Chapter 7: Spark
.
.
A/N: I really want to stress that, as a character, I find Levi to be extremely (albeit silently and crudely) empathetic and concerned about the people around him, even if he comes off as cold and distant. I would argue that he is one of the most empathetic people in the series, and the most tragic. I would be happy to provide examples to someone who disagrees via DM.
But, I strongly advise that anyone reading this fic watch the Levi backstory OVA episodes (A choice with no regrets parts 1 and 2). They really develop his background. Of course, I'd also advise catching up on season 3 of the show if you haven't and don't read the manga. (If watching, I also suggest watching English sub and not dub. I think sub and dub have a different tone for Levi's voice and I really base the tone off of the Japanese voice acting, it's a bit more dark and mysterious to me).
.
I'm having such writer's block. So I'm definitely gonna need some inspirations for the next few chapters so bear with me!
.
Thanks again for all the reviews! I really love them :)
.
.
"Are you gonna answer me, brat?" Levi Ackerman questioned from his place beside her, his handkerchief tugged down to uncover his nose and mouth, "The hell is so special about a damn boomerang?" He analyzed the cream colored object of Kagome's attention, then peered over at her. He didn't much like being ignored, though as he watched her delicate features glaze over with emotion, he found his potential discontent withering away. Her fingertips were pressed up against the object, and her eyes would shut for a moment, before opening and absorbing its image. Then, she briefly looked above the large boomerang, where a longbow hung, mounted on the wall like a trophy. She repeated this pattern a few more times before dropping her hand back to her side and sighing.
"Hiraikotsu." She whispered, "It's called Hiraikotsu." Her gaze fell to the floor, her shoulders slumped like a drooping flower.
Levi would consider himself quite perceptive, which is why he could tell something about those two weapons were weighing down on her. It wasn't hard for him to read her body language in that way, to sense the distress that oozed from her person as if it just floated up from her pores. But he couldn't for the life of him piece together why. This chamber hosted artifacts. These pieces had been in this castle longer than she'd been alive. So, it confused him what the connection could possibly be between her and the relics before them.
"How would a pest like you know its name?" He grunted, his brow cocked as he tried to detect anything special about the items.
But she just paused again, nibbling on her bottom lip as if something about the question had made her uncomfortable. He decided he would give her a few more seconds to answer before he began getting slightly annoyed, but she quickly composed herself and shot her head up to face him with a faux, toothy smile.
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that... well it's part of an old story that was often told in my village." She reached her hand up once more, fingers eagerly inching towards the Hiraikotsu again. But she dropped it once more before she could make contact, like it was out of reach despite being right there. And there was something sorrowful about the way she spoke, even while beaming at him, "You said these artifacts came from different lands, right? Well, Hiraikotsu must have been brought from the... Orient Lands where my people are from... I guess its just reminding me of my friends."
She's lying about something. The captain concluded to himself at her suspicious tone, though no matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't figure out what. Or why. Though, it was clear that her core was deeply disturbed.
"And the bow?" He questioned, motioning above the boomerang.
"That's the Sacred Longbow of Mount Azusa." She answered him softly, her voice sounding like she had to choke out the words with little energy left coursing through her. Her gaze traveled between the two once more, before he could see her peek towards him from the corner of her eyes.
"Well, what was the story?" He asked nonchalantly, expecting the look of disbelief that startled her features.
"Huh?" She blinked at him, "You want me to tell you the story?"
"That is what I said." He grunted back, "Or are you deaf?"
She just shook her head, "Trust me, you wouldn't wanna hear me tell it. It's a long story and I'll say it all wrong."
"I didn't ask for excuses, brat." Levi pressed on, "Do I need to make this an order?"
He looked back over at the Hiraikotsu, but from the peripheral, he could see a gentle smile grace her face; one that held sincerity and relief. And when she finally opened her mouth, she spilled out a story about a time travelling priestess, a half-demon, an orphaned fox demon, a lecherous monk, and a brave demon-slayer with her nekomata. He couldn't say he quite understood the whole thing, especially the different demons and such. Nor did he follow the reincarnation side plot she described. But he got the gist of it, and more than that, he heard the utter amusement she had in telling him like it was the most important story in the world.
