The Friend of my Enemy

by Mercaba

A spring rain and a short walk bring Shinji to the the attention of a young woman that changes not only his destiny but the lives of all the staff of Nerv

10. Chapter 10

Standard Disclaimer

Man the weather has been odd lately. Going from high eighties to low fifties and the pool is all borked. Yippie. Well this story is back up again and its time for some drama! Not to much but some.

Oh and a quick word on the whole ffnet possibly removing certain M rated fics/banning the author. I hope it doesn't happen, cause if it does I don't know what effort I can do to keep you posted. I know of places like mediaminer but those places are ghost towns anymore it seems. Lets just hope I can keep posting to FFnet

X-X

Friend of my Enemy

Chapter – 10

His stomach rumbled in a burbling protest, but Shinji sat patiently waiting for the dismissal for eating. While his body had needs, his mind paid them very little heed since it had its own issues to deal with. Chizuru was beyond content at the moment, but Himari was still beating herself up over the incident two weeks ago. Then again Chizuru was always a bastion of warmth and joy, just a bit on the lusty side not that Shinji was fending her off with sticks, no he welcomed her with open arms.

Unconsciously his hand traced where Himari's blade had been used to clumsily carve down his chest. No scar existed, Shizuka's little healing trick worked wonders. Boy was he glad he was unconscious for that, from what Chizuru whined about it…getting off healing him had actually been on Shizuka's check list. While good to know Himari had a healer nearby, and anybody else who needed it for that matter, was good, it was jarring to look at Shizuka now who would blush and waggle her tongue at him.

'God is it just me or is everybody still drooling over that freak-Red?' Touji's instant message popped up on Shinji's screen complete with angry face emoticon. Hunched over his console, the jock was doing his absolute best to hide his illicit communications. A second hurried message came of, 'So what if she has nice jugs and a pretty face. She's a demon!'

Wanting to tell Touji, no Asuka wasn't a demon but Saku was, Shinji stalled his hands since Touji would invariably ask 'who is Saku?' In Shinji's mind, Asuka was a conundrum that he was glad he didn't have to try figuring out. He had to deal with Himari's self-imposed guilt over his attempt to be manly. The city was still talking about 'God's Light' descending upon the old shrine that became a popular attraction after that day. Shizuka had told him it was called Lights Ferry and a stable of his mother's clan, Chizuru just said it was pretty.

Masking his own typing, Hikari was a brute when it came to enforcing rules, 'She's not that bad once you get to know her Touji. You got off on the wrong foot is all.' It was odd how he was saying that to Touji when it was Asuka that had decked him in the stomach. After their little chat on the carrier, and a few at Nerv, though they had gotten over their initial anger. Though Asuka kept alluding to some 'friend' that taught her a few slayer tricks, but never told him the name. 'Try being nicer to her, and realize she'll not see you as an equal, and you'll do fine,' he amended.

Popping into their conversation out of nowhere, 'The Second Child is placated by food as well. She has stolen mine on several occasions when Shinji cooked for me.' Rei had felt inclined to not only add her two cents but show her superior computer skills by hacking into their private conversion. 'She has yet to make a move in joining the pack. I do not believe she will do so,' Rei sniped.

'I think Hokari-san is watching, we better stop for now, lunch is in a few minutes anyway,' Shinji hurriedly typed and closed his session. Answering any of the topics Rei had just brought up would only lead Touji to think he was aiming for yet another girl. The rumors and the unofficial title of 'Playboy-kun' continued to rise about him, despite his attempts to stop them. Her change from cold and distant to well cold and 'glompy' towards Shinji nature was not lost on anybody. And while he did like Rei, she was cute, intelligent, downright adorable at times, and he wished for her happiness Shinji didn't know what to do about Rei.

Himari and Chizuru had an agreement between one another regarding their odd relationship with one another. And while they both said they were alright with Rei being in the midst…were they really? If only he hadn't had that crush on Rei before it'd been easy to politely refuse the girl. But old emotions don't die, they get buried lightly under the surface. And it was getting harder and harder to resist the girl that insisted on sitting on his lap when Chizuru wasn't around for lunch in case the 'Alpha' got the need. He prayed Chizuru and Shizuka's attempts to bring Rei's social understanding up went fast.

Glancing about the room, the droning lecture about Second Impact had lost its charm hours ago, Shinji spotted Rei glancing at him with a slight red hinted face. Of course several other girls noticed this, they were equally bored, and went about adding to the rumor pile. Goody! Even more complications. Kensuke was busy typing something, not to surprising, what was however was Himari's lack of attention. Eyes downcast at her hands, slightly pale, and just looked lifeless. He was going to have to talk to her about this, it didn't suit her to take such a defeated tone. So what if she made a mistake…so what if that bloodlust frightened the hell out of him? It just meant they needed to avoid putting himself in harm's way.

Thankfully the rest of the pre-lunch endeavors had gone off without further hitch. Whatever Kensuke was working on got him called out by Asahina, which got him sent out to hold buckets. Touji fell out of his chair at one point, and Hikari sent him out to join Kensuke. But eventually they were dismissed for the afternoon repast, and the students bolted for the few moments of freedom.

Collecting his several bento's, one for Rei, Himari, Chizuru, Tayura, and himself, Shinji hefted the mass under one arm. Defiantly took more time to make lunch now with so many to make, but they enjoyed it and he was happy knowing that. Finding Rei walking towards him already, Shinji headed for Himari, "Himari-san, have lunch with us today please?" She had opted to stay in the classroom during lunch since the incident. She claimed it was to get a better view of the school yard they frequently ate.

Taking the box from Shinji's extended hand, Himari alternated between the lunch and her master. "Would that it be prudent for a failure to dine with he who she has betrayed?" Himari gaze was full of self-reproach. Setting the box down, taking the lid off, Himari just shook her head, "My meal shall be taken here, Shinji-sama."

As Rei got up to his side, her small and soft hand gently caressing his side, Shinji closed his eyes firmly. If she was insistent on treating him like her master, he was going to make a command damn it. The confidence being with Chizuru instilled in him powered his voice, "Himari-san, you're going to eat outside with me today. You've been sulking in here for something that was MY fault to long." Whatever he was expecting it wasn't to have Himari blankly stare at him, pleading for him to continue. "I've, no we've missed your company, Himari. Come with me." His hand reached out for her as he felt Rei grasp his shirt as anxiety grew.

Those dull and listless eyes blinked several times, moisture flung off them finally, and she grabbed Shinji's outstretched hand. "Shinji-sama doth be forceful from occasion to occasion. Perhaps I enjoy such from him," she cooed as she pulled herself against his body. It was back, not as powerful but the life was back in her eyes as she began to forgive herself. Coiling around to Shinji's side, she one handedly resealed her lunch and picked it up. Taking Rei's place at his side, the albino didn't seem upset, Himari leaned her head against Shinji's side, "But boldness tis not one of Shinji-sama's strongpoints outside of bedding chamber."

