Shinji Grows Up

Disclaimer: I dont own anything, if i do ill tell you

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THURSDAY MORNING

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      The sun started to rise from the small hill as Shinji Ikari sat, leaning against the massive tree that stood on top, looking into the sky. His arms were wrapped protectively around a girl that was sitting on his lap and resting her head against his shoulder. Her red hair blew in the wind as she nuzzled his neck and leaned closer to him, enjoying the warmth they were sharing. He looked down at the now open blue eyes looking back at him; she leaned her head and kissed his cheek just as his arms held her tightly against him.

      "Its a nice day today" Asuka said absently gliding her hand up and down his arm that was around her.

      "Kind of cold isn't it" he responded putting his chin on top of her head.

      "No not really" she said moving her hand to his and entwining her fingers with his.

      "Oh?"

      "Its never cold when I'm with you..." she then kissed hand and leaned her head against his chest.

      Shinji placed the palm of his hand on Asuka's cheek and shifted a little to be able to look at her face. A guitar could be heard, softly and lightly playing until another joins it. Both start playing at the same time, as Shinji and Asuka are looking into each other eyes. A voice soon joined the playing guitars.

"Hello, I've waited here for you, everlong

Tonight, I throw myself into and out of the red, out of her head she sang "

      Shinji moved his head slowly as Asuka leaned hers and moved slowly to meet him.

"Come down and waste away with me, down with me

Slow how, you wanted it to be, I'm over my head, out of her head she sang

And I wonder when I sing along with you if everything could ever feel this real forever

If anything could ever be this good again "

      He could see that her face held on to a light pink blush as she probably already knew what he was going to do, her beautiful blue eyes closed in anticipation.

"The only thing I'll ever ask of you

You've got to promise not to stop when I say when she sang "

      Asuka felt Shinji's hand lightly caress her face and his thumb brush against her lips as he moved closer and closer to her.

"Breathe out, so I can breathe you in, hold you in

And now, I know you've always been out of your head, out of my head I sang

And I wonder when I sing along with you if everything could ever feel this real forever

If anything could ever be this good again "

      Shinji was so close to her that he could feel her soft breathing on his lips, he was going to close the distance and claim his prize when...

"The only thing..."

      ... the music got cut off and a loud scratching sound echoed all over, breaking the couples moment.   Shinji looked up and from the corner of his eyes could see something black. He turned his head and to his udder disbelief saw Pen Pen kicking a small stereo.

      "Fuck it!" the penguin shouted, picking up the stereo and chucking it into the ground. He then looked up to see two faces staring at him.

      "Um... I didn't talk! It was all a dream!", the penguin then waved its flippers around, eventually giving up as he put his arms to his sides.

      " OH LOOK THERE!" the penguin yelled pointing over their heads then ran off, arms flailing about, never noticing Asuka nor Shinji looked to where he pointed.

      "That was... interesting" Asuka said as Shinji dumbly nodded.

      Taking no time, Shinji leaned his head close to Asuka when footsteps could be heard walking up the hill. Shinji at this point was ready to kill, could only look on with wide eyes and mouth hanging as his father walked up carrying a small portable stereo and wearing what looked like 70's clothing, bell bottoms and all. Gendo Ikari then put the stereo down and turned it on. Stand completely still with a solemn face with his ever present glasses on he then lifted both his arms in the air as the music began playing.

"Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one

But the kid is not my son

She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son"

      He then moon walked, turned quickly and grabbed his crotch. His face expression  never changing throughout the verse of the song.

      "Oww..." he said monotone then ripped off his clothes.

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      Shinji bolted out of bed and looked wildly around. He stood in the middle of his room, with a face of udder disgust and fear, panting heavily and expected his father to pop out of nowhere and start dancing again. After calming down, he sat on the foot of his bed and let out a small sigh. It calmed him more when he remembered the moment he had with Asuka before all the... weird... stuff happened. He let a small smile show on his face as he got up and left his room to use to bathroom. An hour and a half later Shinji got out of the bathroom and walked to the kitchen to find Misato gone.

