-This is the long awaited Chapter 4 of ULSI! Well, for those who are still with me, I thank you.

-Now, past tense…fine. I'll write in the past tense, and if I ever get the chance, maybe I will have the other chapters rewritten in past tense too. Sorry for not doing that before but few people complained about it until recently. I partly blamed this on my education on script writing (everything has to be written in the present tense for example). From now on though, I write all my stories in the past tense; starting with this chapter for this story.

-Now, still have grammatical errors like patient and patience, oops! Probably didn't catch this since it was just in the Author's notes and so, did not give too much scrutiny to them. As for confusing the Angel with the EVA…dang it! I was really trying hard NOT to do that. All well, again, some things still slip by even when I proofread.

-Now, yes, I am concerned about originality since I doubt ANY of you want to read a near novelization of the series. Still, there was a reason why I did the thing I did. Also, I did consider the idea of simply summarizing the non-original events and simply had it all original stuff. And this is what I try to do from time to time. The only reason why I didn't for most of the story was because first, that would make my story short (yes, a bad reason given that I could simply combine chapters if this was the sole reason), but also because in the future, I plan on completely altering the thoughts and reasons for events…even if those events were the same! And you did get a little of it from the previous chapters. Although they may not be obvious now, they will be so in the future (I hope).

-And I'm sorry for making Shinji a wimp like the series. But…well, he is a wimp in the series and I don't intend to change that for this story. Instead, my goal was to change everything around him!

-Oh, and one last thing, I did alter the event a little (unintentionally, a few days earlier for my version. Shinji left 5 days after the event in the series. He left after 3 days in my version). Either way, he does go missing and this is obviously where this chapter starts. Though I admit, I have no plan for what he does on those two extra days. So basically, I'm screwed. ;-) I do have options of course. I could correct the time in the last chapter, or BS the two extra days. At the moment, I am taking the latter approach and hope it doesn't hurt the chapter much. I also seem to remember another author running into the same problem. Hmm. Well, if this is true, at least I'm not alone on making this mistake (Though it goes to show you why you shouldn't always do it episode by episode. Which I hope to break sometime in the future)!

-And I'm proud to say, this chapter is mostly original stuff! Sure it lightly follows Episode 4, but at least it isn't a novelization of it either! And enough of my ranting! On with the story!!!

Misato's Apartment

"Calm down Misato." Ritsuko tried to reassure her friend over the phone. "It's only been two days so far. We are doing everything we can to track him down."

Misato looked out the window. It was heavily raining. She just found out that Shinji Ikari ran away from her home. Their home! Misato was panicking. "I'm…I'm not surprised I guess. He does seem like the type to run away from his problems…"

"Well, I hope he comes back for the sake of the world." Ritsuko thought about Rei and the last time she was in an Eva. "I'm not sure Rei can do it all by herself. We don't even know if she could even run Unit-00 yet. And Asuka isn't expected to arrive for another month or so."

In the background, Misato could here Maya shuffling papers. She later hears her voice. "They still haven't Shinji yet have they?"

NERV Headquarters

Ritsuko looked at Maya and nodded. "We haven't found him yet but it's only been two days. We don't think he could've gone far."

Maya frowned at this thought. "He seemed so lost. I guess I should've expected this." Then she raised her head in a defiant fashion. "Especially being in Misato's care!"

Misato's Apartment

Misato frowned at the comments of a certain technician. "Why that little…"

NERV Headquarters

Ritsuko placed the phone back to her ear. "Misa…" She had to jerk the phone back away from her ear as Misato voice screamed through the earpiece.

"You little hussy!" Misato screamed through the earpiece. "You're just trying to get your little claws into my Shinji! I'm going to ring your neck if you ever come close to him!"

Maya simply chuckled.

Ritsuko sighed.

District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Class 2-A

"Hey Touji!" Hikari yelled at the still despondent classmate. "If you really are concerned about Shinji, you should see him at his place!"

Touji held his head and sat back at his chair. "Maybe he's just sick."

Kensuke typed on his computer. It's too bad that Shinji wasn't here to help him flesh out his Eva 'database'. Though expanding his Eva database wasn't the only thing that was worrying him about Shinji. He turned to Touji. "You know, given what happened, maybe we should check it out."

Touji thought about it for a few seconds. "Yeah I guess it wouldn't hurt."

"I'm coming too!" Hikari announced.

Touji and Kensuke stared at Hikari.

"Class Rep? Why do you want to go?" Touji asked.

"Well…" Hikari paused for a moment before continuing. "I am Class Rep after all and…and I have to check up on every student in the class!" She said with determination.

Touji and Kensuke looked at each other, then nodded.

"Sure thing Hikari." Touji rose from his chair. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt if we all headed over to Shinji's place." Touji looked at Kensuke. "By the way, do you know where Shinji lives?"

