Standard Disclaimer
Food poisoning is a bitch, and I mean that with every spiteful and angry bone in my body. Laid up most of Sunday and Monday with a stomach full of pain and hostility. Better now but it threw off a lot of things. Well this story is going to be moving along a little, hopefully for the betterment of it.
X-X
The Friend of my Enemy
Chapter – 4
Looking at her reflection, Chizuru's face scrunched in annoyance. Her hair simply refused to cooperate with her plan. Applying liberal amounts of water and brute force she went about reworking physics to get the perfect effect she wanted. It wasn't that she thought Shinji expected it, far from it, she could come over frumpy and he'd not care. But she would care, that damn bodyguard cat of his, would see it and tease her about it.
Grabbing her comb with both hands, Chizuru tested its durability as she flexed it in frustration. "Damn cat, if it wasn't for her we'd…he'd have…ooooh she just keeps getting in the way!" she slammed the comb down. Two weeks worth of dating went like a dream with a tarnished silver lining, said lining was named Himari. "Tayura, you have my dress ready yet?" she called over her shoulder. Recapturing her bent comb, Chizuru returned to her hunt for perfection. Today was the appetizer and tomorrow the main course, she had to be ready.
Pushing the door open, coughing at the unveil of fog from Chizuru's shower, Tayura fanned the cloud out of his face. "Yeah, yeah I have…DAMN IT!" he yelled and threw the dress into the air. Covering his eyes, "Why do you only have underwear on? For that matter why the hell is this movie so damn important? Shinji visits enough, what makes tonight special?" The not quite brother did peek between his fingers, only to get caught and his eyes poked.
Knowing her brother was a letch, Chizuru administered divine punishment for those not worthy of the view. Shinji could look all day if he wanted, hell she WANTED him to look at her and only her. "Hard to be dressed when it took you so long to get this finished. And today is special for one very important reason," she unfurled the dress and nodded approvingly. For a boy, Tayura had good taste in clothing or it was the easiest to prepare. Either way, Shinji was in for a real interesting night. Pulling it on over her head, she returned to the mirror, "Mother-in-law left this morning for some conference and won't be back for two days. Tomorrow being Sunday, Shinji-kun and I have a busy schedule."
Nursing his jabbed right eye, Tayura leaned back and tried to rub the pain out. "Is that why he isn't here making us something nice to eat?" the male's stomach rumbled in anger. Hobbling out of the bathroom, he semi-shut the door, "Could have told me, I'd have made myself something rather than wait for him to show up." The Morimoto apartment typically got a Shinji cooked meal about three times a week.
Sniffing the air about her, Chizuru grabbed her roll-on deodorant and applied a healthy amount. Picking up her lipstick she thought about it and set it back down, not needed tonight. "I can't be expected to keep tabs on your eating habits when my Shinji-kun is waiting for his darling to come," she had such high hopes for this little time with Misato gone. Nice woman, but more prudish than Chizuru would have thought. Wouldn't let her stay the night, well what could the woman say after the fact?
Sliding the door open, Tayura falling on his back from leaning against it, Chizuru stood expectant. "So how do I look?" he was made of sterner stuff for such a small fall to hurt. Oh how nervous she felt, and that in its own right was very telling. Never had another person drawn out such…passion from her. Over four hundred years of life, and this was a first for her. If only she could keep Himari out of the picture it'd be perfect, and if Shinji ordered it. "Well say something already?" she growled
After his head stopped rolling about and his eyes settled, Tayura pinched his nose hard. "You're…are those even…what the hell are you wearing!" he shot up like a rocket. Pointing his hand accusingly at Chizuru's nether region, "There is lewd and then there is freakish! I won't have my sis-gurk." Tayura took a trip to happy land courtesy of a blow to the stomach from Chizuru.
"Girl needs to have secret weapons, and I don't need you telling me what I can or can't do," she stepped over the body. She did lay him down gently, his reaction was what she was hoping for. A brother would be upset, but a lover would be thrilled, right? "I'll grab some leftovers if there are any left," she waved at the still apartment, shut, and locked the door. Clenching her first and gazing skyward, Chizuru was resolved to cross over the bounds of flesh with her beloved before Misato returned! "Our lovey-dovey life starts tonight!" she cheered and bounded down the stairs.
But she did have doubts, not Shinji of course, he was as smitten with her as she him. It was that damn demon cat! Damn cat got to go to the same classroom as him, sleep at his apartment, and even go to his job with him! How was she to compete with that? Trips to the nurses office, late night rendezvous, or office supply closets were all the rage. Cat was even popular despite her older way of talking! That had surprised Chizuru, but then again the other boys were likely just taken over due to Himari's bust.
Stopping halfway across the street, Chizuru gave her own babies a little heft into the air with her forearms. "I still win that one, Kuro-neko," elasticity, volume, and shape were all perfect. A car horn and a catcall got Chizuru moving again, and her head out of fantasy land. No pampering Shinji too much tonight, Himari would be watching, but tomorrow on their date…oh the wonders they could find.
Running the card Shinji gave her to the security door, Chizuru bounded up the stairs. Exercise was her mortal enemy, but she'd make peace with that sooner than Himari. Cat had skill above her level, but in a drawn out fight Chizuru bet she could take Noihara down. Raw power was the nine-tail specialty, and Chizuru had it in spades. Little out of practice as of late, but with some training it would be her taking the role of bodyguard. Maybe then she could move in.