"So, does the time-travelling priestess make it back to her friends?" Levi asked, noticing how the story finished with the protagonist stuck in her own time.
"I don't think anyone knows for sure. But I'd like to think that one day she does." Kagome answered, "I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow because of that story."
"It's a pretty useless weapon, now." He grunted.
"Yeah, but I guess I just hoped it would glow with spiritual energy like the priestess." She chuckled to herself, though her face fell soon after she said that, her stare lifting itself to the sacred longbow with a certain longing swirling in her orbs.
"Hey, Captain Levi?" She almost squealed out of her mouth, catching the dark-haired man by surprise.
"What now, brat?" He bluntly responded.
"Thank you for listening to me." She felt her skin flush a bit as she spoke.
He paused, not expecting her to show much gratitude at all. "Still up my ass? What, did you make a home there or something?" He rolled his eyes, wishing he could wipe off any of her thankfulness. It wasn't like he did anything special. And the absolute last thing he wanted was for her to be looking up to him with those big eyes like he was some nice guy she could talk to whenever she wanted.
But if he was being real with himself, he had a feeling she would do that anyways. What a pesky situation... He grimaced inwardly.
"Did I make a home up your ass?" She repeated before chuckling once more, "I haven't yet. But hey, if the rent is cheap, I just might."
This brat is unbelievable. Tsk. Levi Ackerman just shook his head and turned to leave, glancing back once more before exiting out into the secret hallway, "Don't go taking a long ass break. I still need this place spotless, lazy brat." But she was still just smiling, nodding a long to what he said like she found him funny or something.
Not that he cared of course. As long as she got it done.
Kagome began reaching up for that sacred longbow, standing up on her tippy toes to get her hand closer to it. He watched with amusement, wondering if she was even tall enough to grab a hold of it or if she would dare call him to help. Of course, if she did, he planned on letting her know that if he got his hands on it, he'd shove it somewhere she wouldn't like. Still, he watched her with one brow cocked.
That's when the most peculiar thing happened. As her fingers grazed the wood of the bow ever so slightly, there was the faintest of sparks. It lasted only a moment, and it was so small, he almost missed it. But he didn't. He was completely sure that, when she touched the Sacred Longbow of Mount Azusa, there was a pink glow that sparked between her fingertips and the weapon, like an energy of some sort.
What the hell... His eyes widened slightly, both brows lifting up on his forehead. But he quickly composed himself and turned away. She hadn't yet noticed that he was still watching. And frankly, he wasn't sure what to even make of what he just saw. Because if he were to be honest, his initial thought was that Kagome's story may just be at least partially true, and there may just be spiritual energy flowing through that weapon. But that was absurd. They had enough to deal with when it came to giant, man-eating Titans. He didn't need to find out that demons and other powerful beings may just be roaming about as well.
Damn, she was trouble.
The captain decidedly left without saying anything, planning on preparing himself a nice cup of tea and sitting alone for the time being. Without Kagome or anyone else to disrupt him. Plus, he figured he would just head back there when he knew she was once again occupied and see the weapon for himself. Maybe it was just a fluke. Or maybe he really was seeing things.
Whatever the case, he just knew he needed tea right now.
I still can't believe it... Kagome had just finished getting the confirmation from Levi that her cleaning was satisfactory and had a quick meal, and it was now time for a meeting. It's official. This world is some dystopian future. And even more than that... The Sacred Longbow of Mount Azusa still recognizes me. I felt the spiritual energy coursing through me when I touched it, thank god Levi didn't see.
She paused to think about how he listened to her story. It was the first time she had told anyone about her past. And sure, she told it in third person, but it had felt so great. And he listened. He wanted to hear it as if he knew it would make her feel better. He's really not such a bad guy, even if he tries to act all cold and uninterested. She smiled as she felt the weight like it was taken off her shoulders a little. Speaking her truth was the breath of fresh air she hadn't had in years.
