A young man with dark brown hair sat under the cherry tree, the delicate pink blossoms fell around him in the soft Spring breeze. The collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned, his black coat a misshapen bundle beside him as he stared off into the distance. His ink-stained hands were folded delicately over each other on an open book on his lap.

A small cherry blossom petal fell from the tops of the tree and slowly rode down on the cushioning wind to finally rest on the young man's cheek as gently as a lover's kiss.

The young man blinked, his reverie broken by the small petal. He reached up and plucked the petal from his face and curiously looked at it as if he had never seen one before.

Then, with a slight, sad smile, the young man placed it on the book on his lap and carefully closed the book to trap the small memento of Spring between its white pages.

"It's Spring again..." the young man murmured as he once again stared off into nothing.

Shin Seiki Evangelion - Seasons

Haru - Spring of Cherry Blossoms

Neon Genesis Evangelion created by, registered, and copyrighted to GAINAX Project EVA, Movic, and any other company and/or division associated with the creation and/or production of Neon Genesis Evangelion. A.D.Vision holds the copyrights to the English version of Neon Genesis Evangelion. This work of fiction is not intended for any commercial purposes but was created for the entertainment of the Author and Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion.

No copyright infringement was in any way intended.

Seasons written by Jino Turtlegod

M Rating. For mature readers only. Some scenes, themes, language, and situations are not suitable for younger readers. Reader discretion is advised.

HTML ver 10 APR 08

Ver 1 – 22 APR 08

Haru - Spring of Cherry Blossoms

I lay on my back under a cherry tree in a grove by the storm drain. The sounds of the school yard came from far away though it was really less than several dozen meters from where I was taking a rest. I listened half-heartedly to the music coming from the earbuds of my SDAT as I concentrated on keeping my mind blank of the fear and anticipation I feel. The state of No Mind as the Zen experts knew is a difficult thing to achieve for the uninitiated - especially a poor idiot like me.

"Oy! Iincho!!" The shout shattered whatever state of near harmony I was able to gather - pitiful as it was. I sat up as I heard my friend Kensuke made his way over the causeway across the storm drain. The sunlight sparkled of his glasses as he ran - embarrassing, the way he goes about like a kid in a candy shop. The girls seem to like it though. He had his camcorder bouncing on a strap against his hip. I suddenly felt the fear and anticipation I was trying to get rid off.

"Shinji-kun, here's your letter!" The boy said as he reached into his winter uniform's jacket. I felt my heart skip a beat. I can't let my excitement free, I had seen enough disappointment in my life to give way to baseless hope. I tried once more to free my mind of thought and to gain the elusive No Mind state.

Kensuke gave a grimace as he contemplatively slapped the stiff envelope against his palm. "Geez, Iincho! I run all the way here and the least you could do is to be a little more excited! Well! If that's the way you are, I might as just rip this apart and have you wait for them to post the list!"

I really like the way he can get a rise out of me. I really do. He blinks as he looks at his empty hands and then at me as I carefully undo the seal on the envelope. "I still can't get over how you can do that," he mutters but I just ignore him as I open the envelope. I could feel my heart beating, not really sure what to expect.

I slowly read the letter as Kensuke waited impatiently, almost bouncing from heel to heel.

I sigh as I methodically fold the letter and return it to the envelope.

"Well?!" Kensuke demanded with a whine. His fingers nervously tinkered with the controls of his camcorder, ready to capture my response for posterity.

I think I reached the No Mind state. Accidentally of course as my mind took a vacation due to sheer exhaustion. I feel that I disappointed my friend.

I picked up my stuff. "Ja matta, Ken-kun."

Fugue. I think that was the right word to describe my feelings - no, my state of mind at that moment. Ha! as if a stupid kid like me can ever find harmony.

000

I sat on a bar stool at Mii-Chan's in downtown Tokyo-2. Not the most happening place in Tokyo-2 but very popular to school kids - middle and high-schoolers in the day and college students at night. Mostly male. Why? Because of the owner/ proprietess. Trust me, she's one hot babe. Me? I just go here because I get a discount.

