Standard Disclaimer
This Covid stuff keeps going on and making life strange. My family member is doing much better now, gaining wait and fighting off their problems, good deal. My gaming group is now more Switch and Magic, means I've wasted a lot of money on boardgames I'd rather play. Depression is still a nasty thing, but either I'm getting better OR just learning to accept this new norm. Anyway...have a happy X-mas AND New Year people!
X-X
On Angels' Wings
Chapter – 14
Just like the previous times she slept in his futon, the same process played out in the end. Kazehana actually enjoyed it, odd how she never suspected she would. It wasn't 'manly' for the male to be the 'little spoon', not traditionally anyway. Kazehana was learning that she didn't care for traditional masculinity as much as she used to. Life had much more to it than a chiseled jaw, firm muscles, and a brutish personality. Oh they went to sleep with Shinji as the big spoon, but as she woke up she found they had shifted in their sleep and she cradled his smaller body against hers. A blazing heat against her core.
Squeezing him closer, without drinking too much she did wake before he did, Kazehana basked in these moments. Sniffing his hair, he needed better smelling shampoo, she reaffirmed her gentle hold. Three days past his recovery and the whole house was still a little over protective. "Bet Miya is outside right now," she whispered. Had to be gentle and quiet or risk waking the sleeping beast. Her cherished Ashikabi was a notoriously light sleeper. He moved a little, rubbing in two places that sent shivers up Kazehana's spine both mentally and physically. Compatibility was well established.
Shadows under the door got her attention, so in a moment of fear she drew him even closer and heard Shinji breathe in sharp. Drat she was going to wake him with that, but there would be other mornings. And judging by the soft footfalls and size of the feet outside the door, it WAS Miya standing guard. Chuckling under her breath, "Being stupid, that gorilla wouldn't let anybody into this place after what happened." Tickling Shinji's chest as he moved more, "Sleep well Darling?" He was stupid weak to pet names she had learned.
"Very much so," Shinji responded sleepily, he shifted away from her and that heat vanished. Was it actual disappointment she heard or was it in her head, but Kazehana suspected Shinji felt he failed again. Was it her Sekirei nature to protect, her affection, or just their size difference that caused the shifting of spoons? Sitting up, and quickly turning away from her, Shinji scrambled to find his wayward boxes. Such a berserker he was, get the engine going and he was endless energy and a limitless source of pleasure, when not in pamper mode however he was so weak to nudity. "Want anything special for breakfast?" he shivered as she traced his spine.
Feeling just a little bit playful, well maybe more than a little, "I could go for a helping of Ashikabi-sama right now. You were so rough last night, I think you've broken me a little." She wasn't lying either, reality was so much better than her previous illusions. Would 'he' have been so doting and bring such joy as Shinji? No, the more she learned of her past crush…he would likely have been very mechanical. All gas and no break. No small kisses of knuckles, playful pulling of hair, and no listening. Shinji was no Adonis, was not perfect, BUT he listened! A little more to the left, go shallow a bit, push here, pull there…he was open to her wants, and that made up for any shortcomings…leaving her no lack of actual.
"Shinji-kun, are you decent? You have asked I wake you, but if you'd like to sleep in later you may, enjoy your Sunday," Miya rapped on the door. Evil woman KNEW they were up, she could hear a pin drop on the other side of the house if she wanted! The kidnapping tripped a trigger in the woman though, and she had finally shifted from passive to active. No longer was it 'we should do something about 'insert cause here', and she was making strides to end threats. Oh and acting more the maternal figure than ever before. Opening the door the moment after Shinji frantically put some clothing on, "Ah, you two are awake. Go wash up real quick. I'll get the menu out of this one."
Alternating between Miya and Kazehana, Shinji wasn't so quick to leave, and that warmed the Sekirei of the winds all the more. Before a woman that could cut a battleship in half without effort, he stood with his Sekirei. Still blushing though as Kazehana sat up and the blanket fell giving both a view of how perky Kazehana was, "D-did you want to eat with us Kaze-chan?" Last few days breakfast had been by invitation only, and those were given out by the twin matrons, Misato and Miya.
Shooing him out the door, not that she worried Miya would ever hurt him, Kazehana saw 'the look' on Miya's face. "Get going Stud, I'll likely eat with the girls again. We have to gather our strength to protect those princesses. But if you'd like a bath with me…help me wash every nook and…" Kazehana stopped as sock was suddenly in her mouth. Miya was at her side and smiling sweetly at Shinji while pinching quite hard under the blanket.
"Such actions and talk so early in the morning, you truly are an Obscene Exhibitionist," Miya scoffed. Gathering the discarded clothing, she tossed it over Kazehana's head. Moving about the room, her boy's room, the matron of the Izumo Inn cleaned it as best she could in the darkness. Oh she snooped and checked about, who could resist, she growled when she found one of Matsu's spy cameras. Looking into the device, "Have you found the last of those Seele members yet, Four-eyes? I intend to see to them today." Ultimatum given, she crushed the camera in her hand and deposited the remains in the trash.
Watching Miya act so frazzled made Kazehana happy, if even the mighty Number 01 could be so calm…they might just survive all this madness. Getting out of the futon, letting her clothing slide down into her hand, she antagonized Miya just a little more with her openness. Only male that could see her Kazehana wanted to see her, and the girls were…well they were to uptight about nudity anyway! With the hormonal state of the house, why hadn't they adopted a clothing optional policy at this point? Being au natural felt every so lovely. "Going to tell him you spy through his stuff nearly every morning? And you keep stealing our presents for him?" Kazehana opened the blinds and the sun warmed her skin. But she did start to dress.
Finding yet another of said gifts, Kazehana had left a clean pair of undergarments in the drawer that housed his own, Miya removed them with disdain. Holding them with her thumb and forefinger, "I allow some affection yes, but to much is detrimental. He is delicate in his ways, and I will not see that spoiled by over anxious but well-wishing offerings." The temperature in the room dropped at how she said her little warning. Only Misato and Shinji were immune to such threats, and only Misato could offer equally chilling ones. For a human, Kazehana thought, Misato was a very intimidating person.
"I-is now a bad time?" Matsu peaked into the room, only one eye and the top of her head hovering past the doorframe. Finding Miya continuing her cleaning/purging of non-allowed things, and a dressed Kazehana, she slid into the room and shut the door. Gathering the remains of her camera, "Was going to try and sneak into the bath with Shin-tan, but Homura got there first."
How that one reacted to winging was beyond Kazehana. Homura was always a little unique in his ways, even before the winging. Kazehana didn't pay him much mind, knowing he was a Sekirei and her old fixation took him the radar. Now it was interesting to see the changes in their body. At times it looked as if Homura might shift, to embrace their flexible nature, at others embracing the fact they could do the whole male bonding thing the female Sekirei couldn't. From a protection standpoint, their Ashikabi was safe. "Ayanami and Akitsu will just walk in on them, then Musubi will as well…I'll miss the party. But after last night…I can let them," Kazehana winked at the glowering Matsu. Kazehana knew of the camera after all.
"If they do, they will be punished. They are not fully his Sekirei, but they are…anomalies in that regard. And the poor Ayanami has been through…they are fighting with the Walking Faucet…re-education will be needed, but not today. What have you learned, I assume something or you wouldn't be here NOW yes?" Miya gripped her broom tightly. There was a time to play and a time to be serious, and Miya was telling them which it was.
Inching her way over to the futon, a sinful expression etched into her expression, Matsu 'tripped' and fell into the bed. It had a pungent smell of being used and she basked in it, of the family she was the more…unique in her passions. "I have his address. He's moved to a secure location in Moscow. I have the security access you'll need, his name is Kehl. All others have either been found or been exposed by others. Bring him in, and that should be the last piece of that organization that can and will act. The rest are just standard workers. They did have a series of those giants machines being worked on. Two, maybe three of them were complete…and I think they have a tank of…not sure. But whatever that Dummy Plug core is…they have their own," Matsu handed over a printed copy of the data.
