Shinji was in the kitchen, making breakfast. He had no idea how he was possible to do so, but apparently there was enough food. It was in the kitchen where he was most often happy these days. Cooking made him forget everything he did. The feeling after the cooking was finished was terrible, though. He had to confront the others. He had to talk, pay attention. Both things he didn't like. And above that, he still has to talk to Asuka. He was afraid, even more afraid than for angels. On the moment he was still cooking, once in a while hearing Toji and Asuka yelling at each other in the living room. No one ever bothered helping him cook, but he didn't mind. In fact, he was happy no one did, this way, he could enjoy cooking to the fullest.

Outside it was raining. He heard the rain outside very clearly. It's beginning to rain more often these days. I kind of reflected the mood he was almost always in. He hadn't cried for months. The first month he was here, he cried almost every night. When Toji came back, he cried once in the night, thinking of what he had caused him. He could cry right now. He really felt like scum. He was busy with his knife, cutting come vegetables. He accidentally cut his finger. He looked at it and wondered if it actually was accidentally or on purpose.

After 15 minutes dinner was done. He always regretted saying 'Dinner's done.' and he always waited to say it. When he said those words, everything will be back to normal, reality will take him away from his kitchen. He closed his eyes, brought his chin up and enjoyed the moment.

"Dinner's done !!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toji, Asuka, Kaoru and Rei were playing cards on the floor. This is what they usually do these days, besides being alone in their own rooms.

Toji: Hey, you cheated !!

Asuka: You wish, you just can't win !

Toji: What !? I could beat you any day !

Asuka: Jock, you haven't won a single time. Wonder girl has even won one time, and she doesn't even understand the game. I believe the only one who understands the game is me and wonderboy over there.

Toji: That's because I felt sorry for Ayanami, and I feel sorry for you. I let you win.

Asuka: Is that a fact ? Well, let's do it again, then. Just to see who's the champ !

"Dinner's done !!"

Asuka: Consider yourself lucky, moron. You're saved by Shinji. I would've proven you way wrong.

Toji: Ha ! I don't think so ! I had good cards !

Asuka: According to you, you always have good cards. And you always lose, too.

Shinji came in with a few plates. He didn't make eye contact with anyone, the other ones tried, though. But he didn't realise and just put the plates on the little table. He returned to the kitchen.

After a while he came back in with the food, that's when everyone came toward the table and ate.

"Hmm ! This is good, Ikari !" Toji ate.

"Yes. Very good, Shinji-kun." Kaoru said, while taking a bite.

"Last time was better, though" Asuka said/yelled.

Shinji blushed at the compliments, he really hated confrontations, even if they were compliments.

He watched as everyone ate. Asuka and Toji were eating aggresively, Kaoru and Rei very carefully.

He shook his head slightly and walked to his room.

"Hey, ya not gonna eat ?" Toji yelled at the back from Shinji.

"No, I don't feel like it, really....sorry."

"Well, more for the others." Toji shrugged.

"You mean more for me !" Asuka took another full plate.

"Hey ! Leave some for me, will ya !"

Kaoru watched Toji and Asuka with a slight smile on his face.

'Will Rei and I act like that, when we are humans ? Or will we remain the same.'

Rei, on the other hand, was watching Shinji, before he disappeared in his room.

'Something is bothering, Ikari-kun...'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji was sitting in his bed, back against the wall, his head in his hands. It's been two hoours since dinner and he hadn't changed his position. Then there was a soft knock on the door. He had no idea if he really heard it. After a second or two, he heard the knock again. He hesitated at first, but stood up on the ninth second and opened the door. His eyes widened a great deal as he saw Ayanami stand in front of him. She was a little taller than him, he noticed. He always considered himself very small.

"A-Ayanami..Uhh...What... ?"

"I came to talk, Ikari-kun."

"Talk ? About...what ?"

"About you...about me...and Third Impact.."

"O-oh."

"Do you understand Third Impact ?"

"Uhh, I think so..It means...humanity's end..and beginning, right ?"

"........"

"Third Impact...is a test, right ?"

"....."

"I...I don't know Ayanami"

"I will explain.."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka came out of her room and saw Toji lying on the couch. "Hey, is Shinji in his room again ?"

