Standard Disclaimer!
Well I guess that last chapter needs a postmark. I had originally added about another 3 pages of story to it that well...turned into this chapter instead. It seemed to rush to cram all that I'm going to have here, be summed up last time so I changed my plan.
I hope you're still enjoying this story and tell your friends bout it too ^_^ the more who read it the happier I'll be. And a happy me is a productive me.
OH and I'll be attending ACEN this year, so be sure to look for me. I'll most likely be in one costume or another of my friends design. Oh and one last thing, I'll be moving again soon so expect a little delay in updates for next few weeks. Cable Internet is low on priorities right now next too food.
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Out of Disaster
Chapter 16 – Simple Moments
With the fresh and clean Hinata air in their faces, Shinji and Shinobu leisurely strolled down the quaint avenues and side streets. Being her first official tour of her home, Shinobu really didn't know what to show Shinji that wouldn't bore him too much. If she had known that Shinji was inclined to enjoy simply walking and talking with her, she'd have calmed remarkably.
Noticing that many of the sidewalk vendors were still setting up shop for the day, Shinji quipped, "This town really does move with its own style."
With a wave to one of the shop keeps that she knew, Shinobu turned to face Shinji not really understanding what he just stated. "What do you mean? They're just opening up for the day." She paused and turned to wave to yet another merchant, one she visited frequently for fresh vegetables, and said hello.
Smiling at how so many people seemed to know and like his lady friend, Shinji gestured to them with his hand. "In Tokyo-3 nobody knows or cares about their customers. They open at ten a.m. sharp and hardly ever really care to talk to people." His dialogue influenced by his own few trips to supermarkets.
Finally Shinobu realized the facts behind Shinji's statement. 'All these people know me.' She had never really paid much attention to the fact before today, but thinking back to her time spent in Tokyo-3 she realized it was a pretty unique thing. "Small resort towns get by with things like this, and it helps to attract more people."
Returning to their normal discussion about the few culinary exploits they had tried over the past few days, the pair was again stopped when a woman in her late forties called to Shinobu from behind a few fruit carts. "So Shinobu finally got a boyfriend?"
Her embarrassment soared as recognized the woman that often sold Hinata's fresh food stock to her beckoned from them to come over. Shinji, having heard quite well the statement had turned very red and was lead by the hand over to the woman. "Kanzaki-san it isn't like that at all. Shinji here was just..."
Chidori Kanzaki, a fairly successful woman with shoulder length black hair, laughed sharply at Shinobu's retort. "He is just blushing like a ripe tomato he is. You don't have to hide it from me Shinobu I won't judge you for it." Her eyes quickly sizing the silent boy up, "And he seems to be a fine catch too."
Breaking out of his paralysis, Shinji bowed lightly to the woman, "I, uh thank you miss." His words were slightly forced and full of embarrassment. He would have liked nothing more than to be on their way, until they woman's smile caught his attention. The way he saw the woman looking at Shinobu caused his mind to fire, 'She really is happy.'
Tossing the teens a pair of apples, Chidori laughed again as Shinobu's bout of hysterics had yet to subside. 'To be young again,' she thought as she saw her offering bounce off Shinobu's chest and finally come to rest in her still quivering hands. She bid them good-bye stating that she had to finish preparing for the day, and watched them continue walking down the promenade.
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After the incident with Chidori, Shinobu was very selective about where she took Shinji. She really didn't want to put Shinji on the spot about their relationship yet. Sure the whole rationale behind the day's actions was to get some information out of him, but she didn't want to embarrass him either.
Following closely behind them, Naru and Kitsune were having a grand time. Having watched the encounter at the fruit stand, Kitsune had to sit down after succumbing to gales of laughter at the two's expense. Naru had remained silent on the exchange, but was still having a hard time accepting that Shinji actually wasn't as bad as she had first thought.
"This is the more modern section of Hinata, and it serves mostly as the entertainment section of town," Shinobu informed her friend as they continued to walk. Not being on many, or any, dates in her short life, Shinobu was starting to become deathly nervous about how Shinji was liking his tour.
Again jaded by his time in Tokyo-3, Shinji's response was filled with awe, "It's so clean! So what do you do for fun here?" His eyes darting around the square to which Shinobu had lead him. Looking at all the semi-classical buildings around Hinata, it was a shock for him to see present day architecture.
Blushing softly Shinobu could only reply, "I don't often come here. I used to with a few friends from school but..." Her hand went to cover her mouth as if it hid the comment she just made. She hadn't been back to the entertainment district since her school had been destroyed so many months ago. 'Will be upset with me reminding of that?'
The downcast look that overcame Shinji's features did in fact tell Shinobu that he did harbor some guilt about the past. He wasn't ignorant though, at Shinobu's hesitance to proceed with that topic, he let it slide. Catching a hint of green in the corner of his eye, Shinji turned to face a large park. In an attempt to bring things back into the positive, "Could you show me that park over there?"
Following his gaze to the adjacent area, Shinobu nodded and with a small smile, "I'd be glad too."
From behind a conveniently placed trash bin, Kitsune remarked, "Wasn't that the park where Keitaro and Mutsumi had their date?" She turned away from Naru after speaking and continued to follow the pair with her eyes.
Taking in the sight of the park, Naru spotted the lake where she had her rowboat into Keitaro and Mutsumi's to prevent a kiss that may not have been in the making. Pushing her own embarrassment aside she said that it was the same park. Once the coast was clear they started trailing the pair once again.
Their forward momentum came to a halt quickly however, "Ara Ara, Naru-san, Kitsune-san how are you today?"
Looking over to their left, both women spotted the source of the question, and in unison groaned softly, "Hello Mutsumi."
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Having been to a few smaller parks in Tokyo-3 and the woods behind Hinata for training, Shinji was quick to appreciate the beauty of his new surroundings. Looking from the trees over to the large pond equipped with rowboats, his eyes wandered in every direction absorbing the tranquility of the park. As his eyes came to rest upon Shinobu, he thought again how nicely her dress suited her before speaking, "This place is great."
Having her own memories of the park, Shinobu was hard pressed to disagree with him. But having visited the park on several occasions her enjoyment was not as obvious. Her smile's source was the excitement that came from Shinji's voice. 'He's really enjoying this!' She felt part of the sense of foreboding that had been trailing her all day start to lift. "Would you like to walk along one of the trails?"
Spotting a few other couples walking along cement paths that snaked through the park, Shinji gave the girl at his side a quick nod. With a moment of uncertainty he extended his elbow to Shinobu, "I'd be honored to."
Her own face blushing much like Shinji's, Shinobu linked her arm with his and led him down to the paths. More of her worries departed. Her heart welled mightily in her chest and the blood pounded in her head. 'I can't panic now! I have to be strong!' She kept telling to herself as she found the urge to fall into a fit of hysterics. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, "We'll take a small walk around the lake."
Letting his worries about his relationship situation fall into the back of his mind, the boy could think of nothing else he'd rather do. Up till his offering of his arm, doubts of the correctness of his actions was high on his mind. 'I don't want to lead either of them on, but unless I act naturally like this...how will I know?'
