A/N:

Hey, everyone! This is the start of the 8th Chapter of The Testament of EVE! Sorry it took so long to update. I have exams, so my spare time is limited.

Things should start to pick up soon. The story will soon be near it's peak! Yes, the real battles will begin soon, and we shall see whether or not the Children shall prevail! However, I like the bits in between just as much as the battles. The comedy and romantic elements of NGE both interest me greatly...

Oh, well...

Any way, I hope you've all enjoyed reading so far! I LOVE YOU ALL! The reviews really make my day! Thank you all!

I'm someone's fave author! yay!

NEXT CHAPTER IS LASER QUEST! (I might put some this chapter... The climax will be next chapter, though...)

I'm hoping that I lose the WAFF syndrome, because I'm hooked on it...

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Chapter Eight: Of Music and Meals...

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Four members of the worlds most secret organisation (pffft...) entered a small, cramped apartment in the suburbs of Tokyo-3.

"Tadaima!" said Shinji, Asuka and Misato as one.

"Okaeri nasai!" they responded to each other, and then started to giggle at the perplexed expression that was beginning to surface on Rei's usually enigmatic visage.

"C'mon in, Ayanami!" said Shinji, smiling kindly, holding out his hand to Rei.

"Hai, Ikari-kun" she said in her soft voice. She gently clasped his hand and allowed herself to be led into the Katsuragi household.

The other inhabitants of the flat started to eye the pair with a slightly suspicious look. It wasn't everyday you found Rei Ayanami willing to be physically attached to someone. Especially a fellow Pilot.

Eventually, Shinji realised that all the eyes in the room were on his and Rei's hands, comfortably held by each other. They reluctantly moved their hands away, both of them tiring of the incredulous glances cast in their direction.

"Hey, Ayanami, how about I give you the depressingly short tour of this place now?" Shinji, casting a look at Misato. To his happiness, Misato looked slightly annoyed, and turned slightly red. Shinji smiled and thought to himself.

That's one for my side...

"Hai, Ikari-kun." Rei responded, taking in her cramped surroundings.

"OK, let's show you the living quarters." said Shinji, walking towards "Shinji's lovely Suite".

Misato grinned, and thought of a way to get back at Shinji.

"So, Shinji, trying to get her into bed already! I never even knew you two were going out..." She winked slyly at Shinji, and spoke in a teasing manner, " Don't worry, you can take her... I won't tell your daddy..."

Shinji's face turned as red as Misato's jacket.

"It... It's nothing like that..." he murmured softly... That's at least three points for Misato... I don't think I'll spar with her again...

Misato smiled sweetly at Shinji.

"So, Shin-chan... You wanna play some more?" she said in that falsely nice voice she used when she knew she had won the argument.

"Iie Misato... please..." said Shinji in a small voice which basically said 'leave me in peace, I just wanted to show off in front of Rei...'

Misato got the hint on what he was trying to do, and giggled under her breath. Asuka looked at her curiously, and all Misato said was "I'll tell you later". She smiled, knowing that it involved Shinji and Rei, and she was in the mood for an amusing story.

"So, Baka." said Asuka in an innocent tone, "Why don't you show Rei around the flat?"

"OK" said Shinji, looking suspiciously at Misato and Asuka. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he motioned for Rei to follow him. She gently inclined her head at him, and then followed. Asuka and Misato exchanged a long look, and then bent towards each other in a rather conspiratorial fashion.

"Hey, Misato... what was so funny about Shinji giving in to you?" whispered Asuka softly.

"Oh... it wasn't that" said Misato with a hushed giggle, "It was the fact that he was trying to impress Rei by acting as if he was 'cool' or 'suave'... I couldn't help but laugh when I realised that he was doing that."

Asuka was valiantly trying to suppress a large fit of laughter, but with only half hearted success.

"You serious!" said Asuka with a half muffled laugh, "He was trying to show off to Rei! He really has the hots for her... poor Baka falls for Wondergirl..."

