Standard Disclaimer
Pools open and life is super awesome for that. Work is being a jerk with security constraints but the world isn't a safe place. And the surgery went well enough so there is goodness in that.
X-X
No Alternative
Chapter – 10
Sitting at her desk in school, Rei felt something she didn't care for in the slightest, worry. Three days past the defeat of the latest angel, and still no sign of Shinji anywhere. That simply just couldn't be allowed to continue. Official word from Misato was that he had been captured by one of the magical girls, the who was left unknown. What Nerv was telling the school and those that dared ask about the Third Child was that he was off on a training mission. Yeah, nobody really believed it, but nobody said anything about it.
Being the type of girl Rei was, she took the news and logically broke it down. A magical girl had somehow got the better of Shinji or Shiki and was keeping her as their plaything. So, Rei being who she was again, took to her new form and attacked any and all magical girls she saw hunting for Shinji. She wanted to be part of that lovely sensual world too! Her gifts from the mystery L continued to come, her dreams of Shinji continued to fuel her mind with deliciously naughty visions, and she was so ready to act on them. And some upstart bitch had the gall to take Shinji away? Whelp, bitchs get stitches.
"But the Myu-Myu's didn't know of her location, neither did the Pretty-Cures," Rei tapped her pencil to her lip. The mighty conundrum, her alternate form was being sign as a vision of unholy terror now. You break the arm of one girl and assault a few others with sword capable of cutting through a skyscraper was enough to make her public enemy number two! Nobody topped Lilith, nobody. "Maybe I should speak to Katsuragi about this some more," but Misato was getting unhinged.
A message flashed on her screen and Rei ignored it, likely another girl asking about Shinji. That study group of his was awfully worried about him, made Rei think. Well everything made Rei think, she was quite the thinker, but this made her think of other things. A group of girls…girls asking about Shinji…girls worried about him. Girls that spent a lot of time alone with him. Well, it didn't matter, Shinji trusted HER with his secret and that had to mean something.
The message popped up again after Rei closed it, so she closed it again…it popped up again! Persistent little bugger, rather than continue to be bothered she just opened it. She'd repeat the same lie to the next girl as she had the previous to. Mizuno just accepted the lie and stopped communications, Kino however didn't buy it and pestered Rei until she blocked the girl. Let Soryu deal with that giant, they were friends it seemed. Spotting not a girl's name, unless some girl went by 'Gun-Man-69', Rei's eyebrow rose a modicum.
"This better not be another male wishing to know if my pubic hair is blue," Rei got that question at least once a month. Said asker had the tendency to vanish from the class thanks to Section-2. Reading the simple message, Rei released more emotions she didn't care for in the slightest, concern and fear. 'Is it true that Nerv captured Shiki?' Rei re-read the simple message a few times and the neurons in her brain fired off in rapid pace. If such a thing were true, it would answer many questions that puzzled at Rei's mind about the events.
Shiki took out the angel, Misato admitted to that much. Nerv was working with a group that utilized technology that Rei couldn't find, damned Knights Sabers were illusive. Misato's sectioning off her old ward on the base and her ever growing rage over Magical Girls. And why Shinji's captors couldn't be found…as Shiki was on base and outside of Rei's access. But if Shinji was still on base in the guise of Shiki, how could he be freed?
'Where did you get that notion?' Rei actually responded. It could just be a false lead, but it was making an odd sort of sense. She didn't have to wait long to see the mystery commenter start typing back, she scanned the room for the informant. Asuka was hiding a snack behind her book, Suzuhara was sleeping, other students were paying attention, yet Aida was typing and just looked at her. Bingo.
The comment back from Aida was what Rei expected, 'I hacked some information from my dad's computer. He mentioned some type of special restraints and mentioned Shiki by name. Why does Nerv want to capture magical girls?'
Standing up, Rei just headed for the door. Shit needed doing, and she was going to do it! Kensuke didn't need an answer, she wasn't going to give him one anyway. The teacher tried to stop her, Rei just looked at him, gazed right into that old man's beady eyes. He stammered a little then turned back to the chalk board. Good, Rei's powers did transition a little to her normal form, she had been practicing. Well when she wasn't enjoying the newfound joys of unrepressed emotions, feelings, and a healthy dose of teenage lust she hadn't known before she got her bracelet.
A hall monitor tried stopping her as she left the building, Rei again just stared impassively at the large boy. He covered his nethers, shuddered and ran off. She'd have to get a reward for her work right? In the odd movies she got as her latest gift, when the man saved the kidnapped woman, she…what was the term again? Coming to a stop, she pounded her fist on her palm and stated simply, "That is correct, she went down on him and he reciprocated. Cunnalingis would be a fitting reward." An old woman just let her jaw drop at the audacity of the teenager talking to herself and hurried off.
"But I cannot do this alone, not if I wish to have no fatalities," Rei didn't wish to kill. Her powers were more tailored for murdering monsters, not for infiltration and subtly. She'd need allies to assist her. She could ask Jeanne about it, that girl was an ally to both Shinji and her. Maybe she could coax others, failing coaxing she could strong arm them! "Sailor Senshi would be a good place to start with that. Their abilities are quite diverse," she mused.
Unknowingly she headed to the high school and paused when she entered the quad. Why had she come here, she didn't know Jeanne's true identity, so she couldn't find the girl now. "Wait…" an idea popped into her head. She had a nice name for herself now didn't she? What did they call her, Witchblade due to the nastiness of her weapon. Not what she'd call herself, but it fit. Finding a shed, she touched her gem and her body transformed. Still such a thrill, being infused with power and the mind fogging new sensations that came with it. What Rei didn't know was her transformed state made her more human, removed the conditionings she received…and it was slowly altering her normal body.
Stepping into the sun again, the warm breeze caressed her exposed flesh, and there was a lot of exposure, she bristled. Yeah, she was going to need to use her 'Unit-01' again. "I think a great deal about sexual events while in this form, strange," Rei wondered aloud. Unfortunately for her the track team had been running and saw and heard her. They…well…took it quite strangely.
"U-uh miss, what are you doing here?" one of the taller boys asked. Oh his eyes danced over the quite top heavy form Witchblade had, her exposed thighs and stomach. He swallowed hard as his buddies pushed him towards the walking display of sinful delight. "And about what you were…just saying…we could…well I could," his friends pushed him into this, let them find their own super powered sexy girlfriend!
Realize she wasn't alone, and she just might have said something that Shinji would have reprimanded her about, she did what she always did when something confused her. She ignored the boys and walked away from them. She'd need to ask Shinji to help her socialize better…after he went down on her. Yes, quite the fitting reward for saving him. Maybe after, if he did good enough she'd return the favor. "Though I am unsure I would be skilled, no previous…stay on topic," she hated getting distracted! Now wasn't the time for thinking of rewards and cuckoldry.
Rushing about the school grounds, she stood in all the known and visible spaces. If Jeanne was here she'd see the shift from the normal school day. Everybody saw her, everybody. Classes broke down, people were staring out windows all calling for her. Some were wanting pictures, others were more basic and pleaded for dates. Oddly it was an equal number of males and females asking for those, Rei didn't care. After she made her scene and ruined learning for the day, she leapt to the school's roof and waited.
Bracing the door so the normal students couldn't get up to her, Rei paced and just hoped her little display was enough. Tapping her foot, "I should have asked her real name." But that was a trust issue Rei wouldn't have replicated so never really considered it. She trusted Shinji, not so much other people. They all used her or lied to her, Shinji just kept giving. She owed him, "I'll save him."
"So something is wrong after all. I didn't believe that story about him being on some training mission," Jeanne said as she leapt onto the roof. Landing with a roll, she spring-boarded right over to Rei without so much as a pant. "Have to admit, I never expected you to just start walking the quad to get my attention like that. It worked, and I think you have a fanclub with how everybody is talking about you now," Jeanne did NOT sound happy.
