Hey everyone! First of all, I'd like to apologize for the late update. You all know very well that I had a dry spell in my writings, and I appreciate your understanding. Also, I'd like to also add that it was more than writer's block that held me back. It was a combination of the block, a shitload of homework, and....just plain slacking off (yes! I slacked off! I'm merely human, forgive me!)
Secondly, I'd like to once again point out that this fic WILL be finished to the end. I put a lot of effort into this story, and am not going to have it die in vain. Plus, it is my first fic after all; I wouldn't be much of an author if I gave up now. So rest assured, I will complete this fanfic. I will be fair and say that the process will be slow, but it will be done.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who emailed me their ideas and concerns about the fate of the story (especially Laser Crusader and couguard, whose ideas I took into consideration especially). I believe now that I have a good idea of what's going to happen from here on in.
So without further ado, here is the long awaited chapter 11. Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Behold, there is a stranger in our midst....
Setting: Mountain range outside of Tokyo-3. Nighttime hours.
They did it. At long last, they were free.
Well, not really free....to be honest. In lack of a better term, they were more or less outside the reach of NERV headquarters and the central government authorities. Having first escaped from Tokyo-3, then retrieving the former pilot of Eva unit 02, and finally freeing the former pilot of Eva unit 03. To their surprise, the latter of the three was given up without a fight; perfectly flawless negotiation.
And now, they could rest for a while. Shinji Ikari, Asuka Langley Sohryu, and Toji Suzhara could now get some well-deserved rest after several days of anguish and despair. There they all were; huddled around a campfire in the middle of nowhere with no protection or means of defending themselves....
Apart from the 100 foot biomechanism that is. Shinji's Eva was still, phenomenally, operational; and was running at full capacity. Hell, it was even better than ever. As if a new life had taken over the being. Shinji assumed that Rei had something to do with that, seeing as she was part of all beings. She must have somehow bypassed the Eva's set parameters and excelled them to a level of (dare he say it)God-like proportions. Indeed, Rei Ayanami was still the wonder girl, even after death.
Shinji put all thoughts of the Eva aside and stared at the fire. Toji sat opposite of him, staring at the heavens like he had never seen it before. Shinji couldn't really blame the guy; he had been locked up for several days straight, without any touch with nature; let alone the night's sky. He must feel pretty good now, being free.....like the rest of them.
To Shinji's right, sat Asuka; looking at the fire as intently as he was. Shinji couldn't help but notice how her dazzling red hair compared to that fire: dancing with energy, determination and passion. The very words that described Asuka. Shinji turned his head towards Asuka and smiled contently. She looked so beautiful in the pale night sky; the full moon showered the girl's face with light, giving her the appearance of what one might call....an angel. And an angel she was; his angel.
Toji: Hey Shinji!
Shinji jolted out of his trance and looked over at Toji.
Shinji:W-what?!
Toji just sat still casually. He saw what Shinji was doing, though he really didn't like all too well. Suzahara just simply smiled and gave Shinji the sly look.
Toji: What were you looking at Shinji?
Shinji blushed and frantically looked for an excuse. He really had no reason to be embarrassed; it was just part of his nature.
Shinji: N-nothing! I was looking at nothing!
Toji caught wind of his embarrassment; who couldn't? This only triggered Toji to cast off another humiliating comment.
Toji:..sigh...fine. But the night sure is beautiful isn't it?
Shinji: yeah...sigh....,she sure is.
Toji: What?
Shinji: I-I mean IT! I-IT sure is beautiful! The sky, not Asuka! S-she's not beautiful!
Asuka's head jerked suddenly, as if she had finally heard their little conversation.
Shinji: oh no.....
Asuka instantly broke out of trance, her eyes going into a murderous rage. She heard every word that Shinji had said, and she was wasn't going to let him get away with it easily. Asuka turned her head and locked on to her target: the poor frightened young man that sat no more than a few feet away from her.
Asuka: BAKA!
Shinji cowered to the ground and looked at Asuka with pure animal fear. She was going to kill him for sure....
Asuka stalked towards Shinji slowly and never looked away. Shinji backed away as much as he could while Toji just sat there and watched; like an audience member who got front row seats to a grand opera. He didn't want to get involved; besides, Shinji was probably used to this kind of abuse by now anyway.
Asuka was now but a few inches away from Shinji, her fists clenched and her face flushed with anger. Boy, did she look angry; Shinji could have swore that Asuka was bearing fangs at this point. His only chance now was to talk himself out of this; not that it worked before.
Shinji: Wait Asuka, I didn't mean it! I panicked! Please listen to me!
Shinji raised a hand and pointed his finger at Toji.
Shinji: H-he was trying to trick me!
Toji raised his hands defensively and looked back at Shinji in retort.
Toji: Whoa, buddy. You said what you said, not me. This is your problem, not mine...
Shinji continuously panicked as Asuka started to bend down towards him, her hands ready to pummel the living daylights out of him.
Shinji:S-s-some friend you are Toji!
He turned his head back towards Asuka and noticed that she was merely a few millimeters in front of his face. He gulped and closed his eyes in fear...
This was going to hurt.....a lot.....
Shinji kept his eyes closed for a few seconds, awaiting for that most certain death approaching him. But nothing happened. He felt neither pain nor wounds, as if she had restrained herself from attack. He opened his eyes and saw that Asuka had backed away from his face. She relaxed her muscles and smiled, taking a seat right next to him.
