Hey! I finished this kind of early, so i'll post it now. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and to everyone who is still reading. I've got nothing else to say, so, enjoy chapter 2.

Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion.


Episode 2: Back to School

Shinji grabbed a plastic cup from the cabinet. Misato hadn't had a clean glass in the house for a while. It was a surprise that these were even available. He unscrewed the cap to the orange juice and held the cup steady as he poured.

Shinji had woken up feeling great. He hadn't felt like this in a long time. He didn't know why, but he even showered and got ready for school. All that was left was for him to eat his breakfast and then leave. He sat down at the table and set the cup down. He just had to wait for the toast now.

As soon as his breakfast popped out of the toaster, Shinji heard a scream. It sounded like Asuka was up finally. "What the hell is wrong with you?" screamed the red-head as she threw the door to her room open. She ran over to the toaster. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"I'm not in charge of your life," said Shinji. "How am I supposed to know if you're going to school or not?"

"I think it's pretty obvious that I am!" she yelled back as she stole Shinji's toast. She had about half the thing gone before Shinji realized what she was eating.

"Hey!" he said. "That's my breakfast!" Asuka shoved the last bit into her mouth.

"Looks like it's mine now," she grabbed Shinji's cup of juice. She threw the cup down on the table once it was empty.

"Why can't you make your own breakfast?" Shinji said. He was getting irritated. Misato opened the door to her room and stared at what was happening. This had better be interesting considering it just woke her up. Asuka glared at Shinji.

"Since when did you start defending yourself?" she said. She ran over to the bathroom and had the door half closed behind her before she turned to stare at Shinji. "By the way, you suck at making toast," She slammed the door. Shinji just stared. Misato walked over to the table laughing. Shinji looked at her.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Nothing," said Misato, quieting her laughs. "It's just great to see you two acting like your old selves." Shinji gave her a confused stare before glancing over at the clock. He grimaced when he realized how long this scenario had taken. He was going to be late.

"Now I don't have time to eat," he muttered as he grabbed his backpack and opened the front door. "Bye, Misato!" he called as he ran out of the apartment. Misato waved.

The sound of running water stopped in the bathroom. A few seconds later, Asuka opened the door. She looked around for a few seconds. "Did he leave without me?" shouted Asuka, sounding offended. Misato nodded as she opened a can of beer. "He's unbelievable!" Asuka yelled.

She ran into her room and came out three minutes later, fully dressed. Her hair was still wet as she ran out of the house with a backpack in one hand and a brush in the other. "Damn it Shinji!" she yelled. "Get back here!" Misato just smiled and waved for a second time.

"Thanks for waiting!" yelled Asuka when she finally caught up to Shinji. Shinji didn't even turn to look at her. He just kept running.

"Oh yeah. Because you would've waited for me!" Shinji said sarcastically.

"Are you accusing me of being uncaring?" Asuka growled.

"Yes!" Shinji said flatly. The school was visible now. They might actually make it! Shinji felt a pain in his side from running. He couldn't keep up with Asuka. She started to pull ahead. "Slow down!" he called.

"Like hell I will!" Asuka yelled over her shoulder. The late bell rang while they were still in the hallway. They were definitely going to be marked late on the first day they came back.

Asuka was the first to open the door to the classroom. Both she and Shinji stood in front of the class trying to catch their breath. "Sorry!" started Asuka. She had to think of something to say to the teacher. "Shinji woke up late and made me wait while he got ready!"

"I woke up late?" he exclaimed. Asuka gave Shinji a look that would kill him if it could. Shinji was quiet after that.

"Like I said," Asuka began again before Toji said something.

"Save your breath," he said from his desk. "The teacher isn't here yet," Asuka and Shinji looked over to the teacher's desk. It was empty. They smiled and high-fived each other.

"Score!" said Asuka. After a few seconds with their hands still touching in the air, Asuka threw Shinji to the floor. "What's wrong with you?" she yelled. "Don't touch me like that!"

"What?" Shinji muttered as Asuka walked towards her desk. She stopped along the way to start a conversation with Hikari. Shinji rubbed the elbow he landed on when Asuka threw him as he walked towards his seat.

