AFTER IMPACT

by J.Alana1

Third Impact has occured. Shinji Ikari & Asuka Langely Soryu are left alone. Now they must struggle to survive from day to day and face the awful truth that they were left to inherit the Earth. What lies ahead? What is the course of life After Impact?

2. Chapters 13 thru 33

PART II. COMING OF AGE.

Chapter 13

It was almost two years later and they had wandered, helping each other, taking care of each other, working together. They had been companions and made each other laugh even in the face of disaster.

She thought this was hell but she also had come to the understanding that this was reality and she knew that there if she had to pick the one person to be left alone on Earth with, it would be him.

She remembered right before her attack in Unit 2, when she thought it was all over, she had uttered "Schist!" Then as she felt it was all over, she had whispered in her head. "Good bye, Shinji."

Then she heard that scream that God-awful scream that echoed in her head. It was filled with grief and fear. It was filled with heartbreak and she knew that had been him screaming for me.

Her wit and strength had been pushed to the max the last few months. They had tried to summon every bit of training that they had encountered to survive. Both had used their military training in order to survive but more so, both had relied on each other.

She knew that if he hadn't been here, she would have taken her life herself and she knew he probably would have done the same.

She was grateful for him, even though she put him through hell with her nagging and yelling, and she knew that he in turn was grateful to her.

She wondered though, in all the time that they had been alone, since that day, why hadn't Shinji made a move yet? When was he going to?

He hadn't tried to kiss her once, since that day, and she wondered if it was because he was scared of being rejected or scared of his own feelings.

Asuka enjoyed the coolness of the waterfall as she took a much needed and restful bath. They had found a small tropical forest and it had amazed them. It was odd to her that some places in the world were still beautiful and untouched by the disaster of Third Impact.

She was amazed to see this part of the thick tropical forest was still unharmed. She had gathered since they had been on the move for nearly two years now and in that time had to have covered a lot of ground.

She wasn't sure of how much ground but from her calculations she had to gather at least 3000 square miles on foot alone.

She decided that she was going to relish in this small luxury and she wondered if Shinji had heeded her warning and his distance. She had told him firmly. "I am going to take a bath and if I so much as sense you around, I will kick your fucking sorry ass!"

Shinji had nodded his head and said. "Okay, I'll…. just stay here and make up camp."

She would never tell him but when he had gone to take a bath one day, she had caught him. At first, she was shocked and went to turn to walk away but then she couldn't stop watching. She hid for the entire time and watched him. He was naked and she looked at his body thoroughly. Then, she had seen him do something she hadn't expected. She saw him jerking off and she never had been able to get that image out of her head especially when she heard call out her name as he did.

Since that time, she had usually gone to spy on him. In fact, she frequently went to spy on him whenever he did take a bath and she wondered if he ever knew. Was she wrong for it? Yes, kind of. However, she couldn't deny one thing, she was starting to desire him. That worried her.

They slept with each other every single night and not once had touched one another sexually. However when it was late at night and she was sure he was asleep, she would cuddle up to him to feel comfort and safety and it was usually after she had cried. She of course always denied that she did it the following morning but at night it was different, it was like she could allow that little bit of vulnerability to come through. Sometimes, he would cuddle up to her and wrap his arms around her and she always allowed it.

She knew that he had chosen her to share his existence with and she also knew that they were possibly the only two people left on the Earth.

It made sense then to go to the next level.

She had to admit for the most part, she was being mean to Shinji and she knew why. It was because of her feelings for him; they were starting to run deeper. Yet, her strength and her pride were greater. She didn't want to admit that to him. To admit it meant to lose her strength and it was something she could not lose.

She wondered though if he could tell she was lying.

She also wondered if he was harboring the same desires as her. A few times as she slept, she had heard him in his sleep calling out her name. She wondered if that was because he was dreaming about having sex with her or if he was dreaming about her nagging him to death.

Thoughts pounded through her brain as she enjoyed her shower. As she caught herself in the reflection of the water, she pondered the same question she seemed to ask herself since day one of Third Impact. Who am I? She thought to herself. What am I?

Asuka had felt different since the first day that they had found out they were alone. She didn't feel totally like herself and then again, she wasn't sure of what they had experienced during Third Impact.

She wondered what to do. She wasn't sure either way. She was afraid of losing her strength and her pride and she knew to reveal herself to Shinji would make her vulnerable. She would never allow herself to be vulnerable ever to anyone, least of all him.

Chapter 14

Shinji walked through the forest and wasn't quite sure of why he even bothered to venture out into it. After all, if Asuka caught him in there she would surely beat the crap out of him.

Shinji had been sitting at the camp long enough and the temptation was too great to just sit and not do anything.

Quietly, he walked through the forest and then he saw her.

Quickly, he turned his back and shook his head. "Don't do it." He said under his breath. "If she catches you, you're fucked." Then, slowly he turned his head and his eyes widened. "Okay, so she beats the crap out of me, no big deal. What's she going to do? Run away, never talk to me again…. nah, fuck it."

Shinji turned his back again and started to walk away. Then he shut his eyes and turned around again and looked back to her. "Fuck it." He said as he knelt down in the brush, making sure she couldn't see him and then he watched her, taking in every glance he could of her. He smirked as he thought to himself. Of course, I'm not going to listen. I feel so ashamed for doing this but I can't resist the urge. Ikari, you're so fucked up.

Now Shinji was hiding, he knelt down behind a tree and then watched her in the pond as she bathed. He eyed her thoroughly and enjoyed watching her. He felt guilty for doing it though. He knew he was intruding on her privacy and for that he was very wrong. Yet, he was a teenage boy and like all teenaged boys, the temptation to look was just too great and that overruled morality.

Shinji hated to admit the fact that he spied on Asuka whenever she took a bath. The first time it had happened was about two weeks after Third Impact, he had seen her in the brush, giving herself a sponge bath and it had happened accidentally.

She had gotten up before him and he had wandered into the woods to go relieve himself and while he was relieving himself, he saw her from the back washing herself and he couldn't stop watching her. He remembered that while he was watching her, his breathing had increased and after he was done relieving himself, he relieved himself in another way.

She had never known he was out there. Plus right before she always took a bath, she announced she was going to take a bath and he'd better stay where he was or get his ass beaten. When she issued that kind of warning that had been almost like a challenge to him. A game.

Chapter 15

Asuka had a weird feeling that he was out there and she smirked knowing that if she caught him that she would beat the crap out of him. However she wondered that if he was staring at her right now, should she jump out of the water right now, change and go to find him to beat the crap out of him or would she give him a little show?

She thought about it for a second and looked out of the corner of her eye and then she caught it. "Idiot." She whispered. "Thinks he can hide, huh?" She had seen a hint of a yellow shirt in the brush and then she knew he was spying on her.

It was a weird feeling to have knowing that he was watching her in the brush.

She had caught him spying as she took a bath before and that time, she had chased him down and knocked the crap out of him.

She had issued a warning saying. "If I ever catch you spying on me again, I'll beat you up worse then this!"

Then she had caught him again and another beating ensued.

Then yet again, she caught him once more and gave him another beating.

She knew he was bigger and stronger then her and could easily stop her from beating him up. Yet, she never really hit hard. It was more of a slapping frenzy then anything that usually ended up in a wrestling match. She wondered if that was why he did it. She always noticed that there was a huge smile on his face when they started to wrestle.

It was the only time where they actually groped one another and usually found themselves laughing hysterically. It ended by her giving him a short kick to his rear and watch as he ran back to camp usually laughing with her screaming. "IDIOT!-"

Later on at the fire, he would say. "Did you get out all your aggression?"

Then they would laugh about it as she said. "Pervert."

She wondered if she should torment him somewhat and so she called out loudly. "Shinji! I know you're out there. If I find you, you are dead meat! I mean it, Shinji. I will kick your fucking ass in! You have one opportunity to get out of here right now! If you leave now, you escape the beating! If I find you in here, Shinji, I will kick your ass!"

She wondered if that threat would be enough to scare him away. She looked out of the corner of her eye and had seen that the hint of the yellow shirt had not moved. Persistent, are we? She thought to herself. Maybe he wants another beating today.

Chapter 16

Shinji's heart was beating a mile a minute as he sat in the brush and stared at her. Sweat came down his forehead and he eyed her and breathed heavy, smirking as he heard her idle threat. I will not move from this spot. He told himself. She can't see me. She only thinks I'm out here she doesn't know I'm out here. If she confronts me later, I'll lie. I'm good at that. If she finds me well, there's another beating that I deserve, even though I don't mind those either.

So far he had been successful at her not finding him. Then as he watched her, he began to second part of his spying, and began to undo the button on his jeans. He breathed heavy as he reached down in his jeans and freed himself and then he began what he felt guilty for doing, but couldn't resist no matter how many times he said he wouldn't.

He couldn't stop watching her. He loved every moment of this. He felt guilty for watching her and he also truly felt like a spying pervert for watching her and pleasing himself at the same time but he couldn't help it. How the hell did she just expect me to stay there at the camp and not do anything when she announced she was going into the forest to take a bath and I'd better not look or I'd get the shit kicked out of me! Ha! That was an open invitation practically! Ambiguous at best! I've known she's watched me as many times as I've watched her. Sicko! Pervert! Peeping Tom! Stalker! He thought to himself. You are still so fucked up. No, you are really and totally fucked up…

Shinji had known that she spied on him too. Once as he was taking a bath he saw her. She was standing off to the side and she was watching him. She never said a word about it after the fact but then he knew, she was just as guilty as he was, maybe even more so.

He hadn't caught her doing just once either. He had caught her a few times but unlike Asuka, he never chased her down or issued warnings he simply made like he never knew.

Chapter 17

Asuka knew he was out there. It was obvious but what would she do? Get out of the water and find him, then beat the crap out of him? That was too easy. Why not torture him a little? It could go either way. Either he would get flustered or run away or he would stay and watch and possibly try something later…. to which I'll knock the crap out of him if he tried…. or will I?

Asuka was confused. Her feelings were all in knots. One thing she never feared was Shinji attacking her. She knew he didn't have that within him and so she never feared that he would actually try to seduce her or force himself on her.

The emotions she felt lately were stronger then ever.

She had seen a side of Shinji that she never thought existed. When faced with either survival or death, he had taken the route of survival.

A year ago, he had saved her from certain death. Then he had pulled her to him and kissed her.

Since that day, it never happened again and she wondered what was going through his head? Not even in the many "beatings" she had given him, which ended up in groping wrestling matches where their bodies twisted with one another and they laughed did he even try to kiss her.

It had been over a year since that day.

Asuka enjoyed herself thoroughly. I don't give a damn if he was out there or not. If he wasn't, fine. If he was, fine. She honestly didn't care either way. She was enjoying this way too much. Am I crazy doing this in the open where he could possibly see me? She thought. Who cares? I hope he's going through torture watching me do this. Serves him right.

Chapter 18

Shinji felt the sweat drip from his forehead as he watched her and breathed heavily It felt so good to do this and watch her at the same time but still he felt terrible for being a spying pervert.

Then his eyes widened as he watched her do something he didn't expect. His mouth fell open and he began to please himself faster as he watched her and breathed in and out. Oh my God! I can't believe she's doing that! Does she know I'm out here? Maybe she does, or maybe she doesn't. Goddamnit, I'm such a pervert. Oh my God! What the fuck? Holy shit!

His eyes stayed on her, watching her move and wash herself, the corners of his mouth turned upward into a smile, his breath quickened and watched her enjoy herself as he did the same.

He watched her throw her head back, he scrunched his eyes closed, groaned as quietly as he could and then felt himself let go. He breathed heavily still having his eyes shut. His fist tightened and then he bowed down, breathing heavily and when he looked up, he saw she was out of the waterfall.

He looked around hoping she would not have caught him by sneaking around the side waiting to kick his ass with his pants down. It would be bad for her to know he was spying on her, it would be worse if she knew he was spying on her and jerking off at the same time.

He breathed out and took out the small cloth he carried in his back pocket for such activities and cleaned himself off. Then he pulled himself together and recovered from his activity.

He took another deep breath and stood up, and then he began to walk back to camp. Then as he turned a corner, he saw her.

Asuka!

His mouth dropped open as his eyes trailed down her body and he gripped the tree as he stood frozen, unable to move and unable to think.

Shinji's eyes focused on her body, taking in every glance, his thoughts were a jumble. She's so beautiful. Every part of her is just…. so beautiful.

Chapter 19

Asuka was drying herself off with the towel she had bought with her. After she had finished drying herself off, she began to get dressed by picking up her undergarments and putting them back on. She picked up her yellow sundress and shook it out and then began to put it on, as she was buttoning it up, Asuka heard a twig snapping.

It startled her.

She turned around quickly and then she breathed in as she saw him.

"Shinji?" She asked in an annoyed angry tone.

Shinji looked at her and breathed out and felt like he was stuck.

Shinji froze in his tracks and his face became flushed. He quickly tried to hide behind the tree but it was too late, he had been caught. She's going to beat my ass. He thought as he slowly looked over to her and breathed in and out as he looked at her.

She stared at him with an open mouth and wide eyes. She gasped as she saw him and, the look on her face was pure rage. She was about to run and beat him senseless. What the fuck is he doing? That little shit! How dare he!

Asuka knew about the spying but right now he was directly in front of her. He had watched her get dressed and he hadn't been hiding when he did it. That was a first.

Shinji could only stare back. She was dressed now. She wore a yellow sundress and he thought to himself that she looked beautiful as she glared at him with her arms crossed. He could not move as she fixed her eyes on his. He felt frozen but his eyes trailed down her body and he breathed heavily as he looked back at her.

Then as Asuka looked back at him, she found that his eyes were burning into her own. She found herself lost within his gaze and saw something in him that again, she had never seen before and it captivated her.

She suddenly found that she was no longer angry with him and the urge to beat him up had gone away. She suddenly had another thought. Shinji, why are you looking at me like that? The way you're looking at me it's making me feel something weird. It's not a bad weird though, it's a good weird. It's like I want you to look at me and I want you closer. Why am I feeling this way? What is this? What's happening to me?

As her eyes looked into his, the look on her face softened and she took a breath as she watched him straighten up and come out from behind the tree.

What's going through my head? I want to go over to her. I want to be with her. I want to hold her and touch her and…oh my God, I can't believe these thoughts I am having! I've never thought this way when it came to her. Well…. no, that's not true. I've dreamt about being with her like that. She wants to be with me. I can see it. She wants me to be near her.

She looked back at him and did not move, she simply stood with her arms at her sides and let him look at her and he did. I want you near me, Shinji. Shinji, this feeling is so strong. I want you near me. Then she spoke. "Shinji, come here." She said in a soft voice.

He breathed heavy as he looked back at her and swallowed hard. She wants me to come to her. She wants me to be with her? "Asuka?" he breathed out as he looked at her. He couldn't stop watching her, he couldn't move or say anything. He just looked at her, feeling himself become hard again and feeling strange urges inside of him that confused him like no other before.

"Shinji, its okay."

Shinji took another deep breath.

These urges were familiar yet unfamiliar as he felt like running over to her and taking her into his arms. He felt like holding her against him as he kissed her. He wanted to let his mouth and hands wander her body…he felt like…. then he breathed in.

Oh my God…I don't think I'm ready for this! I can't move…I can't think…I'm not ready. I can't do this! I have to get away!

His eyes went wide as he turned around and ran away as quickly as he could.

Asuka breathed in as she watched him run off, she felt nervous and unsure of herself. It was odd. She looked back in his direction, and took off running after him.