"Well I have…" Kensuke cut off Hikari.

Kensuke nodded. "Yup! I hacked into the school's computer…"

"You what?!" Hikari yelled at Kensuke.

Kensuke sweat dropped. "Ummmm…what I meant to say was, when someone handed me his address?"

Hikari eyed Kensuke with a disapproving expression.

Kensuke sighed. "Well, anyways, this is where he lives."

Touji grabbed the paper. "Okay. Let's check his place out."

Outside Misato's Apartment

Touji, Kensuke, and Hikari all walked down the pathway to Misato's apartment. They all had umbrellas due to the pouring rain coming down outside. The three left a path of drops behind them from the wet umbrellas.

Kensuke looked around. "This sure looks like the place."

Hikari looked around the hallway. One side was a concrete barrier. On the other side, there was a row of apartments. Apparently Shinji's apartment was at the end of the hallway. That was the apartment that has the name M. Katsuagi on the door. From the name, it doesn't appear that this Misato person is Shinji's mother. If she had a guess, Miss Katsuagi was only his guardian. In fact, she doesn't know much about Shinji's personal situation. Not that this information would ever be important for a Class Rep anyways. At most, this information might be important in dealing with other student's problems. But that's as far as Hikari would image needing to know that information. After all, she wasn't the school psychologist. Though given what Shinji had to deal with, 'no thanks to these two losers' she added, maybe it would be nice to know more about him.

The three stopped in front of Misato's Apartment.

"Remember to apologize to him Touji." Hikari scowled at Touji. "Remember what you sister said?"

Kensuke laughed. "Yeah! Remember what your sister said?"

Touji frowned. "Yeah! She said I was a jerk and that Shinji was the true hero…" He returned his attention to the apartment door in front of him. "Now can we get on with his?"

Kensuke nodded. "Yeah. Time to make amends with Shinji."

Inside Misato's Apartment

Misato was pacing back and forth. "Where could he be?" The doorbell rang. 'Could that be…' She thought before speaking out loud. "Shinji?" She wasn't sure if Shinji kept the keys to her, their apartment or not. However, even if he did, he might've still rang the doorbell to be courteous. Either way, she had to find out. She swung open the door. "Shinji!" She was disappointed what she saw.

Touji and Kensuke were stunned silent. This was their first time they've seen Misato, and they were quite pleased with what they saw. Kensuke gave a smirk to Touji who instantly straightened himself up at the appearance of Misato.

Hikari ignored their reactions and instead focused on talking to the woman in front of her who she assumed was Miss Katsuagi. With a smile, she introduced herself and the ones next to her. "Miss Katsuagi, we're Shinji's classmates." She gestured to the ones as she called their names. "This is Aida, Suzuhara, and I'm Hiroki."

Misato looked at the three, and a small smile crossed her face. "Aida, Suzuhara, and Hiroki?"

"Yes ma'am!" They all started to say in unison, but Touji was more forceful.

Hikari narrowed her eyes and eyed Touji.

Realization hit Misato. "Oh, aren't you the three that got in Unit 01's entry plug?"

"Yes ma'am!" They again said in unison. This time they all said it about the same tone.

Touji bowed down. "We're sorry for causing so much trouble."

Hikari raised an eyebrow at Touji's apology. 'Wow, Touji is more thoughtful right now! I wonder…' She looked at Misato, then back at Touji. 'Nah, that can't be it, can it? Touji's not that shallow! Is he?' Hikari was about to respond when Touji spoke up.

Touji looked up from his bowed stance. "The reason we came here today is that Ikari's been absent ever since then. So we came to see if he was okay."

Hikari eyed Touji suspiciously. 'He's certainly more talkative then he was before.'

Misato looked at the three. 'They don't know that he's ran away. Well, lets not make this any bigger then it already has.' "Shinji? He's at the NERV training facility right now."

"I see." Hikari responded. She felt a ping of disappointment not seeing Shinji. 'I wonder why?' She thought. 'Maybe I just miss seeing a full class.' "Well…" Hikari nudged Kensuke.

Kensuke looked at Hikari. Realization hit him as he searched his bag and took out some papers. "These are the printouts that were building up on Shinji's desk."

Misato looked at the papers. "Oh, sorry for your trouble." She took the papers out of Kensuke's hands. "Thank you!" Misato hurriedly replied.

Touji bowed again. "Well, we'll be leaving right now."

"Please say 'hi' to Shinji for us!" Kensuke added.

"And tell Shinji that attendance is important!" Hikari said with confidence.

Misato made a slight wave. "Yeah I will. Bye!" The door closed in front of them.

Outside Misato's Apartment

The three waved back as the closed door.

"This is an unexpected development." Kensuke said.

"Huh?" Hikari eyed Kensuke. "What do you…"

"She was a real babe, wasn't she?" Touji replied.

