Out of Disaster Chapter 22: Once again unto the breach, an evangelion fanfic

Standard Disclaimer

Ok, I've been apologizing a lot for time distances in between chapters so...insert general apology here. Truth is lots of projects going on and I'm running out of energy. Job hunting is taking a lot of time cause I'm graduating in December so...writing had to take a side step. But I'm here now, as are you he he.

Mst is coming along nicely and should be done in a few weeks, as well as the X-Mas Mst. Sorry for missing Halloween but it couldn't be helped.

Hope you like this chapter and bear in mind this story is soon to be complete.

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Out of Disaster

Chapter 22 – Once again unto the breach

The last five days for Kanako were unkind ones. After hearing her beloved brother say to himself that he'd like to know more about Shinji, Kanako took it upon herself to make frequent journeys to Tokyo-3 to learn of him. Finding that the boy was very suited for Shinobu, Kanako was about to make her final report to her brother. That was when the last angel attack.

The detonation of Unit-00 devastated most of Tokyo-3 and that included the shelter system. She was the sole survivor of the collapse of her particular shelter and was currently trying to dig her way out of her tomb. Food supplies running low, fatigue, and a full range of cuts and bruises, Kanako knew one thing, 'If I don't' get out soon, their won't be any survivors.'

Shoving a large segment of concrete aside using a steel beam, Kanako had another thought, 'Thank Kami-sama I didn't bring Kuro with me on this trip.' At least her pet cat would survive her if she failed to escape. Stepping to the side as the debris finally gave way and crashed to the ruined ground beneath her, Kanako was granted something much akin to a miracle. Sunlight was streaming through the hole she created.

Never one to show much emotion, Kanako was surprised by her own wide smile and overpowering sense of relief. "I'm coming home Oniichan," she whispered as she forced herself out of the tiny opening and once again was greeted with fresh air. Pushing her arguing body to its feet, the full pain of days in the cramped space flowed over her and she sat back down. Pulling out of her pocket her cellular phone Kanako cursed, "Foul cheap machine! Why must you be broken when I actually need you?"

Her phone that she though just couldn't get a signal in the rubble had a hairline crack down the center, rendering it totally useless. 'Guess I'll have to walk home.' She still considered herself lucky and offered a silent prayer for those not as fortunate as herself. Sitting a few meters away from the tomb, Kanako took in the site of devastation that had once been Mankind's last bastion of security Tokyo-3, totally in ruins. "Who's foolish enough to be walking in this?" Kanako said to herself as she spotted in the not to far distance a shambling figure.

Part of the girl thought to just leave that person to his or her own fate, but a thought hit her, 'what would my brother do?' She knew that Keitaro would sooner die himself then let another suffer needlessly so she pushed herself back up on her feet and made to intercept the other survivor. As their paths came closer to intercepting each other something about the girl, she knew it was a girl by they way she walked, seemed awfully familiar to her. 'It couldn't be Shinobu. There is no way they'd let her into this city after what happened.'

Caked in dirt, grime, and her own slightly flowing blood, Shinobu pushed herself onward. Having taking many tumbles in the pieces of the fallen city the poor girl was nowhere near free of injury. Hobbling alone using a large splinter of wood as a cane, Shinobu had to find Shinji. 'He's here, he's alive, he has to be,' her internal mantra repeated and drove her. Not eating for the past five days also contributed to the mild state of deliria that prevented Shinobu from seeing Kanako approaching.

"Shinobu it is you!" Kanako exclaimed as she raced the last few leagues in extreme pain towards the girl. She couldn't believe it, Kanako just looked at the disheveled girl before her, 'She looks worse than I feel, why is she here?' Seeing that Shinobu hadn't stopped her advance, Kanako gripped the girl by the shoulder and turned her so they would look face to face. "Shinobu what are you doing here?"

Seeing a familiar face, Shinobu's first reaction was fear. She had gone to far to stop now she would not be taken back to Hinata until after she found Shinji. "I'm sorry Kanako-san but I have to find him. I'm not going back yet." Pulling herself out of the black haired girl's grasp, Shinobu started her blind walk again only to be stopped again by Kanako.

Now holding Shinobu in her arms, Kanako was in too much pain to listen to the girl prattle on. 'Oniichan would blame himself if something happened to her. I won't let her cause him pain over this.' Judging location based on the sun, Kanako turned back towards Hinata and started walking, dodging best she could Shinobu's futile attacks. "You're in no shape to see anybody. The only thing you'd find in this city is death."

