Other side Chapter 5: Your not mine
A/N:
Reviews!!!! My glorious reviews!!!! Thank you all so much......I promised my self I wouldn't cry.
It seems people actually enjoy this story. But of course there are a few things that they have pointed out which I will be more then happy to use. Such as my grammar and keeping everyone in character. I honestly think I should not have done that scene with Rei and Shinji cause it moved too fast, but oh well.
Now to explain some questions that where asked. This fic is based in between the 11th and 12th angel, we are approaching the time of appearance of the 12th.
Also, some one said that Billy was over the top, there is a reason for this. Also that would be the point. Compared to many the characters in this fic he appears larger then life. Remember that he comes from a nomadic race, he probably has to act a lot older and a lot more aggressively to survive, and a place like this would seem very boring and ordered. If this were a fic based on a more action hero type series he would fit right in, but because it is a very deep and depressing story line he does not seem to fit in.
(Notices the blank stares)
It's good ok!!!!
Also he over the top for many other reasons but that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it.
Any way enjoy the new chapter, it's going to be a long one.
(OOC warning! This time it's Shinji.) ---------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------- ---------
Shinji crept through the hallway quietly. He numbered off the doors, looking for the apartment. In the dark this place was very different, scary even, and Shinji kept his head down low. Who knows what could be lurking this time of night, just waiting for someone to come along.
He was in deep shit. He knew, from balls to bone, that he was dead. He hadn't gone to school today, scared of facing Asuka's wrath. He had wondered around the city with his hands in his pockets, thinking of nothing but Rei. Why was she acting like she was? This wasn't like her. Sure sometimes she had shown signs of friendship, by why this strong so suddenly.
Question's buzzed around the young boys head. There were too many to answer, for one person at least.
He reached the apartment door and reached into his pocket. Pulling out his card he hesitated over the scanner. He knew what was going to be at the other side of this door, and it wasn't going to be pretty.
Sighing he waved the card over the scanner and the door whooshed open. He walked in very slowly, taking off his shoes. He checked his watch, 8:30. Asuka would still be up.
"I'm home" he announced meekly. He tip toed up the front hall and into the kitchen. What he was met was not nice.
Asuka was sitting at the table, her eyes burning into him. In front of her was a book of homework, half finished. But he wasn't looking at that.
Asuka looked ready to kill, her blue eyes seemed to be on fire with rage. Her mouth was curling a little, meaning one thing.
"Where the fuck have you been!" she screeched at him!
Pen-Pen jumped out of the couch, looking at the scene before him. Shinji was squirming as Asuka shouted abuse at him. He scurried into his fridge. Asuka always yelled, but this time it was different, there was something in her eyes..........
"I had to live with Misato's cooking you jerk!" she screamed at Shinji "I nearly threw up because of that sludge. Then you didn't show up at school! You little dweeb! I've been starving all day!"
She slapped Shinji sharply across the face. He stumbled back a little
Shinji thought it was over, he could scurry into his room to escape. But there was more on Asuka's mind then food, much more.
"I bet you where at that doll's place! Weren't you!" she continued "I was starving and you're at Rei's probably screwing her brains out!"
"It's not like that........" Shinji started but he was silenced by another slap to the face.
"Don't lie to me you bastard!" she screamed at him, advancing all the time, "I saw you two dancing at the Ball, you came with me and dumped me for HER!"
She said her with a lot more volume, and hit in the face again. His cheek was burning heavily and a small trickle of blood came out of his mouth.
"HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE HER OVER ME!" Asuka screamed, Shinji now backed against the wall in terror.
"WHAT DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON"T! MY BREASTS ARE BIGGER, MY HIPS ARE SMOOTHER. HOW COULD YOU, YOU BASTARD!"
The next slap took Shinji to the ground, and he nearly cried out in pain. He cradled his cheek, but found it too sore to touch.
Asuka stood over him, panting, her face as red as her hair. She looked at him with loathing in her eyes.
"How could you?" she said quietly, but her words were filled with hate.
Shinji stood up, not looking at Asuka. She was right, he was a prick, nothing but a prick.
"Answer me!" said Asuka, her voice still stabbing into him. But he couldn't, he couldn't face her.
"Answer me!" she screamed as he walked out of the room, holding his cheek in pain. He spat out some blood, she had cut him up inside pretty bad.
"ANSWER ME!"
Shinji heard this and tears ran down his face. That one sounded more desperate then angry, and yet he could still not face her.
He stumbled to the front door and opened it. But something grabbed his arm and spun him around. Asuka was glaring at him, her teeth almost bared.
"Answer me!" she said, and it sounded angry again, but still with that tone of desperation. If Shinji could have met her eyes, he would have seen that as angry as they where, they where also pleading, pleading to tell her why.
But Shinji could not, he looked at the ground.
"I-I-I cant." He stammered.
Asuka pushed him back into the outside hall and the door whooshed shut. He heard her punching the wall, and destroying random things.
All he did was hang his head and cry.
"I'm sorry" he said between sobs. But no one would have heard it, and if they did, the person it was meant for would have smashed her fist into his face.
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Asuka screamed her outrage at the world, focusing it into one single word.
"WHY!"
She screamed it at the top of lungs. Repeatedly she screamed it until her lungs where sore.
As she did she destroyed the apartment. She smashed the plates, broke the vases, anything she could pick up was thrown on the floor.
Too tired to continue she slumped into a chair, and a new fit of rage took her again, but this time it was filled with sorrow.
"WHY! WHY! WHY YOU BASTARD!" she screamed and banged her fist on the table, until she was sure it would break.
But the table didn't break, she did.
Her head slumped onto the table and she sobbed. Angry with herself for crying she banged her fist again but she couldn't stop. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed her new mantra. That bastard, that little bastard. He was hers, her moron, her cook, her little Shinji........
Her whole body gave up and she slumped further into the table, and cried openly.
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Billy opened the door to find a mess at his doorstep. Shinji was slouching over, his mouth trickling blood at slow but steady pace, and his eyes where red.
"I heard you two through the roof," said Billy looking at his friend.
"Come in and we'll get you fixed."
"Thank you," said Shinji, and then winced as his cheek flared up from the movement. He walked into the apartment, and Billy closed the door behind him.
Billy led him into the kitchen and sat him down. Opening the fridge he took out a bottle of whiskey and handed it too Shinji.
"Drink it" he said with a grin, taking out his hipflask and taking a swig "it'll stop infection and maybe get you so pissed you won't feel it till the morning."
Shinji looked at Billy then looked at the bottle. Shrugging, he took a swig and felt a sharp pain stab his cheek.
Billy laughed as Shinji winced "yeah it'll do that."
Shinji coughed and looked at Billy, the whiskey being so strong didn't help.
"You drink this stuff?" he asked between coughs, this was REALLY strong whiskey!
"Yeah I make it," said Billy taking a large slug if his flask "my grandad taught me how."
Shinji layback took another sip, this time smaller, and his cheek burned again. He gritted his teeth and took it, but he noticed how numb his hands where going. He didn't have a very high alcohol tolerance and the homemade whiskey was getting to him quickly.
"So," said Shinji to Billy who was lighting a cigarette "what's it like back in Ireland."
Billy nearly laughed and looked at Shinji with his usual smile.
"I don't come from Ireland" he said "I'm from one of the clans, I was born somewhere in the UE, not sure where though. My mum died giving birth to me and my dad and my grandad raised me."
Shinji nodded, so he was just like him.
"I've only been to Ireland once, and it's not pretty. No one knew what to do back then. Things blowing up, people living in constant fear of an English invasion, and with them being just across the border it was no wonder."
Shinji nodded a little.
"Where's your dad now?"
Billy paused for a bit, his cigarette ashing it self on the carpet.
"My dad was killed in the war." He said taking a long puff.
"Oh," said Shinji lowering his head "I'm sorry."
"Why?" said Billy "He died the way he wanted too, and you can't ask for more then that. My dad always told me there where two ways you could die. You could either die in your own piss crying for mercy, or charging at them with all the blood lust you can muster."
He took a long drag of the cigarette here and shook his head. "But it was pointless really, we lost the war. We all sorta knew we would but we couldn't just give up. The English always said that they controlled us, but when we demand a new country they deny us. They told the world of course that they offered but the truth is they never cared. So we invaded, all the survivors fighting for a cause. But we couldn't win, and those bastards," Billy closed his eyes, his voice coming through gritted teeth.
"Those bastards used anything they could too win. Rape, murder and terror, you name it they did it. They held their child prisoners in front of them to stop us from shooting. And laughing as they raped one of the village women in front of the prisoners of war, us powerless to stop them."
SNAP
The arm of the chair he was sitting in broke under his clenched fist. Shinji jumped and Billy barely noticed it. Looking down at the arm of the chair he threw the shattered pieces away into the wall.
He closed his eyes and calmed himself. Taking deep drags of his smoke. Opening them again he looked at Shinji, who was still taking slow sips of his whiskey.
In the slight pause Shinji looked around the apartment from eh kitchen. It was built much like their own, a kitchen that connected to the hall and a living room, which connected with a bedroom. The hall spanned out a little more for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. There was an outside balcony at the end of the hall. It was built exactly like Misato's apartment, but everything was in a different place, which was eerie.
"How's the cheek?" Billy asked, his voice returning to its normal unpredictable tone.
"Better, this stuff really helps" said Shinji as he realised how drunk he was getting. His face was numb so he couldn't feel the pain anymore, as where his arms and legs. But in his chest he felt a strange warmth, as though his heart was glowing with heat.
Billy laughed and put out he cigarette sparking another one
"Not much tolerance to alcohol I'm guessin?"
Shinji jumped and realised how long he had been silent for, and he blushed a little.
"Sorry."
Billy laughed even louder "What for? C'mon lets get trashed tonight, schools a waste of fucking time anyway."
Normally Shinji would have refused, but the whiskey had made his head think quite peculiar things.
"Alright!" he said and Billy grinned. "That's the spirit!" he said and handed him another bottle of homemade whiskey.
Shinji sculled the rest of the bottle in his had and put it on the table, then took the one Billy was offering.
Billy and Shinji sat up for a very long time, and drunk a lot of alcohol.
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Shinji had been staying at Billy's for four days now and he was actually enjoying it. He hadn't been at school for a while, and for the first time in his life didn't care. Most of his nights now consisted of him staying up with Billy, although after his first night he had not really been drinking. He had tried smoking a little, as Billy had offered. As he had explained it 'life's too short to worry about lung cancer, hell we're all going to die of something, and who wants to live past fifty five to have someone have too wipe your own ass for'
He hadn't really liked it, but Billy had given him a few decks if he ever wanted too start up. He only smoked when he drank, and seeing as he never drunk that much he didn't smoke that much. After his third day of coughing it started to wear down and now he noticed it calmed him considerably, just like Billy said it would.
And he actually liked hanging out with Billy. Sure he was a little unpredictable, and maybe he had trouble walking in a perfectly straight line, but apart from that he was a good guy. He also seemed to like Shinji, which he appreciated greatly.
Tonight Billy was planning something he had been looking forward too for a while.
"A party?" said Shinji as he opened a bottle of beer, and took an even and slow sip. He had not developed a tolerance yet, and he knew if he drank it slowly he would be ok.
"That's right buddy!" said Billy obviously excited "I've called some of the girls from school, you know the older ones, and they made some calls, and they made some calls etc etc. So yeah I'm guessin it should be a big event."
"How big?" asked Shinji sceptically.
"Oh you know, about a hundred, maybe one fifty?"
Shinji gagged on his drink.
"Hey lighten up Shinji!" said Billy, sparking a smoke "It's all cool, we got me on security and I locked up the fridge. It's a BYO occasion."
Shinji still wasn't convinced "what about the landlord, he won't like this."
Billy smiled "don't worry I can handle him, now drink up and quit frowning. Hell I might even get you laid tonight!"
Shinji shook his head but took a deep swig of his beer anyway, it was going to be one those nights.
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At about 5:30 a group of girls showed up at the door and Billy let them in. They walked into the apartment and Shinji greeted them. They all said hi, and started their non-stop chatter.