Panting a little hard from the stairs, Chizuru pushed the call button and waited for her darling to answer. Opening her bag she ran her fingers over the two DVD cases she had with her. Those magazines had great ideas in them, and she was going to play them out as best she could. First a horror movie followed by a romance. Cling to him in mock fear for the first then well see what happened with the other. Hearing the door open Chizuru pounced, "Shinji-kun!"
Annoyed Himari shoved the amorous fox off, "I be not Shinji-sama. At the moment the young master is prepared the eves repast." Taking a step back, Himari nodded to her master's guest as was expected and drifted into the well lit apartment. "You are welcome long as Shinji-sama doth welcome it," the edge and double meaning were clearly laid out.
Kicking her feet off, Chizuru was determined not to let Himari dampen her spirits. The primary threat was gone, Misato had more sway on Shinji than Himari did. The apartment smelt wonderful, spiced meats and sweat things lingered in the air. Whatever Shinji was making, Chizuru was going to love it. Just another side benefit of the shy and timid man she found endearing. It was as if the elder gods fashioned her the perfect mate, if they ever got down to the mating part.
"So will you be eating in your room? Isn't it wrong for the servant to eat with her master?" Chizuru had to prod. Himari wasn't the first demon that held to the older ways, but she was the first demon that Chizuru had to interact with. What made it worse was her mother would love Himari's way and that just drove the nail deeper. "And has Misato left any messages for me?" she stopped at a mirror on the wall for a last minute inspection.
At the door to the kitchen, Himari spun with a vicious smile on her face. "Shinji-sama requests my presence while he dines. As for Katsuragi-san, she left a missive for you on the table," Himari flinched her chin at the folded piece of paper. Hiding a laugh behind her hand, the cat gave Chizuru a knowing look and disappeared into the kitchen.
Oh she was going to get that damn feline if she had to lie, cheat, and blackmail her into the ground! The groundwork was already planted, Chizuru did love her pranks, and she just had to keep pushing. "Just you wait, once Shinji-kun and I cross the threshold of love you'll be an after thought, " she stuck her tongue out. Lifting the note off the table, she noticed it'd been refolded, no likely read in advance by her rival, possibly one of two. Whatever Ayanami Rei's interest with her boyfriend were, Chizuru had yet to understand. Only that Shinji made her lunch once a week, out of kindness he claimed.
No matter, unfolding the note, Chizuru read it, re-read it, and crinkled it up in her hand. "Sorry Misato, love knows no bounds," she tossed the note in the trash. It was a simple note and went straight to the point Don't Do It! But Misato would understand, passion was something to be embraced and enjoyed. And it was the best way Chizuru knew how to express herself, she wanted to, he wanted to, so what was the harm. "Shinji-kun!" Chizuru chimed as she found her target at the stove…damn cat at his side.
Spinning around, the apron Chizuru got him that said 'kiss the cook' firmly in place, Shinji held out a wooden spoon with red sauce on it. "G-give it a try, Chizuru-san, I think I have it right," he sounded unsure or worried. A dribble of sauce was on the corner of his lips from trying it himself, "I think it's spicy enough, but I'm not sure if it's up to your taste and I haven't made pasta like this before."
A look passed between Chizuru and Himari that spoke legions. Acting before the cat could counter her, Chizuru approached her man and licked the sauce off his lips. The flavor of the sauce and the emotional kick of the act acted as a double whammy. "That was a hot kiss, Shinji-kun, and very delicious," she took the spoon from his prone hand. Just the way she like it, he had her number already. "We ready then?" she made it a scene to lick the underside of the spoon tellingly.
Twirling back around quickly, Shinji cutely panicked, "Just let me get the spaghetti out of the water. Himari-san could you help Chizuru set the table?" Grabbing the potholders, Shinji beset the boiling caldron after he made his request. "M-Made petit fours for dessert, hope you both like them," he poured the noodles through the strainer.
Pinching Shinji's cheek as she passed him, Chizuru felt her legs going weak. So this was love, true and pure love. No fears of replacement, of being used, but of being accepted and even spoiled. Long had she sought it, and if Himari was the cross to bear than Chizuru would gladly take three or four of the damn girl. "You're too good to me, Shinji-kun," she winked. Gathering the plates, she left the other business to the servant.
Following behind Chizuru, Himari didn't look the happy camper. Laying the silverware out, the bread, and the glasses, Himari made a point to set them with extra oomph. "You are correct, he is to good for you. He is the last living descendant of the Ikari line, he will be wed to another great house. You would do best to remember that," oddly it didn't come out angry or spiteful, more regret.
With only Himari's plate left, Chizuru held it to her chest. Unsure of how to take the comment she just heard, she just looked at the girl. "Shinji-kun doesn't go in for that slayer business and neither do I. Unlike you, I lived through the demon hunts. Saw the cruelty of the slayers first hand. Shinji-kun is incapable of that, so to hell with those bastards. That time has ended, sure some of the elders might think otherwise, but there are too few to care. Hell I doubt they even know Shinji-kun exists," Chizuru handed Himari her dish. Let the damn cat pick her own spot.
Setting her dish across from Shinji's, Himari's head was fixated on the plate. "You are correct, Morimoto-kun, I twasn't alive during the wars. But thou are mistaken when thee think they will not come for him. Many are gone or wounded yes, but a few will come to claim his head. If thou aren't prepared to defend him if the case needs it, then I would request you make this your last night at his side," Himari again looked up with more sympathy than hate.
