Disclaimer: My Pre reader is out of action so I was stuck editing by my self... In addition, this is a warning to all, the rating of this series will most likely rise as it comes to a close. The R rating when it does come will be fore language violets and sexual content. Thanks for all the Reviews keep on posting even if you posted once... I love to hear what people think!

Neon Genesis
EVANGELION
Finding Paradise

Chapter 6: Confessing ones love/ The never ending night

The next day in the darkness of Touji's cell, he sits hungry and cold, only able to think of Rei, Hikari, and nothing else. Nevertheless, his thoughts do not stop as the darkness is shattered to light with three men standing in the doorway.

"Its time to go."

Touji helped up and escorted out of his cell, and then out of the prison block, he's given his belongings and pushed out of NERV Headquarters landing on the ground. He can only stand up in a daze unable to comprehend the past three days. With drugs still in his system, he slowly walks to his last thought, Rei's place. However he find it is empty her things cleaned out, all that remains is a set of eyeglasses. Touji leaves going to his next concern, Hikari. He lastly reaches her doorstep and falls from exhaustion.

****

"What?!" Shinji lays in his bed; next to him is Asuka who is looking down in sadness. It seems to be in the morning and Shinji has an empty bowl of Oden next to him.

"What do you mean, what, it was a simple question." Asuka does her best to hide feels for him as she glares. She stands ready for the day ahead as she gathers Shinji dishes from the night before.

Shinji looks away in embarrassment. "Its not a simple question!"

Asuka stands up in a fit. "What, are you to chicken to tell me!"

Not willing to back down to the challenge Shinji looks back at Asuka. "I'm not scared!"

"Then who is it!"

"Hikari!" Shinji yells out to Asuka as if meaning to upset her. With a massive burden of his chest, he nervously stares at Asuka who seems shock at what was said.

"You like her?" Asuka tries her best to play it off as a joke. "Only a jerk like you would like her."

"Why do you care?" Shinji's tone seems ever more defensive, something Asuka isn't used to.

Asuka quickly decides to end the argument. "I don't know, I thought something was up with you, you been wondering around like a love sick idiot for a day at least!"

Not giving a chance for Shinji to set a proper counter attack, she storms out slamming Shinji's door. Now out side Asuka's leans her head in the wall in defeat. Her quest for answers has only led to pain. Her thoughts seemingly fall apart as she looks back at Shinji's room in sorrow.

"What wrong?"

Misato voice surprises Asuka, she turns to see Misato staring at her with a raised eyebrow. Not willing to stare at Misato, Asuka turns and leaves, only to hear an unexpected tone from Misato. A tone only a mother would have for a daughter, something Asuka has not heard for a long time.

"Asuka, its alright to feel for him."

Under any normal circumstances, Asuka would yell out in a tantrum or counter such a thought. Yet, Asuka knew Misato was right, nothing in her mind could turn her from a need for love. Asuka can only look down in shame as she runs to Kitchen to drop off Shinji's dishes then out the door. Misato can only stand there looking at a girl in pain yet unable to help.

****

At the end of the day of school Hikari, Rei, and Asuka, all finish in bleak silence. Even Aida is seen with a quiet gaze. Their friend, Touji Suzahara has been missing for nearly three days since he saved Hikari's life by piloting Unit Zero into combat. Rei only remembers wakening with him in her lap. However, she cannot tell this to Hikari, the feeling she's searched out when she wants to tell her is that of betrayal, the bond she and Hikari hold is confusing to Rei she cant understand why she's so attracted to her abilities as a human, and as a Eva pilot. Rei can only remember the confidence she gave her when telling her about her love for Suzahara; at the same time, Rei feels the same for him.

Hikari gathers her things and look over to Kensuka and Rei who prepare to clean up for the day.

"I'm going to take next weeks duty rosters to the office." Hikari quiet voice only receives two nods from Rei and Aida.

When she leaves Rei looks to Shinji's and Touji friend for possible guidance. Kensuka can only stare at the Rei's silver highlighted blue hair, a feature Aida has always liked about Rei. As he begins to stack the desks, Rei finally builds the strength to say something.

