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Side Note: Don't worry, Mikasa won't be a child forever. She'll grow up soonish, I just have to get these earlier chapters out of the way first. 

Ages..

Flagon - 22

Erwin and Mike - 20

Hanji and Moblit - 19

Furlan and Levi -  17

Isabel - 16

Mikasa - 12 

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"MIKASA!!" Isabel squealed as she pulled mikasa into a big right hug as soon as Mikasa hopped down from the bed. 

"Shh, do you want us to get found out over her" Levi snapped back, they were lucky they could let Isabel hang in the barracks until it was time to head to dinner. They couldn't risk someone rushing in and catching them with Mikasa.

"Oh right, sorry" Isabel whispered guiltily, letting Mikasa go and rubbing the side of her neck as she stepped back.

"It's good to see you again, how have you been? No one made trouble for you, did they?" Furlan smiled like a big brother, patting Mikasa head as he spoke.

"Everything with easy and smooth, still is" Mikasa answered without skipping a beat, sounding like she was giving a report then replying to a worried friend.

"Good to hear it, god .. has it really only been ten days. Feel like a lift time but it's all good now we back together" Furlan smiled sweetly, pulling Mikasa into a brotherly hug and lifting her a little as he did.

"You didn't mention about the old man?" Levi spoke up with a slight smirk from where he leaned on the wall by the bunk bed, earning a glare from Mikasa.

"You make it sound bad, he was a nice old man who helped me" Mikasa shot back with a frown, giving Levi a warning look. Furlan raising a worried eyebrow before looking to Levi for answers.

"He's a lonely old man who lives by the path to the camp. He gave her a place to sleep, food and clothes just to keep her as company" Levi added as Furlan started to fill with even more worry over Mikasa time while they were stuck on the job.

"Aww, it's good there are still good people out there" Isabel said with a friendly smile, holding her hands together.

"He lost his daughter and his granddaughter within two years. The rest of the village pitied him and won't speak with him, I talked to him like he was human, something people haven't done in a long time it seems. He was thankful and just a kind old man, nothing more and nothing less. Levi is just being wired about it" Mikasa sighed as she crossed her arms, feeling Furlan overprotective gaze on her.

"Promise?" Furlan asked as he held out his pinkie.

"Promise" Mikasa answered, wrapping her pinkie around his. 

"Still having a word over this later, if he was just a nice old man or not. Didn't we give you the strangers chat before, I've sure we told you to keep away from shady people" Levi huffed back as he crossed his arms.

"Levi, Mikasa is old enough to look after herself. She did just trace us down over these ten minutes and didn't actually leave our home until a week after we left meaning she made good time in finding us. Just be glad she arrived to us safe and alive" Furlan replied like a caring mother making Levi roll his eyes.

"Yeah Levi, praise me for hunting your ass down within three days and eight hours" Mikasa smirked teasingly as she turned to look at Levi who raised an eyebrow wondering if she wanted to play this game.

"I could do it in three" Levi shot back smugly making Furlan and Isabel frown over the two.

"Stop it! We're just met up again and learnt that we're all okay. No ruining the mood over both of your two pride" Furlan spoke up sternly, crossing his arms and glaring at both Mikasa and Levi who sulky glanced away.

"We better get going, the bell for dinner will be rang soon and Erwin will notice if we're not the first lot there. He might send a soldier to collect us and check if we were doing anything we shouldn't have if we're late" Isabel frowned as she glanced out the window and noticing more soldiers heading to barracks.

"Isabel right, soldiers will be dropping their gapes or things off at the barracks before heading to eat. Anyone who missed lunch would be dying to get to the dinner hall for dinner" Furlan agreed, looking to an over pleased Isabel who was happy that Furlan agreed to her.

Mikasa and Levi sharing a look before turning back to their friends who were still staring at one another, looking all shy and giggly and forgetting that the other two were still there. 

"I'll sneak back some of my bread and maybe a cup of water if I say that Furlan got a sour throat. He's already charmed most soldiers and is allowed to bend the rules a little more already" Levi whispered as he looked to Mikasa who leaned against the wall beside the opposite side of the window.

"Just don't make trouble" Mikasa replied, crossing her arms over her chest as she glanced to Levi who nodded.

"Behave while we're gone" Levi smirked and pushed away from the wall, Mikasa just sticking her tongue out as he treated her like a child. 

"Let's go, we'll be back within twenty minutes Mikasa. Thirty if Erwin keeps a longer eye on us why we eat" Furlan promised with a small smile, looking at Mikasa with slight concern at leaving her alone but knowing it was for the best.

"I'll be fine, I've been alone for the whole time you three went missing. I can handle another hour if needed" Mikasa answered and headed over to the ladder, ready to climb up. Her shoes already tucked under the bed leaving her in her socks. 

