BEING HUMAN

Chapter3

There Is No Voice That Can Be Heard If No One Listens

Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion.

"When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool"

Behind Blue Eyes - The Who

Geofront

"I have read your report Captain, but I would like to hear it in your own words," Commander Ikari sat with his hands folded and stared coldly at the woman from behind his desk. "Now, I want you to explain to me why the Third Child is currently missing."

"W-well, you see sir," Misato gulped as she began to sweat at the Commander's unnerving gaze, it felt like she was naked in front of him whenever he wanted to "Pilot Ikari and myself had an argument after he disobeyed my order to retreat and-"

"I know all about the battle Captain, spare me the details," The Commander cut her off and intensified her gaze, "What made you think it would be a good idea to scold the Third Child for his actions that were, correct me if I'm wrong, satisfactory?"

"I-I thought…" Misato stuttered looking for words, Gendo could really make you feel insignificant whenever he is obviously displeased with you, "I thought t-that it was the proper procedure for soldiers-"

"It seems that you obviously fail to grasp something that is particularly very simple Captain Katsuragi," The Commander glared over his folded hands as he felt the nervous woman shiver as he said her last name with as much contempt as he could muster, "The 3rd Child's average synchronization ratio is only two points, let me repeat, two points lower than the 2nd Child's average, even with her recent higher scores."

He let the statement hang for another minute as Misato fidgeted a bit in front of him, "Captain, finding another candidate with his skill and potential at this time is near impossible, so it falls on you, and you alone to keep him here working with us," Gendo straightened up and his glasses turned opaque from an unseen light reflected from them, "NERV does not require officers who lack the skill to fulfill their duties," putting emphasis on the exact three words.

Misato paled as she grasped the meaning of what the Commander was saying, her duty was to keep Shinji piloting Unit 01 and to look after the boy, and she had failed on both counts because of his departure.

"Worst yet the pilot is gone when he is most vulnerable due to his sickness," The Commander continued relentlessly, "I want the 3rd Child back under your care within the next three days. If he is not at NERV within the that time, you shall not be here either, do you understand that Captain Katsuragi?"

"Yes sir!" Misato saluted before taking her leave, Gendo Ikari lets out a frustrated sigh as soon as the Captain stepped outside of his office and the door slid shut on their own.

"You almost made it sound like you were worried about your son for a moment there" Fuyutsuki said with a knowing grin. The older man stood hidden in the corner while Misato was being scolded, the poor woman never even noticed that he was there, watching every move of her shoulders, every uneasy glazing of her eyes, even every breath she took as she received the full brunt of Commander Ikari's reprimand, but then again, when he didn't want to be seen, it was very easy for him to blend in into his surroundings. It was a trait that was common with people like him, along with thousands of other neat little tricks.

A frown cracked the Commander's face, "Can you find him?" Gendo asked, ignoring the Vice-Commander's earlier comment.

"I already have," Fuyutsuki smiled, producing a rolled up paper map of Tokyo 3 out of nowhere as smoke wisped out of one end slightly, "But you know that Section-2 can't bring him back unless he wants to come back. They are obviously ill-equipped for the task if you ask me."

"What do you suggest we do then?"

"The boy has a strong connection with Captain Katsuragi, their wave lengths are very similar." Fuyutsuki explained as he put the map back into his chest pocket, "I believe that she can bring him back, I'll simply make a 'suggestion' to Dr. Akagi, so that the good Doctor will give her friend the right advise, and then I can make a 'suggestion' on where the boy may be found. Problem solved." The Vice-Commander pulled out a small white stone with the Kanji symbol for 'sight' written on it, "I'll give Shinji a day or two for himself so he can enjoy the full moon alone, of course."

Gendo nodded his approval. "Make it so," he ordered gruffly, he actually didn't like using the Fuyutsuki's 'other talents', but they did have their uses.

"As you wish" The grey haired man gave one last smile before fading into nothingness.

Gendo Ikari looked up at the ceiling, then grumbled underneath his breath. "Wizards."

