Disclaimer: Same as always

Chap. 5

Katsuragi Residence.

Shinji and Misato entered the apartment where he found a surprise party waiting for him. Which was strange considering the place was somewhat trashed. It looked like a half-done cleaning job here. Touji, Kensuke and the bridge bunnies were all there. Shinji was even surprised to see Dr. Akagi there as well. Only you, Misato.

"Surprise, Shinji." Misato called out.

At that point, Asuka came out from the back, her usual look of scorn on her face.

"So the Invincible Baka is back."

"Yeah. I guess so."

"So what are you standing there for? You have dinner to make."

Misato frowned, "Asuka, what are you talking about? This is a party, for Shinji too. He will do no such thing."

"It's alright Misato." Shinji intervened. "It...reminds me that I'm back home."

The number of guests looked at him strangely as he said that, but did comment on it. As Shinji left for the kitchen, Touji and Kensuke followed to catch up with their friend while the rest stayed in the living room. Misato looked over at Ritsuko, who simply looked back briefly and took a drink of whatever she was drinking.

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Shinji plopped down on the bed. After the party and everyone being dismissed, Shinji started to tidy the place up. Unfortunately, tidying up in Shinji's book meant a whole new level of cleaning to do. After helping a drunken Misato to bed, Shinji got to work in cleaning the house. That took him some time to do, but ultimately he finished, within an hour and a half no less. Shinji looked up at the ceiling. 'A familiar ceiling.' He just realized that this would be the first time in his house that he'd go to sleep without his SDAT player, which was neatly placed on his desk. Shinji thought about today's events. He had never expected to feel so...aware of everything. When with Qui-Gon, there was only the forest and them in it, so feeling out life was simple enough. But on entering the city, it was extreme. He noticed much of what people did on the trip back, from children playing with their parents to couples and others conversing with each other. But that wasn't really important. Those were people he didn't know. He found seeing his friends were much more revealing.

Which brought him to Misato. When he saw her smiling face, he could detect some disturbance within her. But he knew Misato and that she would probably make a big fuss out of things in the end, but only because she cared. She may not strong in the Force, but she was definitely more observant than anyone noticed. Her feelings were really strong concerning him and Shinji began to wonder just what Misato really thought he was to her.

Then the party. Shinji still didn't like social events too much, but he accepted them. And it was also a good chance to feel out everyone else. Touji and Kensuke weren't different from what he known them to be. But Touji was a bit more observant than he thought. He just never had shown it. Either that or he doesn't realize it. Either way, Shinji felt the Force quite strongly in him. How deep it ran required further observation though.

Looking over to Maya, Shigeru and Makoto, Shinji could sense the strong friendship between the three, although Maya seem to have more of a bond with Dr. Akagi. The way she acted around her was evidence of it, although she was cautious about it. Which was strange considering she was acting somewhat like her, kind of like a role model or something. But it didn't seem like Dr. Akagi noticed, and from what he sensed from her, he could see why.

He saw a secret pain in Dr Akagi. Her actions and movements were well enough to hide and conceal it, but that was also what gave it away. That and the fact that her words are always accompanied by a very thin line of it. Also in her was a deep lining of sadness, guilt, and loneliness. But why? She wasn't exactly one of the more social people, but he figured that she was just into her work more. Perhaps to avoid her feelings. Much like he does when he uses his SDAT player.

Then there was Asuka. He sensed much more than her feelings. He was able to sense her very self. Her presence was more than evident to him. It was like a vibrant wave of fire that ignited almost consecutively. Qui-Gon was right. She is Force-sensitive. Strongly sensitive. So then, why didn't he ask her to come as well? Why just me? Perhaps because of her volatile nature. But he was able to feel more beneath the fires she sent out. After the time when he heard her talk in her sleep, he figured that she must have had a tough childhood, like him.

Shinji yawned. He'd done enough thinking for one day. Closing his eyes, he soon drifted into a dreamless sleep, his nightmares warded of by his calm meditation techniques.

