Disclaimer: Characters from Neon Genesis Evangelion have been used without permission. All characters contained in this work are copyright GAINAX, Project EVA, Movic, AD Vision and Manga Entertainment.
Author Note: This is probably as good a time as any to suggest that if you have not already, make sure you read the original Best Laid Plans and the follow up BLP OVA Lemon or this sequel may not make much sense. The first is posted on FFN, evafics.org and darkscribes.org while the second is posted only on the EFO and DS sites. (Yes, it's NC-17)
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The dull drone of the refrigerator resonated throughout the darkness, the calm in stark contrast to the usual buzz of activity during the daylight hours. The clock on the wall continued its lonely vigil, the LED's of the display casting a slight red hue on its surroundings as it spelled out exactly three AM.
From within the shadows a soft click echoed, familiar to any thief as the sound of a lock being carefully disengaged. Slowly a door slid open, the noise of the rollers accented in the stillness of the night. Cautiously a head peered out into the darkness, glancing to the left and right, using the limited ambient light to survey the situation. Confident for the moment, she stepped guardedly out into the hallway and without bothering to turn around, slowly slid the door closed behind her.
Carefully, the individual started down the hall, each step taken with care and deliberation – as if treading upon thin ice. A slight gasp escaped the intruder as one carefully searching foot contacted something unexpected. Glancing down, eyes adjusting to the lack of sufficient lighting, a definitive shape swam into focus.
'Tripwire!'
The thin cable danced in the air like a plucked guitar string as the errant foot was slowly raised. The trespasser's eyes followed the line up the wall, the journey ending in a large net hanging from the ceiling. Gingerly she stepped over it, crouching down on the hardwood floor as she reached the far side of the booby trap, a sigh of relief escaping into the night.
Regaining her composure, the shadowy figure produced a handful of powder and with a delicate breath sent the white dust out, billowing like a cloud across the length of the hallway. Through the snowy haze, slender red threads stretched out, their crimson beams of light glinting brightly as larger particles fell through them.
An unseen smile grew, the pattern in the air looking all too familiar. There had been a change in angle here and there, and one or two additional electric eyes added since the last time, but nothing too dramatic. Taking a few moments to study the best route through the obstacle, the late night caller used the time to remove her baggy fitting nightshirt, tossing it to the side as her nude form now provided the silhouette. Carefully bundling her long hair into a ponytail, she tied it loosely around her neck. Once before a careless moment with that same hair almost resulted in disaster, and that was a chance not to be taken again.
The course now memorized, it was time for the task at hand. Beginning by lying perfectly flat on the floor, she slid under the lowest beam, rolling into a back arch as she avoided the next ray. Looking more like a gymnast than a prowler, the shadow rolled and gyrated from side to side, utilizing a handstand and a cartwheel to navigate through the high tech roadblock.
With a jump through the air over the last electric eye, the mystery person tumbled silently back to the ground and out of immediate danger. Standing tightly against the wall, an arm raised up to wipe a bit of sweat off her brow, all the while listening for any sign that she had been discovered in the act.
The stealth approach assured, the figure now started to work on the final hurdle towards her ultimate goal. Next to the door in the hallway blinked a very complicated looking electronic lock. The words NERV and TOP SECRET alternately scrolled in the view panel as a hand started to work the keypad below.
'INCORRECT PASSWORD,' the screen flashed, followed shortly by a visual countdown. '10...9...8'
Frantically the person continued typing. 'EVA', 'ANGELS', 'NERV,' all brought nothing but a return to the main screen and wasted precious time.
The counter decremented further. '5...4...'
'HOPE'
The screen flashed for a moment...returning 'INCORRECT PASSWORD' yet again. Taking a deep breath, the shadowy figure knew there was only time for one more guess.
'3...2...1' the clock ticked off as the final guess was entered, followed by a slamming of the enter key.
As the seconds passed and no alarm, the intruder cautiously opened one eye, then the other, a sigh of relief sounding in the narrow hallway as she pressed the UNLOCK button and slid the door open. On the lock's display screen, the message, 'PASSWORD: YEBISU ACCEPTED...HAVE A NICE DAY!' was limed in soft, soothing green.
The danger now passed, the figure closed the door behind her and looking about the room, her gaze finally stopped at a figure lying in bed. She could clearly make out the features of the Third Child in the moonlight that spilled in through the windows as she walked over and stood above the slumbering teen.
"Misato change the password again?" Shinji said as he opened his eyes and rolled back his bed sheet. After a moment's observation, he asked, "Where's your shirt?"
"Shirt?" Asuka said, giving him a quick kiss and mischievous grin. Pulling Shinji into a tight embrace, Asuka wrapped herself in the warmth of the covers and his body. "It only slows me down."
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Nergal Fan Fiction LLC A division of Nergal Heavy Industries proudly presents:
The Best Laid Plans 2.0
By Ryoma
Chapter One "3 AM Eternal"
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"
Shinji and Asuka's eyes shot open in perfect sync as the screaming continued, followed almost immediately by the sounds of alarm claxons.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Asuka rolled across her also nude boyfriend and jumped out of bed. "I thought you set the alarm clock?" she said loudly as she tried to be heard over the ruckus. She began frantically searching the room for something.
"I did," Shinji protested, "she must have gotten up early."
"That would be like her," Asuka grumbled, "actually getting up on time for once." She started throwing bits of clothing around the room. "Where's my shirt?!?!"
"You didn't wear one, remember?" he frowned as he watched her tear through his neatly stacked piles of clothes like a crimson tornado. "Something about it slows you down."
"Don't just lay there, you jerk! Find me something to wear before..."
"Here," Shinji smiled as he tossed something to the frenzied girl. "You left it behind last time."
Asuka caught the garment, and began struggling to pull it over her head. Shinji stared at her intently, finding the sight of the Second Child looking like the Headless Horseman oddly amusing.
"I better get out of here before we get caught," she said as her head finally poked through the oversized shirt. She bent down and kissed Shinji quickly on the lips.
Shinji reached out and took her hand, gazing deeply into her sky blue eyes before moving on and taking in the rest of her. The large white 02 printed on her bright red nightshirt gently hugged her ample bosom, while her long, slender legs poked out the bottom. His heart threatened to pound out of his chest as she stood in all her glory before him in the morning sun shining in through his window.
"It's time for you to get up," the redhead said as she returned his smile, "and I need to get out of here." Asuka tried to pull away but was unable as he held her hand tight. Turning back she noticed a gleam in his eye, a look of desire that in any other situation would have led to heated passion.
"I don't mean get THAT up!" she smirked, pulling free of his grip. "Wasn't last night enough for you?"
Shinji's protesting groan was apparent as he reluctantly rolled out of bed and followed her. "Yes ma'am."
"Well if we get out of this," Asuka said as she tiptoed over next to his door. "And you're a good boy, I could always come back tonight." The wink that she finished with nearly made him faint. "Are you ready...here we go..."
Slowly she slid the door open, the volume of the alarms now increasing and the flashing of warning lights overflowing into Shinji's room. Looking down she noticed a screaming mass of flesh and purple hair under the netting, thrashing about like a wild animal trying to free itself. Carefully stepping around her guardian and taking care to go unseen past the back of the older woman, Asuka was soon standing in her doorway.