Toji woke up, "Hmm ?"

Asuka frowned at him, "Never mind, you moron. It's not like I don't already know." And seated herself on the other couch.

Toji opened his eyes a little more, "Already know what ?"

"Shut up, stooge, I already said 'never mind' so go back to sleep."

At that moment Kaoru came out of Misato's room.

Asuka looked up to Kaoru, "Wonderboy."

Kaoru looked at Asuka with a smile and a frown, "Call me Kaoru, Asuka. I already said this."

"Asuka 'Hmph-ed' and folded her arms, "Where's Wondergirl ?"

"If by that you mean Rei, she's in Shinji-kun's room."

Kaoru now had Asuka's full attention, "What !?!? What did you say ?!"

Kaoru watched Asuka in a bored expression and repeated himself, "Rei's in Shinji-kun's room."

"Aargh !! That idiot ! Those idiots !"

Toji opened his eyes slightly again, "What's up ? Who's screaming ?"

Asuka grabbed his foot so Toji fell off the couch. "Shut up, stooge !"

Toji, now fully awake, was furious. "Hey !! What was that for !! You..you demon, couldn't you see I was asleep !!!"

Asuka ignored him and walked inside her own room.

Toji watched her leave and stomped his foot hard on the floor, "Tha...That BITCH !! What's wrong with her ! That actually hurt !" He said while feeling his butt, that was what he fell on.

Kaoru smiled and shrugged a bit. "I'm going out for a walk. Do you want to join me ?"

Toji, hesitating at first, frowned but complied, "Sure, I could use a walk, especially away from the redhead."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So, what I did, was........the right thing ?"

"Indeed."

"I..I don't understand, Ayanami. Everybody died because of my decision...and I did the right thing ?"

"Because of your decision, everyone can come back as well."

"But...But it's not for sure they will.."

"They will, if we do what we have to do."

"I, I don't know if I can...I might slow you down..or...even worse.."

"You'll do."

"I'll....do ?"

"Ikari-kun, you aren't as bad as you think you are."

"Ahh ?"

"Everything you did, you were forced to do."

Shinji seemed to think about that for a minute, "N-No ! Toji was my fault ! Kaoru was my fault ! Toji's sister was completely my fault !!"

"Think about it more...you'll see..it wasn't your fault."

Shinji's look showed a thousand more questions, but Rei left the room without another word.

Shinji wanted to say something, but couldn't and sat back on his bed. And so he started to think about everything again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Rei came out of Shinji's room, Asuka came out of hers.

Asuka's head leaned a bit, as she stared at Rei, "Wondergirl.."

Rei stared back, red collides with blue, eyes/hair.

"What did you talk about ?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toji and Kaoru both walked in a similar way, hands in pockets. They weren't heading anywhere. Just through the red streets. It rained a little bit, but both of them didn't mind enough to go back.

"Kaoru ?"

"Yes ?"

"What..I don't understand any of this, really. Can you explain everything to me ? About you and Rei. And about Shinji and Asuka ? I don't understand them. But all of you seem to understand me. I really feel like I don't belong here at all."

"You are quite important to them, Toji. They might not show it, but if you weren't here, they'd probably be even more depressed. Lilum like to be depressed, they especially like to pity themselves. I don't know why..maybe as an excuse."

"Kaoru, tell me everything. About you...and the others.."

"Very well."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka and Rei were staring each other down. The room seemed to be spinning as they glared at each other.

"Well ? You gonna answer or what !?" Asuka commanded.

"It is not important to you, Pilot Sohryu."

"Let me decide if it's important, got it ? Now spill !"

"Ask him." Rei walked past Asuka and disappeared in Misato's room.

Asuka was extremely pissed at kicked the couch to release maybe 1 % of her frustration.

With that done, she opened Shinji's door and stepped inside.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"So you don't know anything about your origin ?" Toji asked with caring look.

"No. I only now I am part of Lilith. Maybe I am also part of one of the members of SEELE."

"SEELE ?"

"A secret organisation. They, like Shinji-kun's father, planned for things after and before Third Impact."

