TRUE WAR
CHAPTER 03
BY WONGA316
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER I don't own Neon Genesis or any of its characters. If you want to use any ideas in the fiction just drop me an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES This is my first attempt at a Neon Genesis fan fiction, so please be gentle. This scenario doesn't take into account the final 2 movies / episodes and Toji never lost his limbs during this activation test.
Some of the guys may seem OC to the die-hard fans. Sorry about this but I hope my ideas will make it worthwhile.
Big thank you to PhilG for proof reading.
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thoughts
-...- = Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean...)
***
"Hard day?" Fuyutsuki asked as he approached Kaji.
"Yeah... A hard week..." Kaji admitted taking another sip of his whisky. The new head of Section Two was sitting in one of the newly opened bars in the Geo Front. Tokyo3's business and commerce was slowly starting to resume as news of the last Angel's defeat spread.
"How about yourself?" Kaji asked the new Commander of Nerv.
"Just the usual... You forget about all the little things that were put on hold during the Angel's attack." Fuyutsuki replied as he signaled the bartender for a drink.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." said Kaji [I hope he doesn't ask about Shinji...]
"How is the search for Shinji going?" Fuyutsuki asked as he swirling the ice in his drink.
"Are you asking me officially or unofficially?" Kaji asked sarcastically as he signaled the bartender to refill his glass.
"Just answer the question, Kaji..." [I sometimes wonder why I placed him in charge of Section Two...]
"Not good... I have all available agents in the field looking for him but nothing. No credit card transactions that we could track, no eyewitnesses, no paper trial... absolutely nothing. If I had known Shinji was talented enough to disappear like this, I would have recruited him as part of Section Two." Answered Kaji, sculling his whole drink when he finished.
"I see... Just keep trying." replied Fuyutsuki [Yui and the Major are not going to take this as a good sign...]
"What should I tell Misato and Yui?" asked Kaji.
"The truth... It might hurt but I don't want to hide anything" Fuyutsuki answered.
"So, this is the new and improved Nerv..."
***
"You don't have to come and visit me everyday, Rei. Don't you have school?" Yui asked Rei as they walked through the Geo Front gardens.
"School has not resumed. Though the government has relocated the remaining students to other schools, I was not transferred due to my obligations to Nerv." Rei answered, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"I see, but don't you miss Hikari, Toji and Kensuke?" Yui asked the albino girl.
"How do you know those students? I have never mention their names during our time together." Countered Rei.
"Remember, Shinji shared his thoughts and feelings when he synchronized with Unit 1 while I was inside." Answered Yui.
"I see..." replied Rei.
They stopped at many of the Geo Front look out points. They could see the lake and many structural skeletons on new buildings that Nerv and Tokyo 3 Government were rebuilding. Newly replaced mirrors reflected the natural sunlight from the surface, allowing gardens to grow and casting wiry shadows of the half built buildings over the lake's surface.
"Do you still live on your own?" Yui asked as she took in the scenery from the vantage point.
"Yes."
"But it's not safe for a young girl to live on their own." [Especially considering the condition of that apartment of her's....]
"Section Two has my living quarters under surveillance at all times. My safety is not in any danger." [Why is she concerned with my living quarters?]
"But I still don't like the idea of you living your own... How would you like to come and live with Shinji and I?"
"I... I am not sure what you mean, Dr. Ikari."
"I haven't discussed the details with Sensei yet, but I plan to stay in Tokyo 3 and continue my work. When Shinji returns you can live with us... like a family..." replied Yui as she placed a hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Family..." whispered Rei as she shuddered at Yui's gentle contact.
***
"Hey, Asuka. You're looking well." Said Misato, holding the young German's frail hand. Asuka was showing signs of improvement but nothing that would indicate that she would wake soon. The doctor mention to Misato that talking to coma patient may help their recovery.
"Sorry I haven't been around lately... Things have been a little... Ah... Busy..." Misato said, pausing after hoping that Asuka would respond.
"Well the big news is that Commander Ikari has been removed and Shinji's mother has returned from Unit 1. It's a long story how this all happen but I'll tell you the full story when you get better." Said Misato as she paused again waiting for a response.
"Oh, I'm sorry Misato, should I come back later?" asked Yui from the doorway. She and Rei had returned from their walk and decided to visit Asuka.
"Oh... Yui? No, please come in. How are you feeling today?" Misato replied, turning towards Yui and Rei.
"What is Pilot Soryu's condition?" Rei asked Misato.
"She's improved a little, but still no sign of waking..." Misato replied sadly.
"Hello Asuka. I'm Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother. It's nice to meet you at last." Yui said to the sleeping girl. Misato nodded at Yui's comment and continued talking to Asuka.
"Hmm... Where was I... Oh yeah, as a result Fuyutsuki has been promoted to Commander. Oh... and Kaji is back, he's head of Section Two. Ritsuko is also back and resumed her role as head scientist. I'm still the Major."
"Major are you aware that Pilot Soryu is asleep and is unable to communicate?" Rei stated.
"Oh... Rei... Some doctors believe that talking to coma patients assist with their recovery process." Explained Yui, giggling a little at the young girl's confusion.
"I see... It's good to see you, Pilot Soryu. I hope you have a speedy recovery." said Rei, after Yui's explanation.
"Even though she has lost a lot of weight, she's much prettier than I, or should I say Shinji, imagined." Yui commented, looking at Asuka.
"Really... And what was Shinji imagining with Asuka?" Misato asked suggestively.
"Oh nothing... But he did have some interesting thoughts about you Major..." Yui replied, causing Misato to blush heavily.
"I swear Dr. Ikari... It was only one time... I thought the bathroom was free and..." Misato tried to explain.
"I see... Well I'm glad my Shinji has grown into handsome young man." Yui replied.
"Shouldn't we seek Agent Kaji to provide an update on the search efforts?" Rei asked both women, interrupting the Yui's gentle teasing on Misato. They all said their farewells and left Asuka's room. If any of them had stayed for a few more moments they would have heard Asuka speak for the first time in nearly three months.
