"We'll meet again

Don't know where

Don't know when

But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through

Just like you always do

'Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away"

"We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn

The truck jumped as it hit a bump in the road. Misato's shuttered open as she was jolted awake. The sun was casting its rays across the landscape as it dawned. Misato looked to her side and saw that Mana was already awake. She gently rubbed the safety of her MP5 as she watched the passing trees. Kensuke was still in the driver's seat, intent to focus on the road. To his side was Toji gently snoring in his chair. Misato shifted in her seat. Mana turned to look at her.

"You're finally awake," she smiled, "We just crossed the village's outer borders. We should be in the village center soon."

Misato nodded as she straightened herself and looked out the window. They passed by vast fields. As they drove down the road Misato saw three figures walking down the road. As they passed by, Misato caught a glimpse of one of the figure's snow white hair. Her eyes went wide as she stuck her head out the window as she tried to get a glance at Kaworu.

"Misato, you okay?" asked Mana.

"That white haired boy," she replied, "Was he?"

"Kaworu Nagisa," Mana crossed her arms, "Former NERV pilot and somehow still perpetually ignorant resident."

"And you let him stay here?"

"Wasn't my decision. Ryoji offered to let him stay after," Mana made a random gesture, "Whatever Shinji did with Fifth Impact."

"Got it right," Misato nodded, "And who were the other two?"

"The girl was Rei."

Misato raised an eyebrow, having not seen any blue hair.

"She grew out of the hair and eyes," Mana shrugged, "Other kid was-"

"Ryoji," Misato interrupted,"My son."

"Yeah, your son."

"Remind me to speak with him."

"Right," Mana replied, "And what exactly are you going to say to him."

"I have no goddamn clue."

"Well at least you're honest about it."

Shinji groggily opened his eyes to the sound of knocking at the door. He felt something warm pressed against his side. He looked down and saw Asuka lying beside him, clutching him tightly. He brought his hand to her hair and stroked it gently.

"Asuka," he whispered, "There's someone at the door."

"Too early," she grumbled, "Five more minutes."

The knocking continued.

"Wait here," Shinji said as he slipped out of the bed.

He shuffled over to the wheelchair before setting himself down. The knocking still continued. Grabbing the pistol off of the table, Shinji closed the door behind him, ensuring that it looked untouched. As he wheeled up to the door, the knocking stopped.

He opened the door. As it swung open a body rushed forward. The body crashed into him and he was forced to the ground. Shinji felt dazed from the impact. The body blocked his sight, forcing him to stare into darkness.

"Hmm," a man's voice said, "So that's what they teach you in basic?"

"Shut it, Kensuke," a woman's voice replied, "I didn't see you offering another way in."

The woman sounded like Mana. The sound of running feet could be heard followed by the crashing of a door opening far too quickly. A shotgun was racked in the background.

"Oh, it's you," Asuka's voice came through, "Morning KenKen, morning Stooge."

"Morning Asuka," they both replied.

Asuka crossed her arms at Mana, "Would've it killed you to knock?"

"I tried that, your majesty," Mana retorted as she lifted herself off of Shinji, "You didn't answer."

"So you decided to bust down the door?" Asuka placed down the shotgun and began to help Shinji back up, "You okay?"

"Yeah," Shinji pushed himself back up into the upright position, "Just surprised that's all."

"Well I had to try something," Mana grumbled, "Oh and by the way, brace yourselves. Got another surprise just outside."

Asuka rolled her eyes at Mana before wheeling Shinji out of the door, "I swear to Lilith herself Mana, if it's another one of your messes I'll-"

Both Asuka and Shinji stared wide at the woman standing before them. It was like a ghost had appeared before their very eyes. In some ways a ghost did appear before them.

"Hi kids" Misato Katsuragi waved at the two.

She stood before the two. Almost identical to the day they last saw her. Her red jacket still hung on her shoulders. She smiled sweetly at them, her eyes tired yet still joyful. Shinji was the first to break out of the trance. He looked at Asuka before looking back at Misato.

"I'll uh, I'll let you two talk it out first," he said as he rolled himself inside with Kensuke, Toji, and Mana following him.

Shinji rolled through the living room and into the kitchen. The three followed him. He reached for a cabinet and pulled out a small black box.

"Tea?" he offered.

The three nodded in response.

"Did Misato mention to either of you three how she came back?" Shinji poured the tea leaves into the kettle.

"Woke up on the beach," Mana replied tentatively, "And then Kaneda captured her."

Shinji froze for a second, "And then what happened?"

"She was able to escape during our little attempt too take him out. We found her in Edo on the run from Kaneda's men."

"He was going to using her for leverage."

"How do you know?"

"I would've done the same," Shinji stated as he placed the kettle onto the stove.

His eyes stared blankly at nothing.

Misato looked at Asuka. She had grown up, no longer trapped in that youthful tomb. And she had both of her eyes. Misato always felt guilty believing that Asuka would never be able to grow up and be forced to live her life in stasis. That being said, Asuka's face only had a blank expression. It gave no emotions, no insight into her mind much less her life. Suddenly Asuka stormed forward. Misato took a step back as she approached. Instead of a blow or a slap Misato felt two arms wrap around her. She looked down and saw Asuka hugging her.

"Welcome home Misato," Asuka muttered as she buried her face.

Misato wrapped her arms around the woman and returned the hug, "Thank you Asuka."

Author's Note: I'm back! I had some college stuff and vacation and what not. Also I built a keyboard: GMMK Pro with Boba U4T 62g with a Red Samurai clone set. Feels like a dream to type and game on. Other than that, I wrote this way too late at night again. Originally this chapter was supposed to have more "anime" moments but I dropped them cause they felt just a tad cringey. And by tad I mean a lot. Like holy shit I hate what I wrote. Moving on, I decided that I end it with Asuka and Misato reuniting as opposed to a really lengthy scene because I felt it hid harder like this. But hey it keeps up the tradition of really short chapters. (Chapter 3 is under 1k actually). Granted I'm not entirely sure if that was the right choice. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Should be in the final stretch assuming I don't go off the rails or some shit.

Review Responses

Mukur0: I'm glad you're interested and entertained. Pacing is absolutely something I am and will probably for a while be trying to master.

Greg242: Happy you liked it!

soryu-asuka-langley: I live to deliver the waff

tomdj1701: Thank you! PS, I got some tissues of you need em bro.

EvaPilotFair: I took a bit of inspiration from The Pacific for the chapter regarding Sledge. Although now it resembles more Leckie and Vera. Those two got married after the war btw. ;)

YourBlandestNightmare: I'm really siked that you enjoyed it. Writing the whole hero's return to home and what comes after is a lot of fun.

Sam: Thank you!

Calborghete: Definitely a good buffer between the chapter. Thank you so much for the kind words.

Guest: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