Tales of Evangelion

by redemption2

Chapter 9 is here! Action,adventure,drama,and something no one expected. If you liked Chapter 6, you'll love this! New author profile update too, please examine.

9. ToE CH8

Tales of Evangelion CH8

The Changes Within

By the time the other members of the team arrived at the doctor's office, they entered to see Sheena in tears at the waiting room. She looked up suddenly when Collette called her name. "I...I just don't know. He hasn't come out to tell me anything. I thought I lost Asuka on the way over. I...I..." She burst again. "I don't want them to die."

Everyone sat down. Zelos, who sat next to the sobbing young woman put a hand on her shoulder. "Sheena. There...."

She gripped his vest and collapsed her head into his shoulder, taking him by complete surprise. "They're dead. I just know it. They froze to death because I wasn't fast enough."

He slowly calmed down and put a hand to the back of her head. "You don't know that. Don't give up on them so easily. If we do, then they're as good as gone already."

"I...I know that it's just...why did they do something so stupid as going out on their own?"

"They tried to prove themselves to us unnecessarily." Presea turned towards Rei.

"Soryu believed that we were unworthy of your trust, so we went to prove it to you all. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Inconvenience?!" Sheena gritted her teeth. "What kind of inconvenience brings friends to the edge of their lives?"

Rei ignored the comment and turned towards Lloyd. "Mr. Irving, I have some vital information about the Temple of Ice. The creatures we encountered there have been logged into the Monster List, which I recommend that you all examine. Also, it appears that once again, the Sorcerer's Ring is a key. There is a station that will switch its functions to freezing capabilities. I believe that this will lead to the correct path to get to the Summon Spirit that you...." She was silenced as her face was slapped by an enraged Sheena.

"How can you be so heartless? Is that all you can think about? What about your comrades in there? Can you forget them so easily?"

Rei turned her head back and stared with serious eyes. "There is nothing more I can do. The situation here is out of my hands, therefore the only logical thing to do is prepare for the next situation, which is the inevitable return to the Temple of Ice."

Sheena raised a fist. "YOU DON'T CARE AT ALL!!!" She lunged at Rei, but Zelos wrapped his arms around her waist and held her back. "LET ME GO! SHE NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT A LESSON! SHE DESERVES THIS!"

"If it were any other case, I'd be enjoying this immensely, Sheena, but you've got to get a hold of yourself. This isn't you. Calm down."

"NO! I SAID LET ME GO!" She struggled even more. She pointed a finger at the blue-haired chosen. "YOU COULD'VE STOPPED THEM! YOU COULD'VE TALKED THEM OUT OF IT! YOU'RE THE VOICE OF REASON IN THEIR GROUP! IT'S YOUR FAULT THEY'RE IN THERE!"

"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" Raine stood up and stared at both of them. "It's obvious we're all on edge here, and getting angry with each other won't solve anything! Rei's right that there's nothing we can do, but Sheena's right that you could have stopped them in the first place. Also, this isn't the time to discuss future plans either. Now SIT DOWN!"

Sheena returned to her place, but that didn't silence her. "Asuka was right. You're nothing but an emotionless doll."

Rei looked down at her hands, gripping her knees tightly. A teardrop fell onto one of her knuckles. She sobbed. "I...I'm not. I'm...not...a...." She whipped her head up, tossing her tears into the air. "I'M NOT A DOLL!" Everyone blinked at her outburst as she clenched her fists. "Do you not think I blame myself for what has happened to them? I fought side by side with them, tried to protect them, but I failed. I failed to protect the ones I swore to, Ikari and Soryu. No, Shinji and Asuka. I watched it horror as that giant worm cut into her back with its icy breath. I was afraid. I was completely afraid, and when they collapsed, I felt a boiling hatred that I never thought was even possible. I would have torn that thing to shreds with my bare hands at that point, and most likely would have died in the process, but I would rather die than see those two do so. I care for them both, for they accepted me, at least in part, for what I was. Why can you not?" The entire office seemed to come to a standstill. Rei composed herself and returned to her original form. "I apologize for that outburst. Please understand that this is the way I am, and at the moment, this is the only thing I can do."

Silence permeated the building. Everyone felt sick to their stomachs. The silence was nearing maddening levels when the doctor came in, desperately wiping sweat off of his face. "They'll recover, physically. The young woman will need to be watched for the next day and lightly restrained. Most likely she'll go into convulsions to wake her nerves up. It's important that she isn't completely restrained. Let her move around a bit, but make sure she doesn't get violent. The boy was lucky. If you had gotten here any later and the frostbite wouldn't have been superficial, and he would have lost a portion of his hands. I had to remove the first four layers of skin and closed the wound. He'll be in bandages for the next three days at least. Honestly, if they didn't have Exspheres on them, they wouldn't have survived."

"Good, then we'll take them back to the Inn and watch over them there." Raine spoke to him.

"I'm afraid I can't authorize that. They will need to be monitored."

"Why? You said that they will be fine."

"Physically, they'll be fine. They're currently comatose."

Sheena gasped and sobbed. "No. Not like Grandpa."

"No, not like him." The doctor said as she looked up at him. "Yes, I remember you, Sheena. They are comatose, but it isn't a very deep one. They could come out of it at any time. The reason I authorized the Chief's release is because his coma was extremely deep. I'll keep them here until they awake, but I would request that at least two of you stay with them at all times. I do have other patients and no nurses. That will also cut back on your costs for them staying here while they recover. Even so, the fee will be somewhat high, due to the complexity of everything I have done."

Once again, Sheena gritted her teeth. "How...can you think about...."

"Sheena!" Lloyd stared into her eyes with a cold look. "Let it go. Just let it go."

The black-haired beauty sighed, and said nothing more.

The doctor left after accepting his payment, leaving them in the waiting room after telling them where Shinji and Asuka were being kept. Regal frowned. "Unfortunately, now our funds are somewhat lacking."

"So what do you propose?" Presea looked up to the man.

"There is little we can do to make money here. I recommend to get some fast cash."

"Does that mean...?" Genis grinned.

"Yes. We must go to the Earth Temple and fight the Dragon."

"All right!" Genis jumped up and down.

"Wait! We can't leave those two here alone." Collette pointed out.

Lloyd turned towards her. "We don't all have to go. We just need four people and the supplies."

"But who will stay behind then?" Zelos blinked.

"Well I'll go as usual, and we'll definitely need Raine in the fray. I'd like to take Genis along too, he seems like he really wants to go anyway. The last slot is up for grabs, but I wouldn't recommend Regal or Presea, considering that that creature is strong against physical attacks."

"Then Presea and I will stay here." Regal nodded to the girl.

"I'd like to come along, but I think Asuka would want to see a friendly face when she wakes up. I think I should stay behind." Collette talked her thoughts out.

"I...don't really have the will to fight right now. I'll stay back." Sheena was still sorrowful.

"I will accompany you." Rei spoke up.

"No you won't." Zelos stopped her. "When those two wake up, they'll need to see a person they know the best, and that would be you. Lloyd, I'll go."

Rei was about to speak, but Lloyd shook his head. "He's right, and we could use him. His magical swords will do more damage to the Dragon, and his spell casting will do well too. Zelos, your on my team." He grabbed the supply pack from the middle of the floor. "We'll be back by tomorrow with a big bag of cash." The four left.

"Who should keep watch over Shinji and Asuka?" Presea looked towards the others.

"I'll keep an eye on Asuka." Collette said. "If she's going to be thrashing around, I'd be the best to keep her from hurting herself."

"I will watch over Shinji if you wish." Regal stood up.

"I don't think that would be easy, just incase you need to give him medical attention, your shackles will be a hindrance to you." Presea said. "I will take the watch."

"No...I...I'll do it." Sheena looked up with darkened eyes. "Shinji trusts me. It's the least I can do."

"Are you sure?" Regal tilted his head.

"Yes."

"Then we'll return to the inn."

Regal, Presea, and Rei turned to leave. "Rei." Sheena said. The girl turned around. "About that outburst, I didn't...."