Yup, she was getting back to normal, Shinji bristled warmly at the physical and mental teasing. Patting the hand she held him with, Shinji lead his duo of beauties out of the classroom and out to where they normally ate. Kensuke was already eating, on hand held a bread while the other worked his computer. He would have waved at Chizuru, but with Himari on one arm and his other laden with food, Shinji opted to just bob his head, "I got her to finally come down. So no teasing today alright?" It was hard to be firm with Chizuru, but if he wasn't the girl ran him like a toy car.

Helping Shinji with the food, Rei tossed the ones that didn't have her name on it at the others. Finding the box that was distinctly hers, Rei plopped down next to the seated Chizuru. Grabbing a hunk of meat out of the box, "It was as you said Chizuru, he ordered her to come and she did. Perhaps your belief in his liking that type of 'play' would also be correct." With that cryptic and awfully leading statement down, Rei beset her food as if it had challenged her right to exist.

After a very worrying coughing fit, Kensuke spat out the hunk of food that nearly killed him. "Shin-man you hound! If you're not careful you'll have children by the end of the school year!" any actual concern was lost in the goofy grin and fogging glasses. Reaching into his bag, Kensuke tossed the freshly seated Ikari a handheld camera, "For prosperity?"

Taking the camera from Shinji's lap, her hand straying just a few moments longer than necessary, Chizuru slid it into her satchel. "Sorry Kensuke-chan" she teased to marvelous effect, "but out time together is ours alone." Her eyes drifted to Rei and her eyebrows raised twice quickly. "But I do need this for something else if you don't mind lending it to me?" she requested. Putting her hands together she smushed her bust in a full frontal attack to Kensuke's weak point. End result, Kensuke had a nosebleed and stammered out acceptances.

Chuckling at the scene, Shinji handed Chizuru and Himari there lunches, Tayura's had been tossed by Rei into his waiting hands. He trusted Chizuru, so her flaunting her assets didn't bother him, but what did bother Shinji was why Chizuru did want the camera and that exchange with Rei. Starting to eat, he noticed Himari was just watching them all, "You're not still upset about that issue are you Himari-chan?" He'd slip on his naming to put her at ease, it was hard on him being open in public, but Himari was worth it.

Picking at the meal made especially for her, Himari forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. With fake enthusiasm, "Nothing bolds me ill, Shinji-sama, but thy concern is well met. My mind and soul doth war against one another though. Think nothing of this ones foolishness." Waving her hand dismissively she went back to picking at her food. As Shinji's trained hand went to her side in a ticklish wave, she giggled and smacked at his hand, "Tis nothing Shinji-sama, I feel leagues above my standing from but an hour ago."

Had she not looked the part Shinji would have pressed, but Himari did exude an aura of peace. "Well if something does bother you let me know. It was my stupidity that caused that mess. I don't want you beating yourself over something I should have done differently," he'd ask about his little skill later. Talking about the event went back to what caused it, Himari trying to rip his throat out with her bare hands. It didn't take much to see why it upset Himari, her trying to kill him was a serious setback for any bodyguard.

Defending his lunch from the already picking Ayanami, Tayura shifted to face away from the albino home-invader. "So how have things been going with you and that new girl…glad I don't have to put up with her. One selfish and conceited girl is…" Tayura sagely stopped talking. His sister, who he loved, adored, and was terrified by was smiling sweetly at him. "C-Chizuru, d-did you need…" he again stopped. He didn't fight her, didn't resist as she took his half eaten food and handed it to Rei.

"There, she's a growing girl and needs it more than you. All that training has to spend a lot of calories," Chizuru rubbed Rei's head affectionately. The smile Chizuru beamed at her young prodigy was a thousand watt and maxed on pride. To those who knew of Rei's newfound demon-animal heritage, they saw Chizuru's actions as mesmerizing. She had taken Rei under her wing and doing a great job, she claimed, in rising up the young half-wolf. "As for that little girl, as long as she doesn't cause us any trouble, she can be as prissy as she wants," Chizuru glared across the field at Asuka, Hikari, and Asahina.

Putting the cover back on his lunch, Shinji didn't feel to hungry right now. Something felt off and it stole his appetite something fierce. "Asuka-san isn't just talk, Tayura, she is a lot more skilled at piloting than either Ayanami or myself. We should give her credit," it never hurt to admit ones faults. If it also meant calming the rising anger/jealousy in his girlfriend, Shinji would claim a lot of things. Well…Chizuru wasn't going to have it, it seemed as the girl dove across the circle of friends to smother Shinji to the ground, "C-Chizuru?" Damn his weakness to public displays of affection.

"Oh Shin-chan don't do that! You're a thousand times better than that little girl," Chizuru sang as she wiggled against him. Knowing what she was doing, and where she was touching the girl delighted in making a scene. Passing students gasped and pointed as the lithe teenager bucked and rubbed against her beau. Huskily she stopped to ask Himari, "You agree don't you Kuro-neko? Shin-chan is big and strong enough to overcome any monster that comes his way." Her cheeks flushed, breath gushing out in large puffs against Shinji's neck, the nine-tail's little tease was getting her far past her initial intent. "S-Shin-chan you feel…" she cooed.

Stomping over to the pair, Asuka stood cross armed and glaring, "What the hell is this, pervert!" Who Asuka was referring to wasn't very obvious. Shinji was clearly the unwitting victim, still a participant though, and Chizuru was the active participant. "And why are you just watching that hussy manhandle Baka here? Don't any of you have shame? First are you…eating bones?" Asuka stopped cold upon seeing Rei.

"Thy fox is neigh incontrollable at times, yon trainee," Himari accepted Asuka's status as a slayer in training. Grabbing Chizuru's shoulder, the cat-girl gave a good sharp tug and off Chizuru drizzled like melted butter to Shinji's side. Gasping slightly, "Twas far easier than expected, oh…ye beast of ero get ye to some place to cool your head."

Getting to his feet, helping Chizuru up, the girl felt like putty in his hands, her face glazed and very happy, Shinji noticed a slight moisture on her leg. Oh snap…she was that excited. He wouldn't lie, he was using Chizuru as a shield to hide just how much he enjoyed that session. It had been over a week since they had any private time together, guess Chizuru was tired of waiting. "It was my fault. She doesn't like it when she thinks I'm being down on myself. So when I said you're a better pilot than me…" Oh great, that smile, Shinji knew that smile on Asuka's face, and that meant things just got worse.

Or they would have, had the angel alarm not sounded and a trio of cellphones started ringing. Lunch was canceled as students went to shelters, pilots and Himari went to Nerv, and a very upset Chizuru sulked at her brother's side.

X-X

In her leotard sweating, Asuka's chest heaved but not from exertion. Why had their training session suddenly become a party for a group of demons and her friend? But while Shinji and she tried hopelessly, he was so slow, to work together to stop the regenerating angel, they sat watching and joking. Her debut was ruined, she was living with Kuesu's amnesia riddled fiancé, and to add the top to the messed-up sundae was just all the damned demons! For a demon hunter, Ikari had an odd way of slaying…more like capturing.

