TRUE WAR
CHAPTER 09
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 –
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 Nategold who proofread and gave my story that touch of professionalism
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thoughts
-...- = Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean...)
TOKYO 3 – CITY STREET
Shinji gingerly climbed out from the entry plug. The three members of his 'Welcome' party had backed away enough to give him room to move but still had their laser sights centred on his chest. Spotlights mounted on several tactical vehicles blinded him, causing him to trip on debris from the battle. His stumble brought about the sound of more guns clicking; Shinji shielded his eyes and could just make out silhouettes clad in boots and combat pants.
"On your knees! Hands behind your head!" A voice boomed through a speaker.
"What the hell? This is crazy..." Shinji muttered to himself as he pushed himself up off the ground and propped himself up on his knees.
"Hands behind your head." The speaker voice demanded again. Shinji responded by shielding his eyes, ignoring the request.
"Look, I can explain... [Good one Shinji...] "My name is ..."
Shinji stopped mid sentence when he heard a car approaching, the roar of the engine accented by the shriek of skidding tires. Soon the car screeched to a stop; the rapid opening and slamming of car doors were heard followed by the voice of a woman shouting orders.
"STAND DOWN! By order of the commander, lower your weapons!" The tone was sharp, the words clipped and concise and the intonation achingly familiar.
"That voice... It couldn't be..." Shinji said to himself.
The troops exchanged confused glances, hesitating. They dropped their guard, but only momentarily before coming to bear once more. Again, a voice cut through the air, this time readily recognizable as belonging to a very irate purple haired major.
"Lower your weapons now, or I will PERSONALLY shove each one up your collective arseholes and pull the triggers myself!!"
It was almost laughable how quickly the soldiers responded this time. An angry Misato Katsuragi was not someone to be trifled with, even now!
"Rei, wait!" A third voice called out, as a scuffle broke out on the soldiers' perimeter line. A shadow ran through and towards him, stopping only a few feet away. "Who's there?" Shinji asked as the darkened figure slowly stepped towards him. "Rei, is that you?!"
"Shinji?" Rei asked nervously, trying to keep her emotions in check. "It's all right. There is no reason to be afraid". Before Shinji could reply or react, the swift sound of a muffled compression caught his attention and then felt a sharp stabbing pain at the side of his neck.
"Ah!" Shinji clutched at the side of his neck, pulling out a small metal dart. Blood trickled from the small wound. "What did I do?" Shinji asked, starting to feel drowsy. Everything became a rush of blurry shadows and echoed sounds. "Why are you trying...to...kill me...?" !" Rei rushed forward, just managing to catch him as he slumped helplessly to the ground.
"SHINJI!" Misato yelled, her voice dripping with concern and anger. "I SAID HOLD YOUR FIRE!" She watched as Kaji's rangy form detached itself from the perimeter and ran towards Shinji's fallen form.
"Give him to me Rei." Kaji said, kneeing down and setting his rifle down. He then removing his jacket and tried to wrap it around Shinji. He felt the cold muzzle of a Glock 9mm press against his temple.
"Why?" One single word, loaded with menace came from Misato.
"Katsuragi...Misato, it's only a trank dart. He's just asleep-"
"The medical team is on its way. Why don't you let them handle is injuries. He might have cross contamination which I'm pretty sure you don't know how to treat." She interrupted.
Kaji sighed before continuing. "You know how sensitive he is, do you have any idea what the pressure from the media would do to him?" It wasn't new that NERV had image problems. Public support was already shaky; having a purple berserker running amok wouldn't help any. Kaji then played his trump card. "Plus, he still doesn't know about Yui. The last thing he needs right now is the shock of that added to all of us crowding him at once."
Misato didn't like it, but nodded conceding the point. Rei, refusing to be separated from Shinji and rode back with him in the ambulance. Meanwhile, Yui looked on from the perimeter, teary eyed. Her heart and mind battled each other. She didn't require Kaji to tell her what she feared, that Shinji would hate and blame her for everything that had happened in his life. Yui had already lost one Ikari man in her life; she wasn't going to lose another.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T SEE HIM?!" Misato demanded. The bridge crew were busy organising the clean up and had begun analysing the data from the battle while Fuyutsuki had called a meeting to discuss the latest revelations, particularly those regarding one Shinji Ikari
"Yeah, what gives you the right to decide what's best for the Baka?" Asuka asked, daring the Commander while still holding an ice pack at the base of her neck.
"I have to concur with pilot Sorhyu. What reasons do you have to prevent us from seeing Shinji?" Rei asked. She looked out the corner of her eye to see Yui leaving the conference room [Mother? Where are you going?]
Kensuke and Touji watched the argument for the sidelines as usual. "Do you think Misato'll punch him out?" Touji whispered to his friend.
"I reckon Asuka might get in before Misato" Kensuke replied quietly.
"Cut it out, you two." Mana said, trying to keep track of the argument. "Isn't he your friend? Aren't you worried about his well being?"
"Nah... I contacted Hikari before I came here. She says that he's fine, just a little banged up, not to mention exhausted." Touji replied. Kensuke nodded.
"Yeah... We're talking about Shinji and Unit One remember. Sure, we worried about him when he disappeared but when he gets into that Unit..." Kensuke explained as he remembered the video footage of Unit One in the first Angel War during his training and research.
