This is version 2 of chapter 7. Version one was greatly rushed and had stupid mistakes in about every possible place you could think to look. So here's a tidy version. Oh and I added another Omake just to say sorry.
I'm surprised no one caught on to that little mistake I had made between chapters 5 and 6. *Grins wickedly* Tell ya the truth... I didn't catch on to it until I read it over on FF.net...
'...' stands for thought
"..." stands for talking
--?--?-- stands for beginning and end.
~~...~~ stands for author interruption(Me, making myself heard) and has little revelence to the story
--- stands for... I guess the next Scene
*Shinji* or *Ikari* stand for someone referring to Asuka in Shinji's body
*Asuka* or *Sohryu* stand for someone referring to Shinji in Asuka's body
Enjoy!
DrunkDrake
World from the eye's of Another
07: Shadow truths / Games to be played
--?--?--
A dark room is seen with a shadow that is all encompassing. It reveals nothing, hiding all in it's dark blanket. It has a cold feel to it and radiates an dark thoughts. For some reason this is the room SEELE uses when having their conferences.
"And so Arael's defeat was delayed" 7 of the black monoliths hovered over the brink of darkness. The 8th monolith was the one that spoke it's statement.
"And our scrolls describe two possible paths. In both the angels continue to come with no interference..." The 3rd monolith was the speaker.
"However the scrolls do not give a clear impression of what shall happen under these circumstances" Keel being the only non sound-only hologram rested his arms on his desk and glared at the 2nd monolith.
"Do not doubt our scenario. To doubt it is to give up on it" Keel lowered his head and his voice rasped out again "Ikari may have had a role to play in this angel's change of tale"
Several of the monoliths murmured agreement
"We shall observe Ikari and his NERV, if he truly has deviated from the schedule then we shall see" The 6th monolith faded from view.
"Prepare to step up the schedule..." Keel closed his eyes. Though his eye piece prevented others from seeing this they knew he was very serious and contemplating "...if it is deemed the schedule can not be salvaged from it's current course"
The remaining 5 monoliths faded from view and Keel drank in the enfolding darkness before he too left the eternally dark room that was SEELE's conference hall.
---
"So your saying I'm... Asuka..." Shinji pondered what Asuka said for the 3rd time. They stood just outside of their apartment door holding the groceries needed for another one of Misato's parties.
"Basically... yeah" Asuka rubbed her head. It was hard to explain what you didn't understand but Shinji grasped enough of it.
"You know what Asuka?" she looked up at Shinji.
"That sounds just a little too weird for my tastes" Shinji slipped his key in the door and it whooshed open. Asuka followed Shinji into the apartment and deposited their shoes at the door. Misato sat at the table grinning like an idiot with a beer in one hand and Pen Pen in the other.
"So why were you guys so late? Giving your new bodies a jump start? Making out behind the laundry mat?" Shinji paled and Asuka glared.
"THAT'S GROSS MISATO!!" they blinked and looked at each other.
"Damn sync training. you'd think after how many months..." Asuka fumed as she headed for the fridge and out of ear shot of Shinji. Misato was still grinning ear to ear, though she looked slightly ruffled from the dual response. Pen Pen had shambled off and was tapping on Asuka's pant leg thinking she was Shinji.
"So who did you invite Misato?"
"Well Hikari said she'll be over at about 5:30 and your little hormone driven stooge allies..." Misato grinned at the term she gave Toji and Kensuke "...said they'll be over right away"
Shinji rubbed his head feeling a headache coming on but Misato continued "I convinced them to arrive at the time Hikari does. If they do, I promised them that I'll wear something special!"
'We have a go for headache'
Asuka walked back towards Shinji nearly tripping over a starving Pen Pen.
"Shinji, come on we have time before they arrive. So let's go..." Shinji silently started his new mantra 'don't be shopping, don't be shopping, don't be...'
"shopping!"
'There is no god'
"What did you say?!"
"Ah nothing. Sorry" Shinji wondered if he actually spoke out loud that last thought. 'Better not try it'
"Shinji... I can tell by the horrified look on your face that you dislike my idea" Shinji stuttered several words that might have once had a relation to a sentence but Asuka merely dragged him through the door. Shinji's struggling intensified as the elevator door closed behind them. He broke free eventually.
"Asuka... do you have any money on you?" Asuka reached for her purse instinctively but paused by she realized she didn't have hers.
"...You brought money right... Shinji?" Asuka really tried not to refer to Shinji as one of his pet names she liked to us on him(a.k.a "BAKA!") Shinji shook his head but waved his NERV ID in front of her face.
"Not really but our ID's are multi cards remember?" Asuka flushed slightly her ID card was back at the apartment. To better mask her sudden weakness she snatched Shinji's card like a lioness tackling an antelope.
"Yeah, I remember, and your picking up the tab cause your so nice to me" Shinji blinked and then started to chuckle as Asuka gave him her patented 'Kawaii' glance.
"What?! What's so funny?!" Shinji pointed at her face
"That look works a hell of a lot better when your using your own face" Asuka frowned but shared a small chuckle with Shinji. The elevator doors opened and they made their way towards the Tokyo-3 mall.
---
Misato pondered for a few minutes before she decided it would be wise to actually call Hikari and the stooges before the time of their arrival was expected. She reached for the phone and dialled Hikari's number which she found on the fridge door.
*RING*
...
*RING*
Misato started to tap her fingers on the table
*RING*
Misato continued to tap her fingers...
