Summary:Erena's relationship with Eren. Some fights and arguments. Short talk between Eren, Hange, Erwin, and Levi.
Chapter 2: Erena and Eren
When they arrive in front of the walls, Erena hide herself carefully in the cart. She covered herself with the green cloth on her side to make sure that no one will find her. Because of the outburst of the commander and the curiosity of the green-caped men, she decided to be low-key than trigger violent reactions. The men might also be thinking the same thing as they didn't object to it.
"Do we really need to use the Shiganshina gate? Is it safe?" Petra asked.
"Petra's right. This is the epicenter of the plague and we have a kid with us. No matter how strong we are, our body can also be affected by sickness like this." He heard a voice of an unfamiliar man.
"That's a good reason, Eld. But the Government strictly told us to only use the Shiganshina gate when we venture outside to get the ingredients for the medicine." Erena thinks that the voice belong to the thick-brow man called Erwin. The midget and him talked earlier about some nonsense about titans and heard their names in passing.
"They even set a new headquarters in Shiganshina just for this mission." Levi said.
"Eh! I didn't know about that!" The brunette haired woman whined. No one entertain her though, like it's a regular occurance that she didn't know anything.
Erena was looking forward to the statement and objections of the commander but she heard nothing. Ever since the man was told to be quiet, he obeyed the order to the latter and never talk. Maybe she shouldn't be surprised that the man she knew might hold enough power to be escorted by these strong-looking men with the commander himself outside the walls full of titans. And she heard that he is even a doctor. A fucking doctor.
"This is for the best. We should be careful not to spread the plague outside Shiganshina." The voice of that man now sounded warm like how he sounded years ago. She shook her head to clear those thoughts. Reminiscing the past will only distract her.
"Please, use this." Petra lifted the fabric covering Erena slightly to give a white cloth. "Cover your mouth and nose to avoid catching the plague."
Erena wanted to slap her hands away, but the warm look in Petra's eyes made her just take it quietly and cover her body again.
She then heard the sound of the gate opening. She can't help but peak a little and saw how gigantic and heavy this gate was. The noise of the people greeted them.
"The Noble Doctor is back!"
"Dr. Kruger, thank god you are safe!"
"This city is save!"
"And look, one of them died again."
"It's Commander Shadis we are talking about, okay? He's a failure!"
"I heard that captain who died should not be promoted at all but he insisted."
"Captain Erwin might be more fitting."
"Or maybe Corporal Levi."
"Yeah. He's the strongest after all, killing more titans than everyone else."
She smirked at the gossips of these devils. The Commander whom she didn't like was hated by these people which made her feel a little better since she didn't like him very much. Erwin and the midget have a positive impression to them which she shouldn't be surprised about. They have more aura than the people in this group, signifying their strength were more than the commander itself. And yet, she was surprised about that person although she should have expected it. The man she knew was adored by everyone. Yes, he was a doctor and that's a noble job. But he have this talent to pull people on his side through his words even though he is not that charismatic like Erwin and Levi, like how he did back then. Thinking about it, if they never met him, her family wouldn't be what it's like now.
She was absent-minded throughout the whole ride until Petra lifted the green cloth covering her.
"We're here!" Petra said cheerfully.
They went inside a sparkling clean building. She was speechless to know that's how the village adored these men, they even went far as expending bottles of cleaning materials to ensure the cleanliness of this place.
But the look on the midget's face entirely express an unpleasant look. His face was varying from different colors. If they asked her what she saw, she will definitely say that she saw a rainbow on the midget's face.
"Mikasa! Armin!" He shouted. Some of the squad members flinched at his outburst.
Two children slightly taller than her was immediately in front of the midget. "Welcome home, Levi-nii." The girl with a black haired and have slim body greeted him, ignoring the others.
"Welcome home, Minna, Levi-nii." The other boy, on the other hand, greeted everyone but specially mention the midget. She just shook her head.
These devils were hopeless.
"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you not to come here?" He interrogated.
"We got lost." The girl called Mikasa answered. Erena laugh before she can stop herself. The other's glare warned her to shut up but she didn't listen. She even ignored the midget's glare and the shock gaze of Armin. That Mikasa girl is just too funny.
"What Mikasa mean is that..." The blonde boy beside Mikasa, hurriedly went to her rescue. "We were chasing a cat and before we knew it, we are inside the Shiganshina district. We cannot go out so we just asked where you will stay. The village is kind enough to even bring us food and supplies. That's why we manage to clean this place."