      "She must of gone early to work today" he said to himself as he went to the refrigerator and took out the necessary things to make breakfast.

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      Asuka woke up to the aroma of breakfast, she blinked her eyes a couple of times and let out a large yawn. She then sat up and stretched her arms over her head. The aroma getting to her and her hungry stomach she got out of bed, opened the door and headed for the kitchen.

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      Shinji was busy making breakfast to notice Asuka come into the kitchen and sit down, he turned his head then quickly turned it back. Apparently Asuka didn't realize she was wearing some pretty see through nightclothes as she sat down and waited to be served.

      "Where's Misato?"

      "I... uh think she went to work early today..." Shinji resisted to stutter out his response but was close to failing.

      "What's the matter?" Asuka asked oblivious to the situation she put herself to.

      "N.. no.. nothings wrong" Shinji stuttered out then after cursed himself for doing so as he felt his face heat up.

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      The Council of Shinji was at an uproar, not because of the situation and what to do about but for Shinji to turn around and get a better look at her. 'Brain' slammed down his grovel to get the attention of the council, after a few minutes the council quieted down.

      "Okay, folks, you know the drill about when Asuka has something on like that..."

      "Stare like an idiot?" someone screamed interrupting 'Brain'

      "Fantasize?"

      "Complement the way she looks half naked?"

      "Kiss her passionately and fuc..."

      "OKAY, FOLKS", 'Brain screamed before 'Pervert' can finish his sentence, " ehem I mean we need to act comfortable around her, we cant let this affect our thinking. We must be strong and resist temptation" after that being said the council looked at 'Pervert' and sighed when it was apparent that he had no clue that he was being talked about.

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      Shinji put the eggs he was making onto a plate then but in the bacon, he turned around and finally got a good look at Asuka. Her red hair looked was over her shoulders and down her back. The nightgown she was wearing contrasted to her skin giving her an aurora of beauty that words couldn't describe. Shinji wanted to say something, nothing perverted but something to compliment her in the way she looked. A goddess.

      "Here you go" he said surprising himself that he didn't stutter it out like his previous responses.

      "Thanks" she responded and began to eat.

      It was at this time that Pen Pen decided to come out his refrigerator, he yawned and stretched his flippers over his head. He looked up at Shinji and warked at him indicating he wanted breakfast. Shinji went back to the counter and got him his breakfast, putting the plate on the floor and a wark of thanks from the penguin. He then left Pen Pen to his breakfast as he sat down in his regular spot and just watched Asuka.

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      Asuka was looked up from her meal to see Shinji looking at her, she didn't mind but she was wondering what he was thinking. She also noticed its quite chilly in the room as she shivered involuntary. It was then that she noticed what she was wearing or lack of what she was wearing. It was amazing because the look on her face looked like she stabbed her tongue with the fork.

      "Is something wrong, Asuka?" Shinji asked looking at the expression on her face.

      "Nothing! er.. I mean nothing's wrong just that the eggs were alittle too hot..." she blurted out while moving her elbows to cover her chest.

      "Oh, your nightgown"

      Asuka's face was entirely red now after Shinji's blunt statement about her state of dress. She was now fidgeting under his gaze.

      'God Asuka, you have to go straight to breakfast dressed like this... Good job, jeez I wish he wouldn't look at me like that...' she thought as she crossed her arms and looked the other way. She was so lost in thoughts that she nearly jumped out of her skin when a blanket was put around her. She looked up at Shinji's face a few inches away from her and his hands on her shoulders.

      "No use in you freezing to death" he said as he let go of Asuka's shoulders. To his surprise Asuka grabbed his hand and looked like she was about to say something.

      "What is it?" Shinji asked. He saw Asuka's face contort and her mouth open and close then before he knew it Asuka stood up and flung her arms around his waste. He could feel her body press up to him and her arms tighten around his waste. At first he didn't know what to do then he gained enough courage to lift his arms from his sides and wrap them around Asuka's back. They stood there for a minute or so with Asuka's head resting on his chest and Shinji arms wrapped around her.