Commander Fuyutsuki pinched the bridge of his nose, patience wearing thin as the debate raged on. He was strongly tempted to bring them all up on disciplinary charges, but refrained as he understood how much Shinji meant to all of them. "I know the past couple of hours have been extremely stressful for everyone but you all will just have to be patient", he began again. "He's currently with the doctor who has recommended that we let him rest. Bombarding Shinji at the moment would be counterproductive, to say the least!"
Meanwhile, in the Ladies room, Yui stood over the washbasin, letting ice- cold water play over her hands before bringing it up to splash her face
[My God... I'm shaking... What am I doing?]
"Here." Yui failed to notice someone enter and hand her a paper towel. "Use this."
"Thanks Ritsuko." Yui accepted the blond scientist's gesture and wiped her face.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Yui offered a small smile as she looked at Ritsuko's reflection in the mirror.
"It's strange... For all these years, I would dream about this moment. I would have given everything to see him again. Just hold him. Tell him everything he wished for when he was a child but..."
"But what?"
"I'm scared... I'm scared that he'll reject me. He'll blame me for everything that has happen in his life. I couldn't take that..."
"You remember the time when I told about Gendo and myself." Yui looked at Ritsuko with a puzzled face. "You said that you didn't blame me for what happen. Even though you knew it was as much my doing as it was Gendo's."
"You are trying to cheer me up, aren't you?" Yui asked sarcastically. "I did feel like wringing your neck back then." This brought a smile to Ritsuko's face.
"You're missing the point. I did something that was unforgivable, yet you still found it in heart to let go."
"What has that got to do with Shinji?"
"Shinji is your son. You and he are very much alike in that respect."
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
Kaji watched Hikari carefully apply a bandage around Shinji's head wound. A small gauze pad had already been placed over the wound in his neck. He noticed that she was taking her time and not rushing the process; almost enjoying herself.
"Mmmm..." Shinji mumbled while his head was still in Hikari's hands [Is he having a nightmare?] Hikari began stoking his hair, trying calm the young man.
"Shhh... It's all right Shinji..." she whispered.
[I wonder what would Touji say if saw this...] Kaji thought as he just watched on. Hikari began to smile as her action took effect and Shinji's restlessness died down. "Come on Hikari. He's about to wake." Kaji approached and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Kaji interruption took Hikari by surprise. Stumped for words, all she could do is blush. "I promise not to tell Touji." Kaji offered, trying to lighten her mood.
"It's... It's... not..." Hikari tried to explain, as she gentle placed Shinji's head back onto the pillow.
"I'm only joking Hikari, but you should leave." Kaji said showing her the door.
"But shouldn't someone stay with him?"
"I'll stay. You and the others can watch everything from the conference room." Kaji pointed to the wall mounted surveillance cameras over his shoulder.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
The discussion was still going on when Yui and Ritsuko returned from the bathroom. Mana noticed them and approached.
"Is everything ok, Vice Commander?" She asked.
"Yes. I just had to leave for a moment." Yui replied. "And you don't have to call me Vice Commander. We are officially off duty right now."
"I can see Fuyutsuki has his hand full..." Ritsuko commented as she watched the Commander get barraged with questions and demands from Misato and the girls. Feeling sorry for the man, she walked past them and sat down at the terminal. She entered a few commands and an image appeared on the main screen. The image showed a small room. Kaji was sitting on a folding chair, sipping coffee while watching over the sleeping figure on the bed.
"What's this?" Asuka asked. Her question was answered when the sleeping figure rolled over and showed his face.
"SHINJI!" All three exclaimed as their eyes were glued onto the screen. Fuyutsuki breathed a sigh of relief and mouthed 'thank you' Ritsuko.
NERV – HEADQUARTERS HOLDING CELL
The feeling of a soft mattress alerted him that he was in a place he didn't recognize. His eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the fluorescent lights and then squeezing tightly shut again, throbbing pain hammering in his skull. "...My head..." he moaned.
"Take it easy. The effects of the tranquilliser haven't wore off completely and that head injury isn't helping." Strong hands supported him as he gingerly sat up. "Here, this should help clear the cobwebs a bit." A steaming mug was placed in his hands, the welcome aroma of strong coffee greeting his nose while having a calming effect.
"That voice..." Shinji looked up to see Kaji resuming his seat on a metal folding chair. At a different time, this might have been a joyous occasion, but being shot did nothing to improve his disposition.
"Excuse me, but...aren't you supposed to be dead?" He asked sardonically, sipping appreciatively from his mug.
Kaji grinned at this. "Nice attitude! Quite an improvement, if you ask me." He noted the changes in the boy...no, the young man, noticing how he had filled out, as well as the long hair and chin stubble. "Been a long while, Shinji. Trying my look?"
"Oh, lay off already" Shinji groused, rubbing his chin. He remembered that he hadn't shaved since the morning he left Aya's. [Aya! Shit! She's probably worrying herself sick!]
"Okay, Kaji, what's going on?"
"I was hoping you could tell us." Kaji replied.
"Us?" Shinji looked around the room to see the cameras.
"You destroyed an Angel in five minutes where three other Eva's couldn't even get close to it and that's not even mentioning the damage done to the city."
"That wasn't me. I couldn't get Unit One to-"Shinji stopped short as his brain processed what Kaji had told him [Kaji says Unit One destroyed an Angel but the whole time I just sat in the plug trying to activate it. What hell is going on? Could it be that girl?]
"Couldn't what, Shinji?" Shinji rested the coffee on a nearby table and placed his elbows on his knees and face in his hands. "It's all right, you can tell me."