Acting impulsively wasn't something Rei did often or knew the subtle nuances of, so she gave herself a mulligan on her whole act. With a single nod, Rei just continued her pacing. "I have learned of Shiki's situation," Rei wouldn't risk somebody over hearing. Some how she knew it best to keep identities secret. "After she destroyed the angel, apparently she was apprehended by a group calling themselves the Knights Sabers and delivered to Nerv. We will have to break in and rescue her," Rei just rattled off her master plan. Well it was an alpha version of a plan, still needing to be fleshed out and such.
"Nerv? That isn't some place we can just break into with just the two of us! And I knew those robot ladies would be trouble, they attacked Shiki before, I helped drive them off," Jeanne rubbed her arms. Pulling out her baton she played with it listlessly to drive off the anxiety. "What am I going to tell Akira and Karen!? They're practically besides themselves with worry over this! Wait! Maybe we can get one of those other pilot girls to help us! They have to have access. Soryu is the friendly type, well if you cater to her ego, Ayanami…well that girl is just well we'd need to force her to help. Not the type to do anything for others," Jeanne pouted.
Was that how people saw her? Rei had to admit until recently that would have been an accurate portrayal of her. A few times guys tried talking to her, she just snubbed them and they gave up. Girls tried to befriend her, she didn't give them a try and they gave up. Only Shinji continued to try despite her initial…oops. She slapped him for saying a factual statement about his father. The more type she spent as Witchblade the more she realized blind obedience to a man that asked very questionable things of her, was not the best idea.
"I believe we should attempt to garner more aid in securing Shiki's release. The Sailor Senshi are a good place to start. I have had dealings with them in the past," Rei did watch Mercury nearly get eaten. Maybe this could be the olive branch. Odd, in the movies she was given tentacle monsters broke women's minds with pleasure not eat them. Reality was different than fiction at times. Making a mental reminder to not let such a beast grab her, "Do you have anybody you would like to contact?"
Grabbing a can with her baton's ribbon, Jeanne just flicked it of the edge of the roof. They could hear somebody smashing against the door trying to break through Rei's little denting. "Not that I can think of. That troupe is a good one to start with. Those girls that fight the witches could be good too. What say you, give it maybe two days to try contact them before we save her?" Jeanne's face went a little ashen. More time captured, what could Nerv be doing to their friend as they were forced to wait?
"You do that, we will meet here in two day's time to begin the mission. Get who you can and I will do the same. But know I will get my reward from Shiki first, you may watch if you want," Rei was firm on that. Anybody they got might request some sort of reward, but Rei wasn't sure what they'd want. Rei knew what she wanted, the warmness and thoughtfulness that Shinji gave her. She'd not mind Akira and Karen sharing, it wasn't like Shinji had a finite amount of emotions right?
Leaping off the roof and running as the door burst open, Rei didn't return to school. She went to Nerv, having transformed back to normal before getting on base. Sure enough when she tried to go to her old room, guards were posted and wouldn't let her through. When she asked what was being guarded, it was Ritsuko that told her…biological hazards and not Rei's concern. Oh but did Ritsuko look super happy, woman was on cloud nine, and Misato could have chewed steel and spit nails with how furious she was. Rei had to plan, and plan she would. Shinji had done so much for her without her even realizing it, time to start repaying the favors.
X-X
Sitting in a booth at Anne Millers waiting for Makoto to get off shift, Ami just twirled her straw about her glass. The others were gossiping about some television show, in particular the actor who played the leading man, and she just felt off. Was she supposed to feel the same way as they did, all squishy over people she'd never meet? She didn't, not in the slightest. It was fantasy, it was imaginary, and yet they were so enthralled by the notion of meeting this phantom. Even Usagi wanted to meet the man and she was in a relationship! A relationship…a real one…she wiggled in her seat.
"I wonder what the truth is about Ikari-kun's absence," Ami muttered offhandedly. Her abrupt question however came at a lull in the others and they all heard. Usagi stopped shoveling the tira misu into her gob, Minako set her glass down, and Rei slowly swiveled her head to stare gobsmacked at her. Oops, she just mentioned a real boy in there presence didn't she, she'd not live this down. Quickly drinking her melon soda, hoping they'd take her embarrassment as unwanted and pick up the conversation where she rudely broke it, they didn't. Waving her hands, "He has been part of our study group for awhile now and doesn't it strike you as odd he'd just vanish without telling?"
Getting 'that' look about her, Minako rubbed under her nose with the back of her finger and grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Is our dear Ami-chan finally noticing boys? And here we thought you'd always avoid the greater topic of the rougher sex. But you have a point about him," Minako picked up her glass again and just held it. Not dumb by any regards, just not book smart, Minako let Ami's comment fall into her mind.
"He was always so upfront about things at Nerv and his piloting stuff. Doesn't seem like something he'd do," Usagi whipped cream off her face. Slowly making to steal Rei's piece as the senshi of fire was distracted, Usagi drummed her nails on the table. Slowly pulling the plate closer to herself, "He's to nice to lie to us, just like Mamoru. Maybe something bad happened to him and they don't want us to know?"
And like that the attitude at the table plummeted, Usagi just had the way to say what was needed even if unwanted. They all thought about it, suspected it to a degree, but nobody wanted to admit it. They had all started to like the newest member of their study troupe. Ami did at least! He was polite, attentive, quick witted, and in her secret mind she found him very attractive in a feminine way. But she tried not to think like that, it'd never work. She had to study, she was willing to sacrifice her happiness for the good of the Senshi. Somebody had to!
"If you know something Kino-kun please just tell us! Soryu keeps feeding us that bullshit about a training mission, and Ayanami just doesn't talk to us! He said that Katsuragi set up his studying with you, did she tell you anything else? Please…we're just so worried about him," Akira's boisterous voice cut through the air of the restaurant. Other diners stopped to look at a near in tears Akira all but pleading with another girl. Her fanclub was about to act, several guys and girls ready to leap to her aid and help.
Dressed in her school cloths, they were to go on patrol after she got off work, Makoto hurried over to her friends. "I told you already Honjouji-san, they haven't said anything to us either. I don't…I don't believe it either, but what can we do or say? Nerv is Nerv, they don't answer to us. Shinji-kun wouldn't leave without saying goodbye right?" Makoto was getting her bristle up, they could all see it. Grabbing at her earring, tapping her foot, Makoto's temper was so close to flaring.
"She's telling the truth," Ami was over to help. If Makoto got into a fight it would cost the woman her job, and Ami knew Makoto wouldn't let her help on the financial side of things. Pride, it was a stupid and archaic ideology that make people do stupid things, but it was part of Makoto's charm. Ami envied that, being able to act on emotions and not hard fact and logic. It was a trap she walked into and surrounded herself with. If she could act on emotions, she would have kissed Shinji again when he was at her apartment alone and not let him leave. So many things she would do different if SHE were different…but she wasn't. Trapped on all sides by walls of her own making.
Sliding out of the booth, the other senshi were quick to get to Makoto's side. Rei stepped between the soon to be fighting pair, "Why would we keep it a secret if we DID know something? Maybe they learned something after that last monster attacked and needed him to go fast? It happened before when they did that dance thing didn't it?"
Akira's fire was doused, and she just hung her head. A listless nod, "You have a point. Just it's not like him to not contact us, or anybody! Just worried about him, Karen is beside herself and I'm nearly there at times. If you DO learn anything will you tell me?"
"Of course we will," Usagi's chipper voice was neigh instantaneous. Girl was a true peacemaker if there was ever was one. Taking Makoto's hand, they all saw the distraught nature of the larger girl shine through, "Now lets get you someplace more fun, Mako-chan. I'm sure everything will be fine in a day or two."
