Disclaimer: I don't own anything, never have, never will. Writers and artists remain forever poor. So I don't own Evangelion or any of it's character's. Gainax does, they are the smart ones with the money, not to mention lawyers. So I want to ensure them that this story is not going to make me any money, because people would never, ever pay to read it. So, fear not Gainax all rights and copyrights remain reserved.
Apotheosis
One's Descent into Heaven in order to become God
Chapter Two
Step Up
Italics - Inner thoughts
May my faith always exceed my fears,
for the price is too high to go through life afraid."
-Anonymous
"What the hell?" I said to myself as a small platform raised me up to what looked like a metal vile that was half in the back of the Eva. I was trying to get a hold of my limbs which couldn't help but shake; I think they are smarter than I am. I saw the hatch open and when I came to a stop next to it I looked inside. It had a seat built into a large metal base with handles on either side. It was dark in there. Only a few small lights allowed any vision. A small wave of fear crept over me as I took a look around the outside of the "entry plug". This could be my last chance, not to mention my last breath outside this machine. What am I doing here? Am I going to die tonight? Did i come all this way just to die? What would be the point in that?
I stepped inside and got into the seat. At the same time both the fear of inevitable death as well as the wonder of a life's fantasy realized. Why couldn't I have had time to use this thing when my life wasn't in danger? I mean this is amazing, but I really don't know how the hell I am supposed to fight that thing. It was ridiculously strong, and I don't know what I am doing. Their instructions were not very helpful, something close to shut up, get in and do it. Damn it, why me? Why do I have to save the world? I'm not a hero, I don't show up at the last possible moment and save the day... Wait a second... That is exactly what I'm doing. Well if this works out that is, too bad this isn't a story; I would have nothing to worry then. The hatch of the entry plug closes and I feel a sudden rush as it slides downward into the Eva. Shit, this is it huh? Now I just hope that I'm a damn quick learner.
"Entry plug inserted. Connecting Unit 01." I am really starting to hate the sound of that techs voice, he never has anything good to say.
I hear Ritsuko's voice say, "Flood the entry plug." And that is when panic sunk in.
"What the hell are you talking about? I thought the angel would be the only thing trying to kill me once I got in here." Sure enough liquid started filling the compartment. "Are you people crazy?" I said frantically as my waist was surrounded with water. The liquid smelled of blood and had almost an orange tint to it. It was above my head before I could offer another protest. I held my breath wondering why it was they put me through all this just to kill me themselves. A bullet hours ago would have been a lot nicer.
"Relax, once your lungs are filled with LCL your blood will be oxygenated directly. You'll get used to it." Ritsuko's voice again came over the com.
I wished I had a choice but since I didn't I took her word for it figuring at least this would make my death quicker. But she was right, I opened my eyes and they were unaffected by the liquid. I almost got sick as the fluid filled me. Damn this is not very pleasant. "I wish you would have warned me about that."
Misato seemed annoyed, "Oh suck it up you are a boy aren't you?"
Just then that damn tech struck again, "Connecting main power. All circuits transmitting power. Connecting secondary contacts."
The walls of the entry plug flash with a rainbow of light that makes me shield my eyes. Once my eyes adjust I realize I'm looking at the wall on the far side of the room, I notice that it's only a screen but you can hardly tell. It was as if the Eva wasn't even there.
"A-10 nerve connection, normal. Configure the language interface for Japanese. All preliminary contacts established. Performance nominal. Bi-directional circuits are open. Synchronization ratio at 42.1." At least this tech was female.
Ritsuko answered her, "Amazing."
"Harmonics all are normal. No disturbances detected." The tech continued.
"We can do it!" Ritsuko said to Misato, who nodded back confidently.
"Prepare for launch!"
"Disengage primary lock bolts... Disengage confirmed. Disengaging the umbilical bridge... Disengage secondary locks" I heard all the announcements through the Eva but they were all background noise to the smarter me (the one that was in control of my limbs earlier). It was screaming inside my head that I was an idiot and if I didn't do something real quick I was going to die an idiots death. It was a sad truth, butI couldn't deny the fact that it probably was THE truth. Then there was the stupid me, the one that was telling me how cool this all was and how much fun it would be to fight in this thing. The smart one wondered, how long itwill last? Probably not very long at all. Then the dumb one answered, but everyone is counting on you and that makes you the hero, hero's don't lose. All of me laughed. That would be nice. Well this is for all the marbles so it's all or nothing. The fate of the world was in my hands, how fucking classic. The sad part is I have wished for this a million times, to be in the place of the hero and now here I am. Scared shit-less. Some hero.
I am pulled out of my thoughts by the feeling of the Eva moving backwards, I vaguely recollect them saying something about a launch pad.
"Eva ready to launch."
"Can we really do this?" A concerned Misato asked the Commander back in the control room.
He answered flatly, "Of coarse. Unless we defeat the angels, we have no future."
His faithful vice commander stood by his side, "Ikari are you sure about this?"
I don't know what kind of man it takes to smile while sending this own son to the wolves, but Gendo is that type of man.
"Eva launch"
Suddenly I feel the Eva shooting upward the force pressing me into the seat. Oh shit!
