Standard Disclaimer
Damn holidays for stealing my life, time, energy, and money! Been so tired lately that its just been work/sleep and pining about not having energy to write. But I'm back! Like it or not the next chapter is on its way! Mwahaha
X-X
The Friend of my Enemy
Chapter – 7
Laying in his bed, Shinji stared at his alarm clock as it slowly inched towards going off. A good sign that he set it at the proper hour, he always woke a good five minutes before the alarm buzzed its annoying call. But for the life of him, Shinji had the hardest time remembering getting into bed the previous night. Not surprising due to the fact he had not only fought an angel, but exchanged an odd dialogue with Ayanami about packs or some such.
Sitting up with a big stretch, he noticed he wasn't sleeping in his standard sleeping shirt and it wasn't even buttoned evenly. Kicking his feet over the side of the futon, his stomach rumbled as an unexpected fragrance crested his nose, he also found he hadn't slept in his shorts either. "Why am I just in my boxers…Himari and I didn't…" he wondered aloud. Memories started to clear through the fog of sleepiness.
Getting out of the intoxicating softness of his bed, the young lad put on his garb for the day. While normally he'd avoid school the day following an angel battle, he was awake and not in any pain so he was going to venture out. Fixing his pressed white shirt he muttered, "I went to take a bath and was waiting for Himari when…" He swallowed hard as he realized just what he said.
He was expecting Himari to join him in the bath, he was anticipating sharing space with his own personal guardian. Didn't that make him a bit of a pervert, but she knew what the battles did to him? No, he didn't think it dirty not with her. Just like his building love for Chizuru, Shinji felt his heart melting whenever he thought of his 'girl out of time' Himari. But what had happened to him to make him forget what happened after he stripped and got into the bath?
Opening his door, the smell of a traditional breakfast assailed his nostrils with its pleasant scent. "Misato-san did you cook this morning, or was that you Himari-san?" Shinji couldn't believe his luck! They never cooked, and when they tried to they oft burned the pan or made something more toxic than edible. Sniffing the air purposefully, Shinji's mouth salivated slightly, "You didn't have to do this because of the battle you know. I was expecting…to…oh shit."
Sitting at the table with a small sliver of a grin on her face, Shizuka rested her chin on her up turned palms. "Katsuragi left some two hours ago for Nerv, slayer. Now if you'd like you can eat or we can move back to the bathroom to finish what we started last night," her voice was just as flat and emotionless as Rei's but her eyes were dancing with teasing delight.
The memory of the previous night smacked Shinji in the stomach like a fist. Shizuka had somehow appeared in the bath sitting in his lap. Screaming like a frightened little girl hadn't been his most proud moment, but given the situation he thought it was acceptable. Pulling out his chair, Himari was sitting pensively at the Mizuchi's side, Shinji sat after a solitary moment of hesitation. "Morning you two, guess that explains who cooked. T-thank you Shizuka-san," Shinji worried now more than ever if he made the right choice back at the pool.
"Indeed, thy water spirit crafted the morning repast. Though if memory doth serve Katsuragi claimed it paled in comparison to thy own," Himari smugly informed the green haired woman. Taking a piece of Shinji's food before he could dine, Himari popped it into her mouth with closed eyes. After a few moments of chewing and a very animated swallow, her eyes evilly reopened, "Not poison, but Katsuragi was correct. Shinji-sama's rendition is far more flavorful."
His little time with Rei helped Shinji to notice the irritated tick on the newcomers face. Always quick to end a confrontation prior to it exploding, "Now-now I'm sure its fine. It smells great, and any meal I don't have to cook is a good thing." Noticing the crease in Shizuka's forehead vanishing he sighed in relief as he tried the offering. "E-excellent Shizuka-san, thanks f-for the meal. Now if you'd be so kind, um, can you tell me why you're here?" he asked between bites.
Foregoing the use of utensils, Shizuka's snake like tongue simply dived down into the plate and pulled back her bites. "As I told you last night before neko-hime took your unconscious body to your bedroom. A room she hardly is in I notice," Shizuka's sidelong glance at Himari was accompanied with a half smirk. Clearing her throat she continued, "The council of elders has come to know of your existence and is interested in what one of the two remaining slayers is up to. So, as I told your cat and the drunkard…"
Himari joined in and parroted Shizuka as the Mizuchi said, "I am observing you." Himari daintily set her chopsticks down and picked up her steaming cup of tea. "And know I shall be observing thee as well. Shinji-sama doth be to forgiving to one that neigh killed him," she sipped her tea and ended with a content sigh. "But what the conniving snake did not entail was why she approached you while you were bathing," Himari oddly eyed Shinji with a hint of concern and aggravation.
Already half down with his meal, Shinji could feel the tension growing in the room. His personal protector wasn't taking the breach of security well, or maybe she was upset for the interruption of the hopeful meeting between them. Shinji, while modest, did not miss the look of disappointment on Himari's face after their planned first encounter ended with Shizuka in his lap. "I'm sure she had her reasons. S-Shizuka-san seems to really take to water so maybe…that was the easiest way for her to get into the apartment?"
Her tongue danced about in stark contrast to the lack of animation the rest of her had, but Shizuka nodded. "See Neko-Hime your master was smart enough to see it. And I was interested in if he'd try and force himself upon me and prove my initial theory about him," Shizuka's deadpan announcement was met with her ducking as Himari's fist swung at her head. Smiling slightly either in earnest or teasing, "I was pleased at what I felt, and that I was wrong about my initial assessment. If you must know Neko-Hime it is about seven inches."
Red faced and fist clenched, Himari tore out of her seat stammering. "Take me for a fool and insult my master before mine eyes! Just because he forgave thy do not take such liberties with his kindness! And I doth not need to know his…the size of his…" Himari's cat ears unfurled and her tail popped out as her embarrassment overcame her.
