Sins and Retributions

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Male Bonding and a Return from Exodus

"So Kaji, what are we doing here?" The taxi cab stopped next to a shooting range just outside the city limits.

Kaji simply said, throwing a pistol to him, "You need to learn. It's time to become a man."

Shinji just shrugged and walked up to the boundary line in the range.

Kaji told Shinji about loading, cleaning, and firing a gun. Shinji loaded the magazine into the gun and fired. The bullet didn't even come close to the target, and Shinji smiled, "Wow, I completely missed."

Kaji thought quickly, "It's like firing the rifle in your Eva, position the target in the center of the crosshairs then pull the trigger."

He curtly nodded and took aim, after he took aim the first time, Shinji unloaded the rest of the eight bullets into the target.

Kaji looked to the target and said, "That was nice. You hit in the first or second center ring."

Shinji smiled brightly, "You're right, it is just like shooting the rifle in Unit 01."

The two continued to fire their guns, and after an hour or two, decided to leave.

(-----)

"Hey Kaji... That was fun and all… but why did you teach me how to use a gun?"

Kaji sighed, "Shinji m'boy, you don't honestly think that SEELE would only fight through the angels did you? You might need to know this someday. Keep the gun. Oh and by the way, tell Misato that she shouldn't talk with her mouth full."

Shinji stepped out of the taxi and climbed the stairs, with the gun in his pocket. He opened the door and noticed that Misato had strategically placed herself near the door, so Shinji would have to tell her all about his adventure.

Misato practically pounced on the young pilot, "So… What did you do?"

Shinji quietly said, "Kaji said you shouldn't talk with your mouth full."

Misato started screaming loudly about Kaji being a chauvinistic moron.

Shinji cut her off, and started to tell about his day. After he finished, Shinji pulled out the pistol by the barrel, "And I don't know what to do with this…"

Misato was shocked, Shinji had a gun. Gradually she saw the benefit of him having a gun, just in case, "Keep it. But we're gonna have to get a safe to put it in. I don't want any misfires or anything."

Shinji hadn't noticed that Asuka wasn't there, and he asked, "Where is Asuka?"

Misato sat back down on the couch, "Eh, she's in her room I think."

Shinji slid open the door quickly and was greeted with a fist twice as fast, and a shouting German redhead, "I'm CHANGING in here!" Shinji caught a sneak peek of Asuka in her underwear, though he had paid a viewing fee, no matter what the duration of the peek was.

The dazed boy sat in the hall, he thought to himself, 'How can some one so thin hit so hard?'

Asuka stepped out into the hall, fully clothed, and Shinji grinned at her jeans and forest green shirt, "What? Did you decide that green was a better color than red?"

Asuka blushed furiously and kicked him in the stomach. "You pervert!" she shouted.

Shinji looked up at the girl and said, "Sorry. Damn Asuka, are you trying to kill me?"

Asuka smiled triumphantly, "That ought to teach you to try to catch a glimpse of me changing." She helped Shinji off the floor and smoothed his shirt. Looking into his eyes, she said, "Let's go."

Shinji cocked an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

She lightly smacked herself on the forehead, "Idiot! NERV wants the pilots to report to Head Quarters, ASAP!"

Shinji still didn't comprehend what the German was saying, so she grabbed his hand and dragged him out the door, "We're expected at NERV Misato, okay?"

(-----)

The three children sat in Commander Fuyutsuki's office, in luxurious chairs in front of the desk. Fuyutsuki walked in and stood in where he usually did when Gendo was around, and assumed his quiet vigil.

Gendo walked in and sat at the commander's desk. Shinji took a sharp breath of air, and Asuka could tell he was nervous.

The man with shaded sunglasses spoke curtly, "Fuyutsuki is now my aid. I am the Commander again."

Shinji's eyes narrowed, and Fuyutsuki spoke, "This was my idea Shinji. He just accepted my idea."

He relaxed slightly, and thought, 'At least Dad didn't do anything stupid. If that bastard took control forcibly, I don't know what I would do…'

Fuyutsuki next tried to break the tension with a poorly presented joke, "Mr. Kaji makes fun of me, because I still stand next to the desk if nobody reminds me."

Nobody even smiled, and the Commander's aid just sighed and hung his head. "I have read each of your synch reports. Good work… all of you."

