Disclaimer: I do not own NGE or SW....

Chap. 16

The days in the hospital passed for Shinji as he was finally realized by Dr. Akagi. Even though Shinji hated being in hospitals, he found the time spent there quite rewarding. Qui-Gon and Misato visited every day, although Misato was missing more than often. She seemed preoccupied with some kind of work, but whatever it was, he didn't know. As for Qui-Gon, he enjoyed being with his Jedi master as he helped him recuperate. As well as other things...

Yesterday...

"What's on your mind, Shinji?"

Shinji was looking out the window as Qui-Gon sat beside his bed. Qui-Gon didn't normally have to ask what was on Shinji's mind, but he felt that this was something else.

"I was thinking about Touji." Shinji answered. "After what happened with the Eva and everything else, I haven't seen how he was doing yet. But I worry that he will hate me."

Qui-Gon gazed thoughtfully, "If he is as good a friend you say he is, then he will not."

Shinji didn't answer at this and merely took it into thought. Normally a period of thoughtful silence would have passed between the two. But silence wasn't what Misato had in mind as she entered after hearing the conversation.

"You know, he is roomed in this hospital."

"I know." Shinji said simply.

Misato blinked. 'How...?' She then shook it off, aware that his powers had something to do with it. Either that or he was told by someone else in the hospital, possibly Ritsuko. Either way...

"Never mind. Anyway, why don't you go see him?"

Shinji turned away from the window, but didn't look at the two adults. "Should I?"

Misato nodded, "You are his friend, Shinji. It would be best if you see him."

Shinji looked at Misato to see the hopeful expression on her face. Then looking at Qui-Gon, he saw the Jedi's approving gaze. Outnumbered two-to-one, he conceded.

"Okay."

Shinji was seated in his wheelchair and Misato rolled him off toward the elevator with Qui-Gon in the back. After going down two floors, Misato continued to wheel Shinji until she reached Touji's room. She waited a bit so that Shinji could prepare himself, but Shinji was already calm. He still felt nervous, but not afraid. With that, Misato opened the door and wheeled him.

"Hey Shinji. How are ya?"

Shinji looked up at the young boy in the bed while Misato and Qui-Gon waited outside. Touji sat up and smiled at him. Shinji's brow narrowed slightly. His friend's left arm had been severed, leaving somewhat of a stump. Various wires were taped onto it.

"I'm fine. How about you?" Shinji answered, although it was weaker than he intended.

Touji shrugged, "Well, considering that I was in that monster Eva and faced up against yours and survived more or less in one piece, I'm doing pretty well."

Shinji forced himself not to bow his head down in shame, "I'm sorry about that."

"You know, the demon is right." he grimaced. "That gets annoying after awhile. You have nothing to apologize for Shinji."

"So...you're not mad at me?"

Touji's face became a serious calm, "I have no reason to. Besides, I'm your friend. Anyway, Dr. Akagi says that there may be a medical procedure that can restore my arm."

Shinji's eyes brightened at the news, "Really? That great."

Touji smiled back, "Yeah. So you see, no problem. And nothing for you to torture yourself about."

"Thank you." He said almost weakly again. He cleared his mood and took control of his emotions. "How's your sister by the way?"

Touji's smile grew, "Great. In fact, she's been visiting me for a change."

"That's great. So when are able to leave here?"

"In two days. Doctors say I've got good recovery so I won't be here long. The operation won't be until another two weeks so they won't need me here for that time."

Shinji nodded, knowing that his recovery was also due in part to his connection with the Force. Even with no knowledge or control, it still found way to be active within him.

"What about you?"

"I head back home tomorrow. So I guess I'll see you the day after."

"Count on it."

Shinji rolled the wheelchair around and began to move to the door when it slowly opened before him, revealing...

"Miss Hikari?"

The young girl was surprised by Shinji's appearance, "Oh, Shinji. I...er...just came to visit Touji."

"Oh, well. I was just leaving. See you at school then?"

Hikari waved, "Okay. Bye Shinji."

Present

The thought of Hikari brought Shinji to thinking about his two roommates. Qui-Gon said that he had been helping them with their powers, but he never specifically trained them. Qui-Gon seemed reluctant to do so. He believed that there should only be one master and one apprentice. I wonder why? Perhaps I'll ask him later. They continued to walk away from the hospital toward his house. Misato couldn't make it today as she was busy at Nerv yet again. But she was grateful that Qui-Gon would watch Shinji while she was gone. But it was only temporary, as Qui-Gon would be leaving soon. Leaving him with two untrained, unpredictable girls. But that was the way it was to be. 'Nothing is fixed. Everything is fluid.' Still, it wouldn't hurt to be prepared for...something.

"Are Rei and Asuka...alright?"

Qui-Gon never broke his stride and continued to face straight ahead, "They are progressing well. There is still much for them to learn though." He turned his head slightly to Shinji, "If they ask you any questions, answer with the truth of it, Shinji. Don't be afraid of your response."

Shinji was always surprised by his master's readiness. It seemed that Qui-Gon was always a couple steps ahead of everything, "I'll...hai."

"Remember, they aren't as experienced as you, so you'll have to be patient as well. I know I am giving you a great task, but I believe that you can do it."

Another thing that surprised Shinji. That Qui-Gon was confident in him even when he wasn't about himself. That made him feel a bit uneasy, but he gradually accepted the truth of it.

"I will not fail you."

Qui-Gon gave a faint smile and they continued to walk through the city in silence, observing the various types of work that commenced in order to rebuild the city while looking at the few people that remained behind. Many were scared while few others simply moved on, seeing the attacks as a simple part of life. Shinji didn't like causing such emotions to people, but he knew that he didn't have much of a choice. He would have to do his best. The two finally arrived at the apartment complex. Shinji continued on and pressed the button of the elevator. The elevator came and opened, but Qui-Gon made no move to enter.

