Foreword: Um… Yeah. Chapter 10. No idea what to say here, so, ENJOY!
A VERY Special Thanks To: All of you. I'm glad you haven't forgotten about this, those of you who reviewed. And as always, I gotta give some credit to Draknal, the proofreader of this writing. I have to give some credit to a friend of mine, named Grant. I had to borrow something he said… I couldn't resist.
Asuka, hand clenched into a tight fist, as she stood outside of Shinji's room, scowled heavily. She did not need to put up with his crap, especially not with the killer headache she had. "Dummkopf!" the girl shouted, pounding on his door. However, even her powerful lungs were drowned out by the torrent of noise pouring forward from behind the door. But then again, Asuka had other ways of being heard.
The music stopped immediately, as the redhead flung open Shinji's door, and shrieked, "Quiet!"
Stammering uncontrollably, Shinji dropped his drumsticks. "I-I um… A-Asuka? A-Are you al-alright?"
Asuka folded her hands behind her back, and pretended to pout, dramatically saying, "I have a splitting headache, and all the noise isn't helping too much."
Scratching his shaggy hair, Kaworu winced, "Yeah… about that… it's sorta my fault, Asuka… I put him up to it." He quickly scrunched up his long black sleeves, letting his pale forearms show. "Sorry 'bout that…" Though he seemed to be completely placid on the outside, he was a whining, sniveling baby on the inside. Wouldn't you be, after getting a laptop over the head? 'Oh God… Please don't let her hurt me!'
"You two've been going at it for hours. Don't you think it's time for a break? If not for you, then for me?" Asuka placed her hand on her head, and gently massaged her temples, muttering, "What a day…"
Slinging his guitar over his shoulder, Kaworu glanced at the clock in Shinji's room. "Hey man… Look, it's gettin' pretty late, you know? I'd better be headin' on home. I really don't like stumblin' around in the pitch black to find my way home." The silver haired boy quickly shook Shinji's hand, and gave a tiny bow and a wave to Asuka, with a smirk on his face. "I'll get outta both of your hair, and just beat it."
Shinji quickly set the table with all the necessaries, including the unnecessary Pen-Pen. Hey, sometimes even penguins like to sit at tables. Turning at his hips, the Evangelion pilot looked at his friend, and quietly said, "Kaworu… um… you don't have to go… Why don't you stay for dinner? I had it cooking while we were busy. It wouldn't be any trouble for us."
Shrugging, his redheaded girlfriend simply sauntered over to one of the various cabinets in the kitchen, and began rummaging through it. "S'fine with me… as long as it's relatively quiet. That means no drums, no guitars, and no musical instruments." Seizing a bottle of aspirin, the slender girl made her way back towards the table.
As she approached, Shinji pulled out a chair for her, and seated his girlfriend. He offered a tiny smile, gently and covertly stroking her hair. The apologetic look in his eyes seemed to melt directly into Asuka's soul, as he sought forgiveness for providing the German with a splitting headache.
"If it's fine with you guys, I guess I can hang around a little longer. It's cool with that Misato bab- er… lady. Miss Misato, I meant." Kaworu received twin glares, both looking agitated. "What? At least I'm trying! I stopped myself, didn't I?" Asuka rolled her eyes, and Shinji simply chuckled a little bit. The guitarist muttered, "What? She's freakin' hot… What did ya expect me to say?"
Asuka stared carefully at the young man, noting the bandages around his neck. Still feeling somewhat guilty, she averted her eyes, and swallowed a few pills, calmly sipping at a glass of water. 'Why am I bitching about a headache? I hit Kaworu over the head with a laptop… If anybody, he should be complaining.' She sighed, as Shinji's finger continued to twirl a lock of hair around it, as his other digits served as a comb.
As Kaworu sat down, Shinji, resident man-slave, retrieved dinner, and prepared to serve his guest, and girlfriend. Kaworu glanced over at Pen-Pen and pet the penguin, murmuring, "You gotta be a saint to deal with this every day."
