Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. In fact, I'm renting this shirt. All rights to Evangelion belong to GAINAX and Hideaki Anno

Red Moon Rising

Shinji was smiling happily as he made his way to NERV. It was the day of his first Sync Test after his confinement to the brig and he was looking forward to spending more time around Rei. Slowly descending deep into the bowels of NERV with the aid of an elevator, Shinji was humming a tune which seemed to be coming to him at an odd times. Scratching his head to vanquish the familiar tingling feeling as he stepped forth from the elevator, he started to make his way to the Evangelion cages.

Damnit. I hate not being around Rei. I feel...incomplete. Like I have less energy he mused as he stepped into the change room. And blinked. There was a curtain separating two sides of the room and through the curtain he could see Rei getting changed. "Good morning, Rei" he voiced as he himself began to get changed. Sighing in enjoyment as the soft rubber slowly slid over his skin, he smiled as memories of slain Angels resurfaced.

"Good morning, Ikari. I won't be able to hug you today as I'm being visually monitored. After we get back home we may" Rei announced and she was glad that the camera's in the change room's only transmitted video but not audio. Removing the necklace and carefully hiding it in her locker, she clenched her hand in remembrance of the warmth that Ikari's hand had generated.

"I hear we can't go on the school trip to Okinawa. That sucks" Shinji announced as he finished pulling the plug suit on and zipped it up. Quickly pressurising it, he smiled and peeked around to see Rei completing the final steps on her own Plug Suit. "I was looking forward to spending some time alone with you" he admitted quietly. It had taken a fair bit of courage to voice that and he smiled nervously at Rei.

"Just for that Ikari, I'm crushing your ribs with a hug when I get home" Rei announced softly as she walked out.

Laughing to himself as he exited the change rooms and headed toward the Entry Plugs, he frowned at the sight of Misato waiting for him. "Yes, Captain Katsuragi?" he inquired formally as his frown deepened.

Misato squirmed under Shinji's frown. Despite the fact that she had been in the right, the fact he had moved out without warning and hadn't even spoken to her once set her on edge. Usually he would take any moment he could to mock her and anything she did. "You will be testing in the Evangelion today, Pilot Ikari. Your communication will be restricted to Unit 00 and the Command Centre" she announced before striding off.

Grinning, Shinji started to jog towards his own Evangelion. Dodging in and out of staff making their rounds and arriving at the Evangelion cage, he smiled at the sight of his Unit 01. Hurrying to the Entry Plug and slipping into it, he relaxed at the feel of the pilot seat. Closing his eyes and preparing his mind for synchronisation, he became aware of a tiny, fragile thread that seemed to exit his own mind and stretch away. What the hell... he mused.

Slid into the Evangelion, Shinji smiled as he synchronised with the behemoth.

Mum? Are you there?

Shinji, my darling boy. Is that really you?

Shinji could feel tears leaking from his eyes and scattering in the LCL. Shaking his head and hardening his resolve, he nodded.

Yes mum, it really is me. I've missed you so much.

Shinji nearly glowed with enjoyment as he felt phantasmic arms embrace him.

"Shinji, is everything okay in there? Your sync rate is fluctuating more than usual" Ritsuko's voice called.

"Everything's fine, Doctor Akagi. Just some bad memories surfacing is all" he announced whilst adding a realistic sounding sniff to the end.

"Well, focus on the sync test Shinji" Doctor Akagi ordered.

So is Rei the girl you want to mate with?

Shinji groaned and began to slam his head as hard as he could onto the piloting headrest, muttering obscenities about Evangelion's.

Feeling his mother laugh at his reaction in his mind, he groaned.

Yeah yeah, laugh it up. But in all seriousness, I do want to get closer with her. But being so close...it makes me nervous.

Indeed. It's one of the downsides of your gift. After Second Impact, a lot of the research into it was lost. But I was diagnosed before Second Impact. You have Aspergers Syndrome, don't you?

Nodding faintly to agree, Shinji focused on Synchronising.