Asuka: sigh...its ok Shinji, I wasn't going to hurt you. Just....watch what you say next time, all right?
Shinji was paralyzed with a mix of confusion and relief.
Shinji:....
Asuka: sigh....and to think, I was going to give you a kiss instead. But no....you had to open your big mouth...oh well...
Shinji stayed silent for a little while. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry; once again, heremembered that last time the both of them kissed, and he got the receiving of the punishment. It was less than enjoyable that's for sure. Because of that, he felt somewhat relieved that Asuka didn't give him that 'kiss of death'.
Then again, there would be nothing better in the world than to share another kiss with the person he wanted to the most....
Toji took the this opportunity to harrass his friend once more.
Toji: Man Shinji....you look disappointed. Don't tell me that you want to kiss the red devil...
Asuka gave Toji a glare that could turn him into stone. She never liked being referred to as the Red Devil, EVER.
Asuka: Why you stup-
Shinji: Hey, at least I have a girl to kiss. Unlike someone else here....
Asuka stopped in mid-sentence and looked over at Shinji in astonishment. He actually made a decent, and very true, retort to Toji's growing string of embarrassing remarks. She was glad that his backbone had grown...or is growing, to be more precise.
Toji was also caught off guard by Shinji's response.
Toji: Hey! It isn't my fault I can't find a girlfriend.....
Shinji crossed his arms and looked back at Toji slyly.
Shinji: Actually it is...
Toji: Ah, shut up. Don't rub it in.
Toji turned his head away and started grumbling. That usually meant defeat in Toji's case, meaning that Shinji had the upper hand for the time being.
Shinji gave up the exchange of retorts as well, deciding to turn the conversation in a different direction. He took a deep a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
Shinji: you know...I wonder where they all are. Our friends I mean.
Asuka looked down at the ground and grabbed a stick, tracing it around in the sandy earth they sat on.
Asuka: Yeah....it would be nice to see Hikari again, after all these years. But we don't have to worry too much. I mean, Rei can find them anytime, anywhere.
This caught Toji's interest. He turned his head back to Shinji and Asuka, looking intently at the both of them.
Toji: huh?
Shinji: Yeah, no doubt that she'll find them. I just hope they aren't imprisoned or anything like that...
Toji: Who are you guys talking about? I thought I heard you say 'Rei'....
Shinji looked over at Asuka, realizing that he forgot something important to tell Toji. That importance being that Toji has not yet known that Rei was still alive....in spirit anyway...
Asuka looked at Shinji for a couple of seconds and nodded to him. She knew as well. Toji had as much right to know about Rei as much as they did. She was a part of everyone after all, and Toji was an Evangleion pilot to boot.
Shinji took a deep breath and chose his words carefully.
Shinji: sigh...she did say 'Rei', Toji. Rei's still alive, in spirit at least. She came to me after Third Impact and claimed that she was a part of everyone now. I wouldn't believe it at first, but then she showed up six years later....a few weeks ago....
Toji:....
Shinji: She spoke to me through the Evangelion and told me to get it out of NERV headquarters. She claimed that my Eva was still useful, and that it needed to defeat this great evil. I believed her and...ran away....
Toji took this all in slowly, still having an hard time understanding the whole 'Rei' deal. She was still alive?....and within everyone?....that didn't make any sense. It sounded like the ramblings of a madman. Still, Toji was interested. Maybe Shinji was right....
Toji: So...that's why you took it....
Shinji: Yeah, believe me...I wouldn't try to take the Eva on my own free will. Rei promised to help me find Asuka if I hijack Unit 01 and hide it. I did, and she kept her end of the bargain as well.
Asuka dropped her stick and stared at Shinji. She never heard about this; all she knew was that Shinji was trying to look for her. But Asuka never knew that that was his reason for stealing the Evangelion in the first place. And boy, did that come as a surprise....
Toji: And then you fought that asshole who was in the other Evangelion, rescued me, and here we are. Right?
Shinji: Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
Toji look at the others for a second and then nodded hesitantly.
Toji: Okay....I'll believe that . But I still have a hard time believing that Rei is still around...
Shinji: Don't worry about that Toji; you'll learn soon enough.
Asuka simply smiled and looked down at the ground. Shinji watched her intently. Her mind was worried over something...
Toji: All right, so what do we do now?
Shinji ignored Toji and just continued looking at Asuka. Something was really bothering her; hell, she didn't even appear to be listening to them at all anymore. It was times like this in which Shinji wished that he could get inside her mind and erase all her problems....
Was she worried about Hikari and Kensuke, or were there other burdens she puzzled over?
Toji: Hey! Shinji! Are you listening to me?
Shinji shook his head lightly and smiled stupidly at Toji.
Shinji: Sorry, I was thinking about....something. What did you say?
Toji looked annoyed and growled. He always hated repeating himself.
Toji: I said, "What do we do now?"
Shinji thought to himself quietly before answering. This was a tough decision, seeing as they had no prior objective at hand. His first instinct would be to find their friends and rescue them as well, but doing that would result in a one cramped plug; and it was far too difficult to find another hiding space hear in the mountains. What should they do next?
Asuka: We should understand our enemy first. That would give us a good advantage.
Shinji looked over at Asuka in surprise. She was paying attention to the conversation now, and she suggested something other than looking for their friends. This was certainly a change.