"I'll leave after breakfast and deal with this. If asked, I am merely doing a little shopping. If it goes late I am meeting with Uzume about her back rent," Miya nodded to her own little lie. The papers vanished into the folds of her Kimono and she headed towards the door, room examination terminated. Standing in the hall, she gave the two a sidelong glance, "And do assist Soryu and the Faucet if things do occur, I know both of you would sooner not, but it would be best to follow his request." Giving each a challenging glance, she floated away.
Flopping onto her back, rolling on the futon more, Matsu cooed out happily, "I love the smell of this futon. And I don't know about you…but I would have loved to see what she's going to do to that man." Matsu had a little drool leaking from her mouth.
Watching Matsu roll about, Kazehana took a moment before succumbing as well and joining her fellow Sekirei and previous Discipline Squad member in a little silliness. Plopping back down on the futon, "I fear for anybody that gets in her way. She wasn't that scary back when we were on Squad together. Our little Ashikabi has had a good impact on her…on all of us. Never would have thought such a thin slip of a…what?"
"Oh Darling…Oh Darling yes! YES there…I'm…I'm floating….and then you ACTUALLY floated…" Matsu teased. Oh yeah, she wouldn't have just recorded it, Matsu watched the events last night. Her faux panting was also given to fake chest thrusting and pawing at herself. Flinching away from the mock punch, she stopped her laughing, "And yes, he is NOT what I expected YOU to fall for. For me…he's spot on. But you…still glad you're happy, same for Miya-tan. We've done enough bad things, had more negatives than we should…ready for this to end and just life off the money I stole from those rich bastards."
Rolling her eyes and getting up again, dragging Matsu with her. If Kazehana couldn't enjoy it, Matsu couldn't either. Herding the woman out of the door, "I was more superficial back then, blinded by what I thought was love. I have learned true love isn't some dime store novel version of masculinity. A man can be soft and still manly, I know that now. And as for the floating…that was a shock to me as well." Walking past the room of one water Sekirei and the annoying Ashikabi, she huffed. Hiking her thumb at the door, and the muted conversation they could hear inside, "You good with Shin-chan's plan for those two?"
Fixing her glasses as they passed the common room, Misato was groggily watching the news, Matsu shrugged. "It is a good plan, I just hope we don't have to. If we're stopping one of these groups…why don't we stop them all? Miya-tan would help, she's not sitting idly by anymore," Matsu had changed as well. Gone was the Sekirei that had gone into hiding and was comfortable hiding forever. The few dates she went on, guess Matsu got a taste of going out a bit. As for the plan, it was simple and fit Tsukiumi's proclivities. That stick in the mud was all about 'Sekirei fights should be one on one', so Shinji played on that. When Asuka/Tsukiumi had to fight for their Jinki, Tsukiumi would offer the challenge to the opponent's Strongest. All others would be checked by Shinji's Sekirei, make things fair. It did mean Shinji was putting his Jinki on the line, something his Sekirei disliked, but they wouldn't disobey.
Finding Miya and Shinji cooking, it was pancakes with a berry sauce (Kazehana's favorite), the wind Sekirei snuck up and gave her freshly washed Ashikabi a squeeze. "That was a quick bathe, get chased out?" Kazehana would have stayed closer had Miya not swung a spoon at her. Touchy-touchy landlady and her no hanky-panky in the morning, or in the open.
"Y-yeah, Rei-san and Akitsu-san didn't realize Homura-san and I were there…then Musubi-chan heard and…well it escalated. I hurried and got out," Shinji stammered. He was so fixated on flipping stacks of sweetened breads he didn't notice the near fight next to him, Miya was so silent and swift.
Once free of the annoyance, Miya resumed her co-chef position and the two prepared a mighty feast. They all chatted of simple things, nobody brought up the kidnapping, they had that talk already and it was agreed to let that be the end of it. Once they meal was all finished, plates laden with various things, Miya didn't join them in sitting. "Now I have a few errands to run. I should be back by supper, but if not I have no doubt you can tend to it. Or if you want order out, it has been awhile," she pat his shoulder and left after he gave her a small hug.
"Do you know what she's doing? It's not safe is it?" Shinji just had to ask. Their Ashikabi was no fool, learned that if somebody breaks from tradition its often for something they didn't want him to know.
Kazehana cracked open her can of Yebisu and nodded, "She had us swear not tell you, and it's dangerous for anybody NOT her. But you know what they say, when the cat's away the mice will play…so what should we play?" Kazehana and Matsu slowly started to inch in on the cornered prey.
"Shinji-kun, I got some news for you pilots…oh…oh…sorry," Misato apologized for interrupting the duo's little act, maybe. Despite how similar in nature Misato was to Kazehana, the Sekirei did see the human was not as open about Shinji and sexuality as she lead on. Saddling up to the table, clinking cans with Kazehana, Misato dove into the food. Some egg yolk spilling down her chin, "I'm worried that with Seele on the out, some of Nerv's more secret plans might get kicked off faster due to fear of being exposed. We're going to have our little visit to Terminal Dogma soon…so we need to plan."
Before any official battle planning could be made, the younger Sekirei joined the breakfast table and things descended into chaos really quick. Kazehana was alright with it though, was cute to watch Musubi and Tsukiumi yell over who was the 'real wife' and who was a concubine…words were just words. She was bound to that slip of a man for as long as time would allow. She really hoped it was a long-long time.
X-X
She felt tired, but a good tired. Ritsuko finished hooking the IV bag to her fifth new creation, stood tall, and popped her back. Last few days had been awesome for her, ever since that kidnapping attempting in fact! Whatever was going on, it kept Gendo busy so she had more access to Terminal Dogma and her masterpiece. They were so nearly ready to wake, wake and show everybody who truly had the best plan! Those Sekirei and original clones were merely a stepping stone to the true ultimate simulated being! And who created said perfect servant? Why the woman that was thought to be the plaything of the men playing at leading their respective companies!
"You will show both of them what true creation is, that I am not just some tool!" Ritsuko caressed the sleeping cheek. It was cold and clammy, but she felt the steady beat of its heart. Weak but growing stronger! It would be a true sadness to have to terminate them after she had her fun, but it would prove to each of them not to underestimate her. A trove of modified clones with the power of the Sekirei, the conditioning of Ayanami, and fully under her control! Gathering her things, she again felt giddy as she saw her tiny army, "Soon my creations, we'll show mother she was wrong about me. I am not a failure, I am not living in her shadow! I am…I am the superior Akagi!"
Laptop, documents, few cans of energy drinks, and an empty pack of smokes were all gathered up to leave no evidence she was there. Not that it mattered, nobody had been down to Terminal Dogma in over a week. But it always paid to be cautious, Kozo hadn't been and he now had all his security access revoked! "Stupid old goat threatened me, and he gets busted extorting children, idiot," she chuckled at that. All those months ago he strode in here and 'warned' her, and it was he that got caught and exposed. Stepping out into the bay of doors that led each used to have their own secret project, she locked the door to her magnum opus.
But she did have some official work down here to do, best to do that before letting herself relax. Moving through the labyrinth of the same doors and corridors, route memory doing the piloting, she found herself in the clone chamber. The orange light was no longer disturbing to her, it was soothing. Floating bodies of the girl she used to despise, turned to indifference, and finally exploit watched her. Waving at the giggling bodies, "Hey girls, how's it hanging? Feel like a little upgrade yourselves? If only I had more time, I'd convert all of you." But she didn't, it took over a week to sequence the DNA properly. Maybe she'd get a few more before she acted. Singling out a new clone for whatever Gendo wanted, she used the wench to move it to the front.
"Excellent, you're prepping it, we need it sooner than expected," Gendo burst into the room as quickly as the man ever let people see him move. Always the 'calm and collected' man he pretended to be, he had some rough edges. Hair unkempt, glasses uneven, and breath ragged…it was stunning enough to break Ritsuko's veneer. Walking over to the tank, putting his gloved hand against the tank in a very distinct place, "How long until it is ready? We may not have as much time as we thought."
