Standard Disclaimer
Summer is getting away from me! The pool is a lil slimy and the weather is rainy so no swimming. My Call of Cthulhu game is on hiatus cause the players are jerks. And the Hastume Miku game is hard as balls!
X-X
With Nothing Else
Chapter – 11
Walking into Rei's apartment, Asuka cradled her phone between her head and shoulder. "I'm just getting ready now. Hikari and I are going shopping while you two spring this little trap of yours," Asuka didn't bother taking her shoes off. That odd cultural thing bugged Asuka, why take your shoes off if you were going to go out again so soon. Chidori was being a bit proactive today, and Asuka for one was happy about it. Heading into her new closet, Asuka searched through her clothing, "Shinji took off with Kensuke about an hour ago, Chidori, Misato got him to agree to it."
"How could that Katsuragi woman get him to do anything when you couldn't?" Chidori's voice crackled over the line. Their connection wasn't the greatest and Chidori's phone was an older model.
Sliding open the actual closet, Asuka looked for the perfect causal dress to watch. A day of walking and talking with Hikari didn't need anything fancy. It would stink to lose Rei's apartment, maybe Misato could be convinced to let her move in. No reason to let the apartment go to waste, and it wasn't like Rei was coming back. Finding a nice dress, Asuka took it off the hanger and threw it on the bed, "She can get Shinji to do anything. She's basically a sister to him, all she has to do is say it and he'll do it. Sakura should be happy she has the power over him, or he'd just stay in the apartment." Poor dope would sit and wait for Ayanami, loyalty was good but Shinji deserved better than that.
The sound of the phone moving around, a can of something opening, and for a moment emptiness crested Asuka's ears. "Well I guess that's fine. From what I saw of that woman she's something else. I've told Kensuke to insist on a movie so we'll be meeting them there. I couldn't get one of my would be suitors to come so I'll have to suffer Ken. Well I better get dressed for this little date. Hoping to get both of our little lovebirds to the karaoke bar, one of the guys there is an ex of mine, going to get them nice and tanked," Chidori's master plan was laid bare.
"A little underhanded, but you better be careful. That idiot knows more about alcohol than you'd think. He makes drinks for frau-Katsuragi all the time. But wish Sakura luck for me, girl needs all the help she can get. Later," Asuka flipped her phone after Chidori replied. Tossing the device over to the bed too, Asuka pulled off her top and just stood there for a moment. The chill of the A/C hit her hard, Rei must have kept the damn thing on sub-freezing, so she rubbed her arms to warm them up. Finding herself gazing at the mirror she hung up, Asuka just looked at herself. Softly, "Is this right though? Sakura isn't much different than Ayanami. Shinji should be with somebody…" She didn't know.
Putting her selected top on, Asuka couldn't shake the suspicion she was making a mistake. Rei was a freak, no doubt, and Shinji would be better off with anybody else. Hell anybody WAS better for him, but Sakura was a little off herself. Girl was so fixated and doting on the idea of Shinji, but why had the girl spurned him in the first place? Was it really a threat from Ayanami or was the girl just a coward? Pulling her hair out from under the dress, Asuka's breath caught in her throat, she wasn't alone! In the mirror she saw a reflection that should be impossible.
"What are you doing here?" Rei asked from her position in the doorway to the bedroom. Rubbing sleep out of her eyes, clad in nothing the skin she was born in, Rei showed no real concern about it. Taking several steps over Asuka's discarded clothing, Rei picked up the phone and slowly turned to Asuka. "Your conversation, who was it with," Rei clenched her fist over the plastic device.
Why was she suddenly afraid, it didn't make sense? Rei couldn't hurt her, Asuka knew she was a stronger woman and a better fighter. "Shouldn't I be asking YOU that? Misato said you were to be detained on base for the foreseeable future. And you know I've kept my clothing here," Asuka spouted off with as much conviction as she could. Misato had been so firm that Rei was being kept on base for evaluation. Shinji was devastated by that little fact, and yet…Rei was here? How was that possible?
Flipping open Asuka's phone, Rei's fingers danced over the keys and her eyes hardened. "Nagato, expected. You spoke of plans revolving Tachibana and my Shinji. Elaborate," Rei handed the phone back over. Leaving the room, Asuka following at a safe distance, Rei grabbed her own waiting clothing and dressed. Rolling her socks up, Rei steadily gazed up at Asuka accusingly, "Tell me everything that has been happening since the last angel."
"I don't have to tell you anything. Did you break out of the base or something?" Asuka kept the door between them. The phone in her hand felt heavy and her mind danced over options and responsibility. Call Misato, call Shinji, call anybody to inform them that Rei was out and about. Something had to be wrong for Misato to say Rei was to be incarcerated cause she was going nuts and then a few days later the freak was out again. Tossing the phone in her hand like a stone, Asuka weighted the option of just running out.
Moving with speed that left Asuka stunned and falling back against the wall, Rei was walking past her towards the kitchen. "Vice-Commander Fuyutski released me last night. If you have any issues speak to him about it. Now you will tell me about Shinji and your plans to separate us from one another," Rei pulled out some nearly expired food. The milk had a strange film on it, the bread had a slight discoloration to it, but Rei made a sandwich regardless.
"He did?" Asuka half hid behind the doorframe, she hadn't expected that. Since Rei was as skilled of a liar as Shinji was, Asuka slid her phone into her skirt pocket. Watching Rei eat her disgusting food, she contemplated saying something but didn't. More proof something was wrong with that girl's head, eating nasty stuff like that. "As for Shinji, well since Misato told us that you were going to be kept on base indefinably, he's been depressed. So I thought it would be nice to get him with…" wait why even bother telling Rei this? She'd act on it, she'd try and stop Sakura and Chidori, Asuka didn't want that.
Making a mess on the table, no plate for her, Rei ate quickly and spoke through her chews, "Of course he would be. We are lovers." Rei nodded at some hidden and unspoken thought. Taking a deep drink of her milk, her nose scrunched up at the likely noxious flavor, yet she choked it down. With a dribble of yellowish milk going down her chin, "Where were they headed? I'll go to him and inform him of my release. Or you can give me your phone so I may call."
"He left his phone behind, lost it after he went on a run after Misato told him about things," Asuka lied. Of course Shinji had his phone, good little boy as he was wouldn't go against Misato's orders. But with one call ruining Chidori's plans, Sakura's hopes, and maybe shattering Rei's iron clad hold over Shinji was worth a little white lie. "You'll just have to wait for him to come home before you can see the damage you did to him. Coming and going however you please, your broken head causing problems for everybody. It would have been best if Fuyutski just kept you in confinement like Misato said," Asuka took a few steps back.
Watching Asuka move, Rei continued to dine on her late breakfast. "So Katsuragi was opposed to my release, interesting. As for Shinji, if he is with Aida-kun as you mentioned, his options are light. I will find him," Rei stood and dusted the crumbs off her uniform onto the ground. Walking past Asuka again, the girl gave the German no attention, to focused on what plans she was making. Rei just picked up a satchel and started to load it with various articles.
"You really are off your gourd, the Vice-Commander was wrong to let you go," Asuka backed out of the apartment. A chill took a powerful hold on her, her legs didn't work as effortlessly as normal, her heart thumped and ached, but she continued to flee. It wasn't natural. Fleeing down the stairs, her purse bouncing as she ran, Asuka was to prideful to stare insanity in the face. That intensity she saw in Rei's face, her total disregard for health and others, Asuka had to think Fuyutski made a big mistake. Calling Misato, just in case, "Misato, did you know Ayanami was let go?"
The clatter of phone on ground, painful to hear, Misato gushed out quickly, "Well hello to you too Asuka. And what are you talking about with that shit, the commander himself said she was to be kept under watch. Now what do you really need, the commanders have both left for some odd arctic expedition and left us all holding the bag." Misato's vexed tones still held an oddly musical quality and inherent energy conflicted with the anger she tried to convey.
"I'm telling you the truth, I just saw her at her apartment! She was drinking spoiled milk and plotting like some shut in to hunt Shinji down. Girl is nutty as a fruitcake and she said the Vice-Commander let her out," Asuka stole a look at Rei's apartment as she waited for the light to change. Totally expecting to see the albino standing in the window masturbating or something equally freaky, "How else could she have gotten out?"
Misato's breathing was timed and orderly until she barked out loudly, "What the fuck is this? Asuka, he did! I'm looking at the security footage of her room from last night, he just opened the door and let her out. Look I have to check this out, thanks for the update." And just like that Misato hung up without another moment or even a goodbye.