"I know. I accept your apology, Miss Fubayashi. And I am also sorry, for everything. Please let me know when one wakes."

"I will. Thanks."

Asuka lay on her side, her back wrapped in warm bandages. Collette sat on a chair next to her, watching over her intently. The red-head twitched slightly. The blonde blinked for a moment. "So it's starting."

Deep into the recesses of Asuka's mind, something was most definitely starting. A young girl in twin pigtails ran down a hall. "Hey mama! I got accepted into the piloting program! I know it's supposed to be a secret, that's why I'll only share it with you. Hey mama!" The door at the end of the hall opened. The room smelled of recently dead flesh, as a woman hung from her neck on the ceiling. "Hey mama! Look at me! Please look at me!" The figure only twisted its back towards her in its normal motion. The little child became Asuka in her true form. "She looks so happy with that smile. I hate that smile."

"Is that because you think that it should have been..." A voice spoke. The corpse turned around and faced the pilot. Asuka stared back at a lifeless version of herself. "me?"

The girl took a step back. "What...what is this crap?!"

"Welcome. You're dead. Or should I say that I'm dead?"

"No. I'm alive. I can feel it. I know it."

"You were never alive to begin with Asuka."

The real Asuka gasped. In the real world she began to shake.

"Mama never cared for you. Papa never cared for you. Step-mother never cared for you. You didn't even care for yourself. If you don't care about yourself, and there's no one to care for you, then you never really existed."

"Lies." Asuka turned away, but the Asuka in the noose appeared in the center of her vision wherever she turned.

"Come. Die with me."

"Never! You're wrong! Misato cares about me!"

"It's part of her job, watching over you. She's doing her duty and no more. And where is Misato now? Stuck in a place that you can never return to."

"We'll get back! We have to! We'll find a way! My life is there, and I won't abandon it."

"Life? What life? You have no life. Your soul is already cold, uncaring, and unfeeling. You only need to take the last step and die."

"But I...still have my friends...on this side."

"These people don't trust you, and they never will. And what about your other so called 'friends?' Since when have you considered Wondergirl a friend? Since when have you considered Shinj-idiot a friend?"

"Since I met them." She whispered.

"They don't feel the same way. Think about it. Ayanami said that only if she were ordered would she become your friend. As for that pervert, Ikari, think about what he's probably doing to your body right now. As we converse, he is most likely holding you in the worst places, ready to take your title of pure maiden from you at a moments notice."

"No." It was soft, but with complete conviction. "Shinji wouldn't do that."

"You know what he is, a spineless pervert that would take advantage of you as you slept."

"No! He didn't do anything during synch training, so why would he do something like this now?"

"Then why did he try to kiss you?"

"No, no, no! Stop making me think this! Shinji isn't evil!"

"Why do you hold on to this child?"

"It...it's...."

"Let go of him and die."

"It's be...."

"Die with me Asuka."

"It's because...."

"Die with me my darling Asuka."

"It's because he's just like me!"

"What?"

"He's so much like me. I can't help myself, but I can help him! He's one of the only things left to me in this crazy mixed up world!"

"Pathetic."

"So I'm pathetic. I don't care. No, wait. I DO care. I care about Shinji. My soul does care. So leave me alone!"

"You failed to protect him."

"What?"

"He will die from the cold his body sustained. If you join me, then you shall see him again in the afterlife."

"No! I tried so hard! I took the blast for him. I can't let him die! I just can't."

"Why not leave him and all the despair behind?"

"Because, I don't want to lose him." She held her hand to her chest. "I care deeply for him."

A soft warm voice echoed through the chamber. "Well done, Asuka." Her hand felt warm as a pale orange light expanded in the room from nowhere. Asuka's corpse looked up and disintegrated into dust, leaving the real one with only herself in the room. "He can still be saved."

"What? Who...who are you?"

"It doesn't matter right now. You must go if you have a chance to bring him back."

"But what can I do? I don't know what's wrong with him."

"Then a demonstration is in order." The orange light switched to purple and Asuka collapsed to the floor in shivers.

"H...h...he's f...f...f...freezing to death. Shinji, don't die. Please, don't die."

"Go to him, Asuka."

"I don't want him to die. I don't want him to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die."

"Then live, both of you."

Asuka's vision slowly faded. "Whoever you are, thank you."

"You are welcome," the female voice barely whispered, "darling Asuka."

In the real world, the redhead was tossing, rolling, bucking, and basically flopping around like a fish out of water. The strong platinum blonde kept her on the bed. "Asuka! Asuka, can you hear me? Asuka, if you can hear me, try to calm down a little." The pilot continued her tremors as the Chosen of Sylvarant called out across the screen. "Sheena, get over here! I can barely keep her under control."

The black-haired girl released Shinji's hand and wiped the tears she had shed on it. She threw the screen open between the two beds and ran to help her friend. She fell on top of Asuka's legs, holding them together. Sheena realized that the girl was an even match with her. "Come on, Asuka. Take it easy. Please!"

The girl became steadily more violent in her tremors. Her mouth opened wide, but no sound came out. She broke one arm free of Collette's grasp. The Chosen was stunned. "Great Goddess of Conscience, she's stronger than me! If this keeps up everyone will wind up hurt! Asuka! WAKE UP!"

Asuka arched her back and opened her mouth wide. Out of it came a shrill scream. Her mouth closed and she stopped thrashing. Collette and Sheena hesitantly let go and stared at her. The girls eyes snapped open wide and she turned her head towards the right, and noticed the back of a certain brown-haired pilot. She rolled out of her bed and landed on all fours. She tried to stand up, but to no avail.

"Asuka, get back in bed, you need rest!" Collette put a hand on her shoulder.

Asuka took that hand in hers and squeezed hard, causing the Chosen to yelp. After dropping the hand, she walked on her hands and knees towards Shinji's bed.

Sheena made a move towards the girl. "Sheena no! Look at her eyes. She's unstable. I don't know what she's doing, but she'll hurt us if we interfere with it." Collette said as she examined her hurt, but not broken hand.

Asuka pulled herself up onto Shinji's bed and wrapped herself around his back. "You're so cold, Shinji." She squeezed him tighter as she chanted. "Don't die Shinji. I'll keep you warm. Don't die Shinji. I'll keep you warm." She unsheathed her blade.

"Asuka, what are you doing?!" Sheena dove and tried to rip the blade from the girls grasp. Asuka overpowered her easily. The unstable girl pushed her arm under the freezing boy and lifted the blade over him. She pressed her hand against the flat of the blade. A red ring encircled both of them.

"I'll keep you warm." Her hand slid off the blade and the spell disappeared. "Keep my hand there." She whispered. "Collette. Sheena. Help me. Get my hand to stay on the sword." Collette took Asuka's hand in both of hers and held it against the blade. Sheena wrote down "immobilize" on a parchment card and attached it to Asuka's hand and the sword. The red-head smiled as the ring reappeared. "Thank you. Don't die Shinji. I'll keep you warm. Don't die Shinji. I'll keep you warm." Asuka slowly fell asleep from the soothing heat coming from her spell ring. The ring continued its existence as she slept, to everyone's surprise.

Shinji just lay there, on his side, in a deep comatose state. He sat in a train car facing the setting sun as it moved along the tracks. "Why is it always a train?" Sheena sat beside him as she waited. She sat in the seat opposing him, the setting sun gleaming over her shoulder. In a few moments she began to sob. "Miss Sheena, why are you crying?"

"Shinji, please wake up. Don't do this to everyone." She put his bandaged hand lightly in hers and stared into the pained look on his face. "Don't do this to ME! This is too much like my grandpa."

The boy didn't respond at all. "Your grandpa?" He blinked at the other passenger.

With her free hand, she brushed a hair out of his face and brushed his cheek. When she realized what she was doing, she returned her arm to her side quickly. She looked at the ground. "Shinji, I'm told that people in a coma can hear what others say to them, so I'm going to tell you a little story about my past." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I'm in a coma? Funny that it doesn't seem much more like one of my many dreams."

