Secrets should never be forgotten…

Chapter 8

New homes and old friends

Ten minutes later

Extraction Point A

The VTOL craft had arrived, and Misato told the pilots to get in first, Shinji the first to get in, followed by Asuka, who looked a little nervous, and Rei, impassive as ever, went in last. After making sure the children were in, Misato went in herself. Taking off promptly, the flight was short, Shinji was sitting by a window, and he kept looking out of it. Rei too was by a window and stared in a bored fashion to the hills below. Asuka, stuck in between the two was feeling worried. Where is this place? My home… We're leaving it… Just my luck that I'm sitting next to Wondergirl… She made a furtive glance at the blue haired girl, who gave no indication that she was being watched. During her glance she saw the massive building through the window that Rei was looking out of.

"M… M… Misato!" She shouted, "What is that?!" pointing agitated in the general direction of the building.

"Oh… that?" She said off-handedly, "It's the Medical Mechanica plant, that's all…"

"Oh really…?" Asuka mumbled. I can't believe the size of it, surely that isn't natural.

Ten minutes later

Mabase

"Well… here we are then!" Said a bright Misato, "This is our new home!" Holding a hand out in a dramatic fashion, the children looked to their new home to see a rather grotty little place, only two floors high.

"Is this it?!" Asuka said disgusted by the sight of it, "I thought NERV were supposed to have found us this place."

"They did." Replied an upset Misato, "It was all they could find, it's far enough from the centre of town where they believe the battle could take place, and I think it looks cosy myself." She huffed up and crossed her arms.

"It appears adequate for habitation. I have no objections to living here." Ayanami spoke up for the first time that day.

"So Wondergirl likes it then… What do you think baka Shinji?" Asuka sneered.

Shinji turned to her. It looks like she's become her own self again… "I don't mind personally, we can always make the inside look nice."

Instead of exploding in rage, Asuka did something Shinji would never have expected, she sighed.

"Oh well, guess we'd better go in then…"

"Okay me first!" Misato said as she opened the door, "I bagsie this room!" She shouted, indicating the room to the right of the door.

Asuka then ran in the next room before the staircase, but it was the living room and the kitchen through it. Going up the stairs after making a cursory glance, she chose the room just in front of the staircase. "This is the new room of Sohryu Asuka Langley."

Shinji following her chose the room next to it. "I guess this'll just have to be my one then."

Rei followed the two up the stairs and looked about, noticing that there were no more rooms available. Walking into the same room as Shinji she stated, "This will be my room as well."

Jaws dropped all round, no more than Shinji though, who backed away, paler than before. Misato chose this point to pounce. "Shin-chan, what a stud… attracting all the ladies eh?" She spoke seductively.

"No way!" Asuka objected, "He can't stay with Wondergirl… It's… It's sinful!" Shinji was still looking at Rei with fear. How can I stay with her in the same knowing that she is a part of me, a clone of my mother…?

Asuka crossed her arms, "Its no use, he'll have to stay with me then…" This time Shinji almost died from heart failure.

Misato was surprised by this turn of events, "Is that okay with you Shinji?"

"Y… Yes…?" He was unsure of what to say and left the room.

"This is acceptable. I will stay here." Stated Rei, looking once at Shinji then Asuka. Rei then closed her door. Misato waved goodbye and went downstairs.

Shinji walked into his new room and noticed a bunk bed immediately on his left. The room was a pale blue colour with a small desk and chair in one corner, shelves adorning that part of the wall.

"It could do with a bit of furniture…" He mused out loud.

Asuka snuck up behind him and whispered into his ear, "I have the top bunk, and if you do anything perverted baka Shinji," He turned to face her as she continued, "I'll kill you." Her eyes were fiery, her fangs larger than normal as she grinned menacingly at him. However the fire was consumed by a wave of calmness, and she even smiled at Shinji. Sliding the door shut Asuka turned to Shinji. A blush was apparent on her face, which surprised Shinji even further.

"I never really thanked you for this morning Shinji…"

He had almost forgotten about it, it seemed like it was days ago. "It… It was nothing Asuka. I knew you were sad and I tried to comfort you."

She sat on the lower bunk and patted the spot next to her, on which Shinji sat. "Do you know what that Angel did to me?"

Shinji could guess because of what she said while it was happening, "I'm… not sure Asuka, I only heard you scream…"

"It raped my mind…" Her voice began to break, "It reminded me of things in my past that I wanted to forget."

She then began to recount what had happened in her past, her mother losing her mind, the suicide, and her need to survive alone. Shinji didn't interrupt her while she spoke on. He stayed seated by her, watching her face as she went through almost every emotion, sadness, anger, relief, happiness, fear, and apathy.

"The only thing I know for a fact is, I don't want to be alone any more…" She was sad as she said this, "I don't want to live on without other people beside me…" She lowered her face allowing her bangs to hide her features.