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Tired, bloodshot eyes stared wearily into the computer screen, and thin, pale fingers wildly dashed across the keyboard, typing row after row of text.
Misato entered the dimly lit office, almost dancing it seemed. "Oh, Ritsuko! I brought you some coffee."
"Misato, you only bring me something if you're having troubles with something…" Ritsuko accepted the Styrofoam cup, and set it down next to her computer, muttering, "I just hope it isn't trouble with guys again…"
Grinning devilishly, as always, Misato said, "Oh, it sure is. Shinji just can't please me any more, so now it's me, Shinji and Asu-"
"Stop, stop, STOP!" Ritsuko sipped at her coffee and groaned, "You have mental problems… You know that, right? Don't even joke about something like that… It's just, ugh…" The faux-blonde shivered at the disturbing thought, and said, "Now what's your real problem, Misato?"
"Shinji's friend, Ka-"
Slamming down her cup, Doctor Akagi, at this point flat out traumatized, shouted, "Misato! I told you to stop talking about that sort of thing!"
The dark haired woman simply chuckled, "I was actually being serious! The Commander ordered me to recruit this kid, and I just can't get a hold of him… Really irritating… He's supposed to be the Fifth Child."
"And you need my help… why?" Ritsuko continued blazing across the keyboard, as she continued to run through the MAGI systems, making sure that everything was in order.
"I don't. I just came here to bug you for a while." With a massive grin, Misato said, "It's a great stress reliever."
"Ugh, you're like a little kid… Speaking of little kids, don't you have a pair that you need to take care of? You don't want them getting frisky all over your furniture, do you?"
"Oh, no need to worry. Shinji's a responsible kid."
Raising one eyebrow, Doctor Akagi simply said, "Asuka's Asuka… She can persuade him. Quite easily, I might add."
Knowing exactly what she meant, and the kind of persuasive power women held, especially somebody like Asuka over somebody like Shinji, Misato called to Ritsuko as she was halfway out the door, "I uh… I gotta run. You understand, right? Just going to make sure that everything's alright at home…"
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Shinji watched Asuka visibly wince as the door slammed shut, and loud footsteps echoed through the hall. He could instantly tell that it was Misato, just because of the way she walked, and because he heard her red jacket hit the floor, like it did every other day. Like always, he'd have to pick it up, or else Misato would complain about not being able to find it in the morning.
"Shinji! Stop getting frisky with Asuka, and tell me where your friend is! I've been calling his place for over two damn hours, and can't get a hold of him. If I find out he's at home, and just not picking up the phone, I swear I'll kill that mother f-" Misato stopped dead in her tracks, and stared at the silver haired youth at the table, with a grin. Recovering as gracefully as possible, the woman offered a simple, "Uh… Hi, Kaworu."
The young man ran his eyes over her and shrugged, with the same elfin smirk plastered to his face. "I usually don't make house calls, but I'll make an exception." Winking, the young man fiddled with his shirt's collar.
"Ooh, so the little baby thinks he can play with the big kids, does he?" Misato knelt down next to him and whispered into his ear, "I don't think so." The playful seductress simply ruffled his already messed up hair, and sat down at the table, moving Pen-Pen into her lap.
Asuka simply shook her head, as she watched Shinji's friend and their guardian flirt shamelessly. 'This is insane… Misato's almost double his age! Ugh, that woman is so…'
Shinji sighed as he picked at his food. "Misato, I know how much you enjoy flirting with people my age, but if you don't eat soon, your food will get cold…"
"Aw, does poor, little Shinji feel left out? Would you like me to flirt with you instead?" Misato completely turned, so she was facing a very flustered Shinji, and put her hand over top of his.
Shinji immediately turned beet red and stammered, "M-Misato! Stop it!"
'Heheh… he goes so ballistic. It's so fun to jerk his chain like that.' Misato sat back in her chair and gently stroked Pen-Pen's head, as he rested in her lap.
