-Chapter 13-

"Stand up straight."

Mikasa's soft but forceful voice spoke out to Kyo. He stood up straight; Mikasa walked over to him as she stood straight in front of him. She studied his position, it was pretty good. She kept on talking,

"I want to see your skill. I want to know what I need to teach you and what you can do to improve. Fight me."

Mikasa put her arms out in a defensive manner as Kyo tilted his head,

"Oy, I don't fight girls. I don't wanna hurt you."

Mikasa threw a kick in the air; a very surprised Kyo just barely dodged her kick. Mikasa made mental notes on his quickness,

"HEY, What the hell?! I said I can't fight girls-"

Mikasa threw a punch as Kyo dodged it; without wasting time, she threw an uppercut with her left hand. A forceful kick followed her punch sending Kyo up in the air. Mikasa stood in her position,

"If you're not willing to risk everything for your cause, then you might as well admit defeat."

Kyo groaned as he sat up,

"WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM? Damn it!" He stood up quietly; he was angry with himself.

Mikasa thought of a way to make him cooperate. If this guy was just like Eren…then maybe she should try provoking him,

"If you want Tohru to feel protected and secure when she's around you and not Yuki; you have to fight-"

"Shut up." Kyo glared, he was not in a good mood at the moment.

Mikasa noticed his anger and continued,

"From the look of things, it seems that Yuki has no problem with defending her if it came to it. How long has he been fighting for? I believe you started before him, didn't-"

Kyo came at her with a punch that she quickly and easily dismissed; Mikasa threw a kick in the air. Kyo leaned back; he then threw a kick. Mikasa grabbed his leg with her right hand and pulled him in as she kneed him in the chest. Kyo fell as he gasped in pain; Mikasa stood waiting for him to get up. Without a word he stood up and they kept on fighting.

After an hour or so, Mikasa walked over to Kyo, who was lying on the floor groaning. She looked at him gently and began to talk as if nothing had happened,

"You're not bad Kyo, I can help you get better. I've made some mental notes on what needs to improve." Mikasa sat down next to him on the grass.

"Tch, you crazy woman. What the hell do they teach you back at home?!" Kyo sighed as he looked up at the sky. He was used to only losing against the rat, not against a girl. But as he looked at her, somehow, it seemed as if she wasn't just some girl. In a way, he felt honored that he got to fight her; she was quick and very precise with her moves. The way she moved and fought was so smooth. She made it seem like it was as easy as breathing; Kyo admired her because of that.

Mikasa looked up as she became engulfed in the memories of her training days,

"They teach us how to survive in our dark world. In other words, I know how to kill someone fast and easy. Although our main enemy is the titans, there are still some who will betray us. Those are the people that I would never hesitate to use my skill on." Mikasa's words sounded like they were filled with poison. Kyo blinked,

"Is there someone that's betrayed you before?"

Mikasa looked at him,

"Yes. I almost lost Eren because of her. But I captured her; the Survey Corps have her in custody now." Mikasa looked down before continuing, "there are many more like her; they want Eren for some reason. I cannot protect Eren at all because I am here."

She felt like her heart was going to explode. She couldn't stand the thought of Eren getting hurt. She couldn't stand to think that he might get captured and that something could happen to him. Kyo's voice interrupted her thoughts,

"Do you think Eren would want you to be worried like this?"

Mikasa looked at Kyo as her eyes widened.

"You don't understand. If something were to happen to him, I don't know what I would do. I can't live without him. I cannot-"

"But you already are! Didn't you come from the past? Technically, he's already gone. You've been living without him for a while now."

Something trembled inside of her. She wanted to give up; she wanted Eren by her side.

"You have to fight to survive!" Eren's voice flowed through her head.
But how…how can she survive in a different world? How can she apply her style of living to a world that isn't kill or be killed?

"I don't get it. It sounds to me like you're scared or something."

