"Bye big brother! Bye Hikari!" The young girl happily exclaimed from her hospital bed as her brother and the girl she believed to be his girlfriend left the room while waving to her.

Hikari honestly loved Touji's little sister. Mari was such a cute little girl and was always so excited about life which only made the fact that she was in the hospital so much worse. Like her, the girl was injured when an Angel attack but Hikari got away with a simple scar across her eye whereas his sister was crushed.

Thankfully, it didn't look as bad as it sounded but the bandages around her small frame were always stained with blood. Hikari even remembered hearing that they had to be changed a lot but she had no idea…

"Thanks Hikari…" Touji softly said as the door closed behind them.

"You don't have to say that, you know I like coming to visit her." She said as they walked away from the room.

Every time they came, Touji would express his gratitude but Hikari would smile and wave him off but this time he seemed… empty. Even when they were talking to his sister, she noticed the distant look in his eyes.

"I wanted her to be in a better hospital so…"

The jock stopped abruptly and shook his head. He couldn't tell her.

She already agreed to fake as his girlfriend when they came to see Mari and she still made lunch for him. He didn't want to repay her by telling her that he was going to be in danger.

Had he been so deep in thought over deciding on rather to tell Hikari or not, he would have missed the warm sensation around his hand, "Hikari…?"

"You don't have to say it if you don't want to, but I'm here." She squeezed his hand to further prove her point.

"I'm the Fourth."

"What?"

Touji's hand slid out of hers as he started to walk down the hall, "I'm the Fourth Child."

He looked over his shoulder to find her staring at him with complete shock written across her face, "I'm glad…"

With his back facing her as he walked, the jock said something he wanted to say to her a long time ago, "I'm glad ya stayed."

Lately

To be honest, he was still dead tired. The last few weeks pushed him to the point of exhaustion and he barely escaped the last sortie with his life. Worst of all, he scared Misato to the point of crying and that really wasn't a pleasant experience at all…

To tell the truth, the whole week since then was uncomfortable.

Misato, if she wasn't already, was going out of her way to make him comfortable but it only served to make him feel less at ease. Normally, he was the one to do all the chores but, when he opened his door and found his guardian washing clothes, he thought he was going to faint.

He sighed as he walked. She even went to the point of ordering him not to do anything before she left.

While Misato seemed to be more eager to be around him, Asuka seemed to be even more annoyed by his presence. It wasn't a shock when he discovered she was avoiding him intentionally. Of course, even now he didn't blame her for being mad but going so far as to be late instead of walk with him to school didn't make him feel good.

Even if two of the girls in his life changed to that extent, the other two remained perfectly the same.

Hikari was still the most stable person in his life and still gave him the resolve to see Evangelion through until the very last Angel was dead at Unit 01's feet. Although he didn't see her but only once thanks to his extended stay in the hospital, that was all he needed to remind himself that she was still there… and still with him.

It was still a dream to him. He couldn't even believe that he was in a relationship with her.

They loved each other.

It wasn't lust or just because they needed someone to talk to, it was because they understood how they felt about each other and acted on it. She was the person he shared his secrets and kisses with and he was the person she confided in the most.

Shinji smiled as he walked up the steps, "She loves me…" He reminded himself.

Hikari probably didn't know just how important her love was to him.

The expression on his face gradually turned into a more serious one as he thought about how far he would go to protect not only Hikari but their relationship. It was extremely possible that he would do anything… and even that wasn't his limit.

"Shinji."

He blinked as he got to his destination without realizing it, "Ah! Hello Rei."

The reason he was actually walking was because of the fact that Rei of all people called him. Overlooking the fact that he was supposed to have two more days of rest, he got up and left the apartment in order to see his friend who lived alone.

She nodded at the greeting and moved to allow him into her apartment. Despite that it was exactly the same as it was last time, Shinji smiled seeing that she at least made up the bed but he found his sight resting on her night table where the glasses she treasured were missing.

Pushing away the thoughts of the incident, he stepped inside.

The sight that greeted him was the same when he was outside the door. Her room was still messy but it was just how Rei was. She wasn't that she didn't want to clean it was just that she didn't view it as important.

Looking over the room, he realized that it represented the girl well. Besides the noise outside, the quiet, dark stillness of the apartment matched Rei perfectly. Everything from the bare walls to the half empty glass of water on the night table, it just had Rei's… style all over it.