      "What's wrong, Asuka?" he said soothingly to the girl he now held in his arms.

      " I don't know, I don't know why I'm doing this... I'm cold and I'm lonely... I feel guilty that I treated you like shit over the years, I.. I... I don't know anymore," Asuka said as tears ran down her cheeks.

      Shinji was stood there not knowing what to think; especially at the part she said, "I feel cold and lonely". Something came over him that moment as his hand left its place on the girls back to caress her cheek lightly. He felt the tears and wiped them off. Pushing himself back a little to be able to look at Asuka, he put his two fingers underneath her chin and lifted them up so that she was looking at him. He saw the redness in her eyes and more tears spill from them. Asuka looked into his eyes as he stared back at hers. Shinji then started to move closer to Asuka as he leaned his head slightly and softly kissed her.

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      The Council of Shinji looked on at the scene, 'Brain' had a small smile on his face as he looked on and he turned to the council. What met him was all the Shinji's in the room also had that smile, a smile of accomplishment, but most importantly the smile of finally getting what you always wanted.

      "Folks... he finally did it..."

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      Asuka couldn't believe what was happening, her heart started to race as she was being succumbed by the kiss. She closed her eyes and leaned into it, her arms going up to his shoulders now. Shinji then pulled back much to her disappointment.

      "Uh.. I'm sorry I shouldn't of done that..." Shinji said as he let go of her and moved back. He picked up the blanket that fell off her shoulders when she stood up and wrapped it around her again. He then smiled and left the room to dress for school. Asuka stood there looking on, her hand lifted up and touched her lips.

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      Shinji and Asuka walked side by side on their way to school, neither one wanting to start a conversation and neither not knowing what to say.

      "Asuka", he broke the silence first, she turned her head to him, " um I wanted to apologize for this morning I didn't know what came over me... I don't want to freak you out in any way or anything... ah crap..." he muttered the last part and looked on at the ground hoping it opened up and swallowed him at that point.

      "Its ok... um do you want to just forget about?" Asuka asked softly.

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      The Council of Shinji was at an uproar now.

      "NO DONT FORGET IT!"

      "COME ON YOU ALMOST HAVE HER!"

      "ITS ASUKA FOR GOD SAKES GO FOR IT!"

      "YOU KISSED HER, ASK HER OUT!"

      "Huh... wha..." 'Sleep' Shinji woke up and mutter with a confused look on his face.

      "DONT BE STUPID!"

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      "Yeah... sure..."

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      "NOOOO!"

      "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THAT BIG OF A DUMBASS!"

      "IDIOT!"

      "OH GOD!"

      Everyone stopped and stared at 'Pervert'.

      "I DIDNT MEAN IT IN THAT SENSE AND YOU ALL SAY THAT MY MIND IS IN THE GUTTER!"

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      "Okay" both said at the same and let out a small laugh before silence took over both of them.

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      They both got into class as Shinji went to where Kensuke and Toji were sitting and Asuka made a dash for Hikari.

      'Probably going to tell how bad of a kisser I am... ' Shinji thought as he sat down.

      "What's with you?" Kensuke asked.

      "Yeah, did Asuka do any bodily harm to you today?" Toji said a little to loudly as it got a few giggles and chuckles from the class and a glare from Asuka.

      "No, just kind of tired"

      "Uh huh" both the boys said simultaneously and looked at him in disbelief. Shinji let out a sigh and looked at that clock. 'Just six more hours...'

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      Asuka looked at Shinji and could tell that he looked like he did get kicked in that spot again only this time it was something like his pride. She looked at Hikari who was talking to her about something but she wasn't paying attention. All her mind could think of was that kiss they shared in the morning.

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      Rei looked on from her desk at Asuka staring at Shinji while Hikari was talking to her and Shinji looking up at the ceiling and leaning his chair against a desk while Toji and Kensuke were talking about a girl from another class.

