Sins and Retributions

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Dr. Shinji

Hot tears dripped on the pale form of a redheaded girl, as the boy over her cried softly, "Asuka… Why won't you wake up? I-I just need to see you one more time. I never got to say what I needed to say. Dammit, I mustn't run away. That isn't what she would do… I-I… I need to be brave!" His chestnut hair fluttered in the wind, and his blue eyes clouded over.

One last tear dripped onto Asuka's beautiful visage, as she clenched her eyes shut and blinked awake. "Sh-Shinji? What the hell…?" she focused her icy blue eyes into Shinji's, and hoarsely spoke.

Shinji immediately snapped out of his reveries and stared back, "A-Asuka…? ASUKA!" He hugged her as hard as he could, "I thought I lost you."

Asuka smiled faintly, and she said, "Dummkopf (Idiot)… I can't be killed that easily, denken sie nicht? (don't you think?)"

As Shinji picked himself up, he saw the flames in Asuka's eyes and the corners of her mouth twitched, "Watch where you put that HAND!" THWACK! She decked Shinji, and smiled.

Picking himself up again, out of the wet sand, he mumbled, "What the hell did I do?" As he looked up as Asuka he realized his mistake, on her chest was Shinji's left sandy handprint. Shinji brushed off his clothes and said, "Guess I did deserve that one."

She was taken aback and thought to herself, 'Where is the constantly apologizing child I knew?' "Yeah! You did! Dumb ass jerk! I hate you Shinji! Why am I here with you of all people! Why isn't it me and Kaji!"

Shinji reared on the girl and shouted, "Kaji is dead! Get it through your pea brain skull! For going to college, you sure are an idiot!"

Asuka punched him in the stomach and said, "Don't you ever, ever, EVER talk about Kaji in front of me! I'm leaving!"

Shinji sat down and said, "Who's running now? Only children run away like that Asuka! But then again, you are a child, aren't you?"

The redhead turned with rage in her eyes and kicked him in the face, "Shut up! Who the hell do you think you are! You're NOTHING!"

Shinji wiped the blood from his lip and said, "It seems we have something in common. You're just a pathetic kid who wants everyone's attention. I tried Asuka. I really tried. But now… I'm tired of this shit from you. Leave if you want."

Asuka could feel tears coming from her eyes, and she screamed at herself, 'WHY SHOULD I GIVE A DAMN WHAT HE THINKS!' The girl stomped to the young pilot and screamed, "Do you know what you did to me?"

Shinji blanched, 'Not that… Please not that… I didn't mean too… But I had so much in my mind in the hospital… I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to!'

She continued, "You took everything from me! I was finally happy! You just waltzed along and ripped me from it! Then you backed down from doing what I wanted! Why the hell didn't you just take my life! You've already taken everything else!"

He snapped back, "Quit your bitching! Do you know what I went through while you were prancing in that field of lies! Hell no you don't! I was in hell! I WAS IN HELL! THE CHAINS… THE FIRE… IT WAS ALL THERE! Somehow… I've been sent to the last circle of hell… Life alone with you!"

Asuka dove on top of the boy and began strangling him, but Shinji simply smiled, 'Finally, I can have a little peace.'

The redhead collapsed on top of him and beat his chest, "Why can't I just kill you? You're spineless! I hate you… right?"

'Do I? Do I hate him? Hasn't he saved my ass countless times? NO! I HATE HIM! Dammit! I can't do it… I can't do it…' she thought.

Shinji sat up and lightly pushed her off of him, "Look… I'm just wound a little too tight right now. Can we just apologize and sort this out in the morning?" A tearful Asuka nodded.

(-----)

Shinji lie face up in the sand, looking away from the ocean. He shivered slightly, and Asuka sat down next to him. "Shinji… Why am I here? Why didn't you bring Wondergirl back?"

The pilot of Unit 01 rolled on his side, "I don't know what to do around her. She's a clone of my mother, yet she's also a sister. It scares me. I… I think you're here because… well you're the only one that I have clear feelings for. Either I hate you or I like you. There is no in between. What about you? It probably took something on your part to get here."

The girl snorted and stood back up, "Yeah right! Why would I want to be here?" The Third Child punched the sand and buried his fist.

(-----)

Asuka kicked Shinji awake, and said, "What the hell are you doing sleeping in so late?"