With a small bow, Ami played peace maker as well, and followed the troupe out. They had paid already so they had no reason to wait. Standing outside the restaurant, Ami watched as several customers approached Akira offering her napkins and a sympathetic ear. Humanity at its best or worst…if they meant just to support good for them. If it was all a ploy to get closer to the firebrand, Ami clenched her hands into fists. Calm…she had to calm down and think logically! Stupid emotions, she had to contain them, bottle them up or she'd make a mistake. Shinji was with Karen and Akira, if what Makoto and the rumors said. Chances lost, others might come, and if they did maybe she'd be ready. But she…she didn't WANT another.
"Maybe we shouldn't do this tonight. Want to just go to your place and watch a movie or something Mako-chan?" Minako offered. Of all of them she was the one to procrastinate the most, but for the best reasons. Yet Makoto just shook it off and flashed them a thumbs up. "Well at least I thought I'd offer," Minako laughed without humor.
Finding a nice place to transform, the lights of the streetlamps blocked by buildings, Makoto almost growled. "I need to get some frustrations out, and finding a monster to fight would be great right now. I'm just…" she transformed right then and there.
"I guess that's all we have to say about that. How about we split up and look for trouble. Call if you find something?" Usagi had pulled out her transformation pen and stared at it. They all just watched Makoto go through a series of punches and kicks, which dented a trash bin in the process.
Finishing her own transformation, Sailor Venus let her hair flair out magnificently. "I'll go on my own, the others pair off. Mars go with Moon so she doesn't get side tracked," the standard split up party. Usagi needed mental aid, and Ami needed physical.
"I can accept that," Ami had to know her limitations. It wasn't them mocking her, they were worried. But it still hurt, their insensate reminders of her status as the weakest of all of them. Transforming to her alternate form, Mercury suppressed a sigh of depression. Her own worries over the missing boy in her life was something she kept secret, but it was comparable to the others. "So where should we go first?" she asked her partner.
Pulling her fist out of the destroyed bin, Jupiter whipped around fast and Mercury back stepped. "Sorry, just letting my mind get taken away. How about we head to the warehouse district," Makoto's eyebrows hardened. It was her way of silently saying 'don't resist me on this'. They all knew the Knights Sabers frequented around there, and Makoto wanted a strong opponent.
"Good place to start," Ami didn't agree but Makoto needed this. Turning her visor on, they took to the night. Even in her powered up senshi form, she found her lungs taxed as Makoto ran faster and faster. Running from something or towards something, Ami wondered but wouldn't dare voice. If Shinji was dead, or injured, it would devastate the poor Makoto. Girl just had no luck with guys, and another one lost would do her no good. Panting heavily as they leapt to the top of one of the larger warehouses, "You…in a hurry…today Jupiter?" Oh how her lungs ached!
Standing at the edge, the stoic woman just gazed hard over all she could survey. "I wanted to make sure we got away from the others. I…wanted to ask you something," something had shifted. The anger and rage from before had twisted fully to soft. Sitting down, letting her legs hang over the edge, she patted next to her, ever the master of non-verbal communication Ami sat there. "He's not dead," nobody had to ask who 'he was, "and when he comes back…I want to try something with him."
"But…what about…" Ami found Makoto's hand over her mouth shushing her. Oh yeah, right. If anybody or anything heard them talking, real names would give them away. It wasn't hard to track down couples. "Still, isn't he already with somebody?" what could Makoto be planning? And more to the point, why bring it up to her?
Fumbling with her fingers, she just twirled them over and over, "About that. You know what his situation is right?" Watching Mercury with the corner of her eye, Jupiter was playing the coy game quite well. When Ami nodded, Makoto's hands went to her knees and she leaned forward, "How about…I mean I think you like him to…a little. Maybe we could…both try…together?"
"What? What makes you think I like…" Ami just flayed her hands about a few moments. Her face blazed warmly as her own hidden half thought out fantasies were tossed in her face. He was the boy she had been closest with and most comfortable with…so maybe she did let her mind wander in weak moments about it. But to do what Makoto was offering, it was-it was just… "I don't know. I don't think I'm the right person for…for…"
A loud scream and a shove nearly caused Mercury to fall off the roof, "Look out!" Jupiter's shove knocked Ami out of the way of a massive blade that would have cleaved her in half.
"Guess I made just a little to much noise there. Pity, would have loved to see what Sailor Senshi look like on the inside," a massive woman in garish colors said. Yanking her blade free of the roof, the metal tore like tissue paper, Seigi tittered. Swiping low at Jupiter, the woman forced the senshi to leap off the roof and to the ground below. "Now that we're alone, this could be fun. I haven't had a chance to play with my prey in a while and I really want to let off some steam," the woman's clawed hand flexed with deadly intent.
On her feet in an instant, Mercury peered over the side and saw Jupiter was still down but not out. "What do you want from us? Are you with that Lilith woman?" Mercury's scouter scanned for weaknesses. With all the exposed flesh this new woman had, it wouldn't be hard to find a place to attack, but how? Throwing up her cloud of mist to help obscure her motions, "We've done nothing to you, so why attack us?"
"For fun really. But my friend gave me orders. We're to give freedom to the people of this town, and you other magical girls are preventing our form of if," Seigi took a few swipes in the mist. Always close, but just a little to slow to find her mark. "Haven't you ever done something just because you wanted to? Let yourself live a little, or you're just a puppet, a tool to those that will use you," with a mighty swipe of her blade she blew the fog away, "there you are."
Still scanning for weaknesses, Mercury was not happy to see that there were none! Even the exposed flesh was to well protected for her attacks to even annoy this woman! Stall for time until Jupiter got back up was her only option! "If you're doing this because somebody told you to, doesn't that make you their tool? And what type of freedom would you give if it needs us gone?" Ami moved about keeping out of the vicious strike range.
Stabbing her blade into the ground, Seigi just stood there and grinned. "Oh you're just a treat. Look at you, so frightened, just like a little squirrel. Bet you're the type that does what everybody tells you. Just being led by the nose through life, worthless without a master to tell you what to do. If you ever want to live for yourself, maybe you could join us. I'll ask Lilith about it. But as it is, you're not even worth the effort of killing. You're just…a wall flower."
"I have need of her though!" a loud but emotionless voice distracted both of the women. Another older woman, with copious amounts of exposed flesh and a massive blade nearly cleaved Seigi in half. Leaving a crater in the ground where she landed, "I have need of this one and her allies. You will not take her before I have spoke to her!" Witchblade's impractical and oddly balanced weapon whirled and collided with Seigi's.
With a growl and a boot to Witchblade's stomach, the other combatant forced her weapon to vanish. "If only it wasn't you! I can't fight you so I'll let this squirrel go for now. But just think about it, getting to do what you want and how you want it. Could be fun, and all you have to do is help with liberating this town," Seigi ran off before Witchblade could close the distance and add further complications.
"Stay away from her you monster! You're that Witchblade that's been attacking the other troupes! We heard of you," Jupiter finally got back to the top of the warehouse. Rushing over to Mercury, she was standing in a fighters stance, ready and willing for action.
Making her blade vanish, Witchblade held her hands up in a showing of peace. "I come only to request aid. An ally of mine has been captured by Nerv, she goes by Shiki, this one owes her life to Shiki if my memory is correct," Witchblade had been willing to just watch Ami get eaten, but Shiki had saved the distressed Senshi.
Shiki? That was the woman that had kissed her, and those lips reminded her so much of Shinji's! Ami took a fugitive step closer to Witchblade, but her mind was aflame with righteous anger! She was not a frightened animal, she was not a wall flower! She did what she wanted, she had fun…she…she…her hands still were shaking. That bitch had been right, Ami was just letting herself be lead through life. Her friends, her mother, her own ideals just were excuses to hide from her own wants and whims. "Shiki needs our help? What can we do to help YOU of all people?" Witchblade was a powerhouse unto herself!
