THE SIXTH CHILD
By Yue's Lady
Summary: Angels are still coming. The Fifth Child (also an Angel) has been killed, and in comes a new Eva pilot. Um…I'm just making this up as I go…this will probably just be very spiritual.
Disclaimer: You know the drill…I don't own Neon Genesis Evangelion. Don't sue me 'cause you have no right to. You have no right at all.
CHAPTER ONEIkari Shinji, the Third Child, was feeling an all time low. It had been a month since he and Eva Unit 01 had popped the Fifth Child's head off his body. He hadn't lived it down since. He had murdered someone, someone who had talked and laughed with him even for that short time.
Katsuragi Misato watched the Third Child with sadness in her eyes. Shinji was always psychologically vulnerable, but the death of the Nagisa Kaworu had really done it this time. Shinji had shrunk completely back into his shell. He'd barely talk to anyone, not even his friends. He didn't comment anymore on how disgraceful Misato was in the morning. He didn't even care when Asuka called him names anymore. All he did was close himself up in his room and listen to that lousy cassette player.
Ayanami Rei eyed the Third Child with her usual emotionless expression. She could not understand why he was feeling this way. He had killed many Angels before, why did this affect him so? And why did he stop trying to talk to her? Before, Shinji would always make a point of trying to talk to Rei, but now…
Asuka Langley Sohryuu watched Shinji climb out of his stimulation entry plug and head wordlessly towards the changing rooms, staring at the floor. He didn't even say anything to Wonder Girl. She had a half-hearted urge to call him 'baka Shinji' again, but he wouldn't respond. She might as well have been insulting a tin can. Teasing him was no fun anymore…and though she'd never admit it, she wanted the old Shinji back.
Suzuhara Toji ignored the dull ache in his shoulder from the sling. Despite his own horrifying experience in a berserk Eva 03/Angel, he hadn't been affected this badly. He was still recuperating from that attack, but as he watched his buddy avoid everything, he couldn't have felt worse. Although he could partially understand how Shinji was feeling, he still felt so useless…he curled his fingers into a fist in semi-frustration.
Ikari Gendo watched the Third Child ignore his friends and almost smiled. He couldn't care less.
Akagi Ritsuko watched the boy behind pained eyes. But she could say nothing. Turning to Commander Ikari, she frowned as she saw the corners of his mouth turn upwards. Her hand slightly shook as she resisted an urge to slap him for being so cruel.
"What would Yui think of this?" Dr. Akagi stated. Commander Ikari almost flinched at the hidden message. But almost was not quite.
"That is irrelevant. Now, how have things gone with the Sixth Child?" he asked, evading the subject harshly.
"Everything's going according to schedule. She'll be arriving tomorrow. Eva Unit 05 will be arriving in three days. The necessary adjustments and customization have been completed. Should I prepare the pilots for her arrival?" Ritsuko asked curtly.
"Yes. They'll know sooner or later. You may tell them now. And remember to tell Rei to come to her…appointment in one hour," Ikari said dismissively. Dr. Akagi's lips thinned as her fingers tightened around her files and left quickly.
~.:*:.~
"Another pilot?!" Misato almost screamed at her friend.
"Yes, and calm down, Misato, this is not a new thing to you," Ritsuko reminded the furious Major.
"How dare he?! While his own flesh and blood is suffering, all he gives a shit about is a nasty new pilot?!"
"You know what the commander is like, he simply does not care about Shinji-kun, and you should know by now that nothing will change him…he's a cold, cruel, fucked up bastard excuse for a man," Ritsuko said sourly, sipping her wine.
"I know," Misato sighed heavily, gulping down a beer and looking at the direction of Shinji's room. She knew what he was doing. He was just sitting by the window, listening to his cassette player and drowning slowly in his mental quicksand of sorrow and guilt. "I just wish I could help him somehow," Misato said softly, flipping the top off another beer.
"Oh, for god's sake, can you stop discussing the baka? Sheesh, everyone's acting like the world revolves around him," Asuka snapped in partial jealousy and concern.
"Well, unlike some people, we have a conscience and worry about people other than ourselves," Misato snapped back, her patience with the redhead finally cut.
Asuka was taken aback, stung by those words.
Misato saw the surprise and hurt in Asuka's eyes and fell silent. But the Major did not apologize, because that single remark had vented her increasing resentment towards the German girl. Misato knew that Asuka had bad beginnings, but that gave the redhead no right to put others down.
Shinji could hear the exchange vaguely, but the music from his cassette player continued to drum into his mind, erasing most of his thoughts. The music was his gateway away from the reality of everything…pain…death…blood…screams…hatred…contempt…
He could see the blooming cherry blossom trees, the beautiful pink flowers coating the tree like pink icing. Yes…life was simpler like this…no pain…just numbness…just the music…
Piano music played mournfully in his mind as he kept staring at nothing.
End of Chapter
Author's note: Can't say much except for review, review, review! Onegai, please review!