This is a fanfiction of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The fic is focussed on characters Rei and Shinji, but touch on the entire crew. The story takes place after third impact.
Disclaimer: The characters, locations, names and original story belong to Gainax.
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Made a few changes to the format and tried to avoid the html problems I had with chapter 01. Hopefully it should be easier to read.
Hope you enjoy it!
"Speech"
'Thought'
Just Him & Her
Chapter 2
Shinji was laying side down on his bed listening to his SDAT. The volume set to maximum in an attempt to shut out his thoughts. The attempt was futile however as tears began running down his face once more. He knew these feelings all-too-well and he had hoped they would never come back so strong.
'Why Misato?' he felt betrayed… as if the very person who had been encouraging him all this time to open-up had done so just too smash him down again in some cruel, sick joke.
He slowly sat-up on the edge of his bed and held his head in his hands. He recalled his time with Rei earlier and at how carefree and happy he seemed. But no matter how much he tried to remember the happy feelings, he just couldn't replicate it.
'I….I cant stay here…' he thought as he stood-up and turned off his SDAT. He just needed to be alone, if not, he felt like he would lose whatever life was left inside him since he first arrived.
He walked over to his school bag and placed it on his bed. He then began to fold new sets of clothes and place them inside. He grabbed what little money he had and put his bag near his door and returned to bed.
'…now I just have to wait'
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Next Morning
Beeeeep
"……………."
BeeeeeeeeBeeeeeeeeeeeeep
"……………."
BEEEEEEEPBEEEEEEEEPPPP!
"Ugh… alright…alright!… I get it!" said a muffled, groggy voice from underneath a large pile of bed covers.
"Damn alarm's worse than the angel sirens!" a swift hand popped out from underneath the covers and hit the alarm button off. Slowly and painfully the Major untangled herself from the knot she had tied herself in and stood up.
Yawn
Smacking her lips and scratching her thigh she made her way out of her bedroom and walked down the small hallway but came to a sudden stop as she caught sight of the 'Shinji's Lovely Suite' sign bringing all of last nights memories back full force.
Maybe it was because she had slept on it, or maybe it was because she was now fully sober but her behaviour last night seemed doubly worse.
Normally mornings where noisy, high energy packed events in the Katsuragi residence, so the Major felt strange…eerie even being the only one awake. She stood outside the boy's room and gently knocked.
"Shinji?"
"…………."
"…its 8:00am you'll be late for school"
"………….."
"…I've got to go out early today so I'll eat at work… I'm just going to take a shower"
"………….."
She hovered near his door a little while longer, hoping he would respond to her before she gave up and made her way to the shower
'sigh…way to go Misato!'
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Apartment 402
Steam surrounded the young blue-headed girl, as she stood naked underneath the chrome showerhead. She had her arms outstretched leaning against the wall as she let the hot water hit her slender back and neck. Her blue mop of hair was slapped against her face.
Bathing was one of the girls more…. pleasurable pastimes. However it wasn't just the act of cleaning or the refreshed, relaxation that was gained from it. It was the water itself. For Rei, there was a luring, natural desire to be with water. She felt drawn to it, as an infant does to its mother. It brought her a sense of calmness. Whenever she felt…uncertain of herself, for reasons known only to her, she would regularly pay visits to the Nerv swimming pool. It was the only natural feeling in her life… as the birth of her existence itself was not so natural.
'…maybe…' she thought as her eyes rolled back in appreciation of the hot liquid on her slender body '…I will go swimming after school' She moved her head back letting the water hit her face, then returned to her frisking position. A few moments later she turned off the shower, stepped out and grabbed her towel to dry herself.
"Yes… I am not needed at Nerv today"
She dropped the towel on the dirty floor and made her way to the drawer where she began to dress herself. As she finished she collected her bag and made her way to the door, stepping over her towel and other randomly placed items on the way. She finally closed the door and made her way to school.
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Katsuragi Residence
'Wow…. I needed that!' Misato stepped out of the bathroom fully adorned in her Nerv attire ready for work.
As she entered her room intent on collecting her work files and reports, she thought about her male roommate and what had happened between them the night earlier.