Yes, I do. I was at first diagnosed with Higher-Functioning Autism and that was later refined to Aspergers Syndrome by the school psychologist.

And Rei has it too. I'm glad Rei's origins don't bother you.

Nodding, Shinji frowned as he heard that the sync test was over. He must have spent more time than he imagined communing with his mother.

Waiting for his Entry Plug to be removed, Shinji held on to the feeling of his mother embracing him. Stepping out, he wiped the leftover LCL from his plugsuit with slashes of his hand down the material. Ignoring Asuka as he walked down the corridor, he could feel her burning gaze boring into his skull. "May I help you, Asuka?" he inquired, tone trembling as he struggled to stay civil.

"How the hell did you beat my sync score?! I am the best pilot!" She raged as she stormed up to Shinji and poked him in the chest painfully.

Frowning, he looked at Asuka and sighed. "Does it really matter, Asuka? It's a psychological advantage, one based on the very genetic code that swims within me. I am merely naturally superior" he stated coldly.

Growling, Asuka slammed her fist into Shinji's stomach with all the strength she possessed and sent him stumbling backwards against the cold steel wall. "You had better start scoring lower than me, you pathetic worm! I have spent my entire life training and I refused to be upstaged by a flunkie like you" she growled before striding away.

Gasping for breath after being winded, Shinji made his way towards the change room at a slower pace. Stupid bitch. And I can't even touch her back because she's the Captain's favourite he snarled to himself as he entered the change rooms. Ignoring Asuka's ranting from the other side of the curtain and slowly getting undressed, he made his way into the shower just ahead of Asuka and slammed the door in her face. Making sure it was locked, he smirked at her scream of rage.

Stepping under the shower, he sighed in relief as the warm water massaged his tensed and knotted muscles. Seeing a shadow slowly emerge from the steamed and foggy showers, he almost died of shock when Rei stepped out from the mist with nothing preserving her modesty. Moments later, she lunged forward and wrapped him in a hug. Squeaking in shock, he stumbled backwards and fell onto a bench.

"Uh...Rei...we're both naked" Shinji pointed out in a high pitched voice as Rei squeezed him tightly. As she did so, Shinji was made aware of her womanly attributes pressing against him. "Um...I think we had better shower" he suggested with his voice hitching.

Rei frowned and nodded as she stood. Progressing towards Shinji's own shower and beckoning him, she tapped her foot. "Come on, Ikari. I'll wash your back and you will wash mine" she stated firmly.

Nodding, Shinji slowly made his way towards the shower and angled so Rei couldn't see what effect her form provoked within him. Turning his back to her, he shuddered at the feel of Rei's fingers slowly massaging and kneading his back as she made sure to wash every single speck of LCL from him. Blushing bright red as he felt Rei's fingers leave his back, he knew it was his turn to wash her.

Rei smiled to herself as Shinji trembled under her touch. She knew the only way to get him used to being touched was to touch him more. Slowly turning and offering her pale back to him, she herself trembled as she felt Shinji's fingertips hesitantly knead her own tense muscles. Biting her lower lip to stop from purring, she smiled as she felt Shinji's touch increase in confidence.

"I'm done Rei. And...thankyou" he said as he felt his own face fill with blood and glow. He could still feel Rei's skin on his fingertips and he smiled in remembrance. "Don't we have a relaxation and exercise day tomorrow at NERV?" he inquired. Once a month NERV held a day for the pilot's where they could relax by the in-door pool by themselves. Seeing Rei nod, he chuckled. "I guess I'll see you then"

Opening the door, he hid behind it as Asuka stormed in. Quickly slipping out and shutting the door silently, he chuckled as he slowly dried himself and got dressed. He knew it was cruel to leave Rei to Asuka's tender mercies but he rationalised that all she would do is complain about him. How wrong he was.

Asuka glared at Rei as she stood in the showers, heaving with anger. "Where is he?" she growled as she tightened her fists.

"I will not tell you, Second Child. You will hurt him" Rei stated as she rinsed the soap off.

