A/N: Hey guys sorry this chapter took so long to write. I've been swamped a bit since university came out, will still be releasing chapters when I can since I'm dedicated to the story. But anyways hope you enjoy:
Chapter 5: The heart with no name.
The glacial air scraped through his lungs with its cold touch, as he left the VTOL craft. Fuyutski was greeted by Gendo Ikari, who had donned a snow jacket and an expression that matched the environment around him- cold and unforgiving.
"I trust everything is in order back at NERV?" his former student asked.
"NERV will be in the capable hands of Major Katsuragi and Dr Akagi- I have no doubts of their abilities," he reported as he paused to gaze at the view around them. "I trust the expedition is running smoothly?"
"We will reach the recovery site in two days," Ikari answered before turning on his heel. As the pair walked towards the ships bow, crimson waves flowed gently across the Antarctic wasteland.
Handing his bags off to be sent to his room, Fuyutski couldn't mulling over the question that was itching in his brain: the question of why and how much Ikari knew- and how this expedition of his occurred conveniently as the UN Security fleet set out to fight that monster.
"The UN security fleet has been reported as missing- if the UN knows more, they're keeping a tight lip about it."
If Gendo was surprised by that information he showed no sign of worry or alarm, he just continued to stare out into the red sea. Haunted by ice and death, the cold felt even more oppressive than the stifling heat of Japan, although it was a pleasant reprieve from that muggy place.
"But that was part of your plan then, wasn't it?" Ikari turned to him as he spoke. "You knew, they had no chance and yet, let the old men send in the cannon fodder."
"Are you getting soft in your age, Professor?" Ikari shot back with the beginnings of a coy smirk.
"Not at all. I'm simply concerned with the waste of resources on a fool's errand," Fuyutski explained. "I do wonder though, that against Gojira and the Angels, Man is merely throwing spears against lightning.
"But I realise that doesn't matter to you. Whether Gojira was killed, or if he survived, you'd still win, and the old men would have yet another obstacle," He added as Ikari's smirk grew.
"There's something more though, a question that you asked, one which Gojira could give an answer to… did you find that answer?" Fuyutski asked. A moment of silence followed, with only the howling of wind and rush of water as to break it.
"It seems nothing gets passed you Professor, as always," Gendo noted. He motioned to the wasteland of ice and blood, ignoring Fuyutski's question.
"What do you see, Professor?"
"A place where nothing is permitted to live; a testament to mankind's hubris - truly the realm of the dead," Fuyutski said, his eyes glimpsing moments of tragedy and sadness from the past. "Calling it hell is simple enough."
"Yet as part of humanity we tread right through It towards our goal- alive and standing," Gendo retorted, following along with the philosophical games he and the sub-commander regularly played.
"Yes, but we're protected by the power science."
"Science is Man's power," Ikari declared.
"That kind of arrogance, Ikari, is the root of this tragedy, as well the reason for Gojira's return in my opinion," the professor spat back. He softened quickly though: "Too severe a punishment, only 15 years after Second Impact - if this isn't the sea of the dead, what is?"
"At least it is a pristine world, free of original sin."
"I'd prefer a world inhabited by Man, even if they are sinful and blind to their arrogance. But you have still not answered my question, Ikari," Fuyutski pressed, the riddles itching again at the older man. The games had grown tiresome.
"But I have answered it Professor. You call this punishment, yet Gojira exists to fight against Man and Angel alike, a balance and a destroyer," Gendo began.
"Gojira could not taint this perfect world, he could only shape the world he lives into his image, just like his father. Man's science isn't enough for him to live, and he craves a purpose. For this is what the old men fear: a Leviathan unchained from God's guidance, free to strike against all."
"You see Professor, my question was to know if the Apocalyptica was right; for, if true, SEELE will fall," Ikari reasoned.
"Yet an enemy that strikes against those who play God Ikari - would that not mean you as well?" Fuyutski asked.