Shinji sat up like a zombie and stood up. He took a few steps towards the girl and stomped his foot, "SHUT UP! I'm tired of this bullshit Asuka! Starting now, we're having a no holds barred talk! This is Dr. Shinji's Private Talk Show! I wanna see just why you hate me so much."

The girl slapped him and said, "You're a wimp! You constantly apologize and run away from all of your problems. But most of all, I hate you because you have everything I want! You get all of the praise. Everyone likes you best and you always save me!"

'If he's a wimp, then why does he save you? Does he gloat when he gets attention? No… You do though…' a voice spoke to Asuka.

'But that's different!' Asuka complained

'No… You hate him because you don't have a good reason to hate him.' Again it spoke, words hitting Asuka like lead.

The boy shrugged, "I don't want anyone's praise. I'd be happy to just fade… I can't help it if I get lucky in the Eva. But you… you always talk down to me. You tease me by pretending to be my friend, and then spit it in my face! How many times have you hit me? I can't remember that high of a number. The physical blows pale in comparison to the mental ones! I would take five slaps for each time you called me a name! You reject me just like Father did! I hate it! I wanted to be alone on this earth. Or to possibly have somebody who understands me! But no! I have to get stuck with somebody who would rather hang herself than talk with me!"

'I will NEVER let anyone run my life again. I'm finished being a little bitch about things! I don't give a damn about what you think Asuka! I'll live however the hell I want!' Shinji's voice and thoughts bared his fangs.

Asuka stepped back, and quietly said, "Don't you ever talk about hanging in front of me again."

Shinji stepped forward and held on to her shoulders and said, "STOP ORDERING ME TO DO THINGS! Look… I'm sorry Asuka. I just don't know how to deal with you."

Asuka pointed to her face, "Hit me. Do it Shinji! I hit you all the time! What's one little slap? We are going to hell in a hand basket and I'm afraid. I'm a bitch! I know that! If we can just end this little argument, could we be friends?"

The Third Child smiled fleetingly, then said, "I can't hit you Asuka! You're a girl. I don't hit my friends… 'cept Toji, because that's what he really wanted. I don't see how hitting you could help our friendship, but I will accept that friendship."

The redhead took Shinji's hand and hit herself with it and smiled satisfactorily, "That ends that. Are we friends, Dr. Shinji?" Shinji Ikari nodded, "Yeah…"

Redemption

Asuka and Shinji sat facing each other on the beach near the LCL. The two laughed as they recounted the 'Good Old Days.' Things seemed to have been calming down between the two finally. Maybe friendship wasn't a ridiculously high standard…

The girl smiled at him as she recounted their lesson on Thermal Expansion, while he blushed furiously. Then she recounted the time that she walked in on him in the shower.

This time, Shinji laughed and he said, "Yeah… I've already seen myself naked though. What about the time before the seventh angel? You were sleeping right next to me, who knows what you were thinking. Or could it be that you were trying to take advantage of little, old me?"

Asuka blushed and raged at the same time, "Oh shut up! That wasn't my fault! Maybe if you didn't sleep so close to me while we were training I would have stayed in my room."

Shinji blinked and then laughed, "Misato slept between us!"

The German huffed, "Well that's still too close!" Wiping away tears from laughing, Shinji said, "What about that time you didn't close the door all the way after that shower?"

Asuka nodded, "Yeah… wait… WHAT!"

Shinji Ikari immediately thought, 'Oh shit!' He took off running down the beach and up the dunes towards the ruins of the city of Tokyo III.

Asuka was much faster than he, and she overtook him while shouting every curse in the book.

Just as Shinji thought his arm was going to get ripped off, he noticed that people were staring at them curiously… "People? I saw them die though?"

Asuka had noticed them also, and she feigned biting Shinji's ear. As he shivered in his school uniform, she whispered forcefully, "Hey Dummkopf! I thought they died."

He stammered back, "I- uh- they did- didn't they?" Shinji tried to hide his surprise and said, "I think we should just ignore these people and go home…"

"Alright…" Asuka said quietly, barely releasing her grip on Shinji.

Shinji's crimson face betrayed his emotions, and they walked down the street. As they walked down the street, Asuka still held on to him, and whispered, "I'm surprised you recovered from that so fast… But why are there people here? Shouldn't they be with that Angel-bitch?"