Rolling her eyes, the redhead, voice dripping with sarcasm, crossly said, "What about me? I feel so left out, Misato. Please, please, flirt with me." Asuka picked up her glass of water and quietly sipped at it for a few moments.
"Ooh, don't tempt me like that, Asuka…" The older woman winked at the girl and made the most convincing pout possible. "Heheh, I might actually get serious with you." Misato scooted her chair closer to Asuka's, and threw an arm over her charge's shoulder. The Major rested her head on Asuka's other shoulder and made a gentle purring noise. "Oops… Looks like it's too late."
The German pilot, completely overwhelmed by Misato's actions, drew a blank. Sitting there, blushing heavily, Asuka sat and thought for a moment, trying to calm down. "S-Stop teasing me, Misato!"
"Aw, I'm sorry… Do you want the real thing?" The woman still had a devilish grin across her face as she terrorized her charges incessantly. She loved every bit of it. After all, you gotta find some way to unwind after a hard day at work.
A look of sheer horror spread across the young girl's face, as she immediately tried to get away from Misato. "What? N-No!" she screamed, clinging onto Shinji. "Shinji! Make her stop! She's creeping me out… and she's trying to put the moves on me!"
Though he held onto Asuka firmly, his voice was feeble as he weakly said, "Misato…"
Finally sated, Misato sat back down normally, with a grin. "It's so much fun to tease the both of you… Heheh… or was I just teasing?" The dark haired woman deliberately winked at Asuka.
Asuka immediately stood up and hid behind Shinji, dramatically saying, "Ew! We live with a lesbian pedophile! She's going to rape me in my sleep!"
Simultaneously, Shinji and Kaworu fainted, their heads smashing against the table.
Both women grinned deviously, and Asuka said, "They're so easy to get riled up… You're such a convincing actor, Misato."
Suppressing a smile, the older woman pretended to be completely ignorant of the issue, saying, "Actor? What to you mean? I was being serious."
"I know…" Asuka simply winked at her guardian and said, "Gimme a time and a place, and we can have ourselves a little party."
Misato stared at Asuka for a moment before falling over backwards, fainted.
Shaking her head, Asuka sighed, "I live with such amateurs… I guess age doesn't always bring experience. Heh… I love turning the tables on Misato like that…"
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
"You're so… Ugh." Shinji rubbed his temples, and shook his head. "How come both of you have to tease me so much?" Frowning, Shinji folded his arms across his chest, and stared at the television.
Kaworu chuckled and leaned in the door frame, saying, "You know it just means they like you, right? They ain't bein' mean about it, you know? S'just friendly banter."
Asuka quietly sat down next to him and propped herself on Shinji's shoulder, "He's right, you know…" She scooted closer and whispered, "I do it because I love you, Shinji… Just lighten up already, will you? I don't like it when my little Shinji turns into a rain cloud… So cheer up!"
Misato also seated herself next to the boy and grinned, ruffling his short brown hair. "Aw… he's still embarrassed. That's so cute."
"Misato, cut it out! I don't like seeing Shinji frown." Asuka jabbed an accusatory finger into her guardian's shoulder, and pulled closer to the young man.
Kaworu smiled and thought to himself, 'He really hit the jackpot… Those two really care about him… not to mention being completely smoking.' Glancing at the clock, the young musician sighed, "Oh damn it… I gotta be runnin' along now. You know how it is… I should probably get outta here. I'm sorta worn out after today."
"Nonsense! Why don't you just stay the night?" Misato glanced at Shinji, and noticed the surprised look on his face, quickly adding, "I-If that's alright with Shinji, that is."
Snapping out of his despondent mood, the pilot of Unit-01 replied, "O-Of course. Why don't you stay tonight, Kaworu? It is a Friday, so…"
"I ain't gettin' outta this, am I?"
"No. Not really…" Asuka replied, staring intently at her fingernails. "For being such a "ladies' man" you really aren't comfortable staying at another person's home, are you?"