"My grandfather is the chief of Mizuho. That means I'm next in line for the leadership of the clan. He trained me in the arts of summoning and guardian usage. One day, he gave me all nine of his guardians and told me to go into the Temple of Lightning and make a pact with Volt, the Summon Spirit of Lightning. Volt went completely berserk. Six of the guardians were destroyed, leaving me with only three. I ran...I completely ran away, back to the village. Volt followed me, and devastated the place. A quarter of my village's population died, and half of what was left was injured. When I was attacked in the village, my grandfather tried to protect me, but he was struck by that creature, and so was I."

"Was that the pain I saw in your eyes, Miss Sheena?"

"When I woke up, I was in the very same bed you're in now."

"I guess she can't hear me."

"I had doctors trying to heal me every day, and sometimes the remedy was worse than the affliction. I was here for two years of my life as I slowly healed. But I soon came to realize what had happened, even though I tried to shut it out. Grandpa was in a coma, and I had not only failed my test, but the entire Mizuho populace."

"When I went home, I was looked upon with sympathetic eyes, but those eyes hid the hatred people had for me."

"Now you know how I feel after fighting in Eva."

"When I returned home, there was someone I missed terribly. Yeah, hard to believe huh? Me, Sheena Fubayashi, in love with a boy."

"I wouldn't say that. I'm sure everyone falls in love at some point."

"Well it was true. I searched for days to find him. I figured he was on assignment, so I waited and waited for him to return. He never came. I finally gave in and asked the vice-chief where he was. He was buried near his hut."

Shinji's eyes shot open. "I'm sorry."

"That nearly pushed me over the edge. I begged the vice-chief to give me an assignment, to transfer me somewhere so I could leave the memories behind. That's how I got the mission to assassinate Collette.

"Now I'm back here, in Flanoir, not as a patient, but as an observer. You may have noticed that I was really friendly to you when I met you."

"I didn't notice, honestly."

"The reason that was is because you looked just like that boy I loved. I thought it was a miracle. But then I realized that you weren't the same boy. Maybe in another place, another time, we could have been, but not here, not now."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be the one that you knew. You're still a very kind person."

"I can tell that you've got your eye on someone already. Even though she won't show it, she'll miss you if you don't come back."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Shinji, come back to us, please. I ran away and it brought so much pain to everyone including myself. You'll be doing the exact same thing if you don't come back soon. Don't abandon the people that need you the most." Her tears rained down on his bandaged hand.

"This isn't running away, is it? I don't even know how I got here in the first place. How can that be considered running away?"

She wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry to spill all of this on you, but I think you had a right to know. Also, if I didn't tell someone the whole thing, I probably would have exploded."

"That would have been messy."

She started sobbing again. "When will they stop? When will the tears stop? Wake up, Shinji. Wake up and tell me when."

Shinji stood up and walked over to her. "Sheena...I..."

He was about to put a hand on her shoulder when suddenly. "Sheena, get over here! I can barely keep her under control."

She straightened up and dried off the tears that fell onto his hand, and then pulled the screen away that separated the two beds. Sheena stood up and Shinji backed away. She ran out of the train car. Shinji was left standing there. "But...Miss Sheena!"

He continued to stand there, staring at the door, losing complete track of time. The sun had set, and the lights turned on in the train car. Shinji shivered. "Why is it so cold in this place? It was never like this before. Why haven't I woken up yet?"

Suddenly his world is rocked. The train tilted to the right, slamming him into a seat. He stares into two bright blue eyes filled with fear. "Asuka!"

"You're one of the only ones I have left." She closed her eyes in pain, and she threw back her head and screamed. She lost consciousness as the car returned to its original orientation.

She fell towards the boy. "Asuka!" He cried as he held out to grab her. She passed through his body as she disintegrated. "What...what the hell is all of this?" A cold breeze sliced through him from behind. He looked behind him to the next car back. A swirling black and powder blue mass was slowly taking over the car. It traveled across the surfaces in black veins as it spread. From the center of this affliction emerged a constant cold wind. Shinji backed away slowly as the black veins shot outward, traveling on the ceilings, walls, floors and windows. "It's so cold! What is this thing?" He turned and ran for the door. He fumbled with the latch until it finally opened, and he dove into the next car. The child latched the door and put his hands up against it as he caught his breath.

The black veins pierced the door and spread under Shinji's fingers. "Aaahhh!" He cried as a wave of severe numbing cold infected his hands.

He heard a woman's laughter, with a slight air of overconfidence in it. "You came into contact with a part of me. Therefore I'll now claim you as my own."

"Who...who are you?"

"I am the queen of this northern realm. I am Celsius."

A bright orange light flashed behind Shinji, forcing the black veins to recede. He finally removed his frozen hands from the door. "What was that?"

The flash disappeared as quickly as it came. The black veins erupted from the door, not connecting to anything as they shot out at the boy. One such vein touched the skin on his forehead as the light returned solidly. The veins receeded. "What is going on?"

A cone of purple light bathed Shinji. A soft woman's voice entered his mind. "She's calling to you."

"Who?"

The light switched to orange again. He heard a familiar voice whisper. "Don't die Shinji. I'll keep you warm."

"Asuka."

The purple light returned. "Go to her."

"Who are you?"

"All will be known in time."

The obnoxious voice growled. "I will not have what is rightfully mine taken from me." The black mass surged and churned forward.

The quiet voice hissed quickly. "Go now!"

The purple light faded, only to reveal the constant orange light coming from the cars ahead. "Thank you." He whispered as he took off in the direction of the light as the black mass churned behind him.

He opened the door to the next car and gasped. There, in the center, stood his father, Gendo Ikari, staring him down. "Pilot Ikari. About face and enter that creature."

"I can't do that. It will kill me, Father."

"I have no further use of you. Since you did not return, we have already found a suitable candidate for piloting Unit 01. This is a direct order. Rid me of yourself."

"You're not real. And you never cared anyway. Screw you." He ran past the facsimile of his father and entered the next car. A redish-brown haired Angel spread his wings and pointed his sword at Shinji. "Not you again."

"You were the reasons for my suspicions. You are the traitor. You do not deserve to live. Either enter Celsius's vortex, or face my blade. It's your choice."

Shinji pulled out his Lightning cards. "I think I'll take the third option. Teleport Seal!" He disappeared into smoke and arrived behind the Seraphim Angel. Shinji kicked him between the wings and propelled him towards Celsius's vortex. He unlocked the last door and dove into the light.

Shinji opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the lights in the room. He tried to move, but two arms wrapped around him holding a sword stopped his movement. His legs were also restrained by being interlaced with another's. The one thing he could do was turn his head enough to feel someone's breath on the back of his neck, and see a lock of red hair on his shoulder. He smiled and felt warm all around. Then he noticed the fire elemental charge ring rotating around both of them. The girl up against his neck snored softly. Sheena and Collette make contact with his eyes and smiled. "Thank you." He mouthed to them. They nodded and left. He felt sleep taking him, so he relaxed in his position. 'And thanks to you, Asuka, for guiding me into the light.' He joined her hands in pressing up against the blade, and the red ring expanded, and the center turned into the outline of an equilateral triangle. On each corner, there was a smaller circle. It disappeared as quickly as it was created, for his hands had fallen off of the blade. He was fast asleep.

A few moments after the boy rose from his coma, Sheena went to tell the doctor, and Collette got the others from the Inn. Rei, Presea, and Regal all hurried to the doctor's house. The doctor, though surprised at the two pilot's positions, worked around them, attempting not to disturb them as their temperatures were taken. "98.6 degrees." He observed. "They're out of danger. I have to say I'm quite impressed that she would use magic to bring their temperatures up. But she doesn't need to do so anymore. Sheena, you can remove that seal on her hand." Sheena nodded and tapped one of her attack cards to the parchment and it disintegrated. Asuka's hand slid off the sword and the ring disappeared. Sheena pried the sword from her other hand and sheathed it. With nothing to hold on to, Asuka wrapped her arms around the boy. Both of the pilot's eyebrows quivered. The doctor took notice. "They'll be awake soon, but I want you all in here only one at a time. Taking in too much at once could be detrimental."