Shinji shrugged, and his hand accidentally touched her butt. Blushing furiously, he continued to talk, "I don't know… I just wanted people to be happy. Before I left Hell, Rei came to me with Lilith… They said… They said that I could have whatever I wanted, because I had to endure so much more than everyone else. I just wanted everyone else to be happy, but I don't deserve it. So I damned myself to Earth. Maybe… Maybe these people are here because they were happy with their lives."

"Oh quit complaining! Let's just go home. I don't give a damn about why they're here anymore." Asuka was a little angered that Shinji had to be the martyr and put himself through self-torture.

If she noticed, Asuka wasn't fazed by Shinji touching her backside.

(-----)

Closing the door to Misato's apartment, Asuka suddenly said, "Hey Shinji!"

He froze in his tracks and thought, 'Shit, why did I touch her? Now she's gonna kick my ass.'

Instead of hitting him, Asuka smiled and said, "I'm hungry, go make me something." Shinji looked skeptical, but Asuka's pouting lips and pleading eyes were too much, and he caved in.

As he turned to go to the kitchen, she said once more, "Hey Shinji!" THWACK! "That's for thinking you can play grab-ass with me."

Shinji was lying on the ground, and pretended to be hurt. He thought to himself, 'I'll get even with you!' As she leaned over his body, Shinji shot his head forward and stopped close to Asuka's lips. The girl was stuck in her position, and she was blushing.

Misato walked in the door a bit disheveled, but alive and stopped in her tracks. Smiling impishly, Misato thought it was time for a little pay back for the times they embarrassed her. Whipping out a camera, Misato snapped a quick picture and said, "I don't think you need separate rooms anymore, do you?"

Shinji and Asuka immediately recoiled, a shade darker than crimson, and Shinji babbled incomprehensibly, as Asuka dove off the couch to reach for the camera.

Misato giggled like a school girl, and said, "Isn't fourteen a little too early to be hopping sheets?" Misato's comments just infuriated the Red-headed Devil more. Misato squealed in delight, and Asuka stopped for a second. "AH! Maybe I'll just sell this," Misato said, as Asuka glowered, "to KENSUKE!"

That was the last straw, and as Asuka was reaching for Misato, Shinji held her back… in the wrong spot. Misato took another picture. She slapped Shinji hard on the face, looked between her roommate and guardian, and Asuka screamed, "PERVERSER MENSCH! (Pervert)" Asuka sat down hard, and pouted, "I can't even do anything without perverts taking pictures…"

Misato took the memory card from the camera and slid it in her pocket with a sleight of hands. The purple haired woman knew Asuka was planning something.

As she crouched to check on Asuka, Asuka quickly took the camera and smashed it to thousands of pieces with a savage glow in her eyes. "No hard feelings, eh Misato?" she smiled.

Shinji smiled also, as violent as Asuka was he would never fall out of love with her or her smile. Wistfully, Shinji shook his head and thought, 'I can't tell her, she might not even like me… If I take into consideration what happened on the beach… '

As he looked up, Shinji became aware of Asuka staring at him, "What's wrong? Aren't you going to make dinner?" Shinji was still frozen and Asuka became impatient, "Fine I'll even help you cook!" she shouted.

Shinji smiled and retorted lightly, "You mean, I should teach you to make edible food?"

Asuka glowered and said, "Just hurry up, Third Child." Asuka smiled inwardly, 'He really has grown up, he even stands up to me. He would have never dared to even start a confrontation before, but now… He can even make me embarrassed! When the hell did that happen! He better learn his place!'

Shinji smiled back and their blue eyes locked, and their thoughts were like books as they read them through the library that was the other's eyes. Asuka thought, 'What is this? What is this feeling? Tell me mama! He never used to look into my eyes before, and now… I can't stop staring.'

They both retreated to the kitchen and left Misato to think, 'They really have grown up, but neither can admit that they love the other. Ha, they'll make a good couple, if I can get my hands on a blast shield.'

(-----)

The succulent aromas from the kitchen wafted over to the table, and brought saliva to Misato's mouth. Realizing that she was drooling, Misato quickly covered it up with a chug of beer.

Asuka had her hair pulled back so as not to get it in the food, no matter what she wore, Asuka would always look stunning to Shinji. As she made a mistake in the recipe, Shinji stood right behind her and took her hands and corrected the mistake. Asuka's face turned rosy pink, 'Why am I feeling this way? Is it love? NO! I can't love someone as weak as him… can I?'