Shinji: You know, that's a great idea Asuka....
Asuka smiled lightly at Shinji, though a wink of concern sat subtly in her lovely eyes.
Toji: Yeah, that would be the best course of action, that way we can help the others if they confront the enemy.
Shinji smiled and nodded in agreement.
Shinji: Sounds good. But....are you sure that's what you want to do Asuka?
Asuka smiled arrogantly at Shinji, regaining some of her old fire within her eyes. She seemed to be more focused now....
Asuka: Of course that's what I want to do Baka!. Besides, looking for the others without the proper preparations could result in disaster.
Shinji was glad to see that Asuka was normal again; well....his definition of 'normal Asuka' anyway.
Shinji: All right, so that's the plan then. So....how do we find out more about it?
Toji:.......
Asuka:.....
Shinji: Any suggestions?
Toji pondered and puzzled for a while, then finally came up with a solution.
Toji: This sounds kind of crazy coming from me, but maybe Rei can help us with this mess. She has to know something about our enemy....
Shinji thought this over quickly and looked at Toji. He had no better plans....
Shinji: All right...sounds good. Asuka?
Asuka shrugged her shoulders and smirked at Toji.
Asuka: I guess I don't have any better ideas; good thinking Suzahara. You aren't as dumb as you look....
Toji: Yeah, I guess I'm not as dumb as I-....hey!
Shinji laughed a little, causing Asuka to join in with the chuckling as well. Toji just frowned and looked at the two of them seriously.
Toji:...Ok...ok....it's not that funny. I just don't....catch on that easily; give me a break.....
Shinji (chuckling): sorry Toji.....heh heh...All right, so it's settled. We look for Rei and find out about this enemy of ours.
Toji: Good...yawn....but let's do it in the morning. I'm way too tired to take in any information tonight....
Asuka (muttering): you can barely take in information when you're awake...
Toji: what?
Asuka:...I said, "I agree". We should all rest up and regain our strength. Right Shinji?
Shinji nodded in agreement and looked over at Toji. He was staring at Asuka suspiciously for a couple of moments, but he he gave up finally and laid back against the log he was sitting on. He relaxed a bit and pulled down his hat, covering his eyes from the bright, fall moonlighht.
Toji: You guys can have the pod if you want. I'll sleep out here.
Shinji (concerned): Are you sure? It's just going to get colder tonight....
Toji responed by zipping up his jacket all the way.
Toji: Hey, don't worry about me. I've been through worse, remember? Besides...I'd like to enjoy this freedom while it lasts. Haven't been outside in a long time....
Shinji:.....
Toji: Yeah, so you guys can share the pod. You're so used to sleeping together anyway right?
He chuckled mischievously and lifted his hat slightly to catch a glimpse of their faces. They both were blushing, apparently at a loss for words.
So it was true then....they really were together this whole time....maybe even intimately...
Toji shuddered from his last comment and lowered his hat again, allowing sleep to gently take him away. Asuka and Shinji remained speechless, both slowly walking back to the Eva. They needed some well-needed sleep as well..
Toji smiled a little and spoke softly, almost to himself.
Toji: Good night guys. Sweet dreams...
Setting: UN base camp situated 20 miles outside of Tokyo-3. night hours.
Misato was unhappy, to say the least. If one wanted a true estimate, it would be wise to say that she was beyond furious; barely scratching the realm of murderous rage. She was at the UN base camp now, 18 hours after her meeting with Ambassador Remington. After that little meeting, she returned to Tokyo-3 via helicopter, and arrived face first into a new type of emergency.
Apparently, Eva unit 01 had once again made an appearance; this time, however, he was back in the mountains attacking the UN camp. Of course, 'attack' wouldn't be the best term to use.The unit merely came to recover the prisoner, and left without so much as putting up a fight. The camp was unscathed, and not a single soldier was hurt.
But it wasn't that incident that made Misato angry; hell, she was glad that the Evangelion rescued Toji. He would have just rotted in prison anyhow....
What made her angry was the aftermath.
She was told that General Tsubake had issued a nuclear strike against Unit 01, even after it distinctly left the camp unharmed. He felt humiliated after forcing to give up his only prisoner, causing him to go 'berserk'. The attack was issued, but none of the missiles got off the ground fortunately. Several, foresighted soldiers saw something fishy going on with the general; so they had him subdued and held prisioner until further notice.
Then it was Misato's turn to step in. She knew Tsubake for a long long time, and she always trusted his judgment before. But this.....this was unacceptable from even the best of military officials. What the hell has gotten into this kind yet strict old man?
That's why she's here. She had to interrogate the man; find out what he knows before he faced proper judgment from the courts.
Misato: Is this the tent?
Soldier: Yes commander. We kept him tied up here for the last six hours...he hasn't made a noise since...
Misato was rather curious about that. Didn't Tsubake even attempt to talk himself out of this? Very strange indeed....
Misato: So he hasn't spoken a word? What has he been doing?
The soldier just shrugged and spoke with uncertainty.
Soldier: He just...sits there with his head down. Like he's asleep this whole time...
Misato was still perplexed, but she wouldn't get the answers from the soldiers. She had to get the answers from Tsubake himself, if at all possible. She heard quite enough from this man and entered the tent casually.
