Sins and Retributions

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D-Day

Two months had passed since Avarice had attacked Tokyo III, and nothing too eventful had happened. It was late November, and Shinji had an important mission. He had to pick up a gift for Asuka's birthday.

He mentally sighed, "December 4th is D-Day, but what should I get her?" His problem wasn't money, but it was an idea that the young man lacked. As he wandered aimlessly around the mall, a sign for a jewelry store caught his eye. "It couldn't hurt…" he said softly.

He marched into the store with a mission in mind: find the perfect piece of jewelry for the perfect girl. As he walked in, the boy was astonished, for all the prices were drastically lower than what Shinji had steeled himself for. After looking around the store for hours, Shinji picked his cell phone from his pocket, and called the apartment. "Asuka… It's me. Once either you or Misato get this, start dinner or something, get take-out even. I don't think I'll be home in time."

He spent more time browsing the selection, and finally meandered to the counter and said, "I need a custom piece of jewelry made."

The saleswoman frowned and said, "I'm sorry, but we only can deal with people that have bank accounts. It won't be cheap either."

Shinji smiled and said, "Indeed, but money, I have."

The clerk eyed him suspiciously, and said, "Not this kind, you're just a kid."

Shinji took a page from his father's book and glared at the woman, "I believe that you will make an exception. Whether I am a child or not is irrelevant." He showed the woman his NERV ID and the woman changed her demeanor immediately, not just from the card though, this boy had an aura of command around him.

"Y-Y-Yes sir!" she stumbled, quickly asking what he needed.

The boy smirked, and thought, 'I guess acting like dad does pay off sometimes, I sure hope she likes this.'

(-----)

A week had passed and it was Friday, while Asuka went to school, Shinji made up a story about needing to see his father. Though Asuka looked crestfallen, Shinji had promised to make it up to her. As she sat through the math class, she raged, 'How is that Dummkopf going to make this up!'

Toji shouted across the room, "Hey Demon! Where's your husband?"

Asuka simply turned and smiled weakly, "H-He's not here."

Toji was baffled, 'What the hell was that about?'

Asuka silently laughed, 'Now, there's a tally mark for the first stooge. Toji will get his later, but not during class, maybe lunch.'

All the class was silent, nobody had any doubt that the German girl would stand up and proceed in flogging the life from the jock, but she remained passive, ignoring the boy. The bell rang and the silence was broken, Asuka lightly walked out of the classroom.

She waited outside the door and set her stuff down. Toji and Kensuke were chatting cheerfully, especially about Asuka's lack of reaction.

Toji said, "Maybe Shinji's rubbing off on her. Maybe she won't be a complete bitch!"

Kensuke smiled apologetically, and pulled out his camera.

Asuka screamed, "Who're you calling a BITCH!"

Toji barely muttered, "Oh Shit!"

The fiery girl stopped his sentence short and laid a massive slap upon the boy's face and lashed him with her venomous comments.

(-----)

Shinji sat at home, he felt bad about lying to Asuka, but there was no helping that. He hit the print button on his computer and waited for the recipe to print. He had imported a lot of important ingredients to his plan, straight from Germany, but the boy wanted to make the cake, rather than ordering it.

This would be his first attempt at making a German Chocolate Cake, and he had hoped it would at least bring a piece of Germany to Asuka. He carefully whipped together the batter, and added some things to help keep the cake moist. The boy slid the cake into the oven and walked into his room.

The boy opened the cello case in his room, where he hid the beautiful gift for Asuka. It had cost him a considerable sum of money, but money could always be remade. A delicious scent filled the room as the cake began to cook, and Shinji salivated simply over smelling it. Once it was finished, the boy asked a neighbor if he could put he cake in their refrigerator. Shinji took air freshener and masked the glorious scent.

(-----)

Asuka walked home with Hikari, all the while fuming at Shinji. "It's my birthday, and he doesn't even do anything! All he did was give me a kiss goodbye!"

Hikari was shocked, her conservative nature refused to allow her to think of somebody as young as herself doing that and said, "A KISS!"

Asuka just stared at her friend and said, "Yeah… What about it? Me and Shinji do it all the time."

