"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?"
Chapter 8
Sing like you want to win / The Past revealed
After writing down the order in which they would perform, Kensuke went and gave the list to the disk jockey.
"Now we wait to be announced." said Kensuke.
"HIKARI HORAKI" called out the DJ.
Hikari smiled nervously, and then walked over to the DJ. Soon she was on stage. The music began to drift out of the speakers. Everyone looked at the monitor on the table. The song title appeared 'Mandy Moore: I wanna be with you'. As she sang she kept glancing towards Touji.
Touji just smiled. "She does like pre-impact music."
Hikari stepped down after singing with a score of 88.
"KENSUKE AIDA" Kensuke smiled as his name was called out. He headed toward the DJ and then got on the stage. The strains of a rap song began to come out of the speakers. Sayoko ears immediately perked-up.
"Oh No!" she muttered.
Asuka turned and looked at Sayoko. "What?"
Sayoko tried to answer, but failed. Within seconds, Sayoko was happily sleeping away on the table. Everyone left at the table just stared.
"Hey! Wake-up! Sayoko!" Shinji called out while shaking her. Sayoko continued to sleep. Soon, Kensuke finished his song. As soon as the music stopped, Sayoko began to stir.
"Wha…Where? Huh? What happened?" Sayoko looked around confused.
"You fell asleep! Kensuke's song started and you fell asleep." said Asuka.
"Oh. Whenever I hear rap music…. I sort of fall asleep. It's kind of a goddess thing." replied Sayoko.
"Anything else we should know about?" asked Asuka.
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A Dark Room Somewhere.
Black Monoliths surround the seated form of Gendo Ikari.
SEELE 01: You have become lax Ikari. Those extremists should never have gotten that close.
Ikari: The attack was unsuccessful. The pilots were able to defeat them on their own. The extremists have been dealt with.
SEELE 05: Still, to allow such contact to even occur, The children must keep their rolls in the scenario.
SEELE 12: To lose even one child before it is written could compromise Instrumentality.
SEELE 01: That project must remain your top priority.
Ikari: The project has always been my priority.
SEELE 01: You lie to us as always. Betray us, and you will feel our wraith. The rest of this meeting does not concern you.
With that, Ikari vanished. He was replaced by another figure, who stood with head bowed.
SEELE 01: What of the Fifth Child?
Figure: She seems to be more then what she seems. She could threaten the scenario, and yet, she could help it to succeed.
SEELE 01: We place much into your hands. See to it she does not hinder our schedule.
The figure looked up revealing the face of Lieutenant Kaoru Nagisa. His red eyes took in all the monoliths, and a slight smile appeared on his face.
Nagisa: Of course.
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"They know something." said Ikari.
"Of course they do. They have their hands in everything." replied a figure in the shadow.
"Find out what they know."
"Yes sir." Kaji Ryoji stepped from the shadows and carried out his orders.
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"SHINJI IKARI" called out the DJ.
Shinji got up and headed towards the DJ. He then got on the stage and flashed a smile at Asuka. As the sounds of the song began to be heard, everyone glanced towards the monitor on the table. 'Goo Goo Dolls: Iris'. As Shinji sang he kept glancing towards Asuka.
After the song ended, Shinji received a score of 91
After Shinji sat down, Asuka leaned over and whispered "Not bad." In his ear. Then a little louder "Of course I can do much better."
"TOUJI SUZUHARA"
"What is he going to sing?" asked Asuka.
"I don't know. He didn't say." said Hikari.
Both turned and looked at Shinji and Kensuke.
"Don't look at us!" said Kensuke. "He didn't say a thing."
Touji stepped on the stage. The song title flashed onto the monitor. 'Kid Rock: Only God knows why'
After Touji finished, Hikari stared at the monitor waiting for the score. He received a 88. Hikari was so happy for Touji that she jumped out and kissed him as he was trying to sit down. Another score soon appeared as a few people rated the kiss.
"REI AYANAMI" Rei stood and walked over to the DJ. She then approached the stage. Before she got on the stage she looked at Sayoko and gave a slight smile. Touji, Kensuke, Hikari, and Asuka practically fell to the floor. Shinji just looked over at Sayoko.