There he was: the man that attempted to destroy the country because of a petty loss. He was restrained to a steel chair by 1000-pound test wire with his hands tied to the back. Misato couldn't make out his expression, seeing as his head was lowered.
The soldier was right: there was not a single sound coming from this man. She couldn't even her him breathing. He looked more dead than asleep...
Misato began to fell uneasy, like some kind of foreboding had came in and flooded the room. For some reason...she felt that this man in front of her...was not what he appears to be. She carefully situated herself into the chair opposite of the general and scanned him from top to bottom; Misato carefully chose her words, seeing as interrogation with him had to be delicate. She rubbed her hands together and spoke to him kindly yet firmly.
Misato: brrrr....certainly is a cold night out, wouldn't you say? Would you like a coat or something?
Tsubake:.....unnecessary. I don't feel heat.
The sound of his voice caused her spine to chill all the way up her back. His voice...was so cold...so emotionless. As if he had no good in him at all...
Nonetheless, Misato continued speaking.
Misato: Fine, then how about I ask you a question; a very simple question....
Tsubake:....If you wish.
Misato:....Why did you do it Tsubake? What made you do it?
Tsubake:........
A few minutes went by, but still nothing.
Misato: Let me ask you again, "Why did you do it Tsubake?"
Tsubake:........
Still nothing. Misato expected as much coming from a man so stubborn. After a few minutes, she once again attempted the question.
Misato: Tsubake, listen to me. If you refuse to answer the question...then we will have no choice but to-
Tsubake: my name is Iruel.
Misato was taken aback completely from his response; if her memory served her right, then Iruel was indeed....
Misato: the 11th angel? You claim to be the 11th angel....
Tsubake nodded slightly.
Tsubake: correct, I am he. The one that you believed to be dead.
Misato closed her eyes and sighed in exasperation. Tsubake was playing tricks to save his ass. Well, he was not going to get away with that.
Misato: Aright then...tell me, how did you survive?
Tsubake: After my strategic attack upon the Magi super computer, I was ambushed by a device that was equally cunning; no....even more cunning than I, thanks to the brilliance of you're former chief technician.
Misato:...Ritsuko....
Tsubake: Correct. Unfortunately, her efforts died in vain. You see, after the attack, the remaining parts of my nano-body went into a state of self-defense. Like when a bacteria builds a protective cover around itself in order to withstand extreme conditions. My remains merely deactivated themselves, making deletion impossible. Without readable data,....my nano-technology is merely an average computer part, undistinguishable from the rest.
Misato:.....
Tsubake: Unfortunately, I could do nothing while in this state. I had to remain dormant to survive, and survive I did. I remained within the Magi system for six straight years....until....
Misato: Until parts of the Magi were removed....
Tsubake: Correct again, commander. Hence, I no longer had a threat. But in a twist of irony, I realized that I had no purpose either. The deed of mankind was done, and rebirth has taken place. I have no reason to be here...
Misato: Then why? How? What are you doing here?
Tsubake: Calm down commander. You see, I have found a reason to exist. I had to, seeing as I was the only one of my kind that survived. My mission...is to perfect myself. I was near perfection when I attacked your base, you see. But still, I was defeated in battle. The results of that made me realize one thing: I was missing something. And after years of solitude and dormancy, I found what I was missing....
Misato: And what is that, Iruel?
Tsubake: Human sacrifice. I need LCL created from Human sacrifice.
Misato: oh my God....
Tsubake: I need a large amount of LCL to bear as gifts to my lord; I need to bear gifts in order to become the perfect being. And the only way to do that is to, in matter of speaking, 'infect' a human host, and kill them from the inside out. Seeing as my nano technology has airborne capabilities, it's rather simple to infect one organism. But I require a much larger amount of LCL in order to achieve my goal....
This man....no....'thing'.....wasn't kidding around. The UN was rarely given information coming from inside NERV headquarters, such as daily logs and Angel data. The only information they were ever told was 'what is attacking', and 'how to kill it'. Or in the current situation they were told how to capture it.
With that in mind, how could the general know what was occurring within the base that very day, he day that the 11th angel attacked? If memory served her right, all data from that day was deleted, including the dated entry from the log; this was to insure that the systems were safe from another possible infection. In other words, the day the 11th angel attacked virtually never 'existed'.
How...how was it possible for a man who had no resources, somehow know (in unusual detail) about what had happened that day?
Misato: Th-this doesn't make any sense....you can't possibly know about that attack....unless....
Tsubake raised his head a little, appearing to be interested in the conversation at last.
Tsubake: Unless?
Misato:...you're it. You're really the eleventh angel....
Tsubake: Iruel: the perfect one, as I stated. Did you really doubt me?
Misato: well....it is kind of hard to take you seriously...when you are in the body of an unstable man.
Tsubake: Oh, he is not instable. Ever since infection, all his actions were controlled by me and me alone. I needed someone....who could provide conflict. And out of all honesty, anyone on this pathetic planet would be suffice.
Misato still didn't understand; she can believe that this person before her was not Tsubake, but everything else was still shrouded in fog. Why someone who could provide conflict? What was the purpose for that?
And how much LCL did he need?
Tsubake: Listen here commander, I have given far more information then you could possibly need. You should be able to handle the rest on your own.
Misato nodded in understanding.
Misato: Thank you for cooperating.
Tsubake: You're welcome. Heh....it doesn't matter anyway, your kind will be destroyed one way or another...
