After a lot of contemplation, anger and tears, I came up with this. It's set right after the anime finished. This will be one of my first attempts at something more romance-y, so bare with me.

Reflection

Chapter I

Bland

Mikasa considered herself to be a rather bland individual. She had no particularly strong opinions, no particularly strong talents or traits - in one, simple word: bland. But what made her different from the soldier next door? What created a difference between herself and the cold stone floor?

Eren.

He was the entire reason for her existence. Without him, she wouldn't even be alive - she'd have died a long time ago. Maybe she would have been raped, sold, enslaved - and no one would have given a damn. Because, why would anyone give a damn? She was a bland person. A person without much opinion, a person with no talents or passions.

And yet, people regarded her as a genius. It was so stupid and paradoxical - couldn't they see that Eren was the genius? His green eyes that sparkled with life and passion and everything else that was so unfathomable and mystical; his determined spirit, so focused on a single goal that was and always would be for the greater good.

And you had her.

She threw the blade, hitting the target with deadly accuracy that almost seemed unobtainable (impossible).

Almost immediately, a target started moving behind her. Spinning on her feet, she was able to dispose of that as well - being gentle as to not hurt the person who was carrying the target. If she had, it would've been messy. And Mikasa had always hated mess.

She kept on going, hitting targets for what seemed like forever. In reality, it wasn't - and maybe it felt like an eternity since she wasn't particularly concentrating on her task. The ease of it made her mind wander to places it probably shouldn't have. But even if it did, no one would notice. No one ever noticed. Even Eren. Mikasa wondered whether she was supposed to be relieved.

Finally, the projectile hit the last target and she finished the assignment. Was it appropriate to label it as an assignment? It wasn't really. It was only another test of her skills, another test of the bland abilities that people seemed to hail. Mikasa couldn't hope to understand - what was so great about being able to kill? Was it that big of an achievement? She was able to do it, do it easily, and she couldn't say that she was proud.

But the world was a cruel place, and she was part of it.

Turning her body, she faced her assessor of the day - Erwin Smith, the thirteenth head of the Recon Corps. When she was first told that he would be her assessor, she couldn't say that she wasn't surprised. After all, Erwin was a busy man: why would he make time to see a rookie who had just finished her training? Then again, she was Mikasa Ackerman, and people admired killing.

When Erwin noted her gaze, he gave her a single, solitary nod. In a gruff voice, he stated, "You pass." She passed? What did she pass? Before she could even begin to wonder, Erwin answered her question. "You will be placed in Captain Levi's Squad. As part of the elite, you will be expected to act as so."

Mikasa was barely able to nod before Erwin swirled on heel and walked away from the training field. He truly was a busy man, Mikasa noted dully. Not one moment to spare to explain to her what exactly was going on. What, why, who? She was left to assume and come to her own conclusions. How fun, she thought dryly.

Repressing a sigh (because sighing was a weakness, one she couldn't afford), she turned her head up to the sky. It was blue and tranquil - the white clouds that dotted it were especially fluffy, and it appeared to be like the sheep that she had never been able to taste. Meat was expensive - a luxury - that she had never been able to afford. Only the richest, wealthiest, and she'd never been (nor ever would be) one of them.

Not that it mattered.

But the sky really was so pretty. When would be the next time that she'd ever have a moment to herself like this? She was almost glad that Erwin left when he did. He allowed her this small piece of freedom before someone came to find her to usher her to her next duty. One that may or may not kill her.

Jobs like this were a hassle. She'd told Eren this multiple times, but he'd never listened. And as much as she loved and admired his strong will, she hated the way he placed himself in danger. He would die one day - she knew that, everyone died - but he didn't deserve to die young. And if he died young, it'd be her fault. It was her responsibility to keep him safe (and alive). She'd promised his mother, she'd promised herself.

Her thoughts always lead to Eren. She was a bland person, after all.

Speaking of Eren... Would he also be in her Squad? Somehow, she doubted it. And it annoyed her - he'd be far away, and she wouldn't be able to protect him. What if he got hurt? What if he died? But she'd have to worry about it later - when an actual mission was assigned. Which led her to another point... Her superior would be Captain Levi?

Just thinking about it made her frown, which was unusual since her face was usually as blank as a slate. If there was anyone in this world that she couldn't stand, that would be "Captain" Levi. Just thinking about the way he beat Eren like a dog in front of a whole crowd of people made her blood boil - and what was more, he got away with it. And Eren still admired him. Because Levi was the 'strongest' soldier. Because he was an icon for the Recon Corps, and Eren had always loved the Recon Corps in a way that Mikasa would never be able to.

She had never understood what was so glorious about it - kill or be killed. And they were just the ones who were trying to kill (and if they failed, they were killed). Titans, humans, humanoid titans - in the end, was there a difference?

After all, as humans, they too killed other animals. The too, doomed other smaller creatures to death, so that they can be eaten; what them so different from titans? Other than the size...

