Chapter 6

Awakenings / Hidden Dangers

A few days later….

Memories of past events, some witnessed by Sayoko and some not, drifted thru her mind.

"I wish for a girl like you to be with me forever!"

"Your wish has been approved."

"I'm the Goddess of Love."

"I hate you! Bleeedah!"

"Please K, please stop."

"No, Hold on! I have to give you something! I made you a promise Bell!"

"Celestin! Where have you been all this time?"

"I will be praying for your happiness."

"I Belldandy take you Keiichi………"

"What should we name her?"

"We will name her Sayoko."

"Sayoko, we have some….bad news. Your Mother and Father…..they're gone."

"Momma? Dadda? Gone?…….."

"Gone ? What do you mean they're gone? Aren't they in the heavens?"

"No Megumi. They aren't there. No ones knows were they are."

"I don't believe you. How could you?"

"Megumi……"

"NO! You took away my brother! You can all go to hell! I never want to see any of you again."

"Eh Belldandy? Where's Keiichi? Eh?"

"Auntie Urd….I'm Sayoko."

"Urd! You must stop drinking! Your upsetting Yoko!"

"I never asked for this job! I'm doing the best I can."

"How can you be doing your best? You're always Drunk!"

"You think you can do better? Fine! YOU take care of her. I'm leaving."

"Wait Urd. Stop!"

"Auntie URD!"

"AUNTIE SKULD!"

Sayoko sat up screaming. A soft voice nearby told her she wasn't alone.

"Shhhh, It's ok Yoko. Everything is alright."

"Auntie?"

The lights came on. Sayoko was in a hospital bed. Sitting next to her was Skuld and ….

"AUNTIE URD!" Sayoko shouted as she threw her arms around Urd.

"Hey there kiddo." said Urd, returning the hug. "Long time no see."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, both Skuld and I heard you were here, so we decided to drop by."

"Yeah, you've been out for 4 days." said Skuld.

"Wait." Sayoko held up her hand and gave her Aunts a suspisious look. "You and Auntie Urd have been here for 4 days? And no one has seen or heard you?"

"What? We can remain hidden." said Urd.

"Yeah, but Peorth once said that you two couldn't stay within 20 feet of each other without fighting or blowing something up."

Both Urd and Skuld blushed.

"Ah….well…." Urd said looking at the floor. "That was in the old days…..I have a lot of things to make up for. To you and to Skuld."

"What about the others? Touji? Rei? Shinji? Asuka?"

"From what I've heard, your Eva went berserk along with Shinji's. Both worked together and saved Asuka. Asuka spent 3 days in the hospital under observation, and then was allowed to go home. Shinji stayed by her side the whole time. Touji helped Rei out of her plug. She had a few broken ribs and a sprained ankle. He only came away with a bad cut on his forehead." Urd leaned closer to Sayoko. "So, what's this about you playing love goddess?"

Sayoko began to blush. "I haven't done anything."

Urd gave Sayoko the look. "Come on. You can't fool me. One day your two roomies are at each other's throat, and now, it's as if she was surgically attached to him." Urd's eyes narrowed, "And you haven't done anything."

"I just talked to them." Sayoko said. "As much as they try to hide it, they both had feelings for each other. I just…..nudged them together."

"Well…..just don't make a habit of it."

"Yes, Urd. I only did it because….They seemed so unhappy. Then later when I read their files, I saw how much alike they are. They need each other."

"Ok ok. By the way, about Ayanami, You know that there's something off about her?"

Sayoko nodded "Red eyes and blue hair? You don't normally see that on Earth. I also know that she is afraid of me. Do you know why? From what I've seen of her mind, she doesn't either."

Skuld and Urd looked at each other.

"We're not entirely sure." Skuld replied, "We have a promising lead about that. Something old and ancient. I'm sorry Yoko, because of your rank, we can't tell you what we know. I will say that there was a slight…… disagreement a several millennia ago."

Sayoko thought about that for a second.

"…..You won't harm Rei will you?"

"I can't make any promises…its out of my……"

"I promised her that I wouldn't harm her." Sayoko said, defiantly, "I intend to keep that promise no matter what."

"You're in no position to make promises like that! Kami-sama is not going to like that!" Skuld replied, angry.

"She is my friend, I WILL NOT let anything happen to her."

Before Skuld could utter a response, the sound of footsteps in the hallway drew their attention.

"Someone's coming." said Skuld. "(sigh) I'll talk to Kami-sama about Ayanami."

"Later kiddo." said Urd, "Don't worry. We'll be around."

Urd turned and jumped into the TV. Skuld headed towards the water pitcher.

"Auntie Skuld?" Skuld turned and faced Sayoko again.

"Have you've forgiven Urd?" asked Sayoko.

"Not yet. But I'm not as mad at her as I used to be. She was right though. We'll be around if you need us."

"Auntie…"said Sayoko. "About Rei, Thank-you."

"Thank me when I have good news."

With that, Skuld vanished into the pitcher of water on the end table, just as the door to her room opened. Rei Ayanami limped into the room.

"Sayoko. You are awake."

"Hello Rei. How are you?"

