Obviously, Evangelion and all related characters are copyrights of Gainax, etc. etc. etc. This is not written for profit. Feel free to distrubute, but please do not remove this disclaimer. Thanks, Kerristallax (kerristallax@yahoo.com)
The Kaworu Chronicles
Part 2
Ayanami Rei awoke to the sounds of progress in Tokyo-3. She thought she had become inured to these noises, but... There were too many questions to be answered. She had rested uneasily that night, her mind grappling with what Kaworu had told her.
"I am Ayanami Rei," she said to herself, thinking on the meaning of those words. To her, it was a statement of individuality, of uniqueness, and of self-worth... Much more than she usually felt.
Rei dressed in her school uniform even though the actual school was still under repairs from the detonation of Unit 00. They would not have to go back for several more days, as a good location to hold classes in had not been decided on. She simply preferred the anonymity of the uniform. After eating a small breakfast, mainly because she felt obligated to rather than because of hunger, Rei decided to retrieve the cause of all her turmoil, Nagisa Kaworu, on her way over to the apartment complex in which Misato, Shinji, and Asuka lived.
Swinging open her plain metal door, Rei was mildly shocked to see the aforementioned Nagisa Kaworu walking up towards her.
"Kaworu-kun! Were you waiting for me?" she asked after closing the door and walking out.
"Of course, Ayanami," Kaworu responded with his quiet smile.
"'Rei', Kaworu-kun," she reminded him, feeling heat in her cheeks for some reason.
"Of course, Rei," he said, smiling broadly. This caused the heat to rise even further in Rei's cheeks. She was at a loss to explain it. Only Kaworu could do this to her. The two ambled on, exchanging few words, to the abode of Katsuragi Misato.
Far away, in NERV hospital room 303, Sorhyu Asuka Langley was putting on her favorite yellow dress, impatient to leave. After much coercion, the doctors had been convinced to release her. Asuka was angry coercive methods had been needed. After all, Major Katsuragi had authorized this. It was as if they expected her to run away again, or fall into depression.
Never again. Stupid people... I still can't believe they tried to replace me with an Angel! We're supposed to fight the Angels, not let one of them pilot my red Eva! Shinji-baka has a lot of explaining to do. Somehow, he and Wonder-Girl are behind all this.
What Asuka did not admit to herself was that she was secretly glad 'the Angel' had gotten her out of the hospital, even if he was going to have to be put in his place.
After pacing around and cursing in a combination of several languages, Asuka had determined that she was bored. The fated hour of 10:00 came at last, and after only a few additional minutes, Misato and the group were observed coming down the hallway of rooms 301 to 320. Asuka felt like hugging someone, and decided on her guardian, Misato. She ran forward, much like a child to her mother. Apparently, Misato had other plans and stepped out of the way at the last instant. Asuka ended up hugging Shinji, which caused him to turn a spectacular shade of red. Asuka followed suit as she stepped away from him. Misato was doubled over laughing at the antics of Asuka and Shinji. Asuka responded by glaring darkly at her, and then looking around. Shinji was trying to stick an apology in somewhere. Kaworu was smiling. No real surprise there. Rei was... Was Rei smiling as well?
"Trying out a new expression, Wonder-Girl?" Asuka shot. Rei's faced returned to its usually unreadable expression. Most of Asuka's statement was merely empty words, but... 'Wonder-Girl'. Who was that? It meant something. Something known to whom? Rei's thoughts were interrupted by Asuka's next barb.
"I sure hope HE's not your brother, Ayanami. He seems awfully concerned about you!" Asuka gestured in Kaworu's general direction.
At this, Rei blushed much deeper than she had upon meeting Kaworu this morning. She looked resolutely at her feet for what seemed like a long time. Slowly, Rei brought up her gaze, first to Asuka, who looked very pleased with herself, and then to Kaworu, who actually did look concerned for her. After a moment of thinking what to do, she looked towards Misato and Shinji, having forgotten them in the confrontation. Misato was still recovering from her laughing fit, but she looked...
Midly surprised. Shinji, on the other hand, looked totally surprised. Kaworu was totally unfazed by the whole ordeal.
Misato sensed some tension building, and so changed the subject. "Shinji? Would you carry Asuka's bag for her so we can leave? I imagine we are all anxious to be gone." Misato looked to Asuka for confirmation on this, who nodded vigorously. Shinji seized the opportunity to be out of the crossfire and walked energetically into Asuka's room. Asuka finally stopped staring at Kaworu and ignored the two. She did, however, mentally add a tally mark to her 'score' against Wonder-Girl. If Rei had ever gotten Asuka, she didn't much care to remember those times. But, come to think of it, Rei probably had not.
Shinji emerged moments later, carrying the Asuka's bag. Misato lead the way out, followed quickly by Asuka and Shinji. Kaworu motioned for Rei to follow him, which she did without hesitation. There was a... natural feeling in being with the others. She could go along with them almost without thinking.
Asuka was, to say the least, a bit surprised when they arrived at Misato's car. After placing Asuka's bag in the trunk, Shinji hopped in the front seat.
"Misato-san! You can't honestly expect me to sit in the back seat between THOSE two, can you?" Asuka demanded. She made another gesture towards Kaworu and Rei.
"Well, it's either that or the front seat with Shinji," responded Misato with a grin.
"Are you joking? In the same seat with that baka-hentai? You're giving him all sorts of the wrong ideas!"
Rei calmly opened one of the rear doors. She then stepped inside and slid to the spot in the middle. Kaworu opened the other door, bowed, and waited for Asuka to get in. After eyeing him with complete distrust, she climbed in the car with a sullen expression and slammed the door shut behind her. Kaworu then walked over to the other side and sat down. Asuka had ended up in the far left, behind Shinji. As Misato turned the ignition and started to drive away, Asuka nervously glanced from one pair of red eyes to another.
"M-Misato-san!" Asuka interjected loudly. "You'd better watch these two! There's no telling what they might do!" Misato laughed. "Shinji-kun! Help me!" Rei was largely ignoring the one-sided 'exchange'. She did, however, return the gaze whenever Asuka stared at her for too long. Kaworu faced the window, not overly concerned at the moment. Needless to say, the trip home was not a pleasant one for Sorhyu Asuka Langley.
Fortunately, the drive was not overly long. Tokyo-3 was still in bad shape, and most of its occupants were taking up residence somewhere else, at least temporarily. As such, there were few other people on the roads. Misato interpreted this as another excuse to drive at speeds which pushed the boudaries of sanity.
"Tadaima!" We're home Shinji called as they entered the apartment. Never mind that there was no one waiting for them. Asuka reminded him of this.
"Shinji-baka! We're the only ones here!"
"I-I'm sorry!" Shinji stammered. Asuka muttered darkly under her breath about Shinji's habit of apologizing for everything. Misato and the others filed into the room. Rei looked around the apartment.
It feels the familiar, even though I have never been here. What is this? There is also a feeling that... the apartment isn't usually in this good of a condition. Still, it is a stark contrast to the cell I have been placed in. This is light, clean, above the ground...
"We have a couple hours before lunch," Misato began. "I'd like to know something. How do you all feel... about... Kaworu...? I hope you don't mind me asking, Nagisa-kun..."
"Not at all, Misato. Actually, I would like to know this myself," Kaworu responded.
"Asuka?" asked Misato.