I watched as the bartender finished wiping a glass. Swish, swish, goes the soft rag as he jerks the glass in a clockwise motion as he held the rag still. Twenty times with military precision. The bartender finishes the glass, reverently puts it aside and gets another one. The cycle continues.

"So, you got the letter?" The bartender asks in a soft voice as he glances at me from under those long bangs of his.

"Yes." I whisper as if ashamed.

I think he took it the wrong way as I see him slip a shot of sake into my tea. "That bad, eh?"

I can't help but chuckle - though a bit lamely. I downed the glass in one gulp. Tea and sake don't really go well as say coffee and rum but it does have the effect of kicking you out of a fugue. You get this desire to go somewhere and scrub your tongue with a rock.

"Aoba-san, that was vile..." I mutter as I gesture for a glass of iced coffee.

"Well, it did perk you up," Aoba said as he got my order, I can see the bastard smirk in satisfaction. "No matter how bad things are you can always pick up the pieces." He had actually done that tea and sake mix to me several times before. He's right though.

The café's door chime rang and the spring chill entered the café. Without looking I knew who came in just by looking at the expectant faces of the boys and the disapproving glares of the girls. I wondered what she was wearing today.

I turn.

"Misa--," I gasped as I saw my guardian framed by the doorway. A light purple kimono printed with delicate cherry blossoms and cranes in flight. Her hair was down and a beautiful clip made in the image of a sprig of cherry blossoms tucked her hair behind one ear.

I was faintly aware of the clip-clop of her clogs as she glided towards me. I was shocked back to reality as she kissed my forehead, the slightly damp feel of her lipstick on my skin was pleasant. In my life I had rarely felt love. I was glad.

She cocked her head at me, still playing the coy, shy woman that I knew she always kept hidden within. "I heard from Kensuke-kun that you got your letter. He was a bit worried."

I took out the letter and handed it to her. I prepared myself for our discussion as she read the letter. Her eyes widened in surprise at the content. A smile crept on to her face. "That's my boy!" She yelled as she hugged me, I can feel her tears run down her face. Misato turned to the café's crowd which was still shocked at the kiss she had given me. "Sake for everyone! On the house! My Shin-chan's going to college!"

I felt hot as my face burned red in embarrassment. 'Shin-chan'! My God, I'll never live this down! She turned from the harried Aoba and the waitresses as they tried to serve the tide of well-wishers.

She smiled beatifically.

"Omoidatte."

000

I think I fell asleep as I took my bath. The alarm clock I've set was loud inside the echoing confines of the bathroom. I felt like a prune.

I hate this.

I don't know what to do. Misato told me to do whatever made me happy. What I really wanted her to do was to tell me what to do. I hate being responsible, being dependable. I guess this is the price of having a spine.

I dried myself and changed into my track pants and tank top. I hope the rice didn't burn.

I opened the door to the kitchen and froze.

She stood there, like a goddess in marble. Her pale white skin glowed in the light, her red hair like a mane of flame. I cannot see her eyes through the mirrored glasses she insists on wearing all the time. She wore a a drab grey jersey that was several sizes too big, the sleeves long enough to just bare her finger tips. Her hands held the confirmation letter from the college which I had left at my place on the table. I knew she couldn't resist picking it up. And she knew I knew. When you've lived with someone for such a long time, you get to understand them. It was all part of my plan of course. I just hope that it works.

"Tadaima," she said wearily as she folded the letter and sat down, waiting to be served.

"Okaeri, Asuka-chan," I felt a brief surge of pleasure as I saw her wince at the term of endearment. She was going to retort something fierce but held her peace. "Bad day at the Library?"

Unlike me, Asuka already has a college degree and works in the back room of the city library. A thankless, stressful job that she kept complaining about. I once made the mistake of suggesting she quit her job and try something else. I never brought it up again.

