TRUE WAR

CHAPTER 23

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 – 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 two movies / episodes and Touji 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.

Special thanks to Lord Raa who super sub for proof reader this chapter. All bow to Lord Raa ;)

"…" Normal speech

'…' Thoughts

(…) Computer / phone / other chat (you will know what I mean…)

NERV HEADQUARTERS – EVA HOLDING BAYS

A team of medics waited for Shinji and the rest of the pilots in the holding bays. Shinji was first on the list to be attended to but the team was pushed aside by a frantic and hysterical mother.

"SHINJI!" she cried his name and pulled him into a fierce hug.

"Are you hurt!" she began physically checking him for any injuries. "Does it hurt anywhere?" her hands patted across his body. "You must be freezing!" she removed her coat and draped over his shoulders.

"I think so…" He was a little embarrassed by all the attention he was getting from his mother and didn't really what to say.

"You think so! You must have a concussion!" She began check his pupils. "You must be in shock."

Yui pulled him back into her arms and began rubbing his body in an attempt to get some warmth and comfort into his body.

Shinji wondered if this was the proper treatment for shock and a concussion. "Ah… mom, do you know what you are doing?"

"Know what I'm doing!" her voice was a mixture of anger and concern. "What did you think you where doing! Why didn't you get in the car with Asuka?" His mother's sudden emotional change took him by surprise.

"Brother! Are you injured?" Rei hadn't docked Unit Zero in its designated bay properly and didn't wait for her entry plug to be fully ejected before rushing to Shinji's side. She was still dripping of LCL.

"SHINJI!" Asuka's voice boomed from the other end of the hanger bay. Like Rei she had left her Eva like it was a car, still running with the door ajar. It wasn't long she had pulled Shinji away from his mother's grasp.

"Are you ok!" She half shouted full of concern. What she did next surprised him pulling him into a hug. Her next actions were a little more predictable.

"Are you stupid! Why the hell did you do that!" She began berating him. "You could have been killed!"

"SHINJI!" Shinji turned towards the source of the voice to see Mana standing on top of her entry plug. She waved happily at him. He complied with a small wave of his own.

"What the hell is this?" Touji's voice rumbled out of his external speakers. He was commenting on the EVA traffic jam that was blocking the entry to his designated holding bay. "I want to get out of this thing! So move your EVA!"

Mana turned around and began shouting something. Shinji couldn't really hear her clearly and therefore wondered what chances did Touji have but he didn't really have time to ponder that thought because there was one other person missing from this scene.

"ASUKA! SHINJI!" Misato's wailing voice carried along accompanied by the sounds of her high heels going a million miles an hour.

'I just want to go home…' Shinji could do little but wait for another bear hug.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – MEDICAL FACILITY

After all the fanfare in the hangers, somehow Shinji had managed to find his way into the sick bay. Still caked with mud and filth, he waited as Hikari tended to his grazed ankle.

"Are you sure that I really need treatment for it." He would be first to admit that it stung a little but it just seem like anything other graze a child would get on the playground.

"I may look minor but it could get infected easily." She dabbed the alcohol-soaked swab around the wound. "But more importantly, it was caused by the Angel. It may have containments that we are not aware of."

She had valid point and it was something that Shinji didn't think about. She saw that his eyes quickly flashed with concern. "Don't worry. It's just standard procedure. I'm sure that you are fine." Hikari's reassurance put him at ease.

"So…" he decided to spark a conversation. "How are things with…" Shinji was still trying to get his head around Hikari's pregnancy and found it awkward bringing it up.

"The baby is fine!" She sounded happy and secretly loved when people would ask. It gave her an excuse to talk about it. "I'm starting to find my clothes are getting tight. I guess that I'll have to get Touji to take me shopping."

"That's good…" Hikari saw that Shinji wanted to say something but found it difficult to come out.

"You don't have to hide anything. After all we're friends and you are going to be the baby's Godfather."

"Yeah… I was just wondering… Aren't you scared about… you know…?"

"What? You mean the future and stuff." Shinji nodded as she finished his sentence.

"I get scared all the time but it's not in the sense of fear. It's more like excitement."

"You're excited?"

"Ah huh! Everyday there is something new with the baby and working here with all my friends and people I know is fantastic."

"You're very brave. I still get nervous sometimes when I'm around the EVAs."

"You know Shinji… I can't even start to imagine what it's like to be a pilot but I do know what I do here helps you, Touji and the others. I get scared every time that siren sounds and everyone rushes away. Then I just concentrate on the good things that everyone is doing and they out weighs what frightens me."

Meanwhile, outside the treatment room another conversation was being held.

"I wonder if Asuka and the Vice Commander are getting the third degree by now." Mana waited in one of the seats between Touji and Rei.

"That would a scene - the old man tearing a new one into the Vice Commander." Touji had his hands behind his head and was casually slumped in his chair. "Your mother is a tough woman, Rei. I wonder how she would take it?"

"My mother can look after herself. I believe you and Mr. Aida have had first experience dealing with my mother."

"Don't remind me…" The door opened and Shinji hobbled out.

"Remember to stop by tomorrow morning and I'll check the dressing. The lab results from the samples we took will be in as well."

"Ok. Thanks Hikari." Shinji thanks the young nurse. Touji stood up and walked towards the door but was stopped short by the open hand of his girlfriend making him halt.

"What do you think you're doing?" She asked little annoyed.

"Huh?" He scratched his head.

"Ladies first! You sit back down. Rei you are next."

"But babe it's cold…"

"And how do you think Rei and Mana feel? You're a big boy; the cold should be something that you laugh off."

"Don't worry about me." They turned around to see Mana helping Shinji to walk. His arm was over her shoulders and hers around his waist. "Shinji is helping me keep warm." The young woman didn't wait and began leading Shinji towards the change rooms.

"That girl poses a threat…" Hikari and Touji looked at Rei unsure was she exactly meant by threat.

The couple headed to the change rooms. The strange looks Shinji received from some of the NERV staff along the way worried him. Although NERV was the front line against the Angels and humanity's last defence, it didn't exclude it from usual company gossip; who is sleeping with who and what so-and-so did for that promotion. His concerns and pleas to Mana fell on deaf ears.

"What's the matter? Do you have a problem being helped by a woman?"