"What?" It was obvious Asuka had been ignoring them. "Oh... Kaworu? All I have to say is that he'd better stay away from Unit 02."
"Not a worry, Asuka," Misato answered. "Apparently, the commander wants to have Unit 03 rebuilt for Kaworu to use. They just told me."
"Unit 03?" Shinji interrupted. "No... Touji... he nearly died in... Unit 03. Kaworu-kun! You can't let my father do this to you!"
"Do not worry, Shinji-kun. I can escape if something goes wrong with Unit 03." To demonstrate this, Kaworu disappeared and then reappeared a few feet away. "You see?" Misato paled visibly at this display. Noticing this, Kaworu walked over to Misato, who tried to shrink away from him. "I apologize, Major Katsuragi. I will not do that again on my own." Misato didn't feel comforted by this. Too many memories of pain at the hands of the Angels. So much pain.
Shuddering involuntarily, Misato tried to refocus on the previous subject. "Well, Shinji?"
"What?"
"You forgot already? We were talking about Kaworu-kun!"
"R-Right, Misato-san! I... am so very glad that you are alive, Kaworu-kun. I wish that things could be different -- easier, but... I can accept our... differences," Shinji said shakily.
"Rei?"
After a long pause, Rei answered, "I was told that I am the same as he. I am not bothered by Kaworu-kun."
Misato seemed to notice that for the first time. Neither child seemed overly concerned with his or her physical appearance, as they each had a rather untidy mop of hair. Obviously, Kaworu and Rei had pale skin and glittering red eyes. Was there any significance to that? Kaworu was the tallest of the group, but he was also the oldest. He might be considered lanky, but he had a charm which more than covered for this. Despite being an Angel, or perhaps because of it, Kaworu related quite well to most people. He rarely spoke what he did not mean, and he was very open.
"What...... What do you mean, Rei?" Misato was troubled by this.
"I do not know," Rei responded. Misato sat down to think the matter over, and Shinji began to look worried.
After a moment, Kaworu spoke. "I agree with you, Shinji-kun. I wish that the things could have been easier on all of us. In truth..." He paused for a lengthy amount of time. "...I suppose that I am jealous of you. I wish that I did not rely on the power of the Angels. But it is me. I cannot deny what I am. I can only hope that good will come of it, somehow."
That was the most difficult thing I have ever done. Except, possibly, saying this. "I am Tabris, and no matter what else I am, I shall always be an Angel. I almost loathe being myself, but I have no wish to die. While you are alive, you can do anything. I will not be as one of 'them', the other Angels. But I do not want you to forget... me... Do not forget Kaworu of the Seashore."
Rei was temporarily lost to the mortal world. Her red eyes were wide and fixed on those of Nagisa Kaworu. We are the same. So that is why I could not let you go.
Misato cried. Shinji and Asuka just stared, at a loss for what to say or do. Slowly, the both turned their heads toward each other. And realizing that they were now both looking at each other, quickly turned around again to face opposite walls.
Misato required some time to compose herself. "I'm sorry...Kaworu-kun... I should not have made you go through this and tell us." She got up and made an attempt to hug him. Kaworu decided that it would be best not to avoid her, so he did not resist. Misato just stood, embracing him for some time.
Amazing... I think they are seriously concerned about me. How deep is the heart of the Lilim. They even care for their most bitter of enemies.
Seeing Rei still looking at him, Kaworu smiled at her over Misato's shoulder. This seemed to awaken Rei, as she blinked a few times before shifting her gaze to another area. Misato clumsily released Kaworu after a moment, returning to her seat on the couch.
"We are supposed to be back at NERV for a series of tests this afternoon, seeing as we've all been through some major changes. Ayanami, you may be pleased to know that Unit 00 is being rebuilt from scratch again," Misato informed them.
"Why?" Rei queried.
"I suppose they didn't want to experiment with a new design, after the Unit 04 incident. Unit 00 was of a good design, and the powers that be decided to reconstruct it." There was little doubt as to whom the 'powers that be' referred to. Commander Ikari. "You do still want to pilot Unit 00, don't you."
"Yes..."
"They have prepared a test plug based on the old data of Unit 00 for you to synchronize with. Anyway, I thought we could get some lunch before we have the tests." Misato received no further input on the idea of lunch. Kaworu looked mildly confused, and Rei made no comments. Asuka and Shinji were staying quiet as well. Asuka... quiet? How unusual. "Shinji? Why don't you and Asuka make some food?"
With only a minimal amount of grumbling, the two went over to Misato's kitchen. After a moment, Kaworu followed them looking almost... intrigued. Shinji wondered why he was looking around the kitchen as if he had never seen one before.
"What would you like to eat, Kaworu-kun?" Shinji asked him.
"To eat? .... What do you normally have, Rei?" Kaworu was genuinely confused now.
"Noodles," she responded.
"I shall have... noodles... as well, then," Kaworu replied to Shinji, who was becoming a bit suspicious. The meal, consisting largely of instant food, did not take long to prepare. Misato got out a few extra chairs, since the table was normally used for only three people. Kaworu and Rei sat on one side of the square table, Shinji and Asuka on the opposite, and Misato on the end between them. Apparently, Kaworu had no idea how to use chopsticks.
"SEELE didn't teach you much, did they, Kaworu-kun," commented Misato.
"I suppose not," replied Kaworu. He did not, however, have any great difficulty learning to use them, after a little practice. Rei was silent, as usual, but she did seem to pay attention to the banter associated with eating instead of ignoring everyone. For once, Asuka did not spend the entire time bragging about her accomplishments. The playful mood died once they reached Misato's car to return to NERV. Despite Asuka's considerable protests, the seating arrangements were the same as before.
The four pilots split up as they reached the dressing rooms. Dressing with Kaworu around always worried Shinji, as he seemed to have no real understanding of privacy. Therefore, he was surprised when Kaworu quickly suited up without looking at him or saying anything. Even so, Shinji was relieved to find Kaworu waiting outside of the room. Asuka and Rei exited the women's locker room, a few meters away. All four of them then proceeded to the testing area.
Four plugs, numbered 00 to 03, were suspended in a large room filled with LCL. The faces of the four corresponding pilots, were displayed on a screen nearby. Maya was busily making recordings of various figures, when Ritsuko and Misato entered the room.
"Sempai!" Maya shouted, overjoyed to see her mentor.
Ritsuko did not share her joy, however. Her face was pale, and a bit gaunt from the general lack of food during her imprisonment. The two shared a brief hug, before resuming the pilots' monitoring. "The Commander found a use for me, after all," Ritsuko replied dourly. Misato volunteered to get some coffee for her, which she accepted.
To everyone's surprise, Shinji maintained the highest synchronization rate, of around 75%.
As Kaworu had climbed into the rebuilt entry plug of Unit 03, he was immediately greeted by a sense of wrongness. Something was just... not right. He had been successfully linked to the plug, however.
I can feel... Bardiel... in here. It does not want to assist me. It is trying to escape? What does its soul want with me?
'Traitor.'
The word was clear, in Kaworu's mind. Someone or something had distinctively called him a traitor. Opening his eyes, he looked to the 'wall' of the entry plug with which he could see Misato and the others in the control room.
"Misato-san?" Kaworu called.
"What is it, Kaworu-kun?" she responded.
"Did you just hear... Someone say 'Traitor'?"