She did care for the man, not the puppy love she had before as that cooled to the affection one had for an old stuffed animal you couldn't throw out, so she paused. Putting a hand on his shoulder, he didn't shake it off, "What are you talking about, sir? With how Seele is crumbling, I thought we'd have unlimited time now." She had expected that! With the 'masters' gone, Nerv and MBI would poster and gloat over one another until Ritsuko knocked the ground out from beneath both of them! These two idiot brothers needed a good lesson that only she was capable of doing. Not their plaything, they were hers…she wasn't wrong. Mother was wrong, they were all wrong! She…she wasn't inferior!
Doing what he could to assist with the process, he had been around for the inception of it, Gendo was focused. It was that dedication and laser precision that originally attracted Ritsuko to him, but now it was cracked and desperate. With one haggard breath, "Kehl has been captured. A few days ago some MBI strike force broke into his secured location in Russia and drug him back to Tokyo-3. Coupled with damning evidence against him, he's in the hands of a UN security force. He will not go down alone." The screen illuminated his face with green and yellow, Ritsuko could see the bags under his eyes.
"Calm down sir, just calm down. When was the last time you slept? Maybe go into one of the side rooms and have a nap or something. What could he have that would jeopardize anything? And with his power, he'll be out and things will continue as always," Ritsuko tried to pull him away from the controls. If he noticed the changes she made, what she had done to the tank, it would put her work into question. He resisted but not much, one big tug and he turned, "I'll take care of getting the new clone ready. But what about the current Ayanami?" It was as if she was moving a scarecrow with how light he felt…the image of an adult sized Shinji popped into her mind and she nearly laughed.
Letting himself be tended to, Gendo was soon sat down on a medical gurney and laying down. Taking his glasses off, eyes glazed with a mixture of fatigue and burgeoning madness, he grabbed Ritsuko's hand. "Get her ready, get the S2 organ implanted. Kehl will not be able to get himself out of this one. And he'll sooner see Nerv burn than let us succeed. Once he knows he's trapped, a week maybe two, he'll expose us. He'll use us as a way of getting out and trying to reclaim the scenario. But we also have to worry about Hiroto! He's turned MBI against us, bankrupted Seele and sent those things after Kehl," Gendo would have rattled on but fatigue hit him.
Folding his glasses and setting them on the table next to the bed, Ritsuko felt that old emotion creep up. Caressing his cheek, that poor old man, she hoped he at least slept well. His whole life was falling apart around him, his precious scenario was in flames. But hers was fine, and she'd see it finalized! "But why did Hiroto do this?" Ritsuko wondered. Leaving Gendo behind, Ritsuko's mind started going over what Gendo said and she did hasten her step. If MBI did do something, if the Government did step in…she had to have a good alibi to keep her nose clean. Taking the elevator up to the command deck, "If MBI is linked to Seele, Seele could use that against them…UN makes a move against Minaka or Nerv…"
"Akagi-san, you're still here? I would have thought you left hours ago. You here to help out with Katsuragi-san's big training exercise?" Makoto asked once Ritsuko got on deck. The whole command staff was there, busy little bees.
What in the fresh hells was this? Misato was prepping for some training event? Why now!? To many things to deal with right now, to much she didn't know! Well Makoto was a simp, show a little flesh and he'd tell her anything. Undoing a button of her top as she approached him, dutiful worker that he was missed it. "What is Misato doing now? And shouldn't you be out with that Sekirei of yours getting ready for some fight or something?" Ritsuko did get a sample from Makoto's little darling Sekirei. It was inferior to Shinji's, but any new abilities could be worked into her master design.
Joining the two, Shigeru had two cups of coffee and handed one over to Makoto, now he looked tired and frustrated. After a long draft of his cup, "She's having us set up a live fire exercise for all three units! Going to have some wargame against those bodyguards of Ikari-kun's or something. And she wants to have it ASAP! And she isn't slacking on this, she left about an hour ago, and every moment she was here it was…I don't know but she's a force of nature. You know what got into her?"
"Y-yeah, Katsuragi-san is planning a little war-game of Eva against Sekirei…she asked me if I wanted in. Not going to happen, we're trying to avoid fighting as long as possible. But you know Katsuragi-san, she takes her job seriously. I think after that ordeal with the Third she's extra worried," Makoto blushed as he tried to not stand out.
More dominos landing, more pieces to the puzzle, Ritsuko needed to talk to Misato, and do so now! "You said she left? I'll go talk to her, get her to calm down on this. Mama-bear Misato can't abuse the staff to appease her fears. You tell the staff to stand down, relax on this for now," buy Ritsuko some time to understand what was going on. The Seele hack, was it more than just money that got leaked and maybe Misato knew more than she should?
Reclining in his chair, a sad and tired moan left him, but he grinned, "I can accept that. A shame you didn't say that earlier though, we're nearly ready to go. Been working overtime for ages it feels. So if its alright with both of you…think I'm going to head home." Makoto didn't move, but pulled his phone out and Ritsuko caught sight of Makoto's Sekirei flash into life. The moment he was clear he was contacting that thing? Was it possible the Sekirei had some sort of mind control over their Ashikabi or something? Alien mind waves or something?
"Take off, both of you, I'll talk with Misato," Ritsuko dismissed the men and left them. If she stayed Maya might come over and then things could get awkward. The last night over at the Ibuki apartment got strange, Ritsuko had crossed a few signals and almost made and HR disaster. But she had a task now, a place to go. Calling Misato was tempted, but phone was to impersonal…and she could be watched via Minaka. If he HAD gone crazy, Ritsuko wanted to avoid that. So she called the personal limo that Hiroto had ready for her at all times, and it was waiting for her once she got out of the base.
The svelte man in his delicious suit had her door open, "Good afternoon, Akagi-san. Will you be going to MBI headquarters today?" He shut the door after Ritsuko got in, and was quickly behind the wheel. The window connecting the driver and the lavish passenger section was down and he adjusted the mirror to see her.
Wiggling into the plush leather, gods she loved this car, Ritsuko shook her head, "Not right now. I have to talk with Katsuragi about a few things. So as close to the Izumo Inn as you can go please. Going to have a quick nap so, wake me when we get there?" With a nod, the window shut and the car took off. With the late afternoon traffic, it was going to take some time to get across town. Rest when you can, a lesson she taught herself over her time playing with Gendo and Hiroto. Strapping into the seat, leaning back, it only took a few minutes for the vibrations of the car to put her to sleep.
"Akagi-san, we're as close as I am able to get. Did you have a nice nap? Took us roughly half-hour," the man woke Ritsuko with a firm but polite tone. Whatever powers were in the Izumo Inn, Hiroto didn't challenge them so the car was over a block away. One day Ritsuko did ask about it, but didn't understand the whole convoluted mess of why he didn't just take it over. He had to have command of ALL the Sekirei so he wouldn't risk any dying, whatever.
Blinking rapidly, sometimes naps made you feel great and others worse. Today was defiantly the latter. Yawning loudly, "Thanks, stay put and I'll try to be back as soon as possible, alright?" He was her private chauffer so it wasn't as if he had anything else to do. Money was stupid, gave to much power to people that didn't know how to use it responsibly.
Making the short walk to the inn, Ritsuko heard before she saw Soryu and that water Sekirei arguing outside the gate. They stopped once they saw her, so she had to needle them, "Something wrong, you two? Misato home, I've got something to talk to her about." For a moment, Ritsuko was positive she saw horror on the blondes face, but it was just her fatigue playing with her.
"Yeah something is wrong. We have to have our stupid fight and she won't agree to plan that Baka-Shinji came up with! It's actually making things FAIR for us, not cheating! You take on their strongest and win, you even say these fights should be one on one! Why are you being so stubborn! And yeah Katsuragi's inside, head on in, you remember where the common room is right?" Asuka huffed angrily.