The five nodded. "I've been up since I brought them over here. I need to take a nap." Sheena stood up.

Collette yawned. "I think I will too."

"Then I will watch over Shinji and Asuka." Rei nodded.

The others left and Rei borrowed a book from the doctor's library. She sat down in front of them and waited. She flipped over a page. "Fascinating. Such an odd combination of archaic and modern science and technology. It is surprising how they have come up with the ability to take to the sky, but not to the earth in vehicles. Very odd indeed."

"Ung." Asuka muttered as her eyelids tensed. She opened them and looked up slightly. She focused upon the blue-haired Chosen.

"You are awake. Good. The doctor said you and Shinji will make a full recovery."

"And just what do you think you're doing watching over me, Wondergirl?" Her arms squeezed tighter. She blinked, and turned towards what she was holding. It took all of her strength not to rip herself away, scream, and hit the boy in her arms. 'It's my fault anyway. I can hardly remember it, but just barely remember trying to keep Shinji warm. I must have wrapped my arms around him to share body heat.' She tried to back away slightly.

"I was watching over the both of you."

Asuka tried to move her legs, but they weren't going far. 'What is this? My legs are being held in place by...legs? Oh God, you mean I wrapped my legs around Shinji's too? What's wrong with me?!' She looked up at Rei, still emotionless as ever. Asuka turned extremely red, and screeched. The boy started to stir in her arms. She panicked, looked left and right, but soon just went into her previous position next to him and feigned sleep. She opened an eye. "Say a word about this and your life is forfeit, First Child."

"Ugh." Shinji groaned. Asuka closed her eye and feigned again. His eyes opened and he blinked to focus on the pilot in front of him. "Ayanami?"

"You're awake. Good. The doctor says you and Asuka will be fine, Shinji."

His eyes snapped wide open. "Wha...did you just call me Shinji?"

"Is that wrong?"

"No, it's just I've never heard you say it before."

"I have come to believe that we should speak to each other on better terms on this journey. So I have decided to begin to use given names other than family names."

"That's very nice of you Rei." He attempted to sit up, but was impeded by the German girl at his back. He rotated towards her and smiled. "Asuka." He removed her arms from him and placed them next to her side. He unlocked her legs, and rotated her gently to she was sleeping face up. He finally sat up.

He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Rei went wide eyed. "Shinji, do you think that you should engage in such a contact?"

Shinji turned towards the speaking girl. "It's just to say thanks. I don't know how, but I know she saved me last night. She pulled me out of whatever I was in. She looks so innocent when she sleeps doesn't she?" He slowly turned to look at Asuka as he spoke. "But when she's awake she's a real pain in the...."

He stopped. Asuka's eyes were half open, with an annoyed look, and a canine tooth showing out of her mouth. She stared at the ceiling. "I'm wide awake. What were you about to say?"

"Eeeeee!" He recoiled.

"Sleezeball!" Shinji found himself hitting the roof and falling face first onto his bed. Asuka was standing up next to his bed, fists clenched, and breathing heavily and angrily. Shinji chuckled in his pillow. "What's so funny?"

He sat up and laughed. "It's good to see you too Asuka."

She blinked at him. "What?" Her legs felt weak and she fell forward, onto the bed.

"Woah, are you okay?" Shinji said, putting a hand on her back.

"Don't touch me, idiot." She said as she sat up. "I'm just not as recovered as I thought."

He pulled his hand away. "S...sorry." Then he blinked. "Hey, wait a minute. Why do you hate it so much when I touch you, even though I'm doing it out of kindness, and yet you were all over me when I woke up?"

"Th...that was different. You were in a cold induced coma, so I was going to warm you up."

"Still, who told you you were allowed to touch me? For all I know, you were going to have a little fun with me."

"That...that's not true!"

"You're blushing." Shinji pointed out.

"I am not!"

"Then why does your face look like a tomato?" Asuka recoiled. "Payback's hell isn't it."

"Grrr. How'd you like your face to look like a blackberry!?"

Shinji recoiled again. "S...sorry."

"Don't lapse into that apology crap again!"

"S...sorry."

"Agh! Do I have to beat you up to get you to stop?!"

"S...s..."

"Ahem." The two pilots turned their heads towards the third, who had her eyes closed and had her arms folded in front of her. "Thank you. To get the obvious question out of the way, do you remember what happened to you?"

"The last thing I remember is reaching for a weird flower." Shinji said.

"You were in shock after that, Shinji." Asuka turned towards him. "I had to physically rip you away from that flower."

"It appears as if that flower had some sort of sub-zero poison that entered your bloodstream, lapsing you into a case of hypothermia." Rei stated. "The bandages on your hands were to treat the superficial burns such a low temperature creates."

"The last thing I remember was grabbing Shinji when that worm thing attacked." Asuka pondered.

"Wait, you held me twice?!" Shinji's eyes snapped wide open.

"Much more than that. She took the burden of carrying you. As for you, Asuka, you shielded Shinji from the Sliver creature's attack, but at a cost. The nervous system in your back temporarily shut down, and you both lost consciousness. Lloyd, Collette, Regal, and Raine arrived and destroyed the creature. Sheena arrived and transported you here, to the doctor's office in Flanoir. Sheena watched over Shinji, and Collette observed Asuka until you woke up."

"Oh, so that's what happened." Asuka scratched her back due to the itchy bandages.

"Thanks Rei." Shinji stared at the bandages on his hands.

"The others wish to speak with you. I will send one in a few moments." Rei got up and left.

"Asuka, why'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Everything. Carry me, block that attack, and warm me up. Why'd you do all of that?"

"You did it for me, Shinji. Did you forget about the crash?"

"No, I haven't."

"It was only fair that I do the same."

"But you went beyond that. You actually put yourself in danger for me. I don't understand why you'd do that."

"Humph. Well, if you don't know I'm certainly not going to tell you."

"Wha...what?" He was about to say more, but there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Asuka called.

Regal poked his head in, walked over to the bed, and sat down in a chair. "It is good to see you two up."

"I'm surprised you're the first one to see us. If anything, I thought Lloyd or Raine would come and chew us out." Asuka leaned on the backboard.

"They're currently out gathering Gald from the Dragon in the Earth Temple. I have been assigned to give you the 'chewing out' as you so call it."

"Uh-oh." The pilots said in unison.

Regal shut his eyes and crossed his arms. "You were very stupid, all three of you, including Rei. Don't ever pull some stunt like this again. I will be the first to admit that I was doubtful of your loyalties when we first met, but I knew you would not betray us when you fought with us in battle, and saved Collette." He leaned towards them and stared into their eyes. "You gained my trust then, like you gained everyone's. What you did was meaningless, conniving, and dishonest. Don't do it again." The pilots just sat there, unable to move or speak. Regal got up and went to the door. "We'll always be there for you whenever you need us. Welcome back." He left and shut the door.

Asuka blinked, soon she sighed. "That was scary."

"That felt colder than ten of those freaky flowers." Shinji shuddered.

Asuka was prepared to say something, but there was a knock on the door.

"Come on in." Shinji called.

Presea peeked in, walked over to the bed, and sat in a chair. "Wise people should not do foolish things. I am pleased to know that you two will be fine. Goodbye." She hopped off the chair and left.

Asuka blinked. "Oh-kay. That was...different."

"But I think she got her point across." Shinji stared at the door, as a knock echoed through it.

"You can come in." Asuka called.

Sheena walked over to the side of the bed and sat down. She said nothing. She just sat there. She trembled for a moment, then began to stand up and leave. "Sheena, wait!" Shinji blurted. She turned her eyes towards him. "Asuka," He spoke without looking at her, "can you give us some time alone? You can make it to the other bed, right?"

"I'm comfortable right here. Besides, I need to keep an eye on you two. Who knows what you'd do behind closed...."

"Asuka, knock it off. This is serious."

"Okay, okay." She slid off the bed and limped towards her own. "What is their problem today?"

Shinji slid the sheet over and separated the two chambers. Sheena looked at him. "Thanks, but I should just go."