"Bitch, doesn't believe me at first and then just hangs up like it was nothing," Asuka glared at her phone for a moment. Slipping it away again, Asuka hustled across the street towards Hikari's. Other people thankfully got out of her way, not bothering her and her goals for the day. Already soured with the strangeness at Rei's, Asuka debated a change of plans. Maybe she should go to the movies and the little impromptu date as well. Grab some smuck off the street that would easily pay for her, just to keep an eye on things. "Maybe I should call one of them and warn them," but say what? Not much Asuka could say really other than 'Rei is out and about'. If they knew, Shinji might learn, and if he did it would ruin the whole thing.
Standing outside of Hikari's, Asuka would let fate decide for them. Misato knew now, so if Rei was a threat then Section-2 would grab her and bring her in. Rei wouldn't be able to find anybody, so if things went well Shinji and that rich big breasted girl would hit it off. "If things go well, that freak will be back at the GeoFront and he'll never even know," Asuka rang the button and kicked her shoe on harder.
"Who is it this time," Kodama came across as annoyed and tired.
Never really liking Hikari's older sister, girl just had a natural beauty that made Asuka seethe and Hikari jealous. "It's Asuka, buzz me in, Hikari and I have plans today," another damn annoyance for Asuka today. Shinji off on a date with that waif…was that enough karmic repayment for all he'd done for her? What else could she do though, Asuka's heart belonged to Kaji so she couldn't take Rei's place. Asuka didn't WANT to take the freaks place, she enjoyed the relationship she had with Shinji. Hitting the buzzer again as the door remained locked, "Kodama open the door now, its hot out here and I want in."
The lock unlatched and Asuka flung it open. Stupid older girl, just because she was in high school didn't make the girl better than anybody. Jogging up the stairs of the modest apartment building, Asuka found her appreciation for her own building rise each time she saw that tacky carpet and cream colored walls. Trying the Hokari door, it was unlocked, Asuka let herself in and at least took her shoes off here, "Hikari you ready to go?"
"She's still getting dressed, Soryu," Kodama called from the couch. A full accompaniment of shoes from three girls and one tired father, a coatrack full to bursting with rain slickers and light coats, and a tacky and overloaded dining room greeted Asuka. Just another day in the Hokari apartment, full with hand-me-downs, thrift store furniture, and packed floor to ceiling with the essentials for three girls, one grade schooler, one junior high, and a high schooler, and one tired father needed to live. "Going to drag her around all day, or you staying in. My boyfriend is coming over so let me know so I know if we have to leave," Kodama laid on the couch sprawled out to maximum enjoyment.
Seeing Nozomi peeking out of her room only to slam it shut, Asuka rolled her eyes. While she could get along with the older girl on occasion, Hikari's younger sister was just a true terror. "We're going to go out, so you can let that pig you date paw at you in the comfort of your room," Asuka batted at Kodama's legs. The girl lifted her legs up long enough for Asuka to sit down and set them back on her lap. Growling at being used as a footrest, "He still claiming to be a musician?"
"He gave up claiming that after I asked him to play for me. Going to break it off with him soon anyway," Kodama scratched at her belly. Twisting to lay on her side, grinding her heels into Asuka's legs a little, she nuzzled her head into the couch pillow and yawned. "Good in the sack but can't carry a conversation with a damn. So what about that Ikari boy, he any good? Hikari said he's easy on the eyes, smart from how you talk about him, and he pilots so he's got some balls. He got a good piece on him?" Kodama asked knowing full well Asuka didn't know. Bitch was just goading her is all.
Well two could play at that game, Asuka smirked and pinched Kodama's ankle. "Well he's bigger than your musician and knows how to use it," Asuka saw Kodama fall off the couch and laughed. Holding her hand out as best she could to estimate Shinji's size, "This is his, what was your boyfriend's again?" Just because she knew the size of it, didn't mean she had intimate knowledge of it. But Kodama didn't know that. Put Kazuma to shame, odd how Shinji was quite the tiger despite his personality.
"Hikari! You bring that Ikari boy over here some evening! I want to meet him, make up some lie about school or something," Kodama yelled out and winked at Asuka. Getting back on the couch, the bigger girl tossed a pillow at the intruder. Exasperated, "Virgin like you couldn't handle a man like that. I could, I could appreciate it, but then again maybe I should let him break that prude of a sister in. Keep her away from that pig Suzuhara."
Asuka just rolled her eyes and waited for Hikari. Kodama was just joking she did that way to much. Kodama was open about sexuality, but she wasn't easy, part of why Asuka could get along with the girl in small doses. After another ten minutes of talking, a blushing Hikari rushed into the room demanding what Kodama meant, then both Asuka and Kodama laughed at the poor girl. Few minutes later the two went back out to the streets to do a little window shopping, Asuka forgetting about all her trouble. The possible rumors of her, Rei's appearance, and her goal to reward her friend for all he'd done.
X-X
Sitting in the bowels of Nerv, one of the labs a scarce few knew about, Ritsuko hung over the body of her current project. The body, blue haired and showing the effects of cold on the body, Ritsuko attached pads of electrodes all over it. She didn't have much time, Gendo would want this clone up and ready to go as soon as possible. Yet something was wrong, at least she thought something was amiss. From the notes her mother left about the first clone, and Fuyutski's notes about the second, this wasn't what she expected.
"Maybe I should get her a gown or a blanket or something, little jealous," Ritsuko mocked the unconscious body. Was it really unconscious without a conscious? Oh the wonderful hypothetical and philosophical questions this body represented. Was it alive or just existing right now? Heart was beating, brainwaves wavering in odd inhuman patterns, yet the girl wasn't responsive to anything Ritsuko tried. Laughing as she affixed another plastic pad over one of the bodies pick hard nubs, "Maybe I should bring Shinji-kun down here, see if…if…"
The clone's eyes opened with a flourish and batted her eyelashes. A small tittering laugh filled the small lab with a whimsical and dare Ritsuko think beautiful sound. Itself, the room was just a metallic white room, a green plush lab table, and a computer system hanging off the wall. So when that laugh emanated out of the girl, it only had the hum of the computer to contend with. She laughed for a whole three seconds and then her eyes closed again as if she never had acted at all.
"S-Shinji-kun," Ritsuko tried again to try getting another response, nothing. Feeling a bit sick, memories of what people said about Gendo, Ritsuko put her hand to the clone's chest again. Maybe it was that stimulation that got the laugh. A few moments of massaging, her shame grew, yet the clone didn't react. "Maybe a freak of nature, well besides the obvious," Ritsuko laughed at her own joke. This whole thing spit in the eye of nature. A clone of a woman and angel, being created to replace a girl a man wanted total control over. Jealous, part of Ritsuko did feel jealous. Gendo needed total control over this girl, and that was the real reason Rei was going to be replaced.
Hooking up the IV stand, Ritsuko put a small helmet around the girl's head. "What would happen if I woke you up before Rei was dealt with?" Ritsuko wondered. The documents stated that the clone only had one soul that was moved from body to body, but was that true? She couldn't refute that the soul existed, the Evangelions were proof of that. Yui, Kyoko, and whoever was in Unit-00 were forever bound to those beasts. Hand hovering over the start button, her scientific curiosity was peeking, "Maybe I should just try. If something goes wrong I can just get another body." Wasn't like they didn't have enough.
When Ritsuko's phone rang, her fingers were still dangling precariously over the button that would awaken the newest clone. Jerking her hand to her chest, a sense of childlike fear of being caught rippled through her. "Being stupid, he'd be upset if I wasted a body on my own curiosity," and Ritsuko knew not to offend him. Gendo…he was willing to kill Rei for something so slight, would this curiosity have her replaced. "I think…I might have been mistaken," she pulled the phone out and her head hung low. Love made monsters of people, and Ritsuko felt like a genuine Frankenstein. Flipping her phone open, "What is it Misato, little busy."
"Ayanami's been let go. Vice-Commander Fuyutski let her go sometime last night," Misato went straight to the point. Her voice went soft as she barked out a few orders to somebody that went unnamed. A door slammed and an angry Misato continued, "After telling Shinji-kun she wasn't being released, he goes and does this? What about our reports? What about what we told by the Commander? Hell what does this even mean?"
The phone slipped out of her hand and only an unexpected act of dexterity had her catch it before it hit the ground. A side-effect of her catching the phone, aside her stunned expression, was she face planted right into the clone's stomach. Damn she hated touching these things when they were like this. They were cold and clammy, felt unnatural. Putting the phone back to her ear, "Why would he do that? Commander Ikari was firm that she be kept under observation," Ritsuko balked. How could Rei be replaced if she was wandering around on her own? She'd fail to honor Gendo's wish, what would…what would that mean for her?
