-This is chapter 5 of my Eva fic! Woohoo! Sorry if there seems to be a long wait between chapters. Part of the reason is, well, first, it is one of my longest stories in terms of words. The second, it is also my, least original story. And I'm sorry for that. My go slow approach seems to mean two things; one, my slow way of trying to make this story something mostly original instead of copying Hideaki Anno's stories, and two, well, slow updates. Still, with each passing updates, things should be getting better.
-The one problem I have with this story (besides grammar, I'll get into that) is of course originality. For me, it is the conflict between my original stuff, AND what I should take from the episodes (more of my original stuff the better of course. But still, I want this story to follow the VERY basic plotline of Eva). While with each passing chapter, I am adding more and more original stuff (I don't want to be tied to closely with the series of course. Or else, this story would TRULY be crap, and I would have to take it down in shame), I still have a long way to go. My ultimate goal is to, well, be more like Random's story or any other fanfic writer that still sticks to the original's main plot points while producing something original. Hopefully it will be that. Otherwise, bye bye story!
-As for grammar, I always acknowledge that, other then this story's lack of originality, this is probably my weakest area in terms of a fanfiction writer. I am improving this with each update for any given story (just compare my first story, "Two Birds…Part 1" to even, well, this one, or "Silent Titan").Still, I have a ways to go.
Misato's Apartment"So Shinji, want to check out what the enemy looks like up close?" Misato cheerfully spoke. She got her jacket from a coat hanger and puts it on. "I'm heading off to base of the mountain where the angel currently is. You remember that angel right?" After receiving no response from Shinji, she continued. "Of course you do! It should be really interesting!"
However, Shinji was thinking about entirely different issue at the moment. "Miss Misato, will Maya be alright? I mean, you, um…"
Misato frowned at Shinji's comments about a certain NERV technician. However, she tried to hide her disgust in front of Shinji by smiling at him. "Miss Ibuki? Oh, she will be fine! Once the transfer goes through, she will be out of my hair in no time." Misato smiled widen at the thought.
"I see." Shinji smiled a bit before the meaning of Misato's words hit him. "Wait, TRANSFER!"
"Yes Shinji!" A devious smile appeared on Misato. "It is obvious that Miss Ibuki and I do not work well together, so I requested that she should be transferred to NERV's American Branch!"
Shinji was trying to comprehend what just happened. "But, but…" Shinji tried to speak, but he just couldn't think of anything to say at the moment.
"Things will certainly improve at NERV from now on!" Misato smiled. "Anyways, so, shall we go Shinji?"
Shinji just stood there dumbfounded. "Um…" Since he had nothing else to say or do at the moment, he simply agreed. "Yes Misato."
"Good! Let's hoop in the car and meet Ritsuko!" Misato opened the door and with Shinji, left to the base of the mountain.
Streets of Tokyo 3Touji and Kensuke were going to the hospital. They were going to pay a visit to Touji's sister. She was still hospitalized due to the incident from the Angel attack.
As they were about to turn a corner and head to the hospital, Kensuke spoke up about another matter. "It seems the Class Rep has a thing for you!"
"Class Rep? Don't be silly!" Touji brushed it off. "She's just concerned about my sister, and the new kid. Though I admit, she has been a little more friendly to us."
"To us?" Kensuke smirked. "Don't you mean you?"
Touji scowled a bit. "She just concern about us and my sister. That's all!"
"Yeah, that's it." Kensuke grinned some more. "By the way, since she is concerned about your sister, why didn't you invite her?"
Touji then looked down at the path in front of him. "Why would I want to do that? She's only the Class Rep."
Kensuke looked at Touji. "But still, it wouldn't hurt…"
Touji interrupted Kensuke. "Just drop it okay. Besides, I don't really like her that much."
Unfortunately for Touji, Hikari was following closely behind them.
"Doesn't like me in that much!" A tear threatened to escape as Hikari stared at the two losers in front of her. "I know we don't know each other that well, but, still I…we…" Anger started to replace her heartbroken feeling. "I'll show him! Somehow! And then…and then…he'll wish he was with me."
Base of the Mountain – NERV Facility Housing the AngelThe Angel at the base of the mountain was mostly in tact. Since they couldn't really move the Angel to say, NERV headquarters, they built an entire facility over it. With the exception of the core that Shinji destroyed, they currently have the perfect specimen to analyze and dissect. Shinji and Misato both went to Ritsuko's onsite office to get a closer look at the data they had acquired so far. What they discovered was something just a bit beyond their current comprehension. From what little they could gather from the Angel, the Angels are remarkably similar to humans then what they previously thought.
