Well I'm glad to say that it seems my story is being enjoyed by everyone that has read it so far, so here's chapter 2. I hope that it's up to par with the first chapter and that you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Of the two chosen children that sat before the primordial expanse, Asuka was the first to awaken. Apparently, she and Shinji had fallen asleep not long after they had finally settled how they felt. She leaned up, half seated, supporting herself with her elbows and forearms against the sand. Night had already fallen and the moon cast a strange and eerie glow upon the glistening amber liquid.

Asuka turned to look at Shinji. He was still asleep, his hair covered in sand, his shirt and pants dusty with it as well. Knowing what a neat freak he was, she couldn't help but giggle a little at the way he looked right now. "Schmierfink," she said with a giggle, realizing at the same time that her hair would certainly be much dirtier.

With a sigh, she stood up and brushed herself off, careful not to get too much more sand on Shinji. After she had finally gotten most of it out of her hair and off of her suit she kneeled down next to Shinji and began to gently brush some of the sand out of his hair as well. A soft smile crossed her face as she did this, and she felt a little embarrassed at the fact that her personality had essentially changed completely within just this one day. Whereas she used to pick on and tease Shinji, now she found herself leaning next to him as he slept, running her hands through his hair and wishing she could find some new clothes to get into; wishing she could feel his pretty dark brown hair in her fingers, sand and all.

Almost instinctively she began to lower herself more to his level. While she continued to brush the sand out of his hair, he shifted positions in his sleep, his lips parting ever so slightly. He looked so inviting to her as he lay there, so handsome and peaceful. She could feel the desire welling up inside of her, the need to be with him always…the need for him to be there for her, to love her in the same way that he had said he did always. These feelings ran through her mind and her body as she looked down upon him and she began to lean down towards him, her lips pursing his softly as he slept.

It was not hard for Asuka to realize that he had awakened when she kissed him; she had felt his lips return the same soft kiss she had placed upon him. Asuka sat back up slightly, still looking down at him with a smile, the pale moonlight reflecting in her eyes of deep azure. He looked so beautiful in that moonlight, so very desirable. She noticed that the moonlight reflected beautifully in his eyes too and she found herself staring into them, smiling. All around her the world was changing, everyone gone, and yet she was happier now then she had ever been before…even her crush on Kaji was incomparable to what she felt now.

"Asuka…"

Asuka sat back, blushing. She hadn't even realized Shinji started speaking. Shinji simply laughed, however, and sat up himself.

"It's still not morning," Shinji said.

"Oh really? I hadn't noticed, what with the moon out and all," Asuka said with a laugh.

Shinji laughed also, looking back out over the amber sea once more. They both sat there again for a short while, looking at the strange ripples of silver and gold the moonlight made in the ocean. After a few minutes of silence both of them could hear their stomachs growling and they laughed again.

"I guess we'd better head back to what's left of the city to see what there is huh?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah. Hopefully I can find some clothes and get out of this damned suit too."

Shinji smiled and nodded, rising to his feet. When she started to get up she noticed Shinji's lowered hand. Blushing yet again she took his hand and let him help her to her feet.

"My, quite the gentleman, aren't we?"

The two of them shared another laugh as they made their way back to the remains of Tokyo 3. They were lucky, the city had been raised after the mass produced Evangelions were destroyed, but even if it were lowered it wouldn't have been saved when Rei and Adam caused the Third Impact. At least a good portion of it is still intact.

Shinji and Asuka made their way into the remains of the city. Luck was on their side once more, one portion of the city that remained was the shopping district and most of the restaurants were still in good condition and the entire area had power. After wandering through the streets to see what shops were still mostly intact, the two of them finally decided to stop and get some food from a small restaurant. Surprisingly a most of the meats were still useable, and none of them had returned to their primordial state.

"I guess that only living creatures can turn back into that stuff in the ocean," Shinji said as they looked through what was there. With a smile he turned back to Asuka. "How about you go get a new set of clothes while I cook the food?"

Asuka smiled, adding an enthused "sure." Before she left the restaurant, she turned back to Shinji. "Hey, you know, that outfit just isn't going to do. Go and find something clean to put on, something nice and if you aren't wearing something like that when I get back I'm gonna slug you," she said with a giggle and a wink.

It didn't take long for her to find a store that had a lot of things that fit her and that she liked. After looking through most of what was there, she finally decided upon a beautiful scarlet dress she spotted. She headed back into the dressing room and changed, releasing the locks on the pressurized suit and letting it fall to the floor. She slipped the dress on, looking at how it fit in the mirror. A pleased smile crossed her face and she left the room to find a pair of nice shoes and maybe some accessories to match…

When she finally returned, Shinji had finished cooking their meal and was setting the plates on the table. She giggled quietly when she noticed that he had changed his clothes but that the outfit he wore was still essentially the same. After he set up the table, Shinji looked up, finally seeing Asuka standing there in the new dress. Another giggle escaped her lips as she watched his cheeks redden.

"Asuka…you look beautiful…"

Asuka simply smiled and placed a kiss upon his cheek as he moved over and pulled the chair out for her. When she sat she looked at the food that was placed on the table before her.

"Wow, it looks and smells really good," she said.

Shinji shrugged and sunk back sheepishly into his chair. "It's not much…just stir fry…"

When they started to eat, Shinji couldn't help but look wide eyed as Asuka shoveled her food. After shoveling about a quarter of the plate she noticed him staring at her. Shinji couldn't help but laugh when her face became as red as her dress.

Together the two of them sat in the chandelier lit restaurant and ate the meal Shinji prepared. After they had finished they decided to take a walk and headed in the direction of the park. The park, like the shopping district, also remained intact. Eventually they made their way through the park and into a nearby field of beautiful lunar flowers. As they walked, Shinji plucked one and gently set it in Asuka's hair.

"It suits you," he told her with a smile.

Asuka ran a hand through her hair when he said this, planting another quick kiss on his cheek. After a short while longer they reached the top of a small knoll overlooking the field. A cherry tree grew there and even though the blossoms weren't blooming it still looked as beautiful as the rest of the field. Looking out across the field, they simply leaned against the tree embracing one another, Asuka's head resting against Shinji's warm chest. No words were spoken between them, for there was no need for them at that time. Their love was all that mattered, and the words would never speak as powerfully as their embrace did. Time passed slowly as they stood there, and eventually the moon moved from the top of the sky to just above the horizon.

"I guess we'd better try to find someplace to stay until we can figure out something to do huh?" Shinji asked.

"Yeah," Asuka replied. When Shinji started to release his hold on her, however, she stopped him. "Not yet Shinji, let's stay here just a little while longer."

With a nod Shinji smiled and the two kissed once more, continuing to overlook the fields. After a short time they started to fall asleep again, the comfort of their warmth being such a secure feeling that it couldn't be avoided. The slipping alertness of Shinji's mind was quickly revived when a strange yet familiar sound reached his ears.

"Asuka, do you hear that?" he asked.

"Huh? Hear what?"

"Just listen."

Asuka continued to rest against his chest, listening. After a moment she heard it too, the strum of a guitar, and it wasn't far off. A spark of excitement and nervousness filled both of their hearts as they thought of the possibility. It was a long shot, but the possibility was definitely there now. Someone else may have survived.