Dearest Mother chapter: Who are you?

BW: Yet another Evangelion fanfic. Hopefully, I'll be able to concentrate on this one. This one is a Rei/Shinji pairing, and Yui is apparently giving Rei some lesson on life. That's right! Yui has a big role in this fanfic. I don't know about you guys, but I feel like the relationship between Rei and Yui had never been explored in the series itself, so I'm experimenting with that here. Now then, let's roll! Be warned, for those hasn't seen the original series, or Rebuild, or read the manga, there will be major spoilers. Read at your own risk.

(I don't own anything related the Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Silence. There's nothing but silence.

The cross compatibility test has begun, with Rei sortied to Evangelion Unit 01, and Shinji to Unit 00, while Asuka is with Unit 02, due to the probability of her not wanting to synch with any other Eva besides her own.

Rei, who is now in Unit 01, sits quietly as she began to synch with the Eva. As it goes on, Rei, after a long compilation of events in her life, had immersed herself in a deep monologue, about herself, the shape and object she believes she is, about the people around her, and the world around her in general, as well as the elements that make up said world.

Now there was only deep silence, which only lasts for a about minute until Rei felt a warm light engulfing her sight. White. All she could see for a few seconds was a white bright light, until something can into view.

A silhouette. It was a silhouette, and by the general height and figure, it had to be that of a woman.

Rei should be the only one in Unit 01, and yet here in this white void, there's another entity, staring her in the face. Thinking of it now, there are souls housed in the Evangelion units. Unit 01 houses a particular soul. Could this silhouette who Rei thought- who Rei knew it had to be?

"Hi there." the woman spoke in a gentle, in a motherly tone, "Tell me… Do you know who I am?"

Rei remained silent and didn't say a word. It was as she thought. She didn't know this woman, but she felt familiar. The woman sounds near identical to her, and yet she's sounds different. The silhouetted woman in this white void. It had to be…

"The prolonged silence tells me you do." said the woman, with Rei presumed to be an unseen smile. "I bet you're surprised that I'm making contact with you, aren't you?"

Her ever stoic and emotionless expression didn't show it, but Rei was indeed surprised that the soul inside Unit 01 had made contact with her. She honestly didn't know how to respond, because she never imagined she would meet the person from who she was created. Neither did Rei imagine that she would be the soul inside Unit 01. Rei knew that a soul had to be used in order make the Eva operational, and the soul in Unit 01 is Yui's. However, she didn't know that the soul had the ability to contact the pilot, and the current pilot right now is Rei herself.

"Well, that's alright. After all, I'm the one making a sudden appearance to you. This little test was the only way I could talk to you. Although, we may not have enough time, since it's so short and all."

Rei remained silent, unsure of what to say. She didn't know it herself, but she was very nervous, having met this person for the first time.

"You don't need worry about this too much. Whenever you need to talk, just come see me. Or, Unit 01. Whichever it is. You know what I mean." the woman said.

"You…" Rei finally spoke. However, the silhouette began to fade in and out.

"We'll talk some other time. Bye for now… Rei…" the woman waved her hand as she disappeared from sight.

With Rei's gasp, Rei woke up, back in the seat of Unit 01's plug pod.

"Well Rei, how does it feel to be piloting Unit 01 for the first time?" Ritsuko's voice asked the First Child through the intercom.

Rei's only response is "It smells like Ikari-kun…"

(-A few days later-)

It's time to clean the classroom. While most of her class cleaned like they were supposed to, some of them, particularly Toji Suzuhara and his friend Kensuke Aida goofed off.

Rei did as instructed and cleaned the floor. As she did this, she noticed from the corner of her eye that Shinji was watching her, seemingly intrigued and curious by her. He watched as she wrung her washcloth. She paid no mind, since it was just Shinji merely watching her, and it didn't mean anything. Still, he appears to be doing better. During the compatibility tests, Shinji was sortied to Unit 00, but it went berserk with him inside, mirroring how it went berserk when Rei first piloted. As it was trying to break into the observation room, Rei stood there in front of the window, motionless. Her impending doom almost seemed certain, unit the team was able to shut it down and get Shinji out of the EVA. The only thing he got away with is his lose of memory of the incident, which may be good for him, hopefully.

At any rate, Rei concentrated on her task given to her. While she cleaning however, something plagued her thoughts. The soul inside Unit 01, and how she made contact with Rei.

"Why did she make contact and speak to me? Was she going to spend me a message? What is her true objective. Is she playing with my mind?" she thought to herself, "Does she know who I really am?" Rei thought.

Later that afternoon, the pilots once again conduct a synch test. All proved relatively positive, expect Rei's synch ratio has dropped somewhat.

"That's strange." Ritsuko said as she looked at the monitor.

