Suddenly It Was Over
Disclaimer: All of the legalities still apply and I don't own any of the characters nor the show. and now on with part 2
The Gathering
Shinji awoke in his room lying on his side on his bed. He instinctively checked the alarm clock not thinking that there wouldn't be any power. After giving an exasperated sigh he lifted himself up in bed sitting on the side wearing the same clothes as the day before being his school uniform. 'Pretty pointless to have a uniform now. maybe I should wear something else for once.' He got a watch that he had kept in one of his drawers out and hoped that it still had the correct time on it. According to his watch it was about 4:50 a.m. and as he looked out the window into the darkness across the remnants of the city he guessed it to be about right. He went to his closet slowly and opened the doors and chuckled slightly at the many school uniforms he already had. Luckily he still had a few outfits that he could wear. He put on a pair of loose jeans and a light blue dress shirt. He also grabbed his SDAT recorder out of a drawer in his desk and placed it in his pocket. Listening to the music on it always managed to soothe him and relax him. It was one of the few things in the world, aside from Rei, that truly made him happy. He then proceeded to walk softly down the hall so as not to awake the others.
Because his room was located at the end of the hall he had a while to go. He looked into the first room he passed. It was a very small room with not many decorations. A stereo was placed on the left side of the room upon a small desk turned off for the moment. A bed lay right beside the desk and on that bed lay the white haired Kaworu. Shinji was still unsure as to wether or not he could still accept Kaworu's friendship after he betrayed him when he tried to merge with Adam. Although in the end Kaworu gave himself up because he found that it was Lillith not Adam all along, the betrayal still hurt Shinji. Kaworu had made up for most of his actions during third impact. He always acted like a guide and helped Shinji understand what was happening during the end of it all. He would just have to wait and see what else this white haired boy might do.
Shinji continued to walk down the hall and looked into the next room he passed. It wasn't as dark as the rest of the rooms thanks to some moonlight that came in from the window. The moonlight hit the bed and the blue haired figure lying on the bed perfectly making the image look heavenly and so fantastic that no artist could possibly fully express the image with a brush. 'She always looks so beatiful in the moonlight. Like the angel she was and the angel she will always be to me.' He leaned against the doorway and watched her like nothing else in the world existed but her. He watched her breathe in and out her chest rising and falling and without realising it he had adjusted his breathing until he breathed in turn with her. He smiled softly at her and almost in repsonse Rei smiled in her sleep as well. He suddenly felt weak in the knees at the sight of her smile. It made him feel so good to see her rare smiles even if it wasn't directed towards him. It took him a little while to muster the strength to leave her and continue on down the hallway.
As soon as Shinji left Rei opened one of her eyes looked towards the door. She rolled onto her side and snuggled close to her blanket and smiled sweetly feeling warm all over.
Shinji reached the next room and was almost hesitant to look in for fear of what he would see. He managed to finally lift his head to look at the person in the room. Lying in the bed asleep with her hands at her side was Asuka Langley Souryu. Shinji stil felt bad for what he did earlier. Although she was often mean and cruel to him, there were some rare times when he could actually have a normal conversation without being called an idiot or a pervert. It was in those rare times that Asuka's shield of security dropped and her true personality showed through. Deep down Shinji knew that Asuka was his friend and that he was hers. He was also worried for her as well. As long as he had known her he had never truly seen her actually injured bad. He shut the door to her room softly so that she wouldn't be disturbed later when everyone else woke up and continued down the hall.
Shinji silently opened the front door to the house and stepped outside into the somewhat dark a cool morning. He sat down on the wooden porch edge and looked out over the land below them. He had been too pre-occupied before to notcie the scenery around him, but for now he had time to actually take a closer look. What took up most of the veiw was the lake that had been formed when Rei sacrificed herself to save Shinji during the battle with the 15th angel. The lake still had a slight red hue to it from where Lillith's blood had mixed with the waters. It was not quite as dark a red as yesterday so it looked as if the waters would soon return to normal. Sticking out of the red waters were remnants of some of the Tokto-3 business towers. Their windows blown in or blown out and huge chunks of the buildings just missing as if someone struck them with a strong hammer. Shinji felt bad for the architects who had spent so much time planning the buildings to protect them from destruction against angel attack only to have them end up as ruins in the end. Shinji recalled how beautiful a site it was to see the buildings sink below ground at sunset and rise back up at sunrise. He remembered how even a few times he had seen Rei enjoying the beautiful site. He also remembered some of the cherished times when he had joined her in watching the buildings rise and fall, and although the never really said much to each other Shinji just enjoyed being there with her. He smiled fondly at these memories. Shinji follwed the edge of the lake and then looked beyond it. Not too far from shore were roads and smaller buildings that had decorated the outskirt's of Tokyo-3's hills. He looked down at his watch and noticed that dawn was soon approaching and he stared out towards the horizon.