*RING*
"OH FOR PETE'S SAKE JUST PICK UP THE PHO... Oh hello, may I speak to Hikari Horaki?" Misato grinned stupidly and was glad this wasn't a video phone. The adult on the line mumbled a few words~~Think the teacher from Peanuts~~ but handed over the phone.
"Hello?" Hikari's voice came over the line crisp and clear.
"Hey there kiddo!"
"Oh Ms Katsur... ah Misato. What can I do for you!" Hikari had stumbled over her introduction when she remembered half way through that Misato prefers to be addressed as Misato.
"Yeah. We're throwing a little party tonight and your invited!" Hikari was somewhat silent for a moment.
"Oh ok. I'll be able to come at... say 5:30 -ish" Misato nodded forgetting it wasn't a video phone.
"...Ooops. Ok no problem. You know about the pilots situation's correct?" Misato felt like playing a nasty little trick.
"Ah... Situation's?..." Hikari wasn't sure if Misato knew about the incident yet.
"Yeah. Asuka's pregnant! Shinji's the father!" Misato could almost hear the girl paling across the phone line.
"But...but... THAT'S JUST GROSS!! OH MY GOD!!!! POOR SHINJI!!!" Misato smirked, yep Hikari definitely knew about the situation.
"GOTCHA! No, I was referring to their switching incident" Misato heard a relieved sigh come across the other end of the line
"So they told you. Ok well 5:30 like I said" Misato felt like playing another little trick on our poor Hikari "Oh and your the one who brings the beer"
There was sputtering coming from the other line as Misato hung up. 'I know she wouldn't do it. She's way too straight arrow'
Hikari starred at the phone is disbelief. Was Misato serious? Hikari paused and wondered if she actually should go to the store. She was definitely under age but Misato sounded so sure of herself.
"She can't be serious" Hikari started a mantra that day forth.
---
Toji was getting his butt thoroughly kicked by a 4 eyed nerd who's wavy hair over shadowed his forehead. Well that's what Toji would have described Kensuke as IF he wasn't his best friend.
"And once again Toji your little man has bit the dust from my super beam sword swipe attack" Toji sliced his eye's towards Kensuke. Well if he shot fricking laser beams from his eye's he would have been doing some slicing. But he was just a normal(though somewhat crippled) kid that tried to live his teenage life.
"Kensuke, Kensuke, Kensuke... how many times have I told you that I let you win in these games so that way you wouldn't feel too bad when I beat you in real life too" Toji poked his finger menacingly towards Kensuke who wore a gleeful smile like a good suit.
"Your just sour that I disabled explosion weapons and allowed only close combat weapons" Toji had to admit he had an affinity towards explosion weapons over melee weapons. Explosion weapons blew you up good with a solid sounding explosion littering dust particles that once resembled an enemy while melee weapons reminded him just a little too much of the 13th incident. He almost could hear the sickening crush and mash of the those same weapons used against him at that time.
"Fine then, another go!" Toji and Kensuke duelled again and Toji barely managed to stalemate Kensuke.
"Your going down 4 eyes!"
"In your perverted dreams Jock!!"
The battle was joined!!! Or interrupted by a phone ringing. Kensuke grabbed the phone and turned in time to see Toji slash Kensuke's character into 4 tiny pieces with a vertical slash and a horizontal cut.
"That sucks..."
"What? You don't want to party?" The phone responded to him
"Eh? Oh no, I wasn't referring to that... Misato that you?"
"Yeah. Is Toji there too?" Kensuke pointed the phone at Toji and he leaned forward and said...
"WASSAAAPPP!!!!" A loud slap was heard on the other side of the phone.
"Damn commercial..." Misato pulled her hand away from her head.
"What Misato?" Kensuke lifted the phone from a boy whose stomach was hurting from all the laughing. However the name mentioned shut him up real quick.
"Oh Misato, sorry. I thought you were Shinji or something" Toji and Kensuke crowded the phone together.
"No problem but do you have to do the same damn thing every time you answer a phone. I mean sheesh" Misato sounded like she was pouting and both boys melting like a freezie in the summer heat.
"So sorry Misato next time I'll be sure it's not you. So what's this about a party?" Misato dropped the pouting and smiled. 'Like putty in my hand'.
"5:30 bring Kensuke..."
"I'm still hear..."
"So bring yourselves then, ok? Ok!" the phone hung up and both boys pondered what to do.
"4 hours is a long time..." Kensuke nodded almost sagely at Toji's observation.
"Yes. and what better way to spend it then beating your sorry Jock butt at the mall arcade" Toji looked up at Kensuke and sneared. Kensuke suddenly felt very vulnerable.
---
Misato hung up the phone and glanced at her watch...
"4 hours?! What do I do for 4 hours?!..." Misato's gaze wandered around the apartment until it came to a stop at Pen Pen.
"Hey Pen Pen. Let's pass the time together shall we?" If that flightless bird could smile it would have given the creepiest most scary almost down right foul smirk in the history of mankind(but he's a bird thus the title belongs to the reigning champ Gendo). However he only tilted his head tot he side.
"Oh! Your so cute when you do that. Well let's get busy!"
---
"What were you rules of being a girl again?" Shinji said through the bags and boxes that was Asuka's latest shopping adventure.
"The only one you need to worry about is keeping me in shape" Shinji used his nose to shove a bag to the side and glared at Asuka between the nameless clothing store labels.
"Keeping you in shape? Then why am I carrying these?" Asuka glanced at a nearby store window to hide her smirk.
"Geez. Now you not only sound like a girl but you look the part too" Shinji's eye narrowed almost dangerously but her managed a come-back
"At least I'm the most beautiful girl in all of Tokyo-3" Asuka turned on him with a small scowl.