Mana knew that Shinji always wanted to keep everyone happy and it could be exploited in good humour. She had witness the Major do this a number of times. "No! I don't mean it like that."

"So what do you mean? Are you saying that you just have an issue with me?"

"I can't win, can I?" he sighed.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – COMMANDER'S OFFICE

Asuka and Yui stood at attention in front of the Fuyutsuki's desk. The Commander immediately called for them as soon as he returned to his office from the command deck.

"The both of you should have known better. Especially you," he looked directly at Yui. "Both your actions today were reckless and had the possibility of ending in disaster."

"I had everything under control…" Asuka was determined not to go down without a fight but the Commander cut her off.

"You disobeyed a direct order!"

"Don't yell at her." To her surprise, Yui spoke up and defended Asuka. "If she didn't act on her instincts, Shinji would've…"

"She acted on her emotions as well as you!" The Commander calmed himself before continuing. He didn't want this to become a screaming match. "I'm not here to argue whether your actions justified or their results that they achieved. The fact of the matter is that the both of you disobeyed orders."

"Asuka you are grounded for a week starting now and you must still attend all the train sessions and debriefings as usual."

"If I'm not piloting what's the point…"

"This is not up for debate." His stern words weren't shouted but still conveyed the message not to argue.

"Yui, you are off duties for two weeks." Asuka's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she heard that the Vice Commander's punishment was twice as long.

"And who do you expect to replace me during that time?" she knew that a number of people within NERV were more than capable to handle her position but her knowledge and history with NERV, EVA, SEELE and the Angels was unrivalled.

"Your duties will be shared among the Major and Kaji."

NERV HEADQUARTERS – PILOT CHANGE ROOMS

"Mana! What… What are you doing here?" Shinji nearly fell off the bench in the male change rooms when he looked up and found Mana standing before him.

"I need your help." She had decompressed her plug suit and slither of her bare back was exposed. "My suit is sticking to my body. You should know that the LCL does that."

Mentally, Shinji admitted she had a point. Although the plug suits could be easy put on and taken off when dry, when I came to removing them after piloting or a sync test was more of a challenge. His eyes began to wonder down her back revealing just the faintest hint of her backside.

"Ah… shouldn't you wait until Hikari checks you?"

"I'm fine. I just need a hot shower and a sleep." She brought her arms up so they were parallel with the floor. "Can you pull them across?"

Hesitantly Shinji obliged, trying very hard to keep his eyes in front and not make any unnecessary contact with her skin. "Come on! I can't keep my arms up like this forever."

"Okay." He tried harder but the suit was like a second skin on her.

"You will have to get your hand underneath and peel from the inside. If you keep going like that you'll just end up ripping it. Dr. Akagi would have my head if I had to get another made up." Slowly Shinji slipped his hand under the initial piece of loose suit. His hand glided against Mana's silky skin. The LCL only added to the sensation and Shinji was really struggling to remain composed.

"You're pretty good at that Shinji."

She purposely backed up against him, causing her almost exposed backside to press up against him. "Now for the other side."

"Can you move forward a bit?" he whimpered. "And can I have my hand back." Mana lowered her arm while Shinji's hand was still within her suit. As a resulted he was trapped between her and the suit.

"You still have you other hand free." She purred and allowed her head to lean back onto his shoulder. With his hormones getting the better of him, Shinji complied and enjoyed the sensation he was feeling.

"SHINJI!" The sound of a familiar voice came shrieking into the male change rooms.

'Shit! Asuka.' Shinji immediately tried to get his hands out. He knew if the German saw the situation they were in, things wouldn't be pretty. The sharp tug by him wasn't expected from Mana. She had relaxed herself and had pretty much allowed her whole body weight to be support by Shinji. It took her by surprise and fell backwards causing the both of them to fall onto the tile floor.

The door opened with a hiss and revealed Asuka. She was out of breath caused by running from the Commander's Office. Shinji saw her eyes changed from concern to confusion and then to anger. He braced himself for the worst.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – MAJOR'S OFFICE

"Asuka?" She could have sworn she heard the faint sound of someone yelling and cursing in German. She was in the middle of filing her one of many reports related to the recent Angel attack.

"She's loud but she couldn't be that loud." Misato shook the thought from her head and continued with her work. But something else interrupted.

"Hey, Katsuragi." Her office door open and the head of Section Two walked in.

"What is it Kaji?" She remained focus on her work. "I have a tonne of paperwork to complete so it better be important."

"Of course it's important." He sat down on the side of her desk. "Do you want to go get some drinks tonight?" His requested caused her to stop typing on the keyboard.

"It's over Kaji…"

"I'm not talking about sex. Just drinks between friends."

"But this is how it always starts," the purple haired woman sounded a little sad. "I'm better than that."

"If you are still pissed about what happen…"

"You're damn right I'm still pissed!" her manner changed instantly. "I never asked for your…"

"You didn't have to ask! I did what I did because I care about you! Anybody could have seen that you were falling apart and you wanted me to stand by and do nothing?"

"That's right! It was my choice and my life. You had not right to interfere." Emotions were boiling over and climaxed with Kaji slamming his fist into the top of the desk. Misato couldn't remember the last time Kaji actually displayed some sort physical violence but always knew that he would never intentionally harm her. This time it was different.

"Forget it…" he hissed, moving his fist back to reveal a sizable dent in the desk. He got up and walked towards the door.

"By the way, congratulations on your promotion."

"Promotion?" She swivelled around but was just faced with a closing door.

NERV HEADQUARTERS – PILOT CHANGE ROOMS

"Calm down Asuka. You act like Shinji your husband or something." Asuka wasted no time in pulling Shinji away from Mana. She practically threw him behind her and now stood face to face to the other EVA pilot.

"You're the one acting like a slut. What the hell were you doing with him!"

"Well, you see…" Shinji tried to play peace keeper.

"Was I asking you/ Stay out of this Shinji!" Mana and Asuka shouted back at him. They turned back to each other and continued the yelling match. Not waiting around to see a winner, Shinji carefully backed out of the change room and escaped down the hallway. He didn't get far before running into Kaji who was just coming out of Misato's office.

"Stubborn as always…" he sighed to himself, pretending to be unaware of Shinji's presence. "How long are you going to stand here and not say anything?" his frustration and anger disappeared instantly.