As the pair ventured around the lake with linked arms, still avoiding the topic of their relationship but still enjoying the conversation greatly, the stalking party had finally accepted Mutsumi into the fold and entered the park.
With a broad smile, "Isn't that cute. I told you this would work for them!" Kitsune informed her compatriots as she pointed the wandering pair out.
Taking a seat on a near bye bench, Naru was forced to agree that it would make a cute picture. Glad that the pair's back was to them and they didn't have to hide, "What do you think about those two dating Mutsumi?"
In typical Mutsumi fashion, the dark brown haired woman placed her hand to her cheek face adorned with a large almost airy smile, and said, "Who are we watching again?"
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Shinji would have liked to continue walking in the park with Shinobu had not one factor made itself readily apparent. As they started down the fourth of the parks many walkways both of their stomachs rebelled at the idea of being ignored. Laughing lightly at how they both voiced the need for food at almost the same time, they agreed to pursue lunch in stead of another walk.
Nearly catching site of their followers, Shinobu lead Shinji back to the adjoining city streets and to the hotbed of Hinata's culinary establishments. As he had yet to eat a thing inside Hinata that hadn't been made by Shinobu, "I'll let you pick where we eat, ok?"
From rumors and stories from her old friends about the best date restaurants in Hinata, Shinobu knew exactly where she wanted to take Shinji to eat. "If you insist," she accepted her good fortunes and led the boy to a semi-fancy French styled bistro.
With the city just beginning to fully recover from the damages incurred from the Angel, the restaurant was busy but was still able to seat the pair upon arrival. Looking around the posh eatery, Shinji's mind wandered to the correct actions to take. 'She invited me out to this place does she want to pay or do I? Can she afford this place?'
Fear was dancing in Shinobu's soul. She had brought very little money with her for her date and hadn't anticipated dining in such a lavish setting. Looking at Shinji sitting across the table from her, Shinobu again battled her more innate sense to panic. Opting to let come what may, Shinobu smiled happily at the boy who in turn returned the act. "I heard this place is excellent, I hope you like it."
Catching Shinobu's tone, one of joy mixed with a hint of nervousness, Shinji prepared himself to act if the call needed him to do so. With nothing else to say at the moment the two teens lapsed into a comfortable silence until the waiter appeared at their small two-seat table.
The waiter wasn't a happy man. He had just failed his entrance exams for high school, which meant he had little options available left in life. He didn't want to join the work force already but the second rung schools were almost pointless to attend. His own problems added to his hostility at seeing the two teens that he now had to serve. 'Why do I have to suffer because of this? Stupid love-struck children!'
Looking at both Shinji and Shinobu with a small degree of animosity in his eyes, the man handed the teens menus. Picturing the small pittance of a tip such children could offer he didn't see the need to suck up to them. "What do you want to drink?"
Shinji took a quick view of the bistros selection and requested a hot tea, Shinobu being a bit offended by the rude voiced man asked for a soft drink before opening her menu. After the waiter left, "Did he sound upset to you," Shinobu quietly squeaked out.
Seeing Shinobu almost hiding behind her menu, his sense anger started to grow. 'She didn't do anything to upset him, why is he treating us like this?' Dropping his head in agreement, Shinji said his peace on the matter to her. "He did, didn't he. Well lets not let that bother us." Gesturing to the menu, "It all looks so good doesn't it?"
Under Shinji's warm smile and pleasant tone, Shinobu found herself forgetting about the rude waiter. Talk of school events replaced the waiter's actions while they made their choice in meals. Once the waiter returned to take their orders and left, Shinobu began to work up her courage to ask Shinji about 'them.'
As the food was placed in front of them she believed herself ready, "Shinji, can I ask you something?" Her hands fumbling with the knife and fork that was present at their table.
Not fairing any better with the western utensils that he was forced to eat with, Shinji put down his fork and gave Shinobu his full attention. "Sure you can," something in her voice told him it wasn't going to be a simple question however.
Finally succeeding in spearing a piece of her meal with the fork, Shinobu debated on which question to ask as she chewed her food. So many questions she wanted to ask but which should she ask first. Choosing to start at the beginning, "What was on your mind when I meet you at the station the other day?"
Mind coming to a crashing halt, Shinji wondered if he should lie. He could just as easily tell her it was the entire test that was on his mind and avoid the whole Rei issue. He was having such a nice time he didn't want to ruin it. Being Shinji he found his hand forced, "Rei saw me off at the station in Tokyo-3."
With all that statement could mean the girl's utensils fell from her hand, "I...see. Did," her heart climbed its way into her throat as she struggled for words, "anything happen?" In her mind Shinobu didn't want to know. 'She's so much more attractive than I am, smarter, and she even works with him. If he chose her I could never compete.'
Pushing his food about his plate, the sullen boy tried his best to form the encounter into accurate words. He came to the revelation that he couldn't lie to the girl before him. "She told me she loved me, kissed me, and said she'd see me when I arrived back."
Her world crumbling around her, Shinobu looked at Shinji and noticed something new. 'He doesn't look happy about it.' With that one glimmering hope in her heart, "Your still not sure are you?"
Understanding the question, he took Shinobu's hand in his. "I'm sorry for being selfish like this. Its not fair to either of you." Shinji's gaze again fell to his plate, as he couldn't stand to look into Shinobu's eyes any longer. 'Part of me wants nothing more than this, but I can't get Rei out of my mind either.'
Knowing she still had a chance, that hope still existed. Shinobu squeezed the hand that still dwelled in hers. "You have to make the choice that comes from the heart, I'll wait to hear that from you."
The mood damped by the current events, they just sat hand in hand until the waiter dropped the bill on the table and walked off, and eyeing the two of them for any chance they may try to leave without paying.
Brought back to reality, Shinobu picked up the tab and looked at it, then looked again. Her eyes welling into saucers as she knew she had no chance of paying off such a bill. 'I bet she could pay for this! I'm such a loser! How can I ask him to pay for this!' Wanting to break down and cry at the table as frustration overwhelmed her, she failed to notice Shinji taking the tab from her.
'It's the least I can do for causing her so much pain,' his thought was more encompassing that just the relationship issue. His walk in the town did much to resurface the feeling of responsibility for her suffering. While much of the damage was repaired, many buildings still had visible damage. Pulling out his Nerv charge card that Misato insisted he take with him in cause of emergency, he placed it along with his Nerv ID badge on the small metal tray that held the bill.
Having watched the boy from the host stand, the waiter saw the boy put two pieces of plastic on the tray. Acting quickly, he gathered both tray and cards and headed to the terminal in the back of the bistro to authenticate things. Looking at the badge and card, the waiter almost let them fall out of his hands. 'That kid is a pilot of one of those giant robots!'
After he tested both the card and badge for authenticity and to pay the bill he yelled out to everybody in kitchen, "We have a Nerv Pilot here!"
The response was a loud crash as a plate fell to the ground and a very angry man storming over to the checkout station. "What did you just say?"