Hikari tried to camouflage her disbelief, and said dismissively, "Oh… Well I need to run some errands. So I'll see you later, okay?" Asuka nodded, but Hikari was already down the street.

Hikari was thinking about the party Shinji was throwing for Asuka, and had to pick up some things.

(-----)

Asuka entered the apartment and slammed the door shut. Shinji was on the couch, snoozing peacefully. Asuka just laid on him and tried to punch him, but Shinji woke up and cried, "What the…? Asuka? What are you doing?"

She looked at the boy with intense eyes. She spoke with an added hint of venom, "Where the hell were you!"

Shinji meekly said, "W-W-With my D-Dad!"

Asuka lightened up and said, "I guess it couldn't be helped then, could it?"

Shinji stood up and said, "When do you want to eat dinner?"

The girl just shrugged and said, "Usual, that's fine." Shinji inwardly shouted for joy, for that was the time he had put on the invitation. The party should be a success, for he had invited all the close friends of his and Asuka's. This included the Stooges, Hikari, and Ritsuko. He had secretly invited Kaji, to occupy Misato. And his trump card sat in his cello case, nobody could resist this gift.

The boy had things planned perfectly, and there was no way that anything could go wrong, and it was highly unlikely that Asuka would find out about the party.

(-----)

Asuka was in her room, as per Shinji's request. She was desperately trying to find something to wear, because Shinji had told her that it was going to be a formal type of dinner. But Asuka couldn't figure out why, for it was only Misato, Shinji, and herself that would be there. In the kitchen, Shinji had cooked a large duck for dinner, and had thoroughly cleaned the space of Misato's apartment.

Everything was spotless, but the boy in the kitchen, for he was sweaty, and splattered with grease. He looked at his clothes and shook his head, "This won't do at all…" Quickly running into the bathroom, Shinji jumped into the shower, and changed into an azure button-down shirt.

The boy reached the door just in time to let their guests in to the housing unit. Everyone was dressed in their formal apparel, Misato with her usual dress on. Ritsuko had decided to leave her lab coat at NERV headquarters, and was instead dressed in a deep green dress. Toji and Kensuke even showed up looking nice, but as soon as he got in the space, Toji removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.

Hikari had dressed in her usual conservative manner, with a full-length dress, a light blue in color. The most astounding changes in dress were Rei and Kaworu, who had come as a couple. Kaworu dressed in a black tunic and wore rustic style pants. Ayanami donned a classical kimono for the occasion, with fish on it. It was a blue color with orange fish.

As Shinji was shutting the door, complimenting everyone on how they looked, a hand stopped the door.

In popped Kaji, who was dressed like he always was. Tie aloof, and sleeves rolled up, he sauntered in and provided a salutation.

Misato stomped up to him and said, "God, you're such a slob!"

Shinji smiled and said, "You've got tons of room to talk, Misato." She shot the boy daggers and went about fixing Kaji's appearance.

(-----)

Shinji softly knocked on Asuka's door and she shouted, "Shinji? Get in here!"

He gulped, not knowing what to expect. The girl was dressed in her undergarments, holding up two dresses. She asked the boy, "Which one?"

The young Ikari babbled and attempted to speak. The girl cut him off, "Dummkopf! Get a grip! It's not like I'm naked or anything."

Shinji quit sputtering, but still was beet red. She held up the scarlet Chinese-style dress and looked between that and a black evening gown. The girl hung the scarlet dress back, "I've already worn that one a little while ago."

The young woman slipped into her gown, and brushed her hair. She ignored the red clips that were standard when piloting an Eva, letting her hair fall over her back.

Shinji stated in amazement, "Asuka… You look magnificent!"

She moved closer to Shinji and inspected him. The way she did it reminded him of the first day he had met her on the Over the Rainbow. She spoke, "I guess there is more to look at than I thought."

The pair blushed, and Shinji held out his hand speaking, "Let's go, Asuka." She entwined her fingers with his and stepped into the hall.

Outside in the small living room, sixteen eyes focused on Asuka and Shinji. The boy simply said, "Here she is! Here is Asuka Langley Sohryu." Everyone clapped and had a smile on their faces.