"Ehm." Kensuke replied in agreement.

Hikari looked at Touji, then at Kensuke. "What the…?" Hikari's eyes narrowed. "You idiots!" She bashed Kensuke and Touji in the head with her umbrella. "Is that all you two have been thinking about?!"

"Ow!" Kensuke rubbed his head. "Why did we bring the Class Rep with us again?"

"I don't know! I thought it was your idea to bring her along?" Touji replied rubbing his head.

Hikari's anger rose again, and promptly bashed them again.

Inside Misato's Apartment

Misato slammed her foot on the door. "Idiot!" Misato then sighed. "Shinji, please come back. I'll try harder next time!"

Tokyo 3 Loop Train

Shinji remained on the train, listening to his SDAT tape player as the scenery goes by behind him. People came and went on the train, few people noticed the boy sitting there, passing every stop. He spent a few days just traveling around Tokyo-3, listening to his SDAT, sleeping under awnings (and any place that didn't kick him out), and eating the canned food that he took from Misato's fridge. On this day, he spent most of his time on the train as a storm continues to pour rain behind him.

After hours spent on the train, it finally stopped at its final station. This finally got Shinji to move from his position. He has been doing a lot of thinking. He finally came to one conclusion. Though will he follow this conclusion was another thing entirely. "I have to go back." He got up from his position, got his bag, and started to leave. Through the window on the far end of the train, he sees an image flash of Rei looking at him. Or at least he thought it was Rei. "Huh?" He instantly looked back at the window. Whoever, or whatever it was, it's gone now. "Must have been my imagination." After contemplating it for a moment, he finally stepped out of the train and walked through the streets.

Red Light District

The area Shinji apparently stopped at was the Red Lights District of Tokyo 3. All around him were prostitute calling for anyone that goes near them. Shinji, still listening to his SDAT player, basically ignored all the calls. Where he was going he wasn't sure. On one hand, he kept telling himself he was going back. Though from where he was at, he really didn't know where Misato's apartment was located, much less what direction to take from here on out.

Movie Theater

He looked at a theater. Since he didn't have anything else better to do at that moment, he looked into his pocket, used what little money he had, and spent it on a ticket for some B-movie and sat in the right corner of the last row. The movie itself didn't interest him much. It looked like a movie about Second Impact with its tidal wave and worldwide disaster, except there was no comet, or in reality, Angel, coming down and doing this. This movie, "The Day After Tomorrow" seemed to be about global warming, or something along those lines. Shinji really wasn't watching any of it. To him, it was just another bad disaster movie.

But what did interest him was, of the few people that were here in the theater, there was a couple making out near the front of the theater. Shinji raised an eyebrow. For years, he has been alone. When he sees people together like this, to an extent, he envies them. All the people that were near him all seemed to only want to hurt or use him.

After the movie ended, he went to the lobby and fell asleep on the bench next to the vending machine and bathrooms. It was the end of another day for Shinji.

Streets of Tokyo 3

As the morning came, Shinji exited the theater. He looked up at the pink sky. Shinji sighed. As he was walking down the street, past the tall buildings and the relatively empty streets, he bumps into a girl.

"Sorry." Shinji automatically spouted out and took a step back. When he looked up, his eyes widen, completely stunned. "Ayanami?!"

"Ikari." Rei approached Shinji, still mostly bandaged up since the incident that occurred just a month or so ago.

"What, what are you doing here?" Shinji took another few steps back.

'Keeping an eye on you.' Rei thought. She looked at Shinji with curiosity. "Why did you run?" Responded Rei.

Shinji seemed to come to his senses and looked away.

"They are looking for you." Rei looked at Shinji with her red eyes.

Shinji frowned. "I, I can't go back!"

Rei tilted her head slightly. "Why?"

Shinji took a few more steps back. "I, I just can't!" He ran in one direction.

Rei narrowed her eyes. 'You can't keep running away Third Child!' A dark smile appeared on her face. 'You still have a destiny to fulfill.'

Shinji kept running and running. He stopped at a railing separating the roadway from the sidewalk. He kneeled over the railing and panted.

"Shinji?" A woman behind him asked.

Shinji shot up and turned around. He sees another person he didn't expect to see today. "Doctor Akagi? What are you doing here?"

Ritsuko stood stunned in front of Shinji. She certainly didn't expect to see him here. Especially since it seemed that NERV's finest couldn't find him for the past three days or so. "Ummmm…walking my cat."

Shinji looked down, and at his feet was a black and white cat with a leash connected to its collar. Ritsuko was holding the leash. The cat didn't look all that happy. Shinji simply stood there shocked.

"What? Haven't seen anyone walk a cat before?" Ritsuko asked.

Shinji looked down at the cat. The cat was none to happy. It gave a weak meow.