Tsukiumi countered and the pair went back into their argument, Ritsuko let them have it. It wasn't her place to care, let them fight. Hiroto loved his little position as Game Master, even if it served no purpose than to stoke his already oversized ego. Taking her shoes off at the veranda, she saw the house mother and Ikari cleaning, Ritsuko headed deeper into this anomaly. Spying the door with Ayanami's nameplate, her heart tightened, maybe she could bring Rei in now and kill two birds with one stone! "Misato you here? Getting complaints from the crew…about…" her words died in her mouth.
Sitting on the couch was Misato, big as life, twice as beautiful, and she was NOT alone. Some china dress wearing woman with comically oversized glasses, the fighting junky, the big breasted slut, a trim looking man, and the child with the freaky powers were there. What was this? "Good you're here, saves us the trouble. Ku-chan be a dear and tend to her," Misato was on her computer and spared Ritsuko a moment of her time before diving back in.
"What are you talking about?" Ritsuko yelped before vines wrapped around her. That kid had her plant!? Thick ropy vines encircled her and lifted her off the ground, ass over teakettle. No friendly faces greeted her, nobody was laughing, this wasn't a joke or something? Yelling indignantly, "Misato, have her put me down. Tell me what the hell is going on here?"
Fixing her glasses, the redhead clicked her tongue as she got up. Sauntering over to the bound woman, Matsu waved her finger back and forth. "What's happening is endgame. We're tired of all the unnecessary madness Nerv and MBI are throwing at the world. Miya got me a nice little server, got the last pieces of the puzzle. And here you thought you were so clever, playing both…brothers against one another. By this time next week though, that little nasty thing you have in your basement will be gone," Matsu showed Ritsuko a few canned videos from her phone.
Exposed! But not fully! Ritsuko just clammed up! They knew she was working with Gendo, knew about the angel in Terminal Dogma! They even knew of her playing with Hiroto! But they didn't know about her little experiment! No cameras in those rooms, no direct files about it, everything was off the record and…they'd wake! They'd wake up and who knew what they'd do without her to command them!? But to confess it, it would implicate her further! Shit! Did she confess or…let Gendo and Hirata take the blame?
X-X
Sitting in Unit-01, Shinji didn't fully know what to expect today but he was going to do his best. An angel was trapped under Nerv and he was going to deal with it. It had been random chance that choose him as the principle actor today, he hated his luck sometimes. A game of rock-paper-scissors had been the deciding factor, and Ayanami just didn't understand the game so it was between Asuka and him. The other factor was which of the girls would he be 'chasing' after to get there. Misato wouldn't tell him, said it was to make it look more believable. Couldn't fault that logic, he was no actor so he'd give it away if he knew who would kick off the event. Didn't like it, but he understood the need.
"If we take the thing out, maybe the angels won't come back," Shinji muttered to psych himself up. Having one less worry on a global scale would do much to help him sleep at night. Matsu commented about his father as well, but Misato silenced any further talk about how his father was connected to this mess. Listening to Miya explain going over the startup procedure, she was nervous which he found cute, Shinji followed the instructions as did the other pilots.
Asuka was of course being herself, or a perfect actress, "We know how to do this already. Just let us get out there so I can show Shinji's little crew that we're capable of holding our own." She winked at him and gave him that cocky smile that just screamed confidence. They had spent most of the previous day playing video games in the common room, just the pilots. It had been fun, when Asuka was in a good mood she was truly a bastion of positivity and a great friend. Willing Unit-02 to move to her designated elevator, "You two don't mess up now. Or we'll be replaced by MBI and I won't have that."
Following to her own elevator, Rei went slower to keep pace with Shinji, "Even if we were to be unable to locate them, MBI is not sanctioned by the UN for this task." Rei did not know to play along, she was pure logic all the time. Well…maybe not ALL the time, after the games and Asuka went to bed Rei and Shinji DID spend…well she got into THAT without need of logic. In private, or with Akitsu, she got very playful, potentially OVERLY playful if where her pinky went was any indication. Getting into position, Rei showed none of that passion Shinji knew her capable of, "Ready for deployment."
"So am I, ready when you all are," Shinji hated that sense of anxiety, his stomach was flipping. All eyes were on them to do this little wargame, and they knew it was a sham. Misato didn't have authorization to order them into Terminal Dogma, nobody but the Commander did. Even while his father was not present, orders were orders and without reason Misato couldn't just order them down there.
Misato's face replaced all the other feeds, and she was not looking her typical playful self. No, this was business Misato, and Shinji knew not to push or deviate unless he had good reason. "Alright, once more. This is a find and detain mission. In the Geo-front, your respective Sekirei are hiding. Some are infiltrators and others attackers. You three are to find them while defending the base at the same time. Each of you will be deployed in your own sector, but aid each other if you feel it is safe. Do NOT use your AT-Fields as we do not know how that will effect a living creature. Use your palate rifles and melee only, the rifles have dummy rounds in them. Your targets have been informed how to react to it. Good luck, and don't break anything!"
The moment Misato finished talking all three elevators released and the Evangelions were sent speeding towards the engagement zone. His teeth rattled and his shoulders felt extreme pressure as always, Asuka just whooped in excitement over the comm. Seeing the massive blue and red machines a sizable distance away, Shinji went about his job. "Alright, lets do this…be careful I guess," Shinji knew he couldn't hurt his Sekirei, they were to quick, but he'd worry regardless.
Walking through the Geo-Front, looking for any sign of movement, Shinji let the scanners do their work. Under other conditions this might have been fun, actually playing with them in a nearly fair way. His scanner picked up motion, so he pointed his modified rifle at it. "I have movement…" he notified the others.
"We both due Idiot! Just keep it contained or drive it off! Musubi you punch my eye again and I will stomp on you!" Asuka yelled over her line. Sparing a moment to look at her, Shinji saw Unit-02 grabbing its eye with one hand and waving the other wildly around at what he could only guess was his first Sekirei. Ayanami wasn't fairing much better, one of her arms was incased in ice compliments of a two hit combo of Tsukiumi and Akitsu.
His target was gone, his distraction let it slip by…great he was again proving he was the worst at actual military tactics. Nobody said he was good at this piloting stuff, luck factored in a lot, but he would try. With Asuka closer, Shinji shifted direction, "Moving to intercept Unit-02, my target is lost. ETA…AAH!" He let out a rather manly scream as he pitched forward and fell on his face compliments of massive vines wrapped around his legs. "Hello Ku-chan…having fun?" he asked the girl he saw smiling at him. Guess he hadn't lost his target after all…Ku-chan was having a ball judging by the expression on her face.
As he got up and leveled his rifle at the still giggling girl, Shinji couldn't pull the trigger even in play. Ku-chan was exempt from any action on Shinji's part, he just couldn't even pretend to hurt the girl. Kazehana leapt in though, gathered the smallest of Shinji's Sekirei and dove off with a wink. Getting back up, leaving a sizable dent in the ground, he brushed off the dirt and bushes that stuck to him.
"Try not to destroy the whole forest, Idiot, I like walking through it when I have the time," Asuka snidely quipped at him. Shielding her face from gouts of fire, the Sekirei were moving about rapidly. Shifting who was where, and finding some powerful combos of their powers. For twenty minutes the trio of pilots did their best to fend off the confused and overly playful squad. On their own, the Sekirei didn't work well together without an Ashikabi offering some aid. Sure they did the rare wind augmented fire, or at one point a water propelled Musubi-missle took Ayanami down for a moment. But it was random hit and runs.
"Shinji-kun! We have motion near the central access gate! You're closest, get on it!" Misato cut through the chatter. Despite the seriousness of the upcoming event, Shinji had started having fun chasing after Musubi and Kazehana. It had been a game after all, they were greased lightning after all, but he didn't feel as if they'd break him in half if they made a mistake right now. It was nice to compete with them on a nearly level playing field…it just took him being in a building sized mech. But now was game time, mission on.
Rushing as fast as he could without damaging the forest, Shinji saw the gate Misato mentioned opening up. So who was it going to be? He hadn't seen Matsu, doubted she'd be here today as she wasn't very physically motivated, but she was the only Sekirei he expected and hadn't seen. The massive doors had to be 'helped' along the way to open enough for him to enter, and the red lights and klaxons were proof something unexpected was happening. "I don't see the target, are you sure somebody got…in" Shinji swallowed hard upon seeing his target.