"No, Kaworu-kun. Did you hear it?" Misato was surprised.
"It must have been my imagination..."
"Keep trying, Kaworu. You are at 34% now. I know you can do better..." Ristuko remembered how Misato had said that he could set his synchronization rate at whatever he wanted. Why wasn't he doing that now? Or was it something to do with Unit 03? Kaworu's pale features were a stark contrast against his black-blue plugsuit. If I didn't know the Fifth better, I would say he's... struggling?
Kaworu's synchronization rate rose a few points, before stopping at 38%.
"I don't quite understand this, but I could probably come up with a few theories," Ritsuko mumbled. "Unit 03 may not be perfectly safe... Oh well."
"Ritsuko!" Misato cried, shocked. "How can you just say that? 'Oh well. If he dies, no big deal.' That's not true! There are people who care for Kaworu-kun!"
Ritsuko witheld comment, this time. She moved on, examining Asuka. Asuka's eyes were closed, a look of intense concentration on her face. Whatever she was doing must have been working, as she was synchronized at 40%.
"Good job, Asuka!" Misato called to her. Asuka opened her eyes momentarily before returning to the task at hand. That task being proving that she was a better pilot than Kaworu. Asuka allowed herself a small smile. She had heard the conversation between he and Misato.
Ayanami Rei was having a difficult time as well. Evidently, something in Unit 00's Entry Plug did not quite recognize her. She was linked with it, but... a 25% synchronization rate wasn't very good. Perhaps it was because being here, in a plugsuit, in Unit 00's rebuilt Entry Plug stirred a lot of foreign emotions and memories in her. She could not isolate most of the seemingly random thoughts flying through her mind, but one image struck her particularly hard. Being in this entry plug, or one very similar to it, a struggle, and then... nothing. Empty whiteness. Rei was at a loss to explain the... memory?
At the moment, Shinji had no inner demons to wrestle with. He knew this was what allowed him to have the synchronization rate that he did. A small part of him was concerned about Kaworu and Unit 03, and another part was happy for Asuka being able to synchronize at all, let alone have the second best rate of 40%. Rei, or whoever the girl in Unit 00's Entry Plug really was, made him feel... detached. Detached was a fairly good state of mind to be in, apparently.
The tests ended without incident, even if the results were unusual. Supposedly, this Rei could set her own synchronization rate as could Kaworu. Ritsuko saw no reason for the two to set themselves such a low rate, unless it had something to do with Asuka. That wasn't a very good explanation, though. Kaworu had indicated that ...something... did not want him in Unit 03's Entry Plug, and Rei had displayed an uncharacteristic lack of control over her mind. She seemed to be indulging in a long series of completely random thoughts. Ayanami Rei indulging herself in anything was a foreign concept to nearly everyone who knew her.
"By the way, Major. I've been told that a minor AT Field, blue pattern, was detected in your apartment this morning. Care to explain that?" Ritsuko questioned Misato.
"Nothing to be concerned with. Kaworu-kun was demonstrating what he could do in the event that Unit 03 went berserk with him in it for Shinji-kun," Misato replied defensively.
"And what did he do?" Ristuko pushed.
"Ask him yourself, Ritsuko." Misato was getting angry at Ritsuko's impudence.
Meanwhile, Kaworu and Shinji were emerging from the men's locker room.
"Shinji-kun. Can you tell me what originally happened with Unit 03?" Kaworu asked. Shinji then related the tale of the Thirteenth Angel and the Dummy Plug system.
"The Black Eva, Unit 03, was never started properly. On the first attempt with a pilot, it was possessed by an Angel. The Angel had the form of nano-machines, and it prevented the entry plug from being ejected fully. It had defeated all of us, when my father..." Shinji paused with a shudder to express his hatred for Ikari Gendou. "He used the Dummy Plug system to take control of my Unit 01. The Dummy Plug is completely heartless. I think it is actually worse than the Angels... Sorry, Kaworu-kun..."
So. That explains the other presence inside the entry plug.
"What ever happened to Touji, Shinji-kun? I feel a need to do something for him..."
"He is still in the hospital after having a... double amputation..." Shinji replied, depressed by reliving the experience. The two headed towards an elevator for the infirmary. Asuka, noticing them going somewhere, followed, accompanied by Rei. The two did not intentionally go together, they simply had the same destination in mind. Reaching the elevator, Shinji and Kaworu turned around and noticed their company.
"Hello, Rei. Asuka." Kaworu bowed slightly to her.
"Looks as if someone knows who the best pilot of Unit 02 is," Asuka said to no-one in particular, but loud enough for everyone to hear. She was quite pleased with herself. "Shinji-kun," she asked, "Where are you two going?"
"Kaworu-kun wanted to go see Touji," Shinji responded. He really didn't know why Asuka was taking a sudden interest in what he was doing, but maybe she just wanted to reinforce the fact that she had a better score than 'the Angel' or 'Wonder-girl'. Shinji sighed, thinking of all Asuka's names for his friends. He was then reminded that he really had no idea who this Rei was.
Touji lay in a room quite similar to the one Asuka had just been released from. He was not, however, sleeping when they arrived. Touji was sitting up in his bed, watching some mindless T.V. program. What he was really trying to do was to forget reality. Touji's temporary leave from life was revoked as he heard a knock on his door. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Kaworu walked in to the four walls that had been the only thing Touji had known for weeks.
"Shinji! It's good to see you, man! I was worried you had forgotten about me. You make some new friends while I've been gone?" Touji said. After introducing himself briefly, Kaworu sat on the bed next to Touji. This was rather disturbing for Touji, who tried to shrink away from him.
"I am sorry for your condition, Touji." Kaworu was unsure how he was going to take this... "But I want to help you." Saying this, Kaworu faced Touji completely. Touji nearly fainted as a clean hole opened up through Kaworu's shirt, into his abdomen, about halfway down, revealing... the red orb of an S2 organ, about the size of a baseball, and it was giving off a lurid red glow. "If you want to be healed... Touch the core, Touji..." Cautiously, he extended his good arm towards the core. Kaworu's head shot back in pain as Touji's fingers came into contact with the object. Immediately after doing so, Touji released it. It was not hot to the touch, nor was it wet with blood. His hand came away clean. He did faint as he felt... something... running out of where his amputated arm and leg had been. It stretched downwards, reforming into two perfect limbs. After he was sure the regeneration had finished, Kaworu closed the gap in his shirt and chest.
Asuka screamed. Not long afterwards, Touji awoke. Shinji offered Touji his hand, to help him get up off the bed. Standing for the first time in months on his own two legs, Touji took a few steps around the room experimentally. Touji looked towards Kaworu, who smiled encouragingly. He took a step forward. Touji's recently regenerated fist connected with Kaworu's cheek, sending him back a few inches. A loud *CRACK* was heard in the hall. Kaworu fell to his knees.
Seeing Kaworu hurt for doing a good thing had an unusual effect on Rei. A new emotion came over her... Anger. Rei rushed over and knelt down beside him. Kaworu just smiled at her. That was enough to calm her down some. After a moment, two sets of red eyes looked up towards Touji, who was looking much as he did after hitting Shinji.
"Thank you, Kaworu-kun..." Touji began. "But, even so, that's for being an Angel. Here. Get up..." Touji extended his new arm, to Kaworu. Kaworu allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. He smiled at Touji.