"Now you know that's not true, your just Shinji. that bodies on loan got it?" Shinji smirked.
"I don't know Asuka it's kind a nice being a girl... I can let my hair grow out, I can convince boys and men just by acting loose and I even have a great pair of legs!" Asuka's scowl twisted around her face as she watched Shinji gush about her body... well what used to be her body.
"HEY!! Don't you dare act loose! Or I'll kill you!" Shinji's smirk dying but steadily was replaced by a very mirthful grin
"What about that time on the carrier" Asuka blushed and Shinji walked past her towards a store that would cause one of them great embarrassment.
"Hey! You know better then anyone that was an accident!" Shinji looked behind himself with a hurt look.
"It was an accident? Then why'd you punish us like we did it on purpose?" Asuka walked next to Shinji and watched him carefully not paying attention to the surroundings.
"It's just something, as a girl, that I can't allow just anyone a look at my panties" Asuka said with pride.
"Yet, you still have me wash your laundry?..." Asuka looked at Shinji and saw how he was practically living on Asuka's growing discomfort.
"We're here!" Asuka stumbled when Shinji suddenly halted. She looked back at him and followed his gaze "I always wanted to see you, in some of these!"
Asuka paled. 'He is a pervert at heart'
"What happened to quote 'Victoria can keep her secrets for all I care' unquote?" Shinji shrugged barely containing a smile. 'My how the tables have turned. I'm turning into Asuka at this rate'.
Asuka ushered Shinji away from the store with the clerk's grinning ear to ear seeing a boy drag his possible girlfriend away from the store. However Shinji's bluff had been called, he didn't ever plan to go in their. Hell he'd have passed out if he saw half of what was in their. Regardless it was a good laugh.
"So Asuka shall we end the shopping spree with a quiet stop at the arcade?" Asuka paused but nodded within about a second anyway, so the two made their way towards the gaming centre.
"AHH MAN! Who'd have thought your soo good!" A familiar voice echoed out of the arcade. Shinji and Asuka followed the fading voice and saw Toji huddled over one of the machines masterfully mashing every button in reach. Walking around they saw Hikari do a victory cheer as she beat Toji again.
"the class rep... a master gamer?" Shinji muttered watching in awe.
"Who'd have thunk it?" Kensuke resting an arm on Shinji and watched with glum interest as Hikari continued her victory cheer.
A heated battle took place that day. One where Hikari scored not so good with the introduction of her latest competition. Asuka thoroughly wiped the floor with Toji, Kensuke, Hikari and Shinji. Hikari came second and Shinji close by her. Toji came absolute last but Kensuke didn't rub it in as he only beat Toji by one point.
"And the clock reads... 5:13" Kensuke said as he gave up the controls. Asuka looked disappointed
"I guess that means we better get going huh?" they nodded agreement and headed to the Katsuragi / Ikari / Sohryu residence ~~My pet name for that is the Kakarhyu residence what's yours?~~
"Greetings" the gang paused as Rei stood in front of the elevator door waiting for her ride up.
"I guess Misato invited Rei too..." Shinji stated rather bluntly. Asuka glared at him.
"Yes. I was invited too as I also know of your situation also" the group blinked
"How did you find out Rei?" Rei stared back at Hikari
"I know many things. My clearance in NERV allows me to know this" The elevator door opened and Rei held it open for everyone to join her. An eerie silence pierced only by the clicking of the floor indicator settled on the group.
As one they made their way to the apartment and entered it.
"I'm home... Misato, everyone one came with us, so they're a bit..." Shinji blinked as her watched Misato do something with Pen Pen he had never thought possible. A shot contest.
"Misato... ewww..." Asuka cringed as she saw the scattered beer bottles and sake wine bottles.
"Woah..." Toji and Kensuke both moaned at the same time. Shinji turned to them.
"Told you she was slob..." He noticed they hadn't listened
"...can almost see down her shirt..." Toji didn't see the projectile potted plant coming at him with deadly accuracy.
*SMASH* "PERVERT!"
---
"OH MAN! Take it easy on me will ya?" Toji held his head as he pleaded with Hikari who was viciously raising the prices on every plot of land she owned that Toji had to pass.
Rei held a stiff lead with Asuka fumbling behind and Shinji was totally broke. The gang had pulled out an old game called monopoly and Hikari was still unsatisfied with her earlier patented potted plant hit and was picking on Toji very obviously.
"Board walk... 4 shelters and a NERV command centre" it was NERV brand monopoly "and that comes out to $3,000" Toji cringed and gave every game piece he had to Hikari. She had totally wiped him out.
"3,000 isn't that much... hell my allowance could cover that..." Toji muttered under his breath.
"You really are a monkey if you believe that! A dumb monkey Jock! The exchange rate you idiot! Yen ain't worth as much as dollars!" Toji glowered from where he sat and Asuka returned to the game.
"Sohryu is correct. I believe the current exchange rate as of 2013 the current exchange rate of yen to dollars is..." Misato nudged Rei
"Rei it's your turn" Rei looked at her massive stacks of money and rolled the dice. She moved her eva-01 ~~she refused to play unless she had it all to herself~~ and landed safely on one of her properties.
"How can you be so lucky Rei?" Shinji motioned to board and Rei glanced at Shinji "You've avoided all the major wipe out zones and you got the community chest card that gave you $100 dollars per shelter just one turn ago!"
Asuka, Kensuke, Hikari and Misato nodded in agreement. This was odd, she was totally dominating them.