"Would you like if I prepared some tea?" His friend asked as she motioned towards the small kitchen.

Shinji nodded, "I'll like that."

Even now, the boy remembered how she used to unnerve him. While it was a little strange that she had azure hair and scarlet eyes, it was really her mannerisms that intimidated him. Add that to the fact that she was so focused on Evangelion and the fact that she actually knew his father better then him, he was surely no wonder why he didn't exactly want to be in her company.

It all changed after the fifth Angel attacked.

Shinji continued to stand in front of the bed as memories of Unit 00 shielding him came to mind. It came as a shock not only because she stepped in front of him so quickly but because he actually wanted to be the one to protect her.

As a matter of fact, the reason he first piloted was to protect the blue haired girl.

"Hey Rei," Shinji looked out the only window in the apartment, "Why did you ask me over here?"

The girl in question lifted her head. Setting her task of making tea aside for the moment, she addressed her friend without turning around, "I wanted to ask about… feelings."

A slightly confused Shinji turned towards her, "Feelings?"

"I always suppressed them in the belief that they would be… unnecessary to deal with but," Unconsciously, Rei drew her hand up to her chest and placed her hand over her heart, "I still feel them."

"Ranging from striking pain to warmth without equal, I feel all of them." She moved towards her friend as she spoke, "There have been times when I felt I would never see you again Shinji so I wanted to ask, not in light of the fact that we may not see another day but in the firm belief that understanding these feelings will bring us closer together as friends."

He watched her as she stopped speaking and returned to making the tea. Her pale hands wrapped around the cup and Shinji noticed something that only a friend could notice, "You… You thought about this a lot huh?"

It didn't take the nod for him to know that he was right. Rei was not one to hold off questions that she found to be important but in this case it was obvious that she did put a lot of thought into the subject before asking.

Shinji sat on her bed and tried to think of a way he could honestly answer her, "It's kind of hard to explain…" He admitted.

"Can you share some of your experiences?" Rei suggested instead.

"Um, Hikari told me-"

The First Child cut him off, "I did not ask for her opinion."

"Remember when you slapped me?"

Rei looked up, briefly recalling the look of total disbelief on his face after she hit him because of his lack of respect for the commander, "That… is irrelevant." She said not wanting to talk about it.

Shinji rubbed the back of his neck, 'This isn't getting- I got it!' He thought as an idea came to mind.

"Do you remember when I told you people smiled when their happy?"

"Yes," Rei replied as she brought the cups of tea to the bed and handed one to her friend, "I do."

The memory of having her entry plug opened was one that she liked to think about. The first time it was Commander Ikari who put himself in danger and risked further injury than just the burns on his hands to get her out. The only things that remained behind as proof of the event were the gloves that Gendo wore and the half melted glasses that she placed in the draw.

Even if she was thankful for the act of her guardian, the glasses he left behind could only offer so much as sentimental value but Shinji gave her something more special when he opened her entry plug.

She received his honest and complete concern. Unlike the commander who had a reason to watch over her given the purpose she had, Shinji shed tears in knowing that she was safe and he was also the first to take delight in her smile.

"I never did ask you how you felt back then…" Her friend remarked causing Rei to fall out of her silent reflection.

"No one ever has."

Shinji immediately set his tea aside as he turned to the ruby-eyed girl who stood in front of him. He rubbed his face with his hand, "What kind of friend am I?" He said dryly as he stood.

He opened his mouth and said something to Rei that no one has ever directed to her, "How do you feel Rei?"

The original purpose for inviting him over was lost as the question started to sink into her mind, "I am fine." She said simply, finding her reply the best suited answer.

The warm feeling invoked by being asked such a simple question made her feel much better than fine. The problem was putting how she felt into words. Instead of actually voicing it, she wanted to act on it.

Touch was something that was important to Rei. Although it was as important as her other senses for piloting, touch served as something that was best used outside of battle. For example, with her sense of touch she could feel the texture of Shinji's shirt as she hugged him.

Shinji failed to mask his surprise, "R-Rei?"

Rei closed her eyes. This closeness was something that was shared with friends and she understood why. Long ago, she would have simply viewed it as an intrusion in one's personal space but now it was a celebration of touch.

By observing Hikari and Shinji she learned a lot of things but a hug was one of the things she couldn't fully grasp till now. Seeing that such a small act could bring such joy, Rei decided it was something she wanted to try herself and her friend was the only option for this contact.