"What the hell is going on here!" the German teen yelled as she placed her hands on her hips and screwed up her most foul expression. "You woke me from a perfectly sound sleep."
"You know exactly what's going on here!" Misato groaned loudly as she stopped struggling for a moment and turned in the direction of her charge. An accusing finger wiggled out from within the mountain of webbing and pointed at the redhead. "You spent the night in Shinji's room again and this time I caught you!"
In a perfectly rehearsed display, Shinji's door opened. "What's the matter?" he yawned.
"You two don't fool me for a minute," Misato yelled, still trapped under the bright white netting. The Major slowly stood, taking on the distinct appearance of a ghost rising from the dead; a very irritated one at that as she resumed wrestling with the nylon web, her arms flailing about hopelessly. "Help me get this damn thing off!"
"Hold still," Shinji said as he started tugging and pulling on the mesh. "What are you doing in this anyway?"
"The stupid thing just sort of went off," the purple haired woman stammered as finally she was freed. "I entered the right password to deactivate it. Must be broken or something."
"I don't know," Asuka grinned as she crossed her hands on her chest. Below, her peripheral vision noticed the original nightshirt laying in a clump at her feet. Nonchalantly she used her foot to start dragging it towards her, all the while staring at her guardian's face to avoid suspicion. "Seems to be working perfectly fine to me," she said smugly as she pushed the incriminating clothing into her room and out of sight. "After all, your trap caught the biggest booby I know."
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Shinji stood in front of the stove, rolling some sausages back and forth in a pan, his hand instinctively pulling back as a bit of hot grease splattered on it. Quickly wiping it off on his apron, he began to butter the two pieces of toast that popped up in the toaster moments before.
"I love a nice hot shower in the morning," Asuka exclaimed, standing in the kitchen entrance, her hair bundled in a towel on her head. "It feels so good to be clean," she added as she tied the ribbon on her school uniform.
She finished her statement staring directly at Misato, who was sitting at the table, looking quite disheveled as she sipped her morning coffee. Her hair was in its normal morning state of disarray, the wine color sprinkled with the occasional stray strand of gray, no doubt caused by the stress of bringing up two teenage Children and mornings like this. She lowered her cup back to the table, the kanji on her wrinkled blue nightshirt, FIGHTING ANGELS TAKES A LOT OF NERV, now clearly visible.
"Especially after acting so dirty last night," Misato quipped as she pulled her hair back and off her face, one or two stubborn curls still sticking to her mouth.
"Now what's THAT supposed to mean?" Asuka snapped.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Misato replied crossly. "We both know that you spent the night in Shinji's room. Don't try to deny it."
"That room is more heavily guarded than NERV headquarters," the Second Child said sarcastically as she took the seat opposite her guardian. "Which coincidently is where most of that equipment was stolen from in the first place."
"How and where I got that equipment is not the point."
"Did you ever stop to think what would happen if Shinji needed to go to the bathroom?" Asuka said, glancing up as the boy in question slid a plate of food in front of her. "What then?"
"That's why he's not allowed to drink anything after nine," Misato smiled as the Third Child dropped two fresh pieces of toast on the now empty platter in front of her. "And in case of a real emergency he does have a window."
"You need professional help," the redhead said as she ripped a large portion off her piece of sausage and began chewing it. "There's no good reason to rig up that hallway like Terminal Dogma with Shinji under permanent lockdown."
"Whatever it takes to keep you kids from doing something foolish."
"We're not doing anything foolish," Asuka growled before stuffing another bite of the meat product into her mouth. "And I wasn't in Shinji's room last night, not that you have any proof I was."
"But that's where you're mistaken," Misato said confidently. "I don't need proof. All I need to do is THINK you did it."
"What happened to innocent until proven guilty?" the teen questioned.
"Ah," the Major grinned deviously, "you're assuming that this is a normal court of law, but it's not. This is my court. I'm the judge, I'm the prosecutor, and most importantly I'm the jury." The woman leaned back in her chair and popped an orange slice into her mouth. "My verdict is guilty on all counts."
"You just can't arbitrarily hand down a guilty verdict," Asuka said as she slammed her knife and fork down on the table and stood up to confront her accuser. "Where's the evidence? Where's the cross-examination? Where's the due process? I want to appeal!"
"Motion to appeal...overruled!" Misato said mockingly. "On to the sentencing phase of this trial."
"You can't do that. This is a free country!"
"The country of Japan ends at that door," the purple haired woman roared as she stood up and pointed to the entrance of the apartment. "And the Province of Katsuragi begins. And ever since the two of you decided to start...well...for lack of a better term, screwing around; we've been under a state of martial law."
"Misato," Asuka grinned as she looked her guardian in the eye. "It's apparent more than ever that you are insane. The stress of the wedding has clearly pushed you over the edge."
"No it's NOT!" Misato shouted as she slammed her fist on the table, the silverware and dishes rising and falling with a crash. She placed her hand over her head and began rubbing her temples furiously. After a moment she looked up and saw the nervous faces of her charges staring back at her.
"I'm sorry," she said apologetically, "maybe the stress IS getting the best of me." She motioned for the Children to sit and waited as they complied. "Listen, I want to be able to trust you, I really do," she said as she paced back and forth in front of them. "However time and time again you have abused that trust."
"But-" Asuka started but was silenced with one dirty look.
"And that's why I have to resort to these desperate measures." Misato reached down and took a sip of her coffee. "I don't have the time right now to supervise punishing you both," she said, bringing a smile to the faces of the teens, "but don't assume that means I've condoned what you two did last night in any way."
"Yes ma'am," Shinji said softly, bowing his head slightly in shame.
"As long as you are under my roof you are NOT allowed to sleep together," Misato said angrily, pointing at the two of them. "This is not some poorly written, random piece of fiction, this is the real world. And in the real world teenagers, even Eva pilots, are not allowed to sleep in the same bed. I have no idea where you kids get that idea from."
"Well there have been some recent studies that show a rise in-" Asuka began before Misato cut her off.
"Don't try to impress me with your higher learning!" the Operations Director cut in.
"Sorry," the German said sarcastically.
"No more spending the night together," Misato said angrily, "and for God's sake no more sex. Show some restraint, would you? Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes," Shinji nodded sheepishly. His girlfriend chose to provide no such reply.
"Have I made myself CLEAR?"
"We understand," Shinji and Asuka said in unison. "No more sleeping together and for God's sake no more sex."
"I'm not laughing," the Major frowned, though feeling a little better about her motherly skills. Perhaps she would finally reach them this time. Surviving two hormone-crazed teenagers was bad enough, but add in the fact her twice delayed marriage to Rouji Kaji was rapidly approaching and her stress level seemed justified. "Now, hurry up and eat or you'll be late for school."
"Are you done with breakfast?" Shinji asked as Misato started out of the kitchen.
"I'm going to take a shower," she said. "Now that her royal highness is finally done."
"Very funny," Asuka said as she sat back down at the table. She watched Shinji chuckle as he removed Misato's plate and walked over to drop the remnants of the meal into Pen Pen's dish. "So you'll be in the shower for the next few minutes?" she questioned innocently as she picked up one of the bananas from the basket at the center of the table and began to idly peel it.
"Yeah," Misato yawned as she scratched her armpit. "Why?"