"What day is it?" Shinji asked quickly, switching subjects.
"Wednesday. Why?"
"Damn it! Do you have a phone?" Shinji asked sitting up.
"Ah... Sure here." Kaji reached into his jacket pocket and tossed Shinji his mobile phone.
Shinji looked it for a moment before asking, "I want to use a public phone."
"Why what's wrong with mine?" Kaji enquired.
"It's NERV issue. I know you trace and monitor your calls. I don't want this person to be associated with NERV... She deserves better than that." Shinji replied as he threw the phone back to Kaji
Kaji placed his phone back inside his jacket pocket and walked across the room. Shinji waited for response, and then decided to speak up again "Just one call, Kaji. After that I'll do what you want." Kaji said nothing but continued to pace the room.
"Come on! You owe me that much." Shinji pleaded. "You can even handcuff if you want." Shinji was getting desperate.
"I'm sorry Shinji... With the circumstances the way they are, it isn't possible." Kaji answered with his back to the former pilot.
Shinji sighed heavily and slumped back onto the bed. "I guess nothing has changed then... You're just like the rest of them... The rest of NERV." Shinji said looking back up at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry Shinji. You just have to believe..."
"THAT'S A LOAD OF CRAP!" Shinji exploded off the bed and kicked the steel chair. Kaji dodged it instinctively, as the chair smashed against the wall. He followed through, picking up the chair and swinging it at the nearest camera, reducing it to a mass of broken plastic and metal. The sheer intensity of his anger worried, almost scared Kaji [This is new...I've never seen him like this!]
"You're just like the rest of them! No you're worse. You put on this act like you're my friend and that you have my best interest at heart but it's all FAKE!" Shinji pointed.
"Shinji! Just calm d..." Shinji ignored Kaji's advice, feinting with the chair and making him flinch.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"That does it, I'm going!" Misato said aloud as the image of the Shinji and Kaji dissolved into a static of black and white pixels. She was half way across the room when someone called out.
"Major wait." It was Fuyutsuki. "What do you think you're going to say to Shinji? It's obvious how he feels about NERV and your appearance may compound the situation."
The darkened conference room was lit up from lighting coming from the hallway. Everyone turned around to see Yui leaving. "Yui?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"I'm going..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "...To see my son."
"I'm coming as well." Misato added before following after Yui. This prompted Asuka and Rei to stand and make their way towards the door. Fuyutsuki ran his hand down his face and cursed something under his breath "...getting too old..."
"Just a moment" Ritsuko spoke up as she entered few more commands into her console. The white and black haze on the screen changed to another angle of the holding cell. They saw Shinji holding the chair by one of its legs, still pointing and shouting at Kaji who had his hands up trying to calm the situations. "I'll have sound in a second."
At that moment, Shinji's voice boomed through the conference room speakers –Don't tell me to calm down! -
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
"Come on Shinji. This isn't going solve anything." Kaji pleaded.
"I'm not trying to solve anything! I just asked for a phone but a organization such as NERV seems to find that difficult." Shinji spat as he pointed viciously at Kaji. Suddenly, his whole demeanour changed. His face became blank, expressionless [What am I doing!]
"Am I under arrest?" Shinji asked calmly. The question confused Kaji for a moment.
"Ah...no." [That was the right answer?]
"Then what grounds do you have to detain me?"
"Ah..." [Nice move Shinji... I guess this might take longer than I thought.] "You're right. Just let me gather your things and you're free to leave." Said Kaji as he turned to leave the room. As he turned he glanced up at o the remaining cameras
[That was easy... What's Kaji up to...?]
Before Kaji closed the door he spoke again "Oh Shinji. Try not the smash the other cameras. That stuff comes out of my budget." He closed the door and made his way to the conference room. After a few steps he winced as he heard muffled crashes as Shinji disposed of the other cameras.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"Oh, that went well" Misato spat as Shinji disabled the remaining cameras, reducing the image to a mass of static. Ritsuko turned off the display and activated the lights before it became an annoyance.
"I concur. Agent Kaji did not handle the situation very well." Rei added.
"That's an understatement." Asuka added sarcastically.
"Man... Shinji was going off. Good on him." Touji said to no one in particular. His comment earned him a swift elbow from Hikari who had returned from Shinji's cell.
"Touji! This is serious and you shouldn't joked about it." Hikari scolded her partner.
"But I wasn't. I'm glad Shinji reacted the way he did. He's standing up for himself." His defence was loud enough for everyone to hear. They all looked at Touji like he had grown three heads. "What? Did I say something wrong?" he asked puzzled by everyone's reactions.
"Touji... I really wonder sometimes if you're still a jock or this super genius." Kensuke said. His comment earned him a quick punch to the arm from Touji.
Kaji entered the conference and all the attention was on him. Misato snapped out of her reverie and made a beeline towards the Head of Section Two.
"What the hell was that?!" She demanded as she grabbed Kaji by the collar of his jacket. Mana and the rest of Shinji's friend, each of them yelling questions, then quickly surrounded him.
Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko looked on with amazement, each of them with a similar thought running through their minds [I don't believe we trusted these people to save the world from the Angels...]
"ENOUGH!" Yui screamed over the top of all the commotion. Everyone turned to see her standing and shaking with anger. She steadied herself and took a deep calming breath before continuing. "It makes me so happy to see that Shinji has so many people that care about him... but at the same time you all make me sick! I know that you all have only good intentions towards Shinji. I'm well aware of his importance to all of you as well as the war. But have you asked yourself what Shinji really wants?"