Gendo spoke in his flat tone like usual, "I must speak with Shinji in private." Silently the room emptied, and the two Ikaris were the only inhabitants. Gendo started, "Do you know what your synch ratio was?"

Shinji nodded, "Yes, around 115."

Gendo put his chin in his hands, assuming the stance everyone was familiar with, "Wrong. It spiked at roughly 126. How did you manage not to become a berserker?"

Shinji shrugged and said, "I was thinking of everyone that I have behind me, all my friends, including Kaworu, even you need me to some extent."

Gendo frowned, but it was hidden by his hands, "I see. That is all." Shinji walked out of the room, and Gendo smiled slightly, "Yui…"

(-----)

Shinji crossed his arms, "Well, it's a start."

Asuka was behind him, "What's a start. Not thinking anything perverted about me, are you!"

He sighed, "No… My dad… He has changed some… Not much, but it's enough for me to notice, though he only said near thirty words."

Asuka looked straight into his eyes, "You know… He isn't the only one that has changed."

Shinji stared back, "I know, you have changed a lot also."

Asuka's eyes flared, "I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about you, Shinji!"

He thought about himself, but said, "What do you mean?"

The German girl moved closer to his face and said, "You've grown strong, but maybe that has always been there, and I never saw it. Not so much the physical strength, but it is more the inner strength. Now that I think of it… You've never let us down… You've never let me down."

"Back before the Third Impact, you would constantly apologize for things you couldn't control, and avoid confrontation. But you went and confronted your father, alone no less, you even stand up to me on occasion."

Shinji was blushing, "I only faced him because he ordered me to."

Asuka got even closer, "Kaji told me. You have changed, and I like it."

Shinji slowly closed the gap between the two, and they joined in a passionate embrace. He kissed Asuka, and the two were only pried apart by the flash of a camera.

Sub-Commander Misato Katsuragi chuckled and said, "This one is too good. It's gotta go to Kensuke."

The couple slowly separated, both knew that Misato was joking about Kensuke. Or so they thought.

The Dead Return

Misato sat in her office and jumped slightly as her phone rang. "Yes. Send him in." Misato removed an envelope from her jacket, put it on her desk and assumed a Commander Ikari-esque position.

A kid no older than Shinji walked in, wearing his school uniform. His big glasses glinted in the light, and his ever present camera was in his hand.

Misato said in a charming voice, "Welcome Mr. Aida. I need your help."

The boy stuttered fiercely, "A-A-Anyt-t-thing f-for you M-M-Misato."

Misato smiled brightly, and handed him the envelope, "Come on, relax. It's good you still call me Misato, everyone else feels that it should be Sub-Commander. Anyway… I need you to do something with this."

Kensuke viewed the pictures of Asuka and Shinji, and laughed uproariously, "This is borderline blackmail. What did you have in mind?"

Misato had a devilish grin and said, "I need copies on discs, tapes, DVD's, and even a photo album. After you do that, you can keep the left-over pictures."

Kensuke's eyes lit up and he said, "Toji's gonna have a heart attack, I can't believe some of these pictures."

(-----)

Rei sat under a tree in the Geo-Front and wrote in her diary, she was planning to write about what really happened in the Third Impact. As she wrote in her diary, she felt a chill run down her spine. The only other time that had happened was when the Fifth Child was near. There was a presence nearby… An uneasy tingling sensation was sent down her spine as Rei felt the AT Field unfolding slowly.

Kaworu Nagisa strode out into the clearing and behind the First Child. "Reveal yourself. I am aware of your presence."

Tabris, better known as Kaworu leaned down and spoke into Rei's ear, "Hello, Ms. Ayanami." Rei jumped and rolled forward, and turned to face the angel.

Kaworu laughed, "I see… You still distrust me, don't you?" Rei's head bobbed slightly, and the angel continued, "Yes, if you think I am here for a fight, the answer is yes." The First Child tensed at these words and still the angel spoke, "In a sense, but I am not here to fight you or the Lilim."

He sat down under the tree Rei was formerly sitting under. He motioned for the blue haired girl to sit next to him. She did what Kaworu asked and sat next to him. The boy looked into her eyes and began with a question, "Why do humans have, as you Lilim call them, AT Fields?"

Rei spoke, "I suppose that on some level we are Angels, aren't we? That must be the reason for the similar internal body structure."

