Disclaimer: well… we have this again. We all know the drill. I'm poor, it would cost more to come after me then what you would get from me in the end.
Chapter 22
The day after the party, the resident gods and goddess did feel a bit better then they did before the party. Renewed, and refreshed; ready to start their search for a way back home again. But like every other day of going to the school there in Tokyo-3 no one really wanted to go…
"Another day of lies…" Anata said under her breath.
"We can't judge how the people do things here." Fiona remarked. "We just have to accept it for how they do things here."
"It's still wrong… but if you think about if someone did tell everyone what really happened, do you thank that anyone would believe?" Anata asked.
"Probably not." Fiona answered.
"And that's the sad thing about it all." Anata said. "The disinformation that's been fed to the kids over the years, made them believe what ever the UN and NERV tells them. Did you see the paper the day after Natsuki was killed?"
"No… what did it say?"
"A natural gas explosion… WHAT THE HELL!" Anata screamed. "And people bought it!"
"Well at any rate I didn't have the chance to ask Raziel last night if Rei is getting out of the hospital anytime soon." Fiona said. "I hope she's feeling better."
"Raziel said about another week…. Hay how bout after school we get Shinji, Asuka, Toji, Kensuke and Hikari and we go and visit her?" Anata said clapping her hands. "I'm sure she'll love that."
"That's a wonderful idea!"
Meanwhile Raziel was paying Rei another visit. As he walked down the hall to her room, Raziel wiseled a little happy tone her remembered hearing along the way. Just something that got stuck in his head. When he got closer to Rei's hospital room, he found that the door was open. Taking a peek inside, he then found that Rei was well enough to be sitting up on her own, and her face was stuck in a book of some type.
"Well it looks like someone's feeling better from yesterday." Raziel said from the doorway. "May I come in?"
Re nodded. "I'm feeling much better, thank you." Then she went back to her book. Making Raziel shake his head.
"Rei what are you doing?" he asked.
"I do have my studies." She answered with out looking up from her book.
"Nah-uh, Rei have you even looked out side lately?" Raziel asked.
Rei glanced over to the window, and then she returned to her book. "There is nothing spectacular out side."
"You're kidding right?" Raziel moaned. "Are you well enough to take a small trip outside, on a wheelchair of course?"
Before Rei had a chance to answer, Raziel had already lightly took the book from her hands and walked over to the wheelchair that was folded up against the wall. Unfolding it, Raziel used his god powers and lightly lifted Rei from her bed. As he did she let a surprised squeak escape her lips then it turned to an almost laugh as she hovered there in mid air. Raziel, when finished unfolding the chair turned it to Rei and pushed in so it was under her, then he lowered Rei in to the wheelchair.
"Now we just need to get those IV's there…. And we're be set." Raziel said as he hung Rei's IV's on a rod that came out of the side of the chair.
"Now where would you like to go?"
"I do not know where I would like to go." Rei answered in a small voice.
"Okay where do you want to go?" Raziel asked. "Outside in the garden, the cafeteria….. But I don't thank their food you do you any good, even if you had clear bill of health."
"Are you sure that this is permitted?" Rei asked, looking back at Raziel as he pushed her out the room.
"If there's any trouble I'll take responsibility for it."
Back at the school, Anata and Fiona sat there in class. And like the times before they sat there board. So vary board…. tossing a peace of wad of paper to Anata. Fiona waited for Anata to pick it up. Seeing the peace of paper, Anata picked it up and started to read it.
'Your computer isn't open. Shinji's been wanting to get hold of you for some time.' Anata read to her self. Then looking over at Shinji she got a shay wave.
Opening her school's laptop, Anata found that there several messages waiting for her from Shinji. 'What did you need Shinji?' Anata typed.
'Oh good Fiona got you to open your computer…. I heard that you can play.' Shinji typed back. 'Piano I thank it was.'
'Yeah that's right. I used to play the piano. Why?' Typed Anata.
'Well during lunch if I can talk you in to playing.' Shinji entered. 'I can make a recording…. Since you guys could find a way back to your worlds at anytime. Thank of it as something Asuka, Rei and My self can remember you guys from.'
Anata thought about for a second or two. 'Okay Shinji. I'll come out of retirement for you. But it's going to cost you.'
'Cost me what?'
Anata sat there and thinking about it. 'I'll bring it up later….'