Feeling the rage from Jiro the dishwasher, the waiter took a step back. Handing the two cards to the large man, "That boy works for Nerv and if the rumors are right only children can pilot those robots."
Jiro was far from happy with life at the moment. A few months ago he had a nice teaching job, a comfortable home, and a loving wife. All that ended the day those robots took away his lively hood. "Let me go talk to this little pilot then." Walking out into the bistro's eating area, the enraged man had little trouble finding the boy's smaller form from among the others.
Shinji, who had just again told Shinobu not to worry about his paying for the meal, never expected to see a large dirt covered man slam his identification on the table. He also wasn't prepared to hear what the man had to say. Shinji distantly heard Shinobu say 'Yamada-sensei' before the man let loose his rage on him.
"YOU RUINED MY LIFE!" Jiro accentuated his words by slamming his fists on the table again. "Your damned robot destroyed my school! Cost me my job and the ability to care for my wife!"
Shinji backed up in his chair as terror swelled deeply in him. Eyeing the exit, he wondered if he should make a break for it. "Sir I didn't..."
Almost breaking the table with his fists, "Don't tell me that Mr. Pilot! Here you sit eating this expensive slop while I have to wash dishes because of what you did! How is that FAIR! I hope you die you piece of shit! It's not right that you make us suffer while you benefit from it!"
As the man's hot breath and spittle fell on his face, the overwhelming urge to run and hide succeeded in breaking his paralysis. Pushing himself away from the table, Shinji was dimly aware of his own running as he tore off into unknown regions of Hinata. As he bolted from the bistro he heard the man calling him a coward, and a part of Shinji was ashamed that he had left Shinobu behind.
What Shinji didn't know was after he had fled Naru paid the man back for Shinji's pain by slamming a chair over his back. Kitsune who had tended to the cowering Shinobu told her to head after Shinji before he got too lost. "He'll need you after this kid. Sorry for following you and all that, but listen to me now."
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Completely lost and bewildered, Shinji just kept walking forward. After being assaulted at the restaurant his mind went fully into flight mode and pushed him onward. He guessed he had run for about thirty minutes and had been walking for twice that. 'I just hope Motoko-san doesn't hear about that.' Taking stock in his location he noticed the remains of a large building that had fully been destroyed.
"No, It can't be," His voice cracking with sorrow and personal disgust. Looking around he knew where he was. He wandered to the exact source of all the changes in his life. Falling to his knees he wondered if he was cursed. "I'm at her school."
Putting her hand on his shoulder and feeling him flinch under it, "It was my old school Shinji. I have a new school now." Shinobu was winded from her running after him; somehow she knew they would end up here.
Remaining in his declined position, Shinji's shoulders sank as his feeling of responsibility again clawed at his conscious for recognition. "I was fool to think I only hurt you by doing this. I hurt so many people."
Her own heart aching at the sight of Shinji in such pain, Shinobu sat next to him and wrapped her arm around him comfortingly. "It wasn't your fault. If you hadn't been here we all could have died."
That had occurred to the boy. Memories of his talks with Misato about the incident also reminded him that the N2 mine had been the true source of the damage. "So what? If I had been better trained none of this would have happened. Nobody would have been hurt!"
Hearing Shinji's words struck a cord within Shinobu, "Shinji stand up." Her voice told the boy it wasn't a request and she was actually ordering him to comply. His weakened sense of worth pushed him to his feet. "Look at me Shinji," as he didn't move she moved his head for him, "Shinji I want you to listen to me. Can you do that?"
The hurt in Shinobu's eyes sobered Shinji quickly, nodded that he could do that. His eyes locked onto Shinobu's as tears started to fall from them, slowly at first but in a few moments they fell fast and hot from her eyes. "If this hadn't happened things would have been different," to that Shinobu's broken voice didn't deny.
Attempting to move closer to comfort her, Shinji was stopped by Shinobu's extended hand, "But I got so much more from this! I meet you! If the school hadn't been destroyed I'd have never met you!" Her words being shouted out of her lips held all of her emotions.
Shinji could only gap as Shinobu yelled at him. Her dialogue rang true in his mind. He had met her because of the incident. If her school were still there he wouldn't have met her or developed his feelings for her. Shinji knew Shinobu had some feelings for him, he couldn't deny that, but he knew neither of them actually TOLD the other.
Her body shaking under the force of her emotions she tried to hold back but failed, "I love you Shinji! I love you so much and it's because of the disaster here that I met you!" No longer able to hold back she rushed into his arms, enfolding her own desperately around him. Wracking with sobs her body crushed against the boys.
Something in Shinji's mind clicked at that moment. A look into the red- rimmed eyes of the girl in his arms Shinji came to a very definite conclusion. "I love you to Shinobu." No sooner had he spoke the words his lips were covered by Shinobu's. The rush of feelings in her body needed an outlet and she conveniently had one.
In the ruble of Shinobu's old school the pair embraced deeply. Savoring the touch, smell, and even taste of the other they let their feelings dance together. Emerging from behind a group of bushes, Kitsune prodded Naru and Mutsumi away. 'This is their moment, let them have it.' The eternal fox told them as they headed home. Kitsune was glad; she helped the two of them reach this point but knew it was up to them to make the final jump. With one long lingering glance at the couple as they still held their kiss, Kitsune's mask dropped and she looked at them with open eyes, 'You got him kid.'
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After the kiss finally ended, the two walked back to Hinata lodge hand in hand, only to be received by an unexpected visitor. "Kaji-san what brings you here?" Shinji asked as a knowing suspicion came unto him.
Stepping on the glowing ember that had once been his cigarette, "I hate to break up the date but we need to get you back to Tokyo-3 now. Two hours ago we got the first sight of the angel and it's probably almost at the Geo- Front."
Knowing what that entailed, Shinji gave Shinobu a quick hug and ran to the running car. Part of Shinobu had faith in Shinji, but the dark feeling that she had all day mocked her. Waving goodbye to Shinji, Shinobu quickly went to her kitchen to cook and hopefully get her mind off of the ever-growing sense of foreboding.
With Kaji's knowledge of Gendo's plans, he wasn't very happy at the moment. 'Poor kid finally gets a girl and he won't be given a choice in things soon.' Kaji's information told him that Gendo was making plans for both Shinji and Rei and they didn't include Shinobu in them.
As the silent car arrived in Tokyo-3 Shinji was shown something he thought he'd never see. "That's Unit-02!" He was referring to the limbless husk of the once proud red Evangelion. Before he could worry about Asuka's safety another blow to his heart arrived in the form of a one armed Unit-00.
"Looks like she's going to try and blow it up," Kaji offered as he saw the N2 mine under the blue behemoths arm.
Shinji couldn't accept what he was seeing. Yes he had just told Shinobu he loved her, but he did love Rei too. "What is she thinking?" He asked Kaji as panic seared him.
"She fights to protect what she cares for," the words sounded hollow to the spy as he spoke his written lines. He was only a pawn in this game at this point. And his purpose was to insure Shinji fought, and fought hard.