      'God cant those two get together already, I mean even I notice the connection they have and I'm supposed to be the emotionless one!' Rei mentally complained then let out a sigh as she opened her laptop. She looked around so that no one was watching then put a small headphone plug into her right ear and covered it up with her hand to make it look like she was holding her head. She then went with the mouse to a folder on the desktop, she clicked it and a password screen came up. She typed out the password and clicked "ok". The folder opened to show a list of mp3s of songs from different bands. She scrolled down to the one that was labeled "Offspring, All I Want", she looked around again then double clicked on the icon of the song. She lowered the volume enough for it not to be noticed by anyone.

      'YA YA YA YA YA....', the guitars start as Rei mentally sings the song, ' DAY AFTER DAY YOUR HOME LIFE'S A WRECK... THE POWERS THAT BE JUST... BREATHE DOWN YOUR NECK... YOU GET NO RESPECT... YOU GET NO RELIEF... YOU GOTTA SPEAK UP... AND YELL OUT YOUR PIECE... SO BACK OFF YOUR RULES... BACK OFF YOUR JIVE... CAUSE I'M SICK OF NOT LIVING... TO STAY ALIVE... LEAVE ME ALONE... I'M NOT ASKING ALOT... I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE CONTROLLED... THAT'S ALL I WANT... ALL I WANT... ALL I WANT... ALL I WANT... IT'S ALL I WANT... YA YA YA YA YA...'

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      Shinji sighed from his seat as the class began. He looked at his laptop and had no real motivation to write notes or hide the fact that he's bored out of his mind. All his mind could do was think of earlier events that happened, he could still feel Asuka's soft lips. He sighed as he started to feel anger rise from the pit of his stomach. Forget the kiss? How could he do that?

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      Asuka looked at the teacher then over to where Hikari was sitting, her eyes then darted to Shinji and back to the surface of her desk. She let out a sigh and touched her lips again, she was angry with herself for saying that they should forget the incident. Forget the kiss? How could she do that.

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THURSDAY AFTERNOON

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      Misato stared at the screen in front of her, her solitaire game betraying her by crashing her computer, playing a game of chess with someone online. She was getting her ass kicked and was considering finding the punk who was doing this to her. The win/lose number on the bottom was 0/34 and Misato was seriously hell bent on beating this guy at least once.

      "Yes, I think I might have done it... ARGH DAMN IT!", she screamed out the last part as "CHECK MATE PLAYER 2 WINS" popped up on her screen, "who the hell is this guy".

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      Gendo Ikari stared at his console screen, "CHECKMATE PLAYER 2 WINS" blinked on the screen.

      "Novices" he said as he smirked.

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      Shinji walked home from school alone, bolting out of the class when the bell rang and leaving everyone behind. He need time to think, some time to himself and figure out what to do. Most importantly how he feels. A scowl appeared on his features; the more he thought about it everything the more angrier it made him feel. He didn't know why he was this mad but he knew he felt something in the pit of his stomach, the resentment and somewhat hatred. He felt rejection.

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      Asuka saw Shinji bolt out of the classroom, she probably knew why too. She let out a sigh as Toji and Kensuke walked up to her.

      "What's wrong with him?" Toji asked looking at Asuka like she had something to do with his friend's weird behavior.

      "I don't know what's wrong with the idiot and I could careless" she said with a disdain look on her face, on the inside it was a different story.

      Toji grunted and left with Kensuke following him from behind. Asuka relaxed and got up from her chair.

      "Come on, Hikari, let's go to the mall"

      "Okay but you have to tell me the deal with Shinji" Asuka let out a sigh of defeat as Hikari mentioned her part of the bargain.

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      Shinji finally made it home, throwing off his shoes and going into the kitchen. He went straight for the refrigerator; he opened it and saw that there was nothing to eat. He muttered to himself as he slammed the door and left the kitchen to the living room. He plopped himself on the couch and looked to the answering machine where a red light was blinking indicating a message. He got up, went to it and pressed the button.

