The Begining of Somthing New
(Author's note: Yeah I know it might not fit the geanra yet but give it abit ya might be surprized.)
Chapter One
Awakenings
Based on characters created by and copyright by GAINAX
The Beginning of Something New
Chapter One
Awakening
Shinji's eyes fluttered open slowly, trying to comprehend his surroundings. Black, he was in some sort of void. Little streaks of light shined around him rippling like water in the wind. His eyes adjusted to the strange world as he searched frantically for anyone or anything that could tell him what this place was and how to get out of it.
'Please, Shinji...' A distant voice softly echoing through the vastness.
"Ayanami? Wha.. where?" He asked quietly, flustered.
In the distance a figure appeared bathed in the same light as him. The figured slowly approached Shinji.
"Who are you? Why am I here?" He asked with a hint of fear in his voice.
"You are here because you are dying." Replied the figure as it continued to move closer. "Is this your wish, Ikari-san?"
"What happened? Why am I dying? Did the angel do this to me?" He asked trying to get a better look at the figure as it stopped a few yards away.
"No, it was not the 'angel', as you say, that did this to you, but yourself." It replied from a safe, yet audible distance.
He lifted his hand into view as he felt someone gentle squeezing it. 'Please, Shinji, you mustn't die.' Then, as quickly as the feeling came, it was gone again.
" I don't understand?" He looked upward for the source of the sound, starting to get frustrated.
"While your mind is here your body is still there, thus you can sometimes hear or feel the world around your body."
"How do I stop this!? How do I go back there!?" He asked taking a step towards the figure.
"That is for you to find out. You must make a choice Shinji Ikari, live or die." Then it faded out of sight, leaving Shinji alone to contemplate it's words. { Or else no one with be there to stop me from what I must do.} the figure thought as it faded.
Koso stopped at the doorway of the Major's office, knocking softly on it before proceeding. Upon entering, he found Misato sitting at her desk, apparently talking to Kaji.
"Misato may I speak with you a moment?" He asked softly. The Major whispered something to Kaji that he couldn't make out. Then he excused himself from the room.
"Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but I thought it better to bring these to you in person seeing as you are with the Major and aquainted with the younger Ikari." He handed her a thin manila folder. "This is everything we have on his present condition."
"Thank you, Mr. Fuyutsuki," She said off handily as he searched through the folder. A moment passed before he spoke again. "May I ask your medical opinion, as well?"
The old man was at a lose of words, not knowing how to make it sound like it was all cotton candy, nice and sweet. So, he smiled sadly and left before the hardship sunk in.
Not knowing what else to do, Misato engrossed herself in the manila folder as she reentered her office, blinking back tears.
"What's wrong?" he asked hesitantly.
She turned to face him slightly, unsure of what to say. She was too tired to deal with this. It was just too much.
"It's his heart." she began with a disgruntled sigh. "Piloting has really hit him hard."
Rei found herself within a vast darkness reaching as far as she could see with only a shower of light around her to hold it back from over coming her. Surprized by how she arrived here but showing no outward apperance so, she looked around searching for anything else out there. Nearly missing a faint light in the distants. Carefully she moved towards to only other source of light within.
As she moved towards it she soon noticed that it was not as far a distants as she first thought it to be that it was in fact only a few meters from where she had been only moments ago. Arriving there she found that the light had been very weak giving the alousion of it being distant and within a figure laying of his side, a small boy. He was cruleing up as if a cold wind was blowing across him shivering.
As she knelt down down to get a better look at the figure as child seemed to be pulled away from her. Not to be detured she moved towards the child once again. As she reached down to brush aside his hair which lay across his face the child moved .
"No don't touch me!" the figure cried rolling over onto it's other side.
Carefully and gentle she touched his face not knowing why she was trying again. As her hand touched the child's face a new figure appeared making the child diappear from view. As she turned around to look up at the new figure she was taken back by it. She watched as two gaint arms and hands appeared on ether side on her dwafing her in their shere size. She tried to slowly backed away as a body appeared accompananied by two menicing green eyes looking down at her. Unsure of what was happening she looked for an ascape route, but finding that with each move it blocked her way. Looking back at it she watched as it's eyes narrow angerly at her.
As she dazed at the gaint she could not help but think it was familar in someway. She racked her mind trying to think of what it could be when her train of thought was broken by an angry and commanding voice. "Are you my enemy?"
"...." Giving no answer the beast looked at her with venium in it's eyes as it moved closer to her.
