Disclaimer: I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. It belongs to the great big Gainix in the sky. There you have it, no joke, just a simple disclaimer, go on…nothing coming up…go on. Oh and there will be some limited violence. Italics denounce thought.

I'm writing this because I want to write, the language should be acceptable but not extraordinary. Please don't put too many bad comments on the language, oh yes. It has Yaoi in it.

Affliction of the Heart:

"Unit 01 has been hit!" the young Lieutenant Ibuki screamed to the rest of the command centre. The purple Eva stood hunched over with one arm covering the bleeding wound, inside the third child cried out in agony. "Un-ngh!" His hand clutching his chest cradling the unseen wound. Outside the Eva's hand clutched on the spear that was impaling the Eva's torso.

"Heh, well third child looks like you're losing again!" Pilot Soryu taunted over the comm.. channel. Shinji had an evil smirk on his face, one his father would've been proud of. "What makes you think that?"

Asuka's eyes turned to saucers as Unit 01 pulled out the spear from out of its chest. "What?! How?!" The tip of the spear emerged with a sickening crunch. 'Shinji's getting better, this must be a good sign' Misato mused from the bridge. Eva Unit 01 pounced from the hillside, catching a few buildings with its feet. It raised the spear in a cat like fashion and swiftly cleft the flesh of Unit 02's neck slicing it clean off. Unit 01 held its position still holding the spear, leaving the red mecha to fall to the ground.

'Shinji, you're such a poser.' Rei inwardly chuckled, without changing her outward expression. "End simulation" Ritsuko called from the observation deck. Asuka just stuck her nose up as her entry plug was ejected from her Eva. "This simulation program is turning out to be quite effective don't you think Major?"

"I dunno Ritsuko, it may fan the flames of hatred between those two." Misato mentioned nonchalantly. "I think I see what you mean…"

"Don't get cocky Ikari! I was going easy on you!" a familiar voice came through on the channel. "You were what?! I bet you were, I know you wouldn't let your precious Unit 02 get hurt that badly!" Came the accusing reply. "Ach!" Asuka just sighed as she exited her entry plug.

On the way to the locker room she passed Sub-Commander Fuuyutski. Asuka was rambling on to herself about something. The old professor gave Asuka an odd look but just continued past her. "Strange girl…oh well."






'Why did my father…I mean the commander order me up here…I didn't do anything wrong.'

"Shinji…" Shinji was taken aback, had the commander just called him that. "Y-yes?" 'Damnit…why can't I say it. I just can't do it…it's too late.' The commander noticed that his son was getting uncomfortable, wondering what his 'dad' wanted him for. 'Oh, hell…I'll tell him later…tell him I'm sorry.'  Gendo's glasses glinted in what passed for light in that room. "…Never mind…" Shinji blinked…but left without saying anything. Passing Fuuyutski on the way out he started talking to himself about how his life sucked so much. "…I wonder if I should recommend a psychologist." Kozou mumbled to himself before entering the office.

"I take it you didn't tell him?" Fuuyutski asked, straightening out his uniform. Gendo just hung his head. "You will have to tell him one of these days."

"I know old friend, I know…"






"I'm baaaack!" Came the announcement to which no reply was given. Asuka poked her head found the corner and noticed the room was empty, apart from a sleeping figure curled up on the couch. "Hey…where is everyone?" Asuka pouted. A quiet sound emitted from the penguin on the sofa.






"Whats wrong, fever? I've never seen you work here this long after your shift?" Ritsuko teased the Major who was at Melchior's terminal. "Hmm, oh just research for the new project the sub-commander has me working on, shouldn't be too much trouble for the system." She lied through her teeth.

"I'm more worried about you. Major, are you feeling well?" the good doctor asked. Before she was just teasing but a certain operations director was looking drained. "I've been busy lately Ritsuko, I just need to get this then I'll go home, I can finish the rest there."

"I'll take your word for it." With that she went back to work.






