Standard Disclaimer!
Still don't own anything, so if that upsets you send me some cash and I'll buy stock in the companies that created these fine fine shows ^_^
Well the spring semester is in full swing and that means LOTS OF WORK! More so than the previous semesters, man when will I catch a break ^_^ So hope you don't mind the slower degree of writing again.
I'll try to keep things coming out on a regular basis but that may not be possible. Enough complaining time for the fic!
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Out of Disaster Chapter 14 - Part Time
Since the defeat of the last angel a broken peace descended upon the still recovering city of Tokyo-3. All the inhabitants tried to live their lives without cowering in fear for the next unexpected angelic encounter. Time crept by slowly as each day was greeted with a degree of trepidation.
Ritsuko slowly pushed her plan forward by instigating a rumor at Nerv about a possible relationship between two of the pilots. Asuka wasn't happy to have to explain to several of the lesser-informed crewmembers that it wasn't her in the rumor. The Major didn't change her life much at all, save for keeping an eye on the reclusive First Child in the hopes of gaining insight on Rei's fount of information.
Rei, for her part, had made great headway in expressing herself. Her time spent, much to Shinobu's dismay, with Shinji had done a great deal on improving her social skills. She didn't however show said improvement to anybody save the Third Child. She didn't believe others deserved the right to know her feelings except for him; she did love him and not them after all.
Hiding the ultimatum of a forced parting from Shinji, Shinobu's demeanor sullied to a small extent. Wanting nothing more than to be around him and be with him, Shinobu feared he'd reject her if he discovered that she might no longer be around. Somebody else he knew wouldn't be forced to leave, and Shinobu wasn't going to assist her rival.
Over the three weeks since his release from the hospital, Shinji did little else but think on what to do with his life. Finding not one, but two potential companions shook him out of his usual mental state. His heart was still drawn between the two girls, and he couldn't find a way of not hurting one or the other. So he opted to not change his behavior. He still ate with them during lunch, making Rei a lunch, and alternating with Shinobu for the other two.
All things considered things were relatively happy, and the city hoped it would stay that way. Gendo's decree that the Fourth Child be found however was soon to change that.
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"Would you quit dragging you ass man? I'm hungry!" the tracksuit clad boy yelled from his perch atop the small hill that was to be their lunch spot.
Throwing an apple at Touji's stomach with excessive force, Asuka intended to keep him from saying anything to annoying. "If you'd help us carry the food, maybe it wouldn't take so long!"
On Asuka's right, Hikari smiled at the two of them. 'They'll never get along I guess,' she thought. Looking to her left and right, she couldn't help but broaden her smile. To her left, Shinji and Shinobu carried an extra large bento for the whole group. Asuka, still muttering obscenities under her breath and Kensuke filming the entire event were on Hikari's left.
Zooming in on Touji's pained face as the apple struck home, Kensuke asked between laughs, "Why did it take us so long to set this up? We need to do it more often."
The reason being Shinji's continued attempts of getting Rei to attend, all were meet with a polite refusal. They were also followed by a question from her as to when they would next eat alone together.
Setting the boxed lunch next to the now lying Touji, Shinji wondered if his friend would actually be all right. "Is he supposed to turn blue like that?" He asked as they all sat in a circle around the lunch to be. After watching Touji give Asuka the finger he figured he was ok. "I wanted to convince Rei to join us again, but she still isn't comfortable in groups."
Shinobu winced at the sound of that name, Asuka and Hikari noticed it. With her knowledge of Shinji's love life clear, Asuka wasn't going to let the barb slide. "She's a freak anyway! She just thinks she's better than us. If the commander were with us she'd eat then."
Opening the box and pulling out a generous helping for himself, Kensuke added, "If the commander were here, we'd probably be killed after seeing him acting like a human."
That brought a small laugh out of the assembled eaters. Settling into the mindless chatter that teenagers' worlds revolve around they all helped themselves to the food provided. Shinji sat next to Shinobu, and on off moments the two would exchange a few glances that went mostly unnoticed. That was until Touji saw one and nearly choked on his food, "Shin-man don't stare so hard, you'll put a hole in her head!"
Breaking his eye contact and finding a blade of grass he thought looked oddly like a banana, Shinji attempted to match his face with Asuka's hair. "I wasn't staring.really."
Her own face a subtle shade of red, Shinobu wasn't upset with him looking and talking to her as he was. She was upset that Touji ruined it. Peaceful moments alone were few and far between lately. Mostly due to having to go back to the Hinata house and help Nyamo learn her Japanese to the standard required for attending school. "Touji-san!"
Seeing a chance, Asuka acted upon what she now saw as cornered prey. "Well if their going out it doesn't matter if he's staring does it." All eyes now fell on the couple, which now lost their voices. Mirrored thoughts past their minds, 'Did she just say that?'
Eyes wide with surprise, Hikari leaned over towards the two and asked in an exasperated tone, "You two made it official?" Hikari hadn't been informed much of Rei's involvement in things. The buzz from Kensuke's camera was the only sound that was heard as they all waited for Shinji's answer.
Hoping that under the stress, Shinji would crack and accept Shinobu. Asuka waited with bated breath. 'It was underhanded, but I know they like each other. And I'll be damned if the doll gets him.'
Shinji's eyes darted around the assembled masses in utter terror. He didn't know what he was going to do. Finding hope etched into Shinobu's features, his idea was that she'd be the one to say something was lost. He was aware of the food he had just eaten had shifted in his stomach. "Well."
Touji smiled, he knew his buddy was going to make Shinobu very happy. Sure the Rei thing would hurt him, but Touji knew Shinji would let the odd kid down easy. However before Shinji could mutter anything beyond that one word, the overhead speakers kicked on.
The obnoxious sound of the office secretary was broadcast over the school. "Would Suzuhara Touji please report to the principal's office. Suzuhara Touji to the principal's office, thank you."
Happy to have the focus shifted from him, Shinji was quick to respond, "What did you do Touji?"
"You're not in trouble are you Touji?" Hikari accused more than asked the boy as her eyebrows narrowed in a hard knit stare. Nobody noticed, save Asuka, how Shinobu's shoulders slumped over in defeat.
Standing up and dusting the grass off his slacks, "Not that I can think of, well lunch was almost over anyway. I'll see you guys later." Touji bid them goodbye and headed off to learn of his new fate.
Noticing the odd look on Kensuke's face, Shinji prompted, "Something on your mind?"
Turning his camera away from the girls as they cleaned up the small mess that was made, "I hope it's not about our side project."
"Side project?" asked the confused pilot.
Stepping over closer to Shinji, Kensuke whispered into the boy's ear. Upon hearing, Shinji couldn't believe his eyes and yelled. "You're taking bets on who I end up going out with!?"
His attempt to silence Shinji before his shout failed, and as Kensuke turned to see the end result he didn't have to wait long before he was answered. The second the last syllable left Shinji's lips, Asuka had dropped the trash in her arms and locked on target. "YOU BASTARD!" was her battle cry as Asuka tore after Kensuke with the full intent of making the boy eat his glasses.
Left alone with the hopefully budding couple, Hikari smiled at them. "I'm glad for you two. You'll be a good couple."
Stumbling over her feat as she tried to get up to protest, Shinobu fell into Shinji's lap. She didn't move as much as Shinji caught her and held her. Lost in each other's embrace, Hikari quickly walked away, she saw enough to know when she wasn't needed around. In her mind, Hikari hoped someday Touji would be so passionate with her. The spirit to speak fleeing her body, Shinobu wished to say her hearts desire, "Please say it's true."
She lost her chance as some unknown girl started giggling at them and they separated. Standing first, Shinji helped Shinobu to her feet, and they followed Hikari back to class. All the while, none of them suspected that from the classroom window, Rei watched them, and after the fall a frown replaced her usual pallid face.
She felt herself wanting, wanting to be with him, with all of them, to be included. Shaking the feeling away, she felt another want, 'I want her gone.'
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The remainder of the school day progressed dreadfully slow. Touji's failure to return put a damper on both Shinji and Kensuke's moods. Believing their bud had gotten into more trouble than he had expected kept them from thinking to fondly about Second Impact lectures.
Having the suspicion that she was being watched, Shinobu just couldn't calm down. Her heart was racing from the almost confession, the impromptu hug, and the feeling of unease. Almost giddy, Asuka couldn't believe her own actions. 'I actually might have helped that lil baka.' Repressing her smile for her good deed for the day, Asuka's eyes spread across the classroom in boredom.
'What is she doing?' Asuka questioned as her eyes fell on to Rei's form. She could have sworn she saw the quasi-albino glaring at Shinobu. Smacking herself lightly to wake herself up, she dismissed it.