Taken aback, Chizuru was speechless for a moment. Was Himari…could the girl be more…yes! Yes that was it, partially anyway, Himari was more concerned for Shinji's safety than anything. Girl wanted her place at Shinji's side was still evident, but more existed behind that stoic venire than Chizuru initially thought. But, it wouldn't due to talk about his before Shinji, so Chizuru was putting an end to the doubt before he came into the room. "I'd die before letting anything happen to him, don't worry Kuro-neko, he's safe with me, maybe even safer than with you," she glared at the girl.
Both women bore down on each other in silent mental combat. In an instant it dissipated when Shinji entered the room, Himari acting faster than Chizuru to aid the man. Point one for Himari, but before the night was done Chizuru would get many a point. She clung to him tenaciously during the movie, only partially out of actual unexpected fear. And while she knew Himari was watching (the cat had excused herself), she explored the contours of his mouth with her tongue during the romance movie…good start…good start.
X-X
Normally a night at a bar was a relaxing and enjoyable evening, however Misato was far from a tranquil state of mind. Due to an error in shipping the functional test of this Jet Alone wasn't until the morning meaning she had to stay at this hotel. Nice hotel, large drink selection, but it meant leaving her ward home with his female companions. Company at the hotel wasn't the worst Misato had, college still held that, but they were trying their damnedest to get her to visit their rooms.
"I used to love this, guess it's a sign of growing up," Misato pressed her forehead against her bottle. It was her forth free drink of the evening, and it only took four refusals to 'head upstairs'. Funny how they were all quick to mock Nerv during the presentation, but not they all thought the JSDF officer went too far. Groaning, "Please tell me we can go home now and skip the live demonstration of that ugly walking nuclear nightmare?"
Pointing at Misato's bottle then at herself, Ritsuko signaled for her own drink. Plopping down on the backless barstool, "No such luck, but I did get confirmation that Nerv will pay for our stay. So drink up and hit the room service to your heart's content." Rubbing at a kink in her left shoulder, "And what part of this did you used to love the cooped transportation, long boring meetings, idiots full of themselves, or flimsy hotel mattresses?" Sliding a bill to the bartender when she handed over an open bottle, Ritsuko winked at the woman.
Spinning her half down bottle at the assembled men, Misato swallowed the bitter brew. "If you waited a minute or two you'd have had three free drinks your way already. That is the part I used to love," it made her feel cheap. She could see the lack of actual interest, just physical attraction in each of the leers. Shuddering after a particularly large man winked at her, "You'd think we're the only women at this thing. I'm afraid to bend over at this point."
Holding the bottle to her lips, Ritsuko didn't drink from it, but used it as cover. "I don't see any other women here, now that you mention it," the bottle went down untouched. "Think I'm not thirsty anymore. And yeah, I think it would do both of us a service to stay close to one another. Not that I think anything will happen, but it'll keep the odds down," she waved for the bartender again. "Guess I'll have a coke instead," she waved goodbye to the beer.
Thanking her lucky stars she stuck with beer with her abnormally high tolerance to it, Misato nodded listlessly. "Think I should call the apartment? It's late, but not that late," she checked the clock on the wall. Little after midnight, but it was Saturday night so anything was possible. "Don't want to wake them if they're sleeping, but if they're not…and she…" Misato finished her drink at the possibility.
It was inevitable, Misato knew that, but she wanted to prolong it as long as possible. Her fears were silly and unjustified, but she couldn't shake it. What if Shinji changed after getting a taste of adult life? Would she need to worry about him, would he become like those friends of his, or would he retain that innocent quality she loved teasing so much? Other problem was what happened to the girl that didn't taste the cherry? Himari or Chizuru, Misato wouldn't bet on who took the prize.
Sparking up her lighter, Ritsuko lit a smoke and took a large drag. "Is mommy worried her lil boy is making a mess back home?" Ritsuko teased and blew smoke in her friends face. Tapping the ashes she added, "If they're asleep they're not going to answer, and if they're off like a pair of rabbits they're especially not going to answer. You'll have to wait to get home to find out if that hired girl of yours is up to the task."
"For the last time I didn't hire Noihara, and my real fear is his actual girlfriend. Girl is all over him when they're at the apartment together. I can only imagine what it's like when nobody is around," Misato felt the need to drink more. Squelching that dangerous desire, Misato tried to banish thoughts of the sultry fox-girl from her mind. "Girl is different to say the least. She can go from motherly to seductress in a matter of nanoseconds," but was fun to pal around with when Shinji was busy. Himari was too reserved at times.
Spotting somebody across the bar, Ritsuko tugged on the bartender's sleeve. "Get my friend the general a double shot of Everclear," she nodded and handed the girl an extra bill. Once the trap was sent, "Sounds like this mystery girlfriend is a lot like you. But if you're that worried why not just have them break it off. You're his guardian, and that means you have to make the hard decisions like this. If she's dangerous for his piloting skills, talk to her aside from him, and get her to leave him," Ritsuko showed no emotional attachment.
