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Cherry Waterfall
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a Neon Genesis Evangelion fan fic

By: Hatti Lee*
Also known as:
Saiyajin Peach
Saiyajin Peach 18
Amalthea*
Beloved Animosity

Contact: Beloved_Animosity@sbcglobal.net

Started: 10.2.3


Pairing: Shinji X Kaworu

Author's Notes: Here we go... There's only one more chapter to go!!!! I hope you guys are enjoying! ^_^ Please, don't forget to review! My goal is to get 100! ^_^ Again, I have to apologize... I haven't proof read this yet and there may be more spelling and grammar errors than normal. Please try to overlook them.

Warnings: This is a yaoi fic, which means it contains intimacy between two males. If you're uncomfortable with that, I suggest you turn back now. Also, this fic will most likely contain violence, language, and graphic sexual content. If you're underage, please turn back now. You've been warned!

Disclaimer: Neon Genesis Evangelion and its characters are not my own, and I'm making absolutely nothing off of this. So, please don't sue me!!!

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Chapter XVIII: Arrival
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Misato:

I flush the toilet and exit the stall. I wash my hands and wonder where on Earth they could be. I glance at my watch as I exit the public restroom. They should be here by now. In just a couple more hours it'll be morning. The more time that passes, the more risk of Gendo Ikari and his goons showing up, figuring things out.

Candice and her husband moved out of Tokyo 3 on my instructions. The woman was only too grateful just to be able to help. Her memory brings a smile to my face.

Hey, you okay? I glance over to find Kaji beside me, Asuka there with him along with the rest of Shinji's little friends. I force my smile further.

I'm fine. Just worried, you know? I fake laugh and scan the crowd. There are so many people, and the crowd seems to be simply building as the minutes pass. Even if they are here, what are the chances I'll see them?

Maybe they didn't get out? Kensuke mumbles, his hands in his pockets.

Toji, Hikari, and Asuka, together in unison, berate him, Don't think so negative!

And this time I laugh for real, Kaji too. The moment passes all too quickly and I sigh, Come on, let's find a place to sit down. We make our way to the isles of chairs and peer out for a group of empty ones.

Hey! Over there! Kaji suddenly calls out. All our heads snap up and turn in the direction he's gesturing. There, in the corner, beneath a group of pay phones, Shinji and Kaworu are huddled. They look simply pitiful. Their clothes are wet and transparent, and they're both barefoot. I can see those horrible cuts on Shinji's body as well as a long cut across Kaworu's back. Shinji's literally sobbing, clutching the Angel as if he were the only thing in the word. His mouth is open wide and his cries are on the loud side, gaining the attention of quite a few passers. Kaworu appears calm, yet I detect a sadness in his posture.

We approach slowly and carefully. Shinji's face is marred by one of the biggest, darkest black eyes I've ever seen. I crouch down near them and reach out, Shinji? It's M-

The Angel interrupts me, Don't touch him! He insists, pulling Shinji out of my reach. Shinji chokes and coughs, a sputter of saliva stringing down from his lips.

I here someone behind me gasp, but I'm not sure who it was, one of the teenagers probably.

I look to Kaworu, What happened?

His eyes are cold, He killed his father.

My eyes go wide, During the escape? I feel Kaji by my side now, listening in.

Kaworu shakes his head, Just now.

Kaji asks. I glance over to see interest, concern, and determination written across his features.

Kaworu glances down now, petting Shinji's messed hair, He used me. It's a whisper but clear as a bell.

Kami, poor Shinji! I shake my head, We don't have time for this. I say, my voice stronger now.

Kaworu nods and Kaji and I step back, waiting with the teenagers. We watch as Kaworu lifts Shinji's head and forces there eyes to meet. He speaks softly, but we're close enough to hear, Shinji, we have to go. It's over now. We just have to leave.

Shinji's tears slow only slightly. He swallows, chokes and gags and then swallows again. At least he's stopped sobbing. Still, the tears are still free flowing. Kaworu smiles now, Hai, you're eyes are like waterfalls.