Woods outside Tokyo-3

The night was brightly lit by the light of the full moon, the stars accompanying it in full force without the obstructions of the artificial lights of the humans. Moonlight shone through the leaves of the forest, illuminating every path and passage almost invisible to the naked eye, but to Shinji's eyes, the night was as bright as day, better even. Under the sun's rays he felt unnaturally naked, bare, like everyone could see inside of him, see what he really was, the dark, vile, and evil creature that should be feared and have been the perception for his kind. But at night he didn't have to worry about all of those things, he belonged in the night, and the night embraced him as one of its kind, and all the other freaks, too afraid to show their real faces in the light, afraid to be hated, afraid to be feared, while in the dark they didn't have to hide, in the dark they were welcomed, in the dark they were normal, in the dark they were powerful, and for that Shinji loved the night, but most of all he loved the moon, and how it made him feel… invincible.

Oh how it felt so good, to have its bewitching light bathe his body. Oh how he loved the feel of dirt and earth underneath his feet, the wind ravaging his furry body, his powerful blood pumped through his veins, allowing him to run faster than the human eye could even see. When he thought about it, he figured it was his blood that was the source of his power, than in the moon, while under the moon's gaze it felt like lava replaced his blood, under the moonlight he became a living machine that ran under the rays of a heavenly deity.

'Run' Shinji thought, pushing his legs harder as he sprinted through the woods, dodging trees and bush. 'Run until it stops hurting! Run until you forget what you are, what you want to be, and forget what you can never be again!' Shinji told himself, desperate for an answer, a reason, anything, aside from this feeling that he have in his heart.

He felt empty, like something was missing and he had no idea what it was, he was lost again in his mind, confused on what he really was meant to do. He was an animal, a beast, and yet he had a chance to do something to prove he could be a human being again, but then again that was just a lie. He had piloted the Evangelion so he could lie to himself, saying he was human by saving humans, and that he was happy to do it. But in the end, he was just another monster for them, killing other monsters and hurting innocent people where he had no hand into it.

Just once, when he tried to do the right thing, to protect a human life, even if that human hated him for piloting, he ended up being yelled at by the person he was beginning to respect. And just like that, with a snap of a finger, he saw what was the Evangelion was really about.

Death.

A familiar scent broke him out of his thoughts, he skidded to a halt and took a deep sniff of air. He recognized it as the scent of the boy who had hung around Toji, 'What was his name? the other boy that he had saved during his fight with the Angel. Shinji was about to continue running but couldn't seem to move, 'Does he hate me too?' Shinji wondered as he contemplated on the situation.

Deciding that he wanted to know what he was thinking, Shinji changed back into his human form. The baggy jeans he had been wearing fell down to his ankles, along with the bag of clothing he had tied around his waist. He hastily changed into a simple outfit before running off into the direction of the 'other boy's' scent. It didn't take long for the 3rd Child to find the boy. He was however a little surprised to see what the boy actually was doing, the sandy blonde boy was sitting around a camp fire, dressed up like a soldier. Shinji walked up silently towards the boy, only letting the boy know he was there when he was ten feet away, "Mind if I join you?" Shinji asked with a small uneasy smile he had been practicing in the mirror for a long time.

Kensuke looked up, startled, with his mouth agape, after blinking stupidly a couple of times he returned the Eva pilot's smile and beckoned for him to sit down. As the 3rd Child sat down he offered him an IMP (AN#1), but he politely refused, saying that he had eaten already. After sitting around the fire for a while in silence Kensuke finally spoke up, his voice shaking a little, "Thank you for saving us," he said and bowing his head as Shinji turned to him.

His eye widened at the gesture, he wasn't expecting a thank you. "Why?" he asked clueless, like being blind-sided with a punch. Seeing Kensuke's puzzled look at his question he continued, "Why are you even thanking me? You almost died because of me, they told me to get up and attack. If I had done that you would have been crushed. And I almost did that!" Shinji looked away in shame, but a small shimmer of gratitude and a sense of pride swelled in him.