"We'll be back soon, missing you already" Isabel smiled brightly and waved like a goof before the three left, closing the door behind them. 

Mikasa watched then go from the window, glancing around at all the other soldiers and wondering what it would be like to be a soldier herself. She won't lie, she thought about it before but never spoke about it to Levi or Furlan.

She knew Isabel would just cheer for her or cry over missing her but let her do whatever she wanted since it was her own life. But Levi and Furlan, she cared more over what they thought.

If Furlan lost his cool over her becoming a soldier, something he learnt to hate since they treated other's so bad and he had his own issue with soldiers due to his past. But if he was fully supportive just to make her feel ready to fly from the so called nest, she'll feel bad over just leaving when he and Levi was still trapped underground.

Sure, Levi would either give her the silent agreement if he disapproved or tell her to just leave, to finally walk her own path and give her no reason to stay. She hated either reaction and that's why she only spoke over the Survey Corps like she was a fan. 

Climbing up the ladder and climbing on Levi bed, wrapping her shawl over her upper body and just staring out the window for as long as she could before shuffling back as the barracks door opened. She stayed hidden in the corner, hiding under Levi blanket and listening to soldiers gossip before popping her head out once they leave. 

She forgot about how tied she was, never going for her nap as she had to hide up when a group of soldiers rushed in once she reached Levi and Furlan bunk beds after the bathroom issue. Seemed the small group of men was heading to the showers and she had to stay hidden up why they grabbed their soaps, towels and spare clothes. 

Than Levi retuned and told her all about the job and the plan Furlan came along. Hours passing before Isabel and Furlan entered alone and well, they finally saw her again. 

Sleep was finally winning and she couldn't fight it back anymore. 

Levi and Furlan returned alone, neither noticing Hanji was following after noticing Levi snuck his bit of bread in his pocket while pretending to eat it for a while to make it look like he still had it on his plate. She listened as Furlan requested a cup of water to take to bed over a "sour" throat. Isabel didn't whine as much as she has been when it came to separating from the two males, clearly trying to not bring as much attention as normal. 

Hanji was sure that Levi had finally snapped, almost killed someone and just kidnapped them to make sure they wouldn't grass on him. He was clearly leaving them tied up somewhere close and that's why he hid his bread and Furlan got water. 

She just had to find the location before telling Moblit who'll tell Erwin who'll help the poor soldier in trouble. 

She didn't enter the barracks, just sneaking to the window beside Furlan and Levi bunk bed. Hiding against the wall and peeking as much as she could while taking care not to be seen by the two of them. She didn't care over the odd looks she got from passing soldiers. 

She watched as Levi slipped his boots off by the ladder, pulling his jacket off and hooking it on the ladder corner before taking off his straps and the uniform skirt. Furlan doing the same but a little more slowly. Taking his time with undressing while Levi was already climbing up the ladder. Sitting on the edge and glancing at something, Hanji moved a little more better once Furlan stood up and turned to what Levi was looking at while making it look like he was just speaking with Levi. 

That's when Hanji noticed something red once more, her face pressed into the glass without any shame as Levi lifted his blanket and that's when she noticed the red thing was being hugged by a small pair of arms that didn't belong to Levi. A girl ... they kidnapped a child .. oh god, this was much worse than the two kidnapping a soldier they almost killed. 

"Hang on! A child? Did one of them have a sibling? No, the file for the three was simple and they had no living relatives and no mention over a fourth person being with them. Wait a second! Did one of them have a secret love child? Was the little girl the daughter to either Levi or Furlan? That made sense, if she was made in the underground and kept hidden up from others to protect her from any enemies but than again, the girl seemed to old to be any seventeen year old daughter. A hidden sibling maybe, different mother or father and that's why it wasn't shown on their file because they didn't really know about it either until she popped up" Hanji thought to herself, hiding once more as Furlan started turning around and heading to bed as Levi moved to lay on his bed. 

Hanji wondered if she should report her findings herself but than she wondered what would have to the girl. She'll be taken away and placed in an unknown orphanage, any orphanage that would take her or Erwin randomly chose. Whoever she belonged to would never see her again and well, the criminal three were barely playing nice now. What would they do if someone important was actually stolen from them just for not being old enough to be a soldier. 

Hanji popped through the window once more, noting Levi laying with his back to the edge and his arm curled but clearly holding the young girl. This was a sight Hanji never thought she'll see over Levi, he was being tender. 

This girl was clearly important and they might just lose him completely if she was taken away. 

Finally heading back to her own room, running a hand throw her hair and deciding to pretend she didn't see a thing. She'll play shock if it get's reported and try to reason with Erwin if needed. For now, the little girl would just have to carry on being a secret. 