'I…should probably tell Ritsuko about this...' she thought to herself with her head lowered.
'She's going to be pissed… she warned me about this'
"Aargh!" she slammed her fists down on her desk inwardly kicking herself, but sank down onto the chair.
'I….i should apologise before he leaves…' a few moments later she grabbed her things and made her way to the kitchen
"Shinji… can we ta….." stopping mid-sentence, she was expecting to see him or at least signs of him passing through. She gazed at her watch '8:30am….'
"Shinji?" she shouted as she made her way over to his room, stopping outside the door she knocked.
"Shinji are you still asleep? Your late for school!"
"…………."
"…..Shinji?" the one-sided conversation slowly began to worry her.
"Shinji I'm coming in alright?" she slowly slid-open the door, only to be met with an empty room.
'!'
"Oh god no!" shocked, she dropped her files and ran into the kitchen to retrieve her phone. She pressed a speed dial button and the call was immediately answered.
"Section 2" a very heavy voice answered.
"This is Major Katsuragi, give me the location of the third child" she said in a very intimidating voice.
"Y-yes ma'am!" her voice was clearly effective.
"The third child was last sighted entering his residence at 18:45 hours yesterday ma'am!"
"He's not here damnit!" she shouted making sure he knew she was pissed.
"How can you loose track of a young kid when there's only one exit in the damn place?" she shouted, venting the anger and frustration that had built up inside her since last night.
'She's one to talk…' "I...i apologise ma'am!"
"I want all available teams and resources on locating the child!" "I want the immediate area checked, he might still be close by" the Major made her way out on the small balcony in an attempt at spotting the boy.
"We'll be right on it ma'am!"
"…wait… where is the second child?" she asked for self security more than anything else.
"One moment ma'am" she could hear mumbling in the background.
"The second child's current location is coordinates 24.6 vector; school grounds ma'am" he kindly translated for the Major.
"I see..." 'at least its just one of them'
"OK get on it!"
"Yes ma-…." He was cut-off as she put the phone down.
The major gazed at the phone in her hand hesitating before pressing another speed dial number.
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Nerv Infirmary
A young woman stood in silenced awe as she watched the skill, efficiency and sheer mastery of the older woman sitting before her. Hands typing at incredible speed, immense calculations processed even faster in her mind and the ability too give instructions to her underling at the same time.
After a short while of trying her best to write down the instructions, she stopped, as she just couldn't keep up and was overloaded with information. This caused the girl to turn red and panic.
A little while later the doctor stopped what she was doing and turned around as she realised the younger girl stopped working and froze up.
"What's wrong Maya-chan?" she asked as she swivelled her chair around to face the seemingly flushed girl.
"I….i…gomen nasai Sempai!" she said with a full-bow, adding to the doctors confusion.
"Why? What's wrong all-of-a-sudden?" she asked puzzled.
"I'm sorry I tried my best but I couldn't keep up with you! I…I'm still no good…." Maya said lowering hear gaze to her feet.
"Ahh… I've done it again!" Ritsuko said as she slapped her forehead.
"I'm sorry Maya-chan I get ahead of myself sometimes" she smiled reassuringly at the girl.
"it was my fault… there's no need to worry about it" she said still smiling.
The younger girl looked up at the doctor feeling reassured "Thank you sempai" she said smiling back.
Ring-Ring
"I'll get it Sempai!" Maya said as she walked across the room and answered the phone.
Ritsuko smiled and nodded to the girl, then turned around to focus on her work again.
"Nerv Infirmary, Maya speaking"
"Oh! Hello Katsuragi-san…umm… y-yes she's right here" she quickly turned around handing the phone to the doctor.
"Its Misato-san… it sounds urgent.." Maya said with a slightly worried expression.
Ritsuko rolled her eyes "Its always urgent with Misato" she said as she took the phone from the girl
"Hi Misato, what have you done now?" she said as she crossed her legs and spun around in her chair.
Misato: "Ristuko I nee-…. Hey what was that supposed to mean?"
"Ok ok, sorry. What's wrong?" her attempt at friendly humour wasn't taken very well.