In Shinji came, not noticing the presence of the other on the floor watching the TV, on the other hand…"Shinji!? Where the hell were you?!"

Instead of responding Shinji just pushed Asuka out of his path and entered his room silently, hoping for some escape, he grabbed his faithful SDAT and lay there, listening to the music it serenely emitted. He heard the front door opening, probably Misato, she usually arrived at this time.

"Misat-? Hyuga? What do you want?" That grabbed Shinji's attention. He knew it was rude to eavesdrop, but let's face it they weren't exactly being quiet, well Asuka wasn't exactly being quiet. "Well I- Um...well I sorta…um-" mumbled the technician "Spit it out!" you could tell she was getting impatient because of the intrusion. "Uh, I came to drop off Major Katsuragi's laundry. Yeah!" he chimed.

"A feeble excuse but I can't be bothered to argue with you...Well, whats keeping you?" If Shinji were there he would of laughed at the shade of Makoto's face. "Um, nothing at all! I'll go now!" he couldn't get away from the demon queen fast enough.






Misato was about to slide the key in the door, when it suddenly burst open followed quickly by a cream blur.

"Hyuga?" Misato wondered why he was running so fast…and the fact that he was at her apartment at the first place. "Oh well"

"Where's Shinji?" Came the concerned voice of the major. "Sulking again! He's in his room!" The complaint in the redheads voice was obvious. "Asuka, he's had a rough week, keep your voice down and let him sleep" She was right though, Shinji had had a rough week, pressures from school getting greater, tests at NERV, Asuka hadn't been helping much.

Right then, right there, Shinji could of sworn he felt a pair of slender ethereal arms wrap round his waist, there was a warmth about it he couldn't quite put his finger on, but he felt safe. His eyelids got heavy, before falling asleep Shinji thought he heard a whispered 'I love you'.






"Mm, good morning Shinji" Misato yawned, dressed in her typical morning attire. She took her usual can of Yebisu then took her usual first gulp. "Yeehaw! Good stuff!" She burped, Shinji had on his trademark frown, then as if on cue, the doorbell rung.

"Good morning Ikari!" Suzahara chimed almost melodically. "Hey Misato! We're taking off now!" Kensuke just grabbed the overly hormonal teen "Come on lover-boy, not today"

Touji said in mock embarrassment "Oh my Aida-chan, I didn't know you felt that way about me!" Touji made a kissy face at Kensuke who just gritted his teeth. Shinji was staring at the two stooges. "Uh, can you get outta the way now, I need to leave the house." This brought the two out of their reverie. "Heh, sorry Shin-man."

Halfway down the stairs, the three stooges heard the devil stir. "Hey Shinji! Wait for meeeee!" Asuka ran down the stairs trailing Shinji, that is until she spotted Aida and Suzahara. "Oh…never mind, I'll take the long way." Said the disheartened Asuka. "Psst, Shinji, I think she likes you." Touji whispered. Shinji blushed furiously, he didn't actually have any real interest in Asuka…in fact, he didn't actually like anyone in 'that' way…no one who was alive anymore though. Suddenly he thought of Kaoru, he missed him, his best friend, even though he was an angel.






As soon as they entered the classroom Touji and Kensuke were separated and dragged aside. Touji of course by his girlfriend Miss Horaki and Kensuke by a new arrival Juiro. They said new, but he'd really only been there about a month. They had no idea where he really came from, but he was quite slim, only slightly taller than Kensuke and had a rather pale complexion with the contrasting shoulder length black hair. Lord knows why but the new kid only seemed friendly towards Kensuke…even so he acted a little too friendly.

Oh well, what his friend did in his personal life was non of Shinji's business. 'Heh, it's actually kind of cute…' Where the hell did that come from? He pondered that for a few moments until the teacher came in. "All rise!" chirped the Class Representative. "Sit!"






