Wings of an Angel
Chapter IV Aspects of Ours Lives
DAMN YOU ALL: P I had it planned out for 9 chapters including the epilogue. Now by demand, I have an obligation to please the readers. So I will have to completely redesign my story, as well as add more fluff, and development, AND MAKE THE INITIAL RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT LESS FARFETCHED! Damn it all! Anyways, I hope you guys like this chapter.
BRAANCH: I hate you LOL. Because of you and others I have to revise the previous chapters and then remake my story. Oh well.
Gunman: LOL I'm glad you enjoyed Shinji kicking Toji's ass, and yes I agree, it was a nice touch with Misato being the drunken god mother bodyguard LOL, however I did it because Misato was a big part of Shinji's one year at Tokyo-3, so I decided to make her a big part of his life in this story on a much broader level, but I suppose I can look at it in that manner as well. And as for the tattoo, you'll learn its significance in this chapter.
Chaos666: I'm glad you liked the way I had Shinji handle them.
KazeKiryoku: Yeah, I did kind of speed up the emotions and such, but that was because I had a bloody plan for this story.
A few days had past since the incident, and the two of them couldn't be happier. Misato for one was still, if not more, protective of the two, keeping an eye on the two. Also, Rei received less lewd looks from the males, as they had heard of the bodyguards that Rei had, and also the fact Shinji had destroyed Toji's elbow.
It was the weekend now, Shinji and Rei had just ate breakfast, and decided to stand outside on the balcony and enjoy the view, and the morning breeze. Shinji was simply standing there, as Rei leaned on him, the top of her head resting on his left cheek, his arms around her waist, one of her hands caressing the skin on his hands as the other arm wrapped itself around his head. They both let out a sigh of contentment.
"Shinji-kun, there is something that has been bothering meet lately," Rei suddenly spoke out, breaking the peaceful silence.
"What is it Rei-chan?"
"If I am correct, you said that you detest prostitutes and whores correct?"
"Uh huh," he slowly responded, not seeing where the line of questioning was leading to, "Why do you ask such a thing?"
"I wish to know, why do you hate them so much, and yet break your code for me?" Rei stepped away and turned around, leaning on the railing.
Shinji looked up, rubbing his chin, as he thought out how he was going to respond, before letting out a sigh, looking at her, "I suppose you have a right to know."
"Know about what exactly, Shinji-kun?" Rei asked, tilting her head, her long hair flowing downwards.
"The very thing that started my hatred against prostitutes," Shinji quietly responded, as she leaned there, waiting for his response, "First of all, you need to know a bit more about my family. I live in a family of 5, myself, my mother, father, and two sisters. Youngest is travelling right now, but however, my eldest, Reika, is the reason why I hate prostitutes."
Rei raised her eyebrows as her eyes widened and mouth opened in surprise, "You're sister get caught in the business as I did?"
Shinji's face contorted with anger as she asked, "That's the fucking problem. She chose to live that way," he had started pacing back and forth the length of the balcony, "Unlike you however, she had willing sex with her boyfriend, who dumped her for another, after those who had sex. That killed her. The only thing she had left was the feelings she felt for him whenever she had sex. But then again she was pretty submissive, always depressed. Yet whenever she hung with me and Jun, my other sister, she was fine, happy, cheerful, heck; the family was the only thing that relieved her of the depression. However, after her boyfriend had sex with her and dumped her, like I said it killed her. She was so obsessed that she would do anything. And I stress, ANYTHING, just as she stressed every single time she talked to him. Eventually, he found a use for her."
"As his whore I suppose," Rei whispered out, looking down at the ground.
Shinji nodded his head, "As ONE of his whores. He ran a whorehouse. Like Kensuke and his father, except that he killed his own father to do it. My sister joined willingly. You know what's worse?" Rei simply stayed silent as she listened to him tell his story, "She was on the verge of getting a Masters Degree in Biology, and was assured a well paid job and a good life after she completed school. Then that bastard destroyed her," tears were streaming down his face by then, "She was reduced to that jackass's bitch, a slave to his whims and desires. She dropped out, turned down the job, and started having sex with anyone who paid her to, and her reward was sex with that man. She always came home beaten, bruised," he then turned his head to faced Rei, "You know what it's like, to have sex with multiple people. She always came home like that. I hated my sister for what she had become. Every time I looked into her eyes, I see nothing left of the sister I knew and loved. I see it, but she's so far gone that she'll never recover," he took a deep breathe and wiped the tears from his face as he concluded his story, "That's why I hate whores and prostitutes, because my sister became one, willingly. I never forgave my sister for it, and we didn't dare welcome her back in after the place shut down. So she left with that jackass, and we never saw her again."