As Asuka presented the food to Misato, Shinji set the table and thought, 'I hope she likes Asuka's cooking…'

Misato sat down and started engorging herself in her food, while Shinji sat the Red-headed Beauty in her seat.

As Shinji himself sat down, both he and Asuka were blushing, Misato giggled, "Aw, how cute, the chivalrous Gentleman Shinji and quiet Lady Asuka."

Both blushed even further, and shouted, "Hey, SHUT UP! WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT?"

Misato giggled again and suddenly stopped eating, "Hey Shinji, this food tastes different…"

Shinji saw the light in Asuka's eyes darken and he said, "Is it any good though?"

Misato smiled and exclaimed, "It's certainly different, but I like it, it's nice and spicy." Asuka beamed and said, "Thank you, Misato."

Misato looked frighteningly at Shinji, "A-Asuka cooked this?" As Shinji nodded, Misato started yelling, "Why the hell didn't you tell me, if I didn't like it, this house would be ripped apart and I'd have to leave the country!"

Shinji smiled meekly, and said, "Here is another chance for Asuka to be better than I am."

Asuka playfully pouted, "But I love your cooking, Dummkopf!" Shinji plotted his revenge against Misato for the pictures, and was his chance, "I love a woman who can cook… Guess that's why Misato's still single, huh Asuka?"

Asuka caught on, and said, "She can't even make instant food right." Misato snapped at them, "SHUT YOUR FACES!" Both Shinji and Asuka burst out laughing, while Misato got even angrier, but she brightened her expression, and shouted, "Bedtime!"

Shinji and Asuka looked confused, "But it's only six!" Asuka exclaimed, Misato's grin only broadened and she said loudly, "That's an order!"

(-----)

Shinji lie in bed listening to his music, and rethinking the day, but his thoughts always drifted to Asuka.

Asuka, in her room, was asleep, but not soundly. Nightmares plagued her, but the most frightening was Shinji standing in a dark room calling for her. Abruptly he would stop and stare at his hand as he saw himself bleeding from the stomach, as if he'd been stabbed. She awoke with a shudder and felt hot tears stream down her face, she whispered, "Does Shinji really mean that much to me? How can he? I swore I'd never cry again…"

Silently, Asuka stood and her large t-shirt flopped over her long johns as she walked to her door. Cautiously, Asuka checked where Misato was, upon seeing the light on in the bathroom, Asuka crept to Shinji's door. Like a ninja, Asuka skulked in and saw Shinji staring up at his ceiling, listening to music like he always does when trying to sleep.

She slid into bed next to him and felt him quiver at her slight touch, he looked over at her and noticed the tears on her face. He removed the headphones and wiped the tears from her beautiful sapphires of eyes, not saying a word. "Shinji…" She whispered, "I-I'm scared, I don't know what to do."

Shinji hushed her, and kissed her on the forehead, "It's going to be alright, Asuka." He slid his arms around Asuka's slim waist and held her tightly to his body, where she drifted to a fitful sleep. The boy stood up and lay down on the floor near his bed, 'She'd go crazy if we woke up together…' Shinji never felt happier than he was now, being close, and comforting Asuka when she needed it. Slowly, her methodical breathing lulled Shinji to sleep, near to the most beautiful girl he had ever met.

(-----)

Misato almost broke down the door of Asuka's bedroom, and shouted, "As penance for yesterday, let's leave Shinji here and go clothes shop…ping?" Misato gained a quizzical look in her eyes as she didn't see the mess of golden red hair where it usually was. She shrugged and decided to ask Shinji where Asuka was. As she opened the door saying, "Hey Shinji, where's Asu…ka? Wait… This isn't Asuka's room!"

Misato gasped in horror as she saw the two teenagers in Shinji's room. Keeping her wits about her, Misato checked to see if they were fully clothed. Letting loose a sigh of relief when she saw that both Shinji and Asuka were fully clothed. Smiling like a demon, Misato protruded a camera, and took a picture in the most provocative manner possible.

The flash woke the two up quickly as Misato said, "Ah, Kensuke will pay big bucks for this!" Asuka felt strange, 'Where the hell am I?' But as Shinji rose into view, Asuka looked around the room carefully, and quietly said, "Shinji… Why in the hell am I in your room?"

Quickly Shinji removed his hand and stammered, "B-But you came in last night and said that you had a nightmare." Asuka screamed, "Yeah right! You probably tried to rape me!"