"...Shinji..."
***
"Any news from Alpha Team?" Kaji asked a Section Two member as he entered the conference room, which had been converted, to Shinji Search Headquarters. Photographs and maps cover the walls of the room. The room was manned 24 hours a day, incase a breakthrough was reached.
"No sir. No news. Bravo Team is due to take over in about 40 minutes." The technician replied.
"Ok... Proceed as planned..." Kaji said as he pinched the bridge of his nose, showing signs of tiredness.
"Yes sir."
[This is not good... If this was a police missing persons search, they would have called off it off by now and concentrated on searching for a body...] Kaji thought as he sat at his desk and logged into his terminal [I hate to admit it but may be we should change our strategy and start searching for body...]
"Can we come in, Kaji?" Misato asked with Yui and Rei in tow as she knocked on the doorway to the conference room.
"Ah... Yeah sure..." he replied, trying to sound cheerful and his usually self.
"How's the search going?" Yui asked [Something is wrong...]
Kaji looked at the three women before him and cursed himself for being the one that had to tell them. He asked the technician to give him a few moments alone.
"Would you like to sit?" He asked, motioning to the visitor's chairs that were in the front of his desk.
"What's going on Kaji?" Misato demanded, knowing that Kaji was stalling and something was wrong.
"I prefer to stand Agent Kaji... Where is my son?" Yui asked, sounding a little impatient.
"... Ok... I'll just say it... Things are not proceeding as well as I would like things to go..." Said Kaji, waiting for the backlash of questions and abuse.
"WHAT HELL DOES THAT MEAN? / WHAT'S GOING ON?" Misato and Yui both yelled.
"... Since Shinji left a week ago, we have not been able to find a single sign of him. The only thing we have to go on is the surveillance tape that the Chairman provided."
"YOU'RE JUST NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!" Yui yelled.
"Dr. Ikari... you have to understand... we have three teams working in shifts around the clock since Shinji left. We are exhausting all possibilities and resources."
"What about a mass media campaign? The public could be informed that we are searching for Shinji and assist us." Rei added.
"Rei's right. Have you contacted the newspapers and TV stations?" Misato asked.
"We can't do that..." Kaji replied.
"WHY NOT?" Yui demanded.
"Shinji's an Eva pilot. If word got out that an Eva pilot was missing... how can I put this... certain interested parties may see this as an opportunity." answered Kaji.
"What parties? What are you talking about?" Misato demanded.
"Is my son in danger?" Yui asked.
"Have you every wondered why Section Two exists?" asked Kaji. He didn't wait for an answer before continuing "Section Two was originally setup to protect the interests of Nerv and Seele. They did all the heavy and dirty work required by Seele. As a result many people and organisations have a grudge with us. Can you imagine what would happen if these people discovered that Shinji was no longer under our protection? He could be used against us!"
"What is this? You're talking like Shinji's some sort of commodity that Nerv owns. HE A HUMAN BEING!" Misato said walking up to Kaji and grabbing his collar in a bully fashion with tears of anger rolling down her face.
"You know I don't think about Shinji like that! Damn it Misato, I care for him too. I want him back safe as well!" Kaji replied trying to stay calm as Misato grabbed him.
"It's alright, Misato..." Yui said quietly as she sat in one of Kaji's visitor chairs. "Kaji... I know you're trying your best... It's just that I feel so hopeless..." Yui finished breaking down in the chair. Misato released Kaji from her hold.
"Yui... I know nothing I can say will make you feel better... I don't know what it's like to loose a child but I promise...I will find Shinji..." Kaji said to Yui as he kneed down to her level.
"...Thank you... Kaji..." Yui replied.
***
-Asuka's Dream-
[What the? Where am I?] Asuka thought as she looked around her surroundings. She stood on a pale white beach. The beach stretched as far as the eye could see. The sand seem wrong to her, the pale white sand should have looked beautiful and serene but it looked dead and cold. The water lapping on the beach was red in color and looked like LCL. It also stretched into the horizon. She was in her school uniform and all she could she was the white of the sand and red of the water.
[Man... This is weird... the sand feels normal... feels like water... No more like LCL...] she thought as she touched each.
[Where is everyone?]
-Wherever you want them to be-
"Who said that?"
-I did-
"Shinji?"
***
Everyone left Kaji to continue his work to find Shinji. Misato and Rei walked Yui back to her room and said their goodbyes. Every night before Yui would go to sleep she would look at her window into the night and say pray for her Shinji. Misato gave her the letter that Shinji wrote to her and she would hold it between for her hands as she prayed. Occasionally, she would read it. Tonight would be one of those nights.
"...Nothing I have in my life that is mine..." Yui read aloud the section of Shinji's letter.
"That's because you had nothing... You had everything taken away... He took everything away..." She said bitter and angry.
***
"Baka Shinji?"
-No one has called me that in such a long time-
"Baka Shinji! If this one of your stooge pranks then I'm going to..."
-I see that you haven't changed much-
"What the hell are you talking about and what happen to your hair and..."
Asuka had just noticed that the Shinji before her was not the same Shinji that she knew. His hair was longer than usual. He was more toned and defined. He was only wearing a pair of ¾ shorts. His eyes seem different, not the cautious and uncertain blue that they always carried. They were hardened but still held their baby looks that many girls commented on while he was at school or Nerv. Asuka hated to admit it but Shinji looked rather good.
-Don't you every get tired of fighting, Asuka?-
"What... What do you mean?" Asuka mumbled out, still admiring the new changes in Shinji.
-Fighting... Fighting with yourself-
"Huh..."
-Asuka-
"Yeah..."
-You're drooling...-
"What? You're the pervert without his shirt?"
-I asked you a question-
"What do you want?"
-An answer. Why do you keep fighting yourself?-
"You're making no sense, you idiot. You're starting to sound like wonder girl!"
-You're still avoiding the question Asuka-
"It's a stupid question! Where the hell are we? Where the hell is everyone?"