"Oh. Tell me about Shinji's father. He's a bastard, isn't he ?"

"Maybe. It depends on who you are to him, actually."

"Explain, Kaoru."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji didn't notice Asuka's presence at first. He was too deep in thoughts to notice anything for that matter. Asuka was studying him with narrowed eyes. She was still very mad, mainly because of Rei.

Shinji noticed Asuka soon as one word left her mouth.

"Baka."

Shinji looked up immediately. To say he was scared would be an understatement. He tried to get further away from her. That there was a wall behind him, wasn't exactly helping. Asuka moved toward him slowly.

"Baka. It's about time we talk."

Shinji's eyes widened. He wasn't ready for this. He didn't even prepare for this. Since he arrived in Tokyo-III he wasn't prepared for anything. But that doesn't say he got used to it. His armpits were extremely wet as Asuka came closer. Eventually she seated herself on his bed.

"Shinji, about last time. Our last talk. You know what I mean."

"Uh !..Y-yeah." Shinji stuttered.

"I think we should continue..now"

Shinji was nervous, he has never been so nervous as now. But, as he looked at Asuka, he noticed he wasn't the only nervous one. He was curious at to why she was so nervous. He never saw her nervous before. His lips were trembling. He wasn't ready for this. He was depressed enough as it is. And, and he wasn't even sure about his own feelings..

Asuka was nervous, but she noticed Shinji was more nervous, much more. Her lips were trembling a little bit, but Shinji's lips were like an earthquake. He's nervous, but why ? I know why I'm nervous.

He's probably afraid I'm going to hurt him again. He deserves it too. I don't know what he talked about with Rei, but I bet I'm not gonna like it. Since when did I care, anyway ? Shinji is even more pathetic than usual, if that's possible.

"Shinji ? What did you and Rei talk about ?"

Shinji relaxed a bit. But he was nervous nonetheless. He didn't know why, but he knew Asuka hated Rei...a lot.

Asuka noticed Shinji relaxed a bit. She was a bit relieved herself. Reading his expression, they hadn't had a serious conversation. But you never know..

"I..She...We, talked about..Third Impact."

Asuka frowned. "That's all ? Nothing else ?"

Shinji frowned as well, but was still nervous. It was Asuka who was sitting on his bed, you know ?

"N..no, nothing else."

Asuka smiled nervously, because they had more important matters to discuss.

Shinji saw Asuka smile and simply smiled as well. He didn't see Asuka smile often. But he loved it when she did. He also saw she was still nervous. Which meant she wasn't going to leave yet. And that meant they were going to continue to talk...

There was a long pause. During this pause Shinji remembered when Asuka removed the eyecap from her eye. She was so happy...for a day..cause she realized they were still stuck here. But...she was so happy...It was in the second month. He knew she was being nervous something bad happened to her eye. He really didn't care if something did. Nothing would change anything about her. She was strong, while he was weak. She would continue, no matter what happened to her.

The pause was over, as Asuka began.

"You, do you...I mean, I..want.."

Shinji was getting more nervous by the minute, this was Asuka, stuttering, that means she has something real important to say. Shinji began to sweat more as she prepared himself.

"Why don't you begin..baka.."

Oh noooo !......I....begin ? This is just getting worse and worse. I don't even know what I want to say..I

want to tell her..I'm sorry....I'm sorry...So I begin with..I'm sorry ? She'll get mad if I do. I just know it. She hates me....so why is she so nervous ? I'm hesitating....The look in her eyes...I've never seen that look before...I think I've been silent for two minutes now , and she's starting to get impatient.

"Baka. Are you going to stare..at me the entire time ?"

I blushed and replied with a desperate shake of my head. What I want to say is....will be....terrible, for me and probably a complete joke to her. I....I like Asuka...but she hates me, so it can never be...

Asuka was blushing too, but Shinji didn't notice. I don't know what to say to him. What I can say now is....all kinds of insults....But I'm tired of insulting him. I hope he can forgive me for it. Although it's kind of a habit to me. He must have gotten used to it. I hope he did. I....I like Kaji....But...I also like......Shinji..Weird enough, I like Shinji...enough to make me come talk to him. Will..will he hate me ? Can he hate me ?