When the day was done, Hikari announced the cleaners to the dismayed students. "Ayanami and Akiko are to attend duties today, good day." The celebratory cheer went out from the remaining class as they fled the room. Meeting at the school gate, Shinji and Shinobu began the daily trek to the train station.
"Lunch was fun today wasn't it?" Shinobu asked off handedly to break the small silence that had set in after their greeting.
Smiling a bit Shinji agreed. "I couldn't believe that Asuka actually out ate Touji," he said reminiscing.
Drawing her hand to her mouth in what Shinji identified as an act of worry, Shinobu said in quandary, "You don't think Touji-san is in any real trouble do you?"
Knowing Touji fairly well, he thought, Shinji couldn't see Touji getting into any serious trouble. 'Sure he likes to ogle girls with Kensuke but they don't do anything to perverse.' With a nod to his own logic, "I doubt its anything to serious. How are things at home lately? Things seemed a bit off the last few times I was over for practice."
'Should I tell him? Will he be made? What if they tell him, it'd look like I was hiding it," Shinobu's mind circled on itself. The Hinata residents didn't really know how to talk to Shinji about the matter of Shinobu, not with the ultimatum out. Walking in silence for a few minutes, Shinji saw the panicked look on her face and knew that something had happened. Spotting the midway point in their walk had just been passed; she came to the conclusion that she'd take the risk.
"Naru-sempai said that if anything puts me at risk again that she'd call my parents and ask for them to insist I stop attending school in Tokyo-3," each word seemed to have a weight attached to it and each successive word was harder to say than the last.
His face a mix of fear and surprise, Shinji nodded and kept walking. What could he say to that? 'Not like I can control when or if an angel will attack.' Looking at Shinobu, he did realize that she was expecting him to say something to her about the latest announcements.
"I want you safe too."he noticed her face sadden, "But I don't want you to go to a different school either." Seeing her face lighten a bit, Shinji guessed he had chosen the best answer that was possible.
The conversation lulled into silence for the remainder of the walk. Nothing seemed to be worthy of saying after the rather strict declaration was made. Both children hoped that such a parting wasn't in their future, but as they walked the damage the city had sustained seemed more apparent than usual.
Taking her hand into his, Shinji wanted to have some contact with her. It comforted both of them, but in the back of his mind Shinji knew that the angels wouldn't stop attacking and it was almost inevitable that she would leave and he may never see her again. Waving at each other, both saw the worry in the others face as the train left the station. Shinji worried when would be the last time he'd see Shinobu, Shinobu worried how long until Rei used her parting to take Shinji from her.
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Finding Touji outside his apartment wasn't how Shinji had perceived his return would end. Touji's withdrawn and sullen composure also wasn't something the young pilot expected to have witnessed. Touji's detached voice wafting over the humid air, "Hey man, can we talk a little bit?"
Having no reason to refuse him, and the growing worry in his chest, Shinji agreed and they began walking around the block. Waiting for Touji to start talking, Shinji just watched his friend's face as the setting sun cast baleful light upon the two of them. 'Maybe he did get in trouble for something we didn't know about,' was the only possible reason for this talk that Shinji could gather.
Turning to his mature side, Touji chose to be frank with his concerns. "Does it hurt that much?" His voice came out level as he took a seat on a bench provided for commuters, Shinji sat next to him with a look of utter confusion on his face. Guessing his question was a bit vague Touji added, "Piloting Eva, does it hurt that much?"
Shinji turned his face away from his friend and looked at the ground. 'He must have a reason for asking this, and it must be important.' Letting memories of his prior piloting experience wash over his mind, he was going to give an accurate answer. "It's hard to describe. I know it's not my body being attacked but it feels like it is. Every time I get into it I'm terrified but I know I have to do it. I guess it does hurt a lot, but with the pain comes the knowledge that I know I'm helping protect people."
"Does the good out way the bad though," Touji questioned, "Would you, if given the option, stop piloting?" His own concerns about life and death starting to come through in his dialogue.
'Why is he asking this?' one part of the Third Childs mind asked, the other was dissecting the question. "If you'd asked me when I first came to this city I don't know how I'd answered."
Touji looked to his left and saw a small smile on Shinji's drooping face. Patting his friend on the back lightly Touji was proud of Shinji at that moment. "But now you have something worth protecting I guess. Either Shinobu or Rei I guess it doesn't matter to you. You've grown up man, guess I shouldn't be riding ya so hard about things."
Finding himself being comforted when it was Touji that seemed to need it, Shinji found the courage to ask, "Touji, why are you asking me this?"
His eyes focusing on a spot on the distant horizon, Touji told him. "I've been chosen to be the Forth Child. I leave later today for preparations." After the shock on Shinji's face eroded to concern, Touji told him of his reasons. How he had bartered for better care for Mari, and taking a page from Shinji's book, added that he too had a person he wouldn't mind protecting.
Without the name being told, Shinji let it all sink into his mind. 'He said he doesn't like Rei's personality, he wouldn't go after Shinobu, Asuka hates him, that leaves.' Standing up and heading home, he heard Touji call out to him why he was leaving, "Go talk to Hikari before you go.she deserves to know this too."
Letting out a roaring laugh, Touji stood up. Talking to Shinji had helped a lot. Touji never wanted Shinji to know that after the initial bumpy start of their friendship he actually looked up to the smaller boy. 'Kid's a better person than he knows.to bad he has to live with that bitch who puts him down so much, well guess I could make a stop by Hikari's. Just to talk.'
But he knew better, he wasn't going to talk about something little, no he had a confession.
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As Touji lead Shinji back onto the streets to begin his chat, a different conversation was talking place inside the Katsuragi residence. Upon her arrival at the flat, Misato had been witness to a sight most likely never to be repeated again in her presence, Asuka was practically dancing around the living room.
Smirking at the younger girl Misato snuck up behind the prancing girl, "Somebody have a good day today?"
To rapped up in her joy for helping her friends, namely Shinji, Asuka never even heard the door open. So when Misato's question reached her brain and the embarrassment that followed equated into her planting her backside on the floor rather hard. "Misato! Don't sneak up on people like that!"
With a hearty laugh, Misato plopped herself down on the couch and grabbed for the remote. Her spirits were instantly raised by the rather odd homecoming. Turning the box on then finding a news station, she asked the still blushing redhead, "So what's got you so happy?"
Taking a few breaths to calm down, Asuka crawled to the chair adjacent to the couch. "I almost got that baka to admit to Shinobu that he likes her." She emphasized her words by thrusting her thumb to her chin in a victory symbol.
Misato's mood dropped a notch. Having just spent her day going over the last of the damage reports, the news wasn't good. Nerv was making its plans for eventual evacuation of the city. 'If he does make this official with that Maehara girl then what's going to happen?' Turning the volume of the television down, she put the remote on the armrest. "Asuka, maybe that isn't such a good thing."
"Not a good thing! How could it not be a good thing? Sure Shinobu will have to put up with his bouts of perversion but it'll do them both some good." Asuka's temper slowly began to show itself as her voice raised in pitch. She didn't want her victory to go to waste.
Part of her wanting to agree with her ward, but the military side of her mind as well as her motherly side was kicking in. "Have you looked at the city lately Asuka? Things are getting worse and worse."
Crossing her arms under her chest, Asuka's eyes narrowed, where was she going with this. "So a few buildings got destroyed. We beat the angels so what's the deal?
"I know it's a nice thing for them, but think of this Asuka. What if we have to ban civilian access to the city?" She stopped to let the knowledge get planted in Asuka's mind. She knew Asuka understood when she drew her arms even closer together and her face lowered a notch.
"Something could be done, Nerv could make an exception or something," doubt seeping from every word that came out of her mouth. 'Why can't things just be good for us for a change? Why can't life just back off?'
Nodding softly to the child, Misato did agree Nerv could make an exception. "Yeah we could, but think of this. If we do find a way of keeping her in the city and she gets hurt or Heaven forbid killed during an angel battle what then? How will Shinji take it?"
'He'd blame himself for it,' the child thought, her thought was mirrored in the elder woman's expressions. But what other option was there? "Wait," Asuka's face suddenly went from concern to raw anger, "You're starting to think he should see 'her' aren't you?"
Again a part of Misato did agree with Asuka. She knew Shinji was a very emotional boy with a great deal more problems than anybody should have. Having a girlfriend would do a great deal to help him survive the trials of the angels. So when Asuka said 'she' Misato instantly knew she was referring to Rei. "I didn't say that Asuka, but we need to think about this logically. She won't be leaving."
Having enough of the selfish woman that she was looking at, Asuka stood up. "No, she could die to though. WE are the ones fighting in these things not you, not Shinobu, not anybody else! I'm leaving."
Cringing back from the screeching child, Misato had expected the explosion, "Where are you going Asuka?"