"I will recover. Ikari and Sohryu have visited you while you were unconscious."

"And how do you know this?"

Rei shuffled her feet slightly. "I have also visited you."

"Thank-you Rei."

"For what?" asked Rei, confused.

Sayoko sensing Rei's thoughts replied, "For coming to visit. Things like that show people that you care."

Sayoko smiled at Rei. Rei…looked at Sayoko for a second before deciding the appropriate action. She smiled.

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"Sayoko will be ready to leave in an hour."

"Ok Rit-chan. I'll be by to pick her up. Thanks."

Misato hung up the phone. She then sought out the other 2 Pilots that lived in the apartment. She found them both in Shinji's room.

"You two behaving yourselves?"

"Yes Misato."

"Good. Sayoko woke up this a few hours ago. Ritsuko says she'll be released in a bit. I'm going to pick her up and then we'll have dinner."

"She's been awake and alone for the last few hours? Poor Sayoko." said Shinji.

"Rei has been there since she woke up. They apparently have been talking."

"Well I suppose Wondergirl is better then nothing." said Asuka.

"Alright, I'm going to go get her. See you in while. Don't do anything I won't do."

"Gee Misato. From what Kaji says, there's little you haven't done." said Asuka with a grin.

Misato turned pale.

"Kaji said that?"

"Yep he did." Asuka got up and left the room.

Misato turned to Shinji.

"Did he really?"

"Well, Asuka wasn't there when he pulled Touji and me over and gave us more details….."

"Forget it. I'm sorry I asked."

Misato left the apartment quickly.

Shinji got up and went to Asuka.

"Do you think we should have told her?" asked Shinji.

Asuka shook her head. "No. Sayoko has never done anything to us. And she put her life on the line to save us. I want to talk to her first, before we make any decisions."

"Alright."

"Hey Shinji! They won't be here for a bit. Let's go for a walk. I want to stop by and see Hikari."

"Ok."

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A little while later.

"We're home!" shouted Misato as she and Sayoko came through the door.

"Wark!"

"Oh, Hello Pen Pen. Shinji? Asuka?" Misato walked over and saw a note on the table.

'Gone to Hikari's. Be back soon.

Asuka and Shinji'

"Well Sayoko, It looks like it's just you and me. I'll go whip us up some dinner."

Misato went into the Kitchen.

Sayoko walked over and sat on the couch with a sigh.

I hope you have a strong stomach.

Sayoko looked at Pen Pen.

"How come?" she whispered so that Misato wouldn't hear.

Because Misato is a lousy cook. If you asked her to make Jello, she'd find a way to burn it.

"It can't be worse then hospital food."

Pen Pen gave her a look Don't be too sure.

"So what have Shinji and Asuka been up to?"

Talking, cuddling, kissing; It's disgusting. And I thought Misato and Kaji were bad……

"I had a bit of a hand in that. Would you rather have them fighting?"

No this is slightly better. At least when they're making-out, it's quiet. They also seemed to be taking an interest in Mythology.

"Mythology?" said Sayoko.

Yeah, Norse Mythology.

Sayoko did not like where this was starting to head.

"What about?"

Some women named the 'Norns'. Do you know what they're up too? Is this something for school?

" No, this could be bad." Sayoko's mind was reeling as she sat down on the floor. 'Have they figured it all out?'

How so?

"My Aunts and my mother ARE the Norns. With my mother gone, I take her place. Shinji and Asuka might figure out what I am."

Is that such a bad thing?

"The people of NERV have been fighting the so called 'Messengers of God', the 'Angels'. If you were to discover a member of the heavens on this planet…..living with you, what would your reaction be."

I see your point.

"I will only reveal what I am when I have to. I only hope I still have friends afterwards."

All considering, I am glad to know you. As are the others. They will stay your friends no matter what.

"I hope your right Pen Pen. I hope your right."

"Sayoko!" Came Misato's voice from the kitchen. "Dinner!"

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"See. I told you Hikari had some useful books." grinned Asuka.

"Yeah," Shinji replied from behind the stack of books piled on his arms. "You were right."

"Of course. I'm always right."

"And soon you'll be dead."

Shinji and Asuka turned around at the new voice. Two men stood quietly behind them with knives out. Two more men appeared behind them.

"Who are you?" asked Asuka.

"We're but simple servants for the Lord." The leader said, "And you are the blasphemous ones who have been killing the Messenger's of God. For that, Death shall be your punishment." The four men began to advance with weapons drawn.

"Asuka……" said Shinji.

Asuka glanced at Shinji from the corner of her eye.

"Do you have a plan?"

Shinji nodded. He tossed the books he was carrying at the men.

"RUN!"

Asuka and Shinji turned and ran as fast as they could, the men in pursuit.

"RUN?" puff puff "WHAT KIND OF PLAN IS THAT!"

"Asuka," puff puff "They had weapons." puff puff "What do we have?"

"I have my purse dammit." puff puff "Where the hell is Section 2 anyway?"

"Asuka," puff puff "Run now, questions later."

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Sayoko was laying down on her bed, listening to some CDs, and trying to get her mind off of the substance that Misato had called 'food'.

'Ugh. I thought hospital food was bad.'