Standing atop the lip of a massive tunnel leading straight down was Miya. Still clad in the kimono Shinji saw her wearing during breakfast, only difference was she had a katana and not a broom in her hand. The door to Terminal Dogma opened slowly, but she was on the lip of the seal and jumped in instantly.
"Abort mission, repeat abort mission. That is a no-play zone. Repeat everybody abort. Shinji-kun get her and return to starting positions!" Misato yelled over the communications. For what it was worth, Shinji believed she meant what she was saying, sounded very much like she wanted him to get her and come straight back up. "Asama-kun, do you hear me, repeat you are not authorized to…can she hear me? How did those doors even open!?" Misato asked the techs around her.
How the doors opened answered Shinji's question about where Matsu was. It took ten more seconds for the tunnel doors to open enough for Unit-01 to fit, he scraped some of the armor squeezing in. "Miya-san! You were participating today? Why didn't you tell me?" Shinji opened his external channel and called out. He could see her leaping from side to side, and even running down the wall as he fell. He blamed both his maternal figures for this! Misato would want the best possible support for him, Miya, and Miya wouldn't want him to worry! Well he was worrying a lot right now! "Hold up! Misato-san I don't think…Misato-san?" Shinji saw a static image of Misato.
The further down he went the more the link went to static and eventually failed. Now he wasn't a genius, but as he fell further and further down, he guessed the tons of dirt, stone, and steel prevented direct communication. As the ground rushed up at him, Shinji did will Unit-01 to grab a steel cable to slow his speed, it 'hurt' like hell as it burnt the armor and flesh of Unit-01's hand. He landed on one foot and a knee once he did greet the ground. Miya was standing there waiting for him with that smile on her face, he extended his hand to her, "Miya-san, why didn't tell me you were participating today?"
"I was content to let you play with the others. And both Katsuragi-kun and myself wouldn't let them potentially get into trouble. This plan may have some consequences for the one that breaks in. MBI is now going to be reported as infiltrating a part of Nerv against its wishes. I will not have one of your Sekirei hold that threat. It is…a mother's duty to protect not only her child but the ones he loves," Miya stood boldly atop Unit-01s hand, her claim striking both of them with its earnestness and raw emotion.
Hearing it did cause some tears of Shinji's to be shed into the LCL, call him weak if wanted, he didn't feel it. "Alright, just don't do anything dangerous alright?" Shinji headed towards the massive door. Matsu could be blocking the comms as well, they didn't have unlimited time. People would start to think something was up if they took to long. And whatever scanners or security they had down here were likely working to some degree, Matsu couldn't get all of them right? So they headed to the door, "Uh…how do we get in?"
"I can deal with this," Miya confessed simply. Leaping off of Unit-01's hand and drawing her weapon, Miya showed a level of power that only few saw and even fewer survived. By the time she hit the ground, the door broke into massive sections, and Shinji quickly went to block Miya from any shrapnel from hitting her. Leaping onto the back of her protector's hand, "Shall we finish this and head home? I think we'll all want a larger supper today."
Having never seen Miya go full bore on anything, Shinji wondered just how hard it was for her to deal with that door. It was as thick as Unit-01's forearm, and yet she showed no signs of strain or even heavy breathing. Girding himself for whatever was behind the ex-eva sized door, neither Shinji or Miya were ready for it.
Standing on a pedestal was a being of pure white, wearing a purple mask with seven eyes, and it was so hard on the eyes it caused Shinji's head to throb. "It…it hurts to look at it. Is…is that thing b-bleeding LCL?" Shinji felt sick. Without looking at it, shielding his eyes he walked closer until he reached the basin. Waves of LCL lapped at the edge, and Shinji's whole body started to quiver. Fighting his best to not vomit, that would only exacerbate matters, Shinji hand to clamp his hand over his mouth. "I'm sitting in…breathing that things…" Shinji felt faint.
"Stand tall, I cannot do this alone…I might not be able to do this. A moment of courage and it is done, and then we can leave this evil place. Shinji-kun, be brave as I know you can be," Miya laced through Shinji's panic. Maybe that was why Misato sent her, knew that what they found here could be a horrible thing.
It was hard, even knowing it wasn't his actual body, but the moment Unit-01 touched the LCL Shinji nearly ran. Images of his friends and family being killed in an angel attack though…it pushed him on. One hand holding Miya, the other blocking his vision, Shinji shambled towards the captive being. A coward when allowed to be, he felt that want to flee grow with every step. Odd prickles in his mind, a phantom voice calling out to him to stop, images of pleasures beyond measure, power to take anything he wanted, and blessings he couldn't fathom washed over him. "M-Miya-san…do you…?" Shinji croaked out amid the psychic onslaught.
"Don't listen to it! Don't listen! It lies! He is gone…he can never come back you vile thing! Buried and mourned. Do not feed me these lies!" Miya actually yelled, Shinji could hear the bitterness and sadness within. He had heard of her husband, if in heart only, and the vagueness of his passing. Had he died, was he in stasis, or something else he was to afraid to ask. What he just heard though…he would be there for her as she was there for him.
When both of them resisted the temptations, Shinji hit the wall of AT-Field and shielded Miya again. Putting her on his shoulder, he drew his prog-knife, and was again face to face with the eldritch abomination. Its seven eyes were on him, probing and burrowing into his mind. "I want to go home," Shinji felt his bladder loose, but didn't fault himself for it. Stabbing with all his might, the voice in his head screamed louder than ever, but he pushed harder.
Time stopped working in a way Shinji could understand, but it felt like eternity. Pushing against the immovable object, it slowly started to give. He felt as if he was turning to pure liquid, that his body was losing substance, but he pushed on. Musubi, Misato, Asuka, Rei, Kusano…everybody he had to succeed! Just when he started to wonder if this was going to never end, he lurched forward, and Eva-01 collided with the fleshy being, he had breached its AT Field.
"Now, end this thing…you have done enough," Miya's voice echoed so softly Shinji was scarce sure he actually heard it.
So he did, he cut deep into the body of the thing. Its core was just like all the others, in its center, and when he cut…the scream in his mind was so loud he almost broke his teeth with how tightly he bit down. Then it got louder still!
Then silence.
The being of white was silent, the mask fell, and it melted into LCL. Fatigued to his core Shinji vaguely heard Misato talking, guess it was Matsu blocking things. "Are you alright, Shinji-kun, say something. We've got strange readings, are you alright?" Misato demanded he answer.
"Tired…coming back," Shinji forced his body to walk, mind still reeling from the encounter. Miya had left after a promise to see him when he got home, Shinji trusted her. The girls were waiting when he got up…nose and ears bleeding. He was numb, he was spent, and he let Musubi carry him like a baby and didn't say anything. They could debrief him another day, he was in no condition right now to deal with anything. But they had succeeded, right?
X-X
"At present, Hiroto Minaka has declined comment on the presumed MBI assault on Nerv that occurred three days ago, and is believed to have left Tokyo-3. This following accusations that he ordered his company to raid the financial accounts of…" Touji turned the television off. He had enough things to worry about without adding globe spanning conspiracies. He didn't understand what was going on, it was outside his mental capabilities. Something about MBI stealing money from rich old dudes, said old dudes were maybe doing something bad. Now MBI broke into Nerv during a training exercise and broke something important…maybe?
Tossing the remote onto the cushion furthest away from him, Touji got up and pushed the small of his back with both hands until he heard a pop. "I should just ask Shin-man about it, he works for the place," Touji grabbed the bag of chips and empty soda can. His post school activities were pretty rote when he didn't hang out with anybody. Tossing the trash away and putting the junk food back in the cupboard, he pulled out his phone. A short text message of 'Hey, want to hang for a bit? You said you were feeling better right!'