Was that what Misato feared? Chizuru being a little too much like her, and Misato knew what her relationships ended like. But that was cutting Shinji short, wasn't it? In her relationships, the men were jerks that wanted one thing, Shinji wasn't that shallow. "I think…we should head up to the room," Misato stood up on unsteady legs. "Chizuru is a good kid, do Shinji a lot of good. I just have to listen before opening his door from now on I bet," she didn't want to see that again. It was funny the first time, bigger for boy of his age she reckoned, but it wasn't something Misato wanted to see.
"Did you say Chizuru?" a feral looking younger man with stark white hair. "Morimoto Chizuru, black hair, bust goes out to about here," he held his hands a good six inches out from his chest. Grabbing Misato's arm, not painfully but firm, demanded, "Where is she? Does Tendril's Leaf know?"
Jerking her hand away from the leather jacket wearing male, Misato recoiled quickly. "Izunagi Chizuru, you ass, now unless you want me to scream and have a room full of white knights descend upon you, you'd go away very fast," Misato said low and in conspiratorial tones. This man was here looking for Chizuru…why? Who was Tendril's Leaf, what related this conference to them and Shinji's girlfriend. Something smelled bad, and her head was to dazed to think clearly.
Holding his hands up to shoulders, the man took two steps back. "Sorry, just looking for a friend of mine is all," he bowed at the waist and stopped. "You got a nice pair on you, both of you," he mocked then headed off into the sea of attendees.
"Well that was strange," Ritsuko said the understatement of the evening. "Now let's get you upstairs and into bed. If you promise to introduce me to this Chizuru I'll agree not to sell my key to the highest bidder down here," she tugged the drunken Misato to the elevator.
Staggering and feeling uncomfortably hot, Misato eventually fell into her bed for the night. Something was off about that man, something dangerous. She'd have to ask Chizuru about it next time she saw the girl. But for now it was sleep time, to hell if it wrinkled her clothing, Shinji was a godsend and could iron it out for her. As long as that boy…yawn…stayed in her life things were good…good boy…be a great son. And then sleep washed over her.
X-X
Arm in arm with Chizuru, Shinji felt giddy…GIDDY! He couldn't remember a time that he actually felt quite so content. Days off were typically hectic, cleaning the apartment, Misato's laundry, or more often then not tests at Nerv. But with both Misato and Ritsuko gone, the scientist allowed for him to have Sunday off as well! Chizuru was making sure they made the most of the rare duty free weekend. To make matters even better, one of Shinji's main worries for the last month had finally been addressed. Kuro was fine!
The date started off very non-romantic at Shinji's insistence. He had homework to do, and Chizuru showed up a good hour earlier than expected. So while he sat at the table trying to work out his work, she sadistically felt it necessary to lightly caress his inner thigh every so often with her foot. He'd seen it done in movies, but never understood just exactly how it felt. It took Himari dragging the protesting girlfriend out of the room for him to finish his work. A welcome distraction is still a distraction.
After Chizuru's insistence that she was all Shinji needed for protection, Himari relented to the planned day on the town. The trolled about the shopping arcade a bit, Chizuru insisted on shopping for lingerie for a short period of time. Every time she held a piece up to her impressive figure, Shinji envisioned her in it. That was a new, possibly unwanted, trick Chizuru planted into his head. Time seemed to drag, as the other women were appalled at her actions and the boy with her. Once a few comments of 'troubled teens' entered his head, Shinji vacated and nearly tripped over the lost feline.
"Kuro-chan!" Shinji jumped over the wily kitty and nearly stumbled into another couple walking. Once the obligatory apology was offered, he turned his attention back to his missing source of enjoyment and allergic nightmare. Kneeling down he spoke softly, "They're you are, I was worried something happened to you girl. Chizuru's been telling me that cats are being round up and thrown into the pound." He considered scratching under her chin, but figured Chizuru wouldn't like a snot nosed and teary eyed boyfriend.
The door to the boutique chimed its little bell as Chizuru headed out into the late morning sun, bag in hand. "Shin-chan you left me in there, you bad boy," she bounced as she leaned forward. Her mock scowl twisted back into her typical smile as she held out the bag to him, "Got this after you ran out on me, what do you think? Oh…that cat you mentioned." Suddenly Chizuru's scowl didn't look so fake.
Sniffling just a little, Shinji gingerly took the bag from Chizuru's hand and pulled away from both cat and girl. Stupid allergies were kicking up from just that close of proximity. "Yeah, I found Kuro-chan when I ran out. Those other women didn't take too fondly of me being in there anyway," he confessed. Just thinking about their eyes on him made him feel like a stalker. The bag, thin plastic, crinkled in his hand as he contemplated opening it. "A-are you sure you want me to see this? It-it is personal after all," as much as he liked the female frame Shinji wasn't comfortable thinking of his girlfriend that way.
Glaring angrily at the cat, Chizuru stepped over the tail flopping feline and snuggled up to her beau. Leaning in right next to his ear, "Why do you think I got it?" Teasing or not, she let out a torrent of tiny giggles. "Well go on, take a look at what your Chizuru's going to be wearing later today," she rounded the boy to watch him inspect the genuine article.
Bristling as Kuro rubbed against his leg, a stout sneeze later, Shinji saw the black cat scampering off down the street. Guess cats didn't like being in one place to long, oh well he'd start leaving food out again. Pulling the bag open with both hands, Shinji gazed into the pink highlighted abyss. "I…what is it?" the boy wasn't a connoisseur of female undergarments by any stretch of the imagination. "Pink…lacy…is that?" he tried to think of how such a thing was actually clothing when it was so sheer.
