Problem Twenty-three: Boomerang, Part 1

(Dateius Maximus and the Angel that could)

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- Edited by Tibures


If there is one thing the people of Tokyo 3 have gotten used to, it is the heat. Even if they live on the northern end of the main Island, its freak'n hot. The only sanctity from the sometimes blistering heat is the night, were the winds from the mountains bring down the cool air. In the outskirts of Section 5 of the city is the Apartment complex of Misato and the pilots. It is also home to about twenty section 2 agents as well, most of which took part in the operation to abduct Yukari. Loyalties will always fall in Seele's lap, a habit even Gendo wished was gone.

Nevertheless, it is here were Rei sits in the living room and Asuka lays on the floor with nothing on but the lights. Rei is dressed in her school uniform but Asuka has on much lighter clothing. Asuka wishes for her sundress but thanks to Yukari it was ruined, so she has to due with a white skirt and light blue top that matches Rei's hair. Next to Asuka is a fan as she has a book of Brail in front of her, with Rei having the same book.

Stuttering in her soft tone Rei does her best to read aloud. "The train will be leaving… Leaving at… noon… The train is… is…"

"On time…" Asuka says with a caring voice, she also looks up to Rei to see the look of frustration, even if her voice does not.

"The Train is on time… You are at the…"

Once more, when comes a pause Asuka looks up to Rei to see her deep in thought. Asuka skill in brail is the same but she has the eyes to see the answers underneath the brail. "Terminal."

With a slap Rei drops the book in frustration, relearning how to read and write is down right hard. Brail is a complex language of dots that do not from letters, but a pattern. For a Japanese it is difficult, the Romin-jin form of the language is used a lot but not on the level Rei must master it at. Asuka looks at Rei then to her book, it is hard for even her even with the help of seeing the letters next to the dotes. Before she can talk to Rei the small whimper comes from Rei. Slowly standing Asuka looks at Rei with concern as she walks over to her friend, Rei brakes out into out right tears.

"Why can't I see…"

"Shh…" Asuka goes to Rei's side cradling her in her arms, allowing Rei's sorrows to spill onto her shoulders. "Don't cry… Don't cry…"

The two hold each other with tears being shed; even Asuka can't stop from having to cry. Rei has been the world to Asuka, never has she ever let anyone close like she has. Never has anyone touched Asuka the way she does. Not to let Rei go Asuka gives a small kiss on Rei's cheek to help her calm down. The gesture has Rei pull back a little so she can look Asuka in the eyes. With them looking at each other they both wish to say something to thank the other for all she has done.

"I love you…"

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The following morning in NERV headquarters, Yukari Ayanami sleeps in hospital clothing on a chair curled up like a cat would sleep. She sleeps in Doctor Ritsuko Akagi's office but the famous doctor is nowhere in sight. However, it all ends when Maya and Ritsuko walk in to the room to see Yukari asleep.

"Yukari!" Ritsuko was one of the first of NERV staff to call her by her name, of course manly for stupid things. Alas, the girl does not answer the good doctor's call. "Yukari!"

This time the call was added with a swift kick in the ass. With speed of a cat Yukari leaps onto the ground and looks around before scratching her ear with her foot. "What's up doc?"

With a disgruntled look, Ritsuko looks not at Yukari but Maya, who is chuckling at the English Yukari used. "Anyways… we got all of our test results back."

Just as Ritsuko was about to sit in her chair Yukari jumps back into it and squats in it. "And…"

"It's not getting any better." The news brings a smile on Yukari's face, but for Ritsuko she is pissed that Yukari took her seat again. "So far all we can do is wait it out. If I could I would put you on some diazepam but that would throw your sync into a slump."

Maya begins to take out a syringe and a small vial. "Hey, Yukari I'm going to give you a shot okay."

With curiosity abound Yukari looks to see what she is getting a shot of. "Pemoline magnesium hydroxide?"