"If I were to break into the complex alone, I would invariably kill without wish to. They are doing their jobs, and have done no wrong. I need distractions and technical skills that I do not possess," Witchblade kept her eyes on Jupiter. Even though she was talking to Mercury, the threat was not the Senshi of water but of electricity.
Pacing back and forth, her wand in hand ready to let loose an attack, Jupiter frowned, "We'd have to ask the others, we are a team. Something you don't understand, we won't just speak for the others. BUT if we were to help, what would we get out of this and when would we do this?"
Witchblade countered Jupiter's actions perfectly keeping them both in check. "It would repay the life debt this one owes to her. And…Shiki knows the ware bouts of a kidnapped male by the name of Shinji Ikari. If we save her, we save him. And is it not your troupes way to save all you can? The mission starts tomorrow at the roof of the high school, another is meeting us there. Come if you can, or don't, your choice," Witchblade left without waiting for a response.
"Shiki knows where Shinji is?" Ami asked incredulously and saw Jupiter about to rush after Witchblade. Grabbing the powerful girl's arms, Ami felt the muscles cord up like steel. "We have to help her then. One for the lives of those at Nerv, two I do owe Shiki, and three…we could go and save him…and that would…be a start to your plan," Ami could be selfish right? That bitch, her words still stung, Ami didn't like that! She could change, could be different, could take what she wanted too! And maybe she should, maybe it was time she stopped being the timid flower and became something else…
When they rejoined the others, they had finished fighting a monster and gaining another crystal, they said what happened. Of course they agreed to help, it was their way to help as much as possible. And having Shiki owe them a favor, well that could be of great use later.
X-X
The idea of feeding Shiki to Ritsuko was growing on Misato in leaps and bounds. Just let the mad scientist take the abomination to play with and maybe then answers would come. Yes, Shiki might be able to survive Misato's attempts at interrogation, but how would a week with Ritsuko change that tone? Well, sympathy was wearing off, but Misato was always innocent until proven guilty. Finding Shiki at the onsen without Shinji though, that did lay more on the guilty side than innocent. Pacing back in forth in front of the bound magical girl, Misato had to keep her anger and fears in check though.
"So if you didn't take Shinji, don't know who took him, why did you say you saw him when we first brought you in?" Misato kept her hands crossed. Even if Shiki hadn't taken Shinji, this woman had to know something All previous evidence pointed right to it. Unfolding her chair, a nasty little metal one that she was growing to hate, she sat on it and crossed her legs. Oddly enough anything sexually, even faintly, got a rise out of Shiki, "You know you're not getting out of here until you tell me where he is."
Arms behind a pillar, three sets of handcuffs were slapped around her wrists, Shiki sat looking away from Misato's black and frilly delicates. "I was nearly unconscious with fever, I might have said any number of things I don't remember or understand. M-Katsuragi-san, I'm telling you the truth that I don't know where he is. But if you let me go I can and will find him for you! I guarantee it!" she shouted and tugged on her braces. The first day she had shattered one of the handcuffs with such a tug, now it wasn't as pronounced an effect. The longer Shiki stayed in her magical form, the less power she had, an overcharged battery running out of power.
"Funny how you can guarantee something that we can't do even with our new allies," Misato reflexed her legs. Again Shiki flushed and turned away, Misato always found that interesting. With Shiki's outfit being as garish as it was, she was still quite innocent. Almost like Shinji, and that reminded Misato that her boy was off somewhere. Each day that passed and he wasn't back…was it a day he went without food? Kicking the tray of food Maya had brought in for Shiki over, Misato's anger spiked, Shinji could by dying as Shiki held off! "If it wasn't you that did it, do you know who did? Where would you go to look for her? Tell me something, tell me anything!" she seethed.
Balking at the wasted food, of which she had only been fed a few scarce bites, Shiki just sulked. "Have you tried hunting down Lilith? She seems to have her hands in everything," Shiki offered and eyed that food hungrily. The rumblings of her stomach had been mighty and loud, but she'd have to go without.
"Nice try, but we know where her vessel was during the whole angel encounter," Misato got out of her chair and started pacing again. Grinding the food into the ground, she took great relish in Shiki's rumblings. Her boy was lost and in pain, his captor should feel the same. But there was doubt, and she HATED that. If she knew without a shadow of a doubt Shiki had captured Shinji, she'd have allowed more extreme measures of data retrieval. Oddly enough the Commander gave her full license in that regard. But her sense of honor wouldn't let her torture without just cause. Kneeling before Shiki and looking right in those strangely beautiful eyes, "So got another name, a location, anything? I know Ritsuko has been doing tests on you. She wants more…intrusive…tests but I'm keeping her off. Tell me something worth knowing and I'll keep her away from you."
Eyes wide with panic, Shiki tugged on the chains again, harder this time. The steel beam strained and groaned against the action but hold still. It had been reinforced again and again to keep this woman confined. After what Lilith had done, Misato had taken no chances. "I wish I could tell you something, I really do! But I can't tell you anything I don' t know now can I? All I can do is say I'd gladly help you if you let me go! I'm…worried about staying transformed so long."
Getting back up, something about that face troubled Misato and she didn't want to see it anymore. Turning off the light in the room, "Then drop it. I'm interested in who you really are. Then again I'm sure your bloodwork will tell us that soon enough." Misato bluffed and left Shiki in the room. This was getting her nowhere, and that just caused her nerves to go even tenser. "I just wish we had some proof that she took Shinji!" Misato yelled once she was out of range of the captured magical girl. Failing evidence, she wished she could be eviler and take extreme measures she wouldn't normally do.
"Take it my favorite little patient still isn't telling you anything?" Ritsuko asked peeking her head out of her lab. Unlike Misato, Ritsuko didn't seem nearly as worried. Waving her hand at the growing haze of rage and dirty clothing that was Misato, Ritsuko kicked herself about on her wheeled chair. In a world all her own, "This is something truly amazing and strange, Misato. These readings are impossibly high. That girl seems to have the equivalent of an S2 engine I her. Unlimited energy generating potential, assuming you FEED her." The maximum range of Misato's cruelty lay bare, Ritsuko was smiling regardless.
Never one to like Ritsuko's personal office/lab, Misato took one last breath of fresh air before stepping inside the alien land. Oh boy did it smell horrid in that room, all sterile and chemical. "I have to do something to try to get here to talk. Maya keeps sneaking her food though, makes me wonder if those two are in cahoots. And what has you so happy? Shinji is still gone! It's been over a week, how can you be so laidback about this?" Ritsuko always did come off as aloof, but this was to much. Even if Ritsuko didn't care for Shinji in the way she did, he was still on third of their current pilot corps!
"Well Ibuki does seem to have a hero worship of magical girls, so its sacrilege to let one go hungry I guess," Ritsuko snickered as she read more. Jars of fluids all the color of the scientist rainbow were right by here. All were labeled with a thin black marker with Shiki's name, science could never be stopped by such silly things as human emotion. Handing her readings over to Misato, Ritsuko just batted her hand, "I have faith in Ikari-kun's survival. We only get bulk deaths lately, never saw a magical girl kill anybody. But take a look at that, I'm envious."
Noticing the name on the report was a doctor she was vaguely aware of, Mizuno. "What does Shinji's doctor have to do with anything? Wait…" Misato read the report in further detail. It was a medical report she actually knew the contents of, a gynological report. Blinking rapidly, Misato found her fingers crinkling the paper into a ball and bounced it expertly off Ritsuko's forehead. "What the bloody hell does this have to do with anything!? I don't need to know…know…THAT about her! Why are you even caring about research like that?" Misato felt dirty just knowing it. What was the point of studying THAT on Shiki?
"Well from a purely scientific point of view, we need to learn as much as possible about these aberrations. Unless you want to try getting Lilith to let us probe her, she'd likely get off on it. According to Mizuno-sensei, Shiki was positively aghast during the procedure, poor woman nearly stopped early. I wonder if its magic that gives our little Shi-ki such a nubile set. Her innards have the wear and tear of a damn infant!" Ritsuko's zeal was a known quantity. Woman had been all about testing and playing with Shiki, Misato's need for info had kept some of the more questionable tests off the docket.
