Disclaimer: I do not own anything that's is already owned by GAINAX, Marvel or DC/Vertigo. All rights reserved.
Author's Notes: Well, I'm glad my new draft got such positive feedback! (With a few exceptions… mope) From what I've read, Bleach is about Death recruiting the man who sees dead people… Shinji doesn't see dead people, nor is he being recruited as a grim reaper or something, (like another fanfiction I've read that was, sadly, discontinued.) So while it is about a guy and Death, the relationship is seen throughout other sources, (including The Sandman itself.) Also, I'd like to point out Death isn't so much a sidekick as… well, you'll see soon enough.
On a side note, this storyline does not follow the conclusion of the actual Sandman comic, as I prefer Morpheus to Daniel any day… For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I'll not ruin the ending of the series for ya.
Chapter Two: The Fine Line
"Pon, pon, pon, pon, pon!" Misato and Shinji both chanted as they tied again.
"Again!" Misato declared, and the game of janken began anew.
As the chore duties were listed on the calendar, (a great percentage of it marked as Shinji's,) Shinji couldn't help but continue looking at the wretched mess of bottles, cans and garbage that filled the house. How can someone live on so much instant food and alcohol…? He kept thinking to himself as Misato opened up another can, drank it in one shot, and let out her trademark holler.
"AAAH, now that hits the spot! Well Shinji-kun, it's your duty-day tonight, so I leave this place to you! I've got some phone calls to make and a bath…" She began taking off her top as she walked, at which point Shinji was quick to stutter and blush whilst turning away. Shinji sighed with relief as the bathroom door slid closed. Now all that was left was cleaning up the nightmarish locale that was to be his home.
My luggage will have to wait… this place is totally wrecked, and the smell… what is that! he continued to think to himself as he gathered up the already prepared bags of empty beer cans.
East of Misato's apartment building was another, taller structure upon which two albino figures stood, watching over the battalion city. The one that sat upon the edge of the roof was Death, her top changed to a leather jacket and her haircut short and neatly. The other, a far gaunter and taller male, wore a flowing dark blue robe that contrasted with the white dots of his eyes. His somber expression did not shift as his older sister smiled.
"So he is a problem," the man finally stated.
"Nah, just an odd occurrence… but it's the second time it's happened, and if mortals start figuring out loopholes, my job becomes complicated…"
"But he saw his fate. He may figure out how to escape it."
"Don't worry, Dream, he doesn't know how to get out of Hell… I don't plan on telling him the truth about that yet. As far as he's concerned, mortal religion has it figured out… that'll be enough to comfort his curiosity. What about you? I haven't heard from you in almost two decades, little brother."
"This planet is filled with nightmares, and the slumbering worlds are restless. The universe as a whole shifts with impatience, and all of this is reflected in the dreams I create for them. Just as you had your lot during the Final Sign, I must deal with the aftermath and anticipation."
"Talkative today, eh?"
"We may not have much time to speak."
"I've been out of contact… how are the others doing?"
Dream hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Destiny says he has almost reached the end of his reading. Delirium agrees, in her own way, and Despair has not answered my calls."
"Despair was always sad about the end," Death sighed lightly, her pleasant demeanor faltering for a moment.
"This mortal, if he is so much trouble…"
"I will decide when to take him, not you, Dream. And don't you interfere…"
Dream's expression shifted slightly towards anger, but resumed its neutrality. "In his waking hours, I will not intervene. But in my realm, he has no choice but to hear my call…"
Dream faded from reality, as did Death. Throughout the conversation, Death had taken an old woman who simply perished in her favorite chair, a young man hit by a car, and a drunkard who overdosed on his favorite pastime. Slow night…Death thought to herself.
"Phew, that's the last of it…" Shinji wiped cold sweat from his brow as the last bag was tossed into the filled dumpster by the apartment. His slow and tired walk back to the apartment wasn't helped by the soreness of his bruised face, but what concerned him most was the disappearance of Death. I wonder if she'll ever come back before I… He stopped the train of thought when he spotted Death lounging by the apartment door, leaning on the wall beside it while sitting on the filthy floor.