Wanting to come to Himari's aid, Shinji could already feel his allergies reacting just from the arrival of those damnably cute yet painful additions to her form. "You won't do it again right Shizuka-san? And c-could you put those away for not H-Himari-san?" Shinji sniffled and rubbed at his nose. A knock on the door further interrupted the brewing catfight. "I'll go get it, w-why don't you two um finish breakfast?" he quickly excused himself and headed for the door.
It was funny, but Shinji found the frazzled and frantic Himari adorable! As she typically just alternated between her firm and proper form in public, or the occasional sultry and alluring in private it was something else to see her bashful! Shizuka's comments about his genitalia were quickly stuffed under the rug of his subconscious as he wasn't comfortable with people knowing stuff about that.
Foolishly opening the door without checking the peephole he asked, "Morning, what can I do for…" Shinji's words were lost as the Chizuru rocket was launched at his mouth. He saw her hands snake through the opening in the door and felt her pull him in quick. First time he saw her since the little dance they had was her open mouth kissing him in front of her brother. His eyes stayed open just long enough to see Tayura looking uneasy before he faded into the kiss.
Speaking uncomfortably from behind Chizuru, Tayura was clearly not enjoying things as much as the lovers were. "She, we were worried about you since you didn't contact us last night. So Chizuru insisted we come over…and judging by the smell you have breakfast. She wanted to cook it for you but burnt the guh!" Tayura doubled over as his sister's fist impacted with his stomach.
Breaking away from Shinji, a dribble of saliva rolled down her chin, Chizuru's smile was nothing but brilliant. "He doesn't need to hear that! And you had your Chizuru so worried, Shinji-kun! Such a naughty boy might not get the present he was promised," she trailed her hands down and cupped her bosom. Hoisting up her assets for his approval, she thrust them towards Shinji, "You do want your gifts don't you? You can unwrap them right now if you want?"
While he was quite enraptured by all of Chizuru not just her body, Shinji was having a hard time looking away from what Chizuru was forcing upon him. "H-h-how about you come in and get something to eat first Chizuru-san, Tayura. And we have somebody for you…to…meet," Shinji's libido came to a crashing halt as he remember Shizuka. How was Chizuru going to take the new addition.
Rushing past Shinji, Tayura's eyes seemed to light up upon the notion of food. "You heard him, Chizuru. We eat first and you can…talk after. I haven't had a good meal in days! Shinji you've got to take responsibility for that," the larger boy joked as he roped Shinji around the shoulder with his arm. Dragging the boy, followed by the now protesting Chizuru, into the dining area, the young fox-boy stopped. "Now who is this?" he shouted and pointed his free hand at the dancing tongued Shizuka.
"An observer" Himari and Shizuka said in perfect unison one more upset than the other.
Breaking the space up between her brother and boyfriend, Chizuru latched onto Shinji protectively. "What are YOU doing here, Kuro-neko shouldn't you be doing something with that little sword of yours?" her arms draped over Shinji like a protective shawl, but her tone was steel. "And what do you mean observing, you don't have to be inside the apartment to look! I should kno…" Chizuru's face went crimson.
Reluctantly freeing himself from Chizuru's embrace, Shinji showed his willingness to trust Shizuka. Pulling out Chizuru's chair, Shinji pointed at one for Tayura to sit at, "I'll bring you both something to eat as she explains. I don't fully understand it myself, but Shizuka-san showed up last night and that's part of why I didn't call you two." Fainting hadn't been part of Shinji's plan at all. Seating Chizuru, Shinji was treated to a kiss on the cheek and a firm swat to his butt to get him moving.
As Shinji gathered the food for the two new additions, Shizuka didn't lose one notch of her proud attitude. "I've been tasked to observe the slayer AND the unexpected arrival of the nine-tail. Have to admit I didn't think YOU would be one of such power, but I guess I was wrong. But judging by all the flab in your chest I bet you're just as big a failure in the kitchen as Neko-hime here Kitsu-hime. You have to eat a lot of junk food to get all that fat in your chest," Shizuka's tongue doubled over and waggled at the siblings.
Setting the trays of food before the two, Shinji patted Chizuru's shoulder to calm her down. His girlfriend was easy to read when it came to her emotions, and Chizuru was looking mighty frustrated. "I forgave her for what she did, I'm sure she'll tell us her reasons in time, Chizu-chan," he added just for that added douse of tranquilizer. "Now why don't you two eat and we can get headed for school," Shinji found Himari looking forlorn at him.
"Shinji-sama is correct. After supping we four should leave for our schooling. Thy serpent will the whole day to prepare a rousing tale to stay our vengeance," Himari rocked in her chair and nodded her head. "And fox, you may NOT present an objection to Shinji-sama's schooling for your own whims!" Himari was adamant.
Looking up from their food the siblings turned to Shinji skeptically, but it was Tayura who spoke. "Shinji, what is wrong with the food this morning? It isn't anywhere near as good as you normally make it," he slurped up some miso as Chizuru nodded.
Finally Shizuka's emotions shifted from conniving trickster to annoyed, "I prepared the food. And you will have to cook supper so I might see just how superior your skills are to mine. I know I beat all of them, but I spent more time than you've been alive harnessing my skills." Her face scrunched up and her tongue went back in her mouth.
Laughing nervously as the room seemed to either focus on him or the food, Shinji didn't like the sudden attention. "Sure thing Shizuka-san, and maybe it was just bad stock you used?" Shinji did not want to rock any boats. He had to address Himari and his growing needs, placate Chizuru who was all but purring at his side, and the new woman's ego. Thankfully Tayura was content to slurp up his food with gusto, men were truly easier to get along with at times.
X-X
Touji hated cleaning the classroom, hated it more so when he had to do it when he had other plans. He was supposed to head out with Kensuke to score some new movies, but no he was stuck at school wiping down the chalk board. The company was a mixed bag as well making for even more frivolity for him. Shinji was always fun to pal around with, sadly Touji noticed his time with said pilot was slimmer after he got his girlfriend…maybe friends he wasn't sure. Having Shinji's girlfriend's brother Tayura there wasn't to bad, the taller boy was that hard to get along with. The last of the quartet however made Touji's spine tingle in aggravation, Asahina was there.