"That must be painful, to see most of the girls here at our school who are whores, chose that life like your sister," Rei spoke quietly spoke, finally able to look at him, to see his face was stained in tears and his nose slightly red.
Shinji rubbed his nose as began to speak again, "It is, you have no idea how hard it is to suppress the memory when I first came to the city," his voice then changed from the bitterness he had against his sister to a soft calm voice, "But then I met you."
Rei looked at him curiously, "But how does that exempt me from your hatred? How does it work out that you can care for me, while you do not give a damn about others?"
Shinji smiled at her question, "It's simple. Every time I ask a girl, why, they would normally answer something like, "Because I love sex," or, "I'm in it for the money." I know that those who do it for money need it, but there are other quick fixes, other than selling your body for hormone driven men to have their way with," he closed the gap between the two of them as he rested his hands on her lap, "I helped you, because of your answer to me. Do you remember what it was?"
Rei scrunched up her face as she tried to remember the answer she gave him a few days ago, "I do not remember what I said to you."
Shinji smiled as he quoted her, "You said this, 'They found me and forced me to work for them unless I wanted to go back to Hiroshima. They told me it was worse there.' I figured you were scared out of your mind, so I sort of took pity, but it was your charm and personality, that drew me to you here," pointing to her heart, "You may be physically defiled, but unlike most women I've seen here, your soul is still pure, untouched by lust for sex, nor have you sold it in exchange for that way of life."
Rei greatly appreciated the words he spoke of as she gently kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you for your help, Shinji-kun. Actually, I know two other girls who are in the same problem as me."
Shinji's eyes had widened in surprise upon hearing Rei's words, "Are you sure? There are others who are in this business via blackmail and threats?"
Rei nodded her head, "My friends, Asuka and Hikari are in this as well, both of them threatened to go to the bigger houses, such as Kyoto and Hiroshima."
Shinji however smiled, "Actually the one in Kyoto closed down a year back, so that leaves Hiroshima as the next closest main house I suppose."
"Do you wish to help me, help them get out of that place?" Rei asked.
Shinji however shook his head, "No can do Rei-chan, it's out of my jurisdiction."
Rei raised an eyebrow, "What's that suppose to mean, out of your jurisdiction? Meaning you want them to suffer?"
"No it's not that Rei-chan. There's another group that's on the case here," he sternly responded.
"Another group, what is that suppose to mean?"
"Even now, I am an active Section 2 officer, on duty, especially now since I have the bodyguard unit watching us," Shinji began to explain, "So that means if I get involved in any activity that is not in my jurisdiction, such as a government operation to bust this branch house, I will get penalized by the government, and by my superior officers. Do you now understand why I cannot step in?" Rei reluctantly nodded her head in understanding.
Shinji softened his expression as he lifted her head up with his finger, "I know you want to help them, but we cannot actually step in. However, if you wish we can talk to them later. How does that sound?" Rei smiled as she leaned up and kissed his lips.
"That is acceptable Eva 01," Rei playfully replied.
Shinji let out a sigh, "What did I say about using that name? You want people who know of Section 2 to realize that I am Eva 01? Why do you think we use code names in the newspaper, and ensure our faces are blurred?"
"I know, I know Shinji-kun, but I am just playing," Rei mischievously replied. Shinji chuckled as he kissed Rei. His hands that have been resting on her lap snaked its way up as he wrapped his arms around her, causing her to stand up. Rei interned wrapped her arms around his waist as she kissed him back. They were like that for a while, before Shinji had a question that had been panging him.
"Rei-chan I understand if you do not want to answer this but," he bit his lips, as he tried to work out the words to his question, as Rei looked at him patiently, "I am wondering, what meaning does that tattoo have on you?"
Rei pondered for a moment deciding whether or not to answer the question, before coming to a decision, "It is only fair you know something about me. After all, you did tell me about your sister."
