A/N: Hey all thanks for the reviews. I hope I can improve because of your critique.
Disclaimer: I don't own NGE Evangelion etc etc
On with the show!!
Chapter 2: Just like old times..
Shinji took several deep breaths and tried to manage his emotions, leaning from side to side uneasily. C'mon Shinji, you can do this! Nothing's changed, you've done this before...it'll just be like old times. After a few more silent pep talks to himself, Shinji steeled himself, pretending he wasn't scared. It's now or never Shinji thought to himself as he stepped over the threshold...into the class room. The chatter and various white noise ceased immediately as the classroom saw who it was.
"Well well well, if it isn't the Invincible Shinji Ikari returning to Tokyo 3" a voice shouted, breaking the silence. Toji Suzuhara grinned at the Third Child from his chair next to Kensuke, Shinji hesitantly smiled in return as he had made his way over to Toji's desk.
"H-Hey guys" Shinji greeted awkwardly as he scratched the back of his head, and sat down in the closet desk to the two boys.
"Glad you're back Shin-man, it just wasn't the same without you...and er...thanks for you know...saving the world...you gave me back more than you know" Toji said flexing his arms, Shinji didn't realise what the action signified until Toji pulled back his sleeves to reveal two fully functional arms.
"That's great Toji!!!" Shinji beamed at the jock, incredibly happy that a mistake was rectified via his actions.
"Did everyone come back ??" Shinji asked, smile still stretching his cheeks, as he looked around at the classroom to try and see if recognised anymore people.
"Um...not everyone...no one knows why some people came back and some didn't" Kensuke said quietly, causing Shinji's smile to fade and be replaced by a frown.
"There is also a chance that they came out of the ocean at a different location and just haven't made it yet...or they don't want to come back" Toji said quietly, losing his smile.
"Hikkari has yet to come back...along with some others in our class" Kensuke said quietly, glancing at Toji. Shinji sighed and slumped his shoulders as he took in the news.
"Hey shinji! Don't you dare get all upset about this! That' s just...letting..it win!" Toji shouted, Kensuke hit himself in his head, "Let who win Toji..?"
The jock scratched his head, "You know...the bad people...the bad energy in the universe, or whatever it is that tries to make everyone upset and...junk" Toji said blushing.
Kensuke was about to reply when the new class rep interrupted them with the usual "Rise, Bow, Sit". And from that point onwards, it was just like old times for Shinji, not paying any attention to the teacher droned on and no one really payed that much attention.
Shinji was interrupted from his daydreaming by an instant message from Asuka:
Asuka: Welcome back to Japanese schooling. Bet you wished you didn't come back now huh?
Shinji: School wasn't the reason I came back.
Asuka blushed slightly at the thinly veiled flirting, Sure he can charming over the computer...but what about in person? She thought to herself as she glanced over at Shinji to find him staring right at her smiling crookedly. Asuka ducked her head and blushed again, What is wrong with me?!? She silently screamed at herself.
Shinji couldn't stop smiling as he saw Asuka's reaction, She sure has changed...and she's not the only one he thought to himself as he turned to frown in the direction of Rei Ayanami at her desk, absently staring outside the window. Well...that's the same I suppose he mused with a smile as Rei glanced over at him. His eyes widened and he tried to pretend he hadn't been just looking at her, so he turned his head in the other direction to see Asuka glaring daggers at him. Shinji sighed and buried his head in arms, blushing madly. A beep from his laptop alerting him to another message:
Asuka: So...I thought there wasn't anything with wondergirl?"
Shinji: There isn't! I was just looking at her.
Shinji risked a glance at the redhead's direction to see her typing furiously at her laptop and sighed slightly as another message popped up on his laptop.
Asuka: Looking!?!? You were practically drooling over her idiot! Sometimes I'm sure you're are in love with her! You were just lying when you said there was nothing going on with you and her! I don't care if there is, you dork, I just want to know.
Shinji: There isn't any relationship, she is just acting differently now. It's a bit strange
Whatever Asuka was going to say was interrupted by the bell, signalling the end of school. Shinji watch as she stood up and whipped her hair over her shoulder and strode out of the classroom. Shinji sighed and followed her at a more leisurely pace, Now...the sync tests...wooo Shinji thought as he trudged down the street, watching the dwindling back of Asuka and waving goodbye to Kensuke and Toji.