"Are you my emeny!?" it repeated.
'Who is your enemy?" she asked in her soft voice.
In an instand it was gone replaced by the small child now stand looking at her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Is he our enemy?" asked the child in a small voice.
She turned at looked at the figured towering over behind her. The figure she knew well as Gendo Iakri stood their looking down at her with his shade covered eyes.
"No, he is not your enemy. Who are are you?" she answered and asked.
"Are they our enemy?" the child asked.
As she turned figures of everyone she knew at Nevr as well as students she had never seen before appeared and disappeared flashing over and over again. "No." she answered again. "Who are you?" she asked moving forward towards the boy.
"NO!" he cried disapearing once again being replaced by the gaint again.
"You are an enemy!" it yelled as it's hands came crashing down around her.
She awoke startled and in a cold sweat as she tried to focus her uninjuried eye to get a look at her surroundings. As her heart slowly started to calm she thought back to what see had seen. Whatever the revailce was it aluded her as her "dream" as she thought of it became faded. Only how it ended was fresh in her mind. The shaddows' two monsterous arms and hands grabed and held her crushing her. But what was it? As she softly lay her head against Shinji's chest listening to the beat of his heart and his reythmic beathing it came to her.
It was the last thing she had noticed before waking. As the hands of the shaddow held her helpless the light that surrounded her emulimated the outer edges of it's palms revlying a mix of puple and blank armor the encased the beast. 'Why did I dream that.' she thought as she tried to sit upright.'I have never drempt before so why now?'
As she sat up right with labor she noticed that she still had Shinji's hand in hers. Releasing her hand from his she let her feet hang over the edge before she got down. Although she held slept she felt drained as if she was awake the whole night. Slowly she moved towards the door as the nurse returned. Seeing her labored movement she helped her back to her room where she could rest. As the door closed neighter noticed that Shinji's left hand had been clutched into a fist as if he was squezzing something in it's grasp.
As the hours became days a few people came by to see how he was hoping he would wake but he never did. After what happened Rei had not return and Toji had came to visit when the nurse had time to bring him by to see his freind but nothing happpened. As the day of her release arrived Rei returned to visit him one last time.
'Why cann't I find a way out of here?'Shinji though as he sat on the ground looking out at the vast darkness." I want to go back so why cannt I"he said out loud not noticing he did.
"Because you still wish not to that's why." replied a voice from within the darkness.
"Why do you keep telling me that even after I tried to find a way out." he asked with slightly ennoued tune.
"You can leave at anytime you just choose, but you choose not to therefore you could look forever for the exit and not find it." the figure responded walking out of the darkness.
"I don't understand what your talking about." Shinji replies looking down.
Rei stood over Shinji's bed looking down at him as she thought back to want happen. In the days that followed she had spent much time in thought over the event, but still was no closer to understanding what happen. She let out a mental sigh as she thought how complicated her life had become since the thrid child had arrived. He always did things that where unactcepcted from him and even he thought he couldn't do. She sat down as she look at him even though he had brought chaos into her life she enjoied how he treated her always as an indidvidual and not as the 'doll' that Asuka often reffered to her as. It was an interesting tade off.
As she took a deep breath letting it out slowly as she remebered how aggrafating the second child could be, but as she looked down and noticed Shinji's hand. It was moving. "Ikari? Can you hear me?" she asked softly.
"Alright I get the point already!' Shinji thought as the figure continued to be reminded that it was his choice to leave. As he listened for what had to be the hundredth time he unconsionly began to flex and unflex his right hand unwaire that his body was trying to do the same thing.
"Ikari can you hear me?" came a distant voice.
"Ayanami? Was that her I just heard?" he asked
'Good looks like he's finally getting the idea now.' smerked the figure.
Rei watched as a nurse began to examine Shinji. When he began to try and flex his hand she had pressed the 'call nurse' button next to Shinji's bed. "Watch him i'll get the doctor!" said the nurse as she ran off to get Dr. Akagi.
As Shinji looked around nervously for the source of the voice as the lone figure that had been his companion from time to time smiled happly. He had come here for one reason and one reason alone and now Shinji was awakening and fighting back. "We shall meet again soon Shinji Ikari." he said before he faded from view. Had Shinji been paying attention he would have heard his words but falied to notice as the world around him became filled with a bright light.
As Rei watched Shnji's eyes opened slowly and she walked to his bedside. She smiled softly when he turned to look at her and for a reason unknown to her as she felt (as if for the first time) filled with joy. As his eyes eyes started to adjust to the light she looked in them and her smile fell away.