"It was the least I could do, Touji," Kaworu replied. He did not seem to be particulary offended at being struck. Kaworu walked out of the room, followed by Rei. Shinji and Asuka stayed behind. Shinji, to bring Touji up to speed regarding the developements of late. Asuka... Asuka didn't know why she stayed behind, but she was beginning to feel uncomfortable around Kaworu.
"Are you well?" Rei asked him.
"Of course, Rei. I am fine," Kaworu responded with his usual smile.
Is that what it means to be an Angel?
After Shinji and Asuka left, Touji was alone again in his hospital room. He had no idea what the doctors were going to do with him, or to Kaworu. At the moment, he didn't care. It was good not to be a cripple any longer. Sighing, he laid back down on his bed, turned the T.V. back on, and waited for the inevitable confrontation with NERV's medical personnel.
Seeing Rei and Kaworu just standing outside the room doing nothing made Asuka suspicious. She said nothing, however, and just went with them calmly to wait for Misato so they could go home. Asuka was not going to do anything just yet. Fortunately, Misato was already waiting for them in the parking garage when they reached her.
This time, Asuka did not complain about the seating. Instead, she just stole the front seat before Shinji could do get in. Shinji simply gave a loud sigh and sat down next to Rei in the back seat behind Asuka. After they got off the noisy express elevator, Shinji started thinking on how to tell Misato about Touji. Asuka beat him to it.
"Do you know what we did this afternoon, Misato-san?" Asuka asked sweetly.
"Took some synchronization tests, of which you had the second-best score?" Misato replied dryly.
"After that..." Asuka indicated.
"......" Misato gave no response.
"Kaworu-kun wanted to go visit Touji-san," Asuka said, a bit sarcastically. "So we did. But when we got to his room... Kaworu-kun let Touji touch his Angel core."
Misato did not like the direction this conversation was taking. Angel core?
"...So now, Touji has his arm and leg back!" Shinji interrupted. Misato didn't know whether to be happy or to cry. So much for not using the power of the Angels... Asuka looked behind her to give Shinji a dirty look for ruining her story.
"I'm sorry, Asuka!" was Shinji's instant response.
Before returning her gaze to the front of the vehicle, Asuka noticed four red eyes looking at her questioningly. Glittering red eyes... the same red as a certain Angel's core. Immediately, Asuka sat bolt upright in her seat, her attention suddenly riveted to the street in front of her.
Wonder-girl... You're an Angel, too, aren't you...
Shinji was disturbed, to say the least, by Asuka's reaction. "Asuka... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to ruin your story..." He really did not know just what the cause of it was, but Shinji felt an obligation to do something for her.
"No... It's not you, Shinji-kun..." Asuka could not turn around to speak to him, for it would have meant being face-to-face with not one, but two Angels sitting in the back seat of Misato's car. How exactly is it that two Angels can exist at the same time? Beyond that, how is it that the rest of us are still alive?
Needless to say, the rest of the trip home passed in total silence. Asuka wore a tense expression, as if she thought two of the... beings... in the back seat were going to suddenly attack her.
Arriving once again at Misato's apartment, the four pilots spent a while talking, watching television, or just sitting around, in Rei's case. Dinner was almost the same as lunch, except that Asuka did not help prepare it, this time. Instead, Kaworu and Rei assisted Shinji in heating the food, most of which was ready-made. Asuka did, however, stand around and watch the two closely. Somehow, seeing Kaworu checking on instant rice, or Rei adding water to a pan for her noodles did much to dispel the idea that the two were Angels, right down to their cores. Would true Angels waste time doing something like eating? Maybe they would, if they were trying to live with humanity instead of destroy it. Asuka even allowed herself a smile when Rei's noodles accidentally boiled over. She held her tongue, even so.
Conversation over dinner, a surprising phenomena in and of itself, drifted back towards Touji and the events of the afternoon.
"So Touji has his arm and leg back, just as if he had never been injured?" Misato asked.
"That's right. He had to get up and amble around the room to make sure he could. Then he..." Shinji paused, realizing his mouth had gotten ahead of his mind again.
"Then what?" prompted Misato.
"Well... Then he hit Kaworu-kun in the cheek," Shinji said nervously.
"Why'd he do that?!" Misato knew the answer even before hearing it, though.
"On account of my being an Angel," Kaworu replied simply.
Misato reached across the table and pinched him, just to make sure his cheek was alright. "You seem fine to me..."
"I am. I understand his actions..." Kaworu assured her.
"Not that I haven't felt like slapping you for the same reason, you know..." Misato responded. "Maybe I will..."
"I would understand if you did, Misato-san," Kaworu said with a smile.
"Well..." Misato thought about it for a moment. That would probably relieve a lot of stress... "I can't really slap someone who smiles like that," Misato joked. Slapping Kaworu in front of Shinji wouldn't do, anyway.
"Thank you, Misato-san," he said. Misato noticed Kaworu about to take a bite of chicken from the frozen stir-fry Shinji, he, and Rei had prepared.
"Ah... Kaworu-kun?" Misato quickly set down her beer. "You probably shouldn't eat that..." She stopped, unsure how to tell him what the scientists had predicted about Rei. She was not to eat meat for some obscure reason which had never been quite explained to her. "It might... not... be good for your... ah... complexion..." Misato immediately realized just how idiotic what she had just said was. Kaworu then proceeded to eat it. Shit! I don't want to have a violently sick Angel on my hands!
"Why's that? It tastes fine to me..." Shinji and Asuka stared at Misato, wondering why she had told him that obvious fabrication. Misato stared at Kaworu, expecting him to start retching at any moment. Rei made a mental note of the matter, but resumed eating shortly thereafter. She knew that this had something to do with her. Misato took a long drink from her Yebisu to cover up her embarrassment. Maybe not everything that was true for Rei would be true for Kaworu. No real harm in trying to stop him...
Asuka gave Misato a strange look. Shinji's attention was temporarily occupied by the patterns on Misato's new tablecloth, before he, too, quietly continued eating. That was about enough to kill the tentative conversation Misato had tried to begin, knowing that it would be difficult, at best, for some of her pilots to adjust. Sighing, she finished the rest of her beer in one long gulp.
After helping clean up, Kaworu and Rei prepared to leave.
"Don't you need a ride?" Misato called as they were heading for the door.
"We'll be fine, Misato-san. Thank you for the offer," Kaworu replied. The two then walked out into the near-darkness of Tokyo-3. Kaworu was humming his favorite piece, "An Ode to Joy", as they exited the apartment complex and stepped out into the street. Rei listened to the rhythm of the tune, saying nothing.
"Don't you think that song is the finest achievement of the human race?" Kaworu asked her, after a few blocks.
Rei stopped to think for a moment, before saying, "I think... we are."
"We are? Angels? Eva pilots whose units are rejecting us? Sometimes, I wonder if they would be better off without us."
"We have brought joy to the life of... Ikari Shinji-kun... You and I," Rei responded quietly.
"Yes. But at whose expense? His."
"That is true. For the Lilim, nothing is without price." Kaworu was surprised to hear Rei using his term, 'Lilim'. The two continued on in silence until they reached Rei's apartment, which was closer than Kaworu's.
"Good night, Kaworu-kun," Rei said, surprising him.