"Let's not talk about this over the phone. I'm in your lab, can you come over here?" Misato came off exasperated. A hint of accusation bordering on teasing, even now that woman could joke, "Why aren't you here right now anyway? I had to chase Maya out, expected you to be here."
Rubbing the phantom sensation of the clone's skin off, Ritsuko was cold and numb. "Sure, Misato, I'll be right up. I…needed a walk to clear my head be right there," her tongue was think and unresponsive. Dropping the phone on the clone's taught body, its young bust rippled, Ritsuko shambled out of the lab and to the elevator. How could Fuyutski have done this to her!? The replacement was going to be hard enough with Rei under observation, now with the slightly bent girl walking off free it'd be terrible.
"I can still fix this, I can still…still…" Ritsuko paced in the elevator cab restlessly. Why was she feeling fear of her life and not fear of losing his love though? Gripping her lab coat, pulling it closer against her body trying to catch some of the heat she was losing, Ritsuko pitched forward and braced her arm against the wall and rested her head on it. "Because…I know he doesn't," she swallowed hard, nearly choking on her own breath. Oddly enough tears started to bite hard at her eyes, threatening to run off and mar her marginal makeup. She had wanted to look good for Gendo, in case they had lunch, yet now it would be a mess.
Taking three staggering and massive breaths she fought back against her sentimentality forcing it to submit to her demanding need for stability. Brushing her cheek with the backside of her hand, she was thankful for not seeing any smears or moisture. A few of the staffers nodded or saluted her as she passed, testament to her rank if nothing else, she hustled into her lab and the waiting Misato. Pleading mentally that her exterior didn't show her interior, "What did you need Misato? Can't you ask Fuyutski why he let her out instead of asking me about it?" She wanted to be alone now, alone with a bottle of rum. Alone or with somebody that actually cared.
"Didn't you get the email Ritsuko? Both commanders are gone! They left this morning on some stupid arctic trip! Typical if you ask me. Cause a big stink and then fucking run off leaving us holding the bag!" Misato kicked a trash bin and dented it to uselessness. Looking down as gauze and tissues flooded over her feet, she bashfully started putting the refuse back into the crumpled bin. One big nose-sigh later, "Sorry, just frustrated. Doing this to both of those kids is just cruel. How long until they put Rei back in seclusion, how will they take that?"
Gone, the commanders were gone to get the lance? Ritsuko felt gooseflesh break out on her arms. They would need the new clone up and running when they got back then! Who else could use the lance, be trusted with that knowledge of the weapon and what it was to be used on? "You know they wouldn't run off without reason. They're not like you, Misato, the commanders aren't that petty. And maybe Fuyutski just thought Rei would do better outside of the GeoFront than in it," but even as she said it both women knew it was wrong.
Stalking the office, Misato just tapped her chin with her thumb pensively. "I know they wouldn't leave without reason. But they didn't say what reason, they never both go at the same time, and this business with Ayanami is just to jarring. What do we do about it? Asuka said she already ran into Ayanami at her apartment. Shinji-kun if off with friends so he doesn't know, so…what do we do?" Misato bit her thumbnail hard. Taking this issue hard, the gears in Misato's tactical brain could be seen churning and calculating. "We could call her back in, not let her wander off on her own," she postulated.
"Under what grounds? If the Sub Commander said to let her go, we let her go," Ritsuko mourned the loss of her trash bin. It was offered up as a sacrifice to momma-Misato's wrath, yet another innocent to be lost to the woman. Finding her chair waiting tantalizing for her, Ritsuko sat down heavily, damn she was tired now. Her mind churned and bubbled with fears and worries, oh and the growing sensation of waste. All the pain and shame, all the degradation and humiliation, was it all for nothing. It was shaping up for it, Gendo's plans were the only thing that really mattered. And if she got any deeper, would it put her under?
Turning fast, eyebrows nestled in beautiful arches, Misato's fangs were bared, "But then why ask us our opinions on this? Why even bother keeping her for the month of observation? Something about this just screams wrong. The timing it to perfect. What if an angel attacks or something while they're gone." Misato, as always, was closer to the truth than she ever realized.
"If you're so worried about her, why not skip out on work like you always do and go get her? Push your work off onto Makoto or Shigeru and chase down teenagers. W-what are you worried about anyway?" Ritsuko felt her heckles getting raised. It wasn't Misato's fault, hell she was one-hundred percent correct about this! But just her mind wasn't seeing straight, nothing was right anymore! Her love life was shambles, her personal life broken, and the only source of joy lately was a fourteen year old boy! Gods…this wasn't what she wanted out of life…it wasn't…anything but this.
Going over to Ritsuko, Misato's anger suddenly shifted to concern, reaching out cautiously, "Ritsuko are you alright?"
Alright, alright? Nothing was alright anymore! She was tasked with creating a new clone for a girl she was supposed to kill! All because Gendo demanded full control over the girl, and they used a lie to get it done! Rei had issues, that was true, but it wasn't worth replacing her, yet Ritsuko was ready. Her body a roadmap of pain from Gendo's love taps, and for what nothing. "No, Misato I'm not alright," she paused to think of a story, couldn't let Misato know she was sleeping with the boss. "Y-you know how I was seeing somebody?" Ritsuko just pulled collar open to show the bruises.
"Oh hell, Rits!" Misato cried out in stark concern. Drawing Ritsuko into a light hug, careful not to touch those nasty black and blue splotches, she was gentle. Prove that mother-Misato wasn't a Shinji exclusive, Misato patted Ritsuko's head and ran her fingers through the woman's hair. "I'll take care of all this mess, you…you go home and rest today. Then after I sort this out I'm coming over…scratch that, go over to my place and wait. I'll be there as soon as I can. Help yourself to anything you want, we'll talk about all of this once I get there," Misato continued to hold the woman until the sniffles stopped.
Damn it! She didn't want this, but the intoxicating warmth, somebody that seemed to care, Ritsuko just leaned into Misato and clutched on for dear life. "I feel so stupid, like a blithering idiot. I thought he, I thought it was worth it," Ritsuko breathed in the rich smell of Misato's perfume. It was against policy to wear such scents at work, but right now Ritsuko was in love with it. It was something to focus on, something good. Bashfully pushing away, not willing to look at the pity in Misato's face, "I needed that. And I've something to take care of and then I will take you up on your offer. D-don't take to long now."
Blinking back a few sentimental tears herself, Misato took a reluctant step away from her friend. "You so owe me for not telling me about this sooner. I thought…I should have brought this up before. Going to get you to confess everything," Misato backed away from the woman towards the door. Almost fearful to turn away, afraid Ritsuko would breakdown again or vanish, "And we can plan our revenge on the prick that did that to you. You WILL tell me who it is, and then we can have Shinji-kun step on his house."
"Get out of here, let me collect myself," Ritsuko shooed Misato out yet still sneered. The idea of Unit-01 stomping Gendo, maybe biting his head off, nearly set her off on a giggle fit. Once Misato did relent, a pained look the last thing she saw, Ritsuko grabbed some paper towels and cleaned her face off. The sheet was a muddy disaster of black streaks, pink lakes, and one ruby red road from all her mornings efforts. "This is all messed up. I can't tell her, but if I don't he can just arrange an accident for me too," Ritsuko was against the wall.
Thankful for the sink in her lab, the sad woman washed some cold water over her face and hated what she saw in the mirror. Stress lines, her roots showing, and just a haggard and tired woman greeted her. "What happened to my life," Ritsuko smeared the glass with her wet hands. No answer graced her ears, nothing but the sound of the running water. On numb legs, her inside felt hollow and ready to crumble, she went back to her lab in the bowels of Nerv. Best to take care of this issue now, just deal with it and let whatever happened happen.
The clone was still laying unmoving on the table when she got to it, the slow intake and exhale the only sign the clone might have been alive. "Let's see what happens when we activate two of them at ones. Let that bastard deal with it. Not like he can hurt me more," damn it was so painful. So just loved him so much, yet she didn't really know why! It didn't matter though, despite her feelings her mind was still as powerful as ever. The facts were to evident, Gendo would throw her away when she had no need for her. Despite all she'd done for him
Starting the sequence up, something she'd never done before, Ritsuko watched the process start with a hint of fascination. As the body convulsed and jerked, breathing increasing, Ritsuko couldn't help herself, "It's alive, alive, in the name of god…now I know how it feels to be god." The IV had enough to keep her fed and stable for the duration of the process of waking the new Rei. What happened to the old Rei? Ritsuko didn't know, but if something bad did happen it would be her gift to Misato. "I'll have to think of something more fitting for Shinji-kun though, poor kid," but life was pain best he learn that now. Despite all the good he did for her, this was her last hidden act for that boy's father.
