After the Volcano p 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Neon Genesis Evangelion. Wish I did, though.
"What? We gotta be naked for this test? Whose bright idea was it this time, Misato?" Grumbling in German, Asuka says, "The Commander probably put her up to this to allow baka Shinji to see me naked." Turning to give Shinji a glare, she switches back to Japanese and adds, "You better not be looking over toward me when we leave this spot, hentai Shinji."
"I won't, Asuka. I think I've already had my quota of weekly beatings the other day."
"Sarcasm doesn't become you, baka hentai. As far as beatings go, you don't decide on your weekly quota, I do. You got that?"
Without waiting for Shinji's reply, Asuka strides toward the simulation plug, not caring if Shinji gets a premium view of her backside or not. Before entering her plug, she looks back and sees Shinji covering his eyes with his left hand. Along with his manhood starting to stand erect.
'Mmm, what I could do with that meat-pole in me.' Blushing profusely, Asuka scampers into the plug, muttering, "I don't want Shinji, I want Kaji." However, it doesn't stop her from pondering having Shinji as a backup option.
As she walks toward the simulation plugs alongside Shinji, Rei finds herself curious about Asuka and her reaction to seeing Shinji in the nude without Shinji being aware of it.
'It seems Pilot Sohryu is deeply conflicted regarding her feelings about Pilot Ikari and Mr Kaji still. Her time to decide grows short. If she doesn't make a decision by that time, she will not be able to make a choice.'
Hours later, inside the plug, after the 11th Angel's defeat, Asuka is sleeping after having yelled out for help. And deeply enjoying it. "Mmm, Shinji. Give me your baby. Yes, my darling baka. I want your baby in my belly where it belongs until it's ready to come out." Snapping awake upon hearing her plug's hatch being opened, she thinks, 'I didn't just dream of telling Shinji to knock me up, did I? Oh, please tell me I didn't!'
To say she won't be sleeping soundly for a while would be an exaggeration. For that same night, after she got a shower and all the LCL washed off, she dozed off deeply, wearing a seductive smirk.
In his office, Gendo is reading the reports from the experiment before making his choice for the next phase of creating the new system.
"Dr Akagi, I want you to schedule a cross-synchronization between the First and Third Children."
"What about the Second Child, sir?"
"I think it'll be best to leave Pilot Sohryu out of the equation as she is a firebrand. To base the resulting system on her would be inviting disaster for NERV and the human race."
"Yes, sir."
Days later, Asuka, Shinji and Rei are going into NERV together when Akagi stops them from going too far in. "Shinji, Rei, the Commander wants you two to do a cross-synchronization experiment. Just to ensure you can pilot each other's EVAs in case the actual pilot is incapacitated or worse."
"What about Asuka? It doesn't seem fair to leave her out of it."
"Sorry, Shinji, but we have an odd number of EVAs here. Maybe when Units 3 gets here, we can do a more in-depth experiment. But, for right now, it's just you and Rei."
"Yes, ma'am. Later Asuka."
"Later, baka Shinji." Once Shinji's out of earshot, she mutters, "Thanks for being considerate toward me. Even though I'm a mega-bitch toward you."
"Concerned about him, Asuka?" Akagi's voice snaps Asuka out of it, causing the German girl to blush furiously before shaking her head.
"Heavens, no! I just want to be sure he knows his place in life. That's all."
"I see. In any case, you may want to suit up and stand by. Just in case."
"You got it, Doc!" As Asuka scurries to the locker room, Akagi can only shake her head in amusement.
'That girl's got it bad and she can't help but deny it.'
Two hours later, Shinji's portion of the cross-synchronization begins and Asuka listens intently over Unit 2's communications panel.
"How does Unit 0 feel, Shinji?"
"I can smell Rei in here, Misato."
Unable to resist, Asuka butts in with, "You can smell Wondergirl? Pervert!"
"Asuka, get off the channel!" Misato's voice brooks no argument and Asuka complies. Just as Hell starts going breaking out. "Shinji!" Shinji's screams, along with Misato's, garners Asuka's curiosity.
"Misato! What's going on?"
"Unit 0's gone bonkers, Asuka!"
'Hang on, Shinji. I'm coming.' Preparing to start up her Eva to save Shinji as Unit 0 bashes the window and itself, she soon finds out she's too late to do anything.
"Entry plug ejected, Major!"
"Get Shinji out of there and Unit 0 under wraps until we can figure out what the Hell happened!"
As the crew works to carry out Misato's orders, Asuka thinks, 'Just what in the world happened, Shinji? One minute, everything's wunderbar, the next, everything's gone freakily haywire.'
Two hours later, Asuka is entering the Infirmary, intent on checking Shinji's status. Asking the duty nurse where his room is, she finds out and barely manages to keep herself from skipping.
'I don't have a crush on Shinji! I don't have a crush on Shinji!' When she gets close to the door, she can see it's open and Shinji's unconscious. Smiling widely, at the thought of sitting beside Shinji without him being aware of it, Asuka then opens the door and freezes at the sight before her. Rei and Gendo on opposite sides of Shinji's bed.
"Commander, Wondergirl. What brings you two here?"
