I APOLOGISE GREATLY! Now, on with the story.

SIDE:B/START/UNUS

-x-

"To understand the future, one must first look to the past. Let that be your guide, young soul."

-x-

10 Days before incident.

"Sir, we've got him cornered!"

"Yeah? We won't if you keep yelling."

"Ah! I mean- right, sorry sir."

Muffled giggles could be heard on the open line, quickly shut by the cough of the gruff man. He appreciated the fact they could keep their moral spirits so high, but right before an ambush was stupid and he would murder them himself if this target got away. Months of hard work would not be flushed down, not when they were so close.

Ticking through a mental checklist in his head, he assessed the situation. It wasn't the shittiest he'd ever been in, but it wasn't his worst either. Fuck Mado for dying. He had a lot on his plate as it was, but being given jurisdiction in both 13th and 20th wards was just bullshit. He had fucking owls to deal with and he gets handed petty Aogiri shit to deal with on the side. He should've expected it when he was handed the case file to glance over a few weeks ago, almost like they anticipated it – the bastards – but now he had to kill this shit too. It was lucky that Jason of all people had turned up though, made his shit easier but it was still Jason. They didn't lose some of their finest to him for no reason.

Class S, now being tackled by a group of three rookies, plus him. It was nothing more than a trial run for his little brats, but he knew that this was going to be hard. Aogiri were essentially the pawns, the bishops and the knights of the little clusterfuck of trouble a way away from his home but he didn't think he'd have to take them straight on. He didn't want to kill this fucker, he could be useful – as messy as his method was, he got shit done. Ah well. Another one for the record. He could handle this if he had his other team, but these three have potential. Mikasa, obviously the strongest could deal with the main attack, the Jaeger brat could handle the vanguard and the blonde-wonder could handle strategies and long distance support. Well-rounded but they were so green it hurt. He almost scoffed. What a welcome to this fucked up job. This was their first mission. Stupid as shit but if Arima thought the three could handle it then he had no choice but to follow.

(He made them write out their wills and letters just to be safe though. Not that he didn't know who they'd be addressed to, the Jaeger brat already slipped his into his desk drawer at the office, the sentimental child).

Looking down at their target from his vantage point he was prepared to jump in at any time, should things turn sour. He glanced at the positions of the other three, hidden behind pillars and walls in the storehouse. They'd done well to stick to the plan so far, locate him during a feed and lure him. Who knew taunts was all it took? It was like leading a dog by its nose. But this is where shit either hit the fan or the ceiling. He predicted it would go south, but how far? The plan was simple, lure him out of the public eye and then kill him. The brats weren't ready for complex plans but a full-frontal assault would be suicide. So, he opted for the next best thing.

"On my mark." He spoke, a finality in his voice that caused their demeanours to harden. Jason was starting to look bored, and Levi was getting bored watching him from his platform. He's not in the clearing a few meters ahead but the brats can deal, they can't risk losing this fucker now.

All they had to do was weaken him, hold him down and deliver the final blow.

"3…"

In theory, it was easy.

"2…"

In theory.

"1."

Like he trusted any of these brats to follow theory.

"Go."

Like clockwork, the two burst from their positions, Mikasa attacking high and Jaeger low with weapons in hand. Armin on standby, had his eye down the scope ready for the chance of a clear shot. Jason was hardly surprised, he blocked Mikasa's aerial attack and angled his foot to line straight up with Jaeger's head. Tch, that'll teach him to watch his stance. With a quick extension of his leg and a hearty laugh, the sole of his shoe collided with his face and was propelled into a nearby wall with a heavy thump and probably fractured bones. That's one down for the count. He turned to Mikasa, swinging with full force with his kagune blossoming like a flower from his back, knocking the girl into a stack of boxes nearby. Their captain shook his head, what did they think they were against? Idiots. Thankfully, the sound of a silenced bullet was released contacting Jason's shoulder, then in succession, again and again in the same spot. Red blossomed from both the front and back of his white jacket; his expression shifting from one of delight to one of sheer anger as he staggered. Clutching his shoulder, he looked to the spot where the bullets came but saw nothing.

At least one of the three were competent. Pity he was only a competent with a gun.

Jason's red kagune throbbed with the same anger as its person, visibly hardening and sharpening at the sign of a new threat. They moved to shield the entirety of his back, making Levi squint. Full assault wasn't an option now. He crouched down on all fours and Levi tensed. It didn't matter if he'd seen Artlert or not, he's next and he has no means of defence. Fuck. Staring down at the dazed two he had no choice.