"What's wrong?" Misato asked.

"Rei's synch ratio with Unit 00. It dropped." Ritsuko said.

"What?"

"Look here." Ritsuko urged Misato to look at the screen. The margin for Rei's synch ratio has indeed dropped. It's a not a severe drop, it's just slightly lower than Shinji's and Asuka's. Down to at least 42%.

"This has never happened before." said Ritsuko, looking intensely at the monitor.

"Maybe she has something on her mind that's making it drop." said Misato.

"Possibly…" Ritsuko muttered. Yes, this is indeed the first time Rei's synch ratio dropped this much. Normally, she's more or less the same each test, and she was fine with Unit 01, considering it was nearly at the same level as her synch with Unit 00 in the past. But, this is no doubt, something out of the blue. She's got to find the source of this synch drop, lest the Commander lay into her with his cold glare.

"Alright. That's enough. Shinji, Asuka, you can head home. Rei, I need to have a word with you." Ritsuko told the three pilots.

"Yes, ma'am." the three say in unison.

"Hey, Ritsuko, aren't blowing this thing out of proportion?" Misato asked. She didn't think a mere drop like this was a big deal. Ritsuko thinks the opposite.

"That may be, but I want to figure out what's disturbing Rei, and why her synch ratio dropped like this."

"Okay, whatever you say. I personally think it's just teen troubles."

"Teen troubles… right…" Ritsuko muttered. Despite Misato's unconcerned attitude, Ritsuko had to admit, that's one possibility, but her scientific mind seeks more answers than just that.

With their synch tests over today, the pilots exit the pods and walk to shower room to prepare for the LCL cleansing.

"So, Wonder Girl, what's the deal with Dr. Akagi asking you to see her?" Asuka asked.

"If Dr. Akagi request that I speak with her, then I'll go see her."

"Yeah, we get that you'll take orders like a puppet." said Asuka, annoyed as usual, but then she thought of something, "Oh, did you something to make Dr. Akagi pissed or something?" Asuka smirked.

Rei responded to that with sharp stare.

"Asuka, knock it off. I don't think Ayanami did anything to make Dr. Akagi mad at her." Shinji defended.

"Yeah, yeah!" Asuka turned her head, now bored.

"But, really? What's wrong, Ayanami?" asked Shinji, "Why do you think Dr. Akagi wants to talk to you?"

"I don't know." answered Rei. Minutes later, after the LCL cleansing, and getting dressed in her school uniform, sat in a chair in Ritsuko's office. She sat quietly, waiting for Ritsuko to have her talk.

"Rei, I'm deeply concerned." began Ritsuko, holding a printed record of Rei's synch ratio results, "Your synch ratio with Unit 00 has declined. It's not a serious drop, but I would like to know why it did. Care to elaborate what's going on?"

"I'm sorry, Dr. Akagi, but I don't know." Rei said.

"I see…" Ritsuko sighed. Well, Rei isn't very good at expressing herself, thanks to the Commander's way of raising her. But, she knew. She knew there's something wrong with Rei. Even if this quiet girl doesn't quite know herself, Ritsuko had to be sure of any problems concern Rei. Of course, she doesn't really care much for Rei at all, because she's so special to Gendo, but if she's not functioning properly, then how is she going to fight the Angels? It's Ritsuko job to make sure the pilots are in good condition for humanity's fight for survival. And it's only the way the Commander will be satisfied.

"But, lately…" Rei started, catching the scientist's attention, "I've been contemplating something, about someone who spoke to me."

"Someone who spoke to you? Is there someone you've been speaking to at school, or a stranger in the city? Are they giving you a hard time?" Ritsuko asked.

"No. I've only spoken to them once." Rei replied, "I don't know why they called out to me, or why they seemed interested in me. I can't stop thinking about them, and it disturbs me to a degree."

"I see. That explains why you couldn't concentrate on the test. So, what did they say to you?" Ritsuko asked. She's become intrigued by this development. This person Rei is talking about is hampering Rei's ability to synch with Unit 00. No doubt about it.

"Very odd things." Rei said.

"Odd?" Ritsuko frowned.

"Yes. Odd." Rei repeated.

Ritsuko sighed to herself, "Odd, huh?" in a slightly annoyed tone. This whole thing is an oddity to her. Is this mystery person an oddball for wanting to talk to a girl like Rei? Well, she supposed Rei did have appeal in some areas, so it's possible that this person might have that sort of interest in her. But anyway, perhaps it's time ask who this mystery person is. "And who is this odd mystery person we're talking about here?"

