Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan). I write this for your enjoyment only. This installment is a direct sequel to my previous fic 'Child of Destiny' and takes place a few years later when Mikasa is adopted by the Jaeger family. Enjoy!

Feels Like Home

Winter, year 844

Nine-year old Mikasa Ackerman slowly opened her eyes to the soft breathing of a little boy her age lying next to her on the bed, his arm wrapped around her protectively as he slept, and found herself smiling. This had been going on for a few months since Mikasa was adopted into the Jaeger family after the tragic murder of her parents. Though they had never met and knew nothing of each other prior to the incident, Eren had been very protective of Mikasa from the day she moved into their home, always staying up to make sure she was comfortable enough to fall asleep before turning in himself, even if that took half of the night. As a result, Mikasa often found herself having to wake Eren in the morning for breakfast whenever he overslept. If he was really tired, she would just let him sleep and get up to help Carla prepare breakfast for the family; it was the least she could do for her new 'brother'.

Before moving in with the Jaegers, Mikasa was used to having her own space and felt a little awkward when she learned that she and Eren had to share a room due to the fact that his parents did not have any others to spare since they did not expect to have any more children after their son, biological or adopted. But the couple did try to accommodate their new 'daughter' as best as they could by getting her a new bed and placing it on the other side of the room from Eren's. Ironically, however, Mikasa found herself asking Eren to sleep next to her since she found it difficult to fall asleep in her new bed alone and felt more secure with him next to her, probably out of fear and worry that she would be snatched away by kidnappers again. Under other circumstances, the boy might have been uncomfortable with such a request but knowing the reason for her insecurity made his desire to protect her overpower his own discomfort. Eren had intended for it to be temporary but before he knew it, he found himself sleeping next to Mikasa every night and waking up almost every morning with his arm wrapped protectively around her.

Of course, Grisha and Carla themselves also noticed that their son had not been sleeping in his own bed much since Mikasa moved in due to the fact that his blankets and sheets would go untouched for days, sometimes even weeks at a time and they knew that Eren was particularly lazy about making his bed until ordered to do so by his mother. However, they would pretend not to notice since it was their hope as well as that of the late Ackermans that their children would become friends even though they had not wished for it to be under such tragic circumstances. Aside from Mikasa being the daughter of their friends, the Jaegers also took her in out of desire for the young pair to provide each other with companionship since Eren's hot temper and Mikasa's shyness made it difficult for them to make friends with other children.

After gently prying Eren's arm from her and taking great care not to wake him, Mikasa sat up, got out of bed and left their room to help Carla prepare breakfast after changing clothes and finishing her morning bathroom routine. As she quietly opened the door to the kitchen, Mikasa found her foster mother already awake as usual and heating up the stove after setting the uncooked food on the kitchen counter. When she noticed the little girl, Carla smiled. "Good morning, Mikasa! Did you sleep well?" she asked cheerfully as though the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of Mikasa's parents only a few months prior had never happened. She knew that the Jaegers only had her best interests at heart and always did their best to help her feel like she was part of the family not just to honor the memory of her real parents, but also because they too, wanted a daughter of their own since they were unable to have any more children after their son. From what Mikasa heard, Eren's difficult birth placed a great strain on Carla's body and Dr. Jaeger feared the possibility of losing her to childbirth if they attempted to have any more children so he decided not to risk it.

"Yes, mom, thank you!" Mikasa answered in the most cheerful tone she could muster before starting her usual routine in helping Carla prepare breakfast. In addition to treating her like family, the Jaegers also allowed Mikasa to call them 'mother' and 'father' if it made her feel more comfortable. As for her relationship with Eren, that was something completely new that Mikasa had to explore since she too, was an only child and never had any siblings of her own. And being ever-so-grateful to her foster parents, Mikasa tried her hardest to be a good daughter as she had no idea how she would have survived if they had not taken her in, even if she had managed to escape her kidnappers alone all those months ago.

As Carla watched Mikasa make herself useful, she could not help but secretly feel grateful to have the little girl in her family even if it seemed a bit selfish. Since her husband's young student, Zoe Hanji, had left them to pursue her dream as a science officer of the Survey Corps, Carla had found Eren to be quite a handful and although Grisha tried his best to be an attentive husband and father, his work more often than not, kept him busier than they would have liked. The only breaks Carla got was when her husband started taking their son on 'educational field trips' that ironically also left her feeling lonely since they would leave her at home by herself for days at a time. But she still felt it was good for them to spend some quality time together as father and son so Carla tried not to complain. Even though her foster mother would never admit it, Mikasa sense that was one of the reasons Carla was happy to adopt her since they would have each other for company whenever Grisha and Eren left home for their trips. Not that she was complaining; Mikasa too enjoyed the company of her foster mother and their quality time together as well.

"Is Eren still asleep?" Carla asked worriedly. "This is the third morning in a row he has slept in. It's a good thing you two are still on winter break from school or I would have a hard time explaining to your teacher why he keeps coming late to class."