"Yeah, but you didn't, did you? You obviously disobeyed a direct order Ikari," Kensuke grinned happily, seeing that he wasn't saying anything, he plowed ahead, "You know what, even Toji's grateful towards you for saving our lives. Hell, you could have just let us die, stood up and let that Angel fire those weapons of his, it might have been the logical thing to do as a soldier, but you didn't Ikari. You made a choice and it kept us, all of us in Tokyo-3 alive." He reached over and placed a hand on the taller boy's shoulder, making Shinji look him in the eye, "That's why I am saying thank you."

The werewolf's cheeks blushed at this, for the first time he couldn't help but smile at Kensuke, he was happy that there was actually someone who he had helped with the Evangelion that thanked him for what he did. Maybe the Eva wasn't just about death, maybe it could be used as a tool to protect people, just like a sword. It's used as an instrument to kill, but it can also act as a shield at the same time, maybe he can use Eva as a shield to save humanity. He watched the fire contently the two young men letting the silence unchecked this time, letting their thoughts wander.

Just then, a stomach growled, 'All that running made me hungry' , "Hey Kensuke, got one of those IMPs with a steak or something that has a stew in them?"

NERV- Command bridge

"I AM SO SCREWED!" Misato's scream could be heard through all of NERV HQ, well within their floor at least. Imagine how Ritsuko felt sitting next to her, "I think I need to get my ears checked," she mumbled as she shook her head, trying to remove the cobwebs of the scream, "Why yes Misato, I do think it would be fun to go through the rest of my life unable to hear out of that ear" her friend looked at her and grunted sarcastically.

"Sorry" Misato smiled sheepishly before looking down at her feet. "It's just if I don't find this kid in the next three days I'm really screwed."

"The finding part isn't going to be your major problem in this."

"What do you mean by that?" Misato asked, fixing her friend with a confused look

The faux-blonde doctor continued "All right, sure, let's say you find him, then what happens?" Ritsuko looked at her friend straight into the eye, "He ran away for a reason, he doesn't want to pilot the Eva. So what are you going to do to make him pilot again? Put a gun to his head? Say that if he doesn't pilot you'll kill him? I'm sure that that'll work," irony evident with every statement.

"What do you think I should do then huh?" Misato snapped at her, she watched Ritsuko's face went blank and a dull light seemed to flash through her eyes. She was about to ask what was wrong when the doctor continued, as if she never paused at all.

"Looking for him isn't going to be enough, you have to be ready to talk to him, not order him, that'll just backfire at you," Ritsuko explained casually, "Talk to him, let him know how important it is he comes back to pilot. But don't talk to him like you're his commanding officer, or a drill sergeant at boot camp, that won't work because he isn't a soldier."

The doctor paused and took a sip of coffee, "He's a sixteen year old kid in an extraordinary situation and he obviously doesn't know how to deal with it. Try to understand what he's going through. Be there for him at least, offer him help instead of the bitching you gave him awhile ago."

"You really had to rub it in huh?" Misato sat in her chair in silence before sighing, "I think you're right."

"Of course I am" Ritsuko smiled triumphantly, nothing like knocking some sense into your friend, "so since you look like you may have a chance to bring him back, I advise checking the woods around the city"

"What? Why?"

"Well…" Misato's friend mused at her, "1st of all, since yesterday was the first day of the three days he's ill he wouldn't try to move too far away. 2nd, staying in the woods would keep him hidden from Section-2 as well and if I were you that's where I would check first."

"My god! You're absolutely right!" Misato shouted as she jumped up out of her chair grabbing her bag, gun, and files, "Don't worry Rits! I'll be back with our wayward Shin-Chan in no time!" Misato declared as she ran off excitedly into the hallway going to the parking area.

"Oh dear…" Ritsuko sighed as she remembered her friend's sense of direction, "She's going to get lost again…"

In a corner, hidden under a veil a gray haired old man chuckled, 'As long as the Captain finds the boy while she's lost, that's all that matters,' Fuyutsuki smiled and vanished into thin air.