With a cheerful smile, Maya puts a tourniquet on Yukari. "Yup…"

Also sharing in this smile is Ritsuko who seems to be on the sidelines. "Maya was pretty clever to think this up."

"Pemoline…" Usually this would be easy for her, but Yukari's files of useless facts has been out of order for sometime. "It sound formulary… is it part of the Xanthine family?"

Still smiling Maya preps to inject Yukari with the syringe. "No, Pemoline is a synthetic chemical that can provide mental stimulation without getting the central nervous system overly excited, as is the case with amphetamines."

"The lieutenant here has done her homework Yukari." Ritsuko watches as the needle penetrates the pail skin of Yukari. "This is the only thing that might help you."

Slowly Maya removes the needle and helps Yukari out of the doctor's chair. Ritsuko stands up and goes to her desk hearing her door close behind her she looks over some work as the phone rings, which she answers quickly.

"Yes…" This is a pause as the other person talks. "I know that, we should be fine, we have a test today at noon and then we will be ready to transfer to the virtual interface." As the other person talks once more Ritsuko goes to sit down only to be knocked out of her chair. She jumps up to see Yukari is back in it sleeping. "Damn can't you find a bed!"

"Hey!" Yukari sits up on all fours. "It's already warm and I claimed it!"

On the other end of the phone is Gendo; he listens as Ritsuko yells at Yukari. "This is my office get out and bug someone else, I'm done with you!"

"But it's so comfortable!"

"Out!"

"Fine…" Gendo leans back in his seat in frustration at the interruption. "I will just go to the big perverts chair and sleep there!"

Gendo stands up and yells into the phone with the voice of twenty men. "Oh, no she doesn't!"

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Later on that morning Shinji Ikari is already for the day, and a big day it is. For today is the anniversary of his mother's death. He has not eaten anything even though he made breakfast for Misato and Yukari. His mind usually goes num this day but for some reason all he can do is think, about is his mother, his father, Rei and Yukari, Asuka and Mana. So much has changed in the past six months; a lifetime of experiences has seemed to pass by him.

'I'm stronger…' Shinji thinks to himself in a positive way. 'I have friends, and a little sister kinda… Thing might have been hard at first but things are getting simpler… much simpler.'

With the familiar sound of the door, Shinji stands to welcome home Misato and Yukari. He goes to the entranceway only to be run downed by Yukari, who hasn't shown this much energy in a month. She runs around the kitchen table on all fours before she smells food and quickly gorges herself.

Shinji is helped up by Misato who shakes her head at Yukari, with the foot and handprints of his roommate on his face he looks to Misato. "I see she is better."

"Only for six hours, she is only allowed on shot a day of her new medicine."

With a simple nod Shinji smiles to see the good old Yukari back. He goes into the kitchen having to fight off Yukari so he can give some of the food he made to her. Misato is a person of quick observation and notices that Shinji has not eaten.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

The young boy gives his standard shy look as he looks to the calendar. "I really don't feel like eating."

Once more Misato's problem solving skills are good enough to know what is wrong. "Today's the day isn't it." The serious tone Misato brings has Yukari stop in her tracks. "I'm sure you're a little nervous."

"The understatement of the year ladies and gentlemen." Shinji mumbles under his breath but Misato was good enough to catch it.

With a chuckle, she lifts Shinji's chin up and looks into the boys eyes. "That's it Shinji you have to show your father. Show him your true self; there won't be NERV, Eva, or me… Just you, him, and your mom." She looks to see a slight grin from Shinji.

"Thanks…" Shinji looks to see Yukari with her cat on her head full of spirit. "I'm glad you are better."

The boy stands and with it walks to the entranceway with more confidence then ever before. 'She's right its just me, mom and him… father…'

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His journey takes Shinji to a flower store were he buys a dozen roses to take to his mother. However there was one thing he didn't count on seeing as he walked to the train station. Mana Kirishima sits out side of the side the school with her sleeveless white blouse on and her red and yellow plead skirt. Her head is down and she sits with her arms crossed and her head lying on top of them with her knees as the support. At first Shinji doesn't do anything but with his spirits high he slowly walks over to the girl that betrayed him.

