Evangelion: Heart of a Warrior
1:6 – Melancholy of a Single Woman
-x-x-| Katsuragi-Ikari Residence |-x-x-
Shinji whistled a rather happy tune as he began to whip up scrambled eggs. Adding a slight pinch of salt, and a bit heavy amounts of black pepper, he made a somewhat skillful show using the wok in flipping and cooking the eggs quite evenly. Beside that was a non-stick pan grilling bacon.
Ranko sighed as she looked at the toaster, waiting for the bread to pop out. Pen^2 (or Pen-Pen, but the author's lazy so its Pen^2) was enjoying his marinated sardine, taking one, and swallowing it whole.
All in all, a regular day in the Katsuragi-Ikari residence.
"I wish I had the talent for cooking," Ranko sighed. "Watching bread toast itself is… boring."
"I'll let you cook the rice next time, big sis," Shinji replied from his side gently.
"I can only make plain rice," the redhead sighed. "No way I'm going to miss out on your fried rice."
The toasted bread popped up.
"Toast's done," Ranko called.
"Just on time," Shinji replied, placing the scrambled eggs on one plate, and the cooked crispy bacon on another. He placed them both on the table. "I guess that only leaves…"
Before he could finish, Misato arrived, opening the sliding door. Her disheveled form, from her crumpled and very racy clothes from her skin-tight T-shirt to her cut off shorts, and messy bed-hair, she looked like she had wrestled with an Angel and lost.
"Mor…" she yawned, "… morning."
"Good morning, Misato-san," Shinji declared with a warm smile. "Here you go…"
Leading her to a chair, he quickly, in Hiten Mitsurugi speed, put a toast on her plate, two strips of bacon, and a generous amount of scrambled eggs. And as a finishing touch, he placed a can of her beer near the plate. Naturally, she went for that first, opening it, and taking a big swig.
"WHEW! Yeah! That's how you start the day!" Misato declared, now feeling more awake. Looking at her plate, she grinned towards the boy appreciatively. "Wow… what a breakfast! You sure you're not hiding something, Shinji-kun? Maybe something bad on your school record, and this breakfast is to appease me for things to come?"
Today was a parent-teacher conference, and as Shinji's guardian in Tokyo-3, she had offered to be present.
"Of course not, Misato-san," Shinji sat down on his own table. "And like I said before… you don't have to come. I know you're busy with NERV and all."
"Don't be silly," Misato mumbled as she put her toast in her mouth and chewed, her gaze darkening somewhat. "It's boring to work there when nothing's going on…"
That, and there were a ton of paperwork she hadn't taken care of yet… of course, she couldn't exactly say that.
"You sure are a hard worker, Misato-san. As long as it won't inconvenience you," Shinji smiled once more, and began to eat when the doorbell rang. He was about to get it, when Ranko, who just cleaned off her plate, stood up.
"Finish your breakfast," she stated. "I'll get the door."
"Thanks, sis," Shinji smiled, and began to eat a bit faster.
Ranko and Shinji knew who were at the door. They both came in everyday since Shinji had recovered from the battle of the Fifth Angel. Hikari had first put them up to it, after all, they were Shinji's only few friends on school (most boys looked at him as competition for the girls, and most girls found Ranko and Kima intimidating as love-rivals), but out of the two, it seemed only Kensuke was the more enthusiastic about it.
Toji was still nervous around Ranko, though he was now curbing that fear since the red-head was usually around when they hung out with Shinji.
"Hey boys," Ranko greeted friendlily.
"Morning Ranko!" Kensuke greeted with a wide smile.
"Yeah… morning," Toji greeted a bit nervously. Yup, he was making progress. Hopefully.
"Shinji's finishing up breakfast," Ranko stated.
"Finished!" Shinji suddenly declared as he exited from the kitchen. He looked at his two friends, and waved. "Hey guys."
"Hey, Shin-man!" Kensuke greeted. "Is Misato there?"
From the kitchen, an arm came out, waving towards them. "Hey boys."
"Morning, Misato-san!" Kensuke greeted with a very wide grin. Toji looked a bit more enthusiastic, but said nothing. The spectacled boy looked at Ranko. "You coming with us again?"
"Nah, not today," the red-head replied. She cringed a bit when she saw Toji's relieved face. "But if you guys wanna go at the arcade, call me, alright? I hear the new Street Fighter game came out."
"No problem," Shinji replied.
"I'm challenging you, Toji!" Ranko took out her tongue playfully at the boy, who looked somewhat scandalized when she said his name. He then relaxed somewhat, and smiled, nodding.
"Sure," he said, nodding.