"Don't, Sheena. At least not yet."

"You heard what I said, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry I thought of you as the boy I loved."

"Sheena, will you be okay?" He stared at her eyes.

"Don't...don't look at me with those sad eyes."

"You loved him immensely. I can respect that."

"I'd do anything to be in his arms again, but because of me, I can't anymore." Sheena broke down. "I'm so selfish."

"Sheena, I'm not him. You know that. But you're a truly kind person. You weren't nice to me just because I looked like your love. Don't act like this whenever you see me, okay? Honestly, I suppose I kind of need you. Of all the people in this world, I think I can trust you the most, and I don't want to lose that."

"Thank you, Shinji." She got up and wrapped her arms around him. He stiffened for a moment, before returning the embrace. "You hug like him too." She drew her face close to his.

"Stop." He whispered. His eyes were cold and unfeeling. "You're losing control of your actions."

Sheena looked into those eyes and recoiled. "You are different from him." She turned away. "I'm sorry."

"Sheena!" The girl stopped. "Even through what just happened, don't think that changes our current relationship. You're a great friend."

"Thank you." She moved towards the door.

"A wise man on my planet once said, 'Don't live it the past. Look towards the future. Don't forget the past, but let it help you become stronger each day to come.'"

"I will, Shinji Ikari, my good friend." She exited. Shinji withdrew the screen and sighed.

"Ooooh! Whatever happened over there sounded really juicy, Third Child. So, what did you do with her?" She put a large sly grin on her face.

"She tried to kiss me."

"WHAT?!"

"Why are you getting mad?"

"I...I'm not. Like I care. Heh. So, did you?"

"What? No! It was just a misunderstanding is all!" He waved his hands in front of his face in defense.

"Incredible. Absoultely incredible. The invincible Shinji Ikari gets the chance to kiss a girl and he backs down. You're such a wimp. Some guys would kill for a chance like that. I'm sure Zelos would even give up his legs to do so."

"How could I do something like that," Shinji whispered, "When it wasn't me she wanted to kiss."

"What did you say? I didn't catch that."

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing."

"You do realize that...." She was interrupted by a knocking on the door.

"Hey there!" Collette said as she poked her head through the door.

"Collette! Come on in!" Asuka grinned.

"Thanks!" The blonde bounded into the room and sat next to her on the bed. "So, I hear you're feeling better."

"Yes indeed. But these bandages itch like crazy."

"Well they were necessary. I'll ask how long it'll take until you can remove them later."

"Thanks. And thanks for keeping an eye on me."

"What can I say? I couldn't just do nothing. Besides, we're friends right?"

"You know what Collette? Your personality reminds me of Hikari Horaki from back on Earth. She's my best friend. Mind if I give you that title too?"

"Wow, really? Thanks Asuka. You know, you really gave me a scare before."

"A scare? What do you mean?"

"Before you woke up, you had this huge seizure. The doctor said it would happen as your nerves woke up, but I never thought it would be that bad. I'm sure the others have told you how strong I am. When I tried to get you under control, you broke free of me, and I can tell you, I wasn't holding back at all. It took both me AND Sheena to get you into a manageable control."

"Oh God, did I hurt anyone?"

"When you woke up, you crushed my hand. But its alright now."

"When I woke up? I don't even remember what happened. All I know is that I needed to help Shinji."

"And you did. You were so resolute you weren't about to let anyone get in your way. I saw it in your eyes. You would have attacked anyone if they got close."

"I did that? I'm so sorry, Collette."

"I'm just glad you're back to normal."

"Yeah, me too."

"Shinji? You doing okay over there too?" Collette called out.

"Huh? Oh yeah. I've been better, but then again I've been much worse."

"Good to hear it."

Another knock came on the door and the doctor walked in. "Okay, visiting hours are over. I need to check on my patients."

"Alright. See you soon Asuka, Shinji." Collette got up and exited.

Yggdrassil, leader of Cruxius and the Desians, exited from another session with his sister. He didn't fly, or teleport, but walked. He passed under four ominous shadows as he exited. He heard some commotion from above.

"Ow. This is painful."

"Attempt it again."

"Ow. This is not working."

"Try again over here."

Two angels were above him, bumping off of an orange force that repelled them. He shook his head. "For Cruxius angels, these two are idiots." He called up to them. "You there, what do you think you're doing?"

"We are trying to get a message to Lord Yggdrassil, but these creatures keep blocking us." One of them said.

"Hey, isn't that Yggdrassil down there?" The other said. They shared a look and dove down to the ground in front of him, which they smashed into face first. "Lord Yggdrassil, we apologize for our tardiness, but the field would not let us through."

"Don't you fools know that the only way to get past the field these creatures cast is to walk on the ground in between them?"

"Uh? Eh heh heh heh. We never really got that memo."

"What is your message?"

"Sir! We have gotten word that we have received enough Mana to initiate the attack. We also have begun stockpiling for the next Cruxius Crystal experiment."

"This is excellent news. You." He pointed to the first angel. "Send word to amass the troops in the designated area. You." To the other, "Walk inside and tell all of the guards inside to join the battle."

The second angel stuttered. "B...b...but sir! That would leave this tower unguarded. Is this not your most valuable place?"

"The three guardians will protect it."

"Sir, that is insane! We do not know of the guardians' true origins, or even how they exist in the first place. It would be madness to trust them."

"You dare to question my orders?!" A ball of white energy appeared in Yggdrassil's hand, and he drove it into the second angel. He screamed and disintegrated. The first stood there paralyzed in fear. "A wise man once said, 'If something is useful, make use of it.' They seem content on protecting this place, and so they shall. You. Carry out your fallen comrade's orders. I'll tell the troops myself."

"Y...yes sir! Glory to Lord Yggdrassil and the coming age of Half-Elves!" He ran inside.

Yggdrassil took to the sky and flew around the tower. "And as for you, my guardians, do not fail me. Your coming was strange, but I feel it was a blessing. Protect this place with your lives, assuming you have lives. The tower will be your responsibilities." The three giants he faced as he circled the tower made no response. "Farewell Prototype, Test Type, and Production Type." He teleported away.

"Well, I see no reason left to keep you here. You should be able to take off those bandages in a couple of days or so. Honestly I'd like to keep you under observation for another day at least, considering the ordeal you just went through, but I can't find anything wrong with you. I hear that Miss Sage is a good healer, and I'm confident that she can handle anything that pops up."

"Thanks doc." Asuka said as she hopped off of the bed.

"As for you young man, don't go plucking any weird flowers from now on. You're free to go too, but don't overuse your hands. You don't want those wounds to reopen now do you?"

"No, I guess not. You've got a nice bedside manner." Shinji gathered his things.

"Hehe, just for that, stop by next time you're in town. I'll give you a free checkup."

"We'll see. I'm not planning on getting sick anytime soon though."

"Well that's something we can never plan. There's this one patient of mine that always wants to get sick, but he never seems to catch anything. Now he's hanging around the guy who gets sick all the time. He's not getting sick, the other guy is getting better. Ha ha ha!"

Shinji and Asuka chuckled before waving goodbye.

For once, Shinji actually walked ahead of Asuka. He had his hands thrown back behind his head and seemed rather relaxed. "He was a nice guy."

"Yeah, he wasn't too bad." Asuka responded. Shinji chuckled for a second. "What's so funny?"

"I was just thinking of that joke he told." He sent a smile her way.

"Shinji, are you sure you're feeling all right?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You're smiling and it isn't disappearing right away."

"Really? Heh, I must be glad I'm alive or something. I'll probably go back to my old self tomorrow. But as long as I'm in a good mood, why not enjoy it, right?"

Asuka blinked at him. "Wow!" She whispered. 'When he's like this, he's actually really cute.'

"Hmm? Something wrong, Asuka?" He looked at her with one eye.

"Eh?" She shook her head violently. "N...nothing! Nothing's wrong!" She turned around and blushed. 'What am I thinking? This is SHINJI I'm thinking about. He's nothing but a perverted, weak dumpkoff, and this change is only temporary. He'll always be that spineless idiot.' Sure of herself, she turned around. "Let's keep going."