"I just don't understand girls..." Shinji muttered
"What don't you understand?" A familiar voice interrupted his musings, Shinji spun around and saw Rei Ayanami gazing at him in confusion.
"Um, I just don't know why Asuka is getting angry at me again" Shinji replied, walking towards NERV once more.
"I won't pretend to understand the human psyche, especially that of the adolescent female...but I believe that she may like you" Rei answered with a frown of confusion on her face as she continued. "But I could be mistaken, I'm experiencing new emotions and bodily reactions that I never use to have before". She absently rubbed a hand on along one of her breasts. Shinji's eyes widened and he pinched his nose to stop a chronic nose bleed.
"You see when I touch here, I get the most curious feeling. You touch here and see if it feels the same" Rei said as she once again touched her chest. Shinji started flaying his arms in an attempt to not touch Rei's breast. This couldn't get any worse Shinji thought to himself just as he heard a shriek of rage from up ahead. It seems Asuka had stopped to wait for him to catch up and had just caught Rei touching herself in front of Shinji. "PERVERT!!!" the angry red head screamed as she launched a fist at Shinji's face. Murphy's law... the poor boy thought as he flew through the air.
Shinji woke up groggily to see Asuka and Rei leaning over him in concern, What the hell, this is bad. He winced his anticipation assuming that he was going to get hit again.
"Why do you wince?" Rei asked in confusion, leaning her head to the side in thought.
"Because Asuka has got that look in her eye...the look that spells imminent pain for someone...usually me" Shinji replied with fear in his eyes.
"Idiot...Rei has told me what happened...I don't really understand why she was...er doing that. But I know that you didn't mean it" Asuka growled.
Oh thank god Shinji thought to himself as into the pillows and looked around himself, NERV hospital ward...didn't take me long to get back here
"And...I-I'm sorry Shinji..for hitting you for no reason...you're still an idiot though" Asuka blushed as she stammered out her apology. Shinji smiled at the rare apology from the German girl and was about to reply when he was interrupted by Rei.
"If you are feeling well enough, we have sync tests in 15 minutes. They are to be conducted within our EVAs to test the possible differences with the units" Rei said in her old monotone voice. Shinji frowned as he heard her speak, Why is she talking like that again?
Rei smiled at him slightly walking out of his hospital room towards the EVA cages. How strange Shinji thought to himself as he watched Rei leave.
"Let's get going then you idiot. What are you waiting for?" Asuka demanded as she tapped her foot in irritation for Shinji to get out of his hospital bed.
"But...Asuka...I'm in my hospital gown" Shinji blushed, holding the covers tight around his chest.
"We don't have far to go until you et changed into your plug suit. Just be a man and walk in that" Asuka replied, smiling evilly as she watched what he would do.
She's testing me Shinji thought to himself, Well I'll show her
"Okay then Asuka, let's go" Shinji declared, throwing off his blankets and striding out in front of the girl into the hallway. Giving Asuka a view of his naked back, ass, and legs because of the hospital gown slit in the back. Asuka blushed furiously as she strode out to follow him. They remained in silence for a long time, Asuka blushing at her own thoughts and Shinji concentrating intently on keeping the blush from his face. As they neared the change rooms, they didn't even acknowledge each other's presence as they both went to their respective change rooms. Shinji sat down on a bench in his change room with a sigh, Well...I'm getting ready to do something I swore I'd never do again...that's just super...
Shinji tried to take long, calming breaths as he felt the entry plug get inserted into EVA Unit 01. Shinji looked down and could see his hands shaking visibly, Don't think about the last time I was here. Don't think about it, don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Please don't think about it.
"Shinji...can you please try synching with your EVA now" Dr Akagi's voice sounded over the intercom , startling Shinji out of his own thoughts of preparation.
"Okay Dr Akagi...Is my mum still in here?" Shinji asked hesitantly and waited for a reply, after a long period of silence it was his father that replied.
"We don't know Shinji, we expect that during Third Impact, you would have allowed Yui to rest peacefully" Gendou Ikari replied with more emotion then was usually displayed in his voice.