"Since when does Wondergirl smile?" asked Asuka.
Sayoko was about to respond when Rei began to sing.
Everyone at the table just stared at Rei as she sang 'Megumi Hayashibara: Alchemy of Love'
"Wow!" said Kensuke. Everyone just nodded their heads in agreement.
Rei earned a 96.
"ASUKA SOHRYU"
Asuka stood up and turned towards the table. "Prepare to be humiliated." She then turned on her heel and headed straight towards the DJ. As Asuka looked through the song selections, she heard a small voice in her head.
Shinji picked his song for you. You should do the same.
Asuka turned and looked back at the table. Sayoko gave a slight wave. Asuka turned back to the songs.
'I'm going to get you for that Sayoko' thought Asuka.
Sure you will.
'QUIT READING MY MIND!'
While Asuka hated the fact that Sayoko read her mind, She did have a point. She quickly chose a song and approached the stage. Asuka turned and sought out Shinji in the audience. Blue eyes met blue eyes.
'Alright Asuka, let's do it… for Shinji.'
The strains of an old pre-impact song then filled the air. 'Cher: Turn back time'. Kensuke raised an eyebrow at the song as Asuka sang.
"The Demon has a heart?"
Hands from 3 different people smacked Kensuke.
After Asuka had finished and received a score of 97, she returned to the table.
"Beat that." She said, looking at Sayoko.
"SAYOKO MORISATO"
Sayoko turned towards the group. "Wish me luck?"
"You'll need all the luck you can get." said Asuka with a grin.
Shinji just looked at Asuka. 'If she only knew.'
Sayoko walked over to the DJ and discussed the song she wanted. The DJ entered the song title into the computer. After finding it, he nodded towards Sayoko who walked to the stage. As Sayoko stepped onto the stage, the song she selected appeared on the monitor set on the table. At the sight of the title, Shinji, Hikari, and Touji's heads hit the table. Rei raised an eyebrow and began to smile. Kensuke looked at his friends.
"What the hell is the matter with you?"
Asuka looked confused. She looked over at Touji and Hikari. Still hiding their faces, they shook as they laughed. She turned to Shinji. "You know I can't read Kanji well. What does it say?"
Shinji turned his head towards Asuka. "Megami wa Utau (The Goddess Sings)."
Asuka just stared at Shinji. "Are you serious?"
Shinji could only nod his head. Asuka turned and looked at Sayoko. Sayoko gave Asuka a smile and then pulled down her eyelid and stuck out her tongue at the German. Asuka just glared at Sayoko.
"Oooooo, You're a tricky one aren't you."
Sayoko began to sing. As she sang the entire crowd went totally quiet. Asuka herself was in awe. She had never heard such beautiful singing. Thus, it was a total shock to her when Sayoko finished, she scored only a 99. The highest score that evening, but not a perfect score. Sayoko, however was satisfied and returned to the table with a smile.
"Well this has been a fun night." said Sayoko.
Asuka turned and looked at Shinji. "You knew she could sing didn't you."
Shinji nodded his head.
"Why didn't you say so?"
Hikari looked at Asuka. "He did. Back at school."
"Don't be mad Asuka." said Sayoko, "Its all in fun."
It was then that a new song began to play. 'Meredith Brooks: Bitch'. Two women were on stage, singing and dancing. One had blond hair, the other was a platinum blond. Both voices were familiar to Sayoko. Sayoko's smile disappeared.
"Oh no."
Everyone at the table looked at Sayoko. "What's the matter?" asked Shinji.
Sayoko could only point at the two women, who turned and faced the crowd at that moment. One was Mara. The other was Urd. Both appeared to be drunk, but very happy. The children though, did not know this.
"Who are they?" asked Asuka.
Sayoko stared at the table. "The one on the left is named Mara. The other…… is my Aunt Urd."
"You mean they are G..humffppphtt" Hikari's mouth was quickly covered by Touji's hand. Sayoko looked over at Kensuke. Kensuke was watching Touji, confused about his actions.