The boy thought to himself, 'She is smarter than I believed.' He spoke, "Correct. That is why you can sense my AT Field. I have one, yet I am no longer a cursed angel. He has granted me my wish, to become a Lilim. I can still produce an AT Field at will, though. With training, anyone with a field can use it, even when out of an Evangelion Unit."

Ayanami nodded, but quietly spoke, "Why did you speak with me? Why not Shinji? He was the one really hurt by your passing."

Kaworu smiled sadly, "Before I met him, I simply pitied the Lilim. Though my brethren hated them, I did not. Spending time with Shinji has helped me to understand you Lilim. I realized that my life would be equal whether dead or alive, but the Lilim can only live. I dislike killing, so I saved the Lilim in exchange for my life. Being as free as I was, is such a tragedy when you can't be what you want. Shinji helped me realize that all I truly wanted was to be free, something the Lilim take for granted. I do not think he is ready to see me, but more importantly, I don't think I am ready to see him."

Rei looked into his crimson eyes, the same color as her own, and said, "What will you do?"

The former angel looked at the grass, "I may grow old, or I may die early, but I will be free. I plan to re-assume the role of Fifth child, as Kaworu Nagisa, not Tabris."

The two continued in their deep conversation, but they were being watched, Gendo had set somebody to tail Kaworu since he entered the Geo-Front.

(-----)

Gendo looked at his monitor, 'Rei and the 17th Angel… they look almost like friends.' The Commander opened a channel link to Dr. Akagi, and said, "Are the scans finished on Tabris?"

The blonde doctor replied with astonishment in her voice, "Yes sir! His pattern… It's orange, he's a human!"

Commander Ikari's eyes widened slightly, and he smiled slyly, "Very well, recruit the Fifth Child." The commander of NERV shouted, "Fuyutsuki!" The commander's aid popped into the room, Gendo spoke again, "How are the complete S2 engine installations going?"

Fuyutsuki nodded, "They'll be finished within the day."

The commander added as an afterthought, "Contact the 2nd Branch in America, and tell them to send the re-assembled Unit 03. Get the Children 1, 2, 3, and 5 here."

(-----)

Shinji was lying on the couch listening to music, while Asuka lie on the floor reading fashion magazines. He looked over at the redhead, wondering, 'How can anyone read that much about fashion?'

The girl was nearly trampled by Misato, as she stormed in and shouted, "We need to get to Head Quarters. NOW!" The teenagers looked at one another and stood up, following Misato to her car.

Shinji was lost in thought, "Now what does he want?"

Asuka shrugged and said, "Who knows, he's about as weird as you."

Misato took a turn sharply, and drifted around the subsequent corner. Asuka and Shinji realized that trying to talk was pointless and they sat back and braced themselves for any form of impact.

(-----)

Shinji and Asuka stood in front of Gendo's desk, the door behind them opened, and in walked Rei Ayanami, but behind her was the form of Kaworu Nagisa. The Kaworu that Shinji himself had killed. Shinji lost all of the color from his face and he looked like he was going to faint.

Asuka held him up and whispered, "What's wrong?"

Shinji barely muttered, "Kaworu…" Asuka looked at the silver haired lad and quietly said, "Not bad looking."

Shinji felt sick, all he could remember was the passive smile on the boy's face as the severed head was recovered from the LCL.

Kaworu strode to Shinji and said, "Shinji. We meet again… though this time is hopefully on better terms."

Shinji regained some of the color in his face and he stood up, "Kaworu… I-I-I'm…" The former angel finished Shinji's sentence, "Sorry. I know, but I asked you to free me, and you did. That is all, friend. I am no longer Tabris, but I am a full Lilim, Kaworu Nagisa."

Gendo, who had been observing his son's reactions, spoke, "The Fifth Child joins NERV for a second time."

Kaworu looked at the older Ikari and spoke, "Thank you Commander, I'm glad to be back."

Gendo sat back and said, "Dismissed."

The four pilots walked away and Asuka looked at Shinji, then to Kaworu, "Aren't you going to introduce me?"

(-----)

"I'm glad you could stay for dinner Kaworu, feel free to talk with Misato or even Pen-Pen, but Asuka and I need to get to cooking. Is there anything in particular that you don't like?" Shinji said to the silver haired boy, who replied, "No, I shall eat what is placed before me."

