Disclaimer: see part 4

Children

Part 9

Friend in Need

By Random1377

"Hey! Shinji!! OVER HERE!!!"

I blushed as Mistuki's slender arm raised up out of the line of moviegoers and waved emphatically. "Coming!" I replied, hurrying over to her and stepping in next to her as quickly as I could, trying to avoid eye-contact with the many curious onlookers.

As I stared at my feet, Mitsuki giggled, slipping her hand into mine. "I've been looking for anyone we know," she said with a grin, squeezing my hand, "it's ok, there's no one around."

She laughed again as I let out a relieved sigh.

Neither of us were quite ready to have out relationship public knowledge just yet. Hell, I hadn't even told Touji or Kensuke, though I think Touji suspected something, since he would heckle me mercilessly anytime Mitsuki glanced my way for more than two seconds. I figured I would have to give soon, and I had discussed it with Mitsuki when we had finalized our plans to see the movie the day before.

"Well," she had said quietly, "the summer festival is coming up soon…" her voice had grown small, and slightly timid, "I think… we'll kinda have to tell people about it then, since we'll be together there…"

I had blushed, grinned, and stammered, "Y-yeah…" all at the same time.

"I heard this one is really romantic," she said as we stood in line, stepping a bit closer to me, "thanks for letting me choose, Shinji… you can pick the next one, ok?"

I nodded, feeling a bit more comfortable as I looked around once more, deciding that there really wasn't anyone from either of our classes around. Of course, we had chosen a theatre on the far side of town for just that reason. I decided that at least ONE aspect of having our relationship being public knowledge would be good – I wouldn't have to ride so far to go on dates.

As we waited in line, I thought briefly of Rei. It had been a few days since I had said more than hello to her, but oddly – this was not comforting. The last time we had spoken, she had been asking strange questions, like, 'If we were not pilots, would you still speak to me?' and, 'Would it be acceptable if I spoke to you outside of school?'

The fact that she had been keeping to 'Hello' lately only made me more edgy, as she seemed to be making up for her lack of words with constant, thoughtful observation.

No good could come of it.

"I can pay for myself," Mitsuki said, blushing as I stepped in front of her, "you don't have to always pay…"

I shrugged as I pushed the bills through the small opening to the cashier. "I like to," I said awkwardly, taking our tickets and heading into the theatre, "you want a drink or something?"

When she made no reply, I turned to her, blinking as I found her blushing bright red. "I'd love one," she said quietly, impossibly growing redder as she added, "but you have to… let me pay you back…"

I opened my mouth to ask what she meant, but I never got the chance. Before I could stop her (or she could stop herself, I guess) she leaned forward and kissed me, just a really quick peck on the lips, and stepped back.

"I'll… pay the rest back later…" she said, looking around at the few people that were watching, "ok?"

"Ok," I said, grinning hugely.

"I'll get some good seats," she said, breaking eye contact and hurrying off.

With a rather dreamy sigh, I headed towards the snack bar, deciding that I could get used to that kind of payment. The line was kinda long, but I didn't mind. I could still feel Mitsuki's lips on mine, and the promise of more later was EASILY enough to keep me from noticing the wait. As I stepped up to the front, absently grabbing some napkins and stuffing them in my pocket, the sound of raised voices reached my ears.

"You knew I liked him!"

I blinked, looking around for the source of the disturbance. "That sounds like… Hikari…" I murmured, stepping out of line and heading toward the sound.

"Yeah, big deal," another voice replied, coming from just inside the front door, "not my fault you were too simpering to make the first move!"

I almost gasped as a break in the crowed revealed Hikari, standing face to face with Miho in the middle of a small group of onlookers. Of course, my initial surprise was WAY overshadowed by the deep-rooted shock I felt at hearing the rest of the conversation.

"I was waiting for a better time!" Hikari countered, growing red as she became aware of all the people watching, "His sister's in the hospital… and his father works all the time… you can't just play with-"

"Aww…" Miho cut in condescendingly, "the Class Rep of 2-A is getting flustered," she put her hands on her cheeks, feigning shock, "oh please! Don't tell the TEACHER!" she laughed as Hikari flushed brighter.

"You tramp…" Hikari hissed, her body shaking with anger, "Suzuhara is a good person – he didn't deserve what you did to him."