"Sorry Kaji… I was just…"

"Let me guess…" He walked over and inspected the young lad. "You've seen Hikari. I can tell that from your bandaged foot. And judging by your appearance, you have come from the change rooms but didn't have a chance to shower… So which girl are you running away from now?"

"It's girls…"

"I'll tell what. It just happens that my date for the night has left me high and dry. So why don't we go out. I can't drink alone and you need to get away from things."

"I'm not too sure… mom was really worried and…" he was hesitant.

"You're a grown man now Shinji. The Vice Commander doesn't need to know where you always are. Consider it a treat from me for saving the world today."

"I guess it should be ok… but I'll just let me call…" He didn't get a chance to finish before being led away by the head of Section Two.

"Great! You're going to love the place I picked out! Not many people know about it and…"

Yui stopped by the sick bay to pick up Rei. The both of them walked quickly towards the male changes rooms to find Shinji. They both wanted to leave NERV immediately and forget about the day's events. As they neared their destination, the unmistakable sound of females bickering grew louder. Rei's acute hearing picked the fighting was coming from the male change rooms. For some reason the image of Mana and Asuka playing tug a war with brother her popped into her head. The thought of her only brother suffering caused her to bolt into the room.

"Shinji!" She scanned the room looking for any sign of the young man. "Where is he?"

Her demand went unnoticed from the quarrelling girls as they continued their insults at each other. Rei was about to interrupt them again but stopped when Yui decided to intervene.

"Mana, Asuka!" her voice was direct but carried no weight. "Can I ask why the both are you in the male change room?" Both pilots turned to her and started shouting their story of events with a few insults thrown in at each other. She held her hands up as a sign to stop but it did little.

"Where's Shinji?" As soon as Yui spoke the name, the tirade stopped.

"He was right here." / "He's behind us."

Everyone looked around and found no sign of him.

NERV APARTMENTS – IKARI HOUSEHOLD

Kaji leaned on against his SUV down in the street as Shinji showered and changed upstairs. He tried to get his mind off his blow up with Misato yet he thought it was rather interesting that he was willing to spend time with the person who he thought was the cause of the troubles he had with her.

He didn't and couldn't blame the young man for his current situation. It was an emotional time back then. Things were said and done that were regrettable. Yet he was pretty sure that Shinji had no clue what was going on or what had happen.

Shinji, now looking clean and presentable, ran towards him. "Sorry I took so long."

"It's always better late than never young Ikari. Shall we leave?" He nodded and stepped into the front passenger seat. Kaji didn't waste any time and sped off. Literally, moments later a NERV courtesy car pulled into the same spot in front of the apartments. It carried the other members of the Ikari family as well as Asuka and Mana.

TOKYO 3 – CLUB DISTRICT

"Everything is still open." To Shinji's surprise it was business as usual for the majority of all the clubs and eateries.

"The people who have decided to stay adapted to living around the Angels and the evacuations."

"It's just a bit of a shock… I mean all these people could have died today."

"That's the same for you. For them running into the shelters, waiting for the worst to be over and then continuing with life is the same as you getting back into Unit One."

"I never thought of it that way." Kaji insight showed Shinji that everyone was fighting against the Angels in their own way. "By the way, where are we going?"

"Ah… That's classified but I can tell you that it's much better than any old bar." His secretive remark was followed by sharp turn into a side alley. The poor lighting and narrow lane way began to make Shinji uneasy. Eventually they reached a dead end and Kaji stopped the car.

"Kaji?" Shinji wondered what they were doing. The older man just casually flicked his headlights a few times. Then the wall before then split open and revealed a ramp leading down. The car moved forward into the gap and closed as soon as they were fully inside. The ramp was relatively short and lead to an underground car park. To Shinji's surprise all the cars were either luxury or sports model with a few classics thrown into the mix.

The NERV issued SUV pulled into the closest available space and looked strangely out of place. Two men the size of tree trunks approached the car. "Stay here for a moment." Shinji obeyed and watched Kaji get out of the car to meet the men. He immediately lifted and spread his arms. One of the men began to frisk him checking for something. When they were done Kaji turned and waved Shinji to come out. The other guard meet him.

"Arms up." His voice was deep and carried some intimidation. Shinji complied and did as Kaji.

"He's a bit young. This isn't an arcade parlour for schoolkids, Ryohji." The man next to Kaji spoke.

"That schoolkid my friend is Shinji Ikari." Both men stopped and looked at Kaji for signs of a joke. When none came they looked back at Shinji.

"Is it true?" The man closest to Shinji demanded. All he could do is nod numbly. The man took a step back and slowly reached into his jacket pocket. His heart skipped a beat as the thought of him pulling a weapon out like the movies was happening before him. Fear got the better of Shinji and he quickly shielded his face with his arms.

"My daughter is a huge fan of you EVA pilots. Could you please sign this for her?" Shinji looked between his arms to see the man bowing politely and offering a pad and pen.

"I have a son who is also a fan," the other spoke up over Kaji's laughs. "Would you mind taking a photo with us?" He approached with a digital camera.

Overcoming his double dose of embarrassment and fear, Shinji agreed to the men's request.

Eventually, one of the men led Shinji and Kaji to a service elevator. During the trip down, the chat was friendly with the man probing question about piloting EVA and Shinji trying his best to answer them without violating any confidential regulation that NERV enforced. When the elevator stopped and the doors open, it revealed a small room with a single door behind a desk occupied by an attractive woman and another tree trunk of a man.

"These two are VIPs. Make sure they get the proper treatment," their escort instructed the man and woman.

"It was an honour, Mr. Ikari. Please enjoy yourself." The man bowed and went back up the elevator.

"So what you said was true Kaji." The woman said and approached Shinji. "You do know an EVA pilot." Her face was within millimetres of touching Shinji's and she began inspecting him. He struggled to keep his eyes from wondering over her body. It didn't help his cause when the only pieces of material covering her chest and waist were no larger than a handkerchief.

"You are a cutie." She draped her arms around him and lean closer to his ear. "You're a VIP tonight Shinji. That means you can have anything you want," she whispered in his ear.

"How come I don't get this treatment? I come here often enough." That was Kaji's way of interrupting their little moment.

"I'm not really into older guys. Unfortunately you fall into that category," she replied with her own smart remark. "Shinji on the other hand is prefect." She finished by placing a playful slap across his backside.