Scratching at his silvery locks, he shrugged, saying, "I've… never stayed at another person's place before…"
Everyone but Shinji looked at him like an alien, and Asuka gaped, "Never?"
"I-It's not that uncommon… I mean… I haven't either…" Shinji shifted uncomfortably as Misato and Asuka shook their heads, wondering how such a travesty could have occurred.
Amidst the awkward silence, a tiny beeping rang out, and the sound of machinery vibrating against skin was audible. Immediately, the silver haired youth yanked a cellular phone out of his pocket, and flipped it open. "What." It definitely didn't sound like a question. Apparently, Kaworu was less than enthusiastic to be receiving a call. Looking back to the trio on the couch, he said, "Sorry, I gotta take this," and walked out the front door, and into the warm night.
Kaworu leaned against the wall, and growled into his phone, "Why the hell are you calling me? You'd think that I made it clear. I don't want any of you assholes mixin' it up with my business."
"SEELE is most displeased with your tone of voice. We do not appreciate the delay in your actions."
Rolling his eyes, Kaworu snapped back, voice dripping with sarcasm, "Oh… I'm terribly sorry. I'll get right on that."
"Do not patronize this committee. You are to follow our orders, and proceed as planned."
"Yes, ma'am!" The young man stifled a full bout of laughter, as he imagined the faces of the whole committee, as he said his last remark.
"We can, and will not hesitate to compromise your true identity. With our resources, it is not out of the question to eliminate those that you regard as "friends". You are disposable to us, and irrelevant. We simply continue to use you, because of convenience's sake. You will proceed with the plan… Did I hear you address me as "ma'am"?"
Slumping to the ground, Kaworu, thoroughly shocked, simply said, "Uh… No. I… I said 'Yes, man'… I'll… proceed with the plan… very soon…"
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Kaworu sat with a blank expression on his face as he stared into space, not focusing on the movie that was on.
Everybody could see that something was wrong. Ever since he took that phone call, he had been withdrawn, quiet and reserved. He was pretty much generally un-Kaworu-ish.
Even as the credits began flashing on the screen, and the lights came back on, the young man still stared, not focused on anything. After a few tries, Misato finally brought him out of his mental seclusion. "Kaworu, I need to talk to you about some things…"
The boy faintly nodded, and rubbed at his eyes, trying to regain something of a semblance of his former self. "Depends on your definition of 'talk', heheh…"
"Look… I know that you're living alone here. I'm sure that you know of Shinji and Asuka's jobs, right? Well… I've been informed that- God… I hate talking like this so I'm gonna spit it out. NERV wants you to be the Fifth Child. I know it sorta seems random, but trying to diplomatically work it in is a pain in my ass, and I'd rather just flat out say it." Misato stared at him with determined eyes, completely shifting her demeanor from her lackadaisical attitude to strict business.
"Well, how're you gonna convince me?" With a wink, Kaworu grinned devilishly, "Got something special in mind?"
"Commander Ikari suggested pointing a gun at you, but I think we can solve this problem without that…" The woman slid a portfolio folder towards him, and said, "Just sign on the dotted line, if you're game."
Both Shinji and Asuka looked on in mild amazement, as the young man scribbled a signature down. The Third Child whispered, "Damn you… Father…"
Grinning widely, Misato shook his hand eagerly and cried, "Welcome to the team! You'll get your super fancy decoder ring in the mail in three to five weeks! This calls for a beer!"
Asuka darkly remarked, with the dry biting humor attributed to her in full force, "Misato, everything calls for a beer."
Misato and Asuka proceeded to get into an argument filled with sarcastic comments and biting retorts, as Shinji relocated to the seat next to Kaworu. "You know… You don't have to do this, Kaworu…"
"Yeah. I know." Seeming completely apathetic, he leaned back and relaxed among the pillows of the couch. "But right now, it just doesn't matter… Besides, I'll get to help you out, right? And what more would the girls want in a guy? Man, I was like Apollo before this, but now, I'm just going to be a flat out Adonis. Hordes of women will get in line to get a glance at me."