Halfway through first period, which was of course Shinji's favourite subject, maths (A/N: Why does every fic have the teacher teaching about the second impact? They must get taught something else) he got a message from Touji:

"Hear the rumours about Aida? They're starting to get rampant"

Shinji hadn't heard any rumours about his friend, but he's sure that Touji would spill. If not he'd hear them from another. He looked over at Kensuke, he was furiously typing away, probably not work, he aced the latest test. Shinji doubted he needed to listen to sensei anymore. He looked like he was more concerned with answering his messages. T'was about time Shinji replied to Touji:

"No…elaborate."

Whilst waiting for a reply, he glanced at Rei, at her usual place by the window, as usual she was more interested on what was going on outside than what was inside. The third child's monitor bleeped, indicating a message.

"Well there's been a hell of a lot of rumours going round that Kensuke's gay, I don't really know though, he has been acting really 'friendly' with that Juiro kid."

Shinji paused, then typed:

"So what's the big deal?"

Touji physically turned and raised an eyebrow at his friend. Shinji gave him a look that said, 'We'll find out later'






At lunch it was practically impossible to get a hold of Kensuke, for he was being surrounded with people wondering about the rumours, however Juiro was more accessible sitting on a bench on the corner of the school building, although he had an upset expression on his face. Touji poked his head round the corner. "'ey Juiro-san!"

"What do you want Suzahara?" he remained passive. "Why aren't you hanging around Kensuke, we got the impression that you two were friends." Juiro scowled but other than that he kept silent. Shinji thought it was best if he intervened "Suzahara-kun, you can be so blunt. Anyway, why aren't you over there?"

"They won't leave my Kensuke alone" Juiro paused, realising what he said, he blushed hoping they didn't catch the slip, he should've kept quiet. "Your Kensuke?" Touji grinned, this just proved the rumours. "Ah- I didn't say that!" tears welled up in his eyes. "Oh god, you wont tell anyone will you?!" His tears glided down his pale cheeks freely. Shinji's heart fell at seeing his acquaintances plight. Touji also looked saddened but there was underlying anger.

"Grrr" whoever crossed Touji in this hour would pay dearly. The fourth child walked over to the massive crowd. "Hey! Clear off, give him some damn time to himself!" he yelled, ploughing his way through the mob. He spotted his friend, tears in his eyes. Kensuke practically had to be dragged out. Touji guided him round the corner to where Shinji was, while giving a look to his classmates that said, 'Follow me if you want, do so and you die.' Aida was shaking like a leaf until he felt a strong pair of arms encircle him, it was Juiro, cradling his Kensuke in his arms. "Shh, it's alright baby-" He bit his last words as he noticed he still had an audience of two.

Shinji just smiled at the couple, Touji had the urge to stick his fingers down his throat at the complete mushiness of it all. "We'll leave if you want."

Meanwhile, Kensuke regained his composure in his love's arms. "It's okay…when you go back round the corner, they'll come round the corner…and besid-" The bell rang. All four of them groaned at the hideous noise. Juiro released his embrace on his boyfriend grudgingly and offered him his hand. "…What about the rumours?" Juiro give him a smile, "What rumours? All I see is fact." Kensuke hesitated for a moment, but then readily accepted the offer. What a surprise the class had. Aida could feel his resolve starting to waiver. Juiro gave him a reassuring squeeze before moving on, followed by Touji and Shinji.

"Four little faggots, sitting in a tree!" Juiro and Kensuke were hurt, but didn't outwardly show it. Touji ignored it as he draped his arm round his nearby girlfriend, she grinned and flashed an 'L' sign at the rest of the Class. Shinji was out of his mind with rage. He smirked, hell he was more like his father than he cared to admit. He made a gun motion with his thumb and forefinger. The recipient of this false attack paled. "One more word, then it wont be so fake" Shinji flashed him the most evil smile he could muster. Everyone's jaw dropped at the normally quiet boy.

"Whoa…Shinji you didn't have to do that for us."

"I didn't do it for you." Kensuke raised his eyebrow and thought he misheard, he just shrugged it off and made his way to class.

