I don't even want to talk about my fucking title for this. completely ignore it and me. thank (i like to pretend I'm funny)

The room was quiet, a surprising feat when you considered that Hange was still there. As Eren was about to open his mouth to speak several things happened at once.

First, Hange began squealing like she just discovered the universes' secrets, Petra clapped her hands together and gave an expectant look towards the ocean-eyed boy on the couch, and then Mikasa burst through the door bringing another round of shocked silence.

"Eren, we need to go. Now."

"Mikasa, what are you-" Eren began. "What's going on?"

In response, she held up a piece of paper with a sketching on it. As Eren walked closer he realized it was a drawing of his face with a reward at the bottom if he was captured.

He could feel his eyebrows scrunch together as he grew angry. "Mikasa, what is this?"

"The pirates that came here today were looking for you. We need to leave Shiganshina as quickly as possible. I don't know where we can go yet, but-"

"Well, that won't be a problem!" Petra jumped in happily. "Our Captain here just offered Eren to come with us on our ship, I'm sure we could use your abilities too. As of right now, we are in need of someone with medical skills."

Mikasa's eyes narrowed a fraction when she heard it was Levi who offered, but she couldn't really pass up this opportunity. She held up a finger at the ginger-haired woman and pulled Eren away from their hearing range.

"Eren, I know you were told never to sail, but-"

"I- I know, Mikasa! But, Dad . . . he's not here and maybe he's never coming at all. We've waited for him long enough. Right now we have to worry about ourselves. It doesn't matter if he would be upset. I'm not going to lose the family I already have with me now."

That brought a small smile to Mikasa's lips and she nodded curtly, turning towards the three other people in the room.

"Eren and I need to pack; we'll meet you down at the docks."

"Hell, no," Levi threw out. "We can wait. Wouldn't want you to get shot by another pirate now would we?"

Eren scowled as he made his way to his bedroom and muttered, "He's not ever going to let me live that down, will he?"

All in all, packing ended up being only twenty or so minutes long. By now, most of the fires were put out and the beginning panic was ebbing, being replaced by grief for those who lost a loved one, or a sense of camaraderie as villagers worked together to rebuild.

Captain Levi had suggested taking the back routes to avoid being spotted, supplying that it wasn't beyond reason for the pirates searching for Eren to have bribed or threatened people to look for him.

Mikasa still didn't trust him, didn't really like him to be honest, but she could respect that Levi seemed to legitimately want her brother to be safe.

After directing them through the back alleys until they could see the large ships anchored, they each made for what was easily the largest one there, aptly named; Humanity's Strongest.

Even though Eren was nervous, scared (though he would never admit that to anyone, ever), and apprehensive of the future he couldn't deny there was a certain . . . excitement overcoming him.

He would finally, finally be able to sail on the ocean he's been staring at for the eighteen years he'd been alive. He nearly couldn't stop himself from sprinting the rest of the way.

"-we'll find a job for you soon enough."

Eren realized that someone had been talking to him while he had been spacing out. "Wait what?"

"Tch, stupid brat," Levi growled. "Weren't you listening? I said Mikasa can use her knowledge of medicine while we're sailing and we'll find a job for you to do."

"A job?"

Levi smirked. "Don't think I'd bring you on my ship just so you could sit around with your thumbs up your ass."

"That's right!" Hange said excitedly. "Everyone contributes! And any slackers automatically volunteer as my newest test subjects-"

"What?" Eren's eyes widened in fear. She couldn't be serious . . .

"I'm kidding, you big cutie!" She cackled. "But there will be consequences if you don't do your job, either by fate or by the Grouchy McGrouchy pants, Captain Levi!"

"How many people are on the ship?" Mikasa asked, joining into the conversation.

"Don't worry," Petra smiled. "Once we set sail, you'll be introduced to everybody. As an already established team, we'll do our best to help you settle into a routine."

She slowed her pacing to match her Captain's and began a quiet conversation that neither Eren nor Mikasa could make out, not that they were trying too hard; Hange was stealing most of their attention anyway.

"Eren! I hope you don't mind but I took your bandage from earlier, I would love to do some new tests on blood, I have so many ideas to carry out! Maybe you want to help?"

"Ah- um," Eren stuttered. "No thanks."

"Oh, poo." Hange gave a pout.

"But- er, I wouldn't mind . . . giving you some company? While you work?" Eren knew as soon as he said those words; he was going to regret it. Hange practically glued herself to his arm and giggled madly.

"Levi-i-i! Little cutie Eren is mine now, I'm not giving this one up hahaha!"

He gave her a dirty look and pulled her forcefully off of Eren as they approached his ship. They all clambered aboard one after the other.

Eren nearly fell off the edge as soon as he got up because Mikasa stopped right in front of him. Only Levi's quick reflexes caught him before he could topple completely backwards.

"I didn't carry you that whole goddamn way just so you could die on my ship, brat."

He gave a cheeky thanks and turned to his sister. "Mikasa, why the hell did you stop like that?"

She snapped out of whatever daze she was in and stepped sideways, giving Eren perfect view of what made her stop in her tracks.

This wasn't possible! He was dead . . . right?

"A-Armin?!" he choked out.

Hey, do me a favor and tell me what you think. Next chapter will probably come on next monday, thanks!