Rei paused. She began to wonder if it was alright to tell the Doctor the name of the person whom spoke to her. How will she react? Surely shocked, considering this person is deceased, or rather, absorbed into Evangelion Unit 01. But, this is a superior who's talking. Rei can't just not tell her, and keep her concerned about the development involving her synch ratio. After a few seconds of silence, Rei decided to tell Ritsuko, "…Yui Ikari…"

"What?!" Ritsuko gasped in utter shock and horror, slamming her palms down on the table. She stared at Rei, wide eyed in shock. "Yui… Ikari…?"

"Yes…" Rei said calmly. Just as she thought; Ritsuko would most certainly be shocked by this revelation.

"How…? She shouldn't even be…" Ritsuko muttered, slumping down in her chair. She contemplated in her scientific mind on how it was possible for Yui, Gendo's deceased wife and Shinji's mother, to talk to Rei. Her mind raced with a number of possibilities, even to unscientific possibilities, like the supernatural. Nothing seemed to add up in her head, until it hit her. She looks at the girl in front of her, "Rei! When and how did Yui speak to you?" she asked. If she was right about this possibility, this might be the trigger for something big.

"It was… during the compatibility test with Unit 01. She made contact with me, but I couldn't see her face. Somehow, though… I knew it was her for sure…" Rei answered, lowering her head as spoke.

"My god… this is unbelievable. What is Yui trying to do?" Ritsuko thought.

"Dr. Akagi?" Rei called to the doctor, "Will this hinder our fight against the Angels?"

"I don't know, Rei." Ritsuko answered, ruffling her hair, "But, I suggest you keep quiet about this. Don't tell Shinji, Asuka, or even Misato. Am I clear?"

"What about Commander Ikari and Sub Commander Fuyutsuki?"

"Leave that to me. You just keep quiet about Yui. We don't know what she's planning by making contact with you, and the worst case scenario, it might not be good."

"But, she is Ikari-kun's mother. Why is it presumed bad to speak with her? What kind of person she is?"

Ritsuko would have rebuked Rei's point, but she sighed in defeat, "You raise a good point, Rei. Yui was definitely the kind to befriend easily. But, you must remain vigilant, even around her, understand?"

Rei paused for three seconds before answering, "… Yes."

"Good. That is all. You can leave now." Ritsuko said.

With this, Rei stood up from the chair and was about exited the office, before Ritsuko stopped her.

"Rei, wait. What exactly did Yui say to you?" asked the doctor.

Rei turned to answer her, "She said we could talk."

"About what?" asked Ritsuko.

"I don't know." answered Rei, "Is that all?"

"Yes. You can leave now." Ritsuko said, rubbing her temples. Rei left soon after.

Sighing once more, Ritsuko slumped back into her chair. "Yui Ikari, what are you up to? Sure, getting absorbed into Unit 01 was probably meant to be a fatal accident, but why are you suddenly making contact with Rei? And now of all possible times?"

(-Elevator-)

After Rei left Ritsuko's office, she met Shinji riding the in same elevator.

"Hi, Ayanami." greeted Shinji.

"Ikari-kun." Rei looked at Shinji with mild surprise. Was he waiting for her?

"What did Ritsuko-san want?"

"It was... an irregularity in my synch ratio. It wasn't an major issue, so there's no problem."

"Really? That's good." Shinji smiled. He's acting casual, but it didn't fool Rei. Was he worried about her? Why would he worry for her?

Whatever the case, it became quiet during the elevator ride, with Rei standing in front of the elevator doors, while Shinji just stood in a corner, holding his bag. For a while now, Shinji has been trying to think of what to say, because he couldn't stand how quiet it was.

Rei just stood quietly while Shinji tried to drum up something to talk about. Rei wondered what compelled him to want to talk to her, not that she really cares. If he wants to talk,that's his business, and she figured humoring him wouldn't be problem. All she had to do is wait, and she's very patient.

Shinji finally thought of something of interest to her. He figured that if he were to at least have conversation with her, it has to be something Rei's interested.

"Um, tomorrow I have to see my father." Shinji spoke out.

Rei remained silent. If she had to guess on a reason why, it must be because tomorrow is the day Yui Ikari "died".

"What should I talk to him about?"

"Why do you ask that of me?" Rei asked.

"Well, because you seem happy when you're with him..." Shinji muttered.

Happy? Is that how she looks to him when with the Commander? He's her benefactor for one, so for normal people, that is a reason to be happy to be with someone who gave you a purpose the moment you are born.

"Say, what kind of person is my father?" Shinji asked. He had the sense that Rei knows his father better than he does. Sadly, that theory would be resend.

"I don't know." Rei answered. For all of her loyalty to the man named Gendo Ikari, one would think they know everything about him. Turns out, she knows very little of him, outside of being the Supreme Commander of NERV, having a son, and the fact that he created her and gave her the purpose of fighting for humanity and helping him realize his ultimate goal.

