The Effects Of Puberty

Chapter 12: Coming Back

Asuka/Shinji's Room – Morning

I wake up feeling Asuka's warm breath on my neck. Looking down at the bed, I notice something… out of the ordinary… we were in the same bed! Did we sleep together? I start to get up, but she swings her leg around me, causing me to stay still. Then I noticed something else… she was naked… and so was I… did we? Memories of last night come flooding back to me… we did! Did we actually have sex? From what I remember, yes… about three times actually. I remember what we both went through last night. All of the passion, all of our newly confessed love, everything came out. I took Asuka's virginity… and she took mine… we were bonded now. A simple 'I love you' turned into us having a passionate night together. I can't believe what's happening to me!

"Shinji…" I look at her to see her smiling at me, "Thank you…" she was thanking me? Hell, I should be worshiping her right now! "Last night was amazing… especially knowing that the person that I lost my virginity to… loves me… as much as I love him," she lightly kissed my lips.

"Same here…" I hug her tight, "I love you Asuka…"

"I love you too Shinji…" she began to whisper in my ear, "Want it again? Right now? We still have a few hours before we have to leave… do you want to make love to me again?" come to think of it… what if Gendo heard us? If memory serves correctly, Asuka isn't exactly quiet… ah, who cares?

"Do… you want to?" she nods and kisses me on the lips.

"Yeah…" a few minutes later, we were doing just that…

---

Asuka/Shinji's Room – Morning

"Ew! Shinji! Are you dreaming of me again? Pervert!" you… have got… to be KIDDING ME!!! Was that a friggen dream? Man, this sucks! I was slowly waking up from her yelling at me, but I leaped up when she threw a pillow at me, "Stop it!" okay, I was on the floor with all of my clothes on, so I know that it didn't really happen… but still… nice.

"I can't help it! It's morning!" I try to cover up, "Sorry…"

"Damn it Shinji, you'd think those dreams would stop! You already have me!" like that makes a difference! "Just hurry up and take a shower, we have to leave in about an hour," she was still in bed covered up to her neck, which she was taking great care to make them stay there… huh…

"Okay…" I stay on the floor.

"Well go already!" damn it…

"I… can you wait like, three minutes?" her face reddens up.

"Just go!" she begins to throw a pillow at me and I run into the bathroom. I take a shower as quickly as possible and get dressed. When I get back into the main room I see her still under the covers.

"Okay, you're up," she drags herself out from under the covers.

"Damn… yesterday wiped me out. Every muscle in my body hurts… maybe a shower will help a little…" she slugs into the bathroom and turns on the shower. She only did one challenge yesterday! Sure, she dislocated her finger, but its fine now.

"Do you just want to stay here today?" I yell through the door.

"Nah, I'm fine. We didn't come this far for me to stay in this crappy motel room!" yeah, but if she was hurt… "Oh, I almost forgot, today, don't forget to bring a cup or something. Last time I saw this show, a guy turn purple because he got hit there. Just a warning…" my heart sinks.

"But… I didn't bring one…" I wanna keep 'em!

"I guess you can just cover them up or something or just keep away from the shogun…" why did I have a bad feeling about that word?

"Um… okay…" now I didn't want to go! Damn it! Gotta make sure Gendo is the one that that happens to…

"Hey Shinji? Can you do me a favor?" she snapped me out of my mental image of Gendo getting kicked there…

"Sure, what is it?"

"I want you to tell me the truth here, and don't take this the wrong way… I thought about the whole Toji thing…" she took a long pause, "What do you think about sex?" did we really have to talk about this?

"Um… as in…"

"Us..."

"Oh…" holy crap, holy crap, holy CRAP! What am I supposed to say here? "Well… I think that we might be too young…"

"No, I mean do you think about it?" I'm a fourteen year old boy with a girlfriend like that… what does she think?

"Um… sometimes I guess…" my voice was barely above a whisper, "Why?"

"Because… I'm worried we're moving too fast with this, and I don't want something to happen that we'll regret…" the water turns off and I hear her step out, "Am I wrong?"

"Well… there might be some truth to it, but I don't think that we're moving TOO fast, I mean, we've know each other for a little more then a year now…" even though we've been dating for a few weeks…

"Yeah… I guess you're right… you said that we were too young…" she walks out of the bathroom fully dressed, "What would you say if I said that I wan-"

"Are you kids ready to go? We've got a game show to win!" Fuyutsuki comes storming into our room. Why is it that somehow every man in this trip has managed to ruin a special moment for me?

