Disclaimer: Same as always
Chap. 17
It was still early in the morning, but Shinji didn't mind. He was quite used to waking up at early times in order to fix food for everyone. Even more so now as that gave him plenty of time to meditate. Shinji moved away from the window and was about to sit down on the floor when his eyes caught glimpse of the lightsaber on his desk. He tentatively took the object in his hands and sat down on the floor with it. His legs crossed, Shinji examined the Jedi weapon. Taking it a step further, he activated it and the purple blade of light ignited. Shinji instantly felt a surge from it, as if the weapon itself was Force-sensitive. It only took him another moment to realize that it wasn't the weapon itself, but his own power he was sensing. Somehow, the lightsaber seemed to draw out more of his power.
'Just like the Eva...'
Shinji deactivated it and placed it by his side. He began to close his eyes when he felt a Force-presence. His eyes reopened as the door slowly creaked open. Shinji blinked as he saw Rei quietly entered the room. She was still dressed in her nightgown and her hair was a little messy. But she didn't say anything as she closed the door and looked down at the Third Child.
"May I join you, Shinji?"
Shinji blinked again, "Uhh, sure. Okay."
Rei quietly seated herself on the opposite wall and closed her eyes. Shinji looked at her with slight confusion, but merely shut his own eyes to meditate as well. Both sat in thoughtful silence, their thoughts becoming focused on linking with the Force. Shinji's own thoughts were on his master and whatever it was he was doing. He hoped that Qui-Gon would be alright, but Shinji felt the dread cloud that seemed to blanket over everything. If Shinji was an expert on anything, it would be the foreboding sense of doom he felt. Only this time, it wasn't just directed to him. It covered everything in the world. Fear, pain, suffering. Something was coming.
'Huh?'
Shinji's eyes snapped open. Not surprisingly, Rei's own eyes opened as well. Shinji was panting somewhat, but managed to stop and take a deep breath.
"Darkness..."
Shinji looked up as Rei whispered those words. 'So I didn't imagine it. Rei had felt it too.' The fact that she felt it was enough to send a shiver down his spine. But there was more to it than that. There was...something...out there. Something that he never felt in this degree. Something that he experienced once already.
The dark side...
*************
School...
"Hey Shinji. You made it."
Touji and Kensuke were already in the classroom by the time Shinji arrived. Touji had a cane next to him to help him walk better for the time being. Shinji took his seat and turned to his two friends.
"Yeah, I said I would."
"So where's the red-headed demon?" Touji inquired.
"Out of the hospital one day and already begging for a reason to go back?"
From behind the two boys, Asuka appeared. She gave an innocent look, but everyone knew better.
"You could try all you want." Touji shot back. "If I could survive an Eva, then you're cakewalk."
Asuka was furious, "What?!"
"Ouch, talk about a low blow Touji." Kensuke remarked.
Asuka clenched her fists, but calmed her temper down a bit. "So the stooge learned a few remarks. None of them any good, but at least you're trying."
Touji seemed ready to yell at her when he seemed to calm down as well, "Asuka, nothing would please me more than to give you what's coming. But I don't have time to play around with you anymore."
The fiery temper returned with a vengeance, "Oh really?"
Shinji suddenly turned his head as he felt Asuka channeling the Force. He noticed that a nearby empty chair was beginning to lift off the ground. Keeping his hand lowered, Shinji began to interfere with the connection and calmly lowered the chair before it rose too high. Realizing what had happened, Asuka turned to Shinji only to have Shinji stare back at her.
"Asuka, don't." he said, imitating Qui-Gon tone.
Asuka glared at him angrily. Who does he think he is? She was about to retort when the sensei came into class. Immediately, Hikari called the class's attention.
"Everyone. Stand, Bow, Sit."
The students did in kind and everyone sat at their perspective seats. Asuka grumbled to herself as she sat down at her desk. Shinji had been right about Touji. The Force was strong within him. She wanted to deny it, but it was too strong to do so. She wanted so badly to tell that jock to jump out of the window, but despite her earlier claims, Touji was not as weak-minded as she thought. Still, he hadn't been taught any of the lessons she learned yet and that was enough to keep her self-pride in check. She knew she shouldn't think of herself better than others, but it seems so true. Still, if she wanted to learn any more, she would have to get rid of her own pride.
Far easier said than done...
She also began to think about what Qui-Gon told her and Rei before he left. He had told her that if there were any questions, she would have to ask Shinji. But she didn't need or want that baka's help. She would figure it all out on her own. Yet, as she thought that, a small part of her seemed to cry a warning. That she shouldn't try it that way and ask Shinji. Asuka hated that even more, but figured it would be in her best interest for now. She was still fuming from the Third Child's quiet rebuke, but at this point, there was nothing she could do about it. Which felt strange. Shinji rebuking her? Boy was he going to get it, but not now.
Her attention suddenly focused on Kensuke. She could hear him in the back, typing on his laptop. She tilted her laptop slightly to get a view of him. Indeed, Kensuke was working on the computer while his camcorder was placed on the side of the desk. It was a rare occurrence that he even put the machinery down, but so much the better. A wicked grin crossed her face as her fingers began to move a bit. If I can't get the first two, there's always the geek. As she thought of this, the camcorder slowly slid off the side, unseen by the owner. It continued to curve toward the edge until it was only a hair-breath away from crashing. She waited until he slowed in his typing so that he would see it. Indeed that's what happened. Kensuke turned his head to see his beloved camcorder about to fall off. Asuka grinned and released her hold, causing the camcorder to plummet off the side. In panic, Kensuke shot his hand out to catch it, but in the process, he lost his balance and crashed altogether, chair and all. The class turned around to see a fallen Kensuke on the ground; face winced in pain with the chair on top of him. But at least he managed to protect his camcorder from harm.