Chapter 20

As Shinji ran through the forest, he ran out of breath and leaned up against a tree. He squeezed his eyes shut, then raised his head and took a deep breath. Then as hard as he could, he slapped himself in the face. "Damnit!" he growled out. What the fuck is happening to me? What was I thinking? I can't believe that! Why did I wimp out like that? I wanted to be with her. I wanted to…so, why didn't I? What's wrong with me? I'm not ready yet. That was it. I'm not ready and I'm unsure of myself. I don't know…. I just know…I care about her…but I think it's more then that, I think…. I don't know though. I'm so scared.

"Shinji?"

He turned his head and then he saw her. He breathed out and turned a deep shade of red as he looked at her. He went to turn around and run and then he heard her say.

"Don't run away from me!"

He turned back to look at her and as she looked back at him, she could see he was greatly confused and scared.

She came towards him through the bush and he stood motionless. She stood and looked at him.

"What's wrong?" She looked back at him and raised her eyebrow, taking a deep breath. "Shinji, why did you run away like that?"

Shinji knew he was caught red-handed and nothing he could do would get him out of the trouble he was in now. "I…uh…. I…uh…."

"What are you doing out here?' She asked.

"I don't know. Asuka…I just… I just…" he said to her as he turned red. I mustn't run away.

"Shinji, what the hell are you trying to say?" Asuka said to him as she looked at him.

"Asuka, I…."

"Well, what are you trying to say?" She told him as she looked at him.

Shinji took a breath and looked at her, sweat poured off of his forehead and his cheeks became flushed. Why can't I speak? What the hell is wrong with me?

Asuka narrowed her eyes at him. "Damnit, Shinji!"

He looked back at her and she saw fear in his eyes. "Wha…what?" he asked her.

"Why are you so goddamned afraid for?"

"I don't…I don't know." He said to her in a low voice.

Cat got your tongue, Pervert? What's the matter? Are you afraid of me? Do I make you quiver? Good! You deserve it. Did you have fun watching me? Did you get yourself off? I hope you did. Now, I'm going to make you suffer. "Hey! Hello? I'm talking to you."

Shinji cleared his throat and looked at her, he still couldn't speak and his heart was beating like crazy while his stomach was turned up in knots. Say something, stupid! Anything! What the fuck is wrong with me? Why can't I talk?

"Uh, Shinji?" She said as she walked forward and stood in front of him.

Shinji's eyes widened as he looked back at her. He wanted to run away from her or back away but he didn't. He simply stood his ground, unmovable, frozen in that spot, more terrified then he had ever been before and more excited then he had even been before as well. I can't stop looking at her. He thought. I can't move. Why? Why can't I move? What's wrong with me?

"Do you have anything to say?" Asuka asked as she looked up into his eyes. You are so afraid of me. She thought to herself. I bet you I could practically push myself up against you and tackle you to the ground and you would be petrified beyond belief. You're as frigid as they come! I can't believe how afraid you are at this moment! Serves you right! What is that though that I see in your eyes, its not fear…. what is that? Could it be…. desire? What do you want at this moment? Show me. C'mon, damnit, make a move! I dare you to!

"I…. uh…. uh…." He said nervously as he looked at her and swallowed hard as he stared at her.

Wimp. Asuka thought to herself. "Shinji?" He's going to wuss out on me! Figures. He's still too afraid, too unsure of himself, he hates himself too much to have any confidence! Ugh! Why do I bother? C'mon, Shinji, take the next step. I want you to! Wake your ass up and make a move!

"I…. I…" Shinji's voice trailed off as he looked at her and then Asuka stepped even closer.

"What?" Asuka said as she looked into his eyes. Kiss me, Shinji. Do it. Do it all ready! C'mon! Either you do it or I'm going to have to! Asuka's heart was beating quickly as she looked at him. Her stomach was in knots too. True, she should have been angry with him for doing what she knew he had done but right now, she wanted him to kiss her, then she'd get him good for spying.

"I………" Shinji stared into her eyes he breathed heavily and felt sweat pouring off of him as his heart pounded and his stomach tied in knots.

"What?" Asuka whispered softly as she reached up and touched his cheek.

He breathed in and shut his eyes as he felt her touch, he bit his lip and then slowly opened his eyes and looked deep into hers.

"What are you trying to say?" Kiss me all ready. I'm dying to have you do it. Kiss me.

Shinji didn't know what to do.

He was stuck.

He didn't want to run though and he didn't wan to back away.

Fuck it. He thought to himself as he stared at her. She'll either beat my ass or it'll have the opposite effect. Either way, I'm going for it. I don't care. Fuck it. I'm not holding back anymore.

Looking deep into her eyes though, there was only one thing he could do and so he did it.

Asuka's eyes widened, as he placed his hands on her shoulders and then felt his lips come to hers. His arms wrapped around her and he kissed her tenderly with a gentle pressure. Then as he parted from her and she looked back to him, she took a hold of his shirt, drew him to her again and he kissed her again.

This time the passion unleashed itself and the fire raged. This is what I mean. This is what I know you're capable of. Oh my god, this is so good. I never knew you were this good or I'd never had pinched your nose that time! Oh my God, Shinji.

Her arms went around him and he held her close to him, kissing her like he had always wanted to. His hands ran down her back and through her hair. The kiss was full of pent up passion and frustration. Both of them breathed heavy as they kissed one another. Then suddenly, Asuka put her hand on his chest. .

Then as he parted from her lips and looked back to her, with a small smile breathing heavily, she stared back at him and smirked. Now you're going to get it. .

Smack!

Shinji closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek as he looked back to her and yet, he couldn't help to smile at her.

"You know what you did, right?" Asuka asked. "I'm not talking about this kiss…. you know what I mean?"

Shinji took a breath and nodded his head.

Asuka smirked, got up in his face and said. "The next time I catch you spying on me, I'll really beat your ass."

Shinji looked back at her, grinned at her and nodded his head and then looking back at her, without caring whether she slapped him or not, he pulled her to him again and kissed her again.

Asuka let out a small squeal as her eyes became wide as saucers. Yet, his kiss was so gentle and tender that she couldn't help but to fall into it, shut her eyes, and kiss him back.

Her arms fell behind his neck and he held her against him as he kissed her long and gently. She loved every moment of it and never wanted the kiss to end. It made her swoon in his arms and he equally never wanted this to end.

She imagined tearing his shirt open but knew she wouldn't do that. The kiss made her think of a million things and more so, it made her feel wonderful.

She couldn't believe what he felt as he kissed her. So many thoughts zipped in and out of her head. She never wanted to let go of him; she wanted him to kiss her forever.

He equally did not want to let go of her. He held her against his body and ran his hands down her back; he held her tight and kissed her long and gently.

Then as they parted from each other's lips, she almost fell back. He quickly caught her. Her hand went up on his shoulder and she stared back at him.

She breathed out and looked at him and he smiled back at her.

She cleared her throat and then regained her footing and then said with an angry scowl. "How dare you kiss me again!"

"Why?" he asked her.

Asuka growled, and then trudged past him, as her back was turned to him, she giggled slightly as she touched her lips and smiled.

It was certainly a hell of a kiss but I won't let him know that.

Shinji simply looked at her and laughed. "Crazy." He said aloud to himself. "Very crazy."

Chapter 21

Shinji stayed out in the forest for a while at least until the sun was starting to set. When he walked back to camp, he saw her sitting by the fire and she looked at him as the wind blew

Shinji sat opposite her, with his knees up to his chest as he wrapped his arms around them, trying to avoid eye contact.

"So," Asuka began as she looked at him and smirked. ", You decided to come back?"

Shinji cleared his throat and said. "Yeah."

Asuka smirked at him and then said. "Out of curiosity, how long were you watching me?"

"Not long." He told her as he turned a slight shade of red. "I just saw you and then ….I turned around and walked away and then I happened upon you in the forest…"

"You just…. turned around…and walked away?" She asked. Bullshit! I saw you out in the brush. Liar! Ooooooo, what a liar you are! This is interesting to know. Shinji LIES!

"Yeah." He told her as he stuck a stick into the fire and poked at it. "That's what I did." Liar. You know you watched her and stared at every part of her. You watched her while she masturbated and then you jerked off as she did it. You're such a liar.

"Pervert!" Asuka said.

"Well, have…you…. have you ever watched me?"

"What?" Asuka asked as she laughed. Yeah, right! Like I'd tell you that I go to spy on you too. Keep dreaming buster.

"I asked you if you ever watched me before. Have you?" he asked her as he smirked back. I know you have, Asuka. I've seen you do it. Let's see if you lie too.

"I can't believe you asked me that!" Asuka said with a smirk as she began to get red in the cheeks.. Nope, not gonna tell ya

"Well, your not really answering the question, I would think the answer is yes." Shinji told her with a laugh. Oh, you lie too? Interesting.

"You think…. that I would want to watch your sorry ass?" Asuka asked. Yeah how many times have you watched his sorry ass? A lot! I am ashamed to admit, it turned me on. Liar.

"Have you?"

Asuka chuckled and then looked back to him as she blushed. "I don't believe your asking me that question!" Not gonna tell ya for all the tea in China.

"You have, haven't you?"

"Change the subject!" Asuka growled with a laugh.

"Okay." Shinji said as he looked back at the fire. He took a glance at her and then looked back at the fire and then as he took a breath, he looked at her and asked. "Did you like…kissing me this afternoon?"

Asuka took a breath as she remembered the kiss. It was something fantastic. It had made her feel so wonderful and to say something like "it sucked" or "you sucked" would only be cruel. As she looked into his face, she thought to herself. Ah what the hell throw the doggie a bone….

"Well," he asked her as he swallowed hard. ", Did you?"

Asuka looked over to him from the other end of the fire and then said with a smile. "I liked it. We haven't…. in a long time, you know. Not since that day. It was nice."

Shinji smiled at her. It was a very un-Asuka-like answer. Usually she would have thrown an insult at him but that was an honest answer.

"Okay." He told her as he looked at her.

"Why is it you havent'….since that day?" Asuka asked.

"I don't know." He said. "I guess…. we never had the opportunity to kinda. I'm not really sure why…."

"Oh." Asuka said with a nod. Asuka looked down at the fire and then smiled as she said. "You know we…. could…try that again."

He looked over to her and then smirked, turning a bit red and asked. "Try…. try what again?"

Asuka rolled her eyes and then said. "Do you want to…kiss me again?"

"Oh?" Shinji asked nervously.

"Well," Asuka said as she looked at him. "Do you want to or not? Because if not then…. we could just…. go to sleep. We could make a game out of it. Would you like to?"

"A game?" he asked her. "What do you mean?"

"We could…. try different ways of kissing each other but we won't go farther than that."

"Oh, really." Shinji said as he swallowed hard. "Uh…. that would be an interesting game."

"Yeah, wouldn't it?" Asuka said with a smile. "We could do that or go to sleep. Up to you."

"Well, we could do that." Shinji said.

"Go to sleep?" Asuka asked.

"No, I meant…. the other thing." Shinji told her.

"Oh, you mean…the kissing game?"

Shinji nodded his head and then smiled. "Yeah, that's what I meant."

"Okay." Asuka said. "Why don't you come over here?"

"Oh? Over there?" Shinji asked.

"Idiot!" Asuka growled. "How the fuck do you expect to kiss me from where you are sitting? Come over here!"

Shinji smiled at her and then stood up. He looked at her and then walked to the other side of the fire and sat beside her. He looked at her and stared into her face. "Okay, now what?"

"Now, " Asuka thought for a minute and then she turned to face him. ", kiss me how you did in the forest before?"

"Oh?" Shinji asked as he moved his face closer to hers.

"Yeah." Asuka said in a whisper as her face came closer to his and then his lips kissed hers gently and tenderly, as he had done before. He closed his eyes and she equally closed hers and she enjoyed a sweet and gentle kiss from him. Her arm went around his shoulder and then her hand went to the back of his neck. Her hand went down from his shoulder and up and down his back..

He equally bought his arms around her and held her close to him as he breathed through the kiss and then he felt her open her mouth and lightly trace her tongue against his lips. In which he opened his mouth and kissed her deeper.

This was even better then before, Asuka thought to herself.

Oh my God, this is incredible. Shinji thought to himself. Shinji hadn't realized it but somehow his weight was leaning against her and gently he was laying her back.

Asuka wasn't aware of it. Then she parted from him and put her hand against his chest, looking at him wide eyed. "What the…" She growled.

"What?" Shinji asked as he breathed heavily and looked back to her.

"Uh…duh!" Asuka said as she looked down. "You are breaking the rules!"

"Oh!" Shinji said as he realized that she was on her back and he was leaning against her. "I…. uh…. I…. uh…didn't mean to do that…. you know…. I…I…guess I must have…."

"…. Gotten too horny?" Asuka finished.

"No! No!" Shinji protested. "I just…. I…uh…. uh…. I don't know." He said as he swallowed and looked at her breathing heavily.

Asuka sat back up and looked at him with a scowl. "Shinji! You tried to seduce me!"

"What?" he asked her as he sat up and looked at her. "Seduce you? I swear I didn't!"

"Oh you are such a liar!" Asuka said as he glared at him. "You tried to get me ON MY BACK!"

"I…. I honestly didn't realize it. Asuka, I…I. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He told her nervously.

Asuka growled and then said. "Okay, you lose round one. If you get too horny, you lose. I think we better stop."

"Huh?" Shinji asked as he looked at her. "Wh…. why?"

"Because you are just TOO DAMNED HORNY!"

"Am not!" Shinji growled.

"You are too!"

"I am not!"

"Bullshit!" Asuka said as she crossed her arms and smirked at him. "You're just…. one great big horn dog, aren't you?"

"Stop." Shinji said with a laugh.

"Yeah, you are just horny as hell, aren't you?" Asuka said with a teasing laugh.

"Knock it off." Shinji said with another smirk.

"You just have horniness coming from every part of you, don't you?"

Shinji laughed at her and then said in a very direct voice with a raised eyebrow. "How much would you like to see?"

Asuka raised her eyebrows as she looked at him. "Careful." She told him with a smirk.

"Or what?" Shinji said as he looked at her. "You'll smack the crap out of me, right?" He smiled at her and she laughed as she looked at him.

"You are just weird." Asuka said to him as she laughed.

"You like it though." He said as he caressed her cheek gently.

"Shinji…" Asuka said in a breath as she felt his touch.

"C'mon, let's keep up with this game. Let me have another chance? You won the first round, let me see if I win the second."

Asuka's eyes widened. He had never been that direct with her before but either way it was something she enjoyed. "Do you think you can control yourself this time?"

"I think so." Shinji said with a smirk. "The question is, will you be able to?"

Asuka chuckled. "You think that I won't be able to…you think you can get me that hot and bothered? Okay, let's see you."

Shinji smirked and then sat beside her once more and kissed her lips gently. She smiled through the kiss and quickly, found herself to be lost within his gentle embrace and soft kiss, and then as he parted from her, he smiled at her and brushed the hair from her face. "How was that?"

Asuka smirked and then nodded her head as she said. "That was okay."

Shinji raised his eyebrow and smirked then asked. "Just…. okay?"

"Well, okay is good. However, it didn't cause me to go out of control."

"Just what exactly is…out of control?" he asked her with a smile.

"That would be dangerous. Are you sure you want me to attempt that?" Asuka asked.

"I would like that very much." He answered her. "We could stop before it gets to be too much."

"Do you think you handle that?"

"Well," Shinji said with a smirk. ", I'm willing to try."

"Okay, get ready. Here I come."

"I'm ready. I won't lose this time." He told her as she kissed him and as she kissed him, he felt like there were fireworks going off in his head especially the way she held him. Then he felt her tongue penetrate into his mouth and he thoroughly enjoyed the sensation, it fueled him with passion and then before he knew it as he parted from her and opened his eyes he saw that Asuka was laying on her back again and smiling up at him.