"Our scenario requires no ark to lead Instrumentality forward, and therefore Gojira poses no threat once the Angels are defeated."
The older man retreated into his thoughts, eyes affixed on the red sea of death, 'Is this all that awaits us on this earth?'
Rei Ayanami stood outside the Katsuragi apartment, unsure of the reason she came in the first place as the cicadas' shrill song filled the evening air. She'd been invited by Pilot-Soryu by text to help celebrate Major Katsuragi's promotion.
[Wondergirl, come to party for Misato at 6pm… our house, do it!]
It was the first time she had been texted personally and the Second Child seemed very insistent on her arrival, despite the lack of knowledge she had on how to 'Celebrate' or 'Party' as Soryu explained it. So, she felt obliged to come.
Rei reached out and rang the doorbell, to be greeted only by the eruption of muffled commotion from the other side the door.
"Misato's here everyone, get ready!" called out a shrill female voice she knew was Pilot-Soryu.
Clangs and clanks continued from behind the door for a few moments, then silence.
Nothing happened for a few moments. Rei continued to stare blankly at the door, the buzz of the cicadas was the only noise.
"Wait a second doesn't Misato have a key to her own apartment?" a male voice shouted - this one she recognised as Aida Kensuke from school, a friend of Shinji's.
More rustles of murmured commotion followed, then some loud footsteps grew closer to the door. It opened to reveal Pilot Soryu.
"What are you doing here?"
Asuka's expression was a mix of surprise and annoyance, tapping her foot expectantly. Rei was less surprised but more annoyed at the bizarre question.
"You invited me; did you forget?" She replied.
"I know that idiot - I just didn't think you'd actually show up," Asuka said dryly.
They stared at each other. The cicadas became audible again.
"You can come in, you know."
So, she did.
As she entered the hallway, the smell of freshly made food, spicy aromas and sounds of socialising gave her a warm welcome, something that The Second Child's coarseness lacked.
"Ayanami! I'm glad you came," Shinji called out from the kitchen. Rei turned the hall corner where she saw the boy juggling various ingredients and dishes between him as his apparent Sous chef, the class rep Hikari Horaki.
The latter greeted her politely as usual. Rei just nodded in acknowledgment, while Asuka roughly brushed past her back to a table where her hand-held console sat.
"I was invited, that's why I came - do other people not arrive when invited?" asked Rei.
"Sometimes. I just didn't expect you to show up, is all," Shinji replied, continuing to juggle foodstuffs. "The others are in the living room, make yourself at home."
"But I don't live here," Rei mumbled quietly to herself, although it was not heard by the two occupants of the kitchen as they went back into cooking mode.
Not wanting to go against Ikari's wishes, Rei walked further down the hall into the living room. As she approached, could hear the beeps, blips and synthesised noises coming from what she thought might be a 'Gaming Console'. She wasn't sure though, since she had never been permitted to play video games in the past.
-The visual she got as she entered the living room certainly seemed to confirm the working hypothesis. Toji and Kensuke occupied bean bags in front of a small TV screen, whilst Asuka sat on a chair a little further away, holding a small device with a screen.
"What - how'd you hit me?" Toji ranted as his in-game character failed to dodge attacks from its obviously more skilled opponent.
"Pure skill, man, you never had a chance!" Kensuke roared back as his button mashing was somehow winning.
Rei, content with her assessment of her surroundings, settled in a comfortable position on one of the chairs in the living room as both the beanbags were taken. She was now opposite Asuka, who, whilst nominally paying attention to her device, was staring directly at Shinji.
To Rei, Pilot Soryu seemed to admire the boy yet pretended she disliked him. Switching her attention from the handheld console back to the boy when she thought no-one was lookin, and stealing sidelong glances when the others tried to get her attention. Asuka watched him expertly manoeuvre around the kitchen, a true master of culinary exploration. Though to Rei a meal more complex than instant noodles, some vegetables and rice required masterful precision.