Later on that day when lunch rolled around, Anata found her self waiting at the music room for Shinji. Taking a bite out of the apple she brought from home she looks over at the clock. "Man… Shinji better hurry up. Lunch isn't that long."
"Sorry I'm late; Asuka was giving me some problems." Shinji said as he rounded the corner to the music room.
"It's okay she's just protecting what's…. never mind." Anata said. "So you want me to play?"
"If it's not too much to ask." Shinji quickly added.
Anata rolled her eyes that went unnoticed by Shinji. "Okay I'll play for you. But you gotta take Asuka on another date."
"Another one?" Shinji asked back. "The first one was hard enough, but a second?"
"Take it or leave it, that's what it's going to take to get me to play." Anata said then she started to turn away.
"Okay I'll do it…."
"Tonight?"
Shinji closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "Yeah… I'll do it."
"You like her don't you? Like her a lot right?" Anata asked.
"Yeah I do…. Like her a lot."
Anata then stepped into the music room. Then walked up to the piano and pulled out the bench. "What do you want to hear?"
"What ever you want to play." Shinji said pressing the record button to the recorder in the room.
Anata again sat there thinking, and then she looked over at Shinji. "I haven't played in a long time so don't expect much."
Placing her fingers on the keys, Anata started to play a peace of music that was simple and sincere, music that if it was a song it would translate to how she really felt about her love Kou, her life and how things are shaping out to be. As she played students through out the halls started to hear her music fill the halls. Fallowing it they everyone that could bunched up around the door trying to get a look at who was playing. Word then spread around the school that Anata Morisato played, and was good at it.
26 years in the future, Goddess of the Earth Universe…
Sitting at the kitchen table at the temple, Aya worked on a small laptop computer typing vary fast. As she worked she hummed the vary same tune that her mother Anata played all those years ago. Hearing the humming, Aya's grandfather, Keiichi walked in to the kitchen looking for something to snack on. "You've gotten pretty good on that thing."
"One of the rules of evolution, adapt or parish." Aya said. "Did you need anything grandpa Keiichi?"
"Nah, I was just looking for a late night snack…. That's a nice tune." Keiichi said as he opened the fridge. "Where's you hear it?"
"It was from a vary old recording of mom playing a piano, when we had the things around uncle Shinji would let me play the tape in his old SDAT player." Aya replied.
"SDAT? I thought you had no electricity?" Said Keiichi.
"You heard of using a potato to power an alarm clock?" Asked Aya. "It's much the same thing. It's also the only thing that had a recording of mom's voice."
"I guess it was hard growing up with out you mother." Keiichi said the he went quite. "Kou I can tell he was a good father."
"He was a good dad…. And Uncle Shinji and Aunt Asuka where good parents too. They raised me after dad died." Aya said.
"Miss them?" Keiichi asked.
"Every moment… and there was Sousuke…." Said Aya.
"Your grandmother has this saying. To know true happiness, one must experience true sorrow." Keiichi said. "Cheer up kiddo, things will start to look up. I know they will."
Aya started back up typing when her grandfather left the kitchen, then pressing the enter button. Aya leaned back in her chair. 'Things will not turn out this way… I will make sure of that.' she thought to her self. Then she pulled out a cell phone and plugged it in to the laptop. "Yet another tool made for the job."
Present day, Evangelion Universe…
When School ended everyone met at the front of the school. Fiona was able to get people to sign a get well soon card for Rei. And had some of the other students to come with them to the hospital.
"That's everyone I guess." Fiona said.
"Alright Kou said he'll meet us there. He needed to cook up something." Said Anata.
And so everyone went to the hospital to pay Rei a visit.
Some half hour later, Raziel pushed Rei back in to the hospital room, she seemed to have a rather content look after spending all that day out in the hospital's garden.
"See, I thank that I was right." Raziel said as he moved the bed sheets down. "Now let's see about getting you back in to bed…."
As Raziel was getting Rei's hospital bed ready, he didn't notice Rei forcing her self to her own feet. "Okay you ready?" Raziel asked as he turned around. "Rei!"
Rei painfully forced her self to her feet and staggered over to the bed. "I am fine…" She said. "I need to start showing that I can return to my duties."
Rushing to Rei's side, Raziel helped her the reset of the way. "Can't they just get another pilot. I mean if you for some reason can't pilot anymore?"