"Who the hell do you think you are barging in like that?! What if we were getting dressed?!" he crossed his arms and smiled… uh oh…

"And why would you two be dressing in front of each other? Aren't you too young for that?" oh damn it…

"W-We wouldn't be!" nice recovery Asuka… real nice, "Shut up!" even better! No, she didn't sound suspicious at all!

"Forget about it. Come on, let's go. I want to get there early," half an hour early? Asuka and I shrug and we follow him outside. Before I could react I feel someone grab me and pull me into another room. I see Fuyutsuki do the same thing with Asuka, pulling her into our room.

"What the fuck?!" I whip around to see Gendo looking down at me, "What the hell is Fuyutsuki doing?!"

"We heard your conversation last night, and while I accept it, we need to talk."

"You could have just asked us… is Asuka getting the same thing or something?" I think I saw him smile a little.

"Fuyutsuki is talking to Asuka…" he guides me over to a chair and sits me down, "Listen, I realize what is going on in your body," ah crap, this again? I've already heard this like, five times from Misato! "And I wanted to ask you something…" okay, that might be new; "Did you two have… intercourse yet?" was he actually acting like a father?

"NO!" I hear Asuka yell the same thing next door.

"Are you sure?" he raised an eyebrow.

"No father, I'm not sure if I'm a virgin or not. Yes I'm sure! I mean, we've ki-… wait… why am I telling you this?"

"If what you say is true… then we must have this talk," ugh…

"Get it over with… but just so you know, I already know all of this…" I probably know more then that old bastard does! He then pulled out – from behind his back – two objects, "EW! I'm outta here!" I run out of the room to meet Asuka panting just as much as I was.

"Did he… use the-"

"Yeah…"

"I'm never going to eat another hot dog again…" her eyes were the size of dinner plates, as were mine.

"Or doughnuts…"

---

Takeshi's Castel

"And now we begin the final round of Takeshi's Castel! Will our contestants survive? Will they leave with all body parts? Will they ever walk again?" no, that wasn't stressful!

"Maybe, but we know one thing for sure… they ain't leaving with their dignity! That was lost a long time ago for each of them! Fuyutsuki was hit in the balls by a monkey, Gendo was slapped by a beautiful woman, Shinji showed that he was a raging nerd, and Asuka flashed the entire Japanese population!" a stone hit the bullet-proof glass and bounced off.

"I swear to God, if I see you after this damn thing is over, you're dead!"

"Guess what little girlie? You can't do anything!" the man in red yelled.

"Dude…" the man in blue tried to get his attention, but failed.

"You're just a slimy little demon with a heart of ice! But its okay, you know why? Because it doesn't matter anymore! All you're going to be known as is the red-headed bitch with a small rack!" Asuka was turning red with anger as she stared at him… why don't I see a peaceful solution to this?

"Dude… you do know that you play the role of Takeshi… right?" the man fell backwards and Asuka smiled, "Ugh… file for a new co-host… okay contestants, this is an obstacle course. First, make your way across three yards of burning coal, then run across four turning barrels above water, then make your way up the hill of death, full of boulders, wrecking balls, shoguns with bats and – to add a little drama to the kids… forty clones of MJ!" I heard Gendo chuckle a little, "Once you make it up there, Asuka is free to beat on Takeshi all she wants!"

"Don't say that! I like my organs where they are, thank you!" this guy was so screwed!

"Come on Shinji!" Asuka grabbed my wrist and drug me across the coals, "Dumb asses forgot to make us take off our shoes…" why weren't Gendo and Fuyutsuki coming? They were just standing back watching us! After we got past the coals, we stopped in front of the barrels, "Any ideas?"

"Actually, yeah. Give me your shoe," she raised an eyebrow and took off her left shoe.

"What are you…?" I stick the shoe in the turning gear, making one of the barrels stop turning, "AH! You just thrashed my shoe!"

"Sorry… I thought that you wanted to get back at Takeshi…" she smiled.

"Okay, no problem… but you have to take me shopping now!" I jump onto the barrel and hold out my hand to help her up, "Why thank you…" when she was up there, she takes off her other shoe and hands it to me, "Might as well use this one to stop that barrel, it's kinda missing it's right side…" ignoring her corny joke, I stick it in the next gear, making the barrel stop in the process.

"Okay, one more…" I help her onto the next barrel. Instead of taking off my shoe to stop it, I simply take off my shirt to stop the gear.