"Hey Kensuke, look there's an Arcade here. Let's go play a few rounds of Capcom vs. Street Fighter 8." said Shinji. He quickly pulled Kensuke to the Arcade before he could protest. Touji released Hikari who looked at Sayoko.
"Sorry Sayoko. I almost gave it away."
"Don't worry." Sayoko replied, waving her hand, "As to your…..question. Urd is a Goddess 2nd Class, like me. Mara……..Mara works for the other-side."
Asuka, Touji, and Hikari looked at each other then back at Sayoko. Rei never broke eye contact.
"She what?" asked Touji.
Sayoko looked back at the stage. "She's a Demon. A 1st Class Demon to be exact."
Everyone present just stared in shock at Sayoko. Even Rei.
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Restaurant about 10 minutes away.
Misato sat in a booth waiting for her 'date'. The phone message had been very brief. Just a time and a location.
"Did I keep you waiting long?"
Misato turned and saw Kaji standing next to her.
"So long as you're paying, no I don't mind. No what did you want to see me about?"
Kaji sat down across from her and leaned forward.
"The committee is up to something."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"They seem to be taking an interest in the Fifth Child."
"WHAT? Why?"
"I don't know why. Do you?"
Misato sat back. "No I don't" she lied.
Kaji looked at Misato carefully. "You know something don't you?"
Misato stood up and started to leave, Kaji grabbed her arm before she could get away. "They are going to keep looking into her past. I'll try to stall them, but Ikari is also interested in knowing what they want."
"Thank-you. I'll tell her." Misato started to leave again, before she turned around and looked at Kaji. "You should talk to her. She might tell you." She then turned and left.
'Perhaps I will.'
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"She's a WHAT!" asked Asuka.
Sayoko gave a slight sigh. "She is a Demon 1st Class."
"She's dressed like someone out of one of Kensuke's S&M videos. Your Aunt isn't much better. Are you SURE they are….." said Touji.
Sayoko now had her head in her hands. "Yes, I'm sure."
"What are they doing here?" asked Hikari
Sayoko glanced over at the stage were Urd and Mara were still singing. "Right now. They seem to be getting drunk." Sayoko glanced around the club. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she spotted someone in a corner booth.
"I'll be right back." Sayoko got up and headed towards the booth. Asuka, Hikari, Touji, and Rei all followed her. In the booth where Sayoko was headed were 2 women, one was in her late twenties with long Black hair. The other looked older and had short brown hair. Both were wearing jeans and t-shirts. It wasn't until the younger one looked up and towards the approaching Sayoko that Asuka recognized her.
"It's her Aunt Skuld!" exclaimed Asuka.
"What? You met her before?" asked Hikari.
"Yeah. She popped in literally at the apartment when we found out about Sayoko. Sayoko said she was a 1st Class Goddess or something. I don't know who the other one is though."
"What IS a 1st Class Goddess?"
"I don't know. Something else to ask her about I suppose."
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"I thought you weren't going to be around?" asked Sayoko quietly.
"Well, we ran into Mara, and got talking. We have decided to work together on this." said Skuld.
"Uh huh" Sayoko said. She looked at the other woman. "So why are you here Peorth?"
Peorth just smiled. "Just in case Mara decides to change her mind about playing nice. If two 1st class goddesses can't handle one Demon….Well you know."
"Right….And you're all here at this club because?"
"Hey we need to unwind too!" said Peorth. "Besides, Urd, Mara, and I haven't been on the surface world in years. We wanted to see what was new."
Before Sayoko could respond, Skuld and Peorth got funny looks on their faces. Sayoko then felt a familiar presence behind her.
"Yes Rei?" asked Sayoko, not even turning around.
Rei walked up next to her. "We have decided to head home as we have school and sync tests tomorrow." Rei then glanced nervously at the 2 seated individuals.
"Rei, This is my Auntie Skuld and Peorth. They might be 'popping' in from time to time. Don't worry, I won't let them bother you."
Rei nodded at them. "It is nice to meet you Skuld-sama, Peorth-sama. Sayoko, I will see you tomorrow. Good night." Rei then turned and left.
Peorth looked over at Skuld. "Wasn't that..?"
Skuld continued to follow Rei with her eyes. "Yes, yes it was."