"Can you love two people?"

"Um..." Kensuka looks up from just putting a desk in a corner.

Wishing she had not spoke yet feeling she is committed, Rei repeats the question. "Can one... Can one love more then one."

Not wanting to read in to the question, Kensuka can only laugh as he thinks of an answer. On the other hand, his laughter only depresses Rei, which he quickly takes notice and stops laughing.

"Of course you can Ayanami..." Not wanting to tread on the issue anymore then one has to, Kensuka decides to explain him self. "You know like in the movies and anime... or even in a family..."

Still cleaning, Aida can only feel that Rei still does not understand. When he turns, there stands Rei unable to contemplate what was said.

"Look." Kensuka rubs his head trying to keep the tone less serious. "I mean anyone can love anyone its all on the person, I guess."

This time Rei seems to understand; nevertheless, this takes her to her next question. "How does a person express this?"

"Well I don't know a kiss."

Kensuka drops the subject by going off and gathering a bucket and rags, he leaves Rei to her thoughts.

'A kiss is to show affection, thus far I never have kissed...' Rei eyes widen as she's reminded when Touji kissed her. Unknown to her, she does not realize why he kissed her. 'This means... I to feel love for another as well for him..."

****

Asuka walks in from school to see Misato in the kitchen with Shinji sitting next to her. Both are eating leftover Oden from last night, and both are enjoying it.

"I'm home..." Asuka whispers hoping she can escape to her room and away from Shinji.

Misato has other plans as she raiser her head just as Asuka turns the corner for her room. "Asuka we have Sync tests at nine and because you have no school tomorrow I think Ritsuko will keep you there all night."

"What ever."

Asuka retreats in to her room, with out her usual bounce. Both Shinji and Misato look at her door. Both wish to speak on the matter yet none can, as all they can do is continue eating in silence. Shinji is first to finish and slowly stands with weakness and pain. Nevertheless, he drives him self to walk to the sink to clean out his dish. Misato can only watches as Shinji determination grows. Her thought then return to the fact that things could be different should be different, that she could be dead if it wasn't for Shinji being in Unit One when the 13th angel came.

"Things have changed..."

Not really saying it for a response, Misato just sits staring at Shinji who uses the counter for support.

"Misato..."

The silence that follows Shinji's attempt too communicate is deafening even Asuka can feel the air around her tense up in her room. All she can do I lie in her bed curled in a ball wishing for an end of her pain. A pain she can't control, a pain she's only seen in the eyes of Shinji.

****

Hikari and Rei walk together back from school both in silence. Rei slowly wonders to her self if it is natural, the attraction she holds, is it right. She looks over in the direction of Hikari, who seems to pay more attention to the path then Rei. Love to Rei is so new, so different, a feeling of pain joy and happiness all rolled into one. She looks down once more, debating on if it is right. To be in love with Touji, and Hikari, never in her fragile mind could Rei be able to understand the difference in her affection. For she has never received affection to see a difference, but Rei knew, her heart loved both. She knew that she had to pick, she had to discover what love is.

"Rei..."

As if kicked off the train of thought Rei looks up and over to Hikari, smiling at her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Dare Rei answer such a question, confused and out classed Rei can only try and lie, something she has never attempted. "Nothing..."

At first Rei is relieved when Hikari gives a chuckle but Hikari soon ends her relief. "Your a really bad liar Rei."

"Err." As if caught with her hand in the cookie jar, Rei stops walking and looks down in shame. "I'm sorry... Its just that..."

Seeing her friend in more grief then normal she stops and turns to Rei. "What wrong, its okay, we are friends..."

"I'm..." Rei can't do it, her heart screams for freedom as tears fall from her eyes. "I think I'm in love with two people..."

Knowing first hand what that is like Hikari walks over and hugs Rei. "Its okay... I know that can be painful..."

"I have never felt this way, yet..." Rei tries her best to let her secret out. "Yet I feel it is wrong... I can't love... two..."

Hikari smiles as she pulls Rei to Arms length. "Rei I know you're a strong person... It's so hard to tell the one you love... Even I cant do it..."

