Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan nor its characters.

After the lovebirds' night of closeness, was the day of their dreaded mission.

Within the week, Levi had already finished going through the plan that they were ordered to strictly follow at all cost. And now, after that week, they had already left to their destination— the underground district.

The brunette and raven were currently riding on the same horse, Mikasa behind, wrapping around the brunette's waist tightly as the stallion galloped away. Despite this closeness, the two were silent. It wasn't due to any sort of awkwardness from the night before, it was more of the fact that they were too caught up in their own worrisome thoughts as they recalled the plan that was set for them.

"Are my orders clear?" Levi had asked.

The plan apparently, was to lure the crooks out using Mikasa. With the fact that the information given on them was that they used to sell people along the streets, Mikasa would be a perfect target for them. After all, despite the fact that the crooks had a new goal, a leopard never changes its spots— a glance at the Oriental's beauty, it was almost fully certain they might attempt to kidnap her for their sales—or for their own pleasure. Either way, Levi was sure as to make sure neither of those would happen.

Once those crooks attempt to kidnap the raven, the people he brought along were to spring out and restrain them. And when asked why such a simple plan seemed so tensed, Levi only responded with, "They're ordinary criminals, I'd know. Think about it… why the hell would they want that titan serum for? Growing up there, criminals there wouldn't be so ambitious, plus there is no possible way they could've made the titan serum on their own. And… I apologise for not having brought this up sooner. I didn't wish to trouble any of you after all with such frustrating news…"

The next few words Levi spoke, had shocked everyone for the most part. And Eren was so close to beating Levi up if not for Mikasa and Armin who reasoned with him not to. After all, Levi really didn't want them to be involved in such things anymore… but now, he had no choice but to relay the news.

"And what if the plan fails? What if you're right and those crooks aren't the mastermind? Then what?" Armin had questioned.

"If this plan fails we go with plan B which I don't wish to tell any of you yet. If they really aren't the mastermind and it's someone else who's the mastermind… if it's especially him… just remember one thing. The goal and top priority is to destroy any traces of titan related stuff and the serum itself, and restrain the mastermind— and if there is no choice, kill the mastermind if it comes to the worst." Levi had instructed firmly.

"And why so reckless, captain? Do you not care?" A certain someone asked, concerned.

Levi turned towards Mikasa, taking a deep breath he spoke, "It's not that… given the little information we have, there isn't much ways to go with this. And if he shows up… I wish to handle him on my own, and when that happens, all of you, run. He is a person full of surprises, there's no telling what he'll do. Understand?" Levi spoke, eying Eren especially who grudgingly nodded and complied.

With that, Eren, Mikasa, Jean, Sasha and Connie were instructed to accompany Levi on his journey. While Armin, Annie, Hanji and the others were to stay guard—in case if it were too late.

And within that week, each and every one of them had been training hard, and had come out with certain strategies if the worst comes. And once that week was over, hell was soon to come.

"Eren…" Mikasa called out softly, snapping the brunette back to reality.

"Y-Yes?" He responded, his green orbs taking a glimpse of the raven who was holding him so tightly, and he couldn't help but wished she would never let go.

"Remember your promise…" She reminded quietly which the brunette nodded, as his attention went back to focusing of what was in front.

"Of course, you too." He replied back, firmly.

Soon enough, the squad had reached the underground district. Some wore their cloaks and disguised in themselves in the shadows, as they stalked around alleyways to see if there were any clues that'd lead them to anything. Others were wearing 'casual-wear', which were worn out clothes to disguise themselves as people who lived there, to ensure that the word that the survey corps were in the underground district wouldn't spread.

As for Mikasa, she was wearing worn out clothes, being led by Jean who was dressed the same around the instructed area they were supposed to go.

Soon enough, they found a suspected hideout that the crooks were supposedly at. "Walk straight. I'll join the others… will you be fine?" Jean whispered silently which Mikasa nodded at. "I just want to get this over with." Mikasa sighed as she walked straight into the alleyway, hoping she wouldn't bump into anything in the process.

Jean had left to meet up with the others, who were either hiding around nearby or on the rooftop to watch silently, preparing the attack. Eren, who was one of the people who hid on the rooftop eyed Mikasa and what was around her cautiously and sharply. He couldn't afford her being hurt.

Mikasa kept walking straight, slowly and cautiously. She had assumed it'd have been difficult without a guide, though odd enough she could sense the things that were around her, she had adapted after all. She could hear the footsteps approaching her, and an unfamiliar aura that was coming close.

Earlier on, Jean had led her around, and with her distinctive features, people all around the district had recognised her as an oriental. Though none of them were probably brave enough to confront her with Jean around who was shooting them death glares. Despite that, the word had probably spread quick that there was a beauty in town. The eyes that were on her had bothered her so much, although she was blinded, just feeling the malicious eyes that rested on her was enough to pretty much disgust her to say the least. Though, it didn't compare to now as she felt a certain pair of eyes that laid on her, maliciously as if she had fallen prey.

"My, My. What is a beauty like you doing here?" An unfamiliar voice spoke out.

Mikasa turned towards it, and before she could respond, the particular person had already grabbed her wrist tightly. "Follow me, I'll bring you somewhere pretty fun." The voice spoke out again, which had definitely caused the raven to feel so revolted—mostly because of the current thoughts that flooded in her brain on what that man would do to her. However, she wasn't supposed to express any disgusted expressions, but to instead take on the role of a dense damsel in distress.