Watching the angel push past the defeated Unit-00, as the blast did nothing to stop it, Shinji willed the car to go faster. Climbing into his entry plug without changing into his plug-suit, he thanked Kami-sama for his timing.
Controlling his mecha to rush through the wall and attack the angelic visitor, the pilot arrived just in time to save his surrogate mother and the bridge crew from death.
He would not let that thing win. He had to protect his loved ones. 'I'm the only one left to do it! If I fail everybody dies!' Shinji's Eva pummeled the enemy again and again, but right as he was about to win, all went black.
'No...no...no...I have to win! I can't lose now! Shinobu, Rei, Asuka, Misato I CAN'T fail them now! Somebody help me to do this!' the boy pleaded into the darkness of his entry plug, he was answered.
Far away from the battle, Shinobu ate her dinner with her quasi-family. Keitaro was the first to notice that Shinobu had started crying for no apparent reason.
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Author Notes
Well this whole chapter again was originally summed up in three pages in the last chapter. Hope the enlargement of it does the scene justice and is enjoyed ^_^.
Wish me luck moving again and hope you continue to support my writings.
Questions, comments, suggestions are always welcome
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
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OMAKE
"Welcome ladies and gentleman to the uh..mecha...ah...um...Big Flying Turtle viewing thing!" Misato cheered into her microphone, once again garbed in her red blazer. "With me today is one of the losers from the first match."
Her hair mussed and a pair of cracked blood smeared glasses hanging from the cuff of her shirt, Naru smiled into the camera "Naru Narasugawa here! And let me tell you that fight was fixed. One of my eyes was still open when they called it a draw."
Scooting her chair further away from the girl, Misato questioned, "Where did you get the glasses?"
"It's a trophy and a reminder to my fiancé not to let Kitsune take our private pictures again," the girl ended with a feral grin that sent a few shivers down Misato's spine.
"Anyway we're here today for the last semi-finals bout! That's right blue haired girls do battle for the piece of man they love!" Misato, adding as much enthusiasm to her words as possible, gripped her microphone like her last bottle of Yebisu. "Do you have any thoughts about this match?"
Looking over the print outs about each combatant, Naru's analysis was forthcoming; "Shinobu will take this fight."
Misato followed with a short series of exalted laughter, "An untrained little girl is going to fight a trained soldier and win? What have you been drinking and where can I get a case of the stuff?"
Pointing to Shinobu, Naru explained, "See what's happening?"
"Yeah Kitsune is handing her a book and talking to her, big deal," Misato wasn't really humoring the idea of Shinobu's victor. "Look at the stands! Rei gained a new little trick of blowing things up with raw surging power!"
"Don't count Kitsune out of things. She's the most devious person on this planet," Naru's words containing a bit of venom for her friend who had profited from the 'present' she gave to Keitaro.
Shrugging her shoulders Misato turned back to the camera, "Whatever. Well were about to get this started. Live from the Tokyo-3 municipal school."
"Hey! Why did you give your 'friend' the home court advantage?" Naru asked in a pleasant manner that only ripped the paint off the wall but didn't cause permanent ear damage.
"Ask around about Rei's attendance. She's as much in the dark if not more so than Shinobu is," the major replied not liking the ringing in her ears. "Entering in on the left hand side known as 'The Blue Bomber,' 'The Albino Hurricane!', and 'The Vegetarian Man-eater' AYANAMI REI!"
Expecting the crowd to scream and yell in reverence to one of the combatants, Misato's words were met with silence. "Guess she lost her fanfare when she blasted the last match."
Naru took over the microphone, "On the right, known as "The Cooking Chaos", "The Shy Slayer", and "Missis Mixelpix!" MEAHARE SHINOBU!"
"Which of these two girls will move on to the final round? Who's determination will lead them to confront the prize itself? Who's culinary design will reign supreme? Find out now as these blue haired girls do battle in 'THE BIG BLUE BATTLE!' Misato then proceeds to fall on her face in asphyxiation.
"Somebody watched too much Iron Chef as a child," Naru said before the camera switched down to the field.
"I will enjoy breaking you into little pieces," Rei said calmly as she rushed towards Shinobu who had yet to even move.
Dashing to the side as Rei let loose a blast of energy at her, Shinobu remembered Kitsune's plan. "My Ayanami you think you're up to the prize?"
Irritated that the girl wasn't a burnt mass of flesh by now, Rei sized up Shinobu, "He was mine before you arrived so yes."
'This is going to be hard but it's the only way,' Shinobu thought as her level of embarrassment rose. Taking out her sketch book, Shinobu quickly found one of her most risqué drawings, "Think you could do this with him?"
Rei's eyes darting over the very vivid image of Shinji and Shinobu in what looked like page 82 of the Karma Sutra her face reddened and a trickle of blood left her nose. "You...I am the only one that can do that!" She emphasized her point by shooting more rays of energy at her opponent.
Her blush increasing, Shinobu moved to phase two of her mental assult, "You've seen him nude too...think you could 'handle' him? You seem pretty small." She flipped to another page and yet an even more daring photo. "Up to this one?"
Rei's mind leaving the field of battle and moving to her victory celebration, didn't notice how more blood had left her nose. Trying to shake off the growing 'odd' feeling in her stomach Rei launched her body at Shinobu in defiance. "Don't draw him like that!"
In the flying turtle, Misato was bewildered and a little turned on, "Um that is a unique strategy."
Naru who had no idea what was going on wondered if she wouldn't have liked winning the tournament for other reasons. "What do you mean?"
"Rei's physical condition is actually very frail. By loosing a lot of blood from her nose she's apt to pass out or be slower," Misato informed.
Back on the field, Rei's vision swam as her head fogged over. Thoughts of acting out the drawings and more so, the loss of blood, and the overwhelming NEED to shut the girl up who was now saying how much 'she loved her big strong love machine' Rei never saw what was to come.
As Rei neared her, Shinobu pulled out her last line of defense, one that only Keitaro had felt before. Drawing a frying pan out of nowhere, Shinobu cracked Rei upside the head.
Loosing to much blood previously, Rei could only look shocked before unconsciousness over took her. Cheers and cat calls soon replaced the stillness of the arena. 'What have I done?' Shinobu thought as she remembered some of the more 'tasteless' things she said about her activities with Shinji.
Naru, who was now clapping and laughing in Misato's face, pranced about the room. Misato just looked blankly at the teleprompter. "WHERE THE HELL DID THAT PAN COME FROM?"
"It doesn't matter! Shinobu won and that means...the final match is Shinji Vs Shinobu" Naru yelled exuberantly into the microphone. "Stay tuned all of you for the final match in out tournament!
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Golden Kitsune: That wasn't that bad.
Zentrodie: You lied to me!
GK: You're awake?
Zen: Yeah, and you said you'd write the omake for this one.
GK: I would have if you'd have waited for me to have time.
Zen: Um...oh yeah.
GK: I think that means you owe me an apology.
Zen: For this or for me making you seem like a violent pervert?
GK: I won't talk about the latter right now.
Zen: He he...sorry. How about I let you do the Shinji Vs Shinobu battle?
GK: Hmm...I may have to take you up on that.
