrugged and started moving again.
"We're close. Shit, yeah, we're super close. Come on!" Kenny said, breaking into a run.
"How do you know where the jails are?" Hanji enquired, as they kept pace with him. Kenny grinned.
"I've been hired to torture some information out of someone for Han on more than one occasion. I'm the best in the business you know." He said proudly. Hanji grimaced and Levi rolled his eyes at the bastard as they turned the corner and Kenny kicked the door in to some cells. The two guards flinched and cocked their guns. Levi reacted before anyone else, sweeping their feet and punching them both in the temple.
"DILAN!" Hanji yelled, starting to search the cells. There were a lot. Levi started jogging through too, frowning at a few of the half dead men. Would Dilan look like that? He hoped not.
"What'd they look like, we'll help." Kenny suggested. Levi shook his head.
"Stay out of this. Stand guard." He ordered, following Hanji up the rows.
"DILAN! WE'RE HERE!" Hanji yelled again. She ran along the last few cells, ignoring the groaning prisoners telling her to shut up before turning back to Levi. "She's- she's not here..." Hanji breathed, panic in her eyes. Levi clenched his jaw and shook his head. She had to be in here.
"Oh shit, I forgot about the back." Kenny laughed, jogging towards them. Before either of them could ask he walked to the back wall and kicked the bottom of it twice. The panel opened up and he slid it to the side, catching the first of the guard and moving it before shooting the guy in the head.
"Was that necessary?!" Hanji hissed, stepping over the dead body and into the darker space. Kenny grinned.
"Probably not." He shrugged. Levi ignored him and stepped through the doorway. It was a smaller space with two steel doors. One was open, the other closed. All that lit up the room was a flickering torch. Levi glanced at the open door, deeming it vacant before going up to the other one. He tried the door, eyes widening a fraction as it clicked and pushed open.
"Brat?" Levi whispered, entering the pitch-black space. It smelt like blood, sweat and fear. It made a shiver ran down his spine. A lot of men suffered in here. He received no answer to his call. Kenny grabbed the torch off the hold and walked into the room after Levi, illuminating the space. It was... empty.
Free shackles hung from the ceiling stained with blood. A pool of it was on the floor but the rest of the space... was completely fucking empty.
"Fuck." Hanji cursed under her breath. Levi was on the verge of punching the wall.
"Well it looks like your friend was here." Kenny said, crouching down and swiping his finger along the sicky blood. Levi grimaced. "Recently too. The blood hasn't dried yet and it's still pretty warm. Guess their body gave out and they put them in the burner. We should head off now." Kenny shrugged, nonchalantly. Hanji stumbled a bit in her shock and leant on the wall for support. Levi felt his anger rise and he grabbed Kenny by the collar pushing him against the wall.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU'RE LYING! THIS IS ALL SOME TRICK ISNT IT?!" He snarled. Kenny sighed.
"For once, it's not. Your man's dead, boy. Accept it so we can get the fuck out of here." Kenny shoved Levi off of him. Levi let out a shaky breath and looked at the floor. She... asked for my help. I was supposed to help her.
Kenny looked between the soldiers and scoffed before turning to leave. Levi lifted his head as the man cursed quietly.
"What?" Levi asked. Kenny sighed and turned around.
"Is your soldier a girl?" He asked. Levi blinked.
"Why?" He asked, slightly suspicious. Kenny sighed again.
"That's a yes then. Fuck, we were almost out." He mumbled, rubbing his face. Levi shared a look of hope with Hanji.
"Kenny tell us what you fucking know and stop wasting time!" Levi growled. Kenny looked at them.
"If they want to make her suffer and I know Han loves suffering. They'll put her with the others." Kenny said. Hanji paled slightly.
"The other... what?" She asked hesitantly.
"The other sex slaves." He explained and all eyes widened in dread.
A/N: Yo! We had some good Hanji and Levi parts in this chapter. I honestly love them as friends. They are complete opposites but they love each other really. Kenny was so fun to write too. I know we hate him but we also kinda love him or is that just me? The next chapters gonna be action packed guys. Please like and review if you can, it really helps me stay motivated. Thanks for reading! X
