Standard disclaimer crap applies...blah, all characters owned by Gainax, blah blah, I have no
right to be doing this, blah blah blah, but I am, yadda yadda yadda...This is my first fic,
please send C&C, but when you send CONSTUCTIVE criticism, don't say, cue really dopie voice
"Rei's out of character..." tell me how I can fix it. (Note the constructive before the
criticism) Now that we have that all over and done with, you can enjoy the show!!
Eyes Like Fire, Yet Cold As Ice.
- Chapter One - Cold Beginnings
- - By Aal
- - My e-mail is aal@evangelion.com
Rei was lying face down on her bed running over one of her memories in her head...
'This Ikari... He's not like Him, I think he cares for me...'
- Quick Flashback -
Rei smiling in entry plug after 5th angel
- Quick Flashback -
Rei walking inside her house.
Touji: "Ah, please excuse us"
Rei: "What for?"
Touji: We brought you your student bulletins."
Shinji: "Ah, sorry, I kinda cleaned up a bit It was just trash right?"
Rei is completely shocked and embarrassed.
Rei: "Th-thankyou"
- Back to Reality -
Rei thought over those two events again. These were important memories. Something to hang on to
for a rainy day.
- Quick Flashback -
Rei: ..."Th-thankyou..."
- Back to Reality -
'Thankyou - words of gratitude... Words I've never used... Not even with Him...'
'What is this feeling I am having?'
...
Rei thought over it a bit longer
'I can't ask Ikari, for it is about him.'
'I must talk with Him about this, maybe he can give me an answer/some advice.'
Rei got up from her bed and headed out the door of her apartment, not even waiting for the door
to close.
That very night, Shinji Ikari was laying in his bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to his
most prized possession, his SDAT on track 25. Random thoughts popped into his head, it was like
searching for a needle in a haystack, he picked through the thoughts, thinking about one he found
for a couple of minutes and when dissatisfied with it, hie dismissed it and looked around from a
new one. He found one that interested him.
'Asuka. How could she be so mean? Did she have no soul? Why was she always pushing people away
from her? How could I describe her? Fire? Or the Suzahara and Aida approach, demon? No, Asuka
could not be explained with mere words, you have to experience her for yourself...
- Quick Flashback -
Asuka is clad in her plug suit with her hands on her hips and an angry authoritarian look on
her face.
...
"Well, put it on!'
...
"Don't just stand there, get moving!"
- Quick Flashback -
Shinji is standing with both Asuka and Rei in their plug suits, on the elevator to the cages
for their respective Eva's, and Asuka has a look of absolute disbelief on her face.
"You don't know?"
Her face takes the normal angry authoritarian look again.
"Are you STUPID?!"
...
"I suppose you really are."
- Quick Flashback -
Asuka, Shinji and Rei are crawling stomaches flat to the ground in a ventilation shaft in order
to get to NERV headquarters. Asuka notices that Shinji could well be staring up her dress,
as she is in front of him. She thinks she better let him know who's boss, and who that pervert
is dealing with.
"If you dare look up my dress I'll kill you!"
...
"Do you hear me Shinji?"
- Back to Reality -
Shinji didn't want to remember what happened next, because it hurt. He sighed. 'I wonder if she's
happy, deep down inside.' He turned on to his side. 'Maybe she thinks her anger makes people
think she is happy, but I don't think she is.' He pulled to covers closer, because he was getting
cold. 'Maybe she just needs someone to talk to... a friend.' 'Heh, it would be nice if I could be
that friend, but when I think about it, is Asuka really humanly able to have a real friend?'
'She certainly isn't nice to anyone except Kaji and Hikari, and with Kaji, it's just some stupid
crush that even she knows is crap, and with Hikari, every person needs someone to unload about
everything with, so I guess that's Hikari's role in Asuka's life, I don't think they're that
close at all.' He looked up at the ceiling again. 'I think Asuka is incapable of being nice to me,
she just uses me as her punching bag.'
Shinji suddenly sat up.
'That's it! I'm her punching bag! I can't believe it took me that long to work that out.'
'I'm just something that, whenever she feels the need, can insult hit and jibe, to make her feel
better.
That's all I am to her... It makes me angry.'
...
'And, it hurts.'
- Quick Flashback -
"I just didn't want to see your ugly faces! You...three...stooges!"
"Owww my eye!"
- Back to Reality -
Tired of thinking about Asuka, he lets his mind fly again, looking for something better to think
about.
'What about Rei?'
... 'Another indescribable woman.'
'Hmmm, I wonder why she is so emotionless,'
'Is it because she is fragile?'
...
'No, she puts up with Auska just fine.'
'Actually, better than most of us.'
'But what if it hurts her deep down inside too, like me?'
...
'I would like to ask her that tomorrow, if I could gather the strength.'
'I wonder what she's doing?'
...
'Probably sleeping, like I should be now.'