Morning came and Mikasa was still fast asleep making Levi the first to wake. He glanced around the barracks and taking notice of all the soldiers still sleeping. He glanced back to Mikasa, stroking some hair out of her face and noticing she looked a little better than she did yesterday at least. She got as much sleep as she was needed thankfully. 

Sitting up and reaching for the bit of bread, feeling it cold now but it was still safe to eat. He hopped down, grabbing the cup of water, placing the bit of bread on the edge of his bed before shoving Mikasa awake. Now would be the best time for her to eat and drink before anyone sees. 

Mikasa gave an unamused look over being woken up before taking the food and water. Taking her time why she ate and drank, not wanting to risk throwing up later and being spotted. She passed the empty cut back to Levi who gave a pleased nod before placing it back on the floor. 

"Get some more sleep, I'll sneak any food I can under the bed from breakfast and try to get a refill on your water pouch" Levi whispered, covering Mikasa with the blanket as she laid down again. 

"Hey Levi" Mikasa whispered as she tiredly stared at him.

"Yeah" Levi whispered back.

"Show them just who you are and force respect out of their throats but just make sure come back too" Mikasa sleepily whispered as her eyes closed, sleeping taking over within seconds of speaking and Levi just giving a silent nod before covering her head with the blanket. 

Mikasa woke up hours later, popping her head out of the blanket once she didn't hear anyone around. Glancing around before taking fully notice over the barracks being empty. Climbing down and finding some gross looking porridge in a bowel under the bed with another cup of water. She sat on Furlan bed, eating the awful porridge first before drinking the water to get rid of the taste. She kidnap the brush from the bag shoved under the bunk bed that held her spare clothes, brushing her hair before planning to change clothes. She stopped as she noticed someone walk past the window making her duck under. Her breaking quickened before she rushed back up the ladder and hiding under the blanket just in time as the door opened. 

She stayed as silent as she could, bringing a hand to her mouth as she heard footsteps echo around the room before coming to a stop beside the bunk bed. If it was Levi or Furlan one of them would have called out by now making her know it wasn't them. Maybe the Flagon dick that Levi warned her over was doing his inspection but that again he wasn't grumbling under his breath like Levi said he did. 

Her eyes grew wide as the blanket was yanked from her, she froze on the spot and stared at the rather tall and broad body man before her. He was sniffing the air a little, creeping her out more than she'll ever admit. A yelp leaving her lips as he grabbed her throwing her over his shoulder before walking away. Uncaring over her kicking and punching him while he walked outside, soldiers turning and just staring over what they just saw. 

Mikasa finally gave up trying to wiggle free and let herself be carried away to wherever. She'll just find her escape later, plus .. this creepy dude still wasn't speaking a word and she felt embarrassed over being slung over his shoulder. She knew she was a child but still .. it was embarrassing. She'll lever prove herself to the rest now or never stop being seen as just the child of the group. 

Plus, she didn't have shoes and knew she'll get a yelling in later for dirtying her socks. 

This was the worse day ever!

She cursed at her kidnapped when the door of whatever building they just entered slammed back on her head. He didn't even apologize for it and carried on walking leaving her to rub her head in pain. She held her hands out, grabbing at corners only to be yanked away from them as he pulled on her. She even grabbed some pool over worrying soldier and he got dragged along for the ride as well. 

She gave a greeting nod, not loosening her grip on the soldier jacket as her kidnapped stayed carrying her over his shoulder and dragging along the poor soldier she had clung to. 

Yelping as she was dropped without any warning while her kidnapper knocked on a door. The poor solider she grabbed ended up becoming her landing pad as he groaned in pain. She pushed herself to stand, turning to her kidnapper as he gave her a warning look before entering someone office and leaving the door open a crack to hear if she ran for it or called for help.

"Sorry for this" Mikasa whispered before attacking the soldier she landed on, stealing his cape before running back the direction she got carried in through the building. She knew she would be easily spotted due to being small but at least she might be able to blend in if she sat by a group of soldiers or something. 

Rushing out the door and stumbling over the hard ground under her feet, the socks did little padding for her and well, there was a couple of pointy stones she soon found out about before hurrying onwards. Her eyes darting around for any sighs of Levi, Furlan or Isabel but than again should she be seen with them. It might put the job in trouble and lose any trust they might have gained. 

Her thoughts were stopped as ended up by a small open filed, a group of soldiers standing around just chatting with one another while dressed in their uniform. She huddled around, fitting herself throw the crowd and hoping no one will notice her while she brought herself some time to think. She ditched the cape,  everyone wore their jackets not cape around and her white dress would just help her blend in with all the whiteness around her. 

Or she had thought she'll be a little safer at least, turns out she only made everything so much worse for herself..