Shinji was about to take another sip from his drink when he sees that his father and Kouzou walk by. Shinji then noticed that his father's hands were burned. 'I wonder how he got that?'
"We must acknowledge our limited level of understanding once again." Ritsuko concluded.
Misato looked at Shinji.
He was standing at the doorway and was staring at his father. He sees his father looking at the Angel's core, what's left of it at least, with a number of workers.
"What's wrong?" Misato asked.
"Well, nothing's wrong." Shinji awkwardly replied.
Misato frowned at Shinji. 'Here he goes again.' "Are you aware that when you say 'nothing' that way, it's the same as asking others to pay attention to you?" Misato glared at Shinji.
Shinji eyes widened as he, well, never thought of that. Being the idi…um, slow as he was. Shinji conceded and spoke what was on his mind at the time. "Well, it's just that my father seems to have burned his hands."
"Burned?" Misato was a little surprised about this. While she knew some of what happened before she joined NERV, she didn't know everything. And the story behind Commander Ikari's burned hands was one of them.
"I was just wondering how it happened." Shinji asked.
"Burns?" While Misato didn't know, someone else in the room might. Misato turned her attention to Ritsuko. "Do you know anything about those burns?"
Ritsuko nodded and told the story of the activation experiment. How it failed, and how the pilot, Rei Ayanami was trapped in her plug. "It was commander Ikari who rescued her. He opened the super-heated hatch with his bare hands."
Shinji was stunned. 'He, did that?' "My father did that?"
"Yes, that's how he burned his hands." Ritsuko confirmed.
Shinji frowned at this. 'He would never do something like that for me!'
Ritsuko sympathized with Shinji a bit. Not only did she not like Rei and the fact that Gendo burned his hands to save her, he also doesn't seem to care for his own son until very recently. And even then, he only called him here because he 'needed' him after the failed experiment. 'At least Shinji seems to be getting friends now, even if one of them isn't his father. Which reminds me…' "Misato, about your…request for Maya's transfer."
Misato smiled as the subject changed to something that was important to her. "So, when is she leaving?"
Ritsuko frowned. "She's not. Your request has been rejected."
"Oh that…" Misato's eyes widened as Ritsuko's words hit her. "WHAT!"
Ritsuko shook her head. "Commander Ikari rejected your request when it landed on his desk. Besides, you can't just transfer MY subordinate…"
"WHERE IS HE!" Misato stormed out of the room looking for Gendo.
Ritsuko sighed.
Shinji stared at Misato as she left. 'What the heck is going on here?' He then turned his attention to Ritsuko. "What has gotten into Misato and Maya?"
Ritsuko shrugged. "It would probably be better if you do not know."
-Outside the office…
"The Angel's core." Gendo Ikari touched the core.
Something was bothering Kouzou Fuyutsuki the past few days. He turned to his long time friend with his concern. "Gendo, have you noticed anything different about Rei recently?"
Gendo eyed Kouzou. "I have not. What is it do you believe that is different about her?"
"Well, NERV has been having a harder time keeping track of her whereabouts recently." Kouzou replied.
Gendo narrowed his eyes. "Then we need better agents. I still do not understand where you are going Kouzou."
"It's not just that." Kouzou backed up a bit. "She also seemed to be more, emotional. She seemed, different then the previous Rei."
Gendo was still not following. "It must be your imagination. I have seen no indication that this Rei Ayanami was any different then the previous ones."
Kouzou sighed. "Maybe you are right. I was probably over analy…" His conversation was cut short by a raging purple haired captain behind them.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE NOT TRANSFERING MAYA IBUKI!" Misato yelled.
Gendo and Kouzou turned to the pissed off Misato.
Shinji and Ritsuko peeked out of the office and stared at them.
Gendo was a little amused by the, conflict between Misato and Maya. However, there were more important things then their little feud. "Captain, while your concern is important to us, Miss Ibuki's skills are too important to just transfer away."
Misato was shaking with rage. "But…"
Gendo grinned. "Besides Captain, given what you have done Miss Ibuki, be glad you are still captain."
This immediately calmed down Misato. She gave an embarrassed smile. "Oh, hehehe. Well, you see…"
"If you are done wasting my time, I will be going now." Gendo walked past Misato. Kouzou followed.
Misato just stood there stunned for a bit. However, her anger returned full force. "THIS ISN'T OVER!"
Ritsuko face faulted. "Why do I have to be the sane one here?"