All the while Shinji began to feel very tired. He looked at his watch. '10:35? It's a school day
tomorrow! Better get some rest.'
Shinji's hands felt wet. As he looked at them, he noticed they were covered with sweat. Instead
of wiping them on his pants, he decided to wash them at the kitchen. He lifted himself from his
bed and slowly tiptoed out of his room. As he made his way through the hall, he saw a familiar
redhead at the kitchen table, laying face down.
"Ah, Asuka?"
No response.
"Asuka, you should really sleep in a bed."
Asuka slowly moved herself onto her arm, but otherwise nothing.
'I could move her, but she'd probably slap me,' Shinji decided. He tiptoed over to the sink and
let the relaxing cold-water flow over his hands. "Hmmmmmm." Shinji looked behind him. 'Gee, she
really is dead to the world.' No sooner had he thought this, however, Asuka lifted her head
groggily and uttered, "...Shin-ji?.."
"You should really get to bed Asuka, it's late."
"Whaysham nup dah zzzzzzzzzzzz."
Shinji stopped the water and stepped lightly back to the hallway. He really wasn't in the mood
to wrestle with Asuka right now. Just before he opened his door, he heard the door to the
apartment open.
"Miss Misato, is that you?"
"Shinji?"
He walked over to the apartment door to meet her.
"Hello, how was work?"
"Do you like paperwork?"
"Well, no..."
"Neither do I, that's why I didn't enjoy my day."
"Oh," was all he could say.
Misato walked past him to grab a beer.
Glug, glug, glug, glug,
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Oh, yeah! My bad day's just goten better!"
"Whayshamp, gugen maarf?"
"Oh, sorry Asuka. Hey, why aren't you in bed? Say, why aren't you in bed either Shinji?"
"I'm just about to go."
"Gaarf, beg, snarf..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."
"Shinji, can you help me get her into bed?"
"I'd... rather not.."
"Why not, you're a man aren't you?"
"It's not that Misato, I'm just enjoying a very short 'no insult no slap' session, that's all."
"Oh, cmon! Grab her legs for me."
Shinji had a disgusted and fearful look on his face.
"Hurry up will you?"
"Uh, okay..."
He gingerly picked up her feet.
"Gee, she's heavy." Misato smirked.
"Okay, lay her down over there."
"Alright." Shinji did as he was instructed.
"Let's let her get some sleep now. You should get some sleep too, you know." Shinji smirked.
"Yes Mum."
"Hey! Get back here!" Misato chased him out of the room.
"Alright! Just stop tickling me!" Shinji screamed.
"That'll teach you. Now get to bed."
Misato closed Shinij's door. He lay back on his bed. It had been a long day, and the day's boring
events started to wear on him. He had no trouble getting to sleep at all.
Rei stepped into Gendo Ikari's office, and stared at Kozou with cold red eyes until he left.
"What is it, Rei?"
"I wanted to ask you..."
"Yes?"
"Do you think Pilot Ikari has... feelings for me?"
Gendo's face turned sour.
"Dismiss the thought immediately. He cares as little for you as Ritsuko does. Beware him, Rei;
the third child is not to be trusted."
"But, I-"
"What now?"
"Nothing, Commander."
"Good, you may leave now."
"Yes, sir."
Rei left with as little notice as she came.
The next day, when Shinji and Asuka arrived at school, Asuka went to find Hikari, and Shinji sat
at his desk, waiting for the day to progress. But as most school days go, it went very slowly.
He decided just to go into deep thought for a while.
He glanced around the room. Touji was sleeping, lying back in his chair with his arms supporting
his head, a line of slag dripping down his face, Kensuke was typing something on his laptop,
probably tapping into his Dad's data files, Asuka was blabbing and chatting to Hikari about
nothing, and Rei; she was staring out the window as usual. Rei turned her eye a little to see
whom the person that was staring at her was. He quickly looked away.
'Great. I hate it when they see you.' Shinji blushed and nervously looked around. After a while,
however, Rei resumed her absent-minded window staring.
'I wonder why Ikari stares at me? I thought he didn't care?' The remainder of the day was filled
to the brim with mindless blabbing about second impact and "How, this generation, must strive for
the best, and leave the awful past behind us... Blah blah blah." When the day was over, most
people spilled out of the room as fast as they could, but Shinji was in no hurry. He was debating
whether or not he might survive the next angel attack. Rei walked over to Shinji's desk without
him noticing.
"Ikari?"
Shinji fearfully snapped his neck to see who it was, but when he did, he relaxed.
"Yes Re- I mean Ayanami?" Shinji continued to stare. In this light she was quite beautiful.
"The day is over pilot Ikari."
"Is it?"
Shinji dopily looked around the classroom, noticing that no-body was there.
"So it is..." Shinji looked back at the first child. He forgot where he was, and how to decipher
thought from actual speaking.