"It is only a game of chance. But there is no such thing as luck only fate. It seems fate has favoured me with this game"
"And scrabble and yahtzee and poker and battleship?" Rei just nodded and the game resumed. Promptly the others went bankrupt and Rei ruled the NERV monopoly ever since ~~Heh heh, Chain of Command anyone?~~
---
Gendo sat with Fuyutsuki facing him. They were facing off in a new game today. A game of chess. A game where chance, strategy, planning and patient were the call for the game.
Gendo moved his pawn forward "With the change in the pilots we can expect a many of things to go out of place"
Fuyutsuki rose his knight and looked thoughtful before placing it safely behind a row of black soldiers "That is obvious. Our enemies will obviously prepare for that and have probably already set something up. Just not in the public eye though"
Gendo slide his queen across the board threatening a rook a pawn and the knight "My section 2 has reported that SEELE has buttoned up it's external outlets and it seems as if they have another asset they are willing to use against us"
Fuyutsuki studied the board for a moment before he slithered a bishop into an aggressive position "Check, and Keel is driving himself to understand our new position. Seele is getting ready to attack"
Gendo's nearby pawn made short work of the bishop "Keel is a fool to think that I will be stopped. I already have a plan in place"
Fuyutsuki grinned and moved his knight and struck down Gendo's nearby rook "Did the reports of the newly mass produced evas signify that they are building an army to match us?"
Gendo moved his bishop and struck aside one of Fuyutsuki's knight "There isn't much to worry about. What's done is done and thus we must prepare for what will happen"
Fuyutsuki nodded and moved his queen to retaliate "So they do plan to wield their eva's against us... Our plan will be sufficient?"
Gendo moved his pawn ahead "Yes. Our plan covers all possibilities. Our plan can be obtained and that the children may have changed but this could only work in our favour"
Fuyutsuki nodded knowingly at Gendo. Gendo smirked.
"Checkmate"
--?--?--
Ok was that exciting or what?! I lighted up the atmosphere a bit and vacuum packed Rei into it as well!(A very impressive accomplishment for me) Ohhh, who won the chess match? What is SEELE planning? And will Misato actually pass the booze around and get everyone totally wasted on a school night?? Only one way to find out!!! And that's to wait till I get my sorry ass in gear.
Oh and the whole Yui explaining to Asuka the current problems was my subtle way of explaining in greater detail the current problem the 2 pilots face to the readers.
If you actually catch that 'little mistake' I did in chapter 5/6 I'll give ya an honourable mention. Send an E-mail under the heading { 5/6 blooper - GOTCHA! } and I'll give you a mention somewhere (side story/Omake yadda yadda) And I thank you few dedicated readers that put up with my bumbling. Go ahead and rub that mistake in my face all you want.
^.^
drakeforbake@hotmail.com
_-~Omake~-_
"How can you be so lucky Rei?" Shinji motioned to board and Rei glanced at Shinji "You've avoided all the major wipe out zones and you got the community chest card that gave you $100 dollars per shelter just one turn ago!"
Asuka, Kensuke, Hikari and Misato nodded in agreement. This was odd, she was totally dominating them.
"It is only a game of chance. But there is no such thing as luck only fate. It seems fate has favoured me with this game"
Rei calmly settled her frazzled nerves. 'They almost figured out I cheated'. Rei prayed thanks to who ever listened that they never noticed the AT field.
Rei picked up the dice and rolled again.
--Meanwhile in bridge bunny central--
"AT FIELD DETECTED!!"
"It's the strongest one I've ever seen!"
"Oh my God, we lost it!!!"
--Katsuragi's residence--
"Damn it, doubles again!" Hikari screeched as Rei leapt her unit between Hikari's buildings. Asuka grabbed the dice cause it was her turn.
"Come on 6!!" She threw the dice. They clattered across the board and one ended up as a 3 while the other one slowly spun towards the edge a 3 it looked like it was going to be.
--bridge bunny central--
"Damn it another AT field detected!!!"
"This one's as strong as the first one!!"
--Katsuragi's residence--
"Damn it it hit the floor and came out as a 4!!! NOOO not 7!!!!" Rei looked at her property card.
"Tokyo-3, 3 NERV commander centres, 2 shelters. Total comes to $7,345" Asuka cringed and dropped all of her tokens at Rei's spot and muttered something about
"stupid game"
_-~Omake~-_
Gendo moved his pawn ahead "Yes. Our plan covers all possibilities. Our plan can be obtained and that the children may have changed but this could only work in our favour"
Fuyutsuki nodded knowingly at Gendo. Gendo smirked.
"Checkmate"
Gendo paused and looked at the board... Then he looked up at Fuyutsuki. In an unheard of event, Gendo leaped onto the desk and booted the game away.
"You bastard!! You cheated or something!!!" Fuyutsuki just returned Gendo's flaring glare with a cool look.
"Is it my fault you keep knocking off the white pieces hoping to win?" Gendo paused for a moment
"Ah, no I don't. You cheated! Some how I know it!" Fuyutsuki lowered his head and held it in his palms.
"You forgot you were white this time didn't you..." Gendo paused for a moment and flushed colours.
"Screw this game!! Let's play another one!!" Gendo leapt off the desk and reached under it. Fuyutsuki narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"hungry hungry hippos?!" Gendo placed the game on the desk.
"What?"
"Just as long as I'm..."
"Shot gun lucky pink one!!!" Fuyutsuki narrowed his eye's dangerous.
'That lucky pink one will be mine one day!'