"No fair! All you're losing is a cheap shirt! Those were brand-name shoes!" why was she even wearing those here?

---

Tokyo-3 – School

"That guy is gonna get his nuts twisted off! This show rocks!" all of the boys gathered around the TV hoping for something violent to happen, "Man, I can't wait until they make it! Go Shinji!" all of the girls in the back stared at the glowing screen.

"Yeah… go Shinji…" a certain girl had a deep blush on as she stared at the TV.

"Pilot Ikari is… muscular…" the blush only grew deeper as she spoke those words. Her hair only made her pale skin look all the redder…

---

Takeshi's Castel

"Well, I didn't have to use your shoe… I could have used your shirt…" I smirk as she blushes.

"Never mind…" I help her onto the next barrel and help her jump onto the foot of the hill, "Okay, now for the hill…" she dodged a boulder and let it fall into the water behind her, "Any real ideas for this one?" we watched a giant shogun with a bat scurry across the hill, just waiting for us.

"Once again, yes. You see how that Shogun knows where and when to dodge the boulders? Well, all we have to do is follow his patterns, and we'll be able to make it up."

"Well that's all fine and dandy until we actually reach the shogun… then what?" I had a little something planned…

"Just leave that up to me, for now, let's just get up to him," we begin to climb up the steep hill, following the giant shogun's movements all the way. When we make it about three yards away from him, I hold my hand out, "Okay, wait here. Don't move from this spot, okay?" she slowly nods, trying to hold onto the loose dirt. I take off my shoe and set it up at a forty-five degree angle pointing to the sky about three feet in front of her, "Okay, now duck and hold you head. Don't make a move, okay?"

"I swear, if I get hit by one of those things…" one comes barreling towards her, I get out of the way and let it roll to her. "Shinji!" she yelled as she held her head awaiting the impact.

---

Tokyo-3 – School

"That asshole! He's going to let her get hit!" one of the girls was yelling at the TV, "Screw this guy! If he can't even take a hit for a girl, then forget him!"

"Pilot Ikari… has his reasons…" only one girl saw what was going on in Shinji's head.

---

Takeshi's Castel

The boulder hits the shoe and easily flies over her head.

"YES! Okay Asuka, just stay there, I'll call you when it's safe," I hear her mutter something in German, but I brush it off. I climb up to the shogun – which was standing on a long, flat platform, making it easy for him and me to move – and stare him down, "Now for you…" he charged at me with the bat. I simply duck and slid under his legs, then kicked him off of the platform, making him tumble down the hill and drop his bat in front of me.

---

Tokyo-3 – School

"I love a man with brains and brawn!" the same girl yelled after insulting him. A certain quiet girl got up and stared her down, "And what's up with you?"

"I would appreciate it if you refrain from acting as if Ikari is a toy. Now please get your hormones under control and calm down," even with her monotone voice, it was still able to get the girl to follow her orders.

"I'm sorry…"

"Do not apologize to me; apologize to Pilot Ikari when he returns…"

---

Takeshi's Castel

"Shinji! Can I get up yet? These boulders are starting to creep me out!" another one flew over her head. I pick up the bat and make my way back to her.

"Okay, when I tell you to, get up and stay behind me, okay?" I lean back, dodging one of the boulders, "Did you hear me?"

"YES! Now just hurry up!" as one more boulder came, I stepped in front of her and hit the heavy plastic boulder, making it fly through the air.

"Okay Asuka, you can get up now," she raised her head and brought herself to her feet, "Now just stay behind me, then when we get to the top you can wale on Takeshi all you want…" I hit another boulder away as we start to climb.

"You're sure taking charge today… any particular reason?" she was right, I actually felt powerful today. As for the reason, I had absolutely no idea. I just had the feeling that I was somehow becoming well liked… what? Damn I need to get more sleep…

"No…" I hit one last boulder, "But I do like doing this with you. I like it when we work as a team…" before she could say anything, I cut back in, "Well, we're at the top. Now where's Takeshi?" we were in the middle of a large dirt platform set atop that hill.

"Well, well, well… looks like our young heroes have made it all the way up to Takeshi's castle… now one question remains…" the man in red popped up from under the ground wearing what looked like a emperor's uniform, "Can you take me on?" I hear Asuka crack her knuckles.

"He's all yours…" I step to one side and leave her alone.

"So… I'm a cold hearted bitch, huh? Okay… I'll take that… but when you insult my body…" her eyes set aflame, "YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR!" she charged at him full speed with a drawn fist. He simply put up a hand, and for some reason Asuka stopped running.