"Ikari-kun, could you put the desks up for me?" Akane asked as she swept the garbage into a pile. Fixing her glasses she turned her tyrannical attention towards the chalkboard, "Suzuhara aren't you finished with that yet? You started almost five minutes ago?"
Rolling his eyes and silently jabbering, Touji was glad he wasn't facing the girl. Tayura however saw his actions and smacked him lightly on the back of the head. Rubbing at the sore spot, "I'm trying to get finished. It's not like I LIKE staying after school to do this? Why can't we be like American schools either leave it or have janitors do it for us?" Why did that girl hate him so much! She didn't ridicule others like she did him, hell she was down right nice to Shinji!
Working on the other half of the board, Tayura slowed as his eyes focused on the bespeckled girl. "Asahina-san, what are you in a hurry for? D-do you have plans after this or something? N-not a date or anything, cause if you did you-you could go and we'd finish for you," Tayura's voice sped up and slowed at random intervals.
Letting out a stark laugh, Touji's head crooned back as he found himself overcome with the giggles. "Asahina with a date? Sorry Tayura, but the only one in this room with anybody waiting for them is Shin-man. How man you up to now anyway Shinji? Two?" Touji tossed the dirty cloth into the water bucket. With the sun streaming into the windows bathing the room in a red light, Touji almost found Akane attractive in the mood lighting.
Sliding the desks against the wall, Shinji bashfully rubbed at his nose. "I told you its complicated Touji. Chizuru is my girlfriend and Himari is my…bodyguard," Shinji quickly started flipping the desks over and setting them atop one another. His voice sounded eager to change the topic as he added, "And I could see Asahina-san having a date. Guys like smart girls."
Adjusting her glasses, Akane fidgeted between Touji and Shinji before throwing her arms down in aggravation. "This isn't about me! It's about getting things done and out of here! And…no I don't have a d-date, but thanks for the compliment Ikari-kun. Still don't think it's a good idea for you to be seeing Minamoto, she's a bad influence. People are started to spread rumors about you," the girl dumped the small dust bin into the larger receptacle.
Wringing out his cloth, Touji watched the interplay between his friend and his nemesis closely. Shinji was just being nice to her, but that odd look that transpired…was it possible that Asahina was thinking about Shinji? "I don't know man, I saw Chizuru all over during lunch, and that 'bodyguard' was sticking to you like a second skin during track. So why don't you come clean with us, right Tayura?" Touji loved to egg Chizuru's brother on.
"SHINJI-Kun! That attitude is what I'm talking about! The other girls are calling you playboy-kun! You shouldn't be so…so…open with girls like that. If you are with Minamoto you shouldn't be leading Noihara-san on!" Akane put the garbage can back amid the others. Moving to the other side of the room, she started lining up the other desks for Shinji to stack. "You're her brother, Minamoto-kun, why don't you say something to him about how he treats your sister?" Akane fired off at the boy openly gazing at her.
Startled out of whatever daydream he was having, Tayura dropped his cloth onto the ground with a wet splat. "I-uh-yeah Shinji-kun, you shouldn't be treating Chizuru like that with uh…Himari. Just like Asahina-san said, but…it is just the two of them. And with his work and the guar-Angels maybe it was just an emotional high for them? Not everyday he is so close to death," the nervous boy gathered his dirty cloth and dropped it on the water bucket.
Finished with the left side of the room, Shinji moved to Akane's side to stack the desks she got lined up. "But Tayura, you know the situation between the f-three of us. And you are right, they're just a little worried about me due to the angel. I did get hurt pretty bad during the first sorte. They'll be fine in a day or so. As for me being a 'playboy', Asahina-san, it really is just Chizuru-san and Himari-san. That is hardly a playboy is it?" Shinji started assisting her.
Done with the chalkboard, Touji added his rag to the mix. Maybe this combination of people wasn't too bad to watch. Shinji was so easy to goad into things, Asahina jumped at the chance to panic regarding Chizuru, and Tayura was oddly docile today. Whatever Shinji had going, Touji didn't mind as his buddy wasn't after Hikari. As long as Shinji stayed away from Hikari, Touji didn't mind if Shinji hit on every other female. Picking up the half filled bucket, he headed to dump the water out in the sink. "Yeah he'd need at least two more to be a real playboy. But Shin-man can do it if he tries, don't you think?" he eyed the two others.
Fixing her glasses and finding the ground quite nice to look at once Touji fixed his sites on her, Asahina fumbled with her fingers. "How would I know about something like that? This is getting stupid! Anyway, I guess you have a point, Ikari-kun. I'll admit that I was worried about you too after I saw the news report of that thing s-shooting you," whatever wind was in her flags deflated partially.
The trio of non-pilots shared a look at each other and at the back of Shinji's head. It wasn't said, but Touji felt they all had the same idea. Shinji's life was a hard one, with challenges that they didn't have to face. At any moment the boy could be summoned to fight to the death. So maybe cutting him a little slack when it came to Chizuru and Himari wasn't such a bad idea.
"Well I think that about does it for the cleaning, don't you all agree?" Touji set the bucket down amid the other cleaning supplies. His own happy thoughts were a little lower at Asahina's unintentional. Touji didn't want to think of Shinji getting hurt let alone dying. Watching the boy, smiling despite everything, sit on the teacher's desk, Touji was determined not to add to Shinji's issues. He'd still tease the shit out of him though, "Ever thought of adding Misato-san or Ayanami to your little clique of women? Why wasn't Ayanami here today anyway?"
