CHAPTER 0:12

SEBASTIAN STRIKES!

Shinji could do nothing but blink at the closed door. One minute he was talking to a rather friendly clone of Asuka and what looked like an animated mummified Yoda. And then Asuka came barging in and dragged them out, closing the door behind them. Now the young Evangelion pilot sat in the bed listening to the German words muffled by the closed door.

"Asuka sounds upset …" Shinji said softly before a loud crash could be heard on the other side of the door.

A moment later the door swung open and Asuka walked in with a smirk on her lips. "About time you came out of it, you've been out for a week." She said with annoyance in her voice, but her blue eyes shined with relief. "Don't worry about my tramp of a cousin."

Shinji could only blink at the redhead. "After I retrieved you from the backstabbers in Tokyo-3 I brought you here to my Grandma's farm in Germany." Asuka explained, as she walked around to stand at his bedside, "Don't worry they won't find us here, I doubt they even know I know where it is. I hadn't been here since before … since I was little."

"You shouldn't have, Asuka," Shinji said lying back in bed.

"Oh don't go getting all modest on me now, Baka," Asuka smirked, flipping some of her long hair over her shoulder.

"No, it's not that," Shinji shook his head, "You lived for Eva, you always told me that, you told me being a pilot was your life. You helped an enemy escape, Asuka. I'm not worth that."

"Listen." Asuka hissed, turning her back on him. "I told you back at the stupid base that you're not an enemy. And I decide what's worth my time and what's not. Got it, Baka?"

"I'm sorry …"

"DON'T START THAT CRAP AGAIN!" Asuka yelled, turning back, her usually attractive face contorted in rage.

"I … I'm sorry …" Shinji gulped.

"WHY DO YOU KEEP DOING THAT?" Asuka cried out in exasperation. "I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY, GOTT, IF THAT ISN'T THE TRUTH!"

"Well you don't have to be so hateful about it …" Shinji said with a slight pout.

Asuka gripped her hair and screamed, causing the much larger Shinji to try to crawl farther under the sheets. "YOU BAKA!"

"What I say?" Shinji whimpered under her murderous glare.

As quickly as the storm on Asuka's face came it slowly faded as she took a series of deep breaths. "OK, Look, Baka. You are the stupidest, often spineless but -once in a blue moon- bravest, most worthless fool I have ever had the pleasure of meeting." Asuka growled softly, "But … you're my best friend, and I'm not going to lose you a second time. If that costs me Eva, then that costs me Eva. I'm ok with that."

"Asuka?" Shinji blinked completely at a lost for words.

"Go back to sleep and rest, Shinji," Asuka sighed, "I'm going to help the pervert with her chores." She said turning her back and leaving him alone in the room.

Shinji watched the closed door for several moments, before he reached up and pinched his cheek. "It's not a freaky dream? Wow."

-

It was sprinkling a cold rain over the Tokyo-3 cemetery as Rei Ayanami sat on her knees before a small tombstone with a simple name, two dates and a picture. "Ken-chan," Rei said, her red eyes staring intently into the picture. "I do not know what to do …" she said softly, "I do not know what to do anymore. I miss you."

"Ya know, it took me a month after you two moved in together for me to figure out you actually were a couple, and wasn't some kind of practical joke Kensuke was trying to pull on me and the Demon." a voice spoke behind the pale skinned young woman.

Rei turned to see Touji standing behind her, leaning on his cane. "Suzuhara… Greetings." She said softly, turning back to the grave.

"Do you … think …" Rei started slowly, struggling to find words, "The one that came back, do you believe that was really Shinji Ikari?"

"No doubt," Touji nodded.

"How can you be so sure?" Rei asked, not looking back at the teenager.

"His eyes," Touji stated.

"I do not understand …" Rei blinked in confusion.

"The way he laughed and smiled, I only saw it a few times back then, the boy barely smiled at all," Touji stated, looking upward, "And the way he looked at me, Kensuke, Asuka, Misato, you, it was Shinji. I have no doubt in my mind."

"I … I …" Rei struggled, "I do not wish for this anymore, I do not wish to feel this way. I wish to go back to what it was like before. I wish to go back to being a pilot and a pilot alone. Back before Kensuke made me feel, I don't want to feel anymore." She stated through strangled sobs. "If I had not cared I would not have betrayed Pilot Ikari."