"Hold on my dear girl, this is not a physical fight…" she shot up immediately.

"Yes it is! It has always been like this on this damn show! The winner gets to fight Takeshi!" why was she arguing? Kick his ass!

"Um… that has… changed…" he cowering out! "Now you will simply fight your way TO me, then you win… so no harm to Takeshi!" Asuka turns red with anger.

"Hell no! You insult me up and down, and I don't even get to land a punch? I don't play that way, bitch!" ouch… he was blushing bright red! "So you have two choices here, either I kick your sorry ass, or I… you know what? There is no second option!" she charges at him and punches his face, making him fall back, "You gonna fight back?"

"Hey! Another punch like that and you're out of this competition!" she takes a deep breath.

"Fine…" she walks up to him and holds out her hand, apparently trying to help him up. When he was up, she knees him in the groin, "It's not like we win anything on this game show! What's gonna happen? You kick us out? We're done already!"

---

Tokyo-3 – School

As Asuka began to pummel Takeshi, the boys stared with smiles on there faces as the girls were steaming with anger.

"Man, watching Asuka beat up on someone besides me is awesome! Who knew she was so strong?" Toji cupped his boys at the student's comment. He knew exactly how strong she was…

"Look at that…" one of the girls had a disgusted face on, "How could Shinji be dating HER? She's so… violent. I mean, she used to beat on him on a daily basis, and now all of the sudden they're damn near attached at the hip! Shinji deserves a better girl then that!" all of the girls nodded.

"He deserves a kind girl…"

"He deserves a cute girl…"

"He deserves a smart girl…" a long pause, then all of them speak at once.

"He deserves me…" a lot of yelling and bickering soon followed.

---

Car – Riding Home

Asuka – with a smile – counted off a few bills in her hand. Not only did she beat the living crap out of him, but she took his wallet! After he fainted – around the fourth kick to the groin – she reached down and pulled out his wallet!

"I'm glad I came… that guy was loaded!" she laughs.

"Why did you steal his wallet? Was that really necessary?" Gendo – as always – was being a hypocrite. He would gladly kill a person just to keep his position, and now he's talking about morals?

"Yes, yes it was. You see, for some reason saving to world wasn't enough to get a paycheck off of, so I have to find other ways!" Asuka slipped the money in her pocket.

"You are children, why would you need money?" well, for me at least, I'm the one that buys most of the food. Misato just buys beer…

"And you're head of NERV; don't you get supported from them? Why do you need a paycheck?"

"Point taken…" the car went silent for the rest of the ride. Asuka eventually fell asleep leaning on the door, Gendo – I think – was asleep as well, but I wasn't too sure. Once again, just me and Fuyutsuki were left. When we were starting to get into sight of Misato's apartment, he spoke up.

"So… you finally did it… how does it feel?" he whispered as he spoke.

"Huh?" what was he talking about?

"You know, saying 'I love you' to Asuka. We only heard a few words of the conversation, but we did hear 'I love you, Asuka'. Did she say it back?" why am I even talking about his to him? Come to think of it, he's acting like more of a father then Gendo is!

"Um… yeah, she did…" I saw him smile through the rear-view mirror.

"That's great, I'm glad you two have finally gotten to this point… so… what now?" how the hell was I supposed to know? This is the first time I've said those words to anyone, let alone my girlfriend…

"I… don't know… what is supposed to happen now? I mean, is there anything more to this then what has already been done?" he chuckles a little.

"You'll find out eventually…" okay… I knew what he was talking about now…

"Can we drop this… please?" the car once again went silent. A few minutes later we were in front of Misato's. "Asuka, we're home. Wake up," I nudge her and she raises her head to meet mine, "We're home," she smiles and jumps out of the car… I take it she wants to leave! "Bye Fuyutsuki, thanks for inviting us…" I climb out of the car and follow Asuka to the front door… ah crap… I just thanked Fuyutsuki and not Gendo… oops.

"I'm so glad to be home!" She opened the door and I followed her inside. We were immediately brought into a tight embrace by Misato.

"You two are okay! I was so worried!" she cried as she held us.

"I… can't… breathe…" I hear Asuka mutter. Misato lets us go and apologizes.

"Oh… sorry…" she wipes a tear away, "So no injuries? No cuts? Bruises? Nothing?" she scans over our bodies.

"No, Asuka got a dislocated finger, but aside from that we're fine."

"Oh yeah, easy for you to say! That hurt like a bitch when you pulled it back in place!" Misato went wide eyed.

