Part XI

and let scales hide his scars.

"So sad that humans will always be humans, no more."

-Devil May cry

"Ne, Levi-san, why did you decide to be ghoul investigator?"

"I had bad luck and made shitty choices."

"W- What?"

"And the pay is shit. You get blood everywhere and cleaning's a bitch."

"Bad words! Bad words!"

"Shush kid."

"Does… it feel good? Y-you know, the whole killing them thing? Because ghouls are bad, right?"

"…Look, killing a ghoul doesn't feel any different from killing a human."

"Oh…"

"Don't sweat it kid. Everyone has to go one day, the only thing that changes is how you go."

"Where do we go?"

"Does it matter? Heaven or hell, it's all the same. You're still dead."

"Do… do they deserve to die? Like the TV says?"

"No one deserves to die, kid, no matter what."

-x-

"Wow, he really accepted."

"Indeed, but did he do so to save his team members?"

"Perhaps he's given up?"

"No, this is Levi Ackerman. Even as a ghoul he wouldn't give up, right?"

Voices surround the three, but it's all static to them. As if a barrier surrounded the young investigators, all they hear is an echo of their captain's words.

'I… accept'.

It was what sealed the deal for many, the laboratory division got a ghoul to test their creations on, the squad; their valuable leader. But for these three it meant confrontation.

It meant they have to face him.

Of course, they were relieved that they didn't have to 'take care' of him, but it only meant that he'd have a chance of taking care of them. Regret filled their stomachs and it weighed on Armin the most. Eren, though blissfully ignorant still felt like he was to blame and Mikasa, (though she never was too fond of the man) had come to respect him. It hadn't needed to be said but they wish that they could've prevented it. They hadn't seen the full extent, and they were probably never going to. They were even thankful that they never would - it would make dealing with it all that much harder.

(Of course, there was that perplexing feeling of 'Why?' at the back of everyone's minds but they had other, more pressing issues).

Looking on, they see Erwin reach out a hand, and everyone hushes for a brief moment. Though a verbal deal was made, it didn't feel like any of the tension had dissipated. The three could feel it, and it seemed like everyone was slowly catching on.

Getting him to agree was the easy part. Keeping him from acting out… well, that was an entirely new matter.

Everyone was excited by the prospect of working with a ghoul, given the information they could now gather, but equally afraid. Afraid for their lives. Many knew the kind of contract they signed when they joined, but death is something no one truly prepares for.

Levi simply stared at the hand for a moment, his face blank and passive. Then a scowl and his face turned downward with a look of complete disgust. How many times has he had to shake this hand in his lifetime before? And how many times had it brought nothing but ill fortune and trouble?

"Tch. Hands to yourself."

"It's a sign of agreement." Erwin groaned silently under his breath, realising how much more difficult he'd be to handle now.

"I just told you, didn't I?"

"It's a formality. Surely you can manage that?"

"You have enough of my fingers to make a hand, shake that shit."

A silence then ensued. Erwin's outstretched hand stood in the air, waiting.

It felt like an eternity before the hand started to drop, slowly. Levi simply watched until it fully fell, Erwin's eyes hardening just that bit more once his hand returned by his side.

So, this is how it will be from now on, will it?

"I see. That's a pity."

A scowl pulls at his lips as Levi grows impatient. He was still starving and Erwin was definitely not helping things by dragging all this bullshit out. He knows he should play it safe, at least make it look like he doesn't want to tear everyone to shreds but he feels that he's entitled some kind of emotional release.

"Are we done?" He almost demanded, feeling the dried blood clinging to his skin, he felt the need to hold himself back if it meant that he'd be free to clean himself sooner. He had a lot to think about, things to plan and people to keep safe.

(Not that he was actually all that familiar with them.

But it was better than nothing.

…or so he hopes).

And he'd be further away from all the eyes. He couldn't see them, but he could feel them. He's not sure what kind of abilities ghouls had, but everything was heightened. Even the cold gazes could be felt through the glass.

I'm not a fucking animal you filthy rats.

He suddenly began to understand what it felt like to be one of Hanji's little titan experiments. Hungry eyes watching from the distance; malicious plans being conjured up by those scientists as fast as he could travel on his manoeuvre gear. He hates it. No, he detests it. There have been very few times in his life where he's felt so vulnerable, and acting like some dog that just crawled back after it ran away with its tails between its legs doesn't make him feel any better. He knows he needs to do this to survive but what choices does he have?

Could kill them all. A deep, dark part of him whispered.

