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Chap. 10

Later that day...

Much of the day was spent mostly moving in Rei things and reorganizing Shinji's room. Since both of them possessed little, neither task took long. Asuka stayed in her room while this went on and Misato simply helped Rei to adjust to the new living arrangements. Since there wasn't much else to do, Shinji decided to make dinner early. As all four occupant sat for dinner, Misato began her usual observations on the Children. Both Rei and Shinji were eating in silence, which was expected. But what was strange was that Asuka was also unusually quiet.  Normally a quiet meal is rare, especially considering Asuka's high temper. But this was just too quiet. Misato pondered, 'I guess I better do something before I drive myself crazy.' She then remembered something she had said to Shinji earlier. 'Guess now is a good time to start.'

"So Shinji." She looked up at the boy as he focused his attention. "Tell me more about this Force."

Rei's eyes curved upward slightly and even Asuka's attention was caught. Misato blinked at the others. 'Well, this is working out better than I thought.' Shinji however, seemed a little reluctant to talk. He expected this, but not with all of them around at the same time so soon. But before he could say a word, Asuka decided to cut him off.

"I wouldn't bother, Misato. He claims it some sort of mystical hokey magic or something like that."

Misato countered, "I wouldn't say that Asuka. He said that it was because of it that he was able to disable those men yesterday."

Asuka shrugged, "If you ask me, the baka just got lucky, that's all. Just like in his Eva."

"Perhaps. But I'd like to hear his version of things."

When both quieted down, Shinji began. "Well...I'm not sure how to explain it. It's like your own personal energy field. Think of an AT field, but different. Instead of separating, it's a link with all things living."

Misato nodded, "Go on."

"In the world, there are a few people who are sensitive to it. Those people are Force-sensitive. The Force flows through all people, but in them it has a much greater impact and changes them somewhat."

"How do you mean, change?" Misato asked.

"The person would appear normal, but he or she would possess certain...something that makes them stand out more than others. And in time, they develop certain abilities within them that they may not know about."

"Like what?"

Shinji thought for a brief moment and then raised his hand. His cup vibrated lightly and began to levitate off the table. Misato was shocked by this, but Asuka showed no concern.

"It's just a cheap trick."

Shinji looked over at her plate and it began to levitate as well. Asuka backed away a bit and growled.

"Stop it, Third Child."

Shinji complied and the object lowered softly back on the table. Asuka was still annoyed though by the act though.

"If you ever do that again, you're the one that's going to be flying next."

Shinji nodded and Misato regained her composure. "And you are...Force-sensitive, Shinji?"

"Yes." He then added, "So are Ayanami and Asuka."

"What?"

Shinji gazed at each girl briefly, "I can tell. When master Qui-Gon trained me, he made it so that I would be able to feel out another person like he did with me."

"So Qui-Gon...knew about this?"

Shinji nodded, "Yes."

Now Misato began to worry. If Qui-Gon knew, then their meeting was definitely no accident. Even though she had a good feeling about him before, Misato's instincts kicked into suspicion.

"So why you, baka?" Asuka cut in. "Surely he could have found someone better."

Shinji looked down at his cup, "I don't know. He told me that it was the will of the Force and that it led him to me." Misato look grew darker, but Shinji continued. "In a way, it's not that different with us. Think about it, Misato. Four Force-sensitive people just happen to live in the same city, three in the same house? That's more than coincidence. But it's too big to have just been planned out, right?"

"Maybe." She then stopped as she realized Shinji's words. "Wait, what do you mean four?"

"Touji is sensitive to the Force as well."

Misato's eyes widened slightly, "Touji...Suzahara?"

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

"Oh no, it's nothing." Inwardly, she thought, 'Touji Suzahara. He's the next candidate. The Fourth Child. But, what does this mean? Shinji doesn't know that, so how…? This is just too weird.'

"So where is Qui-Gon anyway?" Asuka cut in again.

"He said he had to take care of something before I left. But he'd said he'd check up on me soon."

"You believe him?"

Shinji looked straight into her eyes, "Yes. Jedi don't lie."

"What is a Jedi?"

This came from Rei, much to the shock of many present. Asuka actually forgot she was there because of her silence. But Shinji answered nevertheless.

"Well, that's even weirder. According to Qui-Gon, the Jedi were once guardians of a civilization long ago called the Republic. They harnessed and mastered the powers of the Force and used them to protect people. They were great warriors, but they served more as peacekeepers, never resorting to violence unless absolutely necessary."