Putting her headset back on, another go at synchronized dancing with the animated turnip, Asuka set her eyes on Chizuru. That girl was downright vile in Asuka's eyes. But she'd worry about Keusu's rival after the battle in a few days. If only she had been more on center with her initial attack then everything would have been better. One moment she's basking in her victory, a decisive and effect strike. Yes she did go against orders, but the angel looked to slow to be a threat, so what. Next she years Shinji's panic yell, and then wham-bam unconscious ma'am followed by humiliation.

The Vice Commander had the gall to say it was her fault for disobeying orders, for making Nerv look like fools. Why didn't they blame Ikari for not using his spiffy little Light Ferry to beat the angels? For a slayer, Shinji was far to meek for Asuka's taste and nothing like Keusu described him as being like in the past. Then again Keusu had been very keen on bypassing details about that time, family arranged marriage aside. Though that was something fun to tease her best friend about, Keusu loved Shinji and failed miserably at hiding it. Ample teasing fodder, however if that damn girl didn't show up soon Asuka didn't know what to do about it.

"Mother-in-law can I try, please?" Chizuru asked sweetly as the buzzer sounded again. Lost in her haze of thought Asuka hadn't started the dance as the music started leaving her a step behind, Chizuru had smirked. Coyly eying the firebrand, "I know I can't take her place, but I want to show Soryu-san just how easy it is to get in synch with Shin-chan." Already up and sashaying over to Asuka's mat, the perverted boys staring at her swaying, the minx was at Asuka's side before Misato could respond.

Tossing her headset to the trollop, Asuka fumed as she angrily grabbed a bottle of water. "It's not my fault he's so slow, Misato. Three days of this and he still can't keep pace. How you're a…pilot I'll never know," she nearly said to much. While Ayanami, the Miyamoto siblings, Ikari, and Misato knew about the demons, Hikari and the perverted duo of males didn't. It was drilled into her head over and over not to let the uninitiated know of the threats that world they lived in. After a large drink, water splashing down on her leotard, "Just clean off the set before you give it back. I don't want to get sick before the mission."

Himari watched the events impassively, but tapped her finger on the sheath of her sword. Making room for Asuka on the couch, Himari coldly implied, "Tis not Shinji-sama's fault thee are so forceful. The art of this maneuver is not speed but unity. Perhaps yon beast of Ero CAN allude you to such." While she mentioned Chizuru, Himari's eyes never left Shinji's. Teasingly wrapping her arm around Asuka's neck, "Though speak so heady about my master again, we'll have to see if thee can perform your skills under extreme duress."

"Get off me," Asuka shoved the blade of the Noihara off her. "It's not my fault your 'master' is as graceful as a monkey," Asuka felt inclined to snipe. As much as she wanted to hate Himari, Kuesu's details had been a little off, she couldn't. The woman has skilled, aggravatingly attractive, and sadly fun to be around. It was a shame that the woman was so old fashioned as to waste her life on some dull concept as 'family honor', but that was life. "And you two stop staring at her like that!" Asuka yelled at Shinji's perverted friends. Tayura though wasn't too hard on the eyes, but from Chizuru's own lips he was the biggest pervert of the group.

Touji, Kensuke, and Tayura each yelped and offered their own random defenses. Touji swore he wasn't bothering Hikari, Kensuke rolled away from Misato and Ayanami saying it had only been due to fatigue, and well…Tayura gut pushed away from Asahina after she noticed his arm was on the couch behind her back. A general air of frivolity did replace the general sense of dread that originally been in the apartment. The boys were good at making fools of themselves, which alleviated some of the foreboding, Misato and Himari's teasing helped, as did Rei's off color straight-faced comments just set people either confused or Kensuke nose bleeding.

But then Chizuru and Shinji started doing the dance routine together, all conversation stopped. While Touji, Kensuke, and Tayura had insisted all along that Shinji was capable of doing the moves, and it was Asuka messing things up there had been doubt. Well leave it to Chizuru to back up her man in the simplest of ways, they danced fluidly together without missing a single beat. But that wasn't all they did…they complemented each other in a way that made the dance not just a set of movements. They actually 'danced' with each other despite not being on the same mat. And oh how they smiled, it was a game…it was fun…and it was perfect.

The bitch, that big-breasted bimbo was making smart with her! Asuka felt a fire raging up within her, she was being mocked in front of her commanding officer, her friends, and low class males! It was Chizuru's fault, not Shinji's Asuka felt. The damn nine-tail, seriously such a high class demon left Asuka floored, was obviously manipulating Shinji's mind. She had to get him away from the fox, get him stronger and then Keusu, Shinji, and maybe she could clean up the demon taint. Standing up and slamming her foot down, "That's disgusting! Stop dry humping on my mat you tart! And the only reason they are doing so well is…is…" Asuka's face went red as everybody turned to her.

Not missing a beat, Chizuru oozed over to Shinji and draped her arms around his waist. After a brief kiss to his cheek, "Is because we're always in sync with each other. Isn't that right Asuka-chan? Shin-baby and I know how the other moves, the capabilities of each other, and we trust each other. Right?" She rubbed against the male in her arms who went ridged and red faced. Pulling herself just a smidge away from him, finger to cheek, "I bet Kuro-neko could do it too though, maybe even Ayanami-chan."

Gently breaking Chizuru's grasp on him, Shinji did keep her hand in his as he addressed the slack jawed men and the whistling Misato. "N-now-now Chizuru-san, you and I are really good are reading each other's intentions. But you proved your point, I'm not incapable of doing this. I just need to move faster…meet Asuka's pace," he tried calming the room. Not that it did much, Touji starting chanting his name as Kensuke's glasses fogged. Hikari and Asahina just looked on disapprovingly. To Asuka, "S-she means well, Asuka."

Getting off the couch, Himari however wasn't going to let things slide it seemed. Actually smiling at Chizuru, Himari took the offered headset, and after patting Shinji's back headed to the unused mat. "Again Shinji-sama deems himself a lower standing than necessary. Soryu-kun just has to accept not all the worlds shall dance to her flute and that compromise is essential to all life," she hadn't said it in a mean or hurtful way, just barebones honesty.

"You too Himari? Of the two of you, I thought you had some taste," Asuka weakly jabbed. Her pride took a hit at seeing Shinji actually perform, and look so good at the same time. She had no illusions about herself, she knew she looked good, but what Chizuru and that simpering whipped male had done…her legs were weak and she was even a tiny-bit aroused by the blasted show. "But if you have to lower yourself like HER for him…feel free," she couldn't be less than a demon! Keusu had been so open about the vile and evil ways of the demons, and here Asuka was being trounced by them openly.

"Himari-san, I'll do my best, but if we…" Shinji opened with as the music reset. The guardian didn't say anything, only a simple smirk and a head shake was given to the boy's concern. The apartment was again filled with the sounds of the selected music, Shinji giving it his all to follow the pattern. More cheering came from the crowd, Misato louder now than she had been with Chizuru showing who Misato favored. As the music came to an end, Shinji pitched forward and collapsed towards the ground, Himari leapt to catch him, and they pair ended in each other's arms on the ground, "S-sorry, that last step was too quick for me."

Chuckling over her can of beer, Misato was in rare form, "I think you knew she'd do that, and you wanted a little sugar. Himari, you going to let him go, or we going to see another 'dance'?"

