A/N: Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. Again, thank you for the reviews and let me know what you think of this one, is it still interesting for you? Is it getting predictable? I really like reading your guys' opinions on it. Happy reading :)

Several soldiers were injured and more than thirty percent had died carrying out their duty. The remnants of the Survey Corps were ordered to go back to where they were staying so that they could figure out what to do next. It took most of the day, but fortunately, and as strange as it seemed, they were able to get back without encountering any titans. Armin sat in the carriage with an unconscious Mikasa and Eren for company.

Eren looked out of the wagon, watching the sky as the sun was preparing to set when something caught his attention.

"STOP! Stop the wagon!" he shouted desperately. He stood up and leapt out of the wagon before it was at a standstill. Armin, failing to stop him on time, called out to him. He wanted to go after him, but didn't want to leave Mikasa on her own. He yelled to the driver to stop and watched Eren as he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

"Eren! What are you doing?"

But his question was already answered for him once he saw what he was after. Eren stopped in front of one of the trees that was further back than the rest - close to where the titans had both come and gone from. Placing both hands on his knees, he doubled over, trying to catch his breath. He looked up at the piece of fabric that was wrapped around one of the branches, fluttering in the wind. He didn't quite know why, but he just had to get it. He knew Mikasa always had it on her ever since he gave it to her, and it was still in perfect condition. He often wondered why she was so attached to it.

He had asked her once. They had gone to collect firewood, and, just as Eren expected, her neck was laced in red. Deciding to have a little rest, she sat on the grass, bringing her knees in towards her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Eren sat beside her, but not too close.

"Why do you always wear that scarf?" he asked her after a while. All he could see was the side of her face and her long black hair cascading down to her shoulders.

She didn't answer for a few seconds, unsure of what to say, and just lifted it up to her nose. Her cheeks had a tinge of pink as she nuzzled into it. She stared at the ground, avoiding Eren's gaze.

"It…keeps me warm" she replied meekly. "We should get back now" she quickly added, standing up.

He never asked her after that, and soon it became normal, like it was a part of her. Without it, she seemed incomplete. Which was why leaving that scarf there was like leaving a piece of her behind.

He grabbed hold of one of the lower branches and hoisted himself up. Walking along slowly, he latched onto another that was hanging just above his head and used it to swing his body forward towards another. He did this a few more times until he was level with the scarf. It was dangling in front of him, however the branch it was on was slightly further than the others he used to get there. Eren decided to just reach for it once it blew close enough, not wanting to risk falling from that height. Hand outstretched, he reached towards the fabric, inching closer towards it.

I can reach it. I just need to get a little closer.

Holding onto the trunk of the tree with his left hand, he leaned his body forward. The scarf just grazed his fingertips and he lost his balance. His heart felt as though it was going to drop before him; he cursed knowing he almost had it. Eren tried desperately to grab onto one of the branches on his way down, but all his attempts were futile. Accepting his fate, he closed his eyes, awaiting the impact…but it never came. He slowly opened his eyes, not daring to look down. He could see red above him, and to his left, green. He followed his arm that was hanging above his head and noticed Levi was holding onto the other end. Levi was crouched on one of the branches, his face vacant of any expressions. He helped Eren up before speaking.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Jaeger?" he asked him nonchalantly, even though the answer was hanging right above his head. Eren looked down and saw horses surrounding the base of the tree. A certain blonde was staring back up at him, concern visible on his face. Eren hadn't realised that the rest of the wagons had stopped and went after him. In fact, he hadn't thought at all.

"Our soldiers are wounded and we need to get back before nightfall, and here you are swinging from trees with no good reason."

Eren didn't bother replying. Truth be told, he wasn't really paying attention, for his mind was occupied with getting that scarf. He watched it wafting slowly in the breeze, teasing him. He knew he could reach it, he just needed a little help.

…a little help…I just need…that's it!

Eren's green eyes lit up with determination and a plan. He changed from straddling the branch they were both sat on to crouching on it, staring at the captain mischievously. Levi was still talking to him however no sound was audible, like he was on mute. Eren watched his mouth open and close as his mind was fuelling with strategies.

"Eren! Are you listening to me?"

Levi's voice was slowly becoming louder and he was beginning to feel irritated with how close Eren was to his face. Eren snapped out of his thoughts and leant back.

"Don't move" he told him, grabbing onto Levi's shoulders. Levi, having no time to react watched as Eren used him as a climbing frame and grabbed one of the branches overhead for support, reaching out above him.

"Oi, Eren! Get down!"