"Nerv, I'm going to talk to Kaji about this. He'll understand what I'm trying to do." Storming out of the apartment, Asuka missed Shinji's slow assent to the apartment. She didn't need to learn from Shinji about Touji however. Once she did find Kaji at his computer, she was granted that knowledge as well.
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The next day started out poorly for Misato. Dressed in her formal attire, she failed to tell Shinji about Touji being chosen as the Forth Child like she wanted to. She would have been shocked to learn he had prior knowledge, but as she didn't mention it to him she felt like she betrayed him.
Asuka had called the previous night to say she was staying over at Hikari's and wouldn't be showing up. Part of that was because Hikari was having a crisis, Touji had told her something that Asuka couldn't discern but it really affected her.
Shinobu's day was going to be very different. Walking alone to school, she was greeted again by the other blue haired child. She felt her heart clenching as she realized that Rei was actually looking for her.
"Maehara-kun, I repeat that you should rescind your feelings for Shinji," her voice never rising above a harsh whisper. Rei only wanted Shinobu to hear her.
Shaking her head in defense, "I don't have to listen to you. I won't abandon him because you tell me to."
Handing Shinobu an envelope that contained the civilian briefing for the potential evacuation of Tokyo-3, Rei almost smirked. "Your affections would only cause problems as you won't be here much longer."
Reading the letter, Shinobu felt something very odd to her, rage. 'She's gloating about this! How dare she!' Crumpling the paper in her hand, she threw it in Rei's face. "I don't care! I'll find a way to be with him if he wants me to be! You're just afraid that he'll want ME and not YOU!" Shinobu was dimly aware that she yelling.
"You think to highly of yourself. We have already made steps upon our pairing. Have you? What do you really know of him?" The pale girls own voice rose in pitch. Several people have stopped walking as the girls' argument drew attention.
Balling her hands into fists, Shinobu's shoulders tensed, "You don't know him any better than me! You're just trying to keep him away from me! If you're show sure he loves you why are you afraid of ME!"
"Fear you? You are nothing for me to fear. I only wish for what is best for Shinji, it is evidence that you do not as you don't see the truth in my words." Many people around them were shocked at not only what Rei said, but how much she was saying.
In the depths of Shinobu's mind she could see her acting. Rei's words finally caused a snap in her defenses. She couldn't take her accusations anymore. Her right hand was sent flying towards the First Childs midsection. It never reached its target as Rei saw her punch and caught the sloppy punch was caught by the trained pilots quick reflexes.
Before Rei could send a retaliatory attack, her cel phone rang she was needed. Pushing the wide-eyed Shinobu out of her way, Rei headed towards Nerv, where she would be met by Shinji while Shinobu would be forced into a shelter. Rei smiled softly as she ran.
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Anxiety sat heavily on Shinji. For some reason his father had him acting as the last line of defense against the unknown aggressor. The sudden call had pulled him away from his solo walk towards the school. Now he sat waiting for an angel with a classified form, and he saw both Unit-00 and Unit-02's video channels open the look of total concentration on their faces.
'I hope Touji's alright,' passed Shinji's mind as he heard Maya announce that the target was just about to breach the defensive line and should quickly be identified. Shinji couldn't believe what his Unit's sensors picked up.
Asuka responded for the trio, "That's Unit-03! What the hell is this?"
From his office, Gendo smirked. He'd watch as the possessed Evangelion crushed the defenses of both Unit-00 and 02 and he'd get to test the Dummy Plug as the Third Child waffled and failed to act. "That is irrelevant. It has been designated a threat and you must destroy it."
Slamming his fist upon the left control, Shinji was not enjoying what he heard. "What about the pilot! We just can't abandon him!"
Shinji's horse yell over the intercom caught Asuka's attention, 'Didn't anybody tell him who the pilot is?' Looking away from the lumbering Unit, Asuka addressed Shinji, "Shinji didn't they tell you T."
The video channel was lost as the angelically possessed Eva crashed its arms through the ground and pulled Unit-02's legs out from underneath it. From his end of the communiqué Shinji only received as startled yelp and the screen went out. As he quickly tried to raise Asuka back on the comm. he had no idea that the angel had assaulted Asuka and used her extension cable to render it out of commission.
Rei watched the whole event from her station. Not caring for Asuka's health or well-being Rei saw no reason to assist. 'Ikari and I can easily detour this threat.' Listening over the comm. channel to her commander telling her to stay at a distance and use long-range weaponry. "Affirmative." In the deeper recesses of her mind Rei could see Shinji's look of praise and adoration for her success.
She didn't get a chance to succeed as Unit-03 displayed another of its abilities. Practically flying at her Unit, the angel threw its body at speeds that almost breached the sound barrier, Rei felt herself being pinned to the ground.
Shinji shouting for her fight back, he raced away from his position to help her. Looking at the growing panic on Rei's face, Shinji couldn't help himself, 'I have to help her!'
'Shinji-kun is coming to help me! I knew he loved me.' Rei reasoned as she saw the concern on his face. Struggling against the impressive mass of Touji's Unit, Rei saw something surprising. It was leaking a liquid onto her Units arm, and then there was pain.
Back in the command center, Gendo gave the order to forcibly cut the Unit's arm off while Rei was still in perfect sync. Shinji watched in horror as Unit-00's arm blasted off from the shoulder and Rei's cry of pain resounded in his entry plug. His heart being torn at the sound, Shinji realized that he in fact really did have feelings for that woman.
Diving at the duo of Units, Shinji collided with the towering Black Evangelion. Rolling up to a standing position Shinji sized up his opponent. He knew Touji was in that monster, could he fight it knowing he might kill his friend. Sensing its opponent's concentration wavering, the angel started its lumbering walk towards Shinji.
Pushing his feelings for Rei to the back of his mind, Shinji willed his mecha to walk backward, and Gendo smirked again. 'I can't do it.I might kill Touji.wait.' Motoko's voice reverberated in his mind. His first real talk with his sensei repeated itself in its entirety. 'If I don't stop him and he does hurt or kill somebody, if we save him then how will he react?'
Taking a deep breath, Shinji knew Touji would rather die than be responsible for the death of countless people. Drawing his blade he felt oddly calm. Letting Motoko's instructions take over his body calmed and he became focused.
Gendo wasn't happy. Seeing the blade in Unit-01's hand was a sign that Shinji wasn't going to falter. 'This isn't going according to scenario.'
Keeping a safe distance, Shinji continued to evaluate his opponent. 'He seemed to get both of them from a distance, that means it has long reach.' Shinji got confirmation of his idea as the long black arms erupted from the Unit's side and fell into the ground.
Again Motoko's words of advice replayed in his head. 'If an enemy attacks from the ground, the best counter is an aerial strike.' Leaping into the air towards Unit-03, Shinji was rewarded with the glimpse of the two arms appearing right were he had last been. Drawing in closer to his target, he sensed it begin to retract the arms and shift its position.
'I'll lose the core but I can still cause some.' Shinji's attack altered by the quick response ended as he brought the blade down through the left arm of his opponent. Hitting the ground, he willed the behemoth into a roll and sprang back to his feet. 'I'm glad the Eva can do a few things I can't,' the pilot thought as he turned to see what he had wrought.
Bellowing in rage and agony, Unit-3's right arm grasped at the stump that used to be its other appendage. Blood and gore dripped from the wound. With half of its offensive power lost, the angel had to take the offending creature down quickly. After that, it'd finally be able to reunite with Adam.
Watching his friends unit move, Shinji was able to grasp its plan. 'It resembles what Motoko-sensei said about speed kills.' True enough the angel and drawn its only good arm into a tight line. 'It'll rush at me then try to spear my core with its arm, how do I defend against it. It's so much faster than I am!'
Not giving its opponent a chance to plan, Bardiel rushed. Shinji's lack of confidence in his abilities saved his life as he retreated and tripped over his power cord right as the angel dove at him. The knife like hand flying past his optical sensors, Shinji drove his knife forward into the projectile body of this opponent entering right below the throat and passing through the core and the lower half of its abdomen.
Breathing heavily, Shinji prayed he had stayed the beast and came out victorious. Hearing the cheers from the command center, Shinji let out the breath he was holding, the LCL didn't waver in the slightest. "Two moves! You took it out in two moves!" Shinji thought that the voice was Aoba's but he wasn't sure, his mind was to dazed. Looking out of his Unit, Shinji saw the rescue trucks slowly approaching the area and force eject the plug. He thought he might have heard Misato's voice over the speaker talking to him.
'Touji, did I kill him.oh Kami-sama please say I didn't kill him,' he brought the focus up on he sensors and saw the medics pull out the taller boys body. Misato's voice held even less audible power to his ears. Then he saw it, a large gash running down Touji's leg, blood seeping out of the tear along the side of the plug suit. Tuning out Misato's frequency he picked up the medical vehicle's chatter. "Mental state unknown, body in good condition. He'll live."