"SHINJI-KUN don't act like a pervert in front of guests!" Asahina yelled out and rushed to separate the pair on the ground while Tayura was quick to follow and offer his assistance.

She didn't know what to make of that one, but Asuka wasn't happy. While not as perfect as the dance with Chizuru, Himari had pulled of a near ninety-five percent success, that little trip at the end being the only marred action. 'And I think I did see her do something to make him fall,' she thought. Having seen Himari's skills, plus demonic form, the night before Asuka knew the woman was capable of far faster action. "See I told you, he's holding you back as well, now if I could do it with her instead of him…" oh wait…bad move.

"Sure! Dance with me Red!/I hath no qualm about performing this maneuver with you," both Himari and Chizuru offered the moment Asuka's bold statement filled the air. With Shinji taking a seat next to Tayura and Kensuke, the boys congratulating him and gentle ribbing, left his mat open for the 'cat fight' of which of Shinji's suitors would get to try their hand against Asuka first. "I would like to try as well," Rei spoke for the first time since arriving, the bone was still in her mouth.

Pumping his arm into the air, casually sitting way to close to Misato than was considered accidental, Touji cheered, "Now this I can't wait to see! Can we have Himari and Chizuru against each other after? I want to see Shin-man's ladies set the pecking order!" With a gentle shove away from Misato, Touji landed face first into Asahina's crotch thanks to the fall. Face under her skirt, Touji's frantic yelp of, "Sorry-Sorry!" went unheard as Tayura flung the boy away from the red faced stammering Asahina.

Owing up to her fate, Asuka swallowed hard as she put the headset back on, her little break had allowed her to catch her breath and calm down. Shinji's small 'good luck' did actually warm her heart a little. Maybe Keusu wasn't too wrong about the boring little boy, at least he knew good material when he saw it. She'd free him from the spell the demon-animal and the pure-blood had on him, and make him a man worthy of Keusu, girl deserved better than a henpecked demon-slave. "Let me show you how this is really done!" Asuka boasted and gave her cheeks a little pregame smack.

What followed was both eye opening and humiliating for the proud German. No matter how fast she moved, Himari (she won the gan-ken-pon match to go first) effortlessly moved faster. Winded, sweating profusely, and exhausted Asuka collapsed after the first set. They had a score higher than what Shinji and her had, but Asuka had been no match for Himari. Then came Chizuru who made sport of teasing her with that accursed long hair and natural beauty. Not as fast as Himari, Chizuru was an equal match in the movement space, but it was the comments, the flirting with Shinji, and general air of superiority that sent Asuka into a huff.

Clapping her hands as the music ended, Misato nodded her head and hummed impressed sounds. "Have to admit, if either of them could pilot I'd swap either of you two out for them. But that's not an option. They do better with Shinji, and they do better than Shinji and you with you. Now who wants to see them dance together?" Misato smiled evily at Chizuru.

Tossing Himari the unused set of headphones, Asuka crawled over to Shinji who sat on the end of the group. Taking the bottle of water he had ready for her, Asuka felt about ready to combust. "Don't say a word, I know we have to work together, and we will. I'll go slower, you go faster…I won't lose to 'girls' like them," Asuka said hoping Shinji caught her drift. It was humbling, but it taught her something important. Himari was the physical powerhouse while Chizuru wasn't. That magic the nine-tail showed was proof she was dangerous though. She'd let Keusu know…when her friend got to town then it'd be a real show.

The little party continued until well into the night, everybody eventually got a little time on the dance mat. Chizuru and Shinji had the best score of all, oddly followed by Shinji and Rei, rounding out in place was Shinji and Himari. Misato on the mat left Touji unconscious from blood lose, and the implication sent Kensuke to the bathroom smelling foul. Tayura and Hikari did well…but the boy's attempt to dance with Asahina ended with a foot to the balls compliments of a fall and chest grab. All through it, Asuka watched and chatted with the assembled.

The girls were great, well the human girls anyway, as Asuka saw them. When they weren't dancing Himari and Chizuru were plastered to Shinji's side, not offering Asuka anytime to gauge how well they really got along, but she'd have time. After today it was just Shinji, Misato, and her…while Himari stayed at Chizuru's to lower distractions. Seriously, Shinji was in a relationship, a close one, and had a live in bodyguard, Asuka hadn't expected that. And from time to time they made comments about somebody named Shizuka, who Asuka hadn't met yet…hopefully not another demon.

At the end of the day, tired but content, Asuka felt more prepared for battle. They had improved, still not game-day ready but closer. If they failed to stop the angel, all the worry about fiancés and friends wouldn't mean a thing, can't date when you're dead. As she got ready for sleep…having to sleep in the same futon was hard on her, she did spare Shinji a single compliment. "You'll make her happy, more so if you take your actual training more seriously slayer," he tried to ask about 'her' but Asuka wouldn't answer. Keusu would have to do introduce herself, and the sooner the better.

X-X

From her stalking point across the street from the Katsuragi/Ikari apartment, Chizuru sucked in her breath and nibbled on her lower lip. Misato had left not twenty minutes ago, and appeared not to be coming back. It was chance time! Tomorrow her beloved Shin-chan was going into battle again, she needed to talk to her mother about the guardians, and she wanted some alone time with him before. She had utter confidence in his success, but that didn't lessen the need.

To think that the two weeks of abstinence would affect her so much, funny thing that. She had spent over three hundred years celibate, and now craved to have him back in her arms. He was expertly able to make her feel bliss, but she was more worried about him and missed the emotional closeness. Tamano was a great 'mother' and Tayura a wonderful 'brother', but they weren't Shinji. Through the countless years, only he made her as calm and felt as loved as she did now. He also placated her fears about her wayward dark tail.

Affixing the cloth mask over her face, tying the knot just under her nose, Chizuru felt she looked the part of a sneak very well. "Just have to get over there, put up a ward and hope that other girl doesn't notice," she ran over her very simple plan again. Asuka wasn't a bad girl, little to stuck up and narcissistic for Chizuru, but at least Asuka hadn't tried any 'demon hunting' on them, or put any moves on Shinji. Eying the window of Shinji's apartment, she noticed the single light was on, "Shizuka has been playing the spy very well."

"And what doth the Mizuchi have to say as part of her efforts?" Himari said loudly from behind Chizuru. Giving the fox a small tap the top of the head, "And what doth you be wearing fox? Ye look a common fool in yon finery." Rolling her eyes, Himari offered a sidelong smirk at Chizuru's antics. Tugging off the cloth headdress, Himari did a small mask play with the blue and white checked cloth, "Subtly is not thy strongpoint."

Snatching her cover out of Himari's hands, Chizuru chuckled in a sense of camaraderie. "And here I thought it made me look distinguished," she held the scarf before her face. "Anybody else know I'm down here? You're not going to drag me back up there are you?" she stuffed the cloth into one of her skirts pockets. No matter what Himari said though, Chizuru was going. She had to see Shinji, if only to talk and insure he was alright. If this was their last night together, well she wanted it to be memorable.