Hearing Asuka storming towards her, Rei ducked just as a fist flashed by over her. Quickly pivoting on the cold, slick floor, she glared up at the enraged woman. Moments later she was sent sprawling by a cruel knee to the eye. Wiping her face free of water as the bruise slowly formed, she growled before leaping at Asuka. Tackling her around the thighs and forcing her to fall, Rei immediately brought her fist down on Asuka's stomach.

Asuka let out an explosive breath as the doll punched her. How dare she! She's just a doll, not supposed to fight back she screamed to herself. Reaching up, she grabbed a handful of Rei's hair and ripped with all her might.

Rei screamed as the pain made her arch back. Letting out her own explosive breath as Asuka drove her fist into her stomach, Rei slid back across the slick tiles from the force of the blow. Glaring at Asuka who slowly stood and dropped a clump of blue hair to the floor, Rei snarled and leapt up. Running at Asuka and jumping up in the air to build centrifugal force, she spun and brought both locked-together fists to bear against Asuka's cheek. Asuka went flying into the wall shoulder first. There was a sick popping sound as Asuka's shoulder was dislocated.

Slowly limping to her feet, she growled before popping her joint back into place. Flexing her hand, she stalked forwards and grabbed Rei by the hand. Spinning on the spot like a prize-winning hammer-thrower, she hurled Rei deep into the depths of the showers and heard a satisfying thump.

Rei blinked stars out of her vision. Slammed into the wall, she groaned as her limbs refused to obey. Must be a concussion she thought before blacking out.

Asuka smirked as she strode out of the shower with her own superiority assured. Quickly getting dressed and leaving the change rooms, she spotted Shinji and a cruel smile filled her face. "Hey Shinji! Your doll fell in the showers! You better go get her!" Asuka jeered as she walked past.

Shinji snarled as Asuka walked past. Balling his fist, he caught up with Asuka and spun her around. And slammed his fist into Asuka's jaw with all the strength he had coiled within his muscles. Asuka was actually lifted off the ground by a foot before she fell back. "You stupid bitch. You have no idea what you're messing with" Shinji growled and for a moment his blue eyes actually glowed with the rage that coursed through him.

Asuka felt two teeth rattling around inside her mouth, loosened from the blow and she gazed up at Shinji in both terror and anger. Wisely she kept her mouth shut as he slowly walked away. Spitting the two teeth out, she quickly made her way towards Misato with a malevolent smile.

Shinji rapidly ran back towards the showers and slammed through the doors, ignoring the fact they seemed to be blown open before he reached them. Quickly locating Rei in a far corner of the shower, he picked her up and cradled her body close to his chest. Running back out of the shower and wrapping Rei in a towel, he sped off to the NERV Medical Wing.

Depositing Rei in a bed as a doctor strolled in, he bit his lip as he watched the doctor scan her skull.

"It's just a concussion. A Level Three one. Fortunately with all the advancements in medical technology we can skip the usual order of tasks by using a chemical cocktail" he announced. Opening a locked medical cabinet and retrieving a syringe, he pulled the cap from the tip and revealed a long needle. "Unfortunately it has to go into the spinal cord" he stated grimly.

Nodding, Shinji sat by Rei who was slowly waking up and held her hand just as the needle pierced her skin. Feeling his hand slowly being crushed by Rei's grip and the whimpers, Shinji caressed Rei's head. "Shhh...it'll be over soon."

"All done. Let her sleep it off here. We'll monitor her tonight and providing there aren't any relapses, she could be fine by morning"

"Thanks doctor" Shinji replied and settled into the chair beside Rei with his hand still in her grip and both dozed off.

ASASASASASASASAS

Misato was tapping her foot as she waited for Shinji and Rei to arrive. From what she had been told, Rei and Shinji had accosted her and knocked two teeth free. Oh yes, there will be words she growled as she watched the two enter.