'I can't fail now! I have to keep fighting.' Shinobu thought as she assaulted her carrier with her weak fists. "I have to find him Kanako-san, I have too. Please don't stop me." Tears started falling down her face creating clean streaks on her dirty cheeks. "I love him and he needs me!" She didn't know why she knew Shinji needed her, but she felt it and she vowed to make good on her feelings.

It wasn't the words that Shinobu said, her attacks, or even her tears that made Kanako come to a stop and set the girl on her feet. What made Kanako stop was anger. "What good can you do here? Die for him? Do you think he'd want you do die for him?" Kanako didn't know Shinji very well, and all she knew of him was opinions based from other people, but she had a good impression from that.

Once on her feet again, Shinobu instantly started walking again, towards what she hoped was Shinji apartment, if it still stood. "I won't die. I can be here for him and support him." Stumbling on a brick Shinobu tumbled to the ground again, but this time it wasn't a cut she received. Her ankle screamed out in exquisite pain. Wincing in pain as she tried to get to her feet, Shinobu fell back down.

She wanted to tell the younger child to stop to give up, but Kanako couldn't. She just kept watching in silent awe of the girl as she propped herself on her feet, one Kanako could see was beginning to swell, and tried walking. 'She'll never be satisfied until she finds him. Nothing is going to stop her.' Kanako was at that moment extremely jealous of Shinobu. 'She'll not give up on her love like I thought I was forced too. Such a weak girl, where does her strength come from?'

White-hot pain exploded every time Shinobu set her left foot on the ground. She had no idea how she'd make it to Shinji, but she had to try. Then the pain was gone she was on Kanako's back before she knew it. "Kanako-san I told you..."

Breaking Shinobu's rebuttal short, Kanako spoke, "So which direction are we going?" Readjusting the lightweight that now clutched her around the neck, Kanako waited for a reply.

Smiling for the first time in many days, Shinobu said to go north, and they did. Both looked around the remains of the city, and saw the new lake. If the girls had looked a bit harder they'd have seen not one but two figures at the lakeside.

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Looking at the scenery, Shinji could almost feel his depression deepening. 'Five days, five days was all it took to take everything away from me.' He thought as he tossed a small rock into the shimmering waters. He hated that lake because to him it symbolized the 'death' of Rei to him. 'I haven't seen her since the incident at the hospital, but if what Ritsuko said is true...' Shinji couldn't finish his thoughts because if he did he'd have to think that maybe Rei's love for him wasn't genuine.

Grabbing another stone, Shinji couldn't bear to think that way. 'Times like this I usually talk to Asuka about my troubles.' The name of the redheaded German signaled his body to react and he threw the next stone. 'I can still talk to her, but she can't hear me now. How badly did I fail her?' Shinji blamed himself for what befell his best friend. Two days after he had learned of Rei's origins, he came home to find a letter on his bed.

The only thing the letter said was 'I'm sorry' and was signed Asuka Langley Souryu. He had come to the lake after Misato called and told him that Asuka had been found in the remains of the Hokari residence in a coma. 'If I wasn't so absorbed in my own troubles I'd have been able to see hers.'

Shinji's hand grasped a large pile of pebbles. Taking them from his left hand and throwing them with his right, each pebble had a name attached to it. 'Misato, Asuka, Father, Rei...' Looking down Shinji saw the last rock in his hand. Clenching his fingers around the small stone in a tight fist. 'And the one I failed the most, Shinobu' Shinji threw the last rock into the lake and then sat heavily upon the shore. "I lose everybody."

Shinji would have continued his self-assault had something not distracted him, he heard humming. Looking around for the source, he found a boy sitting on a piece of debris in the lake. "Songs are such wonderful things aren't they?" the boy asked without looking back at Shinji.

Having recognized the tune the boy was humming, Shinji had to agree. It was Beethoven's fifth symphony, one of Shinji's favorites. Trying his best not to show his sadness to the stranger, Shinji got back to his feet and walked closer to the boy. "At times they are."

Slipping from his perch and landing in the lake, the water up to his shin, the boy smiled at Shinji and walked to shore. "How does it speak to you Ikari Shinji?" The boy's silver white hair blowing in the breeze as the warmth of his blood red eyes washed over Shinji.