He then heard soft footsteps approach him from behind and he jumped up quickliy turning around startling the crimson eyed girl that stood before him. Shinji stood their for a while watching Rei regain her composure. She wore a long flowing blue dress with no sleeves that clung to her form perfectly, not too tight and not too loose. As always she looked perfect in his eyes. He then realised that he was staring when a slight blush came across Rei's face causing one to appear on his as well. "Sorry about that Rei. I guess I am still a little jumpy from everything that has happened." He concluded while sitting back down and looking back at her.
"It is ok Shinji. I would say it is understandable considering the events." She looked down at him and motioned towards the spot on the porch next to him, "Is this seat taken?" She asked him.
"It's your house. You don't have to ask me permission for anything that you desire." He smiled at her sweetly.
She sat down beside him awfully close causing Shinji to shift in his seat a little and blush slightly as well. "You are incorrect Shinji. This house belongs to all of us. Not just me." She turned to smile at him and then turned back to look at the horizon. "It is almost time. This bring backs fond memories for me. What about you Shinji?"
He turned to look at her profile. "Yes. They were wonderful times. I'm glad we can once again relax a little like we did then." He looked at his watch and back out over the edge of the hills. "Here it comes." He said smiling gently.
The sun began to rise over the hills lightening the forests below. The sunlight shone across the lake reflecting against the surrounding scenery. The sky went from its dark blue to a multitude of hues of red, orange, yellow, purple, and blue making for a wonderful site. "It is very beautiful" Rei said while continuing to look out.
Shinji turned and looked at the side of her, smiled, and said softly, "Yeah. beautiful." He stayed like that looking at her radiance as the sun creeped slowly over the horizon casting its life giving light across the worn land. It wasn't until he found himself looking straight into Rei's eyes that he realized he was staring at her yet again and he turned his head sharply the other way with his flace flushing slightly. He then proceeded to trun his head again to look at her only to find her still staring at him as he had done. Shinji blinked a couple times, but continued to look at her as she did the same and the blush remained on his face as he gulped.
Rei reached out a hand towards him and touched his face softly resulting in Shinji smiling softly with his eyes closing and relxaing against her touch. "Why do you do that?" She asked him softly.
Shinji opened his eyes with reluctence, not wanting to end this moment. "Do what?" He asked her in response as her hand left his face and he sighed inwardly in disappointment.
"Why do you turn your face red?" She asked tilting her head slightly to the side.
Shinji laughed slightly and placed his hand behind his head. "It's not something I can really control." He smiled at her. "It is just a reaction of the body. It's called a blush."
"A reaction to what?" Rei inquired of him.
Shinji laughed nervously again not quite sure how to answer. "Um..well...it is a reaction to embarassement I guess." He finished saying while looking towards the floor of the wooden porch.
Rei looked at the spot where he was looking and then looked back up at him. "Do I embarass you Shinji?" She asked hoping the answer would be no.
"Not at all Rei!" He said startling her as he looked up at her instantly.
"That is good is it not?" Sheasked him smiling that small sweet smile of hers.
"It is very good. When you're embarassed it means your in an uncomfortable situation. I don't think you could ever cause me to be uncomfortable Rei." He smiled back at her.
Rei could feel the blush come across her pale skin. "I see now." She said as she touched her face. "It is not really an unpleasant feeling."
"No. It isn't is it?" he replied to her while standing up and gazing out over the remnants of the valley.
Inside the house Kaworu leaned against the wall listening intently at the two peoples conversation and chuckled to himself. 'cute. very cute'
***********
Shinji stood there for a while gazing at the ground and occasionally stealing a glance in Ayanami's direction. As he looked back out over the shores of the beach his eyes doubled in size at what he saw. "HEY!" he yelled out causing Rei to jump slightly and Kaworu to come running outside. "There are people down there!" He pointed down the hills at the beach near the lake. He looked at Rei questioningly.