From his seat at the edge of the teacher's desk, Shinji leaned back on his hands making an odd triangle. "Touji that's just silly talk. Misato-san is like a mother or sister to me, and Ayanami is…" he trailed off and examined the ceiling for a few moments. "Ayanami is a comrade. I want her happy and I worry about her, but I don't think you have to worry about her coming on to me. As for why she isn't here today, Ritsuko-san wanted to examine her after the battle…a…little…Ayanami?"
Watching the aforementioned First Child walk into the room and make a beeline for Shinji, Touji let out a low whistle. "Ayanami-san, we didn't expect to see YOU today. You missed school, but you're here now? Feeling better?" Touji felt it hard to keep his voice level. He wanted to laugh so hard as Asahina had a look of total shock and Tayura was still oddly staring at the damn big foreheaded girl.
Giving Touji a passing glance as she approached Shinji, Rei addressed him in her typical deadpan voice, "I was discharged early. And I have come to insure of your safety and to your needs." In a deft move of agility most humans wouldn't have believed, Rei leapt up and sat on Shinji's lap, her legs on the desk and her arms around his shoulders. Leaning against him, her eyes closed, she murmured, "You smell good."
Holding her glasses tightly in her hand, Asahina looked ready to draw blood. "You were SAYING Ikari-kun?" she all but shouted. Several other girls making their way out of the building stopped in the doorway to see the show of 'the Ice Queen' making lovey-dovey in the arms of 'Playboy-kun'.
"Oh this is to rich, I just wish Ken were here to get a picture of this. Shin-man it's priceless," Touji was doubled over laughing. The jock could tell Shinji was just as floored by the sudden affection from Rei as the rest of the room, but it didn't make it any less hilarious. It was going to get much funnier once Chizuru or Himari found out, and Touji just wanted to watch the fireworks and to support Shinji in whatever of the now three girls he chose. Just as long as Hikari wasn't the one…
X-X
"Thanks again for understanding and Nerv appreciated everything you've done for us," Makoto said with as much fake sincerity as possible. The council member on the other end of the line said nothing else and hung up. "Well the council of power isn't to happy with us, but they begrudgingly accepted our apology," he spun his chair around to the other high level members of the bridge crew. Being part of the infrastructure team was a mixed blessing. He got to do a lot of easy jobs such as coordinating weapon placements, but he also had to deal with the various ministries all the time.
Eyes closed as his fingers played his invisible guitar, Shigeru's head just bobbed to whatever beat was going through his head. "What else could they do? If we didn't succeed we'd all be dead. So the city goes without power for a whole hour, get over it," the music enthusiast had a chipper attitude. Joining Makoto in turning to face Misato and Maya, "Speaking of that, Katsuragi-san, my girlfriend's been asking me this. She wants to get Ikari-kun a gift for you know…putting his neck on the line for us."
"Oh that'd be a nice idea! Maybe we can all pitch in and get something a bit bigger?" Maya gushed while she continued to work. Having been assigned the task of redirecting the power back to where it needed to be, the tech wasn't paying as much attention it seemed. Flexing her shoulders, Maya tensed up, "Wonder if that 'girl' he had with him gave him a gift. Judging from that new guard of his, I'm betting she wanted to give him the same thing."
Now that was something that peeked Makoto's interest, Shinji's little girlfriend. "Girl doesn't look like she belongs in a school if you ask me. I've seen idols that are less," he waved his hands in a semi-circle in front of his chest. That Minamoto girl was something out of one of his porn movies, and Shinji's personal bodyguard out of one of his history pieces. "But I guess Ikari-kun would have his pick of the fillies being a pilot and all. Though I never thought he'd be the type to, you know…" he stopped as Misato started brow beating him.
Walking between Maya and Makoto, Misato had her arms crossed and a very irate look on her face. "Oh go on, Aoba-kun, do tell what you think Shinji-kun has been up to. Or would you rather I pull up the security footage of you gawking at Minamoto-kun?" Misato's question held a sinister tone to it. Pinching Makoto's cheek hard, "Little jealous my dear?"
Pain or not, Makoto just liked the fact Misato was so close and touching him. He'd carried his crush for her since they started working together, and any interaction with her that wasn't totally bad was worth it. But her comment about Shinji left him puzzled, "I was just thinking you know…He picked her cause of her body. I didn't think he'd be the superficial type is all. Boy seems nice enough, Noihara-kun seems smitten with him too. Never pictured Ikari-kun as a two-tim…er" Oh boy did Makoto not like the change in Misato's expression.
Crooning back in his seat, Shigeru nodded in agreement with his male companion. "Yeah it is odd isn't it? You'd think a kid like Ikari-kun wouldn't risk losing his girl by cheating. I always got the impression he was shy and not a player," the shaggy man frowned a bit and leaned forward. Eyes on the gunmetal gray floor, "So what gives Captain, you live with him. He bringing both girls over for some hanky panky, or we just seeing into things?"
Standing back up straight, Misato gave Makoto's cheek a pat but a frown that promised anything but happy. "It's…complicated really. Makoto," Misato's finger scratched under the man's chin a little deeply, "You'd be shocked to know that it was Chizuru that approached Shinji-kun about being her boyfriend, not the other way around." Misato started pacing towards Maya and examined her screen pensively. "As for Noihara-kun, it's more of a family issue. Apparently Shinji-kun's mother and Noihara-kun's family set things up for him to be his guardian based on a debt of honor," Misato's nose wrinkled as she finished.
"That's so romantic! Well it'd be more so if it was the man being the girl's protector, but Noihara-kun is more than able to protect Ikari-kun," Maya continued her work with a marked slower pace. "Saw the footage of her in the training room and…if I didn't see her so chipper with Ikari-kun I'd have thought her to be some sort of assassin or something," she hit the enter key with excessive force.
Now that would be something nice, Makoto thought as rocked in his chair as he favored himself a nice little daydream. Having a girl show up pledged to him, especially one as attractive as that Noihara girl would likely be once she grew up. Not having to try meeting somebody, no need for dating, no pining for all the ones that got away. "Guess I was wrong about Ikari-kun. Kid's got it bad with his old man and being a pilot, but lucky with the ladies. Sorry Katsuragi, it was wrong of me to make that other assumption," always butter up the pretty lady.