Drawing her blade, Himari gave it a few practice swings ending with the tip right in front of Chizuru's nose. "Yon pup had to be rendered unconscious or she would have followed and joined you," the cat-demon sheathed her blade. Fixing her kimono, opening it to flash a bit of skin, "Worry not, no permanent harm was done. She is coming unto her own, though she will be more adamant about her 'alpha' quite shortly. We need be prepared to share more."

Her heart warmed at the duel notions in Himari's comment, Chizuru wasn't so upset about her sharing anymore. Rei was a darling cute little waif of a girl. So innocent in some ways and deadly in others, and Chizuru was going to see to it that the little wolf-pup got to live a life free of whatever those monsters at Nerv created her for. The other shocker was Himari, while not as laid back as she was, Chizuru had to admit Himari was a lot nicer than initially appraised. Sharp witted, they teased Tayura perfectly together, and well Himari was a superior fighter and would lay down her life for Shinji. Just the person to be her rival, oh yes Chizuru would remind Himari of her place beneath her as oft as possible.

Clad in her school uniform, top button already undone, Chizuru fixed the scarf around her neck. "Well we'll worry about Ayanami-chan and defanging her after tomorrow. Tonight I'm going over there, so don't try and stop me. That watery tart can't get to watch over him alone tonight, and mother-in-law left," not that Chizuru thought Shizuka would do bad. She did see the show of healing, and oh boy did that jealousy spark high on that one. Why couldn't SHE have healing powers like that? A spark of fear/annoyance flared however when Noihara stood blocking her, "Not going to try and stop me I hope."

Leaning in close, her fangs showing as her ears and tail popped out flowingly, Himari's eyes had a strange glint in them. "Not stopping you, but I shall impart this warning. Leave early and allow Master ample rest. I know of your yearning, I doth have the same, but as you are indeed matriarch I shant stop you. But without rest, he will fail in his task, and before the guardians end me I will end you," she said openly and civilly. And neither woman suspected it was a bluff. If Chizuru's visit caused Shinji to fail and die, Himari would enact her revenge before the Angel's ended life on earth.

"I'll try and keep him open to other women too, though if he doesn't want you after tasting perfection," Chizuru hoisted her bra-less chest up. Letting her babies drop and bounce with her unnatural elasticity, she giggled at the frown Himari shot at her. Point Chizuru! Flinging both ends of her present to Shinji over her shoulder she was ready, her week of sewing the scarf inlaid with her hair to make a magic shield was well worth it. A number of bandages marred her fingers as testament to her failures. But next time Saku tried something and she wasn't there to put him down, Shinji would be safer. "Don't wait up," she waved at Himari as she skipped across the street, no reason to hide now.

Thankful that the late night traffic was nil, the young kitsune met no resistance as she crossed the four lanes of road. Turning back, Chizuru half expected to find Himari still glaring daggers at her, but found the cat-demon had wandered off. "She better not watch us through the window," Chizuru worried. Spotting Shinji's balcony, she debated jumping up, but thought the keycard and front door safer. "Better hurry!" she saw the light turn off…time was running out. She wouldn't wake him if he was asleep, so best to get her feet in gear.

Practically skipping up the stairs, her heart a flutter, Chizuru reveled in the feeling. So this was really what being in love was like, those few fleeting romances of her past were sparks to this bonfire. Before she knew it, the woman in love opened the door from the stairwell to her floor, nice and dark along the walk. The apartment complex always had cars in the garage, but she had yet to actually see any of the other residents. On tiptoes, she stalked further down the ill-light hallway. Sliding her key to the apartment out, she scanned it and winced at its beeping and unlocking.

"Be quiet! I want this to be a surprise!" she ordered the hunk of metal and plastic. The door wasn't much nicer either, emitted sounds she bet Tayura could hear across the street. Maybe it would have been safer just to jump up and sneak though the balcony. To late now, and fortune favored the bold…and she was very bold. Going commando was the way to go, felt freer somehow. The floorboards creaked under her light steps, everything just sounded so loud in regards to her movement. At any moment somebody or something would notice her and then the spastic plan would fail.

Something did greet her at the door, Pen-Pen waddled up to her with a beer in hand. With a welcoming "Wark!" the bird pat Chizuru's side with his flipper. From past experience the warm water fowl enjoyed Chizuru almost as much as he did Shinji his food provider. But if there was a fire and the bird could only save one, everybody would bet on Shinji. No other greeting was given, and Pen-Pen swiftly hurried back to his fridge, likely expecting what was to come.

Deeper and deeper into the apartment Chizuru headed, the sounds of movement caught her attention as a light flickered on. Erecting a small ward around herself, just big enough for her to stand in, she closed her eyes expecting the worst. 'Maybe Soryu will detect the magic! I should have just laid down or something!' she wined mentally. Last thing she wanted was for that ball of anger to explode and ruin the mood. Something about stealing in to have her fun time under her nose…well Chizuru rubbed her legs together unconsciously.

In a mindless daze, Asuka stumbled right past Chizuru coming to a stop right before her. Blinking slowly, sleepy eyed and wobbling, Asuka yawned unladylike and scratched her exposed midriff. "Keusu?" she mumbled before moving on to the bathroom. A few tense seconds of silence, a flush, and then she left again passing the still immobile Chizuru.

Was that a word or just sleep talk, Chizuru didn't know, but it sounded familiar somehow? No mater, she had other more important issues to take care of, namely Shinji. Whispering softly yet cattily, "Oh Shin-chan your Chizu-chan is here to play!" Walking past the bathroom, she stopped when Shizuka patted her shoulder, flashed her thumb up, pat her cheek with that tongue, and stepped back into the bathroom only saying 'good luck'. Damn girl was going to watch, Chizuru just knew it!

Rounding the door into Shinji's room, Chizuru came to a full stop as her eyes nearly popped and her jaw unhinged. There, on Shinji's futon nestled right up close to HER man was the man-hating, better than everybody, Asuka Langley Soryu. Shinji was awake, likely woken or at least jostled by the unceremonious falling the girl had into his sleeping location, but he wasn't taking it well. Good, Chizuru didn't want Shinji being to friendly or comfortable around girls not her…well Himari and Ayanami were ok to a degree.

Asuka said something in her sleep, far to softly for Chizuru to hear, but it was something that instantly forced Shinji to roll away from her and get up. Getting off the floor, gathering what little bedding Asuka hadn't claimed for the glorious German occupation, Shinji finally noticed Chizuru smiling coyly at him, the blankets fell soundlessly to the ground. In a deft display of courage and dexterity, the boy vaulted over the sleeping form of the Second Child into Chizuru's arms. "Chizu-chan, I didn't expect to…didn't Misato-san say not to come over?" he didn't sound upset as he whispered.

Her body felt aflame with him in her arms, but Chizuru had to resist taking him right then and there. It had been to long since she spent that type of time with him. Leading him out of the room to the living room, she spied the bathroom. Maybe she saw those hovering red eyes, or maybe it was just her mind playing tricks, but if Shizuka wanted to watch, so be it. Setting up the wards, she huskily spoke, "Like I could be away from you the day before a battle. Shin-chan, do you want your Chizuru to spoil you?" If he said no…well she'd try to resist, but he was looking positively delicious.