"Are you okay?" For a second Mana doesn't respond but she looks up to show Shinji her face, which consists of a black eye. She does her best to give a smile as she wipes her tears away. "What happened?" Shinji goes to a knee to examine the wound.

For Mana, she is grateful for the gesture as she takes his hand. "You're a little bit more popular with the girls then you think."

"What…"

The puzzled look on Shinji's face brings a pain chuckle to Mana. "Well I have been dodging them for almost a month but they caught up to me and did this… Your fan club."

"Fan club…" Even more confused then before Shinji helps Mana to her feet. "You mean school club."

Brushing off her skirt Mana corrects Shinji's remark. "No, your fan club, as in the Shinji Ikari fan club."

Not thinking much of it, Shinji shrugs his shoulders as he walks with Mana at his side. "I never knew I had a fan club."

'He is so cute when he is clueless.' Mana smiles as she continues to clean herself off. "Yep twelve, I think. Couldn't get a good count of them, when they were hitting me."

"I'm sorry…" Shinji looks at the flours in his hands. "You didn't deserve that."

Not wonting to carry on the topic Mana looks to the flowers. "Where are you going on a date."

"A graveyard."

Mana could of lived not to see that look of Shinji's face again, despair and sadness. "I'm sorry…"

"Its okay…" Shinji does his best not to look at Mana as she speaks. "It's the anniversary of my moms death."

"Shinji…" Slowing to a stop, Mana looks to the ground. "Do you need some one at your side?"

The Mana Shinji once loved stand before him, however even if she caught him on a bad day but he still has a fear of the girl who he talks to. "Its okay, I would rather do this alone."

With Mana at a slower pace Shinji begins to gain some distance but when the young girl sees this she rushes up to stand in front of him. "Shinji, can we at least talk, today I can buy you a drink or something."

Seeing her try so hard hurts Shinji, he wants to say no but the events that separated them happened so long ago. "Maybe after I'm done we can go get something to drink, as friends."

"Yea… Sure…" Mana allows Shinji to pass as he goes into the train station. She watches as he bored and leaves to a sight he has not seen in three years.

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One can only remember so much of ones life, even if Shinji watched his mom die, he has no memory of it. Of course, the same is said of our memories, we forget what we do not wish to remember. Our own body willing to trick itself into not believing what it remembers, destroying everything to keep at peace. To watch your father walk away from you do dissert you to forget about you.

"That's it!"

Shinji Ikari stands in a middle of a crowded train. Everyone looks at him for his out burst its not to long that Shinji realizes her just spoke his epiphany to the world. However, after a few seconds everyone returns to his or her own lives.

'Father… He left because he wanted to forget, forget about mom, I reminded him of mom! He ran away because he was scared of me.'

The train comes to a stop and Shinji rushes out the door with a thought never thought before, running away all this time he was running away from his father, his father has been wanting away from him. The realization that when one doesn't run away, when one confronts their fears around them and with in them, they can win. He rushes in to 'The Fields of the Lost' where nearly one point two million claim as their final resting place. Shinji runs as fast as he can, grabbing in head as if suffering of six years was boring out of it all at once. At the point of fatigue, Shinji collapse at the head stone of his mother's grave. He sits on all fours looking to the ground.

"Mom…" Shinji gives some time so he can at least catch his breath. "Mom… it's been three years, so much has happened. Sad times happy times, sometimes I thought I was going to die." Shinji looks up to the head stone. "I have learned so much, I have found my purpose, and I protect the world, along side friends. I have experienced love, and betrayal I have done so much…"

Shinji gives a sigh, as he stands winded but functional. He stares at the grave in thought, it seems like almost an hour before a shadow is cast behind him. He does not turn for he knows whom it is.