Asuka's gaze then met her own mostly blank stare, and the 'jig' was up. Wide-eyed and blushing, Asuka raced to look at the suddenly very interesting game in her hand. Social interaction seemed to Rei to be a confusing arrangement, something that even her research with various psychology books at school couldn't quite answer. Therefore, to get the answers for what was going on and understand the others, she decided she'd need to conduct her own social experiment.
"You enjoy video games?" Rei said trying to start up a conversation, not really asking a question but more stating a fact. It was a suggestion in one of her books - to use people's interests to engage with others.
Asuka looked up, brows furrowed, "Huh… I- I guess?"
"I see… one moment - " Rei paused, as further words failed to flow from her lips, despite Asuka's expectant gaze.
"I have no further questions."
Asuka pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing dramatically.
Rei began to wonder about what she could have done wrong, but Asuka spoke before the thoughts could coalesce into something coherent.
"Wondergirl, you're acting weird - well weirder than usual. Got hit on the head on the way here or something?" Asuka jeered, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.
"No. I simply wish to fit in, be more like you and Ikari. Admittedly, reading about social interactions is very different than actually experiencing it," Rei deadpanned.
"God, you really are a doll. You honestly have no idea how to function do you," Asuka sighed and rubbed her temples, her frustration seeming to pour out of her ears.
"I function well enough as a pilot and I am not in need of physical assistance. That is hardly doll-like," Rei retorted
"Sure it is! What normal girl goes to a friend's party wearing school uniform?! it's practically scandalous!" Asuka noted with an accusatory finger.
"Commander Katsuragi has not indicated I am her friend, I thought formal uniform would be good enough."
Asuka facepalmed, before continuing. "Wondergirl, just because something is 'good enough' doesn't mean it's actually decent you know.
"Who do you think set up this party? Me and Shinji did and at least that idiot counts you as a friend, so in a way this party is kind of for us as well; So, you shouldn't be so uptight!"
Rei began to feel more aware of her appearance, the crinkled uniform left un-ironed because she never needed to. The meagre clothes, to match a meagre place, for a meagre girl. 'Oblivion is the final respite, but what would happen to them?'
"My uniform isn't acceptable here?" Rei asked timidly.
"It isn't if don't want to look like a stick-in-the-mud loser," Asuka chided.
"I - I do not have any other types of outfits. Uniforms and undergarments are the only clothes I am given by NERV," Rei replied meekly.
"What? You're kidding, right!" Asuka asked incredulously.
Rei did not answer.
Was this a way she was inadequate compared to the others? Trying to fit in but limited by her circumstances, by her purpose. She pondered these questions while Asuka's brows furrowed in a determining fashion.
"Verdamnt Wundergirl! - I know I'm going hate this but follow me. I can't have you ruining a perfectly good party with a terrible dress sense," Asuka barked, springing from her chair and dragging the bluenette into her room.
Rei was simply taken for the ride, too philosophically engaged with herself to register the change in scenery or the queer looks the other teens gave them as they passed by.
The fabric of the blue pleated skirt hung around her knees as she crouched behind the kitchen counter. They had received communications from Inspector Kaji that Major Katsuragi was on her way to the apartment.
The plan had been set and the trap was laid. Well, if you'd consider a surprise party to be like a trap. 'A trap of social conventions?' Rei mused.
But even as she hid, Rei ran a few fingers over the loose material of the white shirt Asuka had gifted to her; given, at least on a temporary basis. But to Rei, wearing casual clothes or even more than a set of simple set of uniform, was a novel luxury. One that she never knew she wanted, nor one that Rei knew she'd so enjoy.
The effort her fellow pilot took to picking out an outfit that matched her "style," as she put it, was a comforting experience. Despite the callousness of Asuka's approach to social interaction, Rei still sensed in the foreign girl a different way of showing warmth, or at the bare minimum a sense of duty towards Rei.
