A New Beginning
Chapter 3: Fitting the Lock, and Turning the Key
The last chapter in the 'A New Beginning' series.
Shinji woke up, and saw Rei. She looked as if she were still blushing from last night. She was beet red, with a smile on her face. "She's so beautiful..." Shinji thought, and he found himself blushing as well. He was about to drift back to sleep, when Rei woke up. She startled him, because when she'd woken up, she cooed like a dove. She opened her eyes, and she whispered, "Good morning, my love." Shinji smiled at her, and she smiled back. He kissed her, and rose out of bed. Rei yawned, and streched, bending like a cat. Shinji dawned a long shirt, and some shorts. He opened the door, and actually saw that Asuka and Misato were out there. "Geez, Shinji when were you planning to get up? I mean, you NEVER get up this late. Neither does Rei!" Misato added as Rei walked out of his room. She continued, "What did you two do...all...night...?" She stopped there, not wanting an answer. Asuka began to answer for him, but remembered what had happened when she had her outburst earlier that week. Shinji walked to the balcony doors, and opened them. He breathed deeply, inhaling the late morning air. Asuka's loud voice broke his peaceful moment. "SHUT THE DAMN DOORS! IT'S DAMN FREEZING OUT THERE!" Shinji closed them, and Rei headed down the hall to the shower. Asuka took this moment. "So...Shinji...you can tell me anything, right?" She didn't wait for him to say right or wrong. "So...did you and Wondergirl...do it? You can tell me anything, I won't tell. Was it good?" She was anxious, and Shinji nodded once, then, blushing red, nodded again. Asuka then screamed what sounded like 'I KNEW IT', and she walked up to Misato, and began whispering in her ear. Misato, then, slamming down the pot she was washing, turned and glared at Shinji, with a playful, yet angry look on her face. "Shinji...is what Asuka saying true?" He nodded, not hiding it. Misato then picked up the pot she had slammed down, began washing it again, and mumbles, "Ah...my Shinji...lost...it...last night...so did my Rei..." Shinji began wondering why Misato was so happy for them. Of course, she was kind of like their mother. They told Shinji that they were going shopping. He happily watched them leave, and they told him they wouldn't be back for a while. She had also informed Rei, in case 'the genius' forgot, as Asuka put it.
Shinji walked down the hall, then stopped abruptly, as the bathroom door opened. Shinji saw her walk out, and his bones turned to water. She knew that Asuka and Misato had left, as they told her before Rei had started her shower, and, knowing that, she wore no towel. Shinji felt himself glow bright red, and Rei simply smiled. She made no attempt to cover herself, as it wouldn't make any difference. Shinji had 'seen' her, anyway. Rei was walking past him, and made an odd move. She kissed Shinji, making a certain area press against his arm and part of his chest. He immediately put his hand up to his nose, as he felt a warm substance flow out of it. Shinji felt extremely awkward. He didn't know if he should say anything, or get something to block his nose. He ran to the kitchen and grabbed several paper towels, and tore them up, shoving the bits into his profusely bleeding nose. His embarrasement was raised higher, as he didn't plan on Rei seeing him with paper towel in his nostrils. He ran past her, blowing her hair. He ran to the closet, and grabbed a washcloth. He then ran to the bathroom, soaked it in cold water, and placed it over his nose. He prayed to the Gods above, asking them not to make this day worse. He knew it couldn't get worse, unless Misato and Asuka got back. Shinji's nose stopped bleeding, and he walked out. Rei was in her school clothes, as that was the only outfit she had, aside from her nightclothes. Shinji walked up to her, and looked her in the eye, then blushed and looked to the side. He couldn't look right at her, because of the move she made. He started to say something, but Rei, wanting this to be a peaceful time, with the pair out, put her finger to her lips. "Shhhhhh...don't speak." Shinji instantly knew that he'd be happy with Rei. He just had to keep her for a few more years. He also knew that keeping her with him would definately NOT be a problem. They sat, watching something Misato had left on when she left. It seemed alright, although the contestants were damn stupid. "I cannot believe how uneducated our society is. Unbelievable." Rei spoke so correctly, as if it were an art to her. She laughed at one contestants response to a question Shinji didn't catch. He really didn't want to watch this, but he didn't want to ruin Rei's fun. He simply excused himself to the bathroom. He went down the hall, and was opening the door to his room, when he heard the front door open quickly, then slam. "WELL, I'M SORRY! THEY DIDN'T HAVE YOUR PUNY SIZE! NOT MY FAULT YOURS IS SMALL!" Misato's voice rang out through the apartment. "WELL, WHAT IF I HIT MY CYCLE SOON? WHAT THEN, HUH! AND IT ISN'T SMALL!" Asuka screeched. Shinji was puzzled at the word, 'cycle.' "YOU CAN USE MINE! THEY'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN YOURS, JUST A LITTLE LARGER! AND YES, IT IS!" He was becoming more puzzled by the second. He decided that if whatever Asuka is talking about, every woman went through. He made the decision to ask Rei later. Shinji remembered that he had to use the bathroom. He grabbed the doorknob, as Asuka turned the corner. She started to say sorry for the yelling, but Shinji slammed the door and cut her off. He relieved himself, and began to wash his hands. He then jumped as Asuka grabbed him, and threw him out of the bathroom. She slammed and locked the door. "Some women!" Shinji said, quietly. He then walked back down the hall to his room, and he laid on his bed, simply thinking, nothing more.