Asuka was already slowly strapping the diving gear onto herself, taking more time than was necessary. Oh I can't wait she all but squealed to herself. Watching Misato approach the two, she listened closer.

"Listen you two! I don't care what you think but you have no right to accost Asuka like that! We had to re-set two of her teeth and a tiny fracture in her jawbone!" Misato growled. She was brought up short by the two glares directed her way.

"Captain Misato, with all due respect, you are an idiot. What happened was I got into the shower first, had my shower and then opened the door to let Asuka in whilst hiding behind the door. I slipped out, got dressed and waited for Rei. When she taunted me about Rei in the showers, I decked her and retrieved Rei. We then spent the night in the Medical Wing." Shinji announced with a malevolent glare switching between Asuka and Misato.

Visibly shocked, Misato turned to Rei for confirmation or denial. She received a nod. "The Second Child attempted to punch me and I ducked. She then kneed me in the eye. I retaliated and winded her. She then ripped some of my hair out and then punched me before throwing me into the shower" Rei stated as she pointed to each of the injuries in turn, even as she blushed. Despite his nervousness, Shinji had cared for her last night.

"Is this true, Asuka?" she asked lightly as she stared at her surrogate daughter.

"Of course it isn't! They attacked me!" Asuka shouted.

"Very well. Let this be a warning to all three of you then. Fighting won't be tolerated" Misato growled before leaving the pool.

Shinji glared at Asuka before stripping down to his swim trunks. Dumping his clothing in a pile by the door, he slowly walked down the steps and into the pool. Simply walking around and enjoying the feel of the cool water, Shinji beckoned Rei in. I love the shallow end. I can still move fairly fast and it's relaxing he thought as he waded around. Ignoring Asuka's jeers, he leant against the wall and smiled as Rei joined him.

"Misato's clearly wrapped around Asuka's little finger. We can't move overtly against either of them" she whispered to Shinji as her gaze swept the pool and took note of Asuka using the scuba gear in the deep end.

"The only way we'll be able to succeed here is to completely incapacitate her" Shinji agreed as his eyes watched outside. "Did you hear about the Angel discovered in the volcano? Apparently a NERV team has been onsite for a day and is monitoring it. I bet they plan to try and capture it" Shinji whispered. "And I bet you Asuka's already wheedled her way to be the one to do it"

Nodding, Rei smiled at Shinji before swimming over to the lane to do some laps. As she made her methodical way down the lanes and thought, she continued the same style as her mind whirled away.

Nodding as Rei started swimming, Shinji left the pool and relaxed on a bench in the shade. His skin gained goose-bumps as cool air blew across his damp frame and he smiled. Looking up at the ceiling and humming to himself, Shinji continued to think. It seems like it's just me and Rei against the entirety of NERV he muttered as he continued to watch Rei out of the corner of his eye. I think I very well may love her he thought.

And the thought scared him worse than any Angel.

ASASASASASASASAS

Shinji sighed as he stood at the crater rim, encased within the Evangelion. "Why exactly are we diving into molten magma to meet an Angel?" he inquired of Misato as he gazed into the roiling magma.

"It's because the Commander issued an A-17 Order, Pilot!" Misato snapped as she fanned herself.

"Purposeful contact with an Angel? Yeah, that worked real well with the Katsuragi expedition" Shinji shot back before he closed the communication window and smiled at Rei's communication window. Both Unit 01 and Unit 00 were positioned on the crater's rim in the event they needed to provide spare weaponry or to finish off the Angel. "Misato better reward us for this" he grumbled.

Rei simply shook her head in amusement and flexed her hands in preparation. Beside her lay two Positron Rifles, each fully loaded and charged. Closing her eyes, she attempted to once more synchronise with her Evangelion.

What the fuck do you want?!

Rei blinked as the thought penetrated her mind and she frowned.

I want to pilot the Evangelion. To protect mankind and Shinji.

You're Gendo's little doll, aren't you?

No, I am not. I have severed all ties to the Commander once he ordered me killed. He is now just a superior officer Rei responded with more than a twinge of annoyance giving her thought volume.

