Awakened

Chapter 3

There was a time when all Mikasa did was run.

She ran after Eren whenever he would constantly get into situations he couldn't handle on his own. She would run away from her fears before someone shocked her enough to embrace them. She would run in the grassy field near her wooden house with her father close behind her, chasing her. She remembered her laughter, her sweet innocent young voice carrying in the peaceful air of their home and her fathers deep laughing response as he chased after his daughter.

Running now was nothing like those times. She pushed her legs as far as she could, and despite all her training she actually felt the back of calfs begin to ache.

They had just finished launching themselves from the steaming giant arm and were sprinting across the field towards the Keep. It was quite a sight to see. The most elite of the entire Scout Regiment running, almost too fast for it to be humanly possible.

Thunderous footsteps sounded again and Mikasa turned around, her blades ready. Running to the Keep was a hit or miss plan. She knew the Titans could catch up to them in a few steps, but what she saw had her stop all her movements.

The Titan Shifters weren't running at them.

They were running away.

The Armored Titan stayed on the Colossal Titan's shoulder, perched there like a guard dog, while the giant Titan ran across the plain.

"Theyre leaving?" Nate from Levi's squad questioned. "Why?"

"The Titan Shifters used a lot of energy being here," Levi answered, seemingly unruffled by the whole scene. He was panting and glistening with sweat, grime, and blood. "They both lost body parts, and regenerating those takes away from them. They probably can't stay in Titan form much longer, so they decided to run away before their identities can be discovered."

"We should go after them then!" Hannah shot out, gesturing at the disappearing figures with her sword and looking at both teams. "They're weak right now, it's the perfect time."

Mikasa glared at Hannah. Out of everyone in her team, she was the most difficult to handle. It didn't help that Mikasa never chose her in the team anyway. Mikasa was forced to have her in her squad.

"It is not," Levi answers firmly, knowing from Mikasa's expression that if she talked right now she would not be as civil. "We are in no shape to fight right now. We're running out of gas and new blades. We cant fight off two Titans like this."

Hannah grit her teeth. "We have to go after them! If we dont go now-"

"That is enough Hannah," Mikasa cut her off, her tone and expression leaving no room for argument. "They are gone. That's it."

Hannah set her jaw, biting down whatever response she wanted to say. She stayed silent until Tauriel nudged her and said quietly, "Bitch, say 'Yes Captain.'"

Hannah glared at Mikasa and ground out, "Yes Captain."

Mikasa couldnt care less of Hannah's lack of respect for her. Not right now. She already made up in her mind that she would deal with her later. She nodded an acknowledgment but she was still staring off after the retreating figures of the titan shifters, before the disappeared behind a rolling hill.