"Even so....if we give up on pursuing peace at this point," Armin spoke up. "Our only remaining option will be to throw in with Zeke and his conspiracy. We would be leaving our fates entirely up to him, and sacrificing Historia's life, and the lives of her children."
I nod in agreement, "That's right, we're searching for another route for such a future," my eyes lift up softly, keeping my voice soft and steady whilst little Luka sleeps adorably against me.
"Indeed, and that our own search redirected us to Marley," Hanji turns to Kiyomi. "This 'Subject of Ymir Protection Group' will be debuting at the international forum tomorrow. They may be able to help."
"It's possible," Kiyomi sighs deeply. "Though I would caution against assuming, your goals and theirs are in alignment."
"We're not, and we won't make contact until we've had a chance to observe them," Hanji shook her head. "If they show promise, and if they'll agree to hold a meeting with us, they can help us get our message out into the world."
"You've come to make it known that the people of Paradis wish to coexist in peace?" Lady Kiyomi assumes.
"Yes,"
For a moment Lady Kiyomi glances away for a moment, "Rest assured, the Azumabito clan will happily aid you in pursuing said goal...." She pauses for a moment, closing her eyes for a moment. Then her eyes flicker up, "....but....I must wonder how realistic you've been in assessing your odds of success."
Grimacing in response, she was correct how we're going out on a whim here.
Hanji inhales sharply, "Fact is, chances are slim even if we do everything right," She admits. "And we'll be in constant danger. But still, we at least have to try, as long as there's a chance, it's our duty to take it."
Silence falls within the room, allowing everything register what has been said and done. To be honest myself, everything was beyond our reach and yet we're trying so hard to do what's best.....
"Far be it from me to tell you otherwise," Kiyomi sighs, in defeat.
Not even for a few seconds I sense distress, when Mikasa gasps standing straight up to her feet turning around. "Wait a minute, where's Eren?!"
Alarmed the rest of the young teens were even taken back, from Eren's sudden disappearance. When did that brat even set foot out the room? Doesn't he know it's rude to step out of a meeting? Sighing deeply I lean back against the couch, rubbing Luka's back soothing him to sleep.
"Connie, Jean, Armin, Sasha.....Mikasa....." Levi spoke up sternly. "Go find that idiot, we'll come later if you haven't returned....."
"Right,"
~*~
"Here is where you'll be resting," Kiyomi guides into a fancy room, as my eyes widen in surprise with how beautiful and different it was.
"Thank you," I bow my head, while Levi placed our suitcases down at the foot of our large Queen Size bed.
"We seriously end up in fancy rooms," Levi mutters beneath his breath.
Lady Kiyomi gestures to the corner, "Over there we've got a nice comfortable crib, for your son," while Levi walks over placing down a few more things, before turning to the host of the house.
"We appreciate," Levi nods before pressing a kiss to my temple. "I'm gonna go look for that idiot, stay with Luka.......won't be long."
"Okay," my eyes trail behind him, as he walks out the door with a brief nod towards Kiyomi.
When the room was left to only Lady Kiyomi and I, Luka was still out like a light as I make my way over to the crib. Tucking him him carefully, my eyes linger upon him for a moment. His little pink lips part, small little coos leave him while he sleeps quietly within the room.
"You have quite the family," She spoke up, breaking the still silence.
The orange hues stream through the long rectangle window panes, casting upon the rosewood flooring with a warm greeting to the evening.
"...."
She sighs, "I apologise for my behaviour last we met, on Paradis," She steps closer, while my eyes calmly meet hers. This causes her to halt in her steps, as she rubs her hands unsure what else to say. "I came off rather, too eager......"
"It's not just to be allied with us, but greed with what we provide in favour in your account," I spoke up calmly, glancing back to my son as we both leave the room to give him some time to rest. Closing the door, a guard was left at the door in case whilst Kiyomi guides me down the corridor.
"You've seen right through our intentions, but.....we will give the support you need," She admits, with a sheepish smile before walking into the artefacts room. Turning on her heel, her eyes narrow meeting mine. "However, this conversation isn't about that.........it's more personal."
"Person? We're talking about Personal, right now?" I scoff dryly, my jaw clenched firmly. Keeping myself refrained from raising my voice, or anything she might regret. "You just....you just can't place such responsibilities on Mikasa--"
"It's about you," She interjects firmly, with her bold claim. "Either its her, or.....we take you with us.......don't you even realise, your drawing breath means a lot to our motherland? Chief Hiroshi, was a man with and sometimes without reason.....and lead to your mother's betrayal. However, despite the massacre of the Yamasaki clan, you remain alive and strong. Your importance is far greater if you come back, and guide our military like we used too."
How could she say that? I hardly know my past, but a story from the history books....
"What happened in the past stays in the past," I spoke up, my eyes lingering upon a white and blue porcelain vase. My finger trails along the surface of the dusty cabinet, collecting dust upon my fingertip and flicks it away. "I cannot accept, my heart belongs to the one who kept me together. To Paradis, and to my son."
"But--"
"The motherland my ancestors once resided in?" I rhetorically spoke; my eyes meet hers sharply. "I think it's best, that it ends their duties.......because this damn cycle will become never ending."