Tears of joy evaporated into the LCL as he cried, he did some good. Battle fatigue and stress finally taking affect, Shinji passed out as his Unit went into power down mode.
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From his viewpoint, Gendo turned up the power on the intercom in his office. "Doctor, we'll have to plan another way of testing the dummy plug."
From her post at the test sight, Ritsuko wished he'd have at least asked how she was doing. "Understood sir. I'll make plans for a test when I get back to base."
Turning to view a monitor on his desk, Gendo watched Rei sleep in her sterile hospital room, the medication taking affect. "Will her altered mind affect how the system works?"
"It shouldn't sir, the last few memory dumps have done little to the system. It may not cause any problems." The faux blond replied knowing full well it was a lie. 'Her mind is so obsessed with Shinji now that no clone will follow his will unquestioningly again.'
Without even a word of dismissal, Gendo turned off the link. "Fuyutsuki, she has betrayed us. We may have to find a new way of insuring Rei will cooperate with us."
Nodding, Kozo knew what that could mean, "You'll be using your son again to insure your desires?"
Smiling at his old teacher, "Pilot Ikari has no other use than to assist me. Be it as a pilot or in insuring Rei acts as we wish."
Looking puzzled over Gendo's change in attitude towards his son and Rei's relationship, "What about you're pushing him towards this other girl to keep him from corrupting her?"
Drawing his hands to his chin, "The other girl can still be used to keep him in line. As for Rei using the Third to keep her in under foot will be easy as well."
Kozo walked out of the office in mild disgust. First Gendo tried to keep Shinji way from Rei using another child. Now that it wasn't an option he'd use the girl to keep Shinji in line of keeping Rei under orders. The shear audacity of the man staggered the old man's mind. 'We've all become God's madmen,' Fuyutsuki thought as he dialed his phone to make preparations, 'All of us.'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Author notes!
Well another chapter done and things are starting to change. Yes the relationship side is complex as hell but its supposed to be! Can't have all things be nice and simple, human emotions are seldom direct or simplistic.
Hope you liked it and will continue to support the story.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
OMAKE! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Dressed in her ceremonial bashing robes, Su stares directly into the camera an hollers, "Welcome back again to the MEGA-TAMA-CHAN Viewing podium!"
Seated next to her, Kitsune gestures to Misato's sleeping body, "Joining us again today is Miss Misato Katsuragi, who it appears can't drink saki like she can drink beer."
Laying in a pool of her own drool, "Gizz.me a nudder! I ain't drivin."
Wiping away the sweet drop, "We'll let her rest, today we bring you the first match of the Hinata Challenge! Asuka Langley Souryu Vs Naru Narusegawa!"
Grabbing Kitsune's mic even though she had her own, "That's right! Live from the courtyard of Hinata House! Round one which we dub."
Over the loud speakers a canned sound that Su created blares, "THE BITCH BATTLE!"
"WHO THE HELL CALLED US THAT!" said combatants yell from far below the podium.
Watching the veins grow on Naru's face, Kitsune again reclaims her mic, "Yeah.feel sorry for Keitaro today, he'll be sure to get clobbered no matter what happens. Well are we ready to RUUUUUMMMBLLEEEE!!"
"Bout time! Was running out of my pre-fight bananas! We like to remind everybody that the winner of this tournament gets ownership rights to a human piece of meat. Does it taste good?" Su said turning to Mutsumi who took a seat next to her.
"My yes I think it might. If properly seasoned." Noticing the blank stare on Kitsune's face Mutsumi added, "Ara ara, did I say something odd again?"
Dismissing the odd girl form Okinawa, Kitsune turned back to the camera crew, "I hope not, well let the battles begin, may the best bitch win!"
Facing off, Asuka and Naru measured up their opponent. "So why are you fighting in this 'Miss I'm to good for men?' Asuka asked as she got into a fighting stance.
Getting into a similar stance, "I won't let Shinobu be corrupted by a pervert. Why are you fighting?" Rushing forward Naru lunges at Asuka with a practice swing. Asuka, brining her left arm up to counter pushes Naru back with a kick to the shin.
Bringing her breathing back to a calm rate, "I wasn't made to do manual labor, I need him to do the work for me." That said, Asuka closes the distance between her and Naru and sweeps at Naru's feet with her right leg. Naru, seeing Asuka drop, jumps backward avoiding the sweep comes back to a full stance.
In a mocking voice Naru taunts, "Not bad for a child. Did your mommy or daddy teach you that?"
On the sidelines, Shinji turns to Rei and Shinobu, "That girl is in for a world of hurt."
"Agreed," Rei replies cutting Shinobu off, "We should leave them to their own battle. I have much to train you with." Taking Shinji's hand Rei starts leading him off the grounds only to be stopped by Shinobu.
"You can't take the pri.I mean him before the tournament is over!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT PARENTS!" Asuka yells as she rushes towards Naru, shocked by the sudden change in temperament. Grabbing the stunned college student by the arm, Asuka proceeds to slam Naru over he shoulder to the ground and start stomping on her chest. "For a feminist you sure dress slutty enough, did you pose for all those photos on the internet?"
"HE SAID THERE WAS NO FILM IN THAT CAMERA!" Naru grabs Asuka's offending foot and shoves her backward staggering. Standing by Shinji who now has both Shinobu and Rei pulling on his arms in opposite directions, Keitaro looks at his feet.
"I am so dead it isn't even funny," the one time ronin cries.
Launching herself off the ground and into Asuka's stomach, "How dare you say that about me?" Her force hurtling the two girls to the ground. Grabbing Asuka by the hair, Naru proceeds to play bobble head with the girl underneath her.
"Looks like Naru is using the ol' headbangers ball technique!" Kitsune said over the mic. "I'm sure you fanboys out there are having some nasty thoughts about these two rolling around on top of each other.and yes we are going to be selling edited version of this fight where they have no cloths so keep watch."
Slamming her fist against Naru's head, Asuka liberated her body and gets back to her feet. "I've heard about you. All you do is contradict yourself. Whining, crying, and complaining about the guy you love and are thinking the same things he does! You're a damn hypocrite!"
Rage filling Naru's body, she calls out her next move, sending shivers down Keitaro's spine, "NARU-PUNCH!"
Caught cold by the physics destroying all reach attack, Asuka bounces off a tree. "I heard about you too Miss Souryu. You're the same as me it seems. You treat this Shinji like garbage and if what so many people say is true you love him too!"
Shinobu turns to Rei, in unison, "Didn't see that one coming. Lets go Shinji.HE'S MINE!" Shinji just cried as each girl pulls on him.
'I'm going to end this now.Charge her, dodge to the right then grab that damn brown hair of hers and pull her head into my knee! Teach her to tell people about my feelings!' Asuka planned as her lips drew into a wicked sneer.
'I'm going to end this now.Charge in dodge to the left, then grab that damn red hair of hers and slam her puny skull into my leg! Teach her to tell the world they can find naughty pictures of me on the internet!' Naru's smile matching Asuka's.
In unison both girls charge the other and do exactly what they planned, but as each catered to a different side their skulls crack off one another with a resounding crash.
Bouncing around the podium, Su laughs her head off, as Kitsune's face seems to have lost its ability to show emotion. "Well there you have it lady's and gentleman, they both prove to be equal bitches by knocking each other unconscious. Both of them are eliminated!"
"Shinji-kun make sure you wash the sheets afterward this time." Misato murmurs into her microphone.
"What did she mean by that?" both girls on Shinji's arms ask at the same time.
Easily slipping out of their arms, Shinji starts running, "I can explain really I can.. I just don't want to!"
"GET BACK HERE AND SURRENDER TO ME!"
"SHINJI-KUN I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU DID!"
Shaking off the rather odd spectacle, "Maybe we should have filmed them instead, make so much more selling this to the adult-movie channel. Well next time its Shinji Vs Motoko, if he survives what those two do to him. Good night everybody!"
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Zentrodie: See that wasn't that bad. Doing it in installments gets you more action per battle!
Golden Kitsune: Man that sucked!
Zen: What was wrong with it. Wasn't it funny enough?
GK: No it was funny.
Zen: Grammer bad?
GK: Not any worse than usual.
Zen: So what was wrong with it?
GK: The fight itself, you could have done so much more with it!
Zen: Really I thought it went well. Both were trained in martial arts so it seemed a fair fight.
GK: Dude.Asuka.Naru.don't you know what you should have done!
Zen: I couldn't have one win over the other.it wouldn't seem right.
GK: No you neutered child! It should have been a bra and panty match!
Zen: I am not touching that one. You want it done that way you write it.
GK: He he.nah I'll just pester you to do it.
Zen: being a weak minded pushover isn't always a good thing.damnit!