"Would you like to walk home with me Ayanami? That is, oh, I mean!"
'Should I thrust him? The Commander said I should not,'
'I shall find out my own hypothesis.'
Shinji noticed she was stalling.
"Oh, it doesn't matter! I mean- I thought-"
"I would."
"Oh, great! I mean, good..."
Shinji forgot what to do next.
Rei stared at him as if to say "Get a move on."
Shinji didn't get it.
"Shall we leave now?"
"Yeah, ok." Shinji lifted himself from his desk and the two hedgehogs set out on the trip to
Rei's apartment, since it was closer than Misato's. Rei and Shinji were walking down the
pavement when Rei shoots a question at Shinji.
"Ikari?"
"Hmm?"
"Why were you staring at me this morning?"
She asks in a straightforward manner without a hint of hesitation. Rei didn't even need to look
at him, she was preoccupied with walking. Shinji really wasn't listening but he got the jist of
the question, and it put him off guard.
"Ah, well, you know,"
Rei's red eyes focus on Shinji, making him even more nervous.
"I...ah...wanted.." gulp "to ask...you a ...question."
He finally got it out, even though it was a half-truth. Rei said no response, as if to say,
"Shoot."
"Ah, well, why do you live alone in such a run down apartment, Ayanami?"
Rei said nothing as they approached her apartment. Just before she opened her door, she quietly
responded "Sayonara." And disappeared behind her door.
'I wonder why she ignored me? Was it something I said?'
'Well I don't want to intrude, and she probably doesn't want to talk to me.' He turned and began
the slow and long walk 'home' - Misato's apartment.
'I wonder what her problem is?'
'Could I ask Misato?'
'Maybe I will, I hope I can trust her.' He barely lifted his feet as he walked.
'Does Ayanami hate me?'
'No, she's like that to everybody, except my Father.' Shinji's face turned cold as he finished
the walk home.
"Hello, I'm home!" 'Not that anyone cares anyway...'
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Came a sweet voice from the inside the kitchen. Shinji walked in to
find Misato, drinking a yebisu.
"You've been out for a while... Where have you been Shinji?"
"Well, I... walked home with Ayanami..."
Misato began to grin but was interrupted.
"Hey, Misato, I need to ask you-"
"Wondergirl, what the hell were you doing with Wondergirl!?"
Shinji noticed Asuka coming in from the hallway.
"Oh, it's...you Asuka."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I thought you would be honoured by my presence, idiot.
I'm still the most popular girl in school you know."
Shinji ignored her.
"Answer me! Are you stupid!?"
...
"You really are stupid, aren't you! You pathetic, stupid... RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!"
Asuka quietly turned around, her auburn hair following suit, then she stormed back to her room.
A loud slam of her door concluded her exit.
"Misato, can I ask you a question?"
Misato looked up from her beer.
"Anything!" She had her warm motherly smile on her face.
"What it Asuka's problem? It seems that whatever I do, it just makes her angry."
...
"Is it something in her past?"
"...I...can't tell you."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"Oh, is it your turn to cook tonight?"
"Uh huh. I'm just wondering what you'd like for dinner tonight."
Misato wondered.
"How about take away? Or instant ramen!"
"How about the usual instant ramen, I mean, you wouldn't want us to eat anything else wouldn't
you, Misato?"
Misato gave him happy evils with her eyes as he began boiling the water. When he had finished the
ramen, Shinji called out so Asuka could hear, "Dinner's ready!"
It was hard to hear, but Shinji could swear he heard her mumble "It's about time!"
During dinner, while Misato and Asuka chatted, Shinji remained silent. After a while Misato
noticed this, but she took no action. If he needed time to think, he could have it. After dinner,
Misato whispered to Shinji, so Asuka couldn't hear,
"Why don't you take a walk huh?"
"Oh, alright."
"Make sure you grab your jacket."
He could swear he heard Asuka blab
"Where's that idiot off to?"
Shinji half smiled. He looked forward to the time in which he would have no interruptions, where
he would have time to think, without the noise of Misato and Asuka. Especially Asuka. He stepped
out of the apartment and smelt the crisp, cold air. Summer was all year round, but as Misato said,
the Earth is returning to it's original state. He was cold, but he didn't care.
Rei sat on her bed contemplating what Shinji had said to her.
- Quick Flashback -
Shinji and Rei are walking down the pathway.
"Ah, well, why do you live alone in such a run down apartment, Ayanami?"
'I don't know. Why is it that he asks me that? Does it matter where I live? I must not answer. I
must think over this.' Just before she opened her door, she quietly responded
"Sayonara." And disappeared behind her door.
- Back to Reality -
'I shall go for a walk.'
Rei then left her apartment.
It was getting dark, the air was cold and dry, but Shinji didn't care. He was lying against the
railing, near a train station. Even if the trains were loud, they were relaxing. He was enjoying
the peace, the calm and tranquillity, and the time to himself.