Shinji realized this was it, he won't run away this time, "SHUT UP! I respect you too much to rape you… I respect life too much to rape anything. You came in here because you were scared, so I kept you company!" Shinji was darker than blood, he knew what was going to happen, and he braced himself for it.

But Asuka stared at him looking impressed, "Shinji are you sure that's what happened…? Okay then, I'll take your word for it. Just make sure that you don't try anything funny because of this!" she said with a sweeping motion to herself. The constant flashes of light were unnoticed until they finished talking.

Shinji shook his head and said, "How am I gonna get outta this, especially if Toji and Kensuke know."

(-----)

"Hey Misato, this was a great idea," Asuka smiled. Shinji followed Asuka and Misato with all their clothes they bought. The women stopped in front of a formal dress shop and looked at Shinji, smiling fiendishly. Shinji knew he couldn't get out of this one, so he sighed and stepped in the shop. Misato and Asuka were looking at dresses, while Shinji sat down in a corner.

Misato was eying a deep green dress made of velvet, and she went to try it on. Asuka, on the other hand was having trouble finding a dress, every one she looked at was not the kind of dress a flamboyant girl like Asuka would wear. Finally Shinji stood up and looked from Asuka to a red Chinese style dress and back again. He started to speak, "Um, H-Hey Asuka!"

Her only reply was, "Shut up, I'm trying to find a dress!"

He smiled briefly, and continued, "I think this on would look good on you…"

Asuka looked at Shinji incredulously, "What could you know about a girl's fashion…" She stopped halfway through speaking. Shinji was right. She would look stunning in the dress.

He smiled contently and Asuka ran to show Misato her dress. While they were preoccupied, Shinji bought himself an inverted colored suit. 'Maybe Asuka will think I look good too…' he thought. The girls never noticed the extra bag, since they weren't carrying anything. Shinji smiled, he couldn't wait to wear his new suit.

(-----)

Shinji lie on his bed with his headphones in, despite the fact that it was the afternoon. Asuka came stomping in and pinned him to the bed, "Aren't you gonna help me cook?"

Shinji smirked and said, "Do I really have a choice?"

She grinned and whispered, "Not really." The flash that came from the doorway didn't even bother the two anymore, they believed that Misato was only kidding about sending them to Kensuke.

The two started dinner and left Misato to her own devices. She jumped slightly as the phone rang, "HI!" Misato shouted into the phone, "Really? That's great, she'll be so happy. … Is he still with you? … YES! So who else is coming back? … Hahaha, Kensuke, just the person I wanted to see."

The aroma from the kitchen brought Misato back to reality. "HEY! ASUKA! SHINJI! HIKARI'S BACK IN TOWN! TOJI AND KENSUKE ARE GETTING IN TOMORROW!"

Returns and Confessions

Misato leaped with joy as she swung Pen-Pen like a rag doll, screaming, "WELCOME BACK PEN-PEN!" Hikari hugged Asuka as Shinji, Toji and Kensuke joked around. Asuka looked to Shinji and said gently, "Hey Idiot! Can you cook dinner? Hikari and I have catching up to do."

Shinji shrugged and smiled at her. As they walked away, Asuka said, "Look Hikari, we need to talk."

The Class Rep curtly nodded her head and said, "So what's up?" Asuka looked uncomfortable and Hikari said exasperatedly, "Did Shinji do something!"

Asuka smiled and whispered, "Yes…" Hikari quickly asked if she was hurt, but realized that Shinji couldn't hurt Asuka, even if he wanted to.

Asuka said, "No… I'm not okay… Hikari, what is it like to be in… you know," lowering her voice to the point that Hikari had trouble hearing, Asuka finished, "love?"

It suddenly dawned on Hikari, the looks Asuka gave him, her tone and demeanor had changed towards him also. Hikari smiled and said, slowly, "It's kinda hard to explain… Well, you might say that… Hm… It wrenches at your heart until you can't stand to not be near that person anymore. Yes… I know the feeling."

Asuka stared at the ground and said, "I-I… I think I'm in love with… Shinji… but I don't know of his feelings. He's really hard to read and understand, except in those moments…" Hikari was siding with Asuka, and nobody but Shinji Ikari would know for sure.

Asuka stopped with Hikari behind the kitchen wall, five feet from Shinji and his friends. Toji could be heard talking loudly, "Damn, the Red Devil has changed some, she used to be a complete bitch, but now, I don't know what to think! But you know… No matter how many times a snake sheds its skin, it can't shed its nature." Kensuke laughed with Toji for a long and hard time.