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Asuka awoke strangely early this morning. What is that? She had been getting strange feelings ever since Shinji returned and she didn't know why. He hadn't changed. He was still the same spineless baka he was when he left. So then what was this...aura she felt around him? It didn't make sense. And this irritated her. And an irritated Asuka was definitely one that you didn't want around. Asuka stepped out her room and into the living room. The sunlight was still rising on the horizon, so it was still dark. She crept toward Shinji's room and slowly opened the door. But she was surprised to find that he wasn't there. Asuka turned toward the kitchen, but he wasn't there either. 'He couldn't be...' She suddenly rushed to Misato's room and slammed open the door. He wasn't there either. Misato was asleep under the cover, muttering something incomprehensible. Asuka growled to herself. 'Where the hell is he?' As if to answer her question, the door opened quietly and in walked Shinji. Asuka turned to him in a rage.

"Baka! Where the hell were you?"

To her half-surprise, Shinji didn't cower in fear or mutter an apology. Rather he put his finger to his lips.

"Shhh. It's still early."

Asuka didn't know how to react to this. A part of her wanted to agree with him, while the other half wanted to smack the daylights out of him.

Guess which side won...

SLAP!

Shinji's head shot sideways, but he didn't fall. Rather he simply turned to her.

"I'm sorry to have worried you. I just went outside to train. I didn't think anyone would be up at this time."

That did little to curb the Second Child's anger, "To train? To do what?"

To answer, Shinji raised his right hand. In it was a long packaged bundle. Unwrapping it, Shinji showed her what it was. It was a short sword, beautifully ornamented with gold markings. Asuka examined the sword briefly before looking back at Shinji.

"Since when did you use this?"

"Master Qui-Gon gave it to me before I came back." Shinji answered. "It's...a gift."

Asuka looked back at the weapon. She noticed that the rigged part was facing inward, in reverse.

"Some gift. It's a shotty job. Look, the blade is in the wrong place."

"No. It's supposed to be there. It's a Sakabuto. A reverse blade sword. It's set that way so that if I ever have to use it, it won't kill anyone."

If he has to use it? Asuka grimaced. Shinji was so frail, there was no way he could use something like this. She just couldn't see it. Chances are he'll smack himself with it by accident. It would serve him right.

"Yeah whatever. Anyway, since you're already up, you can get breakfast started. I have to take a shower." Asuka turned toward the direction and stopped briefly, "And if I even think you are peeking..."

"I won't, I won't."

The rest of the morning went as usual. Misato waking with her morning beer. Pen-Pen pecking Shinji's foot for some food. Asuka barking at Shinji for some reason or other and the two of them leaving for school. They walked down the street toward the building. Asuka was a couple of steps ahead of him while he moved rather slowly. But that was on purpose. He wanted to take in the environment as he went along. It was a rather nice day.

"Baka! Get a move on now!"

Shinji was pulled out of his peaceful thoughts by the German redhead and moved a little faster. However, she was still ahead and well into the school. So she didn't notice when he stopped dead in his tracks.

'What...is that? A tremor in the Force?'

But just as suddenly as the feeling came, it disappeared. Shinji was a little baffled by this, but he moved along nevertheless. He walked up the stairs, passing the various students who were also coming in as well. He reached his classroom and opened the door, but then Shinji's head almost snapped up. He felt it again. The tremor in the Force. Asuka? No, this one felt...different. Not like Asuka at all. This felt more...powerful? Calm, but very strong. Almost...controlled even. Shinji entered the classroom to see Asuka and Hikari talking to each other. He could sense Asuka's own force, but it wasn't the same. His eyes roved through the class, trying to pinpoint it. Then he found it. It was coming from a person who was sitting by the window, looking out into the world as usual.

Ayanami Rei...

AN: This is not a crossover with Rurouni Kenshin. I'm just using the weapon. It seems to suit Shinji