-end-
Still don't own anything, so if that upsets you send me some cash and I'll buy stock in the companies that created these fine fine shows ^_^
Well the spring semester is in full swing and that means LOTS OF WORK! More so than the previous semesters, man when will I catch a break ^_^ So hope you don't mind the slower degree of writing again.
I'll try to keep things coming out on a regular basis but that may not be possible. Enough complaining time for the fic!
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Out of Disaster Chapter 14 - Part Time
Since the defeat of the last angel a broken peace descended upon the still recovering city of Tokyo-3. All the inhabitants tried to live their lives without cowering in fear for the next unexpected angelic encounter. Time crept by slowly as each day was greeted with a degree of trepidation.
Ritsuko slowly pushed her plan forward by instigating a rumor at Nerv about a possible relationship between two of the pilots. Asuka wasn't happy to have to explain to several of the lesser-informed crewmembers that it wasn't her in the rumor. The Major didn't change her life much at all, save for keeping an eye on the reclusive First Child in the hopes of gaining insight on Rei's fount of information.
Rei, for her part, had made great headway in expressing herself. Her time spent, much to Shinobu's dismay, with Shinji had done a great deal on improving her social skills. She didn't however show said improvement to anybody save the Third Child. She didn't believe others deserved the right to know her feelings except for him; she did love him and not them after all.
Hiding the ultimatum of a forced parting from Shinji, Shinobu's demeanor sullied to a small extent. Wanting nothing more than to be around him and be with him, Shinobu feared he'd reject her if he discovered that she might no longer be around. Somebody else he knew wouldn't be forced to leave, and Shinobu wasn't going to assist her rival.
Over the three weeks since his release from the hospital, Shinji did little else but think on what to do with his life. Finding not one, but two potential companions shook him out of his usual mental state. His heart was still drawn between the two girls, and he couldn't find a way of not hurting one or the other. So he opted to not change his behavior. He still ate with them during lunch, making Rei a lunch, and alternating with Shinobu for the other two.
All things considered things were relatively happy, and the city hoped it would stay that way. Gendo's decree that the Fourth Child be found however was soon to change that.
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"Would you quit dragging you ass man? I'm hungry!" the tracksuit clad boy yelled from his perch atop the small hill that was to be their lunch spot.
Throwing an apple at Touji's stomach with excessive force, Asuka intended to keep him from saying anything to annoying. "If you'd help us carry the food, maybe it wouldn't take so long!"
On Asuka's right, Hikari smiled at the two of them. 'They'll never get along I guess,' she thought. Looking to her left and right, she couldn't help but broaden her smile. To her left, Shinji and Shinobu carried an extra large bento for the whole group. Asuka, still muttering obscenities under her breath and Kensuke filming the entire event were on Hikari's left.
Zooming in on Touji's pained face as the apple struck home, Kensuke asked between laughs, "Why did it take us so long to set this up? We need to do it more often."
The reason being Shinji's continued attempts of getting Rei to attend, all were meet with a polite refusal. They were also followed by a question from her as to when they would next eat alone together.
Setting the boxed lunch next to the now lying Touji, Shinji wondered if his friend would actually be all right. "Is he supposed to turn blue like that?" He asked as they all sat in a circle around the lunch to be. After watching Touji give Asuka the finger he figured he was ok. "I wanted to convince Rei to join us again, but she still isn't comfortable in groups."
Shinobu winced at the sound of that name, Asuka and Hikari noticed it. With her knowledge of Shinji's love life clear, Asuka wasn't going to let the barb slide. "She's a freak anyway! She just thinks she's better than us. If the commander were with us she'd eat then."
Opening the box and pulling out a generous helping for himself, Kensuke added, "If the commander were here, we'd probably be killed after seeing him acting like a human."
That brought a small laugh out of the assembled eaters. Settling into the mindless chatter that teenagers' worlds revolve around they all helped themselves to the food provided. Shinji sat next to Shinobu, and on off moments the two would exchange a few glances that went mostly unnoticed. That was until Touji saw one and nearly choked on his food, "Shin-man don't stare so hard, you'll put a hole in her head!"
Breaking his eye contact and finding a blade of grass he thought looked oddly like a banana, Shinji attempted to match his face with Asuka's hair. "I wasn't staring.really."
Her own face a subtle shade of red, Shinobu wasn't upset with him looking and talking to her as he was. She was upset that Touji ruined it. Peaceful moments alone were few and far between lately. Mostly due to having to go back to the Hinata house and help Nyamo learn her Japanese to the standard required for attending school. "Touji-san!"
Seeing a chance, Asuka acted upon what she now saw as cornered prey. "Well if their going out it doesn't matter if he's staring does it." All eyes now fell on the couple, which now lost their voices. Mirrored thoughts past their minds, 'Did she just say that?'
Eyes wide with surprise, Hikari leaned over towards the two and asked in an exasperated tone, "You two made it official?" Hikari hadn't been informed much of Rei's involvement in things. The buzz from Kensuke's camera was the only sound that was heard as they all waited for Shinji's answer.
Hoping that under the stress, Shinji would crack and accept Shinobu. Asuka waited with bated breath. 'It was underhanded, but I know they like each other. And I'll be damned if the doll gets him.'
Shinji's eyes darted around the assembled masses in utter terror. He didn't know what he was going to do. Finding hope etched into Shinobu's features, his idea was that she'd be the one to say something was lost. He was aware of the food he had just eaten had shifted in his stomach. "Well."
Touji smiled, he knew his buddy was going to make Shinobu very happy. Sure the Rei thing would hurt him, but Touji knew Shinji would let the odd kid down easy. However before Shinji could mutter anything beyond that one word, the overhead speakers kicked on.
The obnoxious sound of the office secretary was broadcast over the school. "Would Suzuhara Touji please report to the principal's office. Suzuhara Touji to the principal's office, thank you."
Happy to have the focus shifted from him, Shinji was quick to respond, "What did you do Touji?"
"You're not in trouble are you Touji?" Hikari accused more than asked the boy as her eyebrows narrowed in a hard knit stare. Nobody noticed, save Asuka, how Shinobu's shoulders slumped over in defeat.
Standing up and dusting the grass off his slacks, "Not that I can think of, well lunch was almost over anyway. I'll see you guys later." Touji bid them goodbye and headed off to learn of his new fate.
Noticing the odd look on Kensuke's face, Shinji prompted, "Something on your mind?"
Turning his camera away from the girls as they cleaned up the small mess that was made, "I hope it's not about our side project."
"Side project?" asked the confused pilot.
Stepping over closer to Shinji, Kensuke whispered into the boy's ear. Upon hearing, Shinji couldn't believe his eyes and yelled. "You're taking bets on who I end up going out with!?"
His attempt to silence Shinji before his shout failed, and as Kensuke turned to see the end result he didn't have to wait long before he was answered. The second the last syllable left Shinji's lips, Asuka had dropped the trash in her arms and locked on target. "YOU BASTARD!" was her battle cry as Asuka tore after Kensuke with the full intent of making the boy eat his glasses.
Left alone with the hopefully budding couple, Hikari smiled at them. "I'm glad for you two. You'll be a good couple."
Stumbling over her feat as she tried to get up to protest, Shinobu fell into Shinji's lap. She didn't move as much as Shinji caught her and held her. Lost in each other's embrace, Hikari quickly walked away, she saw enough to know when she wasn't needed around. In her mind, Hikari hoped someday Touji would be so passionate with her. The spirit to speak fleeing her body, Shinobu wished to say her hearts desire, "Please say it's true."
She lost her chance as some unknown girl started giggling at them and they separated. Standing first, Shinji helped Shinobu to her feet, and they followed Hikari back to class. All the while, none of them suspected that from the classroom window, Rei watched them, and after the fall a frown replaced her usual pallid face.
She felt herself wanting, wanting to be with him, with all of them, to be included. Shaking the feeling away, she felt another want, 'I want her gone.'
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The remainder of the school day progressed dreadfully slow. Touji's failure to return put a damper on both Shinji and Kensuke's moods. Believing their bud had gotten into more trouble than he had expected kept them from thinking to fondly about Second Impact lectures.
Having the suspicion that she was being watched, Shinobu just couldn't calm down. Her heart was racing from the almost confession, the impromptu hug, and the feeling of unease. Almost giddy, Asuka couldn't believe her own actions. 'I actually might have helped that lil baka.' Repressing her smile for her good deed for the day, Asuka's eyes spread across the classroom in boredom.
'What is she doing?' Asuka questioned as her eyes fell on to Rei's form. She could have sworn she saw the quasi-albino glaring at Shinobu. Smacking herself lightly to wake herself up, she dismissed it.
When the day was done, Hikari announced the cleaners to the dismayed students. "Ayanami and Akiko are to attend duties today, good day." The celebratory cheer went out from the remaining class as they fled the room. Meeting at the school gate, Shinji and Shinobu began the daily trek to the train station.