Mikasa blushed. "I'm sorry, please don't blame Eren. The fact that he's been sleeping in these past few days is actually my fault. I was having a hard time sleeping and he was worried about me. Even though I tell him he doesn't have to, Eren simply refuses to go to bed until he sees me fall asleep first."

Upon hearing that, Carla's expression softened. Since Mikasa had moved in, she had notice a change in her son for she had never seen him so protective of anyone. Of course, the young mother was upset when her husband told her that Eren had run off on his own to rescue Mikasa from three dangerous adult thugs by himself, a foolish move that could have easily gotten him killed, but was later grateful as well as relieved that he did for if Eren and Grisha had waited for the police to arrive, Mikasa's kidnappers would have been long gone with her as their hostage.

"I see… is everything ok, Mikasa?"

"Of course!" the little girl insisted. "I just get nightmares sometimes, that's all. I told Eren it's nothing to worry about but he does anyway. I don't know what to do."

Carla laughed. "I know, Mikasa. But it's wonderful when someone cares for you that way."

Mikasa found herself blushing again and before she could reply, she and her foster mother heard a soft yawn and boyish voice calling from behind them.

"What way?"

Turning, Carla and Mikasa found Eren slowly making his way into the kitchen while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"N-nothing!" Mikasa cried before Carla could reply, all while hoping that no one would notice how red her cheeks were and not wanting to embarrass her daughter, Carla resisted the temptation to answer her curious son and decided to change the subject.

"So you're finally up, Eren. Why don't you make yourself useful and help Mikasa set up the table? I'm almost done cooking and your father will be joining us soon."

Eren was curious as to what his mother and Mikasa had been talking about just before he arrived but upon seeing the embarrassed look on his foster sister's face, decided not to push it and simply said: "Yes, mom."

After the table was set and everyone was seated, Doctor Jaeger entered the room as he straightened out his cravat and shirt to prepare him for the day.

"Morning, dad!" Eren and Mikasa greeted.

"Good morning, dear" Carla said as she gave her husband a kiss which he returned briefly before remembering that the children were watching and gently broke it off.

"Good morning to you too, dear. I know it's rather sudden, but can you pack some food for us? I need to take Eren out again. It will be short this time, we'll be back by tomorrow night."

Carla frowned, her brows furrowing in concern. "Today? But it's the middle of winter! Can't you at least wait for it to get warmer before taking Eren on another trip like you've always done, Grisha?"

The doctor shook his head and gave his wife a serious look. "Not this time, Carla. It's about time I teach Eren how to hunt and fish efficiently, even in unfavorable conditions."

Although Carla had been supportive of Grisha taking their son on trips in the past, she could not help but feel worried that he now suggested doing so in such harsh weather but as a good wife, she felt obligated to trust her husband to have the best interest of their son at heart.

"Very well, Grisha. But promise me that you will come home if the weather gets really bad, ok? I don't want Eren getting sick unnecessarily, even if you are a doctor and his father."

"Yes, Carla, I promise. Do you hear that, Eren? We'll be leaving after breakfast and I want to cover as much ground as possible before the sun sets, understand?"

Although Eren would rather not take another trip now that it was cold and snowing, he still did not wish to disobey his father, not out of fear of punishment, but rather out of love and respect as well as trust.

"Yes, dad."

SSSSSS

Later that night, long after Grisha and Eren had left, Mikasa found herself staying up late again and looking up at the starry night sky through her bedroom window while sitting in bed. Ever since she had joined the Jaeger family, Mikasa knew it was routine for her foster father to take Eren on brief field trips and while she did miss both of them when they were gone, she was still grateful their absence gave her a chance to spend time with and grow closer to her foster mother.

"Mikasa? Are you still up? Can you not sleep?"

Upon hearing the soft voice of her mother, the little girl turned to see Carla entering her's and Eren's bedroom.

"Oh, no, I'm ok, mom!" Mikasa insisted. I'll be ok going to sleep in a bit. I just miss Eren, that's all."

Carla smiled as she took a seat next to Mikasa on the bed and gently stroked the girl's lovely silken hair, a gift from her Asian mother. "I know, sweetheart, I do too. But it's important to your father that Eren becomes educated in the ways of the real world, not just in school. If I wasn't so busy taking care of the house and managing his patient records, I would take you on field trips too!" As she said this, Carla gave a soft laugh and Mikasa joined her for they both knew she was only joking since Carla would actually not bode so well out in the wilderness away from the comfort of the city and was nowhere near as qualified as her husband to teach anyone how to fish, hunt, or any other survival skills. But that still didn't mean she had no valuable knowledge to share with her foster daughter.

"I understand, mom. But you don't have to take me on a trip out in the wilderness if you don't like it. It's not like there isn't anything else we can do together."

Carla raised a brow "Oh? And how do you know that I don't like camping?"

Mikasa tried her hardest not to giggle as she answered "Dad told me that he took you once and that you couldn't stand the bugs."

"Oh, now did he?" Carla asked playfully. "Well, yes, that's true, he did take me camping once not long after we were married and I did hate it, probably because I wasn't used to living it rough like him, being a former soldier and all. And since your father knew I didn't like leaving the comfort of the city, he did not suggest camping again, at least not together, until Eren turned five."