"Why?"

So simple yet complex was Rei's question, Hikari could not answer directly. She her self has been battling her affection for Shinji and Touji, an affection she knows she will have to confront. "I don't know... I want to do it to... My heart just cant..." Hikari remembers her mothers saying that she passed down to Rei. "When your heart is in love it's hard to speak and think from your heart."

The reminder of the bold, new thinking goes throughout Rei's head. She then remembers the advice she received from student Aida, and questions it legitimacy. "Is it right to kiss the one you love."

Agreeing with the statement but not knowing its consequences, Hikari nods. "Yea..."

Rei mind is nearly made up; there is only one way to decide, she stares at Hikari with affection, and love. Rei forces the strong willed girl she once was to step up to the plate and help her. Hikari can only notice Rei's grip on her hands grow stronger, before she ceils her own fate.

"Rei... your such a good friend and I love you for who you are and I know you will..."

Hikari stops as she realizes Rei has her eyes closed and mind plunged in conflict. Hikari her self is paralyzed she cannot even think of what is about to happen before it comes. Rei leans in and kisses Hikari on the lips, quickly Rei learns that her experiment worked, but not the way she expected. Rie's mind screams out to herself, telling her that was the wrong thing to do. Rei pulls away and curls into a ball humiliated that her mind could not see a difference in her love. On the other hand, for Hikari, she cannot move only stand there red in the face, not sure on what just happened.

"I'm so sorry..." Rei cries out in tears knowing some how what she did was wrong. "I love you, but...." Fearing she just lost the only friend, she has Rei covers her eyes with her hand and cries. "Its different from the way I love... Suzahara..."

"Like a sister..." Still frozen Hikari is barely able to whisper out those words.

The concept hits Rei like a ton of bricks. The love the affection she had for Hikari was that of family love, another emotion Gendo deprived her of, another part of Rei that never existed has just bloomed.

"Like a sister..." Rei whispers Hikari's word back in an understanding tone. "But... we are not family..."

Finally, Hikari can feel her heartbeat again as she sighs in relief. "Rei..." Hikari shakes her head, and puts her book down, and sits next to Rei. "Rei... wow..." Still somewhat flattered by the kiss Hikari sighs once more. "You love me like a sister."

"But we are not family..."

Seeing the simple solution fly over her head Hikari puts one arm around Rei. "You don't need the same blood to be family. All you need is to care for each other. Just because me and you aren't related doesn't mean we cant be sisters..."

Rei looks up to Hikari, who sit next to her smiling. "You do not..."

"No..." Hikari finally begins to laugh a bit, about what just happened. "Thank goodness... I'm sorry I lead you the wrong way... I mean I not that kind of girl and I have nothing... Drop it... lets just drop it."

"Family..."

Rei whispers as she rest her head on Hikari's shoulders. The two sit on the side of the road, letting everything settle down.

"Come on Rei..." Hikari says as she stands up. "I want to go home and pack us some dinner for this sync test at nine."

She turns to Hikari with relief that her feelings are now understood, Rei smiles at Hikari.

"Thank you..."

****

Confused and overcome, Touji finds him self on the "Train of thought" he sits in Unit Three's male Plug Suit, something he's never seen before. Sitting across from him, in front of the blinding sunlight is an unknown person.

"Suzahara..."

The dazzling sun cannot hide the mysterious person no longer, as her voice gives it away to be Rei Ayanami.

"Touji Suzahara..."

"Rei..." A weak and soft voice parts from Touji's lips.

"I am hear to help you, to guide you..."

"What's going on Rei?" The tone seems to weaken in Touji.

"You must remember something... For man to live you must remember..."

With his question, unanswered Touji bows his head.

"Please... Suzahara, you are my hope, my desire, to become one with you..."

When Touji looks back up Rei is out of the light behind her and kneeling in front of him.

"You must remember to love... You must be ready to fight..."

"Fight who..." Touji mutters as he stares at his friend.

"The wicked Angel with blood soaked eyes, he will come for Asuka then me..."

Not clear on the message, Touji shakes his head. "I don't understand..."

