Sins and Retributions

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Lust

The lights flicked on and Hitomi was standing near Shinji with a bloody knife in her hand. She had a smile of pure delight on her face.

Shinji started to pant, struggling to breathe, "Who… the hell… are… you?"

The attractive girl triumphantly smiled, "I have succeeded where the others failed! The famous defender of these pitiful Lilim is mine to kill."

Shinji repeated his question, and his only reply was, "You call me Lust, the 4th Sin."

Everything became clear to Asuka and she kept struggling to speak. Finally the Sin removed the gag and said, "Do you have something to say? Hm. Asuka?"

Asuka continued to sob, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry… Shinji! I'm so sorry…"

The boy looked up at the girl, their eyes locked and the need for further words was gone. All that the two had to say was viewed in their eyes. Asuka took momentary comfort in the fact that Shinji still loved her.

The 4th Sin maliciously laughed, "It wasn't easy to seduce you, a normal man would be begging me for favors from simply seeing me, but you just blushed and stuttered. Why is that?" The 'girl' waited for a reply but received nothing but a glare.

Again she spoke, "No matter! The results were the same. And now… You will suffer."

The succubus known as Lust took the knife and stood over Asuka. She let the blade softly caress the redhead's face. She applied a slight pressure under the eyeball, and a great sound filled the room, followed by screaming.

Shinji was standing, "You BITCH! Get away from Asuka. I won't let you harm her!" He was holding his gun out in front of him.

The succubus was amazed at what happened, and said, "What! My defenses didn't stop the bullet!"

Shinji smiled viciously and said, "My AT Field isn't only in my Eva." He shot another bullet, it was an orange flash, and it pierced through the 4th Sin's field like air, crashing straight into her head with a dull thud. Blood leaked onto the floor, mixed with brains. Shinji's having a gun actually paid off this time.

(-----)

Shinji was in the ambulance, and the paramedics held back Asuka, despite her fervent claims that she was his girlfriend. NERV had arrived on the scene and quickly took control of the situation.

Shinji's gun was taken into custody, and the body of 'Hitomi' was taken to the laboratory.

Asuka had told her version of the way things had happened, and she was placed under arrest until further notice. But none dared to handcuff the girl, as she negotiated her arrest, making sure that she was under constant surveillance, but always with Shinji. Nobody had the grounds to object, for they were innocent until proven guilty.

Shinji was waking up slowly, only to find his hand in the vice-like grip of Asuka, who had fallen asleep in a chair next to his bed in the NERV hospital. He smiled and moved his fingers slightly.

Asuka stirred, because this tickled her, and Asuka was very ticklish. She woke up and it took a second to register the fact that Shinji was awake, before she pounced on him, wrapping him in her embrace.

Shinji winced in pain as he turned his body, and glanced down at his stomach where he was bandaged up. Shinji immediately started to cry and apologize, but the girl put a tender finger to his lips and silenced him.

"Let me speak. It's my fault." she said, "It was the Sin's powers that got you, Shinji. She took a female form to attract you. You could never resist."

Shinji stared at his lap in shame, "Well I should have! This proves that our love was frail, if something like this could shatter it."

Asuka looked him in the eyes and said, "No, our love is strong. If it weren't, would you have come after me when I left? No. But you did, you wanted to make amends. We haven't always been close, but… these last few months really mean something! Shinji, I love you. If you don't forgive me, I can understand. But I don't think that I could ever stop loving you."

Shinji wiped away his tears and said, "You expect an answer. Do I love you or don't I." Shinji paused and moved his head closer to Asuka's, "How's this for an answer?"

He pulled her into his embrace and he kissed Asuka, bearing his heart and soul to her through this connection. With one of his free hands, the boy reached into his pocket and grabbed Asuka's hand, and broke off the kiss.

Asuka look into her hand apprehensively. When she saw what was in it, she started weeping into Shinji's chest. In her hand was the pendant, Shinji's birthday gift to her. She looked at the tear shaped piece of jewelry, and tears welled up in her eyes.

(-----)

Ritsuko sat in the Lab, with her scalpel covered in blood. This carcass was indefinitely the 4th Sin: Lust. There was no doubt in her mind as to that, but what did worry the doctor was how she attacked. Even the cool demeanor of the Commander of NERV was shaken by this event. SEELE must have been very cunning in the engineering of these angels.