Well I guess that last chapter needs a postmark. I had originally added about another 3 pages of story to it that well...turned into this chapter instead. It seemed to rush to cram all that I'm going to have here, be summed up last time so I changed my plan.
I hope you're still enjoying this story and tell your friends bout it too ^_^ the more who read it the happier I'll be. And a happy me is a productive me.
OH and I'll be attending ACEN this year, so be sure to look for me. I'll most likely be in one costume or another of my friends design. Oh and one last thing, I'll be moving again soon so expect a little delay in updates for next few weeks. Cable Internet is low on priorities right now next too food.
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Out of Disaster
Chapter 16 – Simple Moments
With the fresh and clean Hinata air in their faces, Shinji and Shinobu leisurely strolled down the quaint avenues and side streets. Being her first official tour of her home, Shinobu really didn't know what to show Shinji that wouldn't bore him too much. If she had known that Shinji was inclined to enjoy simply walking and talking with her, she'd have calmed remarkably.
Noticing that many of the sidewalk vendors were still setting up shop for the day, Shinji quipped, "This town really does move with its own style."
With a wave to one of the shop keeps that she knew, Shinobu turned to face Shinji not really understanding what he just stated. "What do you mean? They're just opening up for the day." She paused and turned to wave to yet another merchant, one she visited frequently for fresh vegetables, and said hello.
Smiling at how so many people seemed to know and like his lady friend, Shinji gestured to them with his hand. "In Tokyo-3 nobody knows or cares about their customers. They open at ten a.m. sharp and hardly ever really care to talk to people." His dialogue influenced by his own few trips to supermarkets.
Finally Shinobu realized the facts behind Shinji's statement. 'All these people know me.' She had never really paid much attention to the fact before today, but thinking back to her time spent in Tokyo-3 she realized it was a pretty unique thing. "Small resort towns get by with things like this, and it helps to attract more people."
Returning to their normal discussion about the few culinary exploits they had tried over the past few days, the pair was again stopped when a woman in her late forties called to Shinobu from behind a few fruit carts. "So Shinobu finally got a boyfriend?"
Her embarrassment soared as recognized the woman that often sold Hinata's fresh food stock to her beckoned from them to come over. Shinji, having heard quite well the statement had turned very red and was lead by the hand over to the woman. "Kanzaki-san it isn't like that at all. Shinji here was just..."
Chidori Kanzaki, a fairly successful woman with shoulder length black hair, laughed sharply at Shinobu's retort. "He is just blushing like a ripe tomato he is. You don't have to hide it from me Shinobu I won't judge you for it." Her eyes quickly sizing the silent boy up, "And he seems to be a fine catch too."
Breaking out of his paralysis, Shinji bowed lightly to the woman, "I, uh thank you miss." His words were slightly forced and full of embarrassment. He would have liked nothing more than to be on their way, until they woman's smile caught his attention. The way he saw the woman looking at Shinobu caused his mind to fire, 'She really is happy.'
Tossing the teens a pair of apples, Chidori laughed again as Shinobu's bout of hysterics had yet to subside. 'To be young again,' she thought as she saw her offering bounce off Shinobu's chest and finally come to rest in her still quivering hands. She bid them good-bye stating that she had to finish preparing for the day, and watched them continue walking down the promenade.
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After the incident with Chidori, Shinobu was very selective about where she took Shinji. She really didn't want to put Shinji on the spot about their relationship yet. Sure the whole rationale behind the day's actions was to get some information out of him, but she didn't want to embarrass him either.
Following closely behind them, Naru and Kitsune were having a grand time. Having watched the encounter at the fruit stand, Kitsune had to sit down after succumbing to gales of laughter at the two's expense. Naru had remained silent on the exchange, but was still having a hard time accepting that Shinji actually wasn't as bad as she had first thought.
"This is the more modern section of Hinata, and it serves mostly as the entertainment section of town," Shinobu informed her friend as they continued to walk. Not being on many, or any, dates in her short life, Shinobu was starting to become deathly nervous about how Shinji was liking his tour.
Again jaded by his time in Tokyo-3, Shinji's response was filled with awe, "It's so clean! So what do you do for fun here?" His eyes darting around the square to which Shinobu had lead him. Looking at all the semi-classical buildings around Hinata, it was a shock for him to see present day architecture.
Blushing softly Shinobu could only reply, "I don't often come here. I used to with a few friends from school but..." Her hand went to cover her mouth as if it hid the comment she just made. She hadn't been back to the entertainment district since her school had been destroyed so many months ago. 'Will be upset with me reminding of that?'
The downcast look that overcame Shinji's features did in fact tell Shinobu that he did harbor some guilt about the past. He wasn't ignorant though, at Shinobu's hesitance to proceed with that topic, he let it slide. Catching a hint of green in the corner of his eye, Shinji turned to face a large park. In an attempt to bring things back into the positive, "Could you show me that park over there?"
Following his gaze to the adjacent area, Shinobu nodded and with a small smile, "I'd be glad too."
From behind a conveniently placed trash bin, Kitsune remarked, "Wasn't that the park where Keitaro and Mutsumi had their date?" She turned away from Naru after speaking and continued to follow the pair with her eyes.
Taking in the sight of the park, Naru spotted the lake where she had her rowboat into Keitaro and Mutsumi's to prevent a kiss that may not have been in the making. Pushing her own embarrassment aside she said that it was the same park. Once the coast was clear they started trailing the pair once again.
Their forward momentum came to a halt quickly however, "Ara Ara, Naru-san, Kitsune-san how are you today?"
Looking over to their left, both women spotted the source of the question, and in unison groaned softly, "Hello Mutsumi."
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Having been to a few smaller parks in Tokyo-3 and the woods behind Hinata for training, Shinji was quick to appreciate the beauty of his new surroundings. Looking from the trees over to the large pond equipped with rowboats, his eyes wandered in every direction absorbing the tranquility of the park. As his eyes came to rest upon Shinobu, he thought again how nicely her dress suited her before speaking, "This place is great."
Having her own memories of the park, Shinobu was hard pressed to disagree with him. But having visited the park on several occasions her enjoyment was not as obvious. Her smile's source was the excitement that came from Shinji's voice. 'He's really enjoying this!' She felt part of the sense of foreboding that had been trailing her all day start to lift. "Would you like to walk along one of the trails?"
Spotting a few other couples walking along cement paths that snaked through the park, Shinji gave the girl at his side a quick nod. With a moment of uncertainty he extended his elbow to Shinobu, "I'd be honored to."
Her own face blushing much like Shinji's, Shinobu linked her arm with his and led him down to the paths. More of her worries departed. Her heart welled mightily in her chest and the blood pounded in her head. 'I can't panic now! I have to be strong!' She kept telling to herself as she found the urge to fall into a fit of hysterics. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, "We'll take a small walk around the lake."
Letting his worries about his relationship situation fall into the back of his mind, the boy could think of nothing else he'd rather do. Up till his offering of his arm, doubts of the correctness of his actions was high on his mind. 'I don't want to lead either of them on, but unless I act naturally like this...how will I know?'