"Shinji did that? Shinji IKARI fixed your finger?" Asuka nods, "Wow… looks like you're really growing up Shinji! When I first met you, you would have freaked out at that!" was that a compliment?

"Um… thank you? And Asuka, if it hurt so much, why didn't you say anything?" we both knew what I was talking about, but neither of us were going to say anything.

"What, am I supposed to scream after you said THAT?" or not…

"Shinji? What did you say?" Asuka realizes what she just said and slaps her forehead. Great, now Misato's going to know!

"Ugh… he… okay, WE said…" she took a long pause.

"I love you?" Misato chuckles, "Sorry couldn't help myself. What'd you guys say?" Asuka raises her head and smiles nervously.

"Actually… yeah…" she grabs my hand and pecks me on the cheek, "We said that…" Misato nearly faints at the sight, and so do I. Did Asuka just kiss me in front of Misato? Not that I was complaining about getting a kiss from her – that I was okay with – just the way she presented it was… odd.

"Y-You… said…" she was damn near sweating!

"Yeah, don't make such a big deal about it. We felt it so we said it," Asuka sure seemed very open with this. I'm actually relieved that she's okay with talking about it.

"Okay… sorry… oh! I almost forgot! I have some great news! Guess what happened when you were away?" I'm sorry, but she just set us up for this one. I mean, what HAS been happening ever since Kaji and her got together?

"You're pregnant?" Asuka started us off…

"You actually went on a date with Kaji?"

"SHUT UP!" before we could go on, Misato cut us off, "Quit being smartasses! This is serious!" she held up her hand and showed off a ring with a pretty big diamond in it, "Kaji… asked me to marry him…" me and Asuka both nearly faint.

"He… what? Are you serious?" she nodded at my question.

"Yep! The wedding is going to be a two months!" so soon?

"It's about time! You two have been sleeping together for years now, you'd think this would have happened earlier!" Asuka was actually smiling! Was she happy for them? None the less, that was nice of her even if it was fake.

"Oh, ha, ha Asuka. Just for that little comment, you two are going to school today. I WAS going to let you have the day off, but there's still plenty of time to make it!" ah damn it… "No hurry up and go get dressed, I'll drive you."

"Oh come on! It was a joke!" Misato firmly pointed to Asuka's room, "Fine…" we both slug to our rooms. Man! I didn't want to go to school! For some reason, I had a really bad feeling about going…

---

School – Thirty Minutes Later

"Bye kids! Have fun!" Asuka flips off Misato as she drives off.

"Well, we might as well get going, not like we have much of a choice here," with heads hung low, we begin to walk into the school. Asuka held my hand in hers as we walked, "You think we missed much?"

"No. All that dumb ass teacher talks about is sex-ed, so we're fine," she was right about that. I was starting to think that this guy was a pervert…

"Hope so," when we finally get into the class room, we were met with silence, then a loud wave of applause.

"Nice job Ikari!" don't tell me they saw that crap…

"What'd you guys win?" they did…

"Okay class, calm down, I think Ikari and Souryu are very tired after all that, so let's just get back to the lesson. You two may take your seat," we release each other's hands and walk to our desks. Before I could even open my laptop I heard the beeping of about twenty messages. I close them all without reading them and send a message to Asuka.

You have entered room 'Hey'

Unit01- you getting the same stuff as me?

REDcutie- yeah, it's really annoying. I don't even wanna be here, let alone filter through all of these…

Unit01- are you reading any?

REDcutie- only briefly. I've gotten about five guys asking me out right now. What's with the sudden interest?

Unit01- Um… I think I know…

REDcutie- yeah? What then?

Unit01- Um… remember back at Takeshi's castle when he hit you into the lake…?

REDcutie- SON OF A BITCH! THEY ALL SAW THAT!!!

Unit01- sorry about that…

REDcutie- damn it! Why did it have to be at school to? Like this wasn't embarrassing enough!!!

HHgirl has joined the room

HHgirl- Hey Asuka! Welcome back!

Unit01- what am I? chop liver?

HHgirl- Sorry Shinji. Hi.

REDcutie- damnitdamnitdamnit!!!

HHgirl- Asuka? Are you okay?

NERV has entered the room

REDcutie- NO! I just flashed all of Japan!

REDcutie- DAMN IT ALL TO HELL! Why did HE have to be here?

NERV- You sure did Asuka… you sure did…

REDcutie- SHUTUP!

