Four Leaf Souls
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Neon Genesis: Evangelion or Clover.
At What Cost. . .
"Mr. Ryu! What are you doing out of bed!?" Kazuhiko Fay Ryu gave the nurse a withering glare that said 'try and stop me', or at least he tried to, fighting exhaustion. "You've lost too much blood, Mr. Ryu, and I can't let you up for another four days at least," she told her reluctant charge as Kazuhiko fought to stay upright, clinging to the IV rack for support. "I'll take it from here, miss," came a youthful voice from the open door. "Ran? I thought you weren't supposed to be let out." The three-leaf thanked the nurse as she left. "General Ko gave me permission," he said. "She said that you were in mourning." "You don't know the half of it," said Kazuhiko, fighting back tears. A moment passed in silence. "It's Sue, isn't it?" Kazuhiko scoffed. "What made you think that?" he said in a sarcastic tone. "Kazuhiko, I'm worried about you. Gingetsu is worried, too. Look, if you want to do something, go ahead. I too would be quite restless if out roles were reversed." Ran gave a chuckle. "You're going to have to do something though, and not rot in your guilt." Kazuhiko found he couldn't look the normally fragile boy in the eye. "Kazuhiko," he said in a gentler tone, "we all miss them, both Sue and Ora. Why do you think Gingetsu isn't here?" Kazuhiko didn't answer; instead, he turned to gaze out the window next to his bed. "Anyways, I got something for you. Well, Gingetsu pitched in a little for it." Saying that, Ran place a gift- wrapped two-foot high box marked "fragile" on the table next to the bed. After Ran had been gone for some time, Kazuhiko reached over and gingerly began to open the gift. Inside was a little Clover statue of Ora. 'Where are you; you can't be gone, I know it.'
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June 14th, 2016 0940 hrs NERV Medical, Main Lobby
"A-are you alright, Ora?" She looked down at the teenager in the chair beside her. "You don't have to worry Shinji-kun, I'm okay." A nervous pause. "Has anyone told you that you're a really nice person, Shinji-kun?" Shinji gave her a confused look. "W-well, not . . . really. Actually, I'm under the impression that I'd be of better use somewhere else," he said mournfully. "What gives you that impression, Shinji-kun?" The boy let out a lonely sigh. "It . . . it's just that . . . I just can't seem to be able to do anything. Ask Asuka; she tells me every day." He looked down at his hands resting in his lap. "Even Ayanami avoids me. I really am pathetic."
Ora sat down in the chair next to his and lightly pinched his cheek. "Well I don't think you're pathetic, Shin-chan," she said, smiling.
Katsuragi/Ikari/Sorhyu/Ayanami Apartment
". . . and if I find out that he's skipping out on his day to cook, I'm gonna . . ." "Asuka, calm down, please," pleaded Sue, who was now well acquainted with the Second Child's fiery temper. "I AM NOT HAVING ANOTHER CUP OF INSTANT!!" "Asuka, don't you think you're taking this a little far?" The redhead glared at the speaker, who flinched somewhat at her gaze. "I-I mean that Shinji-kun would n-never intentionally miss something, right?" "He's a big fat dumkopf Hikari, even you know that." "If you seek to depend upon Shinji-kun, why do you insult him so?" asked Rei from the lounge room. "Your dependence upon Shinji-kun's labors to satisfy your needs coupled with your behavior towards him is contradictory; I believe 'biting the hand that feeds you' would be an appropriate summary." Asuka opened her mouth to respond but found that she couldn't. "You know she's right Asuka," said Hikari. "I don't mean to lecture, but every time I see you with Shinji-kun, you've been treating him like a dog." "Well someone has to put him in his place," Asuka defended. "Besides, he's a spineless wuss anyways." Hikari and Sue could only sigh while Rei returned to her copy of 'Les Miserables'. A timid "wark?" came from the larger 'fridge' as Pen-Pen poked his head out to see if the fire had calmed.