Woods outside Tokyo 3- last night of the full moon

After spending the night at Kensuke's Camp, the 3rd Child said his goodbye and left him to be alone in his wandering. It was something he was used to, something he both craved and hated, there were times when he wished there was someone, at least, someone who would understand him, someone who that could run beside him under the beautiful light of the moon, someone that can be with him. But there were times, when the sun shone brightly in the sky, especially at midday, oh how he hated the blinding light like that he couldn't hide in, those were the times he wished he could be alone, away from the judging eyes of those that could never understand him, even a sliver of his situation.

So he now wandered underneath the shade of the forest, reveling in the dark comfort they gave him and waiting for the sun to set. He was deep in thought as he walked the woods, this was the last night of the full moon, it meant that in the morning he'd have to leave the forest, and leave Tokyo-03 for good. Meeting Kensuke had cause much more confusion within Shinji. It was very simple at first when he decided to leave, wait until the last full moon and then go back, go back where ever he came from.

But now he was having second thoughts about leaving.

His whole reasoning for leaving had been that Eva could only hurt people, like it had Toji's sister. Well, that was what he was telling himself. Deep down he knew better though, he was angry, hurt and afraid. He had trusted Misato like a family, like a pack, and she had ordered him to abandon those boys to die. It was that fact that had shattered his image of Misato. If she could so easily condemn two children to their deaths, was he really on the right side? Wasn't it like World War II again?

Misato had been so kind to him, like a big sister, or a female family he never once knew or appreciated. But now it seemed like it was all a fake, just for show so that he'd shut up and be a good little soldier for her. Did he even mean anything to her at least? Aside from being the designated pilot of Unit 01, was he ever only important to her as the pilot of Unit 01? He didn't exactly know the answers, and they were driving him insane and close to the brink of transforming again.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost missed the sound of a voice calling his name, freezing in mid step Shinji concentrated his hearing on the sound. "Shinji!" more like a full-blown racket to me, its Misato's voice echoing faintly through the forest.

'What should I do?' Shinji thought as he started to panic, not knowing how to confront or face her, 'Why did she come here anyway? It was really more simple back then… Do I go to her then? She'll just try get me to pilot again. But what do I want? Do I want to go back? To NERV? To my… Father?' Shinji quickly took off running in the direction of Misato's voice.

Just behind a hill lined with trees he soon found her, screaming at the top of her lungs, in a small meadow on the outskirts of the forest. He watched her for a few minutes hidden behind a tree before stepping out and leaning against the tree.

"Can I help you?" Shinji asked calmly.

"Waaaaaaaaaaah!" Misato screamed as she jumped four feet off the ground, when she returned back to the earth she spun around to face her young charge, the one who ran away from her yesterday.

"Shinji!" she gasped unbelieving he was actually here, "I've been looking everywhere for you!" she smiled walking towards the boy.

"Well, you found me… so, um, w-what do you want?" Shinji cursed himself silently for fumbling for the right words. He was confused, nervous, and a little afraid. Misato was someone he had let get close to him, something he hadn't done with a human since he could remember. Now he was so uncomfortable it scared him. He was mad at her, yet he understood why she had ordered him to abandon Kensuke and Toji. But he couldn't agree with her. Now he was most likely going to fight with her about EVA again and a sinking gut feeling made him weak inside. He didn't like it one bit.

"I just want to talk" She said raising her hands as a sign that she came in peace. She sat down on a tree that had fallen over long before and patted the spot next to her, indicating that she wanted him to sit next to her.

Shinji reluctantly sat next to her, a bit surprised about how she was acting. "So, uh, what do you want to talk about?" he asked as he tried to get comfortable to no avail.

"Why do you hate the Evangelion?"