"A cat? You went here just for a cat?" The venom in his voice was clear. "What were those shitty Garrison doing? They let you in so easily? I thought the walls were close?" Levi's sarcastic voice made Armin's face red as he embarrasedly look at Mikasa who was still standing straight face as though she did nothing wrong.
"You use the ODM gear again." Levi concluded.
"Sorry, Levi-nii. I cannot stop Mikasa." Armin apologized. "But we really chase a cat on our way here." He added.
"Tch. Go serve us food." Levi ordered. It looks like he just gave up because he can't do anything to let them leave the city.
"Don't worry, Levi-nii. We're strong and we still haven't caught sick after staying her for more than a day." Armin consoled him with Mikasa nodding beside Armin before they went off.
But the mention of food made Erena's stomach grumble. She looked down to avoid showing her red face. It was embarrassing to even think of eating the devil's food but...since we will eat them in the near future, it won't hurt to start now. The only problem is the man behind her. She knew that this man was brave enough to poison her. Hell, with his power, he can order the commander to killed her so openly since he knew why she was here.
"Get a room with no windows as another alternative for dungeon. Make sure that she won't step out of that room. If you wanted to give her food, go on. But be sure that she's tied up." The cold voice is back and surprised her that he will imprisoned her.
That decision might be good for her. That means that she will not fail the mission. It's time to lower her pride to fit in with these devils. She made sure to console herself that it was for the mission. The mission where she can have everything she ever wanted. Her everything that these devils cannot provide.
"Yes, Doctor Kruger." Although Petra was worried, she still obeyed.
"Better if you bring Levi with you, she was not to be underestimated." Petra nodded.
"Hange, can you take me to the pharmacy?" Dr. Kruger asked the brunette woman.
"Eh... I still haven't been on this place." Hange said awkwardly.
"I will take you." Erwin offered and Hange also went with them to help Dr. Kruger to making the medicine.
Turns out, they are going on the same way. Erena was not pleased.
"Why do we need to turn right, when we can go left?" She asked.
"Room with no windows are in this way." Petra answered.
"Little kid, what's your name? We still haven't asked you earlier." Hange said. Erena rolled her eyes. Of course, they won't. After Kruger's order and his hidden message in his statemnet made known that they shouldn't ask too much questions. Now that it looks like everything calm down, they bit it to fill their curiousity.
"Ana. Call me Ana."
"Call her Erena. Her name is Erena." That man interjected making Erena glare dagger at him.
Hange perked up at the name. "Are you connected with Dr. Kruger? His name is Eren and you are Erena. There's no way that could be a coincidence. There's also the eyes! The eyes! They are green!"
Hange's face got closer and closer as she talks making Erena step back before Hange's saliva went to her face.
"Get your shitty face away from me!" She said in disgust.
"Sorry. Sorry." She laugh before backing away. Erena taught that it's the end but she was wrong.
"So? Your answer?" Hange smiled at her.
Erena ignored her and went to take the cloth covering her mouth and nose to wipe the bits of saliva in her face.
Disgusting! Really disgusting!
"I wanted to take a bath!" She demanded and look at Petra.
Petra glance at that man and the midget before looking back at her to convey her message.
Erena gritted her teeth. Of course she need that man's consent who just ignore her.
"Oi, Doctor Kruger." She called sarcastically. "I wanted to take a bath."
"Levi..." Before that man make an order, the midget refused.
"I'm not gonna babysit another brat."
"Levi." That man said again with a warning in his voice but that midget remained stoic.
It's obvious that he's not someone who follow orders.
"Petra is enough." Erena said.
That man whom she cannot call his name just look at her. His eyes was telling her that she was still under suspicion.
This man! He got a nerve to doubt!
"I'm not gonna escape! I'm not like you!" She exclaimed.
That man stop walking as well as everyone else including her.
Unexpectedly, the man smile. A smile that she was familiar with. "If you wanted to take a bath, then call me first."
Erena glared him and then to the midget for making it hard for her. It's just a simple bath!
She clenched her fist as the man continued walking again.
The midget was getting on her nerves but this man was getting on her nerves more than him. First, he wanted them to call her Erena. She knew that it's better if she just told them her real name from the start instead of the Ana thing. But she cannot accept the fact that someone in this place have almost the same pronunciation as her name except the a in this place.
A name she cannot call herself without the A in the end.