Walking slowly around admiring the antiques displayed, I keep my back facing hers.
"You realise if you hadn't of married just yet, you wouldn't have been given a choice," She threatens me, with a distilled smile; eyes like an empty void. "Regardless, your family owes us that much......and your son would live a life without being judged or scorned upon amongst Paradis. Take this opportunity to live normally, for the future of your so--"
"Are you threatening me, Lady Kiyomi?" my head turns around slowly, tilting my head; eyes narrowing towards her. "Don't let my past dictate what I become, or where I go.......my grandfather made his decision. Rupturing his relationship with my mother, was the worst he could've done. Karma was out to get them eventually, and even if I never left Marley as an infant, and used as a pawn in grandfather's scheme to escape over Marley.............child after child would die in vain."
"Yet here you are still fighting, so what's the difference?" She asks me, brows furrowing with concern. She then sighs,"Do you know your child, could become maybe a strong product from both Ackerman and Yamasaki genetics. Strength combined, with a force to be reckoned with........"
Holding my hand up to stop her, "No, we're not going there," my tone shifts deeply, my motherly instinct kicks in. "Don't suggest anything that evolves things against the flow of nature provided, don't you dare even suggest giving up what I know for something I'm unfamiliar with....."
"Then answer me this," She straightens her posture. "Do you know exactly what you want? What you're getting yourself into? This isn't about Paradis, this about the good of our motherland we're speaking of.............I'm trying to give you wisdom. Like mother to daughter--"
My chest felt suddenly tight; my hand grips the collar of my blazer.
"I have only one mother," I sharply argue back, my tone remaining calm. "So don't act like we're close because we're blood-related, because we're not. I came to Marley to see for myself, to aid my husband and for my country to see what we're up against and figure what our odds are. So don't provoke me, Lady Kiyomi. I wish for us not to quarrel over past disputes.........Paradis matters right now."
Silence falls between us both, allowing everything to sink in as she reluctantly nods.
"I see........excuse me for my behaviour," She covers her mouth, while bowing apologetically.
Taking a moment to reflect on our conversation, all I needed was sleep right now and Levi with me.
With a sigh turning on my heel towards my assigned room, "Look, I understand your concern, but I'm an adult........A Section Commander, a wife and a mother....." glancing over my shoulder to meet her disappointed expression. "......I have my own people to protect now, and I hope this conversation doesn't rupture our agreement with this alliance for this personal matter.....good night."
~*~
"There you go,"
Lowering Luka back into his crib, after feeding him as my eyes felt heavier than before while closing the curtains for security.
He falls back asleep in his crib, after the sun dips behind the horizon in the distance. My concern grew for Eren, realising it already night and no one has yet to return from his disappearance. Walking over to my side of the bed, I slip in while laying there in the dim light of the lantern upon the wall beside me.
Slowly at that moment the door slowly creaks open, before seeing Levi walking in and closing the door behind himself.
Pushing myself up by one arm, "Did you manage to find him?" I question softly, when he sighs taking his top hat off and placed it upon the seat at the end of the bed. He walks over to our son's crib, and leans down to press a gentle kiss on his chubby cheek.
"Yeah.......well, technically," he replies, walking over to me while taking off his blazer and drew his tie down with one finger. He loosens his collar with a sigh, "The brats managed to find him before Hanji, Onyankopon and I got to him, but......." he unbuttons his shirt one by one.
"But.......?"
He allows his shirt to fall and hung over the seat beside his side of the bed, "But....we found their drunk dumb asses at the refugee's camp. Seems they tracked down, or Eren returned to that spot where that little thief ran off too earlier....."
"Drunk?" I chuckle softly, as he unbuckles his belt and slowly discards everything down to his briefs and slides into bed with me. His arms scoop me up and pulls me down burying his face into the crook of my neck, as he hums in response. "How did they manage to score some booze? I mean--"
"They must've wasted their damn allowance," He curses, before feeling his lips kiss against my neck. He didn't seem to be in the mood of thinking, or even doing anything as he looked rather clingy this time. He isn't usually like this, unless he was troubled or even stressed. "Seriously, why can't it be tea instead?"
Chuckling softly I allow myself to sink into his embrace, pulling the sheets over us as our legs tangle together with most of his weight on me.
"Don't think about too much, tomorrow we've got that international forum with that 'Subject of Ymir Protection Group'," I assure him; pressing a soft kiss against his temple. "It's been quite the day, so much to think about......." my voice trails off, feeling exhaustion hitting closer than I would've liked.
He kisses up my neck to my jaw and then up to my lips, "When you did become the mature one?" he smirks, with a teasing grin. He runs his fingers through my short hair, earning a small pout from me.
"Shutup," I mumble, as he presses another soft kiss to my lips. This time he holds the nape of my neck, our lips moulded together tenderly.
"I was joking, my love," He spoke between the kiss, pecking my nose before we lie down together in each other's arms. "I'm just proud of you......" he nuzzles his nose against my neck, holding me closely afraid to let go of me. His warmth always providing comfort, that I'll never take for granted.
"......and I'm proud of you,"
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A/N: Hey Guys!
I apologises greatly again for not updating for a long time. I've been focused on my other story, and then I got sick twice and things have been too hectic such as work. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this!
~ Little Bean
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net