Is that so, little doll? And what lead you to this?

Shinji did. He showed me care...he taught me how to be.

Hmph. You're still a doll. But I can...feel you care for Shinji like I once felt for the Commander. Now all I desire is to speak with my daughter. Grant me that and I will work with you.

I will think on it.

Shinji smiled at Rei just as Asuka was lowered into the molten rock. Looking up, he raised an eyebrow at the planes circling. Opening a communication window to Maya, he smirked at her annoyed face. "First Lieutenant Ibuki. What is the purpose of the aircraft?"

Maya frowned more severely at Shinji before acquiescing. "They are carrying N2 mines. They're here to wipe the Angel out if we fail" she stated firmly as her fingers flew across the keyboard. Shutting the comm window and focusing once more on her work, she nodded to Doctor Akagi. "The Third Child has been informed."

Shinji whined. "But I want an N2 Mine!" Seeing Rei sigh and shake her head, Shinji merely focused his sensors on the lava. The cable was coming up and he could hear frantic squabbles coming from Rei's comm window. "Rei, what's happening?"

"The Angel apparently burst open early and...SHINJI, MOVE!"

ASASASASASASASAS

Unit 01 leapt backwards just as the Angel erupted from the lava and slammed into the crater wall. Jumping away from the Angel, Unit 01 growled as the beast followed it. Looking like a mix between a trilobite and a plesiosaur, it seemed to move on land as fast as it did in the lava. Strengthening his AT Field as the Angel shot five balls of molten rock at him, the white-hot rock splattered off the field.

It's too hot to touch or get near Unit 01 thought as it continued to circle the lava-throwing Angel. Grabbing it's own positron rifle as it darted past an armoury truck, Unit 01 let fly with bolts of incandescent energy that splattered ineffectually against the Angel's hide. Snarling in frustration, Unit 01 set the rifle to overload and tossed it at the Angel. The weapon melted before it could get close.

Suddenly, Unit 01 remembered the massive storage containers of Liquid Nitrogen stored in one of the supply trucks. Speeding towards the truck, it snarled as a lucky magma bolt struck it's back and started melting through the armour and flesh. Pulling more energy through the umbilical to regenerate the damaged flesh and armour, Unit 01 arrived at the truck.

Grabbing one of the massive barrels of Liquid Nitrogen, the Evangelion winced as it felt tendrils of frost creeping along it's arms. It would only have one shot. Giving a signal to Unit 00 who was firing at the Angel, the Evangelion noticed Unit 00 nod to the order. Unit 01 knew this was going to hurt. To prevent the tankard of liquid ntrogen from melting before it got close, Unit 01 would have to wrap it's AT Field around the tank and drop it at the exact second the positron shot was about to strike it.

Slowly leading the Angel towards the volcano, Unit 01 was slowly folding it's AT Field around the canister. So long as it only existed within two dimensions, it was no strain to keep active. But the further it got, the harder it would be to keep it maintained. Fifty metres was the limit of it's range. And the Angel's aura of heat extended out one hundred metres.

Growling, Unit 01 kept the container steady as the last of the AT Field meshed around it. Preparing itself by readying the progressive knife and tensing it's legs, all was silent upon the battlefield. The magma Angel was still as it warily watched the Evangelion and the Evangelion mirrored the action. Cutting loose with a bowel-trembling roar, Unit 01 dashed forward.

Darting between the rapidly fired blasts of magma, Unit 01 could feel it's armour starting to heat up from the Angel. Keeping it's AT Field tight around the canister of fluid, Unit 01 dashed into the one-hundred metre range. It was like stepping from a sunlight day into a fully fired kiln. Slowly, the armour on Unit 01's chest started to melt and splatter down to the floor. Reaching the fifty metre range, it tossed the canister.

Unit 00 was marking the Evangelion as it dashed forward. Aiming the positron rifle at the canister, it fired the moment the canister was a metre from the Angel. Striking the barrel, it pierced the AT Field and struck the barrel of liquid nitrogen. Instantly, the white fluid blasted out and rapidly soaked the Angel from head to toe. Apparently it had been under intense pressurisation.