_-~End of Omakes~-_
There you have it! review, flame and read away! I finished it really fast but I forgot to spellcheck it... So that's version 2. My apologies. My next update should be on ACOS.(If you feel there's not enough action in this fic you should read that one ;)
I'm surprised no one caught on to that little mistake I had made between chapters 5 and 6. *Grins wickedly* Tell ya the truth... I didn't catch on to it until I read it over on FF.net...
'...' stands for thought
"..." stands for talking
--?--?-- stands for beginning and end.
~~...~~ stands for author interruption(Me, making myself heard) and has little revelence to the story
--- stands for... I guess the next Scene
*Shinji* or *Ikari* stand for someone referring to Asuka in Shinji's body
*Asuka* or *Sohryu* stand for someone referring to Shinji in Asuka's body
Enjoy!
DrunkDrake
World from the eye's of Another
07: Shadow truths / Games to be played
--?--?--
A dark room is seen with a shadow that is all encompassing. It reveals nothing, hiding all in it's dark blanket. It has a cold feel to it and radiates an dark thoughts. For some reason this is the room SEELE uses when having their conferences.
"And so Arael's defeat was delayed" 7 of the black monoliths hovered over the brink of darkness. The 8th monolith was the one that spoke it's statement.
"And our scrolls describe two possible paths. In both the angels continue to come with no interference..." The 3rd monolith was the speaker.
"However the scrolls do not give a clear impression of what shall happen under these circumstances" Keel being the only non sound-only hologram rested his arms on his desk and glared at the 2nd monolith.
"Do not doubt our scenario. To doubt it is to give up on it" Keel lowered his head and his voice rasped out again "Ikari may have had a role to play in this angel's change of tale"
Several of the monoliths murmured agreement
"We shall observe Ikari and his NERV, if he truly has deviated from the schedule then we shall see" The 6th monolith faded from view.
"Prepare to step up the schedule..." Keel closed his eyes. Though his eye piece prevented others from seeing this they knew he was very serious and contemplating "...if it is deemed the schedule can not be salvaged from it's current course"
The remaining 5 monoliths faded from view and Keel drank in the enfolding darkness before he too left the eternally dark room that was SEELE's conference hall.
---
"So your saying I'm... Asuka..." Shinji pondered what Asuka said for the 3rd time. They stood just outside of their apartment door holding the groceries needed for another one of Misato's parties.
"Basically... yeah" Asuka rubbed her head. It was hard to explain what you didn't understand but Shinji grasped enough of it.
"You know what Asuka?" she looked up at Shinji.
"That sounds just a little too weird for my tastes" Shinji slipped his key in the door and it whooshed open. Asuka followed Shinji into the apartment and deposited their shoes at the door. Misato sat at the table grinning like an idiot with a beer in one hand and Pen Pen in the other.
"So why were you guys so late? Giving your new bodies a jump start? Making out behind the laundry mat?" Shinji paled and Asuka glared.
"THAT'S GROSS MISATO!!" they blinked and looked at each other.
"Damn sync training. you'd think after how many months..." Asuka fumed as she headed for the fridge and out of ear shot of Shinji. Misato was still grinning ear to ear, though she looked slightly ruffled from the dual response. Pen Pen had shambled off and was tapping on Asuka's pant leg thinking she was Shinji.
"So who did you invite Misato?"
"Well Hikari said she'll be over at about 5:30 and your little hormone driven stooge allies..." Misato grinned at the term she gave Toji and Kensuke "...said they'll be over right away"
Shinji rubbed his head feeling a headache coming on but Misato continued "I convinced them to arrive at the time Hikari does. If they do, I promised them that I'll wear something special!"
'We have a go for headache'
Asuka walked back towards Shinji nearly tripping over a starving Pen Pen.
"Shinji, come on we have time before they arrive. So let's go..." Shinji silently started his new mantra 'don't be shopping, don't be shopping, don't be...'
"shopping!"
'There is no god'
"What did you say?!"
"Ah nothing. Sorry" Shinji wondered if he actually spoke out loud that last thought. 'Better not try it'
"Shinji... I can tell by the horrified look on your face that you dislike my idea" Shinji stuttered several words that might have once had a relation to a sentence but Asuka merely dragged him through the door. Shinji's struggling intensified as the elevator door closed behind them. He broke free eventually.
"Asuka... do you have any money on you?" Asuka reached for her purse instinctively but paused by she realized she didn't have hers.
"...You brought money right... Shinji?" Asuka really tried not to refer to Shinji as one of his pet names she liked to us on him(a.k.a "BAKA!") Shinji shook his head but waved his NERV ID in front of her face.
"Not really but our ID's are multi cards remember?" Asuka flushed slightly her ID card was back at the apartment. To better mask her sudden weakness she snatched Shinji's card like a lioness tackling an antelope.
"Yeah, I remember, and your picking up the tab cause your so nice to me" Shinji blinked and then started to chuckle as Asuka gave him her patented 'Kawaii' glance.
"What?! What's so funny?!" Shinji pointed at her face
"That look works a hell of a lot better when your using your own face" Asuka frowned but shared a small chuckle with Shinji. The elevator doors opened and they made their way towards the Tokyo-3 mall.
---
Misato pondered for a few minutes before she decided it would be wise to actually call Hikari and the stooges before the time of their arrival was expected. She reached for the phone and dialled Hikari's number which she found on the fridge door.
*RING*
...
*RING*
Misato started to tap her fingers on the table
*RING*
Misato continued to tap her fingers...
*RING*
"OH FOR PETE'S SAKE JUST PICK UP THE PHO... Oh hello, may I speak to Hikari Horaki?" Misato grinned stupidly and was glad this wasn't a video phone. The adult on the line mumbled a few words~~Think the teacher from Peanuts~~ but handed over the phone.