Yui paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm going to get him some clothes and tell him that he's free to leave whenever he pleases. Commander, do you have any objections to this?" Yui asked, turning towards the elderly man. Her request seem more like a demand.
Fuyutsuki thought for a moment and then gave a simple nod of approval. Yui turned towards the door but was stopped by Rei.
"Mother, I don't understand. Don't you want us to become a family again?" She pleaded.
"I do Rei... more than anything in the world, but I also want Shinji to be happy. If he's not happy here then what sort of mother would I be forcing him to stay? Shinji's happiness comes before mine and it always will." With that she swept out of the room, leaving a shocked command staff in her wake.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
Shinji was sucking in deep breaths as he finished his demolition of the remaining cameras mounted around the room. He threw the steel chair into the corner and slumped backwards onto the bed.
[What am I doing? I never would have acted like this... First father, Eva, the Angels then NERV...] He surveyed the wreckage not knowing what to think of it. Shinji collapsed back onto the bed and locked his fingers behind his head [Kaji left really suddenly and he didn't put up much of an argument when I mention me being arrested. It would be safe to say that he's told everyone. Does that mean they'll be coming to see me? Probably not... I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to see me either...]
A quiet knocking before the opening on the cell door woke Shinji from his self-conversation. Shinji propped himself up on his elbows to see a woman enter carrying some clothes.
"Mr. Ikari, I'm afraid that the clothing you came in with was too badly torn. I have some technician's uniforms here if you'd like." Yui offered the neatly folded clothes to Shinji. The whole time she kept her eyes towards the ground. Shinji looked at her for a moment before taking to clothes [That was quick. Where's Kaji? Is this another trick from NERV?]
"There is a car waiting for you outside. The driver has been instructed to take to wherever you wish to go... I'll wait for you outside until for you changed." Yui turned around, still unable to look her son in the eyes and walked towards the door [That woman...?]
"Ah... wait... I mean... I'm sorry... but can I ask you a question?" Shinji said to the retreating figure. Yui froze on the spot, trying to keep her emotions reigned in and tears at bay. "Have we met before? I mean... I used to work here a long time ago and... ah...well, there is something familiar about you." Shinji waited for a response from the woman but nothing came. Just silence.
And more silence.
Silence made Shinji awkward and he quickly tried to change to situation. "I'm sorry. I must have been mistaken. Thank you for the clothes. I'll ready in a second." Shinji turned around and placed the clothes on the bed. He started loosening the ties on his hospital gown when he heard someone sobbing softly. To his surprise, Shinji turned around to see the women who had given him the clothes on her knees, crying into her hands.
"Excuse me... miss... are you alright?" [I hope I didn't offend her some how. I thanked her for the clothes. What else does she want?] Shinji slowly approached the woman. As Shinji neared, he stepped on a piece of smashed camera that cracked under his weight. The cracking of broken plastic alerted the women to Shinji movement and she quickly got up to leave but tripped and fell.
"Are you all right?" Shinji asked as he rushed to the fallen woman and helped her up.
"I'm... I'm... Fine... Thank you." Yui sniffled, still looking away.
"Sure no problem. I'm sorry about the mess... I sort of got carried away with the cameras in here." Shinji said trying to lighten the mood. He then noticed that the women had dropped some items during her fall. "Oh, you dropped these."
Shinji bent down to pick up the pen and card. He flipped the card over to find that it was an access badge for NERV personnel.
"...Thank you..." The women said quietly as she reached for the items from Shinji's hand but stopped short as she realised what he was holding.
Shinji stood there, staring at the card, his eyes glued to the name printed there as his brain struggled to process what he saw.
IKARI, YUI – Vice Commander, NERV.
"It can't be..." Shinji muttered as his hand went limp and the card fell back to the floor. His first reaction was to back away. He scrambled back until he reached the bed and could go no further [This can't be happening... It can't!]
"Shinji...please let me..." Yui pleaded to her son.
"NO! This is another lie! You can't be!" Shinji shouted. His response tore Yui heart into pieces and she began to break down again.
"Please Shinji..." Yui cried as she went to comfort him.
"No! Get away! You died! You can't be here!" Shinji screamed, as he looked Yui in the eyes for the first since she entered the room [It can't... It can't...] Shinji's mind repeated. The moment became all too much for Shinji and he collapsed forward.
Yui rushed forward and caught Shinji in her arms. She cried and cradled Shinji, just like the day he was born. She sobbed into his chest, releasing everything that she had kept within. Shinji slowly regained consciousness and found himself in someone's arms with them crying heavily into his chest. For some reason the arms made him feel safe and calmed. Shinji slowly reached up and stroked Yui hair.
"Shinji?" Yui looked up with crying eyes from his chest
"Mo... Mother?" Shinji asked weakly but knowing deep down that he didn't need an answer. Yui smiled and embraced her son tightly. For the first time in his life Shinji felt that all was right with the world.
AUTHOR NOTES Well, here we are again. I've had another offer for a proofreader which I have taken up (Thanks NateGold!) which will improve the grammar and spelling. Sorry, if this chapter was shorter than the others. Once again, thanks for reading and keep the reviews coming.
Wonga316
CHAPTER 09
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 –
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 Nategold who proofread and gave my story that touch of professionalism
"..." = Normal speech
[...] = Thoughts
-...- = Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean...)
