"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.

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Chapter 7

Secrets Revealed / A Night Out

"ASUKA! WHERE IS HE!" shouted Misato.

Asuka continued to stare towards the railing.

"He…..he went over……I couldn't….." mumbled Asuka.

Misato was stunned. "Oh no….no…..Shinji."

"Then Sayoko went over…."

"Sayoko?" Misato looked at Asuka confused, "When did Sayoko get her? She was in the Apartment….She couldn't have gotten here that quickly."

"Sayoko…..she's a ….a….." Asuka stopped and stared.

Misato turned and looked in the direction that Asuka was looking. She also stared in shock. Flying back over the railing with Shinji in her arms was Sayoko. Coming out of her back were pure white wings. There was also a slight glow to her. She was the very picture of an Angel, not one of the Monsters that had been attacking, but the more traditional type. All she was missing was the white robes and a halo. Sayoko gently set Shinji on the ground, and then landed. Shinji just sat there and stared at Sayoko, still in shock from being thrown over the railing and then his rescue by her. Asuka stood up and grabbed Shinji in a tight embrace. She sobbed quietly on his shoulder. Sayoko looked at the two and gave a small smile. Then her wings retracted and vanished into her back. She turned and walked up to Misato who was still staring at her in shock.

"I think we have to talk." said Sayoko.

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Back at the Apartment.

Shinji and Asuka sat on the couch with Misato. Asuka still had yet to let Shinji out of her reach.Sayoko sat on a chair across from them, sipping tea, her alternative power source besides sleeping. Sayoko was very nervous. She was about to face one of her greatest fears head-on: The possibility of losing her friends.

Sayoko put down the cup on the table.

"So where should I begin?" asked Sayoko.

Misato spoke up first. "Tell us who you really are."

"Technically I have." Sayoko replied, "I just left out the rest of my title. Sayoko Morisato, Goddess 2nd Class Limited, assigned as surface world trainee. I am the Goddess of the Present."

"Goddess of Present?" asked Asuka "Is there a Past and Future."

"Yes." Sayoko said with a nod, "The Goddesses of the Past and Future are Urd and Skuld, my Aunts."

"But those are the names of the Norns! But….isn't there supposed to be a Verdandi in charge of the Present?"

Sayoko closed her eyes. "It's Belldandy, not Verdandi. Belldandy, my Mother, was the Goddess of the Present, but she died….. along with my father, when I was 4."

"So why are you here?" asked Misato. "I mean…If there are a bunch of Gods and Goddesses running around…Why didn't you stop second impact? Why don't you stop the Angels?"

"I don't know the exact details." Sayoko explained, "First, I wasn't even born when second impact occurred. I know it was caused by the actions of mortals. In regards to the Angels, that is something I know nothing about due to my rank. As to why I'm here, I was living with my Aunt in Toyko-2. We were living like mortals, in an apartment. I had a normal mortal childhood, just like my parents wanted me to. My 'home schooling' consisted of how to use my goddess powers."

"Wait…How long have you been on earth?"

"I've been on earth for 14 years, except for about a month when I did go to the heavens to become a 2nd class goddess. My Aunt Skuld has been here for 16 years. My Mother had been on earth for 17."

"There have been Goddesses on the planet for only that long?"

"Well….There are Goddesses constantly visiting the planet in order to fulfill the duty of Wish Granting."

"Wish Granting? asked Shinji.

"The duties of the Goddess Relief Office is to give wishes to those who are worthy of it." Sayoko explained, "My father was one such person. His wish was granted by my mother, which was for her to be with him forever."

"Awwww, That's so sweet." said Misato. She then got a slightly evil look on her face. "So….Do you grant wishes?"

"No." Sayoko shook her head, "You must be a 1st Class Goddess to grant wishes."

"So….What happens now?" asked Shinji.

"……..I don't know." Sayoko looked down at her tea. "No Goddess has ….revealed herself in such a way to this many people. My mother only revealed it to two other mortals, my namesake, whom she saved from a demon, and my mortal Aunt, Megumi. I….." Sayoko stopped and stared at her teacup, which had begun to shake. Misato, Asuka, and Shinji eyes grew wide as they stared at the teacup. The cup glowed, as Skuld burst forth from it and into the room. The 3 mortals jumped back in surprise, flipping the couch. Skuld landed on the floor and looked over at Sayoko.

"You've got some explaining to do, Yoko." Skuld said with her hands on her hips.

"Umm…Auntie." Sayoko pointed towards the upturned couch. 3 pairs of eyes were peering over it. Skuld paled a little.