Peorth turned and looked at Sayoko. "Interesting choice in friends you have."
Sayoko glared at Peorth. "At least she's not a Demon. I have to go. Later Auntie." Sayoko started to turn away.
"Don't you want to wait and talk to Urd?" asked Skuld.
"After she's been drinking. No. I saw enough of that when I was younger." Sayoko turned and quickly moved to where Shinji and Asuka were waiting. They then left together. Peorth sighed.
"Sorry Skuld. I guess I should have watched what I said."
Skuld waved her hand in dismissal. "Don't worry. She'll get over it. Your one of her favorite people, besides myself. Its that Urd comment that worries me."
Peorth decided to change the topic. "So that was Rei Ayanami hmmm?"
"Yep. Kami-sama said to keep an eye on her. But to let her be. He said to let Sayoko handle her."
"But she's….."
"I know Peorth. So does Sayoko, at least for the most part." Skuld turned and looked at the returning forms of Urd and Mara. "Kami-sama knows what he is doing. We have to trust Sayoko to do what is right."
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After leaving the club, the children headed off in the directions of their homes. Sayoko walked with Shinji and Asuka back to the apartment. Sayoko was still grumbling about Peorth's comment and fuming about Urd, when Asuka asked her a question.
"What is a 1st Class Goddess?"
Sayoko welcomed the distraction.
"There are several different classes of Gods in the Heavens, as there are Demon classifications in Hell. A Beginning God is a Class 4, they have no skills and not much power. Once they start training, they are upgraded to Class 3, they have more control, but still not much power. Class 2 is reached upon completion of most of the training, though it does not stop there. A God now has enough power to level a city block. Class 2 Gods are fairly common. Class 1 Gods are some of the most powerful Gods you'll ever meet. They have enough power to wipe out the planet. Finally, there are Class 0 Gods. There are very few Class 0 Gods. Those that achieve that rank are trusted by Kami-sama and report directly to him. They have the power to wipe out several Solar Systems. Only Kami-sama is stronger."
"But when you introduced yourself, you said you were Limited." said Shinji. "You said your Aunt was Unlimited. What's the difference?"
"Limited means that either you still have much to learn about controlling your powers, or your not yet fully trusted to. You can also be restricted, meaning you have committed infractions, broken certain rules. Unlimited means that Kami-sama trusts you. Most 1st Class Gods are Unlimited."
They continued to walk in silence. The Shinji asked another question.
"So, Who was that with your Aunt?"
"That was Peorth, Goddess 1st Class Unlimited Type 2. The Type 2 means she grants wishes, though Wish granted has been suspended since second impact."
"What? Why?"
Sayoko stared off into space a second. "Officially, Kami-sama ordered it to end to prevent Goddesses from being attacked by people angry over what had happened. Unofficially, Most Gods in heaven think Kami-sama knew that it was going to happen, and is waiting for it to run its course."
"You mean he could be waiting for the Angels to stop attacking?" asked Asuka.
Sayoko winced at the word 'Angel'. But she did answer the question. "Possibly, But I don't know what Grandpa is thinking about. He doesn't talk to anyone in heaven about his plans. So no one really knows what's going on. All we can do is trust that what he is doing is right."
"Millions Died in Second Impact! What is right about that?"
"I don't know. But I trust Grandpa. Even though…." Sayoko turned and looked off toward the sky. "My Aunt Megumi's trust was shaken after Second Impact. She lost it completely when my parents died. I haven't heard from her since. I hope that someday, Grandpa will tell me why my parents had to go. Until then. I have to believe he did what he thought was right."
Sayoko continued to stare off towards the sky for a few seconds more. She then turned and continued for home. Asuka and Shinji both continued silently behind her, wondering what Kami-sama was thinking about.
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"She did what? She said that?" Skuld was still in the booth, talking into something that looked like a cell phone. "Thanks for the info Chronos." Skuld hung up and then turned toward the others at the table.
"What's up with Sayoko?" asked Urd.
Skuld just glared at Urd. "For starters, She is very unhappy with you. She saw you drunk."
Urd went very pale. "She did?"
"Yes, it was pretty noticeable with you two up there dancing, singing and making fools of yourselves."