"Hey you," she greeted; her hands acted as a perch for her stark white face. Shinji could feel something tug at his heart, but he swallowed hard and nodded in response.
"Um, hello… are you going to be around long?" Shinji initially said, but then stuttered out "Sorry" as he realized how rude he sounded.
"Not very…" Her words hung on Shinji's mind as he contemplated it's double meaning. "What are you going to do now?"
"I'm in charge of cooking tonight… what about you? Do you have… people to… um…"
"Don't worry about that, it's all covered for. Hey, I'd like you to help me out with a little problem, if you're willing."
"Eh, sure. What's the—" Death stood now and approached him until she was inches away from his body. Shinji gulped hard as he felt every fiber in his body grow cold from the closeness of Death, to the point that a light fog appeared at his mouth at every exhale. Yet, he could not resist the urge to reach out and touch her beautiful face, to kiss that haunting smile…
"I wouldn't suggest it," Death replied to the unasked desires. Shinji nearly jumped back three feet, quickly yelling out apologies. "No one can ignore my call through force of will, and thus it had to be an outside source… what did you feel, between life and… me? That fine line between living and dying… can you remember it, define it, and relive it?"
Shinji thought for a moment at the odd request, and for a moment, with Death so close to his living frame, italmost came to him... but heshook his head. "I was… I was fighting the Angel and… I woke up in the hospital. I can't remember anything, it was…"
Death's smile faded, but was quickly chirped up to a full grin. "Ah well, most never remember it… but it had to be what saved you. Who knows, maybe it'll happen again… we'll find out soon enough."
"W… what do you mean—" Before Shinji could finish the question, Death faded from view, and all that was left was the cold breeze throughout the apartment building walkways.
"So… you remember dying?" Misato asked. Shinji and her both sat at the table, legs folded and sitting in front of the instant curry bowls.
"Not really… well, actually yes," Shinji lied. I can't go telling people I talk to Death, who's a beautiful woman in black…
Misato raised an eyebrow. "Well, your vital signs dipped and you weren't responding… then it leapt back to life, but you still didn't come to full consciousness until afterwards, and then you fell into what Dr. Akagi described as a 'minor' coma…" Misato grimaced slightly at the memory of being debriefed. "Aside from that, nothing happened, except me negotiating your release to me as your guardian."
"I'm grateful and all, but… why did you do that?" Shinji finally asked.
"They were going to have you live alone, and I simply couldn't have a teenager living by his lonesome with no income, now could I?"
"I'm used to it." There was a long silence between them, until Misato reached across the table and smothered his head with her open palm.
"Well you better get used to living with me, cuz I'm not about to let you go off by yourself, ya hear!"
"Y-yes ma'am."
"No resistance? Learn to say 'No' or 'I don't wanna' or something besides! Be a man!"
"Yes ma'am," Shinji replied, at which point Misato sighed with defeat. Shinji's smile was small, but it was there long enough for Misato to return it.
"So… ever had a girlfriend before, Shinji-kun?"
Shinji blushed slightly and looked down at the table, floor and anything else besides Misato's prying eyes. "Eh… not really…"
"Well why not? At your age, I gotta wonder why you wouldn't have a… unless you're, you know…"
"I'm not gay!" Shinji declared.
"Good, cuz you're living with a woman now, and I do enjoy the attention, don't you…" Misato purred, causing Shinji's face to glow with embarrassment. She's drunk, that's all, and she's wasted beyond saving… I gotta get outta here…
"My room needs picking up or something, I gotta pick it up… or something…" he stammered out in a rush as he leapt up and ran like the dickens. Misato smiled and sighed to herself, saying quite soberly as Shinji's door closed behind him, "You've still got it, girl…"
Invisible to the purple-haired guardian, a being of either gender and golden eyes gave a sinister smile and crept into the room of Shinji Ikari…