"Oh great….Well, I suppose it would have to happen some time. Which one of you is Misato Katsuragi?"

Misato stood up slowly from behind the couch. "That would be me."

"I am Sayoko's Aunt, Skuld 1st Class Goddess Unlimited. I want to thank you for taking care of my niece."

"Umm No problem. Would like anything?"

"No thanks. I won't be staying long. I just need to talk to Sayoko."

"Oh Ok… we'll leave if….."

"That is unnecessary." Skuld turned towards Sayoko. (Heaven's Language) "Sayoko, about what happened………"

Sayoko interrupted her (Heaven's Language) "I'm not sorry for what I did. I have no regrets in saving Shinji."

Skuld nodded. "……That's what I'd thought you'd say. Kami-sama saw the entire incident. He wanted to pass along a well done."

Sayoko got a look of surprise on her face. "Grand-pa is…pleased?"

Skuld smiled. "Yes, he is. He also is allowing you promise to Rei to stand." Sayoko let a smile creep across her face. "Now listen, something has come-up. Urd and I won't be around for a while. We have to check out a few things, related to what happened during your battle with the 'Angel'. So I expect you to behave."

"Wait…You mean….when Mama's power signature was detected?"

Skuld's mouth dropped. "How did you find out about that!"

"And old friend of yours is also investigating. She told me."

"Old friend?"

"Mara"

Skuld's left eye started to twitch. "Since when do you talk to 1st class Demons?"

"Since she informed me that Asuka and Shinji were in danger."

"…….She did that?"

"Yes."

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Misato, Shinji and Asuka watched the 2 goddesses go back and forth for a bit more. None of them had a clue what the goddesses were saying. Finally, Skuld spoke in Japanese.

"Alright then." She turned towards Misato. " Katsuragi-san. Kami-sama has no problem with you, the pilots and close friends of hers knowing Sayoko's true nature. However, that is as far as it goes."

"I understand." said Misato. Asuka and Shinji also nodded.

"Good. Kami-sama will be watching." Skuld turned toward Sayoko. "Take care Yoko."

Skuld floated up and then vanished into the teacup.

"Bye Auntie." Sayoko whispered softly.

Misato came forward.

"OK…It's been an interesting night. But you 3 have school tomorrow, so get to bed."

Three voices sounded together. "Yes, Ma'am."

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Asuka lay on her bed thinking about the last few hours, mostly about Sayoko.

'She's a Goddess! Does she know all about me? About….Mama?'

A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.

"Asuka?" came Shinji's voice. "Can I come in?"

"Yes."

Shinji waked in to the room, closing the door behind him. He walked over and sat on the bed next to Asuka.

"Well. She IS a goddess." said Shinji. " We did all that work to figure her out, but we never thought about what we would do when we finally knew. So what now?"

"I don't know Shinji."

"Neither do I. I mean, knowing what she is, does it really change anything?"

Asuka looked at Shinji. "She's a GODDESS. She has powers we can't even dream off! She's Immortal!"

"But she's like us." Shinji said softly, "She's lived here for all her life. She's lost her parents."

He then went quiet.

"What's the matter Shinji?"

"…..I lost my mother…around the same time as Sayoko lost her parents. I'm like her in a way."

"Shinji," Asuka grabbed Shinji's hand and held it tightly. "Do you think she knows…..about us? Our past?"

"I don't know. But…there's only one way to find out."

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Sayoko's mind was in turmoil. First, her secret had been revealed. 'What will they do now that they know? I can even tell what they are thinking, I can't concentrate.' Next, both of her Aunts were gone. She could get a hold of Peorth, but her only source of comfort had been Skuld.

'Who can I talk to if they won't? Pen Pen? Great Sayoko, seeking advice from a penguin on being a goddess.'

A knock at the door disrupted her train of thought.

"Come in"

Asuka and Shinji walk into the room. Shinji shut the door behind them.

"We have….questions that only you can answer." said Asuka.

"Like what?" Sayoko was getting nervous.

Shinji noticed it first.

"What's the matter Sayoko? Why are you nervous?"

"You…." Sayoko looked down. "don't want to be my friends anymore do you?"

Shinji and Asuka looked at each other, then back at Sayoko.

"What makes you say that?" Shinji asked.