-You answer my question and I'll answer yours-
"That's it... Where the hell did you go?"
Asuka stalked over to the new and improved Shinji, she was just about to land a right hook, when Shinji disappeared. Her momentum nearly took her into the water when her punch hit nothing but air.
"Argh... Fuck you Shinji... Come back here!"
***
"Supper..." The guard yelled into the dark cell as he banged the food tray on the food slot. Gendo crept from the darkness of his cell to retrieve the tray of food. The guard looked like he was going to say something for a moment but then turned away, leaving Gendo alone. He returned to his bed in the back of the cell and started his meal.
[No one has come to see me... That's to be expected... The only thing left to do is wait...] he thought as he started eating.
"Get up." a female voice ordered.
[I guess this was my last meal...] Gendo thought as he heard the door his holding cell slide open and gun being cocked.
"I said get up!" she demanded again.
"I thought Seele would have sent a male assassin but I guess..." Gendo spoke as he stood up from his bed.
"Come on! Out!" she demanded again, waving her gun in the direction that she wanted Gendo to go.
"...Yui..." Gendo said shocked.
"Don't call me that, you bastard! NOW MOVE!"
***
"SHINJI! GET YOUR ARSE OUT HERE NOW!"
Asuka had been yelling and cursing Shinji's name for about 20 minutes, trying to get him to show himself. But every time she yelled all she got back was silence and the sound of the red sea lapping up onto the pale sand. This started to worry the fourteen year old.
"SHINJI... Shinji... Please... don't go... don't leave... leave me..." Asuka said exhausted and crying from the yelling. She cursed herself for crying but that didn't stop the tears. Sitting on the sand with knees to her chest and toes just touching the water, she watched her tears as run down the front of her leg and hit the sand.
-It's alright Asuka...-
Shinji voice had alerted Asuka to his presence behind her. She tried to turn around but she was met with a pair of strong arms wrapping around her and the warmth of a body against her back.
"Shinji!? What are doing? Where did you go?" she asked, sniffing away some of the tears as she tried her best to look at she wasn't crying.
-That doesn't matter... all that matter is that I'm here now, right?-
Asuka didn't reply, but just let Shinji hold her, falling into Shinji's embrace [Why is this so comfortable? Why does it seem so right? I normally would have smashed Baka Shinji into the ground for touching me...] she thought.
***
"Yui... Listen to me..." said Gendo as walked pass the unconscious guard lying on the floor.
"Shut the fuck up and walk..." Yui spat, still pointing her gun at the back of his head.
"...You didn't kill him... did you?" Gendo asked.
"No. I only came here to kill one person." Yui replied, "Now walk!"
"I see..."
***
-Are you ready to answer my question?-
"Hmmm... Don't talk now Baka Shinji... I'm so comfortable..." Asuka replied, putting her check against Shinji's bare chest [This feels so nice...]
-Hahaha... If only you were like this all the time...-
"What hell do you mean by that?" Asuka asked a little annoyed by the question and the fact that Shinji didn't listen to her to be quiet. She moved out of his arms and was now towering over Shinji who was still sitting on the sand.
-I'll answer you're question, only if you answer my question first.-
"Look here..." Asuka stated, as she went to plant the sole of her foot in Shinji's face. Shinji saw this coming and quickly took hold her foot and swung her to the ground beside him. Asuka stopped herself from landing heavily on the sand by placing her hands down. She turned towards Shinji and readied herself to launch another attack when she watched Shinji flip over on top of her. He straddled her waist and quickly placed his hands on top of her wrists.
"What do you think you are doing? Are you going to rape me, you sick freak?" Asuka yelled as she tried to get free.
-I'm not going to rape... I just want you to answer my question-
"LOOK HERE..." was all Asuka could get out before Shinji lowered himself so he was fully on top of her.
-Why do you keep fighting yourself?-
Asuka just stared back at Shinji's ocean blue eyes as her mind slowly registered what was going on. Shinji had her in a position where he could pretty much do anything he wanted with her. She could feel his breathe across to top of her nose and travel down to her lips. Her heart was starting to beat wildly as Shinji stared back at her.
"I'm not fighting... with myself..." Asuka said, breathless from Shinji's close contact.
-You do. Every time you get into your Eva, every time you abuse people, every time you make fun of people... You're not targeting them but yourself...-
"I... I..."
-You have to let go Asuka-
Shinji removed one his hands that was holding her wrist and started stroking her check. Asuka moved her free hand to Shinji's waist and pulled him closer.
"Shinji... please..." She begged him.
-Tell me Asuka... I can help you... I want to help you-
"I'm... I'm... scared... Oh Shinji..." Asuka replied then breaking down in tears. Shinji rolled off her and held her close as she cried into his chest. When the crying settled down, Asuka began to tell Shinji everything that scared her – mother, Nerv, Eva and him. Shinji listen and stroked her back trying to calm her down. When Asuka had finished pouring her heart out, Shinji spoke up.
-Thank you Asuka... I know that wasn't easy for you-
"Just shut up and hold me." Asuka sniffled into Shinji's chest.
-You can stop all of this. All the pain-
"How? And what would you know?" Asuka said, looking up from Shinji's chest.
-Stop fighting with yourself and start fighting for something else... fight for yourself... and us...-
"Shinji?" Asuka asked as she moved up to his face and until their noses were practically touching. His words had touched a side of Asuka that no one had even done before.
-I know you can do it... I know you can wake up...-
"You think I can... wake... up" Asuka said as she brushed her nose gently against Shinji's.
-Believe in you-
With that Asuka leaned in and kissed him passionately on the lips. Asuka was totally overwhelm by the experience. It was different from the first time she had dared him to kiss her. Their tongues gently played with one another as Asuka moaned and pressed herself further against Shinji. Nothing mattered to her any more. She didn't care about piloting Eva or her mother. She deepened the kiss, as she wanted more of Shinji but he broke away from her.
-You have to go now... You have to wake now...-
"NO! I want to stay here and be with you... I want to stay like this..." Asuka protested as she felt Shinji fade away.