As the pair ventured around the lake with linked arms, still avoiding the topic of their relationship but still enjoying the conversation greatly, the stalking party had finally accepted Mutsumi into the fold and entered the park.
With a broad smile, "Isn't that cute. I told you this would work for them!" Kitsune informed her compatriots as she pointed the wandering pair out.
Taking a seat on a near bye bench, Naru was forced to agree that it would make a cute picture. Glad that the pair's back was to them and they didn't have to hide, "What do you think about those two dating Mutsumi?"
In typical Mutsumi fashion, the dark brown haired woman placed her hand to her cheek face adorned with a large almost airy smile, and said, "Who are we watching again?"
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Shinji would have liked to continue walking in the park with Shinobu had not one factor made itself readily apparent. As they started down the fourth of the parks many walkways both of their stomachs rebelled at the idea of being ignored. Laughing lightly at how they both voiced the need for food at almost the same time, they agreed to pursue lunch in stead of another walk.
Nearly catching site of their followers, Shinobu lead Shinji back to the adjoining city streets and to the hotbed of Hinata's culinary establishments. As he had yet to eat a thing inside Hinata that hadn't been made by Shinobu, "I'll let you pick where we eat, ok?"
From rumors and stories from her old friends about the best date restaurants in Hinata, Shinobu knew exactly where she wanted to take Shinji to eat. "If you insist," she accepted her good fortunes and led the boy to a semi-fancy French styled bistro.
With the city just beginning to fully recover from the damages incurred from the Angel, the restaurant was busy but was still able to seat the pair upon arrival. Looking around the posh eatery, Shinji's mind wandered to the correct actions to take. 'She invited me out to this place does she want to pay or do I? Can she afford this place?'
Fear was dancing in Shinobu's soul. She had brought very little money with her for her date and hadn't anticipated dining in such a lavish setting. Looking at Shinji sitting across the table from her, Shinobu again battled her more innate sense to panic. Opting to let come what may, Shinobu smiled happily at the boy who in turn returned the act. "I heard this place is excellent, I hope you like it."
Catching Shinobu's tone, one of joy mixed with a hint of nervousness, Shinji prepared himself to act if the call needed him to do so. With nothing else to say at the moment the two teens lapsed into a comfortable silence until the waiter appeared at their small two-seat table.
The waiter wasn't a happy man. He had just failed his entrance exams for high school, which meant he had little options available left in life. He didn't want to join the work force already but the second rung schools were almost pointless to attend. His own problems added to his hostility at seeing the two teens that he now had to serve. 'Why do I have to suffer because of this? Stupid love-struck children!'
Looking at both Shinji and Shinobu with a small degree of animosity in his eyes, the man handed the teens menus. Picturing the small pittance of a tip such children could offer he didn't see the need to suck up to them. "What do you want to drink?"
Shinji took a quick view of the bistros selection and requested a hot tea, Shinobu being a bit offended by the rude voiced man asked for a soft drink before opening her menu. After the waiter left, "Did he sound upset to you," Shinobu quietly squeaked out.
Seeing Shinobu almost hiding behind her menu, his sense anger started to grow. 'She didn't do anything to upset him, why is he treating us like this?' Dropping his head in agreement, Shinji said his peace on the matter to her. "He did, didn't he. Well lets not let that bother us." Gesturing to the menu, "It all looks so good doesn't it?"
Under Shinji's warm smile and pleasant tone, Shinobu found herself forgetting about the rude waiter. Talk of school events replaced the waiter's actions while they made their choice in meals. Once the waiter returned to take their orders and left, Shinobu began to work up her courage to ask Shinji about 'them.'
As the food was placed in front of them she believed herself ready, "Shinji, can I ask you something?" Her hands fumbling with the knife and fork that was present at their table.
Not fairing any better with the western utensils that he was forced to eat with, Shinji put down his fork and gave Shinobu his full attention. "Sure you can," something in her voice told him it wasn't going to be a simple question however.
Finally succeeding in spearing a piece of her meal with the fork, Shinobu debated on which question to ask as she chewed her food. So many questions she wanted to ask but which should she ask first. Choosing to start at the beginning, "What was on your mind when I meet you at the station the other day?"
Mind coming to a crashing halt, Shinji wondered if he should lie. He could just as easily tell her it was the entire test that was on his mind and avoid the whole Rei issue. He was having such a nice time he didn't want to ruin it. Being Shinji he found his hand forced, "Rei saw me off at the station in Tokyo-3."
With all that statement could mean the girl's utensils fell from her hand, "I...see. Did," her heart climbed its way into her throat as she struggled for words, "anything happen?" In her mind Shinobu didn't want to know. 'She's so much more attractive than I am, smarter, and she even works with him. If he chose her I could never compete.'
Pushing his food about his plate, the sullen boy tried his best to form the encounter into accurate words. He came to the revelation that he couldn't lie to the girl before him. "She told me she loved me, kissed me, and said she'd see me when I arrived back."
Her world crumbling around her, Shinobu looked at Shinji and noticed something new. 'He doesn't look happy about it.' With that one glimmering hope in her heart, "Your still not sure are you?"
Understanding the question, he took Shinobu's hand in his. "I'm sorry for being selfish like this. Its not fair to either of you." Shinji's gaze again fell to his plate, as he couldn't stand to look into Shinobu's eyes any longer. 'Part of me wants nothing more than this, but I can't get Rei out of my mind either.'
Knowing she still had a chance, that hope still existed. Shinobu squeezed the hand that still dwelled in hers. "You have to make the choice that comes from the heart, I'll wait to hear that from you."
The mood damped by the current events, they just sat hand in hand until the waiter dropped the bill on the table and walked off, and eyeing the two of them for any chance they may try to leave without paying.
Brought back to reality, Shinobu picked up the tab and looked at it, then looked again. Her eyes welling into saucers as she knew she had no chance of paying off such a bill. 'I bet she could pay for this! I'm such a loser! How can I ask him to pay for this!' Wanting to break down and cry at the table as frustration overwhelmed her, she failed to notice Shinji taking the tab from her.
'It's the least I can do for causing her so much pain,' his thought was more encompassing that just the relationship issue. His walk in the town did much to resurface the feeling of responsibility for her suffering. While much of the damage was repaired, many buildings still had visible damage. Pulling out his Nerv charge card that Misato insisted he take with him in cause of emergency, he placed it along with his Nerv ID badge on the small metal tray that held the bill.
Having watched the boy from the host stand, the waiter saw the boy put two pieces of plastic on the tray. Acting quickly, he gathered both tray and cards and headed to the terminal in the back of the bistro to authenticate things. Looking at the badge and card, the waiter almost let them fall out of his hands. 'That kid is a pilot of one of those giant robots!'
After he tested both the card and badge for authenticity and to pay the bill he yelled out to everybody in kitchen, "We have a Nerv Pilot here!"
The response was a loud crash as a plate fell to the ground and a very angry man storming over to the checkout station. "What did you just say?"