"Lunch was fun today wasn't it?" Shinobu asked off handedly to break the small silence that had set in after their greeting.
Smiling a bit Shinji agreed. "I couldn't believe that Asuka actually out ate Touji," he said reminiscing.
Drawing her hand to her mouth in what Shinji identified as an act of worry, Shinobu said in quandary, "You don't think Touji-san is in any real trouble do you?"
Knowing Touji fairly well, he thought, Shinji couldn't see Touji getting into any serious trouble. 'Sure he likes to ogle girls with Kensuke but they don't do anything to perverse.' With a nod to his own logic, "I doubt its anything to serious. How are things at home lately? Things seemed a bit off the last few times I was over for practice."
'Should I tell him? Will he be made? What if they tell him, it'd look like I was hiding it," Shinobu's mind circled on itself. The Hinata residents didn't really know how to talk to Shinji about the matter of Shinobu, not with the ultimatum out. Walking in silence for a few minutes, Shinji saw the panicked look on her face and knew that something had happened. Spotting the midway point in their walk had just been passed; she came to the conclusion that she'd take the risk.
"Naru-sempai said that if anything puts me at risk again that she'd call my parents and ask for them to insist I stop attending school in Tokyo-3," each word seemed to have a weight attached to it and each successive word was harder to say than the last.
His face a mix of fear and surprise, Shinji nodded and kept walking. What could he say to that? 'Not like I can control when or if an angel will attack.' Looking at Shinobu, he did realize that she was expecting him to say something to her about the latest announcements.
"I want you safe too."he noticed her face sadden, "But I don't want you to go to a different school either." Seeing her face lighten a bit, Shinji guessed he had chosen the best answer that was possible.
The conversation lulled into silence for the remainder of the walk. Nothing seemed to be worthy of saying after the rather strict declaration was made. Both children hoped that such a parting wasn't in their future, but as they walked the damage the city had sustained seemed more apparent than usual.
Taking her hand into his, Shinji wanted to have some contact with her. It comforted both of them, but in the back of his mind Shinji knew that the angels wouldn't stop attacking and it was almost inevitable that she would leave and he may never see her again. Waving at each other, both saw the worry in the others face as the train left the station. Shinji worried when would be the last time he'd see Shinobu, Shinobu worried how long until Rei used her parting to take Shinji from her.
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Finding Touji outside his apartment wasn't how Shinji had perceived his return would end. Touji's withdrawn and sullen composure also wasn't something the young pilot expected to have witnessed. Touji's detached voice wafting over the humid air, "Hey man, can we talk a little bit?"
Having no reason to refuse him, and the growing worry in his chest, Shinji agreed and they began walking around the block. Waiting for Touji to start talking, Shinji just watched his friend's face as the setting sun cast baleful light upon the two of them. 'Maybe he did get in trouble for something we didn't know about,' was the only possible reason for this talk that Shinji could gather.
Turning to his mature side, Touji chose to be frank with his concerns. "Does it hurt that much?" His voice came out level as he took a seat on a bench provided for commuters, Shinji sat next to him with a look of utter confusion on his face. Guessing his question was a bit vague Touji added, "Piloting Eva, does it hurt that much?"
Shinji turned his face away from his friend and looked at the ground. 'He must have a reason for asking this, and it must be important.' Letting memories of his prior piloting experience wash over his mind, he was going to give an accurate answer. "It's hard to describe. I know it's not my body being attacked but it feels like it is. Every time I get into it I'm terrified but I know I have to do it. I guess it does hurt a lot, but with the pain comes the knowledge that I know I'm helping protect people."
"Does the good out way the bad though," Touji questioned, "Would you, if given the option, stop piloting?" His own concerns about life and death starting to come through in his dialogue.
'Why is he asking this?' one part of the Third Childs mind asked, the other was dissecting the question. "If you'd asked me when I first came to this city I don't know how I'd answered."
Touji looked to his left and saw a small smile on Shinji's drooping face. Patting his friend on the back lightly Touji was proud of Shinji at that moment. "But now you have something worth protecting I guess. Either Shinobu or Rei I guess it doesn't matter to you. You've grown up man, guess I shouldn't be riding ya so hard about things."
Finding himself being comforted when it was Touji that seemed to need it, Shinji found the courage to ask, "Touji, why are you asking me this?"
His eyes focusing on a spot on the distant horizon, Touji told him. "I've been chosen to be the Forth Child. I leave later today for preparations." After the shock on Shinji's face eroded to concern, Touji told him of his reasons. How he had bartered for better care for Mari, and taking a page from Shinji's book, added that he too had a person he wouldn't mind protecting.
Without the name being told, Shinji let it all sink into his mind. 'He said he doesn't like Rei's personality, he wouldn't go after Shinobu, Asuka hates him, that leaves.' Standing up and heading home, he heard Touji call out to him why he was leaving, "Go talk to Hikari before you go.she deserves to know this too."
Letting out a roaring laugh, Touji stood up. Talking to Shinji had helped a lot. Touji never wanted Shinji to know that after the initial bumpy start of their friendship he actually looked up to the smaller boy. 'Kid's a better person than he knows.to bad he has to live with that bitch who puts him down so much, well guess I could make a stop by Hikari's. Just to talk.'
But he knew better, he wasn't going to talk about something little, no he had a confession.
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As Touji lead Shinji back onto the streets to begin his chat, a different conversation was talking place inside the Katsuragi residence. Upon her arrival at the flat, Misato had been witness to a sight most likely never to be repeated again in her presence, Asuka was practically dancing around the living room.
Smirking at the younger girl Misato snuck up behind the prancing girl, "Somebody have a good day today?"
To rapped up in her joy for helping her friends, namely Shinji, Asuka never even heard the door open. So when Misato's question reached her brain and the embarrassment that followed equated into her planting her backside on the floor rather hard. "Misato! Don't sneak up on people like that!"
With a hearty laugh, Misato plopped herself down on the couch and grabbed for the remote. Her spirits were instantly raised by the rather odd homecoming. Turning the box on then finding a news station, she asked the still blushing redhead, "So what's got you so happy?"
Taking a few breaths to calm down, Asuka crawled to the chair adjacent to the couch. "I almost got that baka to admit to Shinobu that he likes her." She emphasized her words by thrusting her thumb to her chin in a victory symbol.
Misato's mood dropped a notch. Having just spent her day going over the last of the damage reports, the news wasn't good. Nerv was making its plans for eventual evacuation of the city. 'If he does make this official with that Maehara girl then what's going to happen?' Turning the volume of the television down, she put the remote on the armrest. "Asuka, maybe that isn't such a good thing."
"Not a good thing! How could it not be a good thing? Sure Shinobu will have to put up with his bouts of perversion but it'll do them both some good." Asuka's temper slowly began to show itself as her voice raised in pitch. She didn't want her victory to go to waste.
Part of her wanting to agree with her ward, but the military side of her mind as well as her motherly side was kicking in. "Have you looked at the city lately Asuka? Things are getting worse and worse."
Crossing her arms under her chest, Asuka's eyes narrowed, where was she going with this. "So a few buildings got destroyed. We beat the angels so what's the deal?
"I know it's a nice thing for them, but think of this Asuka. What if we have to ban civilian access to the city?" She stopped to let the knowledge get planted in Asuka's mind. She knew Asuka understood when she drew her arms even closer together and her face lowered a notch.
"Something could be done, Nerv could make an exception or something," doubt seeping from every word that came out of her mouth. 'Why can't things just be good for us for a change? Why can't life just back off?'
Nodding softly to the child, Misato did agree Nerv could make an exception. "Yeah we could, but think of this. If we do find a way of keeping her in the city and she gets hurt or Heaven forbid killed during an angel battle what then? How will Shinji take it?"
'He'd blame himself for it,' the child thought, her thought was mirrored in the elder woman's expressions. But what other option was there? "Wait," Asuka's face suddenly went from concern to raw anger, "You're starting to think he should see 'her' aren't you?"
Again a part of Misato did agree with Asuka. She knew Shinji was a very emotional boy with a great deal more problems than anybody should have. Having a girlfriend would do a great deal to help him survive the trials of the angels. So when Asuka said 'she' Misato instantly knew she was referring to Rei. "I didn't say that Asuka, but we need to think about this logically. She won't be leaving."
Having enough of the selfish woman that she was looking at, Asuka stood up. "No, she could die to though. WE are the ones fighting in these things not you, not Shinobu, not anybody else! I'm leaving."
Cringing back from the screeching child, Misato had expected the explosion, "Where are you going Asuka?"