Misato grinned broadly at the image in her head. Rei was sitting at a bar, and Shinji came up to her dressed in a white suit, with no tie and a loose collar. He leaned casually on the bar beside Rei, and asked her "Hey, baby... what's your sign?" in a masculine voice, while clicking his fingers at her.

Asuka then looked at Misato slyly, an idea coming into her head.

"Hey, Misa-chan..." Asuka said in a seductive voice, "We're all alone..."

"I noticed that too..." said Misato gently, her breath rate increasing, "we could... you know..."

"Shut up..." whispered Asuka, pressing her lips to Misato's.

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"So, Ayanami... This is Asuka's forbidden realm." said Shinji, leading her into Asuka's room.

Rei looked at the room that was covered in posters of various fashion models. She also noticed that they were both males and females, confirming her suspicions. She opened Asuka's wardrobe, and heard Shinji exclaim 'Whoa!' from behind her. She would have chosen different words, but had the same thoughts of what she saw. The wardrobe was literally full to the brim with clothing of the latest fashions. It also seemed that Asuka had more pairs of shoes than necessary. She even had three pairs of school shoes!

"Nani...?" said Shinji in an awestruck voice. He heard a thump beside him. Without looking, he knew that Pen Pen had fainted at this sight.

Rei looked at the wardrobe with mild curiosity. Her eyes lingered on a baby green summer dress, and she seemed to be examining.

"Ayanami... what are you looking at?" said Shinji, not knowing that Rei seemed to have a growing love for fashion.

"I... must ask Soryu where she purchased this dress... I really... like the appearance and the colour..." She blushed gently, not sure how Shinji would take her new interest.

Shinji smiled to himself. He was glad that Rei finally had something outside her life under NERV's banner. He was also pleased that she found a new dress that was bound to put her appearance in a positive direction.

"Ayanami... after the tour, why don't you ask Asuka yourself?" suggested Shinji, thinking of something, "Also, it might be a way of making her like you, because you share an interest."

Rei considered this, pursing her lips slightly. Shinji noticed that she looked rather cute like that.

Maybe Shinji is right. Maybe initiating a friendly relationship with the Second will be beneficial... As he has suggested, I shall make and attempt to initiate a phatic exchange with her at the meal table.

"Hai. It might be a good idea, Ikari-kun..." was all she said in response.

Shinji nodded mutely, and led her out of Asuka's room towards Misato's room. As soon as he opened the door, he was confronted with a realistic model of hell constructed from beer cans and snack packs.

Rei looked around Misato's room with a slightly awed expression. It wasn't everyday that you see a place that looks like it has been bombed three times, but somehow manages to still remain standing...

"Ummm... Ikari-kun?" said Rei in her quiet voice.

"Hai, Ayanami?" responded Shinji.

"Why did you clean my room, but yet have allowed Major Katsuragi's to remain in a state worse than mine?"

"Well... you see...umm..." Shinji was turning red, rather rapidly, "Misato's room would just get dirty again..."

"However, you did not know that my room would remain clean after your departure."

Shinji took some time to think of a way to respond. He didn't want to give too much of his feelings away to Rei, because she might not feel the same way back, and he didn't want to jeopardise their friendship. However, he knew that his thinking time was up when Rei turned to stare at him. He felt his cheeks starting to get hot. He decided to be honest.

"I... just felt like doing something nice for you, Ayanami... It just came to me instinctively... I ... want to help you, that's all..."

It was Rei's turn to blush. It was not everyday that someone did something nice for her without their being an ulterior motive behind their actions..."

"...Arigato, Ikari-kun," was all she said.

Shinji smiled, and put his hand on her shoulder.

"C'mon, Ayanami..." he said softly, "I'll show you my room."