Misato felt a spark of fury rise inside her body quickly.
Misato: What the Hell are you talking about?! Do you even see the situation you are in?! You will be completely functionless without your host...
Tsubake: Wrong again. Even if you kill this man, I can escape again and infect another being. Believe you me, I am far more superior than the common parasite....
Misato: Escape again?
Misato had hunch that he was referring to Geffen, the pilot who died of mysterious causes. It now made sense. Unit 05 disobeying orders, Tsubake attempting a nuclear attack. This being really was controlling their actions!
She quivered in anger and fear. These were two perfectly normal people who died just because they were the puppet of a micro monster; a monster that had to be stopped at all costs...
Misato: You bastard......rest assured...you will be destroyed when your time comes....
Tsubake jerked his head up suddenly, revealing a horrific sight. He was...leaking. And he wasn't leaking blood; no, it was that all so familiar orange liquid that have been appropriately dubbed LCL. It was dripping from his white pupil eyes, out of his hair (probably from the skull sutures that have been broken for some ghastly reason), and from the sides of his mouth and nostrils. His eyes had rolled up in their sockets, revealing only plain, white orbs; like the beings of the damned.
Tsubake: T-tell me Misato....how can you kill something....you can't even see?
Misato took a few steps back and covered her mouth in disgust. This was just too gross to handle...
Tsubake: How are you going to stop me commander? Have you're precious pilot swing its arms in the air in hopes of crushing me? HA! YOU ARE POWERLESS!
The general stood up out of his chair and staggered towards Misato, who in turn slowly reached for her pistol and aimed it at his head.
Misato: Stay back you...monster....
Tsubake: Monster?
Misato:.....
Tsubake: Yes......I guess I would be....
Misato:......
Tsubake:...See you around commander.
Tsubake then screamed a blood curtling shreik, as all the muscles in his body pulsated at once; tightening around the sharp wire. His skin began to bleed as the wires dug into the general's stressed body, yet he was not bleeding blood. Instead, his body bled LCL....just like his face...
Then his whole body began to shrink as huge jets of the substance busted out of his body and all over the floor. His body was becoming a puddle at this point; all Misato could do was hang back and the sight in pure, untainted horror.
She felt like hurling on the ground; Misato was used to Angels dying before her very eyes, but not something like this. She dropped her gun to the ground as the remaining parts of his body melted into LCL.
General Tsubake was now merely a puddle of LCL on the Earth....
All was quiet; not a single soldier in the whole tent said a word, let alone Misato, who was still in a horrific shock. It was not everyday that a man liquefied before your very own eyes. But just then, seemingly out of nowhere, a dark, smooth voice spoke out.
"Another blood sacrifice has been made, and my Lord is rejoices. Amen."
Misato could only guess that the voice was none other than Iruel. And by the sounds of it, this was not just an ordinary foe.....
Misato: He's right. How DO we stop an enemy we can't see?
Shinji still couldn't sleep. He had been awake for at least four hours now, and nothing was helping; he tried deep breaths, counting sheep, and other unorthodox methods for attempted sleep. It had to be this plug, there was no way anyone could sleep in here with that smell in the air; the smell of human blood.
Well, there was one person who could sleep through this mess, that girl being the redhead German sleeping in HIS chair.
That's right, Shinji had reluctantly given up all rights of the chair to Asuka, who took it without conviction. All Shinji had for sleeping quarters was the small portion of space that existed behind the chair. It was fairly cramped and not too comfortable, but it was far better than sleeping in the freezing cold. Unlike some idiot who thought the cold air would do him some good.
Shinji (to himself): Maybe that's why I can't sleep: knowing the fact that Toji is out there freezing with only one type of cover. Why did we agree to let him sleep out there.....
Shinji made up his mind and grabbed his hooded jacket. The pod was warm enough without it, meaning that wearing this coat would just be pointless. Toji would be better off with it, seeing as he was the one who offered the pod to them in the first place.
Shinji carefully shuffled out of his spot and quietly opened the pod door. The last thing he wanted to face was the wrath of an angry Asuka, whose strength was comparable only to that of the Devil himself. The pod opened without error, allowing some brisk, night air to flow inside of it. Asuka began to shiver a little, prompting Shinji to move a little more swiftly out of the plug.
Shinji jumped out of the plug door and onto the earthen floor. He sighed in relief, seeing as he had once again made it quietly past Asuka without conflict. He took a few steps across the ground; it was as cold as the air around him, which had to be freezing to say the least. Toji was a fool to believe that he could stay out here.
Shinji clutched his jacket and walked over to the remains of the warm fire. The wind must have billowed it to nothing but ash. He thanked God that it wasn't daylight, or else their smoke could be seen a mile away. Shinji gazed over to where Toji had sat against the log.
He was still there, but he did look dreadfully cold. Shinji's fear was confirmed; he walked over to the shivering boy and placed his jacket over Toji's own coat. Within seconds, Toji stopped shivering violently as a smile of content grew across his face. He appeared to be in complete solace now, compared to the cold, cold world around him. Moments later, Toji was completely relaxed within his sleep.
Shinji smiled for his good deed and trekked back to the pod. He noticed that he left the door open, and wondered if Asuka was awake. If she was....it would cause some trouble for him. He gulped deeply and hoped that Asuka was a deep sleeper......