"Nerv, I'm going to talk to Kaji about this. He'll understand what I'm trying to do." Storming out of the apartment, Asuka missed Shinji's slow assent to the apartment. She didn't need to learn from Shinji about Touji however. Once she did find Kaji at his computer, she was granted that knowledge as well.
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The next day started out poorly for Misato. Dressed in her formal attire, she failed to tell Shinji about Touji being chosen as the Forth Child like she wanted to. She would have been shocked to learn he had prior knowledge, but as she didn't mention it to him she felt like she betrayed him.
Asuka had called the previous night to say she was staying over at Hikari's and wouldn't be showing up. Part of that was because Hikari was having a crisis, Touji had told her something that Asuka couldn't discern but it really affected her.
Shinobu's day was going to be very different. Walking alone to school, she was greeted again by the other blue haired child. She felt her heart clenching as she realized that Rei was actually looking for her.
"Maehara-kun, I repeat that you should rescind your feelings for Shinji," her voice never rising above a harsh whisper. Rei only wanted Shinobu to hear her.
Shaking her head in defense, "I don't have to listen to you. I won't abandon him because you tell me to."
Handing Shinobu an envelope that contained the civilian briefing for the potential evacuation of Tokyo-3, Rei almost smirked. "Your affections would only cause problems as you won't be here much longer."
Reading the letter, Shinobu felt something very odd to her, rage. 'She's gloating about this! How dare she!' Crumpling the paper in her hand, she threw it in Rei's face. "I don't care! I'll find a way to be with him if he wants me to be! You're just afraid that he'll want ME and not YOU!" Shinobu was dimly aware that she yelling.
"You think to highly of yourself. We have already made steps upon our pairing. Have you? What do you really know of him?" The pale girls own voice rose in pitch. Several people have stopped walking as the girls' argument drew attention.
Balling her hands into fists, Shinobu's shoulders tensed, "You don't know him any better than me! You're just trying to keep him away from me! If you're show sure he loves you why are you afraid of ME!"
"Fear you? You are nothing for me to fear. I only wish for what is best for Shinji, it is evidence that you do not as you don't see the truth in my words." Many people around them were shocked at not only what Rei said, but how much she was saying.
In the depths of Shinobu's mind she could see her acting. Rei's words finally caused a snap in her defenses. She couldn't take her accusations anymore. Her right hand was sent flying towards the First Childs midsection. It never reached its target as Rei saw her punch and caught the sloppy punch was caught by the trained pilots quick reflexes.
Before Rei could send a retaliatory attack, her cel phone rang she was needed. Pushing the wide-eyed Shinobu out of her way, Rei headed towards Nerv, where she would be met by Shinji while Shinobu would be forced into a shelter. Rei smiled softly as she ran.
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Anxiety sat heavily on Shinji. For some reason his father had him acting as the last line of defense against the unknown aggressor. The sudden call had pulled him away from his solo walk towards the school. Now he sat waiting for an angel with a classified form, and he saw both Unit-00 and Unit-02's video channels open the look of total concentration on their faces.
'I hope Touji's alright,' passed Shinji's mind as he heard Maya announce that the target was just about to breach the defensive line and should quickly be identified. Shinji couldn't believe what his Unit's sensors picked up.
Asuka responded for the trio, "That's Unit-03! What the hell is this?"
From his office, Gendo smirked. He'd watch as the possessed Evangelion crushed the defenses of both Unit-00 and 02 and he'd get to test the Dummy Plug as the Third Child waffled and failed to act. "That is irrelevant. It has been designated a threat and you must destroy it."
Slamming his fist upon the left control, Shinji was not enjoying what he heard. "What about the pilot! We just can't abandon him!"
Shinji's horse yell over the intercom caught Asuka's attention, 'Didn't anybody tell him who the pilot is?' Looking away from the lumbering Unit, Asuka addressed Shinji, "Shinji didn't they tell you T."
The video channel was lost as the angelically possessed Eva crashed its arms through the ground and pulled Unit-02's legs out from underneath it. From his end of the communiqué Shinji only received as startled yelp and the screen went out. As he quickly tried to raise Asuka back on the comm. he had no idea that the angel had assaulted Asuka and used her extension cable to render it out of commission.
Rei watched the whole event from her station. Not caring for Asuka's health or well-being Rei saw no reason to assist. 'Ikari and I can easily detour this threat.' Listening over the comm. channel to her commander telling her to stay at a distance and use long-range weaponry. "Affirmative." In the deeper recesses of her mind Rei could see Shinji's look of praise and adoration for her success.
She didn't get a chance to succeed as Unit-03 displayed another of its abilities. Practically flying at her Unit, the angel threw its body at speeds that almost breached the sound barrier, Rei felt herself being pinned to the ground.
Shinji shouting for her fight back, he raced away from his position to help her. Looking at the growing panic on Rei's face, Shinji couldn't help himself, 'I have to help her!'
'Shinji-kun is coming to help me! I knew he loved me.' Rei reasoned as she saw the concern on his face. Struggling against the impressive mass of Touji's Unit, Rei saw something surprising. It was leaking a liquid onto her Units arm, and then there was pain.
Back in the command center, Gendo gave the order to forcibly cut the Unit's arm off while Rei was still in perfect sync. Shinji watched in horror as Unit-00's arm blasted off from the shoulder and Rei's cry of pain resounded in his entry plug. His heart being torn at the sound, Shinji realized that he in fact really did have feelings for that woman.
Diving at the duo of Units, Shinji collided with the towering Black Evangelion. Rolling up to a standing position Shinji sized up his opponent. He knew Touji was in that monster, could he fight it knowing he might kill his friend. Sensing its opponent's concentration wavering, the angel started its lumbering walk towards Shinji.
Pushing his feelings for Rei to the back of his mind, Shinji willed his mecha to walk backward, and Gendo smirked again. 'I can't do it.I might kill Touji.wait.' Motoko's voice reverberated in his mind. His first real talk with his sensei repeated itself in its entirety. 'If I don't stop him and he does hurt or kill somebody, if we save him then how will he react?'
Taking a deep breath, Shinji knew Touji would rather die than be responsible for the death of countless people. Drawing his blade he felt oddly calm. Letting Motoko's instructions take over his body calmed and he became focused.
Gendo wasn't happy. Seeing the blade in Unit-01's hand was a sign that Shinji wasn't going to falter. 'This isn't going according to scenario.'
Keeping a safe distance, Shinji continued to evaluate his opponent. 'He seemed to get both of them from a distance, that means it has long reach.' Shinji got confirmation of his idea as the long black arms erupted from the Unit's side and fell into the ground.
Again Motoko's words of advice replayed in his head. 'If an enemy attacks from the ground, the best counter is an aerial strike.' Leaping into the air towards Unit-03, Shinji was rewarded with the glimpse of the two arms appearing right were he had last been. Drawing in closer to his target, he sensed it begin to retract the arms and shift its position.
'I'll lose the core but I can still cause some.' Shinji's attack altered by the quick response ended as he brought the blade down through the left arm of his opponent. Hitting the ground, he willed the behemoth into a roll and sprang back to his feet. 'I'm glad the Eva can do a few things I can't,' the pilot thought as he turned to see what he had wrought.
Bellowing in rage and agony, Unit-3's right arm grasped at the stump that used to be its other appendage. Blood and gore dripped from the wound. With half of its offensive power lost, the angel had to take the offending creature down quickly. After that, it'd finally be able to reunite with Adam.
Watching his friends unit move, Shinji was able to grasp its plan. 'It resembles what Motoko-sensei said about speed kills.' True enough the angel and drawn its only good arm into a tight line. 'It'll rush at me then try to spear my core with its arm, how do I defend against it. It's so much faster than I am!'
Not giving its opponent a chance to plan, Bardiel rushed. Shinji's lack of confidence in his abilities saved his life as he retreated and tripped over his power cord right as the angel dove at him. The knife like hand flying past his optical sensors, Shinji drove his knife forward into the projectile body of this opponent entering right below the throat and passing through the core and the lower half of its abdomen.
Breathing heavily, Shinji prayed he had stayed the beast and came out victorious. Hearing the cheers from the command center, Shinji let out the breath he was holding, the LCL didn't waver in the slightest. "Two moves! You took it out in two moves!" Shinji thought that the voice was Aoba's but he wasn't sure, his mind was to dazed. Looking out of his Unit, Shinji saw the rescue trucks slowly approaching the area and force eject the plug. He thought he might have heard Misato's voice over the speaker talking to him.
'Touji, did I kill him.oh Kami-sama please say I didn't kill him,' he brought the focus up on he sensors and saw the medics pull out the taller boys body. Misato's voice held even less audible power to his ears. Then he saw it, a large gash running down Touji's leg, blood seeping out of the tear along the side of the plug suit. Tuning out Misato's frequency he picked up the medical vehicle's chatter. "Mental state unknown, body in good condition. He'll live."