"That's enough," the other man spoke up. "Please go through. Everyone has been notified of your arrival." He pressed a hidden button and the door opened. A pair of dark velvet curtain gently swayed but didn't disclose anything that could tell Shinji where he was.

"Kaji… What is this place?" The dark alley, secret car park, tight security, a sexy woman and now a hidden door played with Shinji's thoughts on what establishment his older friend that brought him to.

"You'll find out once you go through the magical curtains." Kaji answered as the woman hooked around his arm and led him to the entrance.

"This place isn't…" He couldn't finish before a gentle shove from behind sent him through.

"This time it's my turn to clean up…" Kaji rubbed his hands with anticipation and followed after Shinji.

GEO FRONT – NERV APARTMENTS

"You girls can go clean up. I'll start preparing dinner," Yui announced to her EVA pilots. They had stopped off at the supermarket on the way back to the apartments. Wanting to forget about the day's events, she wanted to cook up something special tonight. Though, it wasn't uncommon for the other tenants to stop by the Ikari household during meal time. Whoever was playing cook always prepared extra.

One her way to the kitchen, she passed the laundry and noticed a set of muddy and dirty clothes hanging out of the top of the washer. They were Shinji's. "Can someone check if Shinji is in his room?" Yui's request caused quite a stir from Asuka and Mana. The both girls were nearly out the front door when they heard the call.

Yui had to suppress her laughter when she heard the stampede down the hallway towards her son's room. Expecting cries for help and pleads for forgiveness from her son, she became curious when all she heard from silence. She went to investigate and found the girls checking all the hiding places in the room.

"What are you doing? Where's Shinji?"

TOKYO 3 – CLUB DISTRICT

"What did you girls do him? Where's Shinji?" Kaji asked as he watched the white marble ball spin around the roulette wheel. He had half the table covered with his chips and a group of attractive escorts keeping him company.

"He needed to go to bathroom." One of the girls said while sipping on her tall glass of champagne. "I think Kazumi is showing him the way."

"Come on! Go you good thing!" Kaji encouraged the little white ball around the wheel. The girl was a little annoyed that he ignored her. "Wait! Did you say Kazumi?"

"Yeah… You guys are the VIPS tonight. Well Shinji is anyway. She's lucky to get to do it with an EVA pilot."

"So Shinji is getting to full treatment?" He asked and all girls just nodded.

"Red, twenty four. Looks like you win again sir." The dealer acknowledged Kaji's winning number and paid his winnings.

"I guess everyone gets lucky tonight…" he smirked

Meanwhile, Shinji tried to stay inconspicuous as he walked through the underground casino with his hostess Kazumi on one arm. It didn't seem to work as Kazumi was rated as the best looking hostess and she only worked with high rollers. The average punters and regulars only dreamed about being in her company. Hence when everyone saw her walking with Shinji it caused a stir.

"Don't be so stiff. You can relax here." She squeezed his arm pulled him closer to her side.

"So this is a casino?" He asked nervously, trying to take his mind off the other body part of Kazumi that was pushing up against his arm.

She giggled at his innocent. "You're so cute! Of course this is a casino."

"But isn't gambling illegal in Japan?"

She leaned across and whispered in his ear. "Shhh… That's a secret."

"Hey Kazumi!" It was the voice of male patron who had too much to drink. "Dump the brat and come party with a real man." Thinking he was king of the world he stood next to a cart of casino chips which he had won.

"A real man is able to control his drinking and doesn't flaunt his chips for everyone to see." She replied and shifted behind Shinji. Draping her arms around his shoulders and pressing her well sized breast against his back caused him to start turning red.

"Shinji here is the prefect gentleman. You could learn a lot from him. He's the best and my services only deserve the best. You on the other hand…." She stopped mid sentence and pulled Shinji closer to her body making to as obvious as possible for everyone to see. "Let's just leave it at that. Shinji and I have better things to do then argue with you all night."

"Don't talk back to me you bitch!" he stormed over and grabbed her by the wrist. "You think you're better than me!" wresting her away from Shinji, she began to fall and was about to scream for security when something caught her around the waist.

"That's enough." Shinji's voice was stern and direct. "She may have been out of line for saying those things but that doesn't give you the right to treat her like that."

"Do you know who you are speaking to!" the man's voice was shouting now and could be heard by everyone in the area. In fact all the gambling had stopped. "Little bastard! I'll show you!" He took a wild swing which Shinji easily ducked away to the side. What was more amazing was that he managed to pull Kazumi back to her feet and keep her behind him. The force of the punch and lack of co ordination from drinking caused the man to tumble over to the floor.

The man quickly got to his feet and lunged at Shinji. Underestimating the speed of his second attack, Shinji was unable to manoeuvre out of the way and braced for impact. But a blur of black and white appeared from nowhere and tackled the man back to the ground.

"Kazumi, are you alright?" one the casino's security guards asked while still trying to subdue the man.

"I'm fine. Shinji saved me" She touched the area around her wrist where she was grabbed. "Get this arsehole out of here!"

Couple of more security detail arrived, along with man who acted like floor manager. Everyone watched as security escorted the man away kicking and screaming.

"I sincerely apologies for this Mr. Ikari" the manager bowed in front of Shinji. "He's one of our regular partons who had a little more to drink than he could handle. Thank you for helping Ms. Kazumi. Please accept this is a token of our apology." One of the dealers from the gambling tables wheeled over the ejected man's cart of winnings.

"But isn't that…"

"You need not concern yourself with that. Please accept this." Shinji had never seen so many chips in his life. He had no comprehension how much the casino offering him. After all, it was his first time in such an establishment and an illegal one at that.

"Can you hold it for me I was going to the bathroom and…?" Shinji stopped when Kazumi and the manager wore surprised looks. His innocent schoolyard like request was uncommon in such as place.

"Of course, sir," the manager said with a smile. "You can pick it up at the cashier's window when you are ready. Kazumi knows where that is." He bowed once more and walked away with the cart.

"Ms. Kazumi is your hand hurt. May be you should get someone to have a look it. I'll be able to find the bathroom on my own." Her heart melted at Shinji's concern and generosity. It was the first time in her line of work that someone had treated her with respect. She knew what type of business it was and didn't set her standards too high.