Mikasa felt something inside of her turn. She glared at him as she felt her fist tighten; she was not scared…She looked down as she thought about the feeling that had been haunting her for a while. Was the feeling fear? Fear that something might happen to Eren?
Maybe it was fear of letting Eren-

"Ya know, it sounds like maybe you're afraid to move on. Like you can't accept things and let them go." Kyo spoke up.

That was it.

That was what she was afraid of…she was afraid to lose her home. He was her only family that she had and now he was gone. She was alone again. She looked at Kyo but couldn't say anything. She had no words for him. She had nothing to tell him to let him know that he was incorrect…because he was right about what he was talking about.

"I'm alone again…I've lost my home once more." Her soft voice spoke out to Kyo whose eyes widened. He sure as hell knew what that felt like.

"I understand what it's like to be alone. Hell, I even know what it's like to not be wanted and be despised by everyone. But yet I'm still here aren't I?"

Mikasa looked at him with sadness in her eyes,

"Oy…you're not alone and homeless. I'm here and you're staying here too, aren't ya? So don't go on saying nonsense like that."

Mikasa felt like something opened inside of her; it was an overwhelming feeling.

"Hey! You don't have to cry!"

Mikasa touched her cheek and realized that she was crying, but she couldn't stop. She just kept crying; crying for Eren, Armin, for not being there with them. She kept crying because relief swelled over her because she wasn't alone in this new world with different rules.

Kyo sat next to her feeling utterly shocked. He didn't like it when girls cried; he didn't know what to do about it. He sighed as he awkwardly reached out to Mikasa and awkwardly patter her on the back.

She didn't move away like she normally would from a person's touch; this was the person who had saved her, once again, from her solitude just like when she was young.

Time passed with both of them sitting down being silent. Mikasa felt at peace for the moment; she wanted to enjoy this feeling as much as she possibly could. Suddenly her stomach made a loud, rumbling noise. She looked down feeling a bit embarrassed as she awkwardly cleared her throat

Kyo stood up,
"Alright, I guess this calls for lunch then. Oh and I'll cook. Your cooking sucks."

Mikasa nodded eagerly as she also stood up. Kyo looked at her,

"Uh, are you feeling better now?"

Mikasa could feel the awkwardness through his voice; it made her smile a bit.

"Yes, I am grateful. Thank you."

"Good. Cause I don't like it when girls cry. So…yeah." He began to walk away heading towards his house.

Mikasa hoped that maybe one day she would be able to call it her home as well. It was going to be tough but, just like Kyo said, she wasn't alone anymore.

As Kyo walked inside towards the kitchen, something inside of him stirred. He ignored the feeling that had been there for a while; he just didn't want to deal with any more than what he already had to deal with. Quite frankly, normally he would be annoyed at something like this but today he was calm about it. It was a strange, yearning feeling. Had he felt this before?

"Kyo?"

Mikasa's soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts,

"What?"

"You look very confused. Is there something that I can help you with?" Mikasa's forceful eyes focused on his orange ones.

"Uh no, it's fine. I was just thinking. Anyway, what do you want for lunch?"

"Thinking about what? I apologize for any rash action that I might have done."

"No, it's not that! I was just trying to understand a feeling that's stirring in my chest. But currently I already have too much on my plate; I don't want any more to think about."

Mikasa looked confused,

"I don't see any plates here. Maybe you're getting sick?"

Kyo sighed,

"You take everything literally don't you? And no, I'm not getting sick! I just feel like…well I'm not sure how to explain it. Every time you talk about Eren or where you come from I want to know more. I want to know about titans and what did you do during your free time. Did you have any parents?"

Mikasa tilted her head, she was about to answer when he interrupted her,

"Not that I care! I don't! I just want to know. Because…it's frustrating to see you cry and be upset and shit. I don't know what to do because I don't know a damn thing about you!"

He looked at her but his annoyance evaporated as soon as he saw her expression. Mikasa was looking at him with a soft expression; even though this morning she clearly showed him just how strong she was, right at this moment she seemed like she was so fragile. It was almost like with a simple breeze, she could break.

