Shinji noticed a considerable change in Asuka's attitude over the next few weeks. She was nicer now, especially to her Shinji. Perhaps being in love really did change a person's personality. She never answered Shinji rudely, except for the occasional baka-Shinji. But that was always with a loving tone and a smile. She hardly lost her temper anymore. She even glowed with a certain aura that portrayed her inner happiness and content. She was, as Shinji now came to realize, sweet.

  Both their sync ratios were overwhelming. Ritsuko and Misato were pleased. Shinji and Asuka never said anything, but they both knew who they were thinking about during those quiet hours in the entry plug. Asuka was now genuinely concern about Shinji's well-being, and she refused to hide it from anyone. It was obvious, of course, to spectators and friends and family. Toji and Kensuke could not hide their disbelief after watching the couple stroll into the classroom hand-in-hand. Both of them took turns questioning Shinji about his sanity, but mellowed down after noticing Asuka's nicer side.

  They slept in the same bed each night. Misato didn't mind. In fact she encouraged it. In Misato's opinion, Shinji's confidence could increase with the help of a special friend. Maybe that's what they both needed, someone to love and to be by loved in return. Misato knew that they could handle themselves. They were, after all, mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions. Shinji never tried anything though, and Asuka respected that. Both had a silent agreement that they would not proceed to the next step until they were both prepared and ready. And at the age of fourteen, they were certainly neither. So they just slept, content with each other's company every night, and happy to be able to hold on to something other than the Evangelions.

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  Shinji rushed towards Nerv headquarters as every speaker in Tokyo-3 blared out warnings that an emergency had been declared. Everyone was safe in the shelters, and Shinji was running as fast as possible. Asuka and Rei were nowhere in sight. He was separated from them during the evacuation in school. Shinji guessed that they were already at headquarters. They were probably with the fourth child. Shinji had no idea who he or she was, but he didn't seem to want to know. Today was the first activation test for the fifth Evangelion. Shinji would have a new colleague. Nerv would have a new Eva. Shinji was wondering if it was a coincidence that the Angel chose today for its attack.

  The automated doors slid open as Shinji ran through the corridor, into the locker room. After changing into his plug suit, he was loaded into the entry plug an finally into Eva-01. The Eva began to taxi towards the catapults, where Eva-00 and Eva-02 were waiting for launch. Shinji wondered where Eva-05 was. He contacted Asuka. Her face appeared in an orange square to his right. She looked extremely grim.

"What's wrong Asuka-chan?" he asked, concerned.

"You don't know?" she raised an eyebrow.

  Before he could ask "Know what?" they were launched upwards. Shinji decided to ask questions later. Destroying the Angel was his first priority.

"Where's the Angel, Misato-san?"

  Maya's voice came through.

"Its not an Angel. The target is Eva-05"

"What?! What happened?! Where's Misato?"

  Maya explained briefly about the explosion, and how the Eva went berserk.

"Misato…What about the pilot?!"

"We have no information at this point. All we know is that the ejection was not confirmed, and that the pilot is still within the Eva."

"The pilot is still in there?" asked Shinji, bewildered. "A pilot… a person my age… I wonder who he is…"

  Asuka's face reappeared on another orange screen.

"Shinji-kun… the pilot is – AAAAAAAAH" the screen went blank.

"ASUKA!!!" yelled Shinji

"Eva-02 is down. Plug has been ejected. Sending retrievers."

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  The berserk Eva had been overpowered and disemboweled by Eva-01, using the Dummy Plug. Shinji was furious at his father for using his hands to destroy the Eva. The entry plug was crushed by 01's fist, and the pilot was being rescued. Shinji could only pray that he or she was alive.

  Misato's voice filled the entry plug. She sounded frail and weary. Shinji was happy to hear her alive.

"Shinji-kun… I'm sorry… I should've told you earlier… I'm really sorry…"

"Tell me what Misato-san?"

"I'm really sorry… I should've told you… the pilot of Eva-05 is…"

  Shinji let out a bloodcurdling scream as Toji Suzuhara's limp body was carried out of the ruined entry plug.

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  Shinji had been forced out of the entry plug and brought to the Nerv hospital, where he slept in a bed beside Toji's. Toji had been badly injured, and was in a state of coma. The doctors couldn't say if he would ever regain consciousness, neither could they confirm that he wouldn't be paralyzed from the waist down. Either way, the chances were low. Shinji was moved to an isolated ward without being woken up. There he slept a dreamless sleep, not stirring an inch for three days.

  Shinji woke up to a familiar ceiling. It was the same ceiling he'd seen after waking up from his first battle with an Angel. It took him a while to recall what had happened. Disgusted with the memories, he turned to his side. Asuka was curled up beside him, fast asleep. She looked pale and cold, and Shinji felt a tinge of guilt. Slowly, he slid his blanket over her, and she stirred closer to him. A tear glistened in her eye before falling onto the bed sheets and disappearing. Shinji hugged her gently, and she woke.

"Shinji…" she whispered, another tear forming in her eye.

"I'm okay, Asuka-chan" he said with a thin smile, wiping her tear with his finger.

"I'm so sorry… I should have told you…"

"Forget about it." Shinji breathed. "How's Toji?"

  Asuka explained about the possibilities of Toji's recovery. Shinji faced the ceiling and closed his eyes. It was his turn to stem the tears. Asuka held him close, attempting to comfort him. All he could do was hold her in return. He prayed hard that Toji would recover. He silently swore at his father. His mind was beginning to haze again, so he slept, with his darling Asuka beside him, whispering loving words into his ear, as their hearts beat in perfect unison.

  Shinji woke up again, the spot where Asuka had lay in now cold and vacant. He wondered where she was, missing her more than ever. The room door slid open, and Shinji turned, expecting to see Asuka. Instead, two men in black suits that Shinji didn't recognize entered. They ordered him to dress and handcuffed him before bringing him to his father's office.

  Gendo Ikari sat in his chair behind he desk, his hands joined in front of him. Shinji stood about ten feet way, his arms locked by the handcuffs in front of him. He was giving his father the most insolent stare he could muster. The Commander questioned Shinji, and Shinji replied that he would not pilot the Eva anymore. Commander Ikari then proceeded to accuse Shinji of running away, again. Shinji yelled that he would not be a toy for his father to manipulate. He left the room fuming. He was going to leave Nerv. He was going to leave Tokyo-3. He was going to leave the Evangelions, the Angels and his father. Nothing would stop him. Nothing at all. Not even his beloved Asuka.

---To be continued---

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Author's note: I know I twisted the original Gainax-owned plot a bit… but hey its my fanfic )~