Disclaimer: I do not own Evangelion, for GAINAX does. So there.whatcha
gonna do 'bout it? This chapter contains more intense scenes of masochism,
mild language, and use of tobacco and alcohol.I think.anyway, thanks for
the positive feedback! I think I'll keep going with this story. Er, this is
based around the Manga and the TV series both! The timeline and stuff is a
little off. Ah, yes, and there are SPOILERS!
Anyway, on with the show! thingies: character thoughts *Asterisks*: Actions [FLASHBACK]: Flashback.lol
Shinji sat in his room with a sterilized needle in his right hand, an earring in his left hand. Come on! I can do this! Just to feel the pain again! he thought with a little self-disgust. "I'm sick," he said as he slowly brought the needle to his left lobe. The needle slowly torn through the skin, finally going all the way through. A little blood fell from the hole, but Shinji didn't notice, he was to busy trying to get the earring into the hole. He gently pressed the metallic silver ring through the hole and pulled the needle out. All at once, the pain dissolved and was replaced by a dull ache. Shinji was somewhat disappointed, but at least he had done it. "Ah," he winced, turning the hoop, bothering the tender skin.
Shinji got up and walked into the bathroom, walking past the mirror and past the porcelain toilet to the sink. His trembling hands gently rinsed the needle and he pocketed it. "I really am sick," he said as he brought out a bottle of rubbing alcohol. His hands clasped around a Q-tip, which was hiding in a cabinet, and he dipped the Q-tip into the rubbing alcohol. His face contorted and he gasped as the clear liquid touched his newly pierced ear. A pain shot through his every nerve as the alcohol slowly cleaned the hole. He gave a deep breath again and rotated the hoop again. An image flashed into his mind. It was that of his mother disappearing. He remembered the conversation between Kaji and himself and couldn't help but tremble.
"Shinji?" Misato said through the closed, wooden bathroom door. "Yes?" the boy replied, quickly putting away his supplies. The purple haired Major entered and looked at Shinji a long time before talking. "Are you okay?" she asked simply, looking at his hand. It was still bandaged. "I'm fine," was his simple reply as he turned and faced his surrogate mother. "What happened to your ear?" she asked, pointing to the red piercing. "I pierced it just now. Is this acceptable?" he asked in a voice similar to Ayanami's. "You sound too much like Rei." she said seriously. "Why is that a bad thing?" he asked, feeling a bit of resentment toward her statement. Misato didn't answer, she didn't want to make Shinji angrier with her then he already was. "You've got a synch test today. Go to headquarters after school," she said as she turned and exited, a slight slump in her shoulders. She slouched down the hall and entered her room to sulk. I'm trying my best. Teenagers are so hard to figure out. she thought as she laid down on her bed and closed her eyes, the effects of her late shift last night finally setting in.
Shinji made his way back to his neat room and picked up his backpack. He forced himself to shove the conversation out of his mind. He walked silently to the door, not bothering to wait for Asuka. Another synch test. What will it be this time? he thought. It was still early, so, instead of taking the public transport to school, he decided to walk. Tokyo-3 is so ugly he thought with a slight trace of disgust. His feet took him through the dirty streets and passed the tall, repetitive building and finally to the middle school he had come to hate for its boringness. Several students were making their way to the doors when Shinji finally made his way across the blacktop. He went through the doors and straight to his locker, sighing as he opened it.
As he shut it, he glimpsed the tiny scratches he had inflicted on his arm, just to draw blood. Maybe I need to see a shrink. he mused as he sulked into classroom 2A. He slumped into his usual seat; most the class had been there for a few minutes already. Just as Shinji sat, Hikari stood and gave the "Stand, bow, sit," routine to show respect for the entering Sensei. Shinji just mumbled and kept seated.
Shinji glanced around as the Sensei began to drone on about the second impact. His blue eyes fell on the albino girl staring out the window. Maybe kissing her was a mistake he thought sadly as he stared at the red eyed girl.