Unit01- Kensuke, I seriously recommend that you keep your mouth shut about this.

NERV- oh, what are ya gonna do? Sick Asuka on me?

Unit01- Don't make fun of her or I will take care of you, not Asuka.

HHgirl- wow…

SPORTman has entered the room

SPORTman- what's up yall?

HHgirl- GET OUT!

REDcutie- GET OUT!

Unit01- GET OUT!

SPORTman has left the room

NERV- Awww! Why'd ya have to go and do that?

Unit01- because he's an asshole.

REDcutie- yeah, basically

HHgirl- he's more then an asshole! He's a goddamn piece of shit!

REDcutie- wow… Hikari just cursed…

Unit01- hey, she speaks the truth

REDcutie- yep…

Just like before, the screens went black and the teacher began to yell. I just ignored it; why listen to his ramble when I could be getting a well-deserved nap? I lay my head down and eventually fall asleep. That feeling that something really bad was about to happen never left me, but I just tried to ignore it.

---

Lunch Bell

"Do you always get your sleep in class? You're going to get caught one of these days!" Asuka kicks my desk and wakes me up, "Come on, it's lunch and we need to go buy it… damn cafeteria food…" get up and begin to walk out of the class room with her.

"Sorry, but I obviously didn't make lunches for us. I'll make them tomorrow," to my surprise, she grabbed my hand as we walked. Looks like she's starting to become more open with this…

"Don't worry about it, let's just hope what they have is eatable…" we buy our lunches – which were both the salad… why take chances here? – and head back to our classroom. When we get back we see the normal groupings of friends, except for Toji, who was eating in the corner by himself. Asuka and I take our seats with Hikari, Rei and Kensuke.

"Hey guys, had to buy lunch today?" we both nod, "I'm… sorry…" Hikari smirked.

"So, anything happen when we were away?" might as well find out what we missed, right?

"Well… we just watched Takeshi's Castle for the whole time…" both Hikari and Rei glance up at me and blush slightly, "That's it…" what was up with them?

"I believe that Shinji's… ending strategy made a fight between the female students…" Rei didn't lift her eyes from her food as she spoke, "Aside from Hikari and myself of course…" Hikari slapped the back of her head, "Ouch…"

"I told you not to tell them!" Asuka dropped her chop sticks and slammed her hands down on the table.

"What were they saying?" her voice was sharp as she spoke… uh oh…

"Um… nothing…" Hikari went back to her meal nervously.

"Hikari, tell me!" I can see where this is going… crap!

"Do I have to?" Asuka glared at her, "Fine… all they were doing was goggling over Shinji's body after he took off his shirt, no big deal."

"I believe that they were also speaking of how smart, 'hot', and kind Ikari was. I heard one say that she'd 'like to share a bed' with him. I don't see how sharing a bed has to do with anything…" Hikari once again hit her in the back of the head, "Ouch…"

"Thank you so much Rei for your input!" Asuka was fuming at this point. Just at the wrong time, one girl – Etsumi I think her name is – came up and put her hands on my desk, then leaning towards me. She was known for going through boys faster than food, and it's apparent why. Sure, she was cute – many of the guys call her hot – but just not my type. She had long brown hair and… a decent chest…

"Hey there Shinji, how ya doing?" I just keep quiet and try to keep my eyes on her face, "Oh, quiet are we? Well, I'll just skip to the main point, okay? How about you dump that demon and go out with me, huh? I can give you something that she won't…" I avert my eyes back to my meal and take a bite.

"Sorry, but I won't do that. You should try and find someone that actually knows you enough to say your name, and then ask THEM out. And I'd appreciate it if you'd not call Asuka that," she went red at my statement. Hell, even I was surprised I said that!

"Oh come on, you know it to be true!" I continue to eat my meal, "Hey! Look up when I'm talking to you!"

"He said no you rag bitch!" holy crap! Asuka was pissed!

"Why don't you mind your own business for once?" Asuka leaped up and took my wrist, then drug me to the front of the class.

"Hey! Listen up! I understand that some of the girls in this class were talking about MY Shinji, well guess what? This baka is taken, and will REMAIN taken!" she grabbed my collar and pulled me into a deep kiss… holy crap! What was she doing?! This wasn't a damn peck, she was really kissing me! In front of the whole class none the less! After thirty seconds, she pulled back and glared back at the classroom, "Get it?" all of the girls were fuming, and even a few guys, "Good!" she takes me back to my seat – Etsumi now gone – and sits me down.