"Good person?" the dark-haired girl laughed, "Yeah… yeah he was, for a first timer."

"Shut up!!" Hikari shouted, "Don't talk about him like that!"

"You're just mad I got to him first," Miho smirked, "though, knowing you, you wouldn't have put out for him anyway, am I right?" Her smile broadened as Hikari's face grew dark, "Face it, Horaki," she snorted, turning away, "you're too much of a goody-goody to ever-"

"Hey…"

There was quite a crowd watching the exchange at that point, and when Hikari put her hand on the other girl's shoulder and cut her off, someone to my left chuckled, 'catfight!'

Now, I've never seen cats fighting, nor have I ever seen girls fighting – except in the movies – and based on the look on Hikari's face, a fight was DEFINITELY about to take place. From the movies I had seen I was expecting her to slap Miho, maybe scream, pull her hair, basically, as the old saying goes – fight like a girl.

As Miho turned, however, a sneer already forming on her face… Hikari's hand balled into a fist and lashed out, connecting solidly with the girl's cheek.

As Miho uttered a surprised yelp, staggering back slightly from the blow, Hikari's other hand clenched into a fist. "You BITCH!" she screamed, "You let him fall for you! You knew he cared! Then you fucked him and dumped him!! You little who-"

Her tirade was cut short as the other girl whipped around, catching the Class Rep with the back of her hand. "You gonna sum up for me?" she asked, wiping a trickle of blood from her lip with her other hand… and grinning viciously, "I was there, remember? And you know something?" she lowered her voice, "He told me he loved me when he-"

"Shut up!!"

Hikari punctuated her shout with an open-handed slap, catching the girl off-guard with the suddenness of the attack.

I wish I could say I stepped in and tried to stop the fight… but I was too shocked. I was completely unprepared for the viciousness of the event. There WAS hair pulling… and there WAS slapping… and there WAS scratching. But there was also cursing… and punching… and kicking. This was not a child's fight – this was a FIGHT. I mean, I fight in a giant, biological weapon, and this was far, FAR worse than that – far more real. As I stood there, a memory surfaced – a half-remembered onslaught from my first battle. A haze of rage and blood and growling. Not that Hikari ripped anyone's chest open, but the intensity made me close my eyes, part of me not wanting to witness any more of the carnage. When I was able to look again, the two were being bodily restrained, each with a good number of bruises and cuts.

"This… isn't over!" Miho managed, sounding VERY out of breath… but by the look in her eyes, and the tremble in her voice, I thought that it probably was.

Hikari was trying to pull away from the two girls holding her back. "Don't ever come near him again!!" she shouted, "Do you hear me!? EVER!!"

Miho's friends led the girl away, though it looked to me like she didn't put up a big fight. However, she did hurl one last comment at Hikari as she made her exit.

"I don't need to, Horaki! You'll NEVER be his first!"

Hikari gasped… and her shoulders slumped. I thought at first that she might get angry again, maybe even continue the fight outside, but she simply stood still as she was released, staring blankly off into space.

I stood irresolute for a moment as the crowd slowly dispersed. I knew Mitsuki was waiting for me, and I desperately wanted to leave before I was seen. Cowardly? Yeah, maybe just a bit… but I never claimed to be a hero, and I'd rather face ten-thousand screaming angels than one crying girl. Not that Hikari was crying at the time, but you know what I mean.

I THINK I would have slipped away, had she not shaken herself and raised her head… and caught my eyes. "Ikari!" she exclaimed, blushing a furious shade of red, "How… how long have you… I mean… I…"

Swallowing, I walked up to her, looking around at the people that were still gawking. "Come over here," I said nervously, taking her elbow, "there's a little bench outside… ok?"

She nodded, still dazed, and let me lead her out.

I sat her down on the bench and reached into my pocket, pulling out the napkins I had secured from the snack bar. "I'm… sorry about this," I said awkwardly, sitting beside her and gently dabbing at one of the bloody scratches on her face.

"How long were you there…?" she murmured after a moment of silence, "Did you… hear everything?"

I hesitated, averting my eyes. "I heard… some stuff," I said slowly, wincing as she flinched.