As he looked up Shinji saw Rei looking down at him with a look of saddness in her soft red eyes. He looked away as the doctor came in to the room alone. Her face was a mix of happiness and concern as she walked over to his bed side to examine him. "You had us all worried there for awhile Shnji we didn't..." Dr. Akagi was not one to be suprized easily but this was one of those time as she looked into his face. She then looked over to Rei and saw that they both had the same look.
Nervously she continued to examine him. As he looked over at Rei he saw her give him a nervous smile. She was the most beutiful thing he had never seen as the sun shinned behind her giving her the apperance she she was a real angel so he smiled softly back at her.
*As the doctor checked his vitals she would from time to time look up at the two pilots. It was the first time she could remember (if there ever was another time) that her and Rei saw things eye to eye. She could she the faint traces of uncerenty in her eyes as well as worry for her fellow pilot. In all the years she had known Rei she had always disliked how she acted almost above her and how she always had Gendo's ear no matter the time or place. Now here she was, showing the first small and uncertain traces of emmotion she felt since the first time she had died. The mask that she wore was craking if only of a moment she had shown that she was not the doll that the doctor thought she was.
But that was not her main concern it was Shinji, he had finaly woke up. Which in it's self showed how determined the boy could be given the right task and encoragement. Once again he had survived with little or no chance to do so. But he was not the same as he was before she could see it in his eyes, whatever he had seen had changed him for better or worse he was different now. She watched as he blinked heavly and with increasing effort. As she finished checking him he continued to looked at the two wtih increasing effort to keep his eyes open before losing the battle.
As his eyes closed she saw Rei's questioning and concerned look as she turned her attention towards the doctor. Looking back at her she thought about how much change the young man made brought to all of them and now to her. How closed off Rei had been before as if she was almost a ghost of a child and the sutle changes that pasted as the two spoke more often out side of Nerv. Before Rei wouldn't answer anyone unless told to do so now she would attemed to do so even if it was not always succsessful.
She knew this would change in a heart beat if anyone found out what had happen to Shinji. Selee would most definatly take him away. Things would go back to normal again the way they were before he arrived they all go back to burning their heads in the sand so to speak. The office gosip would never be the same again as the confrontations between Asuka and Shinji where the center of most of it. Strange how a meek boy could change them all so much in such a short time. She had her other resons, but these were the ones she would admit to the world.
As she turned to leave she gave a looked at Rei's questioning gaze. Things had endeed changed.
" He's just sleeping now Rei he's had a long day. Best to let him sleep for awhile." she said before walking out the door perpairing to seal her own fate to save the boy.
Rei watched as the doctor left the two alone in the small room. Placing his hand back on the bed she found herself unsure why she felt so strange as he slowly opened his eyes again. Even more so as he smiled softly at her. So much had happened since he was taken away from them, with each passing day she found her thoughts drifting more and more towards him. She had never felt the way she did just now, so many different things bombarding her all at once.
She had never felt as alone as she did when he was no longer there. In many ways she had come to enjoy his persince but was unware of it till it was not there. She never understood the saying "You never appreshate what you have till it's gone." before, of course she knew what it meant but was uncreatain of it's true meaning till now. But when she looked into his eyes at that moment it was crysatal clear to her. It was almost too much for her when she looked onto his eyes and knew that their fate was forever one and the same, but part of her was glad it had happened for if she was correct in her thinking she would no longer be alone. She never wanted to fell that way again. Twice Shinji had nearly been lost forever it needn't happen again for her to see what she had failed to see before.
As he slowly awoke Shinji found Dr. Akagi sitting in the small chair next to his bed.
" Well good morning Mr. Iakri glad to see that you've decided to join us today." she said as he tried to sit up and lean against the backboard.
" How long was I asleep for?" he asked in a weak voice.
" Almost three days now I think, but how do you fell Sinji?" she replied.
" Um... alright I guess just a little sore that's all."
" Good, now there's something that I need to descuss with you that's very important and you must not letting anyone except myself and Rei know anything that am about to tell you." she said handing him a small white case.
As the nurse brought Shnji to the main lobby in a wheelchair he looked ahead and saw Misato Kaji,and Asuka standing there waiting for him to arrive. Misato seemed pleased to see the young man had done well with his recovery and would now be returning home. As for Asuka .... well Asuka is Asuka, she simply stood there with an annoyed look on her face as he slowly approached them not letting anyone see the worry that her eyes held.