"I knew you couldn't handle it." Asuka said with a smirk.

Shinji smirked. "Okay, so you're right."

"You lose." Asuka said as she looked back to him and smiled.

"No, not really." he told her as he sat back up.

"How so? You lost." Asuka asked while she bought herself back up to sitting position.

"It's a loss I can deal with."

Asuka laughed at him and said. "So, you're happy about losing?"

"Yeah." He said with a smirk. "I think I can make you lose too."

"What are you talking about?"

"Want me to show you?" he asked her.

"If you can keep your paws off of me." Asuka told him.

"Deal." He told her, and then he leaned in and kissed her again gently and tenderly and with the technique that she had just showed him. She wrapped her arms around him and felt herself drawing him closer to her. She breathed out and let out a small sound as he continued to kiss her. It made her feel lost within that kiss and feelings swirled inside of her like never before her.

She felt his hands run over her back and through her hair, she felt like she was in seventh heaven.

Asuka parted from him and looked back to him. He smiled up at her as he was lying on his back.

"You lose!" he told her with a grin.

"Okay, so you won one round." She told him with a smirk. She too felt elation going through her system. "Well," she said to him with a smirk. ", I see what you mean now."

Shinji smirked at her. "Want to try and win again?" he said with a smirk as he sat back up.

"Most definitely." Asuka told him.

Lightly, he brushed the hair away from her face and then he drew her to him for another kiss.

For hours they played this kissing game of theirs. They thoroughly enjoyed it but they were also feeling like they both wanted more then this.

"Okay final score: 10- 7 me. I win!"

"You were keeping score?" Shinji asked her with a smirk.

"Of course. How we were supposed to know who won?" She said. "Okay game over."

"Does it have to be?" he asked her with a smile.

Asuka quickly nipped that in the bud as she said. "It's getting late. We should go to sleep."

Shinji breathed in as he looked at her, wanting to continue this some more but then he nodded his head and said. "Okay."

He went over to the sleeping bag and put his backpack behind his head and then as he looked at her, he said. "Come over here."

Asuka looked over at him and saw him smiling at her and told him. "The game is over now. We really should go to sleep."

"I know." He told her. "Come here anyway though. I won't try anything I promise. Let me hold you."

Asuka smiled at him and then came over to him. She lay next to him and cuddled up against him. She laid her head on his chest as she listened to his heart beat and her other arm came around his torso. His arms went around her and held onto her. He looked up at the stars and breathed in happily as he held her against him.

"I like the way this is." Asuka whispered sleepily.

"I do too." He told her. "That was a lot of fun tonight, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." Asuka said as she cuddled up to him and smiled as she felt the warmth of his body and the safety of how he held her. "It was a lot of fun."

"Can we…do that again sometime? Maybe…. not as a game though?"

"Sure." Asuka said.

"Good." Shinji said with a smirk. "I liked kissing you, Asuka." He told her as he held her.

"I…. did too." Asuka said with a smile.

"So, we will do that again sometime, right?" he asked her.

"Yeah." Asuka said as she yawned.

"Go to sleep. I'll stay right here with you." He told her as he gently stroked her head.

Asuka smiled as she felt sleep getting closer and closer to her. Then right before she fell asleep, Shinji heard in a murmur. "Shinji, I… …" And then there was snoring.

Shinji smiled. He looked up at the stars and saw how bright they were and then shortly after, fell asleep as well.

Chapter 23

In the morning when they awoke, they did their usual clean up duty, changed clothes, packed up and began to head to a new destination.

The walked along rocky roads and as they walked Asuka almost tripped to which he quickly reached out his hand for her and snatched her wrist before she fell. She lost her footing and then wound up falling against his chest.

"You okay?" he asked her.

Asuka nodded and then said. "Yeah, just tripped."

"Okay." He told her with a smile as he turned and as she looked down at her hand, she saw he was still clutching onto hers.

Asuka looked over at him and smiled and then allowed him to lead her by the hand up the rocky trail. A short while later, Asuka stopped and turned to look at him. He saw he was still holding her hand and then released her.

"You hungry?" Asuka asked.

Shinji thought for a second and then nodded his head. "Yeah."

"Let's make up a quick lunch and then we'll continue, okay?"

"All right." He said.

Then they took off their backpacks. Asuka pulled out a can of stew from the backpack and Shinji built a small fire. Asuka opened the can with the can opener and then put the can directly on the fire.

"Why are you doing that?" he asked her.

"Its easier to cook it in the can."

"It won't cook evenly." He told her. "Give me the pot. I'll cook it."

"Shinji, this is easier."

"No, it won't cook evenly." Shiinji told her. "Let me go get the pot."

He got up and went to get the pot and then noticed that he had to go relieve himself. He sighed as he said. "I'll be right back Asuka. I need to take a leak."

Asuka hated when he used that phrase. "Too much information, Shinji."

"Well, when you have to go…"

"Just go!" Asuka growled.

"Be right back." He said to her as he went into the woods and looked for a large tree that would block Asuka's view.

Asuka shook her head and stirred the soup can. "Complain, complain." She quipped. "Oh, Asuka" she said as she mimicked him. "The soup won't cook evenly in the can. You need the pot." She sneered and then said. "Idiot."

As she cooked, she heard a noise. It sounded like a low growl. A pit formed in her stomach and she looked around. She couldn't see anything and then she shook her head.

"Nerves." She said as she went back to stirring the soup can.

Then, she heard it again and it was louder. It was coming from right behind her. Asuka froze and her eyes widened as she began to shake. On her belt she carried a hunting knife in a leather holster, carefully she reached for it and then heard the growling get louder, it was right behind her.

Fear ran through her and she dropped the knife. More so, she could feel hot breath directly on the back of her neck. Asuka froze and was terrified beyond belief.

"Shi…. Shin…. Shinji." Asuka squeaked out as she became petrified with fear.

Chapter 24

Shinji had finished relieving himself and came out from the woods, zipping up his fly and buttoning his jeans.. As soon as he stepped out, his eyes got wide and he stopped dead in his tracks, as he couldn't believe what he saw standing behind Asuka.

"Oh my God." He said under his breath.

Asuka took a look over at him. Her eyes were full of fear and she was shaking. "Shinji?" She whispered fearfully.

"Don't move, Asuka." He said nervously as he swallowed hard. "Don't move a muscle."

Asuka shut her eyes as she felt fear go through her. Then she felt something warm and slimy lick the back of her neck and she whimpered as she felt it. The animal came close to her and breathed heavy on the back of her neck, growling.

"What…what…is it?" Asuka asked nervously.

Shinji began to breathe heavily as he saw the danger she was in. He was scared to death. He didn't know what to do.

"Some kind of cat." Shinji said as he moved closer to his backpack.

"Cat?" Asuka said nervously.

"Yeah, a wild cat." He said.

"House cat?" She asked.

"Definitely not a house cat." Shinji said as he watched the creature carefully.

Shinji saw his backpack not too far from where he was now standing. He glanced over at it and swallowed hard as he felt his body shake. He could see the baseball bat sticking out and carefully he moved toward his backpack.

Rescuing her from falling was one thing, tangling with what was directly behind her would be quite another yet he knew that if he didn't do anything, Asuka would surely fall victim to the predator that was directly behind her.

"Asuka, when I tell you to…. Run." He said.

"Shinji…" Asuka said nervously as she shook as the animal behind her growled again and breathed against her.

Shinji tried to be quick and yet careful as not to make any sudden movements as his eyes fixed upon the animal behind Asuka. He reached for the handle of the baseball bat, and then pulled it out of the pack. He held the bat in his hands gripping it firmly.

"HEY!" Shinji called out loudly.

The animal growled and then turned its head and saw him letting out a loud piercing roar. Asuka shrieked and the animal turned its attention to her. The animal raised its large paw and then Shinji charged forward. Asuka rolled out of the way as the animal's claw came down on her striking her boot. The animal growled at her. Asuka's eyes got wide and then she saw Shinji running toward her with the bat in his hands.

"RUN, ASUKA!" Shinji yelled out as he ran towards the animal. He stood between her and the animal. Breathing heavily, he swung the bat at the creature, making it back away from her. Asuka's eyes got wider as she got up and quickly ran over to a tree and hid behind it

The animal started to go after her and angrily, Shinji swung the bat down on the animal's rear.

The animal then turned and growled at him.

"ASUKA, STAY THERE!" He yelled out as the animal growled and hissed at Shinji.

Shinji shook. He was terrified of this animal. He didn't know exactly what type of animal it was but it was large and tan and it had long teeth and sharp claws. To him, it resembled a large house cat but he knew that this cat was a deadly one.

In his life, Shinji had gone head to head with some of the most dangerous opponents out there.

As he stood opposite this wild creature in front of him, he realized that when he had done battle before…. it had always been in the safety of his EVA unit.

Now it was man vs. nature and all he had to rely on was his strength, wit, speed and the weapon in his hands.

As he watched the animal carefully, Asuka hid behind the tree, shaking. She was scared to death as she watched him with the animal.

Then he swung at it again, hitting the baseball bat on the ground yelling out. "GET OUT OF HERE!"

The animal growled and saliva dripped from its mouth. Shinji breathed heavily as sweat ran down his forehead.

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" Shinji yelled out again as he smashed the bat at the animal, making it back up and then he watched as the animal jumped to the side, and then jumped at him, swatting him with its claw.

Shinji called out in pain as he felt the animal's claws rip through the fabric on his pullover and penetrate the flesh on his upper arm.

Asuka gripped the tree and gasped as she saw the wound on his upper arm. "SHINJI!" She screamed out.

Shinji winced in pain from the wound as he looked at what the animal did and then turned his attention back to the creature, which growled, hissed and roared as it circled him. Shinji yet again winced in pain and smashed the bat against the ground.

"GET…. AWAY!" He said with pain in his voice.

"SHINJI, NO!" Asuka yelled out. "GET OUT OF THERE! SHINJI, DAMNIT, GET AWAY FROM THAT THING!"

The animal growled again and leaped at Shinji. Shinji fell back. The animal was over him.

Asuka's breathing quickened as she went for the knife on her belt only to realize it wasn't there but by the campsite. She began to breathe heavy and swallowed hard as she feared that Shinji was in mortal danger.

Shinji put the bat between him and the animal as the animal tried with all of its might to swat at him. Shinji struggled with the animal, holding the bat with both hands at opposite ends putting it between him and the animal.

Angrily, he called out and kicked the animal as hard as he could in the stomach.

The animal whimpered and went across the ground landing on its side but it quickly turned over and growled at him, hissing loudly and roaring.

The animal got ready to pounce as it looked at him.

Shinji raised his head and saw the animal coming towards him; he quickly fumbled for the knife on his holster.

The animal came towards him fast.

Shinji's eyes widened as he grabbed the knife from his holster.

"SHINJI!" Asuka screamed out.

She saw the animal leap on top of Shinji and she heard him yell out.

Then she heard a large whimper and watched as the animal froze.

Asuka's eyes widened as she watched the animal fall to the side.

Shinji's knife was plunged into its chest.

There was blood was everywhere.

"SHINJI!"

Chapter 25

"Shinji!" Asuka yelled out as she came out from behind the tree and ran over to him.

She saw Shinji lying on the ground on his back. His arms were outstretched, his eyes were shut and he was covered in blood.

All she could see was blood all over him. He was doused in it. He wasn't moving. Asuka's eyes got wide as she knelt down beside him and shook him.

"Shinji?" She asked. "Shinji, are you okay?"

Shinji's eyes opened slowly and he looked back at her. He shut his eyes again and swallowed hard. Then he opened them again and looked around. His head turned to the side and he stared at the animal with the knife plunged into its chest.

"Its dead." Asuka said to him.

Shinji looked back at her and nodded his head at her. "Yeah." He said.

"Are you hurt?" She asked.

He nodded his head again and breathed heavily.

"Can you sit up?" She asked.

He nodded his head again and sat up as he winced in pain, putting his hand over his arm. Asuka took his hand away and saw the wound on his arm.

"Oh my God." She said as she looked at the wound. "Are you hurt any place else?" Asuka asked wide eyed as she put her hand on his cheek.

"No, just my arm. The blood on me is from the cat." Shinji looked back to her and said. "Its not too bad."

She took a deep breath as she looked at him. "You…saved my life. You know, you're starting to develop a habit of doing that."

He smiled at her with a chuckle and then said. "Yeah." He looked over at the animal and then said. "What do you suppose that is anyway?"

Asuka looked at it and then said. "I think its some kind of bobcat thing. I don't care. Its dead."

"Yeah." He said as he breathed heavily.

Then Asuka's arms wrapped around him and she held him close to her as she felt tears come down her face. She whispered to him as she kissed him on his cheek. "Oh God, I was so scared…I was scared I was going to lose you."

Shinji held onto her and breathed heavily as he smiled. "It's okay."

"Thank you."

She had never said that to him before and it surprised him to hear it. "Your welcome." He responded.

Asuka parted from him and looked into his face. She could see he was in a great deal of pain and then she said. "Can you get up? I want to get you over to the fire. We've got to take care of that wound."

"Okay." He said as he started to get up holding onto Asuka.

Asuka put his arm around her shoulder and helped him over to the fire where she rested him down against a rock.

She took a look at his arm and breathed out as she said. "Take your shirt off. Let's see how bad it is."

Shinji winced as he lifted his pullover but then dropped his arm. He called out in pain as he looked at her. "Can you help me?' he asked her.

Asuka nodded and then reached for the hem of the pullover and the shirt underneath. He winced in pain as she tried to pull it off of him and then she breathed out as she looked over at her knife in the dirt.

She got up and walked over to it, picking it up and then walking over to him with the knife in her hand.

"I'm sorry that I have to do this." Asuka said as she took the knife and then cut the pullover down the center. Then she cut the sleeves off. She put the knife down and then eased the cut pullover down off of him as he breathed heavy. He wore a green t-shirt underneath and it too was stained in blood.

Then as she held the fabric of his t-shirt, she began to cut that away too as Shinji shut his eyes. She cut the sleeves around the wound. When she was finished she took it off of him leaving him with no shirt, lying bare-chested while the wound on his arm bled.

Asuka took a look at it. The animal had swatted him with its claw and two large deep claw wounds were on his upper arm near his shoulder.

She breathed out as she tried to remember her first aid training and then looked up at him as she said. "Shinji, this is going to hurt. I need to make sure that this doesn't get infected."

Looking at her knife, she placed it into the fire. He looked at the knife nervously and looked back at her saying. "What are you going to do?"

She breathed out and then said to him softly. "What I have to."

"DON'T CUT OFF MY ARM!" He yelled out.

"Idiot!" Asuka growled. "I am not going to chop off your arm! The wound isn't that bad enough! I'm just going to make sure that the wound doesn't get infected because if it does, then you can DIE!"

"How are you going to do that?" he asked her as he looked at the wound.

"Just….trust me." Asuka said to him as she got up and went over to the backpacks. She unzipped it and fumbled around, then she pulled out their first aid kit that they had thrown together.

She came back over to him and looked at the wound. .

The animal had swiped him across his bicep and luckily it hadn't punctured a vein or an artery. Mostly it was a flesh wound and Asuka took a deep breath as she poured alcohol on the rag and then pressed it on the wound.

"ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shinji bellowed as he felt pain rip through him. "DAMNIT, ASUKA!" He looked over at her and gritted his teeth as he said. "That fucking hurts!"

"It's cleaning the wound." Asuka said as she pulled the rag away and then glanced over at the knife in the fire. She picked up a wooden spoon and handed it to him.