After they rounded a corner, Shinji stopped. Asuka stopped and tilted to see around him. A red-clad figure leaned against a post on the Inn's Veranda, flipping a coin. He snatched the coin from midair and opened his eyes. "Hey."

"Lloyd!" Shinji smiled as they ran up to him. "You're back! Did you kick some serious Dragon ass?"

Lloyd blinked. "Take a look at this." He tossed him the Gald piece. "There's around 600,000 more of those things we brought back."

"Awesome! But I bet you had a load of fun doing it too! So, what kind of Unison Attack did you use against it huh? I bet your combos could take it out in one shot. Hey just how big was the darn thing anyway? I mean I've heard...." Shinji continued to rant.

Lloyd leaned over to Asuka. "What's up with him?"

"He seems to be having a good day. Let's just roll with it for now."

"Yeah."

Suddenly a red-headed chosen appeared behind Asuka and collapsed upon her. "Oh, there you are. I was so worried. It hurt me to go and fight that Dragon over and over again, just so we could pay the fee the doctor charged to save you, my fiery hunnie."

"Hey, get off me, you jerk!"

"We share the same hair, Asuka. Do you think we share each others hearts as well?"

"Will you stop touching me?!"

Shinji stopped his latest topic in mid-sentence and turned towards Zelos. "Hey, get off of her."

"What?" Zelos chuckled. "Did the little injured adventurer just give me, the great Tethe'-allan Chosen, an order? If I want to express my loving emotions to this fiery lady right here, I'll do so. Speaking of which, how come you stopped struggling? That's half the fun!"

Asuka indeed stopped. She only stared wide-eyed at Shinji, who was beginning to boil through his clenched teeth. "I said, let. Her. Go!" He stomped up to Zelos and glared into his eyes.

"Or you'll what?" He chuckled as he leaned more of his weight onto the girl. "Snatch her out from under meeeeee!" He hit the hardwood veranda with his nose.

The red-head who he was under was now next to Shinji, who had his hands around her waist. "That wasn't a bad idea Zelos."

Asuka made no move to remove herself from the boy. She just stared at him some more. "Wow." She whispered.

"Why you little! You almost broke my nose!" Zelos said as he rubbed it.

"Me? Break your nose? Hey, it was your big head that caused you to lose your balance and hit the floor. I'm surprised you can even stay upright in the first place."

"Impudent little brat."

Until now, Lloyd just stood astonished at the scene in front of him, but seeing the tension, he decided to jump in. "Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy! Come on inside. I'm sure everyone would like to see Shinji and Asuka again."

Zelos scowled and did an about face. He stomped into the Inn, followed my Lloyd. Shinji and Asuka, still latched together walked in. Everyone was in the commons area, and their eyes nearly bugged out when they walked in together. Even more so when Shinji smiled a large smile and said. "Hey everybody, what's happening?" There was silence for more than a minute. "What? Did someone die or something?"

Presea looked at Rei. She only looked back. Regal and Raine both blinked. Genis and Collette had their jaws on the floor, and Sheena, well she passed out. Shinji seemed to be the only one that noticed the black-haired girl's predicament. He gave Asuka a small squeeze. "Be right back." He knelt down in front of Sheena. "Hey, Sheena, wake up! Man, she's out cold. Hey Zelos, lend me your sock would you?"

"What? Why should I?"

"Just do it. Or don't you want your girlfriend to wake up any time soon, you pervert?"

"Did Shinji just call someone a pervert?" Asuka stood astonished, touching the places where the said boy had held her moments before. "Wow."

"She is NOT my girlfriend, and I am NOT a pervert!"

"Then you wouldn't mind me borrowing your sock. Now give." Shinji held out his hand.

Zelos took off his boot and sock and slapped it into Shinji's hand. "I'd better get that back in one piece."

"Thanks."

Shinji dangled the article in front of Sheena's nose. She winced, coughed, and woke up. "Eeew! Ugh! What is that?!"

Shinji waved it around. "A stinky sock. Heheh. This thing could wake the dead."

"That is ripe! Who's is that?!" She said as she sat up.

Zelos turned red. "Give me that!" He snatched up the sock and put it back on.

"So, you're back to normal?"

"Yeah, I think. Are you?"

"What do you mean? I'm just having a good day is all." Shinji walked back over to the red-headed girl and patted her on the back. "Isn't that right, Asuka?"

"Um...yes." She continued to observe, but she didn't comprehend anything of what was happening.

Rei stood up. "Shinji, there is something seriously wrong with you if you are acting this way. Your normal self would never be this cheerful and jocular. I suggest you follow me and return to the doctor's office for a complete workup. If you resist then I will be forced to use...." Shinji erupted in laughter. "Wh...what is so funny?"

"This whole situation. The roles sure are reversed aren't they? Asuka can barely say anything, and now you're trying to threaten me. Look the doctor said there's nothing wrong with me. I'm having a good day. Don't spoil it." Shinji grinned from ear to ear. "So what does everyone have planned today?"

Raine shook herself out of her stunned stupor. "Well, I was going to remove Sheena's bandages from her legs. They should be fully healed by now."

"Does that mean I can join the active roster again?" She beamed.

"Yes it does."

"All right! Woohoo! I bet that makes you really happy, Sheena." Shinji's outburst rang through the building. "Hey I know, let's have a PARTY!"

"For taking bandages off? That seems highly wasteful." Regal had returned to his normal state also.

"Aw come on. Don't be such a stiff. We've all been through hell these past few days. Let's have some fun! Come on! To the upstairs dining room!" He pointed up and dashed up the stairs. Everyone stayed there paralyzed. He slid down the railing and made a four point landing. "Hey, are you coming or what?" No one said anything. He went to Asuka and took her hand. "Come on Asuka, I need your help with the meal." He tugged her up the stairs and disappeared with her. After a moment, he slid down the railing once again. "Oh yeah, did I mention that I'm the one cooking tonight?" Everyone shared a look and dashed up the stairs. The boy chuckled. "I knew that would get them."

"Cheese." Asuka placed a piece of cheese in his hand, and he bit into it. "Tomato. Peeler." Shinji peeled the skin off of the tomato, then crushed it in his hand and dropped the contents into a bowl. "Knife." The girl put the handle in his hand. "Kiss."

"What?!"

"Gotcha!" He grinned.

"Oooh!" She turned around and blushed. 'Who is this guy? This isn't the Shinji I know, he's almost...normal! Mien Gott, if he keeps acting like this I just might...just might...'

"Asuka? Hey, Asuka!"

Her train of thought was interrupted. "What?"

"I said 'grater.'"

"Oh. Here." She gave it to him.

"Thanks. Cheese."

"You just had a slice."

"The whole block."

"Oh." He was given the chunk of cheese and he started rubbing it against the grater furiously. 'He's really going all out! He's amazing! No! Stop it Asuka!'

"Agh!" Shinji cried. He drew back his hand. His knuckles were dripping red.

"Oh God, you're bleeding! BandAids, where are the BandAids?!" She started looking frantically.

"Um, Asuka." She looked up at him as he licked a finger. "My mistake."

"Wait a minute!" She snatched his hand, and without thinking, tasted his finger. "Tomato soup!?"

"Gotcha!" He laughed as he toweled off his hand.

"I don't believe you! You scared me half to death!"

"You're exaggerating, but thanks for caring."

"Thanks for...caring?" Asuka was stunned.

"Hey Asuka, you okay? This is the second time you've done this. You want to go wait with the others?"

"What? No, I'll help you out some more."

"There's not much left to do anyway, Asuka. I can handle it from here. Just go and relax."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure, now go on!" He lied. He still had the main course to finish while the cake was baking. 'But I don't to overwork Asuka. I want her to have fun tonight too.'

"Thanks." She got up and left.

Shinji rubbed his hands together. "Okay, now to get serious!"

The unusually happy boy dashed around the dinner table, putting bowls under each of their chins before the drool started stockpiling on the floor. In front of them all was a circle of glazed pork slices drizzled in white gravy, and a pot of stewed tomatoes with a melted cheese topper. Shinji poured drinks for everyone and raised his glass to the air. "CHEERS!"