"Hey Shinji!" said Kensuke. "It's been a while!"

"Damn right, it has!" Toji said. "What the hell've you been doing'?"

"Well," started Shinji. He stopped as the teacher came in.

"Sorry I'm late class," said the teacher. Shinji looked straight ahead as the teacher began the lesson. It felt kind of nice to be back in class again. Shinji smiled as the chalkboard started to be covered in chalk lines.


"This is stupid!" growled Asuka. She sat in the entry plug of unit-02, and had her eyes closed. A small monitor appeared to the left of her. Misato's face occupied it.

"Stay focused!" she commanded. "Synch-Ratio tests require your full attention!"

"I'm sorry!" said Asuka, although she clearly wasn't. "It's just dumb! Why should we have to keep with these dumb tests if all of the angels are gone?" Another monitor appeared to her right. Shinji's face was in this one.

"Come on, Asuka," he said. "This only takes a few minutes," Asuka swatted at his monitor.

"Shut up!" she yelled. "You know as well as I do how pointless this is!" A third monitor with Rei's expressionless gaze depicted on it appeared above Shinji's

"I would have to agree with her," Rei said unenthusiastically. "The purpose of this is lost to me,"

"All of you focus!" shouted Misato. "Rei and Shinji! Concentrate on your Eva's only!"

"Sorry," muttered Shinji.

"Understood," Rei said at the same time.

Misato looked at a few monitors. After studying them for a while, she commented on something that stood out to her. "Asuka's synch-ratio has gotten a lot higher,"

"I guess we have the wonderful Instrumentality Project to thank for that,"

The sound of Ritsuko's sarcastic comment from behind her made Misato turn. Ritsuko had been uninterested in her work lately and the comment she just made on a project that she helped with confused Misato. "What do you mean?" asked the commander.

"Nothing," muttered the blond. "I'm clocking out early," Without even waiting for approval from Gendo, she walked out of the room. Misato just stared at the closed door.

"What's up with her?" she said to herself. All she heard for a response was Asuka complaining.

"Is it over yet? I have other things to do!" Asuka shouted. Misato glared at the picture of the red-head in the monitor before sighing.

"Fine," she breathed. "Shut down. Good work you three,"


The locker room was cold. Shinji had already changed out of his plug suit and was buttoning the last few buttons of his white shirt. He finished getting dressed and grabbed the backpack from his locker. Asuka had already stormed out of there muttering about what a waste of time the test had been.

He closed the metal door to his locker and turned to leave when he heard a soft voice. "Ikari?" Shinji stopped moving at the sound of Rei's voice. He decided against going to the other side of the lockers and just answered her.

"Uh, what is it?" he asked. He hoped Rei would just continue the conversation like this. That was why he sighed when she called him over. Obligingly, he walked to the other side of the lockers. His face burned red when he saw Rei.

All the first child was wearing was the white shirt issued as part of the school uniform. Shinji was silently thankful she was wearing underwear. He didn't know how he would've reacted if the shirt was all she had on. She was staring at her hand.

"Ikari?" she asked again. "Why did you hesitate…?"

Shinji narrowed his eyes. "I don't know what you're…" he was interrupted by Rei.

"I was there when you killed the last angel," she said calmly. Shinji's face became unreadable. When he had to do that, she was watching?

"Kaworu," Shinji whispered. Why would Rei bring him up? Why would she even think that this was something he wanted to talk about?

"I need to understand," Rei said. "Why didn't you do your job as an Eva pilot?"

"Rei, you don't-," was all Shinji could say before Rei stopped him. She walked right up to his face and spoke.

"Isn't it your job to do as you are commanded?" Rei asked.

"Rei," Shinji wasn't allowed more then that before Rei spoke again.

"You were commanded to kill him, but you almost didn't," she said. "Why?"

"Rei!" Shinji was cut off again.

"I need you to tell me why you couldn't do it on the moment," she said. "Tell me," she was as emotionless as ever. Her crimson eyes stared directly into Shinji's eyes. He couldn't deal with this. He was going to… "Tell me," Rei said again.