      "One message" a robotic voice said then a beep "Shinji? Asuka? This is Misato; I called to say I'll be home late because I have a ton of wo... DAMN IT HE DID IT AGAIN!" followed by another beep.

      "Okay..." Shinji said out loud as he went back and plopped himself back on the couch. Soon Pen Pen was sitting beside him in the same reclined position, the penguin with beer in hand and Shinji with a can of coke. Both took a drink from it and sighed out loud, Shinji then picked up the remote and started to flip through channels. After a few channels there was a commercial that caught his attention.

      "Being with the one you love is the most important thing to you isn't it?"

      At that Shinji threw his coke can at the television, cursing the advertisement people for making a commercial like that. Right after Shinji threw his can, Pen Pen threw his.

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      It was around five when Asuka returned to the apartment with two bags in her hand. She had told Hikari what happened and was thoroughly embarrassed when she yelled out "He kissed you!" in the middle of the mall. She was happy to get out of there but not without getting something from there first. Asuka set her bags in the halls and took off her shoes she heard the television on. She walked to the living room and stood there looking at the scene in front of her.

      There sat Shinji looking at the television and Pen Pen sitting near him. Both looked like they were laughing but what freaked her out was the way they were laughing.

      "Uh huh huh huh huh uh huh huh huh" was Shinji

      "Mmm heh heh heh mmm heh he heh" was Pen Pen

      'Just like Beavis and Butthead' was Asuka's only thought before two heads turned to her direction.

      "Hey Asuka" Shinji greeted turning his head to the TV and Pen Pen gave a wark.

      "Hi..." Asuka said as she looked at Shinji who looked at the television with more attention then to her.

      Pen Pen got up and went to the kitchen so she went and took the penguin's seat. When the penguin returned with beer in hand, he looked up at Asuka then walked to the air chair and sat down. Shinji continued to look at the television never once acknowledging her presence.

      'Did I do something wrong?' she thought to herself as she looked at him with a confused look.

      Shinji looked at her and a small scowl of annoyance appeared, "What?"

      "Nothing, I was just wondering why you left class so quickly"

      "Needed time to think" was his cold response.

      "Shinji about this morning I..."

      "Forget it" he interrupted her.

      "I can't..."

      This got his attention; he turned his head and looked at Asuka. Then he was surprised yet again when Asuka leaned in and rested her head against his shoulder. Both teens' faces were red, one trying to figure out what was happening the other trying to explain her actions.

      "Your comfortable" was Asuka's meek response to Shinji's internal question.

      He couldn't control himself as his arm wrapped around her lower back and brought her closer to him. The both sat there, the boy holding the girl, watching TV but both enjoying the moment then anything else.

      "Do you want to go out sometime?" Asuka's head snapped up and looked at Shinji.

      "Id like that" was her response as she laid her head back on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his chest.

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      The Council of Shinji was throwing a party now; all Shinji's wore little party hats and threw confetti everywhere. Soon a banner from the ceiling fell with the word "FINALLY" written it fell with balloons and more confetti going all over the place. The Shinji's cheered and clapped as 'Brain' walked up to a mic.

      "Ok, folks, the boy finally did it!" he cheered happily as every Shinji raised their fist up in the air and cheered for the victory.

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      "Want to go get a bite to eat tonight, there's nothing in the kitchen anyway" Shinji said absently gliding his hand up and down Asuka's arm.

      "Sure" was all she said as she enjoyed the attention he was giving her.

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THURSDAY EVENING

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      Asuka and Shinji stood in front of the ramen place right next to the building where the concert contest took place. He opened the door and let the lady go first as both went to a booth and sat down. A waiter came and gave the two a menu and asked if they wanted anything to drink. After that the waiter left leaving the two to decide on what to eat.

      "What are you going to have?" Shinji asked for the sake of conversation.