Confused by the question, "I, I don't understand, how does what speak to me?" Shinji asked. The boy knew his name, he had a few similarities in appearance that Rei had, and he was asking odd questions. Shinji had to many questions. "How do you know me, who are you?"

Walking next to Shinji, the boy sat down and looked up at Shinji expectantly. "I'm sure you know you're quite famous in the world. The brave hero of Tokyo-3." The smile broadened on the boys face as his eyes drew shut. Reclining backward he continued, "My name is Nagisa Kaworu, and I meant how does music speak to you."

The warmth of Kaworu's smile seemed to seep into Shinji's mind, calming him down a bit. "I guess it just does. It helps me to think and calms me down Nagisa-san." It felt odd to Shinji, how had this boy gotten into the city, why was he here, and most of all why did he want to Kaworu want to talk to him.

Kaworu turned his head and looked out over the lake, "Kaworu's fine. And that is a good answer. Music is one of the best inventions of mankind. It's so full of emotion and power yet having no physical form. Amazing what humans can create." His tone was almost wistful.

"I guess you can call me Shinji then," Shinji said with a small smile. Fears seemed to fade as the small positive that entered his life seemed to shine like a star. "What, what brings you here Kaworu?"

For a moment Kaworu's smile faded, he had many reasons for being in Tokyo-3. The old men of Seele had intentions for his visit, his heritage was calling to him, but the real reason was sitting next to him, he wanted to meet Shinji. "I'm like you, I'm the Fifth Children."

Those last two words fell on Shinji's ears heavily. "You're Asuka's replacement?" Shinji didn't know if he was more sad about the speed of Asuka's replacement or knowing that this happy boy was to be subjected to all the pain and suffering that he was. 'Will he be smiling after he pilots?'

Having his connections with Seele, Kaworu knew of the fate of the proud Second Child. "No, I'm not her replacement. I am merely here to fill the gap until she is back." He knew it was a lie, but through Shinji mankind did have a hope of surviving. "And it appears that I must be going now. I'll see you later, Shinji." Dusting himself off, Kaworu headed off towards destinations unknown to Shinji.

Unable to shake the sense of growing fondness for this new boy, Shinji tried to fight it. 'He may die or leave too.' Try as he might though his need for friendship prevented him from keeping his new acquaintance out of his mind.

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As Shinji made his way back to his empty flat, Kaworu was making is way to Nerv. He had his orders to observe Gendo's operation and report any potential problems to his creator Keele. 'Sad man, he thinks this will free him from his punishment.' Kaworu thought as he rode the escalator towards the command bridge. 'His punishment will last beyond the confines of his human sense of time.'

The smile never faded from his face as Kaworu reached the top of the escalator and was greeted by the First Child. "Ah, Ayanami Rei the First Child." The words from Kaworu's lips were filled with sacrin for he knew of her heritage and hated her for it. "How are you this fine day?"

Rei was utterly confused with her current situation. Her mind was in constant turmoil with many urges and tugs on her mind. The bulk of her mind cried for her to find Shinji, to love him, and be loved by him. Memories of things started coming back to her from unknown places, and most of them concerned him. But another urge called her, deeper and darker than the feeling of love she had. It almost instinctual.

What made her stand before this new boy was simple she had viewed the Section Two footage of two hours ago. "You were with the Third Child." Her words didn't convey any emotion or hint at any deeper meaning, but to Rei they had many hidden questions in that one statement.

Again his Seele connections proved vital for this encounter, Kaworu knew of the connection between Shinji and Rei. "You mean Shinji. Such a nice person he is. Isn't he?" The smile widened on Kaworu's face as Rei's knotted in confusion.

'He is the kindest person...'How did she know that she didn't know but it was instilled in her. "You are to stay away from him." Rei's eyes bore down into Kaworu's in fierce determination.

Walking past Rei and towards the bridge where he was to report to a Major Katsuragi, Kaworu stopped at the door. "Are you still going to protect him? But protect him from what? We are the same, you and I." Kaworu was torn at that comment. 'Will she protect him from my intentions, and me. What about her own intentions? Can she hold them off as well?'