"Oh my, sure." Mikasa spoke, giving off a chuckle as she didn't show any hesitation or restraint as he dragged her off. The man turned to her, a smirk formed on his face. "Oh, is M'lady blind?" He had questioned, noticing her dull orbs. "Just how vulnerable you are…" He snickered as he pinned her against the wall. "The things I'll do to you…"

Just before Mikasa could give a forced laugh so as to play the role of a dense women, Levi and the others finally came into the scene. Levi, who immediately held his blade at his neck threateningly. "You know who I am. You know what I want." Levi hissed as the crook let go of the raven reluctantly as he put up his hands, as if to show surrender. "Kenny really raised an idiotic brat who joined the survey corps." He growled as Levi's glare only hardened. Though before he could respond with an insult, the air had suddenly… smelt weird, something was off.

"Surprise, surprise shithead." The crook cackled as he quickly wore a gas mask while cadet by cadet fell to the ground unconscious. "You…!" Levi growled threateningly as he held his breath, he had already took a sniff of the air— it wasn't too long till he'd pass out.

Everyone had already been affected— except for a certain brunette and raven, though they'd soon succumb to the gas. Eren, who was holding onto Mikasa tightly after her release from that mad man, he pushed Mikasa away, towards the exit. "Mikasa… esca..." before he could complete his sentence, the brunette had passed out after having accidentally took a whiff of the polluted air. And just before Mikasa could react, a man or two approached her from behind, and before Mikasa could even react to that as well, the two men grabbed her firmly, covering her mouth with a cloth that reeked of a certain drug… and with that, her head spun and her consciousness, lost.

Levi who was still conscious looked around at the fallen cadets and cursed himself for letting such a thing happen. He hadn't thought in such an underdeveloped, underground place would there be some form of sleeping gas emitting device. "Kenny really did raise an idiot." The crook cackled as Levi pressed his blade closely against his neck, as if it were some sort of threat.

"Now, you wouldn't want to do that." He spoke as he pointed to the other unconscious Ackerman who had a knife held closely to her neck. And as Levi glanced at the pitiful sight, the crook gave him a kick while he was distracted, causing Levi to have breathed in the polluted air after having felt the impact of such violence. His vision was blurring, but that didn't stop him from giving threatening glares at the crook.

"Don't worry, we won't do anything bad to her." He snorted as he gave a kick to Levi's stomach. "Not sure about Zeke though." He laughed as he walked off, his men following him behind who carried the oriental.

The world then darkened for the male who soon passed out, his heart full of regret that he wasn't able to do anything.

After several minutes, Levi regained conscious as he looked around him. All of which had been awake as well, though they still seemed a bit drowsy. Before he could think of anything else, Eren had approached him, his eyes burned with anger and rage, the same infuriated feeling having fuelled the brunette with enough strength to have grip Levi by the collar in anger despite having just woken up.

"This is your fault!" He yelled. "Mikasa's not here and it's your fucking fault!"

Levi didn't seem angered or even annoyed at the brunette's actions. He knew it was his fault, for underestimating the worst. Moreover, he was furious at himself for having passed out so easily.

"You're right, it is." He admitted. Caught off guard, the brunette loosened up as Levi took another look around him. He had failed as a captain.

Taking a deep breath, Levi looked up to the brunette, clearly seeing the rage he held inside of him. "Zeke is with them. The mastermind." Levi said, though before the brunette could even react, he continued, "What do you suggest we do?" Levi asked, he figured enough that with his plan screwed, he might as well hear suggestions. Plus, Eren was no longer a kid— and being Armin's friend, he should've at least picked up some habits of his when the blonde would voice out his strategic plans.

"I do have one." Eren spoke, calmly but coldly. "You're going to despise it though."

"I know, but we don't have the time, and we don't have many options left."

'Where am I…?' Mikasa thought, her head hurting causing her to wince slightly.

"She's awake." A familiar agitating voice spoke. Mikasa tensed, and just as she attempted to move, her hands were restrained with handcuffs, her legs were tied as well, to the chair she was sitting in.

"Don't struggle M'lady." The voice spoke again, as her body tensed as she felt a hand caressing her cheeks, tracing down to her chest inappropriately. Mikasa had never felt so fearful or sick to her stomach in her whole life. "Or what?" She snapped threateningly, as the crook only laughed. "Oh my, a fierce one, it'll be fun breaking you. It'll be much easier since your blind… hm you don't have to worry. Once I'm done with you, I'll sell you to someone better."

His hand then traced back up, tilting her chin up slightly while his other hand fiddled to unbuckle his belt. By then, Mikasa was trembling. She didn't know what to do, or what she could even do. She was helpless, she couldn't see. At that moment, she had never felt so pathetic, useless and defenceless in her entire life—and she despised herself so much for it.

Regardless, her main concern was mostly still about the others, hoping they were safe, hoping they would just forget about her so they wouldn't have to suffer— they wouldn't be slowed down by her even if they manage to rescue her. "I'm truly a burden…" She mumbled quietly to herself, as a tear escaped her eye. And the more she thought about it, the more she worried, the more tears that came.

"Hm? A burden? I don't think so, vulnerability is a great trait. Don't worry my blind lady, I'll guide you." He spoke in such a sick way, being oblivious as he focused more on unbuckling his belt.

She never heard words so sickly, so disgusting, so appalling, so… wrong. Though, there was one thing he was really wrong about. She wasn't waiting to be broken, she already was after the realization of how burdening she was.

'I'm sorry, Eren…'

Bracing herself for the worst, she closed her eyes, hoping that maybe… just maybe when she opened them, there truly will be nothing. For she knew, this wasn't a nightmare she could just wake up from.

This was just the cruel, harsh and cold truth of a reality.

Author's notes: Sorry for the late update, I'm kind of on a Writer's block. Sigh, anyways, Please leave a review! I would like to know your thoughts.