"Father…"

The cold man that stands behind Shinji, stares at the artifice with some compassion. "Shinji…"

A smile strikes the boy face as in Gendo's voice he can here what he believed to be true. "Mom would of loved to see you on TV." The remark brings a chill up Gendo's spine as he now looks at Shinji. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry I reminded you of her."

"What…"

Shinji does not answer the perplexed question from Gendo. "I would have done the same thing, runaway."

"Runaway?" Gendo walks so he can stand just behind his son, yet he does not feel fear, he does not see Shinji shake. "That was far from the…"

"You turned your back on me, you ran away fearing me, didn't you."

Trying his best to stay calm Gendo places a strong grip on to Shinji's shoulder. "I fear no one."

Shinji turns around doing his best so he does not waver from his stance. "Can you say that to me, Father. Can you tell me that you didn't runaway?"

Before Gendo can speak, the look in Shinji's eyes withdraws any attempt to speak. "You have grown up since last."

"No…" Still smiling Shinji looks backs to his mother's grave placing his flowers on the ground. "I just realized that I've been running away myself."

"If there is one thing Yui taught me…"

"Don't…" Shinji steps back and stands next to his father on equal terms. "You don't have to explain yourself, or change the subject."

A smile creeps onto Gendo's face as he puts his hand on Shinji's Shoulder. "That will due."

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The sun begins to set on this day, for Shinji it has been a day of reverence and hope, as he comes back from his mom's grave and finds Mana right were he left her. With some reluctance they go out to get something to drink, but luck may have it they sneak up on Asuka and Rei, both at the same café eating a dinner. Shinji takes this time to maybe make this date a group event but Mana stops him.

"Shinji I don't think you should." Mana notes as she also notices that Shinji was about to call out to his fellow pilots.

See Mana leans on Shinji's arm he backs off to keep his distance. "Why not…"

"Well…" Somewhat embarrassed to explain herself she tries to at least allude to the problem. "I think they want to be alone."

"Why."

"Umm…" As they sit at a table a good distance from Rei and Asuka. Mana keeps her voice low so not to have others hear. "Look at their body language, mannerisms, they are…"

Caught up in the moment with Mana whispering Shinji leans in as well. "I don't see anything wrong?"

With a reluctant sigh, Mana uses her eyes to direct Shinji's. "Look at how close they are… Their breathing is elevated, um…" Mana looks at other characteristics for Shinji. "They are wearing nice clothes…"

"That is odd." Not speaking in the same manner as Mana, Shinji looks at Asuka who wears a green dress and Rei who wears a flattering light blue sun dress what Shinji recognizes is the same style that Asuka had when they first met. Yukari destroyed the yellow sundress if Shinji recalled correctly. "They look new."

"Look at the bags on their sides." Mana begins to look at the menu as she speaks, feeling that she is the expert on spying Shinji does the same. "It looks like they went shopping…"

"Asuka not wearing her sink clips." Shinji begins to loss track of what he is doing as he marvels at seeing Asuka's hair in a ponytail. 'She's beautiful, but Rei, wow I forgot how big…'

The great thought Shinji was having is interrupted by a kick to the shins by a red faced Mana. "Pay attention."

"Sorry…"

A waiter comes by, they both order some drinks, and once he leaves Mana leans in to get Shinji back on track. "Their physical traits aside they are on a date."

Shinji looks at Mana then to the two she speaks of. "You mean boy friend girl friend… or girl friend girl friend…" With a nod, Shinji gets his answer from Mana but he interns begins to laugh. "Na… you're thinking to much into this, they are good friends."

"I'm the spy right." Mana hisses as Shinji returns to his leering. After words don't works, she stamps her fingers in his face. "I'm not joking they are in love."

Refusing to believe such a statement, Shinji looks for a more plausible reason. "Your just saying that, Mana. How can I trust a word you are saying?"

Unable to make a decent comeback, Mana drops the subject and the two enjoy their milkshakes. When the two are done they wait around until Asuka and Rei leaves. They follow with Mana taking the lead seeing she knows how not to be caught.