Asuka followed Shinji to the kitchen and they began to prepare a complex stir-fry. She looked at Shinji and said, "He's kinda cute." Shinji slightly frowned, a gesture barely noticed by Asuka. She spoke again, turning his head and looking into the boy's eyes, "But I would rather be with you."

If Shinji had any doubts, this alleviated them. The couple continued cooking in silence, but it was a comfortable silence, not the awkward kind.

Misato walked into the living room and noticed a silver haired stranger with eyes akin to Rei. "Fifth Child? But you're an… And you're supposed to be…"

Kaworu smiled brightly and said, "No longer Lilim, I am just like you. Now I am simply an Evangelion Pilot."

Misato warily eyed the boy, "I see."

Shinji called to the Sub-Commander and the Pilot, "It's ready!"

(-----)

The people ate in silence, Shinji could not think of what to ask Kaworu, or even where to begin. Asuka and Misato didn't know anything about him, except that he was an angel. The only noise was from the penguin in the corner of the room.

Kaworu spoke, rather bluntly in fact, "Are you two bonded?" Shinji and Asuka were taken aback, but they forgot of how little of the human culture he knew. Shinji slowly said, "You could say that."

Kaworu smiled wistfully, "It is good. You seem to be happier."

Asuka smiled at Shinji, she didn't know that being around made him happy. The German girl noticed Kaworu's eyes locked on her, and he said, "We should talk at greater lengths, Ms. Sohryu."

Asuka looked to Shinji quickly, and she nodded, "I guess. But you can just call me Asuka, everyone else does."

Shinji smiled, "You can get along with anyone, can't you Kaworu? It took me months to get Asuka to talk to me in a friendly manner. Usually I just got the shouting and hitting."

The fiery look cast on Shinji told him that talking about that was not a good idea. "Shinji! I only hit you when you are a pervert, like earlier today, trying to sneak a peek at me!"

Shinji grinned lopsidedly, "You should have locked your door. But I have to say, red really does suit you." The last comment was greeted by a screaming girl.

Kaworu sat back and laughed quietly to Misato, "They fight so much. They feel something for each other. She's the only one I have ever seen Shinji talk to that way."

Misato thought to herself quietly, 'Kaworu Nagisa. I guess he really isn't a bad person.'

(-----)

Shinji went to clean up after dinner, the only part of the meal that Asuka refused to take part in, with a sore arm. It had suffered the wrath of the Second Child. Kaworu had made his exit, and Misato and Asuka retreated into their rooms. Shinji was left alone to clean up the mess in the kitchen. His blue eyes wandered over the dishes he had to do, and he set about them with fervor never before seen in a boy being forced to clean.

Asuka sat in her room reading, and trying to figure out a complicated math problem. She was failing at it, because her thoughts kept returning to Shinji. She softly moaned, "Why did I hit him again? I want to stop, but I just can't. Why do I have to hurt the only one that really understands me?"

Shinji had jumped into the shower, and was finished in ten minutes. He put on a pair of comfortable pants and sat on his bed. The warm air inside of the apartment was too dry, so he stepped into the muggy night on the balcony. The young man sat on a planter on the terrace, and mull over the events of the day. Kaworu's and his father's return to NERV, SEELE, the angels, and the Eva Units were all thought about. The warm, humid summer air was relaxing Shinji, because it acted like a sauna. He faintly heard the door open behind him, but barely recognized it.

The redheaded German stood behind him, and handed him a glass of water, "You're sweating…"

He just smiled and said, "It's the warm air. Thank you." As Asuka started to talk, Shinji cut her off, "I know… It's okay. I probably deserved some of the punches."

She looked at the ground, "No, it's not that… I shouldn't hit you, it's wrong."

Shinji stared at the girl hard, "Stop apologizing. I said it was fine, so don't worry about it."

Her shoulders rose, as if the weight of guilt had been lifted from them. She slowly advanced on Shinji, and wrapped her arms around his waist, and the two embraced for a while, taking comfort in the other's presence.