A door opens above me and suddenly I am on the surface standing in the middle of the city. The Angel is directly ahead. Already? Couldn't I at least had some time?
"Are you ready Hinote?" Misato's voice over the com.
"As I'll ever be." Do I really have a choice?
Eva 01 lift off!" In response to Misato's command the restraints came undone and It slumped forward. As I pulled myself back to correct my momentum the Eva did the same. I wonder...
"Hinote, just concentrate on walking for now." the doctor said. Luckily the Angel was taking it's time observing me.
I tried to think of the motion of walking, picturing my own legs making the motion. I feel the EVA start to move. It begins to walk, stupid me I let myself get happy about it. As I lost my concentration the Eva misstepped and I fell flat on my face. Now the Angel advanced.
"Hinote are you okay? Hurry get up!" Misato screamed and I saw the Angel coming for me.
Instinct took over, my hands came under me and I sprang to my feet. The Angel was right in front of me and my whole being screamed hit it. And that I did. The Eva's right hand came up and across knocking the Angel off of it's feet and into the buildings on the side of us. In a state of near shock I take a few steps back. So this thing moves how I will it to. So far it's been all reactions. I need to get a hang of this and quick.
The Angel gets up as I take a fighting stance. It raises one arm at me and I suddenly remember the plane from earlier, and the attack... "Oh shit!" It shoots out it's weapon as I dive to the side sliding down a block. As I come to a stop I start to get up and the Angel is about to attack again. This time i have no where to go. I raise my arms to shield myself and in fear scream out, "NO!"
Misato screams out, "Hinote! Get out of there!"
A brilliant flash of orange light appears across the air in front of me. On the other side is the laser weapon, stopped cold. It disappears as the weapon retracts. I jump to my feet and rush the angel taking a big swing at it. This time it doesn't go so well as it catches my arm and snaps it. Feeling like my own arm is broken, I scream out in pain. Misato is yelling telling me to calm down, that my arm isn't broken but it's hard to listen to her when my arm is pretty sure. The Angel uses the opportunity and grabs the Eva by it's head. Through it's fingers I see the laser arm preparing for the shot. I can't do anything as it pounds point blank into the skull of the Eva over and over.
In the command center the screen flashed emergency. Then showed as the connections between pilot and Eva broke.
The three techs and their love of 'the bad news' tells the tale.
"The head has been damaged, extent unknown!"
"The nerve connections are breaking off!"
"We're not getting any readings from the pilot"
"Hinote!" Misato's voice was the last thing I heard.
I am going to die this is it. I am sorry everyone, I tried. The pain in my eye is Intense and then everything goes black as the Eva's head is pierced through and I pass out from the pain. Mother I will see you soon.
I feel the world coming back into focus. My eyes are closed but now I can feel the air around me and a bed under me. My brain begins to ask the question of where and why, my memory answers in the image of the monster weapon crushing into my skull. I sit up in a shot and my eyes fly open, all at once i begin to sweat and hyperventilate. I realize where I am and I start to calm down. A hospital, what the hell happened? Why am I not dead? The rush of blood to my head makes me dizzy and I put my hands on my head. What the hell is going on? How did I get here? I lay back down and stare at the ceiling. "I don't know how the hell I got here but three cheers for not being dead." I was in a bit of pain but being alive to feel pain is more than I expected. " So, Hinote; One, Bad Guys; Nothing... Score."
I look around, I am in a large mostly empty room, only my bed and the apparatus surrounding it. That figures I save the day and not a single person is here when I wake up. Ungrateful bastards. I try to get up but there isn't enough strength in me yet so I resign to getting a little more rest.
Meanwhile, back in the battlefield that was not a day before a city, the NERV workers are everywhere making repairs to the area as well as recovering the Eva. Being in the upper echelons of the chain of command has it's benefits as Ritsuko and Misato sat in a hastily constructed recovery center, just a tent under which personnel could gather and coordinate. Misato watched a TV. It showed a government official answering questions at a press conference. Of course his answers weren't honest ones.
"Just like we though public scenario B-22. So we're hushing up the truth again?" Misato said while fanning herself. She doesn't like the secrets that surround her job. There is no reason to hide saving the world.
Ritsuko does not share her friends distaste for secrets, she is far too familiar with them. "Well at lest our public relations department are happy. They finally have something to do."
"I think we are being far too casual about this." said the Captain.
"I don't know. I think we are all scared to death." Ritsuko said without even looking at her.
"Of course we are." Misato stares into space.
Having regained my strength, I got out of bed. Now I stand in the hall of the hospital, looking out the window. I have only seen two people since I have awoken, first a nurse that was just making rounds. She sent for a doctor and he had given me the once over telling me I was fine then leaving. I was about to ask if i could leave but then I realized something, I didn't have anywhere to go. So I just kept quiet. Now I was lost in thought trying to remember what had happened last night. How I had gotten to the hospital, any of it. No luck there. Suddenly my attention is caught by the sounds of a group of people coming down the hall. I turn to see that it is some doctors wheeling down a hospital bed. I see the injured girl from last night... Rei was her name. She looks at me and something deep inside me feels something familiar about her. But I can't place it. A few minutes later the doctor tells me to get dressed. He had made the approriate calls and someone was coming to get me. I wondered who, I didn't know many people here and I seriously doubted it would be my father. So to the waiting room I go and wind up waiting for an hour. And me without even my music.