Then he spotted something in the corner of his eye; it was a bush rustling, as if it was shivering from the night's air as well. Someone...or something....was behind that bush, watching his every move (or so he thought). Shinji's weary mind told him to go over and identify the elusive stranger, while his heart told him to chicken out and head back to the pod.
Shinji listened to the latter of the two and immediately continued back to the plug. Maybe the possibly vengeful Asuka could take out her anger on whatever was in that bush....
He gently grabbed the side of the doorway and peeked inside in hopes that Asuka was still asleep. He spoke softly, almost in a whisper.
Shinji:..Asuka?
There was no answer. Shinji sighed in relief as he entered the plug; she was still sound asleep. In fact, she seemed more peaceful than ever; she didn't make a single sound.
Perhaps she was being too quiet.
Upon further inspection of the cockpit, he noticed that no one was occupying the chair. All that was there was a lone ruffled blanket that was tossed aside. Asuka had apparently awoken and was somewhere around here.
If so, where was she? Did she have to 'go' or something?
Shinji was perfectly convinced that that wasn't the case. The three of them had nothing decent to eat and drink for the last 24 hours. Plus, Asuka hated being cold, meaning that she would have taken the blanket with her....
A sinking feeling filled Shinji's body. Could she be....sleepwalking?
Shinji: Oh shit....
Shinji darted out the plug and back to where he had heard the alarming sound from the bush. It had to be Asuka no doubt, and she couldn't be far....
He scavenged behind the bush and found some footprints; female size footprints going deeper into the wooden area of the mountains. She had been here and was probably not too far away.
Shinji cut past the bush and sprinted through the leaves while keeping a close eye on the tracks below him. She was sleepwalking all right, he could tell by the staggering of the feet, like someone who had just woken from a nightly slumber. He had to find her before she got herself hurt....
Or worse....
Shinji: Please Asuka! Don't be too far away....
He half-expected her to pop out from behind a tree any second, but that moment never came. He just kept running deeper into the woods while a keeping his weary eyes on the fading footprints.
The ground was becoming more solid, in the part of the woods that received little rainfall. If he didn't find Asuka soon, he probably wouldn't find her at all....
And by the time he does, it may be too late.
Shinji's body filled with anxiety and fear as he stopped abruptly. He had been running into the woods for at least ten minutes, and now the tracks had stopped. She could be anywhere now, and chances are, he would probably never find her on his own. He didn't have his cell phone with him, and the Eva was too far away.
Shinji: I'm....too late.
Shinji collapsed to the ground as warm tears formed in his eyes. He was too late; Asuka was probably hurt and alone right now and he was helpless to assist her. It was not the first time in his life that he had let someone down, but it was the first time he had ever felt guilt like this. Knowing Shinji, the pain was unbearable....
Shinji: Asuka...sniff...where are you? Please.....please be all right.... I'm sorry that I couldn't-
He stopped his sobbing momentarily as a sound caught his attention. It was coming from the east; a soft rumbling sound. Like thousands of gallons of LCL collapsing to the Earth...
It was a waterfall.
With new hope ignited, Shinji lifted himself up off the dirt and darted towards the targeted noise. It had to be less than 100 meters away, and closing in. After a few moments, he arrived to a steep cliff, with a white river about 50 feet down. And sure enough, there was the waterfall; cascading downward into the already chaotic river. If a person where to fall down in there, they would most certainly be torn limb from limb before drowning to death....
Shinji turned his head to the left and squinted his eyes as he spotted a human-like figure a short distance way; she was obviously female, had long red hair, and appeared to have her eyes closed.
It was Asuka all right, completely peaceful in her sleep....and standing just at the edge of the cliff.
Shinji: ASUKA! DON'T!
He panicked and instantly darted toward the incoming figure with outstretched hands. She was teetering on the very edge of the cliff, and the slipperiness of the rocks might get the better of her bare feet....
Sure enough, the watery surface caused Asuka's unconscious body to slip and plummet towards the thrashing water below. Shinji eyes widened as a made a huge leap towards the edge of the cliff; this was his last chance to save her....and if he failed.....
Shinji: God help me!
Shinji 's body flung off the side of the cliff and towards the raging river below. Asuka was less than five feet below him, and he was closing in fast. He desperately pushed himself forward by extending his hands towards Asuka's limp ones. Within milliseconds he could feel the soft touch of her fingers grazing against the side of his.
He caught Asuka by the hand and pulled her towards his body. Her hair fluttered in the breeze as the two of them plummeted to certain doom...
But he didn't care anymore; just the thought of having her close to him was enough to ease his troubled mind.
He extended his right hand into the air, as if by instinct.
His newly focused mind somehow told him to reach for the sky, as if he could grab the threshold of Heaven and pull himself up. For some reason, he felt as if...everything is going to be all right. He didn't know if he would keep on falling, or if a miracle would reach out and save him; and personally, he didn't care...
He knew that everything was all right....now that Asuka was back in his arms.
Shinji closed his eyes and continued to reach for the sky. Maybe Heaven WILL find a way to save them....
Shinji and Asuka shook up and down violently for a brief second. It felt as thought they had reached the strong currents, but it soon stopped after that small moment.
