#misundertanding

Chapter I. Future.

- Where were you?

- Getting us food, grumpy - Mikasa threw the bag full of fruit and bread - You are welcome, by the way… where is Farlan and Isabel, anyways?

- I don’t know… training in the woods, probably… Isabel still can’t believe you are better than her with the maneuver gear

- I would help her if she asked for my help

- Yeah, right… with the deadly looks you give her? I don’t think she’s brave enough -

Mikasa rolled her eyes

- It’s not like that… - she said almost as a whisper

Five years have passed since the tragic accident, and neither of them mentioned it to anyone ever since. In fact, no one would have known if it weren’t for Levi’s father, who told the police his kid hit him in the head and killed everybody on that house. “He probably kidnapped the girl, too”. Levi was number one most wanted.

Mikasa never left his side. They stoled two maneuver gears from a couple of drunk soldiers and they taught each other, competing and challenging themselves.

After a few days they had better skills than half of the elite troops.

Living in the underground, Levi and Mikasa were known as the most dangerous criminals in Trost, and two months ago they allied with Isabel and Farlan, two teenagers with similar experiences as them. Escaping an awful reality, they choose the life outside the law. Isabel was seventeen and Farlan, twenty.

- I don’t know… we are fine just the two of us, we don’t need anyone else - Mikasa had said when Levi was trying to convince her that the union would benefit them

- We can’t win a war by ourselves, Mikasa - said Levi looking at the sky. It was beautiful that night-  Plus, I hate leaving you on your own when I go to the city

- You shouldn’t leave me alone at all, Levi - Mikasa looked at him with a hard look - I am not a child anymore, I can take care of myself - she made a pause - and I can take care of you

- Don’t make me laugh, Ackerman… I am the protector, not the other way around. Now, please… could you at least consider letting Isabel and Farlan join us?

Mikasa knew it was the best. She thought the same way Levi did. Their minds worked with the same logic, they were two mirrors. When they were on missions together - or when Mikasa insisted so much Levi had no choice but to let her come with him - they worked as a clock. They didn’t need to talk to predict each other’s movements. This is why they were so dangerous. Never a false move. Never a mistake.

And the few times they had worked with Farlan and Isabel went pretty good too. It was definitely a good choice letting them join.

But that wasn’t the problem. The problem was the emptiness Mikasa felt in her stomach everytime Isabel and Levi were closer than necessary. The problem was that burn in her throat everytime Levi taught them their tricks. And that uncontrollable fear of losing him.

She felt like a little kid again. A hopeless and annoying little girl.

What is wrong with me?

  - Okay… - she said with a sigh, while she looked at the stars avoiding Levi’s eyes

- What?

- Let them come with us… it’s for the best

Levi smiled and kissed her forehead. It was a strange act of tenderness and Mikasa hoped the darkness was enough to cover her flushed cheeks.

***

- We are back! -  exclaimed a very enthusiastic Isabel

- Good. Let’s review tomorrow’s plan - Levi was sitting at the table looking at his drawings, the door behind him

- Come on, Levi, give me five minutes… I’m tired! - Isabel threw herself on Levi’s back

- Oi, get off! You are sweaty… disgusting

- Isabel, why don’t you take five minutes and go wash yourself at the river - Mikasa said in a harsh tone - and then come back to check out Levi’s plan

- Good idea, let’s go - Farlan grabbed Isabel’s arm and they were out of the cabin

***

- Tell me the truth… do you like him? - asked the tall boy while taking his shirt off

- Who? Levi? No way… why?

- I don’t know… the way you act around him is…

- I only do it because Mikasa’s jealous face is priceless

- Jealous…?

- Oh, come on, it’s so obvious! Besides… I’m doing them a favor

- Really? And what is that?

- I’m helping them realize

***

- You are not going this time - Levi declared while he was alone with Mikasa

- What? You kidding right?

- This mission is way too dangerous and…

- And you trust them more than me?

- Mikasa… I’m just trying to protect you. This are not mere civilians, this are élite troops we are talking about

- Oh don’t give me that bullshit… you just wanna get rid of the inconvenient child

- Why do you misrepresent everything I say? You have been like this for months, what is your damn problem?