But there was good news to be had as I heard a familiar voice asking the desk nurse if she knew where to find me. I turned around and sure enough there is Misato. Her look is quite odd, she doesn't say anything at first. "Come on, it's time to go."
Not even a thanks? I think to myself. "Okay where are we going?
"I am taking you up to find out what your living arrangements will be." Misato almost mechanically said. I could tell she had something else on her mind. But I had more than enough on mine not to want to pry into her troubles too. So I remained silent the rest of the walk. We came to an elevator, we waited for a second and the doors opened. And there was my father. I didn't know what to say, actually that's not true, I knew exactly what to say. YOU FUCKING BASTARD! But somehow there was a lump in my throat that made it hard to breath and impossible to speak. I simply stared at the man in disgust and let the doors close.
Misato just stood in silence taking in the situation. Her heart almost broke as she would have expected any man be filled with pride knowing his son had accomplished what Hinote had. But the Commander had said nothing, done nothing. His face didn't even flinch. Absolutely emotionless to his only son after putting him through so much. What kind of man was she working for she wondered.
After taking the elevator they went up an escalator. Misato turned to me and asked, "It may be none of my business but why are you are your father so estranged? I figured the two of you would want to live together."
"Well forgive me, but that is kind of personal. However, I will tell you that I have no desire to live with my father. As I doubt he wishes to live with me. I was pretty sure he didn't call me here for a reunion. I am just not sure what is going to happen." I liked Misato but some of the reasons me and my father couldn't be near each other were far too personal.
We spent the rest of the trip in silence and soon we came to an office. When we went inside I was shocked at what i saw. The floor was glass and not only that. We seemed to be directly above NERV headquarters a fact which shocked me for two reasons. First we were very high above it and second, I didn't see ant kind of supports coming up from the ground at all. "What the..?" I said almost at a whisper, then it hit me. We must be on the ceiling of the geofront... incredible.
Misato saluted a man wearing black who spoke to me. "Hinote Ikari?" I nodded. "You will be living in the Sixth Block just next to this one. You will have a small apartment ... 6A. In building 124."
Misato seemed surprised, "Alone?"
The man flatly responded "Yes. Is that satisfactory?"
"Yes." I didn't see much of a choice.
Misato didn't seem to like this idea. "Are you sure? Hinote..."
I interrupted her, "Misato it's fine, I can take care of myself, besides I really don't have anyone here."
Misato was obviously taken back by what I said. She stared at me for a second then, for a split second I saw a small smile on her face. She turned to her superior stood and attention and spoke in a clear authoritative voice. "Sir. As an officer of the operational division I must object to a this pilot living on his own. I fear his safety could possibly become an issue. Therefore I request that he be assigned a guardian. I also volunteer for the duty of being the guardian of Hinote Ikari. Sir?"
The man showed a slight look of shock then he thought for a moment. "This is a reasonable request. If it is acceptable to the pilot than I see no reason not to approve it."
Misato looked over at me. I looked over at her as thoughts ran through my head. Why the hell is she doing this? What's in it for her? A promotion? I am the son of the commander. But no i don't think so. Hmmm... She could be some sick kind of pedophile who prays on young teenage boys and forces them to have sex with her... Yeah right... I am not nearly that lucky. Well that brings up a good point, that was the best case scenario. What's the worst that could happen? Living with Misato... could certainly... have it's perks. "Okay. That's fine with me."
Misato smiled, I think she was happy I didn't reject the idea of living with her. She had seemed to be waiting for my answer quite intently. "Good it's settled then."
The man made a correction on his paper and said "Good then from now on you are responsible for him and his actions. Thank you Captain."
Misato's face went red, I don't think she was sure she was ready for this.
We got down the hall and she took out her cell phone. She called Ritsuko. And told her what had happened in the office. "So I said I would take care of Hinote." I could hear the words of protest. "But it's not like I am going to put the moves on him." I was shocked not by hearing the very audible Dr. Akagi but just that Misato would have such a thought. Maybe there was hope for me yet.
Not long afterward we were in Misato's car headed back towards her place. We had been pretty much silent since we left NERV. She finally broke the silence.
"Well, we have to have a party tonight, right? A welcome party for my new roommate." she said cheerfully.
"Sounds good to me. I am a bit worn after everything that's happened but a party would be nice. Who's going to be there, just us?"
"Well yeah... Everyone I know at NERV is really busy, truthfully the only reason I'm not there is you. Thanks for that by the way. But don't worry we can have fun with just the two of us, right?" She said the last party in a sultry voice trying to get a reaction out of me, so I gave her one.
"I am sure we can find some way to entertain each other." I said quickly with a confident smirk, making sure she knew I had picked up on the undertones.