TOKYO 3 – CITY STREET
Shinji gingerly climbed out from the entry plug. The three members of his 'Welcome' party had backed away enough to give him room to move but still had their laser sights centred on his chest. Spotlights mounted on several tactical vehicles blinded him, causing him to trip on debris from the battle. His stumble brought about the sound of more guns clicking; Shinji shielded his eyes and could just make out silhouettes clad in boots and combat pants.
"On your knees! Hands behind your head!" A voice boomed through a speaker.
"What the hell? This is crazy..." Shinji muttered to himself as he pushed himself up off the ground and propped himself up on his knees.
"Hands behind your head." The speaker voice demanded again. Shinji responded by shielding his eyes, ignoring the request.
"Look, I can explain... [Good one Shinji...] "My name is ..."
Shinji stopped mid sentence when he heard a car approaching, the roar of the engine accented by the shriek of skidding tires. Soon the car screeched to a stop; the rapid opening and slamming of car doors were heard followed by the voice of a woman shouting orders.
"STAND DOWN! By order of the commander, lower your weapons!" The tone was sharp, the words clipped and concise and the intonation achingly familiar.
"That voice... It couldn't be..." Shinji said to himself.
The troops exchanged confused glances, hesitating. They dropped their guard, but only momentarily before coming to bear once more. Again, a voice cut through the air, this time readily recognizable as belonging to a very irate purple haired major.
"Lower your weapons now, or I will PERSONALLY shove each one up your collective arseholes and pull the triggers myself!!"
It was almost laughable how quickly the soldiers responded this time. An angry Misato Katsuragi was not someone to be trifled with, even now!
"Rei, wait!" A third voice called out, as a scuffle broke out on the soldiers' perimeter line. A shadow ran through and towards him, stopping only a few feet away. "Who's there?" Shinji asked as the darkened figure slowly stepped towards him. "Rei, is that you?!"
"Shinji?" Rei asked nervously, trying to keep her emotions in check. "It's all right. There is no reason to be afraid". Before Shinji could reply or react, the swift sound of a muffled compression caught his attention and then felt a sharp stabbing pain at the side of his neck.
"Ah!" Shinji clutched at the side of his neck, pulling out a small metal dart. Blood trickled from the small wound. "What did I do?" Shinji asked, starting to feel drowsy. Everything became a rush of blurry shadows and echoed sounds. "Why are you trying...to...kill me...?" !" Rei rushed forward, just managing to catch him as he slumped helplessly to the ground.
"SHINJI!" Misato yelled, her voice dripping with concern and anger. "I SAID HOLD YOUR FIRE!" She watched as Kaji's rangy form detached itself from the perimeter and ran towards Shinji's fallen form.
"Give him to me Rei." Kaji said, kneeing down and setting his rifle down. He then removing his jacket and tried to wrap it around Shinji. He felt the cold muzzle of a Glock 9mm press against his temple.
"Why?" One single word, loaded with menace came from Misato.
"Katsuragi...Misato, it's only a trank dart. He's just asleep-"
"The medical team is on its way. Why don't you let them handle is injuries. He might have cross contamination which I'm pretty sure you don't know how to treat." She interrupted.
Kaji sighed before continuing. "You know how sensitive he is, do you have any idea what the pressure from the media would do to him?" It wasn't new that NERV had image problems. Public support was already shaky; having a purple berserker running amok wouldn't help any. Kaji then played his trump card. "Plus, he still doesn't know about Yui. The last thing he needs right now is the shock of that added to all of us crowding him at once."
Misato didn't like it, but nodded conceding the point. Rei, refusing to be separated from Shinji and rode back with him in the ambulance. Meanwhile, Yui looked on from the perimeter, teary eyed. Her heart and mind battled each other. She didn't require Kaji to tell her what she feared, that Shinji would hate and blame her for everything that had happened in his life. Yui had already lost one Ikari man in her life; she wasn't going to lose another.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE CAN'T SEE HIM?!" Misato demanded. The bridge crew were busy organising the clean up and had begun analysing the data from the battle while Fuyutsuki had called a meeting to discuss the latest revelations, particularly those regarding one Shinji Ikari
"Yeah, what gives you the right to decide what's best for the Baka?" Asuka asked, daring the Commander while still holding an ice pack at the base of her neck.
"I have to concur with pilot Sorhyu. What reasons do you have to prevent us from seeing Shinji?" Rei asked. She looked out the corner of her eye to see Yui leaving the conference room [Mother? Where are you going?]
Kensuke and Touji watched the argument for the sidelines as usual. "Do you think Misato'll punch him out?" Touji whispered to his friend.
"I reckon Asuka might get in before Misato" Kensuke replied quietly.
"Cut it out, you two." Mana said, trying to keep track of the argument. "Isn't he your friend? Aren't you worried about his well being?"
"Nah... I contacted Hikari before I came here. She says that he's fine, just a little banged up, not to mention exhausted." Touji replied. Kensuke nodded.
"Yeah... We're talking about Shinji and Unit One remember. Sure, we worried about him when he disappeared but when he gets into that Unit..." Kensuke explained as he remembered the video footage of Unit One in the first Angel War during his training and research.