"Good night, Rei...chan..." She rose her eyebrows at him. Rei-chan? No-one had ever called her Rei-chan. She was so deep in thought she did not notice as he disappeared into the night.
The Kaworu Chronicles
Part 2
Ayanami Rei awoke to the sounds of progress in Tokyo-3. She thought she had become inured to these noises, but... There were too many questions to be answered. She had rested uneasily that night, her mind grappling with what Kaworu had told her.
"I am Ayanami Rei," she said to herself, thinking on the meaning of those words. To her, it was a statement of individuality, of uniqueness, and of self-worth... Much more than she usually felt.
Rei dressed in her school uniform even though the actual school was still under repairs from the detonation of Unit 00. They would not have to go back for several more days, as a good location to hold classes in had not been decided on. She simply preferred the anonymity of the uniform. After eating a small breakfast, mainly because she felt obligated to rather than because of hunger, Rei decided to retrieve the cause of all her turmoil, Nagisa Kaworu, on her way over to the apartment complex in which Misato, Shinji, and Asuka lived.
Swinging open her plain metal door, Rei was mildly shocked to see the aforementioned Nagisa Kaworu walking up towards her.
"Kaworu-kun! Were you waiting for me?" she asked after closing the door and walking out.
"Of course, Ayanami," Kaworu responded with his quiet smile.
"'Rei', Kaworu-kun," she reminded him, feeling heat in her cheeks for some reason.
"Of course, Rei," he said, smiling broadly. This caused the heat to rise even further in Rei's cheeks. She was at a loss to explain it. Only Kaworu could do this to her. The two ambled on, exchanging few words, to the abode of Katsuragi Misato.
Far away, in NERV hospital room 303, Sorhyu Asuka Langley was putting on her favorite yellow dress, impatient to leave. After much coercion, the doctors had been convinced to release her. Asuka was angry coercive methods had been needed. After all, Major Katsuragi had authorized this. It was as if they expected her to run away again, or fall into depression.
Never again. Stupid people... I still can't believe they tried to replace me with an Angel! We're supposed to fight the Angels, not let one of them pilot my red Eva! Shinji-baka has a lot of explaining to do. Somehow, he and Wonder-Girl are behind all this.
What Asuka did not admit to herself was that she was secretly glad 'the Angel' had gotten her out of the hospital, even if he was going to have to be put in his place.
After pacing around and cursing in a combination of several languages, Asuka had determined that she was bored. The fated hour of 10:00 came at last, and after only a few additional minutes, Misato and the group were observed coming down the hallway of rooms 301 to 320. Asuka felt like hugging someone, and decided on her guardian, Misato. She ran forward, much like a child to her mother. Apparently, Misato had other plans and stepped out of the way at the last instant. Asuka ended up hugging Shinji, which caused him to turn a spectacular shade of red. Asuka followed suit as she stepped away from him. Misato was doubled over laughing at the antics of Asuka and Shinji. Asuka responded by glaring darkly at her, and then looking around. Shinji was trying to stick an apology in somewhere. Kaworu was smiling. No real surprise there. Rei was... Was Rei smiling as well?
"Trying out a new expression, Wonder-Girl?" Asuka shot. Rei's faced returned to its usually unreadable expression. Most of Asuka's statement was merely empty words, but... 'Wonder-Girl'. Who was that? It meant something. Something known to whom? Rei's thoughts were interrupted by Asuka's next barb.
"I sure hope HE's not your brother, Ayanami. He seems awfully concerned about you!" Asuka gestured in Kaworu's general direction.
At this, Rei blushed much deeper than she had upon meeting Kaworu this morning. She looked resolutely at her feet for what seemed like a long time. Slowly, Rei brought up her gaze, first to Asuka, who looked very pleased with herself, and then to Kaworu, who actually did look concerned for her. After a moment of thinking what to do, she looked towards Misato and Shinji, having forgotten them in the confrontation. Misato was still recovering from her laughing fit, but she looked...
Midly surprised. Shinji, on the other hand, looked totally surprised. Kaworu was totally unfazed by the whole ordeal.
Misato sensed some tension building, and so changed the subject. "Shinji? Would you carry Asuka's bag for her so we can leave? I imagine we are all anxious to be gone." Misato looked to Asuka for confirmation on this, who nodded vigorously. Shinji seized the opportunity to be out of the crossfire and walked energetically into Asuka's room. Asuka finally stopped staring at Kaworu and ignored the two. She did, however, mentally add a tally mark to her 'score' against Wonder-Girl. If Rei had ever gotten Asuka, she didn't much care to remember those times. But, come to think of it, Rei probably had not.
Shinji emerged moments later, carrying the Asuka's bag. Misato lead the way out, followed quickly by Asuka and Shinji. Kaworu motioned for Rei to follow him, which she did without hesitation. There was a... natural feeling in being with the others. She could go along with them almost without thinking.
Asuka was, to say the least, a bit surprised when they arrived at Misato's car. After placing Asuka's bag in the trunk, Shinji hopped in the front seat.
"Misato-san! You can't honestly expect me to sit in the back seat between THOSE two, can you?" Asuka demanded. She made another gesture towards Kaworu and Rei.
"Well, it's either that or the front seat with Shinji," responded Misato with a grin.
"Are you joking? In the same seat with that baka-hentai? You're giving him all sorts of the wrong ideas!"
Rei calmly opened one of the rear doors. She then stepped inside and slid to the spot in the middle. Kaworu opened the other door, bowed, and waited for Asuka to get in. After eyeing him with complete distrust, she climbed in the car with a sullen expression and slammed the door shut behind her. Kaworu then walked over to the other side and sat down. Asuka had ended up in the far left, behind Shinji. As Misato turned the ignition and started to drive away, Asuka nervously glanced from one pair of red eyes to another.
"M-Misato-san!" Asuka interjected loudly. "You'd better watch these two! There's no telling what they might do!" Misato laughed. "Shinji-kun! Help me!" Rei was largely ignoring the one-sided 'exchange'. She did, however, return the gaze whenever Asuka stared at her for too long. Kaworu faced the window, not overly concerned at the moment. Needless to say, the trip home was not a pleasant one for Sorhyu Asuka Langley.
Fortunately, the drive was not overly long. Tokyo-3 was still in bad shape, and most of its occupants were taking up residence somewhere else, at least temporarily. As such, there were few other people on the roads. Misato interpreted this as another excuse to drive at speeds which pushed the boudaries of sanity.
"Tadaima!" We're home Shinji called as they entered the apartment. Never mind that there was no one waiting for them. Asuka reminded him of this.
"Shinji-baka! We're the only ones here!"
"I-I'm sorry!" Shinji stammered. Asuka muttered darkly under her breath about Shinji's habit of apologizing for everything. Misato and the others filed into the room. Rei looked around the apartment.
It feels the familiar, even though I have never been here. What is this? There is also a feeling that... the apartment isn't usually in this good of a condition. Still, it is a stark contrast to the cell I have been placed in. This is light, clean, above the ground...
"We have a couple hours before lunch," Misato began. "I'd like to know something. How do you all feel... about... Kaworu...? I hope you don't mind me asking, Nagisa-kun..."
"Not at all, Misato. Actually, I would like to know this myself," Kaworu responded.
"Asuka?" asked Misato.
"What?" It was obvious Asuka had been ignoring them. "Oh... Kaworu? All I have to say is that he'd better stay away from Unit 02."