Shinji's thoughts wandered to Rei.
'I always feel uncomfortable when I'm around her.'
'Does she feel the same?'
?
Something triggered Shinji's attention from the corner of his eye. He looked up. It was Rei.
'She's on a walk too?'
...
'I don't feel like talking to anyone right now. Especially Rei, she requires concentration. She's
hard to talk to.'
But the powers that be made Rei walk up to the third child.
Neither exchanged greetings, Rei only stood beside Shinji. Even though they weren't talking they
were both enjoying the company.
...
Shinji decided to break the silence.
"Were you on a walk too, Ayanami?"
"Yes."
...
"Why here?"
whisper "I usually walk here."
"Oh."
...
"Why?"
...
pause
'Why does she discourage conversation?'
'Ask her why.'
'No, I'd better not.'
The thought persisted.
'Ask her why.'
'No.'
'Ask her why! Do it!'
"Ayanami, I..."
Rei looked at him, eyes like fire, yet cold as ice.
"Why don't you talk?"
Her answer was as monotone as her last speech.
"I only talk when I am required to."
"Surely you like to talk to others, though?"
Rei ignored the question.
Another train stopped behind them, making a loud screeching noise as the brakes were initiated.
The sounds of quiet traffic could also be heard.
"What is wrong?"
Rei was confused, her face showed it only slightly.
Shinji reverted to his original self.
"Sorry."
She looked up into his eyes.
"Are you?"
'Are you sorry?'
'No.'
'Why not?'
This time, his thought pattern was Misato's voice.
'Because there is no reason to be. You escape from any uncomfortable situation with an apology.'
He decided to argue with Misato.
'But that's all I know how to do, that's what I was taught to do!'
Asuka replied this time: 'Your Auntie and Uncle never told you to do that, all you are is just a
weak little fool!'
Blinding light brought Shinji back to reality and reminded him of where he was. He was tired.
"Pilot Ikari, are you ok?"
'There she goes again, being all too formal with me.'
All he could manage was a slight groan "What happened?"
"I asked you if you were sorry and you almost passed out."
Shinji's dizziness faded.
It suddenly became very cold. II large gust of wind engulfed the Tokyo-3 Loob line and the two
pilots. Rei visibly shivered. Shinji noticed this, took off his jacket and placed it on her back.
Rei held it closer with her free arm.
"Could I walk home with you Ayanami?"
"Why do you want to spend time with me all of a sudden?"
Shinji was hurt.
"I shall be fine. Here, take your jacket back."
Rei began to take off the jacket Shinji just handed her.
Spurred by a gust of ambition inside of him, he blurted out,
"But I want to!"
The first Child stared at him and replied flatly,
"If you wish..."
She put the jacket back on.
As they were walking, Shinji felt he needed to know more about Rei. He didn't mean to ask the
question, but after he said it, he decided to let it stand.
"What do you see in the commander?"
Rei thought without any facial emotion.
'He does not have the clearance to know.'
She ignored him.
Shinji hated being ignored.
"Why are you so cold all of a sudden? In fact, why are you cold all of the time, except with the
commander?"
no emotion
"Why do you care?"
"Of course I do! It's not nice to be cold Rei, I hate it!"
"You called me Rei."
Shinji was still angry
"So what?"
Rei looked down.
"Why?"
Still monotone.
"I'm not sure. I like you I guess. I like you as a fellow pilot but more so as a friend. That's
why I hate it when you're cold to me.
Even though..."
"What?"
Still monotone.
"Even though you don't like me."
With that, they were at Rei's doorstep.
Before she could answer, Shinji said
"Goodnight, Ayanami."
Then he ran off into the night.
- End of Chapter one -
Author's notes:
Version 1.1 - Fixed Gensuke/Kensuke spelling problem. Fixed first/third child error. Got rid of
stupid omake.
Version 1.0 - Well I finally finished it and submitted it. It took about a month of badgering from my friend
(YES LUNKS THIS MEANS YOU!!!) to get me to finish it. When I started looking around for Eva fan
fiction I was shocked to find how many Asuka + Shinji fics there were, and the lack of
Rei + Shinji ones. So I decided to write my own. Yes, the omake is really crap. I know the start
is really boring but bare with me, this is only the beginning..... WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Grud said that I kept on writting thoughts with 'blah' and kept on writting a sentance and then ending the
quote, only to write another thought. I thought that that emulates thought patterns pretty well.
A lot of people think in this fashion, rather than a constant stream. Also, when they ask a question in
thier heads, the answer is like a different person speaking or even just a break between what is said
now and when the answer comes. I also prefer the 'blah' rather than the _blah_ for thinking. thats just
the way I like to do it. Thanks Grud. I'm trying to make the next chapter happier, cos this one's a
little sad. I guess it is cold beginings anyway.
2nd part is on the way.