-Next Day…
Outside Misato's Apartment"What are you doing here Maya?" Shinji looked up at her. He was going to school when he saw Maya standing in front of Misato's apartment.
"Oh, just passing by!" Maya warmly smiled. "Fancy meeting you here!"
Shinji looked at Maya oddly. Misato's Apartment was a bit of a ways off from NERV headquarters. He was also certain that Maya lives nowhere near here, and would normally never pass by Misato's Apartment. Still, he had other things on his mind. "Are you okay? The marks on your neck…"
Maya touched the marks that were on her neck. "Oh these! Well, they're nothing! They will disappear in a few weeks! I hope!" Maya tried to smile as thoughts of a certain purple haired woman came to her.
"Well, I'm glad you're still here." Shinji smiled a bit. "I mean, um, after…you know…"
"Yeah." Maya finally frowned. "Too bad she's still here."
-Flashback…
NERV Headquarters"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE DOING NOTHING!" Maya screamed at Kouzou. "Couldn't you at least, transfer her or something!"
Kouzou sighed. "Calm down Miss Ibuki. Look, your concerns have been taken into consideration. And Section 2 will keep an eye on Captain Misato. But please we…"
"THAT BITCH NEARLY KILLED ME! And you want me to calm down!" Maya narrowed her eyes.
Kouzou glared at her. "Like I said, Section 2 will be keeping an eye on her. So far, the Captain's leadership skills have been shown to be more then adequate. These are quite important for our cause. For the moment, we're confident that she will behave. Now, do you have anything more to say Miss Ibuki?" Maya shook her head. "Good, now please, return to your post."
Maya grated her teeth. Finally, she composed herself, and stood attentive. "Very well, I will return to my post sir." Maya turned around and left Kouzou's office.
Ritsuko banged her head on the desk. "Why do I have to be the sane one here?"
-Back to the Present…
Outside Misato's Apartment"Well, I was walking to school." Shinji spoke up.
"Really? Misato doesn't take you?" Maya thought about it for a second. "Well, I guess she can't since she works all those odd hours. Then again, so do I. And it isn't like you can't just walk which you do anyways…ummmm…" Maya blushed slightly in embarrassment as she realized she had no idea where she was going with her conversation. She looked at her watch. "I, um, guess I should go. Ritsuko is probably wondering where I am. Maybe we can talk next time?" Maya smiled brightly at Shinji.
Shinji smiled slightly. "Okay." At that moment, Shinji sees a figure move quickly in the shadows. "What was that?"
Maya looked at where Shinji was looking at, and saw nothing. "What was it Shinji?"
Shinji stared at the area, and shook his head. "Never mind. It was probably nothing."
Maya stared at the area for a bit, before she brushed it off as nothing as well. "Well, I'll be going! See ya later Shinji!" She waved at him.
Shinji waved back. However, what just happened still bothered him. "It must've been the wind."
Rei Ayanami looked back one more time. 'Stay out of trouble Shinji.' She smirked before she ran off to school.
District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Class 2-A"Touji! Here's your lunch box!" Hikari happily presented to him.
Touji looked at it. "Oh, I forgot. Um, thanks Class Rep, but I already bought lunch. Sorry."
Hikari watched Touji walk away. She frowned as she sat down in her seat, depressed. She looked at her lunch box that she meticulously made for Touji. She then looked up at Touji. He was now eating his already bought lunch. It didn't help matters when she remembered his comments he made yesterday. She contemplated throwing it at him, but, being the good little Class Rep that she is, she thought the better of it. Still, even with that in mind, she still held out hope that they could still be friends. 'Maybe something even more?' She mentally added.
However, her attention turned to a certain other student that was now famous for being the pilot of that Evangelion. 'Maybe, I can make Touji jealous? Yeah! Maybe I should do that!' However, she looked down at what he held, and noticed that he already had a lunchbox. 'Guess his guardian, Misato I think, already gave one to him.' From what little time she spent with her, Misato doesn't seem like the type somehow. 'Of course, I shouldn't be prejudging her. I barely know her.' Hikari mentally chided herself. 'Maybe I will get to know her more when I get to know Shinji…' Hikari mentally slapped herself. 'What are you saying Hikari? You're after Touji remember? A blind stupid shallow idiot! But still…'
Shinji just sat there, quietly eating his lunch.
-After Lunch…
After everyone ate his or her lunch, Hikari did the usual routine and everyone sat down.
Kensuke was typing on his computer. He then eyed Shinji. 'Shinji seems…back to normal now.' Kensuke grinned as his attention turned to another person. 'Maybe we will see his guardian again!'