Maybe Mizuno had a sense of personal space and not an insane zeal for information, Misato nearly said. The few times she spoke to the doctor who had Shinji placed in her care, woman came across as a flower child. A flower child with a mind that was so overwhelmingly above Misato's own, it was daunting yet never insulting. "Is this the only thing you have for me, a week of study and all you know is she has a tight vagina? Please tell me you're messing with me?" Misato wondered how far she could bounce Misato. Maybe get Asuka to help with that, Asuka was getting more irritable with each passing day.
Without Shinji at the apartment, the balancing force was missing. Neither Asuka nor Misato liked cleaning or cooking and that was where Shinji came in. With him gone, Misato found herself at odds with the teenager that took a sudden zeal in cut off and half-shirts. They bickered about plates in the sink and who had to tend Pen-Pen's litterbox. Arguments over who needed to get food, what shows to watch, and just about everything. Misato suspected it was both of their way of dealing with the fear of lose they both had. Misato was growing to think of Shinji as family, Asuka…well Misato would never venture why Asuka worried about Shinji. And the fight Asuka had with Akira at the door yesterday…Misato really didn't want to know what that was about.
"Sorry science can't explain magic, Misato," Ritsuko smoothed out the paper missile. Adding it to the others, Ritsuko took a test-tube full of crimson and rolled it about in her hand. Rubbing the tube against her cheek she sighed contently though, "I think it would be best if we let Shiki go soon, with the stipulation she come back from time to time. We have those Sabers working with us, I bet we could get Shiki to as well."
Let go the guinea pig? Misato just stared gob smacked and confused, "You want to let her go? YOU the person who has been sleeping here since she came in so you could spend every moment I let you in that room? Alright, I'm officially the only one that seems to think that she knows where Shinji-kun is anymore." Wasn't the first time it was her against the world, and she was right more often than not. Not that she got an apology letter, well Shinji would have sent her one.
Sliding the tube back along the others, Ritsuko got up and popped her back. "I have my reasons, Misato. Don't worry, Shinji-kun will be fine, you'll see. Just have to have a little faith. That girl in the other room wouldn't have taken out the angel if she was wholly evil right? Now get going and let me finish," Ritsuko all but threw Misato out of the room as she left it herself. "I think I'm going talk to our little Shiki a bit. Did you notice how shy she can be, I flash a little cleavage and she all but shuts down," Ritsuko's smile was borderline terrifying as she undid a button and vanished down the hall.
"Ok, once Shinji is back, mandatory psych evaluations for all command staff on a monthly basis," Misato said to herself. How many would they lose if they did force a level of mental health? Well the pilots likely wouldn't make it, so they'd be exempt. Rei was still the hostage of an unholy abomination, Asuka was becoming like those vacant girls on television, and Shinji…well Shinji had that whole Hedgehog thing going. Yup, only the best and brightest could be ruined by Nerv. "Going to let those girls spend the night once Shinji gets back…or maybe I should just tease him a bit less," she didn't know what she feared more. Teasing Shinji was an art form she was becoming a master of, she wished to hone that craft not abandon it.
Making her way to the command bridge, she did her best to also not imagine Shinji's reunion with his girlfriends. That Akira would likely need to be pried off of him, Misato didn't know Karen well enough to know. But if Karen was like Ritsuko had been back in college, maybe supervised visits at first would be best. Last thing she wanted was Shinji to get hospitalized due to over amorous girls once he was recovered. "Odd Ritsuko is so sure though. Maybe he's growing on her," that made her smile. Ritsuko had such faith in his recovery it gave her added hope. Stepping foot on the bridge though, Misato stopped, oh yeah…the growing cold war. "Yamazaki-kun, haven't we had this talk before. Leave Hyuga alone when he's working with…Silver?" Misato didn't really know what to refer to the silver colored Knight Saber.
"Silver is acceptable, Katsuragi-kun," the digitized voice confirmed without looking. Hovering over Makoto the Knight Saber was quite possessive of her contact at Nerv. "Your tac-net is quite impressive, the integration is nearly complete and its already helped us take out a few rogue AI's that are popping up. Mako-chan here has been quite helpful with that. Any chance you might lend him to us to work on our own system? I'd have to blindfold you as I brought you in of course," she tickled under the man's chin.
Watching Linna grab Silver and try shoving the massive bulk of metal nearly set Misato into giggle fits, but she maintained it. "Stay away from my boyfriend! Just because you're too old to find somebody your own age, doesn't mean you can just take what is mine!" Linna was laying on the ownership hard and heavy for all to hear. And as Makoto blushed and rubbed the back of his head, others around them just laughed and pointed. Silver however did shift causing Linna to stumble against her, the two combatants just stared at one another.
"Have you been able to find Shinji-kun, Silver? I know you brought Shiki in and that was a great boon to us, but personally I can' t help but think we lost more than we gained trading Shinji-kun for Shiki," Misato had at least waited for the laughter to die down before outright killing the mood. If only she didn't have other tasks and she could focus on finding him, but other responsibilities.
Walking away from Makoto, who Linna rushed to, Silver towered over Misato. Listening to Makoto swear he wasn't 'leading Silver on' as Linna suggested, Silver nearly went back, but Misato's hand on her arm stopped her. "No, we have been keeping an eye out for him though. Sadly the power outage during the capture kept him out of any video recordings. But judging by the accounts of his girlfriends, the optimal path to the base, and when we found Shiki, it still points that way. Shiki would have had a five minute window to intercept the young Ikari, put him somewhere or hand him over, and then be where she was to strike that monster. If you want…we could question her for you."
"Not today, but if she still keeps silent…maybe you can take her out with you to find him. Shiki keeps telling me that if I let her go she'd find him for us. I don't trust her, I don't trust magic. I guess that's why I trust you and your group," Misato shook the metal hand as a showing of trust. Technology was something she knew, even if it was vastly superior to her own. Magic was something totally outside of her ability. "Give me a little more time, and then I will let you try," she'd make a deal with the devil herself if it helped get Shinji back.
X-X
Standing on the roof of the high school already transformed, Makoto could feel an odd chill about the evening. This wasn't what they normally did, not unless they went in for the kill. They didn't do it often, usually to end the threat that had been assailing them, but this time it was a rescue. Rescuing that overpowered and oddly dressed Shiki, yet Makoto felt that thrill she always did before going into battle. The reward would be good too, maybe she'd try to leverage her victory for a little reward. She never got rewarded, aside the ideology of karma. Karma…hah, she was living proof karma was either a lie or very subjective.
"Are you paying attention? You're capillaries have flared and you're breathing hard," Witchblade cut through Makoto's inner thoughts. The strange older woman was really good at sending this little party off its mental path.
Putting a hand on Makoto's shoulder, her friends where there to support her. They knew she went a little heavy into these fights, she was the pack-mule after all. "Jupiter is just getting ready. We don't invade military bases very often, or like…ever. And attacking normal people isn't something we've ever done. So forgive us for not being so gungho about this as you two seem to be," leave it to Venus to put the others on the spot.
"I owe Shiki a lot, so that's why I'm here," Jeanne said with a firm sense of pride. Showing Venus up with the skills of cloth manipulation and playfulness, the phantom thief played with her baton. Witchblade and the emerald eyed blond shared a look, a long and confusing exchange that made one wonder if they were speaking telepathically, and then Jeanne lowered her head. "And I've friends that are close to Ikari-kun, so saving both of them is important to me. He is my friend to, to a lesser degree," she put her wand away and got to the roof's edge.