Shinji tried practicing falling asleep with his eyes open, but ended up just slumping onto his desk. The Sensei kept talking about the second impact's effects on agriculture. His haunting dreams were of the same conversation with Kaji. He saw his mother over and over again. He wanted to wake up so badly, and fortunately, one of his friends helped him.
"AH!" Shinji yelled as Toji yanked on his new earring. "What's dat? Are you gay or something?" he taunted. "No! Now if you don't mind, I'm going somewhere where I won't be teased," he said as he got up. The bell rang for lunch and the students got up and went out the door, talking excitedly. Shinji walked out, followed by Toji and Kensuke who kept talking about him being 'gay'.
As the trio entered the lunchroom, Asuka walked up. "Hey, Shinji? What's with the hoop? Are you gay or something?" she asked rather loudly. She hadn't meant it to be so loud, but she didn't apologize, that wasn't Asuka's personality. "No. Now, please move," he said in a hurt, angry, and depressed voice. He walked around her and looked for the only place where no one would tease him.
"Ayanami? May I sit here?" he said as he looked down into the girl's startled crimson eyes. ".yes," she said after a long time of contemplation. She seemed to be remembering the kiss, for her expression seemed slightly embarrassed. Well, as embarrassed as Rei had ever looked.
Asuka stared after Shinji for a long time. She was torn between going over and yelling at Shinji, though she didn't know why, and walking away. Apologizing was out of the question, though Asuka didn't really know why for that either. What's wrong with him? He seems different.or is it just me? she asked herself. Deep down, Asuka cared about Shinji, though it hadn't reached her conscious thought process yet. The redhead knew she felt a degree of closeness to the young Ikari, but she had no idea how deep it was. She tried and tried to be nice to him, but she never could bring herself to do it. It was her pride that got in her way. And she had no idea how bad it really was. Asuka finally looked away from Shinji and walked off to Hikari, who, hopefully, would help her forget about the brown haired pilot.
Rei eyed Shinji as he slowly ate his lunch. He was looking down at his plate, not once glancing at the girl in front of him. She noticed little scratches on his forearm, but thought nothing of it. Her crimson eyes moved to his ear, but she really didn't care. In her mind, it wasn't what people wore that made them who they are. She was living proof.
As Shinji finally finished his meal, he looked at the albino girl who had been staring at him. She didn't blush and look away like many others would have done. She had a thoughtful look on her face, as though she wasn't looking at him, but something else. "Ayanami?" he asked, a slight blush gracing his cheeks. She looked into his eyes and nodded to let him know that she was listening. "A-are you okay?" he asked, stuttering a little under her gaze. "I am fine. Why do you ask?" she replied, a confused look appearing on her features. "Oh.no particular reason.just.wanted to know.See you later," he said, standing and walking off.
Rei's eyes followed Shinji until he disappeared around the corner of the door. She sat in silent contemplation over her feelings. When.when he 'kissed' me.what did I feel? What did I feel just now? What did Ikari feel? I.I do not know she puzzled over her emotions as she finished her lunch and stood to leave as well. Unknown to Ayanami, several eyes followed her, seeing if she would follow Shinji. Several giggles erupted in the room as Rei exited the exact same door Shinji had left through earlier.
"Alright, what's this test for?" Asuka asked Ritsuko. "I just want to try some new things,." the doctor said, smiling weakly. "What?" Asuka asked in her arrogant, curious way. "You're.going to.have to.go in naked," the blonde doctor said, backing off a little as Asuka's face reddened. Not good Dr. Akagi.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?" Asuka screamed. She never enjoyed revealing a lot of herself around anyone. "With this pervert around?" she asked, pointing to Shinji. He backed away. "I don't think so!" she crossed her arms and blushed. She didn't know why she always teased Shinji so much. Shinji looked toward the blue haired girl standing silent in the corner. She had her expressionless look on, her right arm clasping her left. She never had any trouble being nude around people. (Why?)