Touji just sat there. He stared at the other girls in the room. 'I wonder how they stack up against Misato…'
Shinji was listening to his SDAT player. Since, the teacher simply droned on about Second Impact again, there was no reason he should be listening to him. While he wasn't that great in other subjects, in this class at least, he could probably recite everything this teacher was talking about, word for word. At that moment, he felt like someone was staring him. He looked back to see Rei Ayanami. His eyes widened when their eyes met. As their eyes meet however, Rei Ayanami turned her attention back to the window. 'Why was she staring at me?'
The bell rang. It was time for gym practice.
District 13 Tokyo 3 Junior High School Basketball Court under the Swimming Pool"Man, they've all got such incredible breasts!" Touji grinned as he, Kensuke, Shinji, and a number of other guys, looked at the girls in swimsuits.
"Suzahara's ogling us! Gross!" One of the girls spoke in disgust as his words reached them.
"Too bad none of them look as good as Misato." Touji grinned.
"What!" A bunch of girls climbed the fence. "You little creep!" They started throwing things at him.
Touji covered his head as water bottles hit his head. "I was…" Bonk. "OW! Just joking!" Once everything stopped, he refocused his attention to the girls. At least, that was his original goal. That's when he noticed Shinji looking up at the girls above. 'Girls have good aim. None of the bottles hit Shinji. Only me. Speaking of which, I wonder who Shinji was staring at?' "Hi Shinji!" Touji received no response from Shinji. His grin widened. "Hey Big Shot!"
Shinji finally snapped from his stupor. "Huh?"
"What're you staying at so intently?" Touji grinned at him.
Shinji fell back a bit. He blushed at the question. "Nothing!"
Kensuke grinned as well. "I think you're looking at Ayanami! Right?"
"No!" Shinji denied. Though typical Shinji, it didn't sound very convincing.
"Oh! Come on, dude. Am I stupid?" Kensuke watched as Shinji shook his head. "We know you were staring at her in class."
"Let's see what Shinji was looking at." Touji grinned as Shinji began to blush. "Ayanami's boobs, Ayanami's thighs, Ayanami's calves!"
"I told you, it's nothing like that!" Shinji fired back.
"Then what were you looking at?" Kensuke questioned.
"You can't fool me." Touji grinned. 'Shinji has a crush on Rei…'
Shinji lowered his head. "I was, just wondering why she was always alone. That's all."
Touji and Kensuke looked at each other.
Touji was the first to speak up. "Come to think of it, she really never had any friends since…" Touji looked back at the girls. His eyes widened. "Since 7th grade. However…" He turned to Shinji. "Looks like she wants a friend now!"
"What?" Shinji looked back at the swimming pool area. What he saw surprised him. Rei Ayanami was looking back at him!
Kensuke grinned. "Maybe she has taken a liken to pilots. Hint hint!" Kensuke winked at him.
Rei Ayanami looked at him for a few more moments, before she turned her head away.
"Before she seemed lost in a world of her own." Touji nudged Shinji. "Until you came around…"
Shinji blushed even deeper. Still… "But, even so, we still don't talk."
"I have a feeling that's going to change." Kensuke grinned.
-In the Pool Area…
Hikari got out of the pool. "That was a good run!" She went to the side and sat down next to Rei. She looked at Rei Ayanami for the moment. 'I wonder what she's looking at?' She followed her eye line to the group of boys. 'Those losers?' At first, she thought she was looking at Touji. 'Wonder why she would be looking at Touji?' Her frown deepened when he made that comment. 'That's gotta be why! No wonder she's staring at him. The next time I see him, I might…' Then she looked back at Rei, and followed her line of sight again. 'Wait, she wasn't looking at Touji. She was looking at, Shinji?' Hikari stared at Shinji too. 'Well I guess I shouldn't be surprised. They are both pilots after all. Maybe I can hook them up, somehow.' However, for whatever strange reason, that didn't sit well with her. Once she notices that Rei stopped staring at Shinji, she herself dropped the subject all together. Still, something was bothering her about all this…
-After School
Shinji looked around the school. It was now time for him to head over to headquarters. He was hoping to accompany Rei. Maybe find out more about her. However, she was nowhere to be found. "Did she already go on ahead?"
"Hey Mr. Ikari?" Hikari waved at him.
"Class Rep?" Shinji looked up. "You haven't happened to see Rei Ayanami around, have you?"
"Her?" Hikari frowned. "No I haven't. She probably left already."
Shinji frowned a bit. "Oh."
Something about that bothered Hikari. Still, she persisted. "Say Shinji…do you mind me calling you Shinji?"