The lounge room had three couches, each one against a wall. In the centre was a large table, which had a C.D. player on it. Billy walked in, his jacket slightly damp on the sleeves.
"Ok ladies there's some ice in then bathtub, go put your drinks in there and then sit back and enjoy the night!" said Billy as he sparked up a cigarette. Shinji decided that he needed one as well and took out his deck. They weren't very strong, only eight milligrams, but Shinji couldn't handle anything bigger. As the smoke filled his lungs he resisted the urge to cough, and his head spun slightly. But he felt his nerves calming and he relaxed in the sofa.
One of the girls hadn't carried out the beer her friend's had brought and was still sitting on the couch. She looked at Shinji.
"You're that pilot aren't you?" she asked "You both are right?"
Shinji nodded but Billy grabbed him around the shoulder.
"That's right," he said, shaking Shinji roughly "me and my buddy are here to protect this fine city, which I must say is filled with very beautiful ladies."
The girl blushed a little and Shinji's mouth gaped, how the hell did that work!
"And you know my friend Shinji here, well he's a little lonely you know, he's seen a lot more combat then me."
The girl scooted over the room and sat next to Shinji. "I feel sorry for you two," she said looking at Shinji "I just want you to know that we really do appreciate what you do for us Shinji."
Shinji blushed a little as the girls hand felt his own.
"The cats in the bag......." whispered Billy to his friend and let go of him.
Shinji started at the smiling girl, but then realised what was going on. He shook his head as truth dawned on him and grabbed Billy.
"We need to talk" he said.
Billy looked at the girl, who was obviously quite hurt by such a sudden rejection, and smiled at her.
"We'll be right back."
Shinji dragged Billy into the kitchen.
"What are you doing!" said Billy "she was going for you man! You had a definite lay"
Shinji shook his head.
"All she wanted was an Eva pilot, she doesn't care about me at all. She only wants to have sex for her own personal gain not because she cares."
Billy scratched his head.
"I don't follow?"
Shinji fumed.
Billy laughed "I'm just kidding buddy don't sweat it. I know how you feel. I won't do that again ok?"
Shinji smiled at his friend "thankyou." He then took another puff of his cigarette, feeling the foul smoke fill his chest.
The doorbell rang and Billy went to answer it, Shinji leaned against the wall and smoked away.
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It was 11:30 and the party was in full swing. People where drunk, music was blaring and people where getting in the hallways. Like I said it was pumpin.
Shinji was sitting on the couch. Earlier in the night Toji and Kensuke had arrived and asked him a lot of questions. He answered them, and then explained what happened with him and Asuka.
"That bitch!" Toji had snarled "I'll rip her open when I see her!"
Shinji shook his head "don't, just let her be."
Toji would have protested, but Kensuke tapped his shoulder.
"Hey Toji, remember how you said next time you saw her?"
"Yeah."
"Well she's right over there!"
The trio looked over at the kitchen and there was Asuka with Hikari, a beer in her hand and a smile on her face. She was talking to some guy, who was checking her body out with great interest.
Asuka was smiling, but Shinji knew it was because she was drunk. She had to be, she wouldn't let anyone look at her like that sober.
He was angry. How dare she show up here, of all places. It was like a statement that she could invade every part of his life.
He stood up and walked down the hall. He took a glance at Asuka who met his gaze, and frowned instantly. Shinji turned and walked down the hallway, opening the door. He heard over the music and chatter Toji and Kenuske protest, but he just wanted to get away.
He lit a cigarette, feeling the burn in his throat. He didn't care though, he didn't care about much right now.
"Bitch..."
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When Shinji returned it was very late, maybe about 3:00 in the morning, maybe later.
He opened the door, with the key that Billy had given him to open the door for guests. Billy had gotten sick of walking so asked Shinji to do it for him, then disappeared in his room with a pretty girl from year ten. Thanks Billy.
He entered and saw how bad the damage was. There were beer bottle everywhere, all over the floor and a lot of ash. The whole place reeked of cigarettes and a little bit of vomit. He walked into the lounge room to find two people he didn't know sleeping on the couches. He walked over to the empty sofa and sat down, he needed to rest after all that walking. He had wandered all around Tokyo-3, thoughts going at a million miles an hour. All of them led to one word. Bitch. It was cold tonight though and he was glad to be inside, the strange effect of the place after a party felt like a mystical heater.
He sparked a smoke and lay his head back, closing his eyes for a bit, enjoying the peace and quite. He wasn't really a party person and was surprised at the way he was now. Drinking and smoking, it wasn't like him at all.
He had gotten over his anger with Asuka for now, although if he saw her he was sure it would come back. How could she do that too him, just barge into a party when she had full knowledge he was going to be there. It made him so mad!
Taking another drag he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. He heard the toilet flush and a door open. Presuming it was Billy he called out.
"Hey! Get me a beer from the fridge for me will you!" Shinji was in a drinking mood, one of his few. Why though, he had never drunk before this, even when Misato had offered he would always refuse. Was it that he was trying to look cool in front of Billy? Was he that sad? He shook his head to clear his thoughts; it had been a long night. He realised that ever since he had started to drink, as small as it was, he was happier.
He opened his eyes and heard footsteps. Then someone he didn't want to see walk in.
Asuka.
She strode in a plonked her self right next to Shinji.
They sat there for a while in silence, Asuka looking at nothing particular with her face resting on her hand, and Shinji looking at the roof silently. It was a while before anyone spoke.
"Since when did you start smoking?" asked Asuka, in a strangely monotone voice. It sounded like Rei's, and that scared Shinji.
He took another long puff and glanced over at her, she wasn't looking at him. Shinji was glad; if she had he could have punched her in the face.
Not hearing a response Asuka frowned, what was wrong with Shinji? He was different now, as though she wasn't talking too the meek little boy she had known, but someone else in a Shinji outfit.
And it scared her a little.
"Shinji" she said "I'm bored."
Shinji glanced at her again, this time she was looking at him. Her big blue eyes gazing into his own. Usually he would have felt a skip in his chest, and butterflies, but this time.......
All he felt was rage.
Asuka looked into the boys eyes, searching, searching for that old Shinji. The Shinji that used to cringe at her every move, the Shinji that got up early every morning to cook her breakfast. Her Shinji.
But he wasn't there, only some other boy, looking back at her with hate. And god did that turn her on. For some reason, she didn't know why, but to have this Shinji who hated her seemed to make her wild with passion. That and she was drunk, very drunk.
There was silence for a while and Shinji returned to his cigarette. The truth was he didn't have the heart to tell Asuka to go away, and he was slightly scared of what might happen if he did anyway. But he felt different now, as though that old of him was gone, as though he was a new person.
"Will you kiss me Shinji?" Asuka said, breaking the silence abruptly.
Shinji had no idea what to say, it had caught him completely off guard. How could she ask that, after all of the shit that had happened? She was defiantly drunk, that's it, drunk. He turned away from her.
"You can't be serious."
Asuka was taken back from this; this was definitely a new Shinji. Sure his voice at times wavered, and his movements still had that timid approach in it. But there was something, something that either he had discovered or that Irish boy had put in him. And Asuka liked it, she liked it a lot.
Not really sure why she was doing this, she leaned over Shinji. Pressing into him she looked him in the eyes.
"Please?" she said, her face a look of honest desperation. Shinji wasn't sure if she was acting or not, but he felt strange. His anger was ebbing away and his lust was taking over from the small amount of alcohol left in his body. For a while they stayed like that, looking at each other, both torn between decisions. Only the light snoring of a one of the sleeper's on the opposite couch was heard. It was a stalemate.
Until Asuka made her move.
Shinji was in shock as Asuka lunged at him. Her lips met his, and her tongue parted his mouth. Shinji sat with his eyes open in shock for a while, not really believing what was going on. But then he started to enjoy the feeling, wasn't this what he had dreamed about for months. He let his tongue meet hers and they kissed passionately.
Asuka was searching now. Searching for that meek young boy she had come to hate, yet love all the same. She hadn't known about her feelings, as slight as they where until the ball. Until he started dancing with that doll. Hell, she didn't know if it was love or not, maybe just lust, but she wanted him so badly. Right now, she wanted to feel him all over.
But she couldn't find him; she couldn't find the real Shinji. The old Shinji, who never drank, never smoked and always cooked her food. The one that would apologise, then cringe as she yelled at him for being so stupid. All she could find was something else, something indescribable. Like some horrible monster that was being unleashed, one that was just being born.
She pulled away sharply, and slapped Shinji across the face.
Shinji jerked back and cried out, that really hurt!
Asuka stumbled back and hit the table, knocking over the C.D. player with a huge crash. There was a shout from Billy's room and a large rustle. Billy popped out of the hall soon after, in his boxers.
"What the- -"he started, but then Asuka started screaming.
"Where's my Shinji!" she screamed at the boy on the couch. Shinji just stared back, with those eyes that where his, but not his.
"Give him back!" she screamed, grabbing the boy by his shirt, shaking him. Shinji pushed her off. He felt some kind of deep rumbling feeling in his stomach, and a great anger over took him.
"Get away from me you bitch!" he pushed her over in one powerful move.
Asuka gasped as she fell back and hit the round on her ass. She looked up and scurried back, tears budding around her face.
"Get away from me!" she screamed at Shinji as he reached out, thinking he was about to attack. Shinji was only trying to help her up, his rage that had flared up gone as quickly as it had come. He didn't know where it had come from, but he regretted finding it. As much as he hated Asuka at that precise moment in time, he had no will to assault her.
Asuka picked her self up and stared at the boy in front of her.
"Your not my Shinji!" she said, this time full of malice and hate.
She turned to leave and Shinji tried to follow, but Billy had grabbed him and held him firmly. Shinji had never felt anything so strong in his life; it was like two great pylons had latched around him. He struggled with the massive boy, but to no avail.
"Let me go!" he yelled at his friend "Let me go! I gotta go talk to her!"
Billy shook his head, "No" was all he said and his grip tightened.
Asuka left with out a word, tears now almost flowing down her face. But she wouldn't. She would only cry over Shinji, not over that thing that she had kissed. She felt dirty, violated, as though her mouth was now cancerous and pus filled. She down the hall towards Misato's apartment, but when she got to the stairs leading up to her level, she doubled over. All the alcohol she had drunk catching up with her.
She retched once, twice, and then vomited all over the floor. She gasped for breath, and then vomited again. Her hair was now sticky with puke, and she stumbled up the first three steps. Willing her self to go on, she made it up one flight and turned down the hallway. Everything seemed green in colour now, and it was spinning fast. She almost lost her balance twice, but always kept sturdy at the last second. She was sure that if she fell she would never get up again.
As she stumbled into the apartment she rushed into the bathroom. She leaned over the sink and let forth a fresh wave of sick. She vomited too many times to count, gasping for air. She begged it too stop, but talking only made it worse, bringing on more waves of sickly stomach juice.
Finally though, it stopped. She gasped for air, but her throat was too bunched up to make a difference. She collapsed onto the tile floor and gazed at the roof. All she could see through her spinning mass of vision were two eyes. Shinji's eyes, but not, impostors, fakes looking at her behind a disguise. She gasped for air once more as her throat clenched, then passed out.
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Misato watched the screen with a look of worry. It had been three days since she had found Asuka curled into a ball on the bathroom floor. There had been a mass of vomit in the sink, and her hair was sticky with it.
After a cup of coffee Asuka had explained everything. Misato was shocked, and scared as well. Shinji was still at Billy's and he had refused to return when she called. She had smashed the phone into the wall and cried her self to sleep that night. Was her little Shinji really gone? She had felt like Shinji's mother, as though he was her own son. In her own little world she had hoped he thought the same, but now she realised that he felt no tie whatsoever.
She hated Billy.
It was his fault this had happened. He had turned him into what he was now. She hated him, she hated everything about him. Right down to that smarmy smile and that cocky walk. If she had her way he would have been shipped back Ireland and could rot there. Bastard...