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"Kazuhiko, think about it!" puffed Ran as he attempted to catch up to his friend. "No-one saw the sniper, and the weapon found at the scene was a common make; the suspect could be anyone." Breathing hard, Kazuhiko leaned against a lamppost as his smaller friend reached him. "It was an Azaeiean make, I know it. Some ... kind of laser." "But ... that doesn't ... explain anything. What ... are you ... getting at ... Kazuhiko?" Ran panted. "Eighteen months ago, I asked you and Gingetsu about security, remember?
|FLASHBACK|
"You mean he's a Clover!?!" Gingetsu's hand never left the boy's shoulder. "Yes. Ran is a Three Leaf, the third of three. He has been conditionally been permitted to live outside the cage and his brothers are kept in the lab." "Three Leaf? Gingetsu, what are you talking about?" "There are three classifications of Clovers so far, being One, Two, and Three Leaves respectively." Kazuhiko gave Gingetsu a look. "Aren't you worried about security? What about the Azaeiean Army, or snipers?" "The most likely place they would attack would be the cage itself. It is reasonable to assume that this apartment would be overlooked in the event of an attack." 'How does he do that?' Kazuhiko wondered to himself. "O.k., you got me there. But still, what about snipers?" Gingetsu frowned thoughtfully for a moment, trying to remember what he was told. "I was informed that the higher level Clovers are powerful enough to interfere with a laser beam enough so a shot wouldn't be fatal; after all, most laser rifles are packed with electronics." "But still, wouldn't something happen if there was interaction between the laser's heat and a Clover's psychic energy?" Gingetsu looked at Kazuhiko for a moment. "Actually, I think the Wizards are trying to figure out what would happen if that interaction was to occur, Kazuhiko-san," said the little Ran. Gingetsu could barely keep a smirk from surfacing at Kazuhiko's priceless expression.
[END FLASHBACK]
"So you're saying that she may not be dead," said Ran. "Not just Ora Ran. Think about it; a fire creates a lot of heat too, right?" "So that means..." started Ran, a hopeful glint in his eye. "Yeah, they might both be alive somewhere..."
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1030 hrs Tokyo-3 Shopping Mall
Very few passers-by took notice of the group that sat near the fountain in the food court, as they looked just like any shoppers. Even the albino of the group. Shinji was still somewhat unused to see Rei in a casual white tee and denim shorts. Despite Misato having loaned said casual wear to the girl, they happened to be just the right size for Rei's slender body. Speaking of slender, Shinji never once forgot that he was the only male of their little sextet, which made him feel understandably self-conscious. Unbeknownst to the boy, Misato watched him with a mother's pride as he ate his relatively small lunch. Her eyes drifted towards the redhead to the right of Shinji, who was eating a very large (for the Japanese, anyway) meal of pizza. On the other side of Shinji, sat Rei eating a small salad. Despite the black mask she wore, Misato had come to be able to recognize Rei's emotional state through subtle facial tics and her body language. The fact that Rei was occasionally glancing at the boy next to her also hinted at the introspective girl's emotions. Finally, there was the most recent child who had entered her life. Although quite, Sue was more outgoing than Rei was, but also more melancholy at times, like Shinji except he was depressed almost constantly. As eh was watching her, Sue suddenly looked up at her and smiled. [What'cha thinking about, Misato- san?] Misato choked on her drink in surprise. "Misato-san? Are you alright?" asked Shinji. "Yeah, just went down the wrong tube. I'm fine, Shinji-kun." [Sorry about that Misato-san.] 'Can you not burst in like that next time? I mean, I know you're a telepath, but just don't do that too often.' [Am I interrupting anything?] came Ora's voice in her mind. 'Nah. Sue just startled me, that's all. You thinking about the kids too, Ora?' [Yes. You seem to have a very tightly-knit family, Misato.] 'I guess you could say that, considering none of them are related to me in any way,' she thought as she watched Sue resume eating a vanilla pudding. [You're a very lucky woman Misato.] 'Thanks, I guess. Things aren't always as peaceful as this, especially when Rei first moved in.' [Asuka is still getting used to living with her, isn't she?] 'Yeah. So do you have any family?' Ora visibly flinched at the question. 'Something wrong?' [Well, you could say that. It's not something I like talking about. I had to...leave the one I love.] 'Something came up?' [You...could say that.] 'Did either of you want to leave?' [No. I guess I was forced to.] 'Well, I'll help you get back to him. You deserve it.'
Author's Note: Yeah, yeah. I know I promised a week, but with having to look after my mom after breaking her leg in December, things haven't exactly been peaceful. That plus homework, and I've had barely any time to write at all. I'll try to have the next parts up for "The Interview" and "Four Leaf Souls" as soon as possible. Also, would anyone mind reading "The Gateway" in the Starcraft section and review it? I kinda feel I wrote it for nothing. Oh yeah, I might bring Kaji in next chapter, as well as some Maya and a little more Ritsuko. L8ters.