"NO! Shinji!"
-You have to wake now Asuka... Remember I'll always be there...-
"SHINJI!"
***
"Contact the Major, tell her that she waking..." The doctor ordered the nurse.
"Yes, doctor." She replied as she left the room.
"Asuka... Asuka can you hear me?" the doctor asked the young German.
"Shin... Shinji..."
"AUSKA!" Misato yelled, running into the room. She and Rei had bumped into the nurse as they exited from Yui's room.
"What's happening doctor?" Misato asked full of concern. Rei had remained composed and silent as usual.
"Have a look..." the doctor replied motioning down at Asuka.
"... Mis... Misa... Where's Shin..." Asuka throated as she struggled to form words.
"Asuka... Thank God, you're awake!" Misato exclaimed as she tears of joy rolled down her face. The happy reunion was interrupted by the intruder alert sounding throughout the Nerv compound.
***
"Why have you brought me here?" Gendo asked Yui, as he stared into the eyes of Unit One. Yui had forced him into the Eva holding cages. They were currently standing on the platform walkway that the pilots and technicians would use to board the Eva units.
"You should know... It all started here and it will all end here..." Yui replied with her gun still pointed at Gendo. She ignored the alarm sounding in the background, her only focus was the man that took her son away.
"What... What do you mean?" Gendo asked sounding a little worried. It was the first time he had expressed fear while being held at gunpoint. Gendo was not concern about having a gun pointed at him, after all it was not the first time his life was threatened. He was more concern with why Yui had forced him in front of Unit One. The Evangelion was one of the few things that scared him.
"Twelve years... Twelve long and painfully years, I watched from here..." Yui replied.
"No... That's not possible." Gendo denied.
"What would you know? Have you ever set foot in an entry plug before?" Yui asked in sarcastic manner.
"What... What are..." Gendo asked.
"SHUT UP! You think I wouldn't know what you did? The way you tricked and used Naoko, Ritsuko and Dr. Soryu. You preyed on these women when they were most vulnerable. You used their family to force them to do what you wanted. LIKE YOU FORCED SHINJI!" Yui spat.
"YUI!" Kaji yelled from across the walkway with several heavily armed Section Two officers [What is she doing?]
"You used these women... You used everyone..." Yui continued.
"Yui put the gun down..." Kaji said as he slowly approached her.
"WHY SHOULD I?" She yelled drawing the gun on Kaji. Kaji could see the she had been crying and tightly holding Shinji's letter in her free hand. Her actions had forced the Section Two officers to draw their weapons. Kaji sensing that the situation was slowly escalating out of control, motion to the officers to stand down and lower their weapons.
"Yui... Listen to me... You don't want to do this." Kaji tried to reason to the former head scientist of the Nerv and Seele.
"LISTEN! I'm tried of listening. I've sat around for the past twelve years and all I did was listen. AND IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!" Yui exclaimed pointing the gun back towards Gendo.
"Kaji! What's going on..." Misato asked as she entered the holding cages with her weapon drawn but she didn't require an answer when she saw Yui holding a gun at the former Nerv Commander.
"Yui... please listen... I did everything for you... you have to believe..." said Gendo.
"SHUT UP! You expect me to believe you after everything you did. You lied and betrayed everyone for your own desires. It's your fault he's gone... It's your fault he's missing... YOU TOOK MY SON AWAY! YOU TOOK MY SHINJI!" Yui yelled while still pointing a shaky gun at her hostage.
"Dr. Ikari... I don't think you want to do this." Misato interrupted as she placed her gun back in its holster.
"Tell me why I shouldn't do this? It's his fault that Shinji's gone. EVERYTHING IS HIS FAULT!" Yui replied to the Major.
"Look... Yui this isn't going to help us find Shinji." Kaji said, trying to reason with Yui.
"That may be true but this way he'll never hurt anyone again." Yui growled as she pressed the barrel of the gun into Gendo's forehead. There was silence after Yui spoke as everyone waited for the gunshot, even Gendo was expecting it. Then from nowhere someone decide to speak up.
"Dr. Ikari... I do not approval of this course of action." Rei stated from the other side of the walkway.
"Rei? What are you doing here?" Yui asked sounding confused as she watch Rei approach her.
"Stay back Rei. I don't want you to see this." Yui stated but the albino girl continued to cross the platform towards her.
"Dr. Ikari you should surrender your weapon for your own safety." Rei advised the other woman.
"I can end all the suffering here. Everything that he put you, Asuka and Shinji through can end here." Yui stated, pushing the gun harder into Gendo's forehead. She closed her eyes and slowly squeezed the trigger. Expecting the sound and recoil from the gunshot, she was surprised when she felt someone place their hand on top of hers stopping the slide of the pistol.
"Dr. Ikari, I do not think executing the former Commander will solve anything. I believe that Pilot Ikar... Shinji would not approve. Shinji would not want to you to do this." Rei stated softy [Her hand is shaking.] Yui opened her eyes and looked down at the girl.
"I... I want... I'll accept your offer to live as a family but if you continue on this course that will not be possible." Rei continued. Yui just stared at the young girl and thought about her words of reason.
"I believe Shinji wants you to be happy... Doing this will not make you happy." Rei said, giving Yui an awkward hug. Yui slowly lowered her gun as more tears began to flow from her eyes. The sound of the gun hitting the steel walkway echo through the holding cages signaled the end of the situation.
"I'm so sorry... Oh my god... I'm so sorry, Rei." Yui sobbed as she collapsed to her knees and return Rei's hug.
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Thanks for all the reviews. Apologies for delayed in upload. I have taken an offer to proof read from PhilG. Thanks to him spelling and grammar will improve from here.
I'm not sure if Yui, Rei or Asuka were a little OC. I just imagine Yui being pushed over the edge and taking it out on Gendo. With Rei, I thought she is starting to come to terms with her true self and Asuka she start living and stop hating.