Kensuke was in a foul mood, he blocked all messages except those from his closest friends. Damn he was pissed, they wouldn't leave him alone. A message from Shinji:

"So how long has this been going on eh? ;)"

Well, he wasn't too sure…two weeks?

"Uh, bout 2 weeks now Shin-man"

Two whole weeks? How come he didn't notice them. Maybe he did, that would explain why he had been missing a few lunchtimes and why he hadn't been round Touji's place that much. …interesting. Hmm, he wasn't too bothered about this development as such.






Gendou ran his fingers through his hair. "Whats the matter sir?" the Sub-Commander chuckled. "You're not nervous are you?" He asked in a sarcastic tone. If he was any other man, he would have been dead where he stood, but since he wasn't any other man…

Kozou took note of his friends steely glare and decided it was best to shut up. "Do you think Pilot Ikari- I mean Shinji will be surprised at what's been planned." Gendou twitched as he forced himself to correct his sentence

"My dear friend, you have a talent for understatement." Gendou eyes widened. "You!"






"…and tomorrow is your parent teacher meeting, everyone must show regardless." That brought a collective groan from the class. 'Ah, shit. I'm going to be the odd one out again, Misato is away again.'

"Class dismissed"

The entire class as one massive blue, ran for outside…for freedom.

Outside he noticed Juiro and Kensuke talking by the school gates, when he spotted that boy who gave them trouble earlier walking towards them, he honestly didn't know his name. "Hey fairies!" Shinji's blood started to boil. 'How could they just ignore them like that.'

"Just because that dumb jock and wuss-boy stood up for you earlier doesn't mean I'm not going to beat you up now, animals!" Juiro slipped his hand on Kensuke's "Leave us alone." Juiro stated rather sternly. "Oh, it bites back, well we'll just have to put it down" the bully raised his fist and threw a punch at Kozanae. He fell backwards but was caught by Kensuke who shot the bully a death glare. "I'll get you for this Haijun!" Kensuke spat.

Shinji ran over. "What the fuck?!" He looked over at Juiro who was nursing his eye and Kensuke with tears welling up. "You too you wuss? Oh you're in way over your head." He poised, ready to strike again, he pulled his arm back, when he heard the soft click of a gun safety being released.. "Wrong move" The person holding the weapon pistol whipped the antagonistic teen. "Damn, he's got a tough head, almost broke my gun."

"Kaji!"

"Hey kiddo." The unshaven man, dressed sharply in his NERV uniform as usual. "If I may ask…why are you here?" Kaji smiled before looking over to the couple.

"Hey kid? You ok?" Juiro just nodded, with Kensuke hanging off him. Shinji noticed his blood stained clothes. In fact, the similarity to Kaji's uniform was amazing. "Well I've been told to bring you to NERV central. Looks like I arrived just in time." Shinji nodded. He didn't feel like working today…but duty calls. "What about these two?" Shinji just looked up at Kaji wondering why he asked that question. "The moron taking the nap, want me to scare 'em?" Shinji just smirked. Ryouji's question was answered.

"You're a mean bastard Ikari." Kaji smiled, Shinji decided to take that as a compliment. 'Dear god, I'm becoming more like him every day.' The realisation hit Shinji, oh well, better see why I gotta go into work.






While Shinji was being rushed to the geo-front Gendou was chatting to an old 'acquaintance'.

"Kozanae, what the hell are you doing here?" Gendou spat hatefully. "Well well old friend, what's gotten into you, what happened to the cheerful prankster I knew?"

"He grew up. Now, have you come to ask me something or just waste my time."

"A little from column A, and a little from column B." he gained a serious expression. "It's about my son." Gendou could have sworn he saw a hint of desperation in the man's eyes. "Oh, yes how is Juiro." Kozou, who was lurking in the shadows was getting sick of all these pleasantries. "Being hunted. SEELE want him for something. I have no idea what. I need him protected."