"Got it, ouch!"
*************
After school...
"Asuka, you shouldn't have done that."
Shinji had approached Asuka right after school ended. Hikari had to stay behind for clean-up duty, so Asuka was pretty much by herself. And Rei had to leave earlier to go the NERV HQ. Leaving the two pilots alone.
"Done what?"
"You know what I mean." Shinji answered. "What you did to Kensuke was cruel."
Asuka simply shrugged, "The stooge deserved it."
Shinji frowned slightly, "Asuka, you can't go around using your powers like that. We have to be responsible with them."
"I was just having some fun."
"It wasn't right and you know it. Don't do that again."
'That's it.' Asuka stopped in front of Shinji and bellowed, "Who are you to order me around, Third Child?"
Shinji barely managed to keep his face even, "Qui-Gon said..."
"Qui-Gon isn't here." she retorted. "I'll do what I want and there's not a damn thing you can do about it!"
With that, Asuka stormed away down the road, leaving a distraught Third Child behind. Shinji watched her leave with a worried expression.
"Asuka..."
Shinji moved to walk after her when he suddenly felt it. A suddenly chill went through his body and he stopped abruptly. It was the same feeling he had in the morning. The disturbing tremor in the Force. Shinji looked around carefully, trying to pinpoint where the surge came from. But it was elusive and nothing caught his attention. Shinji slowly began walking again, but he was certain of one thing. The dark side lurked nearby.
He had no idea how true that was...
**************
Meanwhile...
"Hey Touji."
Touki had just finished his clean up assignment. The truth was that he volunteered for it in place of Hikari in order to move around a bit more. As well as another reason...
"Oh, hi Hik....I mean Class Rep." he quickly answered.
"I saw what happened before class. Thank you."
"Ah, don't mention it." he shrugged. "After what you've done for me and my sister, I guess I could tone it down a bit with Asuka."
"You...are too sweet."
Touji turned his head to get the dustpan, not to mention to hide the small flush on his face, "Don't say that. I have a reputation to keep, you know."
Hikari nodded, "Of course. Well, thank you again for not arguing with Asuka."
"Sure." Touji was about to put away the cleaning equipment when he felt...something odd. Turning back to Hikari, he could see that she hadn't left yet and seemed a bit...nervous?
"Was there something else, Class Rep?"
Hikari waved her hand nervously, "Umm...it's....it's nothing. Nothing at all. See you tomorrow then?"
"Sure thing." He watched as she turned away and left the room. Taking a deep sigh, he whispered to himself...
"Bye...Hikari."
**************
Unknown...
Normally, a Jedi wouldn't go on such a mission blindly, but Qui-Gon had to keep in mind that technically, the Jedi Order doesn't even exist here. This, though discomforting, allowed him to move more freely, to do things that he wouldn't have been able to normally. He still had to remember to keep the peace, but the Council had branded him somewhat of a rouge. 'And not without good reason either', he mused. But enough of the past. He had to keep his thoughts on the present.
As these thoughts accompanied him, Qui-Gon entered an abandoned apartment complex. It didn't seem as if anything could live there, but considering whom he was after, it made more sense. Despite his attempts to appear random, Kaji had made himself very evident. It was especially the case for two reasons. One, Shinji had told him where his house was. That was a good place to start looking. Two, his constant flirting with Misato made him somewhat more predictable. It was almost too bad. Both of them were in love with each other, yet there was always something in the way. It may have something to do with their work differences or general attitudes. Qui-Gon couldn't say. But their emotions were so evident that even without his Jedi mindset, he still would have seen it a mile away. But that wasn't the point.
What mattered was that Kaji wasn't who he said he was. Qui-Gon's visions told him that. He wasn't one to interpret visions or anything of the sort, but they were becoming more frequent and unable to ignore. Then when Shinji told him about him, he figured that Kaji must have something to do with the darkness that was approaching. But Qui-Gon would have to tread carefully. He silently entered one of the apartments and slinked around. Despite his size, Qui-Gon was nearly undetectable. His vision searched around as he picked up a faint sound. Turning to it, he followed it until he reached a dim-lit room. Within it, Kaji was busy on a laptop, typing away at something. Kaji continued until his instincts kicked in and he stopped and turned his head.
"I don't believe we've been introduced."
Qui-Gon locked his gaze, "Qui-Gon Jinn."
Kaji wheeled his chair around to face him directly, "Ryoji Kaji. But then again, you probably know that." Kaji leaned off to the side, "Qui-Gon... Shinji's teacher, right? He mentioned you. You must be quite the man to influence him."
Qui-Gon stepped forward, "What are you doing?"
Kaji shrugged, "Nothing much. Just a little work."
But while he answered, Qui-Gon had already examined the information on the screen. Displayed were various files on the angels, Eva, and NERV, as well as Third Impact.
"What is your interest in Third Impact?"
Kaji blinked and then smiled, "You're quick. Actually, my interest is the truth. I want to know what's the real deal about the angels and Third Impact."
Qui-Gon didn't move a muscle, "Who are you?"
Kaji shook his head, "You first. I checked up on you and you have no affiliation with any organization, government or military. Yet, you are more than what you seem."
Qui-Gon examined Kaji closely. He still sensed some hidden factor within him, but no deception whatsoever. It wasn't much, but Qui-Gon trusted his instincts about him.
"Something is coming. And it brings pain and suffering with it. In order to prevent that, I must know what the true nature of the angels and Nerv is. None of them are as they seem."
"Ah. So you and I have the same goal, it seems." He said jovially. His expression then became hard, "But I should warn you. The information I seek you will more than likely get you killed."
"I'll take that chance."