I actually caught her blushing, but I didn't say a word, I simply smirked to myself and looked out the window. As we continued the trip I stole a few glances at Misato. Now that I had gotten out of the whirlwind that had been the last day, I had a chance to take a proper look. She was beautiful, incredibly so in fact. Her purple hair was a good length just below her shoulders. She had an amazing body as well, long toned legs with a nice set of hips attached. She had practically no waist, and not to go too overboard but certainly a rack any woman would be proud of. All in all Misato was between 9.7 and 10, I reserve the straight 10 only because one day I might somewhere somehow find someone hotter than her. I am not totally sure, but it is possible, and it would certainly be worth the search and any hell I had to go through to get it... Wow I hope I didn't just jinx myself.
We made a stop at a local grocery store to stock up, Misato had said that she really didn't have much in her house. So as she randomly grabs items and puts them in the basket, I notice they are almost all instant meals. Other than the beer that was packed on and, now I noticed a small thing of soda as an after thought. It takes us no more than a few minutes to gather everything and we are at the checkout waiting when I overhear a passing conversation between two women.
"So you are going to move after all?"
"Yeah. I never would have dreamt this city would wind up being a battlefield."
"My husband's saying that me and the kids should move at the very least."
"Don't I know it."
"This city may be a fortress but that is no guarantee of safety."
"Just remembering it gives me the chills."
"Really."
The two women didn't mean to involve anyone in their conversation, but that didn't stop the words front reaching me and Misato. I saw a slight look of anger on her face as she listened to the women imply it wouldn't be safe here. I could tell she took a lot of pride in her job and her job was to keep this city safe. She didn't appreciate the criticism of someone who doesn't even know what is going on. "They think it was a military force that invaded. Those idiots if they knew the truth they wouldn't have so much to say. "
"I know the truth however...and the sad truth...they were right. And I am the one who turned it into a battlefield. I am the one who made them want to leave their homes." That was the fist time I realized how many people were effected by my battle against the angel.
Misato looked at me long and hard. She seemed to be upset for some reason. When she finally spoke her words were very serious. "That's not how it is." We got back into the car after paying for the groceries. Misato was very quiet while we were in the car after a few minutes the silence was broken with a flat, "You don't mind if we make a little stop on the way do you?"
"No, where?" I asked absently
"Someplace really cool." It's only a minute or two later when Misato stops the car on the side of he road and tells me to get out. I do and she leads me over to a railing that looks over the city.
Despite the sunset and the peacefulness of this situation I can't help but think but one thing when I look over this barren landscape. "It looks so desolate. This city seems so lonely." I could see only some small buildings in the distances and streets that looked like there was nothing on them for miles.
Misato was smiling as she looked at her watch. "It's time." I was about to ask for what when sirens began to blare all over the city. Suddenly from what I thought was empty landscape, buildings begin rising out of the ground. Not just buildings either these were skyscrapers coming out of the ground.
"Holy shit. The buildings... they're..." I watched as the whole city raised up. Before I could see everything for ten miles, now only a couple hundred feet away was the first building. It was incredible.
"This city is a fortress. It was built to defend against the Angels." Misato said to me pride filling her voice. "This is Tokyo-3. This is our city. And, it's the city that you saved." She looked over at me with a big smile on my face. "You should be proud of yourself Hinote. You shouldn't have listened to those ladies at the store."
"I know Misato and thank you, but I can't help but wonder how many people suffered because I fought last night." I looked over the landscape for a moment.
"Yes but do you know how many would have suffered if you hadn't fought? Everyone, every single person would have died, including me. But you saved it all." She seemed to be quite sure of her argument and I knew I wouldn't get out of this any other way then agreeing.
"I guess your right..." But isn't it the good guy's job to make sure no one is hurt?
By the time we got back to Misato's apartment it was already dark. "Your stuff should have already been delivered Hinote. I just moved into this apartment myself." Sure enough my boxes were by the door. She opened it and walked in, It took her a second to realize that I wasn't following her in. "Come on in."
"You know Misato, I really don't want to intrude." I was looking at the floor feeling extremely embarrassed and out of place.
"Hinote, this is your home now too." She said trying to be as sweet as possible. And oddly enough Misato's sincerity actually convinced me.
I uncomfortably took that first step into the apartment. "I'm... home." I said with a voice that sounded as foreign as the words I had said. I had been at my uncles house for almost ten years and I felt more comfortable after this first step into this small apartment.
Misato's smile made it even more complete, it said it all for me but Misato added "Welcome home."
The door slid closed behind me and then we kicked off our shoes still holding all the groceries. I began to walk into the apartment, a sight I was not quite prepared for.
"As you can see the place is a little messy." That was probably the biggest understatement in human history. There were boxes yet to be unpacked all over and full garbage bags strewn out among the debris. But those were both barely noticeable, under the near layer of consumed alcohol. Bottles of liquor, and can's of beer were everywhere. I wasn't sure if I should attempt moving through it, there was no way to be sure there wasn't something living in there.
"This is a little messy? Wow..." A face of pure shock came over me. Meanwhile Misato had disappeared into what I assumed was her room. No fair, she knows where the safe places to put your feet are.
"Oh sorry! Could you just put the food in the fridge" She peaked around a corner to say.