Misato: "Its Shinji… I…I think he's ran away"
"He's what? How? Why?" the doctor said getting serious and sitting up straight.
Misato: "OK… just calm down and I'll explain"
"……………." sweat
Misato: "It was last night…I ..i had a little too much to drink and i… made him cry…I think he hates me…"
"YOU WHAT?" Ritsuko stood up very sharply pushing the chair back causing it to fall over. Maya took a step back and flinched.
"Tell me you are joking Misato!" "You know how Shinji's been over the past year!"
Misato: "…I know I know…I..I'm sorry"
"What? No…I'm afraid sorry isn't good enough Misato! You're supposed to be his guardian for heavens sake!" she stopped to catch a breath.
"How many times have I warned you about this!"
Misato: "….…..…."
Ritsuko sighed as she placed a hand on her hip and took a moment before continuing, "Have you informed section 2?"
Misato: "Yes of course I have…"
"……you know Misato… the commander isn't going to like this…" she said as she picked up the chair and sat back down.
Misato: "…………"
"…. I think things need to change Misato… I've got to look at this for Shinji's sake"
Misato: "……I understand…"
"Well I doubt I'll be-…." Ritsuko was cut-off as the phone was hung-up. She gazed at the phone in her hand and let out a sigh. A few moments passed before she was interrupted from her thoughts.
"Ummm sempai? What's happened to Shinji?" the doctor was brought out of her trance as she realised she wasn't alone.
"Oh…Maya..." she turned towards the girl who was standing holding her clip-board close to her chest with a worried expression
"…Shinji's missing"
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Geofront
"So how did it go? Ever more demands I take it?" Fuyutsuki asked the man opposite him while pouring out coffee for both of them.
"It went as expected, more threats and the ever increasing demands of access rights, operational involvement and detailed information on the pilots…" Gendo said as he gazed out of the tram window, which was taking them to the debts of Nerv.
"Heh…its times like this I wish SEELE were still around" Fuyutsuki said amusingly as he began to sip the hot liquid "But it's hard to blame them…it's been 2 years and the UN can not stage cover-ups if they themselves don't know what they're covering up" he stopped talking as he waited for the Nerv employees to pass by and lowered his voice leaning forward "…the media attention is growing at an alarming rate. The people want to know the truth about what happened… its only natural they would seek us out" he finished and sat back again.
"And with this we have been given the perfect opportunity to act" the commander sated.
"So…everything is ready?"
"Yes" Gendo pulled out a file from his inside pocket and then slid it across the table towards the older man.
The second commander quickly glanced over the important parts and placed the slip inside his jacket. He gazed outside the window as he processed the new information before continuing "…once this begins Ikari… we cannot turn back"
"Indeed"
"and… if it fails" he leaned forward once again and lowered his voice "…we no longer have…replacements"
"She will not fail" the commander stated absolutely "We only need a blue pattern, ignorance will do the rest. Let them speculate and make their own decisions"
Fuyutsuki was in deep thought. He knew the questions he posed where already foreseen by the commander but that didn't stop him from making sure, and besides, in his opinion Gendo Ikari had changed since the events of 2 years ago.
He tried his best to remember what happened during those days. Those first few days seemed like something out of a dream, almost as if it never happened; yet it did happen. All he could remember was waking up inside the Geofront and feeling as if he had no memories or past… a total and utter clear conscious, with no back noise whatsoever. Almost like a newborn baby. But as the days passed his consciousness gradually began to grip reality and memories began to slowly return.
He took a glance across the table and at the man sitting opposite himself. He recalled the huge effort by Nerv security forces to find the commander. The search continued for many months, and just before they where about to pronounce him as 'one of the missing' he came back alone and immediately took charge once again.
Since that time, the second commander felt himself become much more observant. Not just at his job, or the everyday decisions in his life but about the whole existence and predicament the human race found itself in. As if no matter what he or any other human being does, they cannot change what fate lay before them. As if something much more grand was set in motion and he was just playing his part.
He knew this new opinion didn't apply to the man sitting opposite him. Once again Gendo Ikari was plotting to manipulate the very reality around him for his own sake, not caring for the sake of others, even those closest to him.