"I can't believe this!" Asuka said, coming out from the locker room, a towel wrapped tightly around her figure. Rei exited the locker room, a towel slung lazily around her body and Shinji emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. He had grown a little more, filling out into a muscular build. Shinji's eyes fell on the ill covered teenage girls in front of him. His cheeks began to burn. They both had washboard stomachs, and, in Shinji's opinion, perfect bodies. Shinji noticed that Asuka was skinnier than Rei, but he didn't know why. Asuka always ate more than Ayanami.
"Shall we?" Ritsuko asked, indicating to the children to go to the EVA cages. Shinji and Rei walked in front with Asuka following, mumbling something about, 'Idiot boy and his sidekick, Wondergirl.'
As the three reached the cages, Rei threw off her towel and walked to her entry plug naked. Many male technicians stared at her, marveling at her body. Shinji got in the entry plug and threw his towel out, as did Asuka.
"Okay.Give me a minute to boot up this new software." Ritsuko said over the communications link. Shinji closed his eyes and waited for the EVA to fill with LCL and come alive. "There," the doctor said as the entry plug began to fill with LCL. Shinji's eyes opened to see the orange liquid fall down onto his unclothed body. "Nothing looks different," Asuka said. "We're not changing anything, but the synch ratios. This new program should boost each of your harmonics rates a little," Ritsuko answered. "Cool!" Asuka said enthusiastically.
Shinji sighed once more. His nose was invaded by smell of blood mixed with water. He recognized this as the smell of LCL. He waited for the liquid to completely cover his body and saturate his lungs. It felt so different without a plug suit on.
"Dr. Akagi?" Hyuuga asked, turning toward the doctor, who was leaning over a computer screen. "What is it?" she replied, not looking up. "We've detected a slight leak in the protein wall above the test area," he reported. Akagi waved her hand as if to brush the problem away. "A minor detail. Fix it when we're through," she ordered. "Yes ma'am!" he nodded and turned back toward his computer.
Shinji yawned. "Okay, we're about ready to start the test," Ritsuko said. The boy felt odd naked in the liquid. He felt as though he was being watched, but he couldn't tell by whom. He stretched and breathed out into the LCL. Bubbles came from his mouth and dissipated into nothingness. "Okay, starting test!" Ritsuko said.
"WAIT! Dr! Organism entering protein leak! Blood pattern.BLUE! IT'S AN ANGEL! A.T. FIELD DETECTED!" Aoba yelled to the doctor. "Eject the plugs! Now! Launch the EVAS! Get them out of here!" Ritsuko ordered, screaming louder than she had intended.
Shinji felt a rushing feeling and a sucking at his stomach as the entry plug was hurled through the air. The LCL drained at an alarmingly fast rate. When Shinji hit the ground, he had no liquid to protect his fall. "Ow."
Shinji rubbed his head and opened his entry plug. He stepped out and looked up to find Rei standing there, sopping wet and unclothed. Shinji couldn't help but stare.
"What is wrong, Ikari?" she asked, looking him over. "No-nothing," he said, looking at the ground. "We should leave. It's not safe here," she said to the boy. "W-what about A-Asuka?" Shinji asked, nodding toward the redhead's entry plug. He was worried that she was hurt. "What about her? Pilot Soryu will leave when she is ready," Rei said in her careless voice. Shinji nodded and gulped, realizing how very naked he and Rei were. They both walked to the locker rooms, eager to change into some clothes.
Shinji toweled off and changed into his school uniform. "What do we do now?" he asked the blue haired girl through the curtain. "Go to the control room," she said, entering Shinji's side of the locker room. He was fully dressed, so he didn't care. He nodded and indicated for her to lead. She bowed a little and walked out the door. Shinji ran after her, trying not to slip on the slick floor.
The hallways were devoid of any NERV personnel, which surprised Shinji. He furrowed his brow and continued to follow his albino leader until she turned into a busy, congested room.
"What's going on?" Shinji asked Dr. Akagi, who was bustling around the computers. "An angel has entered through a protein leak. It's evolving and adapting at an alarming rate to our counter measures," Ritsuko said, typing something in on a computer.