Asuka scoffed, "Well that's stupid. What the point of power if you're not going to use it?"

Shinji stared at his drink, a worried expression on his face. "There is a problem with that. See, the Force has two sides to it. A good side and a dark side. When a person uses the dark side, they become dark. They become evil. The wielder would only want more power and would harm others to do it."

"That sounds bad." Misato responded.

"It's even worse. The Force is also directly tied in with a person's emotions and feelings. So if a person has no control, they can easily be tempted by the dark side."

"Tempted? How?"

Shinji looked up and for a brief moment, a dark expression came across his face. "Fear. Anger. Hatred. These emotions are linked with the dark side and they are easier to obtain. But the results are devastating." Shinji then recited Qui-Gon's words, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

The group absorbed Shinji's words. For Misato, they presented an even bigger worry. Shinji wasn't exactly known to be the most emotionally stable of people. If what he says is true, he may become far more dangerous than the angels. Asuka was more into his reciting about how fear, anger, and hatred were all tied. She felt the truth in those words, but wasn't sure as to why. For Rei, she absorbed the part about how it was tied in with emotion. Rei never displayed or showed any hint of emotion, save the one time when she was trapped in the entry plug and Shinji got her out. She smiled then, partly because he asked. Not ordered. The other reason being because...she wanted to. He gave her that feeling and she, although not sure about it, liked smiling for him. And Shinji, he read all the emotions from the three sitting with him. Misato was worried while both Asuka and Rei were thoughtful. He expected Misato's and Rei's reactions, but he was a little surprised by Asuka's. Nevertheless, he kept in mind that Asuka is more attentive than she lets on. Her loud demeanor is just a way to make it easier.

"Well Shinji. That's a lot to absorb. Is there anything else?"

"I'm not sure. I...felt something from the Eva. I felt it before, but now it's even stronger. I...don't know."

Misato chewed her meal thoughtfully, "Hmm. Well, it's probably nothing. It probably just feels different because of your training."

"Perhaps."

Night...

Shinji lay on the couch, attempting to get some sleep. Normally, he would have you his meditation techniques to calm him to sleep. But his mind was so into thought about the night's event that he just wanted to reflect on them. He realized that telling his roommates about his powers might cause some even bigger problems in the future. But then again, perhaps not. He wasn't sure. He didn't possess Qui-Gon certainty in such matters. Despite his skills, he was still only a Padawan learner. He could feel the Force, but control was another matter. He had a limited control on it and he could tell that things may get worse because of it.

"Shinji."

Shinji sat up from the couch to see Rei standing beside the door of her room. He almost missed the fact that she called him Shinji instead of Ikari-kun. He was also relieved that she was wearing a nightgown. Even with his abilities, he doubted he would have been able to handle a naked Rei again

"Ayanami. What is it?"

Rei moved close until she was standing next to the couch. But she seemed uncertain as to what to say at this moment. He sensed her uncertainty and shifted his feet to the floor.

"Please sit."

Rei nodded and sat on the couch beside him. She was still uncertain, but she seemed more relaxed now. Her eyes were looking away as they slowly turned into a determined look.

"I feel the Force." she said simply.

Shinji remained quiet, knowing well enough that Rei wasn't finished. And that she hated being interrupted.

"But I do not understand how."

Shinji blinked, "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you say that the Force was tied with emotions?"

"Yes."

"But then...why do I feel it?"

Shinji answered her in a strangely calming voice, "You have emotions, Ayanami. You're just not familiar with how to express them, that's all."

Rei obviously noticed this change, but didn't say anything about it. "I see."

"Even if you don't display your feelings, they are there. The Force is just a way of expressing them somewhat."

Rei thought about his words and then looked straight at him, "Can you...help me?"

Shinji was again faced with those deep crimson eyes of her, but met them with his own cool gaze.

"Sure, Ayanami. I'll help."

"Rei."

Shinji blinked again, "Excuse me?"

"Call me Rei." She repeated.

"Okay...Rei. Good night."

Rei rose to leave, "Good night, Shinji-kun."

Rei re-entered the room and Shinji lay back down on the couch. His eyes began to shut as he fell into sleep. But before they did, he caught a flash of red-hair disappearing behind the silently closing door of Asuka's room.