"One of the reasons I was….home schooled is because, young gods and goddesses can't control their power very well." Sayoko explained, "Things……… happen. As the power grows…..so must the goddess's control. This happens until the goddess is approx 8 years. Since Goddesses my age aren't normally on the planet for such long periods, My Aunt was ordered to remain to teach me, and to help control my growing power, like my Mother did for my Aunt when she was my age. She did try and get me to meet people. But….things happened…and they got scared off. After what happened today…..I thought……"

"Listen here Fifth Child!" said Asuka, "You SAVED us today. You SAVED us 4 days ago. You have not hurt us in anyway. Don't you dare tell us what we should be thinking."

"Sayoko," Shinji said, "without you, I couldn't have told Asuka how I feel about her. You've helped out a lot around the apartment….. It doesn't matter that you're a goddess. We're glad to call you one of our friends."

Sayoko started to tear up.

"Asuka. Shinji. I…I…..Thank-you."

Both Shinji and Asuka gave Sayoko a hug. A warm feeling passed between the two mortals.

"Umm…" Sayoko said as the hug was released, "what did you want to ask me about?"

"Don't worry about it know. We'll ask another time." said Asuka, "Get some sleep, we'll see you in the morning."

Asuka and Shinji left her room. Sayoko grabbed the ring around her neck and gave it a rub. 'I think I'm going to do ok Momma.'

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The next morning began as most mornings had. Sayoko sang to the morning sun, Shinji and Sayoko made breakfast, Asuka and Misato ate it. Then the children prepared for school.

Later on the way to school, Asuka turned towards Sayoko.

"Is it ok if Hikari knows?"

"I think that would be ok. Shinji, its ok if you want to tell Touji. Just don't tell Kensuke. He has a big mouth." Sayoko got quiet. "I'll talk to Rei."

"You don't sound to thrilled about that." said Shinji. "Are you and Ayanami on bad terms?"

"No. Rei and I are still friends." said Sayoko. 'I just am not sure what her future intentions are.'

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Morisato Hey Rei?

Ayanami Yes Sayoko?

Morisato We need to talk.

Ayanami Concerning what?

Morisato You and Me.

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"SHE'S A WHAT?"

"Touji keep in down." said Hikari. She then turned back to Asuka and Shinji. " She's a Goddess?"

Hikari, Asuka, Shinji, and Touji sat off in a secluded area for their conversation during lunch.

"Yep. 100 from Heaven." said Asuka.

"Why is she here?"

"Apparently, her parents wanted her to live here on earth."

"But she's an Eva pilot!" Hikari said, "Doesn't she feel bad going against the Angels?"

"Apparently, the Angels aren't all that popular up there."

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"Rei. What I'm about to say cannot be told to anyone."

"I understand."

"Not even the Commander Rei."

"………"

"I understand. But, I need you to promise that you won't tell him."

"Very well. I promise not to tell Commander Ikari."

"Rei, I'm a Goddess."

Rei began to pale at the word goddess.

"Rei, I still want to be your friend. I made a promise that I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I'm standing by that promise."

"I…. understand."

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"What do you guys want to do after school?" asked Hikari.

"We usually have sync tests after school." said Shinji.

"Aww Man. I hate sync tests." muttered Touji.

"Not today." said Asuka. "Misato said they wanted to wait another day to make sure Sayoko was alright."

"Dr. Akagi being nice for a change? Weird."

"Maybe Sayoko has something to do with it. I mean, who'd have thought you two would finally end up dating." said Touji.

Asuka and Shinji began to blush. Something then caught Asuka's attention. A small figure with wings was flying towards them. An Angel, the good kind. It had long brown hair and appeared to be wrapped in white cloth. It also appeared to be holding something.

"Asuka? Hello?" Hikari, Shinji and Touji hadn't noticed what was coming.

Asuka started to point when the angel arrived and floated before them. Hikari, Touji and Shinji just stared. Asuka recovered first. She took the note that the angel was holding and read it aloud.

'Hey guys,

Rei and I want to know what we want to do after school. In case you didn't hear, the Sync tests are cancelled. Send a reply back with 'Morning Bell'.

Sayoko'

Asuka turned and looked at the angel.

"You're Morning Bell?"

The Angel nodded her head and smiled.

"I think I like this one better then the other angels. She's pretty." said Hikari.

Morning Bell smiled at the comment and gave Hikari a hug. Touji and Shinji just stared.

"So where are Sayoko and Wondergirl?" Asuka asked the Angel.

Morning Bell turned and pointed towards the school roof. Sayoko and Rei could just be seen standing on top. Sayoko waved. Rei just stood there till Sayoko grabbed her arm and got her to wave also.

"I guess Ayanami took it well" said Shinji.

"What makes you say that?" asked Asuka. "I can't tell what Wondergirl is thinking."

"You just haven't known her as long as me."