Asuka glowed in the attention, hiding her surprise, and she seemed to radiate a beauty rarely seen in a girl her age. She looked around to all the people, and grimaced when she saw the stooges. Shinji directed her to the head of the table, and sat her down. The boy sat to her right, and the others filled in the spots. Once everyone had been seated, Shinji went to retrieve the food.

When he re-entered the room, he set lavish feast was being on the table, and the party began.

(-----)

Shinji had disappeared after he had finished his eating, and Asuka couldn't find him anywhere. The boy had stealthily picked his way to the neighboring apartment and picked up the chocolate cake.

While Misato was distracting Asuka, he set it on the table, right where Asuka was sitting at dinner. He stood up as tall as he could and announced the cake was being served.

Asuka's eyes filled with stars as she gazed upon the masterpiece of her heritage. This German Chocolate cake had been meticulously prepared by hand, for if it was factory made, it would be sloppy looking, but she now knew why Shinji refused to go to school. This made the day worth it.

As she took a bite, and let the heavenly texture roll over her tongue, Asuka made an involuntary moan.

Shinji looked at everyone embarrassed, attempting to find how his cake had turned out. Asuka looked straight into Shinji's eyes and winked, he was modest about how well his dessert had turned out, but nonetheless, he still blushed.

(-----)

The party had finished their portion and Shinji had received a myriad of complements. Even the normally quiet Rei spoke, "It was quite agreeable."

Shinji had once again vanished, but he was much closer this time, he had run into his room and extricated his gift to Asuka from its well hidden spot.

Asuka had meanwhile started opening her presents, somehow, everyone knew what to get her, and even the new boy Kaworu had given something of importance. But Shinji was nowhere to be found. The youth finally appeared out of the hallway and snuck up on Asuka. He sat the box before the girl, and prompted her to open it. She did so with much apprehension, not knowing what would lie in this package.

Her eyes were dazzled when she picked it up from the velvet cushion inside. It was a pendant that resembled a tear drop, with a diamond with an inch diameter on top of a ruby. Inside of the ruby, once she had looked harder, there was what appeared to be a star inside.

She couldn't speak or even make a noise, it was too dazzling. The diamond covering the ruby seemed to glow with fire when the light caressed it. Shinji took it from her hands and placed it over her neck, fixing the clasps together. Asuka wasn't the only one speechless, even Toji couldn't utter a word.

The fiery German stood and embraced Shinji, kissing him passionately on the lips. The two were locked for what seemed like hours, but the moment passed and she thanked Shinji from the bottom of her heart. The Pilot of Unit 01 had succeeded.

(-----)

Everyone was beginning to disperse, leaving only the residents there. Misato sat Shinji down and said, "Where did you find that necklace!"

The young Ikari grinned, "Didn't. It was a custom job."

Misato was still probing, "And just how much did this piece cost?"

With his grin growing sly, he said, "But that would be telling."

Misato smiled and said, "You really have it bad for her, don't you."

He nodded, and Misato stood and yawned. The Sub-Commander of NERV actually wasn't drunk, which surprised Shinji to no end. "I'm gonna go get some rest. Night."

As Shinji repeated the last sentence, Asuka came up behind him. She wrapped him in her arms, holding him tightly. Shinji turned as best he could and hugged her back, "Here is my second gift… I… I love you, Asuka." The girl shivered in his arms, it was a great feeling to be loved.

She pulled him into her room and they continued to make out.

(-----)

Morning rolled around, and it was a glorious day, but Shinji had awoken long before the sun came up, as he had many chores to do. He set about cleaning, and making lunches, making sure to pack some left over cake in Asuka's lunch.

The girl had risen with the sun, feeling as though she was shining brighter than it. Retrieving her school uniform, the girl forwent the neck tie, and instead placed her pendant around her neck.

Shinji smiled when she exited her room, wearing the gift he had specially ordered to be made for her. The couple walked out the door straight into the sunlight, perfectly ready for the new day.

(-----)

As Asuka walked with Shinji, hand-in-hand, as they had began to do with the new school year, the other schoolgirls gaped at the shining accessory around her neck. They all in turn spoke with Asuka about it, constantly asking, "Where did you get it?" Every time, her answer was unchanged, "It was my birthday… This is from Shinji."

One girl was so amazed that she fell backwards and cried, "Ikari! How'd he get the cash? I didn't take him for the kind of guy that'd pick out jewelry!"