While this may all have been just her imagination in that regard, the clothes symbolised something for Rei: hope that she was like the others; a human, and therefore deserving of love.
She reached towards Asuka, hand on her arm as they both hid behind the kitchen counter.
"Thank you for the clothing," Rei said sincerely, wondering about how regularly the phrase 'thank you,' spilled from her lips. Rei never said thank you before, but now she gave it out in spades, a phrase of gratitude and a smile as Shinji taught her. Asuka stiffened under her touch, but not in the hostile way she often did – more as though she were surprised by the sentiment, and on the edge of responding…
"Wark!" Pen Pen screeched. He had, as Asuka would say, just ruined the moment.
"Don't mention it. Like don't actually mention it right now - Misato is almost here. Idiot!" Asuka whispered, giving Rei a sharp side-eye glance as she violently shoved the interrupting Penguin into Rei's arms. Whatever tenderness had been there had been chased off by the bird's tactical vocalisation.
'Oh, that was right', Rei forgotten why she was here again, too distracted by the clothes and feelings of gratitude unusually not directed at the Commander. Perhaps Pen Pen was merely trying to bring her back to reality, Rei mused, running a not so gentle hand over the warm-water penguin's feathers, despite the latter's discomfort. It was an awkward affair for everyone involved, but Rei thought he'd get the message… maybe. 'If only he'd stop squirming, then I could -'
The key to the apartment twisted the lock with satisfying click as Misato, seemingly bedraggled and exhausted entered her apartment with an optimistic but reserved, "I'm home!"
"CONGRATULATIONS MAJOR KATURSAGI!" the room roared back making Misato shriek and fall backwards into Ritsuko Akagi who barely managed to hold her friend upright.
"What's the matter with you kids scaring me like that!" Misato screeched out, regaining her composure.
The kids' faces sunk as if they had broken a priceless vase or smashed a window.
She turned to Kaji who was behind her, eyes growing sharp. "Was this your idea, did you set them up to this!"
Kaji simply laughed, "This whole thing was already organised before I wind of it, Katsuragi."
Misato's mouth opened to scold them until she saw the decorations, all seemingly hand made. In particular there was a large banner written in badly drawn kanji - by Asuka, she assumed, that read.
-Promotion happy, Major Katursagi.
The grammar was a bit off, but she got the gist of it. It was either that or Asuka was calling her a happy beagle – the kanji was pretty inconclusive. 'Probably best to assume the best.'
Her nose was drawn to the delicious meals cooked up Shinji and Hikari, stacked on the main table. Complimenting the feast were various decorations and a small pile of Yebisu beer piled up on the table. Misato smiled at the effort they had all put in for her. It was more than she deserved especially - for shouting at them.
"I guess you saw the press conference."
They nodded.
"Thank you very much, but next time no surprises please," she asked kindly.
They nodded.
The tension was cut and soon the party was underway, heralded by a loud content scream as Misato downed her first beer – the vanguard of many more to meet their demise that night. The kids dug into their meals, and Kaji lit a cigarette with Ritsuko.
"Reminds you of our college days doesn't it Katsuragi," he smirked as part of the cigarette fell as ashes into the ashtray.
"Perhaps, but I didn't have six teenagers throwing any parties in my home back then, let alone for me."
"I believe it was mostly Shinji's idea from what I heard from Kaji," Ritsuko added.
"Wait, you knew!"
"Briefly."
"Why does no one tell me these things?" Misato asked indignantly.
"It's called a 'Surprise Party' for a reason, Katsuragi," Kaji said smugly.
Misato scoffed as she reached over to grab another can of beer from the table. "I don't like surprises - they're dangerous."
"Stop being so dramatic. I thought you'd appreciate your 'kids' throwing you a party, especially with how you're playing house with them," Ritsuko scolded with a broad smirk.
Misato rolled her eyes and downed another can. "Fine, get off my case, don't need to tell me twice to enjoy my own party. I just wasn't expecting it, that's all. Shinji's such a quiet kid, didn't think he'd be that forward."