He looked at her strangely as he asked. "What is this for?"

"Bite down on it." Asuka instructed.

"Why?"

"Bite down on it and shut your eyes." Asuka said firmly.

"Why?" he asked.

"Just do it, idiot!" Asuka demanded.

Shinji took a look at the wooden spoon and then placed the handle of the spoon in between in his teeth, biting down on the handle.

"Shut your eyes." Asuka said.

Shinji squeezed his eyes shut and then Asuka picked up the knife.

Taking a look at him, she took a deep breath as she held the knife. She swallowed hard and then quickly, placed the flat end of the blade on the wound and heard sizzling noises.

Shinji growled in agony as he felt pain go through him and could smell burning flesh and smoke.

The smell made Asuka sick. It smelled like burned, rotten meat.

"Take it easy." Asuka said. "I have to stop the bleeding and cut down chance of infection."

Shinji yelled as the spoon fell from his mouth and he laid his head back with sweat pouring down his forehead. "Asuka, that fucking hurts!"

"I know. I know." Asuka said. "I had to do it, Shinji. You can get sick from this. There's no telling what the hell was on that animal's claw."

"You know, Asuka." Shinji said as he breathed in with a chuckle. "Maybe a gun wouldn't have been such a bad idea."

Asuka resisted the urge to say, I told you so. She was more concerned with getting his wound under control. She took the knife away and placed the blade back into the fire. She took a look at the wound. The bleeding had stopped. She had no sutures but she was sure by cauterizing the wound that would be enough. She took the bandages out of the kit and then slowly and gently began to wrap up his arm and then tie it off.

"You're going to have to rest for a few days." Asuka said. "We can't go traveling around while your hurt."

"I'm okay." He said.

"No, we'll rest here today and tomorrow. "

"We have to keep going." He said to her.

"We will but first, you are going to rest up. If that wound isn't taken care of properly then, you can get sick and if that wound gets infected, then I might have to chop off your arm!"

Shinji swallowed as he said. "You're being a bit dramatic."

"Dramatic?" Asuka asked with a sneer. "Idiot! You have a wound on your arm! If you don't' take care of it, it will get infected and then you will get sick and then I will either have to chop off your arm or let you die! I'm not going to let you die! I don't want to chop off your arm! So, therefore, Shinji, I'm not going to let that get infected!"

She went back to the first aid kit and pulled out a bottle of pills. She opened the bottle and then looked at him as she said. "Are you allergic to penicillin?"

Shinji thought about it for a minute and then shook his head saying. "No. I don't think so. Where did you get that?"

"At the last stop. There was a pharmacy there, remember? I broke into it and took some of the medicines, bandages and whatnot while you were off getting food and clothing."

"Looks like I'll have to get another pullover." Shinji said as he looked at the torn bloody pullover that was now on the ground. "Too bad. I liked the pullover."

"Well, I couldn't get it off of you without hurting you. I had to cut it off." Then Asuka took two pills out and put them in his mouth. "Swallow it." She said. "Its penicillin. It will cut down the risk of infection. Its an antibiotic."

Shinji forced the pills down his throat and then breathed out as he looked at her.

Asuka turned and looked over at the dead animal and then said. "What do you think we should do with that?" she asked as she pointed to it.

"Well, I don't want to eat it." He said with a chuckle.

"Neither do I. Maybe we should…burn it."

"Burn it?" he asked.

"Yeah, if it stays there flies and gross things will get attracted to it. After lunch, I'll go take care of it."

"I'll help." He said.

"No, I can handle it." Asuka said as she grimaced. "You rest up."

"Okay." He said with a smile.

As she looked over at him, she went back to the small pot and filled it with water from the canteen. She took a small rag and then dipped it into the water and rubbed soap on it. Shinji watched her as she came back to him and then handed him the rag.

"Here, you might want to try to wash some of that blood off of you."

Shinji took the rag and then began to wash himself while he watched her.

Asuka then turned to put the first aid kit back in the backpack. She took a look at him and then rolled her eyes as she came back over to him and took the rag from his hand and then began to scrub him down.

"Asuka, what are you doing?"

"Shut up." Asuka snapped. "You aren't getting any of the blood off." She said as she scrubbed his chest and shoulder. "I can do it better. Besides your hurt."

"Uh, Asuka. I can bathe myself." Shinji said as he began to get red in the face.

"Shut up and let me do it." She said. "It'll be faster."

Then as he felt her scrub his back, he smirked and cleared his throat as he said. "Asuka, I can bathe myself. I don't need you to do it for me."

Asuka looked over at him and sighed saying. "Oh excuse me for doing you a favor! For God Sakes, I wasn't getting turned on by washing you if that's what you meant by it!"

Shinji looked away and then turned around to her saying. "I didn't mean to sound like…. I'm sorry, Asuka. I'm just in some pain here."

Asuka nodded her head and said. "Okay. Turn around so I can finish this."

He did as she instructed and then let her finish her sponge bath, which didn't last too long. She went back to the backpack and pulled out another t-shirt for him and gave it to him. She helped him on with it and then went back to the fire and saw that the soup on the fire was ready.

She picked up the two bowls that were nearby and poured the soup into them. Then she came back to him with the two bowls and handed him one.. He took a deep breath and chuckled as he held the bowl in his hand.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Good lunch break, huh?" he asked with a smirk.

Asuka shook her head saying. "Idiot."

Then as she looked at him she laughed and so did he as they continued to eat.

Chapter 26

Asuka was laying in her sleeping bag trying to rest, she could hear him breathing as he slept next to her She turned her head to look at him, and his back was facing her. She took a deep breath as she stared at him. What he had done today was so brave. She wondered if somehow little by little the shy boy was starting to change slightly.

It had been over two years since Third Impact. They had become close to one another. They were each other's best friends. Asuka had felt that she noticed a change in him, as he was getting older.

He had gone to sleep in his jeans and t-shirt. She too had slept in the same clothes they wore that day. She wondered how it was that he could sleep with the pain he was in.

After the animal attack, they had moved their campsite away from the dead animal carcass. Asuka had decided to cremate the animal and then decided to move the campsite since it stunk when it burned.

They moved deeper into the forest and had set up camp in a comfortable spot.

Both had been tired but Asuka found she couldn't sleep. The last two days had been something different. With him kissing her in the forest and then playing that game the other night, they were becoming different towards one another. After what he had done today, she wondered if she should push that further.

She moved closer to him, she snuggled up against his back and felt him breathe in.

Her arm came around him and she placed it against his chest. She breathed in as she enjoyed the way he felt, her eyes shut and she got ready to go to sleep, and then she heard him in a sleepy tone. "Asuka?"

Her eyes opened as she heard him. She swallowed hard and her breathing quickened. She didn't know what to do. Answer him back? What would happen next? As she looked at him, she thought to herself, I want to be closer to him.

She bought her body in closer to him so that she was right up against him and hugged him tighter. Her head nestled against the back of his neck. Then she heard it again. "Asuka?"

She again breathed in as she heard him. She felt him cover her hand with his own and hold it gently against his chest.

She didn't know if he was asleep or awake.

It seemed as though at night, there was a special intimacy between them. In the daytime it never existed or was spoken of but night was a time where she could allow herself to seek warmth and comfort from him.

She would allow herself to be vulnerable just for a short time, just long enough to get her through the night because otherwise, her dreams would torture her. Whenever she lay against Shinji, he took away the bad dreams. When she started to cry, the minute she would feel his arm come around her she could rest easy and go back to sleep.

Gently, she moved her hand up and down his back It was a gentle and light touch, her fingertips trailed from the top of his back all the way down and then back up again.

She heard him breathe in and hold her hand gently as he caressed it.

On the other side, Shinji was awake.

He was wide-awake

He enjoyed the soft gentle caressing from Asuka and the warmth of her body up against his. His heart was beating rapidly as he wanted to turn to her and take her into his arms. He took a deep breath as he tried to think of whether he should or not.

As Asuka cuddled up against his neck, she bought her lips to the back of his neck and lightly, brushed her lips against the back of his neck.

He swallowed and shut his eyes as he felt her. It was so gentle and tender. He breathed in and then he felt her do it again and then again.

He smiled and then breathed out. "Asuka."

Asuka took a breath as she watched as his body began to turn and then quickly, she shut her eyes. As he turned to face her, he whispered. "Asuka?"

She did not respond. Her eyes were shut and she was breathing as if she was sleeping.

Gently, he reached over and caressed her cheek. All though Asuka was faking being asleep, his touch was warm and it was tender. She parted her lips and breathed out as she felt the gentleness of his touch. She wanted to reach for his hand and draw him near to her; her heart was racing inside of her.

Shinji stared down at her. He watched her while she slept and then despite the fact that she was asleep, he took a breath and then leaned forward.

Lightly, his lips brushed ever so gently against hers as he applied just enough pressure. Then as he looked back into her face, he smiled at her and whispered. "Asuka?"

He stared down at her for a while, wanting to hold her, wishing she'd wake up. However, he didn't know if she was awake or asleep either and then sighed with a nod.

He turned back over onto his side and went to sleep with his back facing her.

Asuka's eyes opened slowly and she looked back at him as she touched her lips with her fingertips and then gave a short smile.

She took a deep breath and then turned over to her side with her back facing him. Taking another deep breath, she yawned and shut her eyes, giving a short smile and then she felt him.

He turned over and his arms wrapped around her. Asuka's eyes opened as he felt him hold her close against him. She breathed in but she thought to herself it felt wonderful.

He held her close against him, pulling her against his chest. Asuka breathed in and then she felt him lightly kiss her on her ear, and then her neck, and he snuggled up against her. She loved the way he felt against her and then she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

In the morning, this would not be spoken of. It would be kept quiet and would remain quiet.

For now though, it was making her feel wonderful.

It made her feel as if he needed her and she loved that feeling.

For him he equally felt the same way.

She was his companion and he wanted to keep her safe.

Holding her the way he was made him feel like she could be more to him then just a companion but to cross that line?

That would be the hard part.

For now though, they would share this intimacy with another and in the morning, it would be back to the same and this would not be spoken of again.

Chapter 27

It had been over a year later. It was in the middle of the summer. They were walking in the humid, hot weather.

They didn't say anything as they walked. They were quiet except for one thing, he held her hand as they walked and she allowed it.

A year ago, she would have never have allowed it but now, she didn't seem to mind and sometimes as they walked, she would reach for him if he didn't reach for her. They had become closer to one another.

Sometimes at night, they engaged in a kiss right before they fell asleep. Other times, they would hold onto each other and fall asleep that way but again, that was the furthest they had gone.

Asuka wondered, why are we holding back?

Sometimes, when they just walked together they didn't find the need to speak and it was fine. Their emotions and actions were conveying their feelings and as they looked at one another they wondered if both of them were changing in their feelings towards one another.

For Asuka, he had become her sole companion and best friend. She also wondered as she looked at him was he becoming more to her then that? He felt the same way.

As they came down a road, Shinji released his hold from her hand as he ran towards what looked like a street sign.

Asuka picked up her pace and followed him and then she heard him exclaim.

"YES!"

As he stood looking at the street sign he said happily. "There's a village two miles up ahead. We could replenish our supplies and maybe find some shelter tonight."

"That's good." She said as she nodded. "Hey, maybe we'll get lucky tonight and find a town with a hotel in it. It would be nice to sleep in a bed for a change."

Shinji chuckled. "I can't remember the last time I slept in a bed."

"You know something? Neither can I." Asuka said with a laugh. "I miss beds. Tokoyo-3 always had comfortable beds. The best bed I ever slept in was in Paris. That was incredible. It was a king size bed and I had it all to myself. You know what I used to do when I was alone in the hotel?"

"What?" he asked her.

"I used to jump on the bed for hours! Then when my father came back to the hotel, I pretended like I had been studying for hours."

Shinji chuckled. "How is it you were sent to college at ten?" he asked her.

"I was smart, Dumb Ass." She told him.

"I know that but why college?" he asked her again.

"That was my father's doing. He was the head coordinator for the German EVA project. He worked with the United States and Japan. Him and my mother were the chief designers behind Unit 2. My mother used to work very closely with your mother, Shinji. My father used to say that I was not a conventional child and he wanted me to grow up fast. So, when it came time to decide who would pilot, well, I was selected right off the bat. My father said that I had the best sync ratio of any pilot for Unit 2 because it was designed with my psyche in mind."

"You were just like me." Shinji said to her. "Unit 1 was designed for me."

"I suppose except, I wasn't a fucking idiot." She joked. "Hey, what do you miss the most about Tokoyo-3?"

Shinji stopped, looked at her and then he smiled as he said. "Misato."

Asuka looked at him and breathed in. "Oh." She said.

"Well, you asked me what I missed the most." He said to her as they walked.

"Did you love Misato?" Asuka asked as she looked forward.

Shinji looked over at her and then answered. "Yeah, I did."

"You did love her?" Asuka asked as she stopped and looked at him.

"Not in the way you think though." Shinji said as he looked back at her. "She made me feel safe. She made me feel happy. She also…. saved me you know."

"Saved you?"

"Yeah." He told her with a smile. "When NERV was attacked, I hid under a staircase because I was just so confused about stuff and the soldiers came and put a gun to my head. I didn't care if they killed me though…then Misato came. She shot the soldiers, all of them, and rescued me. Then right before…. well, anyway I wasn't going to pilot Unit 1 again, y'know and she convinced me that life is worth living and there are things worth fighting for."

"Where was I during all of this?" Asuka asked.

"You were in a coma." Shinji said. "They were going to kill you too. Misato had you put into Unit 2 so you would be safe."

"That's why…."Asuka said. "I…. never knew how I got there! I just remember hearing myself say I don't want to die, I don't want to die, and then I woke up saying that I didn't want to die and I began to fight! That's why I was there. I thought…"

Shinji took a deep breath as they kept walking. "It seems so long ago, doesn't it?"

"Yeah." She said. "How long has it been now? Nearly three years right?"

"Yeah." He said. "Nearly three years."

"You mean to tell me, that I have been hanging out with you for all this time?" Asuka asked.

"I know." He said with a chuckle. "Doesn't seem so long does it?"

"Not really." She told him. "What month is it? September now right?"

"Yeah." He said. "Its September the fifteenth I think."

Asuka thought for a second and then said. "When is your birthday?"

Shinji stopped and looked at her, raising his eyebrow. "My birthday?"

"Yeah." She asked.

"Why?" he asked her.

"Because I'm curious."

"Well you have to be at least seventeen now, right? How old are you now? Seventeen right?"

Shinji laughed and then said. "Do you know when I turned seventeen?"

"When?" She asked.

"About ten months back. I'm almost eighteen now."

Asuka chuckled and shook her head. "What? You're older then me? I never knew that! I thought you were younger! Wait that would mean that…. Hang on, Shinji! You're birthday is right around the same time as…"

"Yeah, I know. My birthday and Third Impact have a lot in common. Three days after Third Impact." He said. "Funny isn't it?"

"So that means you're going to be eighteen in about two months from now?"

"Yeah." He said. "When was your birthday?"

"A while back." She said. "February. I turned seventeen."

"Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you tell me?" Shinji asked.

"Why? What kind of a birthday would it have been?" Asuka asked. "How come you never said anything?"

"Asuka, you should have told me! Asuka, I could have done something for you. It's funny nearly three years and none of us have ever celebrated a birthday."

"It's really not a big deal." Asuka said.

"I didn't think my birthday was as significant." Shinji replied.

"I guess we both weren't much for celebrating." Asuka said.

Shinji laughed and then said. "This is such a lame conversation, isn't it?"