Hearing clatter from Mari's room, Touji cringed just a little. Uzume was not as cool to live with once he learned he had no chance with her. A tease that you thought you could be with was fun, a tease you know was in love with your sister was cruel. And she DID tease, she was nothing but a BIG tease! Doubly so after the business with Higa or Fuyutski or whoever! "You doing alright in there? Not doing anything strange again are you?" Touji's could feel his heart racing.
"Nearly done with my magicians outfit, got a bunny suit for Ikari!" Uzume announced as she opened the door. Wearing black leggings that went all the way up, a very low cut top that showed way to much shoulder and clevage, and a smile that went on for days…woman was evil. Holding out a fluffy white bit of cloth, "Mari-chan won't know what hit her when I show up and have him 'jump out of my hat!' She tapped on an old timey magician's hat for emphasis!
Nearly swallowing his tongue, women this attractive shouldn't do that, Touji spun away from her as his face blossomed! Nearly shouting, "Don't just go walking around like that! You're practically nude! Think about who you're living with damn it!" He was a man after all, can't show him something like that and not realize he'd have thoughts! Stupid girl wasn't wearing the jacket to complete the ensemble so she was airing acres of flesh.
Poking Touji in the back, Uzume laughed, "Aah, is big brother a prude? With how you act, I'd have thought you'd be all about ogling me. I have an over coat, but its hot in that room without the A/C running." Uzume added insult to injury by latching onto Touji's back with her hands on his shoulders and pressing against him. "You're almost as pure as Ikari-kun in that regard. Only difference is you have those videos you watch, and pretty sure he'd burst into flames if he did," Uzume tittered.
Wrenching out of her grip, more a slide out from it, Touji whirled around and pointed an angry accusing finger at the woman. "Don't do that! It isn't fair! I mean…you like my sister and doing stuff like that…" his shoulders sagged and he kicked at the wall. Stupid crush, how could he not have one after this time of cohabitation! She was cute, funny, driven, and well…she was there! For so long his father and grandfather basically abandoned him, so Mari was his only constant company until the accident. Now Uzume was here, and it was all just a big…
"Sorry, to many happy thoughts. I…I didn't mean anything bad," Uzume drew the outfit for Shinji up to her chest. Hopefully that meant she understood, her saddened expression seemed to indicate so. Slinking back into her current room, she left the door open a crack, "You're a good guy Touji. Just ask Hokari out like you want and you'll be fine. Mari-chan and I will root for you! But do you think she'll like my latest combo?"
Growling under his breath, he heard his phone ping a message, "Yeah she'll like it. But aren't you worried she'll go after Shin-man or something? You keep going putting him in costumes and shit for her to drool over. Aren't you jealous?" Touji would be! He wouldn't be taking Shinji over to see Hikari dressed in suits and stuff! Didn't make any sense! Nothing did! Checking his phone, it was from Shinji! "Sweet, maybe we can do supper or something," he muttered and asked said question to the missing pilot.
"Seeing him is like you watching those movies, a fantasy. Something you like to look at and think about, but you don't believe. Mari-chan and I…we're bound. But that doesn't mean I want to monopolize her affection. In the end, I'm comfortable with her hero worship of him. He's earned it. He just hasn't earned her. And who you off to meet…as if you met more than one person lately," Uzume could be heard changing…door still open as if bating Touji to peek!
He didn't, despite the neigh overpowering desire to, as he'd get caught and would make things even more awkward between them. "Yeah it's Shin-man. He's been out of school since that shit on the news happened. Going to meet him for supper so you can go see Mari-chan like you want. Don't have to insure I eat like she ordered," Touji stuffed the phone back away. Learning your younger sister ordered her stupidly beautiful girlfriend to watch out for him? It was more than a little emasculating.
"Have him text me a good day to do our little magic show, alright? Eat some vegies," Uzume continued her pursuit of the ultimate costume.
Mouthing her request angrily, Touji left Uzume to her own devices. Patting his pocket, making sure his wallet was there, Touji headed out into the humid early afternoon. Going to just eat meat! Well he did like rice and broccoli so maybe…whatever! Hands in his pockets, he brazenly walked through the streets towards the restaurant Shinji said to meet at. Hearing a commotion, he saw a crowd gathering and cheering. "Another of those Sekirei fights?" he hoped not. Knowing the truth of it stole a lot of the fun. People were losing loved ones when they lost in those things! The people didn't know it, thought it was some movie or some shit…but it was real. If Uzume lost, Mari would lose her…and so would he.
Not joining the herd, Touji let them keep their blissful ignorance, but he couldn't join in. Not with the knowledge he had now. Checking his phone again once he got to the restaurant, seeing he was nearly a half hour early, he sat on a nearby bench. Life was easier when you didn't know things. Uzume used to be a hot girl he thought he had a chance with. Those fights were titillation for the masses. MBI was a big telecommunications firm. Learning the truth meant learning the world was a lot harsher than he wanted. But he couldn't put the genie back in the bottle, couldn't go back to being stupid.
"You alright, Touji?" Shinji gently poked Touji's shoulder. When Touji jerked away so did Shinji, it was comical. The two girls at his side nearly pounced, but only caught Shinji went he stumbled backwards. If Touji remembered names right it was Musubi and Tsukiumi that were with him.
His back protested standing up, but Touji didn't care. Giving his buddy a once over, Touji wasn't to happy with the look. "You alright? I'm fine, but you look pretty tired. If you didn't want to meet up you could have said so," Touji reprimanded. Shinji would just go to far out of the way to help people, Touji realized that now.
"Speaking words oft heard but little listened, Shinji-chan doth not care for heeding such things as self-care," Tsukiumi softly took Shinji's hand. Woman appeared angry and frustrated, but still acted as if Shinji were fine china.
Squeezing the hand offered to him, Shinji waved off the concern with his free hand. Just a little ragged, "I was getting tired of laying in my room. We can talk inside about it if you want. I'm just a little tired, and my head hurts a bit. Nothing serious, and Misato and Miya both said it was alright for me to go out." Turning to nod at Musubi, who also had a bit vexed expression, he gestured towards the restaurant.
Opening the door for the trio, Touji would trust Shinji to know what was best for himself. Things went south though, he'd fake something to end the meeting early and let Shinji safe face. "You sure you want to eat here, little pricy isn't it?" Touji did some mental math of how much he had on him…maybe he'd just get a water.
"I got some extra money, so I'm fine covering today. Punishment for scaring everybody with what happened," Shinji must have read the worry on Touji's face. Talking to the host, a twenty something greasy looking guy, Shinji got them all seated in a nice sitting room with a built in stove in the table for meat grilling. Taking his seat, helped by Musubi, Shinji grunted a little, "They have all you can eat meat and salad, so have your fill." Going over the drink menu, Shinji listed just a little into Musubi.
Eyes shining brightly at the prospect, Musubi was all smiles yet kept one hand around Shinji to steady him. When Tsukiumi took Shinji's other side, leaving Touji with a whole side of table to himself, he had to laugh. Sometimes there was to much of a good thing. Both girls were territorial about Shinji, snidely commenting about who was the wife, who was the concubine, and the like. It was fun, but man Touji was glad HE wasn't in the middle of those two…well…maybe just once wouldn't be bad.
Food was had in massive quantities, Tsukiumi sneakily eating her meat while Musubi was gangbusters on it. Shinji had a little but most stuck to salad and tea, while Touji did his best to have SOME vegies…but the meat was so juicy and tender it melted in his mouth! Plus unlimited drinks was epic too! After all the craziness with Uzume, it was nice to just unwind a little. Not finished eating, just slowed, Touji felt the time for talk a little of more serious matters. "So how are you doing man? Missed a few days, we hear something odd happened at Nerv, what gives?" Touji put a few more strips on the grill.
"Shinji-sama fought a monster in the basement and it hurt his head. I wanted to help, but I was fighting with Rei-chan," Musubi had added more to her plate as well.
