It was late at night, things were quiet in the Jaeger house. Everyone was asleep. Eren and Mikasa were cuddled in their bed, while the kids were all asleep too.
It had been two weeks since Kayo became a part of the Jaeger family. However, she still needed lots of time to heal.
As Kayo slept, her mind was filled with vivid nightmares. Nightmares of her...mother. Not her real mother, Mikasa, but...her birth mother.
In her dreams, she could still feel her mother hitting her...the impact of pain. Everything looks red in the room...and dark. It also felt cold.
Kayo cried out in pain, as he mother hit her back, kicking it, bruising it. "KAYO!", Mikasa and Makoto were seen, hurrying to rescue her.
Kayo was trying to reach out to Makoto and Mikasa to save her...but as they got close, her mother pulled out a gun...and shot them both dead. First Makoto, and then Mikasa.
Mrs. Hinazuki grinned evilly. "No one will ever save you, Kayo. What did I tell you? You're not meant to be saved...", she growled.
Blood was everywhere, their bodies limp on the floor and Kayo screamed in horror.
The ten year old girl shot up, waking with a gasp from her sleep, soaked in sweat. Her small body trembled in fear, panting heavily as she looked around.
Makoto was fast asleep beside her, unharmed. Kayo released a soft exhale of relief, her heart still racing, feeling like it was going to burst out of her chest.
She got out of bed, and exited the room. She glanced in each bedroom to make sure everyone was okay...and they all were. It was really just a nightmare.
She looked down softly...still..she couldn't shake the fear. What if Mrs. Hinazuki escaped prison? And went after Kayo's new family?
Kayo shook her head, fearfully. She didn't want this kind family...to be in danger because of her. She went downstairs, her heart racing.
She entered the dark kitchen, and opened a drawer, removing a knife. She clutched it in her small hand, seeing her reflection in the blade.
If...if she could kill that woman...her new family would be safe for certain. Just as Kayo went to put it away, she felt someone very gently grab her.
"Don't look at it, sweet face", Mikasa said softly. She held Kayo close, and gently covered Kayo's eyes then. Kayo froze, and swallowed hard.
"I know what you're thinking...but you don't need to worry. That psycho is going to come no where near you, honey", Mikasa soothed her.
Kayo felt a lump form in her throat. She gently set the knife down, and Mikasa let go of her. Kayo faced her.
"I don't...care about me, mommy...I'm scared for you. If she ever...tried to hurt you, or Makoto, or daddy...or Carly...or Akane!", Kayo explained, her voice cracking.
Mikasa's eyes softened. She knelt down at eye level with Kayo, gently taking her hands. "You remind me so much of myself, sweet face. After...my parents died...I felt I had to constantly train hard...to stay strong to protect my family. Even when it was hurting me physically...", Mikasa recalled back when her ribs were fractured...and how she still tried to train in P.E.
"But..someone snapped me out of it. He made me realize, I can't constantly live in fear of losing those I care about. I need to enjoy their company...and be there with them. Because those moments are precious...and you can never get them back", she explained.
Kayo looked at Mikasa. "What...did you do then? After he told you?", she asked.
"I married him...", Mikasa answered Kayo, with a small smile. Kayo realized she was talking about Eren, and also gave a small smile.
"We're safe here, sweet face. You don't have to worry about her coming here, okay?", Mikasa soothed her, gently stroking Kayo's hair.
Kayo nodded...she felt a bit better. "Thanks mommy..", she hugged Mikasa tightly. "Your welcome honey...", Mikasa smiled softly, holding Kayo close.
By morning, it was a school day. A Monday as well, so of course none of the kids were in the mood for school.
Carly groaned, hearing her alarm go off. She knocked it off her nightstand by accident. "This sucks! I'm not doing this anymore...it's 5 in the morning!", she ranted, throwing her blankets off. Mittens leaped off her bed, heading downstairs.
Titan licked Makoto's and Kayo's faces, waking them in the other room."Titan...!", Makoto laughed sleepily, as he woke. "It's morning already...?", Kayo rubbed her eyes sleepily.
Eren and Mikasa were already awake downstairs, getting breakfast ready. "Sounds like the clan's up", Eren chuckled.
"It's Kayo's first day back to school..", Mikasa remembered, as she made breakfast. "You think she's ready, angel?", asked Eren worriedly.
"She really wants to try...so I'm not gonna stop her, Eren. We'll see. I did let the teacher know to call me if there's any problems", Mikasa replied.