"Can you, ummm… not tell Touji…?" she whispered, "Please, Shinji?" She laughed softly, "I'm not really used to having to ask for things, you know… but it would really mean a lot if you-"

"I won't tell him," I said quietly, pressing the napkin firmly against one of the cuts, "but, ummmm… I need to get back to… to my date…"

"Date?!" Hikari gasped, entirely taken off guard, "I… I didn't know…"

I blushed. "Yeah, we just started going out…" I blushed deeper, "this is our first real date date…"

"You sound like a girl," Hikari giggled. Her laughter turned into a grimace as her body reminded her that she had just been beaten on. "Oh, man that hurts…" she gasped, holding her sides, "bitch…"

I gaped at her, unused to hearing such harsh language come from her lips.

She must have seen my look, because she blushed. "Sorry about that," she said quietly, groaning a bit as she touched a bruise on her face, two inches from the cut I was currently tending, "I guess I'm just worked up." She smiled, "you should get back to her, though… I'll be ok…"

I looked into her eyes… and I knew she was lying. I'm not really good at reading people, or anything like that, but when a girl gets into a FISTFIGHT with another girl, then tells you, with tears in her eyes, that she'll be ok… well, it doesn't take a genius, you know?

When the tears in her eyes began slipping down her cheeks, and her chest began hitching, what was I supposed to do? Say, 'Ok, see ya later!' and run off to my pretty girlfriend? You know… I almost did just that. I didn't really know what to do, I mean – I'm not good at dealing with people, but I knew I couldn't leave her alone, crying outside a theatre, after getting in a fight… you know?

That goes beyond cowardice and into inhumanity.

"I can… stick around a few minutes," I said, carefully putting my hand on hers.

Her face, battered, bruised, tear-streaked, and bleeding, registered an odd combination of uncertainty and relief. "I… don't want to keep you," she gasped, trying to stay proper even as she wept, "you… should go to her…"

"I'm sure she'll understand…" I said with a strained smile, "do you… want me to get some ice, or something?"

Hikari's breathing became more labored as she tried, in vain, to contain her tears. "N-no…" she managed, "but could you… could you… put your arms around me?" Her eyes met mine, "P-Please…?"

I swallowed, scared by the desperate look in her eyes. "I… ummm…" -God, I shouldn't be doing this!- I thought, -It's not, like… cheating, but it might look bad if… man, I'm so pathetic! She's CRYING, and I'm worried about what people might say… what a loser…-

Taking a deep breath, and a quick look around, I leaned closer to her, tentatively embracing her. "Like that?" I asked awkwardly.

"Yeah," she answered, her voice squeaking slightly, "just… just like… like…"

Abruptly, she broke.

I thought I had seen tears before. I mean, I've had kind of a rough life, and I've cried quite a bit. I've also seen others crying, whether from physical pain, or emotional, I had seen many weeping faces. But Hikari… her tears were pure heartache. She had lost in a battle she wasn't even aware she had needed to fight in, to an opponent both older and more skilled than she.

I'm sure, in her place, I would have cried too.

She only cried for about four or five minutes, but it was deep, wracking sobs – the kind that get written about in books that have thousands of pages. And the longer she wept, the tighter she clung to me, burying her face in my shirt and all but screaming out her pain. I think, in any other situation, she would have chosen someone else, or cried alone. I mean, I'm not the closest person in the world to her, and I'm certainly not too comforting, I don't think. But since I was a familiar face, she allowed her guard to lower, and clung to me for dear life.

When she was finally finished, she kept holding me, shaking slightly and drawing in ragged breaths. "T-thank you…" she said, keeping her face buried in my shirt, "you're really… thanks…"

Carefully, I hugged her, sighing mentally and thanking my lucky stars that it was over, since hearing her cry had been pushing me towards the brink of tears myself. Her next few statements fell on me like a ton of bricks.

"Asuka's really lucky…"

"Huh?" I blinked, wondering what she had to do with this, "Why is that?" I inquired.

You know that sinking feeling you get when you just KNOW something's not going right? I can't tell you why, but at the mention of Asuka's name, I had that feeling.

She pulled away a bit, wiping her eyes and smiling, "Well, because she's got such a great guy…" She sighed, "I'm just glad she finally made up her mind…"

"Who?" I asked, confused, "I didn't even know she was seeing anyone…"

Again… that sinking feeling. Ok, maybe I kinda knew where she was heading, but there's no way in a million years I could have brought that concept to the fore. No way.

