NOTE: Evangelion is the property of Gainax (thank you, you wonderful people).

ADV Films has the rights to the English translation. Thus, I am only borrowing the

characters to write a story for entertainment, thus it is non-profit.

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Chapter 10 Finding one in many

Since that night when their relationship took on a new level. Asuka and Shinji have come even closer. It started with little things, such as Shinji reaching across the table and brushing hair out of Asuka's eyes. In return Asuka would touch Shinji's cheek, creasing it gently. Both found it hard in their own way to trust their hearts, at this intense level. For they had never let anyone get this close before. For the fear of getting hurt. But things where different now, they had put the trust of each others life in the others hands.

Autumns chill was in the air, and all the harvesting was done. It preserved and put into the underground storage, for their first year, it wasn't a bad start. With careful planning and not being wasteful, it should see them through to spring. Asuka was searching the local hedgerows for any last crop of autumn berries, apples, pears, and local herbs. While Shinji was back at the farm house salting and preserving the fish he caught this morning, with Penpen sitting at his feet, hoping for some scraps to come his way. Asuka on her way back stopped to stand on the hill over looking the farm. Asuka paused for a moment, taking in the view of the sea and shore. It was a clear day, which made the sea stretch for miles out towards the horizon. Something caught Asuka's eye on the beach, a black figure staggering around on the sand. Glancing closer, the figure looked human. Realising what it could mean { We're not alone } it dawned on Asuka a sense of urgency filled her body. Asuka sprang forward into a fast run.

"Shinji……Shinji." Asuka shouted. As she sprinted towards the farmhouse track, towards the beach. Hearing Asuka's shouts, and wondering why there was such panic in her voice. Shinji ran outside to find Asuka dashing his way.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone's on the beach." Hearing those words Shinji's mind began to race, and followed Asuka as she ran down the path towards the beach.

Lying motionless was a figure dressed in black, lyinng face down in the wet sand. As Asuka reached down.

"There's a heart beat." Shinji kneeled down beside Asuka, and helped turn the figure over onto it's back. As a face of a boy looked back at them all covered in sand. Asuka quickly checked over the body for injuries.

"Can't find any breaks, and his breathing seams steady."

"Probably in shock from coming back has exhausted him."

"He can't be anymore than thirteen to fourteen years old. Wonder why he washed up here. I thought everyone ended up in the red sea, back in Tokyo-3."

"Who knows, but the fact is he's here." Shinji closely examined the boys face. "Asuka we can't leave him here." Asuka turned her head to examin the distance to the farmhouse.

"It's not far. You could carry him."

"Me, Why Me."

"Ok Ok I'll grab the feet."

The boy stirred to find himself in a room, lying on a comfy bed. With muffled voices coming from behind the wooden door. He slowly stood up to get his bearings. Then made for the voices, he hesitated then opened the door. He found a couple sitting round a table having some kind of argument. This stopped once they noticed him.

"Oh your awake. My names Shinji, and this is Asuka. How are you feeling?"

"My name's Haji, and if you don't mind me saying. Where the hell am I." Asuka gestured for the boy to take a seat. As for the conversation that laid ahead, the poor lad was going to need it.

"Your at a farm on the coast of Japan, exactly where we don't know. We didn't find it using a map, when we left Tokyo-3." Asuka saw the expression on the boy's face, the conversation was going to take a little longer than Asuka had hoped for. "Shinji could you put the kettle on. I think this afternoon was going to be a long one."

Looking out of the farmhouse door, Shinji and Asuka watched Haji wonder around the closest field. Clearly confused by what he'd been told.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Asked Shinji as he brushed hair from Asuka's face. Asuka gently caught his hand and held it to her cheek.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. It's just the shock of it all."

"How come you didn't tell him, how we were used to be a part of NERV? What happened to the once proud Eva pilot?"

"I'm still proud of what I've done. What we've done. I just don't think he could've handled it. I don't want him blaming us. Especially as we're all that he's got right now." Asuka released Shinji's hand and turned to face him with a small smile. "How about we fix up a nice meal for the three of us?" Shinji simply nodded in reply. Shinji took Asuka's hand and quietly led her inside to start the meal, to welcome their new friend into their home.

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Author's note.

I know this was a small chapter, but it's to set up for things to come. So please sick with it. As I hopefully won't disappoint you all. ^-^

Thanks to Manjou for pre reading ^-^

Enjoy Reading ^-^