She did not regret it.

Shinji, nowrelaxingin easeprovided by thecomfortable silence, placed his arms around her also.

She did not regret it at all.

Before long, her friend broke the silence, "Rei, I promised I'll meet Hikari in about an hour so I should be leaving about now…" He said as he spied a look at his watch.

Rei's eyes slowly opened. A slight envy washed over her at mention of his girlfriend's name. Hikari could enjoy his touch at any time. With thoughts of the girl in mind, Rei lifted her head off Shinji's chest, "She has made you… dangerous." She said referring to Hikari.

He laughed. Rei, despite the fact that she did indeed like the sight and sound of it, didn't appreciate the fact that he did it after she seriously stated a fact, "We are all dangerous." He replied as his laughter died down, "If we weren't dangerous we wouldn't really make good pilots."

It made sense but Rei slightly frowned at the thought of Shinji thinking of her as hazardous.

Any reply that she was about to muster was stopped by the ringing of their cell phones in unison.

0

Unit 00 was grounded.

The imprint of the light blue Evangelion's head on the road was proof of that fact.

Rei was still trying to shake off the daze as Unit 00 attempted to get back on its feet only to find that Unit 03 was firmly holding it down. She fully remembered pulling the trigger twice in rapid succession in hopes of shooting the Angel down but, before she knew it, it was airborne. In a flash, the Angel infested Evangelion appeared above her and drove its foot into the side of Unit 00's head.

Her crimson eyes turned towards the Angel's forearm where parts of it were beginning to drip down onto her Evangelion. She was about to experience the same thing that happened to the Second Child.

Unit 02 was silenced almost the moment after it came into contact with the thirteenth Angel. It disabled her just long enough for some of itself to ooze onto the Evangelion's back and slowly take it over. Before it spread to the entry plug, Commander Ikari issued the order to blow the infected material off.

However, unlike the prototypes, Unit 02 didn't have the ability to simply blow off its back armor.

Asuka's screams were heard by all as it felt like her back literally exploded. So intense was the pain that she passed out with Unit 02's head in the dirt and its spinal column detached. Luckily for her, Unit 03 moved on and, unluckily for Rei, found its next prey.

Rei, with agonizing slowness, watched as the contents of the Angel's forearm got closer and closer to Unit 00.

They wouldn't make it to the Evangelion.

Unit 01 collided with Unit 03 with all the force Shinji could muster. The shoulder compartment broke off and the Evangelions fell in a tangled mess. When the dust cleared, the black Evangelion's forearm was on Unit 01 and the obvious signs of contamination could be seen. Shinji's eyes doubled in size as the nerves in his arm got distorted in such a disgusting way, but he didn't have the time to think about how it looked. He knew his father was going to order it so he could only brace himself for it.

"Detonate the left arm."

Just like that, the charges at Unit 01's shoulder went off and, as far as Shinji was concerned, his arm was gone. The blinding pain that followed was something that couldn't be prepared for. As Shinji reached over with his arm just to verify that it was still there, Unit 03 looked down at him like it was drinking in his agony.

With Unit 01 defeated, the Angel moved back towards the last line of defense.

Shinji turned around to find the unmoving Evangelion not far from him. Rei was still too dazed to get back up and Unit 03 was coming at her again.

As his father issued orders for Rei to get up, Shinji realized something that he knew the moment Unit 03 stepped over his Evangelion.

They were defeated.

Unit 02 was out of commission, Unit 01 was down, and the Angel was heading back towards Unit 00.

Everyone's eyes were stuck to the display as the Angel made its way to its prey. With its mouth hung open like an animal, Unit 03 narrowed its eyes on the Evangelion in front of it.

Rei's mind was not on the Unit 03 or even on escaping from it. Her vermillion eyes were set on the one-armed Evangelion that started to rise from behind her would be killer.

The tension of the situation reached its peak as Unit 03 spun around and launched itself in the air so fast that is seemed like one action taken instead of two. With a distant look in his eyes, Shinji muttered the only thought that numbed the pain in his shoulder, "Can't lose…"

The shoulder apartment on Unit 01 opened with a hiss and the progressive knife fell into a familiar hand as the Evangelion took hold of the weapon. For a few seconds, everything was still as Unit 01 looked up at the Angel that would land on top of him.

Nothing moved.

The red mass on the ground that was the abandoned Unit 02 remained silent and so did its blue counterpart as its single red orb awaited the outcome of the fight.

