Sins and Retributions

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Double Date

Asuka and Shinji woke up, still clothed from the performance, and walked out of his room. Shinji went to the bathroom, while Asuka opted to go to the kitchen for some coffee.

Shinji took a quick shower and walked back to his room to change. He opened a drawer and looked at his clothes, but decided on a pair of jeans, black shirt and a white jacket. He walked into the kitchen to find Asuka, but all he found was a note, "Out to buy milk," it said. Shinji just strode out the door and figured he would at least enjoy a walk while looking for Asuka.

Shinji ambled down the streets of Tokyo III and looked at the scenery as he kept an eye out for Asuka. He was brought out of his reverie by Toji Suzuhara calling to him. "Yo, Shinji! C'mere!" Shinji compliantly walked over to him, and Toji said, "Up for a run?"

Shinji was surprised and said, "Well actually I was looking for Asuka… well, why not."

The two boys started to jog around the park, Toji suddenly looked at Shinji and apologized, "Hey, dude. I-I'm trying to say sorry, 'bout being mean to Sohryu. It's just that… Our first meeting was less than savory."

Shinji smiled, Toji was horrible at apologies, but it was the thought that counts. He laughed, "I still remember that. Its okay, I think Asuka forgives you for giving her the wrong amount of change. "

Toji roared in laughter, "That was one of my finest moments!" Toji stopped in his tracks, and Shinji walked back to him, "What's up?"

He just quietly asked what Shinji was doing tonight. Shinji looked startled and said, "I have no clue, why?"

Toji still looked serious and said, "I need to talk with you and Asuka." Shinji glanced at his watch and said, "She's probably back by now. Yeah, let's go back to Misato's place, Asuka should be there."

The two ran back to Misato's apartment, and sure enough, Asuka was there.

Asuka shouted, "What is that stooge doing here?" Shinji just said, "Needs to talk to us."

Asuka was perplexed, 'Why would the Stooge need to talk to me?' Toji said, "This is kinda personal, can we go somewhere private?" Shinji gestured to the roof, and the three walked up to the roof of the complex.

This time Toji directly addressed Asuka, "Look, I know that we have never really been buddy-buddy, but I need a favor."

Asuka's yellow sundress fluttered in the wind, and she said, "I'm listening…"

Toji took a deep breath and quickly said, "IwannadatewithHikari."

Both Asuka and Shinji looked at Toji and said, "What?"

Toji's brown eyes flared and he said, "Don't make me repeat myself."

Asuka was first to ask, "What do you need our help with?"

Toji smiled bitterly, and proposed, "Double-Date?"

Shinji laughed, "So you're too scared to ask her, huh?"

Toji looked mortified, "SH-SHUT UP!"

Asuka said, suppressing laughter, "I'll see what I can do…" Asuka took Shinji's wrist and started skipping down the stairs, leaving Toji alone, 'Did I make the right choice asking that devil?'

(-----)

Asuka slammed the phone back on the rack, 'Well, at least that stooge will make Hikari happy.'

Shinji smiled from the kitchen as he fixed lunch, 'Maybe she has gotten over hating Toji.' He didn't notice that Asuka had crept behind him, and she whispered into his ear, "What are you making?"

Shinji jumped and accidentally burnt his hand. "Ow, Shit!" he exclaimed, as Asuka leaned over to inspect his hand. She looked at it with scrutiny and laughed, but her hand touched the pot on the stove top, and she burnt her fingers.

"SCHEISSE! Damn it Shinji, see what you made me do!"

Shinji stammered, "M-M-Me?"

"Yeah! You!" She shouted.

Shinji simply said, "It's not my fault you're an airhead sometimes!"

Asuka looked crestfallen, and pretended to sulk, "You're so mean to me, Shinji."

Shinji truly thought that he had hurt Asuka and he knelt down to her and softly whispered, "I'm sorry, Asuka. I really didn't mean to get like that. Should I kiss it and make it better?" She smiled as Shinji kissed her hand gingerly, and she couldn't help but blushing.

Asuka suddenly wondered, "Where is Misato?"

Shinji just realized this as well, "I don't know, go check her room."

Asuka narrowed her eyebrows, "Why do I have to?"