No. That's not an option.

Not yet.

-x-

"Hinami-chan, what're you thinking about?" The old man asked, cleaning the rim of a warm glass almost absentmindedly.

The young girl continued to stare into her cup of coffee. She was pondering on many things, but one thought stuck out at her the most.

"Hinami-chan?" Yoshimura asked. Not really a question, but it was enough for her to open up. And he had a feeling he knew who she was thinking about.

"Levi-san is coming back, isn't he?" Ah, of course. Levi. He's in a complicated predicament, if what he heard was true. And given the situation with Kaneki… He sneaked a glance over at the tables which were just replaced, and the floors which were wiped clean of any blood. He commended Yomo for having them replaced so quickly, but he felt that it wasn't time for re-opening. It was too much, too much for such an innocent girl like Hinami to ever need to go through. She couldn't be burdened further. Not anymore. And they didn't need to put any more lives, human or ghouls in danger.

"…Of course, he is. He has always been a busy man." He lied through his teeth.

(He's very good at it).

"I know… But why hasn't he come to visit yet?" She sighed, sinking into her seat further.

(Perhaps too good).

"We'll just have to wait." He said, smiling lightly, "I think he may need a good telling to if he does this more, right?"

"Haha, yeah he will." She laughs a little, finally lightening up. Before turning her gaze to a cold cup abandoned in the far corner of the bar. "Besides, he never finished his coffee."

-x-

"Guys, this is the room right?" Eren asked, poking his head through a strong, recently polished heavy wood door. Taking a deep breath in, the room felt almost completely new. It seemed untouched if not for the papers neatly piled on the desk. It was immaculate. Looking around, he had seen no form of security cameras. Perfect. Turning to look at his companions, gave a sly thumb up and walked in. Looking over the room once more for any hidden ones.

"It should be, Erwin-san told us to meet in his office right?" Armin replied, also slightly hesitant that they may have entered somewhere they weren't supposed to. They technically had clearance but… "Not outside or anything? Because I really feel like we shouldn't be here…"

"Yeah. He did." Mikasa added, monotonous. "He told us to wait inside."

Taking a seat on a chair near the door, Mikasa sat and watched as Eren continued to examine the room and Armin cautiously examining the desk. She felt that she too should help them look, knowing exactly what they're looking for, but just not able to do so. Mikasa was torn. More so than she had ever been, she hated ghouls, hated them with a glorious passion ever since her parents were devoured alive until they bled out before her eyes. That's when she met Eren, but also their previous teacher now revealed ghoul.

He was the one sent to take care of her case, but from the moment he stepped into her old home, she knew something was different about him. Something was off and she just couldn't put her finger on it. The way he surveyed the scene and the ghouls that Eren and herself had managed to somehow… incapacitate. Permanently. All the officers sent to investigate the scene prior to him had looked at them with sympathetic eyes, and the ghouls with hate, anger or sometimes indifference as they took their photos and samples. But when he had arrived, she was so sure that he showed greater sympathy for the ghouls than them. They were innocent children who could've died, eaten by those- those things, the same things that killed her parents- took away her father and mother with their teeth and claws and the blood, the metallic scent of her own parent's insides and the screaming and-and-

And he looked at them like they were the monsters. His cold eyes looked down at them with a flash of disgust and she remembered feeling so upset by this, that maybe she had become a monster too… that she'd shamed her parents from beyond the grave by killing and doing such terrible things from that day forward-

-but now she sees. All those years she felt that killing those things was wrong, hating the sound her blade made when it pierced their flesh – It was all for nothing.

She wasn't wrong.

He was.

They were.

He was the enemy all along and they just didn't see. If they didn't see sooner, Eren and Armin might've been placed in danger, her only family left. And she'll be damned if she lets them die too.

She knows that they're using the time in Erwin's office to find out what exactly happened, it hadn't needed to be said. But she just couldn't do it. She knows Eren would hate her since he idolised that stupid Captain from the beginning. Even when he made him clean every office on the investigators floor, or doing pointless drills for days on end, he idolised him like a father. And he still does. He can't know that she thinks he deserved whatever he got, no matter how bad it might've been. He didn't die. He should be thanking whatever gods were left that he was still breathing, her parents and other innocents died for so much less.

And Armin… She doesn't know what he thinks about him, but he's smart. And rational. She can trust he won't be so easily swayed by emotions but the guilt-stricken look on his face tells her otherwise. He was reading through whatever paper he saw at an alarming rate, and she wasn't sure if he actually read all of the print but she was certain they wouldn't find anything anyway.