In fact, they appeared to not be moving at all; all was quiet and still while Asuka and Shinji hovered in the air. The sound of the rushing water could still be heard below, and the cold air wisped across Shinji's face.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked at the very thing that saved them. It was branch; a long branch growing off the side of an almost infertile cliff side had saved the lives of two young people. It reminded Shinji of the olive branch that was brought back to Noah, symbolizing a newfound hope for mankind.
At this very moment, that's what it felt like.
Shinji breathed deeply and relaxed for a second. He could easily scale this cliff, but first he needed to collect himself.
Shinji: thank God....thank God.....
Asuka's eyes opened slowly.
She could feel the night breeze drifting down from the mountains and across her body. She could feel her dress sway in the wind, and she could hear the sounds of wildlife and water thrashing. Indeed, this was most definitely some type of valley. But the real question was...why was she here? The last time she checked, she had fallen asleep inside of the plug.....
Asuka sat up abruptly and scanned the area. She was in some kind of a dense forest area, with no sign of civilization around. Not to mention that the camp was nowhere in sight as well. They must have somehow trekked deeper into the woods...though there was no sign of the two boys....
A shuffling noise nearby startled her; it was a figure of a man. She squinted her eyes to try and make out who it was...
Brown hair....white shirt....It was Shinji all right. He appeared to be fast asleep against the tree next to her, completely drained out over God knows what.
Asuka smiled in the relief that someone was with her, but she still didn't understand why they were here...
Asuka grabbed a tiny pebble and flicked it against the side of his skull.
Shinji:....ow....hey, that h-....ASUKA!
Asuka giggled a little; it was always fun to pick on Shinji. When it's harmless fun anyway...
Asuka: Hello Baka Shinji....sleep well?
Shinji: ow...I did until I had a rock thrown against me. Are you okay?
Asuka looked at Shinji as if he had received a unsuccessful lobotomy.
Asuka: Yeah....of course I'm all right...why wouldn't I be?
It was now Shinji's turn to be surprise, thought he really shouldn't be. It was common for sleepwalkers to be unaware of their nighttime antics, just like how people forget their own dreams.
Shinji: You mean you don't remember?
Asuka: Remember what?
Shinji: Do you even know why we're here?
Asuka was getting irritated with all the questions being asked, and absolutely no answers in return. She sat up against the tree and looked at Shinji with annoyance.
Asuka: NO! Just tell me what the heck is going on!.....sigh....baka.....
Shinji:...oh! Sorry....
Asuka calmed down a bit and laid back against the tree. She wasn't in the mood to argue anymore; she was still very tired.
Asuka: It's all right Shinji, just....tell me what's going on....
Shinji relaxed against his tree as well; he was more tired than Asuka was.
Shinji: All right...I'll tell you...
Shinji contemplated his words carefully as he told Asuka what happened in the past couple of hours. How he gave Toji his jacket, when he heard the noises in the bush, Asuka disappearing into the forest, Her sleepwalking, all of it. And then he told her how they ended up here....
Asuka: WHAT?! YOU MEAN WE'RE LOST?!
Asuka no doubt knew that she had a sleepwalking problem, and she was secretly grateful for Shinji's help. But being grateful wasn't really going to help them out with their current situation.
Shinji gave Asuka a feeble smile and tried his best to calm her down.
Shinji: heh.....yeah....I have no idea where the camp is, both don't worry! Toji's still there; he knows that Rei can find anybody, and he'll find us in no time!
Asuka concurred with Shinji. She had no doubt that Toji would find them, but there was just one tiny detail he forgot to mention...
Asuka: Yeah, he'll find us....once he wakes up that is...
Shinji: oh crap! That's right....he has to be awake in order to find us....
Asuka: well, duh Shinji! So what do we do then?
Shinji sunk against the side of the tree trunk and began to mope.
Shinji: I guess we wait it out, and hope he comes as soon as possible.
Asuka was going to retort sarcastically, but she really didn't have any better ideas. Wandering around would only tire them out even more....
Asuka: sigh....I guess so....
With that said, Shinji nodded in approval and turned his back to Asuka, curling up in order to contain some of his precious body heat. The night was getting colder now; seeing as they were approaching the early morning hours. And Shinji didn't have his jacket on hand....
Shinji (to himself): s-shit....why didn't I just keep it?! Now I'M the one freezing to death...
Shinji curled up even tighter and closed his eyes tightly. He hoped that sleep would take him soon, so that he could forget about the coldness of the night air. That usually helped on the nights back at the apartment, where he only had a few layers on hand.
Asuka played it smart; she brought along a nice, warm jacket. She was wearing her dress mind you, so a jacket was the only thing necessary to keep her warm.
They originally thought that the plug would began to cool down as the night went on, so she never did remove it; even when she had that blanket on hand.
Shinji (to himself): Man...the things I do to help out friends. I bet I'm being tested by a higher power! That has to be it! That explains why bad things always happen to me when I try to set them straight! Oh man....I'm so miserable....
Shinji was too busy mind ranting to notice that the he was becoming warmer and warmer. He instantly stopped himself and focused on the source of the heat. It certainly wasn't his body heat, nor was it his light clothing....
There was only one explanation.
Shinji looked down at his waist to find a pair of arms wrapped around him. He felt warm breaths on the back of his neck. While turning around, he noticed a tangle of long red hair draping across his soldier. It didn't take him long before he realized who it was.
Shinji (blushing): A-Auska Wha-?