Cheers, wonga316
CHAPTER 03
BY WONGA316
COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER I don't own Neon Genesis or any of its characters. If you want to use any ideas in the fiction just drop me an email – wonga316@yahoo.com.au
AUTHOR'S NOTES This is my first attempt at a Neon Genesis fan fiction, so please be gentle. This scenario doesn't take into account the final 2 movies / episodes and Toji never lost his limbs during this activation test.
Some of the guys may seem OC to the die-hard fans. Sorry about this but I hope my ideas will make it worthwhile.
Big thank you to PhilG for proof reading.
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thoughts
-...- = Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean...)
***
"Hard day?" Fuyutsuki asked as he approached Kaji.
"Yeah... A hard week..." Kaji admitted taking another sip of his whisky. The new head of Section Two was sitting in one of the newly opened bars in the Geo Front. Tokyo3's business and commerce was slowly starting to resume as news of the last Angel's defeat spread.
"How about yourself?" Kaji asked the new Commander of Nerv.
"Just the usual... You forget about all the little things that were put on hold during the Angel's attack." Fuyutsuki replied as he signaled the bartender for a drink.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." said Kaji [I hope he doesn't ask about Shinji...]
"How is the search for Shinji going?" Fuyutsuki asked as he swirling the ice in his drink.
"Are you asking me officially or unofficially?" Kaji asked sarcastically as he signaled the bartender to refill his glass.
"Just answer the question, Kaji..." [I sometimes wonder why I placed him in charge of Section Two...]
"Not good... I have all available agents in the field looking for him but nothing. No credit card transactions that we could track, no eyewitnesses, no paper trial... absolutely nothing. If I had known Shinji was talented enough to disappear like this, I would have recruited him as part of Section Two." Answered Kaji, sculling his whole drink when he finished.
"I see... Just keep trying." replied Fuyutsuki [Yui and the Major are not going to take this as a good sign...]
"What should I tell Misato and Yui?" asked Kaji.
"The truth... It might hurt but I don't want to hide anything" Fuyutsuki answered.
"So, this is the new and improved Nerv..."
***
"You don't have to come and visit me everyday, Rei. Don't you have school?" Yui asked Rei as they walked through the Geo Front gardens.
"School has not resumed. Though the government has relocated the remaining students to other schools, I was not transferred due to my obligations to Nerv." Rei answered, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"I see, but don't you miss Hikari, Toji and Kensuke?" Yui asked the albino girl.
"How do you know those students? I have never mention their names during our time together." Countered Rei.
"Remember, Shinji shared his thoughts and feelings when he synchronized with Unit 1 while I was inside." Answered Yui.
"I see..." replied Rei.
They stopped at many of the Geo Front look out points. They could see the lake and many structural skeletons on new buildings that Nerv and Tokyo 3 Government were rebuilding. Newly replaced mirrors reflected the natural sunlight from the surface, allowing gardens to grow and casting wiry shadows of the half built buildings over the lake's surface.
"Do you still live on your own?" Yui asked as she took in the scenery from the vantage point.
"Yes."
"But it's not safe for a young girl to live on their own." [Especially considering the condition of that apartment of her's....]
"Section Two has my living quarters under surveillance at all times. My safety is not in any danger." [Why is she concerned with my living quarters?]
"But I still don't like the idea of you living your own... How would you like to come and live with Shinji and I?"
"I... I am not sure what you mean, Dr. Ikari."
"I haven't discussed the details with Sensei yet, but I plan to stay in Tokyo 3 and continue my work. When Shinji returns you can live with us... like a family..." replied Yui as she placed a hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Family..." whispered Rei as she shuddered at Yui's gentle contact.
***
"Hey, Asuka. You're looking well." Said Misato, holding the young German's frail hand. Asuka was showing signs of improvement but nothing that would indicate that she would wake soon. The doctor mention to Misato that talking to coma patient may help their recovery.
"Sorry I haven't been around lately... Things have been a little... Ah... Busy..." Misato said, pausing after hoping that Asuka would respond.
"Well the big news is that Commander Ikari has been removed and Shinji's mother has returned from Unit 1. It's a long story how this all happen but I'll tell you the full story when you get better." Said Misato as she paused again waiting for a response.
"Oh, I'm sorry Misato, should I come back later?" asked Yui from the doorway. She and Rei had returned from their walk and decided to visit Asuka.
"Oh... Yui? No, please come in. How are you feeling today?" Misato replied, turning towards Yui and Rei.
"What is Pilot Soryu's condition?" Rei asked Misato.
"She's improved a little, but still no sign of waking..." Misato replied sadly.
"Hello Asuka. I'm Yui Ikari, Shinji's mother. It's nice to meet you at last." Yui said to the sleeping girl. Misato nodded at Yui's comment and continued talking to Asuka.
"Hmm... Where was I... Oh yeah, as a result Fuyutsuki has been promoted to Commander. Oh... and Kaji is back, he's head of Section Two. Ritsuko is also back and resumed her role as head scientist. I'm still the Major."
"Major are you aware that Pilot Soryu is asleep and is unable to communicate?" Rei stated.
"Oh... Rei... Some doctors believe that talking to coma patients assist with their recovery process." Explained Yui, giggling a little at the young girl's confusion.
"I see... It's good to see you, Pilot Soryu. I hope you have a speedy recovery." said Rei, after Yui's explanation.
"Even though she has lost a lot of weight, she's much prettier than I, or should I say Shinji, imagined." Yui commented, looking at Asuka.
"Really... And what was Shinji imagining with Asuka?" Misato asked suggestively.
"Oh nothing... But he did have some interesting thoughts about you Major..." Yui replied, causing Misato to blush heavily.
"I swear Dr. Ikari... It was only one time... I thought the bathroom was free and..." Misato tried to explain.
"I see... Well I'm glad my Shinji has grown into handsome young man." Yui replied.
"Shouldn't we seek Agent Kaji to provide an update on the search efforts?" Rei asked both women, interrupting the Yui's gentle teasing on Misato. They all said their farewells and left Asuka's room. If any of them had stayed for a few more moments they would have heard Asuka speak for the first time in nearly three months.
