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Reflection

Chapter II

Shortmare

"Faster, you fucking dimwit of a 'team' mate! At the speed you're going, you're definitely going to become Titan food!"

Mikasa grit her teeth. Way for her Squad Captain to flaunt his years of experience in her face. And, now, she definitely wasn't going too slow - he was just being an incorrigible short nightmare. A shortmare. That was exactly what he was, given that he invaded her sleeping time the way he did. If only she was dreaming - then there was a chance that she could punch him in the face.

But of course, Mikasa couldn't be so fortunate.

At least she knew he was lying. She was one with sound; the trees were a blur, and the only thing she could truly focus on were her hands. The wind was blowing, but she couldn't feel it, she was travelling as quickly as it was - but of course, Levi was in front, going more quickly than she thought possible. If he was one with anything, he'd be one with the darkness of the night (you couldn't even see were he stopped and where he started). But of course, it would be ever so fitting - once a shortmare, always a shortmare.

He'd kill her if he knew what she was thinking. But she would always get the last laugh.

Mikasa didn't know whether to be disturbed or pleased with the amount of time she spent dissing the man. At the rate this was going, she'd start thinking about Squad Captain Levi more than she actually thought about Eren - and this was an accomplishment to be praised. Bravo, Captain Cleanfreak. Bravo.

This reminded her of the dream she did have of him... For some reason, he was the Captain and Commander of the Recon Corps. But there was one slight change - the Recon Corps was no longer targeting Titans, but dust, instead. Each and every soldier was fully equipped with a broomstick and rags, while Captain Levi himself held multiple such items and cleaning spray. It was quite literally an attack on dust. And of course, Eren had been the enemy that was constantly dirty.

Sometimes, she seriously worried about her sanity.

But the man in question could never stay silent for such a long period of time, especially without using profanity ('cussing', as she was sure he would say). "For fuck's sake, Ackerman, just know that I'm not going to save you next time." And with that, he quickly left her field of vision, and became one with the darkness one more. Like a ghost. Or maybe even an esper. If he was either of these things, she wouldn't be surprised in the least.

But still, those stray thoughts couldn't soothe her main ones: what did he mean, next time? Did he think she was going to depend on him daily? That she couldn't even take care of herself? She sunk with shame as she remembered how she had injured him previously. She had put Humanity's Strongest out of commission, she had indirectly caused the death of so many civilians that could have been saved.

But her feet were too heavy with guilt, and she almost slipped on the next turn that she had to make. Instead of worrying more, she shook her thoughts off and concentrated on moving through the air. It was almost like flying.

She had already known that this night would be long, but damn.

Eren jumped, his eyes widened in shock as they landed on the haggled figure which was supposed so be Mikasa. He could vaguely recognise her - lean form, shiny black hair, and all - but he couldn't believe it. She didn't look like herself at all: she had large bags under her eyes, and her usual tidy hair was a mess, and her skin was unhealthily pale. In fact, it looked like she spent the whole night running or something.

Eren would never know how right he was.

In alarm, he jumped up from his position on the table where he had been feasting (not really) previously. His measly bowl of cereal rattled in his wake, but he ignored it in favour of waving frantically at Mikasa. He would've shouted, but the dining area was filled with too many people who were already looking at him strangely.

Mikasa dragged her body over towards the panicked Eren. As usual, he was acting in a weird fashion, but she was too tired to bother analysing his actions. She was also too tired to eat anyway, and she was preserving her energy by not having to walk all the way over to the other corner of the large room in order to get her food. Armin wasn't there to chastise her about her (very terrible) eating habits, and it wasn't like Eren was going to notice in the first place. In fact, she was surprised that he even noticed her current state. It must vastly exceed the word 'horrible'. But if she was going to blame anyone, she would blame the shortmare. It was all his fault.

Speaking of him, there he was, entering shortly (pun intended) behind her, looking like his usual and very vibrant self. His glare could pierce anyone within a hundred metre radius, including herself, who he was currently focusing on. Well, at least he didn't look tired, nor was he a mess (when was he ever a mess?). It was a shockingly bitter thought.

But Eren was still staring straight at her, concern written all over his features, so she hurried up her pace to reach his table faster. When she did, she plopped herself down upon it; Eren started to speak almost immediately.

"Mikasa, are you okay?"

Was she okay? No, not really. She was tired, she was angry, she was frustrated. But could she tell him that? No. She had to be stronger, because she had to protect him like she always had. She couldn't burden him with her own troubles. "I'm fine," she stated clearly, her eyes wandering around the table. There were others who were staring at her oddly - mostly Jean. It actually somewhat surprised her that Jean was also on the table - he and Eren used to hate each other's guts. They probably still do.