"Not really." She told him. "It's good to talk like this from time to time."

"Yeah." He said as they walked. "Man, it's so hot out."

"I know." Asuka said. "This summer has sucked."

"You know what would be cool right about now?" he asked.

"What?" She asked as she looked at him.

"A swimming pool."

Asuka smiled as she thought about it and sighed. "Yeah, a swimming pool would be cool. I could go for a dip."

"Yeah that would be good. I would give anything for that!" he said with a smirk.

"I know what you mean. Hey maybe the next town over will have a pond or something like that? Hey you know what, we could try to find the coastline?"

"The coastline?" he asked.

"Yeah." She said. "Wouldn't you like to hang out on the beach, in the sunlight? Shinji, we could go anywhere. We can do anything. There are no laws. There are no ramifications for anything that we would want to do. We could get even get drunk and run around naked if we wanted to. We could do anything we want. When the world is truly your oyster, you can do just about anything you ever wanted to do."

Shinji stopped as he looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Whaaaaaaaaaa?"

Asuka blushed as she realized what she had just said but then she chuckled and then said. "Yeah right, like I'd ever want to run around naked with you! You fucking idiot!"

Shinji chuckled at her as he looked at her and then said. "Well, you were the one who bought it up."

"I did not! It was just a figure of speech!" Asuka said defensively. "I was…. just…. talking…. rambling…you know…off the top of my head."

"Still," Shinji said with a smirk as he looked at her. ", It's odd how you said we could get drunk and run around naked, don't you think?"

"What?" Asuka asked as she looked at him. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"I wasn't the one who said it!" Shinji said with a smirk.

"It was a figure of fucking speech, you fucking idiot!" Asuka growled. "Knock it off all ready!"

Shinji chuckled again as he looked at her. "Hey, you know…"

"Shut up!" Asuka growled.

"I was just going to say…."

"Shut…the fuck…. UP!" Asuka growled.

Shinji laughed again and then said. "Okay, I won't bring it up…. until later."

"SHINJI!" Asuka growled as she began to walk towards him.

Shinji laughed and then began to walk faster. She picked up her pace and then he began to run with the backpack on his back and Asuka chased after him smirking.

"I'M GOING TO BEAT YOUR ASS!" Asuka growled.

Shinji laughed as she chased him and then as he was running, he heard her scream out. He turned and went to look for her and saw she was nowhere in site. "Asuka?" he called out. "ASUKA!" he called out again.

"Shin…ji!" Her voice called out.

Shinji ran in the direction of the voice and then stopped as he saw that Asuka had fallen and was gripping her ankle. He breathed out as he looked at her and then knelt down beside her.

"What happened?"

"I fell in a hole." She said in an annoyed voice.

"Are you hurt?" he asked her.

"No shit!" She growled as she winced in pain.

"Where does it hurt?" he asked her.

"My ankle." She said.

Shinji moved down and picked up her ankle, putting his hands around it to feel it, she shrieked as soon as he grabbed it. "Oh crap." He said as he looked at her.

"What?" She asked.

"I don't think you broke it. I think you might have a sprain."

"Terrific." She said in a growl.

"Can you walk at all?"

"I don't think so." She said as she looked at him.

Shinji set her ankle down and then came over to her. He helped her off with her backpack and then put it on over his shoulders on top of his backpack. Then he took a deep breath as he put his arms underneath her back and her legs. "Hang onto my neck." He told her.

Asuka put her arms around his neck and then he breathed in as he lifted her up into his arms and got to his feet. The two backpacks were heavy and knowing that he had a distance to walk was going to be tough but he knew she couldn't walk and so he began to walk carrying her in his arms.

"Are you crazy?" She asked as she looked at him.

"What…. am…. I…supposed…. to…do?" he said as his voice strained. "You can't walk."

"Its too much weight, idiot!" Asuka growled.

"I…. don't…. care." he told her as he walked. "I am strong…enough. I am a guy. I can handle it."

"Chauvinistic pig." Asuka growled.

Chapter 28

Shinji walked with Asuka in his arms and felt himself being doused in sweat as the sun beat down on them. He stopped only a few times to get a drink of water but for the entire distance, he carried her and the two backpacks. Asuka was amazed at how strong he had actually become.

Despite the summer heat, and the fact he felt tired and sore, he continued to walk and then finally after walking for about an hour and a half they arrived in the town.

The town, like all the other towns, was devoid of life. There was nothing except the buildings that remained.

Shinji carried her into first building he saw. He walked in and sat her down on the floor, and then leaned up against the wall, wiping sweat from his brow and drinking the water from his canteen. He breathed heavy and looked around the building, then he laughed as he realized what type of building they were in. "That's funny." He said as he looked around.

"What's so funny?" Asuka growled.

"We're in a bar." He said with a chuckle as he looked around.

"A bar?" she asked. "You carried me into a stinking bar? I don't know, Shinji, maybe did you think a hospital or a hotel might have been a better idea? Idiot!"

"It was the first building I saw, Asuka, cut me some slack!" he said to her as he looked around and then walked over to the wall and chuckled. "Well, if we ever wanted to get drunk, this looks like the place to do it."

"You idiot!" Asuka growled. "You're thinking about getting drunk?"

"Well, we are in a bar." Shinji said with a smirk.

"Terrific!" Asuka said as she shook her head.

"I am going to go out and look around for supplies." Shinji said as he took off the backpacks and then set them down on the floor next to her. "I won't be too long."

"You're going to leave me here?" Asuka growled.

"Asuka, I won't go far." He told her.

"No! I don't want to be alone in bar!" Asuka said as she crossed her arms.

"Asuka…. there's nobody here! You'll be fine!"

"Don't leave me!" Asuka said as her voice cracked.

Shinji rolled his eyes and then he sat down next to her and smiled, nodding his head. "Okay. I'll stay right here. Okay?"

"Okay." She said as she looked at him.

"Are you okay?" he asked her.

"Yeah." She said. "It hurts a lot but I'm sure it'll be okay."

"All right." He said as he moved down to her ankle and settled it in his lap. He undid her boot and took it off and then removed her sock as he looked at her ankle. He held it gently in his hand as he felt it and then rubbed it gently.

Asuka breathed out as the small massage he gave her felt so good.

"It's a little swollen." He told her. "I'm gonna see if I can find something to cool it down."

Shinji got up and then looked around the bar. It was a typical bar. It had a few tables, some chairs, a long bar against a wall with stools and everywhere he looked there was liquor of all types on the wall.

He walked around the bar and went into the back, he noticed that there was a staircase and as he walked up the staircase and opened the door, he found another door and saw it was locked.

With his foot, he kicked in the door.

He walked into another room. It was dark and he reached his palm along the side of the wall and then his eyes went wide as he started laughing. "Holy shit!" he called out.

Asuka looked over in his direction and called out. "What?"

Shinji looked around and was amazed. "You won't believe this!"

"What?"

"I'll show you! Hang on!" he called out as he came out of the room, ran down the stairs and then came over to her. He went over to her and then put her arm around his shoulder and his other arm around her waist and he helped her up. He walked her over to the staircase and then picked her up in his arms as he carried her up the stairs.

Chapter 29

"Wow!" She said as her eyes went wide with a smile as they walked in the door. "There's…. there's…Shinji, this is an apartment and the electric is on too."

Shinji smirked at her and then bought her in the room. It was a small studio apartment. It had white walls but it also had a couch in it, a small kitchen, and a bed. More importantly, the lights were still on.

Asuka smiled as she looked at him and he carried her into the apartment and walked over to the bed, setting her down on it. Asuka breathed out as she felt the comfort of the mattress and looked back at him.

"Okay, so it's not quite a hotel." He said to her with a smile.

"No, its not but it'll do for now." She said with a smile. "How do you think its possible that the electric is still on?"

"I don't know." He said as he looked around. "I don't care though. This is the best place we've found yet. It'll allow us to rest up for a bit."

"Oh my God!" Asuka said with a laugh. "This is so great!"

Then he looked over and saw something in the wall and his eyes widened as he ran over to it, he smiled as he turned a switch, and then closed his eyes happily as he felt it. "A.C."

"What?" Asuka asked.

Shinji looked back at her as he leaned his palms against the wall and said happily. "Air conditioning! Its air conditioning and it feels…. so good." He said with a smile as he shut his eyes and felt the coolness of the unit.

"I can't believe this!" Asuka said. "For years we've been sleeping outside with the bugs, the dirt, and now…. we have…. a bed…. Electric…air conditioning…. what about food?"

"You know," Shinji said with a smirk. ", This is a bar. There's probably ramen downstairs or…. there might be even something better. Let me go check."

"Wait…wait…. what…. what if there is a… bathroom?" Asuka asked with a smile.

"Bathroom?" he asked her as he smiled. He looked around the room and then saw two doors. He opened one and found a closet full of clothes. "Nope not here but there are some clothes that we can take." He shut the door and then turned to the other door on the other side of the room and opened the door and then he laughed. "Bingo!" he called out happily, as he flipped a switch on the wall and saw the lights come on. "It's a bathroom!"

"A real bathroom?" Asuka asked happily. "Does it have a toilet, shower, sink and everything?".

"Yeah!" He said with a smile as he looked at her. "It does! Asuka! It's a real bathroom!"

"Check to see if there's…. running water." Asuka said happily.

"Running water? Asuka, we got lucky on the electric. I don't know about that one."

Shinji took a deep breath and then looked at the bathroom sink, he turned the faucet and then saw water coming out of it. He smiled widely and then laughed. "YES!" he called out happily, and then he turned to the tub and the shower and also turned on the faucet as he saw water come out of it. "YEAHHHHH!" He called out happily. "Running water!"

"Running water?" Asuka asked with wide eyes as she looked at him.

"Yeah!" He said as he turned off the faucets and came out of the bathroom, staring at her with a huge smile.. "Running water!"

"Really?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah!" he said as he came closer to her and then sat down on the bed.

"You're not joking right?" Asuka asked.

"NO!" he said with a smile. "It's a real apartment with running water, and electricity, and booze and food!" he began to laugh and then she threw her arms around him as she also laughed.

"I can't believe we're so lucky!" Asuka said. "Oh, Shinji, I am dying to take a bath."

"I know what you mean!" Shinji said. "I feel like I stink."

"This is just so great!" She said with a smile.

"I know." He said back to her as he got up from the bed. "I'm going to have a look around."

"Okay." She said as she settled down on the bed and relaxed.

Shinji went out of the apartment and ran down the stairs. A few minutes later, he came back up the stairs with lots of packages and the backpacks and then in another hand, Asuka laughed and shook her head as she saw what he had.

"Beer?" She asked.

"Why not?" he said to her as he put the packages on a small table in the kitchen area. "I got some really cool stuff. There's a freezer downstairs full of food! Good stuff too! I'm going to make us a great dinner. First though, I want to take a shower. I feel like I stink. Would you mind if I took a shower first?"

Asuka shook her head and then said. "No. Go ahead."

"Okay. I won't be too long."

Shinji went into the closet and looked around. He saw a shirt that would fit him well and he took it out and then he saw a pair of jeans and took them out as well. He also saw a towel on a smaller shelf and grabbed that, and then he went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.

Shinji quickly threw off his dirty clothes and then stepped into the shower, he turned the water on to a cool temperature and enjoyed the coolness of the water as it hit him. He shut his eyes and let his head fall back as the water came down on his body and cooled him off.

It felt so great and he breathed out as his mind started to drift.

Shinji's mind started to wander as he washed himself in the shower and then poured shampoo into the palm of his hand and began to wash his hair.

He was almost eighteen now and almost a man. For three years, Asuka had been his companion. The farthest that they had ever gone was kissing and that was it. The most sexual activity he had done involving her was when he spied on her taking a bath in the wilderness. He wasn't one to complain about it but lately his feelings for Asuka were becoming more physical. Her body was changing in so many ways.

First off, the two of them were in the best shape that they had ever been in. Because of the harshness of Third Impact, physical labor was part of survival. Because of that, he had gotten stronger, more muscular and over the past three years, taller. He gathered he must have been at least six feet tall now. He had also noticed that all though she had always been in very good shape, lately she had looked even better.

He thought about it though, there was no denying that. He felt so good in that shower and as he took the bar of soap that he had bought with him and started to scrub himself, he couldn't help but to also grasp his manhood and enjoy himself in another way.

He breathed hard as he pleasured himself in the shower. It had been far too long since he had a shower, except for the times he bathed in ponds, rivers and streams, and all though Asuka was in the next room, he felt it would be a very long time before he got any type of sexual satisfaction from her, if that was even what she wanted. Shinji shut his eyes as his stroking became faster and he felt himself build up.

He breathed heavy as he imagined what he would do with her if she were here with him right now. He put his hand against the shower wall and let the water come down his back as he continued to please himself and feel himself get closer and closer to a release.

When his eyes opened, he saw he was against the shower wall.

He breathed heavily as he recovered from the sexual fantasy he had just played out in his head, which caused him to have a massive orgasm. He took a deep breath and then rinsed himself off, feeling very satisfied, but at the same time, wishing that the fantasy he had just dreamt about would become a reality.

He stepped out of the shower and dried himself off, and then changed into the clean clothes.

Shinji opened up the bathroom door and walked into the apartment. Asuka was lying on the bed. He felt nervous as he looked at her.

"Did you have a nice shower?" Asuka asked as she sat up on the bed.

Shinji nodded his head as he started to turn red. "Yeah…. it was…fine."

Asuka nodded her head and then said. "You know, I'd love to take a bath."

"Oh?" He asked as he looked at her.

"Yeah but I can't walk to the bathroom. Do you think you could…. help me?"

"Help you?" he asked her.

"Yeah." She said.

"How?" he asked.

"Could you run the bath for me? Make it hot. I like hot baths."

"Is that all?" He asked.

"Well…. could you help…. I feel weird for saying this but could you help me?"

"What?" he asked her.

"Its not like a sexual thing and of course, I'm going to make you keep your eyes shut but it would just really help me since I can't really walk."

Shinji's face became red hot as he looked at her and then he nodded his head saying. "Uh…yeah okay."

"Okay, so would you mind getting my bath ready?"

"No. Not at all."

He walked back to the bathroom and turned on the faucet in the tub. He made sure that the water was not too hot and not cold. When he felt there was enough water, he came out and then walked over to her. He helped her off the bed and then helped her get to the bathroom where he sat her down on the toilet.

"Okay." She said to him as she looked at him. "Shut your eyes."

Shinji nodded his head and then shut his eyes. He heard clothes rustling and then he heard her say. "Okay here's my arm, help me up and don't open your eyes or else I'm going to beat your ass!"

Shinji nodded his head and reached out for her arm, he held onto it and pulled her up. Her arm came around his shoulder and by the way his hand went around her waist, he could tell she was naked and he liked the way he held her.

"Okay, turn to the left."

Shinji did as she instructed him to do and then he heard her get into the tub, he lowered himself slightly, so she could get in and then he heard her settle down by sounds of "Ahhh, that feels good."

"Good." Shinji said as he opened one eye and took a glance at her, feeling his face become red and then quickly shut his eye again.

"Okay you can go now." She told him.

Shinji straightened up, with his back turned to her and said. "I'll be…. outside if you need me."

"Ok." Asuka said as she watched him walk out and then shut the door.

Shinji slapped himself in the head after he shut the door.

He walked over to the table and took one of the beers; he opened up the cap and then sat down on the couch and began to drink it. The beer tasted good as he looked at the bottle and as he drank, he thought to himself. I guess I'll just get drunk.