(-----)

Misato Katsuragi, Sub-Commander of NERV, spoke into the telephone in a covert fashion to Kensuke Aida. Katsuragi spoke into the phone, "I need it in four days… Yeah, all the copies… No, I'm going to surprise them… This will be priceless, I owe you Kensuke." She put the phone down and smiled, and thought, 'Kensuke will definitely get it done, and I need to show Ritsuko. One month of great snapshots…' Misato inadvertently started to laugh. She picked up her beer and took a sip, "I might even show Kaji."

A voice spoke from outside her door, "Show me what?"

Kaji walked in and Misato choked on her beer, "HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET IN HERE?"

Kaji smiled, "The door my fine lady."

This made Misato angrier and she screamed "I COULD HAVE SWORN I LOCKED THAT DOOR!"

Kaji moved closer and said, "What's wrong Katsuragi? Never been this close to a man before?"

Misato frowned to hide a smile, "You know I have plenty of experience, thanks to you."

He closed the distance between their bodies and drew her into a passionate kiss. She broke it and said, "No. Shinji and Asuka might get funny ideas."

Kaji replied, "Relax, they're busy on the balcony." Misato screamed, "WHAT!"

Kaji smiled impishly, "Yep, he has her pinned against the wall."

Misato started towards the door, but Kaji grabbed her and said, "I was just joking. They are way too mature to just give in to their desires so easily."

She glared at Kaji, "If you ever joke about something like that again… I think I just might have to take a page from Asuka's book, and beat the shit out of you."

Kaji decided to embarrass the Sub-Commander, "I didn't know that you wanted to use handcuffs."

Blushing furiously, Misato said, "Don't push your luck buddy!"

(-----)

Shinji and Asuka walked inside, hand in hand. They both noticed Kaji standing halfway in and halfway out of Misato's room, and called to him, "Hey Kaji. What're you doing here?"

Kaji was startled and jumped out of the doorway, "I was talking with Misato… Your Eva's have S2 engines installed now, and you should get them back by tomorrow. There will be another synch test tomorrow to test the Eva."

Shinji cocked an eyebrow, "Didn't Unit 01 already have one?" Kaji shrugged, "Yeah, but the technician said something about it only being a prototype. So I guess they upgraded it."

Shinji nodded but Asuka said, "What the hell is an S2 engine gonna do?"

Shinji looked to the girl and said, "It should allow the Eva to operate without an umbilical cable."

Asuka nodded, "That's definitely helpful."

Shinji pulled Kaji aside and lightly elbowed him in the side, talking loudly, "So… Is that all you came here for?"

Kaji smiled and said, "Even if I came looking for more, I doubt that my request would be granted. Anyway, I'd guess from the glare I'm getting from Katsuragi, that I should bow out. Later." He walked out of range of Misato's withering stare.

Shinji and Asuka stared at their guardian, "Out, both of you, I have work to do."

Asuka laughed, "You don't have any paperwork. I saw your desk after dinner."

Misato just frowned and said, "Well… I'm tired, so let me sleep."

The couple shrugged and said, "Whatever."

(-----)

Asuka turned on the television and relaxed her legs on the coffee table, but Shinji just yawned and sat next to her, dozing silently next to the girl. Asuka put her face right in front of his, and when he opened his eyes, he flinched.

"Was I falling asleep?" he whispered to the girl.

She nodded and sat back, "You should probably just go to sleep. I'm going to bed soon also. Besides, we need to be well rested for tomorrow's synch test."

Shinji absently nodded, and walked to his door. He was lying on his bed for a couple of minutes, listening to music, but a body slipped into his bed. Shinji knew it was Asuka, and he took out his ear phones. "What's wrong, Asuka?" he asked quietly, but she shook her head and said, "Nothing. Just can't sleep, that's all."

After a pause, the girl added, "And don't get any funny ideas." Those words fell on deaf ears, because Shinji had already fallen asleep next to the German girl. She closed her eyes and moved closer to Shinji, drifting to sleep.

Her nightmares returned, Shinji was standing in a dark room calling for her, and he reached down to his stomach, and withdrew a bloody hand. She opened her eyes, and tried to calm her ragged breathing. She saw Shinji, and let a sigh of relief escape. "I need to quit with those stupid dreams, nobody could kill my Shinji." Asuka whispered, gripping his shirt, and fell back to sleep.

Synch or Swim

Asuka and Shinji woke up and immediately got dressed and headed to NERV Headquarters. On the way, the two met up with Rei Ayanami.