Commander Fuyutsuki pinched the bridge of his nose, patience wearing thin as the debate raged on. He was strongly tempted to bring them all up on disciplinary charges, but refrained as he understood how much Shinji meant to all of them. "I know the past couple of hours have been extremely stressful for everyone but you all will just have to be patient", he began again. "He's currently with the doctor who has recommended that we let him rest. Bombarding Shinji at the moment would be counterproductive, to say the least!"
Meanwhile, in the Ladies room, Yui stood over the washbasin, letting ice- cold water play over her hands before bringing it up to splash her face
[My God... I'm shaking... What am I doing?]
"Here." Yui failed to notice someone enter and hand her a paper towel. "Use this."
"Thanks Ritsuko." Yui accepted the blond scientist's gesture and wiped her face.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Yui offered a small smile as she looked at Ritsuko's reflection in the mirror.
"It's strange... For all these years, I would dream about this moment. I would have given everything to see him again. Just hold him. Tell him everything he wished for when he was a child but..."
"But what?"
"I'm scared... I'm scared that he'll reject me. He'll blame me for everything that has happen in his life. I couldn't take that..."
"You remember the time when I told about Gendo and myself." Yui looked at Ritsuko with a puzzled face. "You said that you didn't blame me for what happen. Even though you knew it was as much my doing as it was Gendo's."
"You are trying to cheer me up, aren't you?" Yui asked sarcastically. "I did feel like wringing your neck back then." This brought a smile to Ritsuko's face.
"You're missing the point. I did something that was unforgivable, yet you still found it in heart to let go."
"What has that got to do with Shinji?"
"Shinji is your son. You and he are very much alike in that respect."
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
Kaji watched Hikari carefully apply a bandage around Shinji's head wound. A small gauze pad had already been placed over the wound in his neck. He noticed that she was taking her time and not rushing the process; almost enjoying herself.
"Mmmm..." Shinji mumbled while his head was still in Hikari's hands [Is he having a nightmare?] Hikari began stoking his hair, trying calm the young man.
"Shhh... It's all right Shinji..." she whispered.
[I wonder what would Touji say if saw this...] Kaji thought as he just watched on. Hikari began to smile as her action took effect and Shinji's restlessness died down. "Come on Hikari. He's about to wake." Kaji approached and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Kaji interruption took Hikari by surprise. Stumped for words, all she could do is blush. "I promise not to tell Touji." Kaji offered, trying to lighten her mood.
"It's... It's... not..." Hikari tried to explain, as she gentle placed Shinji's head back onto the pillow.
"I'm only joking Hikari, but you should leave." Kaji said showing her the door.
"But shouldn't someone stay with him?"
"I'll stay. You and the others can watch everything from the conference room." Kaji pointed to the wall mounted surveillance cameras over his shoulder.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
The discussion was still going on when Yui and Ritsuko returned from the bathroom. Mana noticed them and approached.
"Is everything ok, Vice Commander?" She asked.
"Yes. I just had to leave for a moment." Yui replied. "And you don't have to call me Vice Commander. We are officially off duty right now."
"I can see Fuyutsuki has his hand full..." Ritsuko commented as she watched the Commander get barraged with questions and demands from Misato and the girls. Feeling sorry for the man, she walked past them and sat down at the terminal. She entered a few commands and an image appeared on the main screen. The image showed a small room. Kaji was sitting on a folding chair, sipping coffee while watching over the sleeping figure on the bed.
"What's this?" Asuka asked. Her question was answered when the sleeping figure rolled over and showed his face.
"SHINJI!" All three exclaimed as their eyes were glued onto the screen. Fuyutsuki breathed a sigh of relief and mouthed 'thank you' Ritsuko.
NERV – HEADQUARTERS HOLDING CELL
The feeling of a soft mattress alerted him that he was in a place he didn't recognize. His eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the fluorescent lights and then squeezing tightly shut again, throbbing pain hammering in his skull. "...My head..." he moaned.
"Take it easy. The effects of the tranquilliser haven't wore off completely and that head injury isn't helping." Strong hands supported him as he gingerly sat up. "Here, this should help clear the cobwebs a bit." A steaming mug was placed in his hands, the welcome aroma of strong coffee greeting his nose while having a calming effect.
"That voice..." Shinji looked up to see Kaji resuming his seat on a metal folding chair. At a different time, this might have been a joyous occasion, but being shot did nothing to improve his disposition.
"Excuse me, but...aren't you supposed to be dead?" He asked sardonically, sipping appreciatively from his mug.
Kaji grinned at this. "Nice attitude! Quite an improvement, if you ask me." He noted the changes in the boy...no, the young man, noticing how he had filled out, as well as the long hair and chin stubble. "Been a long while, Shinji. Trying my look?"
"Oh, lay off already" Shinji groused, rubbing his chin. He remembered that he hadn't shaved since the morning he left Aya's. [Aya! Shit! She's probably worrying herself sick!]
"Okay, Kaji, what's going on?"
"I was hoping you could tell us." Kaji replied.
"Us?" Shinji looked around the room to see the cameras.
"You destroyed an Angel in five minutes where three other Eva's couldn't even get close to it and that's not even mentioning the damage done to the city."
"That wasn't me. I couldn't get Unit One to-"Shinji stopped short as his brain processed what Kaji had told him [Kaji says Unit One destroyed an Angel but the whole time I just sat in the plug trying to activate it. What hell is going on? Could it be that girl?]
"Couldn't what, Shinji?" Shinji rested the coffee on a nearby table and placed his elbows on his knees and face in his hands. "It's all right, you can tell me."