"No reason," the redhead smirked as she tossed the removed skin to the side. "Hey idiot!" she called out to Shinji. As soon as she was sure she had both of her roommates' attention, Asuka placed the entire fruit into her mouth, pulling it in and out seductively, all the while licking it with her tongue and making loud slurping sounds for added effect. This continued for a few moments before she removed it with a pop, her face now barely able to contain a mischievous smile.
With a resounding crash, a pair of bodies hit the floor of the apartment. Misato lay in the hallway, muttering something about oversexed teens, while Shinji's face matched that of his girlfriend's hair, his arms and legs flailing about as he hyperventilated on the floor.
After watching the two for a moment, Asuka's attention turned to Pen Pen as the warm weather penguin stood in the kitchen, his beak somehow turned upward in his best attempt at a grin. Had the girl been paying closer attention, she might have noticed the bird wink at her at least twice, his jerking head seeming to indicate he wanted her to follow him into his frigid lair. The Second Child, unsure what to make of the display, shrugged unconsciously at him before biting into the banana, ripping off a large chunk.
"WARK," Pen Pen screamed as he dropped to the floor, his flippers now tucked between his legs while he rolled around in apparent pain.
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"That wasn't very nice," Shinji said as he dropped his book bag on his desk and plopped down into his seat. "Misato is never going to be able to take a shower with us in the house again."
"Serves her right," Asuka smiled as she stood next to his desk, looking down at the boy. "Calling me her royal highness."
"She was only teasing you," the Third said as he started removing his books. "You didn't need to do THAT."
"What's the matter?" the redhead smirked as she watched him. "You have something against THAT? Because if you do I guess I won't do it anymore."
"What...I meant...no...I...er..."
"You really are an idiot sometimes," the Second laughed.
"Takes one to know one," a voice boomed out behind her.
Asuka rolled her eyes as she turned to face her accuser. "And using your logic, what does that make you?"
Touji scratched his head and stared blankly at the Eva pilot.
"Good morning," Asuka said as she pushed past the dumbfounded jock and greeted her best friend. "How was your weekend?"
"It was great," Hikari replied. She had long since dropped the pigtails and now wore her dark hair in a single long ponytail tied off with red ribbons every couple of inches. Along with her role as class representative, her signature freckles still remained from junior high, just fewer of them. "Yours?"
"The usual," the Second said with a sly grin as she took the dark haired girl by the arm and led her away. "Come on, let's get some privacy."
"Why? What's the matter?"
"There are too many Stooges around here," Asuka said.
"Hey Shinji," Touji said as they watched their respective partners walk way to the front of the room. "I think your girlfriend is getting soft. She didn't make fun of me at all for that 'idiot' crack."
"Are you sure about that?" the Third Child commented as he looked over at his friend. The eldest Suzahara child had grown a few more inches since they first met almost three years before, but was still fond of wearing a tracksuit to class. He filled it out nicely, his athletic body easily the envy of most. Of course Shinji himself had grown taller during that same time, his boyish features slowly fading into that of a handsome young man.
"I think I finally got her," Touji said as he crouched down next to his companion's desk. "Listen, what are you doing after school today?" he whispered.
The seriousness in his friend's tone was slightly alarming. "Well nothing," Shinji replied, as another thought entered his mind. "But don't you have a baseball game?"
"Yeah," the jock nodded, "I meant after the game. It's kind of important."
"Asuka and Misato are going in for their final gown fittings," the Eva pilot said, "so I should be free all afternoon. What's going on?"
"Can't talk about it now," Touji said as he stood and walked over to his seat. "But we'll discuss it right after the game. Come early, it's the last one of the year and I'm pitching. And tell Kensuke to show up too."
"Okay," Shinji said enthusiastically, "we'll be there." Though he wasn't really into sports very much, he did enjoy watching his friend play. Touji was easily the best player in 'a dreadful group of no-talent losers' as Asuka liked to call them, and though it seemed they were always destined to suffer defeat, he could at least lend some moral support.
"Speaking of which, have you seen him lately?" Touji queried as he turned to Kensuke's empty desk beside his.
"Not since last Friday."
"Me either," the jock noted. "He wasn't around all weekend. Last time this happened he bought that new dating sim."
"I remember," Shinji said thoughtfully, "he played it for three days straight..."
"And he still got nowhere with the chick," Touji chuckled. "You have to give him credit though; he's just as bad with computer generated women as he is with real ones."
"I thought he swore off those things when the simulated girl in 'CyberSlut 2, The Easy Streets' said she 'just wanted to be friends,' ran the uninstall program, and permanently deleted itself off of the computer."
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'I am late,' Rei Ayanami thought to herself as she broke into a jog, her book bag swinging freely from her right hand, an uneaten piece of toast flapping up and down in her mouth as she desperately tried to hold it between her teeth. 'No, I am very late.'
Rounding the corner she stopped abruptly, or more precisely WAS stopped abruptly as she slammed into another pedestrian on the sidewalk. After a collision that would have rivaled the First Impact, the Eva pilot fell to the concrete below with a resounding 'thud.'
"Owww," Rei said, rubbing the top of her head as she tried to blink away the stars in her eyes. Slowly the focus began to return as she made out the image of a young man sitting across from her, quickly taking note of his ruby tinted eyes and pale skin. If not for his light gray hair, she might have been looking in a mirror.
"Owww," the stranger echoed as he too found a soft spot on his forehead. Glancing up he couldn't help but notice the blue haired girl sitting in front of him, long legs spread out and her skirt lifted up just enough to reveal-
"Excuse me," Rei said, unconsciously moving her hands down from her head and quickly covering herself.
"Oh no," the young man gasped as he hastily turned away. "Excuse me. That was inappropriate."
Rei regarded her companion for a moment, a myriad of thoughts running through her head as she worked at arranging her uniform skirt into something less revealing. 'Why am I acting like this?' she wondered, 'I have never been ashamed of my body before.'
Although she insisted over a year ago that all Dummy plug testing be performed in a plugsuit, Rei decided at the time it was more out of respect for others feelings than modesty. After all, the Commander had seen her nude, as had Ikari and at the time she never gave it a second thought. But her body had matured since Project E began and she was concerned it was becoming a distraction. Yes, that was the reason...not bashfulness on her part but rather a convenience for others. Of course the immediate six-point sync ratio improvement was not so easily explained away.
And neither was her current blushing and racing heartbeat.
"Who are you?" Rei inquired as she pulled one last time at the hem of her skirt, brushing over some debris clinging to the fibers in the process.
"My name is Nagisa," he replied, keeping his back to the girl. "Kaworu Nagisa."
"You may turn around now," Rei said, running her fingers absently through her hair as she had seen Asuka do countless times when Shinji approached.
"I'm very sorry," Kaworu said as he slowly rose to his feet, using his hands to brush off his dark pants. "I assure you I did not see anything improper." Reaching out, he offered the Eva pilot a hand up.
"Thank you," Rei whispered as she took his hand and pulled herself up. It felt soft, yet strong and very comfortable. Unlike the other times she had touched a boy's hand, this time it was not sweaty and cold and he was not quick to pull it away. Her examination of his hand was cut short when she realized she was still holding it. "S...sorry," she stammered as she reluctantly yanked it away.
"It was entirely my fault," Kaworu smiled. "I was not paying attention."