Rei opened the door to Shinji's room, and said to him, "Shinji, would you like to...get out of the house for a while?" The last words came in a rush, as if she was too nervous to ask. Shinji was suprised at this request. He replied, "O...o..k..." and Rei took him by the hand. She led him past Misato who had a sour look on her face. "Misato, Shinji and I are going out. We'll return later."
"Don't leave me here with her." She gestured towards Asuka. Rei apologized, and said that she couldn't come with them. Then, Rei led Shinji to the street. She walked hand in hand down the street, past many people. Shinji began to wonder where she was taking them. He asked her where they were going, and she simply replied, "Oh...someplace..special." Shinji then dissmissed all worries. He knew the Rei would never lie to him. It seemed as if they walked all over Tokyo-3. They finally reached the hill on the outskirts of the city. Rei obviously planned this, as she never would've dragged him around the city for no reason. They had reached the summit of the hill just before dusk, and it was magnificent. They could see the top point of NERV, and all of Tokyo-3. Shinji became almost breathless. He glanced at Rei, and in the fading sunlight, could tell she was cherry-red. Shinji leaned over, and, putting his hand on hers, made her turn her head. Shinji's lips met hers at just the right moment. She widened her eyes, then closed them. She brought her hand up to meet Shinji's cheek, and he fell on Rei. They kissed so tenderly, Rei thought she might explode. Shinji broke the kiss, and drew back from her, flaming. Rei looked just like Shinji, and he spoke. "Rei...you're so...beautiful.." That made a slight smile form on Rei's face. Shinji leaned down, and kissed her deeply again. Rei reached up, and put her hand on the back of his head. She held him firmly in place. It was at that exact moment, that both of them would be hard pressed to tell you what day it was. They would also be hard pressed to tell you their names. She released him, but he still kissed her. He drew away from her, and then they both sat up straight. Shinji looked out straight ahead, and he didn't look back at her. He then sighed, and looked at Rei, then began to speak, but the words wouldn't come out. He could see that her blouse was stained with tears. They were flooding down her face, and Shinji knew that these were no ordinary tears. They were tears of love. He spoke. "Rei...I.." She looked at him with a small smile, " Don't you think we should be...getting back to...Misato?" Rei exhaled, and spoke. "Yes, we've been out far too...long." And they walked back, again holding each others' hands, not wanting to let go. They both wanted them to stay by each others side, and never leave.
Shinji and Rei were back in the house before 10:30, and still, Misato and Asuka were sitting on the couch, waiting for them. Asuka was the first to speak. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS!" She bellowed. They paid no attention to Asuka. Misato then spoke, tilting her beer can towards them. "I've been worried about you two. Why have you both been leaving after dinner?" Shinji tried to ignore Asuka's comment, and spoke lightly. "Misato, we've just been...walking around, getting some air, that's all."