X-X
Walking down the shopping arcade, paying the technology and gaming shops more interest than the others, Kensuke paused to check his watch. Twenty minutes until the movie, and Chidori's little game got started. Damn it, if she hadn't been his childhood friend he'd have told her it was off, that it was a bad idea. Shinji wasn't wanting to date yet, hell the poor kid didn't want to even consider other women, but Chidori was so adamant. "So you see any place you want to go in? We got some time yet," he asked without pressuring.
"Maybe a bookstore or something, get something to keep my mind off of things," Shinji pointed at one of the few such shops. Not the cloud of doom and gloom he had been the day before, Shinji just didn't have the vibrancy he had before. Could people blame him though? A month of being told 'this is only temporary' only to get to the end and bam 'sorry it IS permanent' would do damage to anybody. Moving at a decent pace, not hurried or slowed, "Thanks for taking me out again today. Both Touji and you've been really great since this whole mess started."
Pulling back the curtain for the shop, Kensuke felt a little ashamed as he did, but smiled regardless. "Well you're our buddy, and we all know losing a girlfriend is a hard time for anybody," Kensuke just hoped he wasn't making things worse. Shinji had to know what was coming, that it was another outing that would force Sakura in his path. Whenever Touji wasn't part of the group, Chidori and Sakura were soon to appear. Watching Sakura gush and fawn over Shinji, even Kensuke was thinking the girl was coming on far to strong now. Pointing at the over 18 section, "Think your Nerv badge could get us in there? Might help take your mind off things."
Laughing a little at Kensuke's needling and obtrusive elbow in his side, Shinji took a step away and headed towards the cookbooks. "Well, according to Rei-san, I could if wanted. Some of the books she got were…well they MUST have come from that section," some of Shinji's oomph drained. Stopping for a moment, he turned to that big red circle with the 18 in the center, not thinking of the gaudy bits behind it but some past memory. Swatting Kensuke with the book though, Shinji forced a grin back on his face, "Though I won't do that. If what Touji said is right you've more than enough on your laptop."
"Yeah, yeah I bet he told you that. Did he also tell you that he's the one asking me to email most if not all of it to him?" Kensuke defended his internet activity. Geeks had to take care of their own needs, especially shy geeks with low self-esteem. It didn't make Kensuke proud how he had bypassed firewalls for free internet goodness, but it eased his loneliness. Picking up a few random books and flipping through them, he boggled though, "This is some high end cooking man. You really make stuff like this?" It was amazing looking, foreign food that just had to take ages to make. Was this another way Shinji was avoiding the breakup?
Setting the cookbook he was reading down, Shinji shook his head slow, "No, but I've been thinking of trying a few new things. Asuka's been having a few bad days, and after the Fukuyama incident…" Shinji found an acceptable skill level book and headed to the cashier. Something had happened, something beyond just a fight between Shinji and the rich jerk. After paying for his book, Shinji pocketed the small tome and sighed, "So when are we meeting them?"
"I knew you'd be expecting it, sorry man. If you want I can text Chidori and say something came up if you don't want to see a movie with them," Kensuke apologized. It was wrong to do it, keep siding with Chidori on something that he knew Shinji wasn't into. But, Chidori was basically family and would always be, so he would help her. Though he was getting tired of the abuse, it was time to ask her why she was so fixated on this Sakura and Ikari paring. Shuffling his feet a little behind Shinji, his own mood drooping like a sagging tail, "I wouldn't blame you. After what happened, having Tachibana at your feet like a dog might not be a good deal."
Shoulders going up high in a mighty sigh, Shinji rotated his head about in a full circle. "No, I don't want to do this, but I should. I talked to Misato-san a lot this morning before I left. She had a point that I can't let this…depression have me hurt others. Tachibana-san is a nice girl, and if we can be friends that's good. This doesn't have to become something else," oh how he sounded desperate for that. More like the Shinji that Kensuke had originally met, Shinji was just a beat down animal right now. Nothing seemed to matter, everything just as equally useless.
"You could tell her that, bet she'd…" Kensuke stopped as Shinji turned on him. They unspoken exchange had been clear enough. Sakura wouldn't stop pursuing Shinji unless he was with somebody else. Rich and spoiled, Sakura wasn't the type to stop. In an odd way it was charming, in others annoying. Duality at its best. Wanting to change the topic, anything to get Shinji to maybe brighten up, he asked, "So any truth to the rumor about Soryu and you? She's been the topic of a lot of odd rumors lately."
Changing course towards the theatre, Shinji stopped to help an old woman collect some spilled groceries. "What rumors? I've not been paying much attention to those lately," he said with a hint of exasperation. After helping the old woman up to her feet, the wrinkled crone patted his cheek, handed him a coin, and walked off, Shinji popped a crick in his back.
"Well one of them is that you and her are an item. Another one is that the girl you fought Fukuyama over WAS her," Kensuke did try to keep his ear to the ground at school. While he could maybe believe the idea of Asuka dating Shinji, those two did have an odd chemistry. Fukuyama and Soryu banging? Well Touji liked that rumor, but Kensuke just didn't want to believe it. Spotting Chidori's familiar mop of hair, he waved at her as they approached, "There they are, so get ready for the flood."
Grabbing Kensuke's shirt, stopping the boy's movement, Shinji whispered harshly, "Asuka is just a very close friend, and if that jerk ever touched her I'd stomp him with Unit-01." For that moment, one grim and horrifying moment, Shinji's hangdog expression shifted to pure unbridled rage. Kensuke's gasp and sputter sent a ripple effect in the young pilot who let go of the shirt and back came that mopey exterior, "S-sorry about that, Kensuke, just after what he did to…that girl…I don't want to think about him."
Patting Shinji's back lightly, stopping with a good shoulder grip and shacking, Kensuke put his best face forward. What had that been though, such raw unbridled anger, he'd never seen that from Shinji before. Whatever happened to Fukuyama, Kensuke hoped the boy never saw Shinji on a bad day or maybe it wouldn't be so easy this time. "Don't worry about it, was a big deal. Girls are still going ga-ga over your little heroism. So maybe not Tachibana, but you could get another girl if you want," Kensuke tried to keep his envy to himself.
"You'll get somebody, Kensuke, you're a good guy," Shinji said softly before broadly walking towards the waiting to girls. Kensuke was left stunned, having hoped nobody noticed his less than subtle feelings on the matter. Shinji just waved at Sakura and Chidori, and just as expected Sakura was in an elaborate kimono of white with pink sakura peddles embroidered on it, damn thing likely cost more than some people spent on food in a month. Taking Sakura's extended hand in his, Shinji bowed gently, "You look lovely today Tachibana-san, and you Nag-Chidori-san."
Her faux angry expression melted to her toothy grin as she batted at the air between Shinji and Sakura. "You damn better call me Chidori, Shinji. Anybody that can put up with Kensuke for as long as you and not go running screaming, AND got that pig sent to England has every right," Chidori stuck her tongue out at Kensuke. Linking arms with him, Chidori lead Kensuke as Sakura hung on tightly to Shinji's hand, "So what movie are we seeing today?"
Oh she just had to tease him in public, Kensuke knew better than to fall for Chidori's fake charms. Seeing men and teenagers gawking at the two women in his presence, Kensuke licked his lips. Damn Sakura really was pretty, he really hoped it had been her he kissed back in Okinawa. "Why don't one of you pick it? Today is a day to help Shin-man get over his breakup, so why don't we keep the burden off of him?" Kensuke needled his quasi-sister back. If Chidori wanted this wet-rat of a girl to get a hold on Shinji, she'd have to work at it too! He wasn't her slave, he was her friend, and it was time she did a little heavy lifting.
"I-if nobody minds, could I make a request for a movie?" Sakura timidly asked. Just as happy as a pig in slop, the girl oozed happiness as she strangle Shinji's hand. The pilot tried to keep some space between them, not holding her hand yet letting her hold his, Sakura kept moving closing rendering Shinji's actions moot. When everybody turned to her, expecting her to voice her wants, they followed her finger to a poster. Now Kensuke was already accepting his condemnation to seeing a insipid girly film, found his eyes wide and a smile burst, she was pointing at Zombie Holocaust! Was it an act, more of Chidori's doing? Sakura hid her mouth behind her hand, "I've a small liking for horror films."