Rei just watched the boy walked past her and into the bridge. Her hands gripped into tight balls as she could feel anger searing through her. 'I will protect him, always.' Those thoughts seemed so familiar to her but she couldn't tell why. 'He'll be able to tell me why. He can help me to know what these memories are.' Rei's cheeks flushed as she thought of Shinji, and how soon, very soon, they'd be together and talk, and hug, and suddenly Rei left to prepare.

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Standing over Asuka's comatose body did little to bolster Shinji's emotional state. How she came to such a condition was impossible for Shinji to fathom. 'It's like she drew so deeply into herself that she became lost there.' The dull droning of the medical equipment was all that Shinji heard, that and Asuka's ragged breathing. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you Asuka."

The steady rise and fall of the young woman's chest was the only answer Shinji received. Pulling a chair over to her bedside, Shinji sat by Asuka and took her hand in his. "I should have seen how your sync ratio was affecting you and tried harder." Squeezing her hand softly Shinji hoped that some miracle would happen and she'd squeeze back. She didn't.

Hearing a light rap on the door, Shinji turned to see Misato standing in the doorway. "How's she doing Shinji?" his guardian asked, knowing full well her condition was poor. She just couldn't admit it to herself that her quest for the truth blinded her to the troubles of her wards. With Ritsuko now confined, Misato was left in control of everything, and had only just been briefed on Asuka's condition.

Turning his attention from Misato to the girl on the bed, Shinji sighed heavily. "Doctor said they don't know what is wrong with her. She has no wounds, nothing mental, and only negative thing they found was a small case of malnutrition." Shinji didn't know what to say to Misato at this point. Last few days he'd seen her for a few moments, then she'd leave back to Nerv. 'What other secrets is she looking for? What ones is she hiding?'

Finding her way over to Shinji, Misato put a comforting hand on the boy. "She'll get better Shinji, we have to have faith in that." Her own eyes wafting over the prone body of the once proud German warrior. 'I never thought I'd see the day she looked so defeated.'

Putting his free hand over Misato's Shinji actually smiled. "I know she'll get better. She's too stubborn to let whatever's gotten to her win. She'll be back." Shinji didn't just believe that, he had never doubted it. Giving the girl's hand another squeeze. "I just hope she doesn't wait to long." Letting go of Asuka's hand, Shinji stood up and faced Misato.

The look in Shinji's eyes nearly broke Misato's heart. 'So much pain and suffering for such a young boy. Ritsuko's little plan did just as much damage to him as it did Rei, not to mention the loss of Shinobu and now Asuka.' Suddenly drawing the boy into a tight embrace, Misato feared he'd resist her and pull away, luckily he didn't. "It's ok Shinji, things have to get better."

Never had the urge to cry been so profound in both of them, but they held it in check to prevent the other from following suit. The two hugged each other and thought of the great losses in the lives of the other. Slowly the two parted and Shinji gave Asuka one last glance before Misato lead him out of the room. "Come on, we have to give you pilots a sync test and see how you compare with the new pilot."

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To say she was astonished would have been an understatement. "Lower his depth," Misato asked Maya who was now running the tests. 'How can he be so skilled?' Misato asked herself as she viewed the Fifth Child's scores.

"Its like he can set his score at any point he wishes. It's amazing isn't it?" Maya responded to Misato's request. Swiveling her chair around she found Misato's face not covered in relief for having another skilled pilot, but worried and confused. "Major is something wrong?"

Looking at the tranquil face of the new pilot who just happened to arrive in the nick of time, Misato had to have answers and she knew the best person to ask. "Maya continue the tests, I have to see somebody." Misato took on last look at the monitors and saw Rei almost looking impatient. 'Good luck Shinji.'

With Maya at the helm, Misato took the elevator to the bowels of Nerv and found the isolation cells where her, she still wanted to think of her as one, friend was held in darkness. Flashing her badge to the guard Misato was allowed access to the cell. "Ritsuko?"

The voice of Ritsuko Akagi was deep and throaty. "Misato, what brings you down into the hell which I call home?" Ritsuko had long since cried all her tears, and nearly gave up on life. She'd have committed suicide if it was possible, but with the constant surveillance and Gendo's need for her, it would never happen.

Finding her reception not being held with joy, Misato launched right into her dialogue about the new pilot. In the darkness of Ritsuko's cell, Misato told the doctor about the physical description, the piloting abilities, and his sudden appearance. "What do you make of it?"