Lying back down in the hospital bed Rei looked up at Raziel. "Eva defines who I am, and with out Eva I am nothing."
Raziel shook his head. "Rei don't say that. You are worth more then just a pilot. You can do so much more then just pilot that monstrosity… "
Raziel stopped when he felt Rei's soft hand on his cheek. Then he saw her smile. "You are so kind to me, why is that?"
Raziel blinked. "Because you are a good person…. All of you are."
Just then the hospital room door opened. "Hi Rei!" several people yelled. Then they went silent when they saw how Rei and Raziel where.
A personal moment….
"What the hell! Raziel!" Anata shouted. "What about my best friend!"
Raziel jumped back. "It's not what it looks like! Honest!"
"Raziel! First Miss Yuu and now Miss Rei?" Kou stated. "You bring shame to us males."
"What! It's not what it looks like!" Raziel then quickly looked over at Rei. "Rei tell them!"
"There is no romantic relationship between myself and Raziel-kun." Rei said in her normal monotone voice.
Fiona stood there in front of the other students of the class. "Kun?" she asked out loud. "Raziel….."
"Yeah?"
"We believe you. Right sis?" Fiona asked looking over at Anata.
"Yeah we do."
"So what's with all the people?" Raziel finally asked, knowing that Rei was wondering the same thing.
"We came here to see how wonder girl is doing." Asuka said.
Rei looked around at all the students from her class. "But why?"
"Rei…" Raziel said. "It's just like I said. You're more then just a pilot. And this is proof of it."
26 years in the future, Goddess of the Earth Universe.
'Aya… Aya, wake up sleepy head.'
Opening her eyes, Aya saw a fuzzy image of one Sousuke Ikari. Her love, her life, all that is her reason for living; slowly come in to focus.
'You know if your mother catches you in here with me will kill us both.'
The young Ikari moves his long hair from his face. 'I thank kill is a strong word… try forced labor.'
'When are we going to tell your mom and dad about us and how we want to start building our own place?'
Sitting up on the edge of Aya's bed, Sousuke looks over his shoulder. 'My dad will be easy… but my mother…' He paused for a moment to take in a deep breath. 'Timing is everything. Telling her at the wrong time will be really bad for the both of us, but either way they will both know that we want to start building a life for the two of us… maybe even for one other some time down the road.'
Jumping up, Aya wrapped her arms around Sousuke. 'When? When will that right time be?'
'Soon, vary soon.'
Waking her self from her dream of what was in her life; Aya found that she had fallen asleep there at the kitchen table while working on the laptop. Then she noticed that she was wrapped up in a blanket. Snapping her eyes wide open, Aya moved the mouse to her laptop to see that the password protected screen saver was up and running.
'Grandma Belldandy will never intrude on others personal affairs… but if the information was there before her, she may take a peek… thank goodness for this screen saver.' Aya thought to her self.
Closing the laptop she picked it up and went to her bedroom that was once he mothers. Placing the computer on the desk she went back out to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Turning on the water, she cupped the cool water and splashed it in her face.
'Days… Days from fixing things… and Sousuke, my love. I'm sorry, we'll meet some other time, some other place.' Aya thought again to her self. Then she looked up at her reflection. "The heavens denied my request to do this, I am not of this world; I do not recognize their rules. I will take matters in my own hands." She whispered to her self. Her bright green eyes flashed for a second.
The next day, Aya again sat at the kitchen table. But not for work, but for breakfast, she would admit that even her uncle Shinji could never cook as good as her grandmother Belldandy. As she ate she knew that her grandmother was watching her and wanted to ask her a question.
"Yeah grandma?" Aya asked after she finished chewing her fork full of eggs.
"I did not say anything." Belldandy said with a confused look.
"You have a look that was telling me that you wanted to ask me something." Aya stated.
"I was simply wondering if there was anything that troubles you." Belldandy asked. "You've been withdrawn lately."
"It's the same thing that's been bothering me." Aya said then she stood up from the table. "If you will excuse me…"
"Aya! Wait, if you keep this sadness with in you, it will only make you sadder." Said Belldandy. "Please let me help you."
Aya stopped at the kitchen door and turned around to face her grandmother. "I asked for help before and great grandfather and you rejected the cry for help. Now I will take things in my own hands."
"Aya…"
"Don't say that you understand, because you don't. You don't know how it's like to be taken away from your love. To be taken way from the only life you've known." Aya stated, tears snow streaming from her eyes. "So don't stop me, when I fix those wrongs."