Feeling the rage from Jiro the dishwasher, the waiter took a step back. Handing the two cards to the large man, "That boy works for Nerv and if the rumors are right only children can pilot those robots."
Jiro was far from happy with life at the moment. A few months ago he had a nice teaching job, a comfortable home, and a loving wife. All that ended the day those robots took away his lively hood. "Let me go talk to this little pilot then." Walking out into the bistro's eating area, the enraged man had little trouble finding the boy's smaller form from among the others.
Shinji, who had just again told Shinobu not to worry about his paying for the meal, never expected to see a large dirt covered man slam his identification on the table. He also wasn't prepared to hear what the man had to say. Shinji distantly heard Shinobu say 'Yamada-sensei' before the man let loose his rage on him.
"YOU RUINED MY LIFE!" Jiro accentuated his words by slamming his fists on the table again. "Your damned robot destroyed my school! Cost me my job and the ability to care for my wife!"
Shinji backed up in his chair as terror swelled deeply in him. Eyeing the exit, he wondered if he should make a break for it. "Sir I didn't..."
Almost breaking the table with his fists, "Don't tell me that Mr. Pilot! Here you sit eating this expensive slop while I have to wash dishes because of what you did! How is that FAIR! I hope you die you piece of shit! It's not right that you make us suffer while you benefit from it!"
As the man's hot breath and spittle fell on his face, the overwhelming urge to run and hide succeeded in breaking his paralysis. Pushing himself away from the table, Shinji was dimly aware of his own running as he tore off into unknown regions of Hinata. As he bolted from the bistro he heard the man calling him a coward, and a part of Shinji was ashamed that he had left Shinobu behind.
What Shinji didn't know was after he had fled Naru paid the man back for Shinji's pain by slamming a chair over his back. Kitsune who had tended to the cowering Shinobu told her to head after Shinji before he got too lost. "He'll need you after this kid. Sorry for following you and all that, but listen to me now."
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Completely lost and bewildered, Shinji just kept walking forward. After being assaulted at the restaurant his mind went fully into flight mode and pushed him onward. He guessed he had run for about thirty minutes and had been walking for twice that. 'I just hope Motoko-san doesn't hear about that.' Taking stock in his location he noticed the remains of a large building that had fully been destroyed.
"No, It can't be," His voice cracking with sorrow and personal disgust. Looking around he knew where he was. He wandered to the exact source of all the changes in his life. Falling to his knees he wondered if he was cursed. "I'm at her school."
Putting her hand on his shoulder and feeling him flinch under it, "It was my old school Shinji. I have a new school now." Shinobu was winded from her running after him; somehow she knew they would end up here.
Remaining in his declined position, Shinji's shoulders sank as his feeling of responsibility again clawed at his conscious for recognition. "I was fool to think I only hurt you by doing this. I hurt so many people."
Her own heart aching at the sight of Shinji in such pain, Shinobu sat next to him and wrapped her arm around him comfortingly. "It wasn't your fault. If you hadn't been here we all could have died."
That had occurred to the boy. Memories of his talks with Misato about the incident also reminded him that the N2 mine had been the true source of the damage. "So what? If I had been better trained none of this would have happened. Nobody would have been hurt!"
Hearing Shinji's words struck a cord within Shinobu, "Shinji stand up." Her voice told the boy it wasn't a request and she was actually ordering him to comply. His weakened sense of worth pushed him to his feet. "Look at me Shinji," as he didn't move she moved his head for him, "Shinji I want you to listen to me. Can you do that?"
The hurt in Shinobu's eyes sobered Shinji quickly, nodded that he could do that. His eyes locked onto Shinobu's as tears started to fall from them, slowly at first but in a few moments they fell fast and hot from her eyes. "If this hadn't happened things would have been different," to that Shinobu's broken voice didn't deny.
Attempting to move closer to comfort her, Shinji was stopped by Shinobu's extended hand, "But I got so much more from this! I meet you! If the school hadn't been destroyed I'd have never met you!" Her words being shouted out of her lips held all of her emotions.
Shinji could only gap as Shinobu yelled at him. Her dialogue rang true in his mind. He had met her because of the incident. If her school were still there he wouldn't have met her or developed his feelings for her. Shinji knew Shinobu had some feelings for him, he couldn't deny that, but he knew neither of them actually TOLD the other.
Her body shaking under the force of her emotions she tried to hold back but failed, "I love you Shinji! I love you so much and it's because of the disaster here that I met you!" No longer able to hold back she rushed into his arms, enfolding her own desperately around him. Wracking with sobs her body crushed against the boys.
Something in Shinji's mind clicked at that moment. A look into the red- rimmed eyes of the girl in his arms Shinji came to a very definite conclusion. "I love you to Shinobu." No sooner had he spoke the words his lips were covered by Shinobu's. The rush of feelings in her body needed an outlet and she conveniently had one.
In the ruble of Shinobu's old school the pair embraced deeply. Savoring the touch, smell, and even taste of the other they let their feelings dance together. Emerging from behind a group of bushes, Kitsune prodded Naru and Mutsumi away. 'This is their moment, let them have it.' The eternal fox told them as they headed home. Kitsune was glad; she helped the two of them reach this point but knew it was up to them to make the final jump. With one long lingering glance at the couple as they still held their kiss, Kitsune's mask dropped and she looked at them with open eyes, 'You got him kid.'
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After the kiss finally ended, the two walked back to Hinata lodge hand in hand, only to be received by an unexpected visitor. "Kaji-san what brings you here?" Shinji asked as a knowing suspicion came unto him.
Stepping on the glowing ember that had once been his cigarette, "I hate to break up the date but we need to get you back to Tokyo-3 now. Two hours ago we got the first sight of the angel and it's probably almost at the Geo- Front."
Knowing what that entailed, Shinji gave Shinobu a quick hug and ran to the running car. Part of Shinobu had faith in Shinji, but the dark feeling that she had all day mocked her. Waving goodbye to Shinji, Shinobu quickly went to her kitchen to cook and hopefully get her mind off of the ever-growing sense of foreboding.
With Kaji's knowledge of Gendo's plans, he wasn't very happy at the moment. 'Poor kid finally gets a girl and he won't be given a choice in things soon.' Kaji's information told him that Gendo was making plans for both Shinji and Rei and they didn't include Shinobu in them.
As the silent car arrived in Tokyo-3 Shinji was shown something he thought he'd never see. "That's Unit-02!" He was referring to the limbless husk of the once proud red Evangelion. Before he could worry about Asuka's safety another blow to his heart arrived in the form of a one armed Unit-00.
"Looks like she's going to try and blow it up," Kaji offered as he saw the N2 mine under the blue behemoths arm.
Shinji couldn't accept what he was seeing. Yes he had just told Shinobu he loved her, but he did love Rei too. "What is she thinking?" He asked Kaji as panic seared him.
"She fights to protect what she cares for," the words sounded hollow to the spy as he spoke his written lines. He was only a pawn in this game at this point. And his purpose was to insure Shinji fought, and fought hard.