Stealing meat off Musubi's plate and feeding it to Shinji, lucky bastard, Tsukiumi scoffed at the retelling. "Had ye gone naught but failure would have followed. The matron was nearly overcome with the challenge, how could you have overcome what she might not? Shinji-c-chan, you do need to dine more on the bounty you provided, say 'ah'," Tsukiumi countered and held the food out to him with one hand under to collect the falling juices.
"No fair let me feed Shin-chan too!" Musubi wasn't one to be beat so she tried the same. Shinji, the dope, ate both at the same time and nearly choked on it.
Half a glass of water later, Shinji wasn't red faced and coughing anymore, "Basically what Musubi-chan said was true. Turns out…Nerv has some secrets. My father and his assistant, Fuyutski, are missing now. I saw something under Nerv, the doctor said it put strain on my mind or something. I don't know. Misato almost had Ritsuko-san see me, but she's being held for questioning. It's all strange, and I just hope it's over." Never had Shinji looked so tired to Touji, and this was after a few days of recovery?
Filling his glass and the other three, Touji held it out in a toast. "I hope it is over. The angels, those fights, all of it. We've had enough things we can't control! So cheers!" Touji held his cup out and they all clinked them together and drank. Keeping watch as Shinji nearly stumbled again, awfully clumsy today, Touji finished his cup off. Wiping the dribble off on the back of his hand, "And what of MBI? News is saying they attacked Nerv, the owner dude ran off."
"The Professor didn't order us to do anything. I bet he went back to the ship. Hope nothing bad happens to him, he was so nice to me before setting me free," Musubi pushed her plate away. It still had food on it, but mentioning the missing overseer of the MBI Sekirei plan did quell the happy thoughts at the table.
Taking Musubi's hand, Shinji pat it comfortingly, "That sounds like something he would do. Maybe my father went with him too? Misato-san said they have a past together. Who knows, but for now we can relax a bit. If Minaka is gone, we don't have to worry about more stages or fights…things are on hold." That sounded great to everybody, not having to fear separation from loved ones, what better thought was there?
They talked a little bit more, just a little more force feeding of Shinji occurred, but time wore on and eventually Shinji's phone started to beep. "That is Miya-san, she said we could go out until seven…still worried about my condition I guess. But it was nice seeing you, hopefully in a day or two I can start going back to class. Asuka is keeping me updated with it all, but she's not the best teacher," Shinji paid the bill and gave a generous tip to the server who tended them.
"Yeah no doubt man, she's a real ball buster! Oh, and before I forget…Uzume-san wanted me to ask you when a good time to meet Mari-chan and her would be. She's got a new costume and shit for you. Just text her, or me if you don't have her number," Touji felt a smidge bad abusing Shinji's generosity and then springing that on him.
Despite Touji's worries, all three of them brightened up, "Oh sure! Be nice to talk to Uzume-san again, clear up all the confusion that was between us. And be nice to introduce Mari-chan to the rest, bet she'd get along great with Ku-chan! Well…I am feeling a bit tired, so see you later?" Shinji offer a hand out, Touji quickly took it and then shared a good shake.
Touji had to suppress a laugh when the girls fought over who was going to carry Shinji home. Let them fight over that, Touji had his own battles to wage. Cleaning up after Uzume, quelling his crush for the woman, and maybe just maybe actually asking Hikari out on a date. Things were looking better, if what Shinji said was true. Had to hope right?
X-X
"Katsuragi-san, you've got somebody from the U.N. waiting for you in the break room, he's been there for thirty minutes now," Hyuga said while dealing with his own increased workload.
Nodding at the man and pointing at her phone, Misato wished she could find Gendo and rip his testicals off. Either of the missing ex-commanders would have been lovely punching bags right now, but they were STILL missing? How could two older men, one in his late sixties, evade Section-2 so long without some subterfuge?! Somebody was on the take and not reporting where the insane duo were. Problems for later, now Misato had so many other fires to put out. "Yes sir, I know it is a big accusation. But you saw the footage yourself. An unknown Sekirei broke through our defenses during a training exercise. And yes, the pilot is recovering. We don't want to press this if we can help it. Nerv and MBI relations are stressed enough as it is," Misato hoped the mayor accepted that plea.
"This cannot be ignored. MBI has been gifted too much power, and they've been violating the UN stipulations. Several of those…ash kabobs or whatever report they were attacked and detained upon trying to leave the city. Now they're openly striking at Nerv…I'll keep you posted on our actions," the mayor just had to stir the hornets' nest. A future meeting was scheduled and the mayor's line cutoff. Misato hated politician, doubted the mayor was even IN Tokyo-3.
Falling into her seat, it creaked from the strain but held true, Misato rubbed her temples in frustration. Little over a week from the destruction of the Angel beneath Nerv, and things were still madness. Ritsuko was being held by the UN, the commanders were missing, the CEO of MBI was in hiding, and everybody was looking at HER for answers to all of the reasons! How about ask the global cabal of rich fuckers that had tried orchestrating a damned genocide plan! She was a solder, she wanted revenge on the Angels, and she was not responsible for the insanity around them! But people wanted answers and were afraid, a very dangerous combination.
Timidly approaching Misato's territory, people got cups of coffee hurled at them for such lately, Maya held up a list of papers. Meekly Miya squeaked, "I have that report you wanted. Things not going well with the city?" Peeking out over the medical report, Maya relaxed just a little when Misato didn't immediately lash out. Handing it over, "Anything else you need from me?"
"The locations of Ikari and Fuyutski if you have it," Misato winked before waving Maya off. People were very leery around her, good they were smart. Drumming her fingers over the medical report and knowing the UN agent was waiting…fuck them. Where were they during all this mess? Whoever was waiting can wait a little more. Flipping through the report, seeing various graphs and charts, Misato let out a stuttering sigh of frustration. She had seen enough of these reports over the months to know that 'being in the red' was not a good thing. Whatever Shinji saw down in the bowels of Nerv, he wasn't talking about it. Hell even Miya was shaken and refused to talk about it. Adding the report to the stack to take home, "In time they'll talk. When they're ready."
Gathering up her things, only two hours overtime today, Misato was going to see this stupid agent and slink off for the day. Shinji was cooking today, and she wanted to see him. A victory for Tsukiumi and Asuka's little fight. No Jenki, but no defeat, so that was good and he wanted to reward them. "I need a vacation, we all do," Misato grunted and got up. Waving off the concerned looks from her coworkers, they were all relying on each other a lot right now. Finding not one person but two waiting for her, Misato's fist throbbed as she squeezed it, "Kaji, and…guest?" Of course it was a woman, and an attractive one at that.
"Katsuragi-san, sorry for imposing on you during this troubling time. But we have growing concerns with Minaka. From what agent Kaji let us know, you were not responsible for the lesser plans of Ikari and Fuyutski," the blond woman held her hand out. When Misato didn't take it, the uniform clad woman shrugged and sat back down. Opening up a few files on a laptop, she turned the computer around to show Misato an unknown island that looked at home in a Sci-Fi movie.
Kaji had been a double agent, the bastard, and to think she was thinking of maybe starting things up with him again. Both Kaji and Seo had seemed like potentials, but those twins made it clear they were not letting anybody else in on the action and Kaji's lies…maybe Misato should actually humor those silly dreams she had. Miya was…well Misato wasn't a pure straight arrow…Ritsuko in college was proof she didn't mind some curiosity. Be funny to bend that woman over her knee and…wait what was happening? "Sorry, say that again, I'm beyond tired so I won't lie. I did not hear ANY of what you said," Misato was in her forth tier of tired, brutal honesty.
Flinching his head at the woman, Kaji slid the laptop closer to Misato, "Akiko-san said the UN is concerned with drone footage recovered from Kamikura Island. It's where the ship the Sekirei come from. Aliens, they're aliens, and Minaka knows about it and has been reverse engineering there tech for years. It's where MBI got all its tech. A damned spaceship, and its powering up. The UN is worried that it might have to take action. But with how powerful the Sekirei are…they're looking for allies." Kaji tried to take Misato's laying hand, but when she yanked it away he just nodded. Message received, his actions had consequences.