"You… are gonna REGRET THAT!" Jason yelled, leaping up onto a nearby vehicle and jumping to the ledge of the scaffolding, scaling the wall like a lizard. "COME ON OUT!" He roared, the metal distorting in his grip as he climbed. Artlert's probably shitting himself, the poor brat. "I'LL GIVE YOU TO THE COUNT OF SEVEN!"

Cutting through the air, Levi unsheathed one of own blades, and released it, burying it atop the scaffolding with precision, stopping the ghoul right in his tracks. Stepping up into the ledge of the platform he scowled at him. The three hadn't made his job any easier. Jason turned, eyes sparking as he recognised the face of the new challenger.

"You? Hehe, C'mon Brother-" Levi's scowl deepened. "Let's play."

He didn't need to be told twice, jumping down from his platform, he attached another blade to the hilt of the one he'd thrown, drawing it out in one fluid motion. Jason dropped to the concrete below, mouth literally watering with excitement. Disgusting.

These little shits left all the work to me. He sighed. At least he can fight with no distractions, having those brats run around while he used his gear would've been tedious. Glancing up, he'd seen no movement from Artlert, and the two had looked dead to the world. Their shallow breaths told him they weren't deceased but in this fight, they were as good as dead weight.

Hmm, he contemplated, I could use that. But if they found out I'd be dead in a day.

He saw Jaeger stir, pleasantly surprised he might be able to fight; he disappointed though, he wouldn't be able to stretch his own kagune.

Not worth the risk. Couldn't stay down could you, brat?

"Still playing around Bro? You wouldn't have to if-"

The sound of gas cut him short, Levi approaching at a ridiculous speed. Blades angled with a strong killing intent in his eyes. Like he has any right to be calling him that name.

"Shut up."

SCHLICK!

Blades met flesh and blood met metal. The metallic scent hit Levi's nose and his right eye burned a deep black and crimson. Looking down with intense eyes, Jason flinched.

"Just die."

-x-

The fight didn't last very long. Not when Jaeger (un-shockingly) joined the fray as he was starting to wear him down, getting in the way and injured. Then some dark blue haired shit he can only expect to be the other Kirishima child stumbled through (another one he couldn't save from that fucking organisation), shouting a few curses and forcing their target to retreat as quickly as he'd arrived. He tossed his own disgusted look at Levi as he'd left.

With a scowl, deep enough to make even the most hardened of men shiver, he was annoyed. What would be a satisfying kill walked away and now he was hungry.

"Artlert! Get down here, area is clear. Mission failed." He yelled, his annoyance lacing his voice and he could see Eren looking dejected. Levi didn't even bother sparing him a glance. A blonde bob popped up from the scaffolding above, clutching his gun tightly to his chest as he raced down. "Take over from here, I'll get Ackerman."

He was still disbelieving of the fact that the girl was in any way related to him, calling out his own name was always so odd to hear.

Making his way to the boxes he saw her lying atop the carnage. Blood seeped from where the wood had cut when it broke, but no lasting damage, he expects a concussion as she stirred from her temporary slumber. "Wake up, then we can get the fuck out of here and get you three started on training. That was appalling." He said, his anger partially dissipating. "Good shooting Artlert, I'd feel better if you could cover your ass when they come after you."

Mikasa stirred, waking up as her eyes fluttered open. She was in brief shock as she saw Eren hanging off their captain. "Eren?!" She yelled, jumping up to aid him but stumbling as light-headedness hit her. Levi could only roll his eyes, handing over Eren to Armin as he reached down and pulled the girl up by her forearm.

"Calm down, he'll live. Can you walk?" He asked, she nodded as she stabilised herself. "Good. I'll call central and have an ambulance down."

They all looked like shit, and they probably felt it too. But he'd prefer a failed mission over their deaths on his watch. Not that he'd tell them that.

"You're alive." He started, breaking the silence and calling their attention, "Don't take that for granted, and if you're that wound up, then just kill him next time."

They looked at each other for a second, processing what he just said. With slightly teary eyes (the sensitive fuck), Eren and the other two bowed.

"Yes sir!"

He hummed in approval of their strong answer, seeing a resolve in their eyes.

Kill him next time. If I haven't done it already.

