IV

It was enough. Mikasa glanced outside, peering through the curtains and trying to figure something out through the rain. Eren should've been back home now, and the fact that he wasn't made her restless. She knew Eren was reckless and spontaneous, prone to wander off and to do whatever his stupid mind told him, but not to the point of leaving her alone when ghouls roamed in the neighbourhood. She knew Eren had his secrets and hid some things from her because he didn't want her to know, but he had never broken his promise to always tell her if something was wrong. She knew Eren wasn't the most punctual and polite, but with her he knew better or he'd regret it deeply later.

So she leaned by the window sill, her finger brushing away strands of dark hair falling upon her brows, her eyes darting on every shape lurking around the buildings. They were like tendrils of darkness extending up to her porch, trying to penetrate but blocked by the bright streetlamp around the corner.

Where are you, Eren?

With each second ticking by, a rock was settling in the pit of er stomach. Her fingers were soon trembling along with the chatter of her teeth. She didn't know if she should go out and look for him or stay here and wait. Weighing both options didn't get her anywhere, so she grabbed her raincoat, slid in her rubber boots and threw the door open. The darkness shot towards her and she momentarily faltered. Still, her mind was of iron and she sprinted in the alley, her mind a whirling vane in a gale. She was going to get Eren and get him back home. If she had to drag him by the ear to make him, then she would. She wasn't going to remain still like a powerless maiden in a dungeon. She was going to be the knight and extirpate him from the mess he'd thrown himself into. The dragon better be ready, for she was going to crush it herself.

She was still running when she heard gurgling noises. Slowing down, she breathed deeply and looked around for the source. It was coming from an alley, and even if her heart thundered as loudly as the heavens above, she edged closer to the darkness. The tendrils curled around her legs, pulling her nearer. The noises grew louder. There was a pressure around her throat, tightening as her eyes took in the scene ahead of her, and she knew going back to the light would be a feat in itself. And when two eyes shining crimson against stark obsidian, she knew it was impossible.

A ghoul was staring at her, hovering above a mutilated corpse. She could see beads of scarlet smeared near the lips, features languid and glowing, pulsating tendrils sprouting from her back. So these were the tendrils of darkness, the tendrils calling to her, luring her in. Pale blond hair glimmered silver in the obscurity. Her lithe form clad in black held herself proud, her chin tilted upward. The ghoul might've been a model for all she knew, even if she seemed to be smaller than her, or she could've been a business manager with rectangle glasses. Both images suited her with an air of professionalism and sophistication Mikasa had always yearned for. Nonetheless, seeing her as a ghoul didn't ruin the image. It made her look almost sensual, with predation etched on her countenance, and she licked her lips.

Before she could even speak, the ghoul moved so fast that Mikasa didn't even realise she had moved. Next thing she knew, one of the gigantic tendrils had wrapped around her ankle like a ribbon coiled around a gift. With a violent yank, she was thrown upside down and the world swirled like a whirligig. Her sight was now reduced to the ghoul's knees.

"I hate it," whispered a silky voice, "when someone interrupts me when I'm eating."

Mikasa tried watching her, in vain. "It wasn't my intention. I never saw you, you know."

She could hear the smirk bleeding through the ghoul's tone. "You're a clever girl, but not clever enough not to wander in dark alleys. Unfortunately for you, I can't let you go."

Mikasa didn't know if she should beg, try to escape or threaten the ghoul. Her thoughts were muddled and her tongue felt so heavy she couldn't lift it. "My brother..."

"Your brother can't do anything for you. You'll be gone just like every other human who fell to ghouls. You'll be a name on a grave. But don't worry, your death will ensure my survival."

Mikasa stiffened, mustering her strength to haul herself up and kick the ghoul, when she heard a clear whooshing sound followed by a sleek cutting one. The grip around her ankle was released and she was dropped in the mud. The rain obscured her view as droplets gathered on her lashes. A hand pulled her aside and she instinctively hit her assailant, only to be warded off and hushed down.

"Mikasa, it's me, Eren," a familiar voice came to her ears. "Please, tell me you're alright."