Pulling herself from the floor into a seated position, Ritsuko thought about it. In the darkness Ritsuko had a lot of time to think. She knew eventually Seele would do something to keep Gendo in check, and that was why she was still alive. Plus that allowed her to continue to plan her revenge. 'He's the last angel I bet. I can use this to my advantage.' Clearing her throat, Ritsuko stalled for time, "I don't know now but give me some time. I'm sure I'll think of something."

With nothing else to go on Misato had to accept Ritsuko's answer. "I'll be back in a few days. Try to take care." Misato didn't know the exact events that lead Ritsuko to this state, but she didn't want to blame her for it. As she walked back towards the command bridge one word that Ritsuko muttered under her breath, maybe not even aware that she said rang in Misato's head. "Who is Seele?" She didn't know now, but she would soon.

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Hinata Inn had fallen into a deep chaos since Shinobu's disappearance. All of the tenets had fought and overcome the urge to rush off and search for their missing member many times. The main reason was, they had no idea of how to find her, where she could be, or the really frightening question of whether she was still alive.

Walking into the common room, Keitaro found Naru glued to the television news report about Tokyo-3. The news said it was some sort of meteor that hit the epicenter of the city and leveled it. Nobody in the Inn was buying it. But they took turns watching for any news about survivors. Coming up behind his fiancée, "Naru any..."

Keitaro didn't get to finish as Naru lashed out her frustration on him by slamming her fist against his face. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" She didn't like feeling so powerless. She didn't like not knowing what was happening to Shinobu. She didn't like a lot of things right now. Getting off the couch, and pulling Keitaro out of the whole in the wall he created on impact. "Sorry, nerves I guess."

Waving it off as he always did, Keitaro didn't blame her. He'd spent the last few hours drawing and oddly enough all of the images looked a little like Shinobu. "You're not the only person with a cause of the nerves."

"Motoko slammed him twice when he walked onto the balcony about an hour ago," Kitsune added as she descended the stairs. Harboring a slight grudge against the other two in the room, Kitsune wasn't very understanding. 'If they'd have listened to me this would never have happened. Shinobu wouldn't have run off and be worrying us like this.'

Helping Keitaro get the dust off his clothing, Naru asked, "Did she really do that to you?"

Putting his glasses back on correctly, "She's just worried about Shinobu and Shinji." Taking in a deep breath, Keitaro shook his head, and followed Naru to the couch Kitsune took the side chair. "We're all showing it differently. Nyamo just sits in her room, Su and Sarah lost their energy, and look at us."

With a small nod, Kitsune couldn't help herself, "And we only have ourselves to blame for it too. If we'd have actually done something for the two of them we wouldn't have drove Shinobu into running off."

"I wish Kanako didn't run off to find Granny last week, she'd know what to do." Keitaro said aloud but mostly to himself. Keitaro never knew that his little sister had been lying to him all this time for her reconnaissance missions. Turning off the television, Keitaro just sulked, "Like we can do anything at this point."

Setting her beer can down with excessive force, Kitsune clicked her tongue. "What are you talking about? We can believe in her and him. We can wait for them to come back to us."

Naru didn't understand, "For them to come back? What are you talking about Kitsune? We don't even know if she's alive!" She didn't want to say the words but it was a possibility they had to accept.

Leaning back in the chair, Kitsune smiled and looked out the window. "She's alive, I have faith in that young woman," it felt wrong for her to refer to Shinobu as a girl now. "She'll find Shinji and when she does, she'll never let him go again. So when she comes back, it'll be with company."

Letting Kitsune's optimism flow over him, Keitaro stood up. Looking at the man, Naru questioned, "What are you up to Keitaro?" She could sense something was working in his mind.

"Well if we're going to have a new tenet, I better get another room ready. Unless you want them to share a room," Naru soon mirrored the smile that was on his face. Soon the whole of Hinata Inn was setting up the room for the new tenet and talking about how things will have to change a bit when they got there.

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The one of the reason Shinji was apprehensive about the end of the test was not about his score, but one of the other participants. He didn't want to think he'd been avoiding Rei, but truthfully he knew that was the case. He didn't know what to think about her now. He couldn't deny the feelings he had for her, still had for her, but knowing what Ritsuko did to the poor girl, he didn't want to think it was all due to mental conditioning.

