Disclaimer: The same as before.

AN- I would like to thank everyone for exceeding 100 reviews. I'm a little excited about this, mainly because I never thought so many people would read it or review it. As you can guess and by looking at my other stories, I never had 100 reviews before. Just goes to show you how popular NGE is. Now that that is said, on with the story…

Chap. 11

An hour later, Nerv is on the search for the two Children. So far, most of Tokyo-3 has been searched with no sign of them. Needless to say, Misato was extremely pissed.

"Stupid, idiot child. How could he do something like this?"

Ritsuko looked up at her, "It's not exactly the first time he's done this."

Misato didn't seem to be paying attention, "And he took Tsunami with him. What was he thinking?"

"Young people in love rarely think, if at all." Ritsuko said after looking back at her computer.

Misato turned, "That's not an excuse! At this point, I really don't care. He's being irresponsible."

Ritsuko's eye curved at her, "Am I hearing correctly? Are you, of all people, talking about irresponsibility?"

Misato slammed her hands down on the desk, "Don't even start with me, doctor. I still have some issues with you."

"Oh?"

"For starters, how in the hell was Tsunami able to start up those two units?"

Ritsuko focused back on her work, "I know just about as much as you do."

"Don't feed me that. You know just as well that it was an AT field. Now strange things have happened, but this one strike me as odd. How can two people, fused together, create an AT field, and a powerful one at that? Only angels and Evas have that power."

"Even so, why do you ask now? It's a little late, don't you think?"

Misato seemed to be calming down, though not by much, "I was hoping that maybe I could figure it out myself. And only a few guesses have come up. One, as a side effect of the fusion, Tsunami was able to create an AT field. But by the way she used it, she was in control as though she had done it before. Two, together they create a creature like an angel. But if that was the case, then why didn't she attack us? Three, she's part angel. Now that isn't possible unless there was some trace of Angel DNA to begin with."

Ritsuko's voice didn't waver, "Are you going somewhere with this?"

"You tell me."

Ritsuko gave a short sigh, "As I said, this is unfamiliar territory. I don't how that happened and I have just as many guesses as you. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't take you frustrations out on me for now."

Misato was about to speak when she stopped herself short and took a deep breath. She shut her eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm just so worried about Shinji. About how he'll deal with any of this."

"Shinji's strong. He'll make it through. He always does somehow."

"You sound confident." she mumbled.

"You're right. I should stop before I get all optimistic."

Misato gave a small smile at her friend, but it quickly vanished when an alarm came up

"What? An angel?"

Misato dropped back to her sour mood, "Oh I really don't need this now."

"Without the pilots, we're sitting ducks."

Misato called up to the command center, "Deploy an N2 mine. And I want the Children immediately."

___

Five miles outside Tokyo-3

Tsunami and Shinji had rented a nearby motel. Although it was the best place in the world, it would be easier to hide from Nerv this way. They had used the money from their funds to stay for the night and had planned to go further.

"Shinji. Where will we go?"

I don't know really. I've been thinking about it though. Maybe we can go to the US. We could be safe there.

Tsunami nodded, yet she felt increasingly disturbed. She had never done anything like this. Or maybe it was the two souls she was derived from. For Rei, leaving Nerv was not an option. Simply put, it was her life, her only life, literally. As for Asuka, her pride would have never allowed her to leave. She would have stayed for the sole purpose of being the best. For her, it was her purpose in life. The only thing that made her feel that she had a place in the world. But that was two different individuals. She was Tsunami. And right now, the thing that made he feel complete was Shinji. I…should tell him that. However, before either of them could speak, a low rumbling noise sounded in the area. The motel shook slightly and both Children went outside to look. A huge smoldering flame was seen a distance away for Tokyo-3. It had been caused by an N2 mine. Which only meant one thing…

Angel.

Shinji looked at Tsunami, and saw the sad expression on her face. He knew what the problem was. But he chose to ignore it and they re-entered the motel. Both of them sat down on the couch and Tsunami decided to speak out her concerns.

"That won't hold it for long."

Shinji shook his head, "I'm sure Misato can handle it without us."

Now it was Tsunami's turn to shake her head, "How? You are the only Eva pilot. Without you, they will fail." She turned away, the fate of the situation finally dawning on her, "We...have to go back."

"But if we do..."

Her voice dropped to a near whisper, "I know. But it must be that way."

Shinji turned to her and grasped her small hand, "No. I don't want to lose you. Please, I can't."