As he got into Misato's car he let out a pained sigh as he settled ito his seat. his body still hurt from whatever happened to him over the past month most of which he could only just remember. It was almost like a dream to him now, the vast darkness as far as the eye could see yet that distant voice cut through it with it soft words. Words that had helped to keep him from drowning in the darkness.
As Asuka got into the car followed by Misato then Kaji he turned to gase out the window to the city he had saved time and time again with the help of his fellow pilots. He found one thing kept bothering him as he looked out at city, why did it seem so distant to him now. It wasn't till Misato stopped at a light did the truth come to him as he watched a young couple walking togather down the street hand in hand, he was lonely for he was now alone one within many.
Asuka looked away from him as he turned and looked forward over Misato's shoulder. She could see the longing in his eyes as he watched them walk by and saddness for some reason. She saw this as her chance but she had to be careful, everyone said he seemed a little different somehow but no one could put their finger on it. As such she had to be sure he was normal just a little shook up from his experince.
As she opened her mounth to say somthing the worlds died in her mouth as he let out a soft sadded sigh. She could fell the pain in it as his eyes closed resting his head againt the back of the seat. Whatever she was planning on doing died right there as she looked at him, his face filled with sarrow and buredened with troubles.
Looking away and out the widow she watched as the country side appeared knowing they'd be home soon. She let out a mental sigh as she thought about the past two mounths during Shinji's absents. She'd thought of him as a nuesents most of the time wishing he'd just disappear, but when his presents was no longer there she found herself felling oddly hollow. Meeting Shinji had changed her even if she would never admite it to anyone, without him life seemed too plain.
As they arrived home Shinji's eyes slowly opened looking out at the place that was his home. Tried and weak he made his way up the nessasary flights of stairs stopping at the door as Misato swipt her keycard opening the door for him. Quietly he followed as his fellow pilot then Misato walked into the apartment, it seemed so strange for him being here almost as if he didn't belong. As he took off his shoes Kaji placed a hand on the young pilots shoulder as he spoke.
" Welcome back Shinji. So how does it fell to be home again?" he asked.
He looked around at the apartment seeing the various signs of disarray around him. He let out a weak sigh listening as the unshaven man lauphed softly to himself over Shinji's reaction to the apartment.
Kaji watched as the young man slowly made his way to his room stopping a moment as if trying to remember which room was his before opening his door and walking in. Unconsessly he raised an eyebrow to this finding it odd that after all this time he still forgot which rooom was his. Dismissing it as fatege he walk into the kitchen where Misato was making herself a drink.
As Shinji locked the door to his room he thanked whatever gods had convinced Misato to let Asuka put a lock on her door greatful that Misato had put locks on all the bedroom doors as well.Taking a deep breath he placed his bag on the floor trying to releave the pain he felt over his body. It had been a long trip back from the hospital and combined with his injuries it had warn him out. Slowly walking towards his nightstand he thought back to what Dr. Akagi had told him two weeks ago, " You mustn't let anyone but Rei know what i'm about to tell you." she said handing him a small white case.
Slowly he reached into his poket to retreve the small iteam. Stopping as he reached nightstand he placed it on top and looked into the mirror. As he stood there he tried to remember more about what happened inside unit-01. Giving up after a few moments he opened the small case in front of him with one thought in his mind, nothing will be the same anymore. After a moment he prepaired for bed not knowing what tomarrow might bring.
On the other side of Tokyo 3 Rei Ayanami lay on her stomack arms crossed in front her resting her chin on them as she lay on her bed. Her mind was racing with the events that happened at the hospital a few days ago.
' What was that I felt? Was It happiness? Why does he give me such fellings? Why did I fell saddened by his eyes?' she thought quietly.
It was a strange new view of the world to her and with it came interest and concern. As long as she could remember she never felt like that before. Was it something the first felt? She didn't know as her memories of the first were cloudy.
She thought back to when he first awoke and how he looked at her. His piercing looking at her as if seeing her very soul. And the warth she felt as he smiled at her knowing she was the first person he saw. Sighing she rolled over on to her back trying to get to sleep calming her thought the best she could.
As she lie there one thought made it's self know that she couldn't sake off. 'Why does he treat me so and why do I.' With that she fell it to slumber for perhaps the first time uncertain of what tomarrow might bring.
Speacail thanks to the The Rookie Reviewer for the help and paychents when working on this chapter.