Upstairs, Carly and Makoto both raced to the bathroom. "Bathroom's mine!", they both yelled, but Makoto beat his older sister, slipping in and locking the door.
"HEY! Makoto! Let me in!", Carly pounded on the door. "No way! You'll take forever doing your hair and makeup for Arashi!", Makoto yelled out.
Kayo rubbed her eyes sleepily as she exited Makoto's room, and saw Akane was waking up in her room.
Carly paced, waiting for her brother to come out of the bathroom. Finally, the door opened. But as soon as Makoto exited, Akane slipped in, locking the door.
"Akane! Come on! I have school hours before you!", Carly groaned, pressing her head to the door in frustration.
"Sorry sis! Have to pee!", Akane yelled out. Carly grumbled. "My bladder's gonna burst...", she muttered under her breath.
It didn't help that the downstairs bathroom wasn't working, it would be getting repaired this afternoon, but a house with this many kids and just one bathroom equaled chaos.
Eventually, all the kids got a turn in the bathroom and soon were all dressed. "Kids, breakfast is ready!", Eren called up, as Mikasa set the table.
"Coming!", Carly hurried down first, Makoto and Kayo behind her, along with Akane. Titan ran down too, wagging his tail.
Carly and Akane sat on the left side, while Makoto and Kayo sat on the right side. "Kayo, are you excited for school again sweetie?", asked Mikasa as she and Eren sat as well.
"Uh huh...don't worry mommy, I'll have Makoto", Kayo assured her, before drinking her milk. Mikasa smiled softly. "Carly, you meeting Arashi again?", she turned to her oldest.
Carly blushed as she munched on the french toast. "Yes mom...", she answered. "Makoto, you got your new inhaler buddy?", Eren asked.
"Yep! Don't worry dad", Makoto showed it, as he ate the bacon. Titan and Mittens were eating their breakfast as well.
Akane bit her lip. "I want a ferret!", she suddenly blurted out. Eren and Mikasa blinked. "Where's this coming from, sweetie?", asked Mikasa, surprised.
"James brought his in for Show and Tell last week, it was so cute! I want one, mommy! Please?", Akane pleaded.
"Honey...we already have a full house with all of you, and Titan and Mittens...I'm not even sure where we'd fit the cage...", admitted Mikasa, doubtfully.
The house was extremely full as it was, with four children, a large dog and a cat. "Oh come on, mom! Makoto and Kayo have Titan! And Carly has Mittens! I want a pet too!", Akane whined.
Mikasa hesitated. "We'll think about it bellflower, okay?", she told her gently. That answer didn't satisfy the 6 year old, so she turned to Eren.
"Daddy...please? Please buy me a ferret?", she pleaded, making her eyes big. Eren sweat dropped...having trouble say no. She looked so much like her mother after all.
"Well...I mean it couldn't hurt, princess...", he started, but saw Mikasa's glare. "...but...I need to talk to your mother first about it, okay sweetie?", he finished, gulping.
Akane sulked then, looking down. "Honey, having a pet is a lot of responsibility...we just want to make sure you're ready", Mikasa went to explain.
"Carly got Mittens when she was little!", Akane pointed out then. "Yes, but at the time it was just us, Carly and your brother. Titan wasn't even in the picture by then...", Mikasa explained.
Akane looked down still sulking. Mikasa sighed softly. "We'll decide when you get home sweetie", she assured her.
After the kids finished their breakfast, they soon left for school. After Eren and Mikasa dropped off Akane, Mikasa leaned back in the car.
"It's just a ferret, angel. I think we could do it...", Eren said softly then. "I know...I just...I'm worried, Eren. You and I really have our hands full with Carly, Makoto, Akane, Titan, Mittens and now Kayo...we won't really be able to help Akane take care of a pet...", Mikasa explained.
Eren's eyes softened, stroking her shoulder. "What if the little thing gets stuck in the wall, and dies? Akane would be crushed...", she added worriedly.
"I see your points Mika...", he said. "I'm not saying no, I just want us to wait until things settle more with Kayo, so that way we can pay more attention", Mikasa added.
Eren nodded, and while he completely understood his wife's points...he had other plans in mind. After they got home, Eren had left for work.
Armin and Rubi had dropped Alex off to school as well.
Makoto and Kayo had just arrived at school, having taken a detour through a garden. They were holding hands.
"Kayo...did you have nightmares again? You have dark circles under your eyes...", asked Makoto worriedly.
