The chilling morning air that entered through her window had awoken Mari in her bedroom; it was something that she was hardly used to. After all, the climate hasn't been the same since the Second Impact. It was alien to her, yet she loved the feeling of the crispy air. Peculiar perhaps as the seasons in the northern hemisphere were always a warm and hot summer 24/7 and the only time it cools off was when the rains come and go as they please. But still, the touch of the chilled air seductively touched Mari and brings back memories when she and Asuka used to go to the beach together when they were young.

It was 6:30 in the morning and she was an early bird (unlike her fellow roommates Misato, Shinji and her sister Asuka) and Mari stretched as though she was an Amur Tiger. She slowly got herself up and put her glasses on and turned over to see her sister still dreaming away. Lucky for Mari it was an easy sleep for the two of them, as Asuka hadn't cried in her sleep of the painful memories that still lurked in the shadows for the two of them. A past can haunt the soul forever. As quietly and as quickly as she could, Mari went to the bathroom to start her day. There the royal bachelor penguin, Pen-Pen greeted her by the door as he waddled to his food bowl. She patted the top of his head and smiled as the bird clucked in pleasure.

After she had finished the bathroom she decided to sit outside on the deck patio. She took a deep breath and inhaled all the air that she can take and released back into the ocean of the sky. She scanned the environment around and had seen many great things. Cities, trees, people, cars, animals, clouds and more. Suddenly a large black bird flew overhead and was soaring as high as the winds had allowed it to be. A Common Raven, along with many corvids, were one of the few animals that were thriving in a post-Second Impact Earth, can be heard cawing in the distance. Crows and Ravens were always a favorite among the birds that Mari would often observe and watched. She admired them for their determination to live and thrive in a hellish world and their free spirit as she can relate to them at times.

Kaworu took his usual morning walks in the mountains, listening to the vast diversity of native songbirds and insects that had sung in a gay chorus. He was intrigued by how life of the children of Lilith can still thrive in such dire times. It is almost as if these animals too were in the fight with humanity against the children of those who ate the fruit of life in many indirect ways. As if they were rebelling against their extinction and not offering the the Angels want. Of course it may be silly to think that; after all, it was the human species that had caused all of this mass. Kaworu laughed to himself.

Suddenly a Raven, one that was nearby in the branches above him and who had been observing him cawed at his laughter. The boy turned and looked up at the bird. The raven was unique in that he had a bald-face, with white plumage covering his face except the areas of his eyes which were black as were the beak. It was as if the bird had a mask on. The two beings stared at each other with great attention to their observation. But it wasn't long before the raven's ear tufts began to be erected, giving him a devilish look. He didn't like this strange intruder, but was hesitated to attack him. He cawed in fear as if he knew the boy's true identity. Kaworu just chuckled in shady manner and a smirk formed on his pale face.

"Well, will you bring me love? Or will you bring me to my demise?"

The black bird cawed and flew off; the bird was disgusted of what he encountered. The boy was left there to stand all alone and had continued his journey down the valley. It was time for school, the place where the children of the most deadly Angel socialized and get educated to become the deadly creatures that Lilith had produced. But as he was going down the valley, another pressence was also in the woods and this time this wasn't a Lilin form life. He paused and scanned the woods around him and noticed on of the trees was oddly black. This "tree" was moaning and was moving at a steady pace. The branches turned out to be black tentacles and the bark turned out to be a suit, with a bright red tie. The color was as red as human blood. Overall the creature appeared to be a tall person, but very pale and had no face. Still the humanoid seemed to have been montoring Kaworu. The boy smiled and shooked his head.

"Well, I see that Seele had you sent here as well... Azrael." The suited being nodded its head sideways as if it was agreeing with him. Although Azrael lacked a visible mouth, it spoked telepathically.

Indeed. Seele put me in charge in keeping a watch over you. In case something goes wrong. Azrael replied. Kaworu took a step closer to the creature.