"...Shinji..."
***
"Any news from Alpha Team?" Kaji asked a Section Two member as he entered the conference room, which had been converted, to Shinji Search Headquarters. Photographs and maps cover the walls of the room. The room was manned 24 hours a day, incase a breakthrough was reached.
"No sir. No news. Bravo Team is due to take over in about 40 minutes." The technician replied.
"Ok... Proceed as planned..." Kaji said as he pinched the bridge of his nose, showing signs of tiredness.
"Yes sir."
[This is not good... If this was a police missing persons search, they would have called off it off by now and concentrated on searching for a body...] Kaji thought as he sat at his desk and logged into his terminal [I hate to admit it but may be we should change our strategy and start searching for body...]
"Can we come in, Kaji?" Misato asked with Yui and Rei in tow as she knocked on the doorway to the conference room.
"Ah... Yeah sure..." he replied, trying to sound cheerful and his usually self.
"How's the search going?" Yui asked [Something is wrong...]
Kaji looked at the three women before him and cursed himself for being the one that had to tell them. He asked the technician to give him a few moments alone.
"Would you like to sit?" He asked, motioning to the visitor's chairs that were in the front of his desk.
"What's going on Kaji?" Misato demanded, knowing that Kaji was stalling and something was wrong.
"I prefer to stand Agent Kaji... Where is my son?" Yui asked, sounding a little impatient.
"... Ok... I'll just say it... Things are not proceeding as well as I would like things to go..." Said Kaji, waiting for the backlash of questions and abuse.
"WHAT HELL DOES THAT MEAN? / WHAT'S GOING ON?" Misato and Yui both yelled.
"... Since Shinji left a week ago, we have not been able to find a single sign of him. The only thing we have to go on is the surveillance tape that the Chairman provided."
"YOU'RE JUST NOT TRYING HARD ENOUGH!" Yui yelled.
"Dr. Ikari... you have to understand... we have three teams working in shifts around the clock since Shinji left. We are exhausting all possibilities and resources."
"What about a mass media campaign? The public could be informed that we are searching for Shinji and assist us." Rei added.
"Rei's right. Have you contacted the newspapers and TV stations?" Misato asked.
"We can't do that..." Kaji replied.
"WHY NOT?" Yui demanded.
"Shinji's an Eva pilot. If word got out that an Eva pilot was missing... how can I put this... certain interested parties may see this as an opportunity." answered Kaji.
"What parties? What are you talking about?" Misato demanded.
"Is my son in danger?" Yui asked.
"Have you every wondered why Section Two exists?" asked Kaji. He didn't wait for an answer before continuing "Section Two was originally setup to protect the interests of Nerv and Seele. They did all the heavy and dirty work required by Seele. As a result many people and organisations have a grudge with us. Can you imagine what would happen if these people discovered that Shinji was no longer under our protection? He could be used against us!"
"What is this? You're talking like Shinji's some sort of commodity that Nerv owns. HE A HUMAN BEING!" Misato said walking up to Kaji and grabbing his collar in a bully fashion with tears of anger rolling down her face.
"You know I don't think about Shinji like that! Damn it Misato, I care for him too. I want him back safe as well!" Kaji replied trying to stay calm as Misato grabbed him.
"It's alright, Misato..." Yui said quietly as she sat in one of Kaji's visitor chairs. "Kaji... I know you're trying your best... It's just that I feel so hopeless..." Yui finished breaking down in the chair. Misato released Kaji from her hold.
"Yui... I know nothing I can say will make you feel better... I don't know what it's like to loose a child but I promise...I will find Shinji..." Kaji said to Yui as he kneed down to her level.
"...Thank you... Kaji..." Yui replied.
***
-Asuka's Dream-
[What the? Where am I?] Asuka thought as she looked around her surroundings. She stood on a pale white beach. The beach stretched as far as the eye could see. The sand seem wrong to her, the pale white sand should have looked beautiful and serene but it looked dead and cold. The water lapping on the beach was red in color and looked like LCL. It also stretched into the horizon. She was in her school uniform and all she could she was the white of the sand and red of the water.
[Man... This is weird... the sand feels normal... feels like water... No more like LCL...] she thought as she touched each.
[Where is everyone?]
-Wherever you want them to be-
"Who said that?"
-I did-
"Shinji?"
***
Everyone left Kaji to continue his work to find Shinji. Misato and Rei walked Yui back to her room and said their goodbyes. Every night before Yui would go to sleep she would look at her window into the night and say pray for her Shinji. Misato gave her the letter that Shinji wrote to her and she would hold it between for her hands as she prayed. Occasionally, she would read it. Tonight would be one of those nights.
"...Nothing I have in my life that is mine..." Yui read aloud the section of Shinji's letter.
"That's because you had nothing... You had everything taken away... He took everything away..." She said bitter and angry.
***
"Baka Shinji?"
-No one has called me that in such a long time-
"Baka Shinji! If this one of your stooge pranks then I'm going to..."
-I see that you haven't changed much-
"What the hell are you talking about and what happen to your hair and..."
Asuka had just noticed that the Shinji before her was not the same Shinji that she knew. His hair was longer than usual. He was more toned and defined. He was only wearing a pair of ¾ shorts. His eyes seem different, not the cautious and uncertain blue that they always carried. They were hardened but still held their baby looks that many girls commented on while he was at school or Nerv. Asuka hated to admit it but Shinji looked rather good.
-Don't you every get tired of fighting, Asuka?-
"What... What do you mean?" Asuka mumbled out, still admiring the new changes in Shinji.
-Fighting... Fighting with yourself-
"Huh..."
-Asuka-
"Yeah..."
-You're drooling...-
"What? You're the pervert without his shirt?"
-I asked you a question-
"What do you want?"
-An answer. Why do you keep fighting yourself?-
"You're making no sense, you idiot. You're starting to sound like wonder girl!"
-You're still avoiding the question Asuka-
"It's a stupid question! Where the hell are we? Where the hell is everyone?"