"Alright, lets go," Shinji adjusted his sword slightly, and grabbed his school bag, flipping it over his shoulder. He looked at Ranko, and said, "Take care of the dishes, okay?"
"Don't worry about it. Get outta here," she replied, smirking, and waved as the boys left, slowly closing the door. After a moment, she walked towards Misato, who was enjoying her breakfast, and drinking her beer.
"He likes you."
Misato almost spat out her drink at Ranko's sudden words. After controlling herself, she asked, "Who? That Aida boy? Or Suzuhara?"
"Shinji," Ranko replied. "He really likes you."
"I have that kind of effect on boys," Misato smiled, feeling a bit proud. She remembered when she first met him, and tried to do a little flirting for him to get batteries for her car, and absolutely failed. Hearing that her body does really does affect him made her feel a bit better.
Not that she wanted to strip in front of him or anything, mind. Female pride… that's all it was, she thought happily, taking another swig at her beer.
"It's not that. I think he loves you."
And that got Misato spitting her beer out through her nose. She coughed, hacking remnants of the beer that had entered her lungs on the floor, and then looked at the red-head with disbelieved eyes.
"Wha… what!?"
Ranko smiled a bit. "I said, I think he loves you."
"Don't be silly," Misato's voice volume increased. "It's probably just some crush."
"Shinji has adopted himself for your betterment," Ranko muttered as she drank her tea. "That's not a simple crush. He knows what kinds of foods you like, when do you like your beer, and has a rough idea about your schedule, which is why he knows you could be busy today."
Misato flushed red as the implications hit her. It was true… ever since he had arrived, she had never had it easier at home. When she wakes up, she has a meal and beer, cooked and waiting for her. Most of the time, the meals were of her preference. That also holds true every time she comes home… the days where she would come home somewhat early, he would always give her something to eat, or if he wasn't there, some ready-cooked food for re-heating. The same can be said for dinner time. He would clean, even without her orders. Even her room was spotless, and for some reason, she didn't mind at all. Even the spare room was now spotless (of course, it didn't stop Ranko from sleeping in Shinji's room).
"All we need is a Minister, some legal documents, and you're good and married," Ranko smiled.
The picture of Shinji in a tux, and beside him, the taller purple-haired Misato in a dress she knew she wouldn't wear, if ever, with Church bells ringing, and everyone throwing rice… Ritsuko and Maya were the best maids… Gendo was the one giving up his son away… Rei as the ring bearer…
"No… nonononono!" Misato shook her head, trying to get the image out of her head. "You're wrong… seriously. Me and Shinji?"
"And what the hell is wrong with my little brother!?" the red-head suddenly demanded.
"He's fourteen!" Misato replied without hesitation.
"A hot fourteen year old…"
"Alright, I'll give you that… NO! I mean…" Misato began to stammer, now beginning to hit her head on the table. "It's wrong! I'm his guardian!"
"So was mom… and he had a thing for her," Ranko shrugged. "I think he's into older women."
The image of Shinji, Misato's innocent yet skillful Shinji just shattered, replaced with a debonair of a young man, on his knees, his face like the Commander's but friendlier, showing her a ring with a rather large rock, asking her to marry him.
"You're wrong!" Misato finally declared, grasping her last thread of defense. Plausible Deniability. "It could be anything. There is no concrete proof of what you're saying."
"Really?" Ranko raised her eyebrow. "If you really want proof that bad… ask him for anything."
"Huh?"
"Shinji is a bit obvious in some stuff. Ask him to do anything… well anything that won't harm innocent people," the red-haired girl stated. "Ask him something you think he won't do for you. If I'm wrong, he'll refuse. If I'm right… well… I just hope you don't regret what you ask of him."
There was a pregnant pause, Misato's eating speed down to a snail pace, while Ranko just enjoyed her breakfast. After a while, the red-haired girl stood up.
"I think I'll go around the city for a while. Later, Misato-san," Ranko declared, and she left the utterly shocked and confused Katsuragi in the kitchen.
-x-x-| NERV HQ |-x-x-
"Ask him to lick your feet or something," Ritsuko shrugged, going back to her computer.
"Thank you very much Doctor Akagi," Misato muttered sarcastically. "Without your helpful advices, I wouldn't have made myself in the loony bin."
"Last time I try to help," the faux blonde muttered.
"Can't you at least give me some sound advice?" Misato growled, slamming her fist on one Ritsuko's table. "Lick my feet, really, where the hell do you come up with that!? Do you get off in making that boy miserable or something?"
Ritsuko ignored the last question.