"I see." Kaworu said as he was putting his hands in his pockets. "I can clearly take care of myself; I don't need someone to help me on my mission. You should worry about yourself. Go back to collecting twenty dollars." Kaworu hissed at the slender business man-beast. Azrael moaned in such a way that it sounded terrifyingly inhumane. It sounded like 1000 children slowly being slaughtered in a low pitch tone. His tentacles were ready to whip out and strangled him, but he forced himself to remain calm. He will have his chance someday.

Don't mock me for it is you who needs to be worrying about! If you dare alter the plans I can kill you. So don't push your luck!

"True perhaps. And I am dissapointed that you and Kneel believed that I would not succeed. I am something that is a work of art, an art that can kill every living thing at once." Kaworu looked up towards the sky and noticed that sky was empty of clouds. As he stared into the sky, he continued his chat with Azrael. "Have you ever wonder if these flithy beasts didn't hatched Adam? A world where there is no war between us and them. Especially the idea of using us against each other." He said sheepishly.

Your point? Azrael said as he felt the boy was trying to imply something.

"Is it stranged that they awaken a god that had nearly killed these vermin off just in the name of science? Let alone opening a Pandora's box of war between their kin and the awakening of the Angels is perhaps the most idiotic and stupid planning." His tone was becoming heavier and more intimating, to the point Azrael felt the need to prepared himself for something big. Yet Azrael still couldn't grasp what he was saying which Kaworu could sense it.

What are you saying? Kaworu closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again. He had a stern look to him now.

"I am saying that if they want to be a living god why do all this? Could they have just continued as they always did until fifteen years ago? And Seele..." Before he could continue on with his thoughts, Azrael moaned again louder and his tentacles reached out to the boy.

Enough! If you keep this up, I will silence you without their permission! But Kaworu was one step ahead of him as he released an A.T field around them. The touch burned Azrael's tentacles and withdrawn his mood was boiling hot with rage. This was a warning but the next time you have any ideas... I don't care who you are or what you are, I will consume your soul as with any stupid Lilin child. Mark my words, Tabris. And with that, Azrael had vanished into thin air leaving Kaworu alone in the woods once more with his thoughts to himself.

Today was Friday and school for the most part was the same as always. In the morning Mari and Asuka, along with Shinji who always carried everybody's meals, were picked up by their friends Toji, Kensuke and Hikari. Sometimes Hikari would help Shinji with the food as they were the only ones that can cook. They would talk about last night's homework, current events and just plain silly talk. Toji, who was by Hikari's side, was complaining of the boredom.

"Geez, for once I actually look forward for an Angel to come! It's been weeks since we last battled. I am getting sick and tired of school! The homework can go suck it!" Toji felt a glace on him and turned to Hikari.

"Now Toji, don't you think that is a bit silly to say?" Hikari said. "Supposed you get killed?"

"Relax Class Rep. I got my posse to back me up. With the Slasher Sisters doing all the dirty work, I just clean up the mess." The "Slasher Sisters" was what Toji refer to Mari and Asuka, as they were the nastiest fighters on the battlefield, as Mari would flush out the prey and be the aggressor with Asuka going in for the kill. Toji just simply cleans up the mess. Asuka got her gun loaded.

"You dumb sexist! You should fight them at front for once! At least Shinji has the balls to confront one! And even more useless than Wonder-Girl!"

"Now sis," Mari said. "Remember, we were rookies too. It took us how many months for us to pilot and to combat?"

"Quicker than this noob!"

"Well," Kensuke chuckled as he cleaned his glasses, "as they always say: "The people with the most boredom don't deal the stress!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Asuka asked crudely.

"You and Mari have more chances of having to stress when you guys are combating with the enemy. Toji does standby duty and that is not getting stress in my bad. Which I would do if it is what it takes to be a pilot!"

"Nah it's not worth it." Toji nonchalantly said. "There are so many guidelines and regulations that it's way worse than a test! It's tedious!"