Catching onto something that neither of the other lower level tech's did, Shigeru titled his head to the side as he formed his question. "Why don't you seem to happy about this Katsuragi-san? You let that girl into the base, you signed the paperwork for Noihara-kun to be a guard, but you look like you'd rather ship those two to America," he commented on the still sour look on Misato's face. Leaning forward, on hand on his knee the other to his chin, "And does this have anything to do with Ayanami requesting to be released early?"
Falling into her chair, Misato blew her stray hair out of her eyes. "Ayanami? Hell I don't know what is going on in THAT girl's mind. Two days ago I'd think she was neutered like a little kid, but apparently Ritsuko said girl's hormones were off the chart after the battle. As for Chizuru and Noihara…well I guess I'm a little jealous. Life used to be easier with just Shinji-kun and me. He cooked and cleaned, like having a little brother around the apartment. Now he's typically with one of those two. Guess I feel cast aside or something," Misato shrugged as she gave the two men an uncertain look.
Knowing the feeling well, Makoto nodded his head. He had plenty of friends up and leave him behind, most of them were lady friends he meet in college or in training. "Well its not like he lives with them or anything. You have his time when he's home right? And if he's gone it gives you more time to…d-do whatever you want?" maybe he should ask her out. If she was feeling lonely or something…maybe he could try and fill that loneliness. "How about we go out and get that gift like Shigeru suggested," he couldn't believe his sudden bravery!
Maya however either didn't catch on the pick-up line or didn't care. Ecstatically, "That's a great idea! We could all go out and pick something together for him, and why not Ayanami as well? If she's suddenly more…normal…maybe we should get her something too. I know they get paid, but it's still nice to get a gift," Maya nodded to her own logic.
As Misato and Shigeru smiled and nodded, Makoto didn't know if he should feel happy or sad at the turn of events. Sure he got to spend more time with Misato outside work, but it wouldn't be alone. Though he had to admit one thing, he had a new found respect for the young Ikari. Boy hadn't been abusing his status or anything like he thought. Shinji was cut from a different cloth than his old man it seemed, and that left Makoto more at peace with Shinji in Unit-01.
X-X
Standing just to the back and left of Gendo, Fuyutski was barely inside the circle of light that poured down from the ceiling. It was time again for the meeting with one half of their 'masters', not that Tendrils Leaf contacted them very much themselves. Kozo didn't trust either group, but of them Seele did come off as the more upfront with its motives. They wanted immortality, an aged group of wealthy people in power wanting to keep their power. Yui wanted to help mankind, and to that end she sacrificed herself and unknowingly her son's innocence. Kozo stayed on to protect that boy as much as he could.
"And what of the status of Unit-00 and its pilot, Ikari? It was a dangerous gambit you played against the last angel," the marred female voice of Seele-2 asked. The floating obelisk pulsated with color as the voice filled the small chamber. Crackling through some interference, "We received an odd image not twenty minutes ago of the pilot leaving the infirmary and making contact with the pilot of Unit-01."
As stoic as ever, if the news fazed Gendo the man never showed even the slightest hint of it. One quick head bob was all he gave before launching into, "It was a calculated risk. The target's defenses were too high to risk a two fronted assault. If the angel could attack in two directions it would have compromised both units and we'd not be here to argue over risks." Gendo spoke in a bored matter of fact tone, seemingly not caring about the situation.
Having been in charge of Rei's medical treatments post battle, it was Kozo's time to talk. Being older and having seen much, Kozo wasn't intimidated by the venire of threats the council was trying to exude. "As for pilot Ayanami," he always made it a point to say the pilots' names, force these bastards to recognize they were living humans. "She was deemed fit to leave having suffered minor injuries. Unit-00 however needs to have its exterior armor replaced as it was melted quite considerably," he doubted they cared. It was all part of the scenario, both Gendo's and Seele's up to this point.
A voice speaking in very bad Japanese bellowed out from the floating box emblazoned with a 5, "What of the news of the pilots' co mingling? She is a half breed by design, and he is the slayer Tendrils Leaf is demanding. Do you not see a conflict of interests in letting her approach him?" A general muttering amid the obelisks were in agreement with the statement.
Pushing up his glasses and a small neigh hidden smile on his face, Gendo gave Kozo the briefest of nods. "This is all going in accordance with your wishes actually. Pilot Ayanami," Gendo would never say Shinji's name like that Kozo realized. Continuing Gendo stated, "Will be our leash around the Third's neck. She will watch and protect him from the Pure bloods and any half demons that attempt to kill him prior to our needing him. What concern is their if she does so without realizing it is an order?"
Kehl leaned forward in the light and let out a grunt. "Dangerous game you play Ikari. What if the time comes and a sacrifice is needed? What if the final step toward our goal requires his life? Will she just turn over and let you exterminate the slayer if you are playing on human emotions to keep her as his guardian? And you forget the slayer has not one but two demonic aids already. How will you counter the nine-tail and the whelp of the Noihara clan?" Kehl didn't sound very nervous, merely pointing out a few choice issues.
A bad taste in his mouth, Kozo was privy to information that he wasn't to pleased with. "When Pilot Ayanami was…created" he hated that word for the girl's birth. "A key enzyme needed to insure her brain produces necessary enzymes was stunted. If she doesn't take medicine regularly she will stop functioning and die. She does not know this, but if we need to remove her from the picture, we just stop giving her the drug," Kozo's skin felt dirty. They were holding that poor girl's life hostage without telling her. But Kozo would have the last laugh if needed…Yui's son would have the last laugh.