Knowing this meant traversing this dangerous ground I nervously said "Sure." I went to the fridge and opened it. I should have known by the state of the apartment what I was about to see, The only thing in the freezer was ice. The only things in the fridge were a few snacks and a whole shit load of beer. "Damn Misato what do you do with your free time?" I said to myself. After I put the stuff away I noticed a second fridge. "Um, excuse me but ummm... What's the second fridge for?"
Misato called from her hidden location. "Oh don't mind that, he's probably still sleeping."
"Sleeping?" Blink, blink. What the fuck? I decided to let it go, I had seen enough weird shit for the moment. I finished putting the food away and too a good look around. "So this is where I am going to be living." I said to myself well I should get my stuff from the hall.
Misato comes out, and starts putting the instant dinners in the microwave. I had been taking in my boxes and when I came back into the kitchen I was stopped dead in my tracks. I saw the outfit that Misato was wearing, well more like half an outfit. Not that I minded or anything I just was not expecting it. Her shorts were barely there and tight as hell, and the shirt was loose enough that if she bent over even a little I could she straight down her shirt. I could really get use to living with her if she'll keep wearing things like this. Realizing that i was in fact staring i attempted a quick recovery. "Making dinner?" I asked innocently.
"Yup, I am sorry it's only instant." Misato almost seemed embarrassed. But the microwave chimed in and she brightened up. "Let's eat."
She quickly puts the food on the table motioning for me to help myself, "Dig in." But instead of getting any food for herself she takes this moment to immediately slam an entire beer in one shot. "Woooohooo! Life just doesn't get any better than this!"
Awe stricken I only manage to say a feeble "Wow."
She instantly straights up and looks at me seriously. "Aren't you gonna eat? It's good, even if it is all instant."
"It's not that, I was about to. I am just not used to... instant. Yeah." More like not used to seeing an adult drink with such abandonment. A college football player would be proud.
Misato slams her second beer down on the table, "That's no excuse, you can't be so finicky!" She stood up and learnt over the table drawing her face only inches from mine. As I shrank back into my chair I couldn't help but take the opportunity to stare directly down Misato's shirt. Though I did it as quickly as possibe not to get caught.
"That's not what I meant, chill." Playfully pleeing with hands raised.
Misato seemed to roll with the lightening of the mood. "Isn't this nice? Having two for dinner instead of one?
Risking another look down Misato's shirt. "Sure is." I said trying not to drool.
She sat back down and we started eating. We went through some idle chatter as we ate, nothing serious just the simple. Do you have any family and stuff like that. Misato knew almost everything about me but she was asking questions to seem interested, and to give her time to down her several beers.
"Misato can I ask you something?" I said staring at the table.
"Sure"
"What happened last night?" I almost didn't want to know but there is no way I could leave something so important as a blank spot in my memory.
She snorted a sigh, I could tell this was a mood killer, "Well alot happened last night could you be a bit more specific?"
"Well The last thing I can remember is the Angel having me by the head, and I felt the most terrible pounding against my eye. I couldn't even look at the thing my hands clutched my face but the pain kept coming. There was nothing I could do, I thought I was dead. I said goodbye and sorry to everyone and then I told my mother I would see her soon. Next thing i know i am in a hospital bed."
"Well the Angel broke the head armor and it's weapon burst right through the back of the Eva's Head. After that the Eva went silent." It was her turn to look at the table "Which means we lost all input coming from the Eva. We didn't even have life signs from you. I thought..." She was very uncomfortable now. "Then without any warning the Eva reactivated itself. After that i really don't know how to explain it..."
"Wait a sec, the Eva reactivated ITSELF? I didn't know it could do that." One of the few times in my life I am glad to have been ignorant.
Her reaction i wasn't expecting though, "Neither did we."
"WHAT?" What kinda idiot builds the worlds most destructive weapon and doesn't even know what it is and isn't capable of. "Are you serious?"
"Unfortunately, I thought we were done for too." She took another drink.
"Well what happened next?" I couldn't take the suspense i need to know what happened after it woke up.
"I told you I don't know how to explain it. Except that the Eva seemed to go wild, suddenly it was all offense for then on. It took that Angel apart." She shook head head trying to get the images out of her head. "Don't worry though there will be a debriefing when we get back to NERV, you'll see all the footage then."
"Yeah I guess so." I'd just have to wait to find out everything.
Misato said we should fairly split the daily chores now to get them out of the way. I agreed and it was decided that rock paper scissors was the best way. Well at least for her it was. While I thought that when drunk you were supposed to somehow be impaired but Misato was beating me three out of four consistently. The chart was almost all me with a Misato here and there. But hey she worked and I was coming to live with her for nothing so I really didn't complain much.
"Well now that's solved." Misato crossed her arms loosely. "So Hinote, This is you new home so, I want you to make yourself comfortable here. Feel free to take full advantage of everything here, except for me." She said the last part playfully waving her finger and winking at me.
Damn, "Do you really think I'd do such a thing?" I said equally playfully clutching my chest in shock. Misato laughed and began on her next beer. I wonder how many of those she is going to have...