Please keep on informing of errors so I can fix them!
-Mrcul
right to be doing this, blah blah blah, but I am, yadda yadda yadda...This is my first fic,
please send C&C, but when you send CONSTUCTIVE criticism, don't say, cue really dopie voice
"Rei's out of character..." tell me how I can fix it. (Note the constructive before the
criticism) Now that we have that all over and done with, you can enjoy the show!!
Eyes Like Fire, Yet Cold As Ice.
- Chapter One - Cold Beginnings
- - By Aal
- - My e-mail is aal@evangelion.com
Rei was lying face down on her bed running over one of her memories in her head...
'This Ikari... He's not like Him, I think he cares for me...'
- Quick Flashback -
Rei smiling in entry plug after 5th angel
- Quick Flashback -
Rei walking inside her house.
Touji: "Ah, please excuse us"
Rei: "What for?"
Touji: We brought you your student bulletins."
Shinji: "Ah, sorry, I kinda cleaned up a bit It was just trash right?"
Rei is completely shocked and embarrassed.
Rei: "Th-thankyou"
- Back to Reality -
Rei thought over those two events again. These were important memories. Something to hang on to
for a rainy day.
- Quick Flashback -
Rei: ..."Th-thankyou..."
- Back to Reality -
'Thankyou - words of gratitude... Words I've never used... Not even with Him...'
'What is this feeling I am having?'
...
Rei thought over it a bit longer
'I can't ask Ikari, for it is about him.'
'I must talk with Him about this, maybe he can give me an answer/some advice.'
Rei got up from her bed and headed out the door of her apartment, not even waiting for the door
to close.
That very night, Shinji Ikari was laying in his bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to his
most prized possession, his SDAT on track 25. Random thoughts popped into his head, it was like
searching for a needle in a haystack, he picked through the thoughts, thinking about one he found
for a couple of minutes and when dissatisfied with it, hie dismissed it and looked around from a
new one. He found one that interested him.
'Asuka. How could she be so mean? Did she have no soul? Why was she always pushing people away
from her? How could I describe her? Fire? Or the Suzahara and Aida approach, demon? No, Asuka
could not be explained with mere words, you have to experience her for yourself...
- Quick Flashback -
Asuka is clad in her plug suit with her hands on her hips and an angry authoritarian look on
her face.
...
"Well, put it on!'
...
"Don't just stand there, get moving!"
- Quick Flashback -
Shinji is standing with both Asuka and Rei in their plug suits, on the elevator to the cages
for their respective Eva's, and Asuka has a look of absolute disbelief on her face.
"You don't know?"
Her face takes the normal angry authoritarian look again.
"Are you STUPID?!"
...
"I suppose you really are."
- Quick Flashback -
Asuka, Shinji and Rei are crawling stomaches flat to the ground in a ventilation shaft in order
to get to NERV headquarters. Asuka notices that Shinji could well be staring up her dress,
as she is in front of him. She thinks she better let him know who's boss, and who that pervert
is dealing with.
"If you dare look up my dress I'll kill you!"
...
"Do you hear me Shinji?"
- Back to Reality -
Shinji didn't want to remember what happened next, because it hurt. He sighed. 'I wonder if she's
happy, deep down inside.' He turned on to his side. 'Maybe she thinks her anger makes people
think she is happy, but I don't think she is.' He pulled to covers closer, because he was getting
cold. 'Maybe she just needs someone to talk to... a friend.' 'Heh, it would be nice if I could be
that friend, but when I think about it, is Asuka really humanly able to have a real friend?'
'She certainly isn't nice to anyone except Kaji and Hikari, and with Kaji, it's just some stupid
crush that even she knows is crap, and with Hikari, every person needs someone to unload about
everything with, so I guess that's Hikari's role in Asuka's life, I don't think they're that
close at all.' He looked up at the ceiling again. 'I think Asuka is incapable of being nice to me,
she just uses me as her punching bag.'
Shinji suddenly sat up.
'That's it! I'm her punching bag! I can't believe it took me that long to work that out.'
'I'm just something that, whenever she feels the need, can insult hit and jibe, to make her feel
better.
That's all I am to her... It makes me angry.'
...
'And, it hurts.'
- Quick Flashback -
"I just didn't want to see your ugly faces! You...three...stooges!"
"Owww my eye!"
- Back to Reality -
Tired of thinking about Asuka, he lets his mind fly again, looking for something better to think
about.
'What about Rei?'
... 'Another indescribable woman.'
'Hmmm, I wonder why she is so emotionless,'
'Is it because she is fragile?'
...
'No, she puts up with Auska just fine.'
'Actually, better than most of us.'
'But what if it hurts her deep down inside too, like me?'
...
'I would like to ask her that tomorrow, if I could gather the strength.'
'I wonder what she's doing?'
...
'Probably sleeping, like I should be now.'