"We are not a bodyguard service." Kozou interjected. "Now, Fuuyutski I'm sure SEELE wouldn't bother civilians unless it was worth something to them…we need as many advantages over them as possible." Kozou assimilated this information then stepped back into his place in the shadows. "Very well, I'll have on of my best men on it."






"What are you doing here?!"

"He works here Asuka, just like you." Kaji calmly interrupted. "Oh! Kaji!" she flung herself into his arms. A cough was heard. "Mr. Kaji" Kaji paled. Gendou Ikari threw a playful glare at Kaji, although to Kaji it looked like a death sentence. He looked at Asuka and Shinji "Come this way." Gendou led the children, Kaji and Kozou into the conference room.

Shinji hadn't actually been in this room before, it didn't look anything like the rest of NERV. This had a slightly antiquated look about it. There was a thick red carpet, works of art on the wall and a long mahogany conference table in the centre of the room. Shinji could tell Asuka was taken aback to.

"Please, take a seat." Gendou took the head of the table, Fuuyutski beside Gendou and Kaji opposite Kozou. The second and third took seats opposite each other. "I have come to be the bearer of bad news. There is a spy among us." Asuka took a sharp breath, odd. "Whats worse, the spy is actually a pupil at your school." It was Shinji's turn to be shocked. "To make matters even more worse, that's all we know. It will be your duty to find this SEELE spy, then eliminate them." Kozou added

"Don't you think this will be a little problematic. I mean, they're only kids, they're not as desensitised to violence as we are. Do you really think these two can kill someone?"

"Mr. Kaji with all due respect, I have confidence in my sons abilities, I'm sure Pilot Soryu can handle this as well. Questions?" The commander looked around. "No, then dismissed!" Kaji and the two teens got up, bowed and exited.

"I wonder who it is…" Asuka idly commented. "It's hard to think someone so young can be a spy. Someone we know. Intelligence should have taken care of any spy ages ago, they're dragging there asses again." Came Shinji's reply. "Oh well…there are some new arrivals in school tomorrow, do you think it could be one of them?" A hint of nervousness graced Asuka's features. "No, the commander said that they were enrolled…guess we can only wait."






A semi-dark room, a soft humming from the noise of the city outside, two bodies curled up on the bed by the window. Juiro cradled Kensuke in his arms tracing circles on his chest with his finger. After a while Kensuke decided to break the silence. "You sure you're okay?"

"Ken-chan, that's got to be the twentieth time you've asked me today, I feel perfectly fine, I heal fast." The only response Juiro got this time was a sigh,

Kensuke playfully batted away Kozanae's hand. "I'm bored."

Juiro picked up the hint. "Sorry your highness, is there anything else I can do to please you?" Juiro added with a wink. "Well I'm not sure, I can think of a few things." Juiro leaned forward and captured Kensuke's lips. His tongue probing the inside of Kensuke's mouth, a small moan was emitted from his boyfriend. Kensuke rubbed his hands up and down his lover's back, while he felt a hand start to unbutton his shirt. Before it could go any further Juiro heard the bedroom door open.

The intruder's eyes doubled. "Aww, jeez. Didn't I tell you two to wait for me to go to bed first?" The panic in Juiro's face died down a level. "You're just lucky I wasn't dad." Sara stuck her tongue out at Juiro, who responded with an equally stupid face. "So, what do you want?"

"Just got a call from dad, he said he'd be a little longer at NERV, he needs to do some work on the Magi." At this Kensuke's ears perked up, for two reasons actually. One for the reason that he'd be able to spend more time with his boyfriend and two…"So what does your dad do?"

"Oh, he's a level 2 computer technician working on the Magi…so with that, I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." She gave them a wink then walked out of the room. "Your sisters weird."