Unit 01 let out a roar of triumph as the Angel was rapidly cooled. Breaking out it's Progressive Knife and charging at the Angel, it was unprepared as Unit 02 slammed into it and sent Unit 01 flying. Unit 02 suddenly turned and drove it's blade into the Angel's core.

Slowly staggering to it's feet and a fair distance from the Angel, Unit 01 glared angrily at the red leviathan before popping it's Entry Plug.

Shinji was swearing a blue streak at Asuka who was fanning herself and being congratulated by Misato. "Listen, you bitch! You need to get your goddamn ego in check or next time you pull something like that, I swear to god I'll snap your Evangelion's spine!" Shinji roared. Seeing Misato turn a disapproving glare at him, Shinji snarled and stomped away. As both Asuka and Misato turned away, they didn't notice the odd blue hexagonal field surround Shinji for barely a second.

Arriving next to Rei, he slammed his clenched fist into the foot of the Evangelion with a loud crack. Turning to Rei, he smiled woodenly. "Can you believe her? She's jeapordising humanity for an ego boost" he growled as he cradled his injured hand. Leaning against Rei with a tired sigh, he could still feel the heat from the Angel slowly roasting him. "How about we go to a hot spring? My treat" he offered.

Rei smiled and nodded at Shinji as both Evangelion's watched them.

He's awakening Unit 01 thought as it observed Shinji interacting with Rei.

She's learning Unit 00 thought as it watched the two converse.

ASASASASASASASAS

Shinji sighed in bliss as he soaked in the water of the Hot Spring. It soothed bone-deep aches he had been nursing since the Third Angel. Paddling over to a shallow section of the bath and sitting, he shot upright as he saw Rei dive into the spring and swim towards him. As she surfaced a bare meter from him, Shinji blushed furiously and closed his legs to hide his reaction to Rei. "Uh...this is the guys side" he informed Rei, only to be met with a roll of her eyes.

"Shinji, cut it out. I know you're aching from being that close to Sandaphlon. I know you need to relax" Rei stated bluntly. Pointing to a smooth rock at the side of the spring, she raised an eyebrow at Shinji as if taunting him, wanting him to argue.

"Yeah, you're right" Shinji agreed. Slowly swimming towards the side, he forgot all modesty as he clambered out and lay down on the smooth, cool rock. Hearing Rei get out and kneel beside him, he turned his gaze away resolutely. "Thanks for this, Rei. You did good out there too. I couldn't have made that shot" he stated with conviction before letting out a purr as Rei massaged his cramped, tense muscles.

"Damn Rei. That feels so good" he groaned as he felt all his muscles slowly being unlocked by Rei. Closing his eyes and slowly drifting between sleep, he spoke. "I'm afraid, Rei. I don't want to hurt you if I get too close to you. You've already suffered too much to take any more. And I'm scared of letting you close because I'm not used to being touched. But I know I care for you. Deeply"

Rei blushed at Shinji's words as she massaged his back. The sheer amount of tenseness and stress located in his muscles was simply mind-boggling. "Don't worry, Shinji. If you do hurt me, we can deal with it together" she whispered just as Shinji slowly faded off into sleep. Stroking his hair and smiling, Rei gently kissed the crown of his head.

A/N: Alright! Chapter 11 is over with and Sandaphlon lies defeated! Next is Matariel and then Sahaquiel! I wanted a good mix of character development between the trio. Now whilst you may not agree with me about Asuka...she went to college and graduated. She's gonna pick some words up there to call people. And as for the shower fight scene...definitely needed. I'm trying to portray Asuka as someone that will do anything to be the best, including potentially screw over humanity.

Also, with Misato. As we know she spent time with Asuka in Germany and due to Shinji's attitude, she will of course feel closer to Asuka than Shinji, which means believing Asuka over Shinji and Rei.