Asuka (softly): shh....please be a little quieter Shinji. It's such a lovely night out.....
Shinji relaxed a little as Asuka contently hugged him; she didn't speak a word, just continued hugging and breathing softly against his back. If Shinji could see her face, he would guess that she was looking very happy right now...
Shinji (whispering): Asuka....what are you doing?
Asuka: You look like you needed some warming up. Heh...that jacket would be nice now wouldn't it.?
Shinji (gloomily): aw man....don't remind me.....
Asuka giggled a little and tightened her grip around the boy.
Asuka: Hee hee....that's ok. I like it better this way anyway.
Shinji squirmed a little in her grip, attempting to get in a comfortable position. Asuka responded by flipping the boy gently, having his eyes facing hers. She once again wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her warmth. Shinji blushed once again, cursing himself for not being able to get used to that. He had been around the girl for so long now, and he still blushed whenever he looked into her beautiful eyes.
Asuka: sigh...that's better....
Shinji: Asuka, why?
Shinji still seemed to worried by something, though Asuka couldn't exactly figure out what. Was he still uncomfortable with type of relationship? If so, then Asuka had to fix that....
Asuka: Because.....you didn't forget about me. You came back for me after all these years and made me remember the precious things that I have given up. And because you did, I was able to recover those memories and live again....
Shinji:...Asuka....
She must have been talking about why Shinji hijacked the Eva in the first place. After spending some time around her and Toji, He had completely forgotten the real reason why he still had the Eva. It was....her. His only reason for anything now....
Asuka: Shinji, why did you come back for me? I love that you did, but why?
Shinji:....I suppose it's because I always thought about you. And I thought I knew why I did, but I had to make sure. The only way to know for was......to come back for you.....
Asuka remained still as Shinji returned the warm embrace by wrapping his arms underneath hers. Soon, they could feel the soft touch of sleep overtaking them both. It was an elixir to the soul...
Asuka remained awake for a few minutes, determined to recover some of her lost sleep. Shinji, on the other hand, still had some concerns he wanted to ask her. Things that would determine the fate of their inevitable relationship.
Asuka nuzzled against the side of Shinji's shoulder and closed her eyes softly. Shinji's eyes moved down to her face and saw that she was still smiling. Why was she smiling like that? Did the fact that they were vulnerable out here in the wilderness bother her at all?
Asuka always remained a mystery to the poor boy. After the incident involving Third Impact, he became a good judge on what people were thinking. But Asuka, the girl he had admired and loved from afar, was still a complete mystery to him. He could never, on his own, figure out what she was thinking.
There was only one way to figure out Asuka; and that was asking her how she felt.
Shinji:...Asuka?
Asuka shifted a bit and opened one eye, gazing at the boy sleepily.
Asuka (drowsily): umm....yeah Shinji?
Shinji: What was that precious thing that you were missing? Was it....Unit 02? Was it the fact that you were a pilot?
Asuka blinked a couple of times; Shinji still hadn't figured it out yet. It should have been obvious to him, but then again, he was a guy after all...
Asuka chuckled a little and smiled lovingly back at Shinji, both or her eyes were open now.
Asuka: No baka...being an Eva pilot wasn't going to last forever. So it can't really be called a precious thing. However, there is something that is precious to me, and I got it back not to long ago....
Shinji:...Really? What is that?
Asuka stared Shinji straight in the eyes and moved closer to his face. Shinji noticed that her eyes were getting glassier, and an unforeseen feeling was beginning to emerge from deep inside her soul.
Shinji was taken aback once again as Asuka's moist lips grazed against his own; Her lips stayed there, waiting for Shinji to respond and return the kiss back to her; after a few moments Shinji reflected the warm kiss back to Asuka, which solidified the bound between them right now.
Asuka withdrew a few seconds later and gazed into Shinji's eyes once again. It was at this moment that Shinji could see right into Asuka's very own soul. All her feelings, emotions, and thoughts spilled out and flowed straight into Shinji's own pupils.
He knew everything he needed to know now. Everything involving their relationship.
Asuka broke the momentary silence with the reply she never gave. Her most precious thing was most obviously...
Asuka: you. You are the one I found again; and I want it to stay that way forever....
Shinji's smile widened and tears of joy formed in his eyes. Asuka smiled back and closed her eyes softly. Shinji held her tightly, listening to the soft sounds of her breathing as the brisk night air ceased to bother them. Her breathing was more steady now; and the silence remained.
Asuka was finally asleep.
Shinji closed his own eyes and hoped that the spirit that enchanted her to sleep would do so to him as well.
He felt the soft harmonic breathing of Asuka against him; it was a rhythm that sung him softly to sleep. Soon, all the troubles in Shinji's world, disappeared into the intimacy of this lovely night....
Shinji: Asuka....I love you......
End of Chapter 11
aww...how sweet....they fell in love -. (about damn time....)
Forgive me if this chapter appears weak. I haven't written Evangelion in some time..
Anyway, my writing format is going to change slightly for the next chapters. They will done in a more novel style fashion then in the typical script style I do. I think that it is the best way of supporting my ideas, and it builds up the plot better. So fair warning! There is a slight change...
I have no idea when the next chappie will be up (next two weeks at most), so please bear with me!
please keep reviewing as well! You guys have been really understandng and supportive in your reviews and I truly appreciate that. So please...keep it up!
:so tell next time, take it easy everyone!