"It's infected the Magi!" Maya yelled in importance. "Which!?" Ritsuko yelled, turning to face the young Lieutenant. "Melchoir and most of Balthasar!" Ibuki replied. "Damn! Load that new disk into Casper! He's our only hope!" Ritsuko ordered. "Yes Dr.!" the techs yelled, rushing to follow her orders.
Shinji watched as the angel continued to infiltrate NERV's computers. He couldn't see the angel's physical form and doubted it even had one. "Where are Major Katsuragi and Commander Ikari?" Rei asked, finally speaking for the first time since they had arrived. Dr. Akagi looked up from her computer screen with something like anger toward the first child. "Misato's got a hangover and the Commander.is elsewhere." she shot a warning glance to both teenagers. Neither of them asked anything else about the Commander's whereabouts.
"Two hours until the angel gets through Casper's defenses!" Aoba reported. "Dammit! Rei, Shinji, I suggest you go eat something. You won't be needed for this one," the doctor rushed off to try and speed up the download of her new angel defense program. "Okay." Shinji said, turning to the door. "Let's go," he said to Rei. She nodded and followed him out the door.
Shinji didn't eat. He just stared off into space, trying not to remember his conversation with Kaji. "What is wrong, Ikari? Dr. Akagi suggested that we eat," Rei said, looking up from her salad. "Just knowing we can't do anything about the angel is.disturbing.what if the angel succeeds in taking Casper?" he said, looking into her crimson eyes. He didn't feel like telling her about Kaji. "I trust Dr. Akagi will stop the angel," she said, with some trace of what Shinji could call resentment. She didn't look worried though. In fact, her face showed nothing at all. She had her hollow glare on.
Shinji silently ate his salad. It wasn't a great meal, but it would do. "Ikari." Rei said, looking up at him. "Are you worried about Miss Soryu?" she asked. There was some emotion in her voice that Shinji couldn't quite place. "Yes. She is.a friend." he answered after a while. Surprisingly, he was not nervous. "May I ask you a personal question?" she asked, looking back down at her food. "Yes," Shinji asked, nervousness starting to set in. "Are you involved with Miss Soryu?" she asked after a long period of contemplating over what to say. "N-no!" Shinji stuttered, choking on his food. "Do you want to be?" she asked, taking a bite of her salad. Shinji became serious and sighed. "I don't know.She treats me like dirt sometimes.but.other times.she is really.nice.I don't know," he looked down at his salad and finished it without anymore conversation from either children. What I didn't tell her is.there is someone else.her. he sighed and stood. "Wanna go back?" he asked after she finished. "Yes," she said, standing and walking by his side back to the control room. They both stole glances at each other while one wasn't looking.
"Damn! How much longer will Casper take to upload that now data?" Ritsuko yelled. "84% done doctor!" Aoba replied, getting up and running to a different screen to type something in. "Hurry!" she yelled at her bridge crew. Shinji and Rei entered the room, looking around at the hustle and bustle. "What's going on doctor?" Shinji asked the blonde woman. "We're trying to upload a self destruct program into the angel!" she replied impatiently, turning to another computer and looking at the screen.
"It's almost broken into Casper!" "COME ON!"
Shinji stared. This is not good, he thought. He looked at his hand, which was still cut up. "95% uploaded!" someone yelled. Shinji looked up, anxiousness and stared at the girl standing next to him. She was still quite calm. "100%! Send it to the angel!" Ritsuko ordered.
The brown haired boy held his breath, as did everyone else. "." No one said anything for several seconds as the program was sent to the angel. "Angel's evolution.stopped.he's." Maya said, watching her screen intently. "Blue pattern.DISOLVED!" Cheers sprang up throughout the room. Shinji smiled and looked at Rei. She looked no different. Oh well.
Shinji found himself alone with a needle again. He stared at it. "I.need a doctor," he said as he pulled out a ring identical to the one in his left ear and pierced the needle through his right ear. He fumbled around with it and finally got the ring into the hole. He winced. "I am sick."
Author Notes: Hey! Thanks for all the feedback people! I hoped you liked this chapter! It's a little longer than the others. It's also a tad bit darker. I changed a few things around, as you could see. But.I try to at least follow the basic plot. The Shinji/Rei relationship seems to be developing slowly, but just wait until the next chapter! Sucks to be you! I know something you don't.nananananana!