"Hey! You've only known her for 3 months longer!"

"Excuse me interrupting, but can you two argue about it some other time. Their waiting for a response." said Hikari.

"Hey, that new Karaoke Place just opened up. We could go there." said Touji.

"Oh I don't think Karaoke is a good idea." said Shinji.

"Why Not? I think its great." Turning to Touji. "Good Job Stooge. That's the first intelligent thing I've heard you say." said Asuka.

"But Asuka," Shinji said, "Sayoko has a slight advantage over us."

"So what? I'm the best Pilot. I'll just have to prove that I'm the best singer also. Hikari?"

"Yeah. I'm in."

"Shinji?"

"I still think that Sayoko has an advantage. But I'll go."

"Then it's settled." Asuka wrote a reply quickly on the note and handed it to Morning Bell. Morning Bell took off and hurriedly flew back to Sayoko.

On the roof, Sayoko took the note and read it to Rei.

"Well, What do you think Rei? Karaoke?"

"I do not know."

"Rei, You really got to get out more. There is more to life then Eva and school."

Rei thought on it for a second.

"Very well."

Sayoko turned and looked down to where the others were sitting on the ground. They were watching her. She offered them a thumbs up and a big grin. Asuka, Hikari, and Touji offered up smiles of their own. Shinji seemed concerned.

"What is wrong with Ikari? Does he not enjoy Karaoke?" asked Rei.

"Shinji wakes up early. He's knows what I do first thing in the morning. I think he's concerned Asuka's in over her head."

"Is she?"

"I inherited a few things from Momma." replied Sayoko with a grin. "Yeah, She is."

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Later, the Children, along with Kensuke, got together and began to head towards the Karaoke Club. Kensuke was talking to Touji and Shinji about some new video he had gotten. The four girls walked together behind the boys and whispered so that Kensuke wouldn't overhear.

"So what is Morning Bell?" asked Hikari.

"Morning Bell is my personal Angel. When a goddesses power reaches a certain point and they learn to control it, they receive an Angel." replied Sayoko.

"All goddesses have an Angel? So whose Angels are those that are attacking us?" asked Hikari. Unnoticed by Asuka and Hikari, Rei had slowed down a bit.

Sayoko hesitated before she replied. "Those are not Angels. Mortals gave them that name. Not us."

"So if they aren't called Angels by you, what are they called?" asked Asuka.

"There is no mortal word for them."

"But what are they?" asked Hikari.

"I really can't say."

"Why not?" asked a slightly irritated Asuka.

"Because even I don't know what they are exactly. Only Class 0 and Class 1 Gods and Goddesses know."

"Oh." Asuka and Hikari hurried up to catch up with their respected boys. Sayoko waited for Rei to catch up to her.

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"I still can't believe you Shinji! How can you betray us like this!" shouted Kensuke.

"……Leave me alone Kensuke." muttered Shinji.

"No I will not! I say she has possessed you! Mind control! A Lobotomy! And why aren't you helping me Touji? Aren't you as shocked as me?"

"If you asked me about a month ago," said Touji, "Yeah I might be shocked. Right now, I'd say it was about damn time."

"WHAT! THE DEMON'S GOTTEN TO YOU TOO? THE WORLD IS NOT SAFE!"

"Kensuke," said Shinji, "You got used to Hikari, you're just going to have to get used to Asuka being around. And stop calling her a demon."

"I don't have to get used to her! And She is a De….." SMACK!

"Call me that again," said Asuka, "And they'll be looking for your teeth for the next week."

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Once inside, the children got a booth facing towards the stage. The table had a device that allowed the patrons to rate each performer. A small screen also allowed the patrons to see the songs available, as well as to follow along with the performer. Asuka and Hikari immediately began to look through the song selections. Shinji noticed that Sayoko was not drinking soda.

"Sayoko? What are you drinking?"

"Hmmm," Sayoko looked at her glass a second, "Oh, its Apple Juice."

"How come your not drinking soda?"

Sayoko began to blush. "I ….ummm…I have a bad reaction to soda."

"What do you mean? Are you allergic?"

"No… I…well….become slightly intoxicated."

Shinji just stared at her. "You become drunk off soda?"

Sayoko shifted uncomfortably. "Yes. It was….embarrassing."

"OK, I know what I'm singing." said Asuka. "Time for you to find a song."

Sayoko just shook her head. "I already have one."

"Oh so your ready to see why I'm the best." said Asuka with a smirk.

Sayoko replied with a smirk of her own. "Bring it on."

Shinji put his head in his hands. "Why do I hate the sound of that?"