Asuka's hands tightened into fists, but she saw Shinji's face… he wasn't laughing. He actually looked quite pissed, and he firmly said, "Look Toji, Asuka has never been a complete a bitch. She just loves being the best, and is driven to it. Bitch isn't the right word, I'd say that perfectionist is closer to home. Her drive motivates me to keep up. Sure, I usually get the shit beaten out of me, but I think it's a fair price, because she is honest with me. If I need help she'll tell me straight out, she may be difficult sometimes but… I don't know…"

Toji was speechless, and he started laughing harder, "That's a good 'n! Next thing you know, you'll say something ridiculous, like that you love her! HAHAHA"

Shinji's face was a mask of unbridled anger and he shouted, "SHUT UP! You may not like her, but I do. Deal with it."

Toji looked like he was going to laugh again, but he simply smiled, "So Ikari, you do love her. I'm surprised, it's just that you two fought so much that a total 180 was unexpected."

Shinji had calmed down considerably, and he said, "I highly doubt I'll get out of a relationship with Asuka unscathed, but I'd rather be hurt by her than just some silly girl that doesn't even understand me."

Asuka radiantly smiled as she walked around the corner of the wall and towards Shinji. Toji froze up just seeing her, he had a feeling she was listening in. Asuka jumped on Shinji's back in a playful manner, and he struggled to keep her vice-like grip from strangling him. "Hey Shinji," she whispered into his ear teasingly, "What are you doing?"

Shinji was sweating profusely because of his nervousness around Asuka. She was still whispering into his ear, "C'mon, just relax, Shinji." Thinking of a quick way to exit the room, Shinji said, "Oh no… the food!" Carrying Asuka on his back, Shinji escorted her to the kitchen.

Asuka sat on the counter-top staring at Shinji, which was making him nervous, and he stuttered, "Y-Yes? What is it A-Asuka?"

She just stared harder, "Nothing… just thinking." 'Yeah right! I know all about what you said… I just don't know when to ask about it…'

Shinji gulped and waited for the punch in the face, because that look she gave him usually meant that would happen. She just slid down from the counter and lightly landed next to Shinji. "You better hurry up, or else the stooges might think something of this."

The boy smiled, "Yeah… They tend to over react sometimes…"

Asuka shrugged and hopped back up to her perch. As her balms hit the tile, they slid off the slick surface, and she fell towards the floor.

Shinji quickly stopped the fall, though it seemed more like he hugged her. They embraced until Misato interrupted, "Hey, Hey, Hey, keep your clothes on children!"

Shinji and Asuka didn't respond angrily but instead, slowly began to take off their clothes to catch Misato off guard, till she whipped out the camera and got a picture of Shinji and Asuka in their undergarments.

Asuka sighed, "Damn, she got us good, denken sie nicht, Shinji? Someday, we'll repay her!" They re-dressed and served the group dinner, like professionals. Asuka took Shinji's hand and led him up to the roof.

The fading summer sun cast such a light on Asuka that she seemed to glow, like an angel, not the grotesque mockeries dubbed angel that Shinji and Asuka had killed, but a pure angel. They simply sat there, and enjoyed the other's company. Shinji drew his legs closer to himself and he said, "What's changed… between us?"

Asuka shook her head, "I don't know Shinji… We're friends now, right?"

"Yes… we are. I don't know how we did it, but we did. I'm happy with that…" 'Am I? Is it wrong to want more?'

Asuka had retracted into herself, 'I knew it… I knew he didn't like me… I can't give up though… I'll be damned if I lose to any other girl… or boy. Eww… I don't want to go there.'

They didn't even realize the sun had retreated from the sky and that it was getting cold.

(-----)

The welcome home party for Misato's friends raged long into the night, but Shinji and Asuka fell asleep side by side on the couch. Toji was waiting for this moment, for he and Misato had hatched a plan for the ultimate joke. Ever so carefully Toji lifted Shinji's right hand and placed it on Asuka's thigh. Toji knew that if he was caught, both Shinji and Asuka would kill him.

As Asuka woke, she felt an errant hand touching her leg. Knowing it was Shinji, she dismissed it, and returned the favor to him.