"Oh no," the First Child sighed as she noticed two birds making short work of her breakfast.
"As I said, I am truly sorry," Kaworu said apologetically, hanging his head as he bowed slightly. "Here," he said as he handed her an aluminum can. "You can have mine." Silently she took the container as he bent down and picked up her book bag.
"Thanks," Rei said, still holding the can containing what appeared to be an instant breakfast liquid out in front of her. Turning the canister back and forth she read aloud the brightly colored kanji. "Liquid Toast, now with improved butter substitute flavoring."
"You ever tried it before?"
"No," she replied flatly as she brought the can to her nose, nearly coughing at the foul smell. "Where did you get it?" Rei questioned as she handed the can back to its owner.
"The vending machine in my apartment building," he replied. "They have an amazing variety of foods in there."
"I am certain they do."
"Are you sure you don't want any?" The blue haired girl's shaking head convinced him otherwise as he took back the container. "Have you ever had a meal from a vending machine before?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I...I don't know," Rei said hesitantly.
"You need to try new things in life," Kaworu said cheerily as he turned to face her. "If you do, everyday is a new adventure."
"Maybe," the First Child whispered and nodded slightly. Suddenly she glanced down and noticed that Kaworu was still carrying her book bag. "I'll take that back now."
"Not yet," Kaworu said as he pulled the bag just out of her reach. "First you must answer me these questions three."
"Huh?" Rei said bewilderedly as she made another failed attempt to secure the item. "Please, return my belongings," she pleaded. "I do not understand what you are talking about."
"Come to think of it, I don't really know either," Kaworu said, his voice almost a chuckle. "I think it's something I heard in a movie."
"I am unfamiliar with this movie," she said, her tone beginning to sound desperate. "But I ask again that you give back what is mine."
"Just as soon as you answer me one simple question...what is your name?"
"Why do you wish to know my name?"
"You have me at a disadvantage," he replied. "You know who I am, but you are still a mystery."
The Eva pilot took a moment to decide what she would do next. "Ayanami," she said, fighting back a blush. "Rei Ayanami."
"Here you go, Ayanami," Kaworu said. "What a lovely name."
"T...thank you."
"You are the same as me," Kaworu said with a grin as he handed her the book bag.
"What?"
"You cannot hide the truth from me," he continued. "Try to mix in with the others all you wish, I still know your secret."
"What do you mean?" Rei said nervously as she suddenly began to feel uneasy.
"You and I are the same because we both attend Tokyo-3 High School," he smiled, pointing at her outfit. "I could tell by your uniform."
Rei blew out a sigh of relief. "Y...yes, we are both students," she said. Suddenly another though process began to work in her mind. "And we're late!" she said loudly. Slinging her book bag over her shoulder she began backing away from Kaworu. "I'm sorry," she said as she started backpedaling down the sidewalk. "But I have to go."
"Very well," Kaworu said as he half heartily waved at the girl's retreat. "I hope we will meet again, Ayanami."
"Perhaps," Rei said just before turning around and breaking into a fast paced walk towards the school in the distance. "Perhaps."
--------
"There he is," Shinji said as he noticed Kensuke Aida enter the classroom. Though a little taller, a little stronger, a little wiser than the boy he first met back in junior high, Kensuke basically looked the same as always. He still possessed the same three main goals in life: losing his 'nerd' moniker, losing his virginity, and piloting an Evangelion. Yet despite his best efforts he seemed no closer to achieving any of them, though he was convinced that if he could only realize one, the other two would quickly fall into place.
Kensuke worked his way through the classroom aisles and sat down at his desk. "What's his problem?" he said to Shinji as he pointed a thumb at the giggling young man sitting between them. "Did Arima brag to him what a great piano player he is again?"
"No," Shinji said shaking his head, "and I hope it's not about memorizing the planets either."
"Then what?" Kensuke asked incredulously.
"I...don't know," Shinji lied as he struggled to think of some way to change the topic. "But I'm sure it's something stupid."
"Hey Kensuke," Touji snorted as he tried to compose himself. "T...there's a pianist on Uranus," he blurted out before doubling over on the desk in a fit of laughter.
"Oh that's real mature," the boy said as he pushed his glasses up on his nose. "I can't believe they're going to give that guy a diploma on Friday."
"So..." Shinji started as Touji continued laughing in the background. "What were you doing all weekend?"
"I went to New Kobe to check out the university there," Kensuke said. "You should SEE all the hot young ladies there. I can't wait until I get to college."
"Why? So you'll have a whole new batch of women to annoy," Touji chuckled. "Tell me, is getting rejected by college women any different than high school ones?"
"I think they just use bigger words to do it," Shinji said matter-of- factly.
"Sometimes I really hate my life," Kensuke lamented as he shook his head back and forth.
"Listen," the Third Child said, "Touji needs us to meet him after the game today for something important."
"What makes you and laughing boy over there think I'll be free after school?" Kensuke said as he crossed his arms on his chest. "I just might have made some plans you know."
"Come on," Shinji implored, "stop joking around. He's serious."
Kensuke paused for a moment, attempting to keep his self-assured appearance. "Fine," he relented with a frown, "as usual I'm not doing anything. I'll be there."
"Great."
The otaku glanced suspiciously around the room, before motioning for his two friends to come closer as he flipped his laptop open and it began its boot sequence. "I finally got a picture of this girl I've been JIM'ing with."
"Is she a prior acquaintance?" the Third Child interrupted. "Or a complete stranger?"
"Complete stranger," Kensuke grinned. "Do you want to see what she looks like?"
"Let's see this nasty old hag," Touji said. "I bet she's too damn ugly to get a man in real life and that's why she's hanging out on the Internet. You know, chicks on the web are all homely. Well, accept those porn ones."
"Nice sweeping generalization," Kensuke sighed. "Shall we discuss some of the ones about jocks and brainpower?"
"Look, all I'm saying is that only unattractive people use the Internet, it's a fact. They've done studies."
"Who's done studies?"
"P...people," Touji stammered, unsure of his answer. "Important people. And the government."
"The government?"
"Yeah," he continued. "And they figured out that everyone on the 'Net is either ugly or just socially inept, or some combination of both. I mean, look at you."
"Asuka's right, you're a real idiot,"Kensuke grumbled as he hastily clicked an icon on his desktop. "And since you assume everyone on the Internet is homely, I'm guessing you don't want to look at this picture?"
"Let me see that!" the jock said loudly as he grabbed the laptop and spun it around to monopolized the entire view screen.
"I can't see," Shinji said as leaned left and right in a futile attempt to look past Touji's shoulders.
"Just a minute," Touji said as he continually moved in the direction to successfully block the Eva pilot's view.
"Does she meet with your approval?" Kensuke said confidently.
"Wow...impressive," the track-suited teen replied as he flipped the laptop shut and slid it past Shinji's outstretched hand and back to its owner. "I might have to rethink my position on the Internet, if that's really her. The picture could be a fake because those boobs sure are."
"They're real," Kensuke smirked, "and so is she."
"Well, I need some proof," Touji said as he looked in the direction of where Asuka and Hikari were talking, making sure his significant other couldn't hear. "Of both."
"Tell you what, I'll ask her to send some more...revealing pictures."
"You don't ask, you TELL!" the jock said forcefully. "And make me a set. So...do you think you'll ever meet this chick in real life?"
