11 When they Meet

Kaito led Carla through the district's bustling streets, his confident stride and familiarity with the area put her somewhat at ease. She couldn't help but wonder if he had visited this place before, given his knowledge of the streets and the people.

As they walked along, Kaito scratched his head and glanced back at the horse, who appeared quite displeased with the long journey. "Yeah, I've been here a few times for business," he said, trying not to let on about the horse's "acquisition" at the Survey Corps HQ.

Carla arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Business, you say? Is it the same kind of 'business' you were involved in back in Shinganshina, distributing... well, you know what I mean?"

Kaito chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, no, not that kind of business. It's something entirely different, I assure you." He glanced at the horse, hoping to change the subject. "Though, I did meet our noble steed during one of those visits."

Carla couldn't help but laugh at his unease, her earlier apprehension giving way to amusement. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. As long as you're not getting up to any more mischief here."

Kaito winked playfully. "No promises, Carla, but I'll try to keep things under control."

Carla was astonished as Kaito led her to a two-story house within the bustling city of Trost. Neighbors greeted Kaito as they passed, further fueling her curiosity. Her jaw nearly dropped when Kaito unlocked the grand entrance and ushered her inside.

The interior of the house was a stark contrast to the modest appearance from the outside. It was nothing short of a luxurious manor, with opulent furnishings, intricate decor, and a spacious layout that spoke of wealth and sophistication. Carla's eyes widened as she took in the grandeur of the place.

"Kaito, this is... incredible," she said, still somewhat in awe of their surroundings.

Kaito grinned proudly, "I'm glad you like it. It's one of the perks of being a man of many 'businesses' in this district."

Carla couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of Kaito's "businesses," but for now, she chose to focus on their present circumstances. This was a far cry from the hardships they had faced, and it seemed they were finally in a place of relative safety and comfort.

As they explored the grand house, Carla couldn't shake the feeling that Kaito was harboring more secrets than he let on, but she decided to leave those questions for another time

Kaito had just shown Carla the house's lavish dining area when she couldn't help but ask about the ship he mentioned earlier, the one that carried Eren and Mikasa. Her voice quivered with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

"Kaito, when will the ship arrive?" she inquired.

Kaito turned to her, offering a reassuring smile. "It shouldn't be much longer now. We'll keep an ear out for the news. And remember, you mustn't show yourself directly to them when they arrive. It's better if they don't identify you right away."

Carla's eyes welled up with emotion as she questioned, "But why? Why can't I just run to them, to Eren and Mikasa? They're my children."

Kaito approached her gently, understanding the turmoil in her heart. "I know it's difficult, Carla, but we discussed this before. You weren't supposed to survive the attack on Shinganshina. If they see you now, it might bring about unwanted complications. We have to be careful."

Carla nodded, her eyes filled with tears. She knew that Kaito was right, and her unexpected survival had already created ripples in the fabric of fate. Her heart ached to see her children, to hold them in her arms, but she also understood the necessity of being cautious.

With a deep sigh, she said, "I know, Kaito, but it's so hard. My heart longs to be with Eren and Mikasa."

Kaito smiled softly and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I understand, Carla, and I promise you'll get to see them. I have a plan. Just trust me and have a little more patience."

As the day wore on, Kaito and Carla anxiously awaited the news of the ship's arrival. Kaito had a plan, and he wanted to make sure everything was in order. Finally, the message arrived, and Kaito knew it was time to reveal his strategy to Carla.

Kaito's eyes sparkled with mischief as he quickly pulled Carla towards him and planted a soft, unexpected kiss on her lips. Carla's cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger, and she took a step back, her voice trembling as she demanded, "Kaito, what on earth do you think you're doing?"

Kaito chuckled and gestured towards a nearby mirror. "Just take a look."

Carla, still flustered by the sudden kiss, walked over to the mirror. When she saw her reflection, her eyes widened in disbelief. Her face, her hair, and her entire appearance had transformed. She barely recognized herself, as if she had become a different person altogether.

She turned back to Kaito, her voice a mix of awe and confusion. "How... how did this happen? I look completely different!"

Kaito grinned, revealing his sharp canines. "This, my dear Carla, is one of the tricks of the vampire trade. It will be useful for our plan."

Carla couldn't help but marvel at the incredible transformation she had undergone. With her new appearance, she looked nothing like the woman who had narrowly escaped the Titans in Shinganshina.

Kaito leaned in, whispering the plan into her ear. "Carla, you'll need to act as a relative of yourself in front of Eren and Mikasa. This way, you can get meet them without any significant problems."

She blushed a little, with Kaito being so close to her ears, she inadvertently remembered last night. She admonished herself for doing so.