"Well you don't have to tell me because you feel obligated," Shinji quickly stated.
Rei however shook her head, "I do this because I've been meaning to tell you, I just never found the right time. I suppose now is as good as any time I suppose," she took a deep breathe before speaking, "This tattoo actually goes a bit farther back than 5 years. On my twelfth birthday, my father got me a session to get a tattoo of a dragon. It was to honour the fact was indeed born in the year of the dragon. When we went to the parlour, I backed out, because I was scared. I was only 12 at the time."
Shinji laughed amusingly as he imagined a 12 year old Rei running away from a tattoo parlour, "Well that's to be expected, after all, you were only 12. No one would be able to handle that kind of pain at that age."
"True enough," Rei agreed, as she continued, "Anyways, my father wouldn't let me live it down for a while. To shut him up, I agreed that when I was older, and at a time of my choosing, I would get the tattoo. I was planning on getting it for my 24th birthday, however three years later; my father was ill and was diagnosed with cancer. He was too far gone to be saved. It hurt me so much to see my father like that, especially since my mother had died giving birth to me." She leaned her head against Shinji's head as tears started to silently stream down her face.
Shinji wrapped an arm around her shoulder as his other hand stroked the back of her head, "Shh….Rei-chan, if it hurts, just stop," he spoke in a soothing voice.
She took a few breaths before speaking again, "It's alright Shinji-kun, I want to tell you," she then looked up as she continued to tell her story, "My father didn't have much time, and I wanted to give him something special before he died. So one day, I went to the same tattoo parlour my father and I went to before, and asked them to give me the tattoo of the dragon design my father wanted. Apparently, they were skilled acupuncturist so they numbed my body as they worked. Afterwards, I kept it from him until the day he died. I wanted me with the tattoo to be the last thing he saw before he died."
She started shaking uncontrollably as she tried to fight back the tears, "One night, the night he died, I was talking to him, when he said he wished he could've seen me with that tattoo. I told him that I had gotten it recently, and showed it to him. You should've seen the look on his face. He was so happy that moment, his last words were, 'My beautiful white dragon. Just like your mother was, you are indeed strong yet wise.' I cried so hard that night when he died that I hid this from everyone, until the night I was raped that my ex-boyfriend and the thugs saw my tattoo. You have no idea how hard it is to hide this. I tried to but failed, and so I was known as the White Dragon to every regular." She started to cry as she buried her head into his chest.
Shinji merely stood there as he held her closer, as he looked out into the distance, to see the sun was pretty high in the air. He looked at his watch was it read 11:00. He started to gently stroke the back of her hair again as he spoke soothing words, slightly rocking her side to side as she continued to cry. They stayed there for another 10 minutes until Rei had finally calmed down. When she finally pulled away from Shinji, his orange shirt was soaked in Rei's tears. He looked at Rei to see a few stray tears streaming down her face. He cupped her face with both hands as he rubbed the tears off her with his thumbs. He placed a gently kiss on her forehead before speaking.
"You're father's words are so true. To be able to withstand all this emotional pain, the sexual pain, and physical pain takes strength," his arms encircled Rei again as he continued, "You are the strongest person that I've ever met. Even my sister didn't have this kind of strength to resist her desires. Never let go of that strength, and you can survive anything."
Rei let herself melt in his arms as she stood there, resting her head against his shoulder, "Thank you Shinji-kun," she silently whispered.
They stayed there for a while longer before he broke the embrace, "Now, how about we meet with Asuka and Hikari and talk to them eh?" Rei simply nodded as they went back inside, with Shinji closing the door behind him. They quickly put on their shoes and went down the elevator. Upon leaving the building, walked out onto the small plaza in front of the apartment building, with a fountain in the middle, and there sitting on the fountain were three boys, all three of them wearing a wife beater and a pair of jeans. They made eye contact with Shinji and stood up and approached the two. Shinji instinctively stepped up and put his arm in front of Rei, ready to get her out of harm's way if needed, also aware that if needed, the Section 2 bodyguards would step in.
"So you're the bastard who took out Toji's elbow eh?" one of the thugs growled.
"And what's it to ya? Heck, why do you guys want to challenge me knowing I'll probably do something just as badly against you guys?" Shinji calmly replied.