The answer was quite a few, she noticed at one point through her inebriation that I wasn't having nearly as much fun as she was. I was staring off to the side not really focused on anything as the events of the last two days were flashing in mind. Misato mischievously came around the other side of the table and put her arm around me almost hanging from my neck. She laughed and started looking in the direction I was, "Something over there more interesting to look at than me?"
I wasn't used to someone so readily invading my personal space, not to mention I was kind of distracted. So at first I was quite rigid. But being so close to Misato was certainly nice. She even smelled sexy, like.. lavender. I smiled and and quickly thought of a snappy come back. "Of course not Misato, you are one of the most pleasurable sights I've ever laid eyes on. But I think you are having alot more fun at my welcoming party than I am." I said redirecting the conversation, pointing to the now pyramid of empty beer cans. No need to talk about what I was thinking about.
"Oops!" she said with an embarrassed smile. "Guess I forgot this celebration was supposed to be for you. Sorry." She laughed.
"Guess so." That figures, pretty much the same as always. Everyone selfishly thinks of themselves. Not that I am much better.
She saw me start to drift off again and she shook me looking me straight in the eyes "OK, that's it. What am I going to have to do to make you lighten up and enjoy yourself a little?"
A variety of extremely dirty images flashed in my head. I couldn't help but blush a little, "Ummm.." I didn't even get to finish my attempted save as I had been caught.
"Oh you've got a dirty little mind don't you?" She grabbed the top of my head. "So what kinda naughty little thoughts were you thinking huh?"
I thought about trying to make some excuse but decided that right now honesty couldn't hurt. Besides it seemed like Misato might like the idea of me having dirty thoughts about her. She had grabbed her drink from across the table and was now standing next to me. Up ending her drink waiting for my answer.
"Well there were quite a few to be honest." I have nothing to lose at this point. "But the first thought i had was about asking for a consolation slash celebratory kiss." She almost spit her drink all over me as we both started to laugh. Hell she's drunk with any luck she won't remember my stupid comments. Might as well have some fun with it. "Well ok maybe that wasn't the first thing, but I didn't want to push my luck. I mean even though I did kinda save everyone I wouldn't want to ask for too much." I smiled and shook my head looking at the floor so embarrassed that I couldn't even look her in the face. I was shocked then I felt warm soft fingertips on my face. I turned with her touch to see Misato giving my the most seductive smile I had ever seen.
Misato thought to herself well it couldn't hurt too much. "You know you are right, you do deserve a reward and a proper thank you for saving every ones life." She said softly as she closed the distance between us. Now she was only inches away, "My Savior" she said playfully and gave me a light kiss on the lips. It lasted no more than a second but as her lips gently pressed against mine I noticed every little detail. The way she didn't just push her lips against mine but rather she closed her lips softly around my bottom lip as she pulled back. The pressure of her hand on my cheek and the way it almost guided me during the whole thing. Her smell and how beautiful she looked with her eyes closed. I kept mine open, half out of shock and half because I didn't want to miss anything. It felt so natural that the only thing I didn't notice was that I had matched her and kissed her back with the same soft movement of the mouth as her.
My whole body tingled, I had not been expecting that but I couldn't deny enjoying it. My eyes were focusing on Misato and it took her a moment to open her eyes. She had quite the pleasant look on her face she seemed to have enjoyed it. She opened her eyes and looked at me. She looked kind of like she was in shock. I know I personally was in a euphoric shock. But her's seemed different.
"Ummm...Misato? Are you okay?" I said nervously hoping I hadn't somehow offended her with my request.
"Well...yes and no..." She sounded kinda nervous too. She slowly went back to sitting across from me. "I shouldn't have done that... I guess... I kinda got caught up in the moment."
"I am sorry Misato I should have never asked. It was wrong of me." I almost blurted out. Damn it this is no good. I can't mess up this bad my first night here. Think quick... say something to break this mood. "Besides that was my first kiss so it couldn't have been very good." Of course I meant for her, for me that was one of the most enjoyable moments of my young life.
She feinted a smile, "No that's not it. Actually it was a lot better than I expected. It's just... well that wasn't appropriate, I AM your guardian now..." This was the first time i saw a sullen look on her face, I really didn't like it.
"Hey stop that. You're a bit older but it's not like you're my mom or anything." Let's hope compliments work. "You are wwwaaayyy to hot for me to ever think of you as a mother figure. Hell with how you saved me the other day and all you're doing for me now it's more like you're my own personal super hero." That got her to smile again. "You just helped me fulfill my life long dream of kissing a super hero. That and the sexy older woman one too." Wow I can't believe I am saying all this. Why am I so comfortable talking like this to her?"
Reluctantly she lightened up a little, "But still, it was wrong. And if anyone was ever to find out I could get in serious trouble. Like lose my job and go to jail."
"Whoa I won't tell anyone if you won't. Consider it our little secret. Besides why would I want one of the only people who's been nice to me to get trouble?"
"Your right, I suppose it was innocent enough. Not even a real kiss." She said casually.
"Wait what? That wasn't a real kiss? Seemed like one to me." Did I miss something?
Misato cackled into her newly acquired beer, "No that was a little peck, a real kiss you open your mouth for."