Shinji was as red as you can get. He was about to confess. And he knew he was going to get his heart broken. He heard Toji's and Kensuke's voice telling him not to say the words. Their words kept echoing through his mind, 'She's a demon, you're gonna die ! You're on yourself from now on ! Will you really betray us ?!?! Ikariii !! She'll kill you !! And only her words will do the trick !!'. Then Toji's voice came back in his mind, 'Ikari, do what you have to do..'

Shinji began whispering, "Asuka.."

Asuka's eyes and ears perked up a great deal. Shinji was about to tell what's on his mind, and somehow she thought it would be important...

"I...I like you, Asuka...I like you a lot..."

Asuka's eyes widened

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kaoru and Toji were walking through the abandoned streets where the shadows actually seemed to lighten up the place. Red is more often considered a more terrible color than black, although many will probably disagree. Toji is beginning to learn more about the others through Kaoru's words. Kaoru seemed to know everything. Asuka's past and Shinji's past is all common knowledge to him. Toji remembered Kensuke trying to figure out Shinji's past once, but he failed. Yet this guy knew everything. He learned Shinji and Asuka had a similar past, both were horrible. Toji's mother too died. But it wasn't like Shinji's or Asuka's at all. She died in an accident, or so he thought. He did not no much about his own mother's death, only that she was killed in a car accident, in Tokyo-III.

"They lied to you, as well, Toji" Kaoru suddenly changed subjects.

"What do you mean, Kaoru ?" Toji asked with a frown.

"Your....mother." Kaoru hesitantly spoke.

"........Wha-WHAT do you know !!" Toji yelled.

"....." Kaoru didn't continue, but he did close his eyes.

"Tell me Kaoru. I always knew something was wrong....Tell me !!" Toji screamed.

Toji had stopped walking and was looking at Kaoru, who was still walking. He sreamed Kaoru's name several times and began to run after him.

"Kaoru....please, tell me.." Toji asked.

"I only know what I have read, Toji" Kaoru began.

Kaoru had been searching through NERV's files during his stay and found out everything. He would be considered the ultimate hacker. Rei could probably do the same. Hell, Rei probably knew even more about Toji's mother.

"Your mother, also worked for NERV." Kaoru continued.

Toji's mother had a job similar to Maya Ibuki's. The only difference was, Toji's mother wasn't really doing her job. Instead, she too, was a hacker, and tried to found out everything about NERV, and eventually also found out about SEELE.

"She found out everything about NERV, but........she knew too much. " Kaoru stopped.

Toji understood Kaoru was finished, and he could finish the little story himself. NERV got rid of her...

"I...I am sorry, Toji." Kaoru looked at him sadly.

".....I...I need a minute.......please.." Toji sat down on the pavement.

Toji began to cry a little. Kaoru didn't know what to do and just looked at him. After a little while, he too, sat on the pavement.

'Lilum...they go through so much, they experience so much, the feeling is called grief, I believe. Lilum's greatest enemy is the last angel, the humans themselves..It is a fact.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rei was sitting in Misato's room. She was currently staring at herself, in Misato's mirror.

'Do I....Do I have feelings ?'

She did not remember having feelings before. Curiosity is the only feeling she thought she knew. Wanting to know, to learn, to touch. Curiosity turns into greed, the urge to have, to control.

'I do not have the feeling greed.'

To be a human means having feelings. Sometimes Rei picked up flashbacks...from the previous Rei's, Rei I and Rei II. Rei II had the most interesting ones.

"I....cried ?"

Commander Ikari was the one she obeyed. Commander Ikari was everything to her, to all Rei's.

Ikari Shinji...Ikari-kun was...nothing to Rei I. In the end, everything to Rei II, and also to Rei III

'I care for Ikari-kun..'

To experience feelings, means you are a human.

'Am I capable of becoming a human ?'

She stopped looking at herself in the mirror and lay herself gently on Misato's bed.

She wasn't looking at the ceiling, since she lay on her stomach, head on arms.

'Curiosity, Compassion....Feelings I have...Do I also have....Love ?'

A picture of Shinji flashed before her eyes.