"He will come to take her away... The silver haired Angel with blood soaked eye..."

Touji looks as Rei begins to disappear. "Who will he take?"

"The one deprived of love... and the one you love...."

****

"Suzahara!" Hikari screams out as he lies in Rei's arms.

"Touji!" Rei lays her head on his chest. "Please wake up..."

Her whispers to Touji where as laud as a jet, in a second Touji leaps upward.

"Touji!"

Touji looks over at Rei who holds him by his shoulders, he then looks to Hikari who kneeling at his side crying.

"What... happened..."

Hikari is first to answer. "We found you on the ground, out side of my house you didn't wake up so we brought you in!" Hikari hugs Touji. "I was so worried!"

Rei steps back, as if Hikari was the Alpha female claming her mate, Rei shies away visibly upset. It doesn't go unnoticed, as Touji leans forward grabbing Rei's arm. His action forces Hikari to separate from him, she watches Touji's eyes to see that they are fixated onto Rei. Jealousy is first to come to Hikari's mind as she sees the look she so wished from him to be gazing at her, only to be placed on Rei. Yet, Hikari's maturity prevails, as she is the one moving away, as Touji slowly embraces Rei. Hikari looks down and away from the sight; she could not stand the sight of him in her arms. Tears slowly fall as Hikari can only sit there watching as her first love holds another in front of her.

****

Before long Shinji finds him self in his locker room, already changed into his plug suit. He does not move he only can stare at his hand, he can only think of Hikari, yet his comparisons to her is that of Asuka.

"Only if Asuka was like her..."

Shinji laughs at his own idea.

"Yea right... She could never act nice..."

Shinji stands only to have a thought come to mind.

"She did make me Oden... Moreover, I like Oden. She's up to something..."

He then remembers about the topic of that morning.

"She challenging me..." Confidence build, which is rare for him, Shinji marches out with an idea in his head.

"I will show her, I will tell Hikari!"

****

He leaves the male locker room and turns the corner to await the girls to leaving their side. As he does he is nearly rundown by a crying Rei, she gives him no chance to ask why, as she runs off in her plug suit. Shinji fragile confidence in his plan cracks but still willing Shinji moves closer to the locker room as he hears Asuka and Hikari yelling.

"Its not her fault Asuka!"

Shinji hears Hikari yell out.

"But she stole him from you!"

Shinji listens to a pleading Asuka before Hikari yells out once more.

"Damn it Asuka! Can't you just grow up!"

"But you loved Suzahara!" Asuka's words stabs Shinji straight into the heart. "And Wonder girl she... she took him and your just going to do nothing!"

"Do nothing!" Shinji begins to wish he never came up with his stupid plan, as Hikari defends her self. "It hurts! You could never understand how much it hurts! But I'm not going to take it out on Rei!"

"I don't understand! You had a chance with you first love and your letting it slip way!"

Once more Shinji cant move, he wishes to but his mind is crushed as his heart bleeds in the form of tears from his eyes.

"What do you know of love Asuka, You never liked anyone like I liked...."

Asuka's voice over powers Hikari's. "How dare you, I'm... I'm reduced to sneaking kisses to Shinji as he sleeps..."

Shinji falls to his knees as a time bomb of emotion explodes in his head.

"Typical, why can't you just show it to him, because I like..."

Shinji looks up to see that Hikari has just left the locker room and stands in front of him in her plug suit. Never in his life has Shinji been heart broken, not even his father could crush his heart as much as its been crushed know. The girl he loves has confessed her love for another, and the girl he hates has just confessed her lover for him.

"Shinji!" Hikari goes to step towards him but her concern is only thrown back at her as Shinji stands and runs with little strength he has in his legs to leave.

Asuka sits on the bench look at Hikari who looks back in. "I hate you!" With that, said Hikari runs out of sight in tears.

"God Damn it!" Asuka punches her locker denting it. She slumps down in tears as she punches the ground.

"Why, why, why, God why do I have to be alone!" Asuka punches the ground once more this time breaking her wrist. The physical pain from the brake cannot compare to the broken heart as she cries on the ground.