The German smiled, "It was custom made. He ordered it, and it's one of a kind."

One by one the girls became jealous of the German, "I can't believe that he got that for you. You're so lucky, Asuka!"

Slyly replying, Asuka smiled, "No. Luck has nothing to do with it. But love does."

Shinji got just as many questions and remarks. The girls were bounding between Asuka and Shinji, getting valuable gossip. But the guys sat there talking to Shinji, but a lot of them were still mad at he and Asuka for their little beat-down session.

Toji laughed and covered his amazement with venom, "Why'd you get it for the Red Devil! Why not give it to somebody special."

Shinji glared at Toji and said, "I did." Even Toji knew when to stop pushing the pilot of Unit 01, and this was the time. Toji apologized, "I'm not an emotional dude, so I gotta cover it with something!"

Shinji smiled and spoke, "I know…"

A multitude of other guys were asking questions, "Hey Ikari! Are you, like, a Yakuza Badass or something? You'd never get that kinda cash otherwise!"

Shinji started bellowing, "No! I'm not in a gang! Damn, you never listen! I was sitting on a fat stack because I didn't know that I got a paycheck from NERV! It was a lot, as it should be, or would you rather that I don't fight those damn Angels?"

Everyone was silent and Toji revised his statement from yesterday, "Maybe she's rubbing of on him!"

But Kensuke leaned over to Suzuhara and said, "Heh! Maybe they're just rubbing!"

Toji shouted, "WHAT! SHINJI, C'MERE!"

Shinji was puzzled as to why Toji was yelling, but complied anyway. Toji leaned forward and whispered into his ear.

Shinji was red with embarrassment, and screamed, "WHAT! NO!"

Toji roared with laughter, and said, "But you do plan on it sometime… don't you?"

Shinji, if it was possible, turned a darker shade of crimson, "Yes. I MEAN NO! WAIT-NOT YET AT LEAST!" Toji and Kensuke were falling over with laughter, and Shinji simply muttered, "Bastards…"

(-----)

The day continued rather uneventfully, and just as his teacher was reaching the half-way mark of his lecture, Shinji was actually wishing that the next Sin would attack.

The boy should have never let it cross his mind, for the alarms of Tokyo III all simultaneously rang, heralding a new attack. Shinji looked to Asuka, grabbed her hand and off they went, straight to NERV headquarters.

(-----)

The couple met with the remaining pilots, Kaworu and Rei, all silently acknowledging each other. None even stopped when opening the gate to the Geo-Front, barreling through after a swipe of the card.

Sloth and Hauntings

The Pilots of the Evangelion Units sat in the Briefing Room, as Misato told them of the upcoming Sin. "Sloth, this Sin most likely will attempt to slow down your Eva somehow."

They nodded, and started to the cages. Shinji stopped Asuka, and said, "I never got to thank you… for killing the last Sin. A-A-And this is for luck." He pulled the girl into his arms and passionately kissed her, then ran to his Eva.

The pilot of Unit 02 stood there, shocked, but slowly, a smile crept upon her face. "Shinji…"

(-----)

The monstrous protectors of humanity roared to life, taking up positions against the 3rd Sin, Sloth. This enemy looked similar to a tortoise, as it had a giant shell on its back. But this beast had eight legs and a jagged teeth, it reminded Kaworu of the ancient dinosaurs. Its razor sharp claws gleamed in the sunlight, and a hint of malice shone in its eyes. It reared up on its back four legs, and came down with a terrifying crash, sending orange hexagons of light rippling through the ground.

"AT Field!" screamed Misato.

Ritsuko was in a state of panic, "Yes, but never have we encountered such a shockwave! The wave seems to pick up speed as it goes."

Misato was horrified, "How are the legs on the Evas!"

Asuka cried out in horror, "Scheisse, SCHEISSE! They're not working!"

Shinji vainly tried to work his Eva, and sighed, "Mother… I'm sorry."

The behemoth marched towards Unit 00 with saliva dripping from its beak-like mouth. With each step, a new shockwave rumbled the ground. Though these waves were nothing compared to the first quake. With each passing second, Shinji could feel his mobility being regained.

