Chapter 7 – Mikasa (Arc 2)

It was painful for her. Brutal. To have to relive each and every second of that nightmare. But she felt the hands of Armin and Eren on her shoulders, felt their smiles as she looked at them, felt their warmth as they hugged her and she knew that this place could be what it was once more. Before it became cold. Before it became a place of blood and death. Maybe, it could return to a place of love. And Family.

She went to the basement, approaching the cold stone wall. Her parents never thought she had figured it out it's secret but she always knew, she just never felt like looking at it. As she felt the false brick fall out of place, the small cabinet slid open and inside, the crimson velvet holster lay there. Calling her name, like a child to its mother. She took it in her hands, and as if she had done it a thousand times before, drew the retired curved blade out of its sheath, the resonance filling the air like a clear smoke. Lightly resting her thumb on the blade she actually managed to allow herself a small, if only brief, smile.

As she brought her thumb to her eyes, she could see the crimson line dripping from a small, but strong cut. Still sharp. Even after all these years. She looked up, liking to think that it was her parents who kept it sharp for her from the other side. She sheathed her blade once more, returning to Armin and Eren, with the former exclaiming over the blade, at its artistry and skill.

On the day that they returned to the academy, she brought it to the trainers, and when told they had no one who was versed in that kind of sword to train her, she took it upon herself, spending hours upon hours in the training grounds, in the forests, in the early hours of the morning, in the middle of the day and in the dead of the night, just as her mother had told her stories of the ancient soldiers doing in her homeland.

It wasn't particularly her homeland though she thought. Her homeland was here. With Eren. And Armin. And every other person who had won her respect, which although slim, was growing.

She had passed into Dragon Fire Gear as if it was second nature, her mind in completely tandem with her body, which had been finely tuned by hours of her own brutal training regime. As she spun thought the air, wind whipping past her face and scarf billowing form the momentum, she remembered how her mother would tell her the story of a Crane paying back the debts of those who have done it kindness. It was somewhat relatable in a way. Here she was, soaring through the air like the graceful crane, paying back her debt to Eren and trying to fulfil her parents dream for her being a great daughter, and more importantly, a greater person, even if they couldn't tell her of their pride in person, she still felt it.

When the time came that she had completed her Dragon Fire Movement Gear certification with her blade, and was given the time to search for a dragon, she was in all honesty somewhat lost at first. She didn't know what to do as all she had done was train for the last 2 years. Her initial thought was to help Eren find his, but after much argument between the two, she came to understand that he needed to do this alone, but made him promise that she could pack his survival pack, just in case.

As she placed the frozen fish into the specifically designed sustainment containers, she felt somewhat calmer, 'I wonder where he'll go…' she thought to herself. Knowing better than to try go back on her word and interfere, she made sure Eren was safe and ready to leave, she said goodbye to him with a simple hug and told him to come back soon.

As he stepped away, she walked back into the bunkhouses, looking for the blond tousle of hair that was Armin. She was fond of Armin. She still remembers the first time they went to the ocean together, the wonder in his eyes and smile was unforgettable.

As she neared Armin's cabin, she was surprised to see a slightly embarrassed and confused Annie walking by her swiftly from Armin's direction, with her eyes cast to the floor and an uncharacteristic smile ebbing on her lips. Raising an eyebrow at the blonde, she considered interrogating her, but then quickly dismissing the notion that they had… done any of that stuff as it was so unlike them both.

She returned to her original focus and as she found him packing books into a trunk, he quickly looked up and gave the warm smile that was almost his signature at this point. He then quickly turned back to trying to stuff more books in, she honestly let out a small stifled laugh causing Armin's head to swivel like an owl as he raised an eyebrow at her. She reminded him that he can't take only books, he needs clothes, meat to help tame and provisions and spare clothes again! Upon hearing this he looked completely crestfallen, realising that he had completely forgotten.

Noticing his face falling, she crouched down and told him that she'd help him. Honestly, to her, Armin was so smart, he had this entire world of knowledge up there, but sometimes he'd trip on such little things, and whilst it was adorable, Mikasa always stepped in and helped him back up, knowing that each stumble hurt him, both physically and mentally.

Once they'd put the rusted latch on the worn case, she asked if he'd need any help, knowing that she shouldn't push the idea like she did with Eren. Armin, almost as if he could read the thoughts she was having, thanked her, and apologised with complete sincerity that he wished to do this alone, but he at least told her that he'd be heading back to the forests around Shiganshina district to research, see his grandfather and hopefully find a compatible dragon in the process, saying he should be back in the fortnight. Mikasa was thankful that Armin took into account that she was worrying.

So, as he sat on the rickety carriage that would lead him to the beach, she sat on the bench outside the bunkhouse and waved him off as the sun began to dip from its zenith in the sky. She found herself staring up into the sky and just admiring the clouds for a bit when suddenly,

Sasha happened.

She had always been a bit fond of Sasha, her 'potato incident' on their first day had left a pretty big impression on all the recruits but eventually, she began taking her title as 'Potato girl' to her advantage, making herself a countess of leftover food in the 104th, and as Mikasa was on such a tight training regime, she often had some spare food which she always tried to make sure that Sasha got. (Unless Armin had been badly hurt by training that day and needed the strength, then Sasha understood that he'd need it more. Sasha had a soft spot for Armin, in all honesty, most people in the 104th did.)

All of this flew through her mind as Sasha flew in front of her, evidently aiming to land on the bench but failing miserably and ending up with her face on the floor. All that she could bring herself to say and do was to stick her hand out to Mikasa and say 'Help. Please.'

So, Mikasa obliged; pulling the brunette onto the seat with a jolt. As she straightened up, her typical appeased smile popped up again as she asked Mikasa where she was going to try find her dragon. And the though hit her like a dragon itself, she had no idea where she was going to go.

Now looking for inspiration, she asked Sasha the same question, to which she instantly replied Connie without realising, before turning slightly red and stumbling with her next words. Whilst Mikasa didn't make it her business to know who was interested in who, she was able to pick up on people's interests and behaviours quite well, and she had seen the link between Sasha and Connie the moment she saw Connie give her his spare bread and his amused reaction to her love for it.

After a brief pause Sasha explained that her and Connie were intending to ride a Hideous Zipback together and would find one in the closer islands. Mikasa congratulated them as Connie came into view of the two and began waving his arms at Sasha. Besides her, Sasha giggled softly then began waving back, before hearing Mikasa urging her on to go hurry up and be with her man. Whilst Sasha was slightly flustered by the phrase she did hurry up and went to Connie as they walked off to the beach to pinpoint which island to look for.