"As for the two demons at the Third's side, measures to counter them are being evaluated. The main issue is the state of the Third's will. Pressure on him will keep them off of us. In time we won't have an issue. They will not be able to act if his life is in question," Gendo lightly made threats against his son's life. Either in guise or honesty however, nobody in the room knew. "Now if I could pose a question of my own. What of the divergence in accounts from Tendrils Leaf and the scrolls?" Gendo stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Due to the electronic distortion the high pitched voice of Seele-6 was near ear splitting. "The variations have been explained as mistranslations from the Aramaic to English and finally Japanese. Having had our men re-examine the texts and the images you provided of the item in question. We have deemed it an acceptable answer, for now," a sense of disquiet permeated the comment.
Sotheydon'tfullytrustTendrilsLeafeither.Buttheysidewiththedemonanimalsbeforetheysidewithus. Kozo didn't like that little fact, but could do little for the moment. He was just a subordinate, he couldn't question either council or even voice his opinion. To him, Tendrils was playing them for fools or against each other. Something didn't add up with their story and Seele's. One or both groups were just using Nerv to get their own aims meet, and when the time came what was to keep Nerv safe?
"Oh Ikari, we have confirmed a fatality from the strike team that went to the Jet Alone presentation," Kehl hunched over his desk, the light caught his visor brilliantly. "The unit was from a special detachment trying out a new form of weaponry if needed. The agent's camera was able to get one good shot of the wolf-man he attacked. The wolf was able to defend himself far beyond what previous threat levels we've dealt with. And apparently this man is on his way to Tokyo-3, why I'm sure you can see."
A digital image of a man with longish silver hair, a feral look about him, and garbed in a leather jacket. Kozo gasped as he saw the resemblance to the package in the bowels of Nerv. "Is he coming for Pilot Ikari or…" Kozo turned his worried eye to Gendo. Whoever the man from the picture was, he looked to similar to Tendrils Leaf's little gift to them. "Any news on where exactly he was last spotted?" not like they could keep the whole of Tokyo-3 under watch.
Kehl's meaty neck fat just wobbled slowly. "None, but if his target is Nerv we shall see if your efforts regarding the pilot of Unit-00 will bear fruit. That or perhaps it is time to learn if the 'slayer' title lives up to its value. As for your request to separate the female slayer from the Second Child, we believe we have a manner of breaking them apart up until the timetable has Unit-02 being shipped to Japan. Make good use of the time Ikari. Don't stray from the path much further," Kehl's face then blinked out of existence.
"We will be watching."
"Keep the slayer safe."
"The council knows of us, they'll move if threatened."
Each member of Seele said its own veiled threat or warning and blinked out of the room leaving Kozo and Gendo alone again. "What if he is coming for her, Gendo? What if that man is related to that girl we have down…" Kozo stopped talking when Gendo stuck his hand out.
"We have nothing to fear, it's all going according to my scenario, old friend. Ayanami, Noihara, and even Saku Ezomori's entrance into the fray was expected. Trust me," Gendo smirked and headed out of the council chamber and back into his office.
Left in the wake of the news Gendo knew not only the man's existence but his name, Kozo had no alternative but to trust Gendo for now. But…Shinji…well Kozo was going to set up his own little game and Shinji was his king and Himari was his queen.
X-X
Her plan was going well so far, but Chizuru did have doubts about the success of it in the long term. Sitting in an odd tea shop, Café Relish, which she had overheard was a popular couple's joint she started to doubt. Seeing girls in maid outfits wasn't really good for 'couples' in the traditional sense. Sure she saw a lot of groups of boys at the location, and they were salivating over the European maid costumes, well Shinji wasn't at least, but she didn't see many women and men groups.
Wafting the fragrance of the tea from the porcelain cup to his nose, Shinji sat eyes closed savoring the rich aroma. "I didn't know you had such fine taste in tea, Chizuru-san. From the instant at your apartment I always pictured you more a coffee drinker," Shinji admitted. Sipping the brew, an earl grey, he let out a content sigh. "Oh and about Ayanami…I have no idea what that was about. But you saw Ritsuko-san taking her away so maybe it was something to do with her medication?" he said as diplomatically as possible.
Coyly batting her hand at him, Chizuru nearly melted into that smile of his again. "Oh Shin-chan I told you before, when we're on a date its Chizu-chan or honey remember?" she could just eat him up when he called her pet names. It was just so hard for her to accept how much she cared about this human. Never in her long life had anybody connected to her this well this purely. And that terrified her…what if she lost control? That one tail of hers, the one she couldn't control. What if she lost control in a moment of weakness and hurt him?
But that wasn't for today! No, today was for spoiling her lover who had faced a guardian for her. The clinging Rei who she saw taken away by those Nerv people an hour ago didn't exist. It was just Shinji and her, and she had her reward to hand out if he'd take it. "And you are right, I do like coffee a bit more than tea, you know me so well," she winked at the boy. Her tea was a bitter green, and she had to admit Shinji had her pegged. Coffee with cream and sugar beat this brew.
"If you want to leave, we can. I don't want to stay someplace you're not having fun," Shinji instantly set his cup down. His expression shifted from complacency to concern. "We could get a bite to eat, walk about the park, see a movie, or any number of things if you'd prefer," he was already reaching for his wallet and looking for their maid.
Grabbing his hand, Chizuru just held the warm flesh against hers and nodded. "I've something I'd like to do, if you want," she batted her eyes at him tellingly. She had scouted the area and knew of a great love motel not to far from the café. If he was willing, they'd make that last step. Raising her hand up, the one not holding her beloved, Chizuru signaled the blond to come back over. Girl had the audacity to have breasts nearly her size, and an annoyingly attractive face. Thankfully her Shin-chan wasn't swayed by just physical beauty.
With a dainty smile and polite bow, the blond haired and blue eyed girl, seemingly European. With a curtsy the girl asked, "Would you be wanting a refill Ikari-san? Minamoto-san you hardly touched yours." Reaching across the table, her large breasts swaying before both of their faces, a large number of men were gawking at their table. "I must say you've an excellent taste in brews, Ikari-san, not many fully appreciate the specialty of this particular brand I've grown," the girl held the kettle lovingly.