Chapter 30

As Asuka settled down into the warm bath, Shinji had finished off three beers and enjoyed the sensation of feeling a nice buzz come over him. He had also found a few cd's and played them on the CD player. He hadn't heard music in so long and missed his old SDAT player. It used to comfort him at night and hearing music again was comforting to him. He sat back down on the couch and opened yet another beer and then he heard Asuka.

"Shinji…. can you help me get out? Get me my robe out of my pack too."

Shinji smirked and drank down the remaining beer in the bottle and then he stood up and went over to her backpack, opening it and taking out her bathrobe. He staggered over to the bathroom. He opened the door and looked at her, as she stood up in the tub in front of him, naked, holding onto the wall for support with her other ankle raised and he smiled at her "Hey there." He said as he walked forward with a smirk as he hung the robe on the door.

"Shinji, shut your eyes!" Asuka growled.

"Why?" he asked her as he walked over to her and eyed her. "You look really good."

"Are you drunk?" Asuka said as she looked at him.

Shinji laughed and then nodded. "Uhhhhhh…yeah! Just a little though. I've never been…. drunk before. Its cool!"

"Well, can you get me out of the tub?" Asuka asked.

Shinji eyed her once more and then said. "Sure thing." Then he saluted her and put her arm around his shoulder and his other arm around her waist. "Okay, and up and out."

He said with a laugh as he lifted her up and out of tub and then looked into her eyes. "You are so beautiful." He told her with a smirk.

"Shut the fuck up, asshole." Asuka growled as she reached for a towel and began to dry herself off. "Shut your eyes."

"Why?" he said with a frown. "I like looking at you like that. You look…. so good."

"You are drunk!" Asuka said. "Damnit, turn around."

Shinji huffed as he turned his back. "Yeah, so?" Shinji asked. "I thought you wanted to run around naked and be drunk?"

"It was a figure of speech! Shinji…. knock it off!" Asuka growled as she reached for the robe on the door.

"Bah!" Shinji said with a frown. "Yer no fun!"

"Just…. get me inside, idiot!" Asuka growled as she tied her robe.

Shinji chuckled and then walked forward saying. "Heh heh. You called me an idiot."

"You are one!" Asuka said.

"I love it when you call me an idiot!" Shinji said with a smirk as she put her arm around his shoulder and then he helped her over to the bed and watched her as she pulled her dress out of her pack.

"Turn around damnit!" Asuka growled.

"You know, I think you like when I watch you." He said as he turned his back and crossed his arms. "How does your ankle feel now?"

"It's still a little sore but not as bad. I think I can walk on it."

"Oh cool." Shinji said with a smirk.

"I think you're an idiot." Asuka said as she raised her eyebrow and put on her dress.

"Wanna beer?" he asked with a smirk.

"NO!" She said as she buttoned her dress up.

"No?" he asked. "Well, I'm gonna have another beer."

"Don't you think you've had enough?"

"Nope." Shinji said as he went to the table and opened another beer and drank it. "Ahhhhh!" he said with a smile as he raised the bottle. "Good stuff!"

Asuka shook her head as she watched him and chuckled. "You sound just like Misato used to."

Shinji looked back at the beer and then chuckled. "Yeah." He said as he looked at the bottle in his hand and then she saw his face, there was sadness in it.

"What's wrong?"

Shinji looked over at her and then said sadly. "I miss her so much, y'know?"

"I know. I do too." Asuka told him.

"No. I mean…I really miss her a lot." He said as he looked at Asuka and then sat down on the couch, drinking his beer. As he held the bottle and looked at it, he said. "She kissed me once."

"What?" Asuka asked with a hint of jealousy. "What do you mean she kissed you? What kind of kiss was it?"

Shinji smirked at her and then said. "That bothers you, doesn't it?"

"No, it doesn't!" Asuka snapped. "I…. just…. I'm curious…. I mean she was like…. a woman and you were like fourteen and she kissed you? How did she kiss you?"

"How?" he asked.

"Yeah, was it a kiss on the cheek or was it…. you know…. like…a real kiss?" Asuka asked.

Shinji smirked and then said. "It was a real kiss.."

"WHAT?" Asuka yelled out but then as Asuka looked at him she thought. So that's how he learned how to kiss that well.

Shinji nodded his head and smirked. "Yup. Right before she died. She was trying to get me to Unit 1 and then SEELE forces shot her. Right before she put me in the elevator, she made believe that I needed to fight. Then, she kissed me. It was a real kiss. It was a great kiss. That was something incredible. She said, that's a grown up kiss and that we'd do the rest when I got back. She told me to find my strength and then she pushed me into the elevator. She put the gun she had been holding in my hand. That's why I never wanted to carry another gun. I had my fill of it. I looked at her as she smiled at me when the doors shut. I sat there crying and I saw her blood on my hands and I knew she died to save me. It's strange when you know that someone loves you enough to risk their life for you and believes in you. Then, I knew what I needed to do."

"Oh my God." Asuka said as she looked at him. "I…. never knew that."

"I never told you that." He said to her. "I never told you a lot of things."

"Like what?" Asuka asked.

Shinji smirked at her and then stood up, he went over to the CD player and then he heard a song that he hadn't heard in a while. He moved his head to the beat and looked over at Asuka with a smile. "Like, I never told you that I've always wanted to dance with you."

"I can't dance, my ankle hurts! You are such an idiot! You probably suck at it."

Shinji laughed. "C'mon. You told me your ankle was feeling better."

"Shinji! You're nuts you, idiot." Asuka said. "I can't dance!"

"You don't need to. Just kept the leg that hurts, up. I'll do the rest."

"Shinji…."

"C'mon, Asuka." He said as he walked up to her and stood before her. "Dance with me?"

Asuka looked at him with a smirk and then extended her hand out to him, he took it and then pulled her to him as he held her hand against his chest and his other arm went around her back.

She raised her foot and then he began to show her what he meant by being able to do the rest. He practically lifted her into his arms, as he danced with her in the center of the room and even dipped her with a smirk on his face. She hardly had to do anything as he danced with her and as she did, she had a large smile on her face.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are silly as hell when you're drunk?"

"No. I've never been drunk before. How could someone tell me I was silly if I've never been drunk before? Am I that silly?" he asked her.

"You're such an idiot." Asuka told him as she held onto him.

Shinji laughed at her as he looked at her. "I think you like it when I'm silly."

"No, I don't." Asuka said to him with a smirk. "I think you're an idiot."

"I may be." He told her. "But I'm idiot that you like."

"Oh really?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah, really." He told her.

"What makes you think that I like you like that?" Asuka asked.

"I can tell by the way you look at me."

"So, that's how you think…. it is?" Asuka asked.

He smirked at her and then said. "I know that's how it is."

Asuka smirked at him and changed the subject. "How do you know how to dance like this?" She asked.

"Misato taught me." He said to her in a low voice as he danced with her and spun around.

"I don't remember Misato teaching us how to dance."

Shinji laughed and then said. "Misato taught me how to dance. You were off getting a test. You had a sync test and Misato and me were all alone in the apartment. She was listening to this really cool song and I was just standing there, watching her, she was swaying back and forth. I never told anybody but there was something about watching her ass move that just used to ….get me going." Shinji laughed and then said. "So, I'm standing there watching her sway and move. She turned and saw me. She looked right at me into my eyes and then said, come on over here. Do you know how to dance? I said no. She asked if I had ever danced with a woman before and I said no and then she said, well you're going to learn how. I got nervous, red in the face, protested, but you know Misato she always had her way. I had no choice. She showed me how to dance and it was cool. She showed me how to hold someone properly, how to move in sync, she was joking with me and told me that dancing is like sex. If you can move well on the dance floor, you'll move good in the sack."

"Misato told you that?" Asuka asked.

"Yeah." Shinji said with a laugh as he moved his hand into the small of her back. "I think that was the first time I looked at her as something other then a guardian or as our commander. I looked at her like a woman that day and after she was done, she said, okay now you've got a good tool for seduction."

"I can't believe Misato told you that!" Asuka said with a smirk.

"Sometimes, when no one else was around, I would ask Misato to dance with me and talk to me. She would. She would always say the same thing…Shinji, don't be afraid to come out of your shell. Don't' be afraid of anyone." He took a deep breath as Asuka saw sadness in his eyes.

"You really miss her, don't you?" Asuka asked as she looked at him.

"I miss her very much." Shinji told Asuka as he held her closer. "I never told you but right before the end happened, the end meaning, Third Impact, I was so afraid I was going to be all alone with no one. Asuka, remember how you asked me what happened to me?"

"Yeah." She whispered.

"It was like I saw everything." He told her as he shut his eyes. "I could see all of you. Sometimes, you were nice to me and other times you weren't. I saw my mother. I saw Misato. I saw Rei. You know I had a choice. I could stay in a world that only knew pleasure; love, happiness or I could come back here. Then I saw you. It was like that day we kissed for the first time, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember." Asuka said.

"Remember, how you sat at the table and looked me? It was like that. I said I wanted to stay with you and I wanted to help you. No matter what I said, you didn't want me and I got so angry that in that vision, I strangled you."

"You strangled me?" She asked as her eyes went wide.

"When I realized what I was doing, I cried your name and then it all vanished. Then I heard these voices. Different people I've known in my life telling me I was a wimp, that I made them sick, I was nothing. I was a coward. I felt so alone. After that there was something so peaceful that swept over me. It was so different. I felt peace and love. I wanted to stay there but you weren't there. Then, I said, can I go home? They said yeah and right before I was sent back, I saw these images. They came at me fast and I don't remember any one in particular except blurs. They asked me whom will you choose? I said: Asuka. Then I was in the water and I swam to shore. I passed out and when I woke up, you were there but I didn't believe it was you. Then I realized it was you."

"Why did you do that?" Asuka asked as she looked at him. "Why did you ask for me?"

"Because I didn't want to lose you…. ever." he told her as he stared into her face. "When I saw those prototypes attack you in your EVA I thought you were gone forever and it hurt more then you could ever know. I wanted to save you more then anything and knowing I was too late, knowing I had missed that chance to save you and that you were gone…. I didn't want to live anymore. You mean so much to me. Asuka, you've done something to me. Remember how you told me to look inside of myself and find my strength? I found it. When you fight with me, you give me strength. When we're together and its night, I feel it. When I see other sides to you, I know there's more to you and I want to know all about you."

"Why not Misato? Why not Rei? Why me?" She asked.

"I wanted you, Asuka, that's why." He told her. "I wanted you to be with me. I could have said Misato. I could have said Rei. I didn't want them as much as I wanted you back. I need you, Asuka. Do you realize that by now? That's why I've risked my life for you, that's why I can't stop thinking about you…that's why…"

Asuka became nervous as she looked at him and then asked. "Hey, listen aside from dancing…is there anything else Misato taught you?" Asuka asked.

"She taught me one thing very well in particular." He said.

"Which was what?" Asuka asked.

"This." He told her as his lips came to hers and kissed her gently.

Asuka fell into his kiss and let him hold her against him, as her arms went around him and they kissed long and tenderly. She felt his hands run over her back and hold her against him as she enjoyed the sweetness that came from his kiss.

As he parted from her lips, he caressed her cheek and continued to dance with her even as the song ended. As he looked at her, he smiled. . She looked at him and bought her hand to the side of his face and then he kissed her again gently. His arms went around her and he held her as they kissed one another. He lifted her up and bought her over to the couch where they both settled on it and kissed each other even more.

As she looked back to him, she became nervous that they were about to go further with each other and she cleared her throat and said. "Are you hungry?"

Shinji was hungry but not exactly for food yet, he just looked at her and said. "Yeah."

"How about we have some of that food you bought up?"

"Okay." He said to her as he got up from the couch and went over to the table. He prepared dinner for them both and then shortly came over to her with two plates as he handed her one and sat with her on the couch as the music played.

As they ate, they both stole glances at each other and smiled innocently. Shinji smiled as he said. "I haven't heard music in so long. It sounds so great."

"Yeah, this place is awesome." Asuka said.

"How does your ankle feel?" he asked her.

"Okay." She said as she looked back at him. "What just happened?" She asked.

He looked back at her and then said. "Something I wanted to."

Asuka breathed in as she heard his answer. Before he would have said, "I dunno" or simply ran away. As she looked at him, she said. "Oh."

"I didn't cross the line, did I?" he asked her.

"No." She said softly as she looked up at him and she breathed in as she became nervous and felt her head spinning.

"Are you finished?" he asked her as he looked at her plate.

"Y…yeah." She said as she felt her stomach forming butterflies.

He stood up and then took the plate from her. He walked into the kitchen and then picked up another beer from the table as he looked at her.

She looked back to him and then he left the beer on the table and came back to the couch, sitting beside her.

She looked over at him and he looked back at her and then he came towards her and their arms wrapped around one another as they began kissing again. They immersed themselves in a heavy make out session with one another as they held each other on the couch and felt their heads swimming.

Then as their lips parted and they looked back at one another, he turned on his back and she cuddled up against his chest as his arms came around her and held her.

"You know," he said as he breathed in. ", I am kind of sleepy."

"Go to sleep then." She told him.

"Can we stay right here?" he asked.

"Why don't we go to bed?" She said.

"Go to bed?" he asked her.

"Yeah, it's a big bed, Shinji. When was the last you slept in a bed? While you were in the shower, I changed the sheets. I found them in a drawer. They smelled clean."

"Okay." He told her. As she stood up, he picked her up and carried her over to the bed. He gently laid her down on it and was finding it hard not to want to be close to her as he looked back into her eyes.

He straightened up as he looked at her and then began to unbutton his shirt and take it off.

She watched him and breathed in as she watched him. Then she saw him remove his jeans and stand before her in his boxers. He looked at her and stood there not moving.

After he was done, he reached into his pack and put on a t-shirt.

"Shinji, could you reach into my pack and pull out my slip?" She asked him.

Shinji did as she wanted him to and then handed it to her. Asuka looked at him and then smirked as she said. "Turn around and shut your eyes, idiot."

Shinji turned his back and then shut his eyes, he listened as he heard clothes rustling and then he heard her say. "Okay you can open them now."

When he did, his mouth dropped open as he saw her in the slip. It outlined the curves of her body perfectly and it was short as it came up right to her upper thigh. He watched as she pulled back the covers on the bed and crawled underneath.

"Oh, this is good." Asuka said as she breathed out. "Come on." She said as she looked at him and patted the bed. "It's a big bed, Shinji."

Shinji swallowed hard as he took a deep breath and then lifted up the covers of the he got into bed with her. He settled down into bed and then she cuddled up close to him, laying her head on his chest and hugging his body. "Its good to have a bed again." She said.

"Its good to be with you." He whispered as his arms came around her. He looked down at her and then said. "Asuka?"

Asuka raised her head from his chest and looked into his eyes saying. "Yeah?"

He wanted to at that point hold her close to him and kiss her. He wanted to let all of the urges inside of him bubble up to the surface and take over. Yet, he only smiled at her, kissed her forehead, and said. "Good night."

Asuka stared back at him breathed in and then said. "Good night."

Then she settled back down onto his chest and both of them drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 31

A couple of days later, they were still at the bar and just enjoying being there. Asuka's ankle was feeling better and she was walking around the apartment looking around, checking on what the former owner had left behind.

Shinji had gone out for a few hours. He said he wanted to look around the deserted town and Asuka opted to remain behind. It was late afternoon, almost evening, and she was growing bored waiting for him.

She went over to the dresser and opened up the top drawer. Asuka rummaged through the drawer and then she saw something she couldn't believe and she laughed when she saw it. "Mecha Large? Oh please! Yup, this was a guy's apartment." She said aloud as she reached into the drawer and pulled it out. "Figures." She said as she looked at the small square object wrapped up in blue packaging.