Tears of joy evaporated into the LCL as he cried, he did some good. Battle fatigue and stress finally taking affect, Shinji passed out as his Unit went into power down mode.
---------
From his viewpoint, Gendo turned up the power on the intercom in his office. "Doctor, we'll have to plan another way of testing the dummy plug."
From her post at the test sight, Ritsuko wished he'd have at least asked how she was doing. "Understood sir. I'll make plans for a test when I get back to base."
Turning to view a monitor on his desk, Gendo watched Rei sleep in her sterile hospital room, the medication taking affect. "Will her altered mind affect how the system works?"
"It shouldn't sir, the last few memory dumps have done little to the system. It may not cause any problems." The faux blond replied knowing full well it was a lie. 'Her mind is so obsessed with Shinji now that no clone will follow his will unquestioningly again.'
Without even a word of dismissal, Gendo turned off the link. "Fuyutsuki, she has betrayed us. We may have to find a new way of insuring Rei will cooperate with us."
Nodding, Kozo knew what that could mean, "You'll be using your son again to insure your desires?"
Smiling at his old teacher, "Pilot Ikari has no other use than to assist me. Be it as a pilot or in insuring Rei acts as we wish."
Looking puzzled over Gendo's change in attitude towards his son and Rei's relationship, "What about you're pushing him towards this other girl to keep him from corrupting her?"
Drawing his hands to his chin, "The other girl can still be used to keep him in line. As for Rei using the Third to keep her in under foot will be easy as well."
Kozo walked out of the office in mild disgust. First Gendo tried to keep Shinji way from Rei using another child. Now that it wasn't an option he'd use the girl to keep Shinji in line of keeping Rei under orders. The shear audacity of the man staggered the old man's mind. 'We've all become God's madmen,' Fuyutsuki thought as he dialed his phone to make preparations, 'All of us.'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Author notes!
Well another chapter done and things are starting to change. Yes the relationship side is complex as hell but its supposed to be! Can't have all things be nice and simple, human emotions are seldom direct or simplistic.
Hope you liked it and will continue to support the story.
Ja Mata
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
OMAKE! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Dressed in her ceremonial bashing robes, Su stares directly into the camera an hollers, "Welcome back again to the MEGA-TAMA-CHAN Viewing podium!"
Seated next to her, Kitsune gestures to Misato's sleeping body, "Joining us again today is Miss Misato Katsuragi, who it appears can't drink saki like she can drink beer."
Laying in a pool of her own drool, "Gizz.me a nudder! I ain't drivin."
Wiping away the sweet drop, "We'll let her rest, today we bring you the first match of the Hinata Challenge! Asuka Langley Souryu Vs Naru Narusegawa!"
Grabbing Kitsune's mic even though she had her own, "That's right! Live from the courtyard of Hinata House! Round one which we dub."
Over the loud speakers a canned sound that Su created blares, "THE BITCH BATTLE!"
"WHO THE HELL CALLED US THAT!" said combatants yell from far below the podium.
Watching the veins grow on Naru's face, Kitsune again reclaims her mic, "Yeah.feel sorry for Keitaro today, he'll be sure to get clobbered no matter what happens. Well are we ready to RUUUUUMMMBLLEEEE!!"
"Bout time! Was running out of my pre-fight bananas! We like to remind everybody that the winner of this tournament gets ownership rights to a human piece of meat. Does it taste good?" Su said turning to Mutsumi who took a seat next to her.
"My yes I think it might. If properly seasoned." Noticing the blank stare on Kitsune's face Mutsumi added, "Ara ara, did I say something odd again?"
Dismissing the odd girl form Okinawa, Kitsune turned back to the camera crew, "I hope not, well let the battles begin, may the best bitch win!"
Facing off, Asuka and Naru measured up their opponent. "So why are you fighting in this 'Miss I'm to good for men?' Asuka asked as she got into a fighting stance.
Getting into a similar stance, "I won't let Shinobu be corrupted by a pervert. Why are you fighting?" Rushing forward Naru lunges at Asuka with a practice swing. Asuka, brining her left arm up to counter pushes Naru back with a kick to the shin.
Bringing her breathing back to a calm rate, "I wasn't made to do manual labor, I need him to do the work for me." That said, Asuka closes the distance between her and Naru and sweeps at Naru's feet with her right leg. Naru, seeing Asuka drop, jumps backward avoiding the sweep comes back to a full stance.
In a mocking voice Naru taunts, "Not bad for a child. Did your mommy or daddy teach you that?"
On the sidelines, Shinji turns to Rei and Shinobu, "That girl is in for a world of hurt."
"Agreed," Rei replies cutting Shinobu off, "We should leave them to their own battle. I have much to train you with." Taking Shinji's hand Rei starts leading him off the grounds only to be stopped by Shinobu.
"You can't take the pri.I mean him before the tournament is over!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT PARENTS!" Asuka yells as she rushes towards Naru, shocked by the sudden change in temperament. Grabbing the stunned college student by the arm, Asuka proceeds to slam Naru over he shoulder to the ground and start stomping on her chest. "For a feminist you sure dress slutty enough, did you pose for all those photos on the internet?"
"HE SAID THERE WAS NO FILM IN THAT CAMERA!" Naru grabs Asuka's offending foot and shoves her backward staggering. Standing by Shinji who now has both Shinobu and Rei pulling on his arms in opposite directions, Keitaro looks at his feet.
"I am so dead it isn't even funny," the one time ronin cries.
Launching herself off the ground and into Asuka's stomach, "How dare you say that about me?" Her force hurtling the two girls to the ground. Grabbing Asuka by the hair, Naru proceeds to play bobble head with the girl underneath her.
"Looks like Naru is using the ol' headbangers ball technique!" Kitsune said over the mic. "I'm sure you fanboys out there are having some nasty thoughts about these two rolling around on top of each other.and yes we are going to be selling edited version of this fight where they have no cloths so keep watch."
Slamming her fist against Naru's head, Asuka liberated her body and gets back to her feet. "I've heard about you. All you do is contradict yourself. Whining, crying, and complaining about the guy you love and are thinking the same things he does! You're a damn hypocrite!"
Rage filling Naru's body, she calls out her next move, sending shivers down Keitaro's spine, "NARU-PUNCH!"
Caught cold by the physics destroying all reach attack, Asuka bounces off a tree. "I heard about you too Miss Souryu. You're the same as me it seems. You treat this Shinji like garbage and if what so many people say is true you love him too!"
Shinobu turns to Rei, in unison, "Didn't see that one coming. Lets go Shinji.HE'S MINE!" Shinji just cried as each girl pulls on him.
'I'm going to end this now.Charge her, dodge to the right then grab that damn brown hair of hers and pull her head into my knee! Teach her to tell people about my feelings!' Asuka planned as her lips drew into a wicked sneer.
'I'm going to end this now.Charge in dodge to the left, then grab that damn red hair of hers and slam her puny skull into my leg! Teach her to tell the world they can find naughty pictures of me on the internet!' Naru's smile matching Asuka's.
In unison both girls charge the other and do exactly what they planned, but as each catered to a different side their skulls crack off one another with a resounding crash.
Bouncing around the podium, Su laughs her head off, as Kitsune's face seems to have lost its ability to show emotion. "Well there you have it lady's and gentleman, they both prove to be equal bitches by knocking each other unconscious. Both of them are eliminated!"
"Shinji-kun make sure you wash the sheets afterward this time." Misato murmurs into her microphone.
"What did she mean by that?" both girls on Shinji's arms ask at the same time.
Easily slipping out of their arms, Shinji starts running, "I can explain really I can.. I just don't want to!"
"GET BACK HERE AND SURRENDER TO ME!"
"SHINJI-KUN I WANT TO SEE WHAT YOU DID!"
Shaking off the rather odd spectacle, "Maybe we should have filmed them instead, make so much more selling this to the adult-movie channel. Well next time its Shinji Vs Motoko, if he survives what those two do to him. Good night everybody!"
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Zentrodie: See that wasn't that bad. Doing it in installments gets you more action per battle!
Golden Kitsune: Man that sucked!
Zen: What was wrong with it. Wasn't it funny enough?
GK: No it was funny.
Zen: Grammer bad?
GK: Not any worse than usual.
Zen: So what was wrong with it?
GK: The fight itself, you could have done so much more with it!
Zen: Really I thought it went well. Both were trained in martial arts so it seemed a fair fight.
GK: Dude.Asuka.Naru.don't you know what you should have done!
Zen: I couldn't have one win over the other.it wouldn't seem right.
GK: No you neutered child! It should have been a bra and panty match!
Zen: I am not touching that one. You want it done that way you write it.
GK: He he.nah I'll just pester you to do it.
Zen: being a weak minded pushover isn't always a good thing.damnit!
-end-