Watching the angel push past the defeated Unit-00, as the blast did nothing to stop it, Shinji willed the car to go faster. Climbing into his entry plug without changing into his plug-suit, he thanked Kami-sama for his timing.
Controlling his mecha to rush through the wall and attack the angelic visitor, the pilot arrived just in time to save his surrogate mother and the bridge crew from death.
He would not let that thing win. He had to protect his loved ones. 'I'm the only one left to do it! If I fail everybody dies!' Shinji's Eva pummeled the enemy again and again, but right as he was about to win, all went black.
'No...no...no...I have to win! I can't lose now! Shinobu, Rei, Asuka, Misato I CAN'T fail them now! Somebody help me to do this!' the boy pleaded into the darkness of his entry plug, he was answered.
Far away from the battle, Shinobu ate her dinner with her quasi-family. Keitaro was the first to notice that Shinobu had started crying for no apparent reason.
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Author Notes
Well this whole chapter again was originally summed up in three pages in the last chapter. Hope the enlargement of it does the scene justice and is enjoyed ^_^.
Wish me luck moving again and hope you continue to support my writings.
Questions, comments, suggestions are always welcome
Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)
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OMAKE
"Welcome ladies and gentleman to the uh..mecha...ah...um...Big Flying Turtle viewing thing!" Misato cheered into her microphone, once again garbed in her red blazer. "With me today is one of the losers from the first match."
Her hair mussed and a pair of cracked blood smeared glasses hanging from the cuff of her shirt, Naru smiled into the camera "Naru Narasugawa here! And let me tell you that fight was fixed. One of my eyes was still open when they called it a draw."
Scooting her chair further away from the girl, Misato questioned, "Where did you get the glasses?"
"It's a trophy and a reminder to my fiancé not to let Kitsune take our private pictures again," the girl ended with a feral grin that sent a few shivers down Misato's spine.
"Anyway we're here today for the last semi-finals bout! That's right blue haired girls do battle for the piece of man they love!" Misato, adding as much enthusiasm to her words as possible, gripped her microphone like her last bottle of Yebisu. "Do you have any thoughts about this match?"
Looking over the print outs about each combatant, Naru's analysis was forthcoming; "Shinobu will take this fight."
Misato followed with a short series of exalted laughter, "An untrained little girl is going to fight a trained soldier and win? What have you been drinking and where can I get a case of the stuff?"
Pointing to Shinobu, Naru explained, "See what's happening?"
"Yeah Kitsune is handing her a book and talking to her, big deal," Misato wasn't really humoring the idea of Shinobu's victor. "Look at the stands! Rei gained a new little trick of blowing things up with raw surging power!"
"Don't count Kitsune out of things. She's the most devious person on this planet," Naru's words containing a bit of venom for her friend who had profited from the 'present' she gave to Keitaro.
Shrugging her shoulders Misato turned back to the camera, "Whatever. Well were about to get this started. Live from the Tokyo-3 municipal school."
"Hey! Why did you give your 'friend' the home court advantage?" Naru asked in a pleasant manner that only ripped the paint off the wall but didn't cause permanent ear damage.
"Ask around about Rei's attendance. She's as much in the dark if not more so than Shinobu is," the major replied not liking the ringing in her ears. "Entering in on the left hand side known as 'The Blue Bomber,' 'The Albino Hurricane!', and 'The Vegetarian Man-eater' AYANAMI REI!"
Expecting the crowd to scream and yell in reverence to one of the combatants, Misato's words were met with silence. "Guess she lost her fanfare when she blasted the last match."
Naru took over the microphone, "On the right, known as "The Cooking Chaos", "The Shy Slayer", and "Missis Mixelpix!" MEAHARE SHINOBU!"
"Which of these two girls will move on to the final round? Who's determination will lead them to confront the prize itself? Who's culinary design will reign supreme? Find out now as these blue haired girls do battle in 'THE BIG BLUE BATTLE!' Misato then proceeds to fall on her face in asphyxiation.
"Somebody watched too much Iron Chef as a child," Naru said before the camera switched down to the field.
"I will enjoy breaking you into little pieces," Rei said calmly as she rushed towards Shinobu who had yet to even move.
Dashing to the side as Rei let loose a blast of energy at her, Shinobu remembered Kitsune's plan. "My Ayanami you think you're up to the prize?"
Irritated that the girl wasn't a burnt mass of flesh by now, Rei sized up Shinobu, "He was mine before you arrived so yes."
'This is going to be hard but it's the only way,' Shinobu thought as her level of embarrassment rose. Taking out her sketch book, Shinobu quickly found one of her most risqué drawings, "Think you could do this with him?"
Rei's eyes darting over the very vivid image of Shinji and Shinobu in what looked like page 82 of the Karma Sutra her face reddened and a trickle of blood left her nose. "You...I am the only one that can do that!" She emphasized her point by shooting more rays of energy at her opponent.
Her blush increasing, Shinobu moved to phase two of her mental assult, "You've seen him nude too...think you could 'handle' him? You seem pretty small." She flipped to another page and yet an even more daring photo. "Up to this one?"
Rei's mind leaving the field of battle and moving to her victory celebration, didn't notice how more blood had left her nose. Trying to shake off the growing 'odd' feeling in her stomach Rei launched her body at Shinobu in defiance. "Don't draw him like that!"
In the flying turtle, Misato was bewildered and a little turned on, "Um that is a unique strategy."
Naru who had no idea what was going on wondered if she wouldn't have liked winning the tournament for other reasons. "What do you mean?"
"Rei's physical condition is actually very frail. By loosing a lot of blood from her nose she's apt to pass out or be slower," Misato informed.
Back on the field, Rei's vision swam as her head fogged over. Thoughts of acting out the drawings and more so, the loss of blood, and the overwhelming NEED to shut the girl up who was now saying how much 'she loved her big strong love machine' Rei never saw what was to come.
As Rei neared her, Shinobu pulled out her last line of defense, one that only Keitaro had felt before. Drawing a frying pan out of nowhere, Shinobu cracked Rei upside the head.
Loosing to much blood previously, Rei could only look shocked before unconsciousness over took her. Cheers and cat calls soon replaced the stillness of the arena. 'What have I done?' Shinobu thought as she remembered some of the more 'tasteless' things she said about her activities with Shinji.
Naru, who was now clapping and laughing in Misato's face, pranced about the room. Misato just looked blankly at the teleprompter. "WHERE THE HELL DID THAT PAN COME FROM?"
"It doesn't matter! Shinobu won and that means...the final match is Shinji Vs Shinobu" Naru yelled exuberantly into the microphone. "Stay tuned all of you for the final match in out tournament!
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Golden Kitsune: That wasn't that bad.
Zentrodie: You lied to me!
GK: You're awake?
Zen: Yeah, and you said you'd write the omake for this one.
GK: I would have if you'd have waited for me to have time.
Zen: Um...oh yeah.
GK: I think that means you owe me an apology.
Zen: For this or for me making you seem like a violent pervert?
GK: I won't talk about the latter right now.
Zen: He he...sorry. How about I let you do the Shinji Vs Shinobu battle?
GK: Hmm...I may have to take you up on that.