"Yeah, I know"

Juiro looked Kensuke in the eye before pouncing on the defenceless teen. "Where were we…"






The TV was blaring, they were watching a British comedy, Shinji didn't quite grasp why Asuka was laughing hysterically at the seemingly not funny jokes. About 15 minutes into the show, the commercials came on. Asuka, who got bored with the senseless droning on how Bubbles the Lion could help improve her wash, spoke up.

"Hey Shinji, what do you think of this Kensuke, Juiro thing?" The demon queen mumbled. "Well, I'm not too bothered. Actually I think it's kinda cute." Asuka raised an eyebrow, people had been doing that often in the past few days. "Are you gay as well Shinji?"

He spat out the soda he was drinking. "N-no!" Asuka looked at him doubtingly. "Oh, I think you are Shinji…just who exactly was your last girlfriend?"

"Uh, I- erm…I'm just…shy." Shinji cowered. "Oh come on third child, no one is that shy, or stupid."

"…" 'It's not true, I'm not gay, am I?' While Shinji struggled with his internal conflict, there was a glint of sadistic pleasure in Asuka's eyes. "In fact, I'm sure I've seen you give Touji a few looks, if you get what I mean." She grinned.

"Stop teasing me!"  He fell back into his chair sighing. "There, you're damn programme is on now. Leave me alone!"

"Struck a nerve did I? Oh well, who am I to judge." Shinji had had enough, he picked himself out of his hole, walked into and slammed the door of his room. "Jeez, I was just kidding, what crawled up his butt?" She mused over this for a second, before bursting into hysterics at the television.






A knock on the door roused Sara Kozanae from the land of nod. He who dared to disturb her sleep played with fire. She got up and groggily wandered to her bedroom door. Another knocking. She wondered if it was her brother or his useless boyfriend. She opened the door to Juiro's domain, nope not them. Another knocking, do they ever get up?

She came to the conclusion that it was the front door. She walked over to the aforementioned door, pressed a few buttons and hey presto, she was confronted by a dark haired man in a NERV intelligence uniform. "Huwha?" She groaned out.

"Hey there, can I talk to a Juiro Kozanae?"

"Uh…hold on…Juiro! Tear your ass away from Kensuke for a second, some guy wants to talk to you!" Kaji facefaulted. 'This girl's worse than Misato.'

A grunting noise came from the nearby room, followed by a loud crash, followed by a door opening. A half-naked Juiro walked out. "Hey you're that kid I helped earlier. How are you?"

"Oh…fine, Kaji was it?" A pillow came flying from the door way and hit Juiro on the head, followed by a small giggle. "Well, erm yes. I'm here to inform you NERV has assigned a personal bodyguard, he will be around at any time during the day should you wish to meet him. At night section 2 guards will be placed at various locations around these premises. Oh, we were escorting this gentleman back home as well, but I'm sure you would like to talk to him."

Kaji snapped his fingers and three intelligence agents brought a frightened child into the light. "You!" Juiro spat. "I doubt he'll be bothering you again…will you?"

"I'll do what I want!" he felt a sharp pain hit him in the head, the trapped bully faded out of consciousness. Kaji was fiddling with his pistol. "Sorry about that, if he bothers you, tell your bodyguard, he'll do something about it. Ja na, tell Kensuke I said hi."

"Uh sure." Juiro divulged this information, then shrugged it off. He grabbed the pillow in the doorway. "Oh my, don't think you're getting away with that." He giggled before jumping into the room."






"…Am I really gay?" Shinji asked himself out loud. He remembered…remembered Kaoru…how he thought Touji looked so good that first day, how he found out he was a complete retard 10 minutes later. He compared it to the girls he knew. Asuka, eww no. She was a demon, if not the devil incarnate. Rei, she was…okay…but he wouldn't consider her girlfriend material, plus she had the personality of a half brick. 'Fighting inner demons?' That voice, the smooth velvety tenor.

'…but…you're-'

'Dead? My dear friend, you cannot kill a messenger of god.' The voice replied. 'Get out of my head!' Shinji mentally screamed. '…As you wish, but you cannot avoid me forever. You will figure this out sometime.'