Shinji woke with a start noticing the hand caressing his upper leg and sometimes his hips. Shinji, not knowing better started to do the same thing to Asuka, but she whispered, "Even a finger more and I'll snap your arm off."

Asuka attempted to stand up but she slept on her back at an odd angle, and Shinji, being a gentleman, offered assistance. Asuka expected to be lifted up, but Shinji quickly flipped her onto her stomach, and she cried out surprised, "What the hell are you…" But before she could object further, Shinji's fingers danced across Asuka's shoulders and back, kneading away the tension in her.

Asuka had to fight to keep awake during the cleansing massage. She did not know the exact amount of time he massaged her back, but she wasn't complaining. It felt too good. Shinji's fingers drifted down to her ribs, and he started to tickle her. She rolled away and stood up, "Wow, your hands are magic, that felt so good." Asuka winked and grinned, "Maybe another time, huh?"

Shinji returned the grin and wink, "But now I know your weakness," Shinji rushed forward and started tickling Asuka, even when she fell back onto the couch Shinji continued to tickle her.

Asuka was screaming, "Misato, Misato, help me!" Misato rushed in, and from her angle and level of drunkenness, it looked like Shinji was trying to kill Asuka, and she was writhing in pain. She punched Shinji on top of his head, to get him away from Asuka. She looked confused for a second but realized that Shinji was just tickling Asuka, Misato sheepishly smiled and grabbed another beer, "Damn! Don't scare me like that again kids."

Shinji joked with Asuka for the time, "Momma, Misato was being mean to wittle Shinji!" Asuka played along with the joke and said, "Misato! I want you to go to your room and think about what you've done!"

Misato shrugged and grabbed some beer, and said, "If I'm grounded, that means we can't go the Theater Production tonight." That served to pique the young couple's interests, and they begged Misato to tell them more.

Damn you Shakespeare!

Mr. Ikari was dressed hours before Ladies Sohryu and Katsuragi were, so he did the Shinji thing and started to listen to his walkman.

Asuka and Misato were helping each other get ready. Misato slipped into her favorite dress but neglected the jacket. Asuka was doing her best dressing to impress Shinji. She wore the Chinese dress he had picked out, and laced a silk ribbon in her hair, with Misato's help. Asuka used lip gloss while Misato did the eyeliner and mascara.

As Asuka was exiting the room Misato stopped her, "Here," she said as Asuka was sprayed with a splash of lavender perfume. Misato looked at Asuka and wasn't sure if Shinji would last the night, he might die of shock in the initial minutes of seeing her.

Asuka walked gracefully and poised, Shinji was asleep on the couch listening to music, but as Asuka saw him, she realized how he had labored to look good, and it worked well enough to impress her. She leaned over Shinji and tapped him lightly on the forehead. His eyes opened and he stood up quickly.

Before him was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, and she was all his on this night. Though Asuka smelled like lavenders, Shinji could still smell the strawberry scented shampoo on her hair, and Shinji struggled to speak, "A-Asuka… you look gorgeous."

Asuka's eye twitched as she stepped closer to Shinji, she roughly grabbed him and smoothed out his clothes and tightened his tie. She stepped back slightly and grinned, "Now you look presentable."

Shinji was losing his breath, as she had tightened his tie to the point of strangulation. Clawing at his throat, Asuka realized something was wrong, Shinji's face was changing colors! Quickly she loosened his tie enough for him to breathe, and looked down at the ground, "I-I'm sorry Shinji."

He smiled and caressed her face, his other hand moving toward her ribs, "I guess I should get some revenge," he whispered as his fingers tickled Asuka.

Misato jumped in and shouted, "Enough! If you mess up Asuka's hair…" She grimaced at how long it took to get Asuka's hair finished, and spoke again, "Besides we are going to be late!"

(-----)

Asuka clutched at her seat as Misato drove down the 25mph street at a raging 109mph. Asuka was getting a headache, but she saw that she was doing better than Shinji, who looked like he was about to retch. Asuka had to shout to be heard over the blaring radio, "SCHIESSE! YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR LISCENCE REVOKED!"

Misato scoffed, "I don't remember teaching you to curse, and besides, I'm NERV Personnel." As Misato skidded to a stop and threw her keys to the valet parker, Shinji declared squeamishly, "I'll be back… I need to use the restroom." Misato and Asuka shrugged and handed him his ticket for the show.