Rei yelped as she was pulled up by the arm and shook hard, "How dare you," Touji hissed angrily, "How dare you say anything like that."

"What?" Rei whimpered, "If Kensuke hadn't approached me, initiated a relationship, I wouldn't have been emotional. I would not have hurt Pilot Ikari. I would have helped Pilot Sohryu." Rei said tears streaming down her cheeks.

"And what if he hadn't, Rei, what then?" Touji asked roughly, giving her a shake, "Can you look me in the face and tell me Ken didn't make you happy?"

"Yes, he made me happy, Suzuhara," Rei sobbed, "But now I only hurt."

"You made a mistake, Rei," Touji said loosening his grip on Rei's arm, "you wanted revenge for losing Kensuke, and you wanted it so bad you looked over the fact he died in an accident a mistake by a friend."

"I do not like this anymore," Rei shook her head, "I do not want this."

"You're not a doll like how Asuka used to tease you, Rei, not anymore," Touji stated, "I don't think anything ever made Ken more proud then having a hand in helping you cutting those strings. Are you going to spit on Kensuke's memory by turning your back on that?"

Rei looked up at him in shock, before glancing down at her feet, gnawing on her lower lip. "Will the hurt ever stop?"

"Maybe, maybe not, but it will get easier to handle," Touji said pulling the girl into a small hug, "all wounds heal, Rei, just remember one thing. Ken loved you and not even death can put a stop to that. And there's a way to prove you loved him back." Rei glanced up questioningly, "Live, and let him live through you."

"Thank you, Suzuhara." Rei gave a small bow.

"Come here, little girl," Touji grinned, giving the girl a hard hug making her squeak, "I've told you repeatedly to call me Touji."

"Hai," Rei gave a small smile, "I prefer Stooge though. It is appropriate."

Touji gave a small laugh, smiling a bit more when he heard Rei joining him in with a soft chuckle.

-

Inside NERV Headquarters Commander Katsuragi and Dr. Akagi walked toward the Commander's office. "So you're saying all the tests results negative on any Angel DNA inside Pilot Ikari?" Misato asked, glancing to her long time friend.

"Yup," Ritsuko nodded, "I think we played right into their hands, Misato."

"What do you mean?" Misato asked, already realizing the same thing.

"It's an easy and old trick," Ritsuko nodded, "Shinji was tortured but with no memory of it. Shinji awoke in the self aware Super Evangelion in the base. It's safe to assume that the Eva possibly helped Shinji escape where ever the Archangels took him two years ago, and he came back to help us fight. What do signs of torture but no memory usually mean?"

Misato: either he blacked out during the torture or … oh God …" Misato turned pale.

"He was brainwashed," Ritsuko finished for her, "And they used that to turn us against one of our best chances of winning this fight. And we lost more then that, we're down to one Eva and pilot now." She said as they entered Misato's office.

"You are mistaken," a voice stated from Misato's desk causing them both to jump.

"Kaworu? How did you get out of your cell?" Ritsuko blanched at the pale skinned boy.

"I will fight if you require me to aid Pilot Ayanami." Kaworu stated, placing his palms together, "And when he is whole again, Shinji will return and bring Asuka with him."

"How do you know?" Misato asked, trying to suppress the hope building in her voice.

"Hunch," Kaworu shrugged, "Ikari is a fighter, and when the chips are down has he ever failed you?"

"He has a point, Misato." Ritsuko stated, bringing a finger to her lip.

"He will return, but I'm sure you realize the price of what you've done, what your anger and blind hatred has done," Kaworu said staring at Misato so intensely she could swear he was looking into her soul. "You will have to pay for your sins, and perhaps someday you can make him view you as a friend, and possibly a chance of being a mother figure for him again. But that is up to you."

"Are you psychic or something?" Ritsuko snapped, irritated at the boy upsetting her friend.

"Something," Kaworu smiled, "So, Commander, are you putting me back on active duty or am I going back to my comfortable little eight by ten?"

"Get back to your apartment and get some rest Kaworu," Misato sighed, surprising Ritsuko, "Dr. Akagi will test your synch ratio first thing tomorrow."