He stopped thinking and glanced at the file he placed inside his pocket and posed the question that had also been on his mind.
"…it wasn't just her potency level that intrigued me in that report…. what about the other data I noticed? …very unexpected" he said as he lent back against his chair.
Gendo looked at his friend for a few moments before answering "…unexpected yes, but not unmanageable. We will increase her medication until the third child is ready"
"This was Akagi's recommendation?"
"Yes"
Fuyutsuki looked away from the commander 'So… the soul does grow. The facts are right here infront of us and yet he still plans on using her as waste disposal' The more he thought about it, the more he didn't like this new plan, he felt like he was burying himself further into whatever pit he had created since the day he began working here. He initially joined the fight against the angels purely on reason being he was one of the only people who could do the job. But now… he had no choice, as soon as word gets out about what actually happened he would be hung for sure whether his intentions where good or not.
Ring-Ring
His thoughts interrupted, the second commander took the phone out of his jacket and held it up against his ear "Fuyutsuki"
"What was his last known location?"
"Does the major know of this?"
"I see… keep me informed of any developments" Fuyutsuki hung-up then turned towards the commander.
"That was Section 2… apparently the third child has been missing since early hours this morning" he informed.
A few seconds passed before Gendo replied "….and the major knows of this?"
"Yes, in turns out his last location was at Katsuragi's apartment" he stopped as he picked up his coffee "She was the one who informed Section 2"
Gendo turned from his friend and looked outside the tram window once again. A moment later he broke the silence "Bring the Major in for questioning"
Fuyutsuki looked up at him "This could… complicate matters?"
"Possibly, however it could also work to our advantage"
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School
It was the start of another school day and the teacher was in the middle of calling out the attendance list.
"Here!" a student answered from the back of the classroom.
"Horaki? Hikari Horaki?"
The class-rep stood up "Here sensei!" then sat back down.
"Ikari? Shinji Ikari?"
"…………"
The teacher looked up from his list and observed the boys empty seat. "…Nerv business?" he asked aimed at the other 2 pilots.
He looked towards Asuka as he knew she lived with him under the same guardian.
Asuka realising the teacher was talking to her sat up a bit feeling uncomfortable "I…I dunno where the baka is…" she stated shrugging off the 'un-cool' attention the teacher was giving her.
"Oh so he's sick then?" still looking at Asuka, who now became more uncomfortable under the gaze of the teacher, and now it seemed the entire class was looking at her 'damn would he stop talking to me! Why wont he speak to wondergirl!' she thought as she turned towards the blue-headed girl and saw her starring blankly out the window '….weirdo…'
"I don't know, I wasn't home yesterday… its probably Nerv stuff" she said quickly trying to shut him up.
The younger teacher who only took the class once a week glanced at Rei who was starring out the window… something that drove the man crazy! Normally he wouldn't ask for reasons like this until the pupil came back, but the pilots where always absent and or would leave halfway through his 'sacred' teachings which really annoyed him. So he felt like pressing them just to be awkward.
"Miss. Ayanami do you know why Ikari is absent?"
"………………"
sweat
"cough Miss. Ayanami?"
"………………."
The teacher felt a vein pop in his head and was just about to shout but was interrupted
"The information on the whereabouts of pilots is classified until otherwise informed by a qualified member of staff. You are unauthorized to know such details" she said while still looking out of the window.
"i..is that so……" he replied with a fake smile while grinding his teeth as he then continued to finish the register
'Smart-assed bitch'
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After School
"Well this is my turn" Hikari said as she stopped walking.
"OK, I'll see you tomorrow" Asuka replied as she watched her friend turn around and start her way home.
"Oh and if Shinji's sick… tell him to get well for me" Hikari said with a smile.
Asuka shrugged "The baka probably just had a Nerv appointment or something…"
"Well OK, seeya Asuka!"
Asuka stood waving until she lost sight of her friend. She turned around and slowly started walking home. As she continued she thought about the third child and couldn't help but wonder what had stopped him from coming to school. It was rare for him to have a Nerv appointment and she not know about it. And she couldn't ever remember him staying off for sickness… he was so punctual it made her sick. Whenever she had the chance she would skip school in a heartbeat. Its not like she was learning anything anyway. After a few more moments of Shinji filled thoughts she shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of him.