He eyed Armin, with a light suspicion. That fucking gecko called him 'Brother', and Armin was conscious at the time so he can't help but worry. He's smart, if any of the three can figure it out, he can. More reason to kill Jason the next time he saw him but Armin wasn't someone he could off without any repercussions. Looking over at Eren, he knew he couldn't do that. Jaeger needs him. If something happened to him, Levi wanted to leave him in the company of those he could trust. And he doesn't doubt that Armin would be by his side no matter the circumstances. With him however, he wasn't so sure. That was a problem for another day, he needed to get a meal soon, he couldn't risk his eye coming forth at a time like this.

Operate on the assumption Artlert didn't hear anything, and if anything should happen… deal with it accordingly.

Hopefully without his death. God knows Eren is a hard kid to find friends for. Especially ones that won't turn on him should the truth ever come forth about himself. He doesn't want to end up dead just to see that brat stroll into the afterlife along with him – no, he didn't raise him under his roof for nothing.

-x-

Dropping the three brats off at the nearby hospital, he headed over to one of the few places he could tolerate in the ward.

The soft chime of a bell sounded his arrival, albeit late in the night and the sign clearly said 'closed' but it was always open for people like him.

"Good evening Levi. How was work?" The old man asked, a weak smile on his tired face appeared.

"Brats are brats, but you would know that too, huh?" He said, pulling up a stool on the counter. Releasing a sigh as he heard the light clanking of metal and glass as a hot cup of coffee was being brewed.

"Ah yes, they are quite the handful. They are young and reckless, as we were once." He spoke, his profound tone masked by the chipper voice he had.

The good old days. When it was kill kill kill and no one could do a thing to stop us.

He sighed, remembering when it was all so good and how it went to shit all too quickly. He missed his days of freedom, but to be able to protect what he can… he'll accept whatever shit his bosses make him do. Even if it means becoming one of the very monsters he needs to protect them from.

On rare occasions, he'd come face to face with old friends on the field, and had to do nothing but follow orders. He could feel their raw emotions of betrayal, anger, fear, pity. He remembers the gazes their eyes held as he took their lives, and he won't forget. He wants to though, and he knows he didn't come to this little coffee shop to open old wounds.

"They?" He asked, not wanting to relive his 'glory days'.

"You've met Touka-chan and Hinami-chan," Ah yes, that reminded him, he needed to see her soon, "Kaneki-kun has also joined us, and Nishiki-san."

"Who?" He asks again, not familiar with either names. Small time ghouls, he hopes.

Yoshimura lays the warm beverage in front of Levi, not hesitating to take a long sip.

"Nishiki-san is a local ghoul, but Kaneki-kun… he's a special case."

This piqued his interest.

"Oh? You don't say?" He questions, in-between sips.

"He's like you Levi-san."

He stops drinking.

"What?"

"Yes, he only has one eye."

"Is he strong?" Straight to the point, he need to know if there's another one to watch out for. He has enough children to answer for.

"Haha, no, unfortunately. He seems to attract trouble. Him and Touka-chan recently got in trouble with some of your colleagues."

Oh? He raises an eyebrow. If he's referring to that investigator, then that kid has more potential than Yoshimura lets on.

"I see. Lets hope he isn't so much that I have to deal with him, hm?"

"One can only hope. He's a sweet boy, too kind to be one of us."

"Hah? How the fuck has he survived then? None of us are kind." He hated to admit, but they were killers by nature. Cannibals through and through, there was nothing kind about their existence. Even the sweetest of souls can become nothing more than depraved killers when the hunger strikes.

"In an accident. Rize-san… her organs are now within his body. He wasn't born as one of us."

He stopped completely.

He was made a ghoul? Levi's eyes became saucers before they narrowed as he understood the implications of it all. Humans could become ghouls… would the reverse be possible? Could he become human?

Could they force ghouls to become humans?

His head ached before he could think further. He had a feeling that he'd have many more soon.

"I'll grab your food, be back in a moment." Yoshimura excused himself, seeing Levi deep in thought.

He had a feeling his life was about to get much harder.

-x-

I could give you all a range of excuses, but my main one is that I had no idea which way I should take the story first. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to work out what my plan was going to be.

However, I can't say that this'll be the end of the sporadic updates, as much as I hate to admit.

Many thanks to those who have stuck through, followed, favourited and reviewed. Hell, congrats on making it this far with me.

Let me know your thoughts in a review!

How does everyone feel about seeing OriginalGhoul!Levi?

Uploaded:13/02/2017 - Edited: TBD