Shinji sighed, "One: I'm cooking, and Two: It isn't right for me to walk into her room, I'm a guy."

Asuka thought aloud, "Guess you're right." She gracefully stood from where she was sitting on the floor, and walked down the hall.

"Hey Shinji!" he heard, "I don't think she's getting up anytime soon!"

Shinji asked himself why, and as if reading his mind Asuka told him to open the refrigerator.

As he did Shinji sighed, "Damn Misato, how can you drink an entire fridge full of beer in one day?" Raising his voice, Shinji yelled to Asuka, "Hey, throw her into the bath tub and run the cold water."

Asuka stammered, "B-B-But she'd have to be naked!"

Shinji hit himself on the head, "Duh! But once again, I'm a guy, it's just not right!"

A few minutes later Shinji heard the faucet running and a woman screaming, "AH! SHIT! THAT'S COLD!"

Moments later a naked Misato came running into the kitchen from Asuka! Shinji stared in disbelief, but Asuka set him straight, by kicking him in the stomach, "Stop leering, PERVERT!"

Shinji curled in a ball and gasped, "But… it… was… an… acci…dent…!"

Asuka shouted, "You should always shy from seeing a naked woman without her permission!"

Misato continued to run and locked her doors as she changed, "That was screwed up, I really need to limit my beer consumption, and Asuka… she just nailed Shinji with a kick that would have knocked a lesser man out."

Misato heard from outside her doors, "Hey Misato! Idiot boy and I are gonna go out for a while. Okay?"

Absently, Misato replied, "Yeah!" She was still trying to regain control after ingesting so much alcohol the previous night.

"I can't decide if those two are mature or immature. I think they just have their moments of immaturity, at least I hope.

(-----)

Shinji attempted to nurse his ribs as he and Asuka went to meet Toji and Hikari, Asuka stole a sideways glance at Shinji kneading his ribs.

Asuka spoke up to him, "Just remember that we're only here as friends… We're not going out or anything."

Shinji sighed, 'I knew it… She doesn't like me after all… How can I get her to notice me… How will she see me as more than a friend?'

They walked in silence, but Asuka finally started to speak, "Hey Shinji…"

He responded tartly, "What!" Asuka looked away and then refocused in Shinji's eyes. The link between their eyes was once again created, and Asuka stopped Shinji, and pulled him close to her, stroked his hair, and murmured into his ear, "Did it hurt a lot?"

He nodded, and Asuka rested her forehead on Shinji's shoulder, and spoke again in a rueful tone, "I'm sorry, I just reacted without thought…" She held on to his sleeve and said, "I know what I did was wrong… I wish that I didn't do this sort of stuff to you… I need to change…"

She trailed off, and Shinji lifted her face and looked directly in her eyes, and said, "You don't need to change… I like you exactly the way you are… You don't need to change for somebody like me."

(-----)

Toji was focusing on his glass as if he was trying to shatter it. Both Shinji and Asuka knew that the brash jock was severely embarrassed, but Hikari was just as nervous. Asuka was resting her head on her palm as she amused herself with a banana split. Shinji had finished off his orange ice cream cone and was beginning to feel the effects of brain-freeze.

Hikari suddenly broke the silence, "H-Hey T-Toji, are you going to try out for high school basketball?"

At the mention of sports, Toji immediately relaxed, "Yeah, but it ain't gonna be easy. I gotta beat out all the other centers in the school. That's why I stay after school for an hour or two and practice." Hikari and Toji bantered about sports for a while, but Toji spoke again, "Well that's about all in the sports department. What about you, Class Rep?"

She smiled and blushed slightly at being called 'Class Rep' even though it was summer vacation. "I guess I don't know yet. Maybe I'll try to be Class Representative again."

Toji sighed in relief, "That means I won't have to call anyone else by your title, then."

(-----)

Around eight o'clock, the teenagers went their separate ways, except Asuka and Shinji of course. Shinji smiled and said awkwardly, "They seemed to have fun, d-denken s-sie nicht?" Asuka looked surprised, and Shinji blushed, "Hope I didn't butcher the language to much."

Asuka grinned and said, "It wasn't bad, for a beginner. I can't believe you'll be in high school soon."

