As usual I claim no right to Eva and am just borrowing a few of
the characters. Well, the main cast.
This is Asuka/Shinji, so if you don't like these kind of things
turn back. If not, you have been warned. This is what I write and
will continue to write.
----------------------------
Future Tense
Red Horseman
Started April 5, 2001 and finished May 5, 2001
* * * * * * * *
The buzzing of the doorbell tore the couple away from what
they were doing in the kitchen. Sighing as his wife, looked at
him Shinji left to answer the door. He glanced at the clock and
swore at who ever it was for being early. They were still
getting ready for the party for the evening. Their best friends
should have thrown it but Asuka had fought to organize it. Wiping
the frown off Shinji opened the door.
"Hey, Shinji. Hope we're not too early." Misato's cheerful
voice greeted him before wrapping him in a hug.
"We were expecting you to be the last one here." A smirk.
"Considering you were late for all the Angels."
"Is that any way to speak to the commander of NERV young
man? I might also add your superior officer." Before Shinji
could reply Hyuga spoke up.
"Sorry, but we shanghaied her to skip the pre-party drinking."
The continuing joke was Misato was a hard drinker but in reality
she only drank a couple times a month now.
Nodding his head Shinji went along before moving off to the
side and letting their friends and co-workers in. Misato and
Shigeru were the singles while Maya had come with her boyfriend
from the science department. Hyuga and his wife, Akane, were a
matched pair in their interests in information gathering and
other activities. He told everyone to make himself or her at
home.
"So where is your beautiful wife?" Akane had come to Shinji
after hanging her coat up.
"In the kitchen finishing up."
"And you're out here instead of in there?" She said with
mock indignation. "Speaking of that I could have organized this
with no trouble. Asuka is the center of attention tonight and
should be enjoying herself."
Shinji smiled at the comments and thought of how Asuka would
have reacted. Saying Asuka should let others do things for her
was a crime.
"Well, you know how Asuka is with things like this." A nod
of Akane's head told him she understood. "Also she wouldn't want
others to fuss so much over her."
"I'm glad she lost the spoiled, arrogant attitude." Akane
quickly continued at the look on Shinji's face. "It never suited
her, Shinji. This is what she's always needed and she's happier
if you haven't noticed." She placed a hand on his shoulder and
looked him in the eyes. "And so are you." She looked around and
smiled. "Well, I better go see what my husband is spilling to
Shigeru."
He looked around to see if anyone needed a refreshment or
something to snack on. Before he could move to go help Asuka a
pair of arms wrapped themselves around him lightly. Turning
around he saw Asuka behind him with a smile. Returning the smile
he gave her a hug, being careful not to squeeze too hard.
"The food's done, so go start bringing the stuff out." She
ordered before turning and walking away to go change out of her
dirty clothes. Asuka had over heard Akane and was pleased at
what she said.
Shinji went to the kitchen and started bringing out the
various dishes they had prepared. They ranged from the usual
Japanese dishes to American and European cuisines. Asuka had
insisted that it would work better to have a buffet style
setting instead of a formal dinner. They had been cooking since
getting off of work and it showed by the amount and variety.
Halfway through bringing out the appetizers the bell rang.
Smiling Shinji knew who it would be. He wasn't disappointed at
his guess when he opened the door to find their friends at the
door. Kensuke was the first through the door and the others
followed.
"I see life is treating you kindly, Shinji." Kensuke joked as
he poked Shinji in the stomach. Like the running joke of Misato's
drinking his friends teased him that he was soft. Next to his
uniformed friend Shinji wasn't as muscled but was comparable in
endurance. "How much longer before Asuka kills you?"
"Where's Sakura, Kensuke?" Shinji asked ignoring the previous
question. It was still a touchy subject and a little personal.
"Dodging the question as usual?" Kensuke didn't wait for an
answer. "Something came up and her boss called her in." He held
up a gift. "She sends her regards and this gift for forgiveness."
A sharp laugh and then Kensuke was pushed out of the way by
the tall man behind him. "Go get drunk Kensuke."