"Idiot!" was the only response she could muster. She rose unsteadily, supported by Eren's arms around her, and she clung on his hoodie not to slide in the mud. "Where were you?"

His stance became defensive and his worried expression turned sour. "That's all you've got to say? You're not my mum and I can take care of myself real fine, thank you!"

She was about to argue when Eren turned abruptly and threw them on the ground, rolling about a meter away. Was the light claiming her back? She pushed Eren who was weighing down on her and looked up to see only a blur of movements.

"What–?" She began inquiring, but Eren pulled her up and dragged her along.

"We have to get out of here. Now."

"But... What about...? Who...?"

She couldn't quite describe the scene before her. She could barely see the silhouette of a svelte man with a silver blade moving around the ghoul, a sort of blue and white fire dancing on his back. The ghoul was as emotionless as ever, being the perfect image of indifference, as her enormous tendrils blocked the attacks bombarding her. They were shifting in sync, two hunters fighting for dominance over the other. Eren's hold around her arms tightened, insistent.

"Mikasa, the guy's giving us time so we have to take it. We have to go."

She didn't even have time to gather herself, for he was tugging violently at her sleeve. She was sure he'd ripped it off, and she wondered how he'd got so strong in such a small amount of time. She'd always been the stronger between the two, but now he was showing an uncanny strength she'd never though he could possess. She fumbled in her own feet, afraid the mud would try to swallow her, and ground her teeth together. She didn't quite understand the affiliation Eren had with the man, who was clearly an investigator. Her brother was such a magnet of trouble. Of all people, he had to hang around a ghoul hunter.

"Eren, stop it," she shouted and freed herself from his grasp. "Tell me what's going on."

"Mikasa, we'll have time to talk about that when we'll be home and dry."

His eyes were gleaming oddly, reminding her of a scarecrow watching over a garden, hiding its secrets. Her hands curled into fists. "Eren Jaeger, tell me everything you know right now."

He visibly hesitated, his mouth twisting in a grimace. "Look, it's really complicated and–"

Whatever he was going to say was drowned in a ruckus, alarms from cars blaring in the distance. Mikasa stiffened, searching reassurance next to Eren, and yelped when she caught a glimpse of bright light flashing down beside them. It wasn't lighting, but perhaps something as dangerous. The investigator had landed just behind Eren. The water trailing down his coat had a rather pink tinge instead of the usual translucent one. The wings on his back flapped as if in anxiousness, and now that she was seeing him closer, she saw what should've been feathers were rather crystal glimmering in a scope of ivory and sapphire. The investigator swiped strands of hair out of in front of his eyes, revealing a pair of piercing slate-coloured eyes that were as cold as steel. His expression was of marble.

"Lead the way," was all he said, and Mikasa noticed he hadn't sheathed his sword yet.

Wordlessly, Eren nodded and, taking her hand, began running towards home. She followed eagerly, dreaming of a hot shower and tea on the couch with Eren. The investigator was tailing them from a respectable distance, watching their backs. Instead of feeling at ease now that the man was here, she felt rather bothered and tried not to let it show. However, as she met his glare, she understood that it was reciprocate. The man was as dangerous as the ghouls he was chasing, for he had the same shaded light in his eyes that belonged to a killer. She couldn't quite explain it, but she knew the man hated them. She assumed he had saved them only because it was his job to do so, but if he had to decide, he would've left them alone in the alley. Thinking back, wasn't Eren with him when he arrived? Could it be... that they were together before she had been attacked? Did it mean... they were friends?

No. She knew Eren better than this – or so she hoped – and this man didn't fit at all. He would always put Eren below himself and Eren would only annoy him. Definitely not. When they reached the porch, a wave of relief washed over her and she almost slumped against Eren. He chuckled lightly as the man arrived a few seconds after she was hushed inside. The man removed his coat, slinging it on his arm, and inspected their house with a gaze as cutting and precise as a hawk's. She tensed, considering this rather austere glance like an intrusion. Eren must've felt it too, for he awkwardly patted her shoulder to calm her down. He knew better than anyone than it was better not to anger her. Hopefully for him, the investigator cast his eyes towards the window.