"The same reason you are, Pilot Sohryu." Rei's voice is soft and monotone as she goes on. "We're here to see Shinji to ensure he'd suffered no ill effects. However, we can only do so when he's unconscious. At least that's the way Commander Ikari put it."
"I see. I won't be long. Family only, I suppose."
"You do realize I can arrange that for you, Pilot Sohryu?" Gendo's question has Asuka sputtering before he goes on. "For a time, I've wondered where he gets his strength from and often find myself jealous when I can't find it. But, I can guess. Love. He loves you, Pilot Sohryu." Gendo turns back to see Asuka's face, but doesn't see her. 'Strange. I could have sworn she was just here.'
Asuka's face is beet red as she storms out of the Infirmary, thinking, 'He can arrange for me to be Shinji's family? As in his sister or… wife? Nein, nein, nein.' Angrily, she mutters, "I want Kaji. No one else."
That night, in the apartment, Asuka wonders, "Just what is it about Wondergirl? Everything about her is a mystery. Not even Shinji knows. How frustrating."
Two weeks later, Asuka is storming back to the apartment after her 'date', furious and relieved at the same time. Furious because the guy was a dork and boring. Relieved because it meant spending time with Shinji. She then snaps her fingers, remembering that the anniversary of his Mother's death was that day, and hopes that he made it through okay.
Next thing she knows, a truck engine comes up behind her and a voice comes from it.
"Excuse me, do you think you can help me?" Asuka turns toward the source and sees an unusually-designed big rig with an oblong nose. Looking up, she can see the driver's wearing a black leather vest.
'Kinda hot for leather, isn't it?' Shrugging it off, she replies, "If I can."
"Great. Can you tell me where I am?"
"You're in Tokyo-3, of course." The driver's eyes bulge out and he groans, causing Asuka to lightly giggle.
"Great. Knew I should've taken that left turn at Albuquerque. Better turn around then and backtrack. See where I went wrong. Thanks a heap. Oh, by the way, you ever see this guy?" The driver brings up a poster depicting a Caucasian man with grey curly hair.
Peering intently at it, she replies, "I'm afraid not, sir. Shinji may have, though. He's been here longer than I have." Curious, she asks, "Why are you looking for him?"
"This guy in particular vanished three days ago. He's a very dangerous fugitive. I doubt your friend would've seen him. But, I can ask him though."
"Slight problem there. I don't know if he's back from seeing his Mother's gravesite yet. I don't want to waste your time if he isn't. You look like you're in a hurry to get this resolved."
"Well, I am. Plus I don't think he'd have gotten this far so quickly. What doesn't make sense is how I got here to begin with."
"Well, like you said, maybe you should've taken that left turn."
"Yeah. That's his old stomping ground, anyway. Thanks a heap, little lady."
"My pleasure. You are?"
"Just call me Highway. You?"
"Asuka Langley Sohryu. I'm the Second Child for NERV. Charmed, huh?" At 'Highway's chuckling, she giggles and adds, "I wish you could stick around a bit longer, 'Highway'. Shinji could use a bit of cheering up. He's always so pessimistic. You can give him some tips on becoming a better man than he presently is."
"Maybe later on down the road. This guy is dangerous and I gotta find him. Before he wreaks further havoc. But, I can pass on a little bit for you to pass on to him. 'Stay true to your friends and your heart'. It'll make him better in the long run."
"Well, he's doing a good job of that so far. I mean, he saved my life in that volcano."
Giving a nod and grin, 'Highway' replies, "Then he's got it made. He's just gotta keep it up and he'll go far." Putting the unusual truck into gear, he adds, "You take care of yourself, Ms Sohryu. Yourself and Shinji."
"You got it, 'Highway'. I hope you find that guy."
'Highway' gives her another nod and pulls away from her. Once he's out of visual range, she mutters, "Strange guy. But he'd be a good role model for Shinji. 'Stay true to your friends and your heart'. But, somehow, I don't think that'll be enough for him."
When she gets to the apartment door, she can hear the soft sound of a cello emanating from within.
'Hello. What's this?'
Taking a tentative look around the corner, her eyes can't help but shoot open upon seeing the timid Third Child playing a cello. And playing it quite well in her opinion. She can't help the feeling of pride that swells up within her.
'If nothing else, I can easily see him playing in an orchestra. He plays beautifully.' When the playing stops, she gives him soft but genuine applause. "That's very good, Shinji."
"Oh, thanks Asuka."
"Where'd you learn to play like that?"
"I've been taking cello lessons since I was five, but I'm not very good."
'Are you kidding me, baka Shinji? It doesn't get any better than that.' Curious, she asks, "Why didn't you simply quit then?"
"Nobody told me to, I suppose."
'You poor thing. Is your self-worth that low to the point you have to told whether or not to keep playing? "Highway's" advice definitely won't be enough. But it's worth a try.'
In his mind, Shinji can't help but think about what Gendo had told him at Yui's 'gravesite'. 'Does he really think that burying memories helps one to survive? What is he smoking?' Returning his attention to Asuka, he asks, "Aren't you back kinda early from your date?"