Rei turned to him, and smiled gently. She then took his hand, and walked silently alongside him to his room. As soon as the door opened, she saw that this was obviously Shinji's room. It was neat and ordered, as she expected. She walked around it curiously, and then opened his wardrobe. It had a few sets of school uniform in it, along with a few jeans and T-shirts. However, the thing that really caught her eye was in a thick plastic and leather protective case. She turned to Shinji, and curiously inspected his left hands, noticing for the first time, the small callouses on his fingertips.

"I did not know that you played the cello, Ikari-kun..."

Shinji looked at her and smiled, "Did you not?"

"Iie..." was her reply.

Would you... like me to play for you, Ayanami?" he asked.

She looked at his cello curiously. She had never had the time to properly enjoy classical music, so she wasn't sure what to expect. Her silence unnerved Shinji, and he took it to mean that she wasn't interested.

If you don't want me to, that's fi..."

"It would be very nice to hear you play, Ikari-kun..." she interrupted him softly.

Shinji smiled, and picked up his cello, and removed it from it's case. He set up a chair, and placed the cello in front of him. He then raised the bow to the strings, but then hesitated, and looked at Rei.

"Ayanami... what would you like to hear?" asked Shinji, "something gentle, loud, sad or happy?"

Rei considered this for less than a moment, before responding.

"Ikari-kun... may I hear something gentle?" she said, sitting on the bed, opposite his chair.

"As you wish, Ayanami... " said Shinji softly.

He closed his eyes, and cleared his head of all distractions. He had an image of Rei in his mind, looking at the floor, blushing. It was just before the battle with the black EVA. He thought of her gentle breathing as she lay asleep in the infirmary, her chest rising and falling slowly. Then, he smiled gently, almost angelically. He put all of his emotions into his arms. His face looked carefree, and he seemed to lose himself in his passion and thoughts.

He took a deep breath, and put his bow to the strings, and began to play...

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Asuka and Misato were holding each other close, lost in that gentle kiss, and the sense of security that came with it. Their eyes were shut, but they knew what the other person wanted of them. They broke apart to take a breather, and looked at each other with tender, even loving expressions. Then Misato gently put her lips to Asuka's, letting her emotions take over. The kiss had lasted for barely half a minute, when they heard a cello playing. They detached their lips to listen to the beautiful sound. Misato bore a look of wonder on her face, while Asuka had a knowing smile on hers.

"Who is ...playing that?" said Misato in a strangely gentle voice, "What is it?"

"That is the cello part for 'Canon', a piece by Bach, a German composer. However, Shinji's adding bits of his own."

Misato smiled, "Let's go and watch."

"OK!"

They both gently tiptoed around the flat to Shinji's room. Once they reached the door they stopped, and Asuka slowly and soundlessly opened Shinji's door. They were greeted by a rather unusual sight.

Shinji was sitting in a chair, opposite the bed, playing. He had a ghost of a smile on his face, and his eyes were closed. His hand ran smoothly up and down the cello's neck a if it had a will of it's own. Rei was sitting cross-legged on the bed, leaning against the wall. Her eyes were also shut, and her head was gently bobbing to the music. Her face was graced with that smile that Shinji loved.

Misato and Asuka looked at each other and smiled. Then, they sat softly on the floor, so as not to disturb Shinji. Asuka silently closed the sliding door behind them.

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Unknown to them, Gendo was receiving digital images of their doings.

"It seems that your son has decided to hold and impromptu concert, Ikari." said Kozou from the shadows, handing the images to the older Ikari.

Gendo smiled as he looked at the photos.

"Yes... his sensei said he was learning the cello..."

"What's on your mind, Gendo?" Kozou asked gently.

"Nothing, sensei... it's just... I've never heard my son play..." was Gendo's reply.

Kozou smiled kindly at the man who he regarded as his son.

"You can rectify your mistakes, Ikari," he said

"I know, sensei."

"Remember what I taught you..." said Kozou

"Which thing? You've taught me so much..." was Gendo's pert response.

"Don't be an ass, Ikari..." said Fuyutsuki, "Remember it."