Their commander was smarter. Always smarter. Smart enough to not leave anything behind when he invited them to his own office. They wouldn't see anything he didn't want them to see. Simple as that. But that didn't mean she liked him. She wasn't as sharp as Armin but she knew how he distinguished people. Those who eat and those who are eaten. Except, they were the eaten with weapons, tools to success.

Yes, they were tools. To him, anyway. Expected from a man who threw the lives of others down like pieces to a chess board, bloody planks to build the bridge to their future.

But what none of them had expected was a beeping resounding from a desk. A beeping that sounded just like their text message tone. It shocked Armin out of his focused state of mind, and Eren was more than ready to move, both quickly fixing whatever they had just been looking at.

Their company phones were confiscated.

They all searched for the origin of that sound and quickly pinpointed it in the bottom drawer of a metal file cabinet. Even Mikasa herself, who was so convinced that they wouldn't find anything stood and approached it. Eren was already there and tugging at the handle like there was no tomorrow, only to cause the cabinet to shake in protest.

"Ugh, open dammit!" He quietly yelled, becoming increasingly agitated as the rattling of the door became continually louder. Anyone could tell he was ready to force it out, even if it meant breaking it and leaving an obvious trace of their snooping. And they did not need more attention than they already had.

"Eren wait!" Armin called, looking like he had an idea. "Mikasa, do you have any hairpins?" He asked, shocking her for a moment before she dug into her pocket and pulled out three hairpins. Even Eren looked confused that she had them in the first place, she never seemed to use anything to hold her hair before, but ignored it and watched Armin get to work.

Shooing them away, he grabbed two and pocketed the other. Stretching them both out to an almost straight 180-degree angle, and chipping off the plastic kinks at the end and inserting them into the small keyhole. He'd actually only had limited success with this technique, preferring needles or actual lock picks but it would do. They didn't have the time to worry about tools, bringing him to their next issue.

"Someone keep watch! He could be here any minute!" He quietly yelled, Mikasa moving to the door, but being stopped by Eren who offered instead. Leaving Mikasa and Armin in the room. He stood outside with the door closed, fist ready at the door to knock should he see their commander approach.

Armin was focused. He was sure that these locks were easy but took his time anyway, but it being in the bottom drawer made it awkward to find the notches and to hold the clips in place as he tried to turn it. As he felt the familiar turn of the lock, they heard 5 quick knocks at the door.

"There you are, sir! We were wondering when you'd arrive!" Eren yelled loudly enough for his voice to penetrate the door, in an almost fake tone.

Fuck.

-x-

"It is unlike me, I apologise. I was caught up with a call." He replied, his voice getting louder with each word as he approached Eren and his office. "Are they already inside?"

"Yes sir, I figured at least one of us should stay out to greet you, haha…" Eren replied, his voice entering the room as he pushed the door open to what he hoped wouldn't be another suspension. His palms were a little sweaty but kept a cool a face as he could when the door revealed…

Nothing.

Well, nothing out of the ordinary. The office looked as good as it was when they came in and Eren let out a small breath. That's a relief, nice one guys!

Armin stood in front of the bookshelf, looking like he was engrossed in reading the titles and Mikasa was lounging on the small armchair near the door, head leant back and eyes closed in a comfortable position.

"Ah, haha, glad to see you made yourselves comfortable." Their commander chuckled lightly, seeing them so relaxed in his office. They straightened up as he stepped in, following him to his desk. He took a seat and looked at the three that gathered before him.

Erwin had no doubt that these three were heavily affected by the recent events, but he had much more planned for them. Analysing them, he saw great potential. Eren, though brash, had a determination like no other and excelled in his training once he set his mind to it. A slight attitude problem, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with. Mikasa was a bundle of raw killing instinct, she was talented in every field, but excelled most when working alone. Of course this leads to some issues with teamwork, but when at least either Eren or Armin was present she was the perfect soldier. Then Armin, though physically lacking compared to his companions, arguably had the potential to become a great strategist. He was more than clever; he fell short of a genius but his natural intellectual prowess was greater than some of Erwin's 'equals'. Separately, they were close to remarkable, but as a unit…

Yes, he had great plans in mind for them. Of course, they need more training and experience, but he would personally see to that.

But he needed their full cooperation and trust. He needed them loyal to him and the cause. But he knows exactly whom they trust the most.

He suppressed a sigh. Even when not present, Levi was always a problem.