He nodded, "It'll be tough, but for a genius like you, it should be easy. But I'm not exactly the brightest, so…" Asuka frowned, "You really are an idiot!" Shinji was about to answer but Asuka cut him off, "We live in the same house, Dummkopf! I think I can take some time to tutor you."

Shinji furrowed his brow, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Asuka shrugged and held out her hand. Shinji cocked an eyebrow, but intertwined his hand with the red-headed lass nonetheless.

Past

"We're home Misato!" Asuka shouted, plopping down on the couch, but Shinji went into his room and reached into the corner near his door.

Exiting his room with a big case, Asuka was wondering what it was. Shinji undid the dusty clasps and his had grasped a long wooden instrument. Asuka smiled as she realized that he had gotten his cello out just for her. He set himself up and started playing a slow, melancholy tune, the elegy brought a slight tear to Asuka's eye, but he continued playing.

Misato walked into the room, scratched her belly, and chugged a beer, while listening to the elegy Shinji played.

When he was finished, twenty minutes later, he sighed, "Man! That was draining."

Asuka looked into his eyes and quietly asked what the name of the song was.

Shinji blushed slightly and smiled sadly, "It's called 'Dream in Silence'. I though that I would do a quick song, in the honor of all the people killed during the Angel Crusades."

Asuka smiled and hugged him. As her lips briefly brushed across his cheeks, Shinji felt a trail of electricity crackle between them where Asuka kissed him.

The boy's thoughts stumbled out, 'She… She kissed me… She kissed me… She kissed me! Was it just heat of the moment? Was she trying to tease me? Did it even mean anything?'

She kept smiling, "You honor all of their memories, they should be proud that the Invincible Shinji wrote a song specifically for those lost." 'Did I just kiss him? Why did I kiss him? Does he even care?'

Shinji was going to complain as Asuka called him 'Invincible Shinji,' but he felt that her words were genuine.

Misato grinned also, "You did a fine job, son-" Shinji gave Misato a quizzical look, and she averted her gaze and blushed, "-ny… Okay, look. Shinji. Asuka. I've lived with each of you for so long, that it's like we're family."

The trio smiled. 'Yes… Family…' Shinji thought.

(-----)

Shinji lay in bed deliberating those words, 'I do have a family, one that truly loves me, not like father… Father…' he thought, 'What has become of you and the Eva?' Shaking his head furiously, Shinji shouted, louder than he meant to, "I don't need you… and I don't know what I could even do with Unit 01. It's probably in cryo-stasis in the Geo-Front."

Asuka sighed, "He's still thinking about his father, Misato."

Misato shrugged, "It's natural. That bastard abandoned him, and to this day doesn't acknowledge Shinji."

Asuka trembled, "Sometimes I wonder if it is harder to know and be ignored by your father, or to have never really known him at all."

As Misato reached towards her, Asuka retracted slightly, "I… I think I had better try and sleep." She stood up and trekked to her room. Asuka took off her clothes, and changed into a t-shirt. She sat on her bed and cried slightly, but this act was not unnoticed, as Shinji heard it.

He thought of Asuka, and murmured, "She needs me." He stood up and exited his own room and knocked on Asuka's door gently, she sobbed, "Please… Just leave me alone."

Shinji saw through this deception, Asuka needed somebody close to her now. He wanted to be there for her as she had been there for him. With a soft grating, he opened her door and tiptoed towards Asuka's form. Shinji just sat next to her and gathered the grieving beauty into his arms, and she cried into his bare chest.

After he thought Asuka had drifted to sleep, Shinji stood up, thinking to himself, 'It's inappropriate to be in a girl's room overnight.'

But as he was walking to the door, Asuka whispered desperately, "No… please… Don't leave me, Shinji."

He nodded and smiled sadly, 'She does need me.' He lied down on the ground next to her bed, his back pressed against the cool floor. Her fiery hair draped off of her bed and tickled Shinji's nose as it was filled with a strawberry scent.

(-----)

The next morning, Misato checked on the youths, and freaked out about Shinji not wearing a shirt. She backed into the kitchen and decided to ask them about it when they woke up. She sat tensely as the seconds ticked away, but after what seemed like a lifetime, Misato's ears perked up.

