Alright, everyone. I know I made a big deal last chapter about going around an maybe editing a few of the older chapter, and I did...a bit. But, I eventually decided that going over the chapters and editing them in the manner I had intended would probably take...awhile, and would slow down my chapter output if I really dedicated myself to editing the older chapters all in one go. So, I actually decided to scrap that idea and instead edit them a little bit at a time. Once again, I wasn't editing anything major that would affect the storyline significantly. I was mostly just altering some dialogue that seemed a little too out of character for some of the...well, characters.
Anyways, on to review responses which I haven't done in... I think three chapters now or so! Ugh, oh man, where am I even supposed to start with this backlog of reviews? Maybe I shouldn't skip review responses from now on.
.
Hellsink Bathhall: I'm happy you aren't quite as bothered as some of the other people reading. Because, while a few chapters back with Gendo was definitely probably on the iffy side...I honestly don't think that's gonna seem to be nearly as fucked up as some of the later stuff I have coming. And, now I sound like a bad writer who relies on cheap shock value...
And, honestly, there's a whole bunch of little thing I could respond too, and it's a little tricky to pick out what's most notable. But, I figured this would actually be good to respond to because this would be a good way to maybe also give everyone a little insight into some of my ideas, though I have already said something a bit similar in response to one of Useful76's reviews. But to the point.
You brought up how I wrote a little bit about Shinji's Aunt and Uncle in chapter 16. And, I just thought that it would once again be prudent to inform everyone reading this that I do intend to go relatively deep into many of the character's pasts. Most of this 'exploration' is going to be spurred on by little clues I've found all across the mediaverse for Evangelion, whether it be the manga, the Rebuilds, End of Evangelion, or just the anime. Shinji's Aunt and Uncle are actually referenced in the manga, as well has his experience 'stealing' the bike that he told Rei about in chapter 16. However, on top of drawing from many sources, I'm obviously going to be making up some of my own stuff to go along with the characters past. For example, Asuka's relationship with her mother, I have a whole mini story arc to tell about that relationship, and I'm going to add and include a lot of events to Asuka and her mother's relationship that weren't in any pervious version of Evangelion.
I suppose that may be obvious, considering that this is fanfiction. But, I guess the point I'm trying to get across is that, A Journey of Hate, Power, and Love is a story about many people. And, as we look through the evidence left in the show and other media, we can find that many of the characters have problems. So, while Evangelion was mostly about Shinji, Rei, and Asuka, there's plenty of stuff to draw on to add to the characters in this. So, in the same way that Neon Genesis Evangelion is a story about many people and their many troubles, A Journey of Hate, Power, and Love is also a bunch of people's stories that all come together to make one story. So, all of you should expect me to do lots of little things with the more side and minor characters.
Useful67: I'm very happy you noticed the similarities between Chapter 16 and 2.22. I was really going for a 2.22 feel with that chapter. Maybe...maybe that's a hint of things to come? But, maybe I also shouldn't say too much. Don't wanna get too spoilery. But, yeah, this chapter was also inspired by 2.22, though it may not be quite as obvious. But, there was a scene where Misato and Kaji went out drinking right before the... thing...that happened...I'm saying too much.
And, yeah, I...hehe, in the chapter 16 author note, I didn't mean you. Luckily, you didn't seem too upset over the whole Gendo getting it on with the Rei Clones thing. I was honestly expecting more people to be angry over it. I mean...there were a fair few that were upset over it, (You should see the PMs I got.) but thankfully, there weren't as many angry as I was expecting. Hopefully everyone's chilled out over than now...
GeraltzRivie: That's so awesome I uploaded it on your birthday. I always try to upload my chapters on special days whenever I can. I'm sure everyone already knew that though, since I originally published this story on the forth of July. And then I think I posted another chapter on Halloween. Might've been a few days before. I'd have to check the date I published it. But, yeah, I usually do try to publish my chapter on notable days, except for Christmas because plot reasons. Dun DUN DUN! Ooh, is that spoiler territory? Ooooooh, that might be getting close to spoiler territory. I should probably be quiet now. So there, I gave you guys your New Years present. You better be happy for it. But, seriously, I'm happy I got a chapter up on your birthday. That makes me feel "warm inside" as the Rei from the Rebuilds would put it.
origamishishou: Dude! You squeaked!? I know how that is! I squeaked too (like 10 times) when I was writing that! I always squeak when I think I'm writing something cute or endearing.
And, yeah, that chapter may have been a bit much, but, as I never tire of telling people, this is going to be a fliggly diggly fucked up story. And, I'd like to think that if I'm doing my job right, it's only going to get more fucked up from here on out... But, like, it'll be ups and downs. So, it's not going to be all fucked up stuff. You've gotta give people something... so you can take it away from them later! (I sound really ungenerous right now, and I'm not trying to...) So, there's gonna be lots of little cute happy things that happen in between all the fucked up stuff.
.
And, I guess that mostly wraps up chapter reviews. And, this is the first chapter of 2018! So, yay! I'm...I'm still alive... it sure feels like it's been awhile since I stared writing this.
Also, just as a quick reminder, this chapter takes place at the same time as last chapter, with Misato walking out on Shinji and Asuka while they're arguing, just so no one gets lost right as soon as they start reading this.
.