(Author's note: Yeah I know it might not fit the geanra yet but give it abit ya might be surprized.)
Chapter One
Awakenings
Based on characters created by and copyright by GAINAX
The Beginning of Something New
Chapter One
Awakening
Shinji's eyes fluttered open slowly, trying to comprehend his surroundings. Black, he was in some sort of void. Little streaks of light shined around him rippling like water in the wind. His eyes adjusted to the strange world as he searched frantically for anyone or anything that could tell him what this place was and how to get out of it.
'Please, Shinji...' A distant voice softly echoing through the vastness.
"Ayanami? Wha.. where?" He asked quietly, flustered.
In the distance a figure appeared bathed in the same light as him. The figured slowly approached Shinji.
"Who are you? Why am I here?" He asked with a hint of fear in his voice.
"You are here because you are dying." Replied the figure as it continued to move closer. "Is this your wish, Ikari-san?"
"What happened? Why am I dying? Did the angel do this to me?" He asked trying to get a better look at the figure as it stopped a few yards away.
"No, it was not the 'angel', as you say, that did this to you, but yourself." It replied from a safe, yet audible distance.
He lifted his hand into view as he felt someone gentle squeezing it. 'Please, Shinji, you mustn't die.' Then, as quickly as the feeling came, it was gone again.
" I don't understand?" He looked upward for the source of the sound, starting to get frustrated.
"While your mind is here your body is still there, thus you can sometimes hear or feel the world around your body."
"How do I stop this!? How do I go back there!?" He asked taking a step towards the figure.
"That is for you to find out. You must make a choice Shinji Ikari, live or die." Then it faded out of sight, leaving Shinji alone to contemplate it's words. { Or else no one with be there to stop me from what I must do.} the figure thought as it faded.
Koso stopped at the doorway of the Major's office, knocking softly on it before proceeding. Upon entering, he found Misato sitting at her desk, apparently talking to Kaji.
"Misato may I speak with you a moment?" He asked softly. The Major whispered something to Kaji that he couldn't make out. Then he excused himself from the room.
"Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but I thought it better to bring these to you in person seeing as you are with the Major and aquainted with the younger Ikari." He handed her a thin manila folder. "This is everything we have on his present condition."
"Thank you, Mr. Fuyutsuki," She said off handily as he searched through the folder. A moment passed before he spoke again. "May I ask your medical opinion, as well?"
The old man was at a lose of words, not knowing how to make it sound like it was all cotton candy, nice and sweet. So, he smiled sadly and left before the hardship sunk in.
Not knowing what else to do, Misato engrossed herself in the manila folder as she reentered her office, blinking back tears.
"What's wrong?" he asked hesitantly.
She turned to face him slightly, unsure of what to say. She was too tired to deal with this. It was just too much.
"It's his heart." she began with a disgruntled sigh. "Piloting has really hit him hard."
Rei found herself within a vast darkness reaching as far as she could see with only a shower of light around her to hold it back from over coming her. Surprized by how she arrived here but showing no outward apperance so, she looked around searching for anything else out there. Nearly missing a faint light in the distants. Carefully she moved towards to only other source of light within.
As she moved towards it she soon noticed that it was not as far a distants as she first thought it to be that it was in fact only a few meters from where she had been only moments ago. Arriving there she found that the light had been very weak giving the alousion of it being distant and within a figure laying of his side, a small boy. He was cruleing up as if a cold wind was blowing across him shivering.
As she knelt down down to get a better look at the figure as child seemed to be pulled away from her. Not to be detured she moved towards the child once again. As she reached down to brush aside his hair which lay across his face the child moved .
"No don't touch me!" the figure cried rolling over onto it's other side.
Carefully and gentle she touched his face not knowing why she was trying again. As her hand touched the child's face a new figure appeared making the child diappear from view. As she turned around to look up at the new figure she was taken back by it. She watched as two gaint arms and hands appeared on ether side on her dwafing her in their shere size. She tried to slowly backed away as a body appeared accompananied by two menicing green eyes looking down at her. Unsure of what was happening she looked for an ascape route, but finding that with each move it blocked her way. Looking back at it she watched as it's eyes narrow angerly at her.
As she dazed at the gaint she could not help but think it was familar in someway. She racked her mind trying to think of what it could be when her train of thought was broken by an angry and commanding voice. "Are you my enemy?"
"...." Giving no answer the beast looked at her with venium in it's eyes as it moved closer to her.