Letting out his own held breath, Shinji nodded and wiped his brow. With a nod, "If that's what you want, Sakura-san, that's fine with me." Shinji got a firm glare from Chidori again for nearly using the wrong name. It was quite clear who was running this little group date, and nobody was going to threaten that. Opening the door for the group, Shinji and Kensuke shared a moment of relief. "So what were you two doing before coming here?" Shinji followed behind Kensuke. They got in line for tickets as the girls stood off to the side, guess they were paying.
He wasn't the richest of guys, hell he hardly had any money, but Kensuke owed up to his fate. Paying for Chidori and himself, while Shinji bought for Sakura and himself, Kensuke saw Shinji holding out a bill to him out if sight of Chidori. Damn Shinji was smart about some things, and far to nice a guy at times. Taking the bill and stuffing it in his pocket, saving him the shame of Chidori seeing him taking a loan, Kensuke did take a hit to the pride sector. Not even enough money to take a girl out on a date, even if it was a fake one, pathetic.
"Well while you two did whatever it is Kensuke forced upon you, Sakura and I fought off the droves of boys following us. Shinji-kun, you best keep her close or some lesser male might try something nefarious with her," Chidori snatched her ticket out of Kensuke's hand and tickled his chin. Swinging her big bag at the concession stand, she winked at Kensuke and let her smile go wide, she was sneaking stuff in again. The times Chidori wanted to see a movie and had no drone-male to take her, Kensuke did. And Chidori NEVER bought at the theatre, using her bag to sneak in all kinds of goodies, Kensuke approved mightily.
Listening to Shinji's reassuring platitude and again compliment to Sakura, Kensuke thought it was coming on thick already. Chidori wouldn't relent, wouldn't back down, she never did. Girl was a junkyard dog when it came to what was important to her, and he bore the brunt of her plots. Filing into the theatre, Kensuke knew his role here too, sit first so Chidori could sit next to him, forcing Shinji either be sandwiched between the girls or protect Sakura and take the last seat. Shinji, proving again to be more a gentlemen than Kensuke was, did defend Sakura from the guys that followed close to them.
If Kensuke had been in those other boys shoes he'd have done the same. Sakura was a vision, and begrudgingly Kensuke admitted Chidori was stupidly attractive. Seeing girls like that going to a gory monster movie was an extreme rarity, geeks don't have their holy ground encroached upon by the willy and mysterious hottie. If a boyfriend or just male friend didn't accompany, well sitting next to such a girl might score a free hand touch or something. Plus sitting next to a cute girl in a dark theatre, well it had mystical qualities to it.
The troupe chatted lightly about simple things as they waited for the movie to start. Much to his shame, he'd never get over such things, Kensuke saw most of the topics he brought up made Sakura cringe. Girl had that look Kensuke was so familiar with, disgust or worry. While Shinji on the other hand showed his training by Misato and Asuka was thorough as he kept to safe things that got conversation going. Oh how Sakura laughed, such tittering and lovely sounds, even Chidori did. Though Chidori didn't shy away or even balk at Kensuke's lack of social charm. When the lights went down, Chidori handed out some drinks for her friends, Kensuke noticed her taking off labels as she handed them. Was it really necessary?
Two hours later, Kensuke was feeling good, very good. Movie was gory and had the right amount of nudity for him. Had to hand it to the American's, they had great actresses for their movies…big and bouncy. "So what's next, the day is young…ish," it was getting up close to supper time after all. Knowing Chidori wanted to do the karaoke bit, they did provide food, he could follow her plan. "What you guys think of the movie?" did they even watch it he wondered. He saw odd motions from their side of the theatre, heard some odd sounds and Chidori had a fat and content look already.
"It was more emotional than I thought a movie named that would be," Shinji had a nice red flush going. He had drunk two of Chidori's little offerings and that haunted look he walked in with had faded a little. Having a cute girl latched to his side might have helped too, Sakura clung to him like a barnacle. "As for what next, maybe something to eat?" he looked for acceptance from the others.
Her eyes glazed and sharing Shinji's complexion, Sakura's smile was insipidly wide. "H-how about we go sing…they serve food right," she was so wooden Kensuke wondered if Chidori wrote the lines down for her. They headed out into the streets again, the cloud of single guys dispersing after Sakura showed her attachment to the young man at her side. In a brazen act, Sakura's hand went briefly to Shinji's chest, "You're very warm, Shinji-san."
"Hey girl, keep it under control in public," Chidori chastised her friend. Neither Chidori or Kensuke's little smuggled soda had any augmented parts. Roping an arm around Kensuke's neck, she ground her knuckle into his temple. "And I'll be good for some more time singing and some room food, if you guys are," she gave Kensuke no option to decline, never did.
It wasn't hard to see Shinji catching Sakura's wandering hand and gently and inoffensively moving it away from him. Kensuke still envied that, Shinji got soft caresses while he got noogies and foot stomps when he was out of line. "Well no time like the present, I'm starving," Kensuke rubbed his stomach as it did gurgle and yelp. Using the money Shinji gave him, Kensuke paid for a room at the karaoke bar Chidori frequented. "You two want to get started, I need to hit the head," to much soda over the movie.
"S-sure thing, w-want us to order anything for you?" Shinji slurred a little. Just what Chidori put into his drink, Kensuke didn't know, hoped it was just booze. Yet he listed into Sakura who happily supported him and walking him towards the room.
Pulling out a compact, Chidori fixed her subtle makeup, "I have to fix this. Got a date later today, you two get going be right there." She shoed the two in, and for a moment panic lanced Chidori as Shinji went ridged. Everything was well and good while in a group, but to be alone with the girl, Shinji was apprehensive. Putting her stuff in her purse, "Get going you two, don't waste the time Ken paid for."
They went in, Shinji with utter reluctance, and Sakura took Chidori's bag of tricks. "You're really going all out on this, Chidori. But why? Why go this far for a girl that could have been dating Shinji for months now had she not lied to him?" Kensuke hated that look on Shinji's face. It was more exploitation! Chidori was exploiting Shinji's kindness to force Sakura into his life, and he was helping her! He had to know why, why Chidori was going so far for this?
"Because I did her bad before," Chidori took Kensuke's hand and lead him to the window to the room. They peered in as Sakura went over the song list and Shinji had another bottle in hand. "I set her up with an ex of mine, thought he was a good guy. He…took advantage. I owe her this, owe her a good guy that isn't just a walking hard-on. And she was just scared off by that freak is all. Sakura's to timid. And why do you care? Feeling jealous?" she wiggled closer to Kensuke, rubbing herself against him.
Jealous of Chidori, never, it was just her way of being. Pushing her off, her softness was infuriating in how nice it felt. "Just want to know why I'm helping you is all. Shinji just took a massive hit, part of it is her doing. If she does it again to him, I won't help you anymore. And who are you going out with today?" he didn't know she had a date. Normally she talked to him more about her never ending stream of suitors.
"Just some senior, don't even remember his name," Chidori took Kensuke to the front desk. Waving for a guy that was easily a foot taller than Kensuke and could break him in half without effort, she pinched the giants cheek. "Get my friends in booth twenty one of my specials, Koji, oh and turn off the cameras in there or you'll be sorry," she kissed the air before the man teasingly. With a content hum, "She's going to love it. All she needs is something to lower her inhibitions and with him drinking what I gave him…" she just laughed.
"What did you give him, it was just alcohol right?" Kensuke suddenly felt his collar around his neck tighten. He hadn't agreed to anything beyond that, to much was not 'helping' but forcing and he'd not do that. "Chidori, tell me now or I'm going in there," he was already walking towards the room. This had gone on to far, went beyond simple setting a pair of teens up.
Grabbing Kensuke's hand, Chidori forced him to stop, "It's nothing bad! Just…a little stimulant is all. He'll enjoy it, I promise!" Damn she was using that tone of voice, that pleading one that just got under Kensuke's defenses. "I'll…if things go bad…I'll tell both of them I did it, alright? Don't look at me like that," she actually took a step back, vulnerable…afraid, "please?"
"I better not regret this, he better not," Kensuke looked through the window again. Sakura was sitting right next to, almost on top of Shinji, as she sang. A little spicy but not bad, he could hope it didn't go outside of things Shinji was comfortable with. "Last time though, Chidori, I won't help you with this little game anymore. I won't trick Shinji, he's my friend," he was firm. For a moment he saw a look of utter relief on Chidori's face, but it wasn't at his words, but his smile. What was that all about…maybe he was over thinking it. They left the pair alone, what happened happened to them alone.