She was looking at all the pilots, getting inserted in too some new training machine. The English had invented some sort of VR machine, which connected directly to the users neurons. It used much of the same technology found in the Eva synch plugs, but not as highly advanced. Also it had some kind of new system, which nullified the brains reaction to pain or pleasure. In other words, you would only feel the impact of blows, not the pain that should be registered.
Ritsuko had explained all this too her, not noticing that her friend didn't care. She was too worried about Shinji, what had become of him?
When he walked in with Billy he looked so different. He defiantly looked more confident, stronger as well as his shoulders where now no longer down cast, and his movements where more straight forward and direct. But it was the eyes which where the most different.
Shinji's eyes usually are sorrowful, world-weary even, as though the owner had seen too much for his time. It was true; Shinji had seen things that no one his age should see. But hadn't everyone? But still it was one of his features, those big sad puppy dog eyes, and Misato knew that if she was younger she could get lost in those beautiful eyes.
But now they where changed, not much, but enough to unsettle you. They where no longer deep, but seemed to pierce out. They looked at you as though they could see you very soul, every secret thing you ever had revealed for all too see. That and they where cold, so very cold. While a smile may be on his face, they would not quite reach his eyes. They where like Rei's, and even more unsettling.
If you had not known Shinji intimately, as Asuka and Misato did, you would not see any change. All you would see was a young boy who now walked with a little more pep. As though he just got his daily dosage of blood and vinegar. But it wasn't that he was completely changed, no it was far from that. It was though a new part of Shinji had woken up, and made it self a picture for the world. And that was terrible. It was Shinji, but it was not, and Misato nearly wept. For even though the sweet boy had not died, something was else being born.
She could not explain it, all ready all of her thoughts made no sense, but it was there, but it wasn't. And it chilled her too the bone.
She looked at the pilots, as they got ready in their plugs.
She looked at Shinji painfully, she knew that he was changing and should be happy, but it was what he was changing into that scared her. She looked away to the next screen and Rei sat solemnly in the 'training plug'. Her blue hair fell across her face in that strange shaggy but combed hairstyle. Her milk white was contrasting with her deep blood red eyes, and Misato had to admit she looked very beautiful.
Asuka looked like her usual self, over her night with Shinji. Her hair fell over her shoulders and ran down her back. Her blue eyes and pale skin made her look like some kind of ancient shield maiden, what were they called. Valkyers, at least she thought that was how it was pronounced. Her body was the most women like of the girls and its curves where perfect. Misato was sometimes jealous, she sometimes wished that old age would never take its bite on her.
Billy was different, but in some ways was like Asuka, but the only resemblance was the skin. His hair was brown, but lighter the Shinji's and his eyes a piercing blue. His physique was lean, but not skinny like most Japanese. It was well toned and he projected power wherever he went. Whenever he was around you, you could feel all that speed and strength through the air. All the tension as it willed its master to wield it, like an over filled basket ready to break under so much weight.
And yet he still had that smirk, that smirk which was just like Kaji's but not as sleazy. Just sorta slightly amused. She hated that smile, she wished she could just rip it outta him!
"Mam?" said Hyuga worriedly, and Misato came back to attention.
"What? Sorry Hyuga I was thinking."
"Should we begin the program?" said the technician, looking at his dream girl with a concerned face. After Shinji had left he thought she had been losing it, long silences, short fuse and no concentration all part of her routine now.
"Yes, or course we should" she told the thick-glassed tech as she looked at the screen.
"Begin the training!"
--------------------------------- ------------------------------
First there was a huge rush of light, then a stabbing pain in the back of his neck that made him close his eyes for about three seconds. Then it stopped, as suddenly as it had started, and he opened his eyes.
Instantly Shinji knew something was wrong. Even though the city before him looked real, and the plug he was in looked like his plug, there was something missing. It was like he was not in his body; he was in someone else's body and he was controlling it. He moved his arms around and tried to get used to it. After a bit he started to adapt, but it was still unnerving.
He looked around and saw the other four Eva's standing in a circle. He was part of the pattern. They where all facing into the centre, with Asuka on his left and Rei on his right, and Billy directly in front of him.
Trying to shake the feeling of other worldliness he observed the other Eva's. Rei's was the same old Blue Cyclops, and Asuka's was still some kind of four-eyed red monster. He had expected Billy's to be some kind of new look altogether, but there were few changes to the original Eva design.
It was a deep green, the colour of clover amusingly, and it had strange little tattoos on it. He remembered Billy telling him that he had had his Eva 'customised' in minor ways to suit his style. He guessed that the catholic cross across its left breastplate had been air brushed on because of this.
It had six eyes, each one an even darker green then the body. Its armour was slightly thicker then the other three Eva's, and the back armour was thicker then the rest, sticking out a little too far. But apart from that it was not so different to the rest of the Eva's.
A voice crackled around the computer-generated city.
"Ok then kids," said the voice of Ritsuko Akagi "lets begin, in a moment a screen will appear in front of you with weapons choices. Each of you will be given a different type of weapon type. Asuka will have hand-to-hand combat, Shinji mid range weaponry and Rei long-range weaponry. You will then engage pilot O'Neil in combat, a fight to the 'death'. This is to test our own weaponry against the new technology that the UK department has given too us."
"Do you understand?" she asked, after taking a breath.
"Yes" said the children.
"Good" came the reply.
Misato's voice took over.
"Asuka, you and Billy are up first, Shinji and Rei are spectators."
Everything went dark, and then came back to life very differently. It was though Shinji was floating above the city, but he had no body. By simply willing it he could move anywhere, through walls, through anything he wished. He supposed it was used to watch the fight from different angles, to study the fighting technique. He floated above the city, comfortable with the angle and watched.
---------------------- ----------------------------------
Asuka held the power axe tightly in her grip, now it was time to teach that dirt bag who's in charge here.
Billy had no weapons, but the Eva's fist's clenched hard.
"So I suppose you're here to kick my ass?" said Billy with a bemused smile.
Asuka smiled back "you better believe it."
Billy laughed at loud and Asuka felt rage spark within her.
"Well come on then, you gonna one liner me to death? Or are you really just a red headed bimbo like they say you are."
That had done it.
With a roar Asuka charged, yelling her war cry as she raised the axe. Eva- 02 was only four bounds away from its target, and Billy still had not moved.
She swung the axe down hard, hoping to split the bastards skull. But she jerked as something stopped the weapon mid swing.
She looked in shock and Eva-06 stood in front of her, with its hand around the shaft of the axe just below the head. She tried to break it free but the grip was too strong. The green Eva brought it fist back, and Billy smiled.
CRACK
Asuka reeled back; she had felt a tremendous impact but no pain. It was a very sickly experience. Her Eva's hand lost its grip on the axe handle and she fell flat on her back.
Misato and Ritsuko watched from the control room, looking into the computer arena.
"What a punch!" said Ritsuko.
"So? All he can do is punch!" snapped Misato back; she had been hoping that Asuka could have taught the boy a lesson.
Back on the field, Billy spun the axe expertly in a complex arc around himself. He watched the red Eva get up, and take a fighting stance.
Billy laughed over the comm, making Asuka even madder. She screamed at him.
"Whats so funny!"
"How easy that was, from what I heard you where supposed to be good!"
Asuka screamed as she charged, and Billy knew he had won.
In a fit of rage she hadn't thought that maybe a full charge wouldn't work on this enemy, and walked right into the taunt. Billy struck her in the back of the head with butt end of the axe in a skilful show of footwork, and the Red Cyborg hit the ground face first. It skidded a little, and tore up most of the already broken street.
Billy swung the axe over his head and it connected sharply with Eva-02's lower back. She arched it as she felt something in her own back, grinding away, but no pain. It felt like a sort of dull sensation. In other words it felt horrible.
Billy hefted the shaft and the axe came out, blood oozing out in torrents of the hideous wound. Eva-02 squirmed on the floor, trying to get up. Billy knew what he had cut, Eva's and humans where built very similar. It would probably bleed to death soon if had hit what he thought he had. But he had other plans.
He spun the red giant around onto its back, making sure Asuka could see her defeater. Asuka was screaming in fury. She couldn't be beaten, not by this little inbreed! She grasped for him, tearing at the armour on his Eva's legs. But it didn't work, she couldn't get a grip, the armour was too smooth and hard.
"Lights out devil girl!" said Billy with a grin and the green behemoth lifted the Axe once again.
With a heavy thwack the axe fell and Asuka's vision went dead.
------------------- ------------------------
Asuka screamed in rage as she felt her self disconnected from the fight. She had lost, to that little worm. And he had done it so effortlessly, like it was no problem. She would kill him when she got out, he was going to pay dearly. Visions of pummelling his head into a locker filled her head, it was going to be sweet. She was the best, the best of the best, no one here could hold their own against her in battle. Her revenge would be beautiful, but deadly.
Misato and Ritsuko looked over the view screen, Misato frowning.
"Well the boy has skill," said Ritsuko writing something on a clipboard.
"Shut up!" snapped Misato harshly "just load Rei into the damn thing!"
------------------------------- -------------------------
Rei was booted in, her sniper rifle clutched in her hand. It was a new piece of technology recently developed, so was not as big and bulky as the earlier models. She was lying down in a giant mountain pas above the city, scanning for the green Eva. She was not concerned; the bullet would pass through his A.T. field before he could power it up properly.
Billy scanned the horizons, in this computer world his natural senses where useless. He was blind now, but his nerves where on edge. He darted between the buildings, looking all the time to find his hidden enemy.
Rei spotted him, he thought he was safe behind two large skyscrapers but Rei had a perfect shot at his head from behind. She set in the right distance and power and took aim.
She pulled the trigger.
It so quick that Rei was in shock for a while. Billy spun around as the trigger was just barely pulled and put out his hand. There was a great flash of light and Rei was blinded, being forced to close her eyes. Opening them she checked down the scope, and nearly gasped. But it was Rei, so she just furrowed her brow slightly.
Billy had engaged his A.T. field in the last second to pin point accuracy. The laser pulse was only metres from the Eva's hand, struggling against the hexagonal orange A.T field that trapped it. With what seemed like a massive effort the giant threw its hand to the side. The laser shot flew off at a 90-degree angle and hit a building. There was another smaller flash of light and a lot of smoke as the pulse exploded on impact.
Rei set her weapon to rapid fire, and started to shoot at Billy's Eva.
With great speed Billy urged his Eva' to move, sweating from the effort of stopping the pulse before hand. His Eva ran blindly around and sometimes through buildings, laser shots raining down destruction around him. Pressing a button on the handles side, he saw a steel monolith rise to the left. Perfect cover.
He dived behind it, and felt the energy beams pass close to his legs. The green Eva pressed its back against the steel and he heard the dull thuds of pulse shots hitting the steel. It held.
Rei set her rifle back to sniper mode, waiting for Billy to poke his head out of cover.
Billy pressed another button on one of his hand controls and the left thigh armour on the Eva opened up. A pistol on a stand came out, and the green Eva took it in its left hand.
Billy caught his breath and got ready for the next part; this was a life or death situation, sort off.
He spun out, quickly taking in the distance and location of his attacker.
Rei saw her target, but before she had a chance to pull her trigger Billy fired.
The energy beam streaked towards her too fast for her to react. It hit the scope, went through it, and connected with her Eva's single eye.
The world went dark as she felt her head thrown back. He had won again.
----------------------------- ------------------------
Misato slammed her hands on her desk. Her and Misato had retired to their own respectable workstation on the command deck, tired of standing up.
"That's impossible, there's no way anyone could make a shot like that!" She yelled towards Ritsuko.
Ritsuko shook her head and replayed the action before her on her own private screen, also not believing what she saw.
"Just what is this kid?" Misato muttered angrily under her breath, looking at the pilot view screen. Billy was smiling, panting, but still smiling.
---------------------------- ------------------------
Shinji felt himself being loaded into the field. He closed his eyes as a great flash of white light enveloped his view, and opened them once it had faded.
The city had been reconstructed from the mass destruction it had just received, looking like it had before the previous battle. Shinji held the rifle in his hand tightly; Billy once again had no weapons.
"So now you're here to try and beat me?" said Billy, sounding bored. "Well come on then, lets see what you got."