Then as she looked at it, she saw that there was writing on it and she said aloud. "Expires: 6/13/19. 6/13/19? Hmmm…its still good." She looked at the object in her hand and then a thought came to mind. "This is still good…. it could be useful…maybe tonight it could be useful, and then again, maybe not."

"Hey I'm back."

Asuka quickly put her hand behind her back and turned red in the face. "In here." She called out.

Shinji walked into the room with a large box as he said. "I found some things which might be useful." He told her as he set the box down on the table and took out the objects. "Flashlight, cigarette lighter, extra rations, two bottles of booze just in case we feel like having some and I like some of those pullovers and what's that behind your back?" he asked as he looked over at her.

"Nothing." Asuka said nervously. "What else did you get?"

"Whoa!" Shinji said as he smirked at her and walked over to her. "That's not nothing. What are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing!" Asuka said.

"Asuka, c'mon!" Shinji said with a smirk. "What is it?"

Asuka rolled her eyes and then bought her hand forward and opened her palm as she scrunched her eyes closed.

"Oh?" Shinji asked as he glanced down at the object in her hand and then chuckled. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Depends." Asuka said as she opened her eyes. "What do you think it is?"

"I don't know." He said with a smirk. "What is it?"

"Are you that stupid and naïve? You…. idiot!" Asuka growled. "Do you mean to tell me you've never seen one of these before?" She asked as she held it up.

Shinji started to laugh as he looked at her with half a grin. "Had you going, didn't I?"

"You idiot!" Asuka growled.

"Half the time, I just want to hear you call me an idiot!" Shinji said with a laugh. "I know what it is, Asuka. Where did you find a condom?"

"In the drawer." Asuka said as she looked at him.

"So, what's the big deal!" Shinji said with a smirk. "It's not like we're going to use it."

Asuka took a breath as she looked at him and then said. "Maybe…. we should."

Shinji raised his eyebrow for a second and cleared his throat as he said. "S…sorry? What was that?"

Asuka took another deep breath and then said. "Well, it says its good until 6/13/19. Its still good, it won't expire for another two years."

"Are you serious?" Shinji asked her. "What the hell is up with you, Asuka?"

"Nothing is up with me, Shinji. It's just…. I'm curious about y'know?" She said with a smile. "I'm curious what it would be like. Aren't you?"

Shinji shrugged his shoulders and then said. "I…. I…guess so."

"Think about it." Asuka said. "We've been together alone for three years. Three years, Shinji. We've kissed each other, we've slept with each other every night and we've never…. we've never touched each other…. in that way."

"Oh." He said nervously.

"Haven't you ever…. wanted to? I mean we're a lot older now and…yeah I think about it."

"I see." He said nervously.

Asuka took another breath as she said. "I mean, that night, you and me were really…. but we didn't…and…I was just thinking that…. well, Shinji, we're a lot older now and…."

"Uh…uh…." Shinji became red as he looked at her.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Asuka laughed.

"No, I'm not!" he protested.

"Are you scared, Shinji?" Asuka asked as she looked at him with her hands on her hips. "What's the matter?" She said teasingly as he looked at him with a half grin. "Are you scared, Shinji?"

Shinji looked at her with a raised eyebrow and then cleared his throat. "This is not like the time you wanted to practice kissing, Asuka! This goes a lot further then that! I hope you're kidding!"

"You are scared." Asuka told him as she looked at him and sat down on the bed.

"I am not scared." Shinji said defensively, then he cleared his throat and said. "Well, okay…I am scared…just a little but…. Asuka, we…. shouldn't…. do that…. just because we have a condom and we can doesn't mean that we should."

"Shinji…." Asuka said with a smile. "…Are you saying you don't think about sex at all?"

"Sex?" he asked nervously as he scratched the back of his head and leaned up against the wall, crossing his arms. "Sure I do," He told her, as his face became bright red.

"Have you ever thought about you and me…. having sex together? I mean I've thought about it but to do it? I thought because we'd might…. you know…. screw up and have me pregnant…. but there have been times when I wanted to…. go further with you. Haven't you?" She asked him with a smile.

Shinji's face got even redder and he took a deep breath and swallowed hard as he said. "I…I…. I'd be lying if I said no."

"So, we've both thought about it and obviously there's curiosity..." Asuka said. "That's why we should do it. We should satisfy our curiosity. We have protection right here. It could be really awesome, Shinji."

Shinji took a deep breath as he looked at her. "I have no doubt of that."

"We both are curious. I sometimes imagine what it would be like to be with you like that. Don't you ever think of me like that? Do you want to try that maybe? I mean I've caught you spying on me. Wouldn't you like to see me in front of you like that without having to spy? Don't you want to touch me all over? Don't you want me to touch you?"

Shinji swallowed hard as he looked at her and could feel himself getting hard from what she had just said. "Asuka, you…"

"Then, why don't we?" Asuka asked him.

"Well…." Shinji said as he scratched the back of his head and cleared his throat. "Uh…. there's…There's much more to it then that, Asuka. I mean, there are emotions to consider and the consequences of doing it with each other. I mean are we even old enough to consider something like this?"

"Oh God, Shinji! You are such a girl in a man's body!" Asuka snapped.

"Yeah and what about you?" Shinji asked her. "You're acting like a guy with this attitude concerning sex. Oh sex, okay, let's try it, and woo hoo! You're acting like there are no consequences from this!"

"Well there really aren't!" Asuka said.

"Yeah there are." Shinji told her as he walked over to her. "Asuka, that condom could fail and if that happens, you and me we could…well you know…. I could get you pregnant!"

"Well that's like a one in a million shot! Condoms don't really fail."

"Asuka!" Shinji said to her as he looked into her face. ", Look at where we are right now. This was a one in a million shot! This is the end of the world. We are the only two left alive or so we think. One in a million shots happen! Right now we have nothing, we don't have a stable home, we're not married…what if I got you pregnant, Asuka, what would you do? How would you react? Asuka, these are things to consider. I don't want a child to be raised like this! I just I don't feel its right yet…and I'm not sure…if ….you are honestly sure about this. I think you are approaching this like some kind of sick game. Asuka, it's not a game. Its real. Why can't you stop acting like a silly girl for once and start acting more like…."

"…More like what, Shinji?" Asked defensively asked. "More like Rei? More like Misato? What should I act like?"

He took a deep breath as he looked at her and then said. "Start acting more like a woman and less like a girl. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Think of what you're proposing here. Asuka, I don't want to have sex with you just because I can. I want to have sex because I want to be one with someone in body and soul. I want to make love to the woman I've fallen in love with! This is important to me! This is something that you don't seem to care about. You are thinking this is one big game! Shinji's an idiot, let's fuck him and see what its like, right? Wrong, Asuka!"

"Shinji, I…. don't think like that!" Asuka took a deep breath as she looked at him and then looked at the condom in her hand. "…. I don't think of this as a game!" She said angrily. "Reality is that we are the only two left alive so reality dictates that eventually we'll be…. like that."

"Like how?" Shinji asked her as he looked at her.

"Like…how you said." Asuka said to him as she held back from saying the words.

"Like…. what though, Asuka? That's what I don't understand."

"You know what I mean." Asuka said as she began to fidget on the bed.

"No I don't, Asuka." Shinji said to her as he looked at her and walked over to her. He sat beside her on the bed and then looked at her. "Tell me what you mean…. how you answer this question is very important."

She looked back at him and then said. "Like how…." Asuka could feel her strength getting away from her and she became scared as she trembled at the thought of saying what was in her heart. "It's like…. how you s.s.said that…you wanted to be with somebody…you know…. how you said…. you'd be…when you wanted…to make love to somebody…"

"You mean," he said as he looked at her. ", How I said I wanted to make love to the woman I fell in love with?"

Asuka looked at him and nodded her head. "Y…yeah. Just like that."

Shinji smiled at her and then said in a low voice as he took his hand into her own. "Yeah…but…. there's something else too…I would also have to know she loves me too. I won't love without being loved back; I did that my whole life. I. I need to know the woman I love, loves me. Then I can share myself with her physically because I'd be joined to her in my heart."

"Really?" Asuka asked.

"Yes." He told her with a smile. "Its important not just to love but to know someone loves you just as much as you love them. Asuka, during Third Impact, I realized something about myself. I realized that when I loved, I wanted to fully love somebody and when I decide to make love to you…. I want to be sure. I need to know if you feel the same way, then only then, can I go forward with that."

"What if…. they aren't ready for that? To admit that they are in love?" Asuka asked.

Shinji looked down at his shoes and then said as he looked into her face. "Then, they should wait before they want to have sex with me."

"What if they want to hear it first?" Asuka asked as she looked at him. "What if that person needs to know that she is loved first? What if she needs to hear it because she's… never been loved before by anyone?" Asuka could feel a tear form in her eye that rolled out down her cheek.

As Shinji looked into her face, his heart started to break, and gently he caressed her cheek as he wiped away the tear. "I know what you mean." He told her gently. "I'm not ready to say that though. I'm not sure."

"You're not?" Asuka asked.

"No, Asuka." He told her. "I'm not ready. So, as much I want to have sex with you, I won't do it for the wrong reason. I want to be sure."

Asuka looked away as she sighed and tried to turn her head so he wouldn't see another tear come out of her face. "Why do you have to put such emotional value on something like this? We both have desires, we both have curiosity…Shinji, and it's only us! What if…. what if I want to do it because…I need to know…what if I think I am but…by doing this I'd know for sure…"

Shinji took a deep breath as he looked at her and then said to her. "I'm not ready but I'm getting there." He told her as he reached for her hand and drew her to him, taking her into his arms and holding her against him. "Listen to me," he said. ", Sometimes the things you do, the mind games you play, it makes me doubt it. Asuka, you need to be real with me. You need to stop hiding. You need to show me your heart. Once you do that, I can fall in love with you. If you don't, I can't. I'm not sure. I want to be sure. When it comes to you, I care for you so much but I don't know if I am in love with you. You need to help me with that."

As Asuka looked into his face, she took a deep breath and then turned her head away as she felt a tear come down her face. She could feel herself becoming weak and vulnerable. She didn't like that feeling.

As she stood up and walked over to the window, she thought to herself. What in the fuck are you doing to yourself? Why are you acting weak? Why are you giving away your strength? Are you falling or have you fallen in love with him? No, you can't do that! Your crazy if you do. He's a fucking idiot and you need to remember that! Nip it in the bud before it goes any further. If you want to fuck him, then fuck him and don't give in to the love garbage. You maintain control here, Asuka! He can't stop you from wanting to enjoy yourself. Make him see beyond his little theory. You want to try sex. Make him see how great this can be. Keep the emotional value in check. You're strength is worth more to you then that.

Asuka took a deep breath and then answered. "Physical satisfaction is much more intense."

She turned to look at him and stared right into his eyes, his heart started to beat rapidly as he looked at her. She came over to him and stood before him, he looked up at her, and she chuckled as she said. "Shinji, listen to me…you still have desires, like any normal man. I have desires too like any normal woman. Here's the cut and dry version, with no mind games attached." She said as she ran her hand through his hair, which made him shut his eyes and breathe heavy. "We have physical desires for each other." She told him softly as she ran her hand up and down his chest and shoulder. "We should act on them. Despite the risk that something could happen, with proper precautions, we don't have to worry. As for the emotional value, if it fits, it fits. If it doesn't, it doesn't. If we take precautions, we avoid the risk."

"Yeah but…Asuka…."

Asuka then pushed him down onto the bed. He fell on his back as he looked up at her, with wide eyes, and saw her straddling him.

"Risks are worth taking, Shinji. Life is risky." She told him with a half grin as she leaned down and then kissed him, whispering to him in a soft voice. "You can't sit back and let life bypass you."

Shinji's eyes shut as he breathed heavy, "Oh God, Asuka…you make it so hard to say no."

"Then don't say no." She whispered to him.

Her hands ran up and down his body and he shut his eyes as he felt the sensations going through him. She bought her lips to his ear and sucked on his earlobe, hearing him moan. Then her lips brushed across his neck and he moaned again.

She bought her lips to his ear and there she whispered seductively. "Imagine, for a minute, what it would be like? Can you see me lying naked underneath you? Imagine that I'm letting you do anything you want to me and I do mean anything. Every fantasy that you've ever had in your head about me can come true right now and I know you've had them. You're a man now and I'm a woman. We're ready for this now. All those times, Shinji, that you've watched me bathe just so you could look at me, imagine having that in front of you now. Imagine, your hands on my body and my hands on your body. You could make it happen. We both could. Imagine and make it a reality. Take the risk." She took the condom and placed it into his hand. Then she kissed his lips open mouthed and passionately.

He felt her kiss and responded to her as she kissed him. He clutched the object in his hand and then put it beside him. His hands started going across her back and through her hair. He imagined exactly what she had just whispered to him and suddenly, he had forgotten what he said earlier.

As she parted from his lips, he breathed heavily as he looked at her, she grinded her hips against his hips and could feel his erection through his jeans. His eyes fluttered as he felt her move and grind against him.

The look on his face showed he was extremely aroused as he looked back at her and thought to himself. Maybe she's right. Ah what hell! You only live once.

"What do you want, Shinji?" She asked him softly as she looked into his eyes.

He breathed in as he felt himself suddenly develop more backbone then he had ever had before.

He reached up, crushed her to him and then flipped her over onto her back as he said. "You."

Then he kissed her deeply as his hands ran over her body. .

Underneath him, he made Asuka moan and swoon beneath him as his lips went to her neck and down her throat.

Her hands ran all over him and then went to the front of his shirt as she rubbed his chest and then started to undo the buttons on his shirt.

They continued their deep kissing and in his mind, he imagined what he was going to do to her over and over again. She equally thought the same thing.

He felt her undo the buttons on his shirt and then open up his shirt as she ran her palm along his chest and stomach. Her lips lightly kissed him on his chest, his eyes shut and he breathed heavily.

His lips came to hers once more and then he felt her roll his shirt down over his shoulders slowly and then down his arms as it fell to the floor. Her palms ran up and down his back and he moaned from her soft touch.

He looked down at her and then back in her eyes, she could see he was filled with desire. She too wanted him like never before. He stared down at her dress and moved his hands along her thighs. She closed her eyes as she felt his warm hand glide along her thigh.

As he stared down at her, he leaned onto his side as his hands went to the front of her dress. Slowly he began to unbutton her dress.

As he pulled it open and looked at her in her bra, he ran his hand from her stomach up over her chest and throat. He stared at her breasts in front of him. This was his favorite part of Asuka to stare at and as she lay in front of him he smiled knowing what was coming next

He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her as he stared at her and kissed her lips gently.

They both sat up, still in each other's arms, kissing one another deeply and passionately, their hands running over each other's bodies.

His lips moved to her neck and she felt his hands pull her dress down over her shoulders, as his lips kissed her shoulder and neck. Her dress fell at her waist. His hands went to her bra straps on her shoulders and he eased them down.

Asuka breathed in as she felt gentleness of his nuzzling. She moved her head back while he kissed her on her throat, neck and shoulders. His hands lightly moved down to her breasts and lightly caressed her breast, wanting desperately to tear off her bra with his bare hands.

He looked into her face and Asuka breathed in as she stared into his eyes. She reached around to her back with both hands. She took a deep breath as she unsnapped her bra and then slowly pulled the straps down her arms and let the bra fall off of her.

Shinji stared at her exposed breasts in front of him; and then he felt Asuka take his hand and place it against her breast as she covered it with her own. Shinji looked into her eyes and bought his lips to hers once more.

She moaned through the kiss as she felt him touch her. Their kiss turned deep and passionate, his hand slid up her back and through her hair.