'Ugh… stupid baka! He better have my meal ready when I get back!' she thought as she upped her pace and headed home.
20 minutes later
As she reached the apartment door, she took her key card out and swiped open the apartment door.
"I'm baa…..ah!" she jumped back from fright as Misato jumped in her face.
"Jeeez Misato what's up with you?" she said as she cautiously moved around her guardian.
"Oh its just Asuka…." Misato said then turned back around pacing up & down near the door.
"'Oh its just Asuka'? What the hells that supposed to mean?" the girl shouted, she was offended by that comment.
The older woman turned and faced the girl "Asuka you haven't seen or spoken to Shinji today have you?"
"What? No I havent… why?" she said sensing something amiss "What's the baka hentai done now?"
sigh
"Asuka……. Shinji's…" she looked at the girl then moved her gaze downward towards her feet.
"Shinji's… ran away"
"WHAT? What the hell happened?" the past 30 seconds had confused the second child greatly. First she had the crap scared out of her, then she was rudely dismissed and now Shinji was apparently 'missing'. She still hadn't gotten over her welcoming… well lack thereof.
Misato turned and walked over to the kitchen table and took a seat. The younger girl took this opportunity to shut the door, put her bag down and take off her shoes.
She then walked over to her guardian standing next to her with her hands on her hips and an expression that demanded an explanation.
"Well?" she said tapping her foot.
"Asuka… last night… Shinji and me…" she moved her eyes away from the younger girl.
"we…we had a fight…."
"a….fight?" Asuka looked away from her guardian as she tried to imagine the two fighting each other. But quickly shook the silly action-clip out of her mind.
"Yes…well no... actually it was" Asuka glared at her guardian. She was used to this sort of stuttering speech after living with the master of non-sense for the past 2+ years… S.I being his initials.
"It..it was more… me…sigh" she buried her head into her arm on the table.
"It was my fault… I was drunk and… and I got carried away and he" pausing for a moment "…. I think he hates me"
"Geeez Misato… what, did you sexual assault him or something?" she said spinning around and heading to the fridge. "He's more a girl than I am!" she said as she stuck her head in the fridge.
Misato lifted her head slightly from her arms and looked at the girl 'I cant expect her to understand' She then took a moment to think about the girl's own dark past and at how fragile the 2 children she stayed with are 'How could I have been so careless?' she thought as she buried her head in her arm again.
"Well I don't care what you say, he's still going to die for not making my food today!" The young redheaded girl said as she came back from the fridge with a glass of juice and a quickly thrown together sandwich. "Jus luu-k a whah he smaken ma eath" she said with a mouth full of food as she sat down across from her guardian.
"You know Asuka, I really think we should start appreciating him more and wha-…." She was cut-off.
RING-RING
Faster than Unit 01 in berserker mode the Major dashed across the room to her Nerv jacket and pulled out her phone.
"Shinji?"
"Oh sorry sir… " she quickly calmed down and listened.
"Yes I have the entire section 2 and all reserves on it sir…"
"…………."
"Oh…..yes… of course sir"
"…when is the best time?"
"Y..yes sir, right away"
The Major slowly closed her phone and stood leaning against the wall as she gazed downward towards her feet.
Sensing something had happened the young girl spoke up "What's up Misato? Who was that?" her sandwich now eaten.
The Major stood silent for a while before turning around and grabbing her jacket. "Its nothing, I'm just needed at Nerv that's all… don't worry about it" she said as she headed for the door.
Before closing the door she turned to face her young roommate "Asuka I'll probably be back tonight so don't wait up… and whatever you do DON'T leave the apartment!" she said as she turned and shut the door leaving the girl alone.
"….who said I was worried?"
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Nerv Swimming Pool
Rei was finishing her last two lengths of the Olympic sized pool where she had been swimming for over an hour. As she swam she thought about her coming appointment with Dr. Akagi, who had contacted her before arriving at the pool. The doctor explained it was for her health and benefit and seeing as she was already at Nerv they would start her new 'health keeping' schedule today.