Next Chapter: Awkward
Anyway, on with the show! thingies: character thoughts *Asterisks*: Actions [FLASHBACK]: Flashback.lol
Shinji sat in his room with a sterilized needle in his right hand, an earring in his left hand. Come on! I can do this! Just to feel the pain again! he thought with a little self-disgust. "I'm sick," he said as he slowly brought the needle to his left lobe. The needle slowly torn through the skin, finally going all the way through. A little blood fell from the hole, but Shinji didn't notice, he was to busy trying to get the earring into the hole. He gently pressed the metallic silver ring through the hole and pulled the needle out. All at once, the pain dissolved and was replaced by a dull ache. Shinji was somewhat disappointed, but at least he had done it. "Ah," he winced, turning the hoop, bothering the tender skin.
Shinji got up and walked into the bathroom, walking past the mirror and past the porcelain toilet to the sink. His trembling hands gently rinsed the needle and he pocketed it. "I really am sick," he said as he brought out a bottle of rubbing alcohol. His hands clasped around a Q-tip, which was hiding in a cabinet, and he dipped the Q-tip into the rubbing alcohol. His face contorted and he gasped as the clear liquid touched his newly pierced ear. A pain shot through his every nerve as the alcohol slowly cleaned the hole. He gave a deep breath again and rotated the hoop again. An image flashed into his mind. It was that of his mother disappearing. He remembered the conversation between Kaji and himself and couldn't help but tremble.
"Shinji?" Misato said through the closed, wooden bathroom door. "Yes?" the boy replied, quickly putting away his supplies. The purple haired Major entered and looked at Shinji a long time before talking. "Are you okay?" she asked simply, looking at his hand. It was still bandaged. "I'm fine," was his simple reply as he turned and faced his surrogate mother. "What happened to your ear?" she asked, pointing to the red piercing. "I pierced it just now. Is this acceptable?" he asked in a voice similar to Ayanami's. "You sound too much like Rei." she said seriously. "Why is that a bad thing?" he asked, feeling a bit of resentment toward her statement. Misato didn't answer, she didn't want to make Shinji angrier with her then he already was. "You've got a synch test today. Go to headquarters after school," she said as she turned and exited, a slight slump in her shoulders. She slouched down the hall and entered her room to sulk. I'm trying my best. Teenagers are so hard to figure out. she thought as she laid down on her bed and closed her eyes, the effects of her late shift last night finally setting in.
Shinji made his way back to his neat room and picked up his backpack. He forced himself to shove the conversation out of his mind. He walked silently to the door, not bothering to wait for Asuka. Another synch test. What will it be this time? he thought. It was still early, so, instead of taking the public transport to school, he decided to walk. Tokyo-3 is so ugly he thought with a slight trace of disgust. His feet took him through the dirty streets and passed the tall, repetitive building and finally to the middle school he had come to hate for its boringness. Several students were making their way to the doors when Shinji finally made his way across the blacktop. He went through the doors and straight to his locker, sighing as he opened it.
As he shut it, he glimpsed the tiny scratches he had inflicted on his arm, just to draw blood. Maybe I need to see a shrink. he mused as he sulked into classroom 2A. He slumped into his usual seat; most the class had been there for a few minutes already. Just as Shinji sat, Hikari stood and gave the "Stand, bow, sit," routine to show respect for the entering Sensei. Shinji just mumbled and kept seated.
Shinji glanced around as the Sensei began to drone on about the second impact. His blue eyes fell on the albino girl staring out the window. Maybe kissing her was a mistake he thought sadly as he stared at the red eyed girl.
Shinji tried practicing falling asleep with his eyes open, but ended up just slumping onto his desk. The Sensei kept talking about the second impact's effects on agriculture. His haunting dreams were of the same conversation with Kaji. He saw his mother over and over again. He wanted to wake up so badly, and fortunately, one of his friends helped him.