She could hear some movement inside Asuka's room. Shinji opened the door and walked into the kitchen, freezing in his steps. Misato spoke in a serious manner that he hadn't seen since his last fight with an angel. "I see you and Asuka slept together… again."

Shinji reddened and spoke, after finding his voice, "W-We did…" Shinji looked down at then ground, "She had something stressing her mind. I stayed to keep her company. She needed some one close to her."

Misato glared, "And yet you were undressed."

He was becoming impatient, "Misato, I know that you have felt as if nobody cared for you at one time in your life, everyone does. But I didn't want Asuka to face her demons alone. Everybody just needs a friend to be near and help them through their problems. I came to Asuka dressed for bed, just like this." He indicated to his long johns and spoke again, "She needed me, and if you're thinking what I think you are. No, we remained clothed through the night."

Misato let out a sigh of relief, and apologized, "I'm sorry, I just didn't know how to handle seeing two teenagers that I love so close and scantly clad. I'm sorry, Shinji."

He smiled, "It is okay, if anything that just confirmed that you do love us."

Asuka stepped out of her room with slightly pink eyes, Shinji smiled as brightly as he could, "What would you like for breakfast?"

(-----)

Asuka stretched out on the floor, and turned on the television. Shinji sat down beside her and started to knead away the tension in her shoulders. Asuka let out a slight moan and slouched even more, while getting comfortable. She quietly spoke as her back was molded from putty, "Shinji, why are you being so kind to me? I've treated you like shit in the past… What is different between us now?"

Shinji continued to sculpt her back and he replied with passion, "We need each other, our relationship may have rough spots, but we are too strong for them. You and I both had a lot of things going on in our heads back then. You treated me like shit, but I liked the attention you gave me, even if we were always fighting. Our feelings have matured also…" He leaned close to her ear and murmured, "I love you, Asuka Langley Sohryu."

She closed her eyes and began to cry, "I just thought that you were being nice to me before, but now I know… I know that you truly do love me… but it isn't just that… because… I love you too."

Shinji smiled as he thought, 'It's good to hear her say those words.'

Asuka felt like drifting to sleep, as Shinji's hands worked their magic on her back. Just as she was going to fall asleep, his fingers drifted to her sides, and ran up and down her ribs with the lightest touch. Asuka snapped awake, giggling uncontrollably, but Shinji stopped and looked into her eyes, saying, "Hello… I've missed your laugh."

Introduction to Sin

Misato walked in and saw the two on the ground, she frowned at having to tell them this, but it needed to be done. She strode boldly up to the two and they said, "Hey Misato, what's up?" Misato couldn't hear herself say it, but the children did.

Asuka and Shinji stared in disbelief, "SEELE? THEY'RE MANUFACTURING ANGELS!" The now promoted Sub-Commander Katsuragi nodded, and said, "We need you two to defend us again, if you are willing." The pair looked at one another and consented.

Misato explained about her promotion, and the new Commander Fuyutsuki's intelligence report. "We were notified by some unknown means, but they are growing angels." Shinji boldly said, "Me and Asuka will take them out."

A single tear dropped from Misato's face, "Shinji… do you remember Kawo- The 17th angel, Tabris?" A painful smile and a nod prompted the purple-haired woman to continue. "They used his DNA to create the new angels, though none are like him. Shinji, if Tabris returns… do you think he will fight with us or against us?"

Shinji's eyes were welling up, "He can't return. I killed him with my own hand. I trusted him, but he betrayed me… I killed him. I don't think he will return."

Misato sighed and revealed shocking news, the informant hadn't gone unsigned, it was signed Kaworu Nagisa. Shinji looked both angry and happy. His friend was still living, yet he had betrayed Shinji's trust.

Asuka looked frightened, because she didn't know who this Kaworu Nagisa was. She turned to Shinji's teary eyes and said, "Kaworu Nagisa? I need to be filled in, Shinji." He motioned for the redhead to sit down on the couch as he did the same.

"Kaworu Nagisa, where do I begin? He was my best friend, the only person to reach out to me while you were in a coma. He was the Fifth Child, and also he was the 17th Angel, Tabris. He got to know me, and I him over the period of a few days, but he took Unit Two down into Terminal Dogma. I had to kill him… he wished it."