"Wow… wasn't that a little drastic? I mean, you just made out in front of the whole class…" Asuka shrugs and takes a bite.

"Yeah, but I got my point across, didn't I?" the whole class was still silent from what just happened, "Yeah, I think I did."

"Asuka and Shinji, sitting in a tree, F-U-C-K-I-N-G …" Kensuke mumbled under his breath, and was quickly met with a slap from Asuka.

"Pervert…" he got a good laugh, and then he got another slap.

---

Walking Home – After School

"Rei, seriously, drop it. I'm starting to get annoyed," we were walking home with Rei, and she WOULD NOT drop the whole sleeping in the same bed thing.

"I am just curious to know what beds have to do with Ikari," wait… why is she even still here? We passed her house a few minutes ago. Was she really that intent on finding out what it meant?

"Fine, it means sex! They want to have sex with MY Shinji! Happy?" Rei cocked her head with a confused look.

"Oh… what is 'sex'?" we both nearly faint. Damn, I knew Rei was behind socially, but to not know was sex was… damn! I mean, she's fourteen! How could she not know?

"I hope you're kidding!" Rei shakes her head, "Holy crap… Shinji, a little help here, I'd rather not give the talk to Wondergirl…" and how was I supposed to help?

"Um… well… intercourse is… do I have to do this?"

"Oh, you mean the joining of bodies genitally? Yes, I know what this is," did she have to put it that way?

"OKAY! Changing subject! Rei, why are you tagging along? We passed your house awhile ago," thank you Asuka!

"Commander Ikari instructed me to do so. Apparently Major Katsuragi has something to tell me," I knew that there was a reason! Wonder what Misato had to tell us, maybe it was something about the Evas… hopefully those things were going to be destroyed. Eh, I'm thinking to high.

"Really? Well hurry up and talk to her, I don't want you in there for too long," that was kinda rude…

"Okay…" as we walked up to the apartment, Misato yelling could be heard through the door.

"Wonder what's up with her…" Asuka slowly opens the door and reveals Misato yelling over the phone.

"But why should they move out just because of that?" moving out? "Yes, I understand that, but-… yes, I know… I have damn near raised those children! You have no right to-… I don't care what you've heard! If you ask those kids then they will tell you just how I have taken care of them! I would never do anything inappropriate around them!" this really doesn't sound good… "You wouldn't do that to them! They no longer have homes there!" homes where? "But-… but I-… ugh… okay… they'll be there by the end of the night…" she hangs up the phone and wipes away a tear. She turns and looks at us standing in the doorway, all – even Rei – with wide eyes.

"What's going on?" Asuka sounded concerned for once.

"I'm so sorry…" Misato walks over and hugs me and Asuka, "You're going to have to move out of here…" Asuka tore back and glared at Misato.

"Are you serious? I don't wanna move!"

"It's either that or Germany, your choice. Gendo is forcing you two to move out because he thought me and Kaji will interfere with your piloting skills… I'm so sorry…" she wipes away another tear.

"And if we refuse? What then?" I wasn't about to move out of my home!

"Then you'll move back in with your aunt and uncle, and you'll never see Asuka again. He was originally going to have you live in North Japan while Asuka moved to the West, but I convinced him to let you move in with Rei instead. That's the best I could do," move in with Rei? That didn't sound TOO bad. I mean, we'd still be pretty close to Misato and even closer to the school.

"WONDERGIRL?!" maybe it's not so good… "I am not moving in with that blue haired bitch! I'd rather go back to Germany than do that!" Misato walked into Asuka's room and came back out holding two large suitcases.

"Then go. There's a NERV base in Germany, you'll still be able to do whatever Gendo wants. You'll never see anyone you know again, including Shinji!" Misato was trying to prove a point here… I hope. Asuka kept quiet for awhile before speaking up.

"Fine… but where are we going to sleep? Her apartment only has one room!"

"I know that! We're moving in two beds, one for you and one for Shinji. Sorry, but it will have to be in the same room," I was a little confused about this. Gendo won't let us stay in Misato's – an adult's – apartment because of Kaji, but he'll let three teenagers with raging hormones live together and sleep within a few feet of each other? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense!

"So when do we have to leave?" Misato once again frowned.

"Tomorrow morning. Rei, you haven't said anything yet, are you okay with this?" it's not like it mattered…

"It is an order from the commander, it does not matter what I think," Asuka sighed.

"See what I mean? She's a damn doll! Do you even have emotions?" I really hope that I can convince Gendo to let us live in Misato's apartment… this constant bickering is going to kill me.