She looked up at him with a look that seemed as if she did something wrong. "I guess I forgot to tell you. Although this is your world, your world is identical to how it was before Third Impact comenced."
"Um...What exactly does that mean?" He asked of her with a puzzled look on his face.
Kaworu looked towards him and spoke up before Rei had the opportunity to. "Basically Shinji it means that, with the exception of a few minor details such as myself, the house we are living in, and a few other things, everything is how it was. Everyone is still alive and going about their lives oblivious to the fact that Third Impact ever happened. The only ones who remember it are those who had a key role in Third Impact like you."
Shinji interrupted him, "Does that mean that Misato is still alive!?" He asked with hope filled eyes.
"Yes. Shinji. Misato as well as the rest of the Nerv personnel are still alive." Rei answered him.
He cluched the cross that hung over his neck that he had gotten from her as tears surfaced in his eyes. He wiped them away as he smiled in happiness.
"There is one more thing though Shinji." Kaworu said with slight reluctance as he tried to avoid seeing what Shinji's expression would be with the news he was about to tell him. "As Rei said, everything was restored to how it was before Third Impact. This means that Nerv, The Eva's, and Gendo Ikari were all brought back as well."
Shinji's expression changed dramatically and he fell to the floor slumped against the wooden porch beam. He looked as if his tears of joy were about to turn to those of sadness. He was crushed. Those things he hated most had returned. The demons he fought with for the last year were back. He didn't know how to handle it all. It was overwhelming. All he could do was sit there wide-eyed. It wasn't until he felt an arm be placed around his shoulder that he snapped back to reality.
Rei sat down beside him and placed her arm over him. She then put her hand on his head and layed his head upon her shoulder to try to comfort him. She closed her eyes enjoying the moment just as much as he was.
'So comfortable' They both thought simultaneously.
"As much as I hate to interrupt you to little lovebirds." Kaworu interrupted causing Shinji and Rei to separate reluctantly while blushing furiously. "We have a little business that must be taken care of post haste."
"Business? What business?" Shinji asked still tryng to recouver from Rei's embrace.
Kaworu watched as Rei stood up and headed inside and then looked towards Shinji with his always smiling face. "We need to head to the belly of the beast. We must go to Nerv and confront Gendo himself."
Disclaimer: All of the legalities still apply and I don't own any of the characters nor the show. and now on with part 2
The Gathering
Shinji awoke in his room lying on his side on his bed. He instinctively checked the alarm clock not thinking that there wouldn't be any power. After giving an exasperated sigh he lifted himself up in bed sitting on the side wearing the same clothes as the day before being his school uniform. 'Pretty pointless to have a uniform now. maybe I should wear something else for once.' He got a watch that he had kept in one of his drawers out and hoped that it still had the correct time on it. According to his watch it was about 4:50 a.m. and as he looked out the window into the darkness across the remnants of the city he guessed it to be about right. He went to his closet slowly and opened the doors and chuckled slightly at the many school uniforms he already had. Luckily he still had a few outfits that he could wear. He put on a pair of loose jeans and a light blue dress shirt. He also grabbed his SDAT recorder out of a drawer in his desk and placed it in his pocket. Listening to the music on it always managed to soothe him and relax him. It was one of the few things in the world, aside from Rei, that truly made him happy. He then proceeded to walk softly down the hall so as not to awake the others.
Because his room was located at the end of the hall he had a while to go. He looked into the first room he passed. It was a very small room with not many decorations. A stereo was placed on the left side of the room upon a small desk turned off for the moment. A bed lay right beside the desk and on that bed lay the white haired Kaworu. Shinji was still unsure as to wether or not he could still accept Kaworu's friendship after he betrayed him when he tried to merge with Adam. Although in the end Kaworu gave himself up because he found that it was Lillith not Adam all along, the betrayal still hurt Shinji. Kaworu had made up for most of his actions during third impact. He always acted like a guide and helped Shinji understand what was happening during the end of it all. He would just have to wait and see what else this white haired boy might do.
Shinji continued to walk down the hall and looked into the next room he passed. It wasn't as dark as the rest of the rooms thanks to some moonlight that came in from the window. The moonlight hit the bed and the blue haired figure lying on the bed perfectly making the image look heavenly and so fantastic that no artist could possibly fully express the image with a brush. 'She always looks so beatiful in the moonlight. Like the angel she was and the angel she will always be to me.' He leaned against the doorway and watched her like nothing else in the world existed but her. He watched her breathe in and out her chest rising and falling and without realising it he had adjusted his breathing until he breathed in turn with her. He smiled softly at her and almost in repsonse Rei smiled in her sleep as well. He suddenly felt weak in the knees at the sight of her smile. It made him feel so good to see her rare smiles even if it wasn't directed towards him. It took him a little while to muster the strength to leave her and continue on down the hallway.