Shinji's eye widened at the question, he looked Misato straight in the eye and saw how serious she was. He took a deep breath before starting, "At first I was afraid, I mean, you saw what the Angel did, all the attacks it took without a scratch. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. And my… F-Father told me to fight it, and kill it! I'm 16! I could have been killed easily, and he didn't even care! How was a kid who has never really been in a fight suppose to kill something that could destroy cities huh?"

"Why did you really get in the Eva?" Misato asked patiently.

"I got in because I hate my Father" Shinji sighed as he emphasized the word, "It's hard to explain to you Misato, I felt like I had to prove him wrong. Prove that the son he abandoned was a son worth having, I can't describe how I hate him. I don't feel like calling him names or thinking down on him. I have this rage inside me that makes me want to rip out his spine and carve out his heart with it. I know I shouldn't think that way about my father, but then I think 'this man left me' and something just snaps, and I have no control. I got in because I wanted to show… m-myself that I was in control, that I was the master of my own self."

"But that's not the worst of the Eva" the 3rd Child continued, "No it really isn't that, the worst part is the EVA, Misato" he whispered looking her in the eye a little haughty than before, "there is something seriously wrong with those things. It's alive, like it's human, only it's really not one. When I'm in it I feel wrong, I feel like I'm in the worst possible place. I can't jump, I can't run, and can't even hide. I'm trapped, imprisoned in there. And then I can feel it when I synch, I feel the EVA trying to get at me, in my mind, trying to break me…"

What Shinji didn't say was every time he felt the EVA scratch at his mind, the beast inside him tore right back. That was another thing that bothered him, the beast was the part of himself that he despised the most. He was himself, the human part, then there was the wolf, which was his instincts and animal desire, the part of himself that made him wild and free. And then there was the beast. It was everything that humanity had to fear. It was Hate, Rage and Malice and everything that was described as black in a person's soul. It wanted nothing more than to rip, tear and devour. It was what the stories that kept children up at night were made of, it was the monster inside of him. And it was the one thing that kept the presence of the EVA out of his mind. What really had him thinking was, if the monster inside him was protecting him, how evil was that thing it was protecting him from.

"Shinji" Misato whispered calmly after a few minutes of silence, chipping away the barriers he made inside of himself, "I'm here for you, if you need someone there for you to talk to-"

"No!" Shinji cut her off, "Not that I don't want to, I want to, god, I really do. I wish I could tell you all the things that have me so confused, but I can't. There are things about me that I just can't talk to other people about. I can't tell you, or the kids at school or anyone. Damn, I'm so tired of pretending too! I smile and I laugh when I should, but I don't want to. I put on a fake smile so I fit in, so people don't get suspicious, so they think I'm just like them. I'm not though, and it kills me to pretend all the time."

Shinji got off the tree and turned his back to Misato, "I know you want me to pilot the EVA, but I can't think of a good enough reason to, I just want to leave and never look back."

"Shinji" Misato stood up and place a hand on his shoulder, "I can't force you to do anything that you don't want to do. But I can tell you what will happen if you don't pilot the EVA. If the Angels win, it's all over for us. Everything will die, you, me, Pen-Pen, everyone will die. We don't have a choice right now, you're all we've got. I know it's not fair, it really isn't, and I really wish I didn't have to ask you to do this"

She turned Shinji around so she look him in the eye, "I have to ask you to make the hard choice now, to make the choice I don't even think your father could make. I have to ask you to be selfless, to fight a fight you shouldn't have to. Be a better man than your father could ever be. Focus that anger onto the Angels who've put us all in this situation. You need someone to hit, hit them and hit them hard. I'm sorry for asking you to do this, but will you pilot the EVA again?"

Shinji just stared back into her pleading eyes for awhile, 'What choice do I really have?' he thought to himself, "Y-yes" he answered her finally with a sigh. "Is it alright if I come home tonight after a bit? I still need a bit of time to clear my head ."

Misato bit her lip but didn't say anything, she wasn't sure if he'd actually come home if she let him leave her sight right now. She realized though that she had to start trusting him right now, and getting him to trust her for life.

"Sure" she said finally relenting, "Just come home safe ok?"