"After incapacitating Unit Two, he turned to me and told me that he understood. He said that if he returned to Lilith, all of the human race would be eradicated. Kaworu was very understanding, he told me that he loved me. In the end, he betrayed me…"

"He said that the humans were the race that needed to survive, and told me to kill him. Not once did he flinch, he only smiled at me… until…" Shinji made a squeezing motion with his hand.

Asuka was horrified, "Shinji…" He was slightly crying, "I'm not sure whether I hate him or love him. Though we only knew one another for a short time, he was like a brother and best friend to me."

Asuka was calming down, "Shinji… The way you speak of him makes me believe that he was a good angel. He sacrificed himself so that you, his best friend, could live. He made his choice. He made the decision to save the world, just as you have time and time again."

Shinji smiled wistfully, "You know Asuka, I never really though about it that way before. It makes me feel much better knowing that I showed the ultimate bond of friendship by carrying out his last wishes."

Misato smiled slightly and thought, 'They really do need each other, and it's amazing how they changed, from fighting all the time to true friendship.'

(-----)

Both Shinji and Asuka greeted Rei, and Asuka was even nice to her. The three dressed into their plug suits, as Shinji talked from behind a curtain, "So Rei, how have you been? How… How did you come back?"

Rei made no motion, but simply said, "It seems that Lilith allowed me to return to this world once the people began to reject her 'perfect' world. I had no use any more, so I was discarded. Other than that, I was bored." Turning to Asuka, she said bluntly, "After the tests, would you like to join me for some… shopping, Pilot Sohryu?"

Asuka rolled her eyes, "Look, Wonder Girl. My name is Asuka. Use it." Rei looked confused and said, "Very well, upon one condition."

Asuka shrugged and said, "Name it." The blue haired girl slightly smiled, "My name is Rei Ayanami. It is not Wonder Girl."

Asuka chuckled, "Sure thing, Wonde… Rei." Again, Rei spoke, "You are welcome to come with Asuka and I as well, Pilot Ikari." Both Shinji and Asuka were deeply taken aback. Rei had also changed, she was more outgoing, at least with the other EVA pilots, but she still said little.

Shinji shrugged and said, "Come on, we're all friends. You don't have to be so formal. We should be on a first name basis by now. As to the shopping…" He was shut up by two severe pairs of eyes staring him down. Shinji finished his sentence, faltering in his words, "O-Of course I-I'll join you…" 'Rei just comes back from Lilith and seems almost… normal. How did she come back? It was probably just as she said. Rei isn't one to lie… How does Asuka feel about all of this? Oh well… It isn't like I can just bring this stuff up.'

Ritsuko Akagi's voice screamed through the intercom, "Hurry up you three, the Synch Tests start in ten minutes!" Shinji jumped and darted from the changing room, as Asuka and Rei simply walked out, and headed towards their respective Evangelion Units.

Maya Ibuki filled her cup with coffee, "It's going to be a long night." She sat back down at her computer terminal, and started to type commands for the synch tests. Ritsuko slightly smiled, "You're almost as fast as me now!"

Maya jumped, "Oh, you scared me, boss!" Ritsuko nodded and sat down at her own terminal and started to reboot the MAGI system, for optimal usage. A task that would take any normal person multiple hours, or Misato days, the blonde haired technician finished in five minutes.

The video intercom opened and the three children were staring back at the doctor. "Maya, label this test as 1st Synch After 3rd Impact." Maya nodded and continued to type.

Dr. Akagi pulled up the synch graphs on her screen, and her jaw practically dropped. The synch ratios were all above 95, and Shinji's was over 100, and yet he wasn't a berserker. "Maya, what the hell is going on! This is impossible!"

Opening a channel to each of the pilots, she cried, "All of you listen, your synch ratios are all over 95 and we're still far from reaching the contamination zone."

Shinji's eyes widened, "I-Is that bad?" Asuka screamed, "HELL NO! IT'S GOOD!"

Ritsuko systematically told the children their synch scores, "Shinji: 115, Asuka: 100, Rei: 97. You three were prepped for a multiple hour test, but we can conclude now if you want."