Her feet shattering roofing tiles, Witchblade held a hand up to cut off conversation. Usagi and Ami were about to question further, but that frightening gauntlet cut them off. Nobody wanted to try pushing this ruby haired amazon to far, even if they all attacked at once it was debatable if they could win. "We can discuss the kidnapped Ikari later," she paused to see if they'd counter before continuing, "The mission will be as thus. Jeanne and myself will enter Nerv via a secret access port. You five will enter via the car service station. You will be a distraction, move fast and at great length. Make people see you. After an hour, escape the same way you came in. That is our window."
"Um…"Usagi held up a hand, the girl's hair weaved about yet her face didn't have that happy grin it oft did. She was ready to face danger, her friends depended on her so she pushed away the childishness that pervaded her otherwise. "How will we get in? That place is very secure isn't it? I don't think we can break in with just our strength combined, and if we did we could hurt somebody. We won't do that," she had the poise and grace of the queen she'd be, she was not cruel but firm.
Turning away from the others, Witchblade shifted about and when she turned back she had three ID cards in her hand. "These are old access cards that will get you in," she tossed them to Makoto, Usagi, and Venus. Each card had a Child's face on it, all three of them actual like a perverse collectable card game.
"Wait, where did you get these?" Makoto asked as she looked at Shinji's picture. As fate would have it, Witchblade tossed one of Shinji's old ID's at her, and she found herself looking into his sad face, so lifeless and devoid of the happier emotions. Ami was at her side, they both looked at that card. They hadn't really talked about their little agreement, Makoto was to nervous about the implications of it and bet Ami was as well.
Moving to the edge of the roof, Witchblade joined Jeanne in overlooking the city. "I have sources in Nerv that provided those with me. Sympathetic allies, that cannot get Shiki out on their own," she hunkered down ready to jump.
"No, not that," Rei cut through the tension, "You don't have pockets on you do you? You're in body armor that looks to be molded against your skin. Where did you HIDE these things? Do…do we need to clean them before using them?" Suddenly the senshi looked at the cards, at Witchblade, and then dropped the cards as numerous places a woman might hide some thin plastic cards came to mind. Witchblade didn't answer and just jumped off with a laughing Jeanne behind her.
Picking up her card again, Makoto wiped it against her skirt just in case, with a grimace she slide it into the folds of the skirt. "Well, we can worry about that later, and we have gloves on anyway," she flexed her hand to show the gleaming white armor. Maybe the older woman had caches inside that armor to hide things, or pockets between skin and armor existed. Now wasn't the time to get squeamish. "Let's go before they leave us behind!" she roared and her friends joined in for some pregame prep-talk.
They all leapt after the departing duo and continued until they had to part. Ami had done some research on the base and they had a small meeting before they met with Witchblade. Ami was thorough in her review, and they knew where to go. Splitting away from the others, they ran lightly through the night. Rei and Usagi just had to chide each other, asking of Mamoru would be helping, while Minako teased Ami about saving a boy. Makoto ran and listened, her own mind plotting what her next steps would be. Saving a potential new ally would be nice, but getting Shinji back was better. Even if he couldn't be swayed, he was still her friend and that was good enough for her. Even if she knew he would never see her in a romantic eye, she would still do this. For her friends she would do so much.
"Alright, Moon, you stay close to me and don't touch anything we don't tell you to touch! We don't want you electrocuting yourself," Rei said with a waggling finger. They all stole into the parking deck, complements of Ami's mist masking their entrance. Two guards were standing there watching, but they didn't see them enter, and with one use of a card, it was Asuka's, the door opened and they squeezed into an elevator. Maybe they should have taken turns, five teenage girls took up a lot of space, and well that was a tine elevator. "Whoever is touching my butt, I know they say I'm a lesbian at school but you know I'm not so stop it!" Rei yelped as the cab descended.
Snickering and moving about in a way that stuck a knee between Makoto's legs, Minako tried to stand up and did little to that end. "We know, Mars, you tell us every time we accidentally touch you. But you haven't had a boyfriend since…and you have been looking awfully hard at 'him' lately, don't think I haven't noticed. Didn't think you went for guys your age," Venus's joke left the cab silent. So Rei was either getting interested or maybe thinking a bit different?
"So where do we go first?" Makoto desperately wanted to change this topic. They could worry about who dates who, who gets a big green boot in there bum for sneaking about, and who got carried caveman style over her shoulder later.
Pressed against the cab's wall as the door opened, a panting and embarrassed Ami pulled a hand away from an equally flushed Usagi. Wait, Usagi had been quiet during that ride down and…yeah not going to think about that. "We could head for the hanger or their command station to get the most attention. Remember if we see people we stun them so they get up after we run past and signal the alarm," Ami had her visor out and a schematic could be seen reflected in it. Pointing to the left of the elevator cab, "The command bridge would most likely have people, and we can tamper with their computers for maximum effect."
"Boo, I wanted to see Ikari-kun's big hard machine up close and personal. Right Mars, you want to see that monster don't you?" oh everybody knew Minako was teasing and doing so hard. Covering her mouth and looking away she did her princess laugh and tore off running as a plumb of fire tore off after her. Whelp, overstep yours bounds with a girl with a short temper and you will get burned. A shrill yelp of terror was followed by, "Can't you take a joke!"
Running after Mars and Venus, Makoto snickered, "We all know she can't take that type of joke very well. Right Mercury, Moon?" They smiled and agreed, Mars took her sexuality very seriously, odd for a shrine maiden, but she did. Rushing after the pair, Makoto kept the pace slow so her lesser physical friends didn't get to taxed. Running out of stamina early would be a bad thing, they had to escape. "Wait, if she keeps using those attacks won't she trigger a…" Makoto was cut off as the fire alarm started and sprinklers started pouring.
"Well that will get attention right? And with the humidity it feels great!" Usagi didn't let anything damper her spirits, her hair maybe, but not her spirits. The water clung to their fuku's and made an interesting color display of water on white. So…they did color coordinate their tops! Color Makoto impressed that Ami had anything other than cotton white. Slapping both Makoto and Ami in the face with her mighty tresses of wet hair, Usagi wrung it out, "So is this enough or should we keep going?"
Tapping her visor a few times, Ami slowly snuck her hand to dry her face off, "The alarm won't last long. So we should keep going. Automated systems are also prone to failure so we can't expect this to be enough." Almost as if she willed it, the alarm stopped and the water ceased falling. Continuing down hallways that all looked the same, empty hallways they had to add, they slowed there run. They had lost the duo and found themselves standing outside a bay of doors. "Well, maybe we could check these offices?" Ami pointed at the doors.
"Well better than nothing, this place is a maze," Makoto was glad Ami had a map, she'd never get out on her own. How Shinji could work at a place like this, it was just mind boggling! Opening the door with a slam, Makoto rushed into the room, best to startle and attack before anybody with a gun could try anything. What she saw, well she skidded to her feet and fell on her knees, "What are you two doing!?"
A twin set of startled yelps, adult voices, was the initial reaction. A man in glasses and a woman with short cropped brown hair were defiantly NOT working right now. A pile of discarded uniforms was on the floor in front of them, the woman bent over the desk and the man at her side had his hand up in the air paused in mid spank over the ruby red behind. "W-who are you? What are you doing in here?" the man yelled.
"What's going on in here…oh my!" Ami should have asked first and waited for an answer before coming in. The man now quickly hid behind his desk, pulling the woman with him. Shielding her behind him, he kicked out for his clothing trying to trap it and drag it back. "W-where you s-s-spanking her? You vile abuser! That is…that…" why did Ami sound to be getting into this.
Standing up behind her man, the woman called out angrily, "You ruined it! It took me forever to get him to agree to this type of play! You have no idea what it took me to ask him to…to…why are we even talking about this!" She realized maybe just maybe talking to intruders about her fetishes was not really a necessary thing. Reaching out behind her, she grabbed the fire alarm and yanked it down and it came to life again, loud and teeth chattering.