"Are you my emeny!?" it repeated.
'Who is your enemy?" she asked in her soft voice.
In an instand it was gone replaced by the small child now stand looking at her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Is he our enemy?" asked the child in a small voice.
She turned at looked at the figured towering over behind her. The figure she knew well as Gendo Iakri stood their looking down at her with his shade covered eyes.
"No, he is not your enemy. Who are are you?" she answered and asked.
"Are they our enemy?" the child asked.
As she turned figures of everyone she knew at Nevr as well as students she had never seen before appeared and disappeared flashing over and over again. "No." she answered again. "Who are you?" she asked moving forward towards the boy.
"NO!" he cried disapearing once again being replaced by the gaint again.
"You are an enemy!" it yelled as it's hands came crashing down around her.
She awoke startled and in a cold sweat as she tried to focus her uninjuried eye to get a look at her surroundings. As her heart slowly started to calm she thought back to what see had seen. Whatever the revailce was it aluded her as her "dream" as she thought of it became faded. Only how it ended was fresh in her mind. The shaddows' two monsterous arms and hands grabed and held her crushing her. But what was it? As she softly lay her head against Shinji's chest listening to the beat of his heart and his reythmic beathing it came to her.
It was the last thing she had noticed before waking. As the hands of the shaddow held her helpless the light that surrounded her emulimated the outer edges of it's palms revlying a mix of puple and blank armor the encased the beast. 'Why did I dream that.' she thought as she tried to sit upright.'I have never drempt before so why now?'
As she sat up right with labor she noticed that she still had Shinji's hand in hers. Releasing her hand from his she let her feet hang over the edge before she got down. Although she held slept she felt drained as if she was awake the whole night. Slowly she moved towards the door as the nurse returned. Seeing her labored movement she helped her back to her room where she could rest. As the door closed neighter noticed that Shinji's left hand had been clutched into a fist as if he was squezzing something in it's grasp.
As the hours became days a few people came by to see how he was hoping he would wake but he never did. After what happened Rei had not return and Toji had came to visit when the nurse had time to bring him by to see his freind but nothing happpened. As the day of her release arrived Rei returned to visit him one last time.
'Why cann't I find a way out of here?'Shinji though as he sat on the ground looking out at the vast darkness." I want to go back so why cannt I"he said out loud not noticing he did.
"Because you still wish not to that's why." replied a voice from within the darkness.
"Why do you keep telling me that even after I tried to find a way out." he asked with slightly ennoued tune.
"You can leave at anytime you just choose, but you choose not to therefore you could look forever for the exit and not find it." the figure responded walking out of the darkness.
"I don't understand what your talking about." Shinji replies looking down.
Rei stood over Shinji's bed looking down at him as she thought back to want happen. In the days that followed she had spent much time in thought over the event, but still was no closer to understanding what happen. She let out a mental sigh as she thought how complicated her life had become since the thrid child had arrived. He always did things that where unactcepcted from him and even he thought he couldn't do. She sat down as she look at him even though he had brought chaos into her life she enjoied how he treated her always as an indidvidual and not as the 'doll' that Asuka often reffered to her as. It was an interesting tade off.
As she took a deep breath letting it out slowly as she remebered how aggrafating the second child could be, but as she looked down and noticed Shinji's hand. It was moving. "Ikari? Can you hear me?" she asked softly.
"Alright I get the point already!' Shinji thought as the figure continued to be reminded that it was his choice to leave. As he listened for what had to be the hundredth time he unconsionly began to flex and unflex his right hand unwaire that his body was trying to do the same thing.
"Ikari can you hear me?" came a distant voice.
"Ayanami? Was that her I just heard?" he asked
'Good looks like he's finally getting the idea now.' smerked the figure.
Rei watched as a nurse began to examine Shinji. When he began to try and flex his hand she had pressed the 'call nurse' button next to Shinji's bed. "Watch him i'll get the doctor!" said the nurse as she ran off to get Dr. Akagi.
As Shinji looked around nervously for the source of the voice as the lone figure that had been his companion from time to time smiled happly. He had come here for one reason and one reason alone and now Shinji was awakening and fighting back. "We shall meet again soon Shinji Ikari." he said before he faded from view. Had Shinji been paying attention he would have heard his words but falied to notice as the world around him became filled with a bright light.
As Rei watched Shnji's eyes opened slowly and she walked to his bedside. She smiled softly when he turned to look at her and for a reason unknown to her as she felt (as if for the first time) filled with joy. As his eyes eyes started to adjust to the light she looked in them and her smile fell away.