"Not a worry, Asuka," Misato answered. "Apparently, the commander wants to have Unit 03 rebuilt for Kaworu to use. They just told me."
"Unit 03?" Shinji interrupted. "No... Touji... he nearly died in... Unit 03. Kaworu-kun! You can't let my father do this to you!"
"Do not worry, Shinji-kun. I can escape if something goes wrong with Unit 03." To demonstrate this, Kaworu disappeared and then reappeared a few feet away. "You see?" Misato paled visibly at this display. Noticing this, Kaworu walked over to Misato, who tried to shrink away from him. "I apologize, Major Katsuragi. I will not do that again on my own." Misato didn't feel comforted by this. Too many memories of pain at the hands of the Angels. So much pain.
Shuddering involuntarily, Misato tried to refocus on the previous subject. "Well, Shinji?"
"What?"
"You forgot already? We were talking about Kaworu-kun!"
"R-Right, Misato-san! I... am so very glad that you are alive, Kaworu-kun. I wish that things could be different -- easier, but... I can accept our... differences," Shinji said shakily.
"Rei?"
After a long pause, Rei answered, "I was told that I am the same as he. I am not bothered by Kaworu-kun."
Misato seemed to notice that for the first time. Neither child seemed overly concerned with his or her physical appearance, as they each had a rather untidy mop of hair. Obviously, Kaworu and Rei had pale skin and glittering red eyes. Was there any significance to that? Kaworu was the tallest of the group, but he was also the oldest. He might be considered lanky, but he had a charm which more than covered for this. Despite being an Angel, or perhaps because of it, Kaworu related quite well to most people. He rarely spoke what he did not mean, and he was very open.
"What...... What do you mean, Rei?" Misato was troubled by this.
"I do not know," Rei responded. Misato sat down to think the matter over, and Shinji began to look worried.
After a moment, Kaworu spoke. "I agree with you, Shinji-kun. I wish that the things could have been easier on all of us. In truth..." He paused for a lengthy amount of time. "...I suppose that I am jealous of you. I wish that I did not rely on the power of the Angels. But it is me. I cannot deny what I am. I can only hope that good will come of it, somehow."
That was the most difficult thing I have ever done. Except, possibly, saying this. "I am Tabris, and no matter what else I am, I shall always be an Angel. I almost loathe being myself, but I have no wish to die. While you are alive, you can do anything. I will not be as one of 'them', the other Angels. But I do not want you to forget... me... Do not forget Kaworu of the Seashore."
Rei was temporarily lost to the mortal world. Her red eyes were wide and fixed on those of Nagisa Kaworu. We are the same. So that is why I could not let you go.
Misato cried. Shinji and Asuka just stared, at a loss for what to say or do. Slowly, the both turned their heads toward each other. And realizing that they were now both looking at each other, quickly turned around again to face opposite walls.
Misato required some time to compose herself. "I'm sorry...Kaworu-kun... I should not have made you go through this and tell us." She got up and made an attempt to hug him. Kaworu decided that it would be best not to avoid her, so he did not resist. Misato just stood, embracing him for some time.
Amazing... I think they are seriously concerned about me. How deep is the heart of the Lilim. They even care for their most bitter of enemies.
Seeing Rei still looking at him, Kaworu smiled at her over Misato's shoulder. This seemed to awaken Rei, as she blinked a few times before shifting her gaze to another area. Misato clumsily released Kaworu after a moment, returning to her seat on the couch.
"We are supposed to be back at NERV for a series of tests this afternoon, seeing as we've all been through some major changes. Ayanami, you may be pleased to know that Unit 00 is being rebuilt from scratch again," Misato informed them.
"Why?" Rei queried.
"I suppose they didn't want to experiment with a new design, after the Unit 04 incident. Unit 00 was of a good design, and the powers that be decided to reconstruct it." There was little doubt as to whom the 'powers that be' referred to. Commander Ikari. "You do still want to pilot Unit 00, don't you."
"Yes..."
"They have prepared a test plug based on the old data of Unit 00 for you to synchronize with. Anyway, I thought we could get some lunch before we have the tests." Misato received no further input on the idea of lunch. Kaworu looked mildly confused, and Rei made no comments. Asuka and Shinji were staying quiet as well. Asuka... quiet? How unusual. "Shinji? Why don't you and Asuka make some food?"
With only a minimal amount of grumbling, the two went over to Misato's kitchen. After a moment, Kaworu followed them looking almost... intrigued. Shinji wondered why he was looking around the kitchen as if he had never seen one before.
"What would you like to eat, Kaworu-kun?" Shinji asked him.
"To eat? .... What do you normally have, Rei?" Kaworu was genuinely confused now.
"Noodles," she responded.
"I shall have... noodles... as well, then," Kaworu replied to Shinji, who was becoming a bit suspicious. The meal, consisting largely of instant food, did not take long to prepare. Misato got out a few extra chairs, since the table was normally used for only three people. Kaworu and Rei sat on one side of the square table, Shinji and Asuka on the opposite, and Misato on the end between them. Apparently, Kaworu had no idea how to use chopsticks.
"SEELE didn't teach you much, did they, Kaworu-kun," commented Misato.
"I suppose not," replied Kaworu. He did not, however, have any great difficulty learning to use them, after a little practice. Rei was silent, as usual, but she did seem to pay attention to the banter associated with eating instead of ignoring everyone. For once, Asuka did not spend the entire time bragging about her accomplishments. The playful mood died once they reached Misato's car to return to NERV. Despite Asuka's considerable protests, the seating arrangements were the same as before.
The four pilots split up as they reached the dressing rooms. Dressing with Kaworu around always worried Shinji, as he seemed to have no real understanding of privacy. Therefore, he was surprised when Kaworu quickly suited up without looking at him or saying anything. Even so, Shinji was relieved to find Kaworu waiting outside of the room. Asuka and Rei exited the women's locker room, a few meters away. All four of them then proceeded to the testing area.
Four plugs, numbered 00 to 03, were suspended in a large room filled with LCL. The faces of the four corresponding pilots, were displayed on a screen nearby. Maya was busily making recordings of various figures, when Ritsuko and Misato entered the room.
"Sempai!" Maya shouted, overjoyed to see her mentor.
Ritsuko did not share her joy, however. Her face was pale, and a bit gaunt from the general lack of food during her imprisonment. The two shared a brief hug, before resuming the pilots' monitoring. "The Commander found a use for me, after all," Ritsuko replied dourly. Misato volunteered to get some coffee for her, which she accepted.
To everyone's surprise, Shinji maintained the highest synchronization rate, of around 75%.
As Kaworu had climbed into the rebuilt entry plug of Unit 03, he was immediately greeted by a sense of wrongness. Something was just... not right. He had been successfully linked to the plug, however.
I can feel... Bardiel... in here. It does not want to assist me. It is trying to escape? What does its soul want with me?
'Traitor.'
The word was clear, in Kaworu's mind. Someone or something had distinctively called him a traitor. Opening his eyes, he looked to the 'wall' of the entry plug with which he could see Misato and the others in the control room.
"Misato-san?" Kaworu called.
"What is it, Kaworu-kun?" she responded.
"Did you just hear... Someone say 'Traitor'?"
"No, Kaworu-kun. Did you hear it?" Misato was surprised.
"It must have been my imagination..."