As soon as Shinji left Rei opened one of her eyes looked towards the door. She rolled onto her side and snuggled close to her blanket and smiled sweetly feeling warm all over.
Shinji reached the next room and was almost hesitant to look in for fear of what he would see. He managed to finally lift his head to look at the person in the room. Lying in the bed asleep with her hands at her side was Asuka Langley Souryu. Shinji stil felt bad for what he did earlier. Although she was often mean and cruel to him, there were some rare times when he could actually have a normal conversation without being called an idiot or a pervert. It was in those rare times that Asuka's shield of security dropped and her true personality showed through. Deep down Shinji knew that Asuka was his friend and that he was hers. He was also worried for her as well. As long as he had known her he had never truly seen her actually injured bad. He shut the door to her room softly so that she wouldn't be disturbed later when everyone else woke up and continued down the hall.
Shinji silently opened the front door to the house and stepped outside into the somewhat dark a cool morning. He sat down on the wooden porch edge and looked out over the land below them. He had been too pre-occupied before to notcie the scenery around him, but for now he had time to actually take a closer look. What took up most of the veiw was the lake that had been formed when Rei sacrificed herself to save Shinji during the battle with the 15th angel. The lake still had a slight red hue to it from where Lillith's blood had mixed with the waters. It was not quite as dark a red as yesterday so it looked as if the waters would soon return to normal. Sticking out of the red waters were remnants of some of the Tokto-3 business towers. Their windows blown in or blown out and huge chunks of the buildings just missing as if someone struck them with a strong hammer. Shinji felt bad for the architects who had spent so much time planning the buildings to protect them from destruction against angel attack only to have them end up as ruins in the end. Shinji recalled how beautiful a site it was to see the buildings sink below ground at sunset and rise back up at sunrise. He remembered how even a few times he had seen Rei enjoying the beautiful site. He also remembered some of the cherished times when he had joined her in watching the buildings rise and fall, and although the never really said much to each other Shinji just enjoyed being there with her. He smiled fondly at these memories. Shinji follwed the edge of the lake and then looked beyond it. Not too far from shore were roads and smaller buildings that had decorated the outskirt's of Tokyo-3's hills. He looked down at his watch and noticed that dawn was soon approaching and he stared out towards the horizon.
He then heard soft footsteps approach him from behind and he jumped up quickliy turning around startling the crimson eyed girl that stood before him. Shinji stood their for a while watching Rei regain her composure. She wore a long flowing blue dress with no sleeves that clung to her form perfectly, not too tight and not too loose. As always she looked perfect in his eyes. He then realised that he was staring when a slight blush came across Rei's face causing one to appear on his as well. "Sorry about that Rei. I guess I am still a little jumpy from everything that has happened." He concluded while sitting back down and looking back at her.
"It is ok Shinji. I would say it is understandable considering the events." She looked down at him and motioned towards the spot on the porch next to him, "Is this seat taken?" She asked him.
"It's your house. You don't have to ask me permission for anything that you desire." He smiled at her sweetly.
She sat down beside him awfully close causing Shinji to shift in his seat a little and blush slightly as well. "You are incorrect Shinji. This house belongs to all of us. Not just me." She turned to smile at him and then turned back to look at the horizon. "It is almost time. This bring backs fond memories for me. What about you Shinji?"
He turned to look at her profile. "Yes. They were wonderful times. I'm glad we can once again relax a little like we did then." He looked at his watch and back out over the edge of the hills. "Here it comes." He said smiling gently.
The sun began to rise over the hills lightening the forests below. The sunlight shone across the lake reflecting against the surrounding scenery. The sky went from its dark blue to a multitude of hues of red, orange, yellow, purple, and blue making for a wonderful site. "It is very beautiful" Rei said while continuing to look out.