Though he laughed jovially, Shinji saw that it was a hollow laugh. Something was really bothering Kaworu… and to do that, it must be incredibly monumental.
Through the playful bickering of Asuka and Misato, Kaworu frowned on the inside. 'I have to do this… If I don't, all of you… each one of you will be in your graves… At least… you'll still be alive for…' He left the thought incomplete, still clinging onto the hope that his tribulations would pass him by.
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Asuka's eyes quickly opened, sensing that something was out of place. Disentangling herself from Shinji's firm embrace, she rose from the couch, and looked to the other couch, instantly noting the lack of a body.
A silhouette of a person seeped into the room, due to the soft moonlight pouring in from the balcony. Standing in utter silence, Kaworu was slumped over the railing, hands folded in front of him, and face pointed towards the ground. The night was warm, and he was dressed in a simple pair of black pants, as he had been trying to sleep for a while, obviously, to no avail.
Quietly, Asuka slid open the door, and stepped out, feeling the cool tiles against her bare feet. She stood silently next to the young man, seeing how his eyes were shut tightly, as he remained in place. "Couldn't sleep?"
Kaworu changed his position, erecting himself to his full height, and staring into the radiant moon. "Something like that…"
A few uncomfortable moments of silence passed between the two, as even the night seemed to hold its breath.
Completely transfixed on the moon, Kaworu remained still, even as Asuka cocked her head to the left, so that she could look at him. Something had changed about him… There was something that just seemed so… off. As the redhead stared, she thought she saw a few droplets of glistening liquid in his eyes, but simply wrote it off to the moonlight.
"Have… you ever had that… feeling?"
Asuka chuckled nervously, attempting to dispel the depressing mood dampening her spirits. "What feeling? I have a few, you know…"
"The feeling where… everything's so bad that it makes you want to vomit… Life's blowing up in your face. You're forced to make a decision… when there wasn't ever a choice." Kaworu still remained perfectly still, not turning his head, but simply stared directly at the celestial body in the sky.
"Yes," Asuka replied, barely above a whisper, "I… have… Why do you want to know?"
Shaking his head, he somberly murmured, "I've been havin' that feeling all night…"
"Um… If you don't mind me asking… Why?" The redhead pulled the robe around her body more closely, and inquisitively stared at the young man.
"It's… personal… Extremely personal… I just… It's overwhelming… There's no way I can deal with it. Both choices suck. I'm royally screwed both ways… It's like a choice between… being shot in the front or the back… Either way, you're still going to die." Letting out an exasperated sigh, Kaworu turned and flung himself into a chair out on the balcony, burying his face in his hands.
Asuka stood still for a moment, before saying, "If you're feeling overwhelmed… it helps to just talk to somebody… Never thought I'd be playing counselor… But… I know that you can always count on me and Shinji. I may not seem like the nicest person, but I… I just know the feeling enough that… I just might be able to help…"
"Thanks for dealing with me… I… I appreciate this, Asuka. I don't know what I'd have done if I didn't have anyone to talk to…" He stood up and faced the girl, closing the distance between the two of them. For a moment, he held out both arms, as if expecting a hug, before awkwardly dropping one arm, and extending the other, deciding that a handshake would be more appropriate.
As the girl shook his hand, she stared straight into his red irises, seeing the acute sadness and confusion laced within them. "Are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah…" Kaworu turned back towards the moon, and stared, before finishing his sentence. "I'm just going to stay out here for a little while longer… Sort some things out."
The German girl turned away and opened the door again, preparing to enter back into the apartment. Standing on the threshold, Asuka quietly said, "It's… It's not wrong to cry, Kaworu…"
As he heard the door close, Kaworu slumped to his knees, tears freely flowing. "This… isn't easy to admit… I just don't think I'm believing it…"
Remaining in the pale moonlight, the young man spoke up, to nobody in general, as though spreading his innermost thoughts before the eyes of God. "I'm afraid this time."