Shinji brought the rifle level with his shoulder, took aim, and fired.
The green Eva leapt into the air, the bullets skimming under it harmlessly. The two large pieces of armour at it back opened up, and there was a great flash of yellow light. Shinji shielded his eyes, and the green Eva seemed to be suspended in mid air.
When the light faded, Shinji looked up and gasped openly. The Eva had wings! Two yellow coloured glowing wings! They looked like they where made up of pure energy, and the Eva glided effortlessly to the ground, to the left of where it had just leapt from.
"Nice try," said Billy, smiling larger then ever "but now try and hit me, I promise I wont jump."
Shinji levelled the rifle and emptied off the rest of the clip.
The wings folded in front of their owner, and the energy pulse's rebounded off in all directions as they struck them. Shinji gaped, and his empty clip fell too the ground steaming.
Billy laughed out loud, and the wings folded back into his back, then dissipated. The armour hatches closed.
"Well it seems that your rifle is pretty useless right now," taunted the boy "lets see how you do close range!"
One of the buildings closest to Billy's folded down, and he ran towards it. Shinji tried hastily to reload, but he couldn't, he had only been given one clip!
Eva-06 grabbed a long power katana from the building, which was really a weapons cache in disguise. He took a fighting stance.
Shinji drew his progressive knife form his shoulder armour, and the two Eva's waited for one to make a move.
This time Billy struck first.
With a yell the green Eva leaped into the air and held the sword high above its head. Shinji barley had time to raise his knife when it came crashing down on top of him.
Sparks flew as the two vibrating knives connected, their owners pushing against each other. But no one would budge. Shinji had been thrown into the ground, making a small crater in the city concrete. Billy was on top, his foot planted firmly into the Eva's stomach.
"Good," said Billy with a crazy smile "I was starting to get bored."
He stepped back and took the katana above his head. The purple Eva rolled out the way at the last second as the huge sword stabbed down. Shinji tried to get up, but he felt a huge force in his ribs as the green Eva lashed out with a shin kick, launching Eva-01 off the ground.
The purple Cyborg spun in mid-air, so powerful was the kick, and came crashing down on its back. It quickly got up, staggering a little as its owner regained his senses. The feeling of impact but no pain was unsettling.
Billy smiled once again.
"You ARE good!" he said, "Now lets finish this!"
Shinji realised then he had no knife, too late he reached for the back up one in his opposite shoulder.
With a giant rip, the green Eva charged and sent the katana right through Eva-01 chest. Shinji felt it through his own, but once again he felt no pain. He felt like throwing up.
The purple Eva was lifted clear off the ground as Billy raised the sword, and it impaled even further on the blade. Shinji saw the screen fading black and knew he was defeated.
But there was a part of Shinji that spoke up. One he had no idea was even there. It told him that he could not lose, that not this man, that not any man, could beat him. No one could!
Knowing what he had to do he willed the purple Eva to grab the green one by the shoulders. Billy's eyes opened as he felt himself getting pulled into a crushing grip. He struggled, but he could not escape.
Shinji released one hand, and felt vomit in his throat as the whole sword sliced through him. He pulled the knife out of his shoulder armour, and raised it high. The screen was almost black, he hadn't much time.
With a great effort he drove the knife through the green Eva's head. Then the simulation shut down around him.
Billy was in shock; he had been beaten, for the first time in his life. He smiled though, for instead of rage he felt happiness. He hadn't lost, it had been a draw. So it was true, Ikari was indeed greatly skilled. All he had too do was train a little and he would be unstoppable, even more powerful then him.
He laughed to himself; this was going to be fun.
--------------------- -------------------
Shinji and Billy walked from the change rooms, laughing among themselves. Shinji had never felt happier. He had found some one who had cared. Some one who hadn't taken him because he was a pilot, and some one who hadn't taken advantage of him time and time again. A small voice in the back of his head said something about Rei, but he silenced it immediately. He couldn't think about her right now.
When he had walked into the building for the training he had talked to her for only twenty five seconds.
"Your different" she had said, Shinji had blushed and only nodded.
"I don't like it" and with that she was gone, simply turned and left.
If this had been Shinji a week ago, he would have felt depressed, but this time he felt angry. What was every one so upset about? He was happy, he had some confidence; he was having FUN with his life. Not much but it was a start.
"You think too much!" said Billy slapping him on the back, shaking him from his thought "in a fight you cant think about stuff, that's why it was only a draw!"
Shinji smiled, yeah a draw.
Misato was waiting for him at the front doors. She looked angry. Asuka was about three feet down the hall looking at the wall.
Shinji had expected this; he was guessing what would come next.
"Shinji, its time too come home!" she said sternly "lets go!"
Shinji looked at Misato, then looked at Billy. He had two choices.
Go back with Misato and spend the rest of his teenage years cleaning up after her and doing Asuka's cooking.
Go with Billy and spend the rest of his life happy
The choice was obvious.
He looked at Misato with all the spine he could muster, which was too his surprise quite a bit.
"I'm going home with Billy, I want too move in with him."
Misato looked at Shinji as though she was going to kill him. But also she looked sad, as though she had lost something very dear. Shinji supposed she had.
"Shinji you can't, I'm you guardian and when I say- -"
But Billy cut her off.
"Listen lady, you can't decide what he does and doesn't do, if he wants to stay with me then I'll be more then happy to let him."
Misato looked at Billy, shooting daggers with her eyes.
"In Japan YOUNG man we don't interrupt our elders!"
Billy smiled back
"In Ireland we don't give a fuck!"
He laughed at his own joke, Shinji even smiled a little.
"C'mon man lets get outta here," said Billy to his new flatmate, and he turned too leave.
Shinji looked at Misato and Asuka for a while, had he made the right choice. Misato looked at him, but her face had changed. It looked almost.......pleading.
He turned; he had made his decision and would stick by it.
Misato looked at their backs as they left the door, walking down the street away from her, maybe forever.
She threw a violent kick towards the metal wall, that little bastard.
"C'mon Asuka we're leaving!" she said angrily, Asuka followed suite.
"What are you going to do now?" said Asuka, her voice the very meaning of venom.
"Go and get him tonight!" she said as she pressed the automatic lock on her car keys, the car blinking to life for a few seconds.
There was no way she was losing Shinji to that bastard.
---------------------------- --------------------------
Shinji and Billy spent the rest of the night drinking (ok so BILLY spent the rest of the night drinking, Shinji just sipped a little) in celebration of Shinji's new residence.
"Ok then," said Billy over the table, a cigarette in his left and beer in his right "Here are the ground rules now that you're a permanent member of the club. One, when we get a girl each there wont be ANY trading. Two, we have turns on shouting the beer. Three, we don't steal each others cigarettes and four, we will not date the other persons ex, ever."
Shinji nodded in agreement, in Billy's strange little world, they made perfect sense.
After that little talk the night proceeded as normal, with smoking, drinking, watching T.V. and mostly talk about girls. Shinji was surprised that Billy seemed interested in Rei, but he felt a pang of jealously as the conversation went on. Billy sensing this in his friend, moved on and talked about something else.
"So hows Asuka been?" he asked Shinji.
Shinji shook his head "don't know, and don't care. I don't need someone like that in my life."
Billy nodded and smiled, then took a deep swig of his bottle. He let out a satisfied sigh as it left his lips and moved on with the subject.
"Good point, I thought that Toji was over exaggerating until that party night. Too bad you where there for that part, the rest was great!"
Shinji smiled, "yeah well she's gone now, at least from my life, all I have to do is face her at work and school."
Billy smiled as well "buddy, that's hell enough."
Both of them took a deep swig, a silent male version of agreement.
The doorbell ringing interrupted their little party, and Shinji got up too answer it.
"If it's the landlord, let me talk to him!" said Billy as Shinji walked down the hall. When he opened the door though, it was much worse.
Misato was standing there, looking just like she did before, pissed.
"Shinji this has gone on long enough, I want you home this instant." She demanded. Then she looked down at Shinji's hand.
"Since when did you smoke!" she said, a little too loud.
"Since now" said Shinji taking a deep drag.
"Don't you know how bad it is for you, it could seriously affect your piloting!"
Shinji shook his head.
"That's all it ever was Misato, piloting. That's why you wanted me to move in in the first place."
Misato looked shocked, was this the Shinji she knew?
'No' she thought 'it's a Shinji that's been corrupted by him.'
"Don't be silly!" she snapped at Shinji "now c'mon lets go home."
"I am home Misato, and what would you make me do if I came back, make me cook your food then go to my room to sulk?"
Misato was getting angry.
"Why are you being like this Shinji, you know that me and Asuka care about you!"
Shinji laughed, but to Misato it seemed as though he was laughing at her.
"Don't bullshit me Misato, Asuka hates my guts, she always has. And you where too drunk to notice me ever. Good bye Misato."
Shinji went to close the door, but Misato grabbed him.
"Shinji please don't do this" she said, she was sounding desperate now.
Shinji looked at her, could he really leave. Misato HAD always been there for him, and tried to make him feel happier. Was it her fault hat she didn't know how to deal with him. He felt urged to go with her now.
But then the thought of what Asuka would say too him, how cowardly he was and how she always knew he would come crawling back. Misato wasn't the problem here, she never was. But Asuka, he couldn't live with her. Not ever. Not after that kiss.
"No Misato."
Misato held on tighter, and tried to pull him out. Did she want him this much. He couldn't go with her though, never.
Then he felt a strong hand pull him back and heard a click.
Billy was standing there, a silver gun in his hand. It looked polished, sleek and deadly. A machine built for one thing, death.
Misato stepped back and let go of Shinji. She looked at the barrel then looked at Billy.
"Leave" he said "He said leave, and now I say leave."
"How dare you!" said Misato.
Billy did not smile.
"Do not think I will not kill you Major, Your security cannot touch me. I suggest you leave."
Misato looked at Shinji with a desperate glance, hoping for him too come.
Shinji looked at her, he wanted too, but he could never go back to that.
He turned away form the door and walked back into the kitchen.
He heard a few more words from the front door, then the door close. Billy walked in and put the gun in a drawer. Sitting down at the table, he looked at Shinji with a grin.
Shinji looked back at him frowning.
"Did you really have to do that?" asked Shinji, and Billy's smile faded.
"Sorry bud," he said apologetically "but the only thing to get people to respond immediately is if they think they are going to die."
Shinji was still looking at his friend. "Would you have done it?"
Billy shrugged "if I had enough reason too, I don't kill people who don't deserve it."
Shinji went silent.
"You want a beer?" he asked, leaning back on the chair reaching for the fridge.
Shinji looked at him, registering what had just happened. He was gone from that life, time to start a new one. But right now he wanted to forget that look Misato gave him, to wipe it completely off his memory.
"Hell," he said with a smile "lets break out the whiskey!"
Billy whooped and got the two drinks, paint stripper would have been more accurate though, and tossed one to Shinji.
Shinji took off the lid and drank deeply. Ever drop that passed his lips killed a little of him that night. A new Shinji had awoken, one that didn't take crap and stood up for itself.
He was REBORN!
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A/N
Firstly I would like to say how sorry I am.
I know right now this chapter seems like TOTAL bull shit, but it has relevance to later chapters. Please believe me here. I'm sorta ashamed of this chapter and would like to hear everyone else's thoughts, so if you reading this, just click on the review button and put in you views. Please, it will save a life.
I guess I wrote this because I always thought why would Shinji stay with Misato. Asuka treated him like shit and he was technically a slave. I guessed he never left because he had no confidence, which he thought this was a good as it could get. It wasn't a horrible place to live, but I could not see someone with Shinji's state of mind being happy in a place like that. It wasn't that clear in this chapter, but I'm putting across that if some like Billy who is so tough and independent can like Shinji, then he would feel a lot better about himself. Maybe enough to cut ties with Misato and move on, as painful as it might have been.
Next chapter will definitely be about the angel attack, and about a lot of other things. Remember review, it will help me. By the looks of this chapter you might think it has made me worse, but believe me this is going somewhere.
FIN
A/N:
Reviews!!!! My glorious reviews!!!! Thank you all so much......I promised my self I wouldn't cry.