"I hate me self! I hate me self! I hate me self!" Asuka pulls her self, half way up to her locker nametag were she rips it off with her good hand and falls to the ground once more. "God why! I just want to die!"

At the speed of light the image of her mother hanging from ceiling and her running in strikes Asuka with the furry of hell it self.

"Mommy! Why Mommy, why!

****

"You're shitting me!" Misato stares at Hyuga as if he was an idiot. Her look however does not deter him from shrugging his shoulders.

"Look, that's what they said"

Far above, Gendo looks down to Misato. "Is there something wrong?"

All he gets from his subordinate is a silent stare as she talks to Hyuga. "All right, I tired of this crap, get Maya and Aoba to help you get those kids to the Eva Sync test center."

Hyuga looks at her with confusion. "Ma'am I thought Ritsuko wanted to do virtual syncs not active syncs."

"Just do it." Misato glances at Gendo who still awaits an answer. "Get them in there and lock them in." She then turns to Gendo with frustration. "We aren't doing the normal sync test today."

"What seems to be the problem..."

Misato looks over at Kaji who stands snickering. "Puberty sir!"

Misato leaves followed by Kaji, his demeanor is that of a jester as he chuckles on the problem at hand.

"Love is such a power thing."

All he gets is Misato's evil stare. "This is way I'm never going to have children."

"But you already have two." Kaji laughs as he puts his hand on her shoulder. "Three lovely young ladies and one fragile boy, this was bound to happen."

Finally, Kaji draws a smile from Misato. "Know I see why you told me about code 707 and the stable."

"The fourth child was thrust on us, its one of the first times we have lost control." Kaji states his thoughts, with a serious tone of voice to Misato.

"And as soon as we lost it, we've been spiraling down with no control."

Kaji nods his head at such a statement. "I like it better this way, it's easier to find the truth."

"You mean easier for the truth to kill you."

****

Forced in to there Eva's the four pilots sit in silence. Shinji has all of his communication off as he just concentrates on his dive.

'The Eva doesn't care... It doesn't hurt me with words...'

Shinji head rings in pain as his thought become more depressing. 'I cant believe I thought she liked me... I'm such a coward, how can she ever love me.'

In the command center, Misato her self stares at the readings with disgust. Maya with Ritsuko at her side shakes her head as she looks at the numbers.

"The First Child sync is at twenty nine point seven, the Second Child is at twenty two point three..."

A grunt from Ritsuko only draws her attention. "That's barely over the starting indicator."

Seeing that her bosses two cents have been put in, she continues. "The Third Child is at forty three percent, he's back down to were he started. And the four child..." Maya smiles... She's at a stable Sixty six percent."

Misato nods at the info, however Ritsuko looks over to her. "The forth can go down a little bit more." She awaits Misato nod before giving Maya her orders. "Take her down two points from her current depth."

"Roger"

After a second of awaiting and analyzing, Maya turns over quickly to her comrades. "AT Field detected."

"From where."

Misato question is quickly answered. "It's a curved fold with a phase space density of point zero seven six in front of Unit Three."

"And her sync..." Misato whispers to her crew.

"She's almost at seventy seven." This time Ritsuko graces Misato question not Maya.

"Any reason on why she can sync so well." Misato asks seeing that Ritsuko is willing to listen.

"Dopamine control... I think?"

"Hu..." Misato can only give Ritsuko a even more deeper stare.

"She can focus her emotions properly..." The blond hair doctor explained. "Other then the fact that she just as up set as the other pilots, harmonics are unbalanced and Brain activity is nearly double just like the other pilots... Just...."

"So we still don't know."

Rolling her eyes a Misatos blunt statement, she nods. "Technically we have a theory, but it's a weak one at that."

"With the rest of the pilots are in a slump, she's going to be our primary."

Once more all Ritsuko can do, is nod at the statement from Misato. "I wouldn't take their slump lightly, we need to get them back in to piloting."

Misato cracks a smile as she thinks of a plan. "I think this will be solved tonight."

****

Inside Unit Three Hikari Horaki sits in her Plug Suit unaware on her depth; all she can focus on is her feelings for two people.

