Disclaimer is at the end of the fic, for it contains a spoiler.
Greatest Fear
Chapter 1... "Innocence"
By: Oblivious
"Shinji! Pay attention when I'm talking to you!! Where are you looking?!" demanded a vexed looking red head named Asuka, shaking a half eaten ham sandwich in front of her.
The black haired boy named Shinji gave a start and turned his eyes away from the pretty much soft-spoken, azure haired girl he had careened into this morning, who was at the moment munching on a granola bar and poring over a thick looking book, apparently oblivious to the sizable group of drooling male students goggling at her from the next table. He was thinking of saying sorry to her for that incident but didn't know how to go about it… he still remembered that her underwear was exactly the same color as her hair…
It was recess. Sitting opposite each other at one of the canteen tables were Shinji and Asuka, who were of course wearing their school uniform, apart from the fuzzy, mosaic-like shade created by the morning sun shining through the overhanging leaves and branches of a nearby plum tree, in the full bloom of spring.
"Sorry…" mumbled Shinji distractedly, his apologetic eyes focusing on Asuka again.
"What were we talking about again?" he asked absentmindedly, unwary of Asuka's utmost annoyance at those who didn't give her their full, undivided attention.
He paid for this oversight with a sharp crack to his crown.
"Owww… Asuka! Don't do that!" complained Shinji, massaging his head.
"It's your own fault for not listening you baka!!" yelled Asuka.
"If I have to repeat myself again you are REALLY going to get it. Seriously, people are going to think that you're dyslexic."
Seriously… why do I put up with her? Shinji thought to himself.
Because she's dead cute? he found himself thinking.
Good point.
There's also the fact we grew up together and all…
"Are you going to get to the point?" asked Shinji tiredly, using the phrase he kept hearing his father use on the phone.
"Now listen up…" said Asuka, with only a shadow of her fury glowing behind her true blue eyes.
Hmmm… that boy was looking at me… what was his name…Ikari Shinji? thought Rei Ayanami, looking up from her book to glimpse Shinji, who was sitting a few tables away.
It wasn't really a perverted glance as expected though…
Just then, she shuddered when she felt the collective gazes of a certain group of male students boring into the back of her head, to her actual back and beyond. Rei was already used to this sort of attention, but there was something about it that never failed to make her skin crawl…
She turned her eyes back to her book.
At least I have a legal form of slave labor…
Neheheh…
I wonder what's on Ikari's mind…
She looked at Shinji again and then to Asuka, who to even a passerby would seem like the supervisor in their relationship.
Poor boy.
I wonder why he stays around such a bossy and overbearing girl like that…
She does seem protective of him though… thought Rei, remembering how Asuka stuck up for Shinji in class. Her defense of him had been pretty spirited.
"Is this seat taken?" asked a smooth, kind sounding voice.
Ignoring the sudden up rise in gasping behind her, Rei looked up to see to whom the voice belonged to.
"I am Nagisa, Kaworu Nagisa." said the owner of the voice, politely extending his hand and subjecting Rei to a warm smile.
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Ayanami."
New and all by herself... poor girl must be lonely. thought Kaworu.
Blue… strange hair though…
"Pleased to meet you too Mr. Nagisa." replied Rei, returning the smile.
"Just call me Rei."
"Kaworu is fine too." beamed Kaworu.
"Ahh... and the seat's not taken." said Rei amiably.
"Don't mind if I do…" said Kaworu, taking the seat opposite Ayanami.
What sincerity… thought Rei to herself.
He seems different from those perverts behind me…
Not to mention his pure white skin…
Just like mine…
His hair is white too…
If he's respectable I won't treat him like trash.
Oh my…
Rei just noticed it when she looked into Kaworu's eyes.
He has red eyes…
"So how did you know my name?" asked Rei as she leant forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table as her hands formed a bridge at her nose.
"Well, apparently I am in the same class as you." stated Kaworu, mirroring Rei's posture.
"Ehhh…" said Rei looking to the side of the table, slightly embarrassed.
"You read Jeffery Archer too?" observed Kaworu as he recognized the book Rei was reading.