It seems people actually enjoy this story. But of course there are a few things that they have pointed out which I will be more then happy to use. Such as my grammar and keeping everyone in character. I honestly think I should not have done that scene with Rei and Shinji cause it moved too fast, but oh well.
Now to explain some questions that where asked. This fic is based in between the 11th and 12th angel, we are approaching the time of appearance of the 12th.
Also, some one said that Billy was over the top, there is a reason for this. Also that would be the point. Compared to many the characters in this fic he appears larger then life. Remember that he comes from a nomadic race, he probably has to act a lot older and a lot more aggressively to survive, and a place like this would seem very boring and ordered. If this were a fic based on a more action hero type series he would fit right in, but because it is a very deep and depressing story line he does not seem to fit in.
(Notices the blank stares)
It's good ok!!!!
Also he over the top for many other reasons but that would ruin the surprise wouldn't it.
Any way enjoy the new chapter, it's going to be a long one.
(OOC warning! This time it's Shinji.) ---------------------------------- ------------------------------- --------- ---------
Shinji crept through the hallway quietly. He numbered off the doors, looking for the apartment. In the dark this place was very different, scary even, and Shinji kept his head down low. Who knows what could be lurking this time of night, just waiting for someone to come along.
He was in deep shit. He knew, from balls to bone, that he was dead. He hadn't gone to school today, scared of facing Asuka's wrath. He had wondered around the city with his hands in his pockets, thinking of nothing but Rei. Why was she acting like she was? This wasn't like her. Sure sometimes she had shown signs of friendship, by why this strong so suddenly.
Question's buzzed around the young boys head. There were too many to answer, for one person at least.
He reached the apartment door and reached into his pocket. Pulling out his card he hesitated over the scanner. He knew what was going to be at the other side of this door, and it wasn't going to be pretty.
Sighing he waved the card over the scanner and the door whooshed open. He walked in very slowly, taking off his shoes. He checked his watch, 8:30. Asuka would still be up.
"I'm home" he announced meekly. He tip toed up the front hall and into the kitchen. What he was met was not nice.
Asuka was sitting at the table, her eyes burning into him. In front of her was a book of homework, half finished. But he wasn't looking at that.
Asuka looked ready to kill, her blue eyes seemed to be on fire with rage. Her mouth was curling a little, meaning one thing.
"Where the fuck have you been!" she screeched at him!
Pen-Pen jumped out of the couch, looking at the scene before him. Shinji was squirming as Asuka shouted abuse at him. He scurried into his fridge. Asuka always yelled, but this time it was different, there was something in her eyes..........
"I had to live with Misato's cooking you jerk!" she screamed at Shinji "I nearly threw up because of that sludge. Then you didn't show up at school! You little dweeb! I've been starving all day!"
She slapped Shinji sharply across the face. He stumbled back a little
Shinji thought it was over, he could scurry into his room to escape. But there was more on Asuka's mind then food, much more.
"I bet you where at that doll's place! Weren't you!" she continued "I was starving and you're at Rei's probably screwing her brains out!"
"It's not like that........" Shinji started but he was silenced by another slap to the face.
"Don't lie to me you bastard!" she screamed at him, advancing all the time, "I saw you two dancing at the Ball, you came with me and dumped me for HER!"
She said her with a lot more volume, and hit in the face again. His cheek was burning heavily and a small trickle of blood came out of his mouth.
"HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE HER OVER ME!" Asuka screamed, Shinji now backed against the wall in terror.
"WHAT DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON"T! MY BREASTS ARE BIGGER, MY HIPS ARE SMOOTHER. HOW COULD YOU, YOU BASTARD!"
The next slap took Shinji to the ground, and he nearly cried out in pain. He cradled his cheek, but found it too sore to touch.
Asuka stood over him, panting, her face as red as her hair. She looked at him with loathing in her eyes.
"How could you?" she said quietly, but her words were filled with hate.
Shinji stood up, not looking at Asuka. She was right, he was a prick, nothing but a prick.
"Answer me!" said Asuka, her voice still stabbing into him. But he couldn't, he couldn't face her.
"Answer me!" she screamed as he walked out of the room, holding his cheek in pain. He spat out some blood, she had cut him up inside pretty bad.
"ANSWER ME!"
Shinji heard this and tears ran down his face. That one sounded more desperate then angry, and yet he could still not face her.
He stumbled to the front door and opened it. But something grabbed his arm and spun him around. Asuka was glaring at him, her teeth almost bared.
"Answer me!" she said, and it sounded angry again, but still with that tone of desperation. If Shinji could have met her eyes, he would have seen that as angry as they where, they where also pleading, pleading to tell her why.
But Shinji could not, he looked at the ground.
"I-I-I cant." He stammered.
Asuka pushed him back into the outside hall and the door whooshed shut. He heard her punching the wall, and destroying random things.
All he did was hang his head and cry.
"I'm sorry" he said between sobs. But no one would have heard it, and if they did, the person it was meant for would have smashed her fist into his face.
-------------------------- ------------------------
Asuka screamed her outrage at the world, focusing it into one single word.
"WHY!"
She screamed it at the top of lungs. Repeatedly she screamed it until her lungs where sore.
As she did she destroyed the apartment. She smashed the plates, broke the vases, anything she could pick up was thrown on the floor.
Too tired to continue she slumped into a chair, and a new fit of rage took her again, but this time it was filled with sorrow.
"WHY! WHY! WHY YOU BASTARD!" she screamed and banged her fist on the table, until she was sure it would break.
But the table didn't break, she did.
Her head slumped onto the table and she sobbed. Angry with herself for crying she banged her fist again but she couldn't stop. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed her new mantra. That bastard, that little bastard. He was hers, her moron, her cook, her little Shinji........
Her whole body gave up and she slumped further into the table, and cried openly.
----------------------- ------------------------------
Billy opened the door to find a mess at his doorstep. Shinji was slouching over, his mouth trickling blood at slow but steady pace, and his eyes where red.
"I heard you two through the roof," said Billy looking at his friend.
"Come in and we'll get you fixed."
"Thank you," said Shinji, and then winced as his cheek flared up from the movement. He walked into the apartment, and Billy closed the door behind him.
Billy led him into the kitchen and sat him down. Opening the fridge he took out a bottle of whiskey and handed it too Shinji.
"Drink it" he said with a grin, taking out his hipflask and taking a swig "it'll stop infection and maybe get you so pissed you won't feel it till the morning."
Shinji looked at Billy then looked at the bottle. Shrugging, he took a swig and felt a sharp pain stab his cheek.
Billy laughed as Shinji winced "yeah it'll do that."
Shinji coughed and looked at Billy, the whiskey being so strong didn't help.
"You drink this stuff?" he asked between coughs, this was REALLY strong whiskey!
"Yeah I make it," said Billy taking a large slug if his flask "my grandad taught me how."
Shinji layback took another sip, this time smaller, and his cheek burned again. He gritted his teeth and took it, but he noticed how numb his hands where going. He didn't have a very high alcohol tolerance and the homemade whiskey was getting to him quickly.
"So," said Shinji to Billy who was lighting a cigarette "what's it like back in Ireland."
Billy nearly laughed and looked at Shinji with his usual smile.
"I don't come from Ireland" he said "I'm from one of the clans, I was born somewhere in the UE, not sure where though. My mum died giving birth to me and my dad and my grandad raised me."
Shinji nodded, so he was just like him.
"I've only been to Ireland once, and it's not pretty. No one knew what to do back then. Things blowing up, people living in constant fear of an English invasion, and with them being just across the border it was no wonder."
Shinji nodded a little.
"Where's your dad now?"
Billy paused for a bit, his cigarette ashing it self on the carpet.
"My dad was killed in the war." He said taking a long puff.
"Oh," said Shinji lowering his head "I'm sorry."
"Why?" said Billy "He died the way he wanted too, and you can't ask for more then that. My dad always told me there where two ways you could die. You could either die in your own piss crying for mercy, or charging at them with all the blood lust you can muster."
He took a long drag of the cigarette here and shook his head. "But it was pointless really, we lost the war. We all sorta knew we would but we couldn't just give up. The English always said that they controlled us, but when we demand a new country they deny us. They told the world of course that they offered but the truth is they never cared. So we invaded, all the survivors fighting for a cause. But we couldn't win, and those bastards," Billy closed his eyes, his voice coming through gritted teeth.
"Those bastards used anything they could too win. Rape, murder and terror, you name it they did it. They held their child prisoners in front of them to stop us from shooting. And laughing as they raped one of the village women in front of the prisoners of war, us powerless to stop them."
SNAP
The arm of the chair he was sitting in broke under his clenched fist. Shinji jumped and Billy barely noticed it. Looking down at the arm of the chair he threw the shattered pieces away into the wall.
He closed his eyes and calmed himself. Taking deep drags of his smoke. Opening them again he looked at Shinji, who was still taking slow sips of his whiskey.
In the slight pause Shinji looked around the apartment from eh kitchen. It was built much like their own, a kitchen that connected to the hall and a living room, which connected with a bedroom. The hall spanned out a little more for two more bedrooms and a bathroom. There was an outside balcony at the end of the hall. It was built exactly like Misato's apartment, but everything was in a different place, which was eerie.
"How's the cheek?" Billy asked, his voice returning to its normal unpredictable tone.
"Better, this stuff really helps" said Shinji as he realised how drunk he was getting. His face was numb so he couldn't feel the pain anymore, as where his arms and legs. But in his chest he felt a strange warmth, as though his heart was glowing with heat.
Billy laughed and put out he cigarette sparking another one
"Not much tolerance to alcohol I'm guessin?"
Shinji jumped and realised how long he had been silent for, and he blushed a little.
"Sorry."
Billy laughed even louder "What for? C'mon lets get trashed tonight, schools a waste of fucking time anyway."
Normally Shinji would have refused, but the whiskey had made his head think quite peculiar things.
"Alright!" he said and Billy grinned. "That's the spirit!" he said and handed him another bottle of homemade whiskey.
Shinji sculled the rest of the bottle in his had and put it on the table, then took the one Billy was offering.
Billy and Shinji sat up for a very long time, and drunk a lot of alcohol.
------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Shinji had been staying at Billy's for four days now and he was actually enjoying it. He hadn't been at school for a while, and for the first time in his life didn't care. Most of his nights now consisted of him staying up with Billy, although after his first night he had not really been drinking. He had tried smoking a little, as Billy had offered. As he had explained it 'life's too short to worry about lung cancer, hell we're all going to die of something, and who wants to live past fifty five to have someone have too wipe your own ass for'
He hadn't really liked it, but Billy had given him a few decks if he ever wanted too start up. He only smoked when he drank, and seeing as he never drunk that much he didn't smoke that much. After his third day of coughing it started to wear down and now he noticed it calmed him considerably, just like Billy said it would.
And he actually liked hanging out with Billy. Sure he was a little unpredictable, and maybe he had trouble walking in a perfectly straight line, but apart from that he was a good guy. He also seemed to like Shinji, which he appreciated greatly.
Tonight Billy was planning something he had been looking forward too for a while.
"A party?" said Shinji as he opened a bottle of beer, and took an even and slow sip. He had not developed a tolerance yet, and he knew if he drank it slowly he would be ok.
"That's right buddy!" said Billy obviously excited "I've called some of the girls from school, you know the older ones, and they made some calls, and they made some calls etc etc. So yeah I'm guessin it should be a big event."
"How big?" asked Shinji sceptically.
"Oh you know, about a hundred, maybe one fifty?"
Shinji gagged on his drink.
"Hey lighten up Shinji!" said Billy, sparking a smoke "It's all cool, we got me on security and I locked up the fridge. It's a BYO occasion."
Shinji still wasn't convinced "what about the landlord, he won't like this."
Billy smiled "don't worry I can handle him, now drink up and quit frowning. Hell I might even get you laid tonight!"
Shinji shook his head but took a deep swig of his beer anyway, it was going to be one those nights.