Waving briskly at the now gone cat, Chizuru deftly turned back to her prey. Reaching in with both hands, she pulled out the gaudy article created by Lucifer's captain of lewd. It was light pink borderline white, but had the composition of misquote netting. "Isn't it just the cutest thing ever?" she rubbed it against her face for a moment. Once the silkiness rubbed off, she held it to her body, "You like?"
The bag fell from Shinji's fingers, thankfully his foot was able to stomp on it. "You're going to…wear that?" his throat was very dry. He blamed Kensuke and Touji for the image jumping through his head at that moment, that of him taking said unmentionable off his dame. Swallowing hard, very hard, "L-lovely C-Chizuru…now did you want to k-keep walking?" He wanted to walk to mask something he was equally uncomfortable with. When that damn woman wanted to she could just get him all worked up…which she wanted to do today. It wasn't one of the simple talk and enjoy sessions, no Chizuru was in full on tease mode.
Bending at the knee, Chizuru folded her new clothing on her knees then put it back in the footmark marred bag. "I think a walk to a more secluded place might be nice. We haven't had a chance to be alone in…well weeks," Chizuru stated with equal measure shock and depression. Dusting herself off, she reclaimed what was hers (Shinji's elbow) and scanned the street signs. "Oh there is a shrine nearby. I've always wanted to try on a miko outfit. Did you ever want to try taking one of those off?" she asked just a little too loud.
He was going to have to ask her to tone it down in public, or Shinji was going to have a heart attack. "I-I-haven't been to any shrines since moving to the c-city, lets go?" he hastily started walking. Thanks to Chizuru's longer stride the girl had no trouble keeping up. Moving past the pointing crowds, Shinji leaned in and whispered, "Chizuru-san, maybe you could be a little more…subtle in public? I-I like the attention and all, but I don't like others getting the wrong idea about you."
Total truth, Shinji did enjoy the odd attention Chizuru lavished on him in her moments of excess. But it was more the moments of ease and relaxation that he felt he sparked with her most. The girl wasn't always so…forward…but it left the boy frazzled and worried. Chizuru wasn't easy, wasn't a floozy, he believed that whole heartedly. But how she acted in public gave off a totally different vibe.
"Aw how cute, you're worried about my honor," she yanked the boy off his feet and hugged him. "Alright, I'll be good for the rest of the day," she set him down and rubbed his head. With her open statement of temporary playing nice, the two lulled into a more genuine conversation. How school was going, how Tayura was, both ignored talking about family, and just spent a nice time gabbing. Chizuru did squeeze his hand hard for a moment, stopped, and looked back. "Shinji-kun…we're at the shrine and I think we'll have company," she lost her happy demeanor.
Being pulled up the stairs, Shinji was stunned at the sudden shift in the girl's attitude. "I-I'm sorry, Chizuru-san. When I said that about your attitude earlier I didn't mean…" he stopped talking when she put her finger to his lips to silence him. The raced to the top of the stairs, his heart was pounding from the pace. What was this all about, he didn't upset her did he? Taking a few steps deeper into the shrine, Shinji noticed the lack of anybody else there. It was dead quite, odd for a Sunday afternoon. "Huh, where are all the people," he wondered aloud.
"Bastard is going to pay for ruining my date, no matter I can still reach my goal," Chizuru growled. Pulling Shinji behind her, she faced the stairs and took several pushing steps back. "Something's been following us for about twenty minutes, Shinji-kun. It doesn't look like it came to sell us flowers," her hair blurred blond and her ears and tail popped out. Crouching she barked, "Stay behind me."
Profound cold wormed its way down Shinji's spine and nestled in his stomach. Never had he heard Chizuru sound so feral, so angry. "W-what do you mean?" he stammered. But then he saw it, well saw what he could of the thing following them. It was a shimmering only at first, along the ground, roughly seven feet of distorted coloring. He could see through it, but the outline, lizard like from what he could see, was easily distinguished against the trees surrounding the shrine. "D-do we call Himari? Or do we…" he spun about hoping against hope that Himari would just walk out of the tree line.
Summoning a ball of fire in her palm, Chizuru chucked it at the darting illusion. "I don't need her to take care of this thing," she grunted and let fly another volley of foxfire. One hand going to Shinji's chest, just touching it, Chizuru remained hunched forward as the cloud of dust and soot lingered in the air. "See, nothing I can't handle on my," her words died on her lips as a high pitched whirring filled the air. A moment later she was sent flying back as a blast of air sent her flying into Shinji.
"Kek kek kek, this be the defenderzzz," the smoke dissipated and a large red lizard reminiscent of a seven foot gecko stood on its hind legs. The creatures eyes spun about independently, "Cheater…liar…Tendril's Leaf iz wrongz," It stomped its foot down leaving cracked earth. "Pretty fox…tasty fox? Kill boy first or make watch?" he asked aloud. Lashing its tail at the downed pair another blast of air went screaming towards them.
The hell was happening, damn red monstrosity took two of Chizuru's blasts and looked totally fine. Getting off the ground, Chizuru underneath him after the second blast, Shinji could taste blood in his mouth. "What do you want? We haven't done anything to you!" he spat out blood. His body ached, two simple hits and he was already blurry eyed. "J-Just leave us alone, we don't know what Tendril's Leaf is, right?" he turned to find Chizuru on her feet and looking even angrier than before.