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Unaware of the intrusion Asuka and Rei walk side-by-side holding hands. Rei has her cane and follows Asuka as they walk home. For Rei, it has been a day of firsts and a day of question, the motive, and objective of a date still eludes her, not to mention the actions of Asuka. Seeing that Rei has a puzzled look Asuka smiles, she leans into Rei's shoulder.

"I see you have another question that needs to be answered Rei." Asuka looks up as she rests her head. "What would you do with out me?"

'There she goes again, this physical contact has been different since those words were spoken.' Rei looks down and tightens her grip on her cane. "Asuka, I am confused, you feel so different it is nice, but not normal."

With a hard question given Asuka lifts her head up and thinks of an answer. "Well, I care for you… Trust me, it feels different but… it also feels so right."

The question was answered but it only brings with it more questions. "I share your feelings of right, but…"

At a loss for words, Rei turns to face Asuka forcing both to stop. Asuka looks to see that Rei is still confused, so she takes both of Rei's hands and holds them tightly. "I don't think words can describe what we are feeling Rei."

The two young teenagers step closer to each other, able to feel their warm breaths Asuka releases Rei's hands and places one on Rei's hip and the other on her arm. Slowly the two begin to close the gap between each other. Of course first to make contact are the chest but it does not waver each intentions. With both having their eyes close the final space is filled with a kiss, a passionate one, one that only lovers would give.

For Shinji and Mana, it is a shocking sight as Mana desperately holds back Shinji with one hand and holding his mouth shut with the other. Shinji is frozen as he points in a crazed stare at the two girls kissing each other wanting to get a better view from the distance they have.

"Shinji…" In desperation, Mana tries to calm Shinji. "This is not the time to go crazy, they kissed so what…" She thinks for a bit as she tries to calm Shinji. "Girls practice kiss all the time on others girls its not a big deal!"

"But… But… But…" The two spies fall to the ground, with Shinji still being gagged by Mana. "But I love her…"

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The next day brings cooler weather, and warm spirits. The day seems to bring with it something more, something different from the day before, and the Angel that floats over the city has nothing to do with it. The black and white ball that makes up the Angel floats only five hundred meters off the ground at a speed of ten KPH. The pattern that is on the giant ball looks like something from Van Go then from God. Peering at this Angel from around the corner is Evangelion Unit One, it holds a MP-5 style Sub machine gun and keeps hidden from the target. The two seem to be the only one out and about in the city. Deep Below in NERV command Center, Misato and Ritsuko with the rest of the battle staff looks over the battlefield.

"How long before we can get Units Zero, Two and Three to the Catapults."

It takes a second for Maya to answer Misato's question. "Two more minutes."

With her answer, give she brings up a Vid screen that that Reads Unit One, and in side is Yukari Ayanami. "Okay, stay put Yukari until we get you back up."

"Ma'am…" Yukari looks to Misato worried of her environment. "Unit One doesn't like me it's moaning at me."

With a quick look to Ritsuko, Misato watches as she goes over data looking back shaking her head. "We aren't picking up anything, its probably thought noise."

In side Unit One Yukari closes her channel and looks back to the angel, only to feel as if someone was looking over her shoulder.

'You… you are…'

Yukari cringes as she begins to feel cold. "Please be a good Eva…"

'That's not my name…'

This time the voice seems to be right next to her, she quickly goes to open a channel but the controls seemed blocked. Yukari looks to the target to see it hasn't moved. "Misato, Shinji I need help!"

The Command Center receives Yukari's cry but they cannot respond, as they are unable to make a connection. Misato looks to Ritsuko up set in her and her telling her to say nothing was wrong.

"What the hell is going on Ritsuko!"

With a frustrated look Ritsuko begins to work over Maya's shoulder trying to find a answer only to have the MAGI her trusty assistance come up as error. "I don't know!"

"You don't know!" With a hiss, Misato looks to her comrade. "I don't know isn't good enough!"