"Anyways, where have you been Shinji?" Ritsuko changed the subject. "All of NERV is looking for you!" 'Apparently not hard enough.' She thought.

Shinji started to move across the railing. "Ummmm…I…I…I have to go!" Shinji started running in one direction.

Ritsuko simply blinked at the fast disappearing Shinji. "Strange kid." Ritsuko took out a cell phone and dialed NERV headquarters. "This is Doctor Akagi, I've spotted Shinji…" Ritsuko looked up as she hears a speeding car zooming towards her.

A blue sports car stopped in front of her. Inside was Misato, wearing a red jacket, jeans, and a loose green-yellowish shirt. Her hair was a little messed up given that she just woke up a few minutes ago. "Where did he go?!" Misato yelled.

"He went that way…" Ritsuko pointed in the direction where Shinji ran off.

"Thanks Ritsuko!" Misato started to speed off. Then, she backed up and was in front of Ritsuko again. "Ritsuko, what are you doing?"

"Walking my cat!" Ritsuko responded. A little annoyed.

Misato looked at Ritsuko funny. "Ritsuko, you really need to get out more!"

"There's nothing wrong with walking a cat!" Ristuko yelled back.

Misato stared at Ritsuko. "Ritsuko, we have psychologist at NERV that could help you know."

Ritsuko scowled at Misato.

"Anyways, I'm off to find Shinji!" She rolled up her window, and sped off towards the direction where Shinji went.

As Misato's car disappeared in the distance, Maya started running towards Ritsuko. Ritsuko looked back and saw her. "Maya? What are you doing here?"

"I'm leading the search to find Shinji Sempai!" Maya responded. "So, you know where Shinji is?"

"Forget that, why are YOU looking for Shinji?" Ritsuko raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't Security Intelligence have it under control?"

Maya nodded. "But given the importance of the mission, I thought I should volunteer!"

Ritsuko looked at Maya funny. "Right, well, he went that way." Ritsuko pointed in one direction.

Maya smiled. "Thank you sempai!" Maya ran in that direction for a bit then ran back to Ritsuko. "Ummmmm…sempai…"

"It's perfectly normal to walk a cat." Ritsuko replied annoyed.

"Meow." The black and white cat said.

District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Class Courtyard

"So he just goes out there and plays with himself?" Hikari asked Touji. Hikari was on the basketball court with Touji.

Touji was practicing shooting hoops. He turned to Hikari and nods. "He always likes to play those war games out in the middle or nowhere. Don't ask me why, that's just Kensuke for ya."

They watch as a bunch of cars pass by. Each one has the words NERV on it.

Touji stared at the passing cars. "I wonder what they're up to?"

"Do you think it's another monster attack?" Hikari asked worried.

Touji shook his head. "The alarms would've gone off. We'd all be running into shelters by now."

Hikari calmed down. "Yeah. That sounds right." She looked back at Touji. 'Now's my chance!' "Say Touji, I have these sisters and…"

"Well, we should be heading to class Class Rep." Touji entered the school first, leaving Hikari in the courtyard.

Hikari saddened. 'Maybe after school Touji.' Though her thoughts drifted towards Shinji. 'Wonder where he could be right now?'

Open Area Outside Tokyo 3

Shinji got off the bus and walked along a dirt path, past fields of flowers, old farms, and rice patties. He went over to a hillside and stared at the city below him. The wind was blowing his hair as he thought of his short time in this city. 'Looks like I didn't go back after all.' He sighed as he sat down and contemplated his future. 'Where do I go now?'

-Later…

NERV Headquarters

A CAT scan machine was scanning Rei from head to toe. They were checking the progress that she made since her release from the hospital. Ritusko was looking at a computer screen showing the images created by the CAT scan. Misato was in the room with her.

"So, you weren't able to find him?" Ritsuko said without looking up from her computer screen.

Misato shook her head. "Couldn't find him." She looked down disappointed.

"Did he try contact you in any way before…" Ritsuko asked.

Misato shook her head. "No, the only person he apparently talked in the last few days…" Misato frowned. "Was you."

"Really? He didn't try to contact you?" Ritsuko replied.

Misato shook her head. Then she thought about what Shinji had to go through in the last few weeks. "Maybe it's better this way…"

"How so?" Ritusko asked as she looked up from her computer.

"It's just so hard on him. He's only fourteen years old." Misato frowned.

"But we have no choice. We have to use fourteen year olds to pilot the Eva." Ritsuko responded.

"I know. It's just that, it's a lot of burden to place on his shoulders. Especially right after the last time…" Misato told the story to Ritsuko. Misato flashed back to the time that she yelled at Shinji for disobeying her orders. Even though he did stop the Angel, by disobeying her orders, he put not only himself in danger, but also his classmates' lives in danger as well. But after Shinji's response to her inquiry, without a care for his own life, maybe it is better if he didn't come back. It apparently only gave him pain. All NERV would do was make him pilot it again.