Her clothing in tatters, large patches of stomach and leg showing, Chizuru tore off the more constricting bits. "How dare you attack us while we're on a date? I don't gave a damn about those old bastards!" Chizuru cursed. Darting in quick at the lizard, Chizuru slammed her fists into its stomach in rapid succession. Wrapping her arms around its scaly head, she hoisted it and slammed it on the ground. "Nobody hurts my Shinji-kun!" she pulled her foot up to stomp down.
Lighting quick, the lizard's tongue shot out and wrapped around Chizuru's leg. Lifting the girl into the air, more tattered shards of her clothing were lost as it flung her about. Peeling itself off the ground, Chizuru being waggled about, it stood towering before Shinji. "Slayerzzz, surrenderzz or pretty one goes firstzz," its eyes glinted wickedly. "Slayerzzz die or watch, choozez, kek kek kek," it slammed Chizuru off the ground to emphasize its point.
An idea blossomed in Shinji's head, reckless but the only thing he could think of. "Let her go first! How can I trust you not to…not to do anything even if I do?" Shinji found a wellspring of courage deep inside. Afraid, scared out of his mind, he was still able to stare down the bastard. What option was he really given? His life now or watch the thing defile Chizuru, likely kill her, and then himself? Some slayer he was, died to the first damn thing that actually fought him. Chizuru's pleas rained down as Shinji made one of the easier decisions in his life. The thing was going to kill them both, he'd rather they die with Chizuru's dignity intact.
With a mighty roar, well as best as a slim fourteen year old could, Shinji rushed the lizard. His punches did nothing but make the lizard laugh, however in the beasts hubris, it went to smack the lad with Chizuru. Latching onto Chizuru, Shinji's plan was moving forward quite nicely. "Merge?" he gaped out as the bastards tongue bounced about trying to shake him off.
Chizuru didn't even say a word, she kissed that dirt and blood smeared face passionately. After the glowing ball of light faded, the combined duo were flying into the air, compliments of Chizuru losing her physical form. "You have no idea how much pain you're in for," Chizuru boasted having taken total control of the eared and tailed Shinji.
Landing on the ground, Shinji could still feel everything, but the pain was gone, replaced with Chizuru's raw hostility towards the lizard. Are you sure we can take that? He never felt such unbridled power before, and behind the anger he felt what fueled it. Just as Chizuru gloated about a month ago to her brother, it was their combined affection.
"Kek kek, kill slayer…council stupid…Shizuku stupid watcher…kill both!" the lizard demon's tongue snapped back in its mouth. Whipping its tail about madly, the beast fired three belts of compressed air at its foe.
Standing perfectly still, Chizuru let the blasts hit them. It was just a gentle breeze, no stronger than that. "Sorry, but that little thing isn't going to work, not when I have Shinji-kun's big…hot…LOVE" Chizuru summoned a fox fire that dwarfed the one that demolished the music room. They both saw the fear in the creature's eyes as Chizuru launched it and it connected. The blast fired off nearly breaking the sound barrier and it took the fucker with it.
I…I'm glad you didn't kill it.
Falling to their combined butt, Chizuru smiled broadly as their tail bounced. "See, we think alike. Killing that thing wouldn't do you any good. Just make more come after us to avenge him," Chizuru stood up and whipped around. "Come out now, Noihara, I know you're there!" Chizuru pointed at the tree line.
Jumping out behind Shinji's body, Himari tapped his shoulder. Flicking the body's forehead hard, Himari did not look happy. "Shinji-sama was too foolish in his attack! Had thee waited but a moment I'd have felled the beast. Yet thee got in my way," her sword was in her quivering hands. Going down on one knee, dragging Shinji's body down with her, "Know thee now what I warned be true, fox."
Before a verbal spat could ensue, Shinji's phone, thankfully not damaged by the attack, started to ring. Nerv needed him on base quick, to be more precise Misato needed him to be prepped and ready to help put a stop something awful. With no time to get Chizuru home, or clothing to send her home with, the two remained joined…and Shinji got many laughs and stares as he 'cos-played' down the street.
X-X
Himari didn't like this at all, but she had no alternative. So this was what sitting on the sidelines felt like. Before she had no real idea about Shinji's involvement with Nerv, oh how she wished she had never learned. Added to the discomfort was the battle at the temple where he recklessly charged in to save Chizuru…Shinji was going to make her grey before long. All Chizuru was going to do was let the demon get one or two good licks on the Fox, let the beast know that she wasn't playing with words, and then save her. Shinji, her master, just had to remind her that he wasn't a coward.
"Shinji-kun are you sure nothing strange happened today?" Ritsuko asked. Sitting at a table in the destroyed conference hall with a laptop, the woman was literally chewing on the butt of her smoke. "Noihara-kun, did you see him take anything, drugs, strange liquid, anything?" she rubbed at her temple.
Lying was statecraft so Himari had trained very well in the skill, and demons had to know how or they'd be found out. "Neigh, Ikari-kun ingested only known quantities in my presence. Doth something appear peculiar?" she leaned over and examined the screen. Numbers, bars, charts, and a video of Shinji (with long cat ears) explained nothing to the technology ignorant cat-demon. She'd need to have him teach her, this lack of knowledge could mean life and death in the future.