It finally hit him, the AT Fields weren't only used for defenses. He had seen it been used for solely attack, so why couldn't it be used for other purposes? The boy spoke in a soothing voice to his Eva, "Mother… Spread the AT Field to maximum, and place it under our feet."

His own hexagons surged out, but retracted under his feet. Like a spring, the orange waves coiled, and Shinji used them like a trampoline, catapulting himself at Sloth. He wasn't going to make it. Rei was almost standing next to it, nothing could save her now.

Kaworu let one single tear slide from his eye, as Rei said farewell to the pilots and staff.

The blue-haired girl calmly spoke, "I may yet see you all in Heaven."

Kaworu's anger peaked, something that was rarely seen. The boy opened a personal channel to the girl, "Is that it? Is that all Miss Ayanami? Are you going to give up? You have only begun to live, and yet you are willing to accept death without even fighting?"

The girl smiled faintly, "I am sorry Mr. Nagisa, but I cannot defend myself."

The anger within Kaworu, the anger that drove most of the other angels to killing humans, finally showed, "THAT IS SELF-DECEPTION! YOU CAN DEFEND YOURSELF ANYTIME YOU CHOOSE! WHAT YOU WANT IS A WAY OUT! YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR THE SAME THING THAT SHINJI WAS SEEKING! IF NOTHING I HAVE SAID MATTERS, JUST REMEMBER THAT I... WE ALL CARE ABOUT YOU!"

Thousands of images flashed through Rei's mind, Shinji crying at her grave. Asuka screaming at her for dying. Kaworu looking up to the heavens with a disgusted look on his face. Even Misato would cry for her. 'Tears. I do not want tears to be shed. I cannot live for myself anymore. My death would not bring closure, only pain.' she though.

Unit 00's eye flashed and as the 3rd Sin reared again for a tremendous slam upon the ground, Rei stood up fully. As Sloth brought its front legs down on the ground, the First Child slammed both of her hands to the ground, striking at the shockwaves.

"AYANAMI!" Shinji screamed at the top of his voice. Asuka was struggling to regain her feet. Rei's fists hit the ground at the tip of the very first hexagon, but what followed was amazing. The ground stopped shaking, and there was no sound for nearly ten seconds. Rei's own AT Field had stopped the Sin's field, but it had achieved so much more.

Her field shot forth quicker than the sound could move, it ripped through the barrier erected around Sloth. The Sin seemed unaffected, but a second after the impact, its hind four legs split open, spraying blood all over the city. The hard shell of the Sin had also cracked open, exposing a blood red core under it.

Shinji finished his leap with a flipping axe kick, shattering it into thousands of tiny shards. Victory was once again on NERV's side.

(-----)

In the cages everyone was crowded around Rei, and she merely said, "Hello." Many people were startled by this response, and Rei had to explain herself, "When one says goodbye, it is only proper to say hello the next time they see those that have been bidden farewell."

(-----)

Asuka looked down from her showerhead, looking at Rei. The redhead didn't do anything in the last battle, but it really didn't agitate her anymore, because too much was at stake for her childish pride to get in the way. The German girl started to speak, "Hey Rei… What did Kaworu say to you?"

The plot of Unit 00 still stared into the showerhead, lost in deep thought.

Asuka repeated the question and waved a hand in front of the girl.

Rei snapped out of her reveries and started to speak, "He… Pilot Nagisa told me that people actually care for me. That dying without a fight would make me like brother used to be. But he has grown up, and I feel as though I have too. But we're not the only ones, you too have grown up, Asuka."

The German smiled into the water, processing what she ha said, then started shouting, "Wait… Whaddaya mean brother! Huh?"

Rei had looked straight into Asuka's eyes, "I was just a doll. A simple clone, but the other clones have been destroyed. I am Rei Ayanami, half-sister to Shinji Ikari. I was created from cells of his mother, and of the 2nd Angel, Lilith. That is why Shinji has always been fond of me, it was a bond of kinship."

Asuka continued gazing, "…Does he know?" The girl smiled faintly, "I suspect he does… on some level…"

(-----)

Asuka was lying in her bed tossing and turning, her nightmares plagued her mind again. Shinji was in a dark room, calling for Asuka, after seconds of calling he stopped. With an amazed expression on his face, the boy put a hand to his stomach, and blood stained his hands.