'Maybe I do...'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji wasn't terrified or horrified, he wasn't scared, or so he hoped. He was only just about to break down and fall in a deep abyss, the dark corner called 'depression' in his mind. But this time, he won't escape from it.

That is, if it wa going the way he was expecting it to go. So, yes, he was terrified, horrified and scared. Sum those three feelings up, multiply it with a few thousands and you would have about a fraction of the tornado that was slowly watering his eyes and clouding his mind.

Asuka was silent, ofcourse, she was preparing herself for the biggest insult ever. And that one was going to be shot at his direction. Or....she was about to burst out laughing and was going to mock him forever.

Asuka was frozen solid. She heard Shinji's words. But were they true ?Was he mocking her ? Seeing the look in his eyes, he wasn't. He was dead serious. Inside, Asuka's soul changed from dark grey to orange-yellow. But, confusion was overpowering her. Her own pride was changing her soul to dark red, or at least, it was trying to.

Asuka's lips were trembling a bit. She had to reply, but she just didn't know what to say. She didn't like to be like this at all. Heartbeats of both children seemed to fill the room with their erratic sounds.

Shinji's eyes widened as Asuka...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toji had calmed down a little bit and was standing up again. Kaoru was still sitting down, with his eyes closed, enjoying the wind that was blowing at his face.

"Hey. Kaoru. Let's go. I...I'm done. Let's go already, ok ?" Toji said.

"Very well." Kaoru responded.

"Do you think we're ready....to make the wishes ?" Toji asked.

Kaoru glanced sideways at Toji, "Yes, I think you are. Do you already know what you are going to wish ?"

Toji looked up at the sky and replied, "Yeah, I know."

"You are sure ?"

"Yeah."

"Then, you are ready."

They walked back to the apartment. Toji's mood was similar to Shinji's now. He was looking at his feet as he walked, like Shinji always does.

Kaoru had his hands in his pockets and had a sad smile on his face.

"I wonder what's going on back home." Toji said.

"I wonder as well. Shinji-kun was talking to Sohryu-san,wasn't he ?" Kaoru stated.

Toji eyes widened, "You're right, I forgot. I really want to know what happened."

"Me as well" Kaoru said.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

......Ran Away

Shinji was dumbfounded. He had nothing to say to this reaction. He was very familiar with this action, though. It was, after all, one of HIS actions. He was still standing there. But Asuka wasn't.

She ran away, out his room, in her own room. Shinji's eyes were still wide open. He didn't know what this meant.

'I guess....I should see it as a rejection....She felt pity for me, and didn't want to say 'no' in my face..'

Shinji threw himself on his bed.

'At least she didn't hit me. Although somehow, this hurts as well..'

Shinji was confused. Asuka never ran away from confrontations, unlike him.

'Maybe I should just give up.....it's not like I expected her to fall in my arms.....did I ?'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka was in her room. Completely confused after Shinji's revelation. Her eyes were watering. But not for the reasons she usually had. This time, it was different. She felt.........happy. She hadn't felt happy for a long time. She had no reason to. Nothing went her way. It seemed everything went against her. As if the angels were only there to humiliate her in front of Mankind.

'He.....he likes...likes me..a lot ? So.. he doesn't hate.....me ?'

She asked herself why she ran away. She had her reasons, ofcourse. She doubted Shinji was being serious. Although the look in his eyes kind of answered that.

'What, what if he was playing some kind of trick with me ? Shinji never did, so why would he now ? Still....If he really was for real...than I....than I will........come to him. '

Asuka hung her head low. She heard Kaoru and Toji were back.

Shinji always annoyed Asuka, but he also made her feel comfortable. And he was....so..cautious. She liked him, that's one thing she knew. But she didn't think he would like her. Shinji's not that kind of guy that goes for the looks...and yet....he likes...me ? The one thing that Shinji lacked was confidence, and that wasn't really a problem, only in battles..But Shinji was also so gentle, so nice. And he never did anything wrong to her. She did to him, though.

'Do I...deserve him ?'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toji and Kaoru came in just when Rei was about to knock on Shinji's door.

"Hello, Rei. Aren't they talking anymore ?" Kaoru asked Rei.