However this wasn't why the young blue-headed girl was thinking about it… it was what Ritsuko had asked Rei when they first spoke. Apparently Shinji was missing and the whole of section 2 was looking for him.
'Ikari-kun is missing…?' she thought as she done a tuck and turn that would make any professional proud.
'…this was why he was absent from school today?'
As she continued to swim she couldn't help but think about the third child 'Why would he do such a thing?'
She could recall him 'running away' in the past, but that was due to the heavy stress of the initial piloting and fighting of the angels. She could understand that, but there hadn't been an angel attack now for 2 years… and so this didn't make sense to her.
To Rei the third child was a mystery. The way he spoke, his mannerisms, his kindness, how he always tried to speak to her, spend time with her and wanted to get to know her. He acted in ways no one ever did with her. For so long she couldn't understand him, but slowly and surely over the past 2 years she came to understand certain things about life, things that before she met Shinji, she never even knew existed.
For these reason she saw Shinji as a mystery and something she doubted she would ever be able to fully understand. However what puzzled and intrigued her the most wasn't the actually knowing… it was the part before the discovery, the journey. And so she would often find herself wanting to be near or around him so she could feel these strange and pleasant sensations.
She reached the edge of the pool and slowly climbed out and walked over to her towel. After wrapping the towel around herself, she made her way to the girl's locker room.
Thinking about the third child and the many questions that surrounded him confused the girl, causing her to frown confusedly very slightly. She buttoned up her school uniform then picked up her bag and made her way out of the locker room.
'…maybe Dr. Akagi will understand why he has ran away'
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Rei was walking through the depths of Nerv making her way to the hidden medical facilities. As she entered the dark room, she moved to the side and flicked the power switch instantly bringing light and revealing the room's contents. She then took a seat on the one and only chair in the middle of the room.
The room was very similar to the first child's apartment, although the layout was different and there was no window or bed. She recalled the many nights she had woke up after having strange visions of being very young living in this place. With a doctor and the commander as her only visitors…
However Rei had grown to dislike this place. This was where she was brought into this world, and each moment she spent here brought her closer to the cold and bitter reality to what she is.
Once upon a time it didn't matter to Rei. For she had a purpose, she had a bond. A bond to pilot Eva and a bond to one man… Gendo Ikari. All her life she never doubted, worried or even bothered to think of anything but fulfilling her purpose to please the commander of Nerv. But as new people came into her life along with new experiences, she found out that Gendo didn't really care for her… it was really someone else he cared for behind the kindness. And as this truth gradually began to reveal itself… her purpose, her existence and her foundation began to crumble away until the moment came when she felt it. The moment she felt the truth that lies inside her.
'…but I found him'
Clank
"Sorry Rei, I had to finish something quickly, did you wait long?" Ritsuko asked as she stepped into the dull room and shut the door behind her.
"Not really" the girl said void of emotion.
"Well you know the drill, hold your arm out" Ritsuko said as she placed a medical bag on the small tray rooting through its contents.
"Yes doctor" she replied holding out her arm. She observed the doctor collecting the supplies from the bag… she felt strange around her, but didn't know why.
'maybe I should ask her about Shinji…'
"Well let's get this over with… we were actually scheduled to do this next week, but the commander has apparently found a new use for me and I'm very busy" Ritsuko said more out of spite for herself than making actual conversation with the girl.
"I…see" the blue-headed girl replied. The doctor glanced at Rei for a moment, as she was not expecting a reply. She then tied the pressure band around the girls arm causing Rei to flinch at her aggressiveness.
"Dr. Akagi?"
The doctor turned her head around towards the girl "…yes Rei?" she was surprised the girl actually spoke to her. She would never start conversation with her before, unless she was asked a question.
"Why did Ikari-kun run away?" she said, her head looking down slightly.
'…this is odd' the doctor smiled as she took hold of the girls arm, readying the needle. "You've changed Rei" she said as she inserted the needle into the girls arm
'…it...hurts…'
"Lately you seem to act more… human" she said still grinning as she injected the contents and threw the needle into a waste disposal bin.