All the while Shinji began to feel very tired. He looked at his watch. '10:35? It's a school day
tomorrow! Better get some rest.'
Shinji's hands felt wet. As he looked at them, he noticed they were covered with sweat. Instead
of wiping them on his pants, he decided to wash them at the kitchen. He lifted himself from his
bed and slowly tiptoed out of his room. As he made his way through the hall, he saw a familiar
redhead at the kitchen table, laying face down.
"Ah, Asuka?"
No response.
"Asuka, you should really sleep in a bed."
Asuka slowly moved herself onto her arm, but otherwise nothing.
'I could move her, but she'd probably slap me,' Shinji decided. He tiptoed over to the sink and
let the relaxing cold-water flow over his hands. "Hmmmmmm." Shinji looked behind him. 'Gee, she
really is dead to the world.' No sooner had he thought this, however, Asuka lifted her head
groggily and uttered, "...Shin-ji?.."
"You should really get to bed Asuka, it's late."
"Whaysham nup dah zzzzzzzzzzzz."
Shinji stopped the water and stepped lightly back to the hallway. He really wasn't in the mood
to wrestle with Asuka right now. Just before he opened his door, he heard the door to the
apartment open.
"Miss Misato, is that you?"
"Shinji?"
He walked over to the apartment door to meet her.
"Hello, how was work?"
"Do you like paperwork?"
"Well, no..."
"Neither do I, that's why I didn't enjoy my day."
"Oh," was all he could say.
Misato walked past him to grab a beer.
Glug, glug, glug, glug,
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Oh, yeah! My bad day's just goten better!"
"Whayshamp, gugen maarf?"
"Oh, sorry Asuka. Hey, why aren't you in bed? Say, why aren't you in bed either Shinji?"
"I'm just about to go."
"Gaarf, beg, snarf..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."
"Shinji, can you help me get her into bed?"
"I'd... rather not.."
"Why not, you're a man aren't you?"
"It's not that Misato, I'm just enjoying a very short 'no insult no slap' session, that's all."
"Oh, cmon! Grab her legs for me."
Shinji had a disgusted and fearful look on his face.
"Hurry up will you?"
"Uh, okay..."
He gingerly picked up her feet.
"Gee, she's heavy." Misato smirked.
"Okay, lay her down over there."
"Alright." Shinji did as he was instructed.
"Let's let her get some sleep now. You should get some sleep too, you know." Shinji smirked.
"Yes Mum."
"Hey! Get back here!" Misato chased him out of the room.
"Alright! Just stop tickling me!" Shinji screamed.
"That'll teach you. Now get to bed."
Misato closed Shinij's door. He lay back on his bed. It had been a long day, and the day's boring
events started to wear on him. He had no trouble getting to sleep at all.
Rei stepped into Gendo Ikari's office, and stared at Kozou with cold red eyes until he left.
"What is it, Rei?"
"I wanted to ask you..."
"Yes?"
"Do you think Pilot Ikari has... feelings for me?"
Gendo's face turned sour.
"Dismiss the thought immediately. He cares as little for you as Ritsuko does. Beware him, Rei;
the third child is not to be trusted."
"But, I-"
"What now?"
"Nothing, Commander."
"Good, you may leave now."
"Yes, sir."
Rei left with as little notice as she came.
The next day, when Shinji and Asuka arrived at school, Asuka went to find Hikari, and Shinji sat
at his desk, waiting for the day to progress. But as most school days go, it went very slowly.
He decided just to go into deep thought for a while.
He glanced around the room. Touji was sleeping, lying back in his chair with his arms supporting
his head, a line of slag dripping down his face, Kensuke was typing something on his laptop,
probably tapping into his Dad's data files, Asuka was blabbing and chatting to Hikari about
nothing, and Rei; she was staring out the window as usual. Rei turned her eye a little to see
whom the person that was staring at her was. He quickly looked away.
'Great. I hate it when they see you.' Shinji blushed and nervously looked around. After a while,
however, Rei resumed her absent-minded window staring.
'I wonder why Ikari stares at me? I thought he didn't care?' The remainder of the day was filled
to the brim with mindless blabbing about second impact and "How, this generation, must strive for
the best, and leave the awful past behind us... Blah blah blah." When the day was over, most
people spilled out of the room as fast as they could, but Shinji was in no hurry. He was debating
whether or not he might survive the next angel attack. Rei walked over to Shinji's desk without
him noticing.
"Ikari?"
Shinji fearfully snapped his neck to see who it was, but when he did, he relaxed.
"Yes Re- I mean Ayanami?" Shinji continued to stare. In this light she was quite beautiful.
"The day is over pilot Ikari."
"Is it?"
Shinji dopily looked around the classroom, noticing that no-body was there.
"So it is..." Shinji looked back at the first child. He forgot where he was, and how to decipher
thought from actual speaking.
"Would you like to walk home with me Ayanami? That is, oh, I mean!"