A name that she wanted to change to Ana but she cannot.
And this man was casually asking her to call his name. The name without the A.
To think he asked her like he did nothing wrong to make her hate that name. Even she, herself never utter that name of his ever since.
"No way!" She refused.
"Then, no baths."
"Sure!"
"No foods too."
"Even if you take everything away. I won't call you!"
This scene might look like a childish banter but the people with them knew there's something deep within their relationship.
The hate in Erena's voice was real. The deep hatred she canmot conceal.
Everyone was silent except the two of them. They are too curious as to what information they can get in this conversation.
"Still stubborn, huh?" Dr. Kruger mumbled. "Then it's okay. Don't force yourself."
The others became confused. The doctor went all the trouble of provoking her just to make her call his name and yet he just let it go.
Erena, on the other hand, became alert. She was waiting for his next words. And just like her prediction, it's correct.
"I think I will finish making the medicine by tonight if I work nonstop." He started. "And then maybe I'll go to the palace immediately after that."
Erena exploded after hearing that. She grabbed Petra's blade in her gear and lunged at the man. Torture before killing was what she wanted to do with him. But too bad, her mission was more important than her desire to torture him. So, before he could talk, it's better if she just kill him right here,right now. After that, she can escape...
Levi quickly kick her arms with the blade, making it fly out of her grasp, and held her shoulder and arms firmly despite her struggles. Petra immediately retrieve the blade on the floor back to her gear.
Erena heard Hange squeal in excitement, watching the show in delight and morbid curiosity.
That man ruffled her hair, like he always do which warmed her heart up. But now, it's cold. Her heart feel cold that her eyes turned red.
"Don't touch me!" She wanted to swat his hand but Levi even hold her arm firmly. It irritated her. Why is he so dammed strong? Or maybe she was just feeling weak? "Let me go, you dammed midget!"
"Shut up! You shitty brat!"
"Then let me go!"
"Now, now, Erena. Just call me and you can do whatever you want." The man soothed her. His eyes have been staring at her have full of hidden messages. One of them wanting her to call him or their plan will go down the drain if he went to tell the royal family about them.
Erena now have to choose between her hatred and pride or her family and dreams. Without thinking, she knew what to choose. Even if it's a weakness in front of this man, she didn't care.
"EREN! EREN KRUGER! UNCLE EREN! EREN! EREN! EREN!" After that, she was breathing heavily. She suddenly felt tired again all of the sudden. But she laughed. She laughed crazily before looking up at Eren fucking Kruger. "Are you satisfied?" She asked coldly, her voice not showing any signs of weakness at all.
Erena turned away and Levi let go of her arms when he saw she have no intention to fight.
The walk to the dungeon feels like eternity after that. Hange, Erwin, Kruger was the first one to separate from the group.
On the end of the hallway, there is a single door and the midget throw her inside. She didn't struggle any further and when the door closes, she let herself collapse.
Erena didn't know what's inside the room. She just sat and leaned against the wall, too tired to even move. Her body was aching together with her head. She wanted to calmly think and analyze the bits of information she have gotten from their words and reactions. She also wanted to find her comrades immediately and plan their first move. But her body was screaming for it to rest.
She cursed herself for being weak.
Situations like these means nothing to her but the appearance of that person triggered her.
Eren Kruger
She loves that name because they have the same pronunciation if she take away the last letter.
He used to call her Eren.
She used to call him Eren.
He said that she was his family and can be trusted.
Her family also trusted him completely.
That's why she trusted him like she trusted her family.
It turns out, he just betrayed her in the end. He tricked her...
He tricked her, and his father was okay with it.
Eren Kruger prepared the ingredients in the medicine. Hange and Erwin were with him to segregate the boxes of ingredients so that it was easy to find. Levi went inside just after he send Erena to the room. He was expecting it. They were curious to know about Erena and their relationship especially Erwin who thirst for knowledge about everything outside the walls.
"Uncle, huh? That brat is the complete opposite of you." Levi started.
Eren laughed at the statement. "You can say that." He heard that statement many times when they are together. Erena is someone who acts on emotion while he did not. Nevertheless, they are always happy like a family when they are together.
"But what is she doing outside the walls?" Erwin asked. No matter how he hides it, the interest in his voice is evident.
Eren sighed. How could he answer that question?
He went to open the pouch that contains the herbs they gotten outside the walls. Because these herbs are very rare, all available ones inside the walls are already gone. Even though it's a small quantity, it is more than enough for the whole Shiganshina district. He can even use these herbs to make another medicines.