----------------------------- ------------------------------- --------
At about 5:30 a group of girls showed up at the door and Billy let them in. They walked into the apartment and Shinji greeted them. They all said hi, and started their non-stop chatter.
The lounge room had three couches, each one against a wall. In the centre was a large table, which had a C.D. player on it. Billy walked in, his jacket slightly damp on the sleeves.
"Ok ladies there's some ice in then bathtub, go put your drinks in there and then sit back and enjoy the night!" said Billy as he sparked up a cigarette. Shinji decided that he needed one as well and took out his deck. They weren't very strong, only eight milligrams, but Shinji couldn't handle anything bigger. As the smoke filled his lungs he resisted the urge to cough, and his head spun slightly. But he felt his nerves calming and he relaxed in the sofa.
One of the girls hadn't carried out the beer her friend's had brought and was still sitting on the couch. She looked at Shinji.
"You're that pilot aren't you?" she asked "You both are right?"
Shinji nodded but Billy grabbed him around the shoulder.
"That's right," he said, shaking Shinji roughly "me and my buddy are here to protect this fine city, which I must say is filled with very beautiful ladies."
The girl blushed a little and Shinji's mouth gaped, how the hell did that work!
"And you know my friend Shinji here, well he's a little lonely you know, he's seen a lot more combat then me."
The girl scooted over the room and sat next to Shinji. "I feel sorry for you two," she said looking at Shinji "I just want you to know that we really do appreciate what you do for us Shinji."
Shinji blushed a little as the girls hand felt his own.
"The cats in the bag......." whispered Billy to his friend and let go of him.
Shinji started at the smiling girl, but then realised what was going on. He shook his head as truth dawned on him and grabbed Billy.
"We need to talk" he said.
Billy looked at the girl, who was obviously quite hurt by such a sudden rejection, and smiled at her.
"We'll be right back."
Shinji dragged Billy into the kitchen.
"What are you doing!" said Billy "she was going for you man! You had a definite lay"
Shinji shook his head.
"All she wanted was an Eva pilot, she doesn't care about me at all. She only wants to have sex for her own personal gain not because she cares."
Billy scratched his head.
"I don't follow?"
Shinji fumed.
Billy laughed "I'm just kidding buddy don't sweat it. I know how you feel. I won't do that again ok?"
Shinji smiled at his friend "thankyou." He then took another puff of his cigarette, feeling the foul smoke fill his chest.
The doorbell rang and Billy went to answer it, Shinji leaned against the wall and smoked away.
----------------- ------------------------------- --------------------
It was 11:30 and the party was in full swing. People where drunk, music was blaring and people where getting in the hallways. Like I said it was pumpin.
Shinji was sitting on the couch. Earlier in the night Toji and Kensuke had arrived and asked him a lot of questions. He answered them, and then explained what happened with him and Asuka.
"That bitch!" Toji had snarled "I'll rip her open when I see her!"
Shinji shook his head "don't, just let her be."
Toji would have protested, but Kensuke tapped his shoulder.
"Hey Toji, remember how you said next time you saw her?"
"Yeah."
"Well she's right over there!"
The trio looked over at the kitchen and there was Asuka with Hikari, a beer in her hand and a smile on her face. She was talking to some guy, who was checking her body out with great interest.
Asuka was smiling, but Shinji knew it was because she was drunk. She had to be, she wouldn't let anyone look at her like that sober.
He was angry. How dare she show up here, of all places. It was like a statement that she could invade every part of his life.
He stood up and walked down the hall. He took a glance at Asuka who met his gaze, and frowned instantly. Shinji turned and walked down the hallway, opening the door. He heard over the music and chatter Toji and Kenuske protest, but he just wanted to get away.
He lit a cigarette, feeling the burn in his throat. He didn't care though, he didn't care about much right now.
"Bitch..."
-------------------------------- -----------------------------
When Shinji returned it was very late, maybe about 3:00 in the morning, maybe later.
He opened the door, with the key that Billy had given him to open the door for guests. Billy had gotten sick of walking so asked Shinji to do it for him, then disappeared in his room with a pretty girl from year ten. Thanks Billy.
He entered and saw how bad the damage was. There were beer bottle everywhere, all over the floor and a lot of ash. The whole place reeked of cigarettes and a little bit of vomit. He walked into the lounge room to find two people he didn't know sleeping on the couches. He walked over to the empty sofa and sat down, he needed to rest after all that walking. He had wandered all around Tokyo-3, thoughts going at a million miles an hour. All of them led to one word. Bitch. It was cold tonight though and he was glad to be inside, the strange effect of the place after a party felt like a mystical heater.
He sparked a smoke and lay his head back, closing his eyes for a bit, enjoying the peace and quite. He wasn't really a party person and was surprised at the way he was now. Drinking and smoking, it wasn't like him at all.
He had gotten over his anger with Asuka for now, although if he saw her he was sure it would come back. How could she do that too him, just barge into a party when she had full knowledge he was going to be there. It made him so mad!
Taking another drag he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. He heard the toilet flush and a door open. Presuming it was Billy he called out.
"Hey! Get me a beer from the fridge for me will you!" Shinji was in a drinking mood, one of his few. Why though, he had never drunk before this, even when Misato had offered he would always refuse. Was it that he was trying to look cool in front of Billy? Was he that sad? He shook his head to clear his thoughts; it had been a long night. He realised that ever since he had started to drink, as small as it was, he was happier.
He opened his eyes and heard footsteps. Then someone he didn't want to see walk in.
Asuka.
She strode in a plonked her self right next to Shinji.
They sat there for a while in silence, Asuka looking at nothing particular with her face resting on her hand, and Shinji looking at the roof silently. It was a while before anyone spoke.
"Since when did you start smoking?" asked Asuka, in a strangely monotone voice. It sounded like Rei's, and that scared Shinji.
He took another long puff and glanced over at her, she wasn't looking at him. Shinji was glad; if she had he could have punched her in the face.
Not hearing a response Asuka frowned, what was wrong with Shinji? He was different now, as though she wasn't talking too the meek little boy she had known, but someone else in a Shinji outfit.
And it scared her a little.
"Shinji" she said "I'm bored."
Shinji glanced at her again, this time she was looking at him. Her big blue eyes gazing into his own. Usually he would have felt a skip in his chest, and butterflies, but this time.......
All he felt was rage.
Asuka looked into the boys eyes, searching, searching for that old Shinji. The Shinji that used to cringe at her every move, the Shinji that got up early every morning to cook her breakfast. Her Shinji.
But he wasn't there, only some other boy, looking back at her with hate. And god did that turn her on. For some reason, she didn't know why, but to have this Shinji who hated her seemed to make her wild with passion. That and she was drunk, very drunk.
There was silence for a while and Shinji returned to his cigarette. The truth was he didn't have the heart to tell Asuka to go away, and he was slightly scared of what might happen if he did anyway. But he felt different now, as though that old of him was gone, as though he was a new person.
"Will you kiss me Shinji?" Asuka said, breaking the silence abruptly.
Shinji had no idea what to say, it had caught him completely off guard. How could she ask that, after all of the shit that had happened? She was defiantly drunk, that's it, drunk. He turned away from her.
"You can't be serious."
Asuka was taken back from this; this was definitely a new Shinji. Sure his voice at times wavered, and his movements still had that timid approach in it. But there was something, something that either he had discovered or that Irish boy had put in him. And Asuka liked it, she liked it a lot.
Not really sure why she was doing this, she leaned over Shinji. Pressing into him she looked him in the eyes.
"Please?" she said, her face a look of honest desperation. Shinji wasn't sure if she was acting or not, but he felt strange. His anger was ebbing away and his lust was taking over from the small amount of alcohol left in his body. For a while they stayed like that, looking at each other, both torn between decisions. Only the light snoring of a one of the sleeper's on the opposite couch was heard. It was a stalemate.
Until Asuka made her move.
Shinji was in shock as Asuka lunged at him. Her lips met his, and her tongue parted his mouth. Shinji sat with his eyes open in shock for a while, not really believing what was going on. But then he started to enjoy the feeling, wasn't this what he had dreamed about for months. He let his tongue meet hers and they kissed passionately.
Asuka was searching now. Searching for that meek young boy she had come to hate, yet love all the same. She hadn't known about her feelings, as slight as they where until the ball. Until he started dancing with that doll. Hell, she didn't know if it was love or not, maybe just lust, but she wanted him so badly. Right now, she wanted to feel him all over.
But she couldn't find him; she couldn't find the real Shinji. The old Shinji, who never drank, never smoked and always cooked her food. The one that would apologise, then cringe as she yelled at him for being so stupid. All she could find was something else, something indescribable. Like some horrible monster that was being unleashed, one that was just being born.
She pulled away sharply, and slapped Shinji across the face.
Shinji jerked back and cried out, that really hurt!
Asuka stumbled back and hit the table, knocking over the C.D. player with a huge crash. There was a shout from Billy's room and a large rustle. Billy popped out of the hall soon after, in his boxers.
"What the- -"he started, but then Asuka started screaming.
"Where's my Shinji!" she screamed at the boy on the couch. Shinji just stared back, with those eyes that where his, but not his.
"Give him back!" she screamed, grabbing the boy by his shirt, shaking him. Shinji pushed her off. He felt some kind of deep rumbling feeling in his stomach, and a great anger over took him.
"Get away from me you bitch!" he pushed her over in one powerful move.
Asuka gasped as she fell back and hit the round on her ass. She looked up and scurried back, tears budding around her face.
"Get away from me!" she screamed at Shinji as he reached out, thinking he was about to attack. Shinji was only trying to help her up, his rage that had flared up gone as quickly as it had come. He didn't know where it had come from, but he regretted finding it. As much as he hated Asuka at that precise moment in time, he had no will to assault her.
Asuka picked her self up and stared at the boy in front of her.
"Your not my Shinji!" she said, this time full of malice and hate.
She turned to leave and Shinji tried to follow, but Billy had grabbed him and held him firmly. Shinji had never felt anything so strong in his life; it was like two great pylons had latched around him. He struggled with the massive boy, but to no avail.
"Let me go!" he yelled at his friend "Let me go! I gotta go talk to her!"
Billy shook his head, "No" was all he said and his grip tightened.
Asuka left with out a word, tears now almost flowing down her face. But she wouldn't. She would only cry over Shinji, not over that thing that she had kissed. She felt dirty, violated, as though her mouth was now cancerous and pus filled. She down the hall towards Misato's apartment, but when she got to the stairs leading up to her level, she doubled over. All the alcohol she had drunk catching up with her.
She retched once, twice, and then vomited all over the floor. She gasped for breath, and then vomited again. Her hair was now sticky with puke, and she stumbled up the first three steps. Willing her self to go on, she made it up one flight and turned down the hallway. Everything seemed green in colour now, and it was spinning fast. She almost lost her balance twice, but always kept sturdy at the last second. She was sure that if she fell she would never get up again.
As she stumbled into the apartment she rushed into the bathroom. She leaned over the sink and let forth a fresh wave of sick. She vomited too many times to count, gasping for air. She begged it too stop, but talking only made it worse, bringing on more waves of sickly stomach juice.
Finally though, it stopped. She gasped for air, but her throat was too bunched up to make a difference. She collapsed onto the tile floor and gazed at the roof. All she could see through her spinning mass of vision were two eyes. Shinji's eyes, but not, impostors, fakes looking at her behind a disguise. She gasped for air once more as her throat clenched, then passed out.
--------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------------- --
Misato watched the screen with a look of worry. It had been three days since she had found Asuka curled into a ball on the bathroom floor. There had been a mass of vomit in the sink, and her hair was sticky with it.
After a cup of coffee Asuka had explained everything. Misato was shocked, and scared as well. Shinji was still at Billy's and he had refused to return when she called. She had smashed the phone into the wall and cried her self to sleep that night. Was her little Shinji really gone? She had felt like Shinji's mother, as though he was her own son. In her own little world she had hoped he thought the same, but now she realised that he felt no tie whatsoever.
She hated Billy.
It was his fault this had happened. He had turned him into what he was now. She hated him, she hated everything about him. Right down to that smarmy smile and that cocky walk. If she had her way he would have been shipped back Ireland and could rot there. Bastard...