'Should I thrust him? The Commander said I should not,'
'I shall find out my own hypothesis.'
Shinji noticed she was stalling.
"Oh, it doesn't matter! I mean- I thought-"
"I would."
"Oh, great! I mean, good..."
Shinji forgot what to do next.
Rei stared at him as if to say "Get a move on."
Shinji didn't get it.
"Shall we leave now?"
"Yeah, ok." Shinji lifted himself from his desk and the two hedgehogs set out on the trip to
Rei's apartment, since it was closer than Misato's. Rei and Shinji were walking down the
pavement when Rei shoots a question at Shinji.
"Ikari?"
"Hmm?"
"Why were you staring at me this morning?"
She asks in a straightforward manner without a hint of hesitation. Rei didn't even need to look
at him, she was preoccupied with walking. Shinji really wasn't listening but he got the jist of
the question, and it put him off guard.
"Ah, well, you know,"
Rei's red eyes focus on Shinji, making him even more nervous.
"I...ah...wanted.." gulp "to ask...you a ...question."
He finally got it out, even though it was a half-truth. Rei said no response, as if to say,
"Shoot."
"Ah, well, why do you live alone in such a run down apartment, Ayanami?"
Rei said nothing as they approached her apartment. Just before she opened her door, she quietly
responded "Sayonara." And disappeared behind her door.
'I wonder why she ignored me? Was it something I said?'
'Well I don't want to intrude, and she probably doesn't want to talk to me.' He turned and began
the slow and long walk 'home' - Misato's apartment.
'I wonder what her problem is?'
'Could I ask Misato?'
'Maybe I will, I hope I can trust her.' He barely lifted his feet as he walked.
'Does Ayanami hate me?'
'No, she's like that to everybody, except my Father.' Shinji's face turned cold as he finished
the walk home.
"Hello, I'm home!" 'Not that anyone cares anyway...'
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Came a sweet voice from the inside the kitchen. Shinji walked in to
find Misato, drinking a yebisu.
"You've been out for a while... Where have you been Shinji?"
"Well, I... walked home with Ayanami..."
Misato began to grin but was interrupted.
"Hey, Misato, I need to ask you-"
"Wondergirl, what the hell were you doing with Wondergirl!?"
Shinji noticed Asuka coming in from the hallway.
"Oh, it's...you Asuka."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? I thought you would be honoured by my presence, idiot.
I'm still the most popular girl in school you know."
Shinji ignored her.
"Answer me! Are you stupid!?"
...
"You really are stupid, aren't you! You pathetic, stupid... RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!"
Asuka quietly turned around, her auburn hair following suit, then she stormed back to her room.
A loud slam of her door concluded her exit.
"Misato, can I ask you a question?"
Misato looked up from her beer.
"Anything!" She had her warm motherly smile on her face.
"What it Asuka's problem? It seems that whatever I do, it just makes her angry."
...
"Is it something in her past?"
"...I...can't tell you."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"Oh, is it your turn to cook tonight?"
"Uh huh. I'm just wondering what you'd like for dinner tonight."
Misato wondered.
"How about take away? Or instant ramen!"
"How about the usual instant ramen, I mean, you wouldn't want us to eat anything else wouldn't
you, Misato?"
Misato gave him happy evils with her eyes as he began boiling the water. When he had finished the
ramen, Shinji called out so Asuka could hear, "Dinner's ready!"
It was hard to hear, but Shinji could swear he heard her mumble "It's about time!"
During dinner, while Misato and Asuka chatted, Shinji remained silent. After a while Misato
noticed this, but she took no action. If he needed time to think, he could have it. After dinner,
Misato whispered to Shinji, so Asuka couldn't hear,
"Why don't you take a walk huh?"
"Oh, alright."
"Make sure you grab your jacket."
He could swear he heard Asuka blab
"Where's that idiot off to?"
Shinji half smiled. He looked forward to the time in which he would have no interruptions, where
he would have time to think, without the noise of Misato and Asuka. Especially Asuka. He stepped
out of the apartment and smelt the crisp, cold air. Summer was all year round, but as Misato said,
the Earth is returning to it's original state. He was cold, but he didn't care.
Rei sat on her bed contemplating what Shinji had said to her.
- Quick Flashback -
Shinji and Rei are walking down the pathway.
"Ah, well, why do you live alone in such a run down apartment, Ayanami?"
'I don't know. Why is it that he asks me that? Does it matter where I live? I must not answer. I
must think over this.' Just before she opened her door, she quietly responded
"Sayonara." And disappeared behind her door.
- Back to Reality -
'I shall go for a walk.'
Rei then left her apartment.
It was getting dark, the air was cold and dry, but Shinji didn't care. He was lying against the
railing, near a train station. Even if the trains were loud, they were relaxing. He was enjoying
the peace, the calm and tranquillity, and the time to himself.