"I just know what I like, Chelsie-san, that's all. It was a great brew, but we must be off," Shinji gave Chizuru's hand a harder squeeze. If he was noticing the show the girl was offering, Shinji didn't react to it at all. Looking squarely in Chizuru's eyes, "You'll have to tell me how you made it next time we come though. I'd like to try my hand at it." He set a few bills to cover the tab and a very generous tip with a nod.
Listing without much real attention to Shinji and the maid talk about tea as the girl worked out the change, Chizuru couldn't be more content. She wouldn't hurt him, she'd sooner die. Sure Himari was somewhere about she bet, and would always be somewhere in Shinji's life, but that didn't matter. Chizuru would be wife and that was all that mattered. Once the girl, Lizet her name was apparently, had headed to the table next to theirs, Chizuru could feel her yearning spike again. "My dear demon slayer, shall we take our leave?" she teased and saw the maid stumble against the table she was at.
"Chizu-chan, I wish you wouldn't say stuff like that in public. You know I…" Shinji blushed softly as he scooted out of the booth. Never releasing her hand, Shinji exuded an air of content that was soothing and warm. Opening the door for her, the door's bell tinkling lightly, they stepped out into the night air. "Are you having a good time? I know it's not the more exciting date, but I'm glad you wanted to go out on it," he bristled.
Getting cozy right along side of him, hugging his arm against her body, Chizuru breathed in deeply and shuddered. A moment of peace and solitude, it was rare and she wanted to hold onto it as long as possible. No Tayura, no guardians, no school, no mother, no fears, and just them was great. "Shinji-kun, this is exactly what I wanted to do today. How about we skip the food and go straight to dessert?" she licked his earlobe and was happy her came to a full halt. "I have your reward right here," she pulled his arm between her breasts, to hell with the onlookers, they could stare if they wanted.
Flubbing about, Shinji tried to take a step away from Chizuru as the passerby's pointed and muttered but Chizuru held strong. "Y-you don't mean…where would…are you sure?" Shinji's head jerked from side to side panicking. Unlike her, Shinji did seem to be concerned about how all the other people took the blatant offer and show of affection. Taking a deep calming breath, Shinji sealed his eyes from the vision before him, "Chizu-chan you're not doing this because of the battle are you?"
Wrapping her arms around him and drawing him into a full body hug, Chizuru twirled about in circles. "I'm offering you your favorite dish because, your Chizuru loves you, silly boy," she stopped her dancing and let her hands drift up to his face. Cupping both sides of his head, she just gazed down at him. He was always trying for her, worried she'd hurt herself to please him, and well it was time to move to the next phase. "Let me show you how much I care," she could feel a slight dampening of her panty's already. She tossed the plan out the window. It was home stretch time.
His caring about the other people faded apparently, as Shinji himself pulled Chizuru into an amorous embrace right there on the walkway. It was short, but at he had sealed the notion into both of their minds. After he retracted his tongue from her mouth, hand in hand the couple walked at Chizuru's guidance. "Wasn't what I expected would happen today, not at all. But if you're sure," Shinji gave Chizuru's hand another firm squeeze.
Sure…Chizuru was so far into 'sure' it was etched into her heart. Shinji would have to knock her out not if he changed his mind as she was not going to take no for an answer after a kiss like that. Knowing Shinji had a few touch issues, something she found cute and fun to tease him over, to have him instigate something well…Chizuru was butter. Walking into the non-descript building, it looked like a standard hotel, Chizuru approached the counter with confidence. "We'd like a room for…" she looked at Shinji and smiled feral, "three hours please."
The balding man behind the counter, gave Chizuru a good long once over and adjusted his glasses. "H-how long?" he adjusted his glasses and turned to Shinji, "You need anything else? Energy drinks, toys, condoms, we got a few theme rooms if you'd like." Something about the way the proprietor was looking at Shinji stressed massive disbelief.
Her mood soured ever so lightly by the overweight man's attitude, Chizuru dropped a wad of money on the counter. She had priced the place out after Himari and her had their chat with Shizuku earlier in the day and knew what it would cost. Why were people so hard on Shinji? He was a darling man, but the looked at her and assumed the worst about him. "I'm sure Shin-chan won't need anything to keep me pleased, so the key if you would?" she held her hand out expectantly with her left eye twitching ever so slightly.
With the key to room three-fourteen in their possession, the due left the man and passed a couple on their way out. "Sorry about that, Chizuru-san," Shinji slipped as a bout of depression struck him. "It's just well…somebody like you isn't normally willing to lower themselves to date somebody like me. He must have thought I was blackmailing or…" Shinji couldn't continue his self-debasement as Chizuru put her finger to his lips.
"None of that Shin-chan, that man just can't see what I see in you…and I see you in me?" she teased as she slide the key in the lock suggestively. Pushing the door open, Chizuru lifted Shinji into her arms, the princess carry, and carried him over the threshold. "I love you, Shin-chan, and I don't care what people say or think to the contrary. Your Chizuru is yours forever," she carried him to the bed and unceremoniously dropped him.
Giggling a little, Shinji just shook his head. "I thought the husband was supposed to carry the bride," the seriousness of that statement hit them both at the same time. She called herself wife a lot, but Shinji never referred to himself as husband, not before now. Quite startled at his bold statement, Shinji tried to mask it by looking about the room. It was a very non descript white room. White walls with generic paintings on the walls, a large flat panel television, king sized bed, a stack of bathrobes by what was likely the bathroom, a leather couch, and that was it. "Its quaint in here…not what I expected," the unease was back in his voice.