Ritsuko went back to looking at the computer screens. "I see."

Misato looked at the window. "From his response, the next time that he does get into an Eva, it could be his last."

Ritsuko nodded. "But we need pilots. The world is counting on us. And on him." She then took her eyes off the computer monitor and looked at Misato. "Even with everything you said you do miss him don't you?"

"Yes." Misato hang her head. "He's been alone most of his life. Though coming back and piloting an Eva doesn't seem to be the thing for him, that doesn't mean he should go through life alone."

"I see." Ritsuko replied as the door opened and a tired looking Maya walked through. "I take it you didn't find Shinji either huh Maya?"

Maya shook her head.

"Maya?" Misato looked her at. "Why are you looking for Shinji?"

Maya looked at Misato. "Captain, I'm the new leader of the task force sent to look for Shinji!"

Misato narrowed her eyes. "Doesn't Security Intelligence have it covered?"

"Ye…" Maya nodded…then shook her head. "Well, obviously not since they haven't found him." Maya retorted.

Ritsuko smirked. "Maya does have a point you know."

Misato looked at Maya suspiciously. "But why are YOU looking for him?"

Maya looked into the air defiantly. "Obviously Shinji needed to be found. Being a friend of Shinji, I think I am best suited to look for him." She eyed Misato. "Certainly better then you since he was the one he ran away from!"

Misato narrowed her eyes. "Maya…DIE!" Misato grabbed Maya's neck and started to violently shake and choke her.

Maya eyes widened and grabbed Misato's arms. "Captain?!" Maya forced out.

"Misato!" Ritsuko yelled from her desk. "Killing my assistant isn't going to solve anything!"

Misato continued to violently shake and choke her.

Fields Outside Tokyo 3

Kensuke lay on the ground and watched the clouds go by. He had been playing war games with himself with his replica guns all day. The sun was now dropping in the horizon. As he got up from his position, he turned his head to a nearby road. He saw someone he hasn't seen for a while. "The new kid?" He yelled at him. "Ikari?"

Shinji was walking down the road. He really had no idea where he was going. But he couldn't just stand in one place. As he was passing a grassy field, he heard Kensuke yelling at him. He turned his head and sees Kensuke from his class. For the moment, he stood there stunned. It was the first person…other then Rei, other then Ritsuko, who had recognized in him in the past four days or so.

Kensuke invited Shinji over to his little tent. Although Shinji didn't have much to say given that, well, he wasn't exactly very social. That and he didn't know a lot about Kensuke beyond being a classmate, and one of the three that entered the Eva's plug. Though he was slightly interested in what Kensuke was saying. The conversation drifted from Touji feeling really sorry, to the Cicadas being really noisy. Given that the latter dealt with the environment, and not, say, piloting the Evangelion, Shinji felt that he could respond to Kensuke.

"The ecosystem is returning to its former state." Shinji responded. "That's what Misato said."

Kensuke perked up at the mention of Misato. "I see, Misato said so." Kensuke got really excited. "I really envy you. Living with such a beautiful woman and piloting the Evangelion. Oh, God, I wish I could get behind the controls just once!" He started punching the air to emphasis the point.

Shinji looked at Kensuke. Given what he has been through, he couldn't imagine anyone actually wanted to pilot an Eva. Especially since, what would his mother say? Shinji mentally frowned at that point since he himself can barely remember his own mother. "You shouldn't. I think your mother would be worried."

Kensuke knew a bit about Shinji's history. They have one thing in common… "Oh, don't worry about that. I don't have one. I'm the same as you!"

Shinji eyes widen. 'The same as me?'

Kensuke didn't dwell on that subject very long. "You'll have something to eat, won't you?"

Shinji looked at the boiling food. "Yeah."

After dinner, they went into their tents to sleep. Shinji and Kensuke discussed what Kensuke was doing. Apparently, what Kensuke was doing was just something he did for fun. Apparently using toy guns out in the middle of nowhere was fun. Well, to each their own.

-A few miles away…

"We've spotted Shinji." A NERV Security Intelligence agent contacted headquarters. "He's in a field just outside Tokyo 3!"

"In a field?" Maya responded. "What is he doing in a field?"

"He's apparently…camping with a classmate of his." The agent replied.

"Hmmmm." Maya thought about what she should do. "Do you have the area surveillance?"

"Yes." The agent replied. "He won't escape us this time."

"Then, why not let him sleep?" Maya asked.

"Ma'am?" The agent replied questionably. "Why should we wait till morning?"

Given the apparent incompetence of Security Intelligence in searching for Shinji, Maya was given an extremely limited authority over the agents. Extremely limited. In reality though, they don't really have to follow her orders. Still, she hoped to persuade the agents to take some of her suggestions. "Ummmm…there isn't any immediate threat of an Angel attack. And, besides given that any interrogation would happen in the morning anyways…no harm done with waiting till tomorrow?"