And surprisingly, the Angel's comment causes Shinji to chuckle, And yours like cherries. He whispers in return.

Kaji lifts the bag from his shoulders and drops it near their feet, You two need to get changed. Use the restrooms there. We'll wait here for you. Hurry.

The boys nod and it seems to be an effort for them to pull themselves up to stand. Shinji nearly topples and Kaworu wraps and arm around his waist. Seconds later they're hurrying off and we're left alone to wait.

I can't believe all this. Toji says, his eyes wide much like the other's, Did you see all those cuts and that shiner? No one answers his question, instead we look down or away.

What did he mean when he said Shinji used him? Hikari asks, looking to me.

I sigh, I'm not sure. Angels are very powerful... Shinji must have somehow used Kaworu to... To do it from here. I shrug, really not wanting to talk about all this.

Why's he so upset then? I mean, Shinji's always hated his dad. Asuka says, baffled and angry.

I sigh again, That's just it, he doesn't hate him.

Asuka makes and aggravated sound and rolls her eyes, Then why kill him?

Kaji glares at her, Keep your voice down. He scolds.

She simply returns the glare and then turns back to me, still waiting for an answer.

I guess because he knew that Gendo Ikari would never stop looking for them. Ever. I say after thinking for a moment. The realization obviously seeps into her, her expression going slack. Surely, she can only image the pain in killing one's own parent. After all, no matter how cruel Ikari was, Shinji always strived to please him. Hell, the boy was desperate for even a glance from his father, and tonight, he'd used his lover's hands to kill him. The poor boy.

Here he comes. Toji says, nodding towards the restrooms. Sure enough, Shinji and Kaworu were changed and making their way through the crowd. The jeans we provided are loose on them, obviously barely being held up but their hips. Their T-shirts droop from their bony shoulders and I just now realize how thin they've become. I thought they'd been eating well?

Kaworu hands the bag back to Kaji and I notice his little finger's been broken. Not to mention, there seems to be all kinds of damage to both their wrists. I glance down to see their ankles in much the same shape. Restraints.

Then, it dawns on me. They're still barefoot, Toji, Kensuke... How about giving them your sneakers? I suggest. The boys look down at their feet and then at the battered looking feet of Shinji and Kaworu. They quickly comply and begin pulling off their socks and shoes.

While they're putting said shoes on, I explain, I bought tickets to cities all over the world. Quite a few in the US. I'm going to have Toji and Kensuke go through with all of them and then come back out instead of getting on the plane. That way there are witnesses all over this place confirming that two boys got on all the planes to all these cities. Okay? It's hardly likely they'll be able to trace you down. But... Once you get to Ms. Williams' families' house, send word to this address. Don't write anything but your address, okay? I hand Shinji a slip of paper with a P.O. box address on it. He looks at it and then nods to me.

That way, if Kaji or I hear anything, we can send word. I say, and he nods again.

All passengers for flight 218 to Houston, Texas, boarding will begin in ten minutes. Announces a woman from the speakers above, and I quickly get all the tickets out. I sort through them and find the two I'm searching for, handing them over along with two passports.

That's you, kiddos. Kaji says, grinning.

W... Wait, how are we supposed to find Candice's family? Where do they live? Shinji asks, his eyes wide, his face screaming with fear and desperation.

I smile, Don't worry. They're going to be there waiting for you.

He sighs and I can see that he's utterly exhausted, Okay, right.

Kaworu apparently sees what I see, Hey, no worries from here on out. He says, taking hold of Shinji's chin and turning his head until their eyes meet. A moment passes between them and then they both smile.

Shinji nods, And then he turns to all of us, I'm going to miss you guys. He hugs Toji, Kensuke, and Hikari, bidding them each farewell, letting them know he'll never forget. He then leans in and kisses Asuka on the cheek, No hard feelings.

She laughs out and wipes at a few stray tears, You better get out of here.

He smiles and kisses her other cheek, promising he'll never forget her beauty and she blushes. As he steps before me, I all but crumble, reaching out and hugging him with all I've got.

Misato, I've got to breathe. He coughs and I ease up.