Mikasa could feel her heart softly beat; Kyo reminded her of Eren and because of that she felt warm on the inside. Eren was always with her; his memory was always around her.

"So yeah. Um…tch. I just don't know what to say right now okay? I've never helped anyone before. I always cause trouble and hurt those around me!" He scratched his head and looked up at the ceiling. Mikasa spoke up,

"Kyo, I don't know what you've been through. I'm sure you've been through your own kind of hell and I'm sure you've been through it alone. But…" Mikasa stopped and turned to look at him. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Kyo looked back at her and wondered what she was thinking. He always wondered what she was thinking…he wanted to know more about her and her past.

"Kyo I want-"

"Mikasa." Kyo's voice interrupted her. She stopped, had she crossed a line that she wasn't supposed to? Mikasa looked at him,

"Yes?"

Kyo suddenly looked down. He decided not to tell her but something made him blurt it out,

"Mikasa, I want to know more about you! What is bothering you? What happened to you in the other world? Why do you sometimes look so lonely and sad? Who is Eren? What was he like? I want to be your friend and companion. I want to help you out just like Tohru helps me!"

Oh no. What the hell had he just said? Kyo didn't take his eyes off of the floor, well, it was more like he couldn't. He had just made a friend who actually saw him as a human and not as a thing for that moment. There was always the chance that she would say something if she found out about his true nature…but he somehow felt as if she would just dismiss it because she was different than the rest. But now he had to go and ruin everything. He still had time though! He should just say he was tired from training.

"Kyo…that's very nice. I feel so out of place here, I won't lie. I feel lonely without Eren by my side but yet there's times where you make it all go away. I must admit that I do not know how you manage to do that, but I am happy I met you. I was going to say that I wanted to get to know you more as well. There are so many questions that are burning inside of me but it just seemed too rude for me to ask bluntly."

Kyo's eyes widened, seriously this girl…she was so cold and distant sometimes but truly she was amazing. It was like she chose who got to see this side of her. He looked at her,

"Ah yeah…well…I felt the same way. You can ask me anything! You don't have to worry about silly things like that, geez!"

Mikasa sighed sadly. Did it mean that she should ask him all her questions now? Or did they have to wait a couple of days…? She was not good at this.

"Sorry, Kyo. I'm not good at this…back at home I only was around Eren and Armin. I'm afraid I've never spent much time on trying to make friends."

Kyo felt a relief swell over him; he wasn't the only one that was awkward about this. Even though this fact should have made him feel like things were going to be horrible between them for a while, it actually made him feel at ease and amused by this situation.

"Maybe we should talk about it as we eat?" Kyo suddenly remembered that Mikasa had never seen the world. From what she had explained, she had never left the walls to see the world! Maybe he should take her out to eat and they can ask away as they eat! Kyo looked at her,

"I can take you out-"

"Well, well, well~! I think this sounds like its leading to a date, if you ask me! Oh my! Did I interrupt you Kyonkichi? Well, by all means! Go on, go on!" Ayame's voice filled the room randomly and instantly. Mikasa and Kyo quickly looked at him, Kyo spoke instantly,

"What the hell are you doing here!? And don't call me that! Get out of here you stalker!"

Ayame dramatically put a hand up to his forehead,

"My own cousin hates me? You see how I'm treated Miss Mikasa? Oh but no matter, no matter~! Kyo please continue with what you were going to say!" Ayame winked at the orange haired boy as he leaned against the wall in the kitchen.

"I wasn't saying anything! I don't know what the hell you're talking about you stalker!"

"Oh~ don't you want to know what he was going to say, Mikasa?" Ayame got closer to her as he began to wrap his arm around her shoulder. Kyo pulled Mikasa away from Ayame without thinking about it,

"Get away from her, pervert!"