Typing a few stray commands, Ritsuko just spat out her ruined cigarette. "His readings have spiked very high from the last examination. He's bordering ninety percent, and that doesn't just happen. But," she pointed at a graph with two different lines crossing, "Almost like a second brainwave, but that's…Shinji I told you to take those stupid ears off. I don't care how lucky you claim them to be. You'll be dropped shortly. Misato are you ready?" Ritsuko groaned.
"I think they're cute, Rits, and if they help him why not let him keep them on?" Misato's crackling voice could be heard from a speaker. "And I'm good just as long as he doesn't drop me. So the better he feels the better I feel," Misato's badly garbled voice cut in and out.
She'd have to thank Misato for covering for the damn Fox's inability to leave Shinji's body. Prolonged possession though, Himari didn't know the side effects, but if they were bad somebody's head would roll…down stairs. "This battle, will the time be long?" she couldn't help but feel powerless. She sat on the ground watching her master going off into battle without her. It was not a battle she could even assist in, no she couldn't face a walking building with her sword no matter how powerful the strike was.
Flashing Himari a thumbs up, his whiskers twitching, Shinji tried to show some sense of confidence. "It won't take that long at all. Right Misato-san, the timer is already set. She's not going to let it go off, so we just have to trust her," Shinji didn't crack or lack assurance in his bold declaration. An English voice kicked in over Shinji's speaker declaring it was time to go. "Wish us luck," Shinji's face vanished.
"I pray for a brief yet fruitful victory," Himari's head quickly bobbed. Grabbing the fringe of her kimono, Himari was beside her self with agitation. "Katsuragi, can she act when necessity demands?" she had her reservations about the woman at times. Misato appeared capable, but never had Himari seen a time when it was life or death. To lose Shinji to this thing, she didn't know what she'd do. Honorable thing would be to follow.
Shutting the laptop, Ritsuko signaled the girl to follow. Walking through the rubble to the outside, Ritsuko stuck one hand in her lab coat and pointed at the falling Unit-01 with her right. "She's dumb, brazen, and acts like a child most of the time, but when needed she's all business," Ritsuko shielded her eyes from the sun. Stumbling forward as Unit-01 made contact, Ritsuko popped a receiver in her ear but put her hand back in her pocket. "Can you read me, both of you?" she asked over the wired device.
Unable to hear the other side of the conversation, Himari had no choice but to gage Ritsuko's facial features. Looked good enough, but the operation had only just started, Unit-01 made ground fall. "Perhaps her courage shall be enough then," she watched the purple beast run. How quickly it moved, how strong, and mighty it appeared. It made a valiant steed for her master if nothing else. Hopefully Chizuru wasn't causing him any trouble.
Across the airfield, Unit-01 ran at speeds that threatened to topple the behemoth at a moments notice. Its hand reached out for a large outcropping of metal on the other mech's back. He missed the first attempt barely, but the second attempt followed by an insurmountable pull back stayed Jet Alone's forward momentum. The giants tussled for a few moments, but Unit-01's supremacy was adherent. Slowly, carefully the spare hand of the Eva waved over the back of the ugly remote controlled creation.
"Was that Katsuragi?" Himari took a few steps closer to towards the contest of wills. Her whole being screamed at her to rush in, to assist in some unknown way, but common sense overruled her feet. She'd be crushed or a nuisance. Her sword felt heavy in her hands due to its uselessness. "What doth Ikari-kun have to do now?" a surge of relief was threatening to jump out of her chest.
Ignoring the girl to her side, Ritsuko listened carefully to the conversation between pilot and passenger. "Alright, Misato the password from the designers is 'Hope' with a capital H. That should shut down all of its functionality. No pressure but melt down is in under five minutes," the good doctor started pacing back and forth.
It was a strange thrill to watch Shinji pilot that beast of his, to Himari. Such a thing had to be hard to control so easily. But he lithely spun around from its back to the front to push rather than pull. The large hands covered outcropping of steam from the seams nearly as soon as they happened. Pride, she took pride in his actions. More proof that he was indeed an Ikari descendant. She'd love and serve him if he was uncoordinated, but this was icing on top of the cake.
"What do you mean it didn't do anything?" Ritsuko shouted. "Misato get out of there, you only have two minutes…you'll succumb to radiation poisoning," not that it mattered due to the death from nuclear explosion.
At that moment Himari nearly dropped her blade, her fingers flexed outward but she caught the falling weapon instantly. "No…" she started running towards the battle. Nearly a mile away, her legs burned faster than she had ever run before. It didn't matter to her that she wouldn't be able to help, all that mattered was she do something. As she approached, and the gargantuan size was made ever more apparent, she swallowed hard and considered which one to jump up on.
Then Jet Alone stopped, its arms went limp, Katsuragi had done something and succeeded in her task. "Fool, making such worries for folly," Himari wiped her forehead, her smile was far to great to be faked.
X-X
Cracking his door open, Shinji checked out Himari's door. Good, light was off and the door was closed. As quietly as he could, the boy fully opened his door, cringing when it squeaked loudly. In the dark of night he tiptoed down the hall towards the bathroom. With Misato at the hospital for a night of observation due to her exposure, he only had Himari to worry about. Chizuru had been drained from the prolonged possession so she was home sleeping, at least he hoped.