She was looking at all the pilots, getting inserted in too some new training machine. The English had invented some sort of VR machine, which connected directly to the users neurons. It used much of the same technology found in the Eva synch plugs, but not as highly advanced. Also it had some kind of new system, which nullified the brains reaction to pain or pleasure. In other words, you would only feel the impact of blows, not the pain that should be registered.
Ritsuko had explained all this too her, not noticing that her friend didn't care. She was too worried about Shinji, what had become of him?
When he walked in with Billy he looked so different. He defiantly looked more confident, stronger as well as his shoulders where now no longer down cast, and his movements where more straight forward and direct. But it was the eyes which where the most different.
Shinji's eyes usually are sorrowful, world-weary even, as though the owner had seen too much for his time. It was true; Shinji had seen things that no one his age should see. But hadn't everyone? But still it was one of his features, those big sad puppy dog eyes, and Misato knew that if she was younger she could get lost in those beautiful eyes.
But now they where changed, not much, but enough to unsettle you. They where no longer deep, but seemed to pierce out. They looked at you as though they could see you very soul, every secret thing you ever had revealed for all too see. That and they where cold, so very cold. While a smile may be on his face, they would not quite reach his eyes. They where like Rei's, and even more unsettling.
If you had not known Shinji intimately, as Asuka and Misato did, you would not see any change. All you would see was a young boy who now walked with a little more pep. As though he just got his daily dosage of blood and vinegar. But it wasn't that he was completely changed, no it was far from that. It was though a new part of Shinji had woken up, and made it self a picture for the world. And that was terrible. It was Shinji, but it was not, and Misato nearly wept. For even though the sweet boy had not died, something was else being born.
She could not explain it, all ready all of her thoughts made no sense, but it was there, but it wasn't. And it chilled her too the bone.
She looked at the pilots, as they got ready in their plugs.
She looked at Shinji painfully, she knew that he was changing and should be happy, but it was what he was changing into that scared her. She looked away to the next screen and Rei sat solemnly in the 'training plug'. Her blue hair fell across her face in that strange shaggy but combed hairstyle. Her milk white was contrasting with her deep blood red eyes, and Misato had to admit she looked very beautiful.
Asuka looked like her usual self, over her night with Shinji. Her hair fell over her shoulders and ran down her back. Her blue eyes and pale skin made her look like some kind of ancient shield maiden, what were they called. Valkyers, at least she thought that was how it was pronounced. Her body was the most women like of the girls and its curves where perfect. Misato was sometimes jealous, she sometimes wished that old age would never take its bite on her.
Billy was different, but in some ways was like Asuka, but the only resemblance was the skin. His hair was brown, but lighter the Shinji's and his eyes a piercing blue. His physique was lean, but not skinny like most Japanese. It was well toned and he projected power wherever he went. Whenever he was around you, you could feel all that speed and strength through the air. All the tension as it willed its master to wield it, like an over filled basket ready to break under so much weight.
And yet he still had that smirk, that smirk which was just like Kaji's but not as sleazy. Just sorta slightly amused. She hated that smile, she wished she could just rip it outta him!
"Mam?" said Hyuga worriedly, and Misato came back to attention.
"What? Sorry Hyuga I was thinking."
"Should we begin the program?" said the technician, looking at his dream girl with a concerned face. After Shinji had left he thought she had been losing it, long silences, short fuse and no concentration all part of her routine now.
"Yes, or course we should" she told the thick-glassed tech as she looked at the screen.
"Begin the training!"
--------------------------------- ------------------------------
First there was a huge rush of light, then a stabbing pain in the back of his neck that made him close his eyes for about three seconds. Then it stopped, as suddenly as it had started, and he opened his eyes.
Instantly Shinji knew something was wrong. Even though the city before him looked real, and the plug he was in looked like his plug, there was something missing. It was like he was not in his body; he was in someone else's body and he was controlling it. He moved his arms around and tried to get used to it. After a bit he started to adapt, but it was still unnerving.
He looked around and saw the other four Eva's standing in a circle. He was part of the pattern. They where all facing into the centre, with Asuka on his left and Rei on his right, and Billy directly in front of him.
Trying to shake the feeling of other worldliness he observed the other Eva's. Rei's was the same old Blue Cyclops, and Asuka's was still some kind of four-eyed red monster. He had expected Billy's to be some kind of new look altogether, but there were few changes to the original Eva design.
It was a deep green, the colour of clover amusingly, and it had strange little tattoos on it. He remembered Billy telling him that he had had his Eva 'customised' in minor ways to suit his style. He guessed that the catholic cross across its left breastplate had been air brushed on because of this.
It had six eyes, each one an even darker green then the body. Its armour was slightly thicker then the other three Eva's, and the back armour was thicker then the rest, sticking out a little too far. But apart from that it was not so different to the rest of the Eva's.
A voice crackled around the computer-generated city.
"Ok then kids," said the voice of Ritsuko Akagi "lets begin, in a moment a screen will appear in front of you with weapons choices. Each of you will be given a different type of weapon type. Asuka will have hand-to-hand combat, Shinji mid range weaponry and Rei long-range weaponry. You will then engage pilot O'Neil in combat, a fight to the 'death'. This is to test our own weaponry against the new technology that the UK department has given too us."
"Do you understand?" she asked, after taking a breath.
"Yes" said the children.
"Good" came the reply.
Misato's voice took over.
"Asuka, you and Billy are up first, Shinji and Rei are spectators."
Everything went dark, and then came back to life very differently. It was though Shinji was floating above the city, but he had no body. By simply willing it he could move anywhere, through walls, through anything he wished. He supposed it was used to watch the fight from different angles, to study the fighting technique. He floated above the city, comfortable with the angle and watched.
---------------------- ----------------------------------
Asuka held the power axe tightly in her grip, now it was time to teach that dirt bag who's in charge here.
Billy had no weapons, but the Eva's fist's clenched hard.
"So I suppose you're here to kick my ass?" said Billy with a bemused smile.
Asuka smiled back "you better believe it."
Billy laughed at loud and Asuka felt rage spark within her.
"Well come on then, you gonna one liner me to death? Or are you really just a red headed bimbo like they say you are."
That had done it.
With a roar Asuka charged, yelling her war cry as she raised the axe. Eva- 02 was only four bounds away from its target, and Billy still had not moved.
She swung the axe down hard, hoping to split the bastards skull. But she jerked as something stopped the weapon mid swing.
She looked in shock and Eva-06 stood in front of her, with its hand around the shaft of the axe just below the head. She tried to break it free but the grip was too strong. The green Eva brought it fist back, and Billy smiled.
CRACK
Asuka reeled back; she had felt a tremendous impact but no pain. It was a very sickly experience. Her Eva's hand lost its grip on the axe handle and she fell flat on her back.
Misato and Ritsuko watched from the control room, looking into the computer arena.
"What a punch!" said Ritsuko.
"So? All he can do is punch!" snapped Misato back; she had been hoping that Asuka could have taught the boy a lesson.
Back on the field, Billy spun the axe expertly in a complex arc around himself. He watched the red Eva get up, and take a fighting stance.
Billy laughed over the comm, making Asuka even madder. She screamed at him.
"Whats so funny!"
"How easy that was, from what I heard you where supposed to be good!"
Asuka screamed as she charged, and Billy knew he had won.
In a fit of rage she hadn't thought that maybe a full charge wouldn't work on this enemy, and walked right into the taunt. Billy struck her in the back of the head with butt end of the axe in a skilful show of footwork, and the Red Cyborg hit the ground face first. It skidded a little, and tore up most of the already broken street.
Billy swung the axe over his head and it connected sharply with Eva-02's lower back. She arched it as she felt something in her own back, grinding away, but no pain. It felt like a sort of dull sensation. In other words it felt horrible.
Billy hefted the shaft and the axe came out, blood oozing out in torrents of the hideous wound. Eva-02 squirmed on the floor, trying to get up. Billy knew what he had cut, Eva's and humans where built very similar. It would probably bleed to death soon if had hit what he thought he had. But he had other plans.
He spun the red giant around onto its back, making sure Asuka could see her defeater. Asuka was screaming in fury. She couldn't be beaten, not by this little inbreed! She grasped for him, tearing at the armour on his Eva's legs. But it didn't work, she couldn't get a grip, the armour was too smooth and hard.
"Lights out devil girl!" said Billy with a grin and the green behemoth lifted the Axe once again.
With a heavy thwack the axe fell and Asuka's vision went dead.
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Asuka screamed in rage as she felt her self disconnected from the fight. She had lost, to that little worm. And he had done it so effortlessly, like it was no problem. She would kill him when she got out, he was going to pay dearly. Visions of pummelling his head into a locker filled her head, it was going to be sweet. She was the best, the best of the best, no one here could hold their own against her in battle. Her revenge would be beautiful, but deadly.
Misato and Ritsuko looked over the view screen, Misato frowning.
"Well the boy has skill," said Ritsuko writing something on a clipboard.
"Shut up!" snapped Misato harshly "just load Rei into the damn thing!"
------------------------------- -------------------------
Rei was booted in, her sniper rifle clutched in her hand. It was a new piece of technology recently developed, so was not as big and bulky as the earlier models. She was lying down in a giant mountain pas above the city, scanning for the green Eva. She was not concerned; the bullet would pass through his A.T. field before he could power it up properly.
Billy scanned the horizons, in this computer world his natural senses where useless. He was blind now, but his nerves where on edge. He darted between the buildings, looking all the time to find his hidden enemy.
Rei spotted him, he thought he was safe behind two large skyscrapers but Rei had a perfect shot at his head from behind. She set in the right distance and power and took aim.
She pulled the trigger.
It so quick that Rei was in shock for a while. Billy spun around as the trigger was just barely pulled and put out his hand. There was a great flash of light and Rei was blinded, being forced to close her eyes. Opening them she checked down the scope, and nearly gasped. But it was Rei, so she just furrowed her brow slightly.
Billy had engaged his A.T. field in the last second to pin point accuracy. The laser pulse was only metres from the Eva's hand, struggling against the hexagonal orange A.T field that trapped it. With what seemed like a massive effort the giant threw its hand to the side. The laser shot flew off at a 90-degree angle and hit a building. There was another smaller flash of light and a lot of smoke as the pulse exploded on impact.
Rei set her weapon to rapid fire, and started to shoot at Billy's Eva.
With great speed Billy urged his Eva' to move, sweating from the effort of stopping the pulse before hand. His Eva ran blindly around and sometimes through buildings, laser shots raining down destruction around him. Pressing a button on the handles side, he saw a steel monolith rise to the left. Perfect cover.
He dived behind it, and felt the energy beams pass close to his legs. The green Eva pressed its back against the steel and he heard the dull thuds of pulse shots hitting the steel. It held.
Rei set her rifle back to sniper mode, waiting for Billy to poke his head out of cover.
Billy pressed another button on one of his hand controls and the left thigh armour on the Eva opened up. A pistol on a stand came out, and the green Eva took it in its left hand.
Billy caught his breath and got ready for the next part; this was a life or death situation, sort off.
He spun out, quickly taking in the distance and location of his attacker.
Rei saw her target, but before she had a chance to pull her trigger Billy fired.
The energy beam streaked towards her too fast for her to react. It hit the scope, went through it, and connected with her Eva's single eye.
The world went dark as she felt her head thrown back. He had won again.
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Misato slammed her hands on her desk. Her and Misato had retired to their own respectable workstation on the command deck, tired of standing up.
"That's impossible, there's no way anyone could make a shot like that!" She yelled towards Ritsuko.
Ritsuko shook her head and replayed the action before her on her own private screen, also not believing what she saw.
"Just what is this kid?" Misato muttered angrily under her breath, looking at the pilot view screen. Billy was smiling, panting, but still smiling.
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Shinji felt himself being loaded into the field. He closed his eyes as a great flash of white light enveloped his view, and opened them once it had faded.
The city had been reconstructed from the mass destruction it had just received, looking like it had before the previous battle. Shinji held the rifle in his hand tightly; Billy once again had no weapons.