(-----)

How the next Sins would attack was a big worry in Commander Ikari's head. Gendo picked up the phone and called Misato, "Sub-Commander Katsuragi. Send The Third and Second Children to my office immediately." The older Ikari sat back in his desk and silently thanked God for keeping Shinji safe.

(-----)

Shinji and Asuka were interrupted by their guardian and Kaji, both of whom were quite interested in what was happening. After an event like this, normal adults would probably take a month at least to get back together.

Shinji and Asuka weren't normal adults, they held a magnificent knowledge of one another.

The young couple was intertwined, and fervently kissing the other. A simple cough from Kaji, brought the two to attention, as Misato informed them of the meeting scheduled with Commander Ikari.

The pilots looked at one another uneasily, trying to decide what to think. They complied anyway and set off to the Commander's office.

Kaji looked to Misato and started to speak, "These recent events have brought to my attention that my behavior hasn't been the best… Look Katsuragi, I guess I'm trying to say that I still love you." Misato smiled longingly and moved closer to him. Kaji went for the kill and kissed her.

Shinji was right, all he had to do was reflect on his own behavior, and understand what Misato needed. Kaji had succeeded. Kaji had the one woman that mattered most to him.

(-----)

Shinji knocked on the Commander's door, and entered when prompted. When the pair entered, Gendo spoke, "Pilot Sohryu, would you mind waiting outside for a minute?"

The girl nodded and stepped out of the room. The Commander of NERV stood up and walked over to Shinji. The younger Ikari spoke, "Yes? You wanted to see me father?"

Gendo smiled faintly, but there was no coldness in this smile, it was genuine. The older Ikari moved closer to his son and placed a hand on Shinji's shoulder, "I am glad you are safe, Shinji."

Shinji was confused, he had no idea why his father was showing feelings towards his son, when he had never even noticed Shinji before.

"I am proud of you son. I think that Yui would be also."

(-----)

Asuka was leaning against the door, and when they opened, she expected Shinji to be on the verge of tears, but when they finally did open, Shinji's eyes were gleaming with a light rarely seen. She had seen it once before, when his father had praised him during the battles with the angels, though she had been too busy raging about losing to the boy to really notice. The girl smiled at Shinji and he mirrored the gesture.

The two walked in, and Shinji held Asuka's hand. Gendo had resumed his sitting posture and began to ask about the 4th Sin, Lust.

(-----)

Shinji and Asuka sat on the couch at home, the very couch that Shinji thought about splattering himself on, but those thoughts were long gone. All that remained was an acute happiness. Between the two, there wasn't a need for words. One look into the other's eyes would tell more than words could.

Shinji looked into Asuka's eyes and said, "Are you getting hungry?"

Asuka nodded, and the two rose to make dinner. While the two were cooking, the doorbell rang. Asuka jerked her head towards it and Shinji opened the door.

Kaworu was standing in the door and spoke to both he and Asuka, "Friends. I require aid."

Shinji let him in and said, "Sure, what's up, buddy?"

The former Angel stood in the middle of the room and said, "What is the difference between sexual attraction and affection?"

Asuka and Shinji both blushed and the girl said, "Talk about blunt… Well… Sexual attraction is wanting to be… how do I say this… carnally involved with somebody, and only that. But affection… Affection is all about the way that somebody makes you feel."

Kaworu looked puzzled and Asuka said, "You don't get it, do you? … Okay, take me and Shinji for example, and then my old crush on Kaji. With Kaji, I didn't really care about how he felt, as long as he noticed me, but with Shinji… it's all about being together. I love the way he makes me feel. I used to feel like I was worthless. Shinji helped me out, he's given me self-worth."

Kaworu still looked confused, "Being a Lilim sure is complex, and I thought that it would be easier than being an Angel. Foolish mistake, I guess."

Shinji spoke, shyly at first, "Kaworu… Do you remember how I kept running from reality? Well, I've stopped. It's because of Asuka, in reality, she stopped the Third Impact. I have been living for her since I've returned from Instrumentality. I think that if I have no other reason to live than Asuka, that it would be enough for me. That is true love."

Once Shinji had said this, the German girl smirked, and one small tear dropped from her eye.

The silver haired boy simply said, "I see. About the 3rd Sin… I had gotten angry. Why is that?"