"Yes, Commander," Kaworu bowed, before leaving the office.

"That boy worries me," Ritsuko stated.

"Me too, but my screw up cost us half our pilots. We can't lose anymore." Misato stated sitting down roughly.

-

Shinji's eyes slowly fluttered open, but jumped back as he saw Sophie, Asuka's cousin, at his bedside. "Awe, damn, I was hoping to play the flute to wake you …" the German girl gave Shinji a Chester Cat grin.

"W-What time is it?" Shinji asked, avoiding eye contact and glancing around for a clock.

"Five in the afternoon," Sophie crossed her arms, "Asuka was hoping to finish her chores before you woke up."

"I never could get her to help out with the chores in Tokyo-3, how did you guys get her to help?" Shinji asked.

"She really doesn't have much choice," Sophie chuckled, "Grandmother's cane strikes faster then a snake."

"I'll remember that …" Shinji said, unconsciously rubbing the small throbbing bruise on the top of his head.

"How are you feeling?" Sophie asked, as Shinji attempted to climb out of bed.

"Already tired of lying around," Shinji said with a sigh.

"Come on, then, I'll give you a tour." Sophie beamed at the teenager and helped him to his feet.

"Um … err …" Shinji stammered as he felt the blanket slide off him.

"What is it?" Sophie asked innocently before her eyes wondered down Shinji's completely undressed form. "MEIN GOTT!" She gasped, her eyes widening.

"Hey!" Shinji yelped, grabbing the blanket from the bed to hide his valuables. "Do you mind?" Shinji asked, as the girl continued to just stare at him.

"Oh, I don't mind at all," Sophie purred, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Um … ok … I'm just going to get dressed … then you can show me around …" Shinji said easing away from the strange German girl. "You can wait outside in the hall … please?"

"Awe … but we could have so much fun here …" Sophie pouted. She shook her head in defeat, "Ok, fine, Asuka got some cloths from Sebastian, it should fit you pretty well, though you're a bit broader in the shoulders and chest then Bast …" She said, licking her lips.

"Who's Sebastian?" Shinji asked curiously. "Another cousin I know nothing about?"

"Oh no, silly," Sophie chuckled, "He's pretty much your predecessor."

"Um … huh?" Shinji blinked in confusion.

"You'll see," Sophie winked, before slinking toward the door. "See you soon," She said looking back over her shoulder and blowing a kiss.

"Kami-sama …" Shinji sighed, staring at the closed door, "I thought Misato was bad …"

-

"Ok," Sophie cheered as Shinji walked out of the bedroom dressed in rather tight jeans and a jumper. "Next room down's mine and Asuka's, you're welcome to come in anytime when Asuka's out, or if you prefer you can come when she's there too. She seems to like you, though she's never been one willing to share anything before …" She said with a wink.

"Right …" Shinji said under his breath imagining the beating already. And he wasn't thinking of beating in the nice sense either.

"Next is the bathroom and finally Grandma's room, trust me you don't want to go in there. It's …scary sometimes." Sophie shivered.

Sophie led Shinji down a flight of stairs into the Kitchen/Dinette area. "Here's where we eat … through there's the living room, and this is the way to the barnyard."

"I didn't know Asuka used to live on a farm?" Shinji said as they approached the back door.

"Oh, she didn't," Sophie said growing serious for the first time since Shinji's been there. "Aunt Kyoko and Asuka used to come here all the time when we were little then … Aunt Kyoko started taking that medicine to make her able to synch with those Evangelion things. It made her sick …"

"What happened?" Shinji asked, with a concerned look on his face.

"Asuka hasn't told you?" Sophie asked, before glancing to a single locked door opposite to the living room, "It's really not my place then …"

"I'm sorry …" Shinji whispered with a bowed head.

"Don't be sweetie," Sophie smiled, the flirtiness returning to her eyes. "Asuka's probably finishing up … oh Bast's truck's here."

Shinji looked up to see a white pickup truck parked beside the house. "They're probably rolling in the hay as we speak!" Sophie giggled, not noticing the scowl forming on Shinji's face.

"Let's go see what they're up to," Shinji said in a cold voice, and if Sophie had known Gendo Ikari, she would have instantly noticed the family resemblance.