"I don't see why not." Shinji replied.
Hikari smiled a bit. "Okay! Well Shinji…um…about lunch…"
"What about it?" Shinji looked at Hikari confused.
"Well, um…when you don't feel like eating the lunch Ms. Katsuragi gives you…" Hikari started.
"Oh. Misato doesn't give me my lunch." Shinji replied.
This stunned Hikari. "Huh? She doesn't? Then…"
"I make my own lunches." Shinji smiled. "If you've had Misato's cooking, you'll understand why."
Hikari thought this was cool for some reason. "So you make your own lunch?"
Shinji nodded. "Yeah!"
Hikari smiled. "Well, if you don't feel like making your own lunch, one of these days, I could provide you one." Hikari blushed. "Oh, and you could call me Hikari if you want."
"Huh? I…" Shinji stood there stunned. "Class Re…Hikari? Um, okay."
"YEAH!" Hikari hugged Shinji. "Maybe we could…"
Touji and Kensuke walked up to Shinji.
"Hitting on the Class Rep I see?" Touji slapped him on the back.
"What! No!" Shinji let out.
"Busy man Shinji!" Kensuke winked at him. "First Rei, now the Class Rep!"
'You still can't…' Hikari fumed. "It's nothing like that!"
"Not from my angle!" Touji grinned.
Shinji started to walk away. "I have to go to NERV…ummm…"
"You're going to NERV!" Kensuke's eyes lit up. "Mind if I come along!"
"Um, I don't think you're allowed…" Shinji awkwardly responded.
"Oh come on! I won't cause any trouble!" Kensuke held Shinji.
"And later, we could come over and meet Miss Misato!" Touji added.
"ONE TRACK MIND!" Hikari slapped him.
"Ow! Hey!" Touji rubbed the area where Hikari slapped him.
"Please Shinji! Please?" Kensuke continued to beg.
"Uh hem." A quiet voice interrupted the four.
"Rei?" Shinji asked stunned.
"You have a test Ikari." Rei stared at Shinji.
Shinji, Touji, Hikari, and Kensuke stood there stunned.
"Let's go Ikari." Rei started to walk towards NERV headquarters.
"Oooooookay!" Shinji caught up to Rei Ayanami.
"Please?" Kensuke continued to beg.
"And you are not allowed." Rei glared at Kensuke.
This stopped Kensuke dead in his tracks.
-Later…
Evangelion Cage-Shinji's POV
Shinji was staring at his console. The trip to NERV headquarters was a disappointment. Despite all attempts to strike up a conversation, Rei stayed quiet the entire way. As for the test, they all seemed to be going well. At the moment, he was the only one being tested. Rei's test is tomorrow. Shinji was thinking about the earlier test with Rei and Unit 00. 'I wonder why it rejected her?' Shinji thought. 'My Eva accepted me right away. In her case…' That's when he looked at his view screen. He sees Rei in front of her plug. He used the zoom feature and took a closer look at Rei.
Rei was finishing checking her Eva's plug. Gendo Ikari walked along the gangplank that ran next to her Eva. Rei seemed to notice his presence, and happily stepped off her Eva to greet Gendo. From Shinji's perspective, they seemed to be talking happily at each other. Shinji couldn't believe it. His father never talked to him like this!
-Rei's POV
"Yes, everything seems to be in working order." Rei smiled at her supposed caretaker.
Gendo smiled back at Rei. "That is wonderful Rei."
"Thank you Commander Ikari." Rei happily replied, at least, as happily as Rei usually can muster.
"I hope you do well in the upcoming test. Oh…" Gendo changed the subject. "There is this subject Mr. Fuyutsuki brought up yesterday. You haven't been wondering off have you? Our agents have been, having a hard time knowing where you have been most of the time."
Rei lightly shook her head. "I have not. I have only been in areas where I'm allowed to go."
Gendo saw no change in Rei's tone of voice, and saw no reason why she would lie to him. He took this as signs that his 'doll' hasn't changed. "Good! We'll continue this tomorrow." Gendo turned around, and returned to his office.
Rei watched Commander Ikari leave. 'Fool. Can't see that his little 'doll' isn't the same as before.' She then turned her focus to Shinji's Eva. 'I can take his son away at any moment. Not that it would matter since it was quite obvious he couldn't care less.'
-Shinji's POV
'Rei and my father seemed to get along pretty…' Shinji's eyes widened as he saw Rei staring at him. "Is she, staring at me?" He blinked a few times before Rei started walking off. 'Maybe it was just my imagination…' However, what wasn't his imagination was what was booming through the com-link. "Huh?"