"AH!" Shinji yelled as Toji yanked on his new earring. "What's dat? Are you gay or something?" he taunted. "No! Now if you don't mind, I'm going somewhere where I won't be teased," he said as he got up. The bell rang for lunch and the students got up and went out the door, talking excitedly. Shinji walked out, followed by Toji and Kensuke who kept talking about him being 'gay'.
As the trio entered the lunchroom, Asuka walked up. "Hey, Shinji? What's with the hoop? Are you gay or something?" she asked rather loudly. She hadn't meant it to be so loud, but she didn't apologize, that wasn't Asuka's personality. "No. Now, please move," he said in a hurt, angry, and depressed voice. He walked around her and looked for the only place where no one would tease him.
"Ayanami? May I sit here?" he said as he looked down into the girl's startled crimson eyes. ".yes," she said after a long time of contemplation. She seemed to be remembering the kiss, for her expression seemed slightly embarrassed. Well, as embarrassed as Rei had ever looked.
Asuka stared after Shinji for a long time. She was torn between going over and yelling at Shinji, though she didn't know why, and walking away. Apologizing was out of the question, though Asuka didn't really know why for that either. What's wrong with him? He seems different.or is it just me? she asked herself. Deep down, Asuka cared about Shinji, though it hadn't reached her conscious thought process yet. The redhead knew she felt a degree of closeness to the young Ikari, but she had no idea how deep it was. She tried and tried to be nice to him, but she never could bring herself to do it. It was her pride that got in her way. And she had no idea how bad it really was. Asuka finally looked away from Shinji and walked off to Hikari, who, hopefully, would help her forget about the brown haired pilot.
Rei eyed Shinji as he slowly ate his lunch. He was looking down at his plate, not once glancing at the girl in front of him. She noticed little scratches on his forearm, but thought nothing of it. Her crimson eyes moved to his ear, but she really didn't care. In her mind, it wasn't what people wore that made them who they are. She was living proof.
As Shinji finally finished his meal, he looked at the albino girl who had been staring at him. She didn't blush and look away like many others would have done. She had a thoughtful look on her face, as though she wasn't looking at him, but something else. "Ayanami?" he asked, a slight blush gracing his cheeks. She looked into his eyes and nodded to let him know that she was listening. "A-are you okay?" he asked, stuttering a little under her gaze. "I am fine. Why do you ask?" she replied, a confused look appearing on her features. "Oh.no particular reason.just.wanted to know.See you later," he said, standing and walking off.
Rei's eyes followed Shinji until he disappeared around the corner of the door. She sat in silent contemplation over her feelings. When.when he 'kissed' me.what did I feel? What did I feel just now? What did Ikari feel? I.I do not know she puzzled over her emotions as she finished her lunch and stood to leave as well. Unknown to Ayanami, several eyes followed her, seeing if she would follow Shinji. Several giggles erupted in the room as Rei exited the exact same door Shinji had left through earlier.
"Alright, what's this test for?" Asuka asked Ritsuko. "I just want to try some new things,." the doctor said, smiling weakly. "What?" Asuka asked in her arrogant, curious way. "You're.going to.have to.go in naked," the blonde doctor said, backing off a little as Asuka's face reddened. Not good Dr. Akagi.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?!?" Asuka screamed. She never enjoyed revealing a lot of herself around anyone. "With this pervert around?" she asked, pointing to Shinji. He backed away. "I don't think so!" she crossed her arms and blushed. She didn't know why she always teased Shinji so much. Shinji looked toward the blue haired girl standing silent in the corner. She had her expressionless look on, her right arm clasping her left. She never had any trouble being nude around people. (Why?)
"I can't believe this!" Asuka said, coming out from the locker room, a towel wrapped tightly around her figure. Rei exited the locker room, a towel slung lazily around her body and Shinji emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist. He had grown a little more, filling out into a muscular build. Shinji's eyes fell on the ill covered teenage girls in front of him. His cheeks began to burn. They both had washboard stomachs, and, in Shinji's opinion, perfect bodies. Shinji noticed that Asuka was skinnier than Rei, but he didn't know why. Asuka always ate more than Ayanami.