Asuka smiled, "Well, you're only human!"

Kaworu closed his eyes and ran over the events in his head again, "I had never experienced anger before then. I had gotten angry when Ms. Ayanami had decided to say her goodbyes to everyone, resolving that she would die. I just snapped and I started to yell. I… I don't think that I want her to die. Can you help me to understand?"

The German girl giggled and said, "Looks like you're in love!"

The pilot of Unit 03 looked at the ground and said, "That's what I was afraid of…"

Shinji was in disbelief, and exclaimed, "What's wrong with love!"

The boy let his ruby eyes stop on Shinji, and said, "I had said that I have never felt anger… but also, I have never felt Lilim love."

(-----)

Rei was laying on her bed staring at nothing in particular, the room smelled like paint and cleaning liquids. The girl's once dilapidated dwelling had since been cleaned up, she had painted the walls a sunny yellow, and had finally cleaned her mailbox. The only things that needed fixing now were her doorbell, floor, and the occupant.

Rei was in a state of chaos, for many things were begging to be thought about, yet only one thing could be sorted out at a time, and this was tedious work. Nothing seemed to make sense, and she thought, 'How can others not hate me? Do I actually make a difference in the world? Or am I just a statistic? Maybe I am important. Maybe I'm the one that protects the statistics.'

Rei let out a perceptible sigh, and stood up, the girl was actually wearing something other than her school clothes or plug suit. The girl brushed off her jeans, and straightened her blouse. The outfit was comfortable, more so than her school uniform. It had taken time, but Asuka had finally gotten the pilot of Unit 00 to wear normal garments.

The blue-haired girl saw a flash of silver from her quite small window, but only for a second. Outside of the apartment, Kaworu Nagisa walked quickly, determined to reach his apartment and mull over the day. The First and Fifth Children were more similar than they could ever know.

Rei slowly opened her door, and saw the figure of the boy walk to a nearby room, and open the door. As the boy was stepping in, Rei shyly began to speak, "Pilot Nagisa… Thank you…"

The young man froze in his tracks, not sure what to do or say, for the meeting with Shinji and Ms. Sohryu had helped a little, but not much. The pilots had breached one of the hardest steps, Initial Contact.

(-----)

Rei and Kaworu sat in her one-room residence, neither speaking. The children had little contact with people, more or less the opposite sex.

Kaworu decided that he must be brave if he was ever to have his love returned, and started with an offer. "Ms. Ayanami… Do these floors bother you? They bothered me… If… If you would desire… I can put in some hardwood flooring for you."

Rei was taken aback, this young man didn't seem like the type of guy that'd be skilled with his hands, but there were many things one couldn't tell about Kaworu by looking at him.

Rei turned a rosy pink, and barely managed to speak, "Thank… Thank you. That would be very… enjoyable."

She silently cursed herself, 'Dammit Rei. How can you just talk to this good-looking guy and say something as retarded as that? That would be very enjoyable! Say something a little more relaxed.'

The girl heeded her new thought process, and said, "Yes, that would be great! Know that there'll always be an open door here, even if you just wish to speak with another individual."

Kaworu barely flushed, but the color was there, and he had his own turn to sort out what to say. "I do not wish to intrude upon you."

Rei half-smiled and said, "You will not be intruding. You may come around as often as you like. I shall always try to be there for you to seek."

The young man returned the gesture and said, "I shall see you more often then. I hope we can become close friends." He stood up from the chair that he sat on and bowed slightly, "I am sorry, but I must take my leave. Good night, Ms. Ayanami."

"Kaworu! May I call you Kaworu?" seeing the boy nod, Rei continued, "You may call me Rei, we are not obligated to be so formal."

The boy spoke, "I am sorry Rei, but if I do call you Ms. Ayanami, it is out of habit. I used to simply identify everyone through name and title." He bowed deeper than before, slightly let his lips brush against the girl's hand, and exited her quarters.

Fortitude

Shinji yawned and stretched his arms over his head, and felt a stinging pain right below his ribs. He gasped for breath and clutched at the spot of his knife wound. The boy grunted, "Shit. Not now!"

Asuka stepped out of the shower and quickly dressed herself in the usual evening attire. As she walked into the hall towards her room, she shouted, "Hey Shinji! When's dinner gonna be ready?" The red haired girl only heard a series of grunts and gasps, and ran into the kitchen.