So as Maya took Kaworu aside to ask a few health related questions, Shinji snuck off hopefully to avoid Rei's detection. 'I hate doing this to her, maybe that first outburst was just a fluke or something, but what if it wasn't?' Leaving a small trail of LCL behind him, Shinji was being tailed by said girl.

As he reached the door to the locker room, a pale set of arms wrapped themselves around his waist and a warm body pressed itself against his back. It felt so oddly similar to him that Shinji didn't even question who it was. Softly his voice responded before his hormones kicked in, "Hello Rei."

Rei's moist hair pressed itself against Shinji's back. Her heart was singing the rightness of how this felt to her. Her mind tried to think of all the questions she had for him, words of rejoicing that she wished to say, but her lips couldn't function as she wanted. She pulled Shinji into a tighter hug and whispered softly into his back, "Shinji."

Part of the boy couldn't resist the sense of peace that Rei presented to him. He craved love and acceptance all his life and it was there now, wrapping its slender arms around him. How could he have doubted that Rei's feelings, although helped along, weren't genuine? 'But she still isn't the same. She's not the same Rei.' Then another voice in his mind spoke, 'who are you to say that its not just a different vessel? Do you know what happens to the soul upon death?' He couldn't answer that.

The confusion, pain, and fear that life had become for her seemed to fade with Shinji in her arms. She needed him, craved him, and she wouldn't lose him. Turning the boy around she reluctantly removed her arms from his side. Unable to lift her head to face him, Rei hugged him again. 'Why am I so afraid? What is this other calling?' Unknown to Rei was her more divine heritage was slowly awakening, and it was being drawn down to Terminal Dogma. "Shinji, I...missed you."

Taken back by the sudden resurgence of Rei's old personality traits, Shinji was tempted to just let the hospital encounter be forgotten. Returning the girl's hug, Shinji ran his fingers through her wet hair. A few tears trailed down his face, "I missed you too Rei."

As a tear dropped from Shinji's eye and landed on Rei's cheek, she looked up at him. Hunger filled her ruby eyes as she gazed into Shinji's azure. Acting on instinct, Rei's lips soon found home over Shinji's and the boy was soon pressed against the door to the locker room. Unable to control the emotions that dwelt within her, one of Rei's hands felt for the door release while the other moved along Shinji's wrist feeling for the depressurization switch.

Fear surged in Shinji's mind as the quick twist in events occurred. One moment they were sharing a peaceful reunion, now she was so full of passion that it terrified him. 'If she gets the door open, if she gets the suit off...would she?' Old memories of time-shared eroded a lot of the fear, and replaced it with anticipation, but still he resisted.

The event proved moot as Kaworu cleared his throat and gained both teenagers attention. "I do believe you're scaring him Ayanami-san." The boy's eyes locked into Rei's and the two stared at each other. "I think your locker room is a bit further down yes?" To Shinji's ears it almost sounded like Kaworu was egging Rei on, joyful to have ruined the event.

Rei backed away from Shinji, and for a second contemplated rushing the new pilot, whom she knew was indeed very similar to her, 'he will receive his punishment later.' Turning back to Shinji, Rei gave a quick kiss to his cheek. "I dislike the smell of LCL anyway. We will speak later yes?"

He could only nod to Rei's comment as the girl left for the changing room. Looking at Kaworu, Shinji thanked him for 'keeping them from doing something they'd regret.' Kaworu said he didn't mind and followed Shinji as the two headed for the showers. 'She wouldn't have regretted it at all,' Kaworu thought, 'no she'd have reveled in every moment of it.'

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Sitting in a shower with another boy wasn't something Shinji thought would happen lately. But talking to Kaworu was really calming and they seemed to have so much in common it didn't matter. "I hope you don't have to go through as much trouble as we did," Shinji said softly as the two began to towel off.

Having done his research on Shinji, Kaworu knew something more about that comment. "Do you mean all the pilots or just yourself? You've had a very hard life." The unknown angel's words were full of sympathy. "Do you want to talk about it?" Kaworu asked as he sat on a nearby bench.

"I wouldn't want to impose on you," Shinji said with a bit of reluctance. Sure he knew talking about his troubles would help, it did in the past. But he didn't want to add his burdens upon his new friend.

Kaworu let out small laugh he had never encountered a Lillim like Shinji before. 'So much suffering but he still thinks of others.' It made him feel an insurmountable sadness for what he would soon do to the boy, but his destiny forbad any other actions. "You truly are a unique person Shinji Ikari."