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Shinji awoke to the sight of Asuka's vibrant blue eyes staring directly into his own. Before he could react, the girl kissed him gently on the lips, whispering, "Good morning, Shinji."
"I… I love you, Asuka." Shinji's face flushed scarlet, and he hugged the girl, before sitting up on the couch. His eyes rested on Kaworu, who was sprawled across his couch, eyes closed. The only sign of life from the young man was the gentle rising and falling of his chest. "Asuka… I think there's something wrong with him."
"There is." The girl shifted her position, and tucked her leg underneath her body, and let the other drop to the floor. "Something's definitely affecting him. He was really acting differently yesterday."
"I think it might be the… Evas… I know I was scared, when I became a pilot… Maybe that's it…" Shinji stood up, and headed down the hallway, making a right, into the bathroom. The quiet pattering of the shower sputtered to life after a few moments.
Letting out a large yawn, Asuka got herself up and entered her own room, thinking to herself, 'Yeah… Maybe… but he was really bugged by something… I guess we'll just see how he is today…'
Left alone in the family room, Kaworu shot up like a bullet, dripping with sweat. He wiped his brow, and covered his face with one hand, the other steadying his body. He could feel his arms and legs quiver, and his abs contract as he shivered, despite the warm room. He quickly wiped himself dry with his discarded shirt and breathed deeply, attempting to calm his nerves.
Standing on unsteady legs, he walked like a zombie down the hall. He heard the shower stop, and saw Shinji exit, covered by a towel. "Mornin', dude. You done in there?" Kaworu motioned to the bathroom, and leaned on the door frame.
Shinji was distracted by the appearance of the young man, noting the tired look on his face, and a few beads of sweat that hadn't been wiped away. "Yeah… Are… Are you alright, Kaworu?"
"No prob, man. I'm just tired still. Shower'll wake me right up." Flashing him a grin, the silver haired boy slipped into the bathroom, and quickly disrobed, stepping into the shower. Though he seemed incredibly skinny, Kaworu was actually built like a rock, head to toe of sinewy muscle. With a flick of the wrist, he turned on the faucet.
"Son of a bitch! What the hell kind of shower is this?! Do you people bathe in acid?! I think my skin's burning off!" Fumbling with the knob, he turned down the heat on the shower, until it was a comfortable level. "Christ… Water should not get that hot."
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
"Dude, if I was gay, and Asuka didn't already take you, I would literally love you." Kaworu continued shoveling food into his mouth, as Shinji had prepared a massive breakfast for everybody at the table.
Giggling, Misato said, "What? You're not gay?"
"If I'm gay, then you're a lesbian." Kaworu grinned toothily, and continued his assault on his food, taking in as much as possible. Apparently somebody never eats breakfast.
"Hey! There's nothing wrong with being a lesbian."
The young man burst into laughter, firing back with, "Heh, yeah, but you'd be like one of those Russian bull dykes, with the gigantic muscles. You know, they lift cars for fun. Your voice would probably be real low, and you'd be able to grow a full beard. That's the sort of lesbian you'd be."
Cringing, Misato resigned her argument, saying, "Ugh… after that dyke comment… Okay, you're not gay, and I'm not a lesbian."
Clearing her throat, Asuka said, "I'd really appreciate it if you guys didn't talk about that sort of thing while I'm eating… I don't particularly feel like vomiting all over you."
Misato smirked deviously, saying, "What? You wouldn't like to think about manly women and lesbians? I'm sure that the MAGI could give you a detailed history of le-"
"You know, the beginning of shut the hell up reminds me of…" Asuka paused for a moment, pretending to think really hard, before shouting, "Shut the hell up!"
"I didn't raise you to speak like that, young lady!" Misato chided, wagging a finger at the redhead, like a disappointed mother.