Shinji smiled before turning around and running off into the woods to enjoy the last full moon of that month leaving Misato to go back to the trail where she came from.

Misato's Apartment- 2 months later

That night the 3rd Child did return, looking very much refreshed and at peace with himself, he also returned to school the next day and was confronted by Kensuke and Toji. The latter had tried to get Shinji to punch him, as an apology for attacking him, he only responded with a smile and saying, "I already kicked your ass once already, it wouldn't be fair if I did it again."

"You had to rub it in huh?"

"Yeah, I think I have to," they both smiled and he playfully hit Toji in the upper arm, no harm done.

That had been the start on one of Shinji first friendships, sure it wasn't perfect, friendships never are, but it was enough for him. He enjoyed talking to the two boys, and going to the arcade as well, they made him feel more like a normal kid than a werewolf cub, which was what he wanted, at least for a bit when he was with them.

The last Angel attack had been as interesting as the others, floating diamond that looked harmless, but it was a bit more trickier than the ones before it. The damn thing had nearly fried him the first time he was deployed, thank god he recovered in a few hours due to his condition and was ready for payback. The 1st Child had gained enough control to join him on the attack, but wasn't really needed when he shot down the Angel with the Pulse Synchrotron Rifle on the first try. Of course, with his heightened senses he was able to make the shot easily on the first try.

Rei had been… well, Rei. Cold, emotionless, did I say cold already?

She was still creeping him out a bit, but he was starting to look at her as more of a comrade and a friend, aside of course, from being ectoplasm in nature. At first it really bothered him on how his father showed her much more interest than him, but he soon put in behind him, deciding it was simpler to ignore the Commander in more ways than one.

All in all the last two months had passed by quickly, this day would have been just like any other day if it hadn't been for Misato suddenly storming into the apartment, waking Shinji from his very nice nap that he was having on the couch, mind you he was running the other night, "Shinji! You have to see this!" she yelled at him as she started to half-drag and half-shake him awake and out of the apartment.

When they reached the outside of their building he saw in the parking lot what had gotten Misato so excited she was flustered all over. Sitting there pretty, with a pearlescent black finish and with a soft top, was a 1979 Pontiac GTO. Shinji's eyes gave a quick all-over and caught sight of a note underneath the windshield wiper.

To: Ikari Shinji it read, From: Roy McCaster. He smiled instantly as he picked up the letter by the edge and started to read.

Dear Little Pup,

I've heard about what you've been up to and I just wanted to say that I couldn't be prouder to know that you come from my pack. You've done exceptionally well, and I wish you the best, I believe in you boy.

This is a little gift from all of us (okay, mostly me) as a way to say congratulations on surviving this long, keep it up lad!

Yours Truly,

Roy McCaster

Shinji couldn't help but grin wolfishly. His own car, and it was a god damn classic!

"Shinji" Misato's voice broke him out of his daze, unable to peel her eyes off the muscle car, "What is this all about?"

"Just a gift from a friend back from where I used to live" Shinji smiled happily and gave the car another all-over and settled his sights on the front grills, the round side mirrors, the classic white side wheels with matching classic mags.

"Just a gift? This is a gift?" Misato said with mixed emotion, "Do you even have a license?" Shinji nodded at her and she finally approached the car, "Shin-Chan, this is a 1979 Pontiac, my god in heaven, GTO! They stopped making these monsters years ago!" She popped the hood to look under it and her mouth watered. "Oh my god, and it has the original chromed V8 engines too? Complete with turbo charger! Thank, god there's no NOS, this thing is more of a rocket ship than a car! This thing must have cost at least half a million (AN#2). What did the letter say?"

"He- He said that he was proud of me" Shinji wiped a single tear that made its way into his eye, "I kinda wish I could hear that from my father, but I guess Roy will have to do." But truthfully, Roy had been more a father to him than the Commander had been, Roy was the father of his new life, and Shinji was thankful for it, even with its black spots of course.