"Misato, your problem isn't that big, you know," she sighed. "I have bigger problems. And you busting in here, demanding to ask me what could ask Shinji to do for you isn't exactly what I had in mind for creative inspirations."
"Can you please… just help me out? Please?" Misato sighed. "This is serious!"
"Tell him to jump off the building. That's what I'd ask him if he ever 'fell in love' with me."
"Ritsuko…"
"Oh fine," the faux blonde sighed. "How about asking him to sleep with you?"
"He's a fourteen year old boy. A healthy fourteen year old boy," Misato stared. "It doesn't take a genius to know he'd jump on the chance!"
"Then ask him to do something demeaning!" Ritsuko rubbed her forehead with her right hand. "Like marry you, or something. That has to be the ultimate punishment for any kind of men."
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Misato demanded.
"That you have no house-skills?" Ritsuko rolled her eyes. "Let's face it, Misato. That Saotome girl is right. Shinji is basically living at your house like a traditional wife. He cooks, he cleans, he does your laundry! And you know what really surprises me? He's actually happy doing it! Whether you want to admit it or not… you guys are in a relationship."
"He's fourteen!"
"So what?" Ritsuko asked. "Fourteen is the legal consent age right now. Post-Second Impact Law Review, remember?"
Misato sighed, conceding that point. Ever since the tragedy of Second Impact, new laws concerning marital status, and legal age has been taken up for review because of dwindling population. It was recommended by almost all governments that the people marry early, by making marrying age at fifteen, with fourteen being the consenting age.
It was also one of the laws pushed by the Committee, one of the sponsors of NERV to help them train pilots and not be drawn into a court battle concerning Labor Laws.
"It's the principle. He's half my damn age!" Misato stated with a bit of coolness.
"Now you're just grasping for straws," Ritsuko declared. "Law is on your side… unless you force him. That's a different matter. But really… there is no court or lawyer who will argue with you if you do sleep with him."
"Why do you keep steering our conversation to that!?" Misato finally noticed, her face flushing with anger. Was Ritsuko really trying to get her to sleep with Shinji? "I want an alternative! I don't care if the law allows it! I don't care if Kami-sama comes down from the heaven's, declaring it morally right! I don't want to hear it!"
"Che… I almost cornered you there," Ritsuko smirked, and dodged the punch coming at her. "Hey, easy! Alright, I get it! It was a joke! Don't get your panties twisted."
"Mine's just fine," Misato growled. "Someone should check yours. Seriously… trying to put me in that position. What kind of moral adult are you?"
"I'm a scientist, I have no real use for morals," the faux blonde declared, smirking slightly. "Actually, scratch that. There is something you can ask him to do, Misato. You think I can borrow him for a while to do some research."
"What kind of research?" Misato asked, looking at Ritsuko's computer screen. It was on a web browser, on the site ThouTube. Ritsuko apparently was watching some sort of fantasy movie. "Didn't know you had such young-hearted hobbies, Ritz."
"You think its some sort of movie right? It's not. It's a fight from Nerima-1."
"What…?"
Misato sat down on a spare chair, and watched with interest as she saw two fighters suddenly throwing two glowing balls at each other. Then sometime later, they saw one of the fighters smashing through a brick wall, and then later, flying, jumping from rooftops to rooftops, with the second fighter landing a knock-out blow to his opponent.
"Bull," was all Misato could say.
"Yeah… I said that at the beginning too," Ritsuko sighed. "Apparently, it's a normal thing in Nerima-1. There, they have street fights severe enough to produce destruction of property. Some of the clips even present impossible light shows using some sort of bio-energy they can produce and throw at each other. They call it ki."
Misato only looked at her friend like she was crazy.
"Ritsuko… maybe you're working too hard on this…" she began. "Take the day off. It'll be good for you."
"Shove it, Misato," Ritsuko sighed as she minimized the web browser, and went towards the NERV network, going for Section-2's files. "Remember the day that Saotome and Hibiki girl arrived? The day that the Third Angel attacked? There was a fight at Shinji's school in which he was involved in… and Section-2 got this."
Misato stared blankly at the three-way fight between Ranko, Shinji and Kima. The boy had put on a good fight, but was the first to be out, expressing how much more skilled his sister and friend was than him. However, the highlights were the umbrella toss that created a rather sizable dent in the soccer field, an air-battle between Ranko and Shinji, and the tornado that popped out of nowhere that launched Kima in the air.
"Was Section-2 high on something when they created this video?" Misato asked, still looking disbelieved.