"Oh really? Well that brings up another good point then. How am I going to convince you to teach me how to really kiss if I get you into trouble? Huh?" I can't believe it... did I really just say that out loud. I laughed in an attempt to make it sound like a joke.
Misato recovered from the shock rather well, "Well I don't know if you have any chance of that, but you keep defeating these angels and we'll see." She gave me a devilish smile.
So the game is on huh? "I'll hold you to that." I said trying not to buckle as I felt the sweat under my collar. Now that is what I call incentive.
Misato suggested that I take a bath to relax a little, sounded like a good idea so I decided to listen. Though I prefer to take a shower, I went into the bathroom and looked around. There was alot of drying underwear hanging around. Looks like Misato likes to wear the sexy stuff, nice to know. So I undress and open the shower curtain... "What the fuck?"
I'm so startled that I totally forget the fact that I am naked and slam open the door to the bathroom. "Misato what the hell is a... a...?"
Caught mid sip, she lowers her beer, "What?"
"A.. A p..." Just then the offending creature walks out of the bathroom passing my like I am not even there.
"Oh him? He's one of those new warm water penguins." She says as if this was all perfectly normal.
Meanwhile the little guy had a towel around his neck and went over to the second fridge. It hit a button opening the door and gave me a surprisingly intelligent look that if it wasn't coming from a penguin, would have been taken as being very annoyed.
"What was that?" I said pointing still too excited to stop and think why I'm feeling a breeze.
"That's Pen Pen, and he's your other roommate." She said matter of factly. "And you might wanna cover that up." She added with a small laugh. I followed her eyes and realized what she was looking at. My face went through every shade of red from lightest to darkest as I covered myself and closed the door. I could hear a slight giggle butI couldn't let it end with me being the only embarrassed one.
"Well I glad you think it's funny. Besides you must have been enjoying the show, sure took you a while to say something. Making sure you got a good long look, huh?" I heard her spit out her beer. Score, she was looking.
Misato was in the kitchen now a few bright shades of red as well. Good thing he was too worried about pen pen to notice me staring. Not bad for a little kid. Well hell that wasn't bad period, puberty must have hit him young. STOP THAT!
"I could have been a little nicer about that. But he's probably already made his mind up about me."
She was right of course, I had made up my mind about her. I am going to somehow, someway, someday get into that woman's pants. If it's the last thing I do.
I took a shower, got dressed and when I came out Misato almost jumped out of her seat saying she needed a bath. So I decided I would do a little cleaning before bed. I was debating whether or not Misato would come out of the the bathroom fully dressed or in just her towel. That woman in her towel would be quite a sight. But I decided I had gotten into enough trouble for one night so I wouldn't wait for her.
In the bathtub, Misato relaxed away the stress she had been accumulating. She also took her phone in there figuring it to be the one place she didn't have to worry about her new ward overhearing. "After all the horrible stuff he went through. I doubt he'll ever pilot again."
Ritsuko was the voice on the other end. "Maintaining him is a part of your job, Misato"
"I'm just scared, I don't know how to deal with him." She didn't want to tell Ritsuko that the boy obviously had a thing for her. Or that she may have already accidentally motivated him to fight again, depending on how seriously he took her teasing comments. Because then she'd have to tell her that she had kissed the boy and well that was not going to happen.
"Ohhh complaining already? You know, It was your idea to take him in." Ritsuko was enjoying a chance to tease her friend.
Misato didn't exactly feel the same way. "Shut up!" CLICK. The phone was silent and Misato solemnly stared at it. A sad smile crossed her face. I was just thinking of Hinote as a tool. I am no better than Ritsuko. She shook her head and leaned back looking up at the ceiling. "We destroyed the angel. So why can't I be happy about it." Maybe I am the only person who has a problem with using this kid without so much as asking him about it.
Meanwhile, back at NERV. After hanging up with Misato, Ritsuko went to meet Commander Ikari in a vacant half destroy control room. It overlooked a room in which Eva Unit 00 was currently occupying. It had gone wild and was currently in the same position now as when it was deactivated. Gendo stood looking at the best as Ritsuko walked in.
"So, how was Rei today? You did go see her in the hospital today, did you not?" she asked nonchalantly.
Without feeling or warmth the man spoke, "She will be ready to work again in twenty days. By then, we will be ready to take Unit 00 out of cryostasis"
"It's so hard on these poor children." Ritsuko replied in one of her few moments of compassion.
Gendo Ikari however has long since forgot the meaning of the word compassion. "There is one else who can pilot the EVAs. So as long as they live that is what I will have them do."
"Regardless of what they might want?" Ritsuko almost seemed shocked
The man didn't answer he simply smiled as he looked over the destruction the wild Eva had caused
After cleaning up a little it's time to get some sleep. I wish a very drunken Misato goodnight and go into the room that was designated mine. In her drunkenness Misato had shown me around a little and took the liberty of making a little sign for my door the read "Hinote's Love Suite". I hadn't brought my boxes into the room as getting myself situated could wait until tomorrow. I really need some rest. I sat down onto the bed and flopped backwards.