She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It wasn't one of those playful kisses that she would give a client if they won a big hand or gave a huge tip. The kiss had proper meaning from her. "Thank you Shinji. But I'm fine." He just stood there confused and embarrassed from the show of affection.

"We better find that bathroom. You might be an EVA pilot and saves the world from Angels but I guess you can't hold on forever." She giggled, looped his arm around her and led him away.

NERV APARTMENTS – IKARI HOUSEHOLD

"Is he in the bathroom?" Asuka shouted down the hallway. Rei walked out and shook her head no.

"So the tapes show him with Kaji leaving the base?" Yui confirmed with the person on the other end of the line. Shinji's whereabouts had taken precedents over preparing dinner and anything else. She hung up the phone and dialled Kaji's number but just got the non contactable recording from his voice carrier. She wasn't panicking but worry was starting to set in.

The front door open and her immediate thought was Shinji. She rushed to see who it was but disappointed when it was Mana. She then remembered asking her to check the other apartment in the building if Shinji had gone and visited someone.

"Sorry. Nothing. Everyone is still at NERV in any case." She reported "Did you find out anything?"

"I asked Kensuke to review some surveillance footage and he found Shinji leaving NERV with Kaji."

"Then there is nothing to worry about. Kaji is with him then he's fine." The young woman replied. "He's probably taken him out to relax a bit."

"Tried ringing his cell but it's out of range. I guess I'll try again later." Feeling a little more at ease she decided to get back to the task at hand. "He's had a rough day and deserves some fun and relaxation."

TOKYO 3 – UNDERGROUND CASINO

"Alright! I'm cleaning up!" An excited Kaji yelled as another large pile of mixed chips were pushed in his direction. "This beats working at NERV."

"Yeah, yeah… Congratulations…" One of the hostesses' feigned interest in his success at the roulette table was becoming apparent.

"You're not doing a very job of keeping me entertained. That is your job isn't it?"

"Yeah but you're not the only VIP. Kazumi has been gone for while. This is long even for her." Another one of the girls commented.

"That's right we want to meet Shinji." The first girl voiced.

"Let me tell you something girls… It's a secret about the EVAs." He waved the casino hostesses closer and they lean in. "The pilots actually don't have to do anything. We are the ones who give the commands and they just follow. In fact there's this system in place where the Eva can function without a pilot."

His comment was met with a disbelief of loud jeers and boos. "You might be a regular and a VIP tonight but that doesn't change what you really are." His time spent at the Yakuza run operation earned him the reputation much similar at NERV. The fact that he was high up in the NERV chain of command gave him some leniency in his behaviour. The leniency allowed him to develop more of a friendship with the girls and Yakuza.

"Excuse me Ms. Kazumi but isn't the restroom in that direction?" Shinji spotted a sign with Kanji characters and an arrow pointing in the opposite direction.

"That's for the regulars. I'm taking you somewhere special…" She trailed off towards the end, leaving it up for his interpretation. After entering a code in a keypad the doors to another elevator opened.

"Oh… I don't need anything special. Just a… Woah!" As he was talking she stepped in, quickly spun around and yanked him into the elevator. It caused Shinji to press up to her against. Soon the doors closed and they travelled down.

"You have really pretty eyes." She said as she played with his hair and stared into his ocean blue globes. Being relatively unexperienced with the opposite sex Shinji found himself in a stoic state but his insides were a different story.

"I can feel your heart. It's going a million miles an hour." Kazumi used her other hand to wrapped it around his waist and pull him closer to her. Shinji didn't have a clue how old she was. But she was definitely older than Asuka and younger than Misato. "Why are you so nervous? Are you afraid of me?"

"Afraid! What? No!" His quick response caused her to chuckle lightly.

"You are so cute when you are nervous. Tell me something Shinji, do have a girlfriend?" She asked.

All he could do was shake his head "no". What she did next he didn't expect. Her other hand stopped playing with his hair and took a gentle hold. She guided his head and his lips towards hers. Naturally Shinji closed his eyes in anticipation for the kiss but it never came. The elevator jointed to a stop and the doors open.

"Do you want a girlfriend?" She breathed in his mouth, just short of his lips.

NERV APARTMENTS – IKARI HOUSEHOLD

"Do you think Shinji had a girlfriend while he was away?" Mana's absent minded question to no one caused Asuka to almost choke on her mouthful of curry. Rei gave a disapproving glance and then continued to eat. Yui just smiled. Like all mothers, she was naturally curiosity about the girls Shinji might have had in his life but wasn't going to show it.

"What sort of stupid question is that!" The thought of Shinji and another woman annoyed her to no extent. "He's not that type of a guy."

"But he is still a guy and you know what guys think about when they are at that age."

"Of course but Shinji isn't like one of those perverts."

"Then what is he like Asuka?" The oldest female at the dinner table asked. "I'll like to know what you and Mana think?"

Before Asuka could think up a reasonable response Mana jumped in. "Reckon he has."

"And why do you say that?"

"Well he's good looking and sensitive. And don't forget about modest. Top that off with being an EVA pilot and he's pretty much perfect. Any girl would be proud to call Shinji their property."

"You're just looking at him superficially." Asuka's comment carried a bit of venom behind it.

"Don't tell me that you disagree with everything I've said. You're after him just as much as I am."

Expecting an attack or insult, Mana was surprised when Asuka spoke properly. "Shinji has the biggest heart that I know. He'll never judge you for what you are or what you have done. He looks at the person for who they are and with everything that has happen to him it would have been easy for him to carry a grudge against the world but he chooses not… That's very hard to do. I know I wasn't strong enough to do that." Her thoughtful insight caused a silence around the dinner table.

Not to be out done by Asuka's reply, Mana got the last word in and stuck to her original thought. "But that doesn't change the fact that Shinji is still a hot blooded male in his prime. I bet he's thinking about doing it right now."

TOKYO 3 – UNDERGROUND CASINO

'Oh my God! This is the best feeling ever…' Shinji just stared at the ceiling as he let his body do its work. A soft knock on the door brought him back from his thoughts.

"Are you ok in there?" Kazumi said through the bathroom door. Her interruption caused Shinji to hurry up.