"That's what the head of Section-2 thought. Put it out of circulation until I requested it be brought forth after what happened to the last Angel attack," Ritsuko then began to type on her keyboard, showing data on the last skirmish Unit-01 had. "The pilot's respiration rate had increased almost ten times the normal amount, almost draining oxygen out of LCL, and you know how much oxygen that liquid holds. Unit-01 also had logged in some sort of odd energy readings, stemming from the Entry Plug. And to top it off, the Positron Rifle had received some sort of energy that converted into electrical current that decreased its charging time. Explain that."
"Um… computer malfunction?" Misato suggested.
"Don't insult me," the faux-blonde declared, angry. "Three computer malfunctions in such a short time frame? These figures are real and they are correct. Shinji had produced a great amount of energy that allowed him to fire off a second shot faster. Bio-energy."
"That's why you've been watching Nerima-1 fights?"
"Exactly," Ritsuko smiled a bit. "Can you imagine the amount of data we could collect from him? Humans that could produce bio-energy, and adapted enough to throw that energy outwards! It's like the evolution of man!"
"If it's so good, why don't we know anything about it?" Misato asked. "We're NERV for crying out loud. We know more things than the government of Japan does!"
"Well for one thing, Angels coming to destroy mankind kinda takes precedent over an urban myth like guys flying in mid-air, and throwing energy balls," Ritsuko replied.
"But still… people live in that city! Someone should have gotten wind of it!" Misato reasoned.
Ritsuko began to type again in her computer, and brought up what looked like official documents concerning Nerima-1.
"Yeah, true, but I think there's a cover-up. If you haven't exactly noticed, two families run Nerima-1 city's local government. The Kanzakis and the Kunos."
"Kunos… Kanzakis? Aren't they-?"
"Political big-shots, yeah," Ritsuko nodded. "They are the few richest families in Japan. For the past years, they have been donating rather heavily on Government bids, buying up people from different seats of the legislative, administrative, and judicial sections. There were rumors that the two families were even waging wars against each other, which just stopped recently when the new head of the Kanzaki proposed a cease-fire."
"Gods… Shinji was living in such a place?" Misato asked. "No wonder he acts like he's at home here!"
"It would explain a few things about him," Ritsuko stated. "Nerima-1 is a very hard place to live. These fights seemed to be a tip of an iceberg. It is a place of constant chaos. The only reason why no one seems to give a damn is because no one really dies because of the fights, and because it feeds their families there."
"Street fighting is a job there?"
"No, actually, the booming business there is construction and insurance," Ritsuko smiled a bit. "Apparently, the fights do a lot of property damage."
"This… this is messed up, Rits…" Misato looked at the new video clip of another fight. "Its like it came out of a damn manga!"
"Funny you should mention that... know all of those famous fantasy fight manga series that are out now? Apparently, the mangaka are either from Nerima-1, or visit there for inspiration."
Misato actually found that funny, and her smile formed a small grin. "Dragon Ball Z?"
"Maybe. Anyway, think you can lend him to me?" the faux-blonde asked. She then smiled, and added a few more words. "Don't worry… I won't take advantage of him."
"Haha," Misato rolled her eyes. "I'll ask him tomorrow."
"Tomorrow we have that UN meet about JetAlone, Misato," Ritsuko reminded.
Ugh, JA… Misato thought darkly. It was pretty much a firm wanting to take a shot at the Angels by building a robot powered by a Nuclear Reactor. Apparently, it's so cheap, you don't need an AT-Field to kill Angels!
"Do we really have to go there?" Misato asked. "Even if it's for representation, you don't think the UN and the Government is actually dumb enough to buy JA's PR?"
"We're to make sure they won't even take a whiff on what JA has to offer," Ritsuko declared. "Speaking of representation… aren't you a bit late for Shinji's PT meeting?"
Misato blinked, and then looked at her wristwatch.
"Cripes… you're right!! I'm late, damnit!"
"Enjoy…" Ritsuko smiled slightly as she watched her college friend take off. She then remembered something she hoped Misato would hear from the hallway. "And don't forget to ask him okay!?"
"What!?" Misato replied back with a shout. Ritsuko only shook her head, wondering whether the last reply was a poke at her, or an honest answer.
-x-x-| Tokyo-3 High School |-x-x-
"Hey… what is that!?" one of the boys in Shinji's classroom pointed towards a speeding car that suddenly braked, drifting slight, turning one-hundred eighty degrees, perfectly shooting itself in a designated parking area.
"Toji! Misato's here!" Kensuke called, recognizing the car.
"Really?" Toji and Shinji sat up, and walked towards the window. Hikari, seeing Toji's sudden interest, felt compelled to know who this Misato was as well.