As he looked up Shinji saw Rei looking down at him with a look of saddness in her soft red eyes. He looked away as the doctor came in to the room alone. Her face was a mix of happiness and concern as she walked over to his bed side to examine him. "You had us all worried there for awhile Shnji we didn't..." Dr. Akagi was not one to be suprized easily but this was one of those time as she looked into his face. She then looked over to Rei and saw that they both had the same look.
Nervously she continued to examine him. As he looked over at Rei he saw her give him a nervous smile. She was the most beutiful thing he had never seen as the sun shinned behind her giving her the apperance she she was a real angel so he smiled softly back at her.
*As the doctor checked his vitals she would from time to time look up at the two pilots. It was the first time she could remember (if there ever was another time) that her and Rei saw things eye to eye. She could she the faint traces of uncerenty in her eyes as well as worry for her fellow pilot. In all the years she had known Rei she had always disliked how she acted almost above her and how she always had Gendo's ear no matter the time or place. Now here she was, showing the first small and uncertain traces of emmotion she felt since the first time she had died. The mask that she wore was craking if only of a moment she had shown that she was not the doll that the doctor thought she was.
But that was not her main concern it was Shinji, he had finaly woke up. Which in it's self showed how determined the boy could be given the right task and encoragement. Once again he had survived with little or no chance to do so. But he was not the same as he was before she could see it in his eyes, whatever he had seen had changed him for better or worse he was different now. She watched as he blinked heavly and with increasing effort. As she finished checking him he continued to looked at the two wtih increasing effort to keep his eyes open before losing the battle.
As his eyes closed she saw Rei's questioning and concerned look as she turned her attention towards the doctor. Looking back at her she thought about how much change the young man made brought to all of them and now to her. How closed off Rei had been before as if she was almost a ghost of a child and the sutle changes that pasted as the two spoke more often out side of Nerv. Before Rei wouldn't answer anyone unless told to do so now she would attemed to do so even if it was not always succsessful.
She knew this would change in a heart beat if anyone found out what had happen to Shinji. Selee would most definatly take him away. Things would go back to normal again the way they were before he arrived they all go back to burning their heads in the sand so to speak. The office gosip would never be the same again as the confrontations between Asuka and Shinji where the center of most of it. Strange how a meek boy could change them all so much in such a short time. She had her other resons, but these were the ones she would admit to the world.
As she turned to leave she gave a looked at Rei's questioning gaze. Things had endeed changed.
" He's just sleeping now Rei he's had a long day. Best to let him sleep for awhile." she said before walking out the door perpairing to seal her own fate to save the boy.
Rei watched as the doctor left the two alone in the small room. Placing his hand back on the bed she found herself unsure why she felt so strange as he slowly opened his eyes again. Even more so as he smiled softly at her. So much had happened since he was taken away from them, with each passing day she found her thoughts drifting more and more towards him. She had never felt the way she did just now, so many different things bombarding her all at once.
She had never felt as alone as she did when he was no longer there. In many ways she had come to enjoy his persince but was unware of it till it was not there. She never understood the saying "You never appreshate what you have till it's gone." before, of course she knew what it meant but was uncreatain of it's true meaning till now. But when she looked into his eyes at that moment it was crysatal clear to her. It was almost too much for her when she looked onto his eyes and knew that their fate was forever one and the same, but part of her was glad it had happened for if she was correct in her thinking she would no longer be alone. She never wanted to fell that way again. Twice Shinji had nearly been lost forever it needn't happen again for her to see what she had failed to see before.
As he slowly awoke Shinji found Dr. Akagi sitting in the small chair next to his bed.
" Well good morning Mr. Iakri glad to see that you've decided to join us today." she said as he tried to sit up and lean against the backboard.
" How long was I asleep for?" he asked in a weak voice.
" Almost three days now I think, but how do you fell Sinji?" she replied.
" Um... alright I guess just a little sore that's all."
" Good, now there's something that I need to descuss with you that's very important and you must not letting anyone except myself and Rei know anything that am about to tell you." she said handing him a small white case.
As the nurse brought Shnji to the main lobby in a wheelchair he looked ahead and saw Misato Kaji,and Asuka standing there waiting for him to arrive. Misato seemed pleased to see the young man had done well with his recovery and would now be returning home. As for Asuka .... well Asuka is Asuka, she simply stood there with an annoyed look on her face as he slowly approached them not letting anyone see the worry that her eyes held.