"Let's book it!" Makoto grabbed Ami's hand and yanked her hard and lassoed Usagi as she rounded the corner. Doing her best to not think how Usagi mused of maybe she could try the same with Mamoru, Makoto's face was quite literally burning hot. She saw another man's…thing…and maybe it was a trick of the light or maybe her memory was colored by emotions but hadn't Shinji's been…and he was so much younger…well maybe that was why he was shorter, something grew first. Panting as they took about the fifth blind corner, "Well that was NOT what I expected to find here. You?"
Shaking her head, Ami continued to tinker with her visor with growing aggravation, "Think we upset that lady to. I thought he was the aggressor not the…world is so strange." Ami finally found what she was looking for and nodded, pointing down a hallway she took charge in leading them. Usagi still talking to herself about if she wanted to be the receiver or the administrator, and thinking of Usagi in that way hurt both of her friends brains. Standing in front of another big door, Ami's hand reached for the button but stopped, "This SHOULD be the command bridge…lets hope we don't find anybody else doing something they shouldn't."
After Ami hit the button, Makoto took charge again and rushed in and saw Rei, Minako, and another mousy looking woman talking. "Please tell me you didn't take a hostage! This is all just to distract!" Makoto jumped to conclusions. Seeing the girl, or was it a boy she couldn't tell, flanked by both Venus and Mars it wasn't a massive leap of faith.
"We did NOT do that!" Venus stamped her foot and stood there huffy, "We just stumbled on her working. And get this she wants to help us!" Grabbing Maya by the arms, Venus presented the woman as a prize or trophy to the others. "She even started sending out fake readings all over this base to get patrols away from where Shiki is," Venus actually rubbed her cheek against Maya's.
Stunned, absolutely stunned, Makoto couldn't help but smile as she reached out, "Thanks ma'am for helping us. We owe Shiki a debt, and really didn't want to…Venus why are you on the ground?" They all looked down at Minako who had her jaw open wide and eyes popped open.
"That is a girl? I thought…thought…all those things I said!" Minako quickly twirled over, stunk her rump in the air and covered her head with her hands.
Snickering, Rei capitalized on the event and put a firm foot on Minako's head and gave it a playful nudge. "You'd not believe all the cute things Venus here said to Ibuki-san. Thank again for all your help," Rei stopped toying with Minako and joined Makoto in a good hand shake.
"Oh you don't have to thank me. You magical girls do us all a great service, and this my way of showing my gratitude. Shiki doesn't seem like a bad girl either, just Katsuragi-san is very…her heart is in the right place but not her head. You head on out and I'll keep them running in circles. I won't be able to purge the cameras, so you might find Nerv more aggressive towards you in the future, so be careful," Maya sat back down on her computer. Her fingers danced over the keyboard only to stop when Ami hovered over her, "Is-is something wrong miss?"
Grabbing Ami and dragging her, Makoto bonked Ami on the head, "She has a small thing for computers. And if we left her alone she'd stay here watching you for hours. Let's go and…we saw a man and woman in an office…um…they saw us while they were…distracted. Best to not say to much." Venus and Mars exchanged a queer look, they'd need details later, they troupe took off for the elevator again. A few guards did get a shock, one a tiara to the head, and finally one love-me chain to the leg, but they had an easy time escaping.
An hour later, standing on the school roof again, they were all relieved when Jeanne showed up with a grin a mile long on her face. Mission complete, and Shiki and Witchblade were off saving the wayward Ikari. Makoto joined the others in the cheer, and Ami and she had that look again…could they really do this? Well, not tomorrow, he'd need to recover from his ordeal, but maybe a house visit was in order.
X-X
Sitting on the living room couch with his shirt off, Shinji tried his best to not obviously look away from Ritsuko. It was awkward for him, oh so awkward to be along with this woman now. But at least he was home now, and Misato even let him skip school today for this little home visit! As Ritsuko moved the stethoscope along his chest, it always felt cold regardless of how long she pressed it to him, Shinji just remembered the maniacal zeal he saw in that woman over the last week. She could turn her sanity on and off with the flip of a mental switch!
"So do you want to talk about it?" Ritsuko asked as she jotted down a few readings. Thankfully sitting on the coffee table, giving Shinji the space he needed to relax, Ritsuko's skirt was hiked up just enough. Purple, she was wearing purple and HAD to be flashing him on purpose, Shinji supposed. Shifting her legs again, and making that purple vanish, "Misato said you've not said to much about it. She's writing the report on it now and having a time with all the blank spaces."
Ah Misato, Shinji could never have the same flippant view of that woman ever again. "Not much to say really. I was on my way to Nerv after the power went out, and saw Shiki jump up on a roof. After the blast I felt a bag go over my head and I was carried off. They didn't take the bag off unless to feed me. Then Shiki and Jeanne saved me a few days later," he had plenty of time to think of that little story. It was simple, he could remember it, and it was lacking details so he couldn't mess it up.
Foolproof, he so desperately hoped! But Misato just bore down on him, not believing Shiki was innocent, and she was technically right. A focused and dedicated Misato was a laser of focused rage and genius, and Shinji prayed he never saw those hateful eyes on him again. But it was true, Misato loathed Magical Girls and if she learned he was Shiki she might never forgive him.
Opening her bag and pulling out a small plastic cup, Ritsuko handed it over with a small smile, the type that bordered on mocking. "Well that makes sense they'd want to keep you in the dark," she took his hand and put the cup in it. Her hand trailed along his skin softly as she withdrew it, "Now I just need a urine sample and I'll let you rest. You'll have to deal with your friends on your own, once school lets out." She stood up and popped her back, her coffee cup was full thanks to Shinji's efforts to placate her.
"Do I have to? What does this even tell you anyway?" Shinji looked at that cup with shame. Ritsuko did like to use mind games, and this could just be another one. Offering Shiki food for a little flash or touch, drawing blood while distracting her with faked image of 'Shinji's liberation', and the horrible visit to Ami's mother. Oh he'd never be able to look at Kurumi in the eye again! But he knew for a fact now that when he transformed he was 100% woman, not that he EVER wanted to know that. Women had it very different than men, and now he knew exactly how that felt. Seeing that smirk, Shinji grumbled and headed to the bathroom, "I think she gets off on this."
Slapping Shinji's leg with his flipper, Pen-Pen nodded his head in that alien birdlike way, "Of course she does. But you could play along, get a nice show or even some older-woman loving. I always thought Rits-chan would go to any lengths to get what she wants, so why not play along?" Oh yeah, Pen-Pen, Shinji wanted to ring that birds neck! Why couldn't Pen-Pen have done something to help him escape! 'Oh I couldn't get away, Misa-chan hugged me to sleep every night worried.'
Judging from Misato's hug when he shambled through the door, and her reluctance to leave this morning…Shinji had no option but to agree. Hell even Asuka gave him a small hug, nice but very unexpected of the girl. "I will NOT do that to her, she's Misato's friend!" Shinji hissed at the bird. Shifting away from the bird, he filled the cup and tried his best not to think about the last week. It wasn't torture or even overly unpleasant, but it was strange. He didn't want to be Shiki for a LONG time, he had been a female long enough. Maya gained hero status for her sneaking in food, Ritsuko was a freak, and Misato was a very scary woman when her pack was threatened. To be happy or terrified of that fact, Shinji still was in debate.
"You doing alright in there?" Ritsuko rapped on the door and actually opened it. Peaking in, just after Shinji had zipped up, she nodded and just let herself in. Scoffing at Misato's hanging unmentionables, she actually tugged on of Asuka's off and just dropped it with an eye roll. "That girl is trying way to hard to be adult, think she's trying to entice you, young man," she took the cup. "So, that wasn't so bad was it Shiki?" she put the cup in her bag.
"WHAT?" Shinji yelped and nearly fell over, stupid bird was hiding behind him. Watching without feeling, his limbs numb and cold, as Ritsuko sealed up his sample and kicked Asuka's panty to the side, they were a very thin strip of red silk that Shinji hated. They required hand-washing…and Asuka was above that.