"Is that wrong?" the girl asked as she looked up towards the doctor.
"Of course not!" she replied as she placed a cotton pad against the puncture mark then untied the pressure band from the girl "Its just…" she turned around and placed the items in the bag "I never expected this from a doll…"
"………….."
The doctor then picked up her bag and walked to the exit "But remember Rei… dolls don't like boys"
"………….."
"I am not a doll" the girl said with a small amount of conviction as she gazed at the doctor. This caused the doctor to stop and glare at the girl.
"Don't answer back to me! Remember I'm the one who keeps that empty body of yours alive!" hatred clearly in the doctor's eyes "Do I make myself clear?"
Rei starred blankly at the older woman before answering, "…yes doctor"
Ritsuko made her way outside the door but stopped and gazed over her shoulder "The commander wont be pleased with your new attitude Rei" she then switched off the light and closed the door behind her, leaving Rei alone in pitch black.
"……….…."
'She… didn't answer my question…'
Outside the doorRitsuko stood leaning against the door breathing heavily. 'My god!… what's wrong with me?' she thought panicking to herself, but suddenly fell to her knees as vivid images began flashing through her mind. Images of being with Misato and Shinji in the reserve tank room, surrounded by decaying and breaking bodies.
'Th…that was… me?' she fell forward holding her head in the fetus position and started to cry '…I…I was…we …lost them…because of… m-me?'
Clank
Rei stepped out of the pitch-black room and closed the door behind her. As she turned to leave she stopped to see a terrified Ritsuko looking up at her desperately.
After 10 seconds of starring blankly at the doctor she turned and made her way back to Nerv HQ.
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Katsuragi Residence
Asuka was lying on her back with her legs crossed reading a magazine, which she held above her. She had been like this for the past hour or so, reading anything and everything she could find as the TV failed to entertain her.
"Aaaargh… Shinji no baka!" she yelled in frustration as she sat up and threw her magazine at the wall. She looked at her watch '9:47pm'
"Why do I have to suffer just because he feels like running away?" she said angrily then took a very large breath and slowly let it out. She sat in the middle of the room with her chin resting on her knee and her arms wrapped around her.
She looked around the room randomly scanning for anything that could possibly serve a purpose. Her eyes stopping as a small flashing light caught her attention from the other side of the room.
Her head popped up as she identified the object '…the phone! Yes I'll phone Hikari, see what she's upto!' She quickly got up and walked to the phone with intent and purpose.
She picked it up and quickly dialled her friend's number then leaned back against the wall and waited for an answer.
Hikari: "Hello?"
"Hey Hikari its Asuka"
Hikari: "Oh hey Asuka! What's up?"
Asuka pulled herself off the wall and made her way to the sitting area "Ahh nothing much… actually I'm bored out of my mi-……." Asuka suddenly stopped as she heard mumbling in the background.
"Hikari who's with you?"
Hikari: "whisper-whisper …oh umm… no one Asuka"
Asuka rolled her eyes "Hikari you are such a bad liar you know that? Besides I've just heard you whispering!"
Hikari: "Oh.. I…no its not whisper-giggle-whisper …."
Hikari: "….whisper-stop it… toji!-whisper-giggle…"
"Hikari! What's that stooge doing with you at this time?" Asuka was frustrated with her friend… she hated that guy! And what the hell was he doing with her?
Hikari: "No Asuka it's not what you think! –rumble- (((tell-her-to go away))) --"
'!'
"Tell that worthless piece of fish bait that I'm going to kill him tomorrow!" Asuka fumed after hearing his words.
A few rumblings and a lot of noise later Hikari came back to the phone.
Hikari: "Sorry about that Asuka… we can speak now"
"Hikari! Just what's he doing at your house at this time?" she demanded. His comment earlier set the fire burning.
Hikari: "i…its... nothing asuka.. we… we just spend time together some nights… that's all" the girl replied timidly.
"Some nights? So this isn't the first time? You….. " Asuka stopped then let out a sigh "… you know what? Forget it, do what you like…"
Hikari: "Thanks Asuka" she said chirpily "Anyway what's up? Why did you call?"