"Hello?" Hikari's voice came over the line crisp and clear.
"Hey there kiddo!"
"Oh Ms Katsur... ah Misato. What can I do for you!" Hikari had stumbled over her introduction when she remembered half way through that Misato prefers to be addressed as Misato.
"Yeah. We're throwing a little party tonight and your invited!" Hikari was somewhat silent for a moment.
"Oh ok. I'll be able to come at... say 5:30 -ish" Misato nodded forgetting it wasn't a video phone.
"...Ooops. Ok no problem. You know about the pilots situation's correct?" Misato felt like playing a nasty little trick.
"Ah... Situation's?..." Hikari wasn't sure if Misato knew about the incident yet.
"Yeah. Asuka's pregnant! Shinji's the father!" Misato could almost hear the girl paling across the phone line.
"But...but... THAT'S JUST GROSS!! OH MY GOD!!!! POOR SHINJI!!!" Misato smirked, yep Hikari definitely knew about the situation.
"GOTCHA! No, I was referring to their switching incident" Misato heard a relieved sigh come across the other end of the line
"So they told you. Ok well 5:30 like I said" Misato felt like playing another little trick on our poor Hikari "Oh and your the one who brings the beer"
There was sputtering coming from the other line as Misato hung up. 'I know she wouldn't do it. She's way too straight arrow'
Hikari starred at the phone is disbelief. Was Misato serious? Hikari paused and wondered if she actually should go to the store. She was definitely under age but Misato sounded so sure of herself.
"She can't be serious" Hikari started a mantra that day forth.
---
Toji was getting his butt thoroughly kicked by a 4 eyed nerd who's wavy hair over shadowed his forehead. Well that's what Toji would have described Kensuke as IF he wasn't his best friend.
"And once again Toji your little man has bit the dust from my super beam sword swipe attack" Toji sliced his eye's towards Kensuke. Well if he shot fricking laser beams from his eye's he would have been doing some slicing. But he was just a normal(though somewhat crippled) kid that tried to live his teenage life.
"Kensuke, Kensuke, Kensuke... how many times have I told you that I let you win in these games so that way you wouldn't feel too bad when I beat you in real life too" Toji poked his finger menacingly towards Kensuke who wore a gleeful smile like a good suit.
"Your just sour that I disabled explosion weapons and allowed only close combat weapons" Toji had to admit he had an affinity towards explosion weapons over melee weapons. Explosion weapons blew you up good with a solid sounding explosion littering dust particles that once resembled an enemy while melee weapons reminded him just a little too much of the 13th incident. He almost could hear the sickening crush and mash of the those same weapons used against him at that time.
"Fine then, another go!" Toji and Kensuke duelled again and Toji barely managed to stalemate Kensuke.
"Your going down 4 eyes!"
"In your perverted dreams Jock!!"
The battle was joined!!! Or interrupted by a phone ringing. Kensuke grabbed the phone and turned in time to see Toji slash Kensuke's character into 4 tiny pieces with a vertical slash and a horizontal cut.
"That sucks..."
"What? You don't want to party?" The phone responded to him
"Eh? Oh no, I wasn't referring to that... Misato that you?"
"Yeah. Is Toji there too?" Kensuke pointed the phone at Toji and he leaned forward and said...
"WASSAAAPPP!!!!" A loud slap was heard on the other side of the phone.
"Damn commercial..." Misato pulled her hand away from her head.
"What Misato?" Kensuke lifted the phone from a boy whose stomach was hurting from all the laughing. However the name mentioned shut him up real quick.
"Oh Misato, sorry. I thought you were Shinji or something" Toji and Kensuke crowded the phone together.
"No problem but do you have to do the same damn thing every time you answer a phone. I mean sheesh" Misato sounded like she was pouting and both boys melting like a freezie in the summer heat.
"So sorry Misato next time I'll be sure it's not you. So what's this about a party?" Misato dropped the pouting and smiled. 'Like putty in my hand'.
"5:30 bring Kensuke..."
"I'm still hear..."
"So bring yourselves then, ok? Ok!" the phone hung up and both boys pondered what to do.
"4 hours is a long time..." Kensuke nodded almost sagely at Toji's observation.
"Yes. and what better way to spend it then beating your sorry Jock butt at the mall arcade" Toji looked up at Kensuke and sneared. Kensuke suddenly felt very vulnerable.
---
Misato hung up the phone and glanced at her watch...
"4 hours?! What do I do for 4 hours?!..." Misato's gaze wandered around the apartment until it came to a stop at Pen Pen.
"Hey Pen Pen. Let's pass the time together shall we?" If that flightless bird could smile it would have given the creepiest most scary almost down right foul smirk in the history of mankind(but he's a bird thus the title belongs to the reigning champ Gendo). However he only tilted his head tot he side.
"Oh! Your so cute when you do that. Well let's get busy!"
---
"What were you rules of being a girl again?" Shinji said through the bags and boxes that was Asuka's latest shopping adventure.
"The only one you need to worry about is keeping me in shape" Shinji used his nose to shove a bag to the side and glared at Asuka between the nameless clothing store labels.
"Keeping you in shape? Then why am I carrying these?" Asuka glanced at a nearby store window to hide her smirk.
"Geez. Now you not only sound like a girl but you look the part too" Shinji's eye narrowed almost dangerously but her managed a come-back
"At least I'm the most beautiful girl in all of Tokyo-3" Asuka turned on him with a small scowl.
"Now you know that's not true, your just Shinji. that bodies on loan got it?" Shinji smirked.