Wrapping his arms around her, Shinji took the initiative, a rarity for him, to capture her lips. But it was short lived, his hands roamed her back as they parted, "I've missed you." He sagely didn't mention missing anybody else, but it was evident on his face that such was the case. "Been eating well, apartment clean? Ayanami not causing any more problems?" he half closed his left eye as he joked. Swaying to some unheard song, Shinji danced with Chizuru amid the bluelight of the warding circle.

He had to know what he was doing to her, but Chizuru wouldn't push, not today. Her wanting was near the exploding point, but Shinji was showing he wasn't 'in the mood'. Staring death in the face, worries and fears of messing up the script for the next day might be a cold shower. "She keeps going on about wanting to help us. The big problem is that cat of yours. All pent up and marking her territory in our love nest. And when I come to help you, what do I find but you cheating on me with that red-head," Chizuru stuck her tongue out playfully.

Shinji took the bait and another small petting session ensued. Again bringing the action to an end far to quickly for Chizuru, and himself if the heat spreading against Chizuru's stomach was any indication, Shinji broke the open mouthed adventure. A small scowl crested his forehead, "Asuka isn't like that, so no worrying or teasing her Chizu-chan." So strange for him to be stern, that Chizuru didn't even hint at disobeying, "She's…a lot like me I'm thinking. The me before I met you and my life changed. She just hides it differently."

With the gentle swaying and the soft touches, Chizuru felt her own fear and anxiety ebbing out of her. "You're not going…we're not…" she pleaded looking deeply into his eyes. She knew it without asking, but she had to anyway. Shinji was full of surprises so who knew? Her own wanting aside, she'd never force herself on him, what was the point of making love if it was one sided? But those sad eyes, she never wanted to see him sad, told her the answer. Spinning him around quickly, dipping him, and then a sensuous and probing kiss later, "You'll take me out on a date tomorrow after you win. We'll end at OUR place, I'll pay this time, and then you Mr Minamoto are going to give me what I want!"

His face went a solid crimson at the implications and the new title. "Mr Minamoto…I love the sound of that. And it's a date, Chizu-chan," he gushed as he led her to the couch to sit. "I'm just…with the battle…nerves and all. W-we could try if you want, but…if I didn't make you…if it was just me that…I'd feel bad." Shinji had never failed to make sure both reached the finish line before, and seemed to never want to leave Chizuru in the lurch.

Crawling up next to her beau, head nestled on his thigh, Chizuru made herself comfortable. "You're darn right it's a good name, and a date. You're mine, Shinji-kun, and I'm not letting you go. You have to win tomorrow or I'll have my mother summon your soul," she teased. Taking the scarf off her neck, she wrapped it around his, "For you, it's not very good. But…" She stopped when he took her bandaged finger, gave it a kiss and brazenly sucked on it for a moment. "K-keep that up Shin-chan and I don't think I'll be able to resist the temptation," she was just about ready to pounce.

Fixing the unevenly made scarf, Shinji just yawned and hugged Chizuru closer to him. "Thank you," he murmured as sleep stole over him. And just like that, the pair slept on the couch that night content in one another's arms. They were woken up by an angry faced Misato who insisted Chizuru leave, but did thank her for calming Shinji down once they were alone. The battle, it went smoothly save for the last step had Asuka fumble and land atop Shinji…Chizuru teased the life out of the girl for that.

X-X

Walking down the scarcely populated shopping arcade, Touji and his two man posse were bored. If he had to choose though, any day of an angel battle he'd rather be bored than terrified. Being bored meant victory and a lot of closed shops, restaurants, and no school while the alternative meant likely one of the pilots were dead or they were soon to be. Having received a call from Shinji, a courtesy Touji was grateful for, that fear wasn't present. It was all good to hear his best bud was safe, but now he had to think of what to do for the rest of the day.

"Man if only the arcade was open we could sink some tokens, or get some ramen or anything," Kensuke whined as the trio stopped at a vending machine. Sliding his money into the cold drink repository, the geek made his choice and gestured to the others to receive some generosity. Cracking the top of his melon soda open, "What about you Tayura, any ideas? I'm tired of basketball. We could go to one of our places and hit up some games? Want to call Shinji?"

Never one to turn down a free drink, Touji eyed the cans of iced coffee. It was normally too far out of his meager price range, but if Kensuke was buying he'd splurge. Pulling his can out, it caught on the plastic lip of the machine for a moment, Touji liberated his free beverage. "I don't think we should mess with Shin-man today, likely tomorrow as well," Touji replied before taking a sip. If Touji was a betting man, he wasn't since he had ill funds for it, he'd put Shinji's social calendar as full.

Opting for a more financially conservative cola, Tayura eyed the open can then let out a languish sigh. Can to lips for an exceptionally long time, he belched and tossed the empty away, gone in one shot. "Shinji-kun is with my sister. That's why I'm not going home till late, and I recommend not going to his place. Honestly I don't know WHERE they are, I just don't want to be there or think about it," the teen sighed and continued walking down the walkway.

Bingo, somebody was thinking on his wavelength, Touji registered. If he had a girlfriend, Touji would be spending his time with her right now as well. Since Shinji had at least one, the teasing about Noihara and Ayanami aside, meant the pilot likely had his hands full. "And full they would be, those things are huge," he gushed aloud. An image of Shinji with Chizuru's ample assets in hand popped into his head. A goofy grin on his face, "Ken, what ever happened to that camera of yours? The one Minamoto-san took?"

Sipping his drink at a more leisurely pace than Tayura, Kensuke swirled the can in his hand as they walked. "She still has it, why? Anyway I still think we could visit his place, we might see Misato-san! She'd be home wouldn't she?" the smaller of the three piped in. Moving with excessive energy, he always seemed to be more energetic after an angel fight, Kensuke danced between the taller boys.

Walking backwards, giving Touji the sternest and most pain promising blank face, Tayura chewed on his lip. "Yeah Suzuhara, why do you want to know about that camera? And what is with that stupid smile on your face? Not thinking of my sister are you?" the anger evident in every fiber of his being. While he continued his backwards walk, the teen continued to steer the troupe into the park that ran parallel to the shopping district. In a brief alteration, Tayura deemed Kensuke worthy of a stare, "And why are you so hung up on that Katsuragi woman. Woman is evil."

Rubbing his finger under his nose, Kensuke oozed mischievous energy. "You don't like her because she's so hard on your sister is all. If it wasn't for that, you'd be like us and asking Shinji for pictures. Bet they'd sell great," he bemoaned. Sliding his backpack off one shoulder, it rotated to his front due to the wonders of gravity, and he pulled out a few of Chizuru. Handing the classier ones to Tayura, "She makes a mint too."

Swiping the few pictures of the Goddess of the school, Touji eyed the ones Kensuke tried to hide. "Man, Shinji is in every one of these. That sister of yours is all over him, never saw her like that last year. So what's the deal…she always like that with her boyfriends?" Touji worried. Shinji was his friend, and while he was happy his buddy was getting some tail he didn't want there to be a bad fallout. If Chizuru was just, well loose, Touji'd rather Shinji shack up with Noihara instead rather than suffer when Chizuru cut him off. Handing the pictures back to Kensuke, Touji unwittingly walked squarely into the stopped body of Tayura.