Everyone in Central Dogma, the Commander included, stared at the display too nervous to say a word. The air stood still as Unit 03 sailed through it and Unit 01 slid its foot forward to brace itself for the impact that was certain to come.

They met in a collision that could be heard miles away.

The shoulder that was roaring in pain not to long ago fell into place in the Angel's chest and the only reaction from Shinji was a slight grimace. Not because it hurt, but because the Angel still managed to get its hand around Unit 01's neck.

Swiftly moving before the Angel could tighten its grasp, Unit 01 applied the vibrating knife to the armor of the Evangelion and a satisfying screech echoed as the knife started to cut away at the chest plate. Sparks flew as Shinji forced the knife deeper into the Angel.

The blood that splattered on Unit 01's face didn't deter in the least.

Howling in pain, Unit 03 released the hold and its unusually long arms returned to its side as it retreated. The roles of the hunter and hunted were changed when the purple Evangelion dropped the progressive knife and caught the Angel by one of its hands.

Using the momentum built by it running away, Shinji forced Unit 01 to pull the Angel back. Rippingan arm off in the process, Unit 01 threw the useless appendage away and drew its fist back to strike Unit 03.

Losing the arm advantage it used to have, Unit 03 raised its hand to stop the punch that was coming. Unit 01's hand plowed past the hand and hit the Angel directly in the face. With blood flowing out of the wound that used to be its arm, the Angel crashed into the hillside.

"Protect… her."

With his words being a prologue to the agony the Angel was surely going to feel, Unit 01 smashed its fist into the Evangelion's head.

It exploded under the intense force of the punch andthe contents flew everywhere.

"Her…"

Shinji forced the machine he piloted to continue with its utter annihilation of the being known as the thirteenth Angel.

Unit 01 used it lone hand to pull off the chest armor that he all but already cut in half. More blood sprouted out as the armor finally gave in to the pressure and was tossed aside.

"Hikari…"

In a daze brought on by the thought of losing her, Shinji forced Unit 01 until he came to the core of the monster. As Unit 03 twitched, the Evangelion that defeated it raised its fist to deal another blow.

The core shattered the instant Unit 01's knuckles met it and Unit 03 stopped moving all together. Still, Shinji continued, his mind not content with the destruction that he already dealt.

No one.

No one said anything.

No one said anything or even attempted to stop him when Unit 01's hand came to rest on the fractured entry plug.

"Hikari…"

With a sickening crunch, the already broken entry plug was shattered.

Unmoved by the events that took place before him, the commander was the first to take action. Carefully observing the bio-machine that his son piloted, Gendo issued an order, "Rei, restrain the Unit 01."

Unit 00 slowly got back up as the commander added to his order, "By any means necessary."

Opting to take the easiest solution, Rei opened a com-link. Her friend was clearly still in a daze as he continued to mutter the name of their classmate. This fact suddenly reminded her that he just killed another of their classmates but thoughts of that matter would have to be saved for later.

"Shinji…" She said softly rousing him from his daze.

"Rei…" He nervously replied as the distant look in his eyes turned into a confused one, "Did… I-"

His eyes just happened to move towards the sight of what was in his hand.

"No…" He muttered as he saw Unit 03 printed in giant bold letters on top of one of the large pieces of white metal in his hand.

Examining the remains of the entry plug further, he could have sworn he saw someone. With a terrified gulp, Shinji's hand shook as he increased the magnification.

His eyes widen in realization…

He screamed.

0

Shinji got out of Nerv as fast as possible.

This time he didn't get any praise or slaps on the back. This time he didn't get any comforting smiles or supporting nods. All he got from the various people around the complex was silence.

Not at all the understanding silence of Rei's apartment or the reassuring silence of Hikari's house, the silence that fell as he walked out was one that was out of fear.

"Even Rei…" He whispered as he pushed open the door. Even if it wasn't to the extent of the technicians, he could see it in her eyes as she attempted to speak to him.

He didn't blame anyone at all though. He brought it upon himself.

Hikari put the book she reading aside, "Shinji?"

Her boyfriend all but fell into her arms.

Almost knocking her and the chair she was sitting in onto the floor, Shinji fought to regain his composure. Hikari was the only one he could talk to. She was the only one that he could share these feelings with.

She was the only one he had to tell.