NERV Control Center"All data has been transferred to Balthazar." Maya said.
"Very well." Misato glared at Maya. "You little ingrate." She whispered to herself.
"I heard that!" Maya shot back.
"No, not again." Ritsuko slapped her forehead. "Misato…"
"It's too bad you weren't transferred! Otherwise, you would live a little bit longer!" Mistato spat at her.
Maya growled. "At least I'm not some 40 year old slut trying to pick up on little boys."
"What! I'm not that…" Misato eyes flared with rage. "Why you little…"
"Misato! Stop!" Ritsuko held back Misato. "And Maya, don't taunt her!"
"Grrrrrrrrr." Maya growled.
Ritsuko could feel another headache coming. "Looks like our psychologist is going to get his pay."
Evangelion Cage"What's with those two?" Shinji simply sat stunned in his Eva.
-Later…
Misato's ApartmentRitsuko, Misato and Shinji were sitting around the dinner table. They were eating instant curry, again.
Ritsuko took a bite out of the curry. Well, it was supposed to be curry. Only one person could screw up instant food. "Misato cooked this, didn't she?"
"Yes!" Shinji replied as he took a bite out of the awful tasting food.
Misato happily ate her instant ramen with instant curry anyways. "Oh, you can tell?"
"Yes, by it's taste." Ritsuko managed to get out as she tried to hold her food down. "How can she make something ready-to-eat taste so awful?"
"Hey! You wanted to come you know!" Misato grinned at Ritsuko. She took another slurp from her…crap.
"I was hoping it was Shinji's turn to cook." Ritsuko sighed. "Besides, I have to make sure you didn't kill my subordinate while I was away."
Misato gave an embarrassed smile. "Oh that? Hehehe!"
Shinji looked up at the two. "Miss Misato? About you and Maya…"
"Maya now Shinji?" Ritsuko grinned.
Misato glared at Shinji.
"Um…" Shinji sat back and blushed. "I mean…Miss Ibuki. What's going on between you two?"
"Oh!" Misato gave a cheerful smile. "It's nothing. Just a…little misunderstanding! That's all!"
"Probably hormones." Ritsuko chuckled.
Misato cheerful smiled disappeared as she glared at Ritsuko. She took a sip of her beer.
Ritsuko turned to Shinji. "You know Shinji, you really ought to move. You shouldn't let one bad roommate ruin your entire life."
Although Misato was just now starting to feel the effects of her many beers that she drank, she was sober enough to know what Ritsuko was saying. "Oh! And where would he move? Maya's house of torture?"
"Huh?" Shinji looked at Misato confused.
"Eh?" Misato blushed. "Nothing."
Ritsuko eyed Misato with amusement. "Like I said…"
"Well, I am used to it." Shinji replied. "Besides, it isn't that bad…"
Misato grinned. "See? Never underestimate the human animal to adapt to its environment. Right?"
"Even as one as bad as this one." Ritsuko watched with amusement as Misato made more faces at her.
"Well…" Misato crushed her empty beer can. However, this seemed to have dispelled what anger she had. "Oh that reminds me, Shinji, can I have another?"
"Sure." Shinji got up to give another beer for Misato.
"Also Ritsuko, think about the red tape!" Misato relaxed a little. "He just got his permanent security card you know."
"Well, if he runs away again, that security card won't be permanent. And if he moves in with Maya, he won't have to face a lot of…" An empty beer can hit Ritsuko. She turned to see Misato glaring at her with dagger eyes. "Nice one Misato." Something clicked inside Ritsuko's mind. "OH! I almost forget! Shinji, could you do me a favor?" Ritsuko rifled through her bag.
"What is it?" Shinji gave the can of beer he was holding to Misato, and waited for Ritsuko's response.
"Rei Ayanami's renewal card. I keep forgetting to give it to her." Ritsuko took out the card. "Would you mind giving it to her before you go to headquarters?"
"Sure!" Shinji received the card from Ritsuko. He started to stare at her picture.
Misato took a swig from her beer, when she noticed that Shinji was staring at Rei's card intently. "What's the matter? You're staring at Rei's picture, aren't you?" Misato grinned devilishly.
Shinji was embarrassed. He tried to defend himself. "No!"
"Oh! I think you are, Shinji!" Misato teased.
"No!" Shinji repeated.
"Oh, come on! You're embarrassed aren't you?" Misato giggled. "Well, you've got an official excuse to go to Rei's place now. This is your chance, isn't it?"
Shinji sat down quickly. "Stop teasing me!"