'Gez I must have been in here for ages…' He quickly finished, did up his fly, washed his hands and left the en suite. What he returned to he never would have expected. The first things his eyes spotted were a pair of high heel shoes on the carpet. Next to them were some nylon stockings followed by an evening gown that looked very similar to the one Kazumi was wearing. The dress was still on the floor at the foot of a king size bed. Just siting on the edge was a set of lingerie. A gentle stir from the under the satin sheets caused them to fall to the ground.

"I was getting lonely without you Shinji…" she purred. His eyes were hypnotised by the way the satin sheets wrapped around her luscious curves. "Why don't you come a little closer?"

Rubbing his hands over his face had the desired effect of getting his mind back into gear. "I'm sorry I think that there has been a misunderstanding…"

She could tell that he was really inexperience in these sorts of situations. Normally, she would find it amusing but in Shinji's case it was adorable. Kazumi got out of the bed holding the sheet against her body. It trailed behind her like a wedding gown.

"When I was younger I use to play dragons and knights. I always loved being the princess the boys would rescue me. The bravest boy would get a kiss from the princess as his reward." She let go of the sheet and wrapped her arm around his neck. Her naked body pressed up against his. "The way you stood up for me back there reminded me of that. An EVA pilot is like a modern day knight and it's time for the princess to give the knight his reward."

NERV APARTMENTS – IKARI HOUSEHOLD

"And I thought I raised a spoilt princess…" Misato had managed to sneak into the Ikari apartment and catch everyone unaware. She walked behind Asuka and took a mouthful of her dinner.

"I take it you're late due to all reports?" Yui asked casually resuming her meal.

"Mmmm… This is food good."

"Get your own!" upset that her food was quickly disappearing Asuka grabbed her spoon back from the Major.

"Would you like some there is plenty for every one?" Misato kindly pass down Yui's kind offer and sat herself down in Shinji's seat.

"So… Rei… Care to share your thoughts on Shinji with the rest of us?" She looked directly at the girl who had remained quiet throughout the discussion on Shinji's love life. Asuka saw the mischievous twinkle in Misato's eye and knew what was coming next.

"Shinji is my only brother. Does any more need to be said?" Misato knew Rei would respond defensively that didn't reveal much. "I would like to know what your intensions towards my brother are. I have noticed that on most occasions you act inappropriately with him and it causes him to feel uncomfortable."

"That's because he's still young. You girls wouldn't understand since I expect that all of you would be still inexperienced."

"Are you stating your intensions toward my son Major?"

"Well that depends… If these two get their act together." She pointed to Mana and Asuka respectively. "If they don't, I guess I'll just have to take Shinji for myself. After all, any girl would be proud to call Shinji their property, right Mana?" she finished with a wink at the young pilot.

"That's just sick!" Asuka was obliviously upset. "You're old enough to be his mother. In fact for a time you probably were." Asuka knew age and figure were a sensitive subject to Misato and hoped for a fiery response.

"We have already talked our age difference and I'm sure Yui wouldn't mind." The calmed replied was followed by a look at mother Ikari.

"As long as Shinji is happy then I don't see a problem." She played along with Misato's little game and they got the intended result. All three girl leap to their feet and began shouting and yelling their disapproval.

"Don't you think you had enough fun yet?" The Vice Commander managed to get through to her Major during the onslaught of abuse.

"Yeah, I guess…" She said between giggles. "By the way, where is he?"

"Shinji? He left NERV with Kaji. They are probably having dinner out."

"Kaji!" The way Misato had said his name sparked the worry within Yui again. "Damn… We had a fight this afternoon. He wanted to go drinking tonight by I declined. He might…"

TOKYO 3 – UNDERGROUND CASINO

"And to think that I was going to go drinking with Misato!" Another huge pile of chips were pushed in his direction. His winnings were growing at an exponential rate. His section of the table wasn't large to hold all this chips so he had resorted to filling every single pocket and the immediate floor around him. Surrounded by beautiful girls and crowd of on lookers, he was enjoying the moment.

"I guess Shinji must be good luck." One of the girls commented.

"Shin who?" Kaji was too busy placing his next bets to hear what she was saying.

"Some friend you are. You don't even…" before she could finish a huge explosion came from the entrance. People began to scream and panic. Being a Yakuza run establishment, occasional shooting was something of the norm. Smoke began to fill the hall and hardcore gamblers used it to try and snatch what they could.

"POLICE! NOBODY MOVE!" a booming voice ranging out of a speaker phone.

Meanwhile, Shinji tensed up so hard he was starting to shake. Kazumi's lips ran along his collarbone and up his neck. The contrasting cold sweat running down his back and warmth of her breath caused goose bumps along his skin. Kazumi took the opportunity the quickly spin and flip him onto the bed. They landed her with on top and Shinji underneath. For her size he was quite surprised to find her so light. She purposely moved her leg so it brushed up against is crotch, causing a pleasurable groan. Feeling that Shinji was totally under her control, she closed in for the kiss but the sound of a beeper shattered the moment.

"Hold that thought." She rolled off him and checked her dress for the device causing the noise.

'You can't do this Shinji!' he mentally berated himself but was unable to control his eyes from wandering over to her naked form kneeing down next to her dress. 'Ken and Touji would think I'm crazy for giving up this opportunity.'

"You have to go." Her voice carried some urgency. Sexiness and sultry were gone. She began getting dressed.

"Huh? What?" his voice sounded a little disappointed even though his thoughts said other wise.

"Looks like the police have interrupted our date."

"Police!" It didn't take a scientist to figure out that being an EVA pilot and getting caught with a mysterious woman in a Yakuza run illegal casino was more than a bad thing. "Shit! What do we do?"

"You can get away through here." She ran over to the head of the bedpost and clicked a hidden switch. A concealed passage way open next to her opened. It was large enough for someone to crawl through. "It leads to a ladder which will take you to a side alley around the back of the warehouse."

"Ok." He went over to the passage but stopped when he notice Kazumi wasn't going to follow him. "What are you doing? Aren't you coming?"

"Sorry Shinji. The Yakuza are proud people. I can't leave just like that."

"But if you stay the police will…"

"Shhh…" She pressed a single finger against his lips. "It won't be the first time that I've had to deal with the police. It was a shame that the night had to end early but this time the princess gets to save her knight." Kazumi planted a quick kiss on his lips and it was over before his brain even registered what happen. Stunned by the kiss, she pushed him into the gap in the wall.