"Well, you could always cook."

Sayoko looked up to see a blond woman sitting on her stereo. The thing that was most notable about the woman was to 2 red slash markings on her forehead, markings that said Demon.

"Who are you? Why are you here Demon?" Sayoko took up a defensive stance.

"Relax. I'm not here to fight. I'm Mara, Demon 1st Class. I believe you may have heard of me?"

"Yeah. According to my Aunt, you were a pain in the ass to my parents."

Mara's eye twitched. "Hey, I was doing my job." Mara's face then softened abit. "I also grew up with your Mom and Urd. I was sorry to hear what happened."

"You didn't come here to give condolences. Why are you here?"

"We detected a power signature that hasn't been seen in over 10 years. The power signature of a certain 1st class Goddess, your Mother. I was sent to investigate."

"My Mama?" Sayoko sat up straight. "Is she alive?"

"I don't know." Mara said with a shrug, "I lost the trail after the battle with the 'Angels' ended. But you got other things to worry about now."

"What?"

"Your two lovebird roomies. I've been following them, trying to start a little mischief. Well, mischief found them. Some guys are trying to kill them 'in the name of God'"

"What!" Sayoko shouted, leaping to her feet. "You didn't help them!"

"Not my Department. That's yours. Hurry, they are still alive, for now."

Sayoko immediately headed towards a mirror.

"Oh, by the way." said Mara. "Has anyone said you look like your Mother?"

"All the time from Auntie Skuld." With that, Sayoko disappeared into the mirror.

'Go get them kid. Your mother would be proud.' Mara then disappeared into a CD.

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Shinji and Asuka ended up at the park over-looking Tokyo-3. They were cornered against the railing that prevented people from falling off the cliff beyond.

"Now the Lord shall have his revenge against those who have harmed his messengers" said the leader.

"Like hell he will." Asuka swung her purse at the closest man. The man batted away the purse. The purse burst open on contact, spreading its contents all over.

"What are you going to do now little girl?" The men began to advance on Shinji and Asuka. Shinji made a decision. He moved quickly and was able to punch one of the men down. Asuka also tried to punch the closest man to her, but he grabbed her.

"SHINJI!"

Shinji turned around and saw Asuka being held, He started to move towards her when two of the other men grabbed him.

"No more tricks….. Now you die." The leader began to advance towards the children. Behind them on the ground, Asuka's compact began to shake. It flung itself open, and the mirror flashed. The men holding the children took notice of this and pointed it out to the leader. Shinji and Asuka stared at the glowing compact. The look on the men's faces turned to one of shock when Sayoko flew out of the compact and stood on the ground.

"Let them go." she ordered.

Asuka and Shinji were stunned.

"She…How…..What….."

One of the men recognized her. "She's one of the pilots."

"Little girl," said the leader, "you and your fellow pilots will be punished for your actions against the Lord, regardless what little tricks you have."

"And how do you know what Kami-sama wants?" said Sayoko.

"We have heard him call for vengeance upon those who have harmed his messengers, and we have answered."

"Like Kami-sama would talk to you."

"And how would you know that the Lord hasn't talked to us?"

"Simple." Sayoko replied with a smile, "He's my Grandfather."

The Leader looked at Sayoko curiously, "He's your…..What?"

"I am Sayoko, Goddess 2nd Class Limited, Grand-Daughter of Kami-sama," Sayoko moved her hands together and began to form a ball of energy. "And I am ordering you to release those two."

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"Vice-Commander! We have detected another Type Purple pattern!"

Fuyutsuki turned, "Location?"

"Sector 13. Park 15."

"That's near the Major. Have her go and check out the location."

"Yes sir."

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The men turned and looked at each other. Shinji and Asuka also looked at each other, still stunned at what they were seeing and hearing.

The leader spoke again. "No."

"So be it" Sayoko let loose the ball of energy. It smashed into the gut of one of the men holding Shinji. The man flew backwards and slammed into the railing. He lay there moaning and holding his stomach. The Leader grabbed Shinji then turned to the other one holding him.

"Get her."

The man looked at his boss as if he was crazy.

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Misato was tearing up the street as she raced towards the park.

'Dammit, Why do I always get the fun jobs? And where did Sayoko go? I didn't see her leave. I hope Shinji and Asuka get back ok.'

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The second man lay moaning on the ground, another victim of Sayoko's force bolt. The man holding Asuka got very nervous. He had just watched his two buddies get creamed by a 14-year old. He flung Asuka to the ground and grabbed the man who had most recently met a force bolt and ran off. The leader, seeing that he was being abandoned, turned and faced Sayoko.

"You may have won 'goddess', but you still fail!" The Leader flung Shinji over the railing, then grabbed his now reawakening comrade and ran off. Asuka watched in horror as Shinji flew over the railing and into the empty air beyond.

"SHINJI!"

Sayoko gave up the idea of chasing the men and ran towards the railing. She dove over the railing and disappeared from view.

Asuka was left stunned.

"Asuka!"

Misato ran up to the Second Child.

"Asuka? What are you doing here? Where's Shinji?"

Asuka could only point towards the railing, and the nothing that lay beyond.