      "I don't know maybe the crab with vegetable ramen special"

      "I guess Ill get the ramen and beef" both put their menus down and started to look around.

      'Crap think, Shinji, try to start a conversation'

      "Nice night huh?" 'Idiot...'

      "Yeah, do you want to walk around a bit after we eat?"

      "Sure"

      "Hey, Shinji, why did you kiss me this morning" Asuka asked her hair kind of hiding the blush on her face.

      "Uh... well..." Shinji looked up then back at her, "why wouldn't I want to kiss you"

      Her blush grew when she heard his words and a soft "Oh" came out of her mouth.

      "Asuka... ah what the hell, your really beautiful. I've always thought about you, I mean look at you your strong, sexy, and smart. Not a lot of girls I know have gone to college in their preteens. Ive always liked you in a way not because you were cute but well you always seem beautiful in my eyes or something... I don't know I guess I'm rambling" Shinji looked at the table not daring to look up at Asuka now. Instead what he felt was someone sit on his side of the booth and next to him. He then felt a hand on his cheek and looked up into Asuka's eyes.

      "Is that true?" she said softly never taking her hand away.

      "Yeah it is.... " he said never breaking eye contact.

      For the first time in his life, he saw Asuka give a genuine smile then she hugged him tightly. The waiter came back at that moment; he coughed to get the teens attention and then asked what they would like to eat. Both blushed and gave the order.

      An hour later after eating both walked out of the ramen place, Asuka holding on to Shinji's arm.

      'Why am I acting like this', Asuka thought to herself, ' I wouldn't let this happen, what happened to my pride... I never really needed it. Not with all the angels being gone, now I can be a normal girl... so why do I have to like Shinji and not anyone else... I do actually, him the Eva pilot and his kind self. He was spineless before but now he seemed to have mellowed out to a balance between the both. The strong pilot that I always admired and the kind heart becoming one. Ugh did I have to be such an arrogant bitch before. Even after all the abuse I must of done to him, he likes me... he's strong when he wants to be... just like in the volcano...'

      Shinji felt Asuka tighten her hold on his arm, he took his arm away from her hold much to her surprise and wrapped it around her waste. She immediately leaned in against him and sighed.

      'Man, a year ago I would consider myself insane if I ever thought this would of happened... I don't care though I'm happy now; it feels nice to be able to hold her like this. It seems ironic that were so comfortable around each other, with that whole living together thing for the fight against the angel to just plain living under the same roof... kind of like we were married... oh well best not to go into thinking, got to see where I'm going because she seems to be completely leaning against me'.

      "Want to skip the walk? I'm tired" Asuka said yawning.

      "Sure, lets go home"

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      The front door opened, Shinji yawned as he let Asuka in first then closed and locked the door behind him. She took off her shoes and went to her room. Shinji kicked his off and walked to his room, seeing Asuka waiting outside of hers for him. He smiled but then was caught off guard when she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He stood there for a while but then wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She broke it off and smiled then pulled back, opening the door to her room.

      "That was your goodnight kiss, Third Child," she said smiling then closed the door behind her.

      "O... K...." Shinji breathed out and stumbled his way to his room.

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      Somewhere in NERV headquarters was a hysterical woman with about ten Styrofoam cup scattered all over her desk. She pounded on her keyboard then took out her gun and shot the monitor a couple of times.

      Somewhere else, sat a man with a smirk on his face looking into his console where "CHECKMATE PLAYER 2 WINS" blinked on the screen.

      "You suck, Major Katsuragi" Gendo Ikari said as he glanced to the lower right where 112/0 greeted his vision.

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To be continued...

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sorry about the late update but the time on my hands were cut short by exams.... evil things they are... anyway thank you for the reviews and keep them coming, i dont know if this chapter was any good because it has so much sappiness in it that well it surprised me i was able to think of it, im such a hopeless romantic its sad... oh well... im just hoping it didnt suck.

Offspring, All I Want

Foo Fighters, Everlong

Michael Jackson, Billie Jean

dont belong to me