Heading for the door, "What, Shinji-kun, a girl like Asuka doesn't dress the way she does out of random chance. She's on the make for somebody, and since she lives with you and flashes you this…or maybe she doesn't even consider you on her level. Well I better get back to Nerv to make sure Misato is working and not pushing this report around."
Following Ritsuko to the door, Shinji's heart was jackhammering, he had misheard her! That had to be it, after being called 'Shiki' for so many days it wasn't surprising. Opening the door as Ritsuko put her shoes on he finally got his breathing under control. "Tell Misato-san I'll have a nice supper ready for her. I owe her a lot for all of her effort over the last few days. She took it very seriously," he knew that first hand.
"Oh she just brooded and threatened without any real bite. Not her way to attack an innocent. But I'll tell her all the same. You get some food in you, you haven't eaten the right amount of calories for the last few days. And once you're back on the mend, I'll have some tests for you," oh her eyes were shining with hidden delight.
Closing the door after a muted goodbye, Shinji did NOT like that look on her face as she left. More tests? What the hell else could she need from him? Heading to the kitchen, Pen-Pen was there drinking a Yebisu. Stupid bird told him of the events at the apartment as Shinji cooked a big lunch. Asuka and Misato were at each other's throats, Misato's worried nights' sleep, and Asuka's decent into open clothing and Misato level flirtation. Several sandwiches, an apple, and two cans of soda later, Shinji wobbled over to the couch and turned the television on.
"So how DO you feel? I don't know what prolonged transformation would do to a person, let alone a guy," Pen-Pen hopped up to Shinji's side and cracked another can of Yebisu over.
Subconsciously his hand went to his crotch, just to make sure it was still there, Shinji shrugged, "I'm tired, very tired. It was harder and harder to keep the transformation up near the end. I don't know if it was the lack of food or terrible sleep, but I was nearly about to drop out of it when they got me out." Shinji owed a lot of people for this one, if what Rei said was true. She forced Maron and the Sailor Senshi to get him out…a lot of favors were needed.
"And you're going to get even less sleep today. If I were you I'd start power eating. Once those waitresses get over here they're going to want to check up on you and they'll be emotional," Pen-Pen clicked his tongue in his parody of a laugh. Oh hell, the bird had a point!
It was thinking of Akira and Karen's likely plans that got Shinji to realize where his hand was as it rose off his slacks. Bad, Shinji, bad don't think about such things! It wasn't a foregone conclusion they'd want to do anything other than just talk and see he was fine. Thoughts of those two helped keep Shinji calm during his incarceration. "I should call them, or at least text them, let them know I'm home…I should call work to," but not today. No calling Millers today, as the Manager might want him to come in today and that was just not happening.
"Well get some sleep regardless, either you service those two or you tend to that lovely blue-hair next door. She's going to want some sugar as a reward for her hard work, I should know," Pen-Pen hoped off the couch and out of Shinji's kick zone. Bird had to be able to read minds to avoid so many punches and kicks!
Putting his feet up on the couch, yawning loudly as he did, Shinji would have to talk to Rei about watching for Pen-Pen. He had no doubt the bird had spied on Rei, if he was telling the truth or not was something else. Grabbing his phone, he sent a quick message to Karen and Akira saying he was home, he was going to stay home, and he hoped they were good. The news was talking about a vigilante attacking other Magical Girl troops going by the name of Witchblade, oh he hoped he didn't have to fight anybody going by that name. He yawned again and the phone tumbled from his hand as sleep enshrouded him.
A ringing cellphone was what woke Shinji from his jumbled dreamless sleep, his arms flailed about wildly to grab it. Angel, accident, or food request whatever it was Shinji did NOT want to miss the call. "Hello, yes Ikari Shinji here?" wait who even called?
"Hey Shin-man! So Soryu wasn't telling lies and you ARE back? How did the training mission go?" Kensuke's energetic voice was a tonic for the soul. Positive and peppy, it calmed Shinji's initial fears of 'oh gods not something else!'
Falling back on the couch, phone to ear, Shinji was smiling as his eyes closed again, "Yeah I'm back. The training was cancelled. They couldn't get the equipment they needed." Misato was good at cover stories too, she had this one ready for him when he woke in the morning. They spoke of stupid school things, how Touji feel sleep in class, how Usagi and her group were actually worried about him, and just general friend talk. But Shinji could tell Kensuke was dancing around something, something big, "Ken, you sound like you're really excited about something, and I doubt it's my coming back to school tomorrow."
"I got in contact with the Knights Sabers!" Kensuke whispered over the phone. Shinji dropped his and it bounced on the couch cushion before he grabbed it again. He didn't WANT to hate those women, but oh was it hard not to! If it wasn't for them he'd not have spent the week with a positively frightening Misato. Either Kensuke didn't hear the phone fall or didn't care as he continued his gushing, "I back-hacked them and one of them contacted me! They might actually ask me to do some work for them! Can you believe it? I might get to meet one of them soon!"
Sitting up, the doorbell was ringing, Shinji shambled on sleepy legs towards the annoying chime, "That's…dangerous, Kensuke. Be careful if you do, alright. Don't go alone, could be a trap." Those mecha-women did like to spring attacks after all, and force Shinji to go to places he didn't want after saving the day! Rage, unbridled and unexpected bubbled up in the boy, so fast that it scared him.
"I was thinking about that, did you want to go with me? They wouldn't dare attack YOU, not if they wanted to keep living," Kensuke tried to make a point.
Opening the door, nestling the phone in the crook of his shoulder and ear, Shinji replied, "I don't know about that. But we can talk about this…this…" Shinji's heart took another turn, this time to swell with joy.
"Sorry, this matter cannot be put off any further. So unless it is Nerv business don't call back," Akira took the phone from Shinji and shut it. Tossing it over her shoulder to Karen, she dove at Shinji and lifted him off the ground as she hugged him. Peppering his face with tiny kisses, "You have a lot of explaining to do mister! You had us so worried!" Karen had shut the door and once Akira set him down she went for quality over quantity and laid a big fat one on the boy, agreeing fully with her sentiment.
He couldn't lie to them, at least not the official lie with the Katsuragi seal of approval on it. "I'm sorry, I missed both of you too," Shinji said after his head cleared up. Boy they could be quite amorous when they wanted, and…oh hell Akira had that look in her eye and was…was Karen feeling up his bum?
"Talk later, room now, you have to earn our forgiveness," Karen pushed the lad from behind using her handhold as the focal point. And oh boy did they make him work for it…insatiable, totally insatiable! But he loved every minute of it, it was safe, it was wonderful, and it was love. During it all they warned him not to do something stupid again, not to scare them, Akira claimed again and again that he was owned property now. They broke for supper, nobody was home, they ate till there belly's almost burst and then back at it. As the sun set, and their bodies grew tired, Akira went first after her eyes rolled up in climax and she collapsed as Shinji held her in his hands…he was getting much stronger in that regard, holding a leg up and balancing her as she mewled. But then it was Karen's turn.
And…oh boy did it smell in his room after they were done. Akira lay snoring and clad only in her stalkings clinging to his side as Karen climbed off him with a dreamlike bliss etched into her face, she took his other side. "Talk…later…sleep now," she murmured and nestled into his side, and they joined Akira in sleep.
In the morning they found his door open, but no Misato, a message on the phone saying she had to stay late and would sleep at Ritsuko's. Over breakfast, Shinji couldn't help but think they shut that door when they started…so who opened it? Likely Pen-Pen, but Asuka hadn't come to the table for food.
X-X
Notes
Since the last few chapters have been Karen/Akira heavy trying to lay off them a little and let other characters have time to shine. Adding some complexities and messing with some heads with this chapter to, trying to steer believably the next few plot points…lets hope that I do!
Later
Mercaba