Shinji walked toward the large two story barn with a purpose in his step with Sophie trailing along behind hoping to see an enjoyable show.

Shinji slipped into the barn and could hear giggling, laughter and voices speaking in German. Sophie gulped when she heard an almost feral growl slide from Shinji's throat.

Shinji turned a corner to see Asuka with her back against the wall smiling up at a tall dark blond headed German boy who had on arm propped against the wall, beside her. He was easily close enough for Asuka to kill anyone else. 'Strike one.' Shinji leaned forward across a gate, letting his elbows rest on the top lacing his fingers together in front of his face.

"I don't believe you've introduced me to your friend, Asuka," Shinji said in a cold voice causing the redhead to jump from the wall, almost into the other boy. This 'infidel' caught her in his arms and held her to keep her from falling. He didn't really have to hold on that long. 'That's strike two, Baka,' Shinji thought toward the handsome German boy, 'Go for strike three, please.'

"Shinji!" Asuka squeaked guiltily.

"Yes, Asuka, that's my name," Shinji said tiredly, "Now who's your friend?"

"Oh … this is Sebastian," Asuka stated, placing a hand on the guy's shoulder, which Shinji glared a hole through, "I've known him since we were little," Asuka informed either unaware of Shinji's glare, or ignoring it.

"I see …" Shinji said, unfolding his hand and stepping around the gate.

"So you are the Invincible Shinji who has come back from the dead," Sebastian stated cockily. He said walking toward the slightly shorter Shinji. "Asuka speaks a lot of you."

"That's nice," Shinji said as Sebastian got in his personal space to smirk down at him. "She's never mentioned you before."

"Goes to show who she trusts to speak to, then doesn't it, 'Baka-Shinji'?" Sebastian flashed a smile, causing Shinji's blood to boil.

"Uh oh …" Shinji heard Asuka mutter under her breath before she came up to stand between the two boys. "Hey, what do you guys say about going inside and having some of Sophie's hot chocolate, she's really good at making that!"

"I'm good at other things too, Shinji," Sophie piped in earning a glare from Asuka.

"Sure, I'd love some Assy," Sebastian said placing an arm on Asuka's shoulder, and Shinji noticed that she didn't stiffen like she used to do when he or any of the guys in Tokyo-3 showed any signs of affection toward her.

"I think I'll pass," Shinji said turning his back on the Germans, "I'm still feeling the effects of those sedatives. I think I'll just take a shower and sleep the rest of it off."

"Shinji …" Asuka sighed, watching him walk off not noticing the triumphant look on Sebastian's face.

-

Misato wiped her brow and leaned against the mop in the kitchen of her apartment. She was dressed in her usual after work dress (very revealing tank top and shorts) and was doing something quite out of character: cleaning. "Clean as a baby's butt," Misato nodded at her handy work, before sighing again. She was running out of things to keep her busy. Her paper work was finished for the first time in her life and her house was spotless to the point a hospital looked and smelled dirty in comparison.

She jumped slightly when a knock came at her door and she quickly moved to answer it. "Yes?" She asked cheerfully swinging the door open to see a sheepish looking Rei. "Hey, Rei, what's up?"

"I come with a request, Misato …" Rei said shyly.

"Sure, Rei, what's wrong?" Misato asked, sensing the trouble before kicking herself for being so stupid not to remember all the hell that's been happening recently.

"It's just … our … my and Kensuke's apartment holds several memories. I've not told anyone, but I believe it was possibly reasonably assumed we were a sexually active couple. Our bed was once comfortable and I felt safe there … but now … I do not know if I can remain in the apartment alone. I have check and my old apartment has already been rented out so I have no place to go." She said before glancing up with sad red eyes, "Would it be reasonable for me to move in with you in Shinji and Asuka's absence? At least … At least until I can find another place of residence."

"Of course, Rei, you're always welcome!" Misato said, giving the girl a quick hug, "Would you like me to help you move your stuff?"

"Hai," Rei said quietly with a short nod and the two women made their way to the across-the-hall apartment. "Are you certain there is no trouble?"

"Of course not, Rei," Misato gave a smile, "You're not the only one lonely in this apartment building…"

To Be Continued …

Next Chapter: "Rebirth" The Return of Kensuke … sorta