At What Cost. . .
"Mr. Ryu! What are you doing out of bed!?" Kazuhiko Fay Ryu gave the nurse a withering glare that said 'try and stop me', or at least he tried to, fighting exhaustion. "You've lost too much blood, Mr. Ryu, and I can't let you up for another four days at least," she told her reluctant charge as Kazuhiko fought to stay upright, clinging to the IV rack for support. "I'll take it from here, miss," came a youthful voice from the open door. "Ran? I thought you weren't supposed to be let out." The three-leaf thanked the nurse as she left. "General Ko gave me permission," he said. "She said that you were in mourning." "You don't know the half of it," said Kazuhiko, fighting back tears. A moment passed in silence. "It's Sue, isn't it?" Kazuhiko scoffed. "What made you think that?" he said in a sarcastic tone. "Kazuhiko, I'm worried about you. Gingetsu is worried, too. Look, if you want to do something, go ahead. I too would be quite restless if out roles were reversed." Ran gave a chuckle. "You're going to have to do something though, and not rot in your guilt." Kazuhiko found he couldn't look the normally fragile boy in the eye. "Kazuhiko," he said in a gentler tone, "we all miss them, both Sue and Ora. Why do you think Gingetsu isn't here?" Kazuhiko didn't answer; instead, he turned to gaze out the window next to his bed. "Anyways, I got something for you. Well, Gingetsu pitched in a little for it." Saying that, Ran place a gift- wrapped two-foot high box marked "fragile" on the table next to the bed. After Ran had been gone for some time, Kazuhiko reached over and gingerly began to open the gift. Inside was a little Clover statue of Ora. 'Where are you; you can't be gone, I know it.'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
June 14th, 2016 0940 hrs NERV Medical, Main Lobby
"A-are you alright, Ora?" She looked down at the teenager in the chair beside her. "You don't have to worry Shinji-kun, I'm okay." A nervous pause. "Has anyone told you that you're a really nice person, Shinji-kun?" Shinji gave her a confused look. "W-well, not . . . really. Actually, I'm under the impression that I'd be of better use somewhere else," he said mournfully. "What gives you that impression, Shinji-kun?" The boy let out a lonely sigh. "It . . . it's just that . . . I just can't seem to be able to do anything. Ask Asuka; she tells me every day." He looked down at his hands resting in his lap. "Even Ayanami avoids me. I really am pathetic."
Ora sat down in the chair next to his and lightly pinched his cheek. "Well I don't think you're pathetic, Shin-chan," she said, smiling.
Katsuragi/Ikari/Sorhyu/Ayanami Apartment
". . . and if I find out that he's skipping out on his day to cook, I'm gonna . . ." "Asuka, calm down, please," pleaded Sue, who was now well acquainted with the Second Child's fiery temper. "I AM NOT HAVING ANOTHER CUP OF INSTANT!!" "Asuka, don't you think you're taking this a little far?" The redhead glared at the speaker, who flinched somewhat at her gaze. "I-I mean that Shinji-kun would n-never intentionally miss something, right?" "He's a big fat dumkopf Hikari, even you know that." "If you seek to depend upon Shinji-kun, why do you insult him so?" asked Rei from the lounge room. "Your dependence upon Shinji-kun's labors to satisfy your needs coupled with your behavior towards him is contradictory; I believe 'biting the hand that feeds you' would be an appropriate summary." Asuka opened her mouth to respond but found that she couldn't. "You know she's right Asuka," said Hikari. "I don't mean to lecture, but every time I see you with Shinji-kun, you've been treating him like a dog." "Well someone has to put him in his place," Asuka defended. "Besides, he's a spineless wuss anyways." Hikari and Sue could only sigh while Rei returned to her copy of 'Les Miserables'. A timid "wark?" came from the larger 'fridge' as Pen-Pen poked his head out to see if the fire had calmed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
"Kazuhiko, think about it!" puffed Ran as he attempted to catch up to his friend. "No-one saw the sniper, and the weapon found at the scene was a common make; the suspect could be anyone." Breathing hard, Kazuhiko leaned against a lamppost as his smaller friend reached him. "It was an Azaeiean make, I know it. Some ... kind of laser." "But ... that doesn't ... explain anything. What ... are you ... getting at ... Kazuhiko?" Ran panted. "Eighteen months ago, I asked you and Gingetsu about security, remember?