"So now you're here to try and beat me?" said Billy, sounding bored. "Well come on then, lets see what you got."
Shinji brought the rifle level with his shoulder, took aim, and fired.
The green Eva leapt into the air, the bullets skimming under it harmlessly. The two large pieces of armour at it back opened up, and there was a great flash of yellow light. Shinji shielded his eyes, and the green Eva seemed to be suspended in mid air.
When the light faded, Shinji looked up and gasped openly. The Eva had wings! Two yellow coloured glowing wings! They looked like they where made up of pure energy, and the Eva glided effortlessly to the ground, to the left of where it had just leapt from.
"Nice try," said Billy, smiling larger then ever "but now try and hit me, I promise I wont jump."
Shinji levelled the rifle and emptied off the rest of the clip.
The wings folded in front of their owner, and the energy pulse's rebounded off in all directions as they struck them. Shinji gaped, and his empty clip fell too the ground steaming.
Billy laughed out loud, and the wings folded back into his back, then dissipated. The armour hatches closed.
"Well it seems that your rifle is pretty useless right now," taunted the boy "lets see how you do close range!"
One of the buildings closest to Billy's folded down, and he ran towards it. Shinji tried hastily to reload, but he couldn't, he had only been given one clip!
Eva-06 grabbed a long power katana from the building, which was really a weapons cache in disguise. He took a fighting stance.
Shinji drew his progressive knife form his shoulder armour, and the two Eva's waited for one to make a move.
This time Billy struck first.
With a yell the green Eva leaped into the air and held the sword high above its head. Shinji barley had time to raise his knife when it came crashing down on top of him.
Sparks flew as the two vibrating knives connected, their owners pushing against each other. But no one would budge. Shinji had been thrown into the ground, making a small crater in the city concrete. Billy was on top, his foot planted firmly into the Eva's stomach.
"Good," said Billy with a crazy smile "I was starting to get bored."
He stepped back and took the katana above his head. The purple Eva rolled out the way at the last second as the huge sword stabbed down. Shinji tried to get up, but he felt a huge force in his ribs as the green Eva lashed out with a shin kick, launching Eva-01 off the ground.
The purple Cyborg spun in mid-air, so powerful was the kick, and came crashing down on its back. It quickly got up, staggering a little as its owner regained his senses. The feeling of impact but no pain was unsettling.
Billy smiled once again.
"You ARE good!" he said, "Now lets finish this!"
Shinji realised then he had no knife, too late he reached for the back up one in his opposite shoulder.
With a giant rip, the green Eva charged and sent the katana right through Eva-01 chest. Shinji felt it through his own, but once again he felt no pain. He felt like throwing up.
The purple Eva was lifted clear off the ground as Billy raised the sword, and it impaled even further on the blade. Shinji saw the screen fading black and knew he was defeated.
But there was a part of Shinji that spoke up. One he had no idea was even there. It told him that he could not lose, that not this man, that not any man, could beat him. No one could!
Knowing what he had to do he willed the purple Eva to grab the green one by the shoulders. Billy's eyes opened as he felt himself getting pulled into a crushing grip. He struggled, but he could not escape.
Shinji released one hand, and felt vomit in his throat as the whole sword sliced through him. He pulled the knife out of his shoulder armour, and raised it high. The screen was almost black, he hadn't much time.
With a great effort he drove the knife through the green Eva's head. Then the simulation shut down around him.
Billy was in shock; he had been beaten, for the first time in his life. He smiled though, for instead of rage he felt happiness. He hadn't lost, it had been a draw. So it was true, Ikari was indeed greatly skilled. All he had too do was train a little and he would be unstoppable, even more powerful then him.
He laughed to himself; this was going to be fun.
--------------------- -------------------
Shinji and Billy walked from the change rooms, laughing among themselves. Shinji had never felt happier. He had found some one who had cared. Some one who hadn't taken him because he was a pilot, and some one who hadn't taken advantage of him time and time again. A small voice in the back of his head said something about Rei, but he silenced it immediately. He couldn't think about her right now.
When he had walked into the building for the training he had talked to her for only twenty five seconds.
"Your different" she had said, Shinji had blushed and only nodded.
"I don't like it" and with that she was gone, simply turned and left.
If this had been Shinji a week ago, he would have felt depressed, but this time he felt angry. What was every one so upset about? He was happy, he had some confidence; he was having FUN with his life. Not much but it was a start.
"You think too much!" said Billy slapping him on the back, shaking him from his thought "in a fight you cant think about stuff, that's why it was only a draw!"
Shinji smiled, yeah a draw.
Misato was waiting for him at the front doors. She looked angry. Asuka was about three feet down the hall looking at the wall.
Shinji had expected this; he was guessing what would come next.
"Shinji, its time too come home!" she said sternly "lets go!"
Shinji looked at Misato, then looked at Billy. He had two choices.
Go back with Misato and spend the rest of his teenage years cleaning up after her and doing Asuka's cooking.
Go with Billy and spend the rest of his life happy
The choice was obvious.
He looked at Misato with all the spine he could muster, which was too his surprise quite a bit.
"I'm going home with Billy, I want too move in with him."
Misato looked at Shinji as though she was going to kill him. But also she looked sad, as though she had lost something very dear. Shinji supposed she had.
"Shinji you can't, I'm you guardian and when I say- -"
But Billy cut her off.
"Listen lady, you can't decide what he does and doesn't do, if he wants to stay with me then I'll be more then happy to let him."
Misato looked at Billy, shooting daggers with her eyes.
"In Japan YOUNG man we don't interrupt our elders!"
Billy smiled back
"In Ireland we don't give a fuck!"
He laughed at his own joke, Shinji even smiled a little.
"C'mon man lets get outta here," said Billy to his new flatmate, and he turned too leave.
Shinji looked at Misato and Asuka for a while, had he made the right choice. Misato looked at him, but her face had changed. It looked almost.......pleading.
He turned; he had made his decision and would stick by it.
Misato looked at their backs as they left the door, walking down the street away from her, maybe forever.
She threw a violent kick towards the metal wall, that little bastard.
"C'mon Asuka we're leaving!" she said angrily, Asuka followed suite.
"What are you going to do now?" said Asuka, her voice the very meaning of venom.
"Go and get him tonight!" she said as she pressed the automatic lock on her car keys, the car blinking to life for a few seconds.
There was no way she was losing Shinji to that bastard.
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Shinji and Billy spent the rest of the night drinking (ok so BILLY spent the rest of the night drinking, Shinji just sipped a little) in celebration of Shinji's new residence.
"Ok then," said Billy over the table, a cigarette in his left and beer in his right "Here are the ground rules now that you're a permanent member of the club. One, when we get a girl each there wont be ANY trading. Two, we have turns on shouting the beer. Three, we don't steal each others cigarettes and four, we will not date the other persons ex, ever."
Shinji nodded in agreement, in Billy's strange little world, they made perfect sense.
After that little talk the night proceeded as normal, with smoking, drinking, watching T.V. and mostly talk about girls. Shinji was surprised that Billy seemed interested in Rei, but he felt a pang of jealously as the conversation went on. Billy sensing this in his friend, moved on and talked about something else.
"So hows Asuka been?" he asked Shinji.
Shinji shook his head "don't know, and don't care. I don't need someone like that in my life."
Billy nodded and smiled, then took a deep swig of his bottle. He let out a satisfied sigh as it left his lips and moved on with the subject.
"Good point, I thought that Toji was over exaggerating until that party night. Too bad you where there for that part, the rest was great!"
Shinji smiled, "yeah well she's gone now, at least from my life, all I have to do is face her at work and school."
Billy smiled as well "buddy, that's hell enough."
Both of them took a deep swig, a silent male version of agreement.
The doorbell ringing interrupted their little party, and Shinji got up too answer it.
"If it's the landlord, let me talk to him!" said Billy as Shinji walked down the hall. When he opened the door though, it was much worse.
Misato was standing there, looking just like she did before, pissed.
"Shinji this has gone on long enough, I want you home this instant." She demanded. Then she looked down at Shinji's hand.
"Since when did you smoke!" she said, a little too loud.
"Since now" said Shinji taking a deep drag.
"Don't you know how bad it is for you, it could seriously affect your piloting!"
Shinji shook his head.
"That's all it ever was Misato, piloting. That's why you wanted me to move in in the first place."
Misato looked shocked, was this the Shinji she knew?
'No' she thought 'it's a Shinji that's been corrupted by him.'
"Don't be silly!" she snapped at Shinji "now c'mon lets go home."
"I am home Misato, and what would you make me do if I came back, make me cook your food then go to my room to sulk?"
Misato was getting angry.
"Why are you being like this Shinji, you know that me and Asuka care about you!"
Shinji laughed, but to Misato it seemed as though he was laughing at her.
"Don't bullshit me Misato, Asuka hates my guts, she always has. And you where too drunk to notice me ever. Good bye Misato."
Shinji went to close the door, but Misato grabbed him.
"Shinji please don't do this" she said, she was sounding desperate now.
Shinji looked at her, could he really leave. Misato HAD always been there for him, and tried to make him feel happier. Was it her fault hat she didn't know how to deal with him. He felt urged to go with her now.
But then the thought of what Asuka would say too him, how cowardly he was and how she always knew he would come crawling back. Misato wasn't the problem here, she never was. But Asuka, he couldn't live with her. Not ever. Not after that kiss.
"No Misato."
Misato held on tighter, and tried to pull him out. Did she want him this much. He couldn't go with her though, never.
Then he felt a strong hand pull him back and heard a click.
Billy was standing there, a silver gun in his hand. It looked polished, sleek and deadly. A machine built for one thing, death.
Misato stepped back and let go of Shinji. She looked at the barrel then looked at Billy.
"Leave" he said "He said leave, and now I say leave."
"How dare you!" said Misato.
Billy did not smile.
"Do not think I will not kill you Major, Your security cannot touch me. I suggest you leave."
Misato looked at Shinji with a desperate glance, hoping for him too come.
Shinji looked at her, he wanted too, but he could never go back to that.
He turned away form the door and walked back into the kitchen.
He heard a few more words from the front door, then the door close. Billy walked in and put the gun in a drawer. Sitting down at the table, he looked at Shinji with a grin.
Shinji looked back at him frowning.
"Did you really have to do that?" asked Shinji, and Billy's smile faded.
"Sorry bud," he said apologetically "but the only thing to get people to respond immediately is if they think they are going to die."
Shinji was still looking at his friend. "Would you have done it?"
Billy shrugged "if I had enough reason too, I don't kill people who don't deserve it."
Shinji went silent.
"You want a beer?" he asked, leaning back on the chair reaching for the fridge.
Shinji looked at him, registering what had just happened. He was gone from that life, time to start a new one. But right now he wanted to forget that look Misato gave him, to wipe it completely off his memory.
"Hell," he said with a smile "lets break out the whiskey!"
Billy whooped and got the two drinks, paint stripper would have been more accurate though, and tossed one to Shinji.
Shinji took off the lid and drank deeply. Ever drop that passed his lips killed a little of him that night. A new Shinji had awoken, one that didn't take crap and stood up for itself.
He was REBORN!
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A/N
Firstly I would like to say how sorry I am.
I know right now this chapter seems like TOTAL bull shit, but it has relevance to later chapters. Please believe me here. I'm sorta ashamed of this chapter and would like to hear everyone else's thoughts, so if you reading this, just click on the review button and put in you views. Please, it will save a life.
I guess I wrote this because I always thought why would Shinji stay with Misato. Asuka treated him like shit and he was technically a slave. I guessed he never left because he had no confidence, which he thought this was a good as it could get. It wasn't a horrible place to live, but I could not see someone with Shinji's state of mind being happy in a place like that. It wasn't that clear in this chapter, but I'm putting across that if some like Billy who is so tough and independent can like Shinji, then he would feel a lot better about himself. Maybe enough to cut ties with Misato and move on, as painful as it might have been.
Next chapter will definitely be about the angel attack, and about a lot of other things. Remember review, it will help me. By the looks of this chapter you might think it has made me worse, but believe me this is going somewhere.
FIN