Alright, when I originally wrote this chapter I told my brother that it was actually planned to end after the angel. But the way that I left the last chapter, plus the new skills of the children, means that I couldn't leave it hanging like that, so I had to come up with more chapters... Some of them... not so good, filler chapters aren't something I like to read let alone write, but I'll do the best I can. If the chapters seem... off... just bear with it, good things come to those who tollerate crappy chapters!... and on to the chapter.
Disclaimer in Ch 1... that is all...
7
Several weeks had gone by with no angel attacks, and everyone was grateful and worried at the same time. Grateful for a chance to rest and recuperate some of the losses incurred at the hands of both Eva and Angel. Also worried at what the enemy was planning next, and if they could stop it when necessary.
Asuka's leg had healed well, and she walked with no limp. She never repeated what she said was going to tell Shinji in the hospital; she couldn't bring herself to do it. It just never seemed like the right moment for her to say something, so she continued to act as though it never happened. The children continued their martial arts training, more so out of interest than out of job requirement.
Shinji sat at his desk in class as he looked over the paper placed in front of him.
'Well, this was a waste of a tree' he thought as he slid the paper back into his satchel
'Like they'll let us out of the city for a field trip.' He glanced over at Asuka who sighed and laid the paper work back on her desk.
She turned her head and looked back at Shinji who smiled a little, trying to hide the fact that he was somewhat disappointed. She smiled and nodded back as she brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, then turned to face forward again.
"Alright students, make sure you get those permission slips back in before the trip next week." The teacher said as he took his seat and continued with the lecture.
At lunch Shinji grabbed both lunch boxes from his pack and tossed one at Asuka. Even though she wasn't looking at him when he threw it, she quickly put her hand up and caught the bento without so much as flinching.
As Shinji started to walk over to have lunch with her as he had been doing since she got back into class, Toji and Kensuke grabbed him under his arms and began to drag him out the door and up to the roof, bento still in hand.
"You realize I could probably drop both of you and still get back before lunch." He told his friends as they let the door close behind them.
Toji looked at Shinji with a raised eyebrow "Okay, we wanna know something, and we want the truth." he said.
Shinji looked at them like they had lost their minds.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
They looked at each other, and Kensuke kind of shrugged his shoulders "What do we mean? We mean you and the Demon Queen. What's gotten into you lately? Has she taken your soul or what?" Toji asked with a look of mock concern
Shinji burst into laughter as Toji finished his questioning. "Okay, so that's what this is all about, I see... No she hasn't taken my soul, when we were training for that last angel fight... I think our Sensei taught us something other than just martial arts." He shrugged a little as he continued "Then she got attacked and well... I couldn't just let them get away with that." He looked around the roof, looking for anyone else who might be around.
"Can I trust you two with something? And be forewarned, that if I find out this was repeated, you shall know true pain." he said with a look that shook Toji to the core.
"Y...Yeah man... you can trust us." Toji replied
Kensuke agreeing "Yeah, we won't say anything Shinji."
He looked them over then glanced around the roof top again before leaning in and whispering. "Okay, now listen carefully... "
Asuka sat in the classroom talking to Hikari and eating her lunch. She had seen Shinji hauled out by the goofballs. After several minutes and a very delicious lunch, she heard a pair of girl like screams come from the roof. '
Hmmm... Shinji must have said something to scare those two.' she thought to herself.
The two girls continued to talk about the last week Asuka had missed school. She was tired of the relentless questions she got about the attack, but even more tired of the questions about her and Shinji. Even after several weeks some people couldn't believe Shinji had done what he did, let alone who he did it for. Asuka on the other hand knew why he did it, he had told her that day before the angel attack.
Shinji walked back into the room a few minutes before the bell rang, and walked over to grab Asuka's' bento. She raised her head a little and mouthed a 'Thank you' as he turned.
Toji and Kensuke entered the room just as the bell was ringing, both of the glancing between Shinji and Asuka.
She caught this and was a little interested as to what got them to pay her any mind at all. It wasn't like she liked them, or that they liked her for that matter. As class began, she booted up her laptop and opened the messenger system.
After some reprogramming she opened a message to Shinji.
>Chat
>RedDeath: Hey, it's me, and don't worry, this is completely secure.
>Berzerker: Oh, hey, how's it going?
>RedDeath: shrugs not bad, what's going on with the goofballs? I heard them scream on the roof.
>Berzerker: ... Nothing, just them being them.
Asuka glanced over at Shinji and he seemed to be hiding something.
>RedDeath: Hmm... Is that so?
>Berzerker: yeah... yup... nothing unusual.
>RedDeath: ya know Shinji... you look a little warm over there, you sick or something?
>Berzerker: ... ummm... No...
>H4ck3DY00: AH HA!! THERE IS NO SYSTEM I CANNOT ACCESS!!!
>RedDeath: How the...
>Berzerker: Damn it Kensuke, get the hell out of here...
>H4ck3DY00: so... did you tell h...
Shinji quickly and skillfully threw his shoe at Kensuke, sending him sprawling to the floor temporarily knocked out. The teacher continued, not having noticed this.
>RedDeath: what was that about?
>Berzerker: Hmm... What was what about?
>RedDeath: The whole Kensuke, shoe throwing... ya know what... I don't think I want to know.
RedDeath has left the chat
>Berzerker: Damn you Kensukeā¦.
Berzerker has left the chat
Shinji closed his laptop and leaned back, noticing Asuka looking at him as he did so.
'Okay man, just stay calm, you avoided that one... damn it... now I have to try to get my shoe back.' he thought as he rested.
Asuka turned forward and put her head on her desk, and resumed the nap she had started before lunch.
School let out and the children all started to head for home. Shinji and Asuka started off toward the apartment when Asuka stopped him.
"Hey, about earlier... I'm..." She started, but he cut her off
"it's okay, it's just something that's... hmm how do I say this... " He thought for a moment "It's just not the right time to reveal it I guess... don't worry though, you'll find out soon" he told her with a smile.
She looked him over for a second and nodded, she knew he wouldn't lie to her or try to hide something if it was of truly great importance "Alright." They continued on their way home.
When Misato got home, late as usual, she was greeted by two rather down children.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she grabbed a beer from the fridge and went to sit down.
Both children looked at each other then Shinji spoke up
"We've got a class field trip coming up to go scuba diving in Okinawa, but we know that due to our roles as pilots we won't be allowed to go. Just kind of disappointing I guess." Shinji finished and Asuka nodded in confirmation.
Misato sat up having finished her drink and set the now empty can down "Hmm, well, you could always use the pool in the fitness area at HQ. I think its twenty or thirty feet deep. It's not the same, but it can't hurt" she told them
Asuka seemed to light up at the idea; Shinji just hung his head in defeat.
"What's the matter Shinji? Afraid of a little water?" Asuka teased him.
He stood up and walked off towards him room muttering.
Asuka looked at Misato with a hint of confusion.
"He doesn't know how to swim, his uncle never taught him I guess" Misato said with a shrug.
Asuka thought to herself for a minute 'Hmm, this could be a good chance to start my plan into motion.' Then she nodded and stood up "Could you reserve the whole pool area for us for next week then Misato?"
Misato looked at her with a raised eyebrow "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem. Any particular reason you have that look on your face though?" she asked.
Asuka blushed a little "What are you implying?"
Misato chuckled and waved her hand "Nothing, nothing..." she kept giggling, but didn't say anything more.
"You're such a child Misato" Asuka said as she turned and headed into her own room.