Shinji's thoughts wandered to Rei.
'I always feel uncomfortable when I'm around her.'
'Does she feel the same?'
?
Something triggered Shinji's attention from the corner of his eye. He looked up. It was Rei.
'She's on a walk too?'
...
'I don't feel like talking to anyone right now. Especially Rei, she requires concentration. She's
hard to talk to.'
But the powers that be made Rei walk up to the third child.
Neither exchanged greetings, Rei only stood beside Shinji. Even though they weren't talking they
were both enjoying the company.
...
Shinji decided to break the silence.
"Were you on a walk too, Ayanami?"
"Yes."
...
"Why here?"
whisper "I usually walk here."
"Oh."
...
"Why?"
...
pause
'Why does she discourage conversation?'
'Ask her why.'
'No, I'd better not.'
The thought persisted.
'Ask her why.'
'No.'
'Ask her why! Do it!'
"Ayanami, I..."
Rei looked at him, eyes like fire, yet cold as ice.
"Why don't you talk?"
Her answer was as monotone as her last speech.
"I only talk when I am required to."
"Surely you like to talk to others, though?"
Rei ignored the question.
Another train stopped behind them, making a loud screeching noise as the brakes were initiated.
The sounds of quiet traffic could also be heard.
"What is wrong?"
Rei was confused, her face showed it only slightly.
Shinji reverted to his original self.
"Sorry."
She looked up into his eyes.
"Are you?"
'Are you sorry?'
'No.'
'Why not?'
This time, his thought pattern was Misato's voice.
'Because there is no reason to be. You escape from any uncomfortable situation with an apology.'
He decided to argue with Misato.
'But that's all I know how to do, that's what I was taught to do!'
Asuka replied this time: 'Your Auntie and Uncle never told you to do that, all you are is just a
weak little fool!'
Blinding light brought Shinji back to reality and reminded him of where he was. He was tired.
"Pilot Ikari, are you ok?"
'There she goes again, being all too formal with me.'
All he could manage was a slight groan "What happened?"
"I asked you if you were sorry and you almost passed out."
Shinji's dizziness faded.
It suddenly became very cold. II large gust of wind engulfed the Tokyo-3 Loob line and the two
pilots. Rei visibly shivered. Shinji noticed this, took off his jacket and placed it on her back.
Rei held it closer with her free arm.
"Could I walk home with you Ayanami?"
"Why do you want to spend time with me all of a sudden?"
Shinji was hurt.
"I shall be fine. Here, take your jacket back."
Rei began to take off the jacket Shinji just handed her.
Spurred by a gust of ambition inside of him, he blurted out,
"But I want to!"
The first Child stared at him and replied flatly,
"If you wish..."
She put the jacket back on.
As they were walking, Shinji felt he needed to know more about Rei. He didn't mean to ask the
question, but after he said it, he decided to let it stand.
"What do you see in the commander?"
Rei thought without any facial emotion.
'He does not have the clearance to know.'
She ignored him.
Shinji hated being ignored.
"Why are you so cold all of a sudden? In fact, why are you cold all of the time, except with the
commander?"
no emotion
"Why do you care?"
"Of course I do! It's not nice to be cold Rei, I hate it!"
"You called me Rei."
Shinji was still angry
"So what?"
Rei looked down.
"Why?"
Still monotone.
"I'm not sure. I like you I guess. I like you as a fellow pilot but more so as a friend. That's
why I hate it when you're cold to me.
Even though..."
"What?"
Still monotone.
"Even though you don't like me."
With that, they were at Rei's doorstep.
Before she could answer, Shinji said
"Goodnight, Ayanami."
Then he ran off into the night.
- End of Chapter one -
Author's notes:
Version 1.1 - Fixed Gensuke/Kensuke spelling problem. Fixed first/third child error. Got rid of
stupid omake.
Version 1.0 - Well I finally finished it and submitted it. It took about a month of badgering from my friend
(YES LUNKS THIS MEANS YOU!!!) to get me to finish it. When I started looking around for Eva fan
fiction I was shocked to find how many Asuka + Shinji fics there were, and the lack of
Rei + Shinji ones. So I decided to write my own. Yes, the omake is really crap. I know the start
is really boring but bare with me, this is only the beginning..... WHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Grud said that I kept on writting thoughts with 'blah' and kept on writting a sentance and then ending the
quote, only to write another thought. I thought that that emulates thought patterns pretty well.
A lot of people think in this fashion, rather than a constant stream. Also, when they ask a question in
thier heads, the answer is like a different person speaking or even just a break between what is said
now and when the answer comes. I also prefer the 'blah' rather than the _blah_ for thinking. thats just
the way I like to do it. Thanks Grud. I'm trying to make the next chapter happier, cos this one's a
little sad. I guess it is cold beginings anyway.
2nd part is on the way.
Please keep on informing of errors so I can fix them!
-Mrcul