'Touji... It would have been nice... Its so cold and lonely in the entry plug..."

Hikari begins to rub her shoulders. "Maybe it was never meant to be... But now Shinji wont talk to me..."

She shakes her head as pain coils in her body. Her feelings apparently can't let go of Touji, no matter how hard she tries. She can't stop caring, yet Rei is such a good person she needs some like him. So many conflicting thought begin to remind her of another horrible day, a day she hasn't remembered for almost eight years. The death of her mother and father, and older sister, her dark past a history she all thought was erased from her mind. Even so, inside her steal coffin it seems that nothing can be hidden. "You cant lie to the Eva..." Hikari whispers as she focuses on the cold pressure of the LCL in her Lung's. "Its spirit, I can't feel it yet, it can feel me. Its presence reminds me of my father, a man I never really like." Her father was someone who Hikari could never feel for, yet you always seemed to be on his mind. Even if he was yelling at you, he was there, even when he slapped Hikari's mom and sisters. A frustration of being poor can be hard; Hikari only faced her father's wrath once.

"My sisters would always step in to take the blow." She had so much respect for Kadoma and Sakura. Sakura was only her half sister but she treated Hikari with the most respect.

It was a Tuesday, rain was pretty hard." Hikari's resistance on remembering her past ends with tears flowing in her eyes.

"We been on the streets for about a week..."

The image of Hikari standing in front of a burning building bloody and bruised in her left hand is a ragged bunny its ear ripped off and cotton sticking out. It only had one leg yet she clenched the toys one good ear for dear life as she watches the fire.

"Hikari!"

Broken from her thoughts Hikari looks up wiping her face of tears. On a vid screen is Misato who seems she's been waiting for some time.

"You can get out and take a break."

****

Hikari opens the entry plug and takes her time getting out going over every checklist. Once out Hikari escorted to a briefing room with the door shutting behind her. In side sits Asuka in one corner Shinji in another with his SDAT for company and Rei head buried in her arms. Seeing that no one was in the mood to talk Hikari sits her self down at a chair, she at first remembers that she made Bento for everyone, but she didn't feel like eating. Its been years since Hikari as found her self in such a depressed mood.

'I never thought it could get worse then that day.'

Finally, Hikari lays her head down and thinks back of happier times. Then she began to hear a light whispering tone. Barely audible Hikari ears focus on where the sound is coming from. It was so familiar as the hum of a song begins to clear from the silence. She looked up to Rei as she finally distinguishes who was humming. The tune was very familiar but with Rei's voice, so sweet and silent Hikari was hard pressed to remember it.

Then it clicked, Hikari sits straight up and listens to Rei soft voice. It was "Yasashisa no Yume", there class sung that song at the school fair in the seventh grade. Never did Hikari realize on how beautiful Rei's voice was. With the song in her head, Hikari uses it to break her depression by adding words to Rei's tune.

Unaware that Rei and Hikari have sung the song before, Asuka looks up from her stance as they sing the simple yet beautiful song. They where only at a whisper but even Shinji looks up and removes his headphones to listen.

'Beautiful.' Is Shinji's only thought on the singing?

****

In the Command Center, which has been monitoring the pilots, begin to pick up the singing. Everyone looks around confused. Finally, Ritsuko asks the question in everyone's mind.

"Where is that coming from?"

Aoba looks over his sensors and the turns up the volume in the Pilots waiting area. The tune now is heard by all in the Command Center, as Hikari and Rei lightly sing the song.

"Yasashisa no Yume..." Maya whispers as she lightly hums to the tune. "I haven't heard that since middle school."

"What's that from?" Misato asks as she listens to the familiar song.

Kaji surprisingly knows the answer. "Its from a pre-Impact children's anime..." He tries to remember its name but cannot. "The one with the girl and the magical cards..."

"Oh yea..." Misato smiles as she also hums to the tune. "Something Sakura... that was such a good show I watched it when I was a kid."

"Nothing beats the pre impact shows." Hyuga states with a smile as Maya hums the song along side Hikari and Rei.

"Tell me about it..." Aoba continues to type as he speaks. "I can't believe some of the stuff these kids watch.