"I doubt it," Kensuke frowned shaking his head back and forth. "Olga lives pretty far away."
"Olga?!" Touji gasped. "What kind of stupid Japanese name is that?"
"It's not," Kensuke said knowingly, "she's from Russia."
"Is that near Osaka-2?"
"Besides," the otaku said, his tone becoming almost dreamy. "I'm still holding out for Ayanami."
"Would you give up already," Touji sighed. "She doesn't like you that way."
"Oh, she likes me...she just hasn't realized it yet." Kensuke paused for a moment, his gaze falling on the First Child as she entered the room and walked briskly towards her desk. "Man, she is so hot."
"Can I see it now?" Shinji questioned as he pointed tentatively at the laptop.
"Again?" Kensuke complained. "Don't you already have a girlfriend?"
"But I didn't get to..."
"You know Ikari," the spectacled teen started as he closed the picture file. "Asuka would slap you silly if she knew you were ogling pictures of other women. Especially ones as hot as this."
Shinji let out a sigh, balling his hands into fists and shaking them by his side as his two friends continued their conversation. He turned away before saying something he would regret, his gaze falling on Rei as she readied herself for another school day.
Her books and writing utensils now perfectly arranged, laptop computer open and running its start up sequence, the Unit 00 pilot carefully straightened her skirt before placing her head in her hand and staring out the window. To most in the class, she looked about the same as she always did; staring out the window for the better part of the day was nothing new for the pale skinned girl. But recently Shinji noticed subtle changes in the enigmatic Rei Ayanami, changes that weighed heavily on his heart.
"I don't care how much you want to," a sweet voice whispered into his ear, "I'm NOT going to let you sleep with her."
Shinji turned and saw the grinning face of the Second Child as she leaned over next to him. "And don't even THINK about a threesome."
"THREESOME?!?!" Kensuke exclaimed as he stood and pointed at the pair. "What's this about a threesome?"
"The only threesome you'll ever have is if you use both hands," Asuka snapped. "And mind your own business." Shinji swore he heard her growl, her fierce glare eventually forcing Kensuke to meekly sit back down. "There," she said as she turned back to the Third, "what's the matter?"
"It's Rei," Shinji said as he turned and watched the girl in question continue her vigil. "She seems so lonely."
"She's never exactly been the social type," Asuka said as she joined in observing the blue haired teenager. "But come to think of it she has seemed even more introverted than usual, if that's even possible."
"I guess we've been so caught up in ourselves," the Unit 01 pilot said as his midnight blue eyes bore down on Rei, "that we never noticed how it might have affected her. It's probably been strange for her lately."
"Not to mention the living hell of having Aida constantly hitting on you," the redhead said flatly, her body suddenly shaking as if a cold breeze rolled through. "Oooooo...that's scary."
"We should help her."
"I don't know," Asuka began slowly, mulling over the request. "It's not like she HASN'T been out on dates. In fact, just a couple of months ago she went to the movies with Arima while he and Yukino were broken up. As usual it didn't work out though. Sometimes I don't think she wants a boyfriend."
"I think she hasn't found the right person," Shinji said as he turned to face his girlfriend. "There has to be SOMEBODY for her." He looked back at the First Child. "I mean she's beautiful, she's intelligent, she has a great body. Athletic, kind, mysterious, alluring, AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH."
"That's quite enough," Asuka tugged hard on the Third's ear, forcing him to look at her. "Try to remember which one of us you're going out with."
"I'm sorry," Shinji blushed, "I care about her a lot that's all. I just can't explain it, but for some reason she is very special to me."
"Fine," the Second Child admonished, "just make sure she's not TOO special."
"I get it...I get it," the teen pleaded loudly as the girl twisted his now throbbing ear. "Can you please let go now? That hurts!"
"When I'm ready," Asuka quipped, "I want to make sure you've learned your lesson."
"I have...I HAVE!"
"Quit it you two," Hikari called out from the front of the classroom, pointing at the pair. "It's time to start."
Asuka looked up and immediately noticed that everyone in the class, except herself and Shinji, were sitting at their desks watching the couple. "We'll talk about this later," the German teen whispered before she reluctantly released her hold on her fellow pilot's earlobe and walked back to her desk.
The class rep waited for her fiery friend to take her seat before she performed her usual duties. "Rise...bow...be seated," she said as she watched the elderly sensei walk past her and take his position at the desk in the front of the class.
"Thank you," he nodded to Hikari while he removed the lesson plans from his briefcase. "Before we start I have a special announcement to make." The teacher turned to the open doorway and beckoned with his hand for someone to enter. "We have a new student who will be joining us for the remainder of the school year."
A murmur spread through the class as the ashen teen walked in, his gray hair flowing freely behind him. Immediately he turned and took the chalk from the easel, spending a few moments writing his name on the board. As soon as he finished, he slowly placed the chalk back down and turned to face his fellow students, his piercing red eyes and confident smile dominating his facial features.
"Hello, I'm Kaworu...Kaworu Nagisa and it's a pleasure to meet you all."
Almost immediately Rei's attention returned to the classroom as she turned back and regarded the newest student. She stared at him for a few moments before his eyes caught hers, and she quickly glanced away.
"Get a load of this clown," Touji whispered to his two friends. "What a loser."
"Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself," the sensei said as he continued to shuffle though his papers.
"Thank you," Kaworu replied softly to the man before turning and addressing the class. "As I said, my name is Kaworu Nagisa...Kaworu of the seashore."
"More like Kaworu of pink shirts, ferns and interior decorating fame," Touji joked as he listened to the new student's decidedly feminine tone, drawing out a subdued chuckle from everyone sitting around him.
"I enjoy classical music. My favorite would have to be Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy'. I think that song is the highest achievement of man's culture."
"This just gets better," the tracksuited teen muttered as he inched closer to Kensuke. "You can forget about Rei," Touji said softly as he slapped him on the back. "I think we just found your soul mate."
"Go to hell!" the spectacled teen shouted.
"Mister Suzahara," the sensei said as he rubbed his temples, eager for the last day of school to come. "Mister Aida, do you have something to add?"
"No sir," Touji and Kensuke said in unison as they stood and bowed. "We're sorry."
"Why don't you find a seat," the aged instructor said as he motioned to the scattered empty desks throughout the class.
Kaworu walked briskly down the aisle, the smile never leaving his face as he acknowledged each of the faces looking up at him.
"Keep going," Touji grumbled as the light haired boy stopped and took notice of the unoccupied space next to him. "This is a fruitcake free zone."
"You can sit here," Shinji said as he motioned to the empty desk next to him. He watched as the young man gently slid into the seat and turned to face him, his red eyes blinking once.
"Thank you, Shinji Ikari."
"Huh?" the Third Child gasped in amazement. "How do you know-?"
"Everyone knows your name," Kaworu replied. "You are one of the chosen, slayer of Angels, a mighty Evangelion pilot." The teen paused for a moment as his hand reached out and pointed at the desk in front of Shinji. "That and I noticed it written on your notebook."
"Oh," Shinji said in relief, "it's nice to meet you, Mister Nagisa."
"Call me Kaworu."
"You better be careful," Touji said as he leaned forward and whispered into Shinji's ear, "next thing you know this guy's going to be taking long, hot baths with you."