"Wait Aya!"
Slamming her fist in to the hard wood that made up the door frame. Aya flashed her eyes at Belldandy. "Don't, just don't."
Then she just walked away, leaving her grandmother there in the kitchen. Confused and frightened.
Present day, Evangelion Universe…
Returning home from visiting Rei. The resident gods and goddesses stopped by a small roman booth for something to eat. Taking a seat and ordering what they wanted. They each sat there in silence for a moment. Then Raziel looked over at the others.
"That was nice of you guys to get just about the whole class to visit Rei." Raziel said. "Thanks you guys."
"Rei is our friend and little dose she know she has lots of friends." Fiona said.
"I know that but Rei has this sick idea about her self worth… she said that with out the Evangelions she is nothing" Raziel said then he looked down. "I really want to know why she's like that."
Anata shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows, she's just as bad as Shinji and Asuka. I mean I like all three of them but face it they're all screwed up."
"Mental problems… Mental scars…." Kou said as took his chop sticks and broke them apart.
"I guess I can ask the commander…. By the way, Fiona he wanted to examine us, and in return he'll tell us just what the Evangelion are." Raziel said. "I told him no deal."
Kou looked over. "This could be what we need. NERV has what we need to find our way back. Raziel do you run across the commander often?"
Anata looked over at Kou. "What! You're willing to go with this? Kou he almost destroyed this world and not to bring up the small fact I HATE DOCORS!"
Anata's out burst made the roman guy jump back slightly with her bowel in his hand. "Uh your roman miss…."
"This maybe the only chance we have to use the recourses that NERV has to offer." Kou said. "But I will come up some rules for this 'Examination'."
Back at the Katsuragi apartment Shinji stood there at the door to the living room. Watching Misato and not really sure how to ask her for some money…
"You've been standing there for a good half hour Shinji." Misato said making the meek boy jump. "You need anything?"
"H… How did you know I was here?" Shinji asked.
"I can see your reflection on the TV." Misato answered. "So what's on your mind?"
"Misato can I ask a favor of you?" Shinji asked.
"Sure Shinji what is it?"
"IneedtobarrowsomemoneysoicantakeAsukaout!" Shinji said really fast in one breath.
Misato sat there looking at Shinji, trying to make out what she had just heard the boy blurt out. Then she took a swig of her beer, taking the time to processes what he just said. Then she figured it out. "Sure Shinji, but why?"
Shinji let out a little sigh. "I want to take Asuka out, but I don't have any cash. And I want to take her some place nice." Shinji said. "Please Misato it would really mean a lot."
Misato shook her head. "Sure I'll do even better. I'll hand you one of my credit cards. But just don't run it up to high."
In Asuka's room, she listening to some bizarre European rock music, when she heard a knock at her door. turning down the music, she went over to the door. "Yeah what do you want Shinji? I have homework to do."
"Well I was wondering if you'd like to go for dinner?" Shinji asked. "Some place nice maybe?"
Asuka just stood there looking at Shinji, and then a smile grew across her face. "Okay… I'm game for it. But nothing funny!"
"I would never….."
"Yeah, Yeah let me get ready."
Back at the Roman booth, as Raziel, Fiona, Anata and Kou ate, they where being watched by Section 2 from across the road. Taking a sip of his coffee, an agent's cell phone went off. "Yes hello?... Commander Ikari. What can I do for you sir?... Yes sir we're watching them eat dinner right now…….. Yes sir, we'll bring them in." hanging up the phone, the agent looks over at his partner. "Ikari want us to bring them in."
"But aren't they gods goddesses? I don't think it will be that easy."
"Have you seen any god like powers from any of them?" The first agent asked.
"No."
"Okay, grab the stun gun." The first agent said. "Then come on."
At the stand Raziel took a sip of his soda, then he happened to look up when he felt the two men approach then he looked over at Kou.
"I know… Visitors." Kou said just before taking in a mouth full of noodles.
"Morisato. Morino." one of the agents said. making the four look over their shoulders. "Commander Ikari would like to speak to you four."
"I apologize, but we are eating dinner at the moment." Kou said. "And we would like to not be disturbed."
"The commander said he would like to speak to you four." The second agent said.
"Sorry we don't take solicitations while we're eating." Anata said, and then she took a big gulp of her drink.
