**Authors notes**

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They're all owned by Gainix. (I love you Gainix! =D)

I warn you there is swearing! *Gasps of horror! * No, really there is some profanity so if that bothers you, get the fuck out of here. Oops. Sorry. Sue me.
OK this fic takes place After T.I. was stopped. This means Misato is alive, NERV exists and the Geofront is there, (except for Kaji's melons; Unit 01 stepped on 'em *hehehe*.) Anyway, on with the fic! =)


The Courses of Love, Hate, and Sorrow…

Hill overlooking Tokyo 3:
It was getting dark despite the number of lights filling the city below. Shinji Ikari had lost track of time hours ago, he was very deep in thought about what had happened.

[Flash back]

"Hey Third, dinner is ready!" yelled Asuka from the kitchen.
"Coming!" answered Shinji, "Misato working late?" he asked as he walked into the kitchen.
"Uh-huh" sighed Asuka, "She's never home anymore."
"Oh, hi Hikari, you staying for dinner?" Shinji questioned, noticing the class rep for the first time.
"Yeah, didn't Asuka tell you I'm sleeping over? Of course, you don't mind?" beamed Hikari. Asuka rolled her eyes,
"We don't have to tell Baka-Third what we do! He doesn't matter" Asuka said in a vile tone.
"Fuck you Asuka!" yelled Shinji, truly hurt by what she said.
"Wow, the worm has a spine," muttered Asuka before she burst out laughing.
*Last straw! That's the last fucking straw!! *
Shinji left without saying a word.
"Awwww! Is Shinji-wee wunning away? Haw haw haw!" Asuka just laughed.

[End flash back]

*What the fuck is her problem!? All I've ever done is be the best I can be to her! And all I get is made fun of or hurt. I guess I had better head home maybe there asleep by now? Doesn't matter I'll have to face her at school tomorrow.*

Shinji got up and started to head home *Man its getting dark earlier these days* whispered Shinji as the darkness was getting worse by the minute.

Katsuragi place aprox 12:57 pm

"Tadiami" said Shinji in a quiet voice *Hmm must be asleep, thank god I really don't wanna deal with this right now" as Shinji was walking towards his room a slender hand tapped him on the shoulder "Yeaheeeeee!" yelped Shinji.

Shinji spun around and saw a giggling Hikari "Haha you're scared easy" she said between giggles

"Uhh yeah.." mumbled Shinji.

"I need to talk to you shinji. Can we sit down?" asked Hikari

"Uhh yeah sure". The two walked into the kitchen and sat down "So what did you wanna talk about?" asked Shinji inquisitively.

"Asuka" answered the pig-tailed girl in an almost monotone voice.

With that one word Shinji's heart sank "Umm okay what about her" asked Shinji hesitantly.

"Well first, the fact that although she's mean to you, she really likes you" Hikari said as a matter of factly.

Shinji just stared until finally he stuttered "Are-are you joking!"

"No shinji I'm not... she told me her self. she just wants you to show some spine, thats all." Hikari said the last part audibly quieter.

"Well she sure has a horrible way of doing it, all this bull shit does is depresses me (and bloody fucking piss me OFF)!" Shinji yelled.

"I know, I know, the way she goes about isn't the best, but it is working... you have to admit that," Hikari pointed out.

"Well yeah I guess, but still... if she really likes me than she could lay off a bit maybe I'll get a spine on my own..." Shinji trailed off

"Well I hope you do, well anyways I'm gonna head off to bed g'night!" Hikari beamed and ran off to Asuka's room.

*Geez maybe Asuka really does like me?* thought Shinji before going to his bed and falling into the oblivion of sleep.

Katsuragi Apartment 7:34 am:
Thin bars of light filled Shinji's room the morning was just beginning and Shinji was sound asleep until the horrid ringing began.

RRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

Shinji's eyes fluttered open and he shot up like a fuckin rocket. He then swiftly brought his fist down hard-- very hard on the ringing annoyance. "Piece of fucking shit" Cursed Shinji under his breath. Ikari then got up and headed for the shower, which unknown to him was occupied by pen pen, and as we all know he doesn't (can't) lock the door. So, Shinji walks into the shower stark naked to find a very angry pen pen

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!" screamed Shinji as he quickly fled back to his room rather than face the wrath of a bloody pissed off penguin who just go interupted during his morning shower.

When Shinji had gotten back to his room and had changed for school, he got an idea. He went to his closet and started to rummage.

"Damn where is that jacket?" muttered Shinji. "Ah ha!" Shinji slipped on a worn leather jacket. It made him look, well rugged. He pulled out an old snowboarding took Misato had given him last Christmas. He put that on as well-- it was a light hat and it mad him look, well cool... in a sense.

He headed to the kitchen. It was only 7:46, so Shinji grabbed something quick to eat and packed his lunch. He could hear the girls getting ready. Asuka was just having her shower and Hikari already had hers. "Hey Third what's for breakfast?" yelled Asuka from the bathroom

"I dunno... what you making?" replied Shinji.

"Haha very funny, no really what's for-" asked Asuka again this time with a bit of anger in her voice.

"-I dunno but I'm sure as hell not makin it for ya" Shinji cut her off, smirked, and grabbed his lunch, then left.

As he walked out on to the street he heard "WWHHAT THE FUCK!!!!! SHINJI IKARI IM GONNA FUCKIN KILL YOU!!!!!!!!!!!"

"oh shit" Shinji started to run.

School 8:00 am:
As Shinji walked through the crowds of kids he got a lot of stares from the girls and some of the boys "He's hot". "Who is he though?" whispered a pair of girls.