Misato looked towards the teens and noted that they all seemed to have fun. Shinji especially had a genuine smile on his face. She'd hadn't seen that in a long time - or well, ever.
"Not so Hedgehog's dilemma now, eh Rits? I told you he'd be fine once he got some friends," Misato chided.
"That remains to be seen, but I agree the pilots are working well together, I hope circumstances maintain this arrangement."
"Makes my job easier if they're not at each other's throats," Misato joked.
"Mother-hen Katsuragi, proud of her kids learning to not a bicker. How cute," Kaji added.
"Oh, shut it you low-life, it's not like that," she shot back.
Kaji still had that cunning smirk of his plastered over his face, as he took a puff of his cigarette.
"Protective I see," he teased, smoke billowing out his smug grin.
Misato rolled her eyes, feeling the need to down yet another can. And after all, why not? This was her party after all, so she'd make the most of it- within reason of course: she was major now after all.
The last few drops of water echoed off the kitchen sink as Shinji placed down the last of the dishes for the night. Shinji, as usual, had spent much the time after everyone had left to clear the tables and clean the dishes.
'Better now when it's easier to clean, rather than later when it's not.' Shinji thought to himself. He wasn't alone though - Misato sat behind him, regaling him with stories from her college days as she downed can after can of beer. Some of these stories he frankly wished he could scrub from his memory.
But nevertheless, the company was appreciated, and even without Misato he would've had company from the background hiss of the shower. Noises of life, comfort and home.
"You, done now Shinji?" Misato asked, with surprising sobriety.
"Yeah, just getting a drink."
Shinji took his seat on the table, mug in hand has he sipped the water from it absentmindedly.
"Hey kiddo, you did good today, way more than I deserve to be honest," Misato chided herself with a half tipsy smirk.
"It was nothing. Asuka helped lots as well-
"Don't be so humble kid. You're a boy you can be proud of yourself for once!" Misato interjected, pointing an accusatory finger.
Shinji took another sip of his water. The concept of self-pride was entirely alien to him.
Misato sighed. "You know Shinji, I really appreciate this. I know you might not think it's a big deal - frankly I don't know why you decided on it either - but thank you. It means a lot to me that you kids are getting along and are growing up in a way."
He averted his eyes around the room, cheeks flushed, but still the words came eventually out. "I guess… It was to thank you for taking me in. You- you didn't need to or really should have. But you did anyways."
A smiled crept up her face, "God, I really am a mother-hen. Damn you Kaji."
The phone begged to be heard, ringing in the hall. Misato turned to get it, and as she did the darkness of the night settled into the apartment and across Tokyo-3.
The desolation around him was suffocating. The sea of debris and dead bodies heaved, and the eyewatering stench was softened only by the cool easterly breeze that swept the nauseating smell and the bodies along the currents.
He didn't know why he was alive when so many of his men floated dead in the water around him. No communications out or in, he was alone in the dark night. He'd not had a drop to drink, nor medical attention to soothe the scalding wounds around his face and body - the cool night provided the only reprieve from the blisters and burns.
Kurtz fell in and out of the waking world, haunted by nightmares of the monster that ruined him, ruined everything he worked for in the past.
He thought he want mad then, whether delirious from heat-exhaustion lack of water or shock. Kurtz had failed his promise to his men, to Yuuki. What was he now?
Days passed, floating aimlessly with no attempt to survive, or make better of his dire situation he rotted away…
The next thing he knew, there were the noises of conversation around him, the sounds of doctors and their equipment - he was saved but did he deserve it?
"How could this happen, we approved the use of a weapon this man said could fight against even an Evangelion, yet even now Kurtz won't speak to anyone!" A voice shouted.
"He's in shock it seems, he's not responding to us and is highly radioactive, he's lucky to be alive Commander, let alone in one piece," one physician mentioned.
