Disclaimer: The same

Chap. 7

Misato, Shinji, and Tsunami all arrived at a restaurant right after their synch testing. Misato got there by her usual method; driving at dangerous speed and leaving the Children shaken. So it was no surprise that they all jumped out the moment she parked.

"Oh come on. It wasn't that bad."

Both of them looked at her incredulously and she gave them an evil grin.

"Evening, beautiful."

Her grin faded.

"Kaji? What are you doing here?"

The still unshaven man walked over to them, "Well, I heard that you would be coming down here so I figured what the heck. Hello Shinji. Hello Tsunami."

"Hi Kaji." both Children said in unison.

Misato frown, "You actually went out of your way to come here? That's so immature."

Kaji continued to smile, "Most women would find that romantic."

"Hmph."

Seeing a possible fight, Shinji intervened, "We should go in and eat."

Nodding, Misato and the rest went inside to find a table. Oddly enough, one was already reserved for them. All four of them. Misato glared. I don't believe he prepared this in advance. They all sat down and ate, with Kaji doing most of the talking, Shinji answering him every now and again, Misato half arguing with him, and Tsunami staying quiet mostly, adding in comments briefly. It was then that the dance music started. Kaji stood up from his meal and held his hand out toward Misato.

"Care to dance?"

Misato glanced up at him briefly before grinning, "Sure. Let's go Shinji."

"What?"

Misato grabbed Shinji's hand and dragged him onto the dance floor. Shinji was stunned by this, but began dancing anyway with Misato. Kaji just watched, dumbfounded as the two of them danced. He then felt a hand on his shoulder and turned. Beside him, Tsunami stood up and lent out her hand.

"Shall we? We can't let them have all the fun."

Kaji looked at her thoughtfully for a moment. Aw, what the heck.

"You know, you're right. Let's go."

Kaji took her hand and together they went to the dance floor and danced as well. For a long while, they danced with their perspective partners. However, Tsunami wanted to stop. No not stop. But she didn't want to dance with Kaji. It wasn't that Kaji wasn't good looking. Hell, a part of her is Asuka and with that, the strong attachment for him remained within her. However, it was dwarfed by her desire to be near Shinji. Desire? I feel that toward him? What does that mean? She looked over at him. I think I'll find out. The music stopped and Tsunami bent to the side a little.

"I'm a little tired."

"Are you alright?" Kaji asked.

Yes, I'm fine. I just need to sit down a bit." She turned to Shinji who was standing next to Misato.

"Shinji, would you accompany me?"

Shinji blinked, "Uh, well, okay."

Tsunami immediately grabbed his hand and walked over to their seat, leaving Kaji and Misato staring at them from behind.

Misato blinked, "What just happened?"

Kaji aslo did the same action, "I'm not entirely sure."

It was then that the next music set came up. A slow song. As the couples joined hands, Kaji and Misato were stuck in the middle. Misato frowned. Great. This is just great. Kaji on the other hand gave a small grin and held out his arms. Seeing no way out of it, Misato decided to go along with it.

"Just don't try anything."

Misato held his hands and the two of them danced together. The song played was soft and beautiful. At first Misato tried to keep as much distance away from Kaji as possible. But as the song continued, she slowly began to lean on him.

Perhaps this isn't so bad.

Meanwhile, Shinji and Tsunami watched from their seats. They are strange, Shinji thought to himself. But at least I can stay with her. Wait, did I say that? What am I thinking? But...I do enjoy spending time with her. Shinji looked at her and could faintly see the small grin on her face as she watched them dance.

"Feeling better?"

"Mmhm."

Neither of them noticed that their hands were linked together.

The four of them stayed out for most of the night. Misato had gotten herself drunk and they had to leave before she caused a scene. Kaji had to carry her up to her apartment before saying goodnight to the two youngsters. It was late so they decided to go to bed. Tsunami showered first and went to her room to sleep. After Shinji was finished, he went to his room and played his SDAT player while he lay down. But he couldn't seem to fall asleep. He was restless. Tonight was one of the best nights he ever had. Mostly because of a certain purple haired girl. And he wasn't talking about Misato. Seeing that he wouldn't sleep anytime soon, he simply stared at the ceiling and thought about the Sixth Child. A smile curled on his face and he relaxed peacefully, his thoughts on Tsunami. Unfortunately, in the next room, Tsunami wasn't having the same peace…

Who are you?

I am Tsunami

Who are you?

Tsunami.

Who is Tsunami?

I...am Tsunami.