A shared interest… I may be conversing with her much more in the future… Observed Kaworu silently.
I wasn't so sure from my seat… but those eyes… they're red too. He thought, glancing at Rei's crimson eyes.
"Yes… he's a fabulous writer… although he is rather fond of unhappy endings." said Rei breathlessly.
"Aahh yes… but sometimes they're just amazing, especially when he plays on our habitual assumptions then delivers something totally unexpected." Said Kaworu.
"That's one of the reasons why he's fabulous." said Rei, when she noticed how Kaworu was looking at her.
Kaworu was looking at Rei appraisingly from behind his hands. Rei felt her face grow slightly warm from being looked at so intently, and hoped her face wasn't showing any sign of it.
Not many people can do this to me… I'll have to watch myself around him. Thought Rei.
Just what is he thinking?
Finally, he spoke.
"There are some people I'd like you to meet, want to come along?" offered Kaworu.
"Eerr… sure!" agreed Rei, smiling a tad uneasily.
"Come, they should be around here somewhere…"
Such a sweet smile… Kaworu thought to himself, as he beckoned to Rei.
"A-are you serious?!" Asked Shinji incredulously.
"Are you a man? Don't tell me you're afraid." sneered Asuka as she eyed Shinji haughtily.
"Are you sure we should do that? I'm sure our parents wouldn't approve." protested Shinji weakly.
"Naah, it'll be exciting! We should always be open to new things you know!" wheedled Asuka.
"I was… never good with my hands…" admitted Shinji, still unconvinced.
"We can always get some tools to help us out, besides they're fun to use." said Asuka, dismissing Shinji's concern with a wave of her hand.
"But what if there's no turning back?" Shinji frowned as he voiced his worry.
"Heh… I knew there was something going between you two." Said a girl's familiar voice.
Asuka and Shinji looked on to their side, and standing there were Rei and Kaworu.
"What?" Said Shinji and Asuka at the same time, seemingly puzzled.
"There's no use denying it now… I heard the whole thing." Said Rei, closing her eyes and folding her arms.
Neheheheh… so many ways I can use this against them in the future… Thought Rei evilly in her mind.
Scary girl… thought Shinji as he caught the evilness that flashed across Rei's face.
"You guys are brave huh? Talking about such naughty things in public." Continued Rei, this time with a tiny sneer on her face.
Just then, comprehension struck Asuka and Shinji with an oversized mallet and both their faces started glowing crimson like neon signs.
"I-I-I-I-I" Said Shinji very quickly.
"W-we weren't talking about that!!" Shouted Asuka anxiously.
"We swear!" Insisted Shinji, finally clutching hold of his voice.
Something tells me they're not lying…but still, it's not good for me to just admit that… let's see how they'll respond to this… Thought Rei, her cogs of deviousness spinning industriously.
Rei slid gracefully onto the table and rested her cheek on her shoulder, causing Shinji to look nervously to a corner.
"Even if you weren't, there's no doubt in my mind that you guys don't have that…" Rei's eyes glinted mischievously as she enunciated the word 'that' suggestively "…kind of relationship."
If my self-control breaks I'll just die of giggling. Rei thought to herself, as the pair grew increasingly flustered.
Just then, Kaworu gasped, as though he just noticed something.
"Don't tell me you guys are thinking of retrieving it…" He asked seriously.
"That's what we were talking about!" said Asuka, relieved to find someone who understood.
"That's right!" Agreed Shinji fervently.
Rei simply giggled impishly.
Been awhile since I had fun like this… I think I'll stick around these guys for a while. decided Rei.
"I'm sure I felt a chaotic aura around it…" Said Kaworu with certainty in his voice.
Not completely unlike the one around Rei…but…much, much stronger. he thought as a side note.
"…it might not be totally safe."
"Kaworu's instincts haven't been wrong so far…" said Shinji to Asuka.
"Tch, if you guys are too afraid to go, I'll do it myself." said Asuka resolutely.
"Who says we're afraid…?" said Shinji.
"A life lived in fear is not much of a life Shinji." admonished Asuka irritably.
"Too true." Agreed Rei, smiling faintly at Asuka.