"Ohh no reason really, I've just been bored out of my mind because Misato and the baka are out" she said letting out a sigh
Hikari: "Oh so Shinji's ok then? That's good news"
"Well no actually, the reason I'm alone is because the idiot's gone! He's got the whole of Nerv looking for him!"
Hikari: "What? He's missing? What happened!"
"Pffft the idiot ha-----..BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP" Asuka pulled the phone away from her ear due to the sudden loud noise, which was shortly replaced by a woman operator's voice.
"We are sorry. But this call has been terminated for security reasons, we apologise for the inconvenience and ask for your full cooperation and understanding"
Asuka starred at the phone for a few seconds before turning it off… she was not pleased.
"SHINJI NO BAKA!"
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Streets of Tokyo-3
Rei was making her way through the city streets, it was nighttime and she was exhausted. She had spent the rest of the day with the commander who had summoned her before she left Nerv after having her 'appointment' with Dr. Akagi.
As she continued to walk across the dark city, the streetlights marking her way, she thought back to what the commander had spoken to her about, and of what she was required to do.
'…this is…my purpose?' she was confused, she didn't understand why he asked her to do this. But it wasn't her place to question orders '…even if I am… required to die…' She frowned at that thought, but couldn't understand why.
It wasn't her orders that confused her… or even death itself. It was the newly found doubt that confused her 'Is this what Dr.Akagi meant? By being more… human?'
She continued across a road and turning a street corner as she could gradually make out her apartment building in the distance '…I should rest… it will be clear tomorrow'
She looked to her left towards the trees, plants and hedges. She had never noticed them before… 'they are… pretty' she thought to herself as she stopped and held a flower in the small palm of her hand.
whimper- -sniff- -whimper
Rei quickly looked up '…someone is... crying' she released the flower and made her way through a small opening in the hedge. It was very dark and she could barely see. She heard the weeping again and turned over a small hedge to see someone sitting bent forward weeping.
'…. Shinji?'
She made her way towards him but quickly stopped as the boy jumped up at the sound of her footsteps.
"Who's there?" he said, alarmed
Rei stood there and observed the third child. He looked dirty, tired and his face was red, streaked with tears.
"Ikari-kun… people are looking for you"
'Rei?…' the boy was surprised to see her.
"I… I know.." He tried his best to straighten himself out, but his hands could only do so much "but… I…" he stopped as he looked at the girl. She stood stirring at him blankly.
"You should report in at Nerv" she said absolutely, but with a hint of concern.
She felt strange seeing the boy the way he was. It wasn't right… she wanted to correct it but didn't have the slightest clue how. So instead she did the first thing that came to mind.
"I will take you too Nerv" she said as she walked towards the boy and grabbed his arm, walking him out of the bushes. The boy meekly followed her '…?'
As she continued marching him towards the nearest Nerv entrance she felt him flinch slightly in her hand, which caused her to turn towards him
"Rei… I…ummm" he looked down towards the ground. She stopped and turned towards him letting his hand go and waited for him to speak.
"I… don't think …I …want to go just yet…" he said meekly still looking down at the ground.
"Why?" she could see he seemed more nervous and edgy than usual.
He looked up at her and began to rub the back of his neck "I…umm.. ran… ran away" he continued to look at her timidly "So… I …d-don't want to go back… just yet"
"You want to leave this place?" A confused expression came across the girls face.
He slowly looked down again and nodded slightly.
Although she didn't understand very well, and she knew that the correct thing to do was bring him into Nerv………… however….
She turned back around and started walking the way they came. The boy stood there and watched her leave… he was unsure of what she was doing.
Sensing he wasn't following her, she stopped and looked over her shoulder "Are you coming Ikari-kun?"
Still rubbing the back of his neck "Umm… where too?"
She turned around fully to face him "To my apartment… you cannot sleep outside"
Shinji looked up at the girl and smiled before walking ahead with her
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End of Chapter 2:
Well that's chapter 2 done! Thanks for the reviews! Any constructive criticism is always welcome! I will try and get chapter 3 out within 2 weeks but I cant promise anything sorry :(
Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for reading!
Cheers-Keshin