As he got into Misato's car he let out a pained sigh as he settled ito his seat. his body still hurt from whatever happened to him over the past month most of which he could only just remember. It was almost like a dream to him now, the vast darkness as far as the eye could see yet that distant voice cut through it with it soft words. Words that had helped to keep him from drowning in the darkness.
As Asuka got into the car followed by Misato then Kaji he turned to gase out the window to the city he had saved time and time again with the help of his fellow pilots. He found one thing kept bothering him as he looked out at city, why did it seem so distant to him now. It wasn't till Misato stopped at a light did the truth come to him as he watched a young couple walking togather down the street hand in hand, he was lonely for he was now alone one within many.
Asuka looked away from him as he turned and looked forward over Misato's shoulder. She could see the longing in his eyes as he watched them walk by and saddness for some reason. She saw this as her chance but she had to be careful, everyone said he seemed a little different somehow but no one could put their finger on it. As such she had to be sure he was normal just a little shook up from his experince.
As she opened her mounth to say somthing the worlds died in her mouth as he let out a soft sadded sigh. She could fell the pain in it as his eyes closed resting his head againt the back of the seat. Whatever she was planning on doing died right there as she looked at him, his face filled with sarrow and buredened with troubles.
Looking away and out the widow she watched as the country side appeared knowing they'd be home soon. She let out a mental sigh as she thought about the past two mounths during Shinji's absents. She'd thought of him as a nuesents most of the time wishing he'd just disappear, but when his presents was no longer there she found herself felling oddly hollow. Meeting Shinji had changed her even if she would never admite it to anyone, without him life seemed too plain.
As they arrived home Shinji's eyes slowly opened looking out at the place that was his home. Tried and weak he made his way up the nessasary flights of stairs stopping at the door as Misato swipt her keycard opening the door for him. Quietly he followed as his fellow pilot then Misato walked into the apartment, it seemed so strange for him being here almost as if he didn't belong. As he took off his shoes Kaji placed a hand on the young pilots shoulder as he spoke.
" Welcome back Shinji. So how does it fell to be home again?" he asked.
He looked around at the apartment seeing the various signs of disarray around him. He let out a weak sigh listening as the unshaven man lauphed softly to himself over Shinji's reaction to the apartment.
Kaji watched as the young man slowly made his way to his room stopping a moment as if trying to remember which room was his before opening his door and walking in. Unconsessly he raised an eyebrow to this finding it odd that after all this time he still forgot which rooom was his. Dismissing it as fatege he walk into the kitchen where Misato was making herself a drink.
As Shinji locked the door to his room he thanked whatever gods had convinced Misato to let Asuka put a lock on her door greatful that Misato had put locks on all the bedroom doors as well.Taking a deep breath he placed his bag on the floor trying to releave the pain he felt over his body. It had been a long trip back from the hospital and combined with his injuries it had warn him out. Slowly walking towards his nightstand he thought back to what Dr. Akagi had told him two weeks ago, " You mustn't let anyone but Rei know what i'm about to tell you." she said handing him a small white case.
Slowly he reached into his poket to retreve the small iteam. Stopping as he reached nightstand he placed it on top and looked into the mirror. As he stood there he tried to remember more about what happened inside unit-01. Giving up after a few moments he opened the small case in front of him with one thought in his mind, nothing will be the same anymore. After a moment he prepaired for bed not knowing what tomarrow might bring.
On the other side of Tokyo 3 Rei Ayanami lay on her stomack arms crossed in front her resting her chin on them as she lay on her bed. Her mind was racing with the events that happened at the hospital a few days ago.
' What was that I felt? Was It happiness? Why does he give me such fellings? Why did I fell saddened by his eyes?' she thought quietly.
It was a strange new view of the world to her and with it came interest and concern. As long as she could remember she never felt like that before. Was it something the first felt? She didn't know as her memories of the first were cloudy.
She thought back to when he first awoke and how he looked at her. His piercing looking at her as if seeing her very soul. And the warth she felt as he smiled at her knowing she was the first person he saw. Sighing she rolled over on to her back trying to get to sleep calming her thought the best she could.
As she lie there one thought made it's self know that she couldn't sake off. 'Why does he treat me so and why do I.' With that she fell it to slumber for perhaps the first time uncertain of what tomarrow might bring.
Speacail thanks to the The Rookie Reviewer for the help and paychents when working on this chapter.