Although I don't know WHAT it is their talking about… She thought.
"Yes you have a point." nodded Kaworu, his hand scratching his chin.
"So it's settled then! We leave after school!" Said Asuka, slamming her fist into the table.
At this moment, Shinji gave a deep sigh… that earned him an ear twist from Asuka.
"Pain! Pain!" Yelled Shinji.
"Scheisse! If only I could pummel some courage into you…"
Still holding on to the boy's ear, Asuka turned to look a Rei.
"Ayanami, you could come too if you like."
"Mmm… the more the merrier." concurred Kaworu.
"Aahh that's great! I'd love to come along!" beamed Rei cheerfully.
"Oh yeah… and just call me Rei."
"Kaworu! Tell her to stop!" pleaded Shinji.
Kaworu laughed weakly, either at the situation or his own helplessness.
"Okay then Rei, I'll fill you in on what's happening…" said Asuka, finally releasing Shinji from her grip, who breathed a sigh of relief and started massaging his ear.
"We're going for a little trek into the Mitsuhide nature reserve later on…" said Asuka, lifting up a finger.
"You are going to retrieve an artifact?" Asked Rei.
"Yes! It's going to be a little rough, so make sure you come prepared."
"Hmm… it's been a while since I last had a trek…" Said Rei.
"Why is it you want to retrieve this thing?" She asked.
At these words, Asuka stood up from her seat as a maniacal spark ignited in her eyes.
"For adventure!! For knowledge!! And of course, FUN!!" She cheered as she balled her fists in front of her.
I'm in for a hell of a ride… Rei thought to herself fervently as she smiled weakly at Asuka.
How true…
==========
Greenery… so much greenery. Everywhere one looked would be a moss-covered trunk of a great hardwood tree, some dense undergrowth, or some weird, exotic plant. Amidst the thick humidity in the air was also the constant chirping of cicada, which seemed to have infested the place. Birds would occasionally call to each other, but other than that, there was no sign of animal life at all.
Bringing up the front of the line was Asuka who was wearing a red turtleneck and jeans, followed by Kaworu who wore a black jacket over a white shirt and matching white pants, Shinji, who sported a hooded long sleeved orange jumper and purple pants (A combination Asuka constantly nagged about), and Rei, collared school tee shirt and blue, blue jeans, all decked out in hiking equipment.
"Hey Kaworu… how long have we been walking?" asked an exhausted sounding Shinji.
Kaworu looked up for a moment.
"Judging from the sun… I'd say about one and a half hours." He said, blinking his eyes.
Rei looked at her watch.
"Ninety-six minutes to be exact… Not bad Kaworu."
"There's a low branch here, watch out for it Shinji!" called Asuka from the front.
"I swear… she treats me like a child." grumbled Shinji.
"Isn't that just cute?" commented Rei girlishly.
"I don't find it cute…" mumbled Shinji darkly.
Twenty minutes later… when the land started sloping up…
"Uuurrrgghh…" said Shinji, slouching forward from fatigue.
"Need me to carry your pack Shinji?" offered Kaworu.
"Naahh… I can handle it… we're almost there right?"
Wow, Shinji's actually trying to act tough. thought Asuka.
"We'll take a break at the big tree later, I hope you brought your instant." said Asuka.
"Hey anyone have insect repellant? I think I'm out." asked Kaworu.
"I think I should have some…" said Rei, reaching into her pouch.
"Thanks a lot!" said Kaworu as Rei handed over the spray can.
Finally, after about another half an hour of hiking, the trees cleared, and they arrived at a great, dead tree and the summit of a modest hill. There was nothing but thin grass and that great tree on the summit. It seemed to have been struck by lightning one time or another.
Shinji crashed down at the base of the tree.
"Phew… is this the place?"
"No… I think I made a wrong turn somewhere…" said Asuka, with her hand to her chin.
"WHAT??"
"Naah I'm just pulling your leg, I'd never make a wrong move." said Asuka, starting to giggle.
"Yes… I can hear the drums… there's no mistake." said Kaworu.
Shinji breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not funny Asuka…" He said crossly.