Touji and Hikari were waiting for Shinji to give their
greetings. Both were busy holding the twins, as they wanted to
run around the house. After a few moments listening to the
whines the children were released. There was nothing for them to
get into since Asuka had put the fragile items away. Shinji
looked at the twins who were almost copies of their parents.
"I'm glad you could make it Touji." A handshake and hug.
"You to Hikari." She gave Shinji a kiss on the cheek after the
hug. Asuka had got him to stop bowing and greet people properly
was the way she put it.
"Sorry you had to delay this for us Shinji." She was playing
with her hair. "There was no need to wait for me, especially
this long."
"Asuka would have been mad if we had planned this without
you here. You are her best friend." Shinji handed them something
to drink as they stopped at the table. "Plus all our schedules
finally worked out for once. Meetings, tests, and other little
things have delayed this. That deployment to the Middle East
also took a couple months." Shinji stopped and grinned. They
didn't want to hear about work. "So how did the seminars go?"
"Long and tedious, but I learned a lot for my research and
teaching styles." Hikari stated. "Touji wasn't too enthused with
the lectures and professors but he was the one that didn't want
to leave the kids behind." She frowned at what she saw. "I'll
leave you two alone and do damage control." With that she went
to get the twins under control.
"So have you and the devil been doing anything weird lately?"
Touji asked with a straight face.
"What! I would never do anything weird now." Shinji had
thought Touji was mature but this proved him wrong.
"Oh, come on. Nothing has passed through either of your
minds." Touji regretted saying that as Shinji got angry. "Ow!"
It wasn't Shinji who hit him but Asuka.
Touji turned around and found Asuka glaring at him. For all
her changes Asuka would still hit a person if they pissed her
off. Touji knew he had crossed a line with his question and was
looking for relief in the form of his wife. He groaned when he
saw the frown on her face, no help there.
"Well, it's nice that my opinion of you has never changed."
Asuka was mad by the cold look on her face. "You always were
the dumbest of the Stooges."
"Asuka, how could you say that?" Asuka turned and saw Hikari.
Giving her a quick hug Asuka smiled like a predator going in for
the kill.
"Do you know what your husband was asking mine?" Never in
his life had Touji wanted to run away. Asuka leaned in close and
whispered in Hikari's ear. Hikari turned bright red. Touji took
that time to turn around and try to leave but she caught him by
his ear. All he could do was bow his head and listen to her
lecture.
"And go help Shinji finish bringing the stuff out." With that
the two males were dismissed. Touji walked next to Shinji
quietly. Shinji had a grin on his face, as this was common
between the two. It was like Asuka and her pet name for him,
nothing to be taken seriously.
"I would've thought you had learned to stop that by now."
"Yeah, but the reaction from you and Asuka make it worth
the trouble." Shinji shook his head and sighed.
"Your sister going to make it?"
"She wouldn't miss this for anything." A chuckle came from
Touji. "Plus it lets her skip the boring physics class."
Through the next half-hour Asuka and Shinji were busy
greeting guests. They ranged from co-workers at NERV to old high
school friends and a few close neighbors. Asuka didn't give any
speech except to thank everyone for coming and to eat as much as
possible. Two people had been unable to make it. One for medical
reasons and the other friend they couldn't find.
* * * * *
The air was cool as Shinji watched the storm overhead put on
a display of lightning. It went through many colors from white
to pink and sometimes a glowing blue. Though he knew the reasons
of the colors it never ceased to amaze him when he saw it.
Sighing he leaned back in the bench only getting wet when the
wind blew towards him. It wasn't annoying or making him sad but
reaffirming that he was still there instead of a phantom.
"What are you doing out here?" Shinji turned and looked at
the woman. Smiling he just shrugged before answering.
"Thinking."
"About what idiot?" Asuka came over and sat next to him.
Neither said anything as they watched the storm together for a
moment.
"The past and what's happened with everybody."
"That's stupid. The past is done and you can't change it."
Asuka held his hand lightly after catching it. "You should be
thinking about the future."
Shinji looked at her when she stated about the past. This
was from a woman whose past almost destroyed her. Of course, he
didn't tell her this. They had both learned to stop hurting each
other. Instead he held her hand as she was holding his.
"Shouldn't you be inside? The party is for you after all."