"A whole security fleet is gone! How can the health of one man be considered lucky! Let the UN deal with this, NERV can't know a thing until we've figured out what the fuck happened here!" the more authoritative voice demanded.
"Any other survivors?" a calmer voice asked.
"Under half dozen, none are responsive either and or are suffering from severe radiation poisoning, we're expecting half not to make it. The Admiral himself was lucky, and aside from a few burns, he should recover. The same can't be said for the nearly 2,000 men which are still unaccounted for."
"We expected casualties, but this is near utter annihilation… can I try and speak with the Admiral?" the calmer voice asked.
"Be my guest."
Kurtz stared off into a corner, one foot in his grave, the other lucidly aware of his own failure, aware of who had destroyed him.
"Admiral, can you hear me?"
There was no response, aside from his twitching hands and fingers.
The voice clicked a lighter on, the flame attracted his gaze, the flame coalesced his thoughts, the flame guided him.
"Admiral Joseph Kurtz, what happened to the fleet?" He asked again waving the flame in front of his face, almost ritualistically.
Only a coarse whisper followed through the dry lips of the Admiral of the dead.
"Godzilla… Godzilla, we never - we never had a chance against him."
That ringing followed Shinji, followed him from his waking moment the next day; - followed him to his seat in class 2-A; and remained ringing in his ears, as his mind filled in the blanks to the daily tedium of the drab Second Impact Lectures.
"Psst, hey… hey Shinji!" Kensuke whispered as loudly as he could without the half deaf teacher hearing.
"Hmm?"
"What's up with you today, you're all in here again," the other boy mentioned gesturing to his head with his right in a 'you're loopy' motion.
"I'm just tired is all, man," Shinji replied averting his gaze back to his class laptop.
"Sure Shin-Man. Trust us, something is up with you," Toji added from the seat to his far right.
"It's over the Red-Devil isn't it, eh?" Kensuke smirked, jabbing Shinji in the sides. "She's got you all tied round her fingers, doing all her chores right."
"You gotta stand up for yourself man! Be assertive, it's what the chicks dig in a guy, though I don't get why you're so hung up on the She-Devil," Toji said.
"What would you know about getting girls man? The only girl I've seen get within a twelve-mile radius of you is class rep," Kensuke shot back.
"I know plenty about girls - I'm just looking for the right one, ok? I could have chicks swarming me but I'm not about that life."
The bespectacled boy raised an eyebrow not buying that for one second.
"Bull-
"Guys cut it out already I'm just tired from organising the party, ok? And for the record, Asuka isn't as bad as you think," Shinji defended.
His two friends gave him an incredulous look. Then they looked to each other, sighed and then shook their heads.
"It seems we've lost him to the Demon, Toji," Kensuke put his hand on Shinji's shoulder. "We'll pray for your soul."
"Thanks, I really appreciate the support here," Shinji replied sarcastically, shrugging off the other boy's hand from his shoulder as the two stooges chuckled to themselves at his expense.
Shinji didn't really care for their teasing now. he looked to the window, out into the blue expanse of sky. He wanted to be there, floating in a way, free to do as he pleased. It was an escape - but he couldn't run away.
Running from the dread into the clouds wouldn't help him, would bring back those people. The ships crews were people like him, and now all those people who could have been him or were trying to help him were gone…
He would choose not to run for now; he'd leave too much behind. Like Misato…
He hadn't seen Misato like that before, and it was unnerving that it was visible despite all he did with the party to show his gratitude. It seemed all for naught as the spiralling realisation that those people weren't coming to protect them anymore weighed at the boy, pressing him down with a force greater than the weight of his own Eva.
Shinji blinked, watching an unusually shaped cloud dancing in the sky, tempting him away.
Up there in the clouds he could escape everything that had been thrust upon him. Up there fighting and pretending to be something he was not… - a pilot - all seemed to make small the lives crushed underfoot. The tiny lives he had crushed under the heel of the EVA. He looked to Toji, and the thought of his sister again plagued him – a sister he had not seen. He could pretend he was useful and needed for something, but when it came down to it, he was nothing but a coward and a fraud.