---------
"That's some great security system you stole for me," Misato groaned as she sat down at her desk, the messy office long removed from the guided tour of NERV. She shifted her cell phone from her right ear to her left, using her now free hand to stir her morning coffee. "The only thing it caught was me."
"Did you remember to disarm it?" Rouji Kaji's electronically reproduced voice questioned from the other end of the line.
"I think I did," the Major replied, "but I was in a hurry. It was an emergency."
"Like what?"
"I had to go to the bathroom."
"Sounds like you forgot," her fiancé laughed, "I thought you weren't supposed to drink after nine?"
"Don't lecture me," Misato griped as she leaned back in her chair, placing her feet up on her cluttered desk, a couple of unfinished supply requisitions falling off the edge. "Just get me something that works. A couple more electric eyes, an infrared camera, maybe a microphone or two?"
"Perhaps an automatic machine gun while I'm at it," Kaji added. "Poison gas? You know you could always flood the hallway with bakelite. And there's the Strategic Self Defense Force option."
"Shut up already!" the purple haired woman yelled as she held the phone out in front of her. "You've made your point. Now it's my turn. Understand that there is no way in HELL I'm going to sit back and let the two of them sleep together. Anyone who thinks that is a moron."
"I'm not saying I disagree with you, but don't you think you're going a bit overboard?"
"Not at all," Misato replied, pausing for a moment as she took a sip out of her coffee. "I think I'm being a responsible guardian. After all, they are only seventeen years old. Not to mention they aren't married."
"And you're saying that a couple should be married before they have sex, right?" Kaji questioned.
"Absolutely," the Operations Director exclaimed, "premarital sex is immoral, sinful and wicked. A lot of what is wrong with this world would be fixed if people would learn to control their hormones."
"Abstinence is awesome, chaste is trendy," the pony tailed man chuckled. "You sound like a public service announcement."
"Whatever it takes to get the message out," Misato said as she reached down and turned on her monitor, her eyes scanning over the flood of emails in her Inbox. "We have to get this moral corruption turned around soon before- "
"I'm getting out of here at four, you could meet me at my apartment and-"
"I'll be there at three," the Major said quickly as she reached down and began using the mouse to move the unopened emails requesting urgent reply to the Trash folder. "Figure out a way to be there or I'll have to start without you."
"Nice to know you're not a hypocrite or anything," Kaji muttered softly.
"Damn," Misato grumbled, missing his comment as a pop up reminder flashed on her screen. "I completely forgot I have to go for the final dress fitting today."
"What time?" the stubble chinned man asked anxiously.
"I'm supposed to pick up Asuka from school at three thirty," the woman replied before taking another long sip from her coffee. "And the fitting appointment is all the way across town at four."
"So I guess you won't be coming over," Kaji said dejectedly. "I understand..."
"Are you crazy?" Misato shouted, "I'll be there."
"What about picking up Asuka?"
"I'll figure out something," the Major said thoughtfully as she double clicked on her Solitaire icon and prepared for another busy day at NERV in the Angel free world of the Year Twenty Eighteen. "Don't be late."
---------
"You did?" Asuka gasped incredulously into her cell phone as she held it tight to her ear. "When?"
The final bell sounded minutes before, and most of the students at Tokyo-3 High School had long since left the confines of the classroom to enjoy the outdoors in what was turning out to be a beautiful late spring day. Although the temperature remained fairly constant throughout the year, the days always seemed that much brighter and warmer knowing that the end of the school year was near.
"And what the hell am I supposed to do?" Asuka snapped as her cheeks started to grow red. The small group of students who had remained behind took a step or two back in anticipation of a blowup. "The dress shop is all the way across town!"
Secure with the knowledge he could do little to defuse the situation, Shinji turned away from his fellow pilot's ranting, deciding instead to strike up a conversation with the azure haired girl standing next to him. Almost immediately he noticed her staring intently at Kaworu as he reviewed his paperwork with the sensei in the front of the room. "What do you think of the new kid?" he whispered.
"He is quite...interesting," Rei replied with a touch of hesitation.
"With those eyes, I would swear the two of you are related," the Third chuckled.
"He looks something like me," she started, pausing for a moment as she thought about exactly what that meant. "B...but we are not the same."
"Do you think he's good looking?" the Unit 01 pilot asked innocently. "Touji and Kensuke insist he's gay."
"H...he is attractive," Rei stammered, for the first time in her life suddenly finding it difficult to form the proper words expressing her thoughts. "But that does not mean I am attracted to him," she quickly added defensively.
"I wasn't saying you were," Shinji said, caught off guard by her comment. What started out as simply an innocent remark to pass the time was rapidly turning into something else. He glanced over as the girl hung her head, the slightest hint of a blush poking through the locks of cobalt hair that covered the edge of her face. "Are you alright?"
The Unit 00 pilot never got a chance to answer as Asuka's voice again dominated the scene. "Misato called to say she crashed her piece of junk car."
"Did she get hurt?" Shinji gasped.
"You know, I forgot to ask," Asuka said as she flipped her phone closed and returned it to her book bag. "I guess I was more concerned with the fact she couldn't pick me up," she added shrugging her shoulders.
"Is she in the hospital?" Hikari asked.
"Sure didn't sound like it," the Second Child said, "I could swear there was romantic music in the background." She paused for a moment as she pondered another thought. "And I think she was giggling."
"That's good news," Shinji said as he released a sigh of relief.
"Well if she is hurt, it must not be too bad because she still wants me to be at the dress shop at four," Asuka commented as she pulled out her public transportation schedule. "According to this I have to catch like two different trains and at least three buses to get there." She crossed her hands on her chest and frowned. "I don't even know WHY I have to go. It's not like I've grown or anything since the initial fitting."
"But you promised," Hikari said as she turned to her friend. "And what if the dress wasn't altered correctly? This is the last chance they have to fix it before the wedding."
"I still think it's stupid," Asuka grumbled as she slung her book bag on her shoulder. "Does anyone want to go with me?" she questioned as she looked at the class rep hopefully, "it's a long trip to go by myself."
"I can't," Hikari said shaking her head. "Today's Touji's last baseball game. What about Shinji?"
"I think its bad luck or something," the Second Child replied, "besides I want it to be a surprise when he sees me walking down the aisle." She winked and smiled at her friend.
"I'm sorry, but any other time I would go with you," Hikari empathized.
"Now I have to go by myself," Asuka whined. "This really sucks."
"I will go."
All eyes turned to face the source of the voice, Rei Ayanami, as she stood at her desk and deliberately packed away her school supplies. "I will accompany Sohryu."
"Gee...a...thanks Wondergirl," Asuka stammered. Even though Shinji asked her not call the First Child by that nickname anymore, every once in a while she found herself slipping.
But for her part, Rei had long since decided it was acceptable to be called Wondergirl. She observed the derogatory nicknames that Shinji, Touji, and Kensuke used on one another and how they inexplicably seemed to strengthen their bonds. Perhaps the same theory was at work with the Second Child. Of course there was one name that she would never consent to being called, and fortunately she had not heard that one in some time.
"We must depart immediately," Rei said as she started walking toward the exit, "if we hope to arrive on schedule."
"Yeah, sure," Asuka said as she gave Shinji a quick glance, a few unspoken words exchanged between them, and ran after Rei.