Shinji turned and looked at the side of her, smiled, and said softly, "Yeah. beautiful." He stayed like that looking at her radiance as the sun creeped slowly over the horizon casting its life giving light across the worn land. It wasn't until he found himself looking straight into Rei's eyes that he realized he was staring at her yet again and he turned his head sharply the other way with his flace flushing slightly. He then proceeded to trun his head again to look at her only to find her still staring at him as he had done. Shinji blinked a couple times, but continued to look at her as she did the same and the blush remained on his face as he gulped.
Rei reached out a hand towards him and touched his face softly resulting in Shinji smiling softly with his eyes closing and relxaing against her touch. "Why do you do that?" She asked him softly.
Shinji opened his eyes with reluctence, not wanting to end this moment. "Do what?" He asked her in response as her hand left his face and he sighed inwardly in disappointment.
"Why do you turn your face red?" She asked tilting her head slightly to the side.
Shinji laughed slightly and placed his hand behind his head. "It's not something I can really control." He smiled at her. "It is just a reaction of the body. It's called a blush."
"A reaction to what?" Rei inquired of him.
Shinji laughed nervously again not quite sure how to answer. "Um..well...it is a reaction to embarassement I guess." He finished saying while looking towards the floor of the wooden porch.
Rei looked at the spot where he was looking and then looked back up at him. "Do I embarass you Shinji?" She asked hoping the answer would be no.
"Not at all Rei!" He said startling her as he looked up at her instantly.
"That is good is it not?" Sheasked him smiling that small sweet smile of hers.
"It is very good. When you're embarassed it means your in an uncomfortable situation. I don't think you could ever cause me to be uncomfortable Rei." He smiled back at her.
Rei could feel the blush come across her pale skin. "I see now." She said as she touched her face. "It is not really an unpleasant feeling."
"No. It isn't is it?" he replied to her while standing up and gazing out over the remnants of the valley.
Inside the house Kaworu leaned against the wall listening intently at the two peoples conversation and chuckled to himself. 'cute. very cute'
***********
Shinji stood there for a while gazing at the ground and occasionally stealing a glance in Ayanami's direction. As he looked back out over the shores of the beach his eyes doubled in size at what he saw. "HEY!" he yelled out causing Rei to jump slightly and Kaworu to come running outside. "There are people down there!" He pointed down the hills at the beach near the lake. He looked at Rei questioningly.
She looked up at him with a look that seemed as if she did something wrong. "I guess I forgot to tell you. Although this is your world, your world is identical to how it was before Third Impact comenced."
"Um...What exactly does that mean?" He asked of her with a puzzled look on his face.
Kaworu looked towards him and spoke up before Rei had the opportunity to. "Basically Shinji it means that, with the exception of a few minor details such as myself, the house we are living in, and a few other things, everything is how it was. Everyone is still alive and going about their lives oblivious to the fact that Third Impact ever happened. The only ones who remember it are those who had a key role in Third Impact like you."
Shinji interrupted him, "Does that mean that Misato is still alive!?" He asked with hope filled eyes.
"Yes. Shinji. Misato as well as the rest of the Nerv personnel are still alive." Rei answered him.
He cluched the cross that hung over his neck that he had gotten from her as tears surfaced in his eyes. He wiped them away as he smiled in happiness.
"There is one more thing though Shinji." Kaworu said with slight reluctance as he tried to avoid seeing what Shinji's expression would be with the news he was about to tell him. "As Rei said, everything was restored to how it was before Third Impact. This means that Nerv, The Eva's, and Gendo Ikari were all brought back as well."
Shinji's expression changed dramatically and he fell to the floor slumped against the wooden porch beam. He looked as if his tears of joy were about to turn to those of sadness. He was crushed. Those things he hated most had returned. The demons he fought with for the last year were back. He didn't know how to handle it all. It was overwhelming. All he could do was sit there wide-eyed. It wasn't until he felt an arm be placed around his shoulder that he snapped back to reality.
Rei sat down beside him and placed her arm over him. She then put her hand on his head and layed his head upon her shoulder to try to comfort him. She closed her eyes enjoying the moment just as much as he was.
'So comfortable' They both thought simultaneously.
"As much as I hate to interrupt you to little lovebirds." Kaworu interrupted causing Shinji and Rei to separate reluctantly while blushing furiously. "We have a little business that must be taken care of post haste."
"Business? What business?" Shinji asked still tryng to recouver from Rei's embrace.
Kaworu watched as Rei stood up and headed inside and then looked towards Shinji with his always smiling face. "We need to head to the belly of the beast. We must go to Nerv and confront Gendo himself."