"But I love teasing you. You always go ballistic!" Misato smiled.
"Just like Misato." Ritsuko added. "Especially with my subordinate."
Misato glared at Ritsuko again.
Shinji sighed. "I just find it strange that I know so little about Ayanami, even though we are both Eva pilots. Though I have noticed that she seems to stare at me a lot."
"She's a nice girl…" Ritsuko then shot her head up as she started to go through everything Shinji said. "Wait, what do you mean that she 'stares' at you?"
"Ooooooo!" Misato grinned. "Sounds like Rei has a crush on you Shinji!"
"What?" Shinji blushed.
Ritsuko frowned at the notion. "This doesn't sound like Rei." 'I might have to look into this.' However, she too grinned at Shinji. "Though I agree with Misato on this one. She seems to have developed an interest in you."
Shinji started sweating. "Uh, well, um…"
Misato giggled. "If it makes you feel any better, I will accompany you!"
Shinji blushed. "Um, okay."
"Um Misato. You do know you have to be at headquarters before the kids?" Ritsuko eyed Misato.
Misato smiled nervously. "Oh don't worry! What's a few minutes? Or an…hour. Besides, what is the commander going to do, fire me?"
'Um yeah.' Ritsuko sweat dropped.
-The Next Day…
Rei's Apartment"For an Eva pilot that seemed to be his favorite, the commander certainly placed her in a shitty place." Misato commented as they walked up to Rei's Apartment.
Shinji looked around the area. He had to agree, it wasn't a nice place to live. In fact, it is a…crappy place to live. Why did his father put her here? Most of the apartments buildings were empty and falling apart. Others were either in the process of being demolished, or retrofitted (although why anyone would want to save these buildings was a mystery to him).
Rei's apartment building wasn't that great either. There was trash everywhere in the hallway. The amount of dirt in the place actually made Misato's apartment seem, clean for once.
"Well, this should be it! Apartment number 402." Misato was cheerfully responded. "Now, Shinji, remember, just give her the key card. Of course, you could talk to her for a bit." Misato winked at him.
Shinji blushed. "Uh…okay!"
Misato frowned. "Can't you ever say anything else besides okay?" Misato sighed. She then started to ring the doorbell. Except the doorbell didn't ring. "Huh? They didn't even give her an apartment with a working doorbell?"
Shinji knocked on the door. Still, there was no answer.
"Maybe she's not home." Misato commented. "She could be on her way to NERV right now." She smiled. "All well! I guess we can give it to her when she tries to…"
Shinji opened the door. "Hello there?" He entered Rei's apartment.
"Hey wait! You can't just…" Misato followed Shinji in.
"Excuse me! It's Shinji Ikari!" Shinji walked through the dirty hallway. "I'm coming in Rei Ayanami!" Shinji removed his shoes and stepped into the living area.
Misato checked out the tons of mail stuffed in the mailbox. "Why would Rei get so much mail? She can't be that popular!" She looked up to see Shinji walking in. "Huh?" She was about to remove her shoes when she sees the condition of the floor. "How can anyone live here?"
Shinji walked into Rei's bedroom. He sees a bag of groceries hanging from a refrigerator, drawer, a chair, a sock rack, used bandages in a box, medicine bottles, cup of water, school books, her school uniform, as well as a blood stained pillow on her bed. With the exception of those few items, the room itself was pretty bare.
"This place is pretty depressing." Misato commented.
Shinji looked on top of the drawer. He didn't find much, except for the books.
Suddenly, a door opened.
Misato and Shinji stared wide-eyed as Rei came out, naked.
"Ahhhhhhhhh…" Misato quickly hid Shinji behind her. "We're sorry Rei! We didn't mean to barge in like that! Hehehe."
After Rei dried off. She calmly walked over to where her clothes were and removed her towel.
Shinji peeked behind Misato.
Misato saw this and whacked him. "Don't be rude Shinji!" She turned her head back to Rei. "Hehehe. I'm sorry about this. You see…"
Rei was calmly putting her clothes on.
"Uh…" Misato turned to Shinji. "Shinji!"
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean for any of this to happen!" Shinji spat out quickly.
Rei seemed to ignore Shinji and continued to dress herself.
Misato looked at Rei funny. "Don't you, mind?"
"Why would I Captain?" Rei eyed her. "And Captain, shouldn't you be at NERV by now?"
"Wha…" Misato scratched the back of her head and nervously giggled. "Um…yeah…well, you see…"
Rei walked out of her apartment.
Misato and Shinji blinked in surprise.