Hikari frowned. "Didn't you just say you were on a date?" she inquired, looking perplexed.

"Yeah," I admitted, "but what does that have to…" I trailed off, feeling a sudden increase in that awful sinking sensation in my stomach. –Can't be…- I thought, as a burst of insight struck home, -she can't be saying that me and Asuka…-

She was.

"Oh God!" Hikari gasped, covering her mouth, "Oh God, oh God, oh God!"

I stared at her in baffled silence, trying to make sense of what she was saying. "Asuka…" I began, licking my lips before carefully proceeding, "Asuka only likes Kaji… why would I be on a date with her?"

Entirely flustered, the Class Rep stammered, "You… you wouldn't, I mean… she DOESN'T like you! Wait, I didn't mean that, I mean… I… oh, I thought you and her…" she moaned, clutching her head, "oh! Just kill me now!!"

"Does Asuka li-"

"FORGET I SAID ANYTHING!!!" Hikari said desperately, grabbing me by the shoulders, "Please!! Asuka would kill me!"

I opened my mouth to tell her that she hadn't really told me anything, but if she wanted to clarify, I certainly wouldn't mind. Asuka? Liking ME? The idea was so preposterous that I almost laughed… but the desperate look in her eyes told me that she wasn't kidding, and before I could say a word, Mitsuki came out of the theatre, looking worried.

"Shinji, there you are!" she exclaimed, relief plainly evident on her face, "Is everything ok? I heard there was a fight."

At the sound of my date's voice, Hikari paled, her hands sliding off of my shoulders to rest in her lap. "Her…?" she breathed.

I nodded, standing as Mistuki approached us. "This is Hikari," I said, "Hikari, this is Mitsuki-"

"Rara," Hikari interjected, her tone sounding composed and in control, "I know. We've met."

"Horaki," Mitsuki said, frowning slightly, "what happened? Are you ok?"

Somehow, Hikari produced a smile, getting to her feet and shrugging slightly. "Had a little accident," she said levelly, "Shinji helped me out. Sorry I interrupted."

"It's ok," Mitsuki said kindly, "we were… trying to keep a low profile," she smiled at me, taking my hand, "but you're his friend, right? I guess it's ok for SOME people to know – I mean, can't keep it a secret forever."

"I won't tell anyone," Hikari said softly, sounding vaguely sick, "now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get home…" she bowed slightly, "see you later, Shinji… thanks again…"

As she moved off, Mitsuki clenched my hand, smiling sweetly. "You're so nice!" she said happily, "Helping her out. I'm so lucky to have you."

I nodded as she looked around, then gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Come on," she said with a wink, "we've already missed half of the movie… let's just go somewhere and talk, ok?"

As we walked off, I stole a look back over my shoulder at Hikari… and found her staring right at me. Our eyes met for a moment, and she nodded slightly, as if reminding me of her promised silence. Then she turned and headed off towards the train station, walking slowly.

I sighed and continued on my way.

**

I walked through the apartment door at about a quarter past ten. I didn't notice at the time, but I'm sure a silly grin was plastered across my face. Mitsuki and I had spent altogether too short a time saying goodbyes. Very involved and tongue-intensive goodbyes, I remembered, grinning a bit wider.

However, as I entered, practically glided, into the living area, the smile fell from my face. Asuka lay on the couch, her attention focused on a magazine in hand. Her red hair flounced from side to side as she bobbed her head to some tune she was humming. I looked around the apartment, trying to think of something to say. Something that didn't sound random or crazy. Or guilty.

"Did Hikari call today, Asuka?"

"Don't DO that!!" she shouted, jumping a bit and letting her magazine fall to the ground. She arched her back, looking at me upside down. Her bangs hung toward the ground, creating an impression of falling up and giving me full view of her crystal blue eyes. "You took a year off my life, stupid Third Child!"

"Sorry," I said, the small grin on my face feeling false and wooden. I look at her eyes for a bit, only momentarily glancing at the cleavage her pose gave. I swallowed air and the lump in my throat, trying not to clench and unclench my hand. "But, uh, did she? Call, I mean?"