"Who's Misato, boys?" she asked, her hands on her hips, going for the 'dead serious' look.
"Shinji's hot guardian!" Kensuke replied before Toji or Shinji could reply. He was given a slap at the back of the head by the jock.
"Damn it! Keep your mouth shut!" Toji declared, but the damage was done. All the boys suddenly interested in seeing the Misato woman left all the lovely ladies alone as they looked out the window.
Misato stepped off her car after taking a deep breathe. She just made it in time. Being her, she went out the car in style, legs out first, and walked with feline grace she had gotten after years of practice. Her reward? Cat calls and wolf whistles.
"Oh wow! Look at that babe!"
"Ikari's living with her? Damn lucky guy!"
"Check it out guys! She's looking here!"
The girls around the class all looked at the boys with dark glances. Some began to whisper a plan for divine punishment for their boyfriends for showing such callous regards towards them.
Misato smiled inwardly. Yup, she still had it. Looking above them, she easily recognized Shinji, Toji, Kensuke, with the Aida boy recording her strut. She gave him a victory sign, and she had gotten an even louder reception. In the end, before she went out of view, she looked at Shinji, judging his reaction.
He made no cat call, no wolf whistle. He just gave her his usual friendly smile she had come to recognize, and gave her a small wave as a greeting. She waved back, and gave him a smile in return.
She would need to talk to him later.
-x-x-| Katsuragi-Ikari Residence |-x-x-
"Hungry, Misato-san?" Shinji stated as he went to the kitchen, the first place he goes every time he went home, Misato would notice.
"Nah, just…" and Shinji appeared in front of her, a can of beer ready in his hand, "… a beer. Thank you, Shinji-kun."
"You are welcome," he replied with a smile. He then returned to the kitchen. "I shall prepare supper."
Relaxing in her couch, Misato turned on her TV, skipping channels, not really looking for anything in particular. Her mind was somewhere else… somewhere trying to decide what she would do next. Ranko wasn't home, apparently, out, so she couldn't ask anyone about Shinji. Would she risk it? Would she ask him directly how he truly felt?
Direct questions would be met by strategic retreats. Misato knew that enough by experience. She was fourteen too at one point. A terrible time for her, yes, but she knew enough that if she bombarded Shinji with questions like that, he'd avoid the question as if he was dodging bullets.
By the time Shinji was calling for dinner, she was in absolute panic. She hadn't thought of anything that would make her little confrontation with Shinji better. It didn't even help the boy was so sweet that he had already set the plates, with another can of beer waiting with her plate.
She watched as the boy efficiently served the food to her first. It was curry chicken. It smelled great… and to top it off, it also seemed made from scratch. She took a bite… and it was absolutely delicious.
Let's say I ask him… and he won't dodge the issue, and answers in complete honesty… if Ranko's right, what should I do? she began to ask herself, the food calming her down.
Rejecting him was the first option in her head, but the more and more she thought about it, the less she had reasons to not accept. He was the perfect catch, she would admit honestly.
Damn it Shinji! You're not making it easier for me! Misato felt like slamming her head against the table. Oh how she wished he had some fault to make it easier for her! Any disgusting habit he has! There has to be something, right!?
"More beer, Misato-san?" Shinji asked, a can of beer already being laid to her side.
Misato groaned again, and decided to ask after dinner.
-x-x-x-x-x-
It was after dinner… and she was clamming up. A part of her wanted to just fly away to the moon and gaze among the stars. Another part of her was wanting to do something really… inappropriate. Another part of her just wanted to just finish the whole thing.
You can do this Katsuragi!!! Misato declared, now finding her steel.
"Um… Shinji…" Misato called nervously.
"Yes?" the boy replied, his back on her, washing the dishes.
"If… um… there is… I mean…" Misato slapped her cheeks with both her hands, trying to stop her stuttering. "Shinji, I need a favor…"
"Sure, Misato. Anything for you."
Anything for you.
Anything for you.
Misato imagined herself riding her mighty steed, rocking hard that the bed squeaked, twirling a lasso in the air like a cowgirl, complete with a hat, very small vest, short leggings, and a lot of sweat, with the music blazing, singing the chorus of 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' in rhythm with her hips.
WHAM! WHAM! WHAM!
Shinji blinked as the new sound of something hitting something came behind him. Turning around, he spotted Misato slamming her head on the table… very hard.
"Oh my! Misato-san! What are you doing!" the boy asked, and was about to stop her. There was no need. She knocked herself out before he could even intervene.
The last thing on Misato's mind before it went black was the chorus of the song 'Girls Wanna Have Fun' playing backwards in a loop before cutting off completely.