Only after closing the bathroom door and laying a towel down at the base did Shinji dare tempt turning the light on. The tiny florescent bulb sparked to life bathing him in its yellowed light. Mildew assaulted his senses, he'd have to clean after school and it was good to know his own senses took a lingering boost from the possession. So much to learn so little of it natural to him but his choices were love or normalcy.
"I hate this, I really do, but I just can't help it," the tired boy berated himself. Self gratification wasn't something Shinji enjoyed doing on its own right. It was a pitiful sense of loneliness and a reminder of his old alone self. Typically it was just the singles that did this, right? But he wasn't ready to actually go about asking. Chizuru teased and hinted at it, but to just walk over and say 'my body demands sex' well Shinji hadn't the gall. Untying the cord of his shorts, he grumbled. "So damn pathetic, why does this have to happen," he looked down at his boxers.
After the each angel he got this damn itch, and he wasn't familiar with it. A quick yet shameful trip to the bathroom ended it somehow, but it left him feeling dirty. He didn't cast judgment on those that enjoyed it, but for him it was just a part of life he had written off. Now with a girlfriend that was going to change, maybe, but until it happened Shinji wasn't writing any checks.
His reflection gazed back at him remorsefully asking 'please get started so we can get finished'. Spying the door again, no sign of movement, but just to be sure he pressed his ear to it and listened. His imagination made him think he heard a footfall, but waiting for a full minute and nothing else he relaxed. That would be the biggest shame, being exposed or found out.
Kicking his shorts to the corner he walked over to the toilet. Gripping the elastic band of his boxers, he stalled again. "Its natural, just do it and get some sleep," he closed his eyes. Why was it so damn hard to do what Kensuke and Touji took for granted! He'd not shame any of the women he knew and use them as mental fodder, no, it would be just an act of robotic motion. A few minutes, strange how the guys at school could do it faster they claimed, later he'd clean up his mess and…
The door opened, Himari clad in her yukata stepped over the towel and advanced.
With his back to the door, Shinji's heart nearly up and burst. Thankfully he still had been stalling and only had his fingers on his underwear, he could down play it! "H-H-Himari I'm in here, c-could you…get out for a minute?" he'd have to come back again later. So sleep was going to be a bitch, but he wouldn't be able to get any until he finished.
She stopped right behind him, not a foot of space between them. Softly she confessed, "Shinji-sama is in the grip of a vice that naught a warrior can avoid." Her slender arms wrapped around Shinji's waist and pulled herself against him. "Tis a duty I am prepared to help with, Shinji-sama, a duty I wish to aid in wholeheartedly," she playfully bit his ear.
His hands fell limply to his side. She knew…she KNEW what he was in here for? "Y-y-you don't understand Himari-san! I-I can't ask you to he-help with this…its dirty it's…" he flubbed. But she felt oh so good against his back. With his post-possession senses he could smell her and he bathed in that musk. Never in his life had he had such a longing, it was unnatural, it was primal, and nearly impossibly to resist. His body reacted instantly, tenting his boxers, but his mind fought to retain control. Clenching his eyes shut, "I appreciate t-the offer…but I'm, I'm not ready yet for that t-type of relationship."
In a span of less than a second Himari pulled herself away from the boy and took several steps back. "If I twas thine fox would thy be more accepting?" her tone was more remorseful than accusing. "Doth forget that I am thine servant, Shinji-sama. Mine soul and heart are offered up upon thee and ne'er shall I leave thee, even when another is taken to the bedchamber," a confidence bordering happiness edged in. Then the sound of fabric sliding against fabric filled the room.
That was a very known sound, and despite how soft and light it was filled Shinji's ears like a bomb going off. It was Himari's sash being unfurled and falling to the side. It was the sound of her yukata being undone…being opened and falling to the ground. Funny how Shinji hadn't even considered Chizuru when Himari came in, but now he felt the sting of that lost memory.
But what Himari was saying was wrong! It was wrong to say such to him. "Himari-san I don't see you as a servant. You're a f-friend, something I have very little of. It-it wouldn't be fair to you or Chizuru if we," he swallowed hard. The heat was back, but Shinji felt a difference. Bare and pure, unblemished by cloth was the skin touching his. "W-we shouldn't do this…I don't deserve having you here at all, and to go so f-far," he could hardly think straight.
"Ne'er had I heard words that filled me with greater joy than what thy just uttered," Himari embraced the man from behind. Her legs jutted between Shinji's and her hands danced about his chest. "In this matter I am inexperienced, but together we shall learn," she relented.
Yes…no…Yes…NO! Summing all his will, Shinji grabbing Himari's hands and stopped their movements. Keeping her in his arms, Shinji turned and found the vision before him all the more excruciatingly painful to deny. A woman of pure and unblemished beauty inside and out. "Not tonight, Himari-san, not because of how…not because of Eva. If…when," he accepted he'd eventually do something with her and he'd tell Chizuru tomorrow. If Chizuru was upset and left him, well at least it would be clean. "Something happens between us…I want it to be because we want to, not because I have this mindless need," he apologized.
Kissing the man deeply, soul searchingly, Himari stayed with him like that for over five minutes. Once she had her fill, she bowed, collected her garb and left Shinji to fulfill his needs, having given him enough to make short work of the task.
X-X
Notes
Trying to make the time move faster along and again more believable character interaction. You can tell from the end of this one that lemons will eventually enter into things, hard not to with the subject matters in question. Hope you're enjoying this and summer as well.
Later
Mercaba