Urd, now very sober, began to stare at the table very intently.
"Anyway, Sayoko had an interesting conversation with Sohryu and Ikari. Kami-sama watched and listened in from Yggdrasil control. He then left control for his office and ordered that he was not to be disturbed."
"What did she say?" asked Peorth.
"Apparently she talked a bit about Second Impact and talked about the……rumors about why he ordered Wish Granting to be put on hold." Skuld then turned her head and looked at her drink. "She also talked about Megumi."
Urd joined her in looking at her drink. Peorth looked confused. As did Mara.
"What did happen with Megumi?"
Urd finally looked up. "After Second Impact, Megumi had a lot of questions about why Kami-sama…..didn't stop it. Belldandy was able to relieve the tension, you know how she was. But, after Keiichi and Belldandy…..died, Megumi……lost it. She blamed us for everything and left. As far as I know, she's never tried to contact any of us since." Urd looked at Skuld.
Skuld shook her head. "No. She hasn't. And Sayoko has sent letters. Then again, we haven't heard from anyone from old Nekomi in a long time."
Mara decided to change the topic. "So. What are we going to do about the current situation."
The 3 goddesses looked at each other before turning back to the demon.
"We continue to investigate here." said Peorth. "And hope the signature appears again."
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A week later.
"Alright," said Dr. Akagi, "Today we are going to do something a bit different then the usual sync tests"
The five children all stood inside the main briefing room. Misato was also in the room, but was off to one side.
"We are going to test how well each of you sync in another's Eva. However, since Unit 02 is still being repaired, and Unit 00 is……unpredictable, We will be testing you in Units 01, 03, and 04." Asuka made a rather unhappy face at the mention of her Eva, but remained quiet.
"Rei, we know that you are able to sync with Unit 01, so you'll try 03. Touji you'll try 01. Shinji, Unit 04. Asuka, Sayoko. You'll be up next."
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About 30 minutes later.
"Not bad." said Ritsuko, as she looked over the data. Misato glanced over at her.
"What is the verdict?" asked Misato.
"Rei can sync with Unit 03 at 48. Touji was rejected by Unit 01. Shinji was rejected by Unit 04. Alright, next we'll try Asuka in Unit 04, Sayoko in Unit 01, and Shinji in Unit 03.
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Sayoko sat quietly as the techs prepared to start up Unit 01. Sayoko was thinking about the past week. Ever since she had seen her Aunts at the club, she had been quietly fuming. The as the final connections were being made, she began to feel a sharp pain in her head as Unit 01 tried to reject her. Sayoko tried to concentrate, ignoring the pain. She soon felt a presence in Unit 01. It felt similar to what she felt in Unit 04.
'Whoever you are…Please. All I want is to do is help. To protect Touji, Kensuke, Misato, Asuka, Shinji……
Shinji?
In the cage, Unit 01 stood up straight and its eye's glowed white.
"Unit 01 has activated, sync rate is at 64" said Maya.
Sayoko felt the pain in her mind go away. She began to sense more of the presence.
'It feels like………Shinji.'
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"Ok Asuka," said Ritsuko, "This is going to be slightly different then when you've synced with your Eva. This is do to the fact that Unit 04 has an S2 Engine. Are you ready?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Begin Activation."
Asuka began to feel the normal sync process. As she sat she began to think about Sayoko.
'I wonder what happened between her and her Aunts. I've never seen Sayoko made like that…'
As the final connections were being made, Asuka began to feel resistance, as if something was trying to block her.
"Come' on" grumbled Asuka. "I'm the best pilot. I should be able to sync with any Eva, even Sayoko's"
Sayoko?
Asuka immediately turned and looked around the plug for the source of the sound.
"Who said that?"
"No one said anything Asuka" came Misato's voice through the radio. "Now sit back and concentrate."
Asuka did as she was told. 'I must be hearing things.'
The entry plug walls soon shifted and cleared to reveal an outside view.
"Unit 4 is activated. S2 Engine output is normal." reported Maya.
Ritsuko looked at her monitors. "Sync rate steady at 52. Good job Asuka."
Asuka sat back and smiled. "Of course, I'm the best."