Rei cupped her hand to her ear and listened intently… the drumming was clear and distinct… its rhythm was incessant of and reminiscent of ancient African tribes.
"Drums? Here? There are people here?" She asked.
"The drumming… is not made by humans…" said Kaworu cryptically.
"We're probably the only humans in the area for that matter." said Asuka, rummaging through her pack.
"Then… where's the drumming coming from?" asked Rei.
"Up there it seems… said Kaworu, looking up into the charred scar of the tree.
"Okay then let's get cracking!" said Asuka, removing a pickaxe from her pack.
"Kaworu! Rei! You two go gather burnable material. Shinji! You will assist me!" commanded Asuka imperiously.
"Roger!" said Rei enthusiastically, saluting Asuka.
"Yes your highness." Said Kaworu, bowing low and swirling his hand about.
Shinji just sighed.
"The air is much dryer up here…" observed Kaworu as he and Rei walked away from the camp.
"Good for firewood then." said Rei.
"I saw some dried bushes over there just now, let's go gather some." said Kaworu.
They walked in silence for a few moments.
"Kaworu… you have red eyes." said Rei turning to look at him.
"Yes… so do you…" He replied.
"How many people in this world would have them?" wondered Rei, turning back.
"Maybe a couple in a few million." said Kaworu.
"Woah…"
"And… why did you dye your hair blue?" He asked.
"It's not dyed… its natural." said Rei uneasily.
"Wow… now that's rare." said Kaworu, sounding impressed.
"Aahh… I think the bushes should be around here." He said.
Assisting eh? More like doing the work… thought Shinji, as he stuck another safety ring into the trunk of the giant tree.
"Shinji!! You're doing just fine!!" called Asuka from down below.
How did I get myself into this? thought Shinji irritably to himself.
Climbing great big trees to retrieve evil artifacts in the middle of nowhere…
For Asuka eh?
Down below, Asuka scratched her chin.
Maybe Shinji is braver than he seems… he didn't complain much when I told him he was going to be the one climbing. thought Asuka to herself.
After a several minutes of Asuka's cheering and Shinji's musing, Shinji finally reached the giant scar in the tree created by the lightning… The drumming was loud… and unmistakable now…
Jutting out of the scar was a long and thin wooden looking box.
"I think I found it!" called Shinji with triumph.
"Good job! Now get it out!" called Asuka from below.
Shinji reached out and pulled it. It was firmly stuck in the tree. After a few minutes of yanking and shaking, it finally came loose. Holding it securely in his hand, Shinji began his descent.
"I'm coming down now!"
"Wooo!! Excellent work Shinji!" Shouted Asuka in elation.
"Yaaay!" Cheered Rei, who had just returned with Kaworu, both of who were carrying a decent amount of dried leaves, twigs and branches.
"Welcome back guys! Now let's get the fire going!" said Asuka.
When Shinji finally set foot upon the firm ground, Kaworu had already gotten the fire going. They were boiling water in a pot for instant ramen…
He held his prize in his hand and looked at it, its origin was vague as it was coated with burnt moss and soot, but its cuboid appearance suggested it was man made.
"Hey Shinji! Bring it here for us to see!" called Asuka from the fire.
"Let me see that…" Said Asuka, and Shinji handed it to her. Rei and Kaworu came around to look at it.
"What is that?" Asked Rei.
"This is it… definitely." Said Kaworu with certainty.
Asuka looked around for a pack and took out a cloth. After cleaning the filth from its surface, its features became apparent.
"This looks like…" Began Rei.
"A board game??" Finished Shinji.
It's four corners had designs of various animals on them and it had its background was a forest design. Emblazoned in bold, intricate lettering over its surface was a strange, arcane word…
'JUMANJI'
Author's notes
I hope you enjoyed the surprise enough to look forward to the next chapter =D
I also hope you like the NEW AND IMPROVED EVIL REI!! ALL HAIL THE EVIL REI!!!
I finally made a good, long chapter. WOOT!
I am not sure if I should add in Hikari and the other two stooges, these four are already a handful.
Heh... It's not going to be just any animal that comes out of this demon box.
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or Jumanji and I am not using this fic for commercial purposes.