"I'm afraid this is where I leave off."

Shinji blinked, but not out of surprise, "I understand." He gave Qui-Gon a deep bow.

"May be Force be with you, master."

Qui-Gon returned the gesture, "You too, Shinji. You too."

***********

"So the Invincible Baka has finally returned."

"Hi, Asuka. Rei."

After Qui-Gon departed, Shinji made his way up to the apartment and entered in to see Asuka and Rei in the living room. Although they were nowhere next to each other, them being in the same room without a war-zone erupting was surprise enough. An even bigger surprise was the fact that the house...WAS STILL CLEAN. Normally in his absence, even for a day, the place would look like a nuclear disaster. But everything was just as in was when he cleaned it last. Asuka was doing homework while Rei was sitting by the wall on the floor, apparently in meditation stance. Both of them were stronger than ever as Shinji could feel the flow of the Force like a gust of wind.

"W-welcome back home, Shinji." Rei said quietly.

Shinji nodded, "Thank you." He then put his hands behind his back, took a breath and continued, "I feel I owe both of you an apology. When I ran off, I was too busy worrying about myself to realize that I forgot about how it might have affected you. Please forgive me. I'm sorry."

"Affected me? Ha!" Asuka laughed before glaring, "I'm not some child that cries at the first sign of trouble. And I certainly wouldn't affected by you leaving! So I suggest you save you apologies for a time when you might need them, got it?"

"O-okay." Despite his training, she could still rattle him quite a bit. He then addressed Rei as to what she thought. "Rei?"

"Sohryu is right." She answered in an even tone. "There's no need for apologies anymore."

'Did I miss something? Did she just...agree with Asuka?' It was off-handed, but still...

"But...it is accepted."

"Baka!" Asuka barked. "Stop pining over her and get dinner ready!"

Shinji nodded and quickly headed to the kitchen to make dinner. He was aware though of how both Asuka and Rei were observing of him, though they hid it under their usual routines. That told him that they adapted to the training quickly and were already using their abilities. 'But how far did Qui-Gon train them.' True, it wasn't as long as his was, but every person has a different aptitude and thus one my have picked up something about didn't or couldn't. And he couldn't assume anything either unless he knew for sure. Both girls seemed the same, but he knew that wasn't true. So it would seem that he had some observing of his own to do if he is to help them whenever.

Asuka, though appearing to get back to her homework was actually using some of her techniques on Shinji. She had even humored the thought of trying to affect his mind with a Jedi mind trick.

Sometimes, the Force has a strong influence of the weak-minded.

'That has to fit the baka's category', she smirked inwardly. But by the way Shinji behaved with her, it wasn't really necessary. Plus, that would be a waste to use on him anyway. But she did discover something interesting. He had an unusually strong bond with Rei. Asuka smirked inwardly. 'I wonder why? This will require further observation.' Asuka liked the idea of playing detective and with her new insight; she was going to find out just what was the deal with those two. However, she did feel something else. Something that she wanted to ignore, but still remained in the back of her mind. Another connection that Shinji emitted.

The one that flowed...to her...

Rei sat back down in silence and cleared her mind again. Observations were nothing new to her. Even before Qui-Gon appeared, Rei had always been observant of everything. However, meditation was another story. Normally, she would dismiss most thoughts that entered her mind aside from the things she felt were worth keeping. But now that she learned to dwell on them, she saw and felt a great many things. Far more so than anyone else. Shinji's deep sorrow was one of those things. Although he never hid it before, Shinji always seemed to push it away when it came to others now. The results of his training no doubt as well as the silent change in his attitude now. Asuka, Rei still couldn't grasp, but she felt closer the Second Child somewhat, even if Asuka didn't know it. Asuka was strong, but her abilities were still being hampered by her still-strong pride. If she had learned to control it, then Rei felt that Asuka would be far more powerful than she knows. These thoughts and other swirled through her mind as Rei picked them through piece by piece. But two things made her feel troubled. One, the nature of her existence and its purpose. 'Can I carry out my purpose now that I know all these things?' And the second was the dark void she felt coming closer. She knew what it meant and it began to frighten her

Do not fight your fear. Let it enter into and through you and it will ultimately leave you.

Rei gave herself a mental nod. 'That is what I will do.'

***************

Qui-Gon strode through the streets of Tokyo-3 in thought. His initial fear of leaving Shinji with his task was gone, replaced by confidence in his Padawan's abilities. When he trained Asuka, he initially thought it was a mistake, as the girl seemed too much in rage and always fighting an inner battle with herself. Qui-Gon tried his best to help her fight those demons, but ultimately, it will be up to her whether those demons controlled her or not. He didn't sense darkness within her, but it was too early to tell. Rei remained an enigma to him. He felt a foreboding darkness from her, but not from the Dark Side of the Force. It was something else. It was as though she had this great weight upon her and she knew what it could be. He sensed fear, but also a calm that accepted it. Again, another mark of a Jedi. To face death whenever it came.

'She would have wanted you as a Padawan.'

Qui-Gon shook the thought away, but an even greater pain surfaced from it. The thought of a person from long ago. A person he cared for deeply, but died in his arms. Qui-Gon tried to dismiss it again only to remind himself that sooner or later, he would have to tell Shinji everything about himself. Everything. But again, it would have to wait. The dark presence was moving ever closer and he had a mission to discover what and why before it was too late. And he had an idea of who may know something about it. A name he picked up during his brief visit at NERV.

Ryoji Kaji...