"It's simple, we want the girl, plus, we're a lot stronger than Toji and his lot. So we don't have much to worry about." Shinji smirked as he knew the three were about to learn the hard way of his strength.
"Rei-chan," he spoke in a hushed voice, "When I tell you, run into the lobby, and wait for me. Watch if you wish, but stay out of harms way, understand?" Shinji could hear her quietly responding as he prepared to combat with the thugs.
They cracked their knuckles and charged when Shinji yelled, "NOW REI, RUN!" Rei immediately sprinted towards the door, whereas Shinji stormed forward, and jumped to his left, as one tried to punch him, while the other two tried to kick him. Shinji quickly round housed the one closes to him in the abdomen, sending him back in pain. Shinji immediately moved on as he kicked another on in the side of the knee causing him to buckle and he bent his knee in pain, only to have his face met by Shinji's knee, causing him to fall onto his back, clutching his face in pain.
The third one lunged at Shinji as he brought his knee down. Shinji looked up to see the attacker bring his fist back as he wounded up for his attack. As he released, Shinji used his left hand to redirect the punch as he smashed his fist into the side of the attackers head. He quickly nailed the attacker in his crown jewels, causing him to yell out horribly in pain as he doubled over in pain, clutching his preciousness. Shinji took the chance and rammed his knee into his abdomen, before kneeing him in the face, sending him flying back unconscious.
He turned his attention to the other two who had recovered, and were charging him. Shinji flipped back as he kicked them in the chins, flipping back as he hooked his feet on the shoulders of one of the attackers, dragging him down, slamming him into the cement face first as he ate dirt and felt the sting of the tiny rocks, gravel and sand that composed the cement. The other took the chance and attempt to nail Shinji who rolled as the fist met the painful cement. Shinji quickly got up, but then got down onto his hands and he propelled himself forward, smashing his foot into the knee of the attack, resulting in a loud crack.
The attacker hollered out in pain as fell back clutching his knee. Shinji however took it one step further, by grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, and chopping into the 'Vulcan neck pinch' area rendering the attacker unconscious. Shinji breathed out a sigh, as he looked up to see Asuka and Hikari.
Asuka was wearing black plants, a tank top and a brown jacket, with her hair in a ponytail, whereas Hikari, white sundress, her hair tied up in her usual. Shinji stood up and looked at them, seeing Asuka giving him thumbs up while Hikari gave him a rather disapproving look. Shinji simply stood there as he scratched the back of his head. However the awkwardness was abruptly ended as Shinji felt a pair of arms around his abdomen and a warm body pressed against his back.
"Glad that's over," Rei spoke, "At least Section 2 didn't need to show up this time."
Shinji smiled as he brought up one of his hands to hold Rei's entwined hands, "Too true, but what's worse was that they're off duty at the moment," he felt Rei's grip tightened, "Well all but one. He or she would call the squad, and they'd be here in no time flat should anything bad have happened to us during the fight." Rei eased on her grip, allowing Shinji to turn around.
"Don't you have something to say to these friends of ours?"
Rei nodded as Shinji released her, allowing her to approach our friends, "I told Shinji about our, 'predicament', and well…I was wondering if we could possibly give some insight into what it is like."
Asuka raised an eyebrow as Hikari shuddered, "Well I don't mind talking about it, but its Hikari here that might be uncomfortable. Why you ask though?"
"The thing is," he paused and looked around frantically for a moment, "Actually, Asuka, you mind coming with me for a moment?"
Asuka shrugged, "Sure, why not," she faced Rei, "Keep her company, and if you please, stay off the subject. We'll talk about it another day ok?"
Rei nodded her head, "Very well Asuka-chan." She watched Shinji and Asuka walk into the apartment building before she turned her attention towards Hikari again.
"I am sorry for bringing up the subject, Hikari-chan."
Hikari quickly waved her hand, "It's alright, Rei-chan, I know you only wanted to help us," she then pointed her thumb towards the fountain, "You wanna sit down for a bit? By the looks of it, they're going to be talking for a while." Rei turned around to see Shinji and Asuka, talking by a window in the lobby, both of them wore a serious expression.