Why are you killing us?

What?

It's your fault. Because of you, I'm going to die.

What do you mean?

If you live, we die.

No. That's not...true.

Yes it is. Admit it. You're a killer. A murderer.

No!

Why are you killing us?

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Tsunami.

No! It's not true. It's not!

Tsunami.

S..Shinji?

"Tsunami, are you alright?"

Tsunami's eyes opened into the dark room. The moon shined in as sweat soaked her face. Her eyes searched around and fell upon a certain pair of eyes.

"Shinji-kun?" She rose up to meet the boy, who was bending down near the bed.

"Are you alright?"

"I...think so. I was having a nightmare?"

"Sounds like it. I heard you from my room so I came in to check."

"T..thank you, Shinji. I'm sorry I disturbed you"

"It's okay. I couldn't really sleep anyway."

Silence ensued after that comment, with both Children staring away from each other. It was then that Tsunami's eyes fell upon Shinji's SDAT player. He must have been listening to it before he came.

"May I listen?"

Shinji looked up briefly, "Hm? Oh sure."

Shinji handed her the SDAT player while Tsunami stuck the earphones on and listened. The music was classical of course, and very relaxing. But it was also...sad. Perhaps this is why he is like that. Must you always be sad, Shinji? But it feels the same with me.

Tsunami removed the earphones, "May I ask you something?"

Shinji nodded, "Okay."

Tsunami hesitated before asking, "How would you feel if…Asuka and Rei were…gone forever?

She looked up to see if the boy would cry or snap or something, but remarkably he merely stayed quiet for awhile, thinking about her question.

"I'm not sure. I thought a lot about that and I'm still uncertain. I would miss them a lot, but while you are here, they're alive in some way. But at the same time, they aren't. It's confusing."

"Yeah, it is. I still haven't sorted it all out myself. Sometimes I feel like Rei and other times, I feel like Asuka. Then there are times when...when..." She looked up at Shinji. Directly at Shinji. "I just don't know what to feel or who I am."

His eyes seemed to soften, "What do you feel like now?"

Tsunami barely heard the question as her eyes stayed locked with Shinji's. However, the memory of the dream came back to her and tears began to form. Tears? No, not in front of Shinji. However, that resolution dropped as the dream repeated itself. Shinji looked sadly at the breaking girl before him. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around her and embraced her. Surprised at first, Tsunami let go and hugged him back tightly, tears falling freely down her cheek and onto Shinji's shoulder.

"It's alright, Tsunami."

Shinji didn't know what surprised him more. Tsunami's crying or his reaction to it. He wasn't backing away or scurrying away from her. In fact, he was comforting her. He never thought he would be able to do that with anyone. But yet there it was, with her.

"Thank you, Shinji."

Slowly she began to move off his shoulder, the bad thoughts beginning to fade from her mind. Still, it was soothing. And it was because of him. As she rose away, their cheeks brushed against each other lightly. Tsunami found herself stopping, her face a few centimeters away from his. A warm sensation coursed though hr body. Her eyes sank deep into his, getting lost within then.

"Tsun...?"

Tsunami suddenly moved forward and her lips lightly caressed his. Shinji instantly turned red and his eyes widened. Tsunami noticed this and backed away.

"I'm...sorry. I shouldn't have..."

Shinji didn't reply, but rather he made the second boldest thing in his life. He reached up and wiped the remaining tears off her face, caressing her cheek and causing her to gasp softly. Then he did the boldest thing ever in his life. Leaving his hand cupped to her cheek, he leaned forward and kissed her back. Tsunami was equally surprised but she didn't stop him. Rather, she put her hands on his shoulder and deepened the kiss. Shinji felt like he was soaring through the sky, his heart racing at 100 miles per second. Tsunami felt all the dark images disappear, leaving only one image of Shinji, this handsome, compassionate person whom she cared very deeply about, maybe even...loved. Almost reluctantly, Shinji pulled away and smiled.

"You're too beautiful to cry."

Tsunami smiled, this time a true smile. It wasn't like Rei's or Asuka's, although they had pretty smiles. But this one caused his whole body to seem to melt and unable to move. Tsunami then looked down.

"Shinji. Could you...stay with me tonight? I...don't want to be alone."

Shinji nodded and sat on the bed. Tsunami rose up and they both lay down together, with Shinji's arms around her body. She closed her eyes softly and smiled again.

"Thank you."

From that point on, Tsunami didn't have any more nightmares, only pleasant dreams of the man she realizes she's in love with.