"What day is it?" Shinji asked quickly, switching subjects.
"Wednesday. Why?"
"Damn it! Do you have a phone?" Shinji asked sitting up.
"Ah... Sure here." Kaji reached into his jacket pocket and tossed Shinji his mobile phone.
Shinji looked it for a moment before asking, "I want to use a public phone."
"Why what's wrong with mine?" Kaji enquired.
"It's NERV issue. I know you trace and monitor your calls. I don't want this person to be associated with NERV... She deserves better than that." Shinji replied as he threw the phone back to Kaji
Kaji placed his phone back inside his jacket pocket and walked across the room. Shinji waited for response, and then decided to speak up again "Just one call, Kaji. After that I'll do what you want." Kaji said nothing but continued to pace the room.
"Come on! You owe me that much." Shinji pleaded. "You can even handcuff if you want." Shinji was getting desperate.
"I'm sorry Shinji... With the circumstances the way they are, it isn't possible." Kaji answered with his back to the former pilot.
Shinji sighed heavily and slumped back onto the bed. "I guess nothing has changed then... You're just like the rest of them... The rest of NERV." Shinji said looking back up at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry Shinji. You just have to believe..."
"THAT'S A LOAD OF CRAP!" Shinji exploded off the bed and kicked the steel chair. Kaji dodged it instinctively, as the chair smashed against the wall. He followed through, picking up the chair and swinging it at the nearest camera, reducing it to a mass of broken plastic and metal. The sheer intensity of his anger worried, almost scared Kaji [This is new...I've never seen him like this!]
"You're just like the rest of them! No you're worse. You put on this act like you're my friend and that you have my best interest at heart but it's all FAKE!" Shinji pointed.
"Shinji! Just calm d..." Shinji ignored Kaji's advice, feinting with the chair and making him flinch.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"That does it, I'm going!" Misato said aloud as the image of the Shinji and Kaji dissolved into a static of black and white pixels. She was half way across the room when someone called out.
"Major wait." It was Fuyutsuki. "What do you think you're going to say to Shinji? It's obvious how he feels about NERV and your appearance may compound the situation."
The darkened conference room was lit up from lighting coming from the hallway. Everyone turned around to see Yui leaving. "Yui?" Fuyutsuki asked.
"I'm going..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "...To see my son."
"I'm coming as well." Misato added before following after Yui. This prompted Asuka and Rei to stand and make their way towards the door. Fuyutsuki ran his hand down his face and cursed something under his breath "...getting too old..."
"Just a moment" Ritsuko spoke up as she entered few more commands into her console. The white and black haze on the screen changed to another angle of the holding cell. They saw Shinji holding the chair by one of its legs, still pointing and shouting at Kaji who had his hands up trying to calm the situations. "I'll have sound in a second."
At that moment, Shinji's voice boomed through the conference room speakers –Don't tell me to calm down! -
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
"Come on Shinji. This isn't going solve anything." Kaji pleaded.
"I'm not trying to solve anything! I just asked for a phone but a organization such as NERV seems to find that difficult." Shinji spat as he pointed viciously at Kaji. Suddenly, his whole demeanour changed. His face became blank, expressionless [What am I doing!]
"Am I under arrest?" Shinji asked calmly. The question confused Kaji for a moment.
"Ah...no." [That was the right answer?]
"Then what grounds do you have to detain me?"
"Ah..." [Nice move Shinji... I guess this might take longer than I thought.] "You're right. Just let me gather your things and you're free to leave." Said Kaji as he turned to leave the room. As he turned he glanced up at o the remaining cameras
[That was easy... What's Kaji up to...?]
Before Kaji closed the door he spoke again "Oh Shinji. Try not the smash the other cameras. That stuff comes out of my budget." He closed the door and made his way to the conference room. After a few steps he winced as he heard muffled crashes as Shinji disposed of the other cameras.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – CONFERENCE ROOM
"Oh, that went well" Misato spat as Shinji disabled the remaining cameras, reducing the image to a mass of static. Ritsuko turned off the display and activated the lights before it became an annoyance.
"I concur. Agent Kaji did not handle the situation very well." Rei added.
"That's an understatement." Asuka added sarcastically.
"Man... Shinji was going off. Good on him." Touji said to no one in particular. His comment earned him a swift elbow from Hikari who had returned from Shinji's cell.
"Touji! This is serious and you shouldn't joked about it." Hikari scolded her partner.
"But I wasn't. I'm glad Shinji reacted the way he did. He's standing up for himself." His defence was loud enough for everyone to hear. They all looked at Touji like he had grown three heads. "What? Did I say something wrong?" he asked puzzled by everyone's reactions.
"Touji... I really wonder sometimes if you're still a jock or this super genius." Kensuke said. His comment earned him a quick punch to the arm from Touji.
Kaji entered the conference and all the attention was on him. Misato snapped out of her reverie and made a beeline towards the Head of Section Two.
"What the hell was that?!" She demanded as she grabbed Kaji by the collar of his jacket. Mana and the rest of Shinji's friend, each of them yelling questions, then quickly surrounded him.
Fuyutsuki and Ritsuko looked on with amazement, each of them with a similar thought running through their minds [I don't believe we trusted these people to save the world from the Angels...]