"I know," said Gendo.

"What did I teach you, Ikari?" pressed Kozou.

"You cannot unsay things in your life... however, you can say new things to replace those things you wish to unsay..."

"You did remember!" said Fuyutsuki in apparent astonishment, "That makes it three things I've said that you remembered..."

Gendo just turned to look back at the photos.

"Now you're being an ass, sensei..."

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Rei held her breath as Shinji played the last, long note. When he stopped, she simply smiled at him, and was rewarded with her smile being returned. Her mind was still filled with the soft echo left by Shinji's cello. She looked deep into his eyes, and found such intensity that it both scared her, yet excited her. He met her gaze, and was reluctant to remove it.

Misato and Asuka looked at the way the two pilots looked at each other, and smiled. Then, both females shared and evil glance, and then started to clap their hands in applause.

Shinji turned to look at them in shock, his expression almost comical. Rei looked equally flustered, but then recovered her usual neutral expression.

Misato stood up, and was the first to speak.

"That was amazing, Shinji!" she said in an impressed voice.

"Yeah," said Asuka, "Who'd have thought Baka here was an artist...?"

All Rei did was smile that same minute smile.

"Shinji grinned at the acclaim he was receiving. He bowed to each of the women in turn, yet his bow to Rei lasted for a few milliseconds longer.

"Arigato, Misato, Asuka... Ayanami." he said in a pleased voice.

"Shinji..." said Asuka, "I'm hungry."

Shinji looked at his watch and realised that it was Nine O'clock. He had been playing for forty five minutes without realising it.

"Gomen, I'll get dinner fixed up now..." he said, hurrying to the kitchen.

"Asuka." said Misato firmly, "Go with him, and help him out. I want to talk to Rei."

Asuka nodded mutely, and left the room. Misato turned to look at the blue haired girl on the bed. She was trying to find what Shinji seemed to love about her, and why he had tried to get around her shell. There was the obvious reason that thrust itself into her face. Rei was beautiful. Her natural blue hair and crimson eyes did not seem like a blemish or an oddity, but more of a signature that proclaimed that she was unique, and her own person. Also, Misato reckoned that Shinji must have seen someone under the cold exterior. Someone... who is crying out for recognition and love. Crying out for a normal existence that is not plagued by EVA or the potential destruction of the world. Misato kept her analysis to herself, but remembered it for later use.

"So, Rei." said Misato, "I understand that you have some explaining to do... about Shinji."

"I do not understand, Major." said Rei with a quizzical expression.

"Firstly, outside NERV, call me Misato. Now, I believe you had some questions about feelings."

"Hai, Maj... Misato-san." said Rei.

"Fire away!"

Rei just looked at her with a highly confused expression on her face.

"Pardon me, Misato-san... what do you mean by that?"

"I meant ask the questions!" said Misato, her voice slightly strained with the effort it took to keep calm.

"Well... every time I am around Ikari-kun, I feel as if I should... hold him."

"You mean hug him?" asked Misato.

"Iie." said Rei, "I mean hold him. Sometimes I just take his hand, or touch his arm. I just desire physical contact with him."

Misato smiled, "Are you in love with Shinji, Rei?"

"I... I... do not know, Misato-san," said Rei softly.

"Well, you'd have better find out!"

"What is love, Misato-san?" said Rei, "how can one differentiate between love, lust or loneliness?"

Misato's eyes widened. She never knew how a sixteen year old could think so clearly about such a serious and emotionally straining topic. She thought of her current relationship with Asuka, wondering whether or not the girl actually loved her, or thought that they could comfort each other. This was food for thought...

"It's almost impossible to tell, Rei." said Misato, "however, there are some tell tale signs."

"What are these specialised features, Misato-san?" asked Rei curiously.

"Has Shinji been willing to die for you? Have you ever been willing to die for Shinji?"

"Hai... I believe that I have already died for Ikari-kun before, Misato-san..." said Rei softly.