The agent gave a questioning look before finally agreeing to it. "Agreed. We'll come and pick him up in the morning."

"Good." Maya placed the phone down.

NERV Headquarters

"I guess Misato will like to hear this." Ritsuko commented.

"I guess." Maya frowned. She was really starting to dislike the Captain. "Well, she could just say hi for him when they met…"

-Next Morning…

District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Class 2-A

Shinji Ikari was picked up by five Security Intelligence Agents and was taken to NERV Headquarters. Kensuke stood by and watched Shinji being taken by them. When they left, he went to school and told his story to Touji and the others.

"And all you did was stand there?" Touji asked Kensuke. Because after all, being the brave person Touji was, he would've done something about it. Yeah.

"That's easy for you to say." Kensuke retorted. "But it's like I said, they were NERV Security Intelligence, professionals."

"So what?!" Touji yelled back. "Don't you have any balls at all?!"

"Sissy!" One of the girls taunted behind them.

"Pervert!" Another girl taunted behind them.

"Ape!" And yet another girl taunted behind them.

"Especially since Shinji is pretty cute!" Added another girl.

Hikari was trying to figure out if they meant Touji for being a chauvinistic male, or Kensuke for being a wimp. Though the last girl seemed to imply they were talking about Kensuke. "Hey, he could've been killed by those jerks you know!"

"Yeah!" Kensuke interjected. "Only an idiot fights when he knows he can't win. Balls have nothing to do with it."

Hikari turned to Touji. "And besides, if you were in his situation, what would you do?"

Touji crossed his arms. "I would've beaten them up of course!"

Hikari gave Touji an unbelieving expression. "Even as far as dying for Shinji?"

"Well…" Touji was losing his resolve.

"Thought so!" Hikari replied.

The rest of the class laughed.

Touji scowled.

NERV Holding Cell

NERV Security Intelligence led Shinji into the holding cell. As the holding cell doors open, he was surprised to find someone else already there. "Misato?"

Misato waved back at Shinji. "Long time no see Shinji! It's been what, four days?"

Shinji simply stared back at Misato. "What are you doing here?"

"Ummmm…" Misato thought about her answer for a moment. "It was just a little misunderstanding. That's all!" Misato perked up.

Shinji stood silent for a moment. The agent that escorted Shinji to the cell closed the door behind him. Finally, Shinji sat down a ways off from Misato. "Okay."

After another moment of silence, Misato spoke up. "Do you feel better after wandering around for four days?"

"I don't know." Shinji replied.

"The Eva is on standby…at least the last time I checked." Misato added. "Will you pilot it? Or won't you?"

"You're not going to scold me for running away?" Shinji asked.

Misato didn't answer right away. However, given the circumstances… "It's not exactly my place to scold you in here don't you think?"

Shinji thought about that. 'What was she doing in here?' At first he thought that maybe she was here because she wanted to be one of the first to talk to him. Now he's not so sure. "But then, even if you did want to scold me, I'm not related to you am I? If I say I will not pilot Unit 01, what will you do with it?"

Misato thought about their options. There was only one pilot ready as of right now. "I suppose Rei will do it. Won't you pilot it?"

Shinji thought about Rei. It seemed that without him, all the responsibility goes to her. "It seems unrealistic for you to force everything on her. Don't worry, I'll pilot it."

Misato didn't like his tone. Again, he sounded like he was doing this because of other people. Not himself. "But you don't want to do it?"

"Of course not. To begin with, it's not something that comes to me naturally. But Ayanami, Miss Misato, and Miss Ritsuko…" Shinji was interrupted.

"Cut that out! This has nothing to do with any of us!" Misato yelled back. "If you don't like it, get out of here! Just forget all about Eva and us and go back to where you came from! We don't need someone with that attitude piloting." Misato turned away from Shinji.

Shinji listened to Misato's outburst as the words sank in. 'I guess, I don't have to pilot it…'

-Later…

Ritsuko's Office

"Smart move Misato." Ritsuko eyed her friend and colleague. Ritsuko was sitting at her desk, typing away on her report. "We are now down to one pilot. Maybe I should've made you stay in the holding cell a little longer."

"Don't give me that!" Misato fired back. She was standing next to Ritsuko. "The way he looked at himself…it just wasn't right."

Maya was standing on the other side of Ritsuko. "But shouldn't he think about other people…" Maya was cut off.

"NO!" Misato yelled at the little ingrate. "I mean, yes but not at the expense of himself."

"True. But what this means…" Ritsuko stopped as she looked up at the person or persons that were standing in her doorway.

Maya and Misato looked at the doorway. They see Gendo Ikari, standing next to a bandaged up Rei.

Rei stared at Misato with a slightly disapproving look.