I think, if I can get my hands on some arrows, I might try to do some shooting practice. I haven't felt my spiritual energy since I've been here, but maybe with the bow, I'll find that I still have it! She smiled even wider as she made her way to the dining room.
"Hey, Kagome!" Eren shouted from behind her, causing her to stop in her tracks and rotate to greet him.
"Eren! Great to see you!" She waved as he caught up to her, "How are you liking the castle life?" She joked.
He scratched his head and chuckled, "I can't say I'm gonna be experiencing it much. I spent all day cleaning, and I'm stuck sleeping in the basement in case I turn into a Titan in the middle of the night."
"Ouch. You can live vicariously through me, of course." Kagome replied casually, "I am the official unofficial princess of the place, you know. Captain Levi approves and everything."
"Huh? You've got to be joking..." Eren gasped in disbelief, green eyes wide.
But the former priestess couldn't contain her laughter, "I'm totally kidding. He would beat me over the head with the mop if I suggested that."
The two continued to talk until they made it to the dining room, where a long, wooden tables rested. Everyone was already sitting around, a cup of tea in front of each of them, along with two cups steaming in front of two empty chairs. Captain Levi was sitting at the front of the table, holding his cup in a bizarre manner without grasping the handle. The two new recruits took their seats across from each other, closer to the end. Kagome sat next to Petra, both greeting the other with a friendly grin.
"So, it appears we're gearing up for a big mission in about a month, with the new recruits being our main form of backup." Eld began, taking a sip of the tea and shaking his head, "I don't know what everyone's thinking... making them run into battle so soon when they must be scarred already." Gunther agreed, and everyone just nodded their head, the news coming as a shock as no one expected the cadets turned scouts to be forced up against the Titans again.
"I'm not in charge of planning." Levi grunted, grabbing his cup from above and sipping, "But knowing Erwin, he's analyzed the situation from every angle."
"This situation is a bit different than usual." Eld nodded, "I mean, after futile attempts to take back Wall Maria, we suddenly get a ray of hope for humanity." Everyone looked towards Eren, eyes glistening with curiosity and hope. "How does it work anyways? You know, turning into a Titan and all..."
Kagome watched Eren carefully as he gulped and looked down, "I don't know too much about the whole thing, but I know it usually starts with inflicting harm on myself. That's it, though. The rest has been sort of like a trance."
"Tch. No one's gonna get any more out of him than what's written down in those damn reports." The captain grunted, "Though, some will still try. You'll be lucky if you make it out alive if she lays into you."
"Huh, who's she?" Kagome heard Eren mumble, concern laced in his tone. Of course, it was then that a loud thud came from outside the now locked door. Petra stood up and went to open it, meanwhile Levi didn't even seem surprised at the unannounced visitor. The former priestess stared intensely to see who would be behind the door, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"Hello Levi Squad!" The loud sing-song voice echoed the room as soon as the door so much as cracked open.
"You're early." Levi grunted in slight annoyance.
As the mystery woman made her way, Kagome found her eyes met with a familiar face, and her body relaxed. Section Commander Hange Zoe had walked in.
Still, one question bounced around in her mind. So, she's the one Eren has to worry about?
Yay! I hope you liked the fluff and all. Congrats to Tofallenfrom and Siles for guessing the bow! (I have to take out the period for the username or it'd get deleted). I was going to incorporate other items, but I just felt like it would be overkill. Tessaiga didn't feel like it would fit just because, without Inuyasha, it would just look like a rusted sword. Plus, this isn't an InuKag fic, so I feel like having Kagome have even more reason to feel nostalgic over him would just over complicate it.
.
This discussion, I want to know if people follow the manga or anime descriptions for Levi/Kagome. I actually took Levi's grey eyes from the manga, but I usually envision Kagome's brown eyes from the anime. I also very much prefer Levi's Japanese dub voice for inspo, but Kagome's English dub voice.
What about you guys?
Also, how caught up is everyone on Attack on Titan? (I'm assuming most people are all caught up on Inuyasha since it's been finished).
.
Always loving the reviews! :)