Focused on the tasteful pictures of his sister, Tayura's hands trembled. "He is in all of these, but not at his insistence," he pointed out the scenes. In each Chizuru was holding on to, hugging, or otherwise rending the young Ikari prone and unable to escape Kensuke's lens. Shoving the offending images of beauty back, "She's never been like that before. None of the boys she liked or even the few girls…none got that smile out of her." Shoulders sulking forward, the teen finally spun back around to walk forward in depression.

Not being totally dense to the emotional states of others, Touji hustled up to Tayura's side. "What's wrong man?" Touji had seen the instant facial collapse Tayura had tried hiding. Something about Chizuru and Shinji just upset Tayura, but why? Leading the pack towards the lake, Touji always found skipping stones to be helpful for releasing mental stress…well it was his second favorite while the first wasn't good for the current company. "What about Shin-man being with your sister upsets you so much? He isn't cruel to her when we don't see them is he?" as impossible as it sounded it was the only thing Touji could think of.

"Shinji doesn't have much of a cruel streak Touji," Kensuke defended neigh instantly. Grabbing a few stones, nice and smooth, Kensuke had been to many a lake with Touji as they grew up. Tossing one that sank instantly, he never had been good, "The only time I've ever even heard him raise his voice he had been…well you know impaled in his Eva." Bending at the knee, the geek slid is bag to the ground and out of the small wave reach, "And if he was being mean or cruel to Minamoto-san she'd leave him."

Picking up a rock of his own, Tayura tossed it into the air a few times before skipping it three times. "He's…its not…," Tayura tried to form the words but they just didn't come. Face scrunched in frustration he grabbed another rock and skipped it a good five times. "They're good together, she's happy with him. It's just," he turned to the two boys, "Suzuhara you have a sister, what about you Aida?"

With Kensuke shaking his head, Touji was getting the dawning realization of what this was really about. "Yeah I've Mari-chan, I still need Shin-man to visit her at the hospital, make her day if he did," Touji said smoothly. Taking the variables, Touji made a noxious equation. Sister plus brother plus boyfriend typically resulted in a subtracted brother and a couple. Now what did couples do, evident by Chizuru's flaunting? Well if anybody tried to take his little sis, Touji would want to clobber them into paste. "You want to hate him, but can't. Is that it?" Touji asked as he tossed his first stone, only four skips.

Falling hard on his backside, Tayura nodded somberly. "I like Shinji-kun, he's been real good to me and Chizuru. He's helping offset the food budget, making her happy, and even hangs out with me when she's busy. It's just knowing that right now she's with him and they're…why can't he just be with Noihara or Ayanami instead?" he pleaded to whatever god was listening.

"Never thought about it that way," Kensuke chucked another clunker into the lake with a groan. Trying to lighten the mood, "You just need to get yourself a girlfriend to keep you out of the apartment then. How about Soryu-san or that cute blond at the tea-shop?" he asked. Shinji had introduced them to the shop with the tasty crumpet Liszet a few days before the angel first attacked, and well the foreigner had smitten the trio.

Smirking as he tossed his rock right over Kensuke's failed attempt, Touji was liking that idea the nerd was proposing. "You could try Asahina too. That girl needs somebody to take her attention away from everybody else," he offered. As much as he tried to ignore the girl, Asahina just kept bugging him over and over again as if she had a personal vendetta against him. Offering his hand to the sitting boy, "As long as you don't go for Hokari-san."

Accepting the aid in getting back up, Tayura nodded with the ghost of a grin hiding on his face. Giving the hand a firm shake, Tayura amended, "So you actually do have something for the class-rep? That girl, don't know what you see in her. Rules monger and…" Before Tayura could continue his detailed discussion with everything wrong about one Hikari Hokari the trio were stunned silent. A rock had been thrown, no launched, across the lake that didn't so much as skip as hover above the lake separating the surface of the water. Tracing the line of disturbed fluid back to its source, Tayura paled, "Saku?"

Having just seen an impossible task, Touji felt this throat going dry and the fight or flight instinct in his brain revving up. At the source of the madness was a beat up looking man with longer silver hair and a leather jacket. The bruises on his exposed arms and face looked a little old and healing, but whatever did that damage to that big of man had to be the stuff of nightmares. Did he run away or did he stand his ground…was that guy looking at them now. Yup, definitely saw them, he was coming closer! Pinned by the unnatural fear, Touji heard rather than saw Kensuke falling on his butt.

Standing between his friends and Saku, Tayura took a mild defensive stance. "What do you want Saku, and yes I have heard about what happened at the shrine," Tayura said with a hint of vagueness. Raising his fists up, he taunted, "Not going to start anything now are you? With how beat up you look, I might be able to take you down."

Glancing over Tayura's shoulder at Touji and Kensuke the recovering man just shook his head. "No trouble, just upset with myself right now. Saw you and thought I'd apologize. If it wasn't for that Ikari kid I'd be dead right now, and I had to go and make slight of him, shows I've a lot to learn," the larger man finally turned back to the lake. "Tell Chizuru and him 'm sorry about that little incident. Thank the Ikari boy, but he is still my target. I just won't try to kill him…not that that guardian of his would allow it," he grimaced as he touched a large bruise on his cheek.

With a voice suddenly more bold than before, Tayura almost shouted, "You'll have to do that yourself. I can arrange something between the three…four if Noihara insists on going. But I won't accept your apology for them." Slowly, ever so slowly, Tayura turned to face the lake and gestured with his hand for the others to do the same.

Mystified by not only what he saw, but heard as well, Touji followed suit. Shinji had somehow saved that huge man's life from Himari? What did that mean? So much of this didn't make sense, as if he were spying on something he had no business listening in on. This man, Saku, had attacked Shinji. Himari defended Shinji to the point of breaking Saku, but Shinji stopped him. This Saku guy had to have some grudge against Nerv or something.

After a brief and muffled conversation that Touji couldn't make out, Saku left with a humble wave at the trio. "Ok, who or what was that?" Touji asked the moment Saku was out of sight. Touji hadn't seen a throw like that in real life, only in movies, and all those odd details were just begging for an explanation.

The only thing Tayura was willing to say was, "That was one of Chizuru's ex-boyfriends. Another reason I'm glad she's with Shinji despite everything else."

X-X

Sitting at the bar in her only clean evening dress, a martini nursing in her hand, Ritsuko tried her best to relax. Leave it to Misato to demand a night on the town when both of them had leagues of paperwork to do. At least Maya had opted to attend, she liked the timid girl a lot. Makoto and Shigeru had opted out, in Shigeru's case it was his girlfriend asking for time, but Ritsuko suspected Misato had Makoto off doing her work. No matter, a few drinks would do her a world of good.