Misato stared back. 'What's up with Rei all of a sudden?' Misato narrowed her eyes. 'She seems, more emotional then what she used to be. And I don't like it!'

Gendo Ikari stared at the group. "Captain Katsuagi…"

"Yes sir!" Misato straighten up.

"You do know that we need pilots don't you?" Gendo stared emotionless at Misato.

"But sir…" Misato was cut off.

"We need pilots Captain. And given that the forth child has not been found yet, don't you think we should help MAINTAIN what pilots we do have now?" Gendo watched Misato squirm.

"Yes sir, but…" Misato noticed Maya staring at her. "Why you…" And was about to lunge at the Maya again when...

"Eh hem!" Gendo waited as Misato stopped what she was doing and stared back at him. "I take it you fully understand what I said." He turned to Ritsuko. "Now, Ritsuko, I need to see you."

Ritsuko got out of her seat and headed towards Gendo. "Yes sir."

Misato waited for Gendo, Rei, and Ritsuko to leave then started chasing after Maya. "Stand still so that I can break your arms!"

District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Class 2-A

"He's leaving?!" Hikari was stunned at this revelation. "But, he just got here!"

"Yup. Leaving like the rest of them." Touji commented. "And I didn't even get to apologize to him."

"Yeah. He's leaving." Kensuke sighed.

A girl hit Kensuke on the head with an eraser. "Probably your fault that he was leaving."

Kensuke rubbed the back of head. "If I ever catch him again, I would probably give his bag back."

"Hey wait a second…" Hikari looked at the bag. "There's still time isn't there? We should catch him before he leaves!"

Kensuke and Touji looked at Hikari.

Kensuke was the first to comment. "Well, it wouldn't hurt. Besides, it would be wrong for him to leave this behind."

Touji nodded. "And it would give me a chance to apologize to him for what I did."

"Well, we better head to the train station then!" Kensuke grabbed the bag and ran out of the classroom door.

Touji followed him. "Hey wait, how do you know he will be at the train station?"

"Just a hunch. I mean that's where all the other students that left went right?" Kensuke replied back.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Hikari ran after the two.

Train Station

"Um. Excuse me. Why was Misato in the holding cell with me?" Shinji asked the two Security agents that were with him.

"You're no longer a NERV Personnel." One of the agent replied in a tough tone. "Therefore we can't give you that information."

"Okay." Shinji exited the NERV car. "Then, can you at least tell me where she is so that I can say goodbye?"

"No!" That agent replied.

"Ikari?" Kensuke spoke up.

"Hi Ikari!" Hikari waved.

"You left this stuff behind!" Kensuke threw at Shinji.

Shinji held his bag as he saw the three approach him. He turned to the security agents who stared at the incoming three. "Could you excuse me for a moment!"

The security agents looked at each other, then back at Shinji and nodded.

"Thank you." Shinji replied. He approached the three.

"I guess this is goodbye then Shinji." Hikari commented. She then turned to Touji. "Touji, don't you have something to say to Shinji?"

Kensuke stared at Touji. Touji was still silent. "Hey Touji. Come on, say something!" He slapped him in the back, sending him towards Shinji.

Touji looked away for a moment. "Ikari, I'm sorry I hit you twice. Please, hit me back!"

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "Touji?"

"I can't do that." Shinji replied. It was difficult for him to fight an Angel, now to actually hit someone face to face?

"Please!" Touji yelled back. "Otherwise, I won't be satisfied."

A small smile appeared on Hikari's face. Although she didn't exactly like the method of Touji's apology, it was still something nice for him to do.

"See? He's a pretty embarrassing guy, isn't he?" Kensuke smirked. "But if it would put an end to this dispute, why don't you go ahead and hit him?"

"But…" Shinji tried to dissent when Touji interrupted.

The security agents looked at their watches as they waited for Shinji to finish talking to his soon to be former classmates.

"Hurry up! You don't have much time, do you?" Touji replied determined to get, well, punched.

"Normally I wouldn't condone violence but…" Hikari looked at Touji. "If this is what it takes for Touji to feel forgiven, I guess you should hit him."

Shinji looked at Hikari, then back at Touji. "Okay, but only once."

"Okay. Come on!" Touji waited for the hit.

Shinji put down his bag. He looked at the three who all were ready for it. Shinji pulled his arm back and was inches from Touji's face when…

"Hold it!" Touji yelled. Shinji stopped the punch. Touji looked up to at Shinji. "Stop! Don't hold back."

"Right." Shinji replied. He again, pulled his arm back, and unleashed his punch. POW!

"Ouch…" Kensuke replied.

Hikari winced at the sound. "I guess that's over with. I hope you're happy now Touji."

Touji wiped his face where the punch was landed. He smiled satisfied that this was over. So was Kensuke.

Shinji looked back at the three. "How did you know I'd be here?"