A chuckle is heard from Kaji. "My favorite had to be Escaflowne..."

"Macross Seven." Aoba says to his friends.

Misato shakes her head at everyone. "Hello Kitty..."

Even Ritsuko joins in on the child like topic. "Magic Knight Rayearth..."

"Really, ma'am..." Maya states with a joking tone. "I don't picture you getting into anime..."

"Never judge a book by its cover."

Maya laughs as she continues to hum the song. "Card Captor Sakura... That's the name where this song came from..."

****

The song ends with everyone in the room in near tears. Hikari begins to feel like her old self once more.

"Rei, what made you sing that..." Hikari asks as she raises her head from the table.

Deep in thought, Rei contemplates a proper response. "I do not know. It was what came to mind... I remember... I remember for a brief moment that I wished to sing the solo, and not be in the chorus."

"That was very nice Rei..." Asuka voice seems to pierce the air as she hesitates on how to handle things. "I didn't know you could sing."

"I cant..." Rei returns to her whispering state as she bows her head once more.

"Your wrong Rei..." Shinji is seen standing; the song moved him greatly as he stares in to Rei's tear soaked eyes. "You great at a lot of things... you're a great swimmer and you're a strong person... stronger then me..."

As Shinji voice wavers in strength Hikari is next to, stand up. "Shinji's right Rei, you were really good."

Asuka stares at both wishing so hard to say something, wanting to empress Shinji, wanting to make her feel superior. Nevertheless, before she can Hikari beats her to the punch.

"You should really sing more often Rei..."

Embarrassed Rei begins to shy away from the question. Asuka also is speechless as she rubs her broken wrist that is bandaged up.

"Asuka..." Rei's voice has everyone look over Asuka waiting for her response.

Asuka how ever can only look over at her, she never liked Rei's eyes, and there blood red color, has bothered her ever since they met each other. Even her face reminded her of Shinji witch was spooky in her mind.

"I'm sorry..."

A big sigh leaves Asuka's mouth she looks away and to the corner. Everyone goes to roll there eyes seeing Asuka will not respond, but she surprises everyone when she speaks.

"Don't be stupid, I'm the idiot here... I'm the one who should say sorry..."

Yet for as long as the three pilots wait that apology does not come. This disappoints everyone, before they are ordered back to their plugs. This time each pilot but Asuka fare much better in his or her sync test. With Hikari holding the lead of seventy-seven Shinji and Rei not far behind both being in the fifties, Asuka on the other hand sits just above the starting indicator.

**** As the sun rises over Tokyo 3 Rei Ayanami stands on the top of the hillside shrine, which was destroyed in the fight against the fifth Angel. She wears the same odd black Plug suit as before. Standing next to her however is the middle-aged women that harassed Asuka in the store. Both watch as the sun crests over the mountaintops.

"It is done... they are on the course as needed."

Rei stands emotionless and completely calm. The women next to her only rolls her eyes as she sits down onto one of the steps. "I like that Rei better."

With a standard detached tone, Rei just watches the sun rise. "You are to blame for the death of the second..."

"Thanks for the reminder..." The women chuckles as she rest her head in he arms. "I meant the Rei here."

"Puzzling..." Rei states as she looks over to the women next to her. "Do you say that because I am insufficient for being a rebirth or because she has less control."

"Hahaha..." The woman laughs at the much younger girl next to her. "Don't get all serious with me!"

As if by magic Rei's personality changes as she shakes her head giggling. "You such an idiot."

"There's the Rei I know and love." The woman says as she gestures for Rei to sit next to her. "I knew I grew you up better then that." Rei sits down as the woman rubs her hair. Rei rests her head on the woman's shoulder. Both continue to stare at the crimson red sun as it comes up, after about five minutes of silence. Rei finally sighs and stands up as a strong wind blows through the air.

"I better get going..."

The woman looks down nodding but still concerned. "Be careful with the Avatar, you know I don't like it when you use it."

"I will..." Rei smiles and begins to walk down the steps of the shrine. The woman stands and begins to walk up the steps.

To be continued...