Disclaimer: Same as before. See previous chapters
AN: This chapter may seem short, but you'll know why afterward.
Chap. 12
A week later...
Shinji was lying down in his cell. He had been there ever since he piloted the Eva after that last angel. He lay there motionless for the entire time, moving only to eat or drink, which wasn't long. He had been in this state ever since the incident in the Eva and the events afterward...
Flashback...
The technicians locked down Eva 01 after the battle with the angel. The entry plug was ejected and they opened it to get to the pilot. However, they were greeted with a mad child. Still feeling the rage and adrenaline, Shinji jumped out and attacked the technicians. They all backed away as Shinji came and tackled one to the ground. It was as though he went berserk. He was nothing but rage and hurt. But as he went on, a hard object slapped him in the back of his head and he went down. He barely saw Misato holding her gun and putting it away before he blacked out completely.
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Shinji's gaze never waved from the ceiling. His mind continued to flood with memories of the girl he loved. The girl...he lost.
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Sure thing, Ikari-kun.
Call me Shinji.
Okay, Shinji. But what will you call me? At least until this mess is fixed?
Hmm. I don't know. Let me think. How about Tsunami?
Sounds good.
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He never thought he could feel that way with anyone. Not since his mom died does he remember true happiness and how it felt. It wasn't easy and he had trouble accepting it...
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But I was the one...
You only said what you felt at the time. I know you normally would have never said anything like that and that just shows that you were upset. I don't blame you for that. But still, I shouldn't have done what I did. It was...stupid.
I...guess we both made mistakes, huh?
I guess we do.
We better make sure that they don't happen again, huh?
Why Shinji, I do believe you are growing up.
Thank you.
For what?
For being...you know. You.
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She truly understood him. His feelings, his emotions, the way he was, everything. She knew him.
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It's alright, Tsunami.
Thank you, Shinji.
Tsun...?
I'm...sorry. I shouldn't have...
You're too beautiful to cry.
Shinji. Could you...stay with me tonight? I...don't want to be alone.
Thank you.
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By that same token, he felt that he understood her. It was strange, but he knew how she was. And it wasn't just because of her hosts. He didn't understand them that well. But her...it made him...complete.
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It helps me for when...you know, when things get bad.
Thank you...for sharing.
Shinji?
Hmm?
I really care about you. A lot.
T...Thank you, Tsunami-chan. I care a lot about you too.
Is...something wrong, Tsunami-chan?
No. On the contrary. Everything is just right.
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This didn't mean he didn't care for Asuka or Rei. He cared very much about them. But he loved Tsunami. And to top it off, she loved him back. An emotion and feeling that he never expected to receive from anyone.
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Ai shiteru, Tsunami.
Ai shiteru, Shinji. That's why...I must...
I will always remember you as long as I live. No matter how short.
Then...I will do the same.
Shinji. I...have something to ask of you. You do not have to, but...
What is it?
I wish to be one with you.
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From outside the cell, Misato watched over the young man. She knew he was pretty much on the brink right now and wouldn't be surprised if he snapped altogether. His time was up today, but she wasn't sure how to proceed. She knew what it was like to loose a loved one. Hell, she had mute because of it for a long time afterward. It was still hard to deal with, but she managed with great effort. But Shinji...
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Shinji's strong. He'll make it through. He always does somehow.
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Ritsuko was right. Shinji is a lot stronger than she was. If anyone could pull through, then it would be him. But he would want news of what happened with Tsunami. She didn't exactly know how he would take it, but at this rate, nothing could be worse then what he is going through now. She opened the cell and entered. Shinji didn't even look toward her, just stayed the way he was. Like a lifeless body...
"Your time has been served."
Shinji didn't move at first, but slowly he sat up and stood beside her. His eyes were totally blank, void of any emotion.
"Let's go home."
"Wait. I want to see what happened."
Misato was a little surprised. Normally, Shinji would have probably not wanted to know anymore. But he wanted to face the results instead of running away. She really has changed him.
"Are you sure?"
Shinji gave a small nod and Misato lead him out. They silently moved through the complex, saying nothing as they stared ahead. Several people saw the two going by and looked at them warily, both with sympathy and a bit of caution. Apparently, Shinji's fury had been spread around and no one wanted a repeat of that event. The trip only took a few minutes, but the tension made it seem like so much longer. The finally reached the infirmary within Nerv and stopped before the door. Misato stopped, letting Shinji go ahead of her as he put his hand on the knob. He hesitated and Misato feared that he would run off. Shinji looked down at the knob. I mustn't run away. I mustn't run away.
"Shinji, you don't have..."
Shinji turned the knob and entered the room...