In the background was the sound of a party going on. Music and
laughter filtered through the door as the party was still going
strong two and half-hours later. "They must be drunk not to
notice you gone. It's been a while since Misato has partied like
this."
"It's for the three of us, Shinji." Asuka moved his hand
down to her rounded stomach. Shinji just smiled and rubbed her
stomach feeling their daughter kick. Asuka flinched at the
movement but joined her husband in calming her. "Two more months.
Close to my birthday." She looked at him with a crooked grin.
"It'd be ironic if she was born on my birthday, right?"
Shinji smiled back and stared at Asuka as they sat there on
the porch. In the nine years that he had known her they had both
been through hell. She had almost paid the ultimate price, but
rebounded with help. Asuka had been there for him and drug him
out of his depression. He shuddered at the thought of what would
have happened if neither of them had reached out.
Even as he thought those thoughts he couldn't help, but
consider himself lucky. Everyone commented that they made a
beautiful couple at the wedding, even Touji and Kensuke had
called him lucky. It wasn't just her looks that had attracted
him to her. Though that was a bonus as Shinji looked at her.
Seven months into her pregnancy Asuka was still beautiful.
She was taller by a couple inches, but it never bothered Shinji.
Cute to begin with Asuka had matured into a gorgeous lady. Still
the tall, lithe girl she kept her auburn hair long and skin
tanned, to tease the single guys. The doctors had worried about
her slender frame at the beginning of the pregnancy, since she
could never seem to put on weight, thinking it could affect the
baby. Their fears were unfounded as all the tests showed a
normal, healthy child.
A tap on the forehead brought him back. Asuka was looking at
him with a pout on her face. "Zoning out again Shinji? Here I am,
the center of your existence and you're ignoring me."
"Sorry." Knowing it would make her mad.
"Humph. I don't know why I put up with you and your
apologies. It gets annoying."
"I know that's why I do it." Asuka didn't grace that with an
answer. Instead they lapsed into silence as thunder rolled
through Tokyo-2. The steady breeze, falling rain and thunder
mixed with the sounds of partying had a surreal effect on the
couple, like everything was a dream.
"Hey, Asuka." Shinji cracked his eyes and saw her nod.
"Did you ever think this would happen to you?" a pause. "Or
that your life would turn out like this?"
"What, that I would be married or about to have a child." A
sigh as she continued. "Or that I would go through hell, almost
die and have my life ripped apart." Asuka smiled a sad smile.
"No, my life hasn't turned out how I expected it."
"And are you happy?" Shinji had known the question would be
forthcoming. He had asked her something so she would ask in
return.
"Yes. Even with everything that has happened we've turned
out okay."
"Okay!" The word had some bite in it as Asuka turned to him
with a look. "We're screwed up or have you forgotten the
psychologists, group therapy and my rehabilitation." She paused
in her speech and closed her eyes. "Not to mention the fights
and nightmares we've had through the years."
Shinji couldn't argue with that and so he didn't. He
remembered the fights quite clearly, especially after his
eighteenth birthday. His jaw had taken a couple months to heal
after Asuka had hit him after a nasty fight. The bruises on her
disappeared quicker and he had regretted doing that to her.
Somehow they had always made up and stayed together through the
years.
"But we haven't had a physical or emotional fight for almost
a year." The storm had reached a crescendo and was acting like a
living entity fighting for survival. The deep rumbles of thunder
calmed him. "The nightmares aren't as frequent either."
Asuka shuddered as she remembered some of her worst
nightmares of her failures. Shinji pulled her closer and held
her while stroking her hair. Always the strong one Asuka would
never bother him except if she woke up. His nightmares were no
less disturbing but Shinji would get up to get something to
drink and think. Both comforted each other without telling the
other when possible. He would hold Asuka in her sleep until she
calmed down and she would play with his hair, which seemed to
have a calming affect on him for some reason.
"Despite all that I think we have turned out okay." Shinji
took a deep breath and slowly released it. "We're not like our
parents and won't make the same the mistakes they did."
He sat there quietly waiting for a reply. When one did not
come he looked over at Asuka. She had paled and was breathing
shallowly. Shinji cursed at himself for that comment about their
parents. He knew Asuka was still haunted by her mother even
though she knew the whole truth about what happened. Shinji
pulled her closer and held on to her with both arms.