"So what are you actually asking me? Aliens…yeah I could tell you that. If you saw the things Shinji's Sekirei could do with ease, makes sense," Misato was gruff with her response. It wasn't as if she couldn't predict where this Akiko was going to ask. When they needed help, nobody responded. When things went bad, everybody pointed fingers and asked for explanations. Now that they might have ended the Angel threat it was 'can you help us'. Pulling the laptop closer, Misato scrolled through photos and a few videos the drones captured. There were figures moving about that island, Misato bet they were all Sekirei. Didn't Musubi say something about living on an island before finding Shinji?
Interlacing her fingers, the woman set them on the table and Misato thought the woman did this act when asking her father for things. It was a cutesy act, something to disarm agitation and calm nerves without words. On anybody else, hell on a different day, it would have worked on Misato as well. But Akiko gave it the college try, "Nothing yet. We won't make a move unless we have to. Minaka is still refusing all communications. Evidence links MBI to the attack on Nerv, and on select Security Council members and other high ranking leaders. If he comes in quietly, we're done. If not…and if he uses those Sekirei against us…we'd need to fight fire with fire. Ashikabi willing to work with us…the Evangelions…"
The laptop flew off the table and bounced on the ground. It didn't break, thankfully, but it did lose a few buttons from the keyboard. "I know…I KNOW you know what happened under Nerv. Matsu saw the report on Kaji's computer so don't pretend. My boy nearly lost his mind fighting something. Those girls are beside themselves with worry over him. And now you're asking me to get him ready to storm this island? What about Ayanami? After what Ritsuko did to her…what Ikari had planned…she is supposed to just trust YOU now?" Misato seethed. Leaning over the table, she saw the fear yet determination on that woman's face.
"No, I don't WANT them to face more danger. But they may be the only hope we have of success if we NEED to do this. I don't know them, only read reports. And those reports are damning of the ones responsible. Those kids deserve a break, to be honored for time served, and I hope we can give them that. But…Katsuragi-san…if Minaka is planning something. Can you at least consider it?" Akiko slid out of the chair she sat and gathered her laptop and the spilled keys.
Alright, not just a pretty face with creamy blue eyes, woman was able to keep her composure, Misato accepted that. Standing up and making for the exit, she heard Kaji following, "No promises, but I will ask THEM if they're alright with it. They say 'no', and that is the end of it. They've all done enough, and we don't have guarantees the Angels are gone either. Now I'm tired, I want a good meal, and I want to insure my family is doing alright. So if you'll excuse me." She didn't turn back, said her piece, and was hoping that was the end of it.
"Katsuragi, Misato…got one more minute for me?" Kaji just had to ask. He was smart enough to let Misato get far enough away from Akiko as to have a private conversation. Not touching, not reaching out, but close enough to do so if wanted, Kaji was playing things safe.
Cold, she felt so cold right now. Outside of Izumo-Inn, everybody just lied and used her. Every time she was tempted to open her heart to another, to seek some form of connection, this happened. Leaning against the wall, gripping her left elbow with her right hand, "What is it Kaji? Going to say you weren't snooping around my computer when I wasn't there. You weren't asking probing questions…that you weren't working for the UN the whole time you were here? I trusted you, trusted Ritsuko, hell I even thought the commanders were trying to help humanity. And you're asking me to trust you again? Trust little miss UN in there? And you were sitting awfully close to her I might add."
"I…" Kaji's momentum was thrown off by Misato's brutal honesty. She could hear him pacing a little, debating what to say and how to do damage control. It ended with a sigh, deep and accepting, "You got me. I did use you, used a lot of people. I had to know what was going on here. Had I known Shinji had a living super computer I might not have tried so hard. I didn't know, so I had to do what I could. Imagine what would have happened if they weren't exposed. I won't ask you to forgive me, but I am sorry I hurt you. Go home and see them, and I hope what Akiko asked doesn't come to pass. I'm ready for a break, you need one." Kaji did pat Misato's shoulder, she jumped just a little, but he walked back towards the break area and not alone Misato's path.
Just standing there until she couldn't hear him anymore, Misato was a maelstrom of confusion. She had expected him to deny it, beg for forgiveness, and every other underhanded way of trying to get back in her good graces. The speech she had prepared for him was wasted now, denied her fury by his accepting of his culpability. How long she stood there, she didn't know, but eventually her phone chimed and she was broken from her fugue. "If this is something bad, I'm just going to ignore it until tomorrow," Misato fished her phone out and read it.
'Shinji-kun is making your favorite, it will be done in twenty minutes. Do try to get here if you can.' It had come from Miya, spelled all perfect with good grammar and punctuation. How unlike normal text messages. Twenty minutes, if she went quick she'd make it with a few minutes to spare.
"Well…I definitely could go for some curry ramen right now. If Miya is letting him make THAT…I'll take it," Misato hurried to her car. Miya was all about healthy and balanced meals, and greasy yet tasty was only a rare treat. Bypassing heavily used areas to avoid any possible delays, Misato got into her car and tore off. Turning the news to music, no more bad news today please, she just hoped, "If she's letting him cook, he has to be feeling a bit better too. He isn't as pale anymore…but those reports." Why was it that Shinji always got the brunt of the bad news? Ayanami did get changed, but she could lift cars now! Asuka had been falling a bit in her scores, but now that wouldn't even matter. Shinji…he had his brain scrambled!
The fools on the road tried to slow her down, tried to prevent Misato from having a fresh cooked meal. They failed in spectacular fashion. She weaved through them, blew through yellow lights, and cut off more than one slowpoke on her divine quest for delicious fatty food! When she parked and made her way to the inn, "Kazehana, how are you doing…good day or bad?" With the bottle at the buxom woman's feet, it was either a lovely day or a very bad day.
"OH…oh…it was a VERY lovely day. A trip to town with my little beloved Assh…Asssh…Shin-chan, sorry brain frazzled. Don't know what it was…but he was a berserker after some brute of a man tried hitting on me. He was so…" Kazehana just blushed and drank a bit more and sighed contently.
Eyes going just a little wide, it was always a mind burner to hear about Shinji and his Sekirei off bumping uglies, Misato just nodded and went inside. Best to let Kazehana ride that high without asking any questions. Finding Tsukiumi, Homura, and Musubi all sparring in the backyard with Matsu and Ku-chan watching…Misato bet Miya kicked them out of the kitchen. Both of them suffered from whatever that thing in the basement was, Miya either recovered faster or suffered less. But there was something there, some link between them that was even stronger now having suffered together. Misato was glad neither had to suffer that alone.
Listening the cheering from the backyard, Misato found the kitchen wasn't empty. Asuka and Rei were at the table with Miya, playing a card game. Miya was forcing the children to interact, and it was actually doing them well. Akitsu's game could be heard from the other room, that was a real homebody, and Shinji was at the stove. Misato held her hand up to silence the room from spoiling her arrival. Not the first time, not the last time, Misato stalked her prey as he cooked. Tickling his sides, "Looks like somebody is trying to curry favor is he?" She liked her pun.
"Misato-san! I'll spill if you…" Shinji tried to rebuke her but just started laughing. His laughter signaled the others to inspect the event and soon the kitchen was full, and just in time for supper. It was delicious, just what Misato needed. Then it was a big group bath, sans Shinji and Homura, followed by a little drinking with those that did drink, and the rest off doing their own things. A relaxing evening, the wolf out the door. Ku-chan slept in Misato's futon with Pen-Pen in her arms. Miya was still imparting an embargo night visits, so Musubi snored next to them. In the morning, things still were good…Misato just hoped it stayed that way.
X-X
Notes
And the second big deal has been dealt with. One major element to go and then some fallout. Two maybe three chapters left. I didn't intend for Wings to be super big, and its getting up there in page length. It has a lot of fun stuff in it, a lot more I could add, but I'll have to play by ear. This story is my Covid story and my mind-set has effected the outcome of parts. Darker in parts, happier in parts, and all around a silly. But hey, I hope you enjoy it
Later
Mercaba