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Chap. 20

Nerv Medical Ward...

'Asuka. Can you hear me?'

Shinji sat beside the prone body of Asuka. He had been there for quite some time. After she was rushed into the hospital, she was treated for her injuries. But they were too extensive and she wound up slipping into a coma. From then on, Shinji had tried to reach her with the Force, but nothing. He wasn't focused enough. That was partly because of the strange tremor he was sensing elsewhere. A light tremor that seemed to be...misplaced. He didn't know what to think of it, but he knew who it was coming from.

"Well Shinji, I do have some good news." Misato called as she entered the room. Her eyes were still red from both tears and the fact that she had not gotten any decent rest lately. But she tried to stay positive. "It appears that Rei..."

"...is still alive." Shinji finished.

"How?" She gave a fake groan, "Ughh, I give up trying to understand you anymore."

Shinji tried to smile at the remark, but couldn't. He had sensed Rei's death. Or at least something. It was late in coming and he couldn't make it out, but... It was just too strange. It was like she died, but yet didn't. It didn't make sense at all. The tremor he felt in the Force had to be something. Then what was he feeling right now? He would have much to meditate on later. At that moment, a new sense of dread overcame him just as Misato's phone rang.

"Hello.......Yes......Okay, I'm on my way." She hung up, "Shinji, I have to go. Will you be alright by yourself?"

Truthfully, she didn't need to ask that, but Shinji gave her an affirmative nod and she went on her way. Shinji then turned his attention back to Asuka. He would have to try and reach her again another time. Right now, he just wasn't strong enough to reach her. Solemnly, Shinji rose up and proceeded to leave her room, but just as the door opened, he caught sight of the lithe form of Ayanami Rei walking toward him.

"Rei. I was about to check on you."

The albino girl merely looked up at him.

"Ayanami."

"Hm?"

"It is appropriate for you to call me Ayanami, Ikari."

With that, Rei simply walked past, leaving a steadily confused boy behind. The way she looked at him…it was as though she didn't recognize him. That didn't make sense at all.

Yep. Definite meditation.

*********

Elsewhere in Nerv...

Kaji, followed by Qui-Gon, made his way into one of the locked terminals of Nerv. Quickly putting in a code breaker, he began to rapidly tap the keys before the system caught up with him. He didn't have much time. He could only stall it for a few minutes. While he worked, Qui-Gon stayed in the back, watching out for any signs of anyone approaching.

"Got it." Kaji said finally. Quickly, he downloaded the info and then planted a fake trail so no one would know it was him. He then grabbed the disk and stuffed it in his pocket. Without wasting another second, the two left the terminal and out of the room. But before they could turn the corner, a wayward guard caught sight of them.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

Kaji instantly went into action, "Uh, its okay." He showed his ID to the guard, "Special investigator, Ryoji Kaji. I'm just checking up on something."

The guard narrowed his eyes. "Hmm. And who is this?" he said looking to Qui-Gon.

"He's with me." Kaji hoped that this guard was new and wouldn't do any more than this. But he should have known better. Ikari hates incompetence.

"Only authorized personnel are to be here. I'll have to check this in with the commander."

However, Qui-Gon's gaze stayed focused on the guard as he brought the Force into effect.

"You will not check in with the commander."

Blinded by the Force, the guard simply replied, "I will not check in with the commander."

"There's no reason to."

"There's no reason to." he repeated.

"We can carry on our business."

"You can carry on your business."

"Return to duty."

"I better get back to duty."

The guard began to leave, but Qui-Gon had one more thing to say.

"Oh, and you never saw us."

The guard waved back, "I never saw you."

When the guard left the area, Qui-Gon turned to Kaji's shocked face. He had seen a lot of things, but nothing like that.

"What was that?"

Qui-Gon simply answered, "Mental suggestion. A simple Jedi trick."

Kaji blinked and then grinned; "Now you'll have to tell me everything."

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

Shinji was beginning to become frustrated. He was having a great difficulty clear his head. Asuka's coma, the strange tremor, Rei's lack of memory, and the darkness he felt looming all seemed to serve to confuse and disorient him. Deciding to take a walk to clear his head more, he quietly left the hospital and went outside. He continued walking for who knows how long and ended up walking straight to the cliff overlooking Tokyo-3. It was still partially damaged from the last angel attack and he had heard reports of more citizens leaving the battlefield city. Shinji simply stood there and looked down. Despite the damage, it still had a radiant look in the fading sunset. 'I guess this is as good a place as any.' Shinji began to attempt to clear his mind again, but was quickly shut down went he felt a strong presence nearby. Shinji turned just to see a young man walking down the street toward him. The boy was around his age and had a mess of silvery hair. But what really struck out were his eyes. Crimson red...just like Ayanami. As the stranger came closer, Shinji could faintly hear him whistling to himself. He finally stopped, right before Shinji, with a smile on his face.

"Hello. You must be the famous Shinji Ikari."

Shinji blinked, "How do you know?"