"Pilot Sohryu left to her own room, I believe." Rei said in a monotone voice.

"Was she mad ?" Toji asked.

"I do not know." Rei responded.

Kaoru smiled, "Rei, would you be so kind as to tell Shinji we're going to make the wishes ?"

Toji frowned and glanced to his right, where Kaoru was standing.

'Why does he always talk like that ?' Toji thought

Rei blinked one time, but answered a micro-second later than she usually would, "I will."

'They're making the wishes faster than I expected they would' Rei thought.

Toji: You know, I don't understand her at all, Kaoru.

Kaoru: I........I don't either, actually.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji turned his head when he saw Rei enter her room. She hadn't knocked, just entered. He really didn't care about that, though. He was curious as to what Rei would say this time.

"...Ayanami.."

"Ikari-kun. I want to ask you something."

"Uh, ok.."

"What's love ?"


Shinji's eyes widened. He had no idea what love was. He never experienced nor received it. He looked at Ayanami nervously. What to say ? Does love actually have a meaning ? I never heard of it.

"I..I don't know...I guess....when you feel love....you feel all warm, inside..maybe.."

"Do you think I love you ?"

"Uh !!"

".............."

If Shinji wasn't scared before, he certainly was now..

"Ikari-kun, do you love someone ?"

"I..I don't know..I don't think I...do."

"I feel warm when I look at you. Does this mean I love you ?"

Ayanami feels warm inside ? When she looks at me ? I never saw Ayanami make jokes before, is she now ? I...I think she's waiting for an answer..

"Nuh-NO !!"

"So, I don't love you ?"

"I...I don't think so...no one does, so.....I'm used to that,so...I don't know..I..uh."

"Do you love me, Ikari-kun ?"

"........."

Shinji collapsed. He fainted. He couldn't take it. Rei leaned over him and watched him. Rei believed Ikari-kun knew everything about emotions and feelings, since Kaoru was so impressed about it. But, she hadn't received any answers. She decided she should wait..

Shinji was on the floor, not on his bed. Rei seated herself on the bed and continued watching Shinji.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Did you hear something ?" Toji asked Kaoru.

Toji was half-asleep on the couch, while Kaoru was fully awake on the other.

"Yes, I did." Kaoru replied.

Toji didn't speak again, as he fell asleep.

Kaoru, being bored, decided to play with a glass on the table. He used his AT-Field to see what would happen. In mere seconds, the glass was floating around in the living room. A few seconds later,it broke, the glass falling on the floor. Kaoru got up and cleaned the glass up. After that, he sat back on the couch and was bored again. He then noticed an instrument in the corner of the living room. Shinji's cello. During his stay in this household, he remembered that the cello was standing in Shinji's room, before Third Impact. Now it was here, in the living room. He began to play with the cello, with his AT-Field...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asuka heard something shatter in the living room. She shrugged it off.

'Probably the jock, letting another glass fall.'

She was still hesitating about going to Shinji and talk things out. In a way, she too hated confrontations.

'I should talk it out with Shinji. But......not now. Maybe, after the wishes are made. Maybe I'll be ready then...I'm not sure.....he only said he liked me..a lot...but that doesn't mean anything..maybe it was sweet talk, before putting me down. Hmmm, somehow, I don't see Shinji doing such a thing.'

She heard a knock on the door, and a voice continued before she could answer.

"Asuka !! You in there ?! We're gonna make the wishes."

Asuka's eyes widened a bit as she heard Toji.

"What !! Already ? I thought we had plenty of time !" Asuka screamed through the door.

"Yeah, well...I know my wish, and Shinji knows his. You don't know yours ?" Toji said.

"Ofcourse I already know what's mine ! I've been waiting for you to figure out yours the entire time !!"

"Then, what are you whining about !?" Toji asked.

"I'm NOT whining, you moron !" Asuka screamed, again.

Asuka stepped out of her room and stood face to face with Toji.

"Let's go then, Jock." She said as she pushed him out of her way.


Toji frowned after her. "Stupid girl..."