In her quiet voice, she said, "Pilot Nagisa's Unit 03 is to be shipped today."

The three entered the Geo-Front through the front gates. Kaworu greeted the pilots, already in his black plug suit, "Hello Shinji. Miss Sohryu. Miss Ayanami. Are we to report to the cages?"

Shinji spoke to the Fifth Child, "Yeah, but I'm not sure about you. Is Unit 03 here?"

Kaworu nodded, "My Evangelion Unit is in standby in the cages."

Shinji smiled at his formal speech, "Yeah, you should go to the cages and enter the Eva."

Kaworu nodded and said, "I shall see you all later."

As Shinji continued to the locker room, Asuka looked to Rei, and said, "Oh, I get it. You're staring at the Fifth, aren't you, Rei?"

Rei blushed slightly, bringing a small amount of color to her otherwise pale face.

Asuka moved closer and lowered her voice, "Got a 'thing' for him? I thought you and Shinji were close."

Rei replied, "Ikari and I are close, but he is more like a brother than anything. But Pilot Nagisa… I am unsure when he is involved."

Asuka said to the blue haired girl, "Don't worry, I'll teach you how to attract a man, just like I did with Shinji."

Rei looked into Asuka's face and said, "But I do not desire to hit Pilot Nagisa." Asuka's upper lip curled and her eye twitched, "We need to get to the cage."

(-----)

Shinji sat inside the entry plug, attentive to all his surroundings.

Ritsuko sat in her chair, "Maya! Is this correct? Are all the synch ratios at 100?"

Maya typed something in her computer and said, "All but Shinji, his rate is steadily increasing. He's now up to 136!"

Ritsuko cried, "That's amazing, he improved his average by 21 points in three days! How are the others doing?"

Maya replied, "Asuka's fine, and so is Rei, but Kaworu, he doesn't even seem to be trying, and his ratio is already at 100!"

Ritsuko thought to herself, 'Well, he was an angel, so I guess it makes sense.' She looked again at the monitor and leaned back. This was going to be a long day.

The intercom buzzed to life, and the children all listened to Ritsuko's voice, "Okay, you're finished."

Shinji closed his music program and got out of his entry plug. He was greeted by his fellow pilots, and they went to the showers.

Kaworu and Shinji both finished in close to ten minutes. Shinji said to Kaworu, "The girls are gonna be a while. Wait here." Shinji strode to the door to the girls shower room and opened it halfway. He was blasted by steamy air as he called into the shower, "Hey Asuka!"

A voice snapped back, "What! I'm in the shower, Dummkopf!" Shinji yelled in her general direction, "Me and Kaworu are gonna go rent a movie or something. Tell Ayanami to meet us at home, we can all watch it if you want."

Asuka appeared before Shinji, covered in only a towel, and her hair hanging about her body. Her skin glistened with water, and she said, "Isn't Misato going to be home?"

Shinji's red face replied, "Uh… No. She's going out with Ritsuko and Kaji."

Asuka cursed, "Scheisse! That means Misato is definitely going to get drunk."

Shinji just sighed, "She doesn't know how to control herself."

Asuka replied, "Yeah, well, that's Misato. Oh, can you pick me up some paper at the store? I'm trying to do some work at home."

Shinji nodded and walked towards Kaworu.

(-----)

Shinji browsed the movie selection, and Kaworu followed him, and spoke, "I have never seen a motion picture before."

Shinji's jaw dropped, "I know you were an angel and all, but you've never seen a movie before?"

Kaworu shook his head, and continued to follow Shinji. The blue-eyed youth stopped before a World War II movie and grabbed it.

"I didn't realize that people still made movies about this. The only things you see nowadays are stupid, false accounts of the Second Impact." Shinji said, walking to the counter to pay. He dropped the appropriate amount of cash on the counter and rented the movie.

The pair of young men walked to the apartment, and Shinji pulled out his keys to open the door. As he reached for the door handle, Shinji jumped, because a redheaded girl was staring at him, "You idiot! I leave the door unlocked when I'm home!"

Shinji smiled sheepishly, "I-I forgot."

Asuka sighed, "I swear, I need to follow you and constantly remind you of things."

Shinji looked at Kaworu, "I really hope they like it… cause if they don't I'm gonna get an earful from Asuka."