Gripping the fabric between his outstretched fingers, he pulled the scarf down to release it from the branch, uncoiling itself. Successful, he hugged it to his chest as he felt himself topple over. As his heel touched the branch, he was unable to regain his balance and began to flail at the edge. Levi, thinking quickly, grabbed hold of Eren's shirt and pulled him forward. He shot his grappling hook at a branch lower down and they both descended.

Levi landed gracefully on his feet, dropping Eren in the process. Dusting himself off, he soon found himself being stared at by puzzled faces.

"Let's move out" he commanded, and without question, they made their way back to their horses.

Armin ran over to where Eren was - still sitting on the ground - and offered him a hand. Taking it, Eren stood, and they both walked over to their wagon. He carefully wrapped the scarf around his neck, inhaling its scent. He would give it to Mikasa when she awakes. The rest of the ride back went by silently. Eren stayed glued to Mikasa's side, not daring to move in case she woke up and he wasn't there.

I have to tell her how sorry I am. These past few days without her have been unbearable, like something's been missing. What good is killing all the Titans if she won't be there to see it with me?

This was all Eren could think about. He held her hand at times, just to let her know he was there, and when they got back, he wouldn't leave her side. That much he had decided.

~Later that day~

Eren was back in that small plain room again. That room that he would wake up to every morning and have nothing better to do than to study the walls, remembering every crack all too well. But it wasn't too bad, because Mikasa and Armin were there to give him company. Mikasa would always sit beside his bed and make sure he was okay. Sometimes he was annoyed with how over-protective she could be even when she didn't need to be, but often times he was glad that she was there. And that was why Eren was now the one to be sat beside the bed, watching over her.

He carefully lifted up her hand and placed the folded piece of fabric under it. She hadn't shown any signs of waking up or so much as batted an eyelid. The only thing that gave away any sign of life was her steady breathing.

"She fell from quite a height. I'd give her a little time."

Eren broke his gaze and turned his attention to the sound of the voice coming from his left. Captain Levi stood leaning up against the door frame, arms crossed against his chest, his face giving no signs of any emotions, like staring at a blank slate.

"Sir…"

Eren searched for words to say back to him, but his mind failed him. He lowered his eyes, hoping Levi couldn't read his mind. All he could remember was Levi on the ground with Mikasa waiting for them to be devoured. He knew there was nothing he could do, but still, a part of him still expected him to do something at least. That's why he was humanity's strongest soldier, right? So why? Eren just didn't know what to say.

"Maybe if I'd gotten to her quicker…" Eren mumbled under his breath. He watched his hand that was on his lap, clenching and releasing it. "I saw her…fall. But I…I couldn't move."

"I don't know what it's like in that titan-body of yours, but the important thing is that you did get to her on time. She's right here, isn't she?"

Eren thought back to that moment. He was fully aware of his senses at that point. He could hear Armin shouting at him from above and he could see the horses and titans engaged in battle before him. But the moment he saw her, he felt something that he couldn't quite explain, like he had no control of his senses, and all he could see was red. He was willing for her to fall. Was it possible that he wanted her to get hurt? It was all over in a few seconds, but just in that moment, he was conflicted with himself. Still motionless, he watched. It wasn't until he heard Jean shouting that he realised who he was. And who she was.

"But still…if only I hadn't said those things to her earlier! She would have been thinking clearly! She wouldn't be hurt!" Eren spoke, with rage and regret surging through his voice.

"You think everything about her is to do with you?" Levi asked him coldly. Eren looked up at him hearing his sudden response. He was merely venting to himself, and he hadn't realised Levi was still paying attention to his words. "She's a broken girl, and I agree that she does have a strange attachment to you…but that's all you are. You just came into her life at the right time. You saved her and she's been forever trying to repay your debt. But I think she's done that more than enough times now, don't you think?"

Levi's words sounded so indifferent, and yet they had an undertone of anger and slight hatred seeping through.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm her family! I'm all she has left!" Eren snapped, suddenly standing and knocking his chair over in the process. He couldn't understand why Levi of all people would say something like that to him. Jean maybe, but Captain Levi?

"I'M her family," Levi countered, now standing up straight. Eren stood still for a moment, repeating the words in his head. They just didn't sound right.

"Wait, what? W-what do you mean? I...I don't understand..."

"She's not alone out here. She's got family."

"But that's impossible. I met her the day her parents-"

"Got murdered?"

Eren stepped back, alarmed.

Wait, how did he know? Did Mikasa tell him? But she's never talked about it…to anyone. So why would she-?

"How did you…"

"Because I was there."