X-X
Everything felt just a little bit fuzzy to Shinji. Not a bad sensation at all, comfortable numbness and a haze over his mind. Flipping through the song list, he had to focus on the letters to read them clearly and even more to understand. Thoughts were a jumbled mess, a puzzle broken apart and the bits tossed to the four corners. How had he gotten here again? He knew he was at a karaoke club, that the zombie movie had been good, and that Sakura was singing…but where were the others? Did it matter, it should, but right now he just felt too good to care.
"You sing really well," Shinji complimented the girl in a lull in the song. She batted her eyelashes at him and swayed with the music. Oh boy did she sway with the music, almost hypnotically those hips went to and fro. Rei never danced much during their few times at places like this, it wasn't her way and Shinji was fine with that. He was an uncoordinated buffoon when dancing, just ask Asuka! Asuka…that jerk that hurt her, if only he had been bigger and stronger! Focus, something was wrong here, but what…gods he could smell Sakura and it was luscious. A rumbling in his stomach, burbling, "Think they're getting the food?"
Setting the microphone down, Sakura shuffled over while heavily wobbling about. Crashing into the couch next to Shinji, her kimono opening enough to show off the white sash used to mask her cleavage, Sakura giggled. "I think so, we-we could call the front desk and ask about it can't we?" she picked up the small phone each room had. Putting herself right against Shinji's side, she let her hand fall on his thigh and rest there. Hiccupping every so often, Sakura had her own broad smile, "H-having fun Shinji-san? I really hope you are."
"It's a great place, great time," Shinji struggled to think of the right words. His tongue was heavy and unresponsive. Numbness spread out of his mouth to his lips and down his body, so numb. Shaking his head, clearing it up a little, he grabbed his current soda and drank heavily. Stupid tiny room was so hot, and with Sakura so close it was even hotter. As he drank his soda, he drank in the view of the woman at his side. She was reading that song list again, but he saw just how tight that kimono fit her, the swell and curves…she was gorgeous. Why hadn't he taken her up on her request for a date till…Rei! That's right.
Grabbing the phone, maybe food would help clear his mind, "H-hello front-desk? This is room twenty. H-have two others ordered our food yet? K-Kensuke and Chidori?" Heat, comfortable and soothing, his body pulsed with energy too and it made turning away from Sakura hard. Listening to the man on the other side saying food was on the way, but his friends left, Shinji just stared at the receiver after the guy hung up. Putting it back on the cradle he incredulously barked out, "They left us! They ordered us food and left us! We…we should go after them." Trying to stand up, Shinji found a hand wrapped around his wrist.
"P-please don't. I'm…this…I've wanted to do this with you for so long, could we wait until after we eat?" Sakura's eyes pleaded more than her words conveyed. Tugging Shinji harder, she brought him back to a seated position. Pushing the song list to him, "H-how about you sing now. I won't laugh," she almost had tears in her eyes. Such desperation and need, her thumb ran circles around Shinji's wrist.
Never one to be able to turn down a crying woman, hated the look and sound of them, Shinji sagged back into his seat. Leather felt great on his skin, his whole body was alive with sensation and his other senses far more vibrant, well all but thinking. "You're not going to like it I bet. Rei-chan said I have a good voice for it, but I don't agree," Shinji opened the list. Damn he missed Rei, everything about her. Why couldn't he be here with her again…oh yeah Nerv. Nerv wouldn't let them be together because humanity was at risk or something. His finger was on the last song he sang with Rei, somber song, a fitting song. Putting the number in, he stood up and shut his eyes to help focus, and he sang.
Captivated, Sakura's cheeks were full bore red as Shinji bore out his soul in the microphone. As he finished she wiped a tear from her eye and clapped loudly. "That was magnificent Shinji-san! I was…was moved! D-did you sing that for…her?" now she looked away, at her crossed hands on her lap.
"Yeah I did. I…I really love Rei-san, Sakura-san, you know that," Shinji was sweating as he sat. Getting into the song more than he expected, he could feel the perspiration on him. Sitting back down, setting the microphone down, he saw that lovely creature looking away from him. Girl had to know he loved Rei, he always would! Even if Nerv forbade them from seeing, it wouldn't destroy his feelings. Rei helped him through so much, asked so little, and here he sat with a beautiful girl, singing while she was… Sakura took his hand and held it, he looked at it, "Sak…"
One hand holding Shinji's, the other pulled and held his head to hers, she kissed him as best she could. It lasted until the door was knocked on, and she yelped and pulled away. "Hey, got some food and drinks for you two. And Chidori extended the time for an hour so enjoy," a teen with slicked backed hair set a big tray of food on the table and some glasses. Giving Sakura a once over, drinking in her form, "Wow you are a looker, I know she'll be pissed but…you want to ditch the kid and…"
"Get out now, you're scaring her," Shinji was up and glaring at the prick. The moment the boy entered, Sakura clung to his side, shaking, and when he spoke to the timid thing Shinji felt her heart spike. Where the confidence came from, the courage to stand up to the bigger boy, Shinji didn't know but he felt invincible. Pointing at the door, "They paid for our stuff, not for you to hit on her. Leave." Summoning up the image of his asshole father, he channeled that icy feeling as best he could.
Holding his hands up defensively, eyes going wide and face pallid, "Sorry man didn't know, sorry. She's just…well she's gorgeous! I had to try." Grabbing the cart he wheeled in, the boy all but ran out of the room and shut the door.
In a flash, Sakura was hugging Shinji from behind, arms tight as she could get them. "You were…that was incredible Shinji-san. P-people like that, I can't relax around them. But you're not like them, you're different," she pulled her hands around and pressed them to his back. Leaning against him, "You're so warm. I-I love you, Shinji-san. I know…I know you don't love me, yet, but could we…could we try? Please? I'd do anything, be anything you want me to be. L-let me help you forget her."
"Forget her," Shinji mimicked Sakura's words and spun around. Catching the girl's biceps he held her gently. All the pain, the month of waiting and hoping for nothing, the crippling depressing from the inevitable betrayal, did he want to forget that? Forget that he'd never see Rei again, not how they used to anyway, forget how the woman he thought of as a mother lied to his face. Could he do that, oh how he wanted to. Hope had been the bane of his life, every time he hoped, every time things got better for him…things went bad. He was tired of feeling bad, tired of the hurt, tired of…of everything. "You won't hurt me again will you?" he asked as he leaned in closer to her. For a minute, while in this room, please god let the small happiness he felt stay.
Closing her eyes, leaning in and standing on the balls of her feet to get high enough, "N-never." Their sealed her pledge with another chaste pressing of flesh. She snuggled in close as Shinji held her close and swayed to the background music from the machine. They parted and ate the dish and drank the provided drink. Any time she could, she held out or touched the boy as she could. Nothing was official, no words of dating or other, yet she was close, so dangerously close. Taking the cloth from her chest, she dabbed it to Shinji's face, "You're s-sweating. It is hot in here isn't it."
His head was already swimming, but as he ate and drank it intensified. Everything was odd, surreal even, but it came so gradual Shinji's mind just couldn't identify it. "It's not so bad," he again caught her wrist and held it. Rei's lips had tasted sweeter than Sakura's, Shinji saw the smeared lipstick and bet that was part of the reason. Watching her lean in again, a moment of lucidity struck, and Shinji realized this whole thing was a ploy. Kensuke's friend set the whole thing up, and he was trapped…but he could take control a little. Sliding around, kneeling between her legs, the kimono belts unfolding letting him slide them open, "May I?" His hands were on her inner thighs, breathing out puffs of hot air, just as Rei loved.
"I've never…he never did…" Sakura's hand flicked the door lock with a wide motion. Biting her knuckle she nodded her head once, and she fought to keep her voice in check. Abiding the customs of the garb she wore, Shinji found no barrier after he parted the hemline of the kimono. Shaved into a heart, girl had been planning or at least hoping for this. Dribbling already, she was exuding heat and making a mess of her clothing and couch. Panting just from Shinji's finger probing, "I'm not a…I'm so sorry…but I'm not…not…"
Didn't matter to Shinji, he wasn't going to take that here anyway. "Don't worry, that doesn't matter," he saw the door's window, saw the angle of it…anybody watching would see him on his knees but not much of her. Good…good…the smell was intoxicating, the view beautiful, and when he tasted…it was ambrosia to his tongue. He missed this, missed who he did it with more, but he was just so tired of being hurt, he wanted to forget. So he dove in, wrapping his arms under her thighs he pulled her in and lavished upon her. At one point his right hand snuck up and into the upper folds of her kimono, defiantly bigger and more supple than Rei's, with rock hard nubs that he teased.