|FLASHBACK|
"You mean he's a Clover!?!" Gingetsu's hand never left the boy's shoulder. "Yes. Ran is a Three Leaf, the third of three. He has been conditionally been permitted to live outside the cage and his brothers are kept in the lab." "Three Leaf? Gingetsu, what are you talking about?" "There are three classifications of Clovers so far, being One, Two, and Three Leaves respectively." Kazuhiko gave Gingetsu a look. "Aren't you worried about security? What about the Azaeiean Army, or snipers?" "The most likely place they would attack would be the cage itself. It is reasonable to assume that this apartment would be overlooked in the event of an attack." 'How does he do that?' Kazuhiko wondered to himself. "O.k., you got me there. But still, what about snipers?" Gingetsu frowned thoughtfully for a moment, trying to remember what he was told. "I was informed that the higher level Clovers are powerful enough to interfere with a laser beam enough so a shot wouldn't be fatal; after all, most laser rifles are packed with electronics." "But still, wouldn't something happen if there was interaction between the laser's heat and a Clover's psychic energy?" Gingetsu looked at Kazuhiko for a moment. "Actually, I think the Wizards are trying to figure out what would happen if that interaction was to occur, Kazuhiko-san," said the little Ran. Gingetsu could barely keep a smirk from surfacing at Kazuhiko's priceless expression.
[END FLASHBACK]
"So you're saying that she may not be dead," said Ran. "Not just Ora Ran. Think about it; a fire creates a lot of heat too, right?" "So that means..." started Ran, a hopeful glint in his eye. "Yeah, they might both be alive somewhere..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------
1030 hrs Tokyo-3 Shopping Mall
Very few passers-by took notice of the group that sat near the fountain in the food court, as they looked just like any shoppers. Even the albino of the group. Shinji was still somewhat unused to see Rei in a casual white tee and denim shorts. Despite Misato having loaned said casual wear to the girl, they happened to be just the right size for Rei's slender body. Speaking of slender, Shinji never once forgot that he was the only male of their little sextet, which made him feel understandably self-conscious. Unbeknownst to the boy, Misato watched him with a mother's pride as he ate his relatively small lunch. Her eyes drifted towards the redhead to the right of Shinji, who was eating a very large (for the Japanese, anyway) meal of pizza. On the other side of Shinji, sat Rei eating a small salad. Despite the black mask she wore, Misato had come to be able to recognize Rei's emotional state through subtle facial tics and her body language. The fact that Rei was occasionally glancing at the boy next to her also hinted at the introspective girl's emotions. Finally, there was the most recent child who had entered her life. Although quite, Sue was more outgoing than Rei was, but also more melancholy at times, like Shinji except he was depressed almost constantly. As eh was watching her, Sue suddenly looked up at her and smiled. [What'cha thinking about, Misato- san?] Misato choked on her drink in surprise. "Misato-san? Are you alright?" asked Shinji. "Yeah, just went down the wrong tube. I'm fine, Shinji-kun." [Sorry about that Misato-san.] 'Can you not burst in like that next time? I mean, I know you're a telepath, but just don't do that too often.' [Am I interrupting anything?] came Ora's voice in her mind. 'Nah. Sue just startled me, that's all. You thinking about the kids too, Ora?' [Yes. You seem to have a very tightly-knit family, Misato.] 'I guess you could say that, considering none of them are related to me in any way,' she thought as she watched Sue resume eating a vanilla pudding. [You're a very lucky woman Misato.] 'Thanks, I guess. Things aren't always as peaceful as this, especially when Rei first moved in.' [Asuka is still getting used to living with her, isn't she?] 'Yeah. So do you have any family?' Ora visibly flinched at the question. 'Something wrong?' [Well, you could say that. It's not something I like talking about. I had to...leave the one I love.] 'Something came up?' [You...could say that.] 'Did either of you want to leave?' [No. I guess I was forced to.] 'Well, I'll help you get back to him. You deserve it.'
Author's Note: Yeah, yeah. I know I promised a week, but with having to look after my mom after breaking her leg in December, things haven't exactly been peaceful. That plus homework, and I've had barely any time to write at all. I'll try to have the next parts up for "The Interview" and "Four Leaf Souls" as soon as possible. Also, would anyone mind reading "The Gateway" in the Starcraft section and review it? I kinda feel I wrote it for nothing. Oh yeah, I might bring Kaji in next chapter, as well as some Maya and a little more Ritsuko. L8ters.