"Stop it!" yelled Shinji. "Just stop!" Tears were flowing down his face. Rei stared at him.

"Why are you crying?" asked the girl. Her white-blue hair shined in the white light above them. Shinji moved a hand up to his cheek. He actually was crying. He turned, almost as if to hide his face from the girl.

"I-I have to go," he muttered. He started to walk away. He had to get out of there. He couldn't believe that he stopped when Rei called him again.

"Shinji," she said. He tried to stand completely still, but he was failing. His entire body was shaking. "I believe the Second held an emotion very close to love for you," Rei said calmly. "Please understand that I harbor no such thing," She spoke in the same monotone as always.

Shinji didn't even take time to think about what she'd said. As confusing as it was, he still had to leave. He readjusted his bag and left Rei alone in the locker room.


Misato picked up the can of beer that she'd just opened. Condensation dripped down the side of the metallic surface as she brought the edge up to her lips. She threw her head back and drank the cold beverage. When the can was empty she slammed it on the table. "Nothin' like a cold brew before bed!" she exclaimed. Asuka put her fork down.

"You mean four?" she muttered. Watching Misato down four cans in a row like she just did made her seriously consider the commander being an alcoholic. Seeing Asuka's look, Misato shook her head.

"Trust me," she said. "I'm far from," Asuka nodded and picked up the fork again, not even caring how Misato knew what she was thinking. The front door opened without warning. Both turned to see Shinji walking in from the dark rain outside.

His bangs were stuck to his head from the water. He was soaked. A small puddle even formed where he paused to take his shoes off. "Did you walk here all the way from NERV?" asked Misato. Asuka had walked out right when Misato was getting into her car. The red-head managed to get a ride back. But this was at least thirty minutes before the rain started. If Shinji left right after, it still shouldn't have taken him this long.

"Where've you been?" growled Asuka. "It was your turn to cook tonight! Since you didn't show, I had too…" she trailed off as she looked at Shinji. It wasn't only rain water that streamed down his face. Shinji slid open the door to his room and closed it once he was inside.

Misato and Asuka glanced at each other. Just this morning he was in such a great mood. What happened? Misato stood up and walked over to his door. She slowly slid it open. Shinji was lying on his bed. He hadn't even bothered to take off his wet cloths. Now she knew something wasn't right.

"Shinji?" she asked quietly. He didn't move from his side. Deciding it would be best just to leave him alone, Misato closed the door. She turned to Asuka. Asuka looked at her for a short while, and then went back to eating. Neither one said anything the rest of the night.


Shinji sat outside in the warm sun. He looked up the small cement hill that lead up to a fenced in area where the girls where swimming. This was a familiar scene. Him staring up at Rei as the other girls talked and laughed. The main difference was that this time he wasn't staring at Rei with a feeling of wonder.

Kensuke dropped to the ground next to him. He was breathing heavily. After a few seconds, he turned to Shinji. "Hey Shinji," he said. He readjusted his glasses. "You know? I think Toji was lucky," Finally, Shinji turned to talk with Kensuke.

"Where's Toji?" he said.

"Since we're doing track and field today," started Kensuke who had finally gained control of his breathing. "They didn't let Toji participate 'cuz of his leg," Shinji grimaced a little at that. That was his fault. The good thing was that Toji had no memory of what happened while he was in his Eva.

Shinji turned back to the fence above them. Kensuke attempted to follow his gaze, but apparently failed at finding what Shinji was looking at. "Who're you staring at?" he said. Shinji shook his head.

"Nothing," he said and then stood up. He turned his back to the fenced area and tried to think of something else.


Asuka stared at the diving board in front of her. The gym teacher said that today they were going to be practicing dives. She had no clue why they were doing this, but it didn't matter. This was just another chance for her to succeed.

"Next," started the gym teacher. She had already announced about twelve people to dive. From the names she had called, it seemed not to be in any specific order. "Hikari Horaki!"

"Good luck," said Asuka as Hikari walked up to the diving board. After a few seconds, the sound of water breaking confirmed Hikari's dive.

"Good!" called the teacher. "Next, is Asuka Langley Soryu!" Asuka walked over to the diving board. She turned towards Rei.