-x-x-| Next Day, Plane to Old Tokyo |-x-x-
"What the hell happened to you?" Ritsuko blinked, seeing Misato in full dress-uniform, sober, and with a bandaged head.
"Don't ask. Just don't frigging ask," Misato growled as she sat down. Ritsuko, wisely, didn't speak at all until they arrived at the UN Meet in Old Tokyo.
Old Tokyo was formerly known as Tokyo City before Second Impact. The rising water had flooded the city, utterly making it useless. It was kept as it is, some sort of reminder to people of the tragedies that befell them… and it was also a good place to have meets concerning of Military in nature. After all, the only populated areas were miles away, making Old Tokyo quite an isolated place.
JetAlone… the banner on the meeting room was big, and written in bold letters. On the floor, different branches of government military along with some UN representatives surrounded the lonely NERV table at the center. There, the only ones representing NERV were Ritsuko and Misato.
The purple-haired Captain was in a very bad mood. Head trauma, overactive imagination, a seemingly perfect fourteen year old... and now, this. JetAlone representatives and speaker was, for the lack of better term, a complete ass. He would suck up to the government representatives, or praising the UN for their efforts in the chaos that was in their world today. After explaining the general idea on how JetAlone would be a better alternative in fighting off Angels, Ritsuko had to raise her hand.
"Ah, yes, the famous Doctor Ritsuko Akagi of NERV," the speaker declared flakily. "You have questions?"
"Yes," Ritsuko declared steadily. "According to the documentation, the unit is equipped with internal nuclear engine. Looking at it in perspective, wouldn't that be too much of a risk using such volatile energy as a land-battle weapon?"
"It is more useful than a weapon that shuts down after five minutes without its power chord."
Misato rolled her eyes. The guy just dodged the question.
"How about the fact your unit is completely run via remote? Wouldn't there be problems of interference during an emergency situation?" the faux-blonde asked.
"Our system is more humane," the speaker replied easily. "It doesn't leave its pilot with mental stress."
Ritsuko didn't back down, asking more questions, and each time, the speaker dodged the issues completely, taking pokes and questioning NERVs morality. Misato didn't even listen anymore, her hands gripping the table so hard her knuckles were turning white.
"You can say what you want, but without NERV's primary weapons, nothing can defeat the Angels," Ritsuko finished.
"You're talking about the AT-Field, yes?" the speaker grinned. "It is only a matter of time. NERV's epoch won't last forever."
-x-x-x-x-x-
Later, in the dressing room, Misato was currently trying to smash one locker completely by kicking it down... pretty impressive consiering she was wearing heels.
"Let me shoot him, please," she declared in a hard tone. "It'll be easy. You show him some leg, lure him in the dark corner of the base, and I'll shoot him in the head."
"Don't be childish, Misato," Ritsuko replied, though she herself was acting childish. Instead of bringing down a locker, she was burning JetAlone's itinerary, her face promising to bring pain. "He's just a child, acting big, lapping for some praise."
"That doesn't help knowing how they know about the AT-Field!" Misato growled. "That shows there's a leak somewhere!"
"Don't worry about it," Ritsuko stated calmly. She then turned the conversation around. "Anyway, Misato… have you asked the Third Child to spend some time with little ol' me?"
"No," the purple-haired woman growled. "Didn't find the opportunity yet."
Akagi stared at her friend. "What? Why the hell not?"
"Because I hit my head on the table."
Ritsuko blinked, and after a moment of deliberation, she just shook her head, and left Misato to her own devices. The woman decided that the locker hadn't been given adequate punishment, and just began kicking it again.
"Kami… I wish something happens to JetAlone. It'll serve those idiots right!" the Captain declared.
-x-x-| Tokyo-3 High School |-x-x-
Shinji was called from his class to the principal's office, where two Section-2 men in black gave him the news.
"Oh my… you mean to say there's a giant robot with a nuclear reactor threatening to melt down, and its moving towards Atsugi?" he asked, looking terribly shocked.
The two men nodded.
"How rude!" Shinji declared.
-x-x-| Plane to intercept JetAlone |-x-x-
Misato had to give credit to Section-2… they had actually gotten Shinji with them quite early. But then again, how hard was it really to find a boy in his school during class?
"Hey, Misato-san," Shinji waved.
"Shinji," Misato waved back and looked towards Makoto, the technician who was called from NERV to assist her. "Hyuga-kun."
"Yes ma'am?" the nerdy technician straightened up from his seating position.
"Once the EVA launches, escape quickly. Ascend to a safe level."
"Roger!"
"Shinji," Misato called. "JetAlone, as you know is making its way to Atsugi."