The young Ikari was hunched over, clutching at his ribs. Blood seeped through his fingers, staining the white shirt he was wearing.

Asuka quickly ran to him and dragged him onto the couch, and ripped his shirt off. She frantically searched for the first-aid kit, and found it buried in the sink cabinet. She spoke soothingly to the young man on the couch, gasping in pain. "Shinji. Shinji calm down. This will hurt like a bitch, but try to bear with me." Asuka whispered into his ear as she poured cleansing alcohol onto a cloth. She promptly pressed the rag over the gash, and prepared herself for the screams of the boy.

Shinji gritted his teeth, and hissed, "Damn."

Asuka was quite surprised at this reaction, for any normal man would have been crying in pain. Then again, Shinji was no ordinary man.

She deftly wrapped his wound and ran her fingers through his hair. "You did fine. No normal man could have stayed conscious through that."

She kissed him lightly, and he tried to stand up, "I-I can still finish making d-dinner."

The German shot him a dirty look and shouted, "Sit you're ass down! I'll finish dinner. You're in no condition to do it"

He lied back down and let his nostrils be filled with the aroma of food.

(-----)

Misato walked in, and immediately slumped down in the doorway. The tiring day of work had left only one thing on her mind: Check on Shinji. As the blank mind started up again, this thought came rushing back to the Sub-Commander of NERV. "Shinji!" she shouted, running into the living room.

The sight that greeted her was not the one expected. Shinji was lying on the couch with his bloody shirt on the ground, and he, himself, covered in blood-soaked bandages.

Asuka was cooking in the kitchen, and Shinji welcomed the purple haired woman home. "Hey Misato!" he meekly said as her horror filled eyes assessed the situation.

She screamed, "What the HELL happened to you Shinji!"

He timidly smiled and said, "I was stretching, and I guess I ripped open the cut."

Misato cried in anger, "YOU GUESS?"

He dismissively said, "Don't worry about it. It's nothing, really." Shinji had steeled himself for the verbal lashings he would receive, but instead, he received his superior crying in his lap. "Damn it Shinji! How can you ask me to not worry! I worry about you and Asuka all the time!" The woman was sobbing into his leg.

Shinji had tears in his eyes, for he did not wish to upset his guardian. "It's okay though… Asuka patched me up, and I feel much better."

The guardian sat back and looked at the bandages, then stood up. She approached Asuka and tried to pop her head off with a bear hug. She was still crying, "Thank you Asuka! If you didn't know first aid… Shinji would have…"

Asuka pulled back and said defiantly, "No! He wouldn't have! The Invincible Shinji is way too strong to let that happen! And I would never let him just die! I don't know what I'd do without him!" This time Asuka was crying. Though only slightly, she was still crying.

Shinji struggled to stand up, but both women pushed him back down, and Asuka said, "SCHEISSE! Don't you ever listen? Just stay there!"

Misato picked the phone out of a stack of empty beer cans and dialed Dr. Ritsuko Akagi, "Ritsuko. Come over to my place. Shinji's wound broke open. Thanks Ritsuko."

Shinji groaned, the fact that Ritsuko was going to examine him wasn't too exiting of news.

(-----)

Dr. Akagi poked and prodded all over Shinji's body, as the other women looked on with mild interest. The doctor unraveled the bandages around Shinji, and examined the gash.

The skin was already coming together, but it was still very pale and clammy, and between the two folds of flesh, the onlookers could see a bright red streak. His wound showed the tissues and muscles near his ribs. The wound would heal within two or three weeks, if Shinji didn't strain himself.

She reached into her purse and removed a large needle. Though Shinji wasn't under anesthetic, he still didn't cry out in pain as the needle stitched his skin together.

Shinji grimaced and thought, 'We should at least get something to dull the pain.'

Asuka saw the boy scowl, and moved to his side. She held his hand firmly, reassuring him that she was there for him.

Ritsuko finished and stood up, "It should be fine in two or three weeks, but don't strain it at all. It will leave a pretty nasty scar, but you can keep that as a trophy I guess."

Shinji smiled poignantly, and thought, 'This scar will remind me of what Asuka really means to me. I just hope I don't screw up our relationship again.'