"That guy was so boring, he thought the best place for a date was an amusement park. So, I ditched him at one of the rides while he was in line." In her mind, she thinks, 'I'd rather spend time with you anyway, Shinji.'
"That doesn't seem nice."
'Maybe, but I missed seeing you.' Shrugging as she reclines, she retorts, "The only man for me is Kaji."
Upon arrival at NERV, Rei is pondering what Shinji had said the previous day and can't help but blush. Gendo can't help but notice the blush and finds himself curious.
"Rei, is something wrong?"
"I don't know, sir. Shinji said something and I can't get it out of my mind at all."
Starting to worry, he asks, "What'd he say?"
"I reminded him of a Mother and that I'd probably be a good Mother." Her blush intensifies, causing Gendo to lightly snicker.
"I think he'd be right in that case, Rei. But, for right now, that topic is off the agenda. When all is said and done, you can explore that possibility. As long as the boy you become entangled with meets my approval, of course."
"Yes sir. Shall I return the favor to Shinji, only in reverse role?"
Still snickering, Gendo replies, "Oh no. Don't want to give him a heart attack. But, offhand, I'm sure he'd do a superior job. Far better than what I did."
"Understood. I'll keep it to myself."
"You do that, Rei."
Back in the Katsuragi apartment, Asuka is sitting at the table when she gets a mischievous idea. 'This way, I can show him how I feel about him and Shinji won't think I'm going soft.' Turning her head slightly, she asks, "Hey Shinji, do you wanna kiss me?"
"Huh?"
"A kiss."
"What for?"
"I'm bored. Or are you scared that your Mommy's watching from Heaven?"
"I'm not scared! Pucker up!"
"You brushed your teeth, right?"
"Yeah."
Licking her lips lightly, she says, "Then here I come." As she purposely walks toward him, she thinks, 'He's so cute. Not as cute as Kaji, but cute nonetheless.' When she gets to him, she then says, "Your breath is tickling me." Squeezing his nose shut, she clamps her lips over his. 'Hmm, nice and soft.'
Trapped in the lip-lock, Shinji can't help but think, 'Nice soft lips, but air's becoming a bit of a problem. I just hope I can hold my breath.'
With her lips pressed to Shinji's, Asuka starts imagining a life with Shinji. When it gets to the point where she pictures their children, she unknowingly detaches from Shinji so he can breathe. As he catches his breath, she rushes into the bathroom.
As she brushes her teeth and gargles, she says, "I should never kiss to kill time!" In her mind, however, she thinks, 'That wasn't a nice first kiss. He must have been suffocating. His face was so blue. Maybe I better try again. Yeah.' Exiting the bathroom, she sees that Shinji's listening to his SDAT again and can't help but feel disappointed. Before she can try again, the door opens and Kaji's voice cuts through.
"Here we are, Misato. Shinji, can you help me out here?"
"Sure Kaji." As the two lug Misato's unconscious body into her room, Asuka can't help but smile softly.
'Shinji's got such a big heart. He cares so much for Misato. Just like Kaji does.'
Walking over to Kaji as he starts leaving the apartment, she grabs onto his arm, asking, "You sure you can't stick around?" Her nose then picks up a familiar scent. It stuns her enough that Kaji's able to gently remove his arm from Asuka's grip. As he walks away, she softly says, "Lavender."
As Kaji and Shinji talk, she thinks, 'I think they're about to get back together. Because that's Misato's favorite perfume.' Once Kaji's left, she blows up at Shinji and storms off to her room. Intent on escaping from the 'worst humiliation' of the night.
As she lies on her futon, Asuka thinks back on that strange truck and can't help but wonder. 'What makes that guy so dangerous? He looks old enough to be my Father, for crying out loud! I hope 'Highway' finds him and stays safe. I'd really like for Shinji to meet him.'
At the thought of Shinji, she thinks about the kiss and smiles softly. 'Not much of a first kiss, but I can do a better job. Just gotta wait for that baka to fall asleep. I just hope he doesn't snap awake when my lips meet his.'
Three hours later, Asuka gets up from her futon and heads to Shinji's room. Cracking the door open, she peers inside and smirks softly upon seeing Shinji asleep and facing upward. 'This'll be even better than the first one, baka Shinji.' Creeping softly into his room, Asuka perches herself beside his futon and gazes lovingly onto his face.
'Even in sleep, he's cute.' Licking her lips softly, she leans in and makes contact with Shinji's lips. Without holding his nose shut. 'Even better. Pity he doesn't know it's me kissing him.' Breaking contact, she gives him another glance and smiles in relief that he hadn't snapped awake.
"Good night, Shinji. Pleasant dreams. I just wish I don't have to be such a mega-bitch to you." Exiting his room, she closes the door in time to not see Shinji's eyes flip open and a smile cross his face.
'Maybe Asuka is not so bad, after all. She's just got some rough edges, is all.'
Author's Notes: What'd you think of the wild-cards I threw in? 'Highway' is a character from another series I introduced in one of my other stories. Points if you can guess what series. As for the repercussions of Asuka's kissing Shinji again, you'll see in the next chapter. Later!