The German woke with a start, shouting, "SHINJI!" Tears were flowing down her cheeks freely. The girl gripped at her pendant, but Shinji had dashed into the room nearly seconds after his name was shouted.

The boy cradled her in his arms, soothingly murmuring to her. This did nothing to alleviate Asuka's mind, and she hoarsely whispered, "Shinji… I think something bad is going to happen to you…"

He smiled at her and boldly stated, "Impossible! You say it yourself all the time! I'm your Invincible Shinji!"

He continued to hold her, until she fell asleep. Laying her back on her bed, Shinji sauntered to the wall, and took a seat near the door. Though he had said that nothing was wrong, Shinji could feel that there was something amiss.

(-----)

Days passed, and Asuka's dreams didn't fade, but only strengthened. The only way to ease these ghastly visions was to be near to Shinji.

Asuka would force the boy to stay with her through the night, and it gave her a sense of security knowing that he was there. During the day, she was completely normal, but when night fell, nightmares ravaged the girl's mind.

Shinji was not going to give up on Asuka, and he decided that a day of fun would do the girl a world of good.

Between classes one day, Shinji just took Asuka by the hand and led her out of school, and the two played hooky. The couple wandered aimlessly around Tokyo III, doing what pleased them.

As they were walking down the street, a lone girl passed close to them. This girl was alluring, in fact she was downright ethereal, like a fairy. This girl made a wink at Shinji as she was nearing him. The Third Child blushed, but then again, who wouldn't?

She swerved and ran into the boy, letting her ample bosom rub against him. As she apologized, Asuka glared at Shinji, who was sputtering, "I-I-I'm s-sorry, M-Miss."

She spoke in a coy and seductive tone, "It is okay, especially from a cutie like you."

Asuka dragged him along the path, and Shinji stuttered a farewell, "G-G-Good b-bye!" Asuka rounded a corner and slammed him into the wall, "What the HELL was that about?"

Shinji was confused and said, "I-I don't know…" She simply dragged him along, though Asuka Langley Sohryu was most definitely pissed.

(-----)

The couple entered Misato's apartment and Asuka slammed the door, heading straight to her room. Shinji knew what he had done, but he didn't know why. Was it just a physical reaction born from lust? His concentration was broken by a doorbell ringing.

Asuka looked up from her tearstained pillow, it had started to rain outside of the apartment, as if mirroring the girl's feelings.

Shinji slowly opened the door and was greeted by the girl from earlier in the day. She still spoke in her seductive voice, as if inviting Shinji.

He still sputtered, "H-H-Hey. D-Did you n-need something?" The girl stared into his face, leaned forward and arched her back, showing off as much cleavage as possible, "My name is Hitomi, I think you left this where we collided." Hitomi handed a wallet to Shinji and said, "Are you doing anything right now?"

Before Shinji could answer, Asuka did, "That Dummkopf isn't doing anything with you."

Hitomi donned an ugly look, but only for the smallest fraction of a second, and said, "I see… How sad… You can't handle competition." She ran a finger from Shinji's chest up to his lips and said, "See you around."

Asuka was furious, and Shinji closed the door. But the German girl just ripped it back open and ran into the rain. Shinji followed, and the running he was doing had paid off, for he caught up with Asuka. Asuka reared on him and spoke in a menacingly soft voice, "Get the hell away from me. I gave you all of me… but that wasn't enough for you. Being with other damn girls. That bitch…"

Shinji steeled himself for what was soon to come, and he was prepared to take the pain.

She closed the space between the two and grabbed his hand, then ran away.

Shinji looked into his hand, he had been ready for the sting, but nothing could prepare him for this kind of anguish. In his hand lay his birthday gift to Asuka.

(-----)

Shinji sat on the couch in his sopping wet clothes, he didn't care if he got sick, he didn't even care if he died at that instant, for his one ray of light in the world was taken away.

In his hand, the boy felt the cool steel of his pistol, the pistol Kaji had given him, as an old song piped through the radio.

What can I say? She's walking away, with all we saw.

What can I do? Still loving you, it's all a dream…

He laughed, despite the troubles of the day, 'At least I'll die listening to the truth…'

How can we hang on to a dream?