Not know what to do or how to reciprocate, Sakura just basked in it all and went for the ride. Running her fingers through his hair and keeping him from moving the other pawed at the breast Shinji wasn't, she couldn't keep her voice down. Quite like Rei, once Shinji got started, Sakura's voice went high and loud. And when he brought her over the top, her nails, those pick painted fingernails, dug deep enough into Shinji's scalp to draw blood. Almost liquid on the couch, her eyes glazed and blissful, "I've never felt so…s-should I? Do you want me to…" She looked down at his crotch, not timidly but hungrily.
"Not here, Sakura-chan, they might see," Shinji fixed her dress and helped her to stand. He'd sobered up during his time bringing Sakura to her end, but not enough by far. Still foggy minded, still on sensory overload, he wrapped her arm around his waist, and let her hug him. Despite her being light as a feather, he didn't have the strength to hold her. "Lets…get you home," what happened there he didn't know. Staggering out of the club, the man that brought the food wasn't there when they left, but the woman that was flashed him a thumbs-up.
Sakura didn't speak much, just a few gushing words of how she loved the day and everything was perfect. Oh and how she couldn't wait to get back to her apartment, but even Shinji could sense she was close to fainting. All but being dragged down the darkened streets, night having descended while enjoyed their time at the club, Sakura was a shawl. Shinji didn't matter, quite enjoyed the warmth and having somebody at his side again. Though the air was cooler, sobering, and he was starting to remember, to think clear. It wasn't crystal, far from it, but little by little his depression came back with a heaping portion of shame.
"And here you are, safe and sound," Shinji gave her a formal bow and a light smirk. Oh how that timpani of giggles was delightful, he missed the sounds of joy so much. But with Asuka depressed over Fukuyama and Misato just off, Shinji got little joy over the last month, all save for that one night with Rei. Holding the door open for her, Shinji again caught a glimpse of that alabaster skin under the kimono, it was hard…oh so mind bogglingly hard…but he kept his libido in check. "You feeling alright?" she was wobbling a lot more.
Fighting back a yawn and failing, Sakura's mouth opened wide in a very unladylike way. "Y-you're not coming up with me? I thought we would…" she shuffled closer to him and grabbed for his hand. Intercepted, Shinji kept her at a distance but not far enough to show any reluctance. Closing her eyes again and humming contently, "I wish this day would never end. It's a dream come true. I'll...I'm…"
"Not tonight, Sakura-chan, lets end it on a high note, shall we?" Shinji kissed her cheek softly. Opening the door for her, the girl was nearly asleep on her feet, Shinji saw similar in Rei post coatis. That got his depression back on the rise, his senses finally starting to go back to normal, he lifted the girl and took her to the living room sofa. It wasn't his place to go to her room, and he wanted out, his stomach was lurching and resisting keeping its contents inside. Fixing her hair that fell over her face, he appreciated her classical beauty for a moment as she was already asleep, and headed out fast.
Just barely making it outside before his stomach expunged by the side of the outside stairs and made a mess of his shirt. "I feel horrid…I almost…I wanted…" Shinji forced himself off his hands and knees, his knuckles bleeding. He could feel his want, it was so damn big it was threatening to overtake his mind. All he had to do was go back up, knock on that door, and she'd let him in. Sick replaced his euphoria from before, as high as he was before he was equally low, "What did they give me…it had to be…be…" He tripped and fell forward, shielding his face, bracing for pain, Shinji felt his arm caught, he was holding just a foot above the ground, "W-what?"
"I've come for you, Shin-chan," a voice said softly on the wind. Pulling Shinji up to his feet, the vertigo sent him tumbling again into arms he knew very well. Stroking his back, "I knew if I stayed here long enough I'd find you. Did you have sex with her?"
Blinking hard, Shinji pushed himself away from the voice, that impossible to replicate and fake voice. "R-Rei-chan? They said, Misato-san said you were going to be kept on base indefinitely! That I couldn't see you!" Shinji cried out jubilantly. Lifting Rei off the ground, twirling her in his arms, his sense of sick temporarily forgotten. Setting her back down, he almost kissed her, would have, but his stomach lurched and he felt that disgusting tickle at the back of his throat.
"They lied to you, lied to me. They are against us. Come with me," Rei was already pulling on his hand. Down alleyways, dark and foreboding, Rei exhibited no fear, she never did when faced with such danger. Never releasing her hold, tighter if anything, "Did they offer you that girl to replace me?"
Again feeling he was about to be sick, Shinji broke out of Rei's hold and fell to his knees again and let loose. Panting over his puddle of sick, "Tried…she said she loved me…wanted me to…didn't…just…a little…not the whole…I feel so bad." His insides felt like they were on fire! It seared the rest of his drug induced deliria away. "Rei-chan, I was just so lonely without you, I'm sorry. Do-do you forgive me?" she was back though, free again, everything would be fine right? His vision started to darken, to fade.
"I forgive you, you've done nothing wrong. They were the ones responsible. They won't let us be together. But I have a plan," Rei admitted. Shinji felt a prick in his arm, Rei had a syringe in her hand, its stopper depressed. Where were they, was this her old neighborhood? Hoisting the filth covered boy up, leading him up the stairs towards her old unit, "Everything will be fine after I get us out of Tokyo-3."
Panting fast and hard, Shinji just felt immeasurable pain as Rei helped him to her old bed. Laid on it, he wanted to ask her what she meant, what she injected him with, but fatigue crashed on him like a tsunami and he was in darkness.
X-X
"He should still answer his phone, I don't care what is going on," Misato uttered. Pacing back and forth in the apartment, opened but not touched can of Yebisu in her hand, she was wearing a track in it. Pointing at the semi-laying Ritsuko on the couch, Misato fumed in the late hours of the day. Grinding her teeth as she threw herself down next to the woman, "If only Section-2 actually knew where he was. Hell we don't even know where Ayanami is!"
Nursing what was her fourth drink, a very relaxed Ritsuko put her feet up on Misato's legs, "They're at a love hotel or something. Don't get too worried about it." Her face vanished behind the mighty glass she was drinking out of, the woman was well past sober and well into blitzed. Yanking herself another piece of pizza, without Shinji they ordered in, she took a savage bite. More sauce collected on her shirt without care or even notice, "What is the real fear though. We both know Ayanami isn't that bad. Hell after Shinji-kun and her outdoor exhibition she was bordering normal."
"Then why aren't they answering. She ditched her Section-2, we don't know what happened to Shinji-kun, and he always answers his phone! Hell I know he was going out with his guy friends today to get over the whole Ayanami issue!" Misato finally took a drink. The taste wasn't there this time, she didn't even notice the flavor. Nerves were all over the place, this shit just wasn't supposed to happen! The commanders' weren't supposed to contradict the others orders, not leave her in the lurch! If this was anybody else she'd be able to relax, but not when it was her boy out there with some odd girl hunting him.
Stretching like a cat, grinding a heel into Misato's crotch, Ritsuko yawned big and toothy. "They're not calling or responding because they're likely going at it like animals in heat. Gods know I've been wanting a good go, one with somebody that cares, that didn't find me more fun to punch than kiss," she hiccupped and laid her food on her tummy. Sliding a hand down into her slacks, "Know where Kaji is, hell I'd take Makoto up if he wasn't intimidated or dating that other woman."
"D-did you want to talk about that, Ritsuko? I don't want to push about who this guy was, but you are done with him right?" Misato pulled on her collar. Ritsuko was here to get support not BE support. Ranting and raging at Shinji and Rei wasn't why Misato invited Ritsuko over. Even so, watching Ritsuko get drunk and paw at herself was not something she wanted. Pushing the heal out of her danger zone, she was pent up like she couldn't remember ever being, "Sorry if I'm distracted, you understand." She hoped so anyway.
Drawing her legs off Misato, Ritsuko sat up more and only took up two of the cushions rather than all three. "Oh I understand, and I relate. I like that kid too, Shinji-kun is a really great bo-no man. But if we were both freaking out like beheaded mother hens it wouldn't do good. As for my problems…what can I say about him really? I thought he loved me, I was wrong. The things I saw Gendo do, what he told ME to do…I was wrong. Yes its done, I'm done with him. All I can hope is he doesn't kill me like he wants…" her drunken ramble went silent as she stirred her drink. Red eyed and somber, the poor woman looked for answers in the carbonation in her drink.