"Promise me that you won't die piloting before we can meet again Shinji." Those were the last words he heard before the trap door closed, leaving him in the dark.

On topside, the police were gathering people they managed to catch during the raid. They didn't have enough room in the transport wagons for everyone. After producing his NERV identification, Kaji was spared the treatment the rest were receiving. He sat on the curb of the street twiddling the only chip he managed to save.

"I guess you're the real lucky one tonight." he spoke to the single chip he managed to save in during the police raid. He flipped it into the air and with his palm open; he waited for the chip to drop back down. Distracted he failed to notice someone stomp up to him.

"Kaji!" Misato hissed his name. She grabbed him by the front of his jacket and slammed him against the brick wall behind. He was stunned for a moment but didn't loose sight of his chip which hit the ground and rolled into a nearby drain in the gutter. "If anything has happen to him, I'm going to kill you!"

"I take it you're still upset from this afternoon." The smart arse remark earned him another violent shove.

"You just don't get it! Of all the places you took him, it had to be a Yakuza run underground casino."

"Will you calm down for a second?"

"This is calm compared to the Vice Commander." He peered over her shoulder to see Yui and the girls run around the crowd of people looking for Shinji. The sight amused him slightly.

"That's it! I'm going to shot you right now!" She saw Kaji's trademark grin and it pushed her over the edge. Withdrawing her side arm, she pressed it against his shoulder. There was not intension to kill Kaji but causing him severe harm would make her feel better.

"Whoa! Ok! Hang on. Look there she is." Kazumi appeared just in time. Her hand behind her back and bounded together. Kaji broke Misato's hold and quickly went over to her.

"Hey Kazumi!" A police office went to stop him but a flash of his NERV badge allowed him through.

"Don't worry. He's safe. I sent out the back passage. The grate behind all the dumpsters." She whispered to him. Yui stopped her search for Shinji. When she spotted Kaji talking to some woman she was filled by an unmeasurable rage. She raced over. Pulled him away from Kazumi and delivered the loudest and hardest slap. The sound of her open hand caused everyone to stop what they were doing and focus on them.

"Where's my son!" A little dazed from the attack Kaji was unable to answer but it just earned him another slap.

"Where's my son!" She repeated.

"Son? You wouldn't be Shinji's mother?" between the giggles Kazumi managed to speak. Yui turned to the woman and looked her up and down. The way she was dressed and the fact she knew her son didn't help her anger levels.

"Who are you! How do you know my son!"

"Let just say I was Shinji's companion for tonight." Kaji ran his hand down his face, knowing that Kazumi's suggestive answer would get him in trouble yet again.

TOKYO 3 – UNDERGROUND CASINO BACK ALLEY

Shinji could hear the sirens and commotion as he climbed the ladder to the surface. He reached the top and pushed the drainage lid open. The rusted hinges gave him a bit of trouble but not much. He didn't really realise how much the damp air stank down there until he reached the street. Checking his surroundings, Kazumi wasn't lying. Number of large industrial dumpsters lined the sides, hugging the wall. Red and blue lights from the police sirens flashed along the walls from the main street.

'Damn. I have no idea where I am or how I get home. There are the police. I hope Kaji and Ms. Kazumi are ok.'

"Mr. Ryohji and Ms. Kazumi are fine." A distant familiar voice came from down the alley. It startled Shinji because he was certain that no was with in the alley.

"Who's there?" A wiry shadow moved into the dimmed light. The police light played with the new arrival's face, giving him a ghostly appearance. "It's been a long time Shinji."

"It… Can't… Impossible…" His legs felt weak and gave way to the shock. On his backside Shinji continued to murmur words of disbelief.

"I would have thought so as well if I wasn't an Angel." Kaworu extended his hand and offer to help Shinji off the ground. With hesitance Shinji carefully reached out.

"You're real? Not a ghost." When their hand touched, it confirmed his thoughts.

"A Ghost? Ah, yes. You humans have this idea of a spiritual embodiment after death. Well I can tell you that it's not true. And if it was I don't think Angels would have a ghost in any case."

"But I killed…"

"Yes you did. Firstly I have to apologies for making you do that. It was difficult times for you and asking such a request was out of line. That's why I have come here."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking you to leave NERV and Tokyo 3. If you continue to still and defy us I'll be forced to do things which I don't want."

"Leave?"

Kaworu nodded. "The Angels are back, Shinji. And this time it will end. I'm giving you this chance to live the remainder of your time as you wish. Mankind doesn't have long."

"Shinji! Shinji!" Numerous voices shouting his name were accompanied by running footsteps. His search party rounded the corner. A giant weight lifted from Yui's shoulders when she spotted her son standing in the middle of the alley. Without hesitation, the mother ran to him but stopped short when she saw that he wasn't alone. Their eyes met.

"Shinji get away from him!" She screamed. 'Why didn't I bring my gun!'

"This isn't your fight anymore." Kaworu spoke again calmly through Yui's shouting. "It wasn't even yours to begin with. Your sacrifice will be all for nothing."

"Why do you want me to leave? What are you going to do?" As soon as Yui heard Shinji mention the word leave she stopped. "You're with them aren't you?"

"I can't change what I am nor can I change what I have to do. But you can, don't throw away this freedom and your life for something that's already written and predestined." The group had split up to look for Shinji in the maze of back alleys and arrived when they heard Yui's cries.

"Shinji get away! Misato shoot him!" The major looked and saw the face of the person standing next to Shinji and immediate withdrew her weapon.

"Fucking Angel!" but she hesitated with Shinji standing close to her target. "Shinji get out of the way!"

"Just wait! Everyone calm down!" His words for reason were a shock to everyone except for Kaworu. "We don't have to…"

"Damn it Kaji! Get out of the way." Asuka yelled. The head of Section Two also knew who was standing with Shinji and quickly hurried the girls behind a dumpster. An evening of running around in filthy back alleys looking for Shinji running from a Yakuza illegal casino where he spent his time with a woman who she couldn't describe without using some derogatory terms was really starting to wear her patience down.

"Who is he/ We must rescue Shinji!" Mana was more interested in who the mystery person was while Rei knew what was happening.

"You have to choose. Stay and die or run and live." Kaworu's ultimatum got Shinji started thinking about running away again.