Ritsuko sat down in a chair and contemplated Shinji's tolerance level. 'He could take massive amounts of physical pain, but a simple injury to his psyche leaves him devastated. Though I don't blame him, his life was extremely twisted. His relationship with Asuka seems to be helping him out a lot though. With her help, he could take more than most fully grown men.'

Her thoughts were interrupted by Misato, "Hey Ritsuko! Wanna beer?"

The doctor shrugged and nodded. Asuka displayed an incredible feat of strength for a girl of her age, and carried Shinji into his room. The boy had fallen asleep after his 'operation,' and it was unlikely that he would attend school, and if Shinji stayed home, so would Asuka. The two seemed inseparable now.

(-----)

Shinji could faintly recall what had happened the night before, but all that was apparent to him now, was the fact that it was time to make lunches for school.

He rose, and moved to the kitchen, planning what to cook. The boy opened the refrigerator, and got out the ingredients he needed.

Asuka had smelled something cooking, and shuffled into the kitchen, "Dummkopf! You probably have a valid reason to miss school."

Shinji smiled at the name, and said, "What's you're excuse?"

She blushed slightly at the thought of telling her teacher that she had been home with Shinji, for everyone would get the wrong idea.

Shinji continued after a minute, "Figured as much. But anyway, I feel like I'm strong enough to go to school."

The boy crammed the food into their containers, and handed one to Asuka.

As Shinji went to pick up his backpack, Asuka quickly snatched it from his grasp, saying, "You're not allowed to exert yourself. Remember?"

He nodded slightly, and Asuka scribbled something on some paper, then handed it to Shinji. "This is a note to get out of gym class." she said, throwing the pen back on the table.

He looked at the note, then the signature, "Th- That's Misato's signature!"

The German girl grinned fiendishly, "I've had a lot of time to practice. It's the quick way out of those pesky handouts." Asuka grabbed the boy's hand, as was their usual routine, and strode out the door.

(-----)

Shinji's limp was only a slight one, for pain still shot through his body, but everyone immediately noticed.

Toji prided himself on being the first to notice, and the first to know the real reason why he was limping.

After Toji had told Kensuke, the news spread like wildfire. Everyone knew about Shinji getting in a fight that involved the 4th monster, but what nobody could comprehend, was why they had not seen the fight.

Both Shinji and Asuka had thought it best to leave out the specifics, and simply said that the specific information was classified.

When most of the boys at lunch had cornered him, Shinji was forced to show the gash under his ribs. Those that didn't puke, roared in approval of the scar it would leave.

He quickly hid the cut and said that he couldn't show it again, because it could get infected.

(-----)

Gym class had started, and Shinji showed the teacher the note. This man was very suspicious of the contents, and had to verify it for himself.

The young Ikari was taken into the locker room, and he revealed his cut for the second time that day.

The teacher immediately spewed off a myriad of questions, but Shinji only said, "I got into a fight with the fourth monster, while working for NERV."

The man was definitely taken aback, and wondered how a kid like this could land a big job for NERV.

Shinji sighed heavily and sat down on the metal bleachers. He opened his backpack and began to start his math homework. "Damn, I hate math…" he mumbled.

Unbeknownst to him, a German girl had simply skipped her gym class, and stood behind the boy silently. She cupped her hands around her mouth, and shouted, "Hey Shinji!"

The young Ikari jumped and fell backwards slightly. The girl laughed at his reaction and put her arms around the boy. His face flushed slightly, and he asked, "How come you're not in class?"

Asuka brushed her hair off her face and over her shoulder, and laughed, "Are you stupid? I didn't feel like going, so here I am."

The boy frowned, "You shouldn't skip class like that. The teacher'll get pissed! He already didn't believe me when I said I got stabbed."

Asuka laughed even harder and said, "That old goat won't even miss me!"

Shinji scratched his head, and pointed behind her. A gruff voice said in a menacing voice, "You were saying…? Well Ms. Sohryu."

She turned on him and said, "Mein Gott, it took you this long to realize where I was?"

The teacher glowered and roared, "GET YOUR ASS OVER THERE AND JUMP OVER THAT BAR!"

He pointed to the highest jumping bar, and Asuka shrugged, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Wow. That'll be hard."