-You answer my question and I'll answer yours-
"That's it... Where the hell did you go?"
Asuka stalked over to the new and improved Shinji, she was just about to land a right hook, when Shinji disappeared. Her momentum nearly took her into the water when her punch hit nothing but air.
"Argh... Fuck you Shinji... Come back here!"
***
"Supper..." The guard yelled into the dark cell as he banged the food tray on the food slot. Gendo crept from the darkness of his cell to retrieve the tray of food. The guard looked like he was going to say something for a moment but then turned away, leaving Gendo alone. He returned to his bed in the back of the cell and started his meal.
[No one has come to see me... That's to be expected... The only thing left to do is wait...] he thought as he started eating.
"Get up." a female voice ordered.
[I guess this was my last meal...] Gendo thought as he heard the door his holding cell slide open and gun being cocked.
"I said get up!" she demanded again.
"I thought Seele would have sent a male assassin but I guess..." Gendo spoke as he stood up from his bed.
"Come on! Out!" she demanded again, waving her gun in the direction that she wanted Gendo to go.
"...Yui..." Gendo said shocked.
"Don't call me that, you bastard! NOW MOVE!"
***
"SHINJI! GET YOUR ARSE OUT HERE NOW!"
Asuka had been yelling and cursing Shinji's name for about 20 minutes, trying to get him to show himself. But every time she yelled all she got back was silence and the sound of the red sea lapping up onto the pale sand. This started to worry the fourteen year old.
"SHINJI... Shinji... Please... don't go... don't leave... leave me..." Asuka said exhausted and crying from the yelling. She cursed herself for crying but that didn't stop the tears. Sitting on the sand with knees to her chest and toes just touching the water, she watched her tears as run down the front of her leg and hit the sand.
-It's alright Asuka...-
Shinji voice had alerted Asuka to his presence behind her. She tried to turn around but she was met with a pair of strong arms wrapping around her and the warmth of a body against her back.
"Shinji!? What are doing? Where did you go?" she asked, sniffing away some of the tears as she tried her best to look at she wasn't crying.
-That doesn't matter... all that matter is that I'm here now, right?-
Asuka didn't reply, but just let Shinji hold her, falling into Shinji's embrace [Why is this so comfortable? Why does it seem so right? I normally would have smashed Baka Shinji into the ground for touching me...] she thought.
***
"Yui... Listen to me..." said Gendo as walked pass the unconscious guard lying on the floor.
"Shut the fuck up and walk..." Yui spat, still pointing her gun at the back of his head.
"...You didn't kill him... did you?" Gendo asked.
"No. I only came here to kill one person." Yui replied, "Now walk!"
"I see..."
***
-Are you ready to answer my question?-
"Hmmm... Don't talk now Baka Shinji... I'm so comfortable..." Asuka replied, putting her check against Shinji's bare chest [This feels so nice...]
-Hahaha... If only you were like this all the time...-
"What hell do you mean by that?" Asuka asked a little annoyed by the question and the fact that Shinji didn't listen to her to be quiet. She moved out of his arms and was now towering over Shinji who was still sitting on the sand.
-I'll answer you're question, only if you answer my question first.-
"Look here..." Asuka stated, as she went to plant the sole of her foot in Shinji's face. Shinji saw this coming and quickly took hold her foot and swung her to the ground beside him. Asuka stopped herself from landing heavily on the sand by placing her hands down. She turned towards Shinji and readied herself to launch another attack when she watched Shinji flip over on top of her. He straddled her waist and quickly placed his hands on top of her wrists.
"What do you think you are doing? Are you going to rape me, you sick freak?" Asuka yelled as she tried to get free.
-I'm not going to rape... I just want you to answer my question-
"LOOK HERE..." was all Asuka could get out before Shinji lowered himself so he was fully on top of her.
-Why do you keep fighting yourself?-
Asuka just stared back at Shinji's ocean blue eyes as her mind slowly registered what was going on. Shinji had her in a position where he could pretty much do anything he wanted with her. She could feel his breathe across to top of her nose and travel down to her lips. Her heart was starting to beat wildly as Shinji stared back at her.
"I'm not fighting... with myself..." Asuka said, breathless from Shinji's close contact.
-You do. Every time you get into your Eva, every time you abuse people, every time you make fun of people... You're not targeting them but yourself...-
"I... I..."
-You have to let go Asuka-
Shinji removed one his hands that was holding her wrist and started stroking her check. Asuka moved her free hand to Shinji's waist and pulled him closer.
"Shinji... please..." She begged him.
-Tell me Asuka... I can help you... I want to help you-
"I'm... I'm... scared... Oh Shinji..." Asuka replied then breaking down in tears. Shinji rolled off her and held her close as she cried into his chest. When the crying settled down, Asuka began to tell Shinji everything that scared her – mother, Nerv, Eva and him. Shinji listen and stroked her back trying to calm her down. When Asuka had finished pouring her heart out, Shinji spoke up.
-Thank you Asuka... I know that wasn't easy for you-
"Just shut up and hold me." Asuka sniffled into Shinji's chest.
-You can stop all of this. All the pain-
"How? And what would you know?" Asuka said, looking up from Shinji's chest.
-Stop fighting with yourself and start fighting for something else... fight for yourself... and us...-
"Shinji?" Asuka asked as she moved up to his face and until their noses were practically touching. His words had touched a side of Asuka that no one had even done before.
-I know you can do it... I know you can wake up...-
"You think I can... wake... up" Asuka said as she brushed her nose gently against Shinji's.
-Believe in you-
With that Asuka leaned in and kissed him passionately on the lips. Asuka was totally overwhelm by the experience. It was different from the first time she had dared him to kiss her. Their tongues gently played with one another as Asuka moaned and pressed herself further against Shinji. Nothing mattered to her any more. She didn't care about piloting Eva or her mother. She deepened the kiss, as she wanted more of Shinji but he broke away from her.