"Horrible," Asuka said as she turned away to wipe her eyes. She made sure her glasses were firmly in place before she faced me again. "We just got a new shipment of books and some idiot misplaced the manifest. And another bastard got caught selling the antique books in the Special Collections."

I made the necessary listening sounds as she complained about her work. I guess this is also part of my household duties. I served the vegetable stir-fry, beef stew, and rice.

"You're not listening," Asuka whined. This too was part of our ritual.

"So that pervert Ginta is still trying to pick you up, why don't you get a boyfriend. That should stop him from bothering you." Despite her glasses I knew she was glowering at me. Because of what I said or that because I was actually listening - I don't know.

I sat down during the uncomfortable silence and began to eat.

"So, congratulations on making Matsumoto," Asuka said as she nibbled on a stick of pickled radish.

"Thanks," I felt my face flush. I couldn't help it really. Being praised by Asuka makes me so happy. I guess it was one of the things I live for.

"But the commute's a killer," Asuka finished her stick and picked up another with her chopsticks. I can't remember when she started liking them.

"What? I didn't hear that," Asuka looked up at me and I suddenly realize that I had mumbled an answer.

"I'm moving to an apartment near the University."

I felt afraid as Asuka's pale face became even paler. Her hand began to shake and the pickle fell to the table.

"Well, uh, good luck then!" Her voice was filled with fake cheer and the pickle kept slipping as she tried to pick it up again. It hurt to see her like this, to hear her like this. "Uhm, geez, the place if gonna be a pig sty with you gone."

Why is she like this. Where's my fire devil? Why do I see a lost little girl? I want to reach out and hold her to me.

"Asuka," I felt my hand close upon her shaking hand. She froze. So did I as I recognize my mistake.

"Don't touch me!" Asuka screamed as she flung my hand away and she stood up in a rush.

I knew if I let her go now, I will lose her. I grabbed her jersey and heard a ripping noise. I can see her skin underneath the cloth; pale, white skin crisscrossed with raised pink scars. My eyes go wide. "Asuka..."

"No!" She screamed hysterically as she pulled away but I held on to her torn clothes, more of her scarred skin showed. In desperation Asuka struck, her body had not forgotten how to fight.

I go down, taking the table with me.

In the distance I could hear the door to her room bang close and the click of the lock.

I smiled ruefully at myself as I lay amongst the ruin of dinner.

Well, I just screwed up my plans.

I laughed bitterly as I straightened up the kitchen, which was also part of my household duties.

I did not notice the wound on my head till later.

Tsu Zu Ku

Author's Note:

After several false starts, finished playing Bishoujo games, and reading 'The Girl Who Played Go' by Shan Sa (an actual book, mind you) I once more venture into the world of fanfiction.

Short and bitter. Anyway, this is part one of one of two fics I've got in mind since writing Plotless (which by the way is still homeless, a site had been suggested but the admin refused to post it - BTW, I'm already working on parts 2 and 3 XD). Both fics were supposed to have been long lemons but since banned lemons I decided to nix the lemon idea and continue on with the plot - with a touch of lime but nothing that can get my butt in trouble.

The installments will be small, way below the ten-page minimum I've set for myself. I don't have the time and energy and I'm actually lucky to be able to do a page or two of writing per week.

Real life sucks (you can also blame Ragnarok Online, thankfully due to the immense lag on the servers I have time to actually finish writing this).

Ja Ne.

02.10.2004

Author's Note (edit 10 APR 08):

1. Plotless and its sequels will be posted at the other site I post to... when I get the chance to do so. RL issues... like Cabal Online.

2. Someone actually asked that I put in a glossary at the end for the Japanese words I used. My first thought was if you're browsing this, then you should already know them. But then again, I should be very thankful to all those fanfickers I read before who did put glossaries...

Iincho – class rep or class president. It is normal for a Japanese person to be referred to by his rank, position, title, or job.

Ja Matta – "See you later" or "Be seeing you"

Omoidatte – "Congratulation"

Tadaima – "I'm home."

Okaeri – "Welcome home."