Following Him (Rivamika)

Chapter 26

HOPE YOU ENJOY

PLEASE VOTE

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Mikasa felt guilty over ditching her friends for lunch but Hanji made a lot more mess than she or Mike could have guessed. And with Hanji experiment being a need to know only, only Hanji own squad and Mike squad was free to help clean up the mess and make it seem like nothing ever happened. But they needed all the help that could get and that being Levi squad and just Mikasa.

Of course, Mikasa wasn't meant to know since the experiment came with a gag order but Hanji never listened to Erwin gag orders and told Mikasa anyway. Hence, Mikasa would be filled in on anything and everything that involved Hanji.

So, the three squads worked together and got cleaning up Hanji failed experiment and to make sure no clues over it was left. Of course, Levi squad left just after lunch leaving the other two squads and Mikasa to finish up clean duty. All cursed their names but understood since Levi and his squad had a private meeting with Erwin planned after lunch and they couldn't just skip it. 

No one got to eat lunch or dinner, time they were finished up it was past curfew by an hour. For now, Harold, Rashad and Nifa was sick, Hanji squad couldn't say what the experiment was about but the smell had made the three become an ill, they've been resting in their beds since being okayed by the doctor. Lucky for Harold and Rashad, they shared a room and didn't have to worry over anyone disturbing them when their roommate returned. Nifa, would just have to hope that her two roommates would be understanding and return to their room as quietly as they could. 

Lauda and Keiji were walking up ahead, both shared a room but was ready to pass out where they stood making them wobble up in front so t he other's didn't leave them behind if their bodies did finally give in to sleep. 

Abel was helping Moblit to walk with Mikasa on the other side of Moblit, an arm round his back with his arm over her shoulder. The poor lad was overstressed as normal but ended up getting hit on the bed. He was a bit dizzy and most likely had a conscious, his head bandage but he stayed helping to clean up and keep an eye on Hanji.

Hemming and Tomas had jogged up back to the two squads shared cabin to cook up a meal for anyone able to eat. Even if most just take a single bite before falling asleep with their face in the food. It was their time to cook after all.

This left Lynne, Nanaba and Gelgar walking at the back of the group. Well, in truth Nanaba and Gelgar was helping Lynne to walk after the women had raced over to Moblit after seeing his body laying still in the grass and earned herself being wacked by Hanji who'd thought she was a random soldier who wondered to the site. 

So, the two squads would be low on men the next day since not all of them could be given a whole day off or even a half day. They had to show their faces and act as if nothing had happened due to the experiment being such a secret. The rest of the camp would know something had happened if two squads suddenly vanished for two days, today, most was seen in the morning but if they none of them were seen during the day tomorrow than rumours would start. 

So, Mikasa was helping them two squads home, worn out herself, hungry and feeling bad she ditched her friends and would be unable to tell them why she didn't show up. She hated gag orders sometimes, more so when she wanted to help ease her friends in camp and answer any of their questions that all nervous soldiers got on their first day. 

She also understood why both Hanji squad and Mike squad shared a cabin. It's because of the often gag orders given to them over Hanji experiments and actions. The two squads were stuck doing secretive things under the Captains and Commanders orders. Meaning they couldn't all share a random barracks since other soldiers would notice when they leave or come back late. Some might over hear when the two squads complain about something that happened. Plus, if the two squads were kept together that would also mean no one could give out the seconds, pass on locations or any private information since the rest would notice something missing. 

It was smart thinking on the commander part, keeping them together stopped any leaks from happening. 

"Do you want me to walk you to the edge of the camp? It's late and it's gotten dark?" Abel offered once they've laid Moblit down on his bed, Abel being thankful he and Moblit was roommates since it made it easier to put the guy to bed. 

"I'll be all right and the location is meant to be a secret after all" Mikasa answered as she pulled off Moblit boots before placing them beside his bed. 

"And it is secret, only squad Levi knows over the location along. But everyone knows who ride towards the woods and that's it. No one knows what direction or path you take in the woods to head towards whatever your living now and I'm just offering to walk you to the woods. You may be a soldier now but your still like the squads baby cousin, we don't want you running into trouble alone" Abel calmly replied as he slipped Moblit feet under the cover before tucking his friend in bed. 

"I'll be just fine. It's late, gain as much sleep as you can yourself. Your future wife will worry if you pass out from exhaustion" Mikasa replied calmly as she walked back towards the bedroom door that's been left wide open for now.  

"Understood, just hurry home. Get some sleep while you can and be careful" Abel muttered back with a brotherly smile making Mikasa just given a sweet nod before she left the bedroom, closing the door behind her. 

Mikasa didn't even bother to pick up her cape from  the stables, she just grabbed storm and rid back to the castle. Time she retuned, all candle light was out and everyone was clearly asleep. She didn't bother to head to the kitchen, leaving her empty stomach to wait until breakfast while she made her way to her room. Trying to be as silent as she could even while her body felt heavy and tired. 

She slipped into her room, closing the door with a small click. Pulling her jacket off and placing it on the hook on the door before moving to her dresser and pulling out a nightgown to sleep in. Throwing it on her bed before she stopped by her desk, yanking off her boots and kicking them off. She was soon taking off her straps and just leaving them on the floor by her desk chair before she headed over to her bed, sitting down and undressed completely, folding her scarf carefully and neatly, laying it on her bedside table before she pulled on her nightdress. 

Laying down and awkwardly wiggling under her blanket before drifting off to sleep. Her mind lingering over the apple and glass of water left on her night stand that she knew wasn't there when she left that morning. A faint smile on her lips as she knew who'd placed them there but she was just too tired to stay up any longer to eat the apple or drink her water. 

She'd just do it was a boost before breakfast.