"I won't run away again."

"Deep down, I knew that you would choose this. But I still wanted to believe that the both of us would enjoy the time mankind had left. There was still much I'll like you to show about your world. It's such a shame, such a waste."

"You have a choice as well. I'm sure Dr. Akagi could help you. If you come back to NERV we can…"

"Thank you Shinji. It means a lot that you even thought that but I have to do what I've been destined to do." He held out his hand. "This will be the last time we meet as friends. Even though, the outcome wasn't what I wanted, the opportunity to witness your kindness again is something I've longed for and will remember." Shinji took his hand and shook it. Suddenly he jerked his arm and pulled him in close.

"Please forgive me." A single tear rolled down Kaworu's cheek as he whispers those three words in to him. Then using a combination of his AT field and strength, he swung Shinji off the ground and slammed him into the closest dumpster. His body caused a sizable dent in the steel and his body fell to the ground with a thud.

Without a second thought, Yui started running toward her fallen son. Misato saw her opening and fired two shots. The bullets were dead on but stopped short by an invisible wall about a foot away from Kaworu. The wall also stopped Yui in her tracks and knocked her to the ground.

Dazed and winded from the throw, Shinji reached for anything they would help him to his feet. His left hand ran up the side of the dumpster while the other used to support his weight. He didn't see Kaworu approach and materialise a knife from the palm of his hand.

"Why didn't you listen!" he buried his new knife into the Shinji's left hand. It went straight through his flesh and into the steel. Blood began to flow down the side of the dumpster as he let out a cry of pain.

"Stop this!" Yui pleaded while being helped up by Misato. "Don't hurt him!"

"Don't hurt him! Don't make me laugh! You are ones who had hurt him the most. Why didn't you tell him about what really happen in the Terminal Dogma?" With the same hand, Kaworu materialised a hand gun and pointed it directly at Shinji's head. "You remember this don't you? You father had you bound and on your knees. You were looking death in the face when everything went blank. Did you ever wonder what happen next?"

With his other hand Shinji tried to pull out the blade but Kaworu just stamped his heel against the handle causing more pain and it drove in deeper. "I can tell what happen because I was there." Shinji's eyes widen.

"But what exactly happen there isn't important. What you should be asking is why they kept my appearance secret from you?" the cold steel of the gun pressed up against his forehead. "Why don't you ask your mother why she thought keeping that secret from you was so necessary?"

"Shut up! Just leave him alone. Shinji has nothing to do with all of this!"

"It makes you think doesn't it Shinji…" Kaworu ignored Yui and the other's pleading. "If they kept that from you, what else are they hiding? You see they don't really care about you! They only want you because you're just a means to their ends. You're a convenience, someone who they use and abuse when they seem fit."

"No… No…" his breathing was ragged from the pain.

"That's enough! Take me! Just let him go!" Kaworu swung his gun around and pointed directly at Yui after her out cry. He began to walk towards her. "When he gets close to me, go and get Shinji!" she whispered to Misato.

"No way! He'll kill you!" she whispered back.

"That's an order Major! Save my son!"

"What do you think Shinji? Your mother is willing to sacrifice herself for you or is she just doing this to hide the truth from you."

"I've never hidden anything from him, you fucking monster! You're just a coward!"

"A coward? You're the one who abandon him for your own ambitions of GEHRIN. No… you didn't abandon him. You just saw an easy way out of the responsibility of being a mother. And you think coming back now and putting on this happy family act is going to make everything better?"

Yui delivered a solid slap. Misato noticed she began closing and clenching her fists in anger like Shinji would. For some reason her blow went straight through his AT field.

"You see I am right. You're pathetic. I'm surprised that…"

The muzzle of Misato's gun against his temple made Kaworu stop. "That's enough."

"What do you expect to do with that? If I was human it would be a different story but I'm afraid that you can't harm me."

"I don't care! If you don't back off I will unload this clip in your face." Kaworu answered by cocking the hammer back on his gun. "You are the same Ms. Katsuragi. You are just using Shinji as your instrument for revenge. You're relationship with your father wasn't idyllic and neither was your childhood. I guess that's the reason why you to have a sexual interest towards Shinji. Having to growing up quickly can do that to a person."

"Fucking arsehole!" She shoved the muzzle hard against the side of his head. "You don't know anything about me!"

"I know everything about all of you. Ms. Kirishima's secret as well as Ms. Ayanami's. Mr. Ryohji's jealously toward Shinji because of the way you act around him. I won't mention young Sohryu's because she might chuck a little tantrum."

"Piece of shit! I'll kill you." Kaji just managed to grab Asuka by the waist, stopping her from getting too far.

"So what do you think of your little family Shinji?" Kaworu turned his head and found him still hunched over with his hand firmly impaled in the side of the dumpster. He gritted his teeth and grabbed the handle of the knife with his other hand. With all the strength he had, Shinji wrenched it out, freeing his hand. It caused his wound to open and tear more. The blood begin to flow freely again. It dripped onto his shoes and pooled at his feet.

"Impressive but you should really get some treatment for that injury. It's not life threatening but you have lost quite a lot of blood. We wouldn't want anything bad to happen."

"ARRRGGGHHH!" without any indication, Shinji let out a vicious roar and charged at Kaworu with the knife still in hand. A devilish smile appeared on Kaworu's lips as he used his AT field to push Misato and Yui away. He spun around and pointed his gun at Shinji charging form. Shinji didn't deviate from his straight line and Kaworu had him dead in his sights. Ignoring the cries and pleads to stop, Shinji continued unafraid of the consequences. Kaworu smile turned into laughter as he opted dropped his gun and allowed Shinji to tackle him. He continued to laugh as the knife was plunged deep into this abdomen. They landed with a massive thud on the ground and Shinji on top. A blue hue appeared around the seventeenth Angel.

"Remember this… everything that happens from now on is your fault…" those were his last words as he faded and disappeared from beneath him.

END OF CHAPTER

AUTHOR'S NOTES

First of all, I'll like to give a massive apology for delay in update. I had some minor issues with proof reading and been working on some other fics.

This chapter may be a little different from the others but I'm just setting up for the next and wanted a bit of fun for Shinji. I also got a review that Shinji is always getting hospitalised. There is a reason for this and all part of the grand plan ;)

Thanks for reading, Wonga316