"Hai," Rei replied, turning around to look at Hikari again, "I believe it would be a wise idea. But first, any chance we can get these lechers away from her before we do?"
"Leave that to us," a woman's voice suddenly stated from somewhere. Rei jumped and started to look around to see where the voice had come from.
"Over here!" Rei looked to her right, to see two Section Two officers revealing themselves from behind the row of trees that lined themselves at the edge of the plaza.
Rei recognized the speaker to be Misato, but remembering Shinji telling her not to address the officers by their name, she opted for addressing her rank, "Thank you very much, Captain." Misato nodded as she and the other officer walked up to the limp bodies, throwing them over their shoulders, and then walked away.
"What was that about?" Hikari inquired, raising her eyebrows.
"I can't really say much," Rei replied, as they walked towards the fountain, "Only that they are Shinji's bodyguards. I cannot reveal anymore than that without his permission."
"Okay…." Hikari stated before putting the matter aside, "So anyways, how's it been, living with Shinji?"
Rei smiled broadly, "Very nice. Despite the fact my, 'clients' keep showing up to my old room, apparently they think it is a joke and that I will come back. Living with Shinji-kun is more enjoyable."
Hikari giggled, "You'll never change your style of speaking will you?"
Rei raised an eyebrow, "What exactly do you mean by that, Hikari-chan?"
"You use rather objective words. Neutral words, words that explain what you mean, but they lack emotion. I bet you even talk in that manner with Shinji. What's the point with this style? I mean, you've got a hot boyfriend, he's keeping you safe from harm's way, what's the point with this façade?"
Rei's eyes widened in bewilderment, "What do you mean? Regardless, I talk this way. I do not use contractions often, nor do I express myself with those kinds of words. It is not me."
"Nani! But…I could've sworn I've seen you talk with contractions, and a bit more feeling, ever since you and Shinji got together."
"Really?" Rei asked, raising her eyebrows, pondering for a moment, "Perhaps he is affecting me more than I realize," she broke out a smile, "For once, I like this change."
Hikari let out a sign of exasperation, "There you go again, babbling in your abnormal style. Change your speech for crying out loud!"
"Patience my friend," Rei replied teasingly, "It takes time you know."
She sighed again, "That's a start."
"What is?"
She turned her head to face Rei and flashed a big smile, "You just teased me, and I don't think you have realized that."
"Have I? What exactly did I say?"
In the exact tone and manner, "Patience my friend, it takes time you know."
"Very funny, Hikari-chan." Hikari simply giggled in amusement at Rei's reaction.
"Anyways, what's it like to live with him?"
"Most enjoyable as I have stated before. He is kind, helps me with my school work and vice versa, he is an excellent cook, and I enjoy sleeping in the same bed with him."
Hikari's eyes suddenly widened in surprise, "You sleep in the same bed as him? Don't tell me you've had…"
"No," Rei firmly stated, "He neither desires it, nor will he force it upon me. We simply sleep in the same bed as we share each others warmth," she then looked down as she watched herself twiddle her thumbs, "Besides, after what happened to me I can never really look at sex the same way ever again. I do not wish to be hurt in that manner, nor do I ever want to go back to that life."
"No one deserves to live like that," a voice suddenly stated. Rei looked up to see Shinji and Asuka approaching them.
"Yeah well, once you're in, it's really hard to get away from it all," Asuka breathed out sadly.
"C'mon ladies, I'm guessing that you two have the day off if you are dressed in such nice clothing. C'mon, let's get outta here and hit the mall, what do you say?" Shinji asked, trying to cheer them up.
"Sure, why not. Better than moping all day," Hikari stated in a cheery tone.
"Works for me," Asuka stated, her mood completely changed, "What about you Rei-chan? You coming?"
Rei rose from her spot and nodded, "Of course Asuka-chan. Besides," she then wrapped her arms around Shinji's arm, "I do not wish to be alone." Everyone laughed at Rei's expression of affection for a moment before turning around and heading towards the mall.
Sorry about the lateness, but I've been working on my story Inescapable Grasp of Eva, plus I've been working on a Christmas special for it. That plus I've lately been suffering a major case of writers block for this story. AND because of you, I have to make a completely new story line, so please, drop off some suggestions on what YOU guys would like to see in this story, because now, I'm fresh out.