"I'm sorry." He whispered until Asuka hugged him back.
Pulling back he looked into her eyes with worry. "I shouldn't
have said that."
"No. It's all right." She whispered to him. She could never
tell him that repeating her mother was her greatest fear. Seeing
that hadn't reassured him Asuka leaned in close and gave him a
long soft kiss. When she broke the kiss a few moments later the
worry was gone.
"Speaking of parents, how's your father?" This came out with
a little edge. She had never forgiven Gendo for what happened to
her, to them. Without him a lot of pain would have never
happened. But he was a person who got the job done she had to
admit.
"Jail doesn't suit him and solitary ,I think, is getting to
him." He had visited his father a couple days ago at the federal
prison. Gendo had not lost the smug attitude, but accepted his
situation like it was going to plan. Shinji told his father
about everything that was happening. Though Gendo had never told
him, Shinji thought his father was proud. "I promised to send
some more pictures after Yuki is born."
"You still love him." A short nod came from Shinji to the
question. "Even after everything he did?" Another nod.
Silence once again reigned as that caused each to think
about the past. Both had come to terms with their parents. Shinji
loved his father because he knew the same pains of losing his
mother. Though he felt his father should have let go of the past,
he couldn't hate him. His father had been a person who had lost
the most important person in his life and would stop at nothing
to be reunited with her.
Asuka had also come to terms with both her mother and father.
She had demanded all reports, files and videotapes dealing with
Unit-02 and her mother. Initially they had refused but she had
threatened to go public with how they treated her. Once all
the requested material had arrived, she read and watched
everything with Shinji. They both cried until the tears no longer
came but Asuka had sealed a wound in her heart. Her father was
handled in the same straightforward manner. Asuka had invited
him to the wedding, acted civilly, and told him afterwards that
she did not consider herself to be his daughter because of his
actions and no longer wanted to see him.
"I wonder if Rei will show up tonight?" She was another
person that Asuka had come to terms with. When she had woken from
her yearlong catatonic state Rei had disappeared. Shinji had
filled Asuka in on what Rei was and why she had left.
"She showed up at the wedding even though we couldn't find
her. She must have a good network of friends."
"That may be true Shinji but.." Asuka trailed off and
shuddered. "I couldn't imagine running for the rest of my life.
It must be hard on her."
"It's not that bad Asuka." A quiet voice replied. This
caused the couple to jump and turn towards the voice. At the
corner of the deck stood Rei and another figure.
"Damn it Rei! I wish you wouldn't do that." Asuka stated
after her shock. "You did the same at the wedding and scared me
to death. And who is that?"
Rei just turned to her companion and smiled, like Asuka had
confirmed something by her short outburst. Still smiling she
walked over until they were standing in front of Asuka and
Shinji. The person was a male the same age and height of Rei with
jet-black hair and gray eyes. He had a scowl on his face as he
looked at Shinji.
"So you ignored this quiet beauty for a loudmouth fireball,
Mr. Ikari?" The tone of his voice was neutral but the reaction
was anything but.
"Loudmouthed!" Asuka shouted as she tried to stand to hit
the cocky young man. Shinji held her back and was about to stand
up at the insult.
"Koji, you know Shinji and I were not meant to be." Shinji
was surprised to hear that from Rei. He also noticed that Rei
was angry by the slight narrowing of her eyes and the way she
was curling her hands. "Now apologize."
"I was only joking Mrs. Ikari." Koji bowed with a flourish
and held Asuka's hand. "You are very beautiful." He then turned
to Shinji. "You are a very lucky man Shinji. Plus if you had
courted Rei, I would have never met her."
Asuka sat there blushing at the compliment, but was grumbling
at the way he acted. That Rei could stand him spoke of changes
in the woman. She would have to talk to Rei later to get the
whole story.
"Who is this clown and what does he do?"
"He's in theater and leans toward dramatic scenes at
times."
"Now Rei I would have told them that." He snapped his fingers
and looked like he had just remembered something. "As for me I'm
Koji Yameto. Originally from Kyoto but recently Sendai-2. College
degree in the performing arts. I can't say my life has been
anything like yours and I don't think I could handle as well as
you people."