"By emotions you mean annoyance, then yes," whoa! Rei actually had a comeback!

"What did you just say to me?" Asuka was just as surprised as I was! Rei reached out and tugged on one of Asuka's ears, "Hey! What the hell are you doing?"

"You seem to have ears… so you did hear me, correct?" holy crap! This is friggen awesome!

"Are you being cocky with ME? Listen here you bi-"

"OKAY Asuka, enough of that. You're going to have to get along with Rei from now on; Gendo said that if he finds any disturbance between you two then he will go off with his original plan, okay?" Both Rei and Asuka nod, "Good, now Rei, you should get home, it'll be getting dark pretty soon," Rei nods and leaves without a word.

"You know, Germany isn't sounding that bad right now… I'd be going if I could take Shinji with me…"

"Yeah, like I'd let you two live together in a different country…" she walks off as we yell 'MISATO!'

"Damn it… I really don't wanna move…" we both sit on the couch and she turns on the TV.

"I know, I don't want to either, but we really don't have a choice. Are you going to be okay with Won-… I mean REI?" damn! Now she's got me doing it!

"I'm rubbing off on ya Shinji… and yes, I'll manage. I just gotta put her in her place the first day, then she'll be an obedient little girl…" she was acting like Rei was a friggen dog!

"But it's her apartment, we have to act like guests when we're in there," actually, it'll be OUR apartment, but all the same, she was there first.

"Whatever… what are you going to make for our last dinner here?" did she have to say that? I don't want to see this as our 'last dinner', I wanted this to be a normal sit down and eat night, nothing more, nothing less.

"Well, what do you want?" what ever happened to her cooking anyway? Damn it! She did it again! She got out of something by distracting me AGAIN!

"How about the normal? Ramen sounds pretty good to me," there we go… I like that.

"Sure, I'll start in a couple hours, it's still early," she lays her head on my shoulder as we watch TV. After awhile of staring into the 'stupid box' as Asuka occasionally called it, I got bored, so I opened my big mouth, "Asuka? I know that it doesn't matter, but today you seemed very… open with out relationship. I mean, everyone already knows, but you let me hold your hand up until we got into the classroom, you kissed me in front of Misato, and you kissed me in front of the whole class, any reason why you had a change of attitude towards it?"

"Well, I guess it was because of the whole 'I love you' thing. I mean, now that we admitted it, I think I'm more comfortable about it," I knew it!

"I'm glad you're okay with it now… you know, I think that you wanted to say it a long time ago…" she tenses up a bit.

"Why would you say that?"

"The night of our first date, you tried to say it, but stopped. I knew you did, I just never brought it up… am I right?"

"Um… yeah… I did try to, but I… I kinda chickened out…" Asuka? Chickening out? That's rare! "Looks like you're the braver of us, huh?" she leaned up and kissed my cheek.

"Yeah right, like I'll ever be braver than you. There's more of a chance of Toji getting back together with Hikari!" she chuckles.

"You're the only person that has ever been able to make me laugh, did you know that? No one has ever been able to make me happy enough to actually laugh until I met you," was that true? I was the only person that made her happy? That was actually depressing and joyful to me. On one hand, it made me feel special to her. I really meant something to her, I brought her happiness. But on the other hand, the fact that I was the only person able to make her happy meant that I always had to be there. No, I don't plan on leaving any time soon, but what would happen if I HAD to leave? Knowing Gendo, it could very possibly happen, so what then? What would become of her?

"Really? Well then, looks like I'll have to stick around, huh?" I wrap my arm around her and hold her closer to me. This may sound corny, but I really do believe that I'll never leave her; I really believe that we'll be living together for the rest of our lives… but that means… I'm thinking to far in to the future again, just enjoy the moment. Just enjoy what you have NOW, stop thinking of what you could have…

"I love you Shinji…"

"I love you too… and I always will…"

A/N- Okay, truth time. I'm so used to writing that last line that I actually wrote 'and nothing will ever change that', but then I caught myself and changed it. I really gotta pay attention more… I completely forgot the genre of this chapter half way through because I stopped for a few hours, then went back to writing drama and romance in this fic. Sorry about that, but a little mushyness never killed anyone, right? So, now that Asuka and Shinji are moving in with Rei, what will happen? Will Asuka put up with Rei? Find out in the next chapter; When You Love Someone. And yes, I know it sounds like a romance, but there will be humor, that just fits that chapter the best. Keep on keepin' on!