"Heheh… I smell a catfight coming on." Kaworu sat back and waited for the explosion from Asuka.
Shinji, due to months of training, played the perfect part of diplomat, handing Misato another beer, saying, "Need a refill, Misato?"
Their guardian, easily distracted, completely forgot about her previous comments, and instead focused on her alcoholic drink.
Kaworu pushed his empty plate towards the middle of the table, and stood up. "I should get outta here. I have to go see somebody today. I promised I would, and I do not break my promises." The boy gathered his things together, slung his guitar over his shoulder, and bowed slightly to the trio of the Katsuragi residence. "Thanks for dealin' with me for longer than you had to… And thanks for the food. I appreciate it, Shinji."
Everyone said their goodbyes to the young man, and returned to eating their own breakfast, however Kaworu still stood there, staring at Asuka, his eyes bearing holes into the top of her head.
As the girl looked up, she saw him slowly nod at her, and mouth the words, "Thank you…"
The German pilot also nodded, recognizing the importance of his words, and returned to eating, as the young man left the apartment.
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Pale fingers nimbly flitted through the pages of a thick book, as scarlet irises followed along with the text. Every few seconds, the fair skinned girl would steal a glance towards the door, as if expecting a visitor.
As the door swung open, Kaworu sauntered in, dressed in a new set of clothes and looking fully refreshed after being at the Katsuragi apartment. Still, the bandages around his neck remained, staying firmly in place.
"I see that your wounds are healing. That is acceptable."
"Yep, sure are… but damn… Those guys didn't have to go and tranquilize me." The young man plopped down in the single chair near her bedside, and looked at her carefully. The more he looked, the more he contemplated what he had to do. 'I have to do what SEELE says… I couldn't live with myself if they went and- No… I just have to do what they say. At least everybody will be safe then…' And for a moment, a twang of sadness swirled within his eyes, like a vortex of lightning.
Rei's piercing red eyes locked with Kaworu's as she stared directly into his soul. Deep within, she knew that something was perturbing him. It was as though she could just sense it, rather than anything else. "There is something wrong. What is it?"
"It's… nothin'. Don't worry about it, m'kay?" Kaworu scooted the chair closer and smiled at the bedridden pilot, saying, "So how've you been, Snow?"
(-(-(-(-.-)-)-)-)
Chairman Keel sat at his desk, calmly speaking into a tiny microphone. "I do not believe we can fully trust the boy... Perhaps we should ensure that things go according to The Scenario."
The man turned off the microphone and sat in silent contemplation. 'The success of the Seventeenth is irrelevant… Either way, SEELE will engineer Third Impact.'
Author's Notes: There's one more I can tack up to the chalk board. We're getting pretty close to the end, ladies and gentlemen. We'll see how it goes from here.
Outtakes
-
Comeback
Both Shinji and Asuka stared on in amazement at their guardian. She was towering over them like a mountain, muscles bulging.
"Misato… You look like… You look like-"
"Like a transvestite of Arnold Schwarzenegger, with purple hair and a beard."
"A-Asuka's right, Arno- er, Misato."
The older woman smirked and said, "Well, Kaworu said I'd look like this if I was a lesbian, right? Well, Asuka… How about it? Want to-" Before she could finish, both of her charges completely fainted, scared for their lives.
Pulling out a piece of paper, Misato marked off another tally under her name, totaling her at twenty-six, while Asuka was at thirty-four. "Heheh… I smell a comeback."
Hitbird
Kaworu grinned as he listened to the bloodcurdling screams of the chairmen of SEELE. Every now and then, he'd catch a squawking sound in there, but mainly, the screams drowned it out.
Chairman Keel's voice rang out in the background, "Wh-Whatever he paid you, I'll double it! T-Triple it! Q-Qua-"
The voice was cut short by a metallic slicing noise, like a razor shaving hair off of a chin.
"I guess he really was worth the money I paid… heheh."