"But...doesn't EVA need a soul to work? What if I get sucked in!?!" Shinji shouted, heart rate skyrocketing.
"You will not Shinji. It is our belief that you are connected more strongly to the actual EVA unit since Third Impact, along with Asuka" Gendou replied, shocking the young boy with his father's use of his actual name.
"O-okay father. I'll try it" Shinji replied, clenching his fists.
Shinji attempted to reach out to the EVA but it felt different, the bond he had developed with unit 01 was different now. Maybe my mother really has gone...
"Shinji, your sync ratio is hovering around 40%. We need you to get higher" Dr Akagi's voice resounded inside the entry plug. He nodded and closed his eyes once more, attempting to reach out with his mind. Flashes of Third Impact assaulted his mind, the emotions he felt coursed through him. The total apathy he felt when Asuka wouldn't wake up, the fear and anger that ruled his thoughts.
"Shinji! Your sync ratio is dropping rapidly! What is going on in there?!" Dr Akagi screamed, interrupting his reminiscing.
"Shinji...I know what you are feeling...it's different now. It's not going to happen again Shinji...we are different now. C'mon Shinji...you can do this" Asuka's voice interjected.
Shinji took a deep shuddering breath, reaching out with determination to sync with his EVA.
C'mon! Sync with me! I won't be helpless Shinji thought with anger.
The young male felt an uncoiling feeling deep within his chest, unravelling towards the EVA unit. He clenched his hands into fists, I am different now! He thought with determination as he felt the EVA come alive around him.
"Shinji's sync ratio is rising rapidly! 66% 71%...stopping on 84.5%" Lt. Ibuki exclaimed in surprise. Commander Ikari smiled behind his hands, "Excellent".
Shinji, Asuka and Rei stood in the EVA cages, still dripping with LCL, as they awaited the test results. Shinji stood nervously, trying to not think about the last time he was in the EVA during Third Impact.
"Congratulations you three, You have all managed to improve on your first attempt back in the EVAs. Shinji you were 84.5, Asuka you were 85, and Rei you were 77" Dr Akagi told the three teenagers with a hint of a smile.
Shinji didn't smile, but merely nodded as he heard the news. He began to walk away towards the change rooms. The 3 girls noticed his attitude and frowned, even Rei.
Asuka glanced at the other two girls and then hurried after Shinji, she didn't even pause at the door to the men's change room. She found Shinji seated on the bench staring at his lap.
"Shinji...tell me what is wrong" Asuka said hesitantly, while she berated herself silently as she showed her vulnerable side to Shinji.
"Everything here...reminds of me that...time. I thought I had dealt with it, but I haven't. You were ripped apart..You don't understand what that did to me. It made me...begin the Third Impact. I...became God. I couldn't do anything" Shinji whispered, tears beginning to fall onto his legs. Asuka didn't say anything, but sat down next to Shinji in silence and waited for him to continue.
"I saw memories...I saw...too many things. I understand that the past is the past and I have to move forward. But I can't...it was so painful" Shinji clenched his fists and looked up into Asuka's face.
"The past is the past Shinji...things changed when we came back. A second chance at life is all the prompting most people need to not let what they wanted slip through their hands" Asuka replied to Shinji, placing her hands on top of his.
"So...you think I made the right choice?" Shinji asked, turning his watery eyes towards Asuka.
"...Yes. I believe that you did. I...myself am thankful for getting a second chance. Together with Wondergirl, we can make sure the world stays safe" Asuka told him confidently.
"People had revelations then? Came back with different attitudes?" Shinji asked quietly.
"Why do you think Dr. Akagi is here again? Or why your father has started to treat you differently?..why Rei has started to show her emotions? Or...why I'm attempting to be nicer to you?" Asuka replied, smiling slightly, as she clenched Shinji's hand.
"I had terrible...thoughts about you..when I was up there...I wanted you to die...you said you hated me...you said you didn't want me to bother you...and I attempted to strangle you when we first came up on the beach...then it wasn't long before I ran away from everyone in Japan" Shinji said quietly, looking away from Asuka's eyes. She grabbed his chin and made him look at her, she gazed deep into his eyes and leant forward and gently placed a kiss on his lips.