"It was just a hunch." Kensuke replied. "We've seen dozens of classmates off before."

"Yeah. It was unfortunate but…" Hikari looked down at the ground thinking about all the classmates that have left. "It's expected given the events that have occurred recently."

"If you're leaving, we'll have to leave this city sometime soon, but we can't blame you for that." Touji added. "We saw how you suffered in the Eva. And if anyone tried to blame you, I'm gonna give them a head butt!" Touji looked at Shinji.

Shinji was shaking with guilt. He was holding back tears.

"Hey don't look so gloomy." Touji replied in a cheery voice.

"Take care." Kensuke waved.

"Good luck." Touji followed.

"Yeah." Hikari took a step closer to Shinji. "I hope to see you again!"

Shinji's mind was in turmoil. "Well…"

"Your time is up." The agent grabbed Shinji's shoulder. They ushered him through the station's stairs.

The other three stood at the base of the stairway and watched Shinji disappear up the stairs.

That is, until Shinji broke free of their hold, and yelled back at his classmates. "I'm the one that deserves to be hit! I'm mean, cowardly, dishonest, weak, sneaky, and sissy."

"Don't give us any more trouble." The security guards dragged Shinji back up the stairs.

"Shinji…" Hikari frowned.

Streets of Tokyo 3

Misato finally understood Shinji's situation. Hedgehog's dilemma. Misato sped down the streets in her blue sports car in order to catch Shinji before he leaves. Unfortunately, she had to bring a passenger along the way.

"I can't believe I had to bring YOU along!" Misato scowled at her passenger.

"You're just lucky that you're still Captain." Maya growled at Misato.

"Whatever." Misato took a sharp turn at a very high speed.

Maya held onto dear life. She looked up and saw the station. "There's the station!" Maya yelled.

"I can see that." Misato floored it.

Touji, Kensuke, and Hikari sat on a bar near the station. They were thinking about the now departing classmate, when a blue car screeched to a halt next to them.

Misato and Maya exited the car. Misato watched the train ride off. "Huh?"

"Hey look!" Kensuke yelled.

"Miss Katsuagi?" Hikari replied.

"Hey, it's that babe!" Touji commented.

"WHAT?!" Hikari eyed Touji with contempt.

Misato looked at the disappearing train, and sighed.

"We're too late!" Maya yelled.

Misato stared at Maya. "If it wasn't for you we might not have been too late!"

"Oh please, if it wasn't for you he wouldn't have left in the first place!" Maya fired back.

Shinji was standing on the platform holding his bag.

"Oh shut up!" Misato scowled. "If I didn't have you trying to…" Misato looked up at the platform. Her eyes widened.

Maya looked at Misato, then back at the platform. A small smile formed.

Shinji looked down at the platform, then he noticed Misato and Maya standing next to Misato's car.

They stood there for a while.

Hikari smiled. "He's staying."

Touji looked at the three. "Yeah."

'Now that this situation ended…maybe now is a good time?' Hikari thought. "Say, Touji, I have these sisters…Nozomi and Kodama, I make lunch for them and, well, I have extra…how would you like if I gave you some?"

"Really Class Rep?" Touji looked at her. "I…I guess that would be okay…"

After a quiet moment, Shinji finally spoke up. "I'm home!"

Misato smiled. "Welcome home."

"I'm glad you're staying Shinji." Maya waved. "You know Shinji…you don't have to live with Misato…"

Misato closed her fist. "That't it!" Misato went around to where Maya was and started choking and shaking her.

Shinji was shocked and stunned. "What, what's going on?"

Kensuke, Touji, and Hikari were also shocked. Their mouths were wide open.

"Whoa!" Kensuke commented.

"Can't…breath…!" Maya forced out.

"You're still talking!" Misato scowled. "That means I'm notsqueezing hard enough."

Shinji simply stood there shocked.

Kensuke, Touji, and Hikari stood wided eyed.

Finally, Touji commented. "Well, she's still a babe!"

Hikari started shaking in anger. She raised her hands to Touji's neck level.

-------Chapter 4 complete!

Yes! The long awaited Chapter 4 is complete! Sorry for the longer then normal wait. Just, didn't get around to it until now.

Also, for you Hikari/Shinji fans, thought this one would be one right? (Watches them leave…) WAIT! I didn't say that it wouldn't be one! Just that, at this point in the story, she still has a crush on Touji to get over with. Expect more action from her in the future.

The only thing I can say right now is, you could probably guess where this story is heading! Hopefully, some characters will become more prominent (like Rei). And, after a few more chapters, this story should mostly break away from the official storyline! The only thing of course is, that this story will NEVER be 100, I do want to follow loosely with the events, but still, I hope it would be a great read once it is done.

Next chapter…well, Shinji visits Rei. But given that this is the NEW Rei, what madness will happen? Until next time…later!