How can it really be the way it seems?

How can we hang on to a dream?

How can it really be the way it seems?

This laugh was bitter and cold, colder than even his own father had been.

What can I do? She's still saying it's through… with how it was.

What will I find? I still can't see why… she says what she does.

Shinji was going to use it, he felt like he had screwed up two lives in five minutes, and there was no way to repair the trust that was now shattered.

How can we hang on to a dream?

How can it really be the way it seems?

How can we hang on to a dream?

How can it really be the way it seems?

Shinji's last ray of hope had been smothered with darkness.

He quickly stuffed it in his pocket as Misato came storming into the room, just arriving from work.

"You had a fight, didn't you? What did you do? We can't find Asuka at all! Dammit Shinji! What the hell did you do to Asuka!" Shinji looked up, his eyes filled with pain, and he relayed the events of the day.

"After all we've gone through, one hour destroys it all…" he said quietly, "I guess our love wasn't strong."

Misato picked the boy up by the collar and slapped him, "Stop trying to fool yourself. She's gone and we can't find her! Aren't you going to look?"

The boy looked away, "No. If she's gone, so be it."

Misato slugged him full in the face, "Wake up! This is just like the Hedgehog's Dilemma! And all you're doing to the pain is RUNNING AWAY! She's been there for you, and you've been there for her! Doesn't that mean anything to you!"

He still averted his gaze, "I don't care."

Misato let him down and started to walk to her room, "You stupid bastard. Shinji, you're turning into your father." The boy's thoughts raced through his life, and the abandonment he had suffered from his father. Now, he had done the same thing to Asuka that his father had done to him.

A light shone in the boy's eyes, the fire that had been extinguished was now rekindled. Every time that the boy had been in a depression, who had been there? Asuka. She was his strength, and his will for living.

"Thanks Misato. I never want to be like him. I've got to explain to Asuka…" He nodded curtly and ran out the door, calling Asuka's name.

(-----)

The German had run as far as she could, her mind and tears blurring her vision. When she had finally stopped, Asuka was near one of her favorite spots to hang out: The School.

In the yard, was the girl that flirted shamelessly with Shinji. She was the problem, and Asuka was the problem solver. The Red Devil stomped through the schoolyard towards the figure and screamed, "YOU BITCH!"

The girl smiled devilishly and said, "I knew you'd be here." The girl before Asuka quickly knocked her unconscious with a sharp blow to the head. Hitomi lifted the girl onto her shoulders in an incredible feat of strength, and hauled her into one of the sheds, left lying there on the swing, was a hair ribbon… Asuka's hair ribbon.

(-----)

Shinji quickly checked all the usual spots that Asuka went to, and the only place unchecked was the school. As he hopped the fence to the schoolyard, Shinji could see Asuka's hair ribbon on a swing.

His thoughts drifted to the worst things that could happen, but he quickly expelled them from his mind, Asuka was a strong girl. Upon quicker inspection of the area, he noticed footprints, and they were leading into one of the bigger sheds. The boy stepped into the pitch black space, and started shouting, "Asuka! ASUKA!"

A tingling sensation overtook the boy, as if he was being watched, but he dispelled the thought and continued to scream for Asuka.

In the dark, bound and gagged, Asuka was shrieking in her mind, "No! Not this! ANYTHING BUT THIS!" Her horrors were finally realized when Shinji stopped in the middle of the room, she could see him, but he couldn't see the girl.

An audible grunt expelled itself from Shinji's lips. He let his hand drift to his stomach, upon pulling it back, the boy felt a sticky liquid… it was blood. Her dreams had come true.

(------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------)

How were my action sequences? I hope I did fine… I can do a swordfight like a pro, but a giant robot fight is out of my experience. Sword fights are easy because I've had few before.

Outtake

Shinji steeled himself for what was soon to come, and he was prepared to take the pain.

She closed the space between the two and grabbed his hand, then ran away.

Shinji looked into his hand, he had been ready for the sting, but nothing could prepare him for this kind of anguish. In his hand lay… a grenade?

Shinji cried out, "YOU BITCH!"

Before he could say any more, Shinji was singed with flames.

Asuka walked away with a smile, "Tag… You're - It."