But thinking about this was a loosing battle, and she didn't really have time to spare. Taking one last glance at the azure sky above, she turned on her heel and walked in the same direction that Erwin had. With differences, of course - she was heading to her room, while Erwin was probably heading to his office.

Nameless faces passed her by on her six hundred meter journey - nameless faces that would probably disappear, sooner than they should've. Sooner than what was natural. But, alas, that was what one got when they signed up to be part of the Recon Corps. Which yet again, brought her to the beginning, and end of everything in her life - Eren.

She would probably see him at dinner time. From the look of things, they had two hours to go before that event; time that she had to use wisely.

Maybe she'd take a bath. She felt filthy; and if she was going to be on Corporal Levi's team, filth was unacceptable. Rumours dictated that he wouldn't allow even a speck of dust on his subordinates (the term felt sour in her mouth). To be honest, she didn't like being filthy, either. It brought back too many bad memories.

Memories that if she were honest, she'd rather not be thinking of at the moment. Focus. She had to focus.

She was in her room before she knew it.

Corporal Levi's eyes stared down (or up, in this case) at Erwin Smith's. They were blue, obviously. While normally he found no qualms with their colour, at the moment he was finding them rather distasteful.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" He was glad it was just him and Erwin. Otherwise, he was sure that there'd be consequences to his manner of communication. But... he didn't give a damn.

"No, Levi. I have calculated this as the most successful option for yourself and your subordinates in more ways than one. Consider it carefully without indulging in acting rashly." There he went again, Levi thought. Hiding behind his fanciful words and flowery language. It didn't change shit.

"Fuck that. What's so good about Mikasa Ackerman? As far as I'm aware, she's a goddamn newbie." Levi's words were more uncivilised than usual. It was probably because this was Erwin, and Erwin had always been skilled in pissing him off. And breaking down barriers. Speaking of barriers... "She didn't bend over for you, did she? If she did, that'd explain a lot." Not only uncivilised, cruel, too. Levi was too angry to care.

Erwin - who never lost control - regarded him in silence. Taking a deep breath, he spoke so evenly that Levi almost felt embarrassed. Almost. "I know that it seems ridiculous to you - how can one teenage girl possibly replace four veterans? But I've assessed her skills with no bias, and I am confident that she will work well with you." His tone became soft, soothing. As if he was trying to placate an angry animal. "She's not a replacement, Levi - but it's a different approach."

Levi took a deep breath, and his previously (slightly) angry expression became a blank slate. He recognised the fact that he'd taken it too far. And he trusted Erwin - if not Erwin, who could he possibly trust (himself? How laughable.)? And he trusted Erwin's decisions. So with that single deep breath that he exhaled, he slowly nodded his head.

There was a microscopic speck of relief on Erwin's face. But Levi was out the door before he could see it.

Mikasa was drying her hair when she heard a knock on the door. Mildly curious, she proceeded in answering it. Who could it have been?

Upon answering it, she wished she hadn't. It was bad enough that she was on his team in the first place, but did she really have to talk to him an hour after learning the (dreadful) news?

Apparently so. "Am I to assume that there is a reason for your unexpected visit?"

Levi scowled. "Stop bullshitting. One Erwin is enough for the world." Mikasa raised an eyebrow, wondering if there was any meaning behind the statement in the first place.

She stopped wondering the moment her eyes landed on his face. It still annoyed her, which was a miracle in itself. "Why are you here, Levi?"

Levi scowled, his blue eyes darkening. "It's Squad Leader Levi to you, Ackerman. Do yourself a favour, and stop being fucking annoying, will you?" Mikasa bit the inside of her cheek... Oh that little - he was so dead by the time she surpassed his ranking - deader than a doornail. Instead of replying verbally, she nodded her head, very aware of the small water droplets that splattered on his face. And still, she didn't know the damn reason of why that shrimp was here in the first place... But she could guess.

Levi, to his credit, did not seem furious. In fact, he seemed calm. Deadly calm. His hand reached for his face and he slowly wiped the small water drops off. "And I came here to fucking tell you that training starts tomorrow - but I changed my mind. Training starts after dinner, Ackerman, and you better be fucking ready - it's going to be a long night."

He left in a storm, leaving a cringing Mikasa in his wake. Really - wasn't there a less suggestive way of phrasing that? Then again, he probably did it on purpose. He enjoyed - thrived in - her apparent discomfort, and would proceed doing so the rest of the night.

She really should feel grateful for Commanded Erwin for telling her her squad beforehand - if it had been up to 'Corporal' Levi, he'd keep her in the dark as long as he possibly could. And she never thought it'd be so hard to avoiding swearing someone.

Usually, Mikasa Ackerman was bland - more than bland - but when it came to Corporal Levi, she felt like a spicy pepper; and that certainly couldn't be a good thing.

Okay. So this is a test shot. Im not sure how well I have - can - will do this, so I need your support to get me going, because I have no clear plot Im following, and it's bugging me.

Review, review, review, Aurora!