Just hearing that voice made Shinji melt into his pillow. Why did Kaoru do this to him? Why did his mind do this to him? Kaoru was dead, long dead. He couldn't change that, no matter how insane he went…he knew the answer, he still loved Kaoru, even after death.

"I am." He said to himself. "I wonder where Misato is now."






"God damn it, I'm sure Commander Ikari sent me here for a laugh. It's hot!" The middle of an arid plain. The sun was beating down on the platoon of NERV soldiers' backs. "Desert combat training, worthless, I should be at NERV!" She hissed once more as she oversaw the training of more troops. "Damned sheep."






School next morning came all too fast. Asuka had already left the apartment. Only Touji came for him this morning.

On the way to school Touji asked him an interesting question. "Where's Misato-sama today?" Shinji cringed at the suffix. She wasn't a god, she abhorred being treated with superiority especially by those who weren't subordinates.

"Honestly, I don't know. Why aren't you with Hikari this morning, I thought you went for her on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?"

"Yeah, well the demon is round her house today. I don't think I can bring myself round to gazing on a being of such beauty, next to the deepest darkest fear of my soul." He cried melodramatically. "Big baby."

They continued walking for another 20 minutes. School seemed to be getting further and further away. When they finally entered the halls of boredom they were greeted with another horrible sight. A group of jocks had surrounded Kensuke poised ready to strike.

Touji sighed, he wasn't in the mood for fighting today but he ran over with Shinji anway.. "Damn queer. You were a mistake, you should've never been born!" Why did they have to be so angry at something which Kensuke had no control over.

A figure dressed in black with the familiar tied back hair walked over to them. Accompanied with what looked like a smaller version of him. Just now did Shinji notice that Juiro and Kaji had some major similarities; hair colour, taste in dress, demeanour.

Before violence erupted, Ryouji tried to talk some sense into the rowdy teens, but failed miserably. The first punch, was not thrown at Kensuke but at Ryouji. He looked bored. He grabbed the unfortunate boy's arm and twisted it into an unnatural position.

The arm snapped with a sickening crunch, the teenager bellowed out with pain. Shinji thought he heard Kaji distinctly say "Next time, I'll shoot you." In a tone that could have matched his father's.

The bell rung before they had a chance to say 'hi'. Walking to certain doom never felt so cheery. Depression was hanging in the air like a putrid smog. They entered the oh so familiar classroom and took their seats.

Sensei walked in with a bright look on his face. At least he was feeling happy. Which is more than anyone could say for the rest of the class. You'd think someone had died. "Class, I am very excited to inform you that we have three new students today. Matumato Fureto, Meru Aruka and Nagisa Kaoru.

That last name brought Shinji out of his trance. Utter shock filled his features. "As you know, Mr Nagisa was once here before, but had to go. Now he's back. Everyone greet your new classmates."

"Konnichiwa Matumato-san, konnichiwa Meru-san, konnichiwa Nagisa-san." Chimed the entire class in a monotonous tone. "Please take your seats, Miss Meru, take a seat next to Miss Horaki. Mr Matumato, there is a space next to Miss Kozanae. Hmm, you take your seat next to Mr Ikari." The teacher referred to Kaoru.

Shinji was just speechless. "B-but…you're-"

"Dead?"

This conversation had been said, in his head, god was playing a cruel joke on Ikari. "Don't worry, there is no more Tabris….just Kaoru." Shinji didn't know whether to smile or frown. On one hand, his friend, the one he loved, was alive. On the other hand, he betrayed him. "…Kao-"

"Quiet down please! There will be plenty of time to get acquainted with your classmates later."

Today was going to be a long day, Shinji could feel it in his bones.

Authors notes: Do you think I should a side story later about how Kensuke and Juiro got together? I might do. This is my longest piece of work. Didn't know that did you? I've still got the inspiration to continue, this is just a good place to stop.

Well, wish me luck to continue.