"Shall we?" Ritsuko asked, indicating to the children to go to the EVA cages. Shinji and Rei walked in front with Asuka following, mumbling something about, 'Idiot boy and his sidekick, Wondergirl.'
As the three reached the cages, Rei threw off her towel and walked to her entry plug naked. Many male technicians stared at her, marveling at her body. Shinji got in the entry plug and threw his towel out, as did Asuka.
"Okay.Give me a minute to boot up this new software." Ritsuko said over the communications link. Shinji closed his eyes and waited for the EVA to fill with LCL and come alive. "There," the doctor said as the entry plug began to fill with LCL. Shinji's eyes opened to see the orange liquid fall down onto his unclothed body. "Nothing looks different," Asuka said. "We're not changing anything, but the synch ratios. This new program should boost each of your harmonics rates a little," Ritsuko answered. "Cool!" Asuka said enthusiastically.
Shinji sighed once more. His nose was invaded by smell of blood mixed with water. He recognized this as the smell of LCL. He waited for the liquid to completely cover his body and saturate his lungs. It felt so different without a plug suit on.
"Dr. Akagi?" Hyuuga asked, turning toward the doctor, who was leaning over a computer screen. "What is it?" she replied, not looking up. "We've detected a slight leak in the protein wall above the test area," he reported. Akagi waved her hand as if to brush the problem away. "A minor detail. Fix it when we're through," she ordered. "Yes ma'am!" he nodded and turned back toward his computer.
Shinji yawned. "Okay, we're about ready to start the test," Ritsuko said. The boy felt odd naked in the liquid. He felt as though he was being watched, but he couldn't tell by whom. He stretched and breathed out into the LCL. Bubbles came from his mouth and dissipated into nothingness. "Okay, starting test!" Ritsuko said.
"WAIT! Dr! Organism entering protein leak! Blood pattern.BLUE! IT'S AN ANGEL! A.T. FIELD DETECTED!" Aoba yelled to the doctor. "Eject the plugs! Now! Launch the EVAS! Get them out of here!" Ritsuko ordered, screaming louder than she had intended.
Shinji felt a rushing feeling and a sucking at his stomach as the entry plug was hurled through the air. The LCL drained at an alarmingly fast rate. When Shinji hit the ground, he had no liquid to protect his fall. "Ow."
Shinji rubbed his head and opened his entry plug. He stepped out and looked up to find Rei standing there, sopping wet and unclothed. Shinji couldn't help but stare.
"What is wrong, Ikari?" she asked, looking him over. "No-nothing," he said, looking at the ground. "We should leave. It's not safe here," she said to the boy. "W-what about A-Asuka?" Shinji asked, nodding toward the redhead's entry plug. He was worried that she was hurt. "What about her? Pilot Soryu will leave when she is ready," Rei said in her careless voice. Shinji nodded and gulped, realizing how very naked he and Rei were. They both walked to the locker rooms, eager to change into some clothes.
Shinji toweled off and changed into his school uniform. "What do we do now?" he asked the blue haired girl through the curtain. "Go to the control room," she said, entering Shinji's side of the locker room. He was fully dressed, so he didn't care. He nodded and indicated for her to lead. She bowed a little and walked out the door. Shinji ran after her, trying not to slip on the slick floor.
The hallways were devoid of any NERV personnel, which surprised Shinji. He furrowed his brow and continued to follow his albino leader until she turned into a busy, congested room.
"What's going on?" Shinji asked Dr. Akagi, who was bustling around the computers. "An angel has entered through a protein leak. It's evolving and adapting at an alarming rate to our counter measures," Ritsuko said, typing something in on a computer.
"It's infected the Magi!" Maya yelled in importance. "Which!?" Ritsuko yelled, turning to face the young Lieutenant. "Melchoir and most of Balthasar!" Ibuki replied. "Damn! Load that new disk into Casper! He's our only hope!" Ritsuko ordered. "Yes Dr.!" the techs yelled, rushing to follow her orders.