"Yeah," Asuka answered, stretching her arms until her hands touched the floor. "Said she took care of Izawa pretty good, got scratched up a bit…" She paused to make a small grunt at the effort of splaying her body across the couch. "Made me swear not to tell your stooge friend."

"Anything else?" I asked, unable to break eye contact.

"Umm, no," Asuka replied folding her hands behind her head and closing her eyes, "why? Did you think she was going to relay a message about her undying love for you, ya freak?"

I stared down at her, struggling to compose a reply. Nothing came to mind except the cafeteria conversation a few weeks ago, and seeing Asuka's embarrassment. Her chastised look occupied the forefront of my mind. Her downcast eyes and light blush. That and the feel of Mitsuki's lips and her hand in mine. With all of the conflicting images and feelings storming about in my mind, I decided a change of subject to be the best course of action. "Do anything fun tonight?"

She frowned slightly, keeping her eyes closed. "If by fun, you mean boring, then yeah – tons of fun stuff. Since Hikari was out kicking ass – without telling me first, of course! – and Kitsune was on a date… I was stuck here with the bird, and he's a load of laughs, really…" She stretched again, almost thrusting her chest into the air. "So what were you up to…?"

"Just… went to see a movie," I said hesitantly, fighting the urge to do something rash. Something Kaji or some romance novel character would do. I tensed, waiting for my mind to actually come up with something rash and drastic. I actually thought of just walking over and kissing her. Just kissing her! However, the idea died upon conception as I took a closer look at her face – and realized that her eyes weren't closed, but opened slightly.

And focused directly on mine.

I swallowed, taking a moment to compose myself before asking, "So, ummm… do we have any sync tests tomorrow?"

She sighed. "Yeah, at five…" she muttered, closing her eyes all the way, "really… you're so boring, Shinji. All alone in the house and you wanna talk about sync tests."

"Asuka…" I said uncertainly. I could have slapped myself as the weight of her full attention fell upon me. Her eyes peering at me unnerved me, killing any words that I might have said. Sadly, I lapsed into silence, not following up my initial impulse.

"What?" she asked, sounding annoyed by my trailing off – and none too shy about letting me know.

"N-nothing…" I said, looking away from her body and more importantly her eyes. "I'm going to bed."

"Whatever, Shinji," she sighed, curling herself back into a ball on the couch. She sat up a bit to gather her fallen magazine and returned to whatever thoughts she'd had before my intrusion. "Whatever…"

It's not an easy thing, confronting one's feelings, and the night had taken any certain ones I had and thrown them into complete disarray. I could still smell the faint aroma of Mitsuki's makeup and perfume. Still, as I headed into my bedroom, I couldn't help but wish that Hikari HAD told Asuka about my date. Maybe then SHE would have done something rash and dramatic.

Assuming, of course, she wanted to do anything involving me in the first place.

"What are you, stupid?" I asked myself, using Asuka's favorite phrase. As I undressed I tried to wrestle with the Hikari's words – and the memory of wrestling with Mitsuki's tongue. "Asuka likes Kaji. I'd have to be insane to think she liked me. And am I insane? No. I've got a nice girlfriend, that's what I've got. Pretty and fun and gentle and NICE. What's Asuka compared to Mitsuki, anyway?"

I stopped at the question, pondering on whether to answer it, or if I could answer it. Pushing aside the issue altogether, I slipped into my bed, putting my hands behind my head. "Festival's coming up soon," I reminded myself, envisioning Mitsuki on my arm and Asuka on someone else's, "wonder who she'll bring…"

I closed my eyes, wishing that life was easier. Between sync tests, girls, trying to figure out physics, and piloting a giant biomechanical monster… life certainly wasn't giving me any breaks. Or at least, it didn't seem that way.

"Two weeks," I told myself.

My, how time flies.

To be concluded…

Author's notes: Well kiddies, I think this one is wrapping up next chapter. ^_^ Why, you ask? Well, I kinda got everything done that I wanted to get done – or will have it done by next chapter – and I don't wanna stretch it out TOO long, lest it should grow bad or stale. And actually, it's already about 3 chapters longer than I had planned. So how will it all end? Stay tuned for the conclusion, coming… ummm… sometime in 2002… :)

Thanks to Rhine for pre-reading and providing some excellent material – especially near the end. You Da Man!

Feedback is always welcome at random1377@yahoo.com