"I don't know Asuka it's kind a nice being a girl... I can let my hair grow out, I can convince boys and men just by acting loose and I even have a great pair of legs!" Asuka's scowl twisted around her face as she watched Shinji gush about her body... well what used to be her body.
"HEY!! Don't you dare act loose! Or I'll kill you!" Shinji's smirk dying but steadily was replaced by a very mirthful grin
"What about that time on the carrier" Asuka blushed and Shinji walked past her towards a store that would cause one of them great embarrassment.
"Hey! You know better then anyone that was an accident!" Shinji looked behind himself with a hurt look.
"It was an accident? Then why'd you punish us like we did it on purpose?" Asuka walked next to Shinji and watched him carefully not paying attention to the surroundings.
"It's just something, as a girl, that I can't allow just anyone a look at my panties" Asuka said with pride.
"Yet, you still have me wash your laundry?..." Asuka looked at Shinji and saw how he was practically living on Asuka's growing discomfort.
"We're here!" Asuka stumbled when Shinji suddenly halted. She looked back at him and followed his gaze "I always wanted to see you, in some of these!"
Asuka paled. 'He is a pervert at heart'
"What happened to quote 'Victoria can keep her secrets for all I care' unquote?" Shinji shrugged barely containing a smile. 'My how the tables have turned. I'm turning into Asuka at this rate'.
Asuka ushered Shinji away from the store with the clerk's grinning ear to ear seeing a boy drag his possible girlfriend away from the store. However Shinji's bluff had been called, he didn't ever plan to go in their. Hell he'd have passed out if he saw half of what was in their. Regardless it was a good laugh.
"So Asuka shall we end the shopping spree with a quiet stop at the arcade?" Asuka paused but nodded within about a second anyway, so the two made their way towards the gaming centre.
"AHH MAN! Who'd have thought your soo good!" A familiar voice echoed out of the arcade. Shinji and Asuka followed the fading voice and saw Toji huddled over one of the machines masterfully mashing every button in reach. Walking around they saw Hikari do a victory cheer as she beat Toji again.
"the class rep... a master gamer?" Shinji muttered watching in awe.
"Who'd have thunk it?" Kensuke resting an arm on Shinji and watched with glum interest as Hikari continued her victory cheer.
A heated battle took place that day. One where Hikari scored not so good with the introduction of her latest competition. Asuka thoroughly wiped the floor with Toji, Kensuke, Hikari and Shinji. Hikari came second and Shinji close by her. Toji came absolute last but Kensuke didn't rub it in as he only beat Toji by one point.
"And the clock reads... 5:13" Kensuke said as he gave up the controls. Asuka looked disappointed
"I guess that means we better get going huh?" they nodded agreement and headed to the Katsuragi / Ikari / Sohryu residence ~~My pet name for that is the Kakarhyu residence what's yours?~~
"Greetings" the gang paused as Rei stood in front of the elevator door waiting for her ride up.
"I guess Misato invited Rei too..." Shinji stated rather bluntly. Asuka glared at him.
"Yes. I was invited too as I also know of your situation also" the group blinked
"How did you find out Rei?" Rei stared back at Hikari
"I know many things. My clearance in NERV allows me to know this" The elevator door opened and Rei held it open for everyone to join her. An eerie silence pierced only by the clicking of the floor indicator settled on the group.
As one they made their way to the apartment and entered it.
"I'm home... Misato, everyone one came with us, so they're a bit..." Shinji blinked as her watched Misato do something with Pen Pen he had never thought possible. A shot contest.
"Misato... ewww..." Asuka cringed as she saw the scattered beer bottles and sake wine bottles.
"Woah..." Toji and Kensuke both moaned at the same time. Shinji turned to them.
"Told you she was slob..." He noticed they hadn't listened
"...can almost see down her shirt..." Toji didn't see the projectile potted plant coming at him with deadly accuracy.
*SMASH* "PERVERT!"
---
"OH MAN! Take it easy on me will ya?" Toji held his head as he pleaded with Hikari who was viciously raising the prices on every plot of land she owned that Toji had to pass.
Rei held a stiff lead with Asuka fumbling behind and Shinji was totally broke. The gang had pulled out an old game called monopoly and Hikari was still unsatisfied with her earlier patented potted plant hit and was picking on Toji very obviously.
"Board walk... 4 shelters and a NERV command centre" it was NERV brand monopoly "and that comes out to $3,000" Toji cringed and gave every game piece he had to Hikari. She had totally wiped him out.
"3,000 isn't that much... hell my allowance could cover that..." Toji muttered under his breath.
"You really are a monkey if you believe that! A dumb monkey Jock! The exchange rate you idiot! Yen ain't worth as much as dollars!" Toji glowered from where he sat and Asuka returned to the game.
"Sohryu is correct. I believe the current exchange rate as of 2013 the current exchange rate of yen to dollars is..." Misato nudged Rei
"Rei it's your turn" Rei looked at her massive stacks of money and rolled the dice. She moved her eva-01 ~~she refused to play unless she had it all to herself~~ and landed safely on one of her properties.
"How can you be so lucky Rei?" Shinji motioned to board and Rei glanced at Shinji "You've avoided all the major wipe out zones and you got the community chest card that gave you $100 dollars per shelter just one turn ago!"
Asuka, Kensuke, Hikari and Misato nodded in agreement. This was odd, she was totally dominating them.