Mikasa frowned as she could not help but feel that there was more going on in Grisha's and Eren's field trips then the good doctor was letting on and she sensed that deep down, Carla felt it too even though she did her best to hide it. "Mom, is it really necessary for dad to take Eren camping so frequently? I mean, other kids at school told me they rarely go more than once or twice a year. And especially not during winter."

Carla nodded. "Yes, I thought that was strange too but I have faith in your father to do what is best for Eren. I'm sure you noticed by now that he's not exactly like other children. Your father told me that he also felt it was important for Eren to become more in tune with nature to calm his fiery temper which he will definitely need to control in the future. But now that you're with us, I was hoping that you would be able to help with that as well."

Mikasa was confused "Help with what?" she asked curiously.

Carla sighed as she placed her hand back on her lap. "I'm sure you've noticed by now that Eren can be very impulsive and difficult sometimes. Being out in nature and mediating isn't going to be enough to control his fiery nature. That's why I'm asking you to be there for him because your father and I aren't going to be around forever. Eventually, one day it will be just the two of you and you're going to need to be able to count on and look out for each other. Eren is stubborn and would never admit this, but he is very protective of those he cares about and if you are with him, he will more likely than not, think twice about putting himself in danger so recklessly."

"I'm not sure I understand, mom. But I will do my best."

Carla smiled. She didn't expect her daughter to understand right away; Mikasa was still very young. But that was okay as long as she remembered her words.

"It's ok if you don't understand now, sweetheart, you will eventually… In time."

"Yes, mom."

"That's the spirit. Since Eren and your father won't be back until tomorrow night, how about we go out to the town square tomorrow as usual? I will be needing fabric to make us some new clothes as well as a few other things. We can go to the theater and watch a play after we're done shopping."

"Yes, of course, I would like that. Will we be back in time to make dinner for dad and Eren? They did say they would be home tomorrow night."

"We will, I timed everything just right" Carla said as she bent over to give Mikasa a motherly kiss on her cheek. "Now try to get some sleep, Mika, we have to get to the market place early tomorrow after breakfast."

"I understand, mom. Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"It's ok, dear. Your parents were very good friends of ours so it's the least we can do. I know we can never replace them in your heart but we will always love you like our own daughter. Good night, Mikasa."

"I love you too, mom. Good night!"

SSSSSS

The next day came and went rather quickly. As planned, Carla and Mikasa went to the town square and marketplace of Wall Maria to go shopping, have lunch, and enjoy a play at the local theater before heading back just in time to prepare dinner for the family. As soon as they had finished setting up the dinner table, they heard the front door being unlocked and Doctor Jaeger opening the door and stepping inside the house with his son following suit. It has just begun to snow again and the father and son pair were lightly covered in snowflakes.

As soon as she saw her husband, Carla stopped what she was doing and greeted him at the door as well as Eren. "Welcome home, dear! How was the trip?"

"It was good. Eren performed better than I expected. I also taught him a few new things like punching a hole in a frozen shallow pond to catch fish. It's a bit of work but will be useful to him in the future."

"I see…interesting. But enough, dinner is ready. You can tell us about the rest of your trip at the table."

As the family sat down to eat, Carla and Mikasa noticed that Eren appeared to be exhausted and a little out of it which had them concerned.

"Dad, what's wrong with Eren? Is he all right?" Mikasa asked curiously.

"He's fine" Grisha assured. "I just pushed him a little harder than usual this time and he's just a little tired, is all. Nothing a nice dinner and good night's sleep won't fix."

Carla looked at her son before turning to her husband with an expression of concern on her face. "Grisha, I know that you want our son to be strong and educated in the ways of the world like your own father made you but please remember that he's still a child and has plenty of time to learn what he needs to know for the future. Don't push him too hard or you will wear him out unnecessarily."

"Yes, I understand, Carla. I promise to go a little easier on him next time." Doctor Jaeger held his breath as he waited for his wife's reply and was relieved when she chose not to push it further.

"Very well. Remember your promise, dear."

"I will. Thank you for understanding, Carla. And you too, Mikasa."

Mikasa nodded and the family had dinner with no further mention of Eren's condition. As they ate, the little girl noticed that her brother was not his usual chatty self. This happened almost every time he and Grisha returned from their field trips and Mikasa could not help but wonder what her father had Eren doing that wore him out so much.

Unfortunately, it would be at least a few more years before she discovered the terrible truth.

A/N: As promised, another quick installment. So what do you think of this one? Since Mikasa only lived with the Jaegers for a year before the fall of Wall Maria, her life with them had not been shown in much detail in the anime or manga so I decided to try and fill in the gap a little since I'm sure Mika must have had enough time to grow close to her foster family. I already have an idea for the next installment but want to wait until the next one or two chapters of the manga is released for I am curious as to what will happen when Eren and Mikasa reach the basement of their old home and uncover the secrets there. Please look forward to it! ;)