"ENOUGH!" Yui screamed over the top of all the commotion. Everyone turned to see her standing and shaking with anger. She steadied herself and took a deep calming breath before continuing. "It makes me so happy to see that Shinji has so many people that care about him... but at the same time you all make me sick! I know that you all have only good intentions towards Shinji. I'm well aware of his importance to all of you as well as the war. But have you asked yourself what Shinji really wants?"
Yui paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm going to get him some clothes and tell him that he's free to leave whenever he pleases. Commander, do you have any objections to this?" Yui asked, turning towards the elderly man. Her request seem more like a demand.
Fuyutsuki thought for a moment and then gave a simple nod of approval. Yui turned towards the door but was stopped by Rei.
"Mother, I don't understand. Don't you want us to become a family again?" She pleaded.
"I do Rei... more than anything in the world, but I also want Shinji to be happy. If he's not happy here then what sort of mother would I be forcing him to stay? Shinji's happiness comes before mine and it always will." With that she swept out of the room, leaving a shocked command staff in her wake.
NERV HEADQUARTERS – HOLDING CELL
Shinji was sucking in deep breaths as he finished his demolition of the remaining cameras mounted around the room. He threw the steel chair into the corner and slumped backwards onto the bed.
[What am I doing? I never would have acted like this... First father, Eva, the Angels then NERV...] He surveyed the wreckage not knowing what to think of it. Shinji collapsed back onto the bed and locked his fingers behind his head [Kaji left really suddenly and he didn't put up much of an argument when I mention me being arrested. It would be safe to say that he's told everyone. Does that mean they'll be coming to see me? Probably not... I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to see me either...]
A quiet knocking before the opening on the cell door woke Shinji from his self-conversation. Shinji propped himself up on his elbows to see a woman enter carrying some clothes.
"Mr. Ikari, I'm afraid that the clothing you came in with was too badly torn. I have some technician's uniforms here if you'd like." Yui offered the neatly folded clothes to Shinji. The whole time she kept her eyes towards the ground. Shinji looked at her for a moment before taking to clothes [That was quick. Where's Kaji? Is this another trick from NERV?]
"There is a car waiting for you outside. The driver has been instructed to take to wherever you wish to go... I'll wait for you outside until for you changed." Yui turned around, still unable to look her son in the eyes and walked towards the door [That woman...?]
"Ah... wait... I mean... I'm sorry... but can I ask you a question?" Shinji said to the retreating figure. Yui froze on the spot, trying to keep her emotions reigned in and tears at bay. "Have we met before? I mean... I used to work here a long time ago and... ah...well, there is something familiar about you." Shinji waited for a response from the woman but nothing came. Just silence.
And more silence.
Silence made Shinji awkward and he quickly tried to change to situation. "I'm sorry. I must have been mistaken. Thank you for the clothes. I'll ready in a second." Shinji turned around and placed the clothes on the bed. He started loosening the ties on his hospital gown when he heard someone sobbing softly. To his surprise, Shinji turned around to see the women who had given him the clothes on her knees, crying into her hands.
"Excuse me... miss... are you alright?" [I hope I didn't offend her some how. I thanked her for the clothes. What else does she want?] Shinji slowly approached the woman. As Shinji neared, he stepped on a piece of smashed camera that cracked under his weight. The cracking of broken plastic alerted the women to Shinji movement and she quickly got up to leave but tripped and fell.
"Are you all right?" Shinji asked as he rushed to the fallen woman and helped her up.
"I'm... I'm... Fine... Thank you." Yui sniffled, still looking away.
"Sure no problem. I'm sorry about the mess... I sort of got carried away with the cameras in here." Shinji said trying to lighten the mood. He then noticed that the women had dropped some items during her fall. "Oh, you dropped these."
Shinji bent down to pick up the pen and card. He flipped the card over to find that it was an access badge for NERV personnel.
"...Thank you..." The women said quietly as she reached for the items from Shinji's hand but stopped short as she realised what he was holding.
Shinji stood there, staring at the card, his eyes glued to the name printed there as his brain struggled to process what he saw.
IKARI, YUI – Vice Commander, NERV.
"It can't be..." Shinji muttered as his hand went limp and the card fell back to the floor. His first reaction was to back away. He scrambled back until he reached the bed and could go no further [This can't be happening... It can't!]
"Shinji...please let me..." Yui pleaded to her son.
"NO! This is another lie! You can't be!" Shinji shouted. His response tore Yui heart into pieces and she began to break down again.
"Please Shinji..." Yui cried as she went to comfort him.
"No! Get away! You died! You can't be here!" Shinji screamed, as he looked Yui in the eyes for the first since she entered the room [It can't... It can't...] Shinji's mind repeated. The moment became all too much for Shinji and he collapsed forward.
Yui rushed forward and caught Shinji in her arms. She cried and cradled Shinji, just like the day he was born. She sobbed into his chest, releasing everything that she had kept within. Shinji slowly regained consciousness and found himself in someone's arms with them crying heavily into his chest. For some reason the arms made him feel safe and calmed. Shinji slowly reached up and stroked Yui hair.
"Shinji?" Yui looked up with crying eyes from his chest
"Mo... Mother?" Shinji asked weakly but knowing deep down that he didn't need an answer. Yui smiled and embraced her son tightly. For the first time in his life Shinji felt that all was right with the world.
AUTHOR NOTES Well, here we are again. I've had another offer for a proofreader which I have taken up (Thanks NateGold!) which will improve the grammar and spelling. Sorry, if this chapter was shorter than the others. Once again, thanks for reading and keep the reviews coming.
Wonga316