"I will not say it again." The first agents said. "Commander Ikari wishes to speak to you." Then he put his hand on to Anata's shoulder making her stiffen up, and then she took the man's hand from her shoulder. "Please don't touch me… your stupidity might rub off."
"What! You little bitch!" before the agent had a chance to do anything. Kou was up from his seat and was standing between Anata and the agent, mostly for the Section 2 agent's safety.
"I would recommend that you not start any trouble." Kou said, his voice cold and low. "It could be hazardous to your health."
"If you four come with us there will be no trouble." The second agent said.
"For the love of…. I just want to eat my dinner in peace." Raziel said in a whine. "Please!"
The first agent approached the young god. "Gees kid I'm sorry I just doing my job."
Raziel then grabbed the agent and pulled him close to him while turning to his Evangelion form. "I just want to eat… and I do have a craving for meat."
Half hour later….
"Ikari, the four you wish to speak too are here with your agents." The sub-commander said opening the door into Gendo's office.
Gendo adjusted his glasses. "Please send them in."
Opening the door all the way, the two gods and two goddesses walked in. Raziel was in his Evangelion form with the two section 2 agents under his arms, both knocked out cold. He dropped them to the floor.
THUD
"Yeah we really don't like being bothered while we're eating." Raziel said, and then he turned back to his normal form. "Just something to remember."
"I have a proposition." Gendo said. "If you four agree to our studies I will have NERV scientist help you find a way back to your home universes."
"Yeah… well I don't like doctors." Anata stated.
"Just what type of studies will this consist of?" Kou asked.
"A combination of physical and psychological tests." Gendo answered.
Kou shook his head. "There will be no physical examinations, and no tissue samples. We do not wish for a repeat of Natsuki."
Gendo thought about it for a second. "Vary well, no samples. But there maybe a time where I may request that one of you sit in side of our Evangelion."
The four huddled around each other. "What do you thank?" Kou whispered.
"I don't trust him." Fiona whispered back. "But it's probably our best bet."
"No kidding, we should take this offer." Raziel said. "I for one would like to know more about the Evangelion."
"Anata?" Kou whispered. "What do you thank?"
"I don't like doctors, but if it means that it betters our chances to get home." Anata took in a deep breath. "I'll suffer."
Kou then turned to face Gendo. "We'll do it. But there is one request."
"And that will be?" Gendo asked, not expecting this to happen.
"Currently we are living in some tight conditions. And we require something a little lager…. Perhaps something about the size of Major Katsuragi's apartment?"
Gendo rubbed his chin. "It will be arranged in the morning, and that is also when the first study will take place."
Kou nodded. "Vary well. Till we meet again."
Meanwhile across town, Shinji and Asuka sat eating in a rather up scale place.
"Okay I'll say it. I'm impressed Shinji. What you do knock off you dad and got some cash for it?" Asuka asked before taking a sip of ice water.
"No…. I had a little help, let please leave it at that." Shinji replied.
"So tell me why the change, first the bike ride, then this? What's going on?" Asuka asked.
"Honestly?" Shinji asked.
"Please."
"The truth is I like you Asuka. I like you a lot. And I'm trying to get on your good side maybe some type of dating relationship going." Shinji answered.
"Why?"
"I don't know. I can't explain why I like you so much." Shinji said. "It's like when I went in to that volcano to save you. Misato asked why I did something so risky. I told her I didn't know, but I guess I couldn't see my life with out you screaming at me, or depending on me for so much."
"You really are a dork are you?" Asuka said with a smile. "But I guess you're my dork…"
Shinji looked up at Asuka; a smile grew across his face.
26 years in the future, Goddess of the Earth Universe…
Laying there in her room, Aya tried losing her self in the music that played softly. But it wasn't working. There was nothing going on and she was waiting for something she needed to carry out her task. It was a plug suite, blue and white. She knew that something like that would be too hard to get since this universe was more in to the future then her home universe where he love Sousuke was at.
'Time, space, and other universe, these things mean nothing to me anymore. The only thing that matters to me now is the task at hand. I've done all the math. And I know just what is needed to get mom and dad back. I just need to get that bastard Ikari to give them up. If the stories are accurate then this vary night is the night where Gendo makes that offer to mom and dad. He'll never fallow through with it.' Aya thought to her self. "He'll screw them over…."
T.B.C.