"No problem," Shinji smiled a bit. "I shall cut it down easily."
"No, don't do that…" Misato stated, though she really wanted to see him try. "It has a nuclear reactor. We can't risk it exploding."
"Can I just cut its legs then? It will hopefully stop its mobility," the boy reasoned.
"You know what… that's fine," Misato nodded. "It would make it easier for me to ride on board."
The Third Child stopped, and looked at his guardian, confused. "Ride on board? What are you talking about, Misato-san?"
"I need you to carry me to JetAlone's back," Misato replied easily. "I'll hitch a ride on board, and directly try to disable the reactor core from the inside."
"That's stupid!" Shinji declared suddenly, his smile vanishing, his tone becoming quite serious. Quite an out of character act, Misato thought as she felt her heart beat somewhat faster… did she just find a chink in Shinji's infallible armor?
"I can't allow you to do that!" the boy continued. "Do you know what happens when things go to the worst?"
"Don't worry, the EVA can withstand a nuclear explosion," the woman smiled.
"It's not the EVA or me I'm worried about," he declared. "Its you! How can you-"
And he was cut off when Misato held his hand, her face and eyes going serious, matching his solemn expression.
"Shinji… I have to do this," she replied. "I have to do what I can… or I'll regret it. Please Shinji… follow me on this, alright?"
He sighed, and shook his head. "Alright."
-x-x-x-x-x-
The EVA launched near the path where JetAlone was traversing in. They needed to get as close as they could because Unit-01 would be launched without a power chord, and his time would be dependent on its internal batteries.
Landing gently on the ground, Shinji had to check in, and make sure Misato wasn't hurt from the impact.
"You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine…!" Misato stated, sounding pretty healthy. "Alright… you know your mission, Shinji… take me to it!"
"Gotcha!"
Running at full speed, in a few seconds, Unit-01 had visual confirmation of JetAlone. It was running towards the city.
"Oh my… it looks like a pot…" Shinji commented. "A pot with arms and legs."
"Well… it'll feel like a pot inside…" Misato commented, not exactly looking forward to experiencing the heat inside a nuclear reactor.
"Alright, Misato… this may become a bit bumpy…" Shinji declared as the EVA took out its sword from the make-shift sheathe attached to his left leg with his right free hand. He then increased his sprint, reaching JetAlone in seconds.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Back in the Old Tokyo bunker, the speaker of JetAlone screamed as Unit-01 cut off the robot's legs completely.
"What are you doing!?" he demanded towards Ritsuko, who had a slight smile on her face, watching Shinji in action. "You were not supposed to do major damage to it!"
"Please take it as a demonstration," Ritsuko replied calmly, her grin serene, and then it turned somewhat ugly. "A demonstration on what's a superior land-based weapon."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Whoa!" Misato declared as she saw how cleanly Shinji got that strike out. She wasn't even rocked hard when he moved like that. "You know how to give a girl a good time! Get me on that robot's back!"
Without its legs, the only thing that's thrashing around were the arms. It rocked the body too hard for Misato to land on cleanly, so Shinji stabed one of the offending arms with his sword, burrowing the blade deeply, and at the same time, took out his progressive knife from the pylon of Unit-01's shoulders, and used that to stab the other arm still.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"You… you are merciless!" the speaker of JetAlone was on the verge of crying.
Ritsuko loved every minute of it. Sadistic girl, ain't she?
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Misato had successfully gotten, and immediately went to the terminal inside JetAlone. Writing down the password, 'HOPE', which was given by the speaker of JetAlone earlier, she was surprised when the system didn't accept it.
Ignoring Shinji's plea for her to come out, she tried forcing the control rods in, with the nuclear reactor going critical. Instead of the imminent explosion that she and Shinji were dreadfully waiting for, the system suddenly accepted its shut-down command, and the control rods finally activated, turning the disaster into what some might call a miracle in two seconds flat.
The reactor finally cooled down, and the JetAlone finally died down.
"You did it!" Shinji declared, sounding pretty happy. Misato could only shake her head.
"Yeah… I did it…" she replied, not really believing it.
Someone had deliberately tampered with JetAlone's programming.
-x-x-| NERV HQ |-x-x-
Commander Ikari read the reports given to him by Ritsuko, and nodded, looking quite satisfied.
"Very nice," he stated. "Even with Katsuragi's interference, it seems the scenario was a success. The UN and the Japanese Government will now continue their support on NERV's cause."
"The Third Child also impressed a whole lot of them," Ritsuko smiled a bit. "Brutally efficient and crucifying JA was very theatrical. Gave a few generals a scare enough to make them respect him."