Sorry, sorry... I'm really going to miss you though. I love you, Shinji... I've always thought of you and Asuka as my kids. I say, pulling him in for another hug as my eyes water.

He smiles, Yeah, I'll always see you as the one who raised me. You're like my mom, Misato.

I'm outright crying now and I sneak one more hug before he moves on to Kaji, Thanks, Kaji. You were always there with good advice.

Kaji smirks, reaching forward and smacking Shinji on the shoulder, See ya round, kid.

Shinji turns then to Kaworu and takes his hand, as the woman over the loudspeaker announces that boarding has begun, Well, I guess we better go then.

Kaworu nods and looks to us, I bid you all farewell. He bows respectfully, flashing that dazzling, wide smile before he and Shinji turn and begin walking away.

Asuka and Hikari are crying now and I notice Kensuke's wiping at his eyes, glasses in hand. I turn to Kaji, he and Toji are both smiling.

I'm really going to miss him, you know? Asuka manages, watching as Shinji and Kaworu hand the woman at the gate their tickets.

We all are. I whisper as they disappear from view.

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Kaworu:

The flight from Tokyo 3, Japan to Houston, Texas is 10,731 km or so I hear the captain announce. Shinji and I are only too grateful. We manage to seat together. Myself by the window, Shinji beside me, an empty seat, and then the isle. What little privacy we manage we're also grateful for.

Hours into hour flight, and hours to go, we sit waiting for the flight attendant to come around and take our empty trays, I miss them already. Shinji whispers. It's the first thing he's said yet and I know it's not what he's been thinking about.

Don't worry. They'll be fine. I say, turning in my seat.

He nods, I know... I just, I keep seeing him in my mind. His voice breaks and he gazes down at his hands.

I smile, knowing that he's talking about his father. This is what's troubling him. I too saw the image in my mind. The man's broken, bleeding body sprawled out on the ground, limbs in awkward positions, his head smashed and cracked against the pavement.

The stewardess approaches and is about to offer us drinks until she looks at us and realizes we're in the middle of a serious conversation. She smiles nervously, Let me just get those out of your way.

Once she's gone with our trays, I lift our tables and secure them onto the seats in front of us. I then lift the arm rest from between us and lean forward, wrapping my arms around my lover, pulling him close.

Only, Shinji doesn't weep, I... I don't have tears for him. He whispers, as if he heard my thought.

I kiss him on the forehead, It was him or us. He was an evil man with evil intentions.

He nods against me, resting his head on my chest, I'm sorry, Kaworu. I'm so, so sorry.

My eyebrows draw together, but he goes on before I can ask, I'm sorry for controlling you like that. I know it was the only way, but... He trails off and I lean down to kiss him again, this time on the top of his head.

There's no need for you to apologize, but if it makes you feel better... I forgive you. I whisper, kissing his oily hair again.

You had such a strange look on your face... Like that day when you took Asuka's Eva, before you told me to kill you...

My smile fades, I admit, it's a horrid feeling, being controlled... As well as allowing you to live, I wanted you to kill me back then in order to end the feeling I had within me... This force controlling me, pushing me to destroy the Lilim, even though I'd fallen in love with one.

I take Shinji's hand in mine and intertwine our fingers, Your control only reminded me of that feeling, it wasn't nearly so horrible or painful. In fact, my love's so strong, I wanted to do all those things for you.

Shinji slips his other hand under the hem of my shirt, rubbing soothingly from one hip to the other, finally resting on my stomach. He looks up at me, I'll never do it again. He whispers, leaning up and planting a chaste kiss on my lips before slouching back down against me.

I smile, relaxing with him in my arms, knowing he means what he says and glad for it, I love you.

He sighs, I love you too. He says sleepily. I look up to see a large man across the isle staring at us along with his large wife. Their eyes go wide and they quickly look away. My smile never fades and I turn to looking out the window. Clouds rush by at an alarming rate and I close my eyes and imagine that I'm flying like a bird with Shinji in my arms. Minutes later I'm dozing off, my lover already unconscious against me.