"It is only a game of chance. But there is no such thing as luck only fate. It seems fate has favoured me with this game"
"And scrabble and yahtzee and poker and battleship?" Rei just nodded and the game resumed. Promptly the others went bankrupt and Rei ruled the NERV monopoly ever since ~~Heh heh, Chain of Command anyone?~~
---
Gendo sat with Fuyutsuki facing him. They were facing off in a new game today. A game of chess. A game where chance, strategy, planning and patient were the call for the game.
Gendo moved his pawn forward "With the change in the pilots we can expect a many of things to go out of place"
Fuyutsuki rose his knight and looked thoughtful before placing it safely behind a row of black soldiers "That is obvious. Our enemies will obviously prepare for that and have probably already set something up. Just not in the public eye though"
Gendo slide his queen across the board threatening a rook a pawn and the knight "My section 2 has reported that SEELE has buttoned up it's external outlets and it seems as if they have another asset they are willing to use against us"
Fuyutsuki studied the board for a moment before he slithered a bishop into an aggressive position "Check, and Keel is driving himself to understand our new position. Seele is getting ready to attack"
Gendo's nearby pawn made short work of the bishop "Keel is a fool to think that I will be stopped. I already have a plan in place"
Fuyutsuki grinned and moved his knight and struck down Gendo's nearby rook "Did the reports of the newly mass produced evas signify that they are building an army to match us?"
Gendo moved his bishop and struck aside one of Fuyutsuki's knight "There isn't much to worry about. What's done is done and thus we must prepare for what will happen"
Fuyutsuki nodded and moved his queen to retaliate "So they do plan to wield their eva's against us... Our plan will be sufficient?"
Gendo moved his pawn ahead "Yes. Our plan covers all possibilities. Our plan can be obtained and that the children may have changed but this could only work in our favour"
Fuyutsuki nodded knowingly at Gendo. Gendo smirked.
"Checkmate"
--?--?--
Ok was that exciting or what?! I lighted up the atmosphere a bit and vacuum packed Rei into it as well!(A very impressive accomplishment for me) Ohhh, who won the chess match? What is SEELE planning? And will Misato actually pass the booze around and get everyone totally wasted on a school night?? Only one way to find out!!! And that's to wait till I get my sorry ass in gear.
Oh and the whole Yui explaining to Asuka the current problems was my subtle way of explaining in greater detail the current problem the 2 pilots face to the readers.
If you actually catch that 'little mistake' I did in chapter 5/6 I'll give ya an honourable mention. Send an E-mail under the heading { 5/6 blooper - GOTCHA! } and I'll give you a mention somewhere (side story/Omake yadda yadda) And I thank you few dedicated readers that put up with my bumbling. Go ahead and rub that mistake in my face all you want.
^.^
drakeforbake@hotmail.com
_-~Omake~-_
"How can you be so lucky Rei?" Shinji motioned to board and Rei glanced at Shinji "You've avoided all the major wipe out zones and you got the community chest card that gave you $100 dollars per shelter just one turn ago!"
Asuka, Kensuke, Hikari and Misato nodded in agreement. This was odd, she was totally dominating them.
"It is only a game of chance. But there is no such thing as luck only fate. It seems fate has favoured me with this game"
Rei calmly settled her frazzled nerves. 'They almost figured out I cheated'. Rei prayed thanks to who ever listened that they never noticed the AT field.
Rei picked up the dice and rolled again.
--Meanwhile in bridge bunny central--
"AT FIELD DETECTED!!"
"It's the strongest one I've ever seen!"
"Oh my God, we lost it!!!"
--Katsuragi's residence--
"Damn it, doubles again!" Hikari screeched as Rei leapt her unit between Hikari's buildings. Asuka grabbed the dice cause it was her turn.
"Come on 6!!" She threw the dice. They clattered across the board and one ended up as a 3 while the other one slowly spun towards the edge a 3 it looked like it was going to be.
--bridge bunny central--
"Damn it another AT field detected!!!"
"This one's as strong as the first one!!"
--Katsuragi's residence--
"Damn it it hit the floor and came out as a 4!!! NOOO not 7!!!!" Rei looked at her property card.
"Tokyo-3, 3 NERV commander centres, 2 shelters. Total comes to $7,345" Asuka cringed and dropped all of her tokens at Rei's spot and muttered something about
"stupid game"
_-~Omake~-_
Gendo moved his pawn ahead "Yes. Our plan covers all possibilities. Our plan can be obtained and that the children may have changed but this could only work in our favour"
Fuyutsuki nodded knowingly at Gendo. Gendo smirked.
"Checkmate"
Gendo paused and looked at the board... Then he looked up at Fuyutsuki. In an unheard of event, Gendo leaped onto the desk and booted the game away.
"You bastard!! You cheated or something!!!" Fuyutsuki just returned Gendo's flaring glare with a cool look.
"Is it my fault you keep knocking off the white pieces hoping to win?" Gendo paused for a moment
"Ah, no I don't. You cheated! Some how I know it!" Fuyutsuki lowered his head and held it in his palms.
"You forgot you were white this time didn't you..." Gendo paused for a moment and flushed colours.
"Screw this game!! Let's play another one!!" Gendo leapt off the desk and reached under it. Fuyutsuki narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"hungry hungry hippos?!" Gendo placed the game on the desk.
"What?"
"Just as long as I'm..."
"Shot gun lucky pink one!!!" Fuyutsuki narrowed his eye's dangerous.
'That lucky pink one will be mine one day!'
_-~End of Omakes~-_
There you have it! review, flame and read away! I finished it really fast but I forgot to spellcheck it... So that's version 2. My apologies. My next update should be on ACOS.(If you feel there's not enough action in this fic you should read that one ;)