Shinji was amazed; he had just absorbed everything that she had told him. She's lived through all that?! How did she do it? She must've been very strong to get through life by depending only on herself… He smiled at her and brushed away a lock of hair behind her ear.

"You've got me…" She looked at him shocked, "Misato is here also, even though she drinks a lot and is working most of the time." He paused for a moment, unsure of how to go on, "Even Rei is here for you, although she is a bit quiet."

Asuka 'hmphed' when he mentioned Rei, "I have to rely on Wondergirl now do I?" Shinji was about to object when he saw the tiny smile on her face, "Well, I suppose I can change, it would be nice to have her as a friend."

Shinji smiled, "There, you see you do have friends around you!" He then looked a bit serious and spoke lower, "You know, if you want to talk, about anything, I'm only here on the lower bunk." He blushed a little when he said this, looking away slightly.

"Arigatou Shinji!" Asuka hugged him tightly, leaving Shinji's arms in mid air, unsure of what to do. He returned the hug gently. Once they had parted a sharp knocking on the door disturbed them and in burst Misato.

"All right you two! Time for school!" They looked at their watches; it was nearly midday.

"But why Misato!" Groaned Asuka, whining a little bit too much, "It's noon, why now?"

Misato looked serious, "For the duration of your time here, you will still have school lessons as usual. Your details have been despatched to the school principal, and today you have to introduce yourself to your fellow students. Ayanami will also be accompanying you." Misato moved out of the doorway to show Rei holding her satchel for school. "You clothes have books have already arrived from Tokyo-3, so you can leave now." She held out two maps, "This is a map of Mabase, our home and the school have been marked, so you choose the way to get there. I have to report to Maya for more details on the portable detecting device. I might not be here when you get back. Have a good day!" Misato then left the room.

"Wait Misato!" Called Shinji, she poked her back into the room curiously, "What if there's an emergency?"

"Don't worry about that, just go to the front of the school and a NERV vehicle will pick you up. Bye now!" She left promptly.

Asuka and Shinji looked at each other depressively, "More schoolwork…"

They picked up their satchels from downstairs where from nowhere several large boxes had appeared, books already inside them. Rei followed them into the foyer where they removed their slippers and put on their outdoor shoes. Leaving the house, and locking it behind them they went on their way. Looking at their maps they almost went in different directions before Rei spoke up,

"It's this way." She said, pointing the way forwards.

Several minutes later

The school grounds

Accepting her judgement the second and third children moved beside her. Asuka didn't make one cutting remark. Before long after a little more consulting of the map from Rei, they arrived at the school at the end of the lunch period. Great, and I'm really hungry also… Shinji moaned. Walking inside the grounds they noticed a large scar on the side of one building, lots of girders and bricks piled up in one corner there. Moving around inside the made their way to the principal's office, whereby the secretary showed them straight in.

"Aah, welcome children, have a good trip from Tokyo-3?" They mostly had looks of tiredness on their faces and said nothing, "Right well… your class is in Room 304, you will have all your lessons in there. Please go here now and introduce yourselves." Shinji nodded and they all left the room quietly.

Walking along the corridors the found their way to the class quickly and knocked on the door. And man of no more than 25 years opened it in reply. He smiled as if enlightened, "Aah, I thought it was you, please come in."

Walking into the class they noticed quickly that it was rather full and instead focussed on the teacher who now spoke. "Students, please pay attention, these are three new people from Tokyo-3 who have come to join our classes permanently, I hope you welcome them warmly to our class. Now," He said turning to the three pilots, "please introduce yourselves."

Each one spoke in turn, Asuka first, followed by Shinji then Rei. At that moment a large yell came from the back of the class.

"What!?!" someone was standing up and pointing at them. At first Shinji thought he was seeing things but after rubbing his eyes it was still the same person.

"Touji!" He said, his face brightening up. Two others either side of him stood up also.

"Hi Shinji." Said the spectacled Kensuke whilst Hikari waved demurely at Asuka. Walking over to them they noticed that the three empty seats were directly in front of their old friends. They were about to start talking before a loud cough from the front of the class stopped them.

"Well, it seems you already know these three, I hope you'll save the catching up till after the lesson." Shinji sat in front of Touji and unwillingly nodded, Asuka sat in front of Hikari and Rei, Kensuke. Shinji thought this would be an interesting lesson but his utter horror grew when he noticed the textbook that the teacher picked up. Looking at Asuka, they both knew what this meant and groaned inwardly.

"So the Third Impact devastated the world. The rising sea level flattened cities, towns, and even entire countries. Weather patterns were disrupted permanently and a new era had begun, one of pain and suffering, but also one where mankind had to work together in order to survive…"

Shinji managed to snooze away by the end of this paragraph.