Behind Asuka, a ghostly shape of a woman appeared. It stared down upon Asuka before vanishing.
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Later that Night.
"See Fifth Child. I am the best Pilot. I can sync in Unit 03 and 04." Asuka said with a smirk.
"I didn't see you syncing with Unit 01?" muttered Sayoko, "Care to explain that?"
Asuka puffed up a bit. "Who wants to pilot Unit 01 anyway. It's the Test model anyway. The Production models are the best."
"Newer doesn't always mean better. Unit 01 is still one of the stronger Evas." Sayoko reminder her, "Remember what it did to your Eva."
Asuka started to turn a deep angry red. If looks could kill, Sayoko would have been well on her way back to heaven. "An Angel was controlling my Eva. If I had been in control, Shinji would never have been able to take me out."
"Sure Asuka. Whatever you say. If we go by your reasoning, then MY Eva is the best. It has its own power supply, and can fly. It can also go berserk. Can you Eva do that? No, it can't." Sayoko began to walk back towards her room. Asuka stopped her before she reached the hallway.
"Wait." said Asuka, now with a worried look on her face. "You've never fought back like that before. What's wrong? Does it have something to do with your Aunts?"
Sayoko continued to stare down the hallway. "Not both, Just Urd."
Asuka put her hand onto Sayoko's arm and directed her back into the living room.
"You need to talk about it." said Asuka. It was not a question.
"After Aunt Megumi left, I only had Auntie Skuld and Aunt Urd to take care of me. Both were still very upset over the loss of my mother. Auntie Skuld tried to hide it, but I night I could hear her crying in her room. Urd though, She immediately took to drinking. I have no memory of her being sober for the next several weeks. She and Auntie Skuld had several arguments that became…. rather destructive. But after each fight, they'd repair the temple. One night Urd got….really bad. She called me by my mother's name and kept asking where my father was." Sayoko began to shake. "I kept saying I was Sayoko, I'm not momma. But she wouldn't listen. Auntie Skuld arrived home at that point and realized what was happening. She fired off a force bolt that sent Urd through the wall and into the yard." Sayoko was in tears at this point. " Auntie Skuld took me away to a friend of my parent's, a woman named Chihiro. Urd came by later while Chihiro was out. Sober. She apologized to me in tears. Begged me to forgive her. I… couldn't say a word to her, I was too scared. Urd promised she'd give up drinking. She was about to say something else when a lightning bolt hit the ground near us with a message from Grandpa. Urd was to be recalled immediately. Auntie Skuld was to remain here to take care of me. Just as the recall gate began to take her, I finally ran up to Urd and told her I forgave her. Auntie Skuld refused to even acknowledge Urd. That was the last time I saw Urd, until….."
"Until that night at the club?" asked Asuka.
"No. She and Auntie Skuld appeared while I was in the hospital. After that visit, I thought maybe 10 years in the heavens would have changed her. But then….."
Asuka knew the answer to that. "You see her on stage dancing and singing drunk."
Sayoko closed her eyes. "Yes."
"You have a right to be mad. But, I think you should talk to her."
Sayoko leaned back with her eyes closed and sighed. "I know. You're right. Its just….."
Asuka nodded. "Take your time. But don't take too long. You never know what could happen."
Sayoko stood up and looked at Asuka. "Thanks Asuka."
"What are friends for?"
Sayoko smiled and then started down the hallway.
"Sayoko?"
Sayoko stopped and looked back at Asuka. Asuka had a blank look on her face and was looking towards the floor.
"Yes Asuka?"
"Do you…..Do you know….about my mother?"
Sayoko looked off towards the patio door.
Asuka looked up at Sayoko. "Do you?"
"Yes Asuka. I know what happened. What you saw." Sayoko walked to Asuka. "I know what you went through, before it happened. I can't really say why, but know that it wasn't your time yet."
"How do you know?"
Sayoko gave a slight smile. "Because, I still have to prove I'm a better pilot then you."
Asuka returned the smile. "In your dreams."
"Well I guess I'd better go to sleep then."
Asuka gave a small laugh.
Sayoko started down the hallway again feeling much better.