Her response was not what he, or Rei for that matter, expected it to be. "Well, you can walk around on the roof, as well as get air up there. I don't like you two leaving at night." Now, Misato really was becoming their mother. "We're sorry Misato, it'll never happen again." He said, Rei simply nodding in agreement. They walked back to Shinji's room, and they began to change for the night. Shinji pretty much wore what he wore all day, and Rei dawned her lower hip-length, skin tight shorts, and her loose-fitting lilac shirt, that had an oval on the front of it with ears. A crudely drawn cat. Those were the only two outfits Rei had. Shinji wondered why she only stuck to the bare necessities. He began to ask Rei if the next time Asuka and Misato went shopping, would she like to go with them for clothes. He stopped thinking that, because Asuka would be dressing her in thongs, and tube-tops. Shinji didn't want the woman he loved soiled by that damn barking German banshee. He went to bed, yet lay awake. He knew Rei loved him, but he didn't know if she also thought bad of him. He shook the thought off, and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Shinji didn't dream about anything but Rei. The dream started with Shinji and Rei sitting in plain black. It was pitch black all around, as if they were in the depths of space. They sat in one spot, Rei in his arms. They were kissing, and suddenly, she pulled away from him, and gave him a hellish grin. Then, Shinji Ikari's dream became a nightmare. Rei started by tying Shinji up and tossing him into the corner. Then, each and every man Shinji knew, exept his father, appeared, and Rei began to undress them. His father watched approvingly, and spoke. "That's right...my doll." He squeezed his eyes shut, and began yelling. "NO! MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOP!"
Shinji squirmed around, trying to get out of the rope, and he felt like he was being shook. He began to pull out of his nightmare, and he awoke, staring into the crimson eyes of his love. She was screaming as well. "Shinji! Shinji! What's wrong? Please, answer me!" Terror filled her voice, and he reached up, and grabbed her hands, and pulled them off his shoulders. "I'm okay, Rei...just a nightmare...It was a rough one." Shinji saw that it was first light, and he didn't bother to try and sleep again. She was squeezing his arm, as if she thought he was dying, and being taken from her. He ran his hand through her lilac hair. That seemed to make her feel a little better. She loosened her grip, and pulled away. She stood up, and streched, and opened the door. Shinji got up after her, and walked out. He saw her walk into the bathroom, and then heard water splashing. He sat on the couch, recalling what happened in the dream. He said quietly, "Rei would never do that. She loves me, and me only." He was right. Rei walked out, and sat next to him. She kissed him, and then he rose, walking towards the kitchen. He decided that he should just eat what was left over from dinner. He heated up some rice, and ate that. Rei just watched him, and then flipped on the TV. She then gasped, and flipped it back off very quickly. Shinji looked up after she gasped, and his mouth gaped. Misato, or Asuka, must've left it on this channel. It was the gay pornography channel. "Oh, great. I hope Rei dosen't ask me what that was...sheesh.."
He shouldn't have said that. "Shinji...what was...that?" Rei spoke so innocently, he thought he could never tell her. "Hahhh...Rei, that was something only Misato and Asuka watch because they aren't like us. They can't get anyone to love them like us, so they watch that...shit." Shinji spoke the last word rather quietly, and Rei blushed, looking at the floor, wide-eyed. "I...see." Shinji resolved to make them get rid of those channels. For now, they went on the balcony of Misato's apartment. They sat, with Rei's head sitting in the crook of Shinji's arm, looking out at the city. She sighed, and they were in total paradice, when that damn Nazi snapped them out of it. "Dammit Shinji, why do you two always have to sit out here in the morning?" She walked over, and stared at them from an angle, "Fur Gott's sake, it's FREEZING OUT HERE! Oh dammit...WONDERGIRL! COVER YOURSELF!" Shinji dared not look, but he knew what cold temperatures did to girls. "NOW GET INSIDE!"
Shinji muttered, "Damn barking red-headed Nazi girl!" She almost caught him, "WHAT WAS THAT?" He feebly replied, "Oh, nothing...nothing Asuka."
And so began another boring day in the Katsuragi residence, a day of yelling, slamming doors. They could live with that.
The End.
A/N: Yippie! I'm done with my first three chapter thing! I'm so happy!
Oh, please give me critisizm.
Honsetly, tell me if it sucked, or whatever. Im Desperate.