"Don't blink, Wonder-Girl," she said grinning. "You might just miss the best dive you'll ever see," Asuka jumped once to build momentum and then moved to dive. She managed a flip before sliding smoothly into the water.

When she pulled herself up from the pool with the shining metal of the ladder, she grinned at Rei. "Top that, Wonder-Girl," She started to wring some water out of her hair when Rei spoke.

"Your ignorance of the truth is quite irritating," she said. Asuka stopped and stared at her.

"I'm sorry?" she said as if she didn't understand what Rei had spoken.

"The way you continue to act, as if you are superior in everything, is without logic. To say that you are better at things that everyone can see you aren't is foolish. At least two other students here were better then you, and yet you assume that I will fail in comparison," Rei didn't stop speaking. Asuka just stared at her.

"That seems like a thoughtless thing to say considering you have never seen me dive, and at the same time we both know that if I was better then you, you would brush it off as luck. This mood of behavior also continues with the Eva's. You believe that you are the best at piloting them, but out of the three of us, you would probably be the worst," Asuka just stared in horror as Rei continued to speak.

"How you can continue to be blatantly ignorant of the truth has surpassed even my ability to apply logic. Also, you act as if you hate Shinji Ikari, but you know that you don't. You treat him like dirt aside from the fact that you have strong feelings for him. I might even be able to say that you love-!" Rei stopped speaking when Asuka slapped her across the face.

Rei slowly turned her head back to where it was before the assault. A small red mark grew larger as time passed. Rei moved a pale hand up to her cheek and stared at Asuka with her mouth slightly open. Asuka had her head tilted downward. Her bangs cast her eyes in shadow.

"How could you," Asuka said quietly. "You think that what you said wasn't wrong at all…" Asuka looked up. Her eyes were narrow as if trying to look tough, but her eyebrows and the tears forming beneath them betrayed her. "The worst part is…that you won't even know why I hit you…"

Tears were now falling freely from Asuka's eyes. The girl turned and ran from the pool. She was out of sight when a couple of girls walked up to Rei. "That was harsh!" said one.

"Yeah, you went too far," added another. The third was Hikari Horaki.

"Yeah, but still," she said. Hikari looked at the open gate to the fence that Asuka ran out of. "I've never seen her cry in public…"


The last bell rang. Shinji glanced up at the clock before swinging his bag over his shoulder. Asuka didn't come back to class. He hadn't seen her since gym. He swallowed the spit in his mouth before reluctantly walking over to Rei. "Have you seen Asuka?" Rei shook her head.

"Not since she ran off during gym," Rei said it so casually one would assume this happened every day. He nodded thanks and then left the building. He had to find Asuka. Something wasn't right.

Asuka sat near the edge of a small lake. This wasn't that far away from the school and it was a quiet place for her to think about things. She didn't go back to school after gym. The sound of footsteps came from behind her. Asuka turned to see who it was.

Shinji was walking towards her. "Asuka!" he called. He said her name again when he got closer. "What are you doing here?" he asked. Asuka hugged her knees. When he got closer, he could barely talk. Surprise was all he felt. "Were you crying?"

"No," Asuka said, frantically trying to wipe her eyes. "Wonder-Girl just…pissed me off. That's all,"

"Rei?" Shinji asked quietly. He sat down next to her. "She seems different," Asuka gave him a look. They both just sat there for a while. Asuka actually felt better after a while. Maybe it was because Shinji was there. She shook her head. She knew that was why, but couldn't even admit it to herself. Finally, Shinji stood up. "Ready to go home?" he asked.

Asuka nodded. He started walking away. Asuka slowly stood up. "Shinji?" she spoke so quietly that he almost didn't hear her. Shinji stopped walking and turned a little. What Asuka said next surprised him even more then the fact that she'd been crying. At first, he thought he was hearing things. The surprise faded, and Shinji just smiled afterwards.

"Thank you," Asuka said.


Okay. That was chapter 2, hope you enjoyed. I know Rei isn't the same, but there's a reason. Thanks for reading, hope you still like it. Please review.