He felt the burden of their lives lost. Had he been stronger, had he killed that Monster, all of those people would be alive, that was his belief. He had tried, hadn't he? And yet, that guilt ate him despite the knowledge there was nothing he could do. That was the worst part – knowing that all his efforts always failed, always crumbled like all the people his failure destroyed.
In a way he felt that Misato understood him best; that even if it wasn't his fault at all, that guilt would still burn him inside? She felt that burning guilt as well - he hadn't seen her so angry yet so still the night before.
It scared him; she had scared him.
She had hated that she scared him, tears had streaked her eyes raw.
'I'm so sorry Shinji, I- I please it's not your fault, I'm not mad at you- I just lost my cool… just go to bed for me, okay?'
'Okay…'
He hated that she felt a guilt that she did not deserve, and he was to blame.
Shinji's eyes glazed over in internal stupor; his own veering thoughts plagued these liminal spaces as his mind wandered. He knew they were wrong, but it was hard to get them out his head at these times.
"Hey Shinji, I wonder when the UN fleet is going to arrive at the Yokosuka Naval base, I so wanna' see those amazing Jets and US made ships, I can't wait. I was going to ask Misato about it at the party if she knew but thought that might be rude," Kensuke interrupted his thoughts.
"What?"
"Weren't you listening man! UN Navy Fleet Yokosuka base, you NERV guys got to know something about that!"
Anxiety and dread were running up his spine, needles shots of adrenaline begging him to run, to get away.
"I – uh - I don't know."
"Really? I was talking to my dad last night about it, he said all that stuff gets told to NERV so they can organise stuff like shipments and equipment," Kensuke insisted.
Sweat trickled down Shinji's neck, the words bursting at seams inside him. What could he say? That they weren't coming, that they're all dead? -
"Keep it down Four-Eyes! And for the record the Gojira hunting operation is outside of NERV authorisation, so even Misato wouldn't know all that nonsense," Asuka interjected with a scowl.
"Why do you care?"
"Because you stooges are annoying and you're giving me a headache, so shut it!"
Kensuke grumbled something inaudible before returning to his work.
Shinji looked to Asuka, his unlikely saviour. She'd heard it all last night, she must have. She gave him a reassuring smile as she mouthed 'You're welcome.'
Her fiery eyes told him, in Asuka's own coarse way.
'You'll be okay.'
A little smile crept on his face. He was with her, and with friends. The burden of knowledge didn't feel as heavy anymore.
Class came and went for the boy who tried to shrug off the usual heat through self-determination. It wasn't working.
Sweat streamed down his neck in discomforting rivers as neared the gates the school, Asuka and strangely Rei in tow. They didn't speak to each other, but he didn't mind, savouring some peace from the noise of things around him.
Turning a corner, the teens spotted the dazzling blue of their purple-haired Major's Renault. Something immediately seemed weird to Asuka and Shinji - Misato never picked them up from school, though they wouldn't be ungrateful due to the heat.
"Good afternoon, kids."
"Something's wrong, isn't it? You've finally been disciplined for the Rat poison cooking you make us eat, right?" Asuka said.
"Hey, my food tastes good to me!"
"Grave mouth more like it," Asuka shot back with a smirk.
"That's no way to talk to your superior officer!" Misato chided as she scruffled Asuka's hair like the girl was a petulant child, despite the latter's protestation.
"Everyone in the car then - I see you got the memo Rei."
"Yes Major," Rei replied as the pilots moved into the car.
As the car started and the cool breeze of a rolled down window soothed Shinji's heat exhaustion, his still fuzzy mind began to question why they all were heading somewhere. The car wheeled dangerously around corners as was their guardian's style but judging by the roads this was not the way home.
"Where are we going?" Shinji asked.
"We're heading to special place for extra tactical training for you three."