Misato realised yet again what Rei was. She had forgotten that Rei was the last in a series of clones. She remembered the glass tank filled with "spare parts" for Rei, and her other forms. However, that seemed to matter little.

"Yes, Rei. I do believe that you love Shinji..." she said with a smile.

Rei smiled. She was happy that she now knew that she loved Shinji. However, something was bothering her. A lingering worry at the back of her mind.

"Ummmm... Misato-san?" she asked in a small voice.

"Hai, Rei?"

"Does Ikari-kun love me?" she asked, her emotionless mask slipping from her face to reveal a highly nervous expression. Misato had noticed these subtle changes in Rei's attitude. All signs showed that Rei was gradually coming closer to a normal human existence, something that Misato hoped was nearing.

"I'm not sure, Rei." she said.

"Oh..." said Rei, looking crushed.

"However, I know that he cares for you, and sees more than friendship in his relationship with you!" said Misato quickly, trying to soothe the gentle girl.

Rei brightened, but then her mask replaced her happy expression once more.

"Arigato... Misato-san, " she said. Her face was neutral, but her voice and eyes betrayed her emotion.

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Shinji was standing at the counter, chopping up the ingredients for a vegetarian stir-fry. He was at peace. However, he did not seem to enjoy cooking as much as he used to. Cooking had been a way for him to get away from a life that was filled with nothing but torture and pain, suffering and anguish. However, his life was fuller now, and it seemed like he needed no escape from the world, as he now knew that all was well in the world.

Asuka walked into the kitchen from her spot where she was watching him. He had changed, that she knew. However, she did not know the extent of the change. She smiled, and walked up to him, humming along to the familiar tune that emerged from Shinji's lips. She stopped beside him, and for a minute just watched him chop up spring onions, and prepare noodles. Then, she decided it would be a good opportunity to make her relationship with the pilot a more amicable one.

"Hey, Shinji. Genki Des'ka?" she asked in a cheery voice.

"Hai, Genki!" said Shinji, smiling at her, " Omaiyowa?"

"Hai." she said, "Shinji, I was just wonderin..."

"What?" he said in a slightly distracted voice.

"What do you think of Rei?"

Shinji nearly choked. This was unexpected.

"What do you mean, Asuka?" he asked.

"I mean what I said. Even though you bowed to all of us after you played that piece, it was pretty obvious that was intended for Rei's personal enjoyment. What's the deal between you two?"

Shinji took some time to think about this.

This is strange... Asuka might ask this question to gain extra verbal ammunition for our next argument. However, she sounds friendly. She's not even calling Rei 'Wondergirl' any more... Well, better be honest... to a point, at least.

"Well, I like Ayanami a lot. People misunderstand her, and they think that she's unsociable. No one seemed to care if there was someone kind, gentle and loyal under that cold exterior. Well, now that I think about it, It's not that no one cared. People just couldn't be bothered to try. I was given the cold shoulder by Ayanami many times. But, I still tried, because I had seen her smile. She would only smile for my father. Around everybody else, she was disdainful, even inadvertently hostile. Then, during the battle with the fifth angel... she smiled at me. That made my attitude towards her change completely. She tried to protect me many times after that."

Asuka listened to Shinji with an enigmatic expression on her face. She could tell that Shinji wasn't telling her the whole truth. But, she granted him his privacy. Hadn't she herself kept her relationship with Misato a secret? She had no right to pry into Shinji's life. However, being Asuka, she couldn't resist it.

"OK. I get it, Shinji. Thanks. I know that you're concealing your undying love for Rei from me, but I understand." said Asuka in a sweet, mocking voice.

"NANI!" said Shinji, surprised, "how did you..."

He tried to shut himself up, but Asuka had already gained the info she needed from his hasty exclamation. Her eyes widened. She had never guessed that Shinji was in LOVE with Rei!

"NO WAY!" she shouted. Shinji just hung his head and blushed.