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Shinji:

The hours we spend on the plane are just wonderful. As I rest against my lover, I overhear other passengers complaining about the long flight and the uncomfortable seating. If only they knew how luxurious this is for Kaworu and I.

The long rest eventually comes to an end though as the plane begins circling an airport below. Kaworu and I peer out the window at the city below, hardly impressed by the buildings and smog we've seen before, just somewhere else.

Just as I feel the beginnings of air sickness, we land. The plane jumps and jerks as it touches down, and it touches me when Kaworu reaches an arm out to keep me from bopping into the seat in front of me.

We squeeze passed the other passengers instead of waiting for them to gather their overhead bags and get out of the way, therefore we're some of the first people off the plane. We walk endlessly down corridors and hallways, finally coming to a long line where many others are waiting. Eventually, it's our turn and a man gesutres us to step forward.

He says something, but I have no idea what. I glance around confused, never having considered that it'd be a problem that I can't speak English. The man repeats himself and I look to Kaworu, completely unsure of what we're going to do.

Then, he shocks me. My Angel opens his mouth and begins speaking, in English! Just like that. I never even knew he could. Kaworu turns to me, He wants to see our passports.

I say, quickly grabbing the tickets from my back pocket and flipping through the papers and envelopes to find the two passports Misato had given us. I quickly hand them over to the now annoyed-looking man. He then asks Kaworu a number of questions.

Ten minutes later, the man finally satisfied, our passports are returned and we're heading down yet another corridor, What'd he say? I ask.

Why we're here, if we're tourists, business or pleasure, accept any packages from strangers, and all kinds of other stuff. I had to explain that you couldn't speak English and then he asked me all the same questions again, and I had to answer for you.

I laugh, I didn't even know you could speak English.

He glances over, smiling, I can speak many languages.

I smile in return and reatch out, taking hold of his hand. We come an opening finally, the airport spread out before us with people everywhere. It's easy to spot a young man and woman standing together. Not only because of their resemblance to one another and to Candice, but because of the sign they hold, reading: Shinji.

We approach them and they smile after an awkward moment. It seems we're not exactly what they were expecting. Though Kaworu is tall, taller than myself, we're both short in comparison to them. And we're both so thin and battered. Not to mention Kaworu's pale skin and red eyes.

Kowaru bows and I quickly do the same while Kaworu greets them in English. They look at us oddly at first, unsure what to make of our behavior, but once Kaworu speaks, they laugh and begin asking all sorts of questions.

We all walk to the exit and Kaworu and I stop in our tracks once the air hits us. It's warm... No, it's hot. It's wonderfully hot. We smile big and our hands tighten their grip on one another in a show of happiness. We then laugh and hurry to catch up.

The man get's in behind the wheel of a huge truck and the woman opens the passenger door for Kaworu and I to climb in. Once on our way, I ask Kaworu, What are their names?

He speaks to them for a moment and then turns back to me, Ray and Tureka Williams, Candice's younger brother and sister. I then listen as he tells them our names, helping them pronounce them properly.

Tureka leans forward, I smile and nod even though she isn't quite saying it right. She in turn, smiles big and sits back, pleased with herself.

They're taking us to a town called Goliad. Kaworu explains to me, acting as a translater during the whole trip, We're going to be staying with their mother in her house. They live on either side in their own houses and families. They support their mother, but she still keeps cows and chickens. They say they're happy to have us just for help with the animals and keeping their mother company.

Three hours of driving and we finally arrive in the little town. The buildings on the square are old and rather beautiful, surrounding a lovely courthouse. We drive through a lovely section of big wood houses and fancy fences, and just a block down we're driving by poor shacks and littered yards. The William's place is on the outskirts of the town. Two new, humble brick houses serve as the homes for Ray and Tureka. And in the middle, a large, beautiful one story, stone house rests, surrounded by massive oaks and lush grass.

As we hop out of the truck, a short, old woman comes out. Her face is wrinkled with the lines of her life and her eyes are the lightest brown I've ever seen. By them alone I can see that this is a kind woman. Her hair is a dark, even gray, pulled back tight in a bun on her head.