"To another victory! May each be as painless and bloodless!" Misato held out her glass of brandy for the fifth toast of the night. Already on her forth drink of hard liquor the captain was showing the telltale signs of drunkenness. Wrapping her arm around Ritsuko, cheek to cheek, sang "And for Ritsuko finally getting out of her lab to hang out with us lowly commoners!"

The three glasses clinked together followed by a fourth, Kaji winked at the trio of ladies. "Don't mind if I join you as well? Been a hard time dealing with Asuka. Ever since the recovery she's been following me," he pleaded as he took his seat at the bar. Most of the establishment was empty, save for a few other groups from Nerv that wanted to unwind after the stressful day. Without hearing a word against it, Kaji threw his drink back as the women did the same.

Seated the furthest away from Kaji, Maya did her best to blend into the oaken bar, "S-so how is Soryu-kun doing in adapting to Tokyo-3?" Sipping her wine cooler, Maya tried using Ritsuko as a shield from the well rumored lady killer.

Enjoying the warmth from the small body next to her, Ritsuko felt her own cheeks warm. Booze was kicking in alright if she was feeling a bit frisky. "We'd tell you to leave, Kaji, but I doubt you'd listen to us. Though Misato might break a chair over your head if you try anything," swirling her rum and coke she gauged half a glass left. Knowing Asuka's psychological profile, Ritsuko could already guess what Kaji would say about the girl. Though the last few have been a bit different, some new element had been changing Asuka's mentality against Gendo's plan.

Setting her glass down and signaling the bartender to refill, Misato scooted closer to Ritsuko away from Kaji's presence. Scoffing, "You need chemicals to get ride of this bastard. I'm surprised you're not off trying to have sex with Soryu, not running from her." Leaning heavily against the bar, Misato let out a very unladylike belch. "Everybody seems to be having it about now…" she mumbled a bit but was to slurred to make it out.

"Speaking of Shinji-kun and his lady friend?" Ritsuko teased knowingly. Misato just hated the fact that her beloved little brother/son was off having sex. What was the big deal! Sex was enjoyable, as long as he didn't get the girl knocked up to hell with it. It was doing wonders for his piloting. "Or are you just jealous he hasn't invited you in too?" she hoped she was teasing.

As Kaji started chuckling nervously and Maya openly gasped, Misato slumped against the bar as she turned to face Ritsuko. Her freshly laid glass almost knocked over, "That tramp! All she's good for is that I swear! If she didn't make Shinji happy I'd…I'd…I don't know what I'd do, but she wouldn't like it. And if she hurts him in the end…well Himari would carve those ears off her head!" Misato slurred as she reached for her glass. "Not jealousy either, he's like a brother, be creepy," she scrunched her nose up cutely.

"Thank god to hear that," Kaji openly laughed as he sampled his whisky. Not over stepping any bounds, Kaji sat at a respectable distance from the inebriated captain. "Kid seemed nice, from all reports on him I was expecting a lot more depressed version. I'd like to meet the girl that could bring such change so shortly," he said whimsically.

More like spy on her, Ritsuko fathomed. Kaji had to know the truth about Morimoto Chizuru and her brood. At times Ritsuko wondered if Misato knew the truth or not, suspected she didn't. If Misato knew Shinji was dating a demon, well that'd be the end of things. Misato would try to 'save' Shinji and likely get killed, then Nerv would have to kill Chizuru, and the clusterfucked story would be over.

Drinking her mild-intoxicant in a sudden rush, Maya set it down with extra relish. Acting the best disappointed mother, "Kids there age shouldn't be having sex like that. I know it's old fashioned to wait till you're older, but fourteen is far to young." Wobbling on her chair, Maya showed she had a miserable tolerance for booze. Mumbling softly, "What's so good about it anyway? Bet its all overblown and exaggerations."

Now that was something Ritsuko didn't know, lil ol' Maya was a virgin, funny in this day and age. Slowly sliding Misato's drink further away from the near sleeping woman, informed "Kaji you might ask to talk to Shinji about meeting his lil Chizuru or his guardian Noihara." Somehow it felt wrong to refer to the nine-tail by her last name. The girl was to flighty and bubbly to take seriously. But how would Shinji react to that knowledge of demonkind, could be dangerous.

"NO MORE TALKING ABOUT HER!" Misato yelled and slammed her hands down. "Damn lil slut is taking my boy away from me. Making him into her toy, gree with Maya! He's to young for that! Teasing is one thing, but I'd never make…never actually…god I'm tired," Misato slumped her head against the bar her arms going slack. "To accommodating…needs to tell her no sometimes," Misato murmured from her new roost at the bar.

Gently patting Misato's back, Kaji shrugged at the two other women, "Guess Misato isn't to keen on that little relationship. Don't know anything about the other one, Noihara you said the name was?" Kaji sipped his drink with his free hand. "And what is this business with Ayanami trying to get into the mix?" his eyes softly gazed down at the intoxicated Misato.

Ah yes, the half-breed if it could even be called that, Ritsuko was horrified of that little gift from her mother. "Ayanami has taken to Shinji-kun after the battle against the Fifth angel. He saved her life after the battle, she was choking on some solidified and corrupted LCL. It'll pass," she hoped. Rei wasn't something Ritsuko liked to think about, not knowing about her other half. That little wolf girl floating in a tank of LCL. They had tried making clones of the girl with angelic DNA mixed it…didn't work. So they perverted some of the rules of the game given to them by Tendrils Leaf. So rather than one person…they had two.

As Ritsuko understood it, the body was angel/wolf-demon hybrid but the soul was from the other girl who never woke. If what Fuyutski said was correct, Rei was actually just the manifestation of the wolf-girls dreamself, made docile and controllable by drugs and hypnosis. One being with two bodies…freaky shit. And now Ritsuko was tasked with finding a way to make MORE bodies to use as parts of the Dummy Plug. How would that even work! One soul in dozens of bodies?

As Ritsuko pondered just what the hell Nozomu and Rei really were, the others continued to chat without her, normal. Maya took more to avoiding Kaji, Misato continued to rant drunkenly about how Chizuru was a bad influence on Shinji, and Kaji laid as many smooth lines on Misato as he could to no avail. Then Ritsuko's phone received a text, it was one word 'Come' and it was from Gendo.

"Well I'd like to stay, but work calls. See you later. Kaji take Misa-chan home and don't do anything unsavory to her. Noihara might kill you. Oh and if you do see Shinji-kun, tell him he doesn't need a condom, continued exposure to LCL makes him sterile," Ritsuko jumped out of Misato's swing. It was time to see her lover…he did love her otherwise he'd not bother with her…wouldn't trust her…wouldn't use her?

X-X

Notes

Darker yet happier at times. The whole Rei/Nozomu thing is hard to explain but I think I got a good detail there for you all, hope you understand it. As for the continuation of this story…oh boy I have some fun plans.

I just hope I get to use them. This whole business with ffnet removing 'MA' stories has me worried. If they ban my account I don't know what I'll do. I could post to mediaminer or affnet but this story and my others aren't THAT hardcore so I doubt I'd have readers visit those 'unsavory' places just to read them…sigh. If only ffnet would allow stuff like this without me having to hide it.

Later

Mercaba