Before Shinji or Asuka could reply to that the front door
opened. Misato stuck her head and waited for her eyes to adjust
to the dark condition. She smiled when she saw Asuka and Shinji
sitting on the bench. Misato's eyes grew wide when she saw Rei.
The smile turned into a grin when she saw Koji next to the quiet
woman.
"Glad you could make it Rei." stated Misato before she turned
to the Ikari's. "Come in you two, it's time for the gifts."
Shinji got up and walked inside with Koji while Asuka made
no move to follow. Rei stood there and waited for Asuka to speak.
She knew what some of what the redhead would ask and was prepared
to answer. Misato saw this and closed the door, but not before
reminding them to make it quick.
"So how much does he know?"
"Everything."
"Even the part about you being a clone and part Angel." Rei
looked down at that. "So he doesn't know about the Angel part
or both?"
"Just the Angel." Rei's voice had sunk lower in volume.
"I think you should tell him at some point." Asuka grinned
suddenly. "So how is he?"
"Koji's nice and likes to do a lot of things. You could say
he's like you without the temper." Rei laughed. "He tried so hard
to get me to open up for sometime. Looks like he was successful,
right?" A sad sigh escaped Rei's mouth. "He is like Shinji. Kind
and compassionate to everyone yet he does not have Shinji's.."
"Qualities?" Asuka quietly asked. She didn't like to see Rei
like this. "But why did you leave Shinji when I was catatonic if
you feel this way? It would have been easy to get him."
"To save him the anguish of choosing between the one he
truly loved and the one he thought he loved." Rei looked up at
Asuka. "And like I said we were never meant to be. I'm basically
his sister with being a clone of Yui."
"Thanks Rei. I hope things turn out for you and Koji." She
turned to the door with a sigh. Might as well go in now."
"You look good Asuka."
Asuka looked at Rei with annoyance before she started
describing how she felt. The sore back and legs were just the
beginning. Rei just smiled at her friend's complaints. She was
glad they had found each other and happiness after everything
had happened. Rei opened the door for Asuka and followed her
in.
* * * * * *
Two months later
"Damn it Shinji! I'm going to kill you once this is over!"
Asuka yelled as another wave of pain shot through her body as
the contractions got faster. She had been in labor for eight
hours. Shinji just smiled and gripped her hand gently.
"You don't mean that Asuka." The doctor said as she checked
Asuka and saw she was ready. "Now push."
Asuka closed her eyes in concentration and pain. Breathing
fast and shallow she pushed. She held Shinji's hand in a death
grip while he stroked her hair to comfort her. Hikari was on
her other side lending support and holding her other hand.
Everyone else was in the hall awaiting the news. She continued
following the doctors orders for seven minutes until.
"The head is clear. Just a little more Asuka."
"Do you know how much this hurts?" Asuka asked in a pained
voice. Nothing before in her life had hurt this much. She wanted
to give Shinji a taste of the pain. "Stupid males have the easy
part."
The doctor laughed a little at her comment since she had
heard it before. "Yes they do." She looked at Shinji and winked.
"And yes I know how much it hurts. Now give a few more good
pushes and it will be over."
The sound of a baby's cry reached Asuka's ears after a few
more minutes. Asuka visibly relaxed and smiled when she heard
her child. Tears were evident in hers and Shinji's eyes as the
doctor wrapped their daughter in a blanket and handed her to
her parents. Hikari smiled at the couple as they looked at
their child.
It was just the beginning but now they were truly complete.
They could finally leave all the hurt of past behind and
concentrate on the future.
-----------
I don't see these two living for very long without coming to
terms with their pasts. Asuka would stay catatonic while Shinji
would be depressive. Professional help would be needed and people
that are there for support.
Now I'm male and definitely know nothing of labor or
childbirth. Most of my knowledge comes from documentaries. I
probably did not do justice to it.
I have two more additions to my other story 'Beginnings' then
WAFF will be out of my system and I concentrate on my other
ideas. Dark and serious stories are hard to do when you want
to put in WAFF. Screws up everything.
C&C welcome as usual.
caspar@nervhq.org