Chapter 2
Asuka grumbled lowly as she found herself trudging into another town. She had set out to the east of the previous village and now found herself in a similarly rustic town. Luckily, a cool autumn breeze countered the blazing sun that even still beat down on her. Immediately she looked for a place to find food and drink.
As she made her way into the middle of town, she found a large saloon standing proudly amongst other buildings that paled in comparison. Her eyes lit up as she dashed into the structure.
An open table near the bar grabbed her attention. She sat down and quickly called out for help from the wait staff.
"Can I get you something?" came a cheerful voice from a beautiful waitress. She had long, flowing black hair and a black and red dress that was just high enough to not brush the ground.
As Asuka looked up to the woman, her eyes widened. "Misato!" she blurted.
"Yes?" asked the woman as she tilted her head. "Have we met?"
"C'mon, Misato. You know me." Upon the blank stare she received, Asuka continued, "I'm Asuka. We worked together at NERV! It wasn't that long ago."
"I'm sorry," Misato replied with an apologetic look. "I think you must have me confused with someone else. That is my name, but I've never worked at this... NERV, you said it was?"
Asuka frowned angrily. "What, do you have amnesia or something?" she demanded.
"Like I said, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I've lived here all my life." Misato tried to dismiss the girl's weird attitude by changing the subject. "Can I get you something to eat or drink? Maybe you're delirious from being out in the sun too long."
"I'm not delirious!" Asuka barked. "But if you're so insistent, I would like to place an order. Bring me the best meal you serve and the biggest glass of water you can find in this dump."
Misato blinked, feeling defensive. But instead of arguing with a customer, she decided to merely grit her teeth. "Yes, miss." She turned and walked toward the door behind the bar.
With Misato gone, Asuka suddenly found herself feeling more lost than before. Why didn't Misato remember her? Was there something wrong with everyone else, or was there something wrong with her? She shook her head slightly, clearing away the thought. Nothing could be wrong with her.
She took the moment to observe the surroundings. The saloon appeared no different than any of the others she had been in, minus a few cosmetic changes. However she did find another set of posters posted along one of the walls. And again, Ayanami's picture was among them. Asuka examined the poster carefully, taking careful note of the words across the bottom of the page that proclaimed Ayanami had last been seen in a cabin a distance to the north of the town.
At least that's more information than I had before, Asuka thought. Now I just have to make sure I find this cabin before anyone else gets there.
Once Misato returned with Asuka's food and drink, the red head decided to see if she could garner any information from the waitress. "Excuse me, do you have any information on her?" she asked with a gesture to the poster depicting Rei.
Misato considered the poster for several long seconds before taking a seat at Asuka's table. As Asuka began to tear into her food ravenously, Misato said, "I'm not really sure about her. People say she's the most wanted person in these parts, but she's managed to elude most of the really skilled bounty hunters around here. I don't think it was stated that she's dangerous." Misato put her hand to her chin thoughtfully. "I know there's a really famous bounty hunter after her now. I think he might stand a chance of getting her. He's the quickest shot around here."
"So you think this guy's good at what he does?" Asuka asked through a mouth full of food.
Misato wrinkled her nose slightly, seeming put off by Asuka's bad manners. "Well, everyone who's ever seen him in action says he can't be beaten. I haven't seen him myself, though."
Asuka nodded as she finished off her food. She quickly chugged down the entire glass of water, feeling refreshed. Upon setting down the glass, Asuka looked at Misato's face, considering her carefully. "So you really have no memory of ever meeting me?"
"I'm afraid not," Misato said with the same apologetic smile she had offered earlier.
That means Rei probably won't remember me, either. Then I'm no closer to getting any answers than I was when I was in Japan. Asuka frowned to herself. Her gaze slid to the side to look at the wanted poster. She scanned over it slowly for several seconds. Though if she doesn't remember me, Asuka thought as a grin spread across her face, I can just claim the bounty on her without worrying about losing any information.
Asuka turned back to Misato and smiled brightly. "Well, thanks a lot! You've been a big help." The Second Child jumped to her feet and started for the door.
Misato just stared at the girl. Once Asuka was almost half way to the door, she got to her feet. "Hey, wait! You didn't pay!"
Asuka blinked, gulped, and called over her shoulder, "Put it on my tab!" She then sprinted out the door as fast as her feet could carry her.
Misato growled loudly, "Get back here!" And, in a manner that was completely unladylike, she gave chase to the fleeing thief.