"I… did it," He said, his voice cracking, "Hikari, I'm so sorry."

The interest she had in the book gave way to her concern. Wrapping her arms around the boy, Hikari positioned herself so that his head was against her chest, "What's wrong?"

For a moment, he was against letting her know. He was already hurt… but did he have to hurt her?

"Hikari…"

"Shinji," Hikari shifted in the seat, "Let's go to my room."

The fact that she was uncomfortable finally set in and Shinji was off of her almost instantly. Hikari smiled despite the promise of the bad news Shinji had, "Come on…" She whispered as she took his hand in hers.

It didn't long for her to get up and, before Shinji knew it, she was leading him down the hall. Taking a look at their joined hands, Shinji felt that he had to tell her now or it was possible he wouldn't have to heart to do it later.

"I… I killed him."

She stopped only a few feet from the bedroom door, "What?"

"Touji," he continued as he felt her hand release his, "I killed him."

He risked a look at her face and saw the definition of shock. Her eyes were wide and her mouth moved in an attempt to say something but no words came forth. Shaking, she brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

"Misato and Asuka were hurt… and it was about to hurt Rei," He paused as he couldn't manage to look at her, "I… I had to do it."

To her credit, Hikari fell into him in a similar fashion as he did into her but he couldn't embrace her without knowing one thing.

"Do… Do you hate me?"

Again, her mouth moved but she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Instead she could only take action albeit if it wasn't what Shinji expected.

Hikari slapped him.

Hard.

It was not the first time anyone hit him but it hurt way more than it should have. That slapped went way deeper than the sting it left on his cheek. It was more than just a hit… it was an act that marked the first low of their relationship.

Hikari lowered her hand as her eyes took the coldest edge he had ever seen, "Is that what you want Shinji? Do you want me to hate you?" She barked out in rage.

"I didn't-"

She cut him off as she continued her barrage, "I wanted to Shinji… I swear I wanted to hate you the day I woke up in the hospital." She admitted.

"I couldn't… every time I saw you I knew I couldn't hate you." She said as her voice gradually got softer, "I don't hate you at all."

Her hand came into contact with his and she formed a tighter grip on his hand, "At all…"

"Shinji… Touji was one of my best friends. I feel like crying but that wouldn't make him come back." She leaned into him, "I… I can only keep smiling because I know that he wouldn't want anyone to cry for him."

"Hikari," Shinji felt his eyes starting to dampen, "I love you."

With Touji on her mind and Shinji in her heart, the girl smiled, "I love-"

Something happened that wasn't supposed to happen. Both of the children wanted to ignore it, but it was impossible giving the blaring sound that signaled something Shinji didn't expect for at least another month or two.

The Angel alarm and the vibrating cell phone in his pocket were proof enough that his prediction was very wrong. No matter how many times he told himself it couldn't be true, Shinji came to the realization that it was as he reached in his pocket to answer the phone.

Even if he was relieved to hear Misato's voice on the other end, she carefully told him that his fears were well placed.

The fourteenth Angel has been sighted.

Shinji stuffed the cell phone back into his pocket and made his way to the door.

"You," Hikari squeezed the hand that was still locked around his, "You don't have to go…"

They both knew that he had to. Even if he didn't want to at all, he was still going to.

It was his turn to move away as she let go and watched him move towards the front door. He came to a halt before he walked out, "You know… Rei said I was dangerous today."

Caught off guard, Hikari could only nod and wait for him to go on.

"I didn't really take it serious until… what happened."

"But," He looked over his shoulder at the girl who stood behind him, "I really am…"

He turned back to the door, "I don't care though," He turned back to thedoor,"As long as I can protect you... I don't care what I become."

"Shinji…"

"Hey Hikari," he laughed nervously as he changed the subject, "You should probably start locking the door."

With that, he ran out to face the greatest challenge that any of the Angels put up thus far and left his girlfriend pondering not only about what he said but also about a friend she would never see again.

Fin

Author's notes: Ending was a little weak again. I think I'll fix that up in the chapters to come. School is getting hetic so I mightnot be able update in a while.

The 13th Angel put not only Touji out of commission but also injured Asuka and Unit 01 and took Unit 01's arm. With the pilots at such a clear disadvantage, how will they manage against the 14th?

What is the extent of Asuka's injuries?

What will happen to Rei as she attempts to fight the Angel alone?

More importantly, exactly how tired is Shinji?

Chibi Fenrir