Kaito continued, not noticing Carla blush, "But you must be careful, princess, you can not let them find out you are their mom, is that a deal?"

Carla's heart raced as Kaito's warm breath tickled her ear. She blushed even more at the nickname "princess" and his close proximity. 

She quickly shook off her lingering thoughts from last night and nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand, Kaito. I'll do my best to keep my true identity hidden."th

Kaito smiled reassuringly and stepped back, putting some distance between them. "Good. We can't afford any slip-ups."

Carla took a deep breath, determined to follow the plan and see her children again. "I'm ready, Kaito. Let's do this.

__________

As they stood on the outskirts of the bustling harbor, Carla's heart ached as her eyes met her children, Eren and Mikasa, on one of the ships. Eren seemed lost, his eyes vacant and tired, while Mikasa was her usual strong-willed self, protecting her brother in this chaotic world. Carla's instinct was to rush to them, to hold them and assure them that she was safe, but she remembered Kaito's warning.

Kaito pointed out Eren to Carla, helping her spot her son. Tears welled up in Carla's eyes as she watched him, yearning to embrace him, to tell him that his mother was alive. But she knew she had to be patient.

Carla turned to Kaito, her voice trembling with emotion. "Should I go to them, Kaito? Should I bring Eren and Mikasa with me?"

When Carla suggested bringing Eren and Mikasa with her, Kaito hesitated for a moment. He gazed at her with a mix of compassion and understanding. "Carla, it's best not to change things too much. We must trust Hannes to take care of them as he should. You being with them now could have unintended consequences. You'll just make sure they're safe. Your identity cannot be revealed, not now atleast"

Carla nodded, accepting the wisdom in Kaito's words. She took a deep breath and wiped away her tears, determined to stick to the plan and reunite with her children at the right moment. "You're right, Kaito. I trust you and your plan. Let's do this."

With their resolve strengthened, Carla and Kaito continued to watch from a distance as the ships began to dock at the harbor, knowing that a reunion with her children was within reach but also aware of the delicate balance they had to maintain 

"I won't be coming with you", Kaito said, making Carla look at him in a bit in confusion. 

Scratching his head, Kaito continues" Let's say your son won't like seeing my face".

Ignoring him, Carla moved toward the big horde of people.

As Carla made her way through the crowd towards Eren and Mikasa, she felt a mix of emotions churning within her. Seeing her children after so long filled her with both joy and trepidation. She had to remember to play her part as Carla's cousin, a role she had to perform flawlessly.

She approached Eren and Mikasa cautiously, offering them a warm but unfamiliar smile. "Eren, Mikasa," she began with an emotional catch in her voice, "I'm Carla's cousin, Irene. She used to talk about you both in her letters all the time." She reached out and gently placed a hand on Eren's shoulder.

Eren, still looking somewhat shell-shocked from the recent events, stared at Irene but didn't seem to recognize her. "Carla's cousin?" he repeated, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Yes," Irene continued, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "I visited your family once when you were much younger, Eren. That's how I recognized you."

Mikasa, always perceptive, asked, "Why are you here now, Irene? Did you hear about what happened in Shinganshina?"

Irene nodded, her eyes filled with feigned sadness. "Yes, Mikasa, I heard about the Titans attacking. I was so worried about Carla, so I came here to check if she had survived."

Eren's gaze seemed to linger on Irene, but he didn't voice his suspicions. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, his voice shaking. "My mom is... she's very likely dead."

Irene felt her heart break for her son, but she maintained her facade. She nodded with sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Eren. Losing a loved one is the most painful thing one can experience."

Mikasa's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she placed a comforting hand on Eren's shoulder. "We've been searching for her, but... we couldn't find any sign of Mom."

Irene placed a hand on her heart, trying to console them. "It must be so hard for you both. I hope you find the answers you're looking for."

Hannes' arrival interrupted their conversation. He emerged from the ship, his eyes falling on the suspicious woman who was deep in conversation with Eren and Mikasa. As he approached them, his protective instincts kicked in, and he stood between Irene and the children.

"Who are you, and what are you doing with these kids?" Hannes asked, his voice firm and guarded.

Carla maintained her calm facade, her false identity as Carla still intact. "I'm Irene, Carla's cousin. I was just telling them that I came here to check if Carla had survived the Titan attack in Shinganshina."

Hannes remained suspicious, his eyes scrutinizing her. He turned to Eren and Mikasa. "You two, don't wander off with strangers. Come with me."

Eren and Mikasa exchanged a quick glance before reluctantly nodding and following Hannes. Their departure left Carla feeling a mix of emotions—pride in Hannes for being vigilant in protecting the children, but also frustration that her reunion with her children had been cut short.