Kaworu smiled slightly, "My sympathies."

(-----)

Shinji threw the disc into the DVD player and sat on the couch next to Asuka, and reclined slightly, placing his feet on the coffee table. Kaworu sat with one leg draped over the other, sitting on the neighboring couch, and Ayanami sat rigidly next to him, blushing slightly.

As the movie started, Asuka slumped and laid her head against Shinji's shoulder, instinctively, Shinji put his arm around the German girl. The movie opened up with a battle sequence, and guns blazing. The pilot of Unit 02 was interested in the movie very much, for there was lots of bloodshed and violence.

Shinji liked the interesting historical account. Ayanami was hard to read, her face in a mask of indifference, but Kaworu frequently frowned.

(-----)

After the movie ended, Shinji asked all of them if they liked it. Asuka ardently nodded, and Rei quietly said, "Decent…" Kaworu shook his head, and said, "That movie wasn't an accurate portrayal. Having seen most of this war first hand gives you a different perspective, and obviously the writers had only secondhand information."

Shinji raised an eyebrow, "You saw World War II?" Kaworu nodded, "I was still an angel then, though I was only a child at that time, near to 8193."

Asuka's brow furrowed, "Huh? Then how can you look like a fourteen year old boy?"

The silver haired boy spoke, "I was an angel. I could control my appearance, but I used this form most frequently. Now that I am a Lilim, I am fused to this form only. As such, I will age normally from now on."

Asuka was puzzled, "So how do you still know so much?"

Kaworu shrugged, "I suspect that only my body was altered."

Rei spoke quietly, "What did you do as an angel?"

The boy once known as Tabris smiled, "I existed, and praised Him."

Shinji's eyes narrowed, "Are you saying that God sent all those angels to kill us?"

Asuka shouted, "Are you stupid? There must have been a rift in the heavens."

The red-eyed boy nodded and laughed, "You are right Ms. Sohryu. Though it was not as big of a split as with Lucifer." He stood and bowed, "I thank you for your hospitality, but I must take leave of you. Dr. Akagi and Commander Ikari wish to be sure that I am not an angel. I do not blame them after what I did last time." He left the presence of the other pilots and trekked towards NERV.

(-----)

Shinji yawned and sat down in the frame of his door and cracked open a book entitled The Truth behind the Second Impact. The boy knew that every bit of this book was not true, because he knew the truth… the truth of Adam and the Lance of Longinus. He sat and yawned again.

Asuka was sitting at the table tapping her fingers, attempting to keep busy. She couldn't keep her attention on anything for too long a time. Finally she shattered the silence, "Hey Shinji…"

He looked up, anything was better than the book he was reading, "Hm?"

The German girl asked, "What're you doing?"

He sighed, "I have to read a stupid ass book on the cover up that everyone calls the Second Impact."

Asuka snorted, "I know exactly what that book says, so I'm not going to read it."

Shinji slammed the book on the ground, "That's a good idea! I work for NERV, so I already know what was told to the public."

Asuka's back arched, and she said, "My back is so stiff."

Shinji smiled slightly in her direction, "You've been waiting for the chance to have me give you a massage haven't you?"

She smiled and said in a sweet voice, "What ever are you talking about, Shinji Ikari?"

He rolled his eyes and laid the girl on the floor and set to her knotted back with his fingers. His fingers sent Asuka into a state of nirvana, as pleasure and relaxation shot through her body. Shinji continued until she had fallen asleep, at which point he carried her to her room, before he retired himself.

I lied… Sorry about this. The Action will indefinitely start in chapter 5. This chapter seemed pretty normal lengthwise. I gotta thank my 41 hours of music on my laptop for keeping me sane, especially Emerson, Lake and Palmer. (Who said 14 year-olds couldn't listen to 70's progressive rock?)

Outtakes

Kaworu spoke, rather bluntly in fact, "Are you two bonded?" Shinji and Asuka were taken aback, but they forgot of how little of the human culture he knew. Shinji slowly said, "Y-You could say that."

Asuka's foot closed her door, after she pushed a whip back into the room. Shinji looked at Asuka and motioned with his eyes.

Silently, he placed a pair of handcuffs in her lap, and she stuffed them in her shorts.

Asuka whispered, "Don't think you're not wearing these tonight… Now what were you saying, Kaworu?"