Tsunami slowly turned and looked down to the floor, "Shinji. I understand. But you must understand this. Without you, there will be no on to stop the angels or Third Impact. If that happens, everyone will die."

"But there must be a way. You can hide and I'll return alone."

"No. If you do that, they will interrogate you. And I wouldn't be able to live with myself for causing you pain."

"Tsunami, please." The desperation was clear in his voice, but he didn't care.

A single tear escaped her eyes, "I...do not belong. I...am an accident. Asuka. Rei. They are the ones that belong."

Shinji was beyond desperate now. He bent down on the ground before her and locked eyes with her. His voice was strangled, but clear enough for her to understand his next words...

"Ai shiteru, Tsunami."

The girl's purple eyes lit up and she gave a small smile. "Ai shiteru, Shinji. That's why...I must..."

Shinji bowed his head as hot tear streaked from his eyes. Tsunami didn't finish. In truth, she didn't know that she should. Shinji was a fragile person and she didn't want him to break down, not when there were people that needed him.

"I will always remember you as long as I live. No matter how short."

She then cradled his head on her lap and softly began to rub his head. Shinji didn't move for a minute and then after awhile, slowly raised his head. Wiping the tears away, he gave her a weak smile.

"Then...I will do the same."

Their eyes stayed locked, deep purple and soft brown. Within, they could see so many emotions; so much more they wanted to do together. But there was little time for such things now. So little time...

"Shinji. I...have something to ask of you. You do not have to, but..."

"What is it?"

Tsunami bowed her head briefly before raising it and let her hand drift to his cheek. Shinji let his eyes close slightly as their eyes connected again. Slowly, Tsunami craned her head to meet his and gave him a soft, tender kiss. Shinji returned it and their hands interlocked together. Tsunami backed away slightly before whispering in his ear.

"I wish to be one with you."

__

Three hours later...

The angel has almost fully regenerated and there was still no sign of the Children. Misato went over possible ways to fight and defeat the angel, but they all seem futile against the threat as it is.

"Major."

Misato and Ritsuko turned to see Shinji and Tsunami, with a Section 2 guard on each side of them. Shinji was already dressed in his plugsuit while Tsunami stayed in the same clothes as before. Ritsuko glared at the two Children. Apparently, the angel attack was enough to make her lose her patience.

"Where have you two...?"

Misato cut her off and gazed at them, "Third Child, your punishment will be discussed later. Right now, report to the docking bay, on the double."

"Yes Major."

"Tsunami, you are to report to the lab."

She wanted to cry, but tears never came out. She could have used her power to force them not to, but that could hinder the chances of Shinji stopping the angel. Besides, she had already accepted her fate.

"Hai."

__

Moments later, the Eva 01 emerged from out of the Geodome. The Eva itself was ready for battle. However, the pilot inside was another matter. His grief was almost overwhelming as his tears dissolved within the LCL.

Why me? Why am I always hurting people?

"His bio-readings are unstable." Ritsuko reported.

Misato felt sorry for the boy, but now was not the time for it, "Shinji, stay focused."

No response

"Shinji, respond. That's an order."

A monotone voice came over the comm., "Hai."

Misato blinked, but continued, "Shinji. The energy rifle is to your left. You can..."

Shinji wasn't paying attention. Something changed inside Shinji. The growing grief that he had felt was turning inward and replaced with...anger. Black, seething anger. Anger against Nerv, against his father, against Ritsuko, against Misato, against Tsunami and mostly against himself. He became a living mass of rage and anger and the Eva reflected that rage with a loud roar. In a blind fury, 01 charged at the angel. The angel, upon seeing the berserk machine charge, instantly raised up its AT field.

I'm alone again.

01 rammed into it and grasped it, forcing his way through. The angel raised it arm, but 01 grabbed it, twisted in, and flung it over its shoulder. Then it leapt into the air and crashed down on the angel, causing it to emit a strangled gurgle. Everyone in the command room watched in horror as 01 tore the angel to pieces, breaking parts off and smashing it down, its blood wasting over the ground.

I hurt everybody.

Targeting it core, 01 opened his progressive knife and struck it in, shattering it. However, it wasn't enough for the berserker as it raised the knife and stabbed the core repeatedly, leaving nothing but shattered pieces scattered all over the ground.

Why...me? WWWWHHHHHYYYYY!!!!!!!!

The Eva gave one final stab before stopping and letting loose another ear-splitting roar.

Tsunami. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault!

The roaring Eva stood within the chopped carcass of the angel, holding within it the soul of a sad and emotionally devastated child.