"Keep trying, Kaworu. You are at 34% now. I know you can do better..." Ristuko remembered how Misato had said that he could set his synchronization rate at whatever he wanted. Why wasn't he doing that now? Or was it something to do with Unit 03? Kaworu's pale features were a stark contrast against his black-blue plugsuit. If I didn't know the Fifth better, I would say he's... struggling?
Kaworu's synchronization rate rose a few points, before stopping at 38%.
"I don't quite understand this, but I could probably come up with a few theories," Ritsuko mumbled. "Unit 03 may not be perfectly safe... Oh well."
"Ritsuko!" Misato cried, shocked. "How can you just say that? 'Oh well. If he dies, no big deal.' That's not true! There are people who care for Kaworu-kun!"
Ritsuko witheld comment, this time. She moved on, examining Asuka. Asuka's eyes were closed, a look of intense concentration on her face. Whatever she was doing must have been working, as she was synchronized at 40%.
"Good job, Asuka!" Misato called to her. Asuka opened her eyes momentarily before returning to the task at hand. That task being proving that she was a better pilot than Kaworu. Asuka allowed herself a small smile. She had heard the conversation between he and Misato.
Ayanami Rei was having a difficult time as well. Evidently, something in Unit 00's Entry Plug did not quite recognize her. She was linked with it, but... a 25% synchronization rate wasn't very good. Perhaps it was because being here, in a plugsuit, in Unit 00's rebuilt Entry Plug stirred a lot of foreign emotions and memories in her. She could not isolate most of the seemingly random thoughts flying through her mind, but one image struck her particularly hard. Being in this entry plug, or one very similar to it, a struggle, and then... nothing. Empty whiteness. Rei was at a loss to explain the... memory?
At the moment, Shinji had no inner demons to wrestle with. He knew this was what allowed him to have the synchronization rate that he did. A small part of him was concerned about Kaworu and Unit 03, and another part was happy for Asuka being able to synchronize at all, let alone have the second best rate of 40%. Rei, or whoever the girl in Unit 00's Entry Plug really was, made him feel... detached. Detached was a fairly good state of mind to be in, apparently.
The tests ended without incident, even if the results were unusual. Supposedly, this Rei could set her own synchronization rate as could Kaworu. Ritsuko saw no reason for the two to set themselves such a low rate, unless it had something to do with Asuka. That wasn't a very good explanation, though. Kaworu had indicated that ...something... did not want him in Unit 03's Entry Plug, and Rei had displayed an uncharacteristic lack of control over her mind. She seemed to be indulging in a long series of completely random thoughts. Ayanami Rei indulging herself in anything was a foreign concept to nearly everyone who knew her.
"By the way, Major. I've been told that a minor AT Field, blue pattern, was detected in your apartment this morning. Care to explain that?" Ritsuko questioned Misato.
"Nothing to be concerned with. Kaworu-kun was demonstrating what he could do in the event that Unit 03 went berserk with him in it for Shinji-kun," Misato replied defensively.
"And what did he do?" Ristuko pushed.
"Ask him yourself, Ritsuko." Misato was getting angry at Ritsuko's impudence.
Meanwhile, Kaworu and Shinji were emerging from the men's locker room.
"Shinji-kun. Can you tell me what originally happened with Unit 03?" Kaworu asked. Shinji then related the tale of the Thirteenth Angel and the Dummy Plug system.
"The Black Eva, Unit 03, was never started properly. On the first attempt with a pilot, it was possessed by an Angel. The Angel had the form of nano-machines, and it prevented the entry plug from being ejected fully. It had defeated all of us, when my father..." Shinji paused with a shudder to express his hatred for Ikari Gendou. "He used the Dummy Plug system to take control of my Unit 01. The Dummy Plug is completely heartless. I think it is actually worse than the Angels... Sorry, Kaworu-kun..."
So. That explains the other presence inside the entry plug.
"What ever happened to Touji, Shinji-kun? I feel a need to do something for him..."
"He is still in the hospital after having a... double amputation..." Shinji replied, depressed by reliving the experience. The two headed towards an elevator for the infirmary. Asuka, noticing them going somewhere, followed, accompanied by Rei. The two did not intentionally go together, they simply had the same destination in mind. Reaching the elevator, Shinji and Kaworu turned around and noticed their company.
"Hello, Rei. Asuka." Kaworu bowed slightly to her.
"Looks as if someone knows who the best pilot of Unit 02 is," Asuka said to no-one in particular, but loud enough for everyone to hear. She was quite pleased with herself. "Shinji-kun," she asked, "Where are you two going?"
"Kaworu-kun wanted to go see Touji," Shinji responded. He really didn't know why Asuka was taking a sudden interest in what he was doing, but maybe she just wanted to reinforce the fact that she had a better score than 'the Angel' or 'Wonder-girl'. Shinji sighed, thinking of all Asuka's names for his friends. He was then reminded that he really had no idea who this Rei was.
Touji lay in a room quite similar to the one Asuka had just been released from. He was not, however, sleeping when they arrived. Touji was sitting up in his bed, watching some mindless T.V. program. What he was really trying to do was to forget reality. Touji's temporary leave from life was revoked as he heard a knock on his door. Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Kaworu walked in to the four walls that had been the only thing Touji had known for weeks.
"Shinji! It's good to see you, man! I was worried you had forgotten about me. You make some new friends while I've been gone?" Touji said. After introducing himself briefly, Kaworu sat on the bed next to Touji. This was rather disturbing for Touji, who tried to shrink away from him.
"I am sorry for your condition, Touji." Kaworu was unsure how he was going to take this... "But I want to help you." Saying this, Kaworu faced Touji completely. Touji nearly fainted as a clean hole opened up through Kaworu's shirt, into his abdomen, about halfway down, revealing... the red orb of an S2 organ, about the size of a baseball, and it was giving off a lurid red glow. "If you want to be healed... Touch the core, Touji..." Cautiously, he extended his good arm towards the core. Kaworu's head shot back in pain as Touji's fingers came into contact with the object. Immediately after doing so, Touji released it. It was not hot to the touch, nor was it wet with blood. His hand came away clean. He did faint as he felt... something... running out of where his amputated arm and leg had been. It stretched downwards, reforming into two perfect limbs. After he was sure the regeneration had finished, Kaworu closed the gap in his shirt and chest.
Asuka screamed. Not long afterwards, Touji awoke. Shinji offered Touji his hand, to help him get up off the bed. Standing for the first time in months on his own two legs, Touji took a few steps around the room experimentally. Touji looked towards Kaworu, who smiled encouragingly. He took a step forward. Touji's recently regenerated fist connected with Kaworu's cheek, sending him back a few inches. A loud *CRACK* was heard in the hall. Kaworu fell to his knees.
Seeing Kaworu hurt for doing a good thing had an unusual effect on Rei. A new emotion came over her... Anger. Rei rushed over and knelt down beside him. Kaworu just smiled at her. That was enough to calm her down some. After a moment, two sets of red eyes looked up towards Touji, who was looking much as he did after hitting Shinji.
"Thank you, Kaworu-kun..." Touji began. "But, even so, that's for being an Angel. Here. Get up..." Touji extended his new arm, to Kaworu. Kaworu allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. He smiled at Touji.