"She's an odd girl isn't she?" Misato commented.
Shinji took out Rei's security card. "I still have her card."
"Come on! We can still catch her." Misato and Shinji raced out of her apartment.
Tokyo 3 StreetsRei just stared straight ahead while sitting in the back seat of Misato's car.
Misato looked back at Rei. "So Rei, nice weather huh?"
Rei ignored her.
"Yeah…nice…weather." Misato continued to drive above the speed limit. "Not very talkative are ya?" Misato winked at her.
Rei stared at Misato with suspicion. 'Know your place Captain!'
"Yeah…not that talkative." Misato decided it was a good idea to just shut up and continue driving.
Shinji looked back at Rei. Rei turned her attention to Shinji. Shinji panicked looked away.
After another moment of silence, they finally reached NERV headquarters.
NERV Headquarters"We're here Rei!" Misato smiled cheerfully.
Rei and Shinji exited the car.
Misato nervously smiled. "I'll go up ahead. I am pretty late you…"
"My card Ikari." Rei held her hand out.
"What?" Shinji replied, stunned.
Rei eyed Shinji. "That was why you were at my apartment right Ikari?"
Misato felt a little uncomfortable at the moment. Something about Rei bothered her. Maybe it was the fact that she was really late. "Um, yeah Shinji! Give her the card!"
"Oh!" Shinji got out the card. "Here you go Rei."
"Not that that was over, I'll be heading!" Misato ran to her post.
"Okay." Shinji watched as Misato ran out. When he turned to see Rei, she was already at the entrance gates.
Rei used her keycard to get past the gates.
"Wait Rei!" Shinji watched as the doors closed behind her.
-Later…
EscalatorsShinji has been trying to talk to Rei. Rei, no surprise, doesn't seem to be very talkative. It also seemed that she wasn't afraid of the upcoming reactivation test with Unit 00.
"I heard that you were hurt pretty badly in an earlier experiment, so I thought you might be…" Shinji started.
After a while, Rei finally spoke. "You are commander Ikari's son."
"Yeah?" Shinji confirmed.
"Don't you have faith in your own father's work?" Rei asked.
"Of course not! How could I trust him?" Shinji spat out with anger.
Rei slightly smirked. "Good. Neither do I."
"Huh?" Shinji replied, stunned.
"He is simply a means to an end." Rei quietly said to herself. "However…" Rei eyed Shinji. "He IS the Commander of NERV. The world is depending on him and us. Whether you like him or not, even you should follow his orders." 'For now at least.'
"But…" Shinji thought about this. 'The world is depending on us…' "Yes."
-Later…
Evangelion CageDuring Rei's reactivation test, everything went by smoothly. The only hitch happened outside when the Angel approached.
Since Gendo Ikari determined that Rei wasn't ready, he sent Shinji out instead.
Shinji was inside Unit 01 as he was launched into the streets of Tokyo 3.
Rei was in the cage. She was staring at Shinji while his unit blasted off. She looked up and stared at the ceiling. She sensed the angel above her. She grinned. 'Well, isn't this the wrong approach…'
NERV Command CenterMisato was still bothered by Rei. 'Why does Rei seem, off somehow?' Misato mused. 'She definitely needs to get out more that's for sure. Maybe I should get to know her better too. Even I don't know much about her.' She was immediately brought back to reality by what happened next.
"We're detecting a high energy reaction from inside the target!" Shigeru yelled.
"What!" Misato was shocked by Shigeru's find.
"It's accelerating, and massing upon itself!"
"Is it possible?" Ritsuko screamed next.
"No dodge it!" Misato yelled into the microphone.
"Huh?" This was all Shinji let out before the Angel's beam hits him.
"Shinji!" Misato yelled as Shinji's scream reverberated through room.
-End of Chapter 5
Whoohoo! I got this chapter out of the way! And yes, still follows episode 5, mostly. I'm sorry for that. I tried to cut down as much of the episode as I can, and solely focus on the new stuff…well, didn't quite turn out that way. Again, my go slow approach is turning out to be really slow. Still, there should be enough new stuff here that future chapters SHOULD break away from the story even more.
Oh yeah, I originally planned to expand the Maya Shinji part and have Maya walk with him. Problem was, she I couldn't think of anything they would say during the their walk. So I cut that out.
Oh, and one last thing. I have no idea what the school system is like in Japan. Hopefully I won't have any problems with that part. Heh.
Next Chapter…they defeat the Angel. Duh. But then something strange happened during the fight. Does this have to do with Rei? Oh, and there should be other stuff too…I'll think of it. Until then…later!