"There are those who are executed for their curiosity to see and know what's beyond the walls." Erwin tensed up. He knew what Eren was talking about as he was also the victim of the government.
"Your father was executed for pure speculation about what might be beyond the walls." Eren said.
Eren then looked at Levi. "Armin's parents were also the same. They have those forbidden books and tried to see the outside world."
He continued. "When you grew up, Erwin. You learned to hide your curiosity about the outside walls. That's why even if they knew your objectives, they turned a blind eye to it so long you never speaks about it. The same can be said to you, Levi. Your skills made the government hesistate to touch Mikasa and Armin."
"What about them?" Levi asked urgently.
"Armin, just like his parents are curious about the outside world. He have books that can earn him sentence despite his young age. Mikasa, on the other hand..."
"You told me to keep mine and Mikasa's last name a secret when I found out about it and forbid me to adopt her. That's why Armin's grandfather adopted her instead. It's all about the Ackermann's, isn't it? " Eren nodded.
"What's with the Ackermann's?" Hange asked.
"Their skills are dangerous."
Hange's brows furrowed. "There's no doubt that Mikasa and Levi are genius fighter and skilled in ODM gear. But that makes them an incredible asset instead of earning them a sentence."
"You are very wrong, dear Hange." Eren's voice was cold. "The government didn't care about skills. That's why no matter what happened, don't you dare reveal your surname or you risk being executed." He firmly said to Levi who just look back at him. Despite that, he knew that he will do it. He won't let harm comes Mikasa and Armin's way.
"The government cannot just do that. Most people would definitely side with Levi. If that happens, they will risk their reputation to be tainted." Erwin said.
Eren raised an eyebrow at him. "You think so?" He left his desk to come forward and face him. "It is in the Ackermann's blood to be a fighter. In fact, they should be known throughout these walls because of their ability. They are also suitable to be the king's best guard. And yet..." He stopped for a moment and he saw Erwin's curious eyes deepened. "You know nothing about them. Nothing at all. Like they didn't exist in these world. It can happen to you too despite your achievements. That's how powerful the royal family is. They can disregard anything just to keep the knowledge about the outside world hidden."
"So what's there outside the walls?"
What's outside the walls? Is Erwin seriously asking him that? He knew that when a man dreams something, he can disregard anything. Just like her.
Eren laughed. He laughed so hard that Levi saw the resemblance between him and Erena before her voice become cold.
"I wonder about that." Eren have this longing look in his eyes. "Is there really humanity outside the walls like what your father said? And maybe there lies the huge body of salty water that Armin called the ocean. Or just titans who was looking forward to eat us everytime people get outside these walls? No one knows. No one until we get rid of those titans and see what's beyond."
"No wonder you supported the corps when those dammed government wanted to get rid of us." Levi commented.
"Then what's the connection about Erena being outside the walls?" Hange asked.
"She went outside the walls." Eren answered. It's so simple like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"You bribed the Garrison to do that?" Hange scratched her chin. "But that's weird. Erena hated you and there's something about your relationship that I can't explain. And then there's Grisha."
"No one can stop a person who longed for freedom. It's better to die outside fighting the titans than suffocate to death inside these walls." He said in disgust.
"Then why didn't you join the Corps? You have tons of opportunities to do that." Erwin said.
"Or maybe you got scared and hide behind the walls." Levi added.
"No." Eren shook his head. "It's punishment. Our family's punishment is to die within these walls. A never-ending torture our family must endure." until the right person comes.
Eren never said anything after that. Levi, Hange, and Erwin didn't get anything clear about the conversation with him aside from clues that they cannot deduce. No matter how curious they are, they cannot recklessly torture him for information. But the flow of the conversation was interesting
Now, Levi can't help but praise the doctor. He knew what to say in different situations so that he will be in control on what and not to reveal. No wonder Erwin was somewhat guarded with him around. Because if you let your guard down, you might be too late to find out that you were already in his grasp.
But they knew. They knew that he knows something more that he didn't want ro reveal.
And Erena is definitely connected to the mystery behind these walls.
AN: Mikasa and Armin was with Levi. Grandpa Arlet adopted Mikasa and Armin. Grisha have not yet make an appearance.
AN: I am not that creative when it comes to writing so I cannot make so intelligent plot and twist. I just wanna have fun so sorry for that.