Then, she leaned towards Shinji.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I won't tell anyone..." she whispered, "anyone, except Hikari."

Shinji looked very relieved.

"But, Shinji!" she whispered, "Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped!"

Shinji seemed to be struggling with the idea of Asuka helping him willingly. She got this immediately.

"I'm not that bad!" she said indignantly.

"OK... how can you help me?" said Shinji, his voice barely a whisper.

"Well, I have to be able to have a favour from you in return." said Asuka with a small smile.

"OK..." Shinji sighed. What have I got lose...

"Now, first thing you have to do is..." Asuka couldn't finish, because at that moment, Rei and Misato entered the Kitchen. She looked at them curiously. Rei seemed to be in unusually high spirits.

"It's almost ready, Misato!" said Shinji. He turned to Rei.

"Please, Ayanami! Sit down!" he offered.

She nodded mutely, and took her place at the table. Shinji placed bowls in front of all the people sitting, and an extra for himself. He then served them, and took his seat.

"Vegetarian..." moaned Asuka.

"Sorry, Asuka. We only have one wok pan, and Ayanami is a vegetarian" responded Shinji.

"Oh well! A beer should help this go down!" said Misato happily, "Iitadakimasu!"

"Iitadakimasu." said Shinji and Asuka in unison.

"... Iitadakimasu..." said Rei softly after a moment.

Dinner was uneventful, but Rei still managed to ask Asuka about the dress.

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"Ahhh! That was good!"said Misato happily, "well done, Shinji!"

"Nice work, Shinji!" said Asuka.

"Arigato... Ikari-kun..." said Rei with her gentle voice.

"No problem!" he said happily.

Rei stood up, and started to walk to the front door. " I must be going now..."

Shinji leaped up from his seat to aid her.

"Ayanami! Let me walk you home!" he offered.

"Arigato, Ikari-kun." she said with a trace of a blush on her cheeks.

They both said goodbye to Asuka and Misato, who seemed quite enthusiastic about them leaving. Misato kept saying that she was glad that Shinji decided to go for some fresh air. They then ushered the pair from the apartment.

Rei and Shinji started to walk in silence towards her apartment. Without even being aware of it, they were holding hands the whole way, and were both content with that simple bond.

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Shinji walked Rei the whole way to apartment 402, and then thought of something he would bring up with his father later. Rei reached out to open the door, when he spoke.

"Hey, Ayanami... arigato for coming tonight. I really enjoyed your company."

Rei blushed but responded, "Arigato for inviting me, Ikari-kun."

"I hope we can do this again sometime."

"Hai, Ikari-kun" said Rei softly, "I would love that."

"Well then, see you later!" he said happily.

"Ja Ne, Ikari-kun..." she said. Then, she did the unexpected, and hugged him gently.

They stood there for a few minutes, locked in that embrace. As most lingeringhugs do, it was becoming uncomfortable and nerve-racking. Rei broke the embrace, and smiled softly. Shinji smiled back, and did what no one would have expected him to ever do.

He kissed her.

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It was about midnight when he arrived back at the Katsuragi Residence. He was grinning like an idiot, and his face had turned the colour of Unit 02. The house was silent, apart from the gentle snores coming from Asuka's bedroom. He smiled, and walked to 'Shinji's lovely suite". He stopped at his door, and analysed his thoughts. He had heard snores from Asuka's room. Asuka didn't snore. Misato snored when she was tipsy, though. He walked to Asuka's room, and opened the door. He saw Misato and Asuka asleep, with the covers pulled up to their necks. They were hugging each other. Shinji smiled at this apparently cute scene in front of him, and went to bed, and hisdreams were filled with that kiss that only lasted a moment, butwas a moment he would remember forever...

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End: Of Music and Meals

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Author's note.

I wanted to make this longer, but there's no point in dragging it along until it dies. Hope you all enjoyed that one. I'm working on the next one, but the going's slow...

See you next chapter!

Ja Ne!

Asano