---------
"Umpire...hey UMP! You're as BLIND as you are UGLY!"
Hikari stood in the near empty stands overlooking the Tokyo-3 baseball field, hands cupped around her mouth in a makeshift megaphone.
"Open your eyes you idiot, you're missing a great game out there."
"Miss Horaki is certainly very supportive of the team," Kaworu noted as he turned and looked at the teenager sitting next to him.
"She sure is," Shinji smiled as Hikari continued bellowing in the background.
"I was under the impression that a class representative has a certain image to uphold," Kaworu said inquisitively, "but I would think comparing the game officials to bovine feces and threatening to forcibly remove the opposing teams genitals would not qualify as a good example for the other students."
"You'll have to excuse her," the Third laughed. "You see her boyfriend is pitching and when he does she tends to get into the game a little too much."
"Ah yes...the one who referred to me as 'pole smoker' at lunch," Kaworu said matter-of-factly as he noticed who Shinji was pointing at.
"Um...yeah," Shinji stammered as he rubbed at the back of his head nervously. "They have been together for almost two years."
"Like you and Sohryu?"
"Y...yes," the Unit 01 pilot said in amazement, "but how did you..."
"This game is fascinating," Kaworu said as he turned and continued watching the action unfolding on the field. "I have never seen it before. Why is more of the student body not present to support the team?"
"Probably because they're not very good, "Shinji said as they watched the Tokyo-3 Tigers' second baseman boot a routine groundball. "I think the only games they've won are when Touji pitched."
"Yuji Kido!" Hikari screamed out as the hapless ballplayer ran after the loose ball, "keep your damn head down and stop being such a baby!"
"I see that her anger is divided equally amongst everyone."
"She wants to see Touji do well," Shinji said softly as he watched his friend pace around the pitcher's mound in obvious irritation at the play of his fielders. "He's not very good in school, so sports are very important to him."
"That is understandable," Kaworu said as he leaned back and placed his hands behind his head. "Thank you very much for inviting me."
"You've already thanked me three times," Shinji replied. "I told you it was nothing."
"Yes, but I know how difficult it can be to initiate first contact with another," Kaworu closed his red eyes and said thoughtfully. "If you remain ignorant of others...then you will never be betrayed or hurt. But if you shut off your..."
"Look out," Shinji yelled as he pushed the other boy to the side, the baseball from an errant throw rattling about in the bleachers like a pinball. "That was close," he said as he reached down and picked it up. "You have to pay attention when our team is on the field...they usually make a lot of bad throws."
"Thank you, Shinji Ikari. I might have been born just to meet you."
"Um...yeah...sure," the Third said awkwardly as he handed the ball to Hikari. "You were saying something?" he questioned as he turned back to face him.
"It was nothing," Kaworu smiled, finally understanding that this was no longer the Child he dreamed about, the Child whose destiny was so intertwined with his own.
No, that Child existed on a different timeline, a different set of distinct events that never materialized. And the Angel's path, which had always been so clear in front of him, was now gone, replaced instead with darkness and insecurity; that feeling of safety and confidence from knowing one's future now just a fleeting memory.
And yet, as uncomfortable as it made him feel, he knew it suddenly made him more human.
"Shinji," Kaworu smiled as he looked into the other boy's deep blue eyes. "It is good to have met you."
"Same here," the Unit 01 pilot returned with a grin. The two stared at each other for a few moments, neither exactly certain what transpired but each knowing somehow it was important.
"C...could you teach me more about this game?" Kaworu asked tentatively. "I suddenly have a strong desire to learn all I can about this world and the Lillim who inhabit it."
"Um...s...sure," Shinji said apprehensively. "But first, what in the hell's a Lillim?"
"You truly are amazing, Shinji Ikari," Kaworu chuckled.
"Well," the Third Child started again as he realized he wasn't going to get an answer. "Hikari might be a better choice, she knows a lot more about baseball than I do."
"Then it shall be," the offspring of Adam said cheerily. "Miss Horaki if I may be so bold as to ask for your assistance in understanding this game."
"I'd love to help," Hikari said as she squeezed in between the two and sat down. "And call me Hikari. Is there anything in particular you don't understand?"
"This is all exciting and new to me," Kaworu grinned, "and I want to understand it all, but you could start by explaining why some of the players and coaches are going through all those peculiar motions?"
"Those are signals," the class rep giggled as she turned a bit to the side to face him. "The players and coaches use them to secretly communicate on the field which plays to run."
"I see, "Kaworu said as he turned back and watched more of the action on the field. "Which signal is that?" he said as he pointed to the first base coach.
"The hand on the hat is usually a 'hit and run' play," Hikari said excitedly, happy that for once she had a willing audience. Shinji was not interested in sports, neither was Kensuke for that matter. Asuka long since declared baseball to be 'stupid' and her sisters harbored much the same sentiment. So years of pent up baseball knowledge were bubbling to the surface. "And you can see that the hitter is acknowledging the sign with one of his own," she said as she pointed to the batter. "The use of signs helps coordinate everything."
"What sign is Mister Suzahara making there?"
Hikari turned and watched her boyfriend defiantly stuck his middle finger in the air, responding to taunts from the opposing teams' bench.
"He is...well, you see he's," Hikari stammered, turning away as the display continued. "He's simply conveying his resentment at the actions of the other team." A proud smile formed on the girl's lips as she congratulated herself for the tactful reply.
"And that one?" Kaworu questioned.
Hikari was almost afraid to look, and soon regretted it as she turned back to the field. On the pitchers' mount Touji was furiously rearranging parts of his groin.
"Um...that's...er..."
"He's letting Hikari know he's thinking of her," Shinji laughed.
"Oh shut up!" the class rep snapped, her face flushing bright red.
---------
"She's late...again," Asuka moaned as she looked down at her watch for the fourth time in the last ten minutes. She stretched out in her chair, sticking her feet out in the air in front of her as in the large window behind her, the crowds passed by.
"We are slightly ahead of schedule," Rei said knowingly as she sat one seat over from the Second. "Your watch may be running fast."
"You think so?" the Second replied as she held the timepiece up, carefully inspecting it for a malfunction.
"Yes," the First said as she held her own watch out for Asuka's assessment. "I have three fifty eight."
"Wow, we really DID make good time over here," the redhead exclaimed. She started fidgeting with the settings on her watch. "Your suggestion to use the number seven train instead of the number five was a great idea. I guess you really know your way around this city."
"T...thank you," Rei said softly as she turned away.
"Now I would just like to know where Misato is. This is her damn wedding after all."
Asuka's face turned toward the window just as she heard the sound of tires screeching to a halt in front of the store.
"Major Katsuragi has arrived," Rei said flatly, not bothering to look out the window to confirm her hypothesis.
The dress shop front door flew open, the bell above the doorway ringing in announcement of Misato's grand entrance.
"You're late," Asuka growled as she stormed over to confront her guardian.
"Well you know how these things can be," Misato giggled.
"And you look like hell...that must have been one bad crash," the German teen observed.
"Crash?"
"Yeah, crash, accident. You know, two cars smashing into one another?" Asuka said, holding her two hands out in front of her and slapping them together. "That's why you couldn't pick me up, remember?"
"Oh...THAT crash," Misato returned as she started fumbling through her purse. "Yes, it was bad...police...fire engines...jaws of life, they were all there."