But Armin was not present, and although she had noticed it formerly, it now struck her as odd. Where could he be? He was the one she usually depended on to keep Eren in check when she wasn't there - and he was a friend - who was extremely punctual. "Where's Armin?"

It was Jean who replied (somewhat shyly), his arms crossed over his chest. "Commander Erwin took him to his office," while Jean talked, Eren took another bite of his cereal. "We don't know what for, though." If Mikasa had to guess, it was to review past or future tactics; she was glad that the Commander took notice of Armin's strategical value. While he might not be the best on the battlefield, his tactical skills triumphed over everyone she had ever known. He stood undefeated in chess.

The table fell into silent contemplation for a short period of time before Sasha started chattering once more. And that was fine; either way, she was too drained to notice. Absent-mindedly, she remembered that she hadn't told Eren about her new Squad Team and Captain - but that could wait until later. Right about now, a nap sounded great... until she noticed the short figure approaching the table.

Almost instantly, her posture had straightened, eyes alert and suspicious. What on earth did the shortmare want? And really, how on earth did he manage to seem so composed and dignified when he had spent the whole evening running faster than even her? Was he super human? Did he have special abilities? Did those abilities involve cleaning?

... Her vivid imagination was pulling her off track. And by the time she had blearily refocused on her surroundings, Levi was at their table, his austere gaze fixed on her. And sadly, she was too annoyed and tired to keep control of her mouth. "What do you want, Captain Levi?" Mikasa would have called him 'Squad Captain', but she was vaguely aware that she had yet to mention the news to the others seated on the table.

"What could I want, Ackerman? That's no way to talk to your Squad Captain, now, is it?" He mentioned the exact topic that she had wanted to avoid, damn him. And while she could hear the shocked gasps resounding around the table, her attention was too focused on Levi to placate them. How could he? Did he come just to annoy her?

"Forgive me, Squad Captain Levi. I just couldn't see your face well enough, down there." Shocked gasps resounded once more. Mikasa knew she was fighting dirty by continually taking jabs at his non-existent height, but she didn't care because it was effective (and at the moment, that was all she could think of holding against him).

"You're forgiven. I know how tired you must be - we spent the night together, after all." Levi sneered, ensuring that the comment was perceived in the wrong way by others. Inwardly panicking, Mikasa sneaked a look at Eren: all of the blood was drained from his face. She didn't know how Levi made the insult seem so believable, but it must have been, since everyone else was looking at them strangely as well. Damn hi- "But that isn't what I came for. Commander Erwin sent me to retrieve you. Come, Ackerman."

Did he have to make everything sound perverted? For a thirty year old adult, he was acting like a snivelling teenager. Not to mention that he looked like one. Gritting her teeth, Mikasa rose from the table, deciding that further argument was pointless. For some reason or another, Erwin sought her audience, and she would be damned if she let the shortmare in front of her interfere with her duty as a soldier.

Armin was already with Erwin. Why did they need her, too? And why not Eren? Something was exceedingly suspicious about this arrangement... but she supposed that she'd find out what soon enough. For now, she could do nothing but speculate theories which had a larger chance of being wrong rather than right.

It was a miracle that they managed to exit the dinner hall without further argument. And it was an even larger miracle that they proceeded to do so on the long walk to Erwin's office. Although, it was probably because there was no one around in order to humiliate her. And she had better things to do than argue with Squad Captain Levi.

When they finally arrived, Levi proceeded to knock on the door loudly, perhaps more loudly than what was appropriate. But of course, being Squad Captain Levi, he'd get away with it - sometimes, Mikasa wondered if he could even get away with murder as long as he continued to fight Titans. Probably, was the conclusion her mind had reached.

"Enter, Levi," Erwin's booming voice could be heard from the other side of the thick doors. Levi seamlessly followed orders; he swung the door wide open before briskly closing it shut the moment that Mikasa followed him through. She, on the other hand, took a moment to look at the queer arrangement in front of her: Commander Erwin sat behind his desk while Armin occupied the chair opposite him, both looking impossibly serious.

A sense of foreboding gripped Mikasa's gut. What could possibly cause Armin to look as sad and determined as he did? Somehow, she had a sinking feeling that it had something to do with the female Titan that they had battled recently; the one that easily (too easily) escaped her grasp. The finding of a fellow Titan-shifter other than Erwin was a horribly shocking event - not to mention that said Titan-shifter was against humanity in the first place. That made her a dangerous enemy; incredibly so.

"We have a suspect for the female Titan's identity. It will be risky endeavour, but at this point, we have nothing to lose."

Mikasa had hit the nail on the head, after all.

I lied. It's not after the anime finishes. It's right before then. And alsooo - why can Levi run when his foot was injured? There is a reason for this, but we will find out next chapter.

Thank you for reading, and more thanks if you review XD

Aurora.