His outburst brought everyone to their senses. "Cheers!"

"Now! Dig in everybody! Oh by the way, Rei. You see those three slices of pork closest to you? It isn't pork. I blended some veggies together and baked them to look like pork just for you. Have a good meal everyone!"

The party dove in and inhaled the entire meal. Lloyd and Genis were in tears. "That. Was. So. Incredible!" Genis would have hopped up and down if he wasn't sitting down.

"Wow." Asuka whispered.

"I hope you all saved room for dessert!" He dashed into the kitchen and pulled out a cake in the shape of a foot and placed it in front of Sheena, along with the cutting knife. "I would have put icing on it, but I didn't have enough."

"Well this is quite a surprise, Shinji."

"It's your party, Sheena. Now hurry up and cut it."

"I feel like I'm conducting surgery. Who wants what?"

"I'll have a slice of the arch." Collette licked her lips.

"Okay. I think I've got it now. I think I'll keep the toes for me." Sheena grinned. "And I'll give the heel to the heel." Sheena put that section on Zelos's plate.

"Hey!" Everyone laughed at him.

She continued to cut it up, and soon the entire cake was gone as well. They all reclined. "Shinji, this was a great party. Thanks so much."

Shinji jumped up. "It's not over yet! On to the downstairs!" He slid down the railing again. After sharing a look, the others followed.

The floor was cleared with the seats all around the center floor. Drink pitchers and glasses were on the coffee tables. Shinji was holding a small guitar and relaxing in one of the seats as everyone came down.

"So what is all of this, Shinji?" Lloyd asked.

"Singing and dancing of course." He strummed the guitar.

"You know how to play that thing?" Asuka cocked her head.

"It's the same basic principal as the cello. How hard can it be?" He strummed a few chords until he found the right one to start. He tunned his voice to the chord as the others sat down. "Aaaaaaahhhhhh! Zankoku na tenshi no you ni. Shounen yo shinwa ni nare!"

"Now you're talking, Third Child!" Asuka lit up and took a deep breath. "Aoi, kaze ga ima. Mune no DOA wo tataite mo. Watashi dake wo tada mitsumete. Hohoende'ru anata."

Rei took over. "Sotto fueru mono. Motomeru koto ni muchuu de. Unmei sae, mada shiranai. Itaike na hitomi."

Shinji returned it. "Dakedo itsuka kidzuku deshou. Sono senaka ni wa. Haruka mirai mezasu tame no. Hane ga aru koto. Oh yeah! Ready you two?"

"Yes."

"Hit it!"

"Lets do this!" They began to sing in unison. "Zankoku na tenshi no TE-ZE. Madobe kara yagate tobitatsu. Hotobashiru atsui PATOSU de. Omoide wo uragiru nara! Kono sora wo daite kanayaku! Shounen yo shinwa ni nare!"

Everyone applauded. Shinji jumped up. "See? THAT'S what I'm talking about! Who's next?"

"I'll take that up!" Raine seemed to catch his enthusiasm. He handed her the guitar. "Lloyd. Collette. Genis. Do you remember this one?" She strummed a chord and their eyes lit up. Collette spread her wings and sang a note as Raine began, with Genis as backup. "Yozo laowo kakedu, na kadiboushi boima. Mitsuke na letena na ino iwo youkado."

Collete contintued. "Vaniatsu kimiko va batchnia tusuku. Konowa takedi itumo aru."

Raine continued to strum as Lloyd pounded his sword sheathes to the beat. Suddenly, Sheena started up. "Me do ehwa eonumi. Kiki wa ino cawa mida kobe. Ah stakika kudu mane anata akasita. Una mika muchi mudi haya soya koka owa. Kadie ayitei kayone."

Presea stood up as Lloyd beat his sticks three times. "Yuwi ho oh uka mi no mimano yu bokuni. Ona seyho seysuki ka nika kudi so segu. Yuwi tae lazuni ayowite oshizo. Maniako agete me wokuda."

The entire Sylvarant cast erupted in the chorus. "Yozo laowo kakedu, na kadiboushi boima. Mitsuke na letena na ino iwo youkado. Vaniatsu kimiko va batchnia tusuku. Konowa takedi itumo aru!" Raine strummed softer and softer until the music faded. The pilots applauded. "It's been a long time since I've played that song."

"Don't stop there. Keep going! Play something else. Make it a something with a beat to it." Shinji grinned.

Raine started up another song and the others started humming or singing along. Sheena slid over to Shinji. "This has been great Shinji. I couldn't ask for a better birthday present."

Shinji was stunned. "What?! You're birthday? Why didn't you tell me? Or anyone for that matter?"

"Yep. I'm seventeen today. I don't need any gifts. I've got a great adventure with even greater friends. That's why I didn't tell anyone."

"I see. Happy birthday, Sheena."

"Thanks, Shinji."

Rei took the guitar from Raine and stunned everyone as she went through the first few notes of a song in preparation. She began to play slowly. "Fly me to the moon...."

Shinji blinked, then grinned with a glint in his eye. "Hey, want to make Zelos jealous?" She blinked at him. "Let's dance." Her jaw fell open. He shut it for her. "I'll take that as a yes." He leaned over to Asuka. "Hey Asuka, don't accept any dance invitations." He winked at her. She confusingly blinked.

Shinji guided Sheena up to the middle of the floor. He sent a look to Rei that said. 'Keep it going as long as you can.' She nodded back in response. Sheena put her arms on his shoulders and he placed his on her waist. They slowly rocked to the melody in unison, staring into the eyes of the other. The personal space barrier melted away as they came closer to each other. Out of the corner of his eye on one of his turns, he saw Zelos grinding his teeth. He smiled at Sheena. "It's working." He whispered.

"You're evil, you know that?" She answered back.

"What do you mean?"

"You're enjoying torturing Zelos while at the same time getting within less than a millimeter of me. You really are evil."

"No, evil would be if I did something like this." He squished Sheena tighter, and she squeaked in surprise.

"Hey, that's getting into some bad territory here!"

"But look at Zelos."

Sheena checked the corner of her eye. The red-head was red faced and gnashing his teeth. He stomped off towards Asuka. "You ARE evil. And he's taking the bait."

"Good." He watched the Chosen as he attempted to charm Asuka. She snubbed him with extreme prejudice. He went over to Presea, but Regal gave him a cold stare and he backed down. He was about to go for Rei, but she shot him a glare before starting to sing again. In his last bout of desperation, he started to beg Raine. She sucker punched him with her staff. He fell on the floor.

"It's over." Sheena giggled.

"He got what was coming to him."

"Ok, you had your fun. Now it's my turn."

"Huh? Hey!" She brought his head closer to hers.

She brought her lips to his ear. "Let's hook up..."

"What?!"

"Let me finish. Let's hook up Genis and Presea."

"I like your thinking. You take Genis, I'll take Presea. Uh-oh. Mr. High and Mighty is back up."

"Then we'll give talk with our eyes. Turn us so I can face Genis." He did, and Sheena got Genis's attention. She shifted her eyes towards Presea. 'Go ask her.'

Genis shook his head.

She did it again.

He responded the same way.

Sheena held Shinji close and looked back between him and Genis. 'Don't you see how much I love dancing with Shinji? Go and get Presea for your own before someone else does.'

He shook his head and stared at Sheena with sad eyes. They flitted towards Presea. 'I can't. What if she doesn't want to?'

She looked cross at him. 'You won't know until you try. Now go!'

Genis dropped his head. 'Yes ma'am.' He slowly got up.

"Shinji, it worked. Now it's up to you." Sheena turned him to stare at Presea. They locked gazes. He flitted his eyes to the approaching Genis.

Presea's eyes widened. '!'

Shinji smiled at her and looked towards Genis again.

Presea stared at him again. '...'

He did it again.

'...'

Shinji turned cross.

'!'

He shot her a forceful glance.

''

He burned with fury.