Finding Kaworu looking deeply into his eyes, Shinji was for a second reminded of how Rei had just looked at him. Blushing softly Shinji didn't know how to respond, "I'm nothing special."

"Yes you are," Kaworu gripped Shinji's hand softly, "and that's what makes me like you." Smiling softly at Shinji for a moment, Kaworu bowed lightly, released Shinji's hand and turned away, "I guess this is where we part ways for today. See you soon?"

Finding himself speaking before his mind could process the words, "Sure thing. Take care." Watching the odd new pilot and friend walking out the door Shinji felt better. 'Maybe things will get better sooner rather than later.' Putting his extra cloths back in his bag, Shinji headed out of Nerv and into the street as he walked home, Misato was already deep into her research for the group Seele, and Rei was now in Gendo's office being told of her true purpose for existence.

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With Pen-Pen at the Hokari's, Asuka in the hospital, and Misato gone all the time the apartment was very quiet when Shinji arrived home. Making a small meal for himself, he found himself actually humming a bit while he made it. He knew Asuka would get better and that Misato would eventually return. The problem with Rei was still heavy on his mind, and Shinobu's absence still stung heavily, but still he felt better.

With cable gone, the boy put a DVD in the player and sat down to waste the remaining evening hours. Looking at the phone that he'd picked up after arriving home, he cursed the toneless machine. 'I hope she's doing well.'

Soon bored with the movie he had just started, Shinji's mind turned to Shinobu. He wanted to see her, talk to her, and see how she was more than about anything, but he didn't want to risk her life for it. His requests to leave town, unknown to Misato, had all been denied. "Maybe I'll turn in early tonight."

Getting off the couch, Shinji began heading towards his room when the doorbell rang. Thinking it couldn't possibly be for him, that it was most likely a mistake Shinji started walking again. When the bell rang several more times in quick succession, Shinji rushed to the door, thinking it might have been an emergency and the make-shift cell phone tower collapsed.

Throwing the door open, Shinji was greeted at first buy a girl he only saw once many months ago. A girl from Shinobu's home was on his doorstep, but why. 'Did they come to get me?' Seeing the dried blood on her face and her tattered cloths, Shinji quickly pulled her in and that was when he saw what was on Kanako's back.

Shinji took at Shinobu. Shinobu looked at Shinji and all was still for a few moments. Propelling herself off of Kanako's back and into Shinji's waiting arms the two embraced, and Kanako helped herself into the bathroom to clean her wounds as the two reacquainted each other with a kiss.

End Chapter

Author Notes

This is a reference to what I found in the Evangelion 'Red Book' that Keele was actually the centurion that actually gave Christ the killing blow with his spear and was cursed to live forever.

Yup Kanako brought Shinobu to Shinji's apartment. Kaworu is here and Rei battles to reclaim memories and put her urges at bay. Things will be done in a few short chapters so I hope you stay with it.

Ja Mata

Zentrodie (zentrodie-at-secondimpact-dot-com, www-dot-darkscribes-dot-com)

Omake

Standing before him was a sight he'd never thought he'd see again. Embracing his love tightly in his arms he showered the woman in kisses. Shinji surprised her by lifting her in his arms and leading her to his bedroom, never once did his kisses stop.

She didn't fight him, not anymore she had admitted her feelings and was not one to stop him, neigh she was pleading for him continue. Slowly she felt him removing her Gi as he laid her on the bed.

"Motoko-sensei I've loved you since the day you took me in as your pupil," Shinji hovered over his prone teacher in an authoritative manner. "And now we'll no longer be teacher or student."

Sliding her hands around Shinji's neck, "No, we'll be lovers from this day onward..." Motoko said wistfully.

Slamming the book shut Naru couldn't read anymore, as the rest was defiantly not PG-13. 'What the hell is Motoko writing?' Naru asked herself as she slid the leather bound book back under the couch where she found it.

"Naru-sempai are you going to help us set up Shinji's room?" Motoko asked the now blushing Naru.

"Yeah...I'll be there in a second. Say Motoko, why are you so eager to get Shinji in here? Aren't you upset that he's a boy?" Naru asked as the two ascended the staircase.

Looking away from Naru quickly, "I...I think its what is best."

And it was what was best, but Naru couldn't tell who Motoko thought it was the best for.