"You were sleeping with the commander!?" Misato yelped and actually dropped her can. It spilled all over, drenching the carpet, turning the off white color to a dark brown. Damn it, more stuff for Shinji to take care of once he got back. Good! Punishment for making her worry so much. Watching Ritsuko draw in on herself, pulling her legs up to her chest and crush her plastic cup against her body, Misato knew it was true. Her hand reached out but pulled back, "He is so much older…did he…why would you want to be with somebody so cold?" Misato had her odd boyfriends before, but Gendo Ikari was so odd Misato couldn't fathom how Shinji was actually conceived.
Taking the moment to set her cup down, Ritsuko hugged her legs tightly and rested her chin on them. "Yeah I was seeing the commander. When it started he was actually pretty sweet and caring. Small things really, showed he cared, complimented me on how hard I worked. I don't-I don't normally get noticed despite what I do. I'm not you, guys don't flock to me," Ritsuko's sad smile held no malice just emptiness and loneliness. "One day we just started, and I felt better than I had in a long time. Before long its secret projects, flings in his office, and turtlenecks to hide the marks. If I go missing…he did it," Ritsuko's whimsy turned to dark and serious.
"He wouldn't really, he couldn't do something to you, we need you, I need you," Misato said incredulously. The commander was a strange and cold bird, but he wasn't the type to. But he was a man that literally beat his lover, maybe she didn't know the commander as well as she thought. Grabbing Ritsuko's glass, she had enough, Misato drained it, "I'll keep you safe, as long as no more secrets between us alright? And you're not alone. I'm here for you, Ibuki I bet, and hell Shinji-kun's taken a shine to you." She was going to make a more detailed part in Ritsuko's life though, help her more.
The door to the apartment opened, its squeaky and annoying sound echoed over the droning moving that was playing. Misato and Ritsuko both looked at each other, Ritsuko flinched her head towards the door and nodded, her blessing given. Misato took the moment to finish the drink in her hand before dropping it and tearing off towards her soon to be accosted young man. Stumbling at the corner, shoulder ramming the wall and knocking over a few tidbits, Misato's heart pumped as she got to the door. "Asuka, what are you doing here so late," her fingers bit deeply into the younger girl's arms.
"What the, get off me rummy!" Asuka thrust Misato off and finished taking her shoes off. Trying to get past the woman, Asuka was countered every time. "Would you mind getting out of my way, I want to get changed and get to bed," she huffed and challenged the captain.
Moving out of the girl's way, no reason to make a small issue bigger and upsetting Asuka was a quick way to that. "Sorry, Asuka, just thought you were Shinji," she felt the adrenaline rushing out of her replaced with a fresh dose of fear. Why was this bothering her so much, she just didn't know! Rei had issues yes, but it wasn't that bad. Shouldn't she be happy she was let go, that she was back to make Shinji happy? But she just couldn't, her mind kept seeing Rei's change in personality after her bout of voyeurism as a ploy. Girl was waiting for something, waiting for this, and now…now Shinji was out and not responding.
"He's not back? Guess the date went better than expected. Was worried that freak would have ruined things," Asuka actually had a spring in her step now. Bouncing down the hall towards her room, Asuka found herself quickly twirled around and staring into the very focused eyes of her commanding officer. Being the smart girl that she was, Asuka didn't need to be asked for more details, "That meeting with Aida was a ruse. It was to get that idiot out with Tachibana. Didn't think it'd end like this, but guess she was a closet pervert after all. He's likely at her place right now…" Now the blush came, whatever Asuka was thinking it was spicy.
The rich girl's place, Shinji was off with some other girl? "He's not with Ayanami, are you sure?" Misato nearly throttled Asuka as she shook her. All this time she was worried about Rei, and Shinji was off with some new girl? Oh boy that wouldn't end well if Fuyutski's order was left out. The day Rei gets out after over a month incarceration he has a bout of infidelity? Gathering big swatches of Asuka's dress in her hands, "Life hates him doesn't it." He finally takes her advice, tries to move on, and then it turns out to be wrong.
"I got a text from Chidori a few hours ago that she left Sakura and Shinji at some karaoke club. I figured he'd come home after they finished singing, guess I was wrong. She didn't mention crazy girl at all," Asuka smartly didn't sass off. Tugging backwards lightly, testing the waters of Misato's grasp, Asuka carefully broke free. Fixing her clothing, she wasn't the picture of composure she was before though, "Didn't think either of them had it in them though. Always thought Tachibana was a closet case, guess I was right. Might do him some good to get over things. Ayanami IS going back to the GeoFront right?"
Shaking her head, Misato just let Asuka go with a shrug. She didn't know, had to talk to Fuyutski about it all before she could talk to anybody about it. Heading back to Ritsuko, Misato snickered when she found the woman curled up in a ball, thumb to lips, snoring loudly. "I'll keep you safe, so rest well," Misato found a blanket and covered the woman. Calling Shinji's phone again, it went to voicemail, Misato just couldn't shake the suspicion something was wrong. Could he really be off with some new girl, it didn't seem right. He'd call, he'd let her know what was going on, it just wasn't like him.
"If you find either Ayanami or Ikari you call me immediately," Misato instructed Section-2 over her phone. Better safe than sorry right? Taking Pen-Pen with her to her room, Misato plopped down and pulled her massager out from under her pillow. "I'm just so nervous right now…lonely too…" she made quick work of herself, unsatisfying but at least functional. Falling asleep restlessly, Misato chased her loneliness away as best she could. Kaji, she'd try calling him soon if for nothing but a quickie to knock the funk out of her.
A sharp yell barked through the apartment, "Misato get your drunken ass over here! We have an issue." It was Asuka and it was morning, Misato rocketed up out of her bed feeling like she didn't sleep at all.
"What is it Asuka, I slept horrid, so unless Shinji-kun has my breakfast ready I don't want to hear it," Misato rubbed at her yes and stomach. Shambling into the apartment, Misato didn't smell the welcome aroma of breakfast. No breakfast meant no Shinji. He hadn't come back last night at all or even early morning? No call from Section-2 either, what the duce? "Asuka what is it?" she found the girl at the door to the apartment, staring down timid looking wallflower.
Flinching her head at Sakura, Asuka stomped her heel against the floor, "Tell her what you told me Sakura, all of it." Leaning in over the girl, Asuka did not appear chipper or content to see the girl.
Cringing away from the volatile girl, Sakura alternated between the two women, ultimately ending on the buxom Misato. "W-well I came to see how Ikari-san was and to walk to school with him. I wanted to apologize for what Chidori did too," Sakura whimpered when Asuka grunted forcing a continued of confession. Looking down, shame radiating out of her. Timidly looking at Misato, "Well she put some sort of pill in his drink, and some alcohol in mine…she said it was to set the mood. It-it worked but I feel bad that she did it." Oh she didn't look sad, not with her hands fumbling and the smile peeked out.
"He didn't stay the night at your place, when did you last see him?" Misato was outside the apartment and pressing the girl against the banister in moments. A part of her was aware she was in her short shorts and tank-top, stuff she promised Shinji she'd never do again. Grabbing the girl's head hard, the stench of morning assailing her nose, "Look at me girl, he never came home last night. I don't care if he spent the night and this is some cover for your tryst, but if it isn't you come clean now."
Paralyzed by the ferocity she was seeing, Sakura's whines and gibbers didn't immediately form words. "I can't remember much of the end of the evening, not after we left the club. B-but I know he left…he left after laying me down on the couch," conflicting emotions warred in the girl, "he's not hurt or anything is he?"
"Take care of her Asuka, I'll deal with this," Misato left the girl and was a maelstrom in the apartment. Dressed and ready to go in minutes, she debated on waking Ritsuko then opted not to. After last night the scientist would have a massive hangover and no use to her. Maybe she was over reacting, but this had to be addressed and done now! Calling Section-2 again, "I want a detachment to check all the hospitals, check the detox at police offices, and I want Ayanami found and found now! This is your primary mission!"
Tactical mind fully focused on the task, Misato was going over any and every option and weighing which she would deal with herself. Asuka asked if she could help, for a change Misato let her. The girl that came, well they'd let her go, no reason to keep her. "I just hope it's just me being stupid," somehow Misato didn't think so though.
X-X
Authors Notes
Getting to a inter-story climax of a few story lines, things will be changing up soon. Hope you're enjoying it and can believe what I'm trying to go with.
Life is getting a bit better for me right now so thanks for all the comments on the other stories. Hoping to get more time to get to writing, but people are just stealing all of it, which sucks. Hope you're doing better
Ja Mata
Zentrodie