As the two walked away, Shinji reached into his pocket, and started to dial a phone number on his cell phone. "Hey, yeah it's Shinji," he said into the receiver, "Yeah, she's here, but I don't know how she'll react… A LOOSE CANNON! She's more like an N2 Mine! Alright, well you better dress appropriately. Bye." Shinji sighed, he wasn't sure how Misato would take this, but it is better than her being alone.

Shinji took his seat next to Asuka and Misato, who sat one seat from the aisle. A body plopped down in the seat next to Misato and she casually looked over, then shouted, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!"

Ryoji Kaji smiled and said, "Oh, hey there Katsuragi! You look stunning." Misato glared and repeated her question quietly with a withering stare, but Kaji smiled even more and stated, "Cool down, this wasn't my idea, I didn't think you liked theater."

Misato's eyes narrowed, "How did you know where I'd be…" Slowly she turned her head towards Shinji and he smiled weakly, "I'll deal with you later!" Though Misato appeared angry, it was just a mask, deep down she was glad Kaji showed up, and even happier that Shinji had thought of her.

The four NERV members ceased talking as the play started, it was a modern version of Romeo and Juliet. Asuka perched her head on her palm and scratched just under her left eye. Kaji was having an impossible time getting close to the Sub-Commander, because Misato was the queen of Hard to Get. Asuka whispered to Shinji, "This is boring…"

Shinji frowned and replied, "It is… This makes an appointment with Ritsuko or… Father… look fun."

Asuka giggled and said, "Oh? Shinji developed a sense of humor?" The two moved closer together and kept a whispered conversation together for the rest of the performance, but Shinji's mind was locked on his father.

Kaji insinuated himself into a position close to Misato. He placed an arm around her and said, "God! They should just get on with it! It's so obvious!"

Misato simply let her head fall onto his shoulder and said, "They are more mature than most kids, they've been through hell together. Kaji, don't think that you can get closer than this… at least not here." Kaji moved his hand back to his side and laughed slightly.

(-----)

The performance ended and everyone clapped, and departed from the theater. The quartette went to Misato's car and drove back to her place at breakneck speeds.

Kaji, Misato, and Asuka sat down and turned on the television, but Shinji went to his room. He closed the door, and whispered, "Father… Why am I so worthless…?"

Asuka could tell that something was wrong with Shinji, and it was really bothering him. Silently she opened the door and stepped in. Shinji's huddled figure was against the wall, and Asuka could hear quiet sobbing. She sat next to Shinji and wrapped herself against him, and he trembled at her touch.

He was raggedly whispering, "I'm worthless…" Asuka grabbed his face and stared into his eyes. Shinji's eyes were dull and sad, but Asuka looked even harder, her eyes were shining sapphires, delving into his mind.

"You are not worthless," she said, grabbing Shinji's hand, Asuka placed it over her own. Shinji felt her warm skin, and long fingers wiggling under his own.

Asuka was turning scarlet, but continued, "You should appreciate your good fortune! You've got something that not many others have! You have my friendship. No matter what others say, I know and you know that you're not worthless."

'You've taken more than my friendship… But do you even realize what you've done to me? No… how could anyone love me? More or less you?'

Shinji smiled and kissed Asuka's hand, "Thank you." As an afterthought, he said, "You also have taken my friendship." Shinji lied down on his bed and curled up. The girl reached out and held his hand, making sure that the boy knew she was there for him.

Kaji smiled, and said, "They must really understand each other."

Misato frowned and declared, "I don't like it when they sleep in the same room…" Kaji laughed, "I'm not quite sure that they are the way we are!"

Misato shot him a venomous look and said, "I trust them, but sometimes the unexpected happens."

Kaji pressed his face close to Misato's and said, "I should probably head out, shouldn't I?"

Misato stated with mixed feelings, "You can stay if you want." But Kaji shook his head and said, "I don't want to set a bad example for our young couple."

He stood and opened the door, and looked over his shoulder, "Good night, Katsuragi."

Okay, that was a pretty long chapter… Not when you consider how I had them before, but it was a pretty long chapter. This is close to the size you can expect, because the chapters will be near 5 to 7 thousand words each.

Outtakes:

He was raggedly whispering, "I'm worthless…"

Asuka grabbed his face and stared into his eyes. Shinji's eyes were dull and sad, but Asuka looked even harder, her eyes were shining sapphires, delving into his mind.

Asuka sighed, "Dammit! Did you forget your Prozak again?"