Gendo frowned. Yes, his son was very helpful today, but on the long run… he had to do something about it.
-x-x-| Katsuragi-Ikari Residence |-x-x-
Dinner was eaten and done… the beer cans were open and drunk, yet no comfort was received. She was finally out of her rather stuffy dress-uniform, back to her loose house clothing, yet she didn't feel relaxed. In opposite, Misato felt like she had just come home from a long and tiring war. She was tense. She was worried.
Not about JetAlone, that one she had filed in the back part of her mind. She had no proof, no anything. Plus, she wasn't as interested about that (probably because no one was really harmed and there was no nuclear fallout) as she was about Shinji.
The boy had come home from another sortie, relaxed, calm, and cleaning the dishes. She had to ask… it was killing her.
"Where's Ranko?" the woman asked, wondering if they were alone. She hadn't seen the red-head for two days already.
"I got a message from her… she's coming home late, later," the boy replied.
"Ah…" Misato nodded. "Shinji…"
"Hmmm?" the boy replied, now opening the tap to let the water rinse the soaped dishes.
"Um… about yesterday…" Misato whispered, though still audible enough to be heard. "Remember what we talked about…?"
"Before you suddenly rammed your head into the table?"
"Yeah, before that… and don't remind me," the woman sighed. "I have a favor to ask."
"Anything for you," Shinji looked at her and smiled.
Misato riding her mighty steed-
Before her imagination could even finish the image like last time, Misato mentally punched it away. She took a deep breathe. It was time.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Ritsuko was outside the apartment door, carrying a six-pack beer. She wasn't into it as Misato was, but then again, she did deserve to bring her friend something so she could relax. Boiling inside a nuclear reactor isn't exactly a walk in the park, plus scaring her half to death with the whole debacle…
Of course, it was also Misato's fault. She shouldn't have just jumped into the fray like that, but Ritsuko knew she had to expect it from her. She sighed, and raised her hand, about to knock on her door, when she heard a shout.
"Oh God yes!!"
The faux-blonde's face turned rather white. Misato's voice. Loud… and bathed with ultimate pleasure.
"Ugh… wait, wait… don't push so hard! UGH! Yes, YES! That's the spot!"
"That… woman!" Ritsuko whispered to herself, scandalized. "What a hypocrite! She actually went and had a go with him!?"
"Wow… you're good… no… great… I swear…"
Ritsuko swallowed. That young… that good!? She cursed. Gendo wasn't exactly Mr. Lover himself, but apparently his son was. Why did Misato have all the damn luck!?
"Faster! Faster! Yeah! YES! YES!"
Ritsuko left before her nose started bleeding.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Inside, Shinji frowned slightly. "Misato… you're a bit too loud. What if your neighbor thinks something inappropriate is going on?"
Misato settled back down on the couch, lying. "Screw them. It's just my first time you know. And you're really good at it!"
"I am of many talents," Shinji smiled, and then playfully took his tongue out to her. "Enjoy it while you can, Hentai-san."
Misato smiled rather deliriously as she received the best damn foot massage ever, not minding Shinji's teasing for once. As long as he kept going for that spot. Oooh, yes… that spot.
-x-x-x-x-x-
"Hey, I'm back," Ranko declared as she entered the apartment. Shinji was on the couch, watching the TV. "Where's Misato?"
"Sleeping… she had a hard day," Shinji replied. The boy looked at the girl, and frowned slightly. "You put a weird idea in her head, didn't you?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, little bro…" Ranko replied airily. Shinji just made a face, and later, the red-head relented. "Oh, alright. I did give her an odd idea about you ready to do anything for her…"
"It bothered her you know," the boy stated. "Made her hit her head on the table. Multiple times."
"Overactive imagination?" Ranko shrugged. "It would be interesting what she thought of when she did that…"
"Be nicer, sis… please?"
"I'm just worried about you," Ranko said. "She likes you. She shows you her real face around you. She may not know it completely, but its there."
"I know…" the boy replied. "I'm starting to feel the same. I'm getting comfortable around her. I guess I like her too."
"She works for your old man…" the older girl muttered. "She's your anchor here."
"Yeah…" Shinji nodded. "But even so… please?"
Ranko sighed. "Fine."
"Thank you, big sis."
To Be Continued…
Author's Notes:
Now that was fin to write. Added silliness that my last few chapters seemed to lack, yet I think I kept it well grounded. Next… what will our lovely fiery German Suplex… uh, I mean, Asuka Langley-Sohryu do when she meets her ultimate match? And no… its not Shinji. :P
Later!