The stranger shrugged, still smiling, "As I said, you're quite famous." He then leaned over the railing to take in the view of the city. Shinji examined him carefully. He was definitely Force-sensitive, but Shinji couldn't really make out just how deep it ran. There seemed to be a different energy within him. A familiar one. But where Shinji felt it, he couldn't remember at this time. The boy exhaled deeply and let out a long sigh.

"It's so nice up here. And peaceful." He looked at Shinji, "You picked a great spot."

Shinji looked back out, "Thank you. Actually, Misato showed me this place when I first came here. I guess I became quite attached to it."

The boy nodded, "I can see why. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you my name." The boy turned to face him fully.

"My name is Karou Nagisa. But you can call me Karou."

Shinji turned as well and returned a slight smile, "Nice to meet you, Karou."

The two youths began to talk and for the first time, Shinji found himself in a real conversation. It was simple, but strangely pleasant. Usually, when he's speaking to other, it's usually his superiors. With Asuka, he wouldn't expect a conversation at all, at least not unless it's really important and usually it is brief. It was also the same with Rei. Although the two could relate, he always felt Rei had some edge over him. Even though it wasn't true, Shinji still felt that way inwardly. And as for Kensuke and Touji, they would talk, but it wouldn't be anything serious. Just some humor and the usual Shinji-teasing. However, Karou seemed different in that manner. He was open, but not to the point where he seemed up on himself. And when either person spoke, the other would listen with interest. Shinji felt more...equal to him.

"Well..." Karou started as the sun almost disappeared, "I guess I should be going." Moving away from the railing toward and moving downward, he glanced back and waved,

"We'll meet again, Shinji."

Shinji smiled, yet his instinct went off at the implications of that statement. It was obvious that the Force had led to this encounter and would most likely lead to another one. But for what purpose? Karou seemed friendly enough, but like Rei, he seemed like an enigma as well. And while Shinji told him a bit about his life, Karou never told him anything of his. That may seem intruding, but perhaps there was something more to it. Shinji didn't know. His mind still wasn't clear over the day's earlier events and he was no step closer to sorting them out now. He had no choice, but to head back home. But as he left, he took a glimpse of the moon and gave a long sigh before leaving.

***********

Gendo's office…

Misato had been called in by the commander once again, but wasn't told of the reason. But she was certain that whatever it was wouldn't be good. I really hate this place.

"Major, due to the absence of the Second Child, I have called for a replacement of the unit 02."

Misato strode forward as the sub-commander handed her a file. It contained the information on the Fifth Child. 'Where did he come from?' She didn't like signing up a replacement for Asuka so soon, but at this point, there was no real choice. Asuka is in a coma and it is unknown when or if she'll get out of it. And given what she had done to Rei, it would be unlikely that she would be able to pilot the Eva anyway.

"I understand."

Gendo however, wasn't finished, "Also, Ryoji Kaji has been found a traitor. Deal with him."

Misato blanched inwardly. She was afraid that Kaji would be caught doing something wrong, but she never expected this. The tone in the commander's voice told her that she was to be his personal executioner. Composing herself before anything else happened, she gave a salute, albeit a little weakly.

"Yes, sir."

Gendo watched her leave impassively. He knew about their relationship, but it was of no consequence. It would be a way of showing her loyalty. Or fear. Either way, he couldn't have Kaji snooping around any longer. Not when he was so close to completing his goals. Speaking of which, he looked back at another file. This one contained the data of his son, Shinji. Checking it over, he found that Shinji's synch ratio and overall control had increased dramatically over the past months. Despite his earlier curiosity about the boy's powers, it seemed irrelevant now. His training had worked just as Gendo hoped and Shinji's ability with the 01 was more than enough for him. Now all he had to do was wait for the final two angels. Then, with the new Rei that had been born, he will finish what he had set out to do.

'Soon, Yui. Soon.'

***********

The next day, Shinji was called in to Nerv by Misato. He knew it wasn't another harmonics test. Usually, they were informed by those ahead of time. So what could it be? Shinji lined up in front of Misato, who wore a serious look on her face. Shinji sensed that she meant business, but also that she seemed to be hiding something. Something that she was trying to cover up desperately. Beside him, Rei also stood, her face an emotionless slate. Shinji glance at her, but she took no note. Leaving it alone, Shinji returned his attention to Misato.

"Shinji, because of Asuka's condition, you will be our main pilot. Rei, you will support him with the unit 00."

Rei simply nodded, "Hai."

Misato continued, "Also, a replacement was found for Eva 02."

'Another child?' Shinji questioned. As far as he knew, he hadn't sensed anyone that would qualify. But perhaps this pilot wasn't Force-sensitive. Misato motioned to the door, letting the Fifth Child enter.

Shinji, Rei, meet Karou Nagisa. The Fifth Child."

Shinji blinked in surprise, not by the fact that he was a pilot, but by the fact that they met so soon. Karou turned and smiled at the young man.

"We meet again, Shinji."