Back inside Unit One Yukari cant help but breath heavily and pull on the control handles getting no response. "Why are you doing this who are!"

'Who am I!'

The voice shouts into Yukari's ear forcing her to grab them in pain.

'I am you!'

When Yukari is finally free from the pain or the yelling she looks up to see a mirror image of herself standing in front of her, she is naked and looks at her with a cold stare, something Rei would give.

"What's going on!" Yukari grabs the control sticks and pulls on them as hard as she can Unit One responds with a violent roar into the air. With its positions compromised, the Angel shows its true form and a black plane forms under Unit One.

Before Unit One begins to sink into the void, Unit Three leaps off of a building grabbing the Eva's hand taking it to a rough top. On the other end of the Sea of Dirac Unit's Zero and Two open fire with Eva rifles with no effect but to watch their rounds sink in to the darkness. For Shinji he finds himself and Unit One trapped on a sinking building.

The first to see his problem is Misato as she calls out. He is to far in he wont be able to take Unit One and himself to safety!" Quick to resolve the problem Misato opens a channel to Shinji. "Eject the Unit's plug and jump!"

"Belay that!" Gendo stands and shouts his order, not wanting to see Unit One be lost.

However, as much as Gendo would want to have control, he truly has none, Shinji sticks his tongue out and pulls down his eyelid before ejecting Unit One's Entry Plug and using his AT Field to leap off the building. Even with the lighter payload, he is about to fall short. With out warning both Unit Zero and Two leap into the air snatching Unit three out of the sky and bringing it to safety.

"Wow…" Inside Unit Three Shinji cradles himself with a sigh of relief. "You save our ass, thanks… That Angel could of swallowed us hole"

Asuka vid screen comes up and she doesn't look to pleased. "That's what you get for waiting so long dork!"

Not wanting to argue the semantics of his rescue, Shinji waves his hands in defeat. "Look it was a great catch regardless you to make a great couple." With a bite of his tongue, Shinji looks to see Asuka caught his mistake, she stares him down. "Did I say couple I meant pair…" This time it wasn't just Asuka but Rei as her vid screen comes up. "Look, I meant that you to are good together… I mean have good team work, like…"

"Like what!" Asuka triples the size of her vid screen so she can intimidate Shinji.

"I mean… oh man…" Shinji looks to see both Rei and Asuka waiting for his answer. "Look its not important, what you guys do…" Slapping himself in the head Shinji knows he went down the wrong road. 'I'm an idiot."

"How do you know!"

"Retreat to the a recovery point to be loaded into the…" A interrupting transmission comes from the Command Center but Asuka shuts it off before Misato can say anything else.

"Well I kinda, well I just thought or saw something I don't know."

Unable to recover Shinji rolls down his hill into a pit of snakes in shit. "You saw!"

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Both Asuka and Rei's face becomes red, not just normal red but bright Red. Shinji takes this time to escape and to allow having Unit Three recovered by NERV. The Evangelion makes its way down and then into the cage were Shinji rests Unit's One plug onto the umbilical bridge.

He gets out of his Evangelion to see his father marching to him. 'Oh shit, from the frying pan into the fire.'

Other technicians including Misato run to Unit One's plug and opens it. Yukari literally leaps out of the plug landing on her chest in pain, she chocks on the LCL like she has never experienced before. When a medical technician goes to help her, she pushes him away. Misato steps back as she looks in fear at Yukari who throws up the LCL in her lungs. The girl goes to stand only to fall again, it takes nearly three tries for her to stand, but once she does, she glares at Gendo with her Yellow eyes filled with hate. With a unbalanced walk Yukari stumbles to Gendo who has Fuyutsuki at his side. Both stop right before they reach Shinji as Yukari falls to the ground in front of them. Just before they walk off Yukari stands and stares at both men with a look both have seen before but never in Yukari.

"I want a divorce!"

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Next Problem… Boomerang, Part 2

(Yui Ikari I am! The Cat in the Angel)