Everyone was waiting on Asuka to make the decision, but it was Shinji who spoke up, "No. I'm staying for the long haul. I want to see why our synch scores are so high."

Asuka shrugged and said, "I guess I'm gonna have to agree with the Idiot." Rei quietly said, "And I shall stay as well."

Shinji again spoke, "Hey Ritsuko!" Dr. Akagi rose an eyebrow and said, "What do you need, Shinji?" He worked his tongue around in his mouth and finally said, "I think it's against regulations but… Is there any way to get music in this cockpit?"

Ritsuko frowned slightly, "I guess that's okay, but it will have to be at a very low volume, or else the Eva might react to the noise." Shinji shrugged again and let his thoughts drift. Ritsuko frowned even more as his synch ratio spike to 126, "What can he be thinking of?"

(-----)

Eight hours later Shinji jumped out of the cockpit and silently plodded to the showers yawning. He undressed and turned on the showerhead, but turned the nozzle to the strength of a fire hose, and power sprayed the LCL out of his hair.

Asuka and Rei were having a more difficult time removing the LCL from their delicate locks. While Shinji was finished showering in ten minutes, it took Asuka and Rei an hour and a half. While the two girls showered, Shinji took the time to get something to eat and drink from the vending machines in the break room.

He speculated aloud, "This is stupid, why is there a break room? Nobody gets breaks at NERV." A loud masculine voice spoke behind him, causing Shinji to jump. "Hey, we get plenty of breaks! They're not really allowed, but what the hell. And with Katsuragi as Sub-Commander, we should definitely get some extra time off," the voice of Ryoji Kaji spoke loudly.

The startled youth sighed, "Oh, hey Kaji. What's up?"

Kaji smiled impishly, "This is the first time that Asuka hasn't fawned over me, got any reasons why?"

Shinji started to speak, "Yeah, we've become clo… Hey wait, you of all people should know that you shouldn't mess with Asuka's feelings."

Kaji smiled wider, "It seems you two have been hitting it off, hang around her much… privately?"

Shinji was beet red, "Y-Yeah, we hang out all the time. Around Misato's, we go out in public sometimes too."

Kaji looked genuinely surprised, "My God! You're quicker than I was at your age!"

Shinji's eyes narrowed and he said, "Just what do you mean by 'hang out…' Kaji! Get your head out of the gutter!"

Kaji flung his arms up in defense, "Come on man, I was just joking!" His face hardened, "But on a more serious note… Gendo is alive. Not in the best mental condition… He blames you, Shinji."

Shinji's eyes were engulfed in fear, "M-Me?" 'But I didn't want… He could have stayed… Wait… Without Rei to stabilize the connection between the humans and Lilith, he must have been forced to return.'

Kaji closed his eyes, "You. You didn't initiate Instrumentality, and his chance of seeing his wife, your mother, was taken."

Shinji's eyes blazed, the fear was replaced by courage, "I will speak to him, Kaji. Where is he?"

Asuka and Rei walked into the break room and saw Shinji speaking with Kaji, and the fire in Shinji's eyes let Asuka know just how much he had changed. He spoke to her in a gruff voice, "Asuka. Rei. I can't go with you tonight for shopping. I have… business to attend to." The redhead was shocked at the resemblance in the way he and his father spoke at that time.

Shinji grabbed Kaji by the wrist and dragged him away, leaving two speechless girls in an empty break room.

Hate or Pity?

"Commander Ikari!" Shinji spoke. Gendo smiled cruelly, "What's wrong, aren't you going to greet your father correctly."

Shinji's eyes hardened like diamonds, "You lost that right a long time ago, Commander."

The former commander of NERV shouted, "Why you little bastard! Why couldn't you just let me be with Yui!"

Shinji retorted with ferocity, "No pictures, Dad. You can keep all your memories in your heart. But I have Eva Unit 01, and I have my mother."

Gendo was shocked, "You can speak with her?" Loosing the ferocity, and gaining pity, Shinji spoke, "Yeah… When I was ingested by the Eva, mother came to me. She is my protector."

Gendo's eyes light up with hope, "I can speak with Yui?" Shaking his head slowly, Shinji replied, "No. Mother will not allow any other pilot."