He didn't have time to gain their trust, not when they were so short on time. No, he needed their hope. The raid was approaching, and whilst they were fully equipped now, he knows that casualties will be suffered and they will be left in a less than confident position. Aogiri was much larger than the board knew, but he needed them to see the threat before the action could be taken. Right now, they were too naïve in their abilities. The CCG was only so powerful after all. Built to eradicate ghouls, using ghouls, they had taken the first step by stealing their weapons, but they needed more.

And if all goes well, then they will have more.

"You three." He called, gathering their attention. "Given the recent events, you will no longer be under Levi's tutelage, but mine."

He let that fact sink in. They were under his direct command and supervision now, no matter what, his orders must be carried through.

"And starting tomorrow, you will be undergoing my training. Today you will undergo a health check-up to ensure you are both physically and mentally fit for what I am about to put you through. It will be gruelling, and as such, you are permitted leave from the upcoming raid."

Their gasps and faces said it all, rage, disappointment, disgust and sorrow. He understood, of course, their friends will be dying whilst they train in the safety of their base, but it was necessary.

"I relieve you of your duties towards Levi, and from now on will report to myself, and myself alone. You are expected at the medical bay at precisely eight tonight." He finished, his command absolute and they bit their tongues and saluted. He could feel the hate in their eyes.

(Is it sad that he is no longer affected by such venomous looks?)

"I understand that you wish to be fighting amongst your comrades on that day, but we need you to protect the ones who come back and survive." He explained, their looks shifting, "Your duties remain the same, Aogiri tree is merely another group, many ghouls will still be present and we need you to cover for those who cannot fulfil their duties."

He understood what he was telling them, people will die, and you will pick up their pieces. They will lose many from all levels of the force, infantrymen and perhaps even special class associates. They can't afford to lose everyone, so the selected few will be chosen to carry on their legacy. It is a heavy responsibility to take on the hope of the dead but it should be enough to encourage them.

"Tomorrow, you will also meet with one of our special class investigators who will also join you in your training. That is all." With an air of finality, the three hardened their expressions. His orders were received, that was all he needed from them.

Amon will break them, and he will make them.

Amon, the successor of Mado, and a hopeful for his future special squad.

However, he was not meant to be. This week is the first and last time those three will see him. That is all they need. And after that…

His plans will finally begin.

He watched as the saluted one more time, and with a resounding "Sir!" had left the room in silence.

They had a lot to process, that much he could understand.

Turning his head towards his file cabinet, he too had things to process. And it begins with a Jean Kirchtein.

-x-

The three left the room, Armin closing the door behind them as they walked away in silence.

This was too much.

Clutching the phone in his pocket, he hoped something good came from this. They wouldn't take part in the raid. They're going to be 'trained'. What did that even mean? He was sure that they received all their necessary training in the academy. What could they need more for?

He couldn't help but feel that something was going to change. The winds felt colder and something was going to happen. There was more to this than they could see, but what?!

All he knew now was that they cannot afford to put their trust in the 'cause' of the CCG any longer. Everything was too vague and their methods… were inhuman. For now, they had to cooperate, but Armin had decided. He wants to change this system, he wants to save humans, not just kill ghouls.

He needed a ghoul to show them that they had human values, and he knew where to start.

However, Armin was not the only one who had come to a resolve.

Mikasa too had decided.

She must keep them safe, even if it meant that they hated her.

If the texts Armin's phone had received was anything to go by, they were in danger.

Jean was first. And she had a feeling they were next.

-x-

12:31 - From: Jean K

In the 13th Ward, weird mission, Hanji.

12:40 – From: Jean K

H help

12:41 – From: Jean K

Sen d hell pp

13:10 – From: Jean K

Heyy there! Hanji here, mission accomplished! Send you my report soon. Need to delete those stupid messages before you give this back to Armin though. He was a whoooole lot more desperate than I thought he would be. He was a lot smarter than I thought he would be though, I didn't even see him send the last ones! Can you believe it?! Maybe we picked the wrong one… oh well. Haha, see you soon! Xx

P.S. I am so excited we finally get this show on the road! It all starts now. One down, let's get the others soon, okay?

Done and done!

…I'm a year late, goodness.

So I greatly apologise. Definitely hadn't meant to leave it this long but you know, chronic writers block and all. I couldn't bring myself to write without fleshing out some kind of story to 'Youth' which I have recently just planned! So those who follow both, be prepared!

Thank you to all those who have reviewed, followed and favourited up to this point!

Also, if you find any errors, please tell me!

Updated: 13/02/2017