He gently laid her back down on the bed with his hand behind her head.

He worked off the rest of her dress as he slid it down her legs and then ran his hand up her leg and thighs. She was lying underneath him in only her panties. He eyed her body thoroughly as his hands ran up and down the entire length of her.

She smiled at him as he touched her. His touch felt wonderful and she smiled knowing that this was something that was meant to happen. It was their next experience and their first sexual experience.

He came back over her and once again kissed her gently which soon into a deep, passionate kiss. His lips moved from her lips back down her throat and across her neck and shoulder and then as he moved down further, he saw her breasts in front of him and then he placed his mouth over her breast.

Asuka shut her eyes as she felt enjoyment from his caressing. His other hand ran up and down the side of her body and across her thighs. Asuka ran her hand through his hair while his mouth moved all over her chest and set her on fire.

His mouth felt so good on her breast as she felt his tongue play with her nipple as his other hand massage and knead her other breast. She couldn't believe he was so gentle and tender and yet so deeply passionate. She just imagine what the rest of his sexual technique would be like and it excited her as she thought about him moving with her, touching her, holding her body, letting him do whatever he wanted to her and she gladly allowing him to do it.

She had no idea that he was going to be this good She thought at first he would be awkward, shy, and maybe even a bit clumsy but he wasn't. Everything he was doing to her was making her moan and swoon underneath him and she wanted more.

As he came back towards her and kissed her again, her hand went through the back of his hair and then ran down his back and buttocks. She loved the way his body felt against her. He was so much stronger now, so muscular and she loved the way his skin was smooth and his body was tight.

Her hands moved up and down his chest and down his stomach and then her hands went to button on his jeans. As he kissed her lips, she pulled out the button on his jeans and then unzipped his jeans. She reached around to his buttocks and squeezed his bottom, then rubbed her hands over his behind. She went to his jeans and began to push them down over his hips.

Then as he looked into her face, feeling his jeans start to come down over his hips, he fumbled for the condom. He felt her rub her hand across his groin. He moaned and he picked up the package and ripped it open with his teeth.

He looked back to her breathing heavily. He saw the way she was looking at him. He looked back at the small object in his hand and what he was about to do. He wanted to do this. He could feel himself nearly wanting to burst as her hands began to push his jeans down over his hips, leaving him in his boxers. He could feel her touch against his groin and knowing he was that close to having sex with her, thoughts began to go off in his head. He remembered what he said earlier. Everything he had just done with her had gone against that and it was important to him. It was something he believed in.

He took the condom out of the package and then as he held the object and looked back at her, his thoughts started going off in his head. He remembered that he was not just about to have sex with her but to make love with her. He was going to join himself in body and soul to her and right now he felt all though he was extremely aroused, there was something in the back of his mind.

This isn't right. He told himself. I want her. Oh God how I want her. I can't do it like this though. I need to know that she loves me and I don't know that. I don't even know if I love her. This isn't right like this. This isn't how I want this to be. I can't do this. We have to stop. I really don't want to stop but I can't do this yet. God, she's going to think I'm an idiot but I don't care. Ah damnit! I can't do it like this. I want it to be more.

Shinji took a deep breath and then looking back at her, he blinked and said to her. "I can't."

"What?" Asuka asked in an annoyed tone. "Shinji, what the…."

"I'm sorry, Asuka." He told her as he reached for his jeans and pulled them back up. He got up off the bed. He reached down to the floor and picked up his shirt off the floor. He put it on and then began to button it back up.

Asuka looked at him with a raised eyebrow and her mouth wide open. She sat up and looked at him saying. "What the hell are you doing?"

Shinji looked at her and breathed out as he said. "I…just…. I can't, Asuka. Okay? I don't feel like its right."

"You…. can't?" Asuka's face turned to rage as she quickly pulled her dress back on and yelled out. "What do you mean you can't? What the fuck is the matter with you? How can we just…and then…. Stop? Damnit, Shinji!"

"Asuka, I'm sorry." He said to her as he tucked in his shirt and then zipped up his jeans, buttoning them back up.

Asuka just shook her head at him and said. "Are you a man or a boy? What the fuck, Shinji? What real man refuses pussy? I swear! Your such a wimp, Shinji!"

Shinji whipped his head around to Asuka in disbelief. He took a deep breath and then said. "I'm going to go outside for a bit. I'll be back."

Shinji was furious

He walked out of the apartment and then down the stairs and into the bar. He headed right to the wall of liquor and went straight for the whiskey on the wall and not bothering to pour it into a glass, opened it up and drank it straight from the bottle.

He scrunched his eyes closed as he felt the liquor go down his throat and make him feel lousy but regardless, he took another swig from the bottle. He grimaced again.

He settled down onto the floor and took a deep breath saying in his head as he drank the liquor, Idiot! Idiot! IDIOT! WHAT THE FUCK IS THE MATTER WITH YOU? One minute you give this whole great speech about making love with the woman you fall in love with and the next your wanting to fuck the crap out of her and then you stop! YOU STOPPED? FUCKING IDIOT! You pushed it too far! Stupid! Wimp! Idiot! Fucking asshole! What the fuck is wrong with you, Ikari? You shouldn't have even started. Now she thinks you're a wimp or gay…or, whatever! Make up your mind! Idiot!

Chapter 32

Asuka sat up on the bed. She was still wearing the same sundress that she had on earlier. Shinji had been downstairs for a long time and she never liked being without him nearby. She looked over at Shinji's watch on the small table near the bed and picked it up. "21:00" She said aloud. "Nine o'clock." She knew she had gone too far with her comment about what kind of a man he was. So, she took a deep breath and got up off the bed and walked to the door.

She went downstairs, it was dark and she looked around. Then she saw him. He was sitting on the floor, his back against the wall. His head was lying back against the wall; he looked like he was asleep.

The only light that came through was the moonlight from the window. Next to him, she could see a bottle of liquor half empty.

"Damnit." Asuka said as she walked over to him and kneeled in front of him. She gently tucked the hair behind his ear and then lightly touched his face.

He stirred and opened his eyes, looking back at her sadly. He turned his head away from her and she felt her heart ache. Then she came close to him, put her arms around him, and kissed him gently on his cheek.

"Shinji, I was wrong." She whispered into his ear. "Please, come back to bed."

Asuka was not one to say sorry. This he knew all too well and she hadn't really apologized, but she did something that she had never done before: admit she was at fault.

"Do you honestly feel that way about me?" He asked her as she looked into his face. "Do you think I'm a wimp? Do you feel like…I'm not a real man?"

"No." She said as she looked into his face. "I was wrong, Shinji. I was cruel. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I got horny and then frustrated…. I was wrong. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You did hurt me!" He told her. "This is what I mean, Asuka. When you don't get your way, you try manipulating situations and I hate that. So, how can I possibly be real with you if you won't be real with me? I told you I didn't want to do it just because I had desires to but you forced the issue. We got all hot and horny with each other and then when I stopped, you got angry. Asuka, this is what I mean. You want to avoid feeling something. How can I fall in love with you if you hide away and cover up?"

"Shinji…. you don't understand." Asuka said as she looked down.

"Make me understand." He told her. "Why do you hide?"

"I don't hide, Shinji." Asuka said as she felt herself becoming weak again.

"Yes, Asuka, you do." He said to her.

Asuka felt her stomach turning into knots and she felt confused. She closed her eyes and said. "I don't know what you mean!" She growled. "I just try to be myself! Why can't you just accept me for me!"

"What do you mean?" he asked her.

"Exactly what I said!" Asuka barked. "I just want you to accept me and stop making me into someone like Rei or Misato. You don't realize it, Shinji, but I know you miss them and I know you wish they were here too."

"Of course." He said to her. "However, I had a choice. I was asked to pick the one to share my existence with and Asuka, I wanted you. I need you, Asuka."

"I need you too." Asuka said as she touched his face.

"Asuka, I am sorry I said no.," he told her. "You have to understand though. I can't do that until I'm sure. I won't."

"Okay." She said to him with a gentle smile. "Come back to bed though." She said as she stood up and extended her hand out to him. "Just hold me as we go to sleep."

Shinji smiled up at her and then stood up as he took a hold of her hand, then she lead him to the staircase and they went back into the apartment.

They stopped in front of the bed and Asuka looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back at her.

"Kiss me." She said to him gently.

He moved in and gently kissed her tenderly and sweetly. He held her against him and her arms wrapped around him as they kissed one another. As they parted, he held her against him and he breathed in as he said. "Be real with me, Asuka. That's all I want from you."

Asuka looked up at him and then lead him over to the bed. The two of them got into bed with one another and she settled her head against his chest. His arms were around her and both of them felt so good lying against each other like that.

She felt asleep in his arms. He held her against his chest and loved it. For him, holding her like this was almost like making love to her. He loved holding her and falling asleep with her like that. He felt good. He wondered if for a moment he had finally seen the real Asuka come through. He had guessed that he had.

As Asuka went to sleep, she too felt good and wonderful. She loved this moment with him and thought to herself. This is paradise. I never want to leave here, Shinji. If we stay, we can fall in love here. I wouldn't fight it anymore if we stay. I'll be what you want me to be. Let's stay here, Shinji. Always.

Chapter 33

In the morning when she awoke she was still in his arms, against his chest. He was still asleep and she smiled at him. She got out of bed and took a shower and then changed. When she came out of the bathroom, she noticed he was out of bed.

She heard noises downstairs and as she walked downstairs, she saw him setting up the backpacks on the table, packing up.

"What are you doing?" She asked as she stood in the doorway.

He looked over at her as he went to the wall and took down two bottles of whiskey from the shelf and put them in a backpack. "We're getting ready to leave." He said.

"Leave?" She asked. "No. I don't want to leave. I like it here."

"We can't stay here. You're ankle is better now." He said to her as he continued to pack up the backpacks. "We need to find a better environment. We have to keep going forward."

"No!" Asuka demanded. "Let's stay here. This place has electric and running water. We have food here! We have a town that's deserted, there are tons of supplies here."

"We have to go." He said.

"Why?"

"Because there is no heat here! There's no way to build a fire! When the winter comes, we'll freeze to death."

"But there's electric!" Asuka said.

"There is no heating system. There's a water heater and that's it. We have to go."

"Who are you to make decisions for us like this? You can construct a makeshift stove or something. We can make heat. It's still warm now. How do you know that the weather will shift?"

"After three years let's just say I know the weather pattern and so do you! Asuka, we're further north now and that means the weather will shift. I just have a feeling." He told her. "I feel like we have to go forward."

"Forward?" Asuka asked. "Forward to what? Forward to nothing? I want to stay here! I don't want to wander anymore! Damnit, I want a home!"

"I know you do." He said. "That's why we need to go forward."

"You don't care how I feel do you?" She asked angrily.

"Yes, I do. You have to understand. This was a temporary stop. We can't stay here. Asuka, the ground is not fertile here. We couldn't grow food here. This is not where we're supposed to be, Asuka!"

"How do you know that? What? Can you tell the future now?"

"I just know, Asuka!" Shinji told her.

"Besides we have enough food! There's food in the freezer, Shinji."

"What happens when it runs out?"

"It won't!" Asuka yelled.

"I took enough canned food out of the pantry that will last us a while. If we ration properly, we'll be okay I figure we have a two month ration supply before it goes out."

"Ration properly? I don't want to leave! I don't want to go! Let's try to make this work. Let's stay here."

"We can't." Shinji told her flatly.

"I hate you for this!" Asuka yelled out as she turned her back.

"Asuka, don't be like that." Shinji walked over to her and put his hands on her arms and then kissed the back of her head. "Listen to me," He said gently. "You have to see, Asuka. There's a larger picture and this place isn't right for us. We have to keep going. Just trust me."

'Trust you? Wander some more? I hate wandering! I'm sick of it." She said angrily. "I'm tired of sleeping outside in the dirt with no bed! I'm tired of bathing in streams and ponds! I'm tired of bugs! I'm tired of rationing! I'm tired of filth! I'm tired of inconvenience! I want a home, Shinji!"

"Listen to me," he told her gently as he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face against her neck. ", I will find you a home. It will be a home you love and it will give us everything we need to survive. It'll be a place where we can build a life together. Asuka, we can't stay here. We have to go forward."

"No." Asuka said angrily.

"There's a sporting goods store in town. I checked the building. Its safe. We can get some camping gear and some winter wear. After that, we have to leave."

"Today?" She asked.

"We're better off leaving today then putting it off."

"Why today? Why not tomorrow? Why can't we enjoy our time here! Why, Shinji? I hate you for this." She said as she turned to him. "This is the one thing I wanted! Do you understand that?"

He nodded at her and said. "I know but I know that there is something better out there. I am asking you to trust me."

"This is because of what's been happening lately, isn't it? Now you're the one running away!" She growled.

"No, that's not it." He said to her.

"Yeah, it is. We almost have sex last night and it scared you! That's why you want to leave; you don't want to be grown up! Sure, you're talking about us being together and building a life…. but to actually take steps in doing it? Oh that's another story entirely. You asked me to be real with you. I am being real now. I don't want to leave here! You're the one who's afraid! You're the one who is afraid, Shinji! You don't want to stand up and be a man!"

"That's not true, Asuka." He said to her.

Asuka took a deep breath and then said. "Shinji, this is a place I could call my home. This place is wonderful. We have running water and electric. This place has everything for us. This place would suit me fine. We could stay here. We could live here. We could be together here. We could stay here forever. I'm willing to give it a try if we can stay here."

As Shinji looked at her he took a deep breath and said. "We can be together anywhere. All I need is you. It doesn't matter where we are just as long as we're together. Asuka, I wanted you so bad last night but, the way it was happening…. that's not how I wanted it to be. I want to make love to you, Asuka but I want to be sure it's for the right reason. I want to be sure. I want to be with you but we can be together anywhere and it can work anywhere. We just need to trust in each other. Just trust me when I say that this is not where we're supposed to live. This place is not where we're supposed to build a life. I just feel that way. Don't ask me how I know but I feel it…it's like…. when I woke up this morning, I felt like there was more for us out there and it's there! It's waiting for us. We can find it! I need to find it! You need to find it! It's how we'll get past our insecurities and fear! Asuka, I am a lot stronger now and I'm not afraid of how I feel. I just need you to trust me. As long as we trust each other and believe in each other, we can make it work."

"Shinji, I do not want to leave."

"Asuka, believe me when I tell you that we need to go forward." Shinji said.

"I don't want to go, Shinji!" She pleaded. "Let's try to make it work here. I want to stay here! I don't want to leave!"

"Asuka, be logical. We have to go forward."

Asuka turned her back on him again and he went to hold her. As he did, she elbowed him in the ribs and stepped away from him. "I'll go but I won't like it. Don't touch me." She growled.

"Asuka, don't be like that. We've come such a long way now. Don't shut me out."

"I told you that I wanted to stay here! As for us being more, you can forget that idea for a while. This is something I want! You don't care about that so I'm not even going TO THINK ABOUT forming us into more! Forget it, Shinji." She told him flatly.

"Damnit, Asuka!" Shinji growled.

"Don't you fucking swear at me!" Asuka snapped. "You have to understand that this is what I wanted! You don't give a damn how I feel so now I don't give a damn how you feel!"

Shinji breathed in and then went back to the backpacks. As soon as they were packed up, he said to her. "C'mon, grab your pack. Let's go."

Asuka took a look around and then said. "Fine!"

She packed up her pack and then followed him out of the door.

Before they left town, they went to the sporting goods store and gathered supplies that they needed like camping gear, winter wear, boots, a cigarette lighter, batteries and two larger backpacks.

Then they began to travel to the unknown………and they traveled for two and a half months without finding another town.