"Oh...it's nothing", Kayo started but Makoto frowned, he knew her well enough. "Kayo...look at me", he gently took her small hands in his.
"Nightmares again?", he guessed. Kayo bit her lip, giving a soft nod. "Yes...", she answered. "Why didn't you wake me Kayo?", Makoto asked, worriedly.
"Because I woke you the night before...and the night before that...you have health problems Makoto, you need your rest at night", Kayo explained.
Makoto's health and Kayo's PTSD would be a struggle the two would go through when they get married one day in the future...but one they'd pull through together.
"Kayo...I'm fine. I want you to promise me, from now on you'll wake me, okay? Or mom, or dad", Makoto said softly, squeezing her hands gently. Kayo gave a small nod, as she pressed her forehead to his.
"Okay Makoto...okay I will. But your mom did get up with me last night, so I wasn't alone", she assured him. Makoto sighed in relief.
After Makoto and Kayo arrived at school, Akane was in her classroom doing some math with her classmates.
Just then, a teacher came in. "Akane Jaeger? Sweetie, your dad is here to pick you up early", the teacher said. "My dad is?", Akane looked confused, but she got up, and exited the classroom.
"Dad? What's up?", asked Akane, hurrying over. "Hey bellflower...listen, how about we ditch school today, daddy will take you to lunch, and I got a surprise for you", Eren suggested, as he lifted his little girl up.
"A surprise? Really daddy?", Akane's face lit up. Eren grinned. "Yep, let's go princess", he held his daughter's hand, as they headed out.
After lunch, Eren drove his daughter to the Pet Store. "Daddy...what are we doing here?", asked Akane, looking excited.
"You'll see sweetie", Eren winked. They got out of the car, and entered the store. Inside was lots of cat and dog supplies, and a dog grooming section.
But there was another section, right near all the fish tanks, was an adoption area filled with hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, ferrets and even some rabbits.
"Oh my god!", Akane sprinted across the store to the ferrets. There were only two, the common dark brown and white one with the raccoon face, and then a cream colored one.
She placed her hands over the glass gently, and the cream colored ferret nuzzled his nose against the glass, looking at Akane curiously.
"He's so cute!", Akane cried. "That one, princess?", Eren smiled, coming over. "Yes, please daddy!", Akane's eyes were lit up.
"Okay bellflower", Eren grinned, the store worker gently lifted the ferret out and Akane held him. The ferret licked her face happily, and climbed onto her shoulders. "He's so cute!", Akane beamed. "What do you want to name him, sweetie?", asked Eren curiously, as they bought a cage, food, and all the other needed supplies.
"Gizmo!", Akane replied, as she gently got the ferret in his little crate. Eren grinned, he then texted Mikasa.
"So...we're bringing any extra family member home"
He waited a moment, and his phone vibrated.
"What did you do, Eren?"
Eren chuckled, choosing not to answer. He helped Akane get Gizmo and the bags in the car, and soon drove home with her.
Mikasa was waiting on the front porch, arms crossed. "What did you do, mister?", she asked, but she had a very subtle smirk.
"Come on Mika, its just a ferret", Eren said, as Akane got out of the car. "His name is Gizmo! And he's sleeping in my room!", Akane said cutely, taking charge as she carried the ferret's crate.
Mikasa sighed, leaning against the wall. "Okay, okay. You win, honey we'll have to move your dresser to make room for his cage", she told her daughter, as Eren got the bags, coming inside with them.
"Isn't he cute mommy?", asked Akane, as Eren began to set up the cage. The ferret was on Akane's shoulders, looking around curiously at his new home.
Mikasa smiled, she gently booped the ferret's nose. The ferret licked her finger in response. "He's really friendly...he is cute, but honey, make sure he's always out of Mittens reach", Mikasa added worriedly.
Mittens was sitting outside the room, licking her lips, starring at the smaller animal. Titan was at school with Makoto and Kayo.
"Don't worry, I will mommy", Akane assured, cuddling her ferret. "Don't worry baby, I'll make sure the two stay separated", Eren added, assuring his wife.
"Gizmo's not a mouse, Mittens! He's a ferret! Understand?", Akane said cutely to the cat. The cat gave Akane a "I don't care" look but, flicked her tail and went downstairs to get some food.
Eren and Mikasa laughed softly, as they finished assembling the cage. Mikasa filled Gizmo's water, while Eren helped Akane feed him.