The Second Child raised an eyebrow and cast a curious gaze at the jumpy antics of the older woman. "Are you SURE you didn't hit your head? By the looks of you, I'd say you were tossed about pretty hard."
"You could say that," the purple haired woman blushed, turning away before she could be noticed. Eager to change the subject Misato began looking around the room. "Anybody working here?"
"Major Katsuragi," Rei called out as she stood in front of the window. "Your car appears to be in remarkably good condition for having been involved in an accident of the magnitude you described."
"I didn't see you," Misato said as she turned and caught sight of the First Child. "What are you doing here?"
"I accompanied Sohryu."
The Major paused for a moment, unsure of exactly what she just heard. The past years had seen a warming of relations between the two Eva pilots, perhaps even than even she was aware of.
"Let me see this car," Asuka said crossly as she started walking quickly toward the window.
Misato turned a bit pale and started pounding on the counter. "Service...service please."
"ACCIDENT MY ASS!" the redhead exclaimed. "There's nothing wrong with that car!" she said as she glared at her guardian. "But there will be as soon as I get finished with it!"
"I can explain," Misato said quickly, holding her hands out in front of her as the irate Second Child stomped toward the front door. "You see, I got this call..."
"Misato Katsuragi I presume," a middle-aged woman voice called out from behind her.
"Yes, that's me," the Operations Director replied as she turned and faced the lady. Misato guessed she was in her late forties, a wrinkle or two here and there, but she still held much of her youthful beauty. Her long, light brown hair was carefully pulled up and wrapped in the traditional Japanese manner and below, her brown eyes gazed up at the much taller Major.
"Are we ready to get started?" the older woman asked.
"I think so," Misato said curiously, "what happened to the person who was here the first time?"
"You must mean Miss Konno. Mitsune's my partner and handles all the initial fittings. I handle all final alterations. My name is Misses Urashima, but please call me Naru."
"Nice to meet you, Naru," Misato said as she bowed slightly. "This should go quick. The only thing you might have to do is take it in a little. I've been dieting." Asuka coughed and muttered something sarcastic, drawing an evil glare from the purple haired woman.
"I'll be the judge of that," the dressmaker said, ignoring the display and remaining all business as she pointed to the entrance to the back room. "Your dress is hanging in room three, let's try it on." She gently pushed Misato in the proper direction. "You girls can have a seat and wait out here," she said to the First and Second Children, "we'll call you when we're ready."
Asuka walked over and fell down with a sigh into the chair next to where Rei was standing, still staring out the window. Reaching out, the redhead grabbed one of the fashion magazines and began flipping through the pages, only glancing at the pictures and not really absorbing much of anything.
"Sohryu..." a soft voice called to her.
"Yeah."
"I would like to ask you a question, if I may," Rei said apprehensively.
"Sure...whatever," Asuka grumbled as she continued to rapidly turn pages. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the blue haired girl turn and take a seat. After a few moments of silence, Asuka sighed and closed the magazine, turning to face her fellow pilot.
"When did you realize that you might be attracted to Ikari?" the Unit 00 pilot questioned, never once picking her head up as she continued to stare down at her hands lying in her lap, her feet crossed and tucked under her chair. "At what point did you decide that you would attempt to pursue a more meaningful relationship with him? When did you know that-"
"Whoa," Asuka interjected, "hold on a minute. You said A question!"
"I am sorry," Rei replied, sounding a bit out of breath as she turned away from the Second. "I should not have asked you this."
"It's not that," the Unit 02 pilot smirked, "I just wasn't expecting it, that's all."
"S...so you will help me?" the First Child said cautiously as she turned back to face her companion.
"Well, you did come with me all the way here, so I probably owe you something."
"I must confess," Rei blushed slightly as she hung her head in shame, "my motives for accompanying you here were my own. I had hoped we could talk."
"Yeah I figured as much," Asuka said thoughtfully. "It's not like you make it a habit to go out on social calls. And I could tell by the way you were acting on the ride over here that something was on your mind."
"Even with knowledge of my deception would you still like to help me?"
"Why not?"
"I'm sure that your friends would not resort to such tactics," Rei replied softly. "It does not seem proper."
"You'd be surprised at the amount of places Hikari drags me to so we can talk," Asuka grinned. "And I'm probably no better. I think it's just something that friends do." She waited for Rei to look back at her, a slight nod exchanged between them. "Or did you REALLY think that I needed to go shopping five times a week?"
"I understand."
"Good," the Second Child said as she leaned in a little closer to the other girl. "Now let's start at the beginning."
"Well..." Rei started, pausing for a moment as she took a deep breath and worked up her courage. "What do you think of the new student?"
Authors Notes: Well, it's back. Again. :D While I originally figured why not take a perfectly good original idea and franchise it into the ground, I never meant for it to come out THAT bad. I was shooting for a Halloween 2 level sequel, good but not quite the original...but instead I had Halloween 3, Season of the Witch going. No real connection to the first one and a horribly convoluted plot.
Ok, seriously...I was not telling the story I wanted with the first incarnation of this fic. I got off on tangents and tangents of sidetracks and before I knew it, my fic was a mess. So I blew it up and started again. Readers of the first version will notice that chapters 1 and 2 and pretty much the same, added some scenes, deleted some; with more significant changes in chapters 3-4. Sure, some of the humor was lost in the cut scenes, but the plot has significantly improved along with the drama. It should prove more of an engrossing read. Or not. Anyway, I hope you enjoy. The one good thing is that I will finish the story this time, so expect a new chapter every week or so.
Special thanks to my original prereaders, Random, Rhine and Jeff Alan...and also my additional version 2.0 prereader LeperMessiah. These guys are simply the best out there and I can't thank them enough. BTW, Random provided all the inspiration and insight, not to mention practically writing all of Touji's comments about everyone on the 'Net being ugly and such. If anyone takes offense to those comments, please yell at him. All other C&C welcome at ryoma3000yahoo.com. Also with the new revision comes a return to:
OMAKE THEATER
Well this isn't so much an omake as a public service announcement for readers of the first version of this fic. Apparently despite extensive testing and prototyping, it appears that somehow the first version of this fic caused actual damage to reader's computers. Yes, as hard as it is to believe, fanfiction was able to ruin expensive hardware and software. Now, though my lab guys still haven't been able to reproduce it; people obviously far smarter and more versed on these things have indicated that some type of permanent harm came to their computer due to reading my horrible story. So I feel obliged to provide reparations. I mean I thought this was simply an innocent little fic, I had no idea it was the second coming of the Chernobyl Virus. But, in a most likely feeble attempt to repair the catastrophic failures observed by some; I offer this coupon below as a token of my extreme and heartfelt dismay over any lasting harm, mechanical or emotional, my little fic has caused. Simply cut out and send with a stamped, self-addressed envelop to:
Ryoma C/O Darkscribes 69 Evil Drive Tokyo-3, Japan 034567
NOTE: To ensure timely processing, please refer to 'BLP Warrantee' on the envelope so it doesn't get mixed in with the normal hate mail.
CUT HERE
Your stupid fic has irreparably damaged my:
(Check all that apply) Hard Drive ($100)
Processor ($250)
Feelings ($100)
Soul ($500)
Emotional State ($10)
Ability to have children ($5)
Thank you again for your support.
