I don't own Evangelion, Gainex owns Evangelion

..chocobo : waArk :REI ROCKS:

Takes place before ep.23.

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Phase I.let it begin

He had awakened from a dream in which he'd seen his own death. To him, death meant the ultimate reward. Each time he fought an angel, he wished for his own death. He had two reasons to pilot the Unit-01. Death and Rei. The moment he saw her struggle to get up and take his place to pilot Unit- 01, he felt guilt. He felt the need to protect her from everything, even his own father if needed.

"Another day, another struggle."

Shinji whispered as he forced himself into an upright position.

5:47am

He quickly got dressed in his school clothes and stuffed his SDAT into his back pocket. He moved silently to the kitchen, not wanting to wake Misato or Asuka up. He quickly prepared a breakfast for his roommates.

"Today is going to be a long day."

Shinji arrived to school at 6:30; the sky was a shade of dark grey.

"It's going to rain"

Shinji mumbled to himself. Without noticing it, Shinji was on the roof. Without thinking, he climbed onto the rail and sat on it.

("Why...why did I pilot. Rei? Is she just an excuse I'm using?")

What he didn't know was that there was a pair of crimson eyes looking at him.

Rei woke up early today; she was attracted to the school somehow. The only purpose she served was to be the key for the Third Impact. She flashed back to all the times Asuka had called her "a doll".

(.)

As she got there she saw a figure on the roof.

(Shinji..is..is he as lonely as me?)

She climbed the stairs and arrived at the roof. She hid behind the door, wondering how he could look so calm.

(Is he like me, does he understand ... loneliness?)

School started as usual with the usual "STAND, BOW, SIT" from the class rep.

Rei decided to talk to Shinji at lunch. As usual, she diverted her attention to the window.

Shinji, who was watching Rei with interest, saw that she was different today.

("Why did she look my way?")

Maybe he had imagined it, but for a moment he saw her look in his direction.

("Must be a trick of the light.")

He sneaked his SDAT earphones under his uniform and put it into his ear. His thoughts were on Asuka now; he had heard that she has been staying with the class rep. But those thoughts were disturbed by the lunch bell. He quickly tucked away his things and brought out his lunch. He stood up and about to leave, but suddenly he heard his name whispered.

"Pilot Ikari?"

He turned around, O_O ...Ayanami...?

Rei walked over to Shinji, "Could you accompany me to lunch? I need assistance in understanding my thoughts."

("How could I refuse?") Shinji thought to himself.

They both walked over to a beautiful Sakura tree. Shinji decided he spent a lot of time on the roof and wanted a change of scenery. He motioned her to sit and sat next to her.

"So..what ...is it that you need help with?"

He couldn't believe anyone would need his help. He was worthless, a coward, and a pervert.

Rei kept her head down slightly, and then,

"Why?" "Why did you ask me to smile for you?"

With those words Shinji, immediately felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Within moments, he was at full-blush. He thought about it, and said something totally unpredictable and had no control over. He just wanted OUT, so he said these three words.

"uhh..Ayanami. It is.. uh... because..." "It is because...I, I love you!..."

Rei sat there. Her face has taken a slight shade of pink to those words.

("Love?")

Is that what I feel for Pilot Ikari? She had had dreams of Shinji pairing up with Asuka but never imagined him saying those words to him. She finally spoke,

"I'm sorry Pilot Ikari but I do not know the meaning of love."

"I don't love you."

Shinji looking slightly hurt, quickly bowed his head in apologetic manner. Even though he said it maybe without meaning it, it still hurt.

"I'm sorry Ayanami, I guess you don't feel the same way I do, but." I'll promise you this. Whatever happens, I will protect you as friends or more."

Hiding the tears from his eyes, he quickly stood up and walked, if not ran away.

Rei just sat there, thinking, then took out her lunch began to eat.

Misato was driving with her cell in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.

"I'll be there in 15 minutes. Sortie Unit-00 through the 32nd. Deploy Unit- 02 as back-up. The commander will direct Unit-01, I don't have the authority to release it."

Shinji was already at NERV; he heard about it and was currently pleading his dad to let him help Rei. Rei was being corroded by the angel and there was nothing he could do about it. Those words rang throughout his mind

("I don't love you...")

He dropped to his knees,

And then, he remembered his promise.

("I will protect you, Rei...!")