What a day, what a pair of days... What a kiss... Mmmm.. That was nice. Yeah but probably shouldn't get used to it, she is a bit out of my league, hell I bet the only reason she even kissed me was because she felt bad. I bet she was half smacking herself and half laughing at me. But hey no matter what the reason. I got the kiss.
Misato stumbled into her room trying to make the floor and walls stand still. A futile effort so she simply let herself fall onto her bed, conent to undress horizontally. As she did a strange thought came over her. His lips were really soft, and despite what he said about it being his first time responded perfectly. He must be a natural. She laughed to herself, you're thinking about how a 14 year old kissed... Wow you really did drink alot. But she couldn't deny he was the most impressive 14 year old she'd ever met and that had nothing to do with the kiss. All that he's already been through in his life not to mention the things he'd been forced to do over the last 48 hours. All this coupled with the fact that his father totally rejects him and while I'm a complete stranger it looks like I'm the only one interested in his well being. He's all alone too. Yet he seems to be holding it together really well. I don't know; I think I would be a basket case right now. Maybe that's why I agreed to kiss him, well that and he did save us all, I suppose he earned it. She would never admit that she'd thought about it before he asked.
Misato got comfortable, and relaxed into her bed but as she closed her eyes to sleep she was struck with a fierce vision. One of a purple Demon gone berserk.
I laid down finally and got comfortable in my new room I had tons of things on my mind but I was far too tired to stay up now. Tomorrow was another day. So I just took out my head phones and let myself drift to sleep...
Blackness... Pounding... then silence and light. It was bright and warm, I saw it in front of me. It felt familiar and as odd as it sounds it had a smell. One that I recognized... but hadn't smelt in a long time.. Mom?... What?...
Suddenly the light surrounded me and I heard a faint whisper, "It's alright... Just let go..."
My entire body swelled with energy and I felt another light from inside me. Then came a roar that shook my world, but I realized It came from me. All my rage and anger came to the surface and I let it out. Suddenly I could see my enemy, and I only had one thing on my mind... destroy!
I crouched down and and sprang into the air lunging at the Angel. I flipped in the air and landed on the Angel's chest feet first. I grabbed it's face and tried my hardest to rip it off. That didn't work so i leapt off and came to a skidding stop, my feet still moving already charging the Angel again. It was picking itself off the floor and it should have stood up to catch the most vicious right hand in the history of the world. Instead an orange barrier spread across the sky bringing my attack to an immediate halt.
The rage inside of me swelled, how dare it be denied. I felt the anger radiate from me and suddenly the barrier seemed to weaken. I attack it again and this time felt it give a little so i pushed harder pushing my fingers through it. I realize my other arm is in pain so I flex it and to my surprise it feels suddenly better. I use both hands and rip the barrier away. But as I go to renew my attack the Angel unleashes a massive blast. Its energy blasts all the way down the street we're fighting on until it hits a building and makes a giant cross. The blast goes through the building after deflecting parts down the intersecting street. All that's irrelevant however as I was still standing right where i had been, except now i was even more angry. The Angel put it's arms up crossed in front of it to defend itself. I took them both in one hand and twisted snapping them like twigs. I kicked it's chest sending it flying back into another building a few blocks away. I was still holding it's arms.
I threw away the bloody nubs and charged at fallen Angel. I tackled it ripping the building away from it's foundation and pushing it and the Angel down about a quarter mile. I leapt into the angel and saw what looked like a bulls eye. A big red center, with three small spikes protecting it and my every instinct told me that was the target. I punched it again and again trying to destroy it. When that didn't work I ripped off the spikes surrounding it almost tearing the thing in two. I used one of the spikes and stabbed at the red orb. I saw it starting to cracking and in my rage I screamed out again.
As I did I noticed it's body began to seem like liquid and suddenly it flowed out of my grasp and it's body encased mine. I stood up and the bright red orb which was now against my face began to shine a bright light, then it exploded. The blast was massive and the entire area disappeared in the explosion.
I stood at the center of the blast laughing. I began walking forward until I came out of the fire. I felt a huge weight lifted off my face, then I drifted away into blackness. But that was not the end of my dreams.
Once again light and sound pierced the darkness and this time I heard voices. Voices of the people from the command center saying that I am ok. My eyes are open but I can't see then suddenly lights flash and I am looking at the inside of the entry plug. Then the screens again show the outside world and I look around. Next to me I can see the head of the Eva in the reflection on the building. The armor cracks off and falls to the floor, I thought i would see mechanisms and electricity but instead it looks like flesh and bone.
The flesh begins to ripple in one spot, then a line forms in the middle and spreads open, revealing a green orb. I stare at it stupidly not realizing at first what it is, or maybe just not believing what I saw. Then the green orb seemed to turn around and reveal itself as a giant all green eye. I screamed out in terror and shock. Once again I was engulfed in darkness and silence, this I think was my own mind that turned off, not ready to deal with anymore.
My eyes shot open and I could feel sweat all over. I looked around... I am... at Misato's. I put my face in my hands trying to both wipe away the sweat and the images from the dream I had. I laid back down and reached for my mp3 player, sleep wouldn't return to me so easily.
Was that a dream? Or was it... a memory? Is that what happened? Did I do that?
End Chapter 2