"I see..." Shinji said, down casting his head with slight disappointment.

"Have you been watching me while wanting to ask that?" questioned Rei. It didn't take her long to put him watching her for so long and wanting to know what to say to his father together.

"Y-Yeah..." Shinji started to feel awkward now, so a change in subject might help. "You know when we were cleaning the classroom, and you were squeezing that washcloth. It kind of felt like how a mother would do it."

"A mother...?" Rei barely turned her head to the boy behind before looking back forward. She felt her face heat up. She began to blush. That word, "mother"... hearing that felt embarrassing. She blinked several times, trying figure what's going on. She never felt this before.

"It definitely felt like how a mother would do it." said Shinji, "You'd make a good mother, Ayanami."

DING!

At that moment, the elevator bell sounded. The doors opened, giving Rei the chance to briskly walk out and speed down a hallway, without a word to Shinji.

Thanks to that, he got the impression that she's mad at him now.

(-Unit 01's cage-)

Rei stood there, in front of Unit 01 while it lie stood in the hanger. Rei had no idea why she came here. All she is knew was that she was embarrassed by Shinji Ikari had said to her a moment ago. She had been informed by Shinji that he and his father are going to visit Yui Ikari's grave. He even asked what his father was like since Rei has known him for so long. Sadly, even she didn't know the Commander all that well. That's not what disturbed her. When she asked if this was the reason he had been leering at her these past few days, he answered that he found the way Rei had wrung out the washcloth she used to clean the classroom floors was similar to how a mother would have done it.

She had previously wondered the facility, seemingly aimlessly after exiting the elevator, where she talked with Shinji. Without even realizing it, she found herself here, in Unit 01's cage.

"You'd make a good mother, Ayanami…" Shinji's words echoed in her mind.

"…Mother…" Rei mumbled, still finding herself embarrassed by the word itself. It disturbed her somewhat. This feeling. "He says the strangest things. If only he knew the truth… that… I…" she paused. Another strange feeling welled up inside her. Some kind of anxiety that made her tremble inside. Is it fear? Does she fear Shinji learning her secret? Why is she feeling fear?

She looks up at Unit 01's face.

Of course, it's not active at this time, since no angels have appeared, but for some strange reason, she couldn't comprehend, she felt as if it knew she was there, staring up at it.

She felt the need to open her mouth and speak to Unit 01, "Ikari-kun thinks I'd make a good mother. Do you think I would make a good mother?" she asked politely, "How would he react if he learned to truth about me…?"

As she expected, no response from Unit 01, but she felt it. The silent, lifeless, yet aware feeling of being watched by the Eva.

She continued. "Are you aware that I'm even here? Can you hear me? Can you… see me…? Are you really inside…? Please, answer me… Dr. Ikari…" Rei pleaded. She felt her heart beating from some kind of anxiety and desperation to get a response, a longing for companionship. This is entirely new to her.

As if heeding Rei's request, Unit 01's eye suddenly flashed brightly, signifying that the soul inside the EVA is aware of Rei's presence. It was very brief, but a nice enough way to surprise someone. Even Rei found herself shocked by this. Rei's eye grew wide, staggering back in shock, and practically falling on her rear end.

That was Yui Ikari. No question. She answered Rei's call.

Rei sat there, in a daze, staring wide eyed at the Eva's giant armored face. She gazed at it in complete silence, with her mouth hanging open. She's never been so shocked in her life.

"You know I'm here…" Rei whispered, still shell shocked. Rei stands up slowly on her two feet, and continues to stare at the Eva. "You're really inside Unit 01… Dr. Ikari…" she whispered simply, her shocked expression disappearing. No further responses from Unit 01. It remained motionless.

"What it is that you want from me…?" Rei asks silently as she stood in front of the now silent Eva.

From the observation window overseeing the Evangelion cages, Ritsuko stood there, watching Rei interact with Evangelion Unit 01. Imagine her surprise when she saw the Eva's eyes glow in response to Rei's calls to it.

She stood there, still, silent, and alone, observing Rei and Unit 01 together.

"Yui Ikari… what are you up to?" Ritsuko asked herself. She'll most definitely have to inform the commanders about this later.

BW: I had the idea of story some time ago after reading a few Rei/Shinji centered fics. As you no doubt guessed, the story starts when Rei synchs with Unit 01 in episode 14 of the original series, so I'm following the original series story line. I'll incorporate some elements from the manga and Rebuild of Evangelion, too. I'm also hoping to a better and happier ending by the end. Better and happier then EOE, at least. Anyway, I'm sure some of you guys know by now that Rei is my favorite girl from the EVA series. She has a way of drawing you to her, ya know. Anyway, chapter 02 is on the way, so stay tuned and frosty.