There was silence in Gendo's apartment, the two Ikaris faced each other, and the older broke the silence, "All I wanted was to have Yui back."

Shinji answered, "You wretched fool. You had her in front of you but you pushed her away. A part of her lives in me, and the other part lives in you. Two halves make a whole, Dad." Shinji stood and walked to the door, "I'm leaving. Goodbye Father."

As the door closed, Gendo lay on his bed and said, "What have I done, Yui? I've used him like a tool. There is no way to make amends, but I guess I could try to not be as hard on him." He placed a hand on his NERV ID card and strode out the door.

(-----)

Shinji was lying in bed, thinking of his father, 'Do I hate him? Do I pity him? What should I feel?' Shinji just shrugged and thought, 'Ah, I'll just worry about it in the morning.' He stretched out and was cloaked in the fine cloth of sleep.

Asuka was about to open his door, but Misato stopped her and said, "No. He met with his father. He needs some space." The two walked away, but were back within five minutes. Misato smiled, "Maybe just one teeny-weeny peek." The door slid open and the sleeping face of Shinji Ikari was revealed. He was covered in a placid mask, free of worry and sadness. His beautiful roommates, smiling happily, left his room.

Asuka went to her room and immediately fell asleep, but Misato had to have help coaxing herself to sleep. The perfect candidate filled her mind… alcohol. The purple haired commander chugged a couple of beers and passed out in her room.

(-----)

Shinji opened his eyes, blinked and rose from his place on his bed. Shinji stood in the kitchen with just a pair of pants emblazoned with the NERV insignia, cooking himself and the rest of his 'family' breakfast. The sizzle of batter inside the frying pan started up as he decided to make pancakes.

Pen-Pen waddled out of his refrigerator and pecked Shinji's leg, so the boy started the revolting task of making the penguin breakfast. He chopped up a fish and created a concoction of Fish Pancakes. The penguin set upon these monstrosities and consumed them quickly.

As Shinji continued to cook, a groggy Asuka and a still slightly buzzed Misato appeared at the table, ready to eat. Shinji slapped a stack of pancakes on each of their plates and they ate like wolves, barely stopping to breathe.

The doorbell rang and Shinji saw that neither of the two were going to get it, so Shinji went to the door and opened it.

Again, Shinji saw the face of Ryoji Kaji, grinning at the young man. Letting himself in, Misato choked on her food and shouted, "UT VA HELLA CHU WAND!"

Kaji laughed, and Misato swallowed her food and once again screamed, "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT!"

He smiled beguilingly and said, "I'm here to take one of you out on a date." Shinji shrugged and went back to the stove. Misato looked to Asuka questioningly, but she slightly shook her head.

"What are you talking about, Kaji?" Misato asked. Shinji continued to the next task, cleaning.

Kaji winked, "I'd love to take you out, Katsuragi… But me and Shinji are gonna go do something."

Shinji looked at Kaji and frowned unnoticeably, "But Kaji… I'm a boy."

Kaji smiled stupidly, "I probably shouldn't have used the word 'date' but whatever… Get clothed, and hurry up. I'm sure Asuka and Katsuragi here will clean up for you."

The two women glowered at the man, and he took a step back, because either one of them might try to cripple him. He sighed in relief when Shinji returned, with a red shirt on, and the two males left the apartment.

This chapter was a lot shorter than chapter one, by nearly 1000 words. Anyway, the action should start very soon.

Outtakes

He smiled beguilingly and said, "I'm here to take one of you out on a date." Shinji shrugged and went back to the stove. Misato looked to Asuka questioningly, but she slightly shook her head.

"What are you talking about, Kaji?" Misato asked. Shinji continued to the next task, cleaning.

Kaji winked, "I'd love to take you out, Katsuragi… But me and Shinji are gonna go do something."

Shinji looked at Kaji and frowned unnoticeably, "But Kaji… I'm a boy."

Kaji smiled stupidly, "I know… I always liked boys better."

All three of the residents gulped and Shinji cried out, "OH HELL NAW!" Then pointed a kitchen knife at Kaji.

Kaji started crying, "Now what will I tell Mr. Luo? Fred will not be happy!"

Asuka whispered, "Why do I always fall for the gay guys?"