Shinji watched as the angel continued to infiltrate NERV's computers. He couldn't see the angel's physical form and doubted it even had one. "Where are Major Katsuragi and Commander Ikari?" Rei asked, finally speaking for the first time since they had arrived. Dr. Akagi looked up from her computer screen with something like anger toward the first child. "Misato's got a hangover and the Commander.is elsewhere." she shot a warning glance to both teenagers. Neither of them asked anything else about the Commander's whereabouts.
"Two hours until the angel gets through Casper's defenses!" Aoba reported. "Dammit! Rei, Shinji, I suggest you go eat something. You won't be needed for this one," the doctor rushed off to try and speed up the download of her new angel defense program. "Okay." Shinji said, turning to the door. "Let's go," he said to Rei. She nodded and followed him out the door.
Shinji didn't eat. He just stared off into space, trying not to remember his conversation with Kaji. "What is wrong, Ikari? Dr. Akagi suggested that we eat," Rei said, looking up from her salad. "Just knowing we can't do anything about the angel is.disturbing.what if the angel succeeds in taking Casper?" he said, looking into her crimson eyes. He didn't feel like telling her about Kaji. "I trust Dr. Akagi will stop the angel," she said, with some trace of what Shinji could call resentment. She didn't look worried though. In fact, her face showed nothing at all. She had her hollow glare on.
Shinji silently ate his salad. It wasn't a great meal, but it would do. "Ikari." Rei said, looking up at him. "Are you worried about Miss Soryu?" she asked. There was some emotion in her voice that Shinji couldn't quite place. "Yes. She is.a friend." he answered after a while. Surprisingly, he was not nervous. "May I ask you a personal question?" she asked, looking back down at her food. "Yes," Shinji asked, nervousness starting to set in. "Are you involved with Miss Soryu?" she asked after a long period of contemplating over what to say. "N-no!" Shinji stuttered, choking on his food. "Do you want to be?" she asked, taking a bite of her salad. Shinji became serious and sighed. "I don't know.She treats me like dirt sometimes.but.other times.she is really.nice.I don't know," he looked down at his salad and finished it without anymore conversation from either children. What I didn't tell her is.there is someone else.her. he sighed and stood. "Wanna go back?" he asked after she finished. "Yes," she said, standing and walking by his side back to the control room. They both stole glances at each other while one wasn't looking.
"Damn! How much longer will Casper take to upload that now data?" Ritsuko yelled. "84% done doctor!" Aoba replied, getting up and running to a different screen to type something in. "Hurry!" she yelled at her bridge crew. Shinji and Rei entered the room, looking around at the hustle and bustle. "What's going on doctor?" Shinji asked the blonde woman. "We're trying to upload a self destruct program into the angel!" she replied impatiently, turning to another computer and looking at the screen.
"It's almost broken into Casper!" "COME ON!"
Shinji stared. This is not good, he thought. He looked at his hand, which was still cut up. "95% uploaded!" someone yelled. Shinji looked up, anxiousness and stared at the girl standing next to him. She was still quite calm. "100%! Send it to the angel!" Ritsuko ordered.
The brown haired boy held his breath, as did everyone else. "." No one said anything for several seconds as the program was sent to the angel. "Angel's evolution.stopped.he's." Maya said, watching her screen intently. "Blue pattern.DISOLVED!" Cheers sprang up throughout the room. Shinji smiled and looked at Rei. She looked no different. Oh well.
Shinji found himself alone with a needle again. He stared at it. "I.need a doctor," he said as he pulled out a ring identical to the one in his left ear and pierced the needle through his right ear. He fumbled around with it and finally got the ring into the hole. He winced. "I am sick."
Author Notes: Hey! Thanks for all the feedback people! I hoped you liked this chapter! It's a little longer than the others. It's also a tad bit darker. I changed a few things around, as you could see. But.I try to at least follow the basic plot. The Shinji/Rei relationship seems to be developing slowly, but just wait until the next chapter! Sucks to be you! I know something you don't.nananananana!
Next Chapter: Awkward