"As would anyone, after the way I had treated you. You're lucky that the rest of the world's infrastructure was still intact. But again...it's fine. It was most likely warranted" Asuka said softly, still gazing into Shinji's eyes.
"Things are different now though" Shinji said quietly, a smile growing on his face.
Asuka smiled and nodded and stood up from her bench, and whipped her hair over her shoulder.
"Go shower, you stink!" Asuka said playfully as she left him to go to her own change rooms.
"Thank you...Asuka" Shinji whispered to himself with a smile as he got up and walked to showers.
The car ride back to Misato's apartment was silent, but it wasn't awkward or strained. It was just a comfortable silence. The purple haired Major couldn't help but smile when she saw the lingering glances and smiles that Asuka and Shinji shot each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. "So, who's cooking dinner tonight?" Shinji asked as they stepped inside and kicked off shoes. He walked into the kitchen to see it was him and deadpanned. Damn...I don't feel like cooking tonight he thought tiredly.
"I'll cook tonight" A voice sounded from the doorway. Shinji frowned and turned towards the doorway to see someone who he really did not expect to see again.
"Kaji! You haven't been here for a while!" Misato exclaimed in happiness as she ran towards the unshaven man. Shinji was shocked and it must have showed because Kaji untangled himself from the excited Major and made his way over to Shinji.
"You seem surprised Shinji" Kaji spoke, grinning his trademark smile.
"Well...yeah. People came back after they all were turned to LCL but...you died before that" Shinji said, wondering whether or not he should be bringing this up.
"No one is certain but are assumption is...that because you were the cause of people coming back into the world, and because we were relatively close, I was on your mind when you made the decision to have everyone be able to come back...well..it gave me the chance as well. And I was pretty determined to live again" Kaji explained with a wry smile. Shinji smiled in return as Kaji got started on dinner.
Dinner had been an entertaining affair for everyone, Kaji and Misato were very much in love and liked to show it. And Kaji turned out to be a surprisingly good cook, in direct contrast with Misato. Shinji clicked the next button on his SDAT player, just as the ear plugs were taken out of his ears. He spun around to see Kaji putting his earphones on and listening to the start of a couple songs before handing the SDAT player back to Shinji.
"So, you've got some jazz songs now huh? Didn't really picture you for a jazz man myself, but at least your varying your music tastes" Kaji said with a chuckle, Shinji smiled in return.
"So, I'm guessing you told Misato that thing you couldn't say all those years ago?" Shinji asked with a smirk. For once, Kaji actually looked shocked before replying.
"So you heard that message too huh? But yes, I did. I wasn't about to let the chance slip through my fingers again. Speaking of which, have you told Asuka?" Kaji said, regaining the upper hand in the conversation. Shinji blushed a deep scarlet and attempted to stammer something out before taking several deep breaths and replying in a more understandable way.
"What makes you say that Kaji? There isn't anything like that between Asuka and I" the EVA pilot replied nervously.
"Ah, but you want there to be. And I'm sure that Asuka does as well" Kaji said with a chuckle. He gave Shinji an ironic salute and walked into Misato's room, leaving the Third Child sitting on the couch deep in thought.
"Shinji? What are you still doing up?" Asuka said, interrupted his thoughts, he looked up and his eyes widened as he saw that she was wearing a revealing one piece night gown.
"Umm...I-I was just listening to music" Shinji stammered, trying to keep his eyes on her face, for fear of painful retribution. Asuka only smiled and grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet.
"Get some sleep Shinji" She said into his ear playfully as she pulled him into a hug.
This isn't like Asuka Shinji thought as he felt Asuka's shapely body pressing against his.
"O-okay. Goodnight Asuka" Shinji replied, but Asuka didn't let him go, but just continued to stare into his eyes. After a couple moments, she realised what she was doing and blushed and practically ran into her room. Shinji stood where she left him for a few moments, stunned and not quite sure what to do, before he shook it off and headed to his own bedroom.
I like this new Asuka
A/N: Well there's another chapter! Let me know what you think! And please review so I can know if this is being read or not haha.
Till next time!