She could see him trying to be brave, to not let her down, and Chizuru's own doubts were banished. For over four hundred years she had held onto her own sanctity, and for this human she was going to give it away, this demon slayer. Not one to stay for ceremony, Chizuru went about taking her clothing off with a practiced ease. "Shin-chan, lets begin," she cooed. Topless, she dropped her bra onto the ground and crawled across the bed towards the prone boy.
Enraptured by the woman swaying her way towards him, Shinji's jaw opened but no sound came out. He reclined backward as Chizuru straddled him and pulled his shirt open. "C-Chizu…honey," he tried as if he was sampling tea again and found he liked the taste. His hand reached up and stopped just short of her chest, "C-can I?"
Her hands working his slacks, Chizuru sat back on Shinji's waist. She could feel the heat pouring out of him, and wiggled her rump a little against him as a shock of bliss worked up her spine. Hoisting her breasts up, she leaned closer to his face, "Would you like to taste your honey's tea?" She could feel his breath against her exposed flesh and it tickled as much as it goaded her slightly over active libido. A gasp eeked out of her as Shinji grabbed her left breast with one hand and captured the right nipple with his mouth.
Their one heavy petting session in the past paled to this moment. Sure they had gone further that night, but something about this was just…Chizuru could feel her dew pooling on Shinji's lap already. "Shin-chan, do I taste good? Would you like to taste something else…or will you stop teasing your Chizu-chan and let her taste you?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his head and held him tight.
Nodding as best he could despite the tight confines, Shinji stopped his fondling with great reluctance. "If you're sure," Shinji rubbed his spittle against Chizuru's chest due to lack of alternatives. Wrapping his arms around her, Shinji rolled to put Chizuru underneath him. Her earlier attempt to undo his pants had born little fruit, but he quickly ended the task. A wave of nervousness hit him as he hovered above her in all his barest form. "I…I know I'm not the biggest…I'm not going to be very good…and…" he babbled.
Knowing he was far from small, Chizuru was actually intimidated by what she had tasted before. Taking his befuddled talking as a hint she needed to do something, Chizuru pulled off her skirt and tore her panty's off. She could get another pair, and it wasn't like she couldn't run on the roofs back home. "Shin-chan," she silenced him with that one word, "I'm ready."
She had thought she was ready, but the moment she felt him enter her she had no idea how wrong she was. "Y-y-y-you're inside m-me," she purred as she felt just the tip of the man enter her. Pleasure her self exploring and her past experiences had no way prepared her for. Heat and pressure, her insides wrapped and coiled around that slowly encroaching sensation. "S-S-Shin-chan, I-I love this…you," she had no idea it would have felt like this to be with him
Shinji, for his part, was taking great pains to not rush and fall into a mindless state. Doing what he could to not hurt the girl, his arms were positioned just below her armpits, strained faced, Shinji inched his way deeper till he hit the last proverbial barrier. "C-Chizuru are you ready?" he gazed into her eyes with nothing but concern.
Knowing what he was asking, Chizuru already felt a trifling amount of pain as he pressed against her hymen. Closing her eyes, she made her pledge to herself right their. She was giving him herself, for now and into eternity. No others, just him, and she would spoil him every moment she could. "Claim me, I claim you," she pulled his body close to hers. And in one shuddering thrust she felt him tear through and in that moment they were officially each others. Maybe marriage would come, maybe Himari was right and she'd never be 'wife' but it was just words.
Wiping the tears from her eyes she didn't know she had shed, Shinji didn't move after his initial thrust. "Are you alright, should we t-take a break?" he looked down at himself. The blood was starting to trickle out, the crimson spread onto the comforter and stained the bedding. Swallowing hard, his voice came out husky, "If you want we could…until you recover."
No, she was not going to let the already dulling pain ruin this moment. In a sudden move, she rolled back over, sitting up on him, her hands on his chest she traced his nipple playfully. "I'll be fine in a moment, Shin-chan, its not so bad already. And I want…" she started to grind against him. His length was already stretching her insides, she was right to be intimidated, but loved every moment of it. "Just go slow for now," she closed her eyes and shucked against him.
Building up steam, she grew braver with taking him into herself. It was so addictive, she couldn't, didn't want to stop. "Whenever you're…just…inside me," she felt him trembling and knew their first time was almost about to end. The pain was still there, just a mild throb now, but enough to keep her from getting her own climax, this time. But when she felt it, felt his essence shoot into her, she was amazed that it sent her over the edge herself.
Collapsing on top of him panting heavily, "Amazing…again." She mewed against the boy that she could still feel hard and ready inside her. Yes, their would be many times, his touch was electric and she was already addicted. For the full duration of their time, they made full use of it. Nothing to complex, they weren't ready for that yet, but Chizuru could learn, would learn, how to please and be pleased by this man.
During one of their breaks, to catch their collective breaths, she felt a worrisome sensation though. Her tails…they were trying to come out. She alleviated the problem by letting her ears and one tail out, and Shinji let his appreciation of her blond form be known by getting his full attention. Maybe she would have to talk to her mother about it though…why were those accursed other tails trying to come out!
But all things had to end, and after a rather daring request of hers, she got Shinji to agree to doggie style once, the time was up. A quick shower later, Chizuru carried Shinji in her arms as she dashed on cloud nine across the city to drop him off. The kiss outside his apartment nearly left her coming in for another romp in his room, but the look from Himari promised pain if she stayed. No matter…their would be many other times, other places, and Himari would have to accept that.
X-X
Notes
Yup its officially, two cherries popped. Chizuru being the character that she is just seemed the likely first for Shinji in this story. Hope it wasn't to cheesy, and the lime not to corny, but I need to work on that. I want to be able to write any time of scene and write it well…and my lemon/lime stuff is pretty bad I feel. No matter its not the 'primary' purpose of the story just some nice waffy-ness.
Hope you enjoyed it and hope you have a good holiday season. I'll likely be to busy to get a full chapter written this week, but I'll try to get back into a weekly rotation again.
Any suggestions/requests again would easily be considered so feel free to ask.
Later
Mercaba