"Charming house, Jaeger."

"Thank you," Eren responded, but his answer seemed crisp. He then turned to her and she felt like he wanted her to leave them alone. "Mikasa, would you go fetch towels?"

She nodded reluctantly, spinning on her heels. She could already hear whispers erupting from the living room and found herself fuming. She respected Eren and his privacy, but this stranger had just stared at their house like it was a dumping ground. He had waltzed inside with his bloodied coat and muddy boots. She growled as she grabbed the towels a little more forcefully than necessary. She wiped her face, observing her messy hair and ashen face in the mirror. She looked like a banshee. Straightening, she almost dashed back to the living room, yet trying not to make noises. She wanted to hear them talking, but rather walked on them staring at each other as if they hoped they could stab each other's back.

"Eren, care to tell me who this... man is?"

He adroitly caught the towel she threw at him, frowning. "His name's Levi."

Levi was a short man with glossy raven hair, currently holding a sword dripping water and blood on her floor and a bored countenance that immediately grated her nerves. "Eren asked me to walk him back because of the high ghoul activity in your neighbourhood."

"Is that so?" She replied, not believing one word that came from his mouth. Eren would be too proud to accept 'protection' from someone, investigator or not. "Well, I'm glad you accompanied him."

She had to give him that. Without him, she probably would've been a ghoul's meal. She would've died a stupid death. She would've never seen Eren again. Talking about Eren, she glanced at him sideways, noticing that his cheeks were flushed and he was almost completely dry. His eyes were opened, alert, as beautiful as when he had gone out this morning. His chestnut brown hair was full of knots and a few splatters of soil were staining his clothes, but otherwise he was fine. He was fine.

"I guess I should be going," Levi coolly told them.

"No," Eren protested quickly, "stay for tonight. It's late, you're all soaked, and who knows if the ghoul's still outside? Besides, it's the least we can do to thank you for saving Mikasa."

Even if Mikasa wanted nothing but kicking this Levi out of her house, she nodded her approval. Levi simply stared at them, and with a shrug signalled he accepted their invitation – Eren's one. However, Eren looked like he was trying not to cringe and everything in his demeanour screamed he wanted to be away from Levi. Something was definitely going on between those two, and she wasn't sure she would like it.

"We don't have a guest room," she informed him, "but—"

Levi had already moved to the couch. "It'll do. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"

There was the opportunity she was looking for. "No, it's alright. In the back on the left."

The investigator left, following her instructions. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned to Eren and embraced him. She had longed to touch him since he had appeared back in that alley, to make sure he was real. She knew he would never disappear with no explanation, but this episode had scared her more than she thought. All those damn ghouls hovering in the neighbourhoods made her worry for his safety.

"I'm so glad you're alright. Where have you been?"

"I've been held back at the 104th Squad longer than expected. We received a bunch of late clients and Connie was too nice so let them in."

Mikasa scowled at him. "I've called them. You weren't there." She saw his face crunch in realisation but it was too late to backpedal. "Eren, you can tell me. Don't you trust me?"

"I, uhm..." He disentangled himself from her arms, grimacing. "You see..."

"You're lying to me on your whereabouts and you're bringing this man home. I'm not stupid, I can see you hate his guts as much as he hates yours. What were you thinking?"

"I was clearly not, but he did save your life. It's just one night, Mikasa. One. It doesn't hurt, does it?"

She sighed, her arms akimbo. "I reckon it doesn't, but what about the lie?"

"He didn't want to tell you because he knew you'd disagree." She recognised the irking voice and glanced over her shoulder to see Levi. "He's with me. He wants to become an investigator as well and I gave him a tour of CCG."

Mikasa's heart skipped a beat. "Eren? Is that true?"

He looked like a cornered prey. "It's—"

"Absolutely true," Levi finished for him. "He's showing potential. We might notice him."

Eren looked incensed, but it was nothing compared to his adoptive sister. When he crossed his gaze, it looked like he was shrinking on himself.

"You owe me some explanations, Eren Jaeger."