As Kensuke replied and Asuka still firing her insults with Hikari being the listener of the conversation, Mari turned around and noticed Shinji, in addition to him being quiet, he was lagging behind.

"Hey you okay Pup?" Mari asked as the others were heavily in their conversation. "Pup" was a pet name for Shinji as his whole persona reminded Mari some reason a timid puppy. Shinji didn't mind as it was better than "idiot". He looked up with the same look as he usually gives when something is up in his mind and Mari knew exactly what it was.

"Still worrying about Rei, huh?" Mari slowed her pace down so Shinji could catch up; the others hadn't noticed.

"Yeah." Shinji said staring off into space. It has been now weeks since Rei hasn't been in school. The last time anyone had seen her was the last Angel battle. But Rei didn't part take in it because her Unit was still being repaired; Shinji stayed with her as Misato thought Toji should still get used to being a pilot. After that Rei was no where to be seen. She wasn't even in her apartment; though Misato was inform that Rei was safe with the commander. Shinji's stomach had been twisted in agony. True his friends and Misato were kind to him, but he felt closer to Rei for reason as she brought him a sense of unrealistic amount of comfort to him. The gang had a hunch that Shinji might have feelings for Rei. Mari had giggled with the adorable idea of the two being a couple. But now wasn't the time for Mari to laugh.

"I am sure she is fine. Besides, Rei is known for being gone for long periods of time. So I wouldn't worry Shinji"

"I know Mari, but this is the longest. Normally she is gone for a day or a two. But it has been three weeks. I am worrying about her."

"Why? It's not like there is someone after her! Besides I bet you that she will be back today or tomorrow. You will see."

"That is what I always say. There are wistful thoughts; what could she be doing with my dad?"

The others had finally realized that Shinji and Mari were lagging behind.

"Yo! You guys!" Toji shouted. "You may wanna catch up or we are gonna be late!"

"Mien Gott!" Asuka screamed. "You better not have been flirting with my sister!"

Mari laughed at her sister's concern; despite being a year older than her, it was cute that her younger sister was watching out for her. Yet at the same time she didn't like how Asuka always had assumed the worst. Asuka never liked the idea of any near her sister unless the boy in question was her to her liking. So to reassure her, Mari had shouted. "Asuka he wasn't. He was thinking about Rei."

"Her?" Asuka hissed. "She is probably fine! If you were a real man Shinji you would search mountain high and valley low to find her! But no you just mope around all day. Goddamnit stop being a pathetic excuse for a male!"

"And you stop being arrogant, little Ms. Hitler!" Toji stinging Asuka. The badger was ready to face of the bees with teeth and claw.

"What did you say?"

"Will the two of you cut it out! You sound like little brats!" Mari shouted. Just one look from her and Toji and Asuka hushed up, though they had glanced each other dirty looks. Hikari slapped Toji on the back and Asuka huffed. Shinji mumbled something that they couldn't hear. To change the mood of the group, Kensuke perked up like a spy hopping Orca.

"Hey did anyone seen the new kid?" He asked.

"You mean Nagisa?" Hikari answered back. "What about him?"

"Yeah him. He seems suspicious."

"What makes you say that?" Asuka asked even as she knew Kensuke was the type to be on the look out for new students.

"Well I don't how to put it, but don't you think it is kind of weird that in such critical times like these, that we have a new student coming in when the next day the school could be destroyed?"

"Well I find him plain creepy." Toji pitched in. "He is always smiling and singing to himself. Geez imagine him being a pilot?"

"I hope not!" Asuka said.

"You never know." Kensuke said which he had a sudden realization. "Say Mari, you two are in the same service class together right?" While Mari was also in the same class as the gang and as well as the new kid, some kids in the school don't have a lunch period. Mari and this Kaworu were in the same class.

"Yeah." She replied.

"Have you ever had the chance to talk to him?"

"Well Kensuke I would if I try. But I haven't got the time. Kaworu and I are always assign to do different things."

A Raven flew over head with a white mask cawing in stress as he continued onward his path.