-You have to go now... You have to wake now...-
"NO! I want to stay here and be with you... I want to stay like this..." Asuka protested as she felt Shinji fade away.
"NO! Shinji!"
-You have to wake now Asuka... Remember I'll always be there...-
"SHINJI!"
***
"Contact the Major, tell her that she waking..." The doctor ordered the nurse.
"Yes, doctor." She replied as she left the room.
"Asuka... Asuka can you hear me?" the doctor asked the young German.
"Shin... Shinji..."
"AUSKA!" Misato yelled, running into the room. She and Rei had bumped into the nurse as they exited from Yui's room.
"What's happening doctor?" Misato asked full of concern. Rei had remained composed and silent as usual.
"Have a look..." the doctor replied motioning down at Asuka.
"... Mis... Misa... Where's Shin..." Asuka throated as she struggled to form words.
"Asuka... Thank God, you're awake!" Misato exclaimed as she tears of joy rolled down her face. The happy reunion was interrupted by the intruder alert sounding throughout the Nerv compound.
***
"Why have you brought me here?" Gendo asked Yui, as he stared into the eyes of Unit One. Yui had forced him into the Eva holding cages. They were currently standing on the platform walkway that the pilots and technicians would use to board the Eva units.
"You should know... It all started here and it will all end here..." Yui replied with her gun still pointed at Gendo. She ignored the alarm sounding in the background, her only focus was the man that took her son away.
"What... What do you mean?" Gendo asked sounding a little worried. It was the first time he had expressed fear while being held at gunpoint. Gendo was not concern about having a gun pointed at him, after all it was not the first time his life was threatened. He was more concern with why Yui had forced him in front of Unit One. The Evangelion was one of the few things that scared him.
"Twelve years... Twelve long and painfully years, I watched from here..." Yui replied.
"No... That's not possible." Gendo denied.
"What would you know? Have you ever set foot in an entry plug before?" Yui asked in sarcastic manner.
"What... What are..." Gendo asked.
"SHUT UP! You think I wouldn't know what you did? The way you tricked and used Naoko, Ritsuko and Dr. Soryu. You preyed on these women when they were most vulnerable. You used their family to force them to do what you wanted. LIKE YOU FORCED SHINJI!" Yui spat.
"YUI!" Kaji yelled from across the walkway with several heavily armed Section Two officers [What is she doing?]
"You used these women... You used everyone..." Yui continued.
"Yui put the gun down..." Kaji said as he slowly approached her.
"WHY SHOULD I?" She yelled drawing the gun on Kaji. Kaji could see the she had been crying and tightly holding Shinji's letter in her free hand. Her actions had forced the Section Two officers to draw their weapons. Kaji sensing that the situation was slowly escalating out of control, motion to the officers to stand down and lower their weapons.
"Yui... Listen to me... You don't want to do this." Kaji tried to reason to the former head scientist of the Nerv and Seele.
"LISTEN! I'm tried of listening. I've sat around for the past twelve years and all I did was listen. AND IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!" Yui exclaimed pointing the gun back towards Gendo.
"Kaji! What's going on..." Misato asked as she entered the holding cages with her weapon drawn but she didn't require an answer when she saw Yui holding a gun at the former Nerv Commander.
"Yui... please listen... I did everything for you... you have to believe..." said Gendo.
"SHUT UP! You expect me to believe you after everything you did. You lied and betrayed everyone for your own desires. It's your fault he's gone... It's your fault he's missing... YOU TOOK MY SON AWAY! YOU TOOK MY SHINJI!" Yui yelled while still pointing a shaky gun at her hostage.
"Dr. Ikari... I don't think you want to do this." Misato interrupted as she placed her gun back in its holster.
"Tell me why I shouldn't do this? It's his fault that Shinji's gone. EVERYTHING IS HIS FAULT!" Yui replied to the Major.
"Look... Yui this isn't going to help us find Shinji." Kaji said, trying to reason with Yui.
"That may be true but this way he'll never hurt anyone again." Yui growled as she pressed the barrel of the gun into Gendo's forehead. There was silence after Yui spoke as everyone waited for the gunshot, even Gendo was expecting it. Then from nowhere someone decide to speak up.
"Dr. Ikari... I do not approval of this course of action." Rei stated from the other side of the walkway.
"Rei? What are you doing here?" Yui asked sounding confused as she watch Rei approach her.
"Stay back Rei. I don't want you to see this." Yui stated but the albino girl continued to cross the platform towards her.
"Dr. Ikari you should surrender your weapon for your own safety." Rei advised the other woman.
"I can end all the suffering here. Everything that he put you, Asuka and Shinji through can end here." Yui stated, pushing the gun harder into Gendo's forehead. She closed her eyes and slowly squeezed the trigger. Expecting the sound and recoil from the gunshot, she was surprised when she felt someone place their hand on top of hers stopping the slide of the pistol.
"Dr. Ikari, I do not think executing the former Commander will solve anything. I believe that Pilot Ikar... Shinji would not approve. Shinji would not want to you to do this." Rei stated softy [Her hand is shaking.] Yui opened her eyes and looked down at the girl.
"I... I want... I'll accept your offer to live as a family but if you continue on this course that will not be possible." Rei continued. Yui just stared at the young girl and thought about her words of reason.
"I believe Shinji wants you to be happy... Doing this will not make you happy." Rei said, giving Yui an awkward hug. Yui slowly lowered her gun as more tears began to flow from her eyes. The sound of the gun hitting the steel walkway echo through the holding cages signaled the end of the situation.
"I'm so sorry... Oh my god... I'm so sorry, Rei." Yui sobbed as she collapsed to her knees and return Rei's hug.
***
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Thanks for all the reviews. Apologies for delayed in upload. I have taken an offer to proof read from PhilG. Thanks to him spelling and grammar will improve from here.
I'm not sure if Yui, Rei or Asuka were a little OC. I just imagine Yui being pushed over the edge and taking it out on Gendo. With Rei, I thought she is starting to come to terms with her true self and Asuka she start living and stop hating.
Cheers, wonga316