"My my Kyo~ you're just as protective of Mikasa as with Tohru! Hahaha, you must be amazing Mikasa~!"

Ayame looked at her as he crossed his arms. Mikasa looked at Ayame,

"Hello, Ayame-san. It's lovely to see you." She turned around and faced Kyo,

"Kyo, what were you going to say?"

Kyo glared at Ayame, he did not want to ask her out to dinner with that pervert around! One look at Mikasa and he decided to just tell her. He was sure she would like to see the city and outside world, it was one of her dreams anyway wasn't it?

"Shit. Well…Mikasa, I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner. Maybe I could show you around town since you've never seen it before either…but only because you've never been there before! Otherwise I wouldn't even bother! Got it!?"

Mikasa's face lit up but Ayame spoke first,

"Tsk tsk tsk. Kyo~ that was horrible and un-romantic. Mikasa darling, I can show you a good time around town. I'll even have an outfit for you to wear~"

"Ayame I swear to Akito that if you don't shut the hell up, I'll make you shut up!" He held up a fist. Mikasa noticed his fist and she quickly got into her fighting position.

"Kyo do I need to take him down?" Mikasa's voice lost all excitement and was replaced with a sour tone. Kyo quickly put his hands on her arms to lower them down,

"Damn it Mikasa, you do take everything seriously. Ayame bothers the living hell outta me and he needs to keep his words to himself. My 1% patience span goes out the door as soon as I see him."

"In other words, my dearest Mikasa, he hates his own cousin! Isn't it dreadful?!" Ayame covered his face and pretended to cry. Mikasa, not knowing what to do, looked at Kyo,

"I don't think you should hate your own family Kyo."

"Don't listen to him! He's just being an idiot!"

"I love you too Kyo~ Now where are we taking our Mikasa?"

"I'm not sure where I'm taking her yet. You stay out of this." Kyo began to push Ayame out of the door. Ayame easily stepped aside and called out to Mikasa,

"Mikasa do you have anything to wear for this date? It will be quite tragic for you to wear…that." Mikasa looked at her ripped jeans and baggy shirt. He was right…she had nothing to wear!

"I don't have anything to wear. May I ask for your assistance?"

Kyo looked at her,

"You have no idea what you have just gotten yourself into! You look fine like that! Ayame get out of here!"

"But Kyo~ she just asked for my help! Don't worry, now. I know how to dress fine, young women like her! Come, come Mikasa~!" He reached over to her and pulled her in.

"Thank you so much, Ayame-san! Kyo, I'll see you soon!"

Kyo would not have any of Ayame's shitty plans, so he began to reach out for Mikasa when he saw her face. It was lit up and joyful; something that he hadn't truly seen all this time that she was here. That stopped him; she deserved to be happy after this rough transition she was going through. Mikasa could defend herself just fine if he tried to do anything to her. He sighed,

"Fine. Whatever, I'll pick you up at his store. Oh and Ayame." His voice got cold, "Mikasa is not from around here. If you do anything to endanger her or make her feel uncomfortable, you will pay. Got it?"

Ayame got serious and looked at Kyo. Never had he heard Kyo talk like so before, he needed to show him that she was in good hands.

"Kyo, I'll treat her right, don't worry." He slightly bowed and turned around before he exploded into his silly self once again,

"Mikasa will be ready for you in one hour my boy~! Don't be late Kyo! Now, Mikasa I'm wondering what is your style~ believe me, we will have a lot of fun the next hour or so! Or at least I know I will hahaha~!"

Mikasa nodded and looked up at the sky,

This is it Eren. I'm seeing the outside world for my very first time…for you and for Armin. I miss you Eren…but I have to fight to survive right? The kind of fighting here is different, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. My fight is to let you go, but not your memory. I'll always love you Eren; I won't ever forget you.

Mikasa took a deep breath as she began to talk with Ayame answering his question,

"My favorite color? I really like red, like this scarf."

And just like that they went off into the city where Ayame's shop was.