"What ?!"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shinji had woken up on the floor. He didn't know why he was on the floor. All he knew was he was currently staring at a pair of shoes. Ordinary shoes. Asuka wore high heels, Toji wore gyms. So, this could be either Kaoru or Rei. Shinji noted he felt totally numb as he tried to get up. He was weak, he knew that. It took a lot out of him just to get up. He remembered Ayanami came a little while ago. Would still be here ? He looked up and saw two red ruby's invading his ordinary blue holes. At least, that was how the thought about them.

"A-Ayanami. You're...still here ?"

"Yes."

"Why ?"

"I still want to know what love is."

Shinji blinked, remembering why Ayanami came in his room in the first place.

"Uhh....Love is...."

"Do you not know ?"

"I...no, I don't know, Ayanami.." He stated sadly.

"Are you...upset...you do not know ?"

"Y-yeah....everyone...knows what love is.." Shinji mumbled.

"I do not know. Only you and me do not know, then ?"

"I....I think so.." Shinji said in a puzzled state.

Rei stood up from the bed and stared at Shinji, who was seated on the floor.

"Then, there is nothing more I need to know. I shall leave."

"Uh....a-huh..?"

"Come with me, You and the others are going to make the wishes."

"Na-NOW ?!" Shinji yelled.

"Yes."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Five figures were now walking over the beach in front of the sea of LCL.

In the lead, there was Kaoru and Rei, who apparently knew the way, Asuka was following them, chin up, eyes closed. Occasionally opening them, to see where they were heading. In the back, Toji and Shinji were making small talk.

"So, what happened Ikari ?"

".....nothing, really.."

"Ikari, you're a bad liar."

"........"

Shinji was looking at the ground, or at his shoes. Toji figured Shinji said something wrong. Shinji always speaks out the wrong words. And they tend to piss people off, especially Asuka. For example, after the Third Angel Attack. Where Toji hit Shinji for the second time. It was because Shinji just spoke out the wrong words.

"Just tell me what you said. You two are completely avoiding each other again."

"I....I said...I liked her.."

Toji stopped walking, while Shinji just continued. Toji's eyes were pretty wide open. And his mouth was open as well. He closed it as sand began to fly in with the wind. Toji continued walking, trying to catch up with the rest of them.

"You...you lied, right ?" Toji demanded the answer 'Yes.'

Shinji didn't answer.

"Tell me you lied..And maybe, Ill forgive you."

"I didn't."

"You 'didn't' what ?Didn't Mean it ? or didn't lie ?"

"I.....I don't know, just...I don't want to alk about it right now, please, Toji ?"

"Ok, ok. I do hope you lied, though."

Asuka was not within hearing range so she didn't hear what Shinji and Toji were talking about. She did hear an occasional yell from Toji, which she found really annoying. Man, will she be happy when Hikari's here.

'I'll bet the jock will be happy I'll wish back Hikari. For that reason, I just might not do it. But wishing Kaji back will be useless for me. Since...baka... is going to wish back Misato. So, Hikari, it is. I don't mind, in fact, I'm quite thrilled. When Hikari is here, I'll be much more at ease.'

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After 47 minutes, or so, of walking, they stood before the Tree of Life.

Kaoru and Rei were just standing there, waiting for the others to make their wishes. Kaoru, ofcourse, with some kind of smile on his face.

Meanwhile, the other three were hesitating. They began to discuss with each other. Toji was going to make the first wish. His wish was...Kensuke Aida. Asuka's wish after Toji's was, Hikari Horaki. And Shinji's was Misato Katsuragi

After Toji made his wish (..Bring back..uh.. Kensuke Aida..heh..) nothing happened. He shrugged, figuring it would happen after all three wishes were made, and walked back.

Asuka made her wish, and nothing happened. Shinji made his wish and nothing happened.

After about five minutes, it began raining. The sea of LCL was getting wilder and wilder. Thunder struck the Tree of Life several times.

Kaoru spoke with smirk on his face, "Here they....come..", it was almost humorous, the way he spoke.

"What the HELL is that ?!" Asuka yelled, pointing at misshaped, red...thing.

They soon noticed (ofcourse) two other ones. The three things soon formed themselves in a very puzzled and terrified Kensuke, Hikari and Misato..

TBC

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