Mikasa couldn’t respond. What was her problem, anyways? Why being next to Levi didn’t feel like home anymore?

At the door, Farlan and Isabel were looking at them with puzzled looks.

- I’m sorry, is this a bad time? We can come back later…

- Don’t worry, it won’t be necessary - Mikasa run away not giving them time for anything

- Ackerman, come back here, now!

***

The half oriental girl hid herself in the woods surrounding the house they were sheltering in. She climbed a tree. It was already getting dark but she was determined not to return. With Levi on her mind, she felt asleep.

When she woke up, the night was fading away and the sun was lazily coming up.

Levi and the guys were probably already gone, she thought.

Today the king was coming to Trost. Every five years, this strategic feast was done for the people to stop worrying about the real problems for five minutes, and to renew people’s loyalty to the king. The streets were full with laughter and colors and the king was bringing with him wagons with food and one with gold and money for the mayoralty.

Levi’s plan was to assault the golden wagon before it reached the city. The caravan had to go through the forest where they were hiding.

The élite troops would be escorting the king’s car, and the “good-for-nothing Military  Police”  like Levi had said while explaining the plan, would be escorting the food and the money. Levi was sure he, Farlan and Isabel were way better than any soldier lazy enough to enlist in the Military Police.

The plan was perfect, really.

She, however, didn’t understand Levi’s insistence in her to stay. It would be much easier, Mikasa and Levi together were invincible, but his duty to protect her clouded his judgment.

The truth was, if captured, they would probably kill Levi and everyone with him.

- It’s all or nothing, Mikasa - said Levi looking at her- if we succeed, we could run away wherever we wanted and leave this shitty lifestyle for ever… we could…

At the pause, Mikasa raised her eyes to meet his. Levi looked away, hiding his slightly flushed cheeks and crossed his arms.

- Yes?

- We could have a fresh start...

When Mikasa reached the house, it was empty. Levi, Farlan and Isabel were already gone just as she thought. There was a note on the table.

I am not mad at you. I just want us to be honest with each other.

I will come back to you.

L.

***

Levi didn’t know why, but the moment he saw the column approaching the forest, something felt weird. The formation was extrange, and the car with the money was a lot more isolated than they thought it would. The Recon Corps weren’t with the king but with the food and gold. The conditions for the robbery were too perfect. And Levi had enough experience to know that that never happened, specially with such an intelligent man as Erwin Smith, the commander, who was in charge everytime the king traveled.

Shit…

Levi beckoned Farlan to come closer.

- I don’t think we should do it…

- Are you kidding me? We won’t have a chance like this ever again

- I know, but… don’t you think it’s a little weird?

- No, I think it’s perfect… come on, don’t be such a pussy

- Tch…

From a tree across the road was Isabel giving the signal. It was now or never.

Levi for the first time ignored his instinct and thinking about a bright future with Mikasa, he prepared for the attack.

They waited until the wagon was right underneath them. There  were six soldiers, two at the back, three at the front, one on the wagon and the commander leading.

Levi looked at Farlan. They had never fought elite soldiers before but it didn’t matter. They had the element of surprise in their favor. Levi calculated that if they could kill two or three and capture one, they should be able to steal the loot and run away. At worst, they would have to kill all of them, which wasn’t a problem for Levi. He hated the commander since the first time he saw him leaving for an expedition.

He took a deep breath and jumped at the same time Farlan and Isabel did.

Unsheathing his swords, Levi jumped between the two soldiers at the back. Isabel jumped and attack the soldier on the wagon, and Farlan was fighting the three soldiers in the front. Levi glanced at his partners and while the girl already had the soldier in the floor, Farlan was in disadvantage. He rushed to help him, knocking out both of his opponents.

He looked everywhere for Erwin but he wasn’t there anymore. Did he escaped? What a coward…

And when he was about to grab one of the guys fighting Farlan, he heard Isabel’s scream

- There’s nothing here! Run!

- Now! - a deep voice ordered from the woods and fifteen soldiers with the Wings of Freedom on their backs jumped, bringing down the three thugs easily.

Levi, with half his face on the dirt and a heavy foot pressing his head, could only think in one thing: I will never see Mikasa ever again.

That night, Levi didn’t come back to her, like he promised in his note.

To be continued...