The German girl's red hair fluttered behind her as she ran towards the jumping bar. With an elegance and vertical leap rarely seen together, Asuka cleared bar, leaving more than two feet for error. She landed in a dignified manner, and said, "That all, Goat?"

His face was livid with anger, but the pilot of Unit 02 simply smiled and said, "I think I just got ahead of the whole class for about a week or so. I'm hitting the showers, so I'll see you in about a week."

Nobody was really astonished, because this was how Asuka acted most of the time. But this did nothing to satiate the teacher's wrath, and he took it out on the nearest person, Shinji. "Gear it up Ikari! You're not going to skip class like your friend Sohryu!"

The boy nodded, not even bothering to complain, convincing himself that he was fine.

Shinji started to sprint down the track, his teacher had said that if he didn't catch up with the other boys, he'd have detention for the rest of the year. Shinji was half a lap behind, but he was more than confident he could catch up, the only one that would give him a run for his money would be Toji.

Within minutes, the young pilot started passing people, smiling sarcastically as he did. Still he pushed out of the middle of the pack and into the vanguard. As he neared his goal, the front, Shinji could see Kaworu Nagisa running closely behind Toji. As he neared the pair, he started to talk, "Hey guys. What's up?"

The boy in first looked in amazement, "Shinji! What the hell're you doing up here!"

He smiled bitterly and said, "The teacher got kinda pissed after what Asuka did, so he's taking it out on me."

The silver haired boy, who had been listening intently, said, "Indeed. That hardly sounds fair."

The pilot of Unit 01 nodded, and grimaced, "Yeah, but then again, when has life ever been fair for the Eva pilots?"

Kaworu frowned slightly, "There is a valid point taken."

Toji started to slacken his pace, but only slightly, letting the two behind him close the few feet between them.

Shinji looked to the former angel and said, "I'm kind of surprised that you're up here in the front. You don't strike me as the type to be physically strong."

Toji nodded, "Yeah, he's been on my heels for the whole run, and what about you Shinji? You don't strike me as the type either."

His blue eyes narrowed and his brown hair fluttered in the wind, "I guess so. But I do some running nowadays. Hey look! The finish line!"

Toji sighed, "Thank God, I hate these runs."

Shinji smiled devilishly, "Time to kick it into Overdrive!" The pilot of Unit 01 put an extra burst of speed, and left Toji and Kaworu gasping for breath.

(-----)

Shinji smiled humbly, and said, "Hello Teacher!"

The teacher was thoroughly pissed, and started screaming and snapped his clip board over his knee.

Shinji laughed quietly, for he knew Misato would get a report about this, and more than that, she would laugh harder than anyone.

As Shinji trudged to the showers, the boy was trying to find something to get Asuka for Christmas, which was in less than a week. His friends were easy to buy for, but his girlfriend was difficult beyond all reason. Though it was really Shinji's fault, Asuka would have been happy to simply receive a gift from her boyfriend. Shinji would not give the girl of his dreams any old gift. He wanted to give her the best out there.

As he began showering, he barely noticed the other guys filing in. Toji clapped him on the back and shattered the pilot's musing, "Damn Shinji! When did you get fast?"

Shinji looked down and mumbled, "I've been running… Started a couple weeks ago."

Shinji had finished his bathing nearly ten minutes before the other guys, and started to pack his things. The boy let his fingers drift under his ribs, checking his wound.

As Shinji ran his fingers over it, he could feel dried blood encasing the gash. He realized something very important in that moment: his cut had gotten smaller. He resolved to tell Asuka and Misato, maybe Kaji.

Just as he thought the name Kaji, the man himself was standing over the young Ikari.

He cheerily spoke, "Hey there, Shinji! What's up?"

The pilot removed his hand from his shirt and said, "Hey Kaji. Look can I speak with you… in private?" Kaji nodded, and they set off around the school yard.

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

This chapter was a regular sized one after all… After Lust strikes, things seem to return to normal, huh? We all like stabbing things! Anyway, some of you may think Shinji got what he deserved for being a pansy.

Outtake

Shinji's blood drenched the front of Asuka and he nervously laughed, "Tag…"

The girl's eye twitched in anger and she produced a whip (nobody knows where it was from) and started to whip Shinji.

"BITCH! DID I SAY YOU COULD TALK?" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Shinji quietly whimpered, "No master…"