She comes right up to us and hugs us both, speaking all the time. Kaworu's smiling and I can just imagine all the kindness she's offering. Though she can't understand me, I thank her from the bottom of my heart. She reaches forward and pats my cheek before turning and heading back towards the house.

I look to Kaworu, confused. He smiles, She wants us to follow her inside. She says we need to eat.

I laugh and we all go inside. A modest little table sits in the center of the kitchen. Two extra chairs that don't match have been added and I smile. We all take our seats and I stare at all the strange food, and then the silverware. I'm really not that hungry, but the woman fills my plate full and I comply and eat.

Kaworu turns to me when he's finished eating, She says we need to eat more. He laughs and so do I, She is intent on putting some meat on our bones.'

I too am finished and ask, What do we call her?

Kaworu asks and then turns to me again, She says her names is Clara, but for us to call her Momma.

I smile to Momma and nod, feeling a pull on my heart. I miss Misato. I take a deep breath and reach out to take Kaworu's hand under the table. He squeezes my hand and continues his conversation with the others. He doesn't show discomfort, but I know it's hard for him to answer so many questions in the wake of so much. I squeeze his hand in return.

Little more than an hour later, Ray and Tureka bid us good night and retire to their own homes. Kaworu and I help Momma clean up and put away the dishes. She thanks us and then shows us to our room. We follow her down a crowded little hallway past the bathroom. At the end of the hall she opens a battered door and gestures us in. The room is small yet spotless. I can tell it's old and has yet to be redone like most of the rest of the house. The floor is smooth yet battered wood planks. There's a large window against one wall along with a twin size bed. Against another wall is a large waist high dresser taking up the whole length of the wall. Attached to it is a huge mirror with a carved wood frame. There's a little table with a lamp, totally three lamps in the room. Other than that the room is basically empty.

As she's speaking, Kaworu suddenly turns to me, She says this is the only spare room she has, that one of us will have to sleep on the couch in the living room.

My eyes go wide and I turn to the woman, No, we can share! We're together! I say quickly, blushing instantly after, realizing she doesn't understand a word.

She too is surprised and turns to Kaworu for an explanation, which he politely gives. Momma turns to me and smiles, reaching forward and patting my cheek again. Then she's turning and leaving, shutting the door behind her.

Once alone, I slap my hands over my face,

Kaworu takes hold of my wrists and lowers my hands, Don't worry. She understands. She said, It's beautiful to see young people in love.'

I look up and smile at my lover, You're going to have to teach me English.

Kaworu chuckles as he begins pulling at my shirt, If you like.

I nod as he pulls my shirt up over my head, Of course. I can't live here and not understand a word anyone says to me. Unless, you like being a translator.

He places his hands against my bare chest and leans close, I'll be your teacher then.

I shiver and find myself pulling at his shirt, She'll hear us. I whisper.

He smiles and kisses my lips chastely before replying, Her bedroom is on the other end of the house, and she has a hearing problem.

I chuckle and Kaworu helps me to removes his shirt, his fingers going to my jeans closure once it's discarded on the floor. Seconds later we're both naked and laughing as we climb into bed, playfully pushing and shoving.

And then Kaworu's lips are on mine again, his tongue teasing mine. His hands linger on my waist as he gently pushes me down while he leans over me, taking his time and really looking me over. He pinches my hair and pulls it down, tugging it down before my eyes, You're hair's getting long.

I laugh and pull at his hair, much longer than mine, You're one to talk.

He goes serious then, leaning down so that his chest rests against mine, both his hands in my hair, I like it like this. He whispers, pressing his lips to mine again, biting at my lower lip.

Our love making is playful and fun and we do it more than once, being careful since we still don't have any lubrication. I'm getting pretty good at sex without it, though I'd love some right now. The air is thick and hot and our bodies sweaty as we move against one another, whispering sweet things with hushed voices.

As we lie beside one another, breathing deeply, my body snugly against his, I whisper, I want to live like this forever.

He smiles, Hai, this life is good.


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To be continued...

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