"Wow... is that a newcomer?" "I dunno".

Shinji just kept walking not looking at anyone just the doors. "Where are Touji or Kensuke?" grumbled Shinji.

The boy in the jacket walked into the class and every one looked. The took was positioned in such a way that Shinji could see out but the shadow covered his features. He went in sat in his usual seat but got a tap on the shoulder a minute later "Hey you are a new comer? That's Shinji's seat you go get your seat somewhere else!" growled Touji Suzahara.

"And just who do you think I am?" asked Shinji.

"Wh-what shin man is that you!" stuttered Toji surprised

"Yup" smiled Shinji. The sensei walked in and that ended the conversation.

10 min later: Asuka was glaring at Shinji with enough venom to kill god himself *God damned peace of shit! He didn't make me breakfast or pack my lunch! I guess I was a bit mean to him and he is showing a lot of spine today* thought Asuka *I know! I'll eat lunch with him every time he shows a spine!* Asuka smiled at herself and put her head down to try to sleep.

End of class/Lunch: RRRRRRIIINGGGGGG!

"Well that concludes our lesson for today you may go to lunch now" the sensei ended the class.

"Shinji oh Shinji" Asuka purred while trying to wake Shinji up

"OH Asuka!! You like it like that don't ya. Oh yeah feel it ugh ugh..." mumbled the half asleep pilot.

Asuka's eyebrow twitched rapidly meaning she was about to blow-up on the poor Ikari. Lucky for the rest of the class they had all cleared out by now. "SHINJI IKARI! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, THEN FEED YOU TO THE DOGS!"

Shinji bolted upright and saw Asuka "Ohhh shit, uh hi Asuka what can I uh do for you?" Shinji asked weekly.

"Where's my lunch third?" Asuka asked sweetly.

"I dunno didn't you make one?"

"No Shinji I didn't, why didn't you make it?" Asuka's fake sweetness was turning into a growl.

*oh uh, quick Shinji think THINK! Uh oh I know!*

"Well since uh you forgot yours... how you eh feel um about some uh German food for lunch?" stuttered Shinji.

*Wha! Di-did he just ask me out? Uh but well ok I…* "Uhh yeah sure" said Asuka still dumbstruck at his bold question.

On the way to the food district:

The two teens walked in silence for what seemed and eternity until Asuka broke the silence "Why?" she asked in almost a whisper.

"Huh? Waddya mean?" replied Shinji a little bit puzzled.

"Why did you invite me for lunch after what happened last night?" Asuka stopped and look at Shinji, her deep blue eyes melted Shinji where he stood

"I uh well you see uhh, can I tell you over lunch?" stuttered Shinji.

"Uh yeah sure". The two kept walking until Shinji tapped Asuka on the shoulder and pointed at an expensive looking restaurant called Der Stuttgart

" There it is... Kaji told me about it. He said you might like it, what do you think?"

"This is great but aren't we gonna miss class and how do you pay?" asked Asuka

"Well who cares about class-- we stopped 3rd impact we now know more than any one would hope to learn about it, and as for money, well I still got my NERV ID card, and I know just how to use it!" Shinji smirked.

The couple walked in and the waiter looked at them funny then shrugged and walked over "Guten tag! Table for two?" asked the waiter.

"Warum ja vielen Dank" said Asuka in a schoolgirl voice.

"Ah so the young lady knows the language, well come this way" the waiter lead them up stairs to another dining area that was more private. "Dieses Gebiet ist für Deutsch nur bitte einen Sitz nimmt" announced the waiter to Asuka and Shinji

"Dank" said Shinji. Asuka looked at Shinji with much surprise as they found some seats by the large windows at the side of the room.

"Learned a little something from me finally?" chuckled Asuka.

"Yeah I picked up a few words but my pronunciation is horrid" Shinji and Asuka both laughed.

A minuet later the waiter returned with the menus. The two looked at the menus and since Shinji new only very little had to ask Asuka what he should get.

"Uh Asuka I can't actually read any of this so what do you recommend?" Asuka looked up then looked back down at the menu after a couple of seconds replied Shinji's question.

"Well the schnitzel might be good for you?"

"Uh sure ok and you?" agreed Shinji.

"I'll get the same". Shinji called the waiter over and he took there orders

"What can I get for you?" he asked.

"Two orders of the schnitzel and two of the best German beers you have," ordered Shinji.

"Ah very good, your order will be ready soon, good day" finished the waiter and he walked off.

"Hehe since when do you like beer?" asked Asuka.
"Last time you had any you got so drunk that someone called the cops reporting 'a naked dancing man' was on the street"

Shinji blushed deep crimson and stuttered a reply "Well uh yeah I uh umm". Asuka proceeded to laugh her ass off until there drinks arrived.

*Holy shit she's beautiful but this isn't a date and she aint your girlfriend!* Shinji thought while they drank.

"Hey Shinji, you still have to tell me why you even bothered to invite me" Asuka broke him out of thought.

"Oh yeah well ok here it goes"
*END*
*Authors notes*
Yes yes im a evil person who left you a cliff-hanger! Ahahahaha err-hem well.
NEXT TIME ON THE COURSES OF LOVE HATE AND SORROW!!!
WILL SHINJI GET DRUNK OUT OF HIS HEAD! WILL ASUKA HAVE TO CALL THE COPS!
WILL SHINJI AND ASUKA FALL MADLY IN LOVE! (duh!)
Many thanks to 'Doublesidedcard' and 'Roland Deschain, The Last Gunslinger' my pre-readers and editor.