'!)(!!($&#$$(7' She lowered her head in defeat.

Shinji smiled again.

Presea nodded.

Genis approached. "Um, hey Presea. Would you...you know, dance with me?"

"I...suppose." They got up to the dance floor. "What are we supposed to do?"

"I don't know. I guess we should use Shinji and Sheena as an example."

The two original dancers shared a look and quickly moved farther away from each other and they intertwined a hand and they began a waltz. Genis and Presea followed suit. Shinji sent Rei a look. 'Your prerogative now.'

She nodded. She went through two more verses and a long instrumental closing. The dancers stopped. Sheena stared at Shinji for a moment while Genis and Presea sat down. "Thanks for a great birthday, Shinji." She gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving him stunned as she sat down.

Asuka quickly dragged him out of the Inn as fast as her stomping would carry them. The others paid no mind as Regal got the instrument and started playing with his feet.

"Hey, Asuka. OW! You're going to rip my arm off! What the hell is wrong with you?"

Asuka brought him up to a balcony and threw him against the rail. "What the hell was that back there?"

"What's your problem? I just had a friendly dance with Sheena while playing a joke on Zelos and getting Genis and Presea together."

"Oh, that was more than a friendly dance, Third Child. You two were practically making out in the middle of the room!"

"Why would you care? You never have before!"

"Dammit Shinji! Just shut up!"

"No. Why should I listen to you? This is the best day I ever had and I'm not admitting defeat to you. Besides, I was most definitely not making out with her, nor would I want to."

"Yeah right. You mean to tell me that your hormones weren't raging when she was pressed up against you?"

"Exactly. I was in total control."

"That's a load of crap."

"Prove me wrong! I dare you. No I double, no TRIPLE dare you!"

"Fine then!" She put on a sultry smile. "Shinji. It's really cold out here. Could you warm me up?"

"Sure, Asuka." He pulled her close to him and rubbed her back softly.

"Come on. Don't be shy. Hold me closer. I'm still cold." She pressed her entire body against his. Her eyes widened at what she felt, or more accurately, didn't feel. "No way! That would have given anyone a nosebleed! How can you be in such control?"

"I don't know, but I am, Asuka." He separated from her and leaned against the railing.

"You're not the same Shinji from a few days ago, you know."

"I know. It's kind of scary. I mean. For some whacked out reason, I'm confident, happy, gutsy, and in control of my hormones. It's like I'm everything I've never been before."

"Why is it scary? I like this side of you."

"It's scary because I don't know what tomorrow will bring. Will I be like this, or will I go back to my old self? I don't want to lose this part of me, because I like it."

"Idiot."

"Hey!"

"If it's a part of you, then you won't lose it, don't you see? It's always there, but you just have to find it and unleash it. If you don't realize that, then you really are an idiot."

"Heh. Maybe you're right."

"Of course I'm right." She leaned against the rail as well.

A few silent moments passed. A snowflake passed in front of Shinji's face. Soon the air was littered with the soft ice crystals. "It's snowing."

"Yeah. It's also gotten colder."

"Come here, I'll keep you warm." Asuka entered his open arms. "It's really beautiful out here."

"Yeah." Asuka paused for a moment. "Shinji, I said a moment ago that I liked this side of you. I lied."

"What do you mean?"

She moved in closer. "I think I love this side of you. Me, Asuka Langley Soryu, the one doesn't need anyone, falling in love. Who would have thought of it?"

"Maybe somewhere deep inside, we both knew it."

"I think you may be right." She kissed him on the cheek.

After a quick blush on her part their eyes met. She drew closer to him and opened her mouth slightly. "Stop." It brought her out of it. "I won't. I mean, I want to, but can't. I don't want our first kiss to be one that I may never get again. If I'm back to my old self tomorrow, then I know you'll never look at me with those eyes you're staring at me with again. I want to wait, until that little boy I was and may still be can bring about this side of his own free will. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I think so."

He held her tight. "I don't want this day to end, but I know it will. Could you stay with me for a little longer, Asuka?"

"Yes. Of course I will." She laid her head on his shoulder. They stared at the snow as it covered the rooftops of the city. A tear rolled down Shinji's cheek, onto Asuka's forehead. She looked up. "Shinji?"

"Asuka. I'm getting tired. I...can feel myself slipping. Take me back. I don't want you to see me like this."

"I will. But Shinji, remember," She wrapped his arms around her and buried herself into him. "This is me you're touching. Hold onto that, and come back to me some day."

They walked back to the Inn. Each of them fell asleep in their respective beds for a long rest.

"Good morning idiot!" Shinji's eyes focused onto Asuka who was lying on top of him, smiling into his eyes. He tried to scramble away, but his movements were impeded by the girl. She turned sultry. "Don't be so shy, ShinJI!"

The boy blushed brightly. "Y...y...you're rather...forward...today."

Asuka's eyes shot wide open and she instantly rolled off of him. "Ew! You pervert! Get those thoughts out of your head!"

"I'm sorry!" He tried to scramble away, falling out of his bed.

Asuka pursued. "I always knew you had sick fantasies about me, but I never thought I'd have to feel the aftermath!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It was an accident!"

"And I was going to give you a good show today too!"

"Wh...what?" He turned red again.

"Grr. I'm gonna kill you!" She raised her fist.

He braced himself. "I'm sorry! Aaahh!"

The punch never came. Shinji lowered his hands to see Asuka sobbing. "He's gone. He's really gone." She ran out of the room, tears flying off of her face.

Shinji looked at his trembling hands, still bandaged from the incident. He recollected what just happened to him. "No!" He buried his face in his knees, and a steady stream of tears rolled down his cheeks.

Lloyd opened the door to the room. "Hey Shinji, are you ready to...." He stopped dead in his tracks. Shinji was huddled in a corner, tears flowing all over the place.

"I'm back." He whispered. He started sobbing again.

"I see. Take as long as you need, Shinji. We'll be waiting when you're ready." Lloyd closed the door behind him. "Poor guy. Finally finding what he wanted to be, but losing it after a day." He walked next door and knocked on it. "Asuka? You in there?" His only answer was some loud wails.

Slowly, Shinji gathered his things and met the group downstairs with red eyes. Asuka shortly followed suit in the same condition. Collette walked up to Asuka, and Sheena did to Shinji. No words were said. Their eyes told the whole story. The two girls threw their arms over the pilots, and tried to comfort them. After their moment of embrace, the pilots nodded and they began their journey again.

In the town, Lloyd was leading them to the exit when a man cried out in pain. "Aaaggghhh!" They ran to him.

Lloyd reached him first. "Hey Mister, are you alright?"

Collette spoke next. "Are you hurt? Hang on, we'll get you a doctor."

"No." The man gasped. "No, I'm fine now." He rose. "I was just struck by some evil energy. By any chance do you carry a Devil's Arm with you?"

"What is this 'Devil's Arm' that you speak of?" Rei asked.

"That Evil Eye Chakram is one of them!"

Presea spoke. "How do you know this?"

"Forgive me. I am Abyssion. Long ago an evil man terrorized all of Tethe'-alla. After a long battle with King Tethe'-alla, he was defeated, but his essence lived on in the nine weapons he wielded. They were scattered all across Tethe'-alla. His descendants were cursed to gather these weapons and destroy them all at once. Unfortunately, their lifespans were cut short by the evil energy stored in the Devil's Arms. I am one of those descendants."

"That's horrible!" Sheena said.

"I'm afraid I can no longer carry out my mission to seek the Devil's Arms. I do not wish for my family to suffer this curse any longer, but I'm afraid they must now."

"Oh, Lloyd, we should help him! We already have a Devil's Arm. Why can't we gather the others too?" Collette turned towards him.

A choice appeared up on the screen.

"Yeah. Ok. Let's do it."

"I don't think we should."

The cursor moves back and forth between these two choices.

(Author's Note: Okay people, now's your chance to let your voice be heard. You can affect the story! Do you want to search for the Devil's Arms as well, or just continue the plot normally? Post a review with your selection of the answer. Keep an eye out for more of these choices as the story continues.)