Awakened

Chapter 24

Erwin sat at his desk in deep thought.

Hange leaned against a wall in the corner near the door, waiting.

No one in the room spoke. The two Scouts looked worse for wear. The fight with Mikasa and her team took a massive toll on not only them, but also the entire Regiment. Erwin had fought hard, too hard, and he wanted to pass out on his couch. He was so close to killing Mikasa. One more second and his sword would've been across her neck. She put up a hell of a fight, and Erwin learned to be extra cautious when he found Mikasa again.

He may not have underestimated his Captain- his Ex-Captain- but he did underestimate her team.

His risky assumption that her team would be too weak to fight was misplaced. He had assumed they would fight back.

He did not assume they would win.

That is why he had half the Regiment surround them along with one Scout restraining each member. Annie proved she needed more, but that was handled quickly. Erwin closed his eyes and exhaled. They escaped from him and the whole team wasnt even there. Even with two members missing, the rest were able to work efficiently. And worse, those Scouts only answer to Mikasa. They were willing to die for her. They risked everything to save her, and he couldn't figure out why. There were no family ties between them, not like Mikasa and Eren. So why? Why were they so loyal?

"I will never work for someone who kills my Captain!" Tauriel's voice echoed in his mind.

Erwin sighed.

Mavick and Hannah knocked out his soldiers like nothing, and that damn girl ruined his kill. She stole all his horses, and killed off any chance of catching them tonight. When he finds them again, as he promised himself, he will make sure Tauriel pays for her mistakes as well.

Out of all the members in Mikasa's team, she infuriated him the most.

He almost laughed at the thought, because he know Tauriel would probably take pride in that.

He hated her.

The door opened, finally, and Eren walked in.

Erwin looked up, opening his eyes. His eyes raked over the Shifter, and even though the Scout didn't fight in the recent skirmish, he still looked like crap. Eren's clothes were dirty, displaying some spots of blood and grime. His face was clean, leading Erwin to assume Armin probably washed off the dirt as he watched over him. But even though Eren's face was free of dirt, he still had some small cuts like Levi. Most probably shrapnel from the wall, and Eren's eyes were dark with exhaustion. The muscle marks from his Titan attachments were faint, but still there.

"Sit," Erwin commanded.

Eren didn't look wary or scared. He obeyed the Commander and sat in the wooden chair in front of Erwin.

"Im sure you've heard of what's transpired."

Eren's green eyes never wavered from his. The Shifter clenched his fists. "Why did she betray us?"

Erwin glanced at Hange before settling his gaze back the Scout. "I don't know."

"What do you mean 'you don't know?'" Eren shot. "Mikasa was the best Captain in the Regiment. What the hell did she do to make you want to kill her?"

"She has disobeyed me several times," Erwin explained calmly. He leaned back. "Normally, that is punishable by other means, but she had proven that she does not work for us. Her loyalties lie elsewhere."

"Elsewhere...?" Eren furrowed his brows. "Mikasa was loyal to us."

"No," Erwin disagreed. "She is loyal to the girl. She said so herself."