"No more dancing!" Shinji and Asuka screeched in unison. The synchro training still obviously left some side-effects for the pair.
Misato shot a coy smile before continuing to speak. "I'll tell you more when we get there but don't worry - it's combat training, and it will be happening twice a week for the next 4 weeks. I managed to get approval from the sub-commander earlier today."
"What - but that'll eat into my free time!" Asuka protested.
"Your pilot responsibilities come first remember and anyways I think you of all people Asuka is going to enjoy this," Misato replied.
Asuka wasn't so convinced just yet. Pulling out her game console, she grumbled and sulked, but appeared to surrender. "Fine, but I don't like this invasion of our already limited freedom."
"Your complaint is duly noted and ignored."
It all seemed surreal to Shinji for a while, watching Misato interacting with them as if the person the previous night was someone completely alien to reality.
Everything seemed alien to reality; NERV and the Eva was still ultimately alien to him. But did that matter? Did it matter to anyone but himself?
After a while of driving, they came upon a small Dojo in the outskirts of Tokyo III, a place that had seen better days but still stood proud, despite the Angel attacks and Gojira.
Shinji sighed as he stepped outside the car, comforted by some familiarity as he looked to the old building. Its peaked tiled roof and alabaster walls, caked in dust and little blemishes did nothing to this sensation Shinji felt, normalcy and calm.
"Why are we at a dojo, Misato?" Shinji asked.
"And why does it have to be such an old and dingy place," Asuka complained.
"To keep away from prying eyes. And besides, I thought you two could gain some appreciation for how the old Japan used to be," Misato replied with a wide but perhaps false smile.
They began to walk into the old but still functional building. It was devoid of other people, neither staff nor trainers. Whether or not that was due to anything NERV did or simply just disuse Shinji couldn't tell.
"But that doesn't answer why we're here in the first place Misato," Shinji added, brushing past overgrown foliage along the path.
"Don't worry, all will be revealed in due time," Misato said with teasing smirk.
"You're really having fun making us come out all this way to play dumb riddles with you eh?" Asuka interjected; her mood not improved by the surroundings.
"We're here to train… is that not enough?" Rei asked.
"Maybe for you Wondergirl but some of us actually have social lives and plans."
"I had plans to read when I returned to my apartment," Rei replied, brushing off Asuka's jab as she similarly brushed aside the dust on the handle before opening the door.
The floorboards creaked in a near worrying way as they were greeted with a musty smell that made Shinji wrinkle his nose at the irritation of dust. In front of them the panels of white paper walls let diffused light stream elegantly into the room. It was quaint, old but quaint, Shinji didn't mind that.
"Is this really the best NERV could do for its Elite Eva pilots?" Asuka scowled.
"On short notice yes, but it won't matter anyways," Misato replied.
"You're probably wondering what I've been so vague about. Well, it has been decided that you three will need to undergo special combat training to better fight against Enemies such as Gojira where guns and ranged weapons are less effective."
"What?! You can't be serious? I don't need any more training - I'm an elite pilot! Why do I have to train as well?!" Asuka screeched.
"Well, I told them that but instead I thought you'd enjoy it more by helping me out to teach Shinji and Rei here to fight better as a sort of junior teacher," Misato added.
Asuka's scowl morphed into the menacing grin of a girl given too much power.
"So, you're giving me special permission to kick these idiots' butts twice a week!"
Shinji paled at her words.
Rei simply kept staring.
"Yes and no. It's true you already have a great deal of training, but this is more as team building exercise. No butt kicking… too much Asuka,"
Asuka continued to grin like a madwoman.
"Why are you doing this to me Misato?" Shinji asked deadpan, He could already tell he wasn't going to enjoy these next few weeks at all.
Misato lent a comforting hand on Shinji's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of chances to show up Asuka as well," Misato added with a chuckle.
"But that's - that's not what I meant…"
He really wasn't going to enjoy this training one bit.