"It was the least I could do, Touji," Kaworu replied. He did not seem to be particulary offended at being struck. Kaworu walked out of the room, followed by Rei. Shinji and Asuka stayed behind. Shinji, to bring Touji up to speed regarding the developements of late. Asuka... Asuka didn't know why she stayed behind, but she was beginning to feel uncomfortable around Kaworu.
"Are you well?" Rei asked him.
"Of course, Rei. I am fine," Kaworu responded with his usual smile.
Is that what it means to be an Angel?
After Shinji and Asuka left, Touji was alone again in his hospital room. He had no idea what the doctors were going to do with him, or to Kaworu. At the moment, he didn't care. It was good not to be a cripple any longer. Sighing, he laid back down on his bed, turned the T.V. back on, and waited for the inevitable confrontation with NERV's medical personnel.
Seeing Rei and Kaworu just standing outside the room doing nothing made Asuka suspicious. She said nothing, however, and just went with them calmly to wait for Misato so they could go home. Asuka was not going to do anything just yet. Fortunately, Misato was already waiting for them in the parking garage when they reached her.
This time, Asuka did not complain about the seating. Instead, she just stole the front seat before Shinji could do get in. Shinji simply gave a loud sigh and sat down next to Rei in the back seat behind Asuka. After they got off the noisy express elevator, Shinji started thinking on how to tell Misato about Touji. Asuka beat him to it.
"Do you know what we did this afternoon, Misato-san?" Asuka asked sweetly.
"Took some synchronization tests, of which you had the second-best score?" Misato replied dryly.
"After that..." Asuka indicated.
"......" Misato gave no response.
"Kaworu-kun wanted to go visit Touji-san," Asuka said, a bit sarcastically. "So we did. But when we got to his room... Kaworu-kun let Touji touch his Angel core."
Misato did not like the direction this conversation was taking. Angel core?
"...So now, Touji has his arm and leg back!" Shinji interrupted. Misato didn't know whether to be happy or to cry. So much for not using the power of the Angels... Asuka looked behind her to give Shinji a dirty look for ruining her story.
"I'm sorry, Asuka!" was Shinji's instant response.
Before returning her gaze to the front of the vehicle, Asuka noticed four red eyes looking at her questioningly. Glittering red eyes... the same red as a certain Angel's core. Immediately, Asuka sat bolt upright in her seat, her attention suddenly riveted to the street in front of her.
Wonder-girl... You're an Angel, too, aren't you...
Shinji was disturbed, to say the least, by Asuka's reaction. "Asuka... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to ruin your story..." He really did not know just what the cause of it was, but Shinji felt an obligation to do something for her.
"No... It's not you, Shinji-kun..." Asuka could not turn around to speak to him, for it would have meant being face-to-face with not one, but two Angels sitting in the back seat of Misato's car. How exactly is it that two Angels can exist at the same time? Beyond that, how is it that the rest of us are still alive?
Needless to say, the rest of the trip home passed in total silence. Asuka wore a tense expression, as if she thought two of the... beings... in the back seat were going to suddenly attack her.
Arriving once again at Misato's apartment, the four pilots spent a while talking, watching television, or just sitting around, in Rei's case. Dinner was almost the same as lunch, except that Asuka did not help prepare it, this time. Instead, Kaworu and Rei assisted Shinji in heating the food, most of which was ready-made. Asuka did, however, stand around and watch the two closely. Somehow, seeing Kaworu checking on instant rice, or Rei adding water to a pan for her noodles did much to dispel the idea that the two were Angels, right down to their cores. Would true Angels waste time doing something like eating? Maybe they would, if they were trying to live with humanity instead of destroy it. Asuka even allowed herself a smile when Rei's noodles accidentally boiled over. She held her tongue, even so.
Conversation over dinner, a surprising phenomena in and of itself, drifted back towards Touji and the events of the afternoon.
"So Touji has his arm and leg back, just as if he had never been injured?" Misato asked.
"That's right. He had to get up and amble around the room to make sure he could. Then he..." Shinji paused, realizing his mouth had gotten ahead of his mind again.
"Then what?" prompted Misato.
"Well... Then he hit Kaworu-kun in the cheek," Shinji said nervously.
"Why'd he do that?!" Misato knew the answer even before hearing it, though.
"On account of my being an Angel," Kaworu replied simply.
Misato reached across the table and pinched him, just to make sure his cheek was alright. "You seem fine to me..."
"I am. I understand his actions..." Kaworu assured her.
"Not that I haven't felt like slapping you for the same reason, you know..." Misato responded. "Maybe I will..."
"I would understand if you did, Misato-san," Kaworu said with a smile.
"Well..." Misato thought about it for a moment. That would probably relieve a lot of stress... "I can't really slap someone who smiles like that," Misato joked. Slapping Kaworu in front of Shinji wouldn't do, anyway.
"Thank you, Misato-san," he said. Misato noticed Kaworu about to take a bite of chicken from the frozen stir-fry Shinji, he, and Rei had prepared.
"Ah... Kaworu-kun?" Misato quickly set down her beer. "You probably shouldn't eat that..." She stopped, unsure how to tell him what the scientists had predicted about Rei. She was not to eat meat for some obscure reason which had never been quite explained to her. "It might... not... be good for your... ah... complexion..." Misato immediately realized just how idiotic what she had just said was. Kaworu then proceeded to eat it. Shit! I don't want to have a violently sick Angel on my hands!
"Why's that? It tastes fine to me..." Shinji and Asuka stared at Misato, wondering why she had told him that obvious fabrication. Misato stared at Kaworu, expecting him to start retching at any moment. Rei made a mental note of the matter, but resumed eating shortly thereafter. She knew that this had something to do with her. Misato took a long drink from her Yebisu to cover up her embarrassment. Maybe not everything that was true for Rei would be true for Kaworu. No real harm in trying to stop him...
Asuka gave Misato a strange look. Shinji's attention was temporarily occupied by the patterns on Misato's new tablecloth, before he, too, quietly continued eating. That was about enough to kill the tentative conversation Misato had tried to begin, knowing that it would be difficult, at best, for some of her pilots to adjust. Sighing, she finished the rest of her beer in one long gulp.
After helping clean up, Kaworu and Rei prepared to leave.
"Don't you need a ride?" Misato called as they were heading for the door.
"We'll be fine, Misato-san. Thank you for the offer," Kaworu replied. The two then walked out into the near-darkness of Tokyo-3. Kaworu was humming his favorite piece, "An Ode to Joy", as they exited the apartment complex and stepped out into the street. Rei listened to the rhythm of the tune, saying nothing.
"Don't you think that song is the finest achievement of the human race?" Kaworu asked her, after a few blocks.
Rei stopped to think for a moment, before saying, "I think... we are."
"We are? Angels? Eva pilots whose units are rejecting us? Sometimes, I wonder if they would be better off without us."
"We have brought joy to the life of... Ikari Shinji-kun... You and I," Rei responded quietly.
"Yes. But at whose expense? His."
"That is true. For the Lilim, nothing is without price." Kaworu was surprised to hear Rei using his term, 'Lilim'. The two continued on in silence until they reached Rei's apartment, which was closer than Kaworu's.
"Good night, Kaworu-kun," Rei said, surprising him.
"Good night, Rei...chan..." She rose her eyebrows at him. Rei-chan? No-one had ever called her Rei-chan. She was so deep in thought she did not notice as he disappeared into the night.