"Aww… Come here Shin-Chan, you big sissy!" Misato gave a sob and hugged her young charge, "You don't think that maybe I could take it for a little spin?" She asked and pouted when the boy shook his head.

"Not until I take it out first Misato," which obviously cheered her up.

"Hey miss Katsuragi!" another cheerful voice called, the two turned their heads to see Toji and Kensuke walking towards them, "Can we get a hug too?" they both said excitedly, Misato giggled and shook her head before letting Shinji go.

"Wow!" Kensuke whistled in appreciation, "Who's car is this?" both his and Toji's jaw dropped when Shinji pointed to himself. "Whoa! No shit? Awesome!"

"Sure is," The 3rd Child smiled as he spun the keys around his finger, "You guys want to go for a ride?"

"Do we want to go for a ride? Hell yeah we want to!" Toji cheered as the three boys climbed to the car, Shinji puts in the ignition and turned it, the car roared to life, it engine growling at the massive torque it was suppressing. He flicked the radio on, which started to play 'Fortunate Son' by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

"Aww…" Toji whined at the voice of Mr. Fogerty, "American classic rock?"

"House rules boys" Shinji grinned at them as CCR played their music, "Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole," he rolled down his window and turned to Misato, "We'll be back in a few hours" he said as he drove off. The smile never faded from his face.

' I believe in you boy' had been Roy's words. If Roy believed in him, then Shinji would never let him down.

Over The Rainbow- somewhere in the ocean

Kaji leaned against the ship's railing smoking a red filter in silence, he almost dropped his smoke when he felt two cold slender arms embrace him from behind.

"Asuka" Kaji sighed heavily, exhaling the smoke through his nose. "Have you fed yourself yet?"

"Nah-uh, not yet…" A young girl's voice answered him from behind, "I don't want to feed off from any of these dirty old sailors. You know that I want you Kaji" one the girl's hands started to slide up and down the man's chest erotically, "Just a little nibble and then we can undress each other and- ahh!"

Asuka hissed as she felt something burn the hand she had been rubbing up and down his chest. She looked at Kaji to see him holding a small cross in his hand, "Hey! Why did you do that?"

"Well Asuka" Kaji smiled at her charmingly with his roguish and unshaved grin, "You're a lot stronger than me, so a weak guy like me has to use what he can to let a girl like you know that 'no' means 'hell no" his face turned stony-serious, "You should go glamour one of the crew so you can feed before dawn."

Asuka turned away with a huff, her hair waving in the night air, she stopped at a door way to turn her head slightly to look over her shoulder, her eyes fixed on him as it almost glowed in the semi-darkness, "You hate Vampires, don't you?" she asked in a small voice, almost in a whisper.

Kaji sighed and took another drag of his smoke, finishing it off, flicking it towards the ocean. It was really sad, that this young girl had this terrible curse forced upon her. The man always knew that the girl didn't ask for this to happen, and it wasn't fair to judge her for something she had no control of whatsoever, but he couldn't help it.

After what they did to him, to his friends and his comrades, he could never forgive the blood suckers, "Yes, I do," he whispered honestly.

Asuka's eye widened with shock, Kaji was able to see a single tear fall off the ivory white skin before the girl vanished inside the darkness of the ship. He sighed again before pulling out a cigarette, placing it in his lips and lifted two fingers to the end, a small flame appeared and he inhaled, lighting another one of his red filters. He exhaled through his nose one more time, "It's going to be one Hell of a Ride."

To be continued…

AN#1: IMPs are packets that serve as meals for Soldiers, and they are nasty! Beans and wieners are the only good ones, that and the stew ones, because they come with this awesome Maple desert, and it tastes amazing!

AN#2 I'm not going to try and figure out Japanese money, lets all just say that after second Impact The whole world changed their currency to the Canadian Dollar. That's right people, all hail to the Looney!

I'm sorry that I haven't posted a chapter in a while. My computer died, I've been depressed, my life all together sucks. More reviews will get me in the mood to write.

I need an idea. What kind of creepy critter should I write about?