The Dark Side of the moon often Shines the Brightest.

-Author Unknown


The room swam into focus, the blur in front of him resolving into the face of Kaji Ryouji, eyes creased with concern.

"Ka- Kaji…? What happened? Where am I?" mumbled Shinji, his mind still foggy. The apartment he was in, while spacious, was fairly spartan, with what appeared to be simple, but comfortable furnishings. A bookshelf was nearby, with, of all things, a number of old leather bound volumes, well read and cared for. There was also a number of very odd, almost arcane carvings on the wall along with what looked like a collection of ancient weaponry. Kaji's voice interrupted his observations.

"Welcome to my humble abode, Shinji. As to what happened, it seems you'd gotten into a bit of trouble. I found you unconscious in an alley. Looks like someone or someones had worked you over pretty well." Kaji's expression turned stern. "Now, would you mind explaining what you were doing in that neighborhood, and at that hour? Or didn't you realize that you practically were carrying a neon sign saying 'mug me' by doing so?"

Shinji flushed, lowering his eyes. "I had clean up duty after class. I 'd a backlog of homework, so I figured I'd stay a bit longer to clear some of it up, where I didn't have to worry about being screamed at or slapped. Guess I lost track of time. When I finally realized how late it was, I tried to make up some time by cutting through some side streets. Last time I ever try doing something like that again" he lamented. Kaji, chuckling sympathetically, handed him a glass of something. Whatever it was, it sent quite a rush through his system, revitalizing and refreshing him almost instantly.

"This is great! Can I have a refill…and what is it?"

"Ah, that's a little something I brew on the side. Old family recipe. Katsuragi swears by it, especially after she's been on a real bender." Kaji rolled his eyes, drawing a laugh from his young charge. Handing him a fresh glass, he motioned for the young pilot to continue.

"Next thing I know, I'm getting slammed against the wall and getting pounded. Funny thing though, I don't even feel bruised." He frowned, pausing to organize his thoughts, and missed the narrowing of Kaji's eyes at this. "The weirdest thing though, is that in the middle of this, a big black…dog, wolf, whatever, tore into the thugs. Then it bit me, and I blacked out." He looked at the hand, expecting to see a large wound. Instead, there was a red scar in the shape of a bite. The redness was already beginning to fade and the scar was starting to look like it had always been there. In fact, there wasn't a bruise or wound anywhere on his body!

"Man, this is just too freaking weird! What the hell happened to me? I couldn't have dreamed all that…?"

Kaji sighed. This was going to be hard for Shinji to hear. The poor kid had already been through 5 different kinds of hell this year, and now he'd have to deal with this too! He started to speak, but Shinji's gasp interrupted him.

"9:00! OH, SHIT! I was supposed to make dinner tonight! Asuka's gonna stomp me into the floor for this! Gotta go! Thanks for everything Kaji!" With that, Shinji darted to and then through the door, running as if a demon was at his heels.

"DAMN! I'm getting too old for this" the unshaven man growled in exasperation. As he lit a cigarette, the light from the match was reflected, mirror fashion from Kaji's now amber eyes. Taking a long drag from the cancer stick, he sprawled out on the sofa.

"He'll be back", he stated, gazing knowingly off into the direction the young pilot had fled.


A/N: Kudos to NateGold, who co-authored this chapter, and to those who reviewed the last one. I'm kinda disapointed that most of you got what was happening in the first chapter, but i guess i wasn't being all to subtle either. For those of you who are still in the dark, wait around and all will be revealed. Read And Review please, so you can help shape this fic.

Cheers
-That Hopeless Romantic