By afternoon, Carly, Makoto and Kayo returned home from school. "We're home...whoa! What...is THAT smell?!", Carly clutched her nose as she entered the house.
"It's Gizmo! My ferret doesn't smell!", Akane said, defensive. "You got a ferret?!", Carly said. "Yes!", Akane replied, holding her ferret. "We can't get him descented sweetie, we read the surgery would be risky since he's an adult. Most ferrets get it done when they're babies", Mikasa explained.
"Yeah, the pet store we got him from didn't take care of it", Eren added. "Seriously?!", Carly clutched her nose.
"It's not that bad sis, it just smells like Titan after he gets wet for a bath", Makoto admitted while Kayo also looked unphased by the smell.
"Yeah, but its 24/7!", Carly pointed out. "We'll buy you a special air freshener for your room sweetie, okay?", Eren assured her.
"Isn't he cute sis?", asked Akane. Carly hesitated, but she sighed and smiled. "Yeah he does have a cute face", she admitted, petting the ferret's head.
Mittens rubbed against Carly's legs after Akane took Gizmo upstairs. Carly smiled, and petted her cat softly.
Soon, spring arrived. The snow was all gone, and the flowers bloomed. There were some rainy days, but for the most part it was sunny and clear.
Tonight would be the singing contest at the high school. Carly had entered. She felt very nervous, but at the same time she had support from Arashi, Emily and her family.
Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Rubi, Makoto, Kayo, Alex, Levi, Hanji, Farlen, Arashi and Emily all got seats in the front row, looking excited.
Mikasa brought her video camera. She would show it to Grisha and Carla of course. Eren smiled...it reminded him of when his own mom filmed Eren and Mikasa at their play, all the way back when they were kids.
Backstage, Carly was taking deep breaths. She paced a bit. "Mom...I'm kinda freaking out...there's 200 people out there...", she admitted then.
"I know sweetie, I know, take deep breaths. Breathe angel...", Mikasa gently took her daughter's hands, giving them a gentle assuring squeeze.
"What if I mess up...?", asked Carly. "Hey, you won't sweetie. You have...such a gorgeous voice Carly", Mikasa smiled softly.
Carly looked down, giving a small smile. "I got it from you, mom", she reminded her. Mikasa smiled. "You're going to do wonderful...your dad and I will be in the front row", Mikasa assured her.
Carly nodded, she took a deep breath. "Thanks mom", she said.
After several students had their turn, it was finally Carly's. "That last kid was um...", Eren started but Mikasa nudged him.
"Oh stop Eren, he was only 14", she hissed. "He sounded like someone shoved sand paper down his throat!", Eren whispered back.
Carly stepped out onto the stage then. Eren and Mikasa fell quiet, and watched with the rest. Carly walked out to the front of the stage, holding the microphone.
She took a deep breath, and began to sing. Her beautiful voice was gentle at first, the entire auditorium going quiet to listen.
As she continued, she opened her eyes growing her confidence. She gripped the mic, and suddenly the intruments picked up intensely, and her singing heightened.
"Gin iro no ame ga futte kitara...watashi wa da to omotte namida wo fuite", she sang with serious passion.
The crowd instantly broke into applause as she continued. Mikasa and Eren cheered, and so did Armin and Rubi.
"That's my daughter!", Eren cheered proudly while Mikasa beamed tearfully. "That's our girl", she smiled.
Emily cheered, whistling as Arashi stood up cheering. "That's my girlfriend!", he proudly stated, making Carly blush on stage but she didn't break her focus, continuing to sing with passion.
Makoto, Kayo and Akane cheered along with Alex and Farlen. Levi looked in absolute shock at Carly's singing voice...this angelic voice has truly passed down from generation to generation. First Akane, then Mikasa, now Carly.
When Carly finally finished her song, the crowd exploded with claps and cheers, everyone impressed.
When the contest ended, Carly of course obviously won. Arashi and Carly reached each other, hugging tightly before sharing a deep kiss.
"That was amazing, Carly!", Emily cried, hugging her best friend. Eren and Mikasa smiled proudly, watching.
Carly came over to them, hugging them both. "You were stunning, princess", Eren grinned. "You did gorgeous!", Mikasa cried.
"Thanks...Mom, dad...this is what I want. I want to...become a singer after college", Carly confessed, beaming.
The family hugged, and all soon returned home to celebrate.
Author's Note: Only two more chapters and The Red String of Fate is officially finished! Thank you all so much for the support! The final chapter, chapter 12, will be quite long so get ready!