Text Guide
Standard Wording
"Spoken Dialogue/Speech"
'Internal Dialogue/Thoughts'
(Flashbacks)
/
[Slash denotes scene transition for the moment; this may be changed in the future so as to become more visible.]
.
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit off of Neon Genesis Evangelion, End Of Evangelion, or the Rebuilds of Evangelion. I do not own Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, Asuka Langley Sohryu, or any of the other characters/ideas from the Evangelion intellectual property collective. All licenses remain with the proper license holders. If asked to, I will formally remove this story from the hosting website.
.
*Cruel Angel's Thesis and Eva intro starts playing*
Neon Genesis Evangelion
A Journey of Hate, Power, and Love
Chapter 17
Above the Churning Waters
.
'Damn kids,' Misato begrudgingly thought to herself as she picked up her purse and a can of Yebisu.
Shinji and Asuka had been fighting almost non-stop for the past few days. And, honestly, Misato had just about had enough of it. She didn't know what was going on between the two kids and if she wasn't so tired of it, she might actually have the motivation to try to figure out what was going on.
But, as it stood right now, she just didn't care enough. She wanted to get away more than anything right now. Asuka constantly slapping and screaming at Shinji put her on edge and kept her from relaxing. And, Misato needed her relaxation.
Already, Misato dreaded the though of the paperwork she still needed to catch up on. And, she didn't want what little bit of personal time she had to be spent listening to Asuka's shrill voice.
"Well, I'm going to see you two later. I'm going out for a bit," Misato said, causing the arguing children to temporarily shut up as they heeded her odd interjection, "I'll see you later. Behave while I'm gone!"
Misato walked out through the foyer and heard Asuka begin pouring a drink for herself. Misato could only imagine how stressed out Shinji was right now. Dealing with a raging and soon to be drunken girl. Misato felt bad about leaving him with her. And it probably didn't help that when Shinji had asked Misato why Asuka was allowed to drink alcohol, she had basically blown off his inquiry.
Not that Misato had a good reason to actually give the poor overwhelmed boy. What was she supposed to tell him? That Asuka was blackmailing her in letting her drink alcohol and skip school?
Of course, Misato had questions pertaining to Asuka drinking right in front of Shinji, especially since originally, the redhead had shown a keen interest in hiding such activities from Shinji in the past. But, now she was so brazened with it, almost like she was trying to rub it in the boy's face. Or maybe there was some other reason. Misato didn't know. But, she knew that something had happened in the past few days that had affected the girl. She also, however, knew better than to ask when the girl was in the mood that she was in currently.
So, Misato regretfully just left the kids on their own as she headed out of the apartment.
A cold front had rolled through last night, and as soon as Misato shoved her apartment door open, she felt the cold wind and water droplets shoot up her skirt.
She tried to ignore the chill as she pulled out her phone. She looked through her contacts looking for Ritsuko's number, but before she could find it…
"Good morning, Captain Katsuragi," a little voice murmured.
Misato looked up from her phone and was surprised to see Rei.
"Oh, hello there, Rei! Don't you look cute today. Still wearing those clothes I bought for you, I see," Misato said with a wink.
"Y…yes, Ma'am."
"I guess you're here to see Shinji?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I am."
Misato frowned a little. Of course she was here to see Shinji. And of course she came at a time like this.
"Well, just be careful, alright. I think he and Asuka are about to have a big blow up or something. They won't stop fighting," Misato smiled sadly, "Anyways, I'll be seeing you."
Misato then made her way past Rei as the girl looked at her curiously.
"Captain Katsuragi, you seem intoxicated. Are you quite well enough to drive?" the blue haired girl asked, obviously doubting Misato's operational capacity to act as the Operations Director or…anything else really.
Misato slowly turned around to face Rei with a slightly annoyed smile on her face, hoping that Rei didn't intentionally mean to patronize her.
"Oh, yeah. I-I can do anything when I'm drunk. Besides, I…I just need to get out of the house for a bit. Like I said, those kids…they won't stop fighting. I just need some calm for a while."
"I…see. I will attempt to stop them from conflicting then," Rei said as she glanced towards the door of Misato's apartment.
"Oh, Rei," Misato sighed while wiping her brow, "I don't know if anything could stop Asuka from fighting. She'd argue with a lamppost if she thought it was trying to pick a fight with her."
"I will try…" Rei said as she looked at Misato with a determined expression.
"Heheh, you're welcome to. I left the door unlocked, so you can just welcome yourself. But, I'm not gonna stick around. So, I'll see you later."
Rei nodded at Misato. The woman didn't notice however as she was already looking back through her phone and heading down to the parking lot. Misato found Ritsuko in her phone and speed dialed her.
The phone rung for a few seconds before Ritsuko picked up.
"Yeah? Who's this?"
"Oh, yeah. Hey, Ritsuko, I was wondering, could we meet up?"
"M-Misato!? Is that you? What do you mean meet up? Don't you have paperwork to do?"
Misato's eye twitched and she was silent for a moment.
"Hello? Misato?"
"Say, Ritsu. Since you're such a good little workaholic, why don't you do my work for me?"
"O-oh! So, that's how it's gonna be? Well, since you're such an alcoholic, maybe you should practice having responsibilities."
"I don't need to practice when I have you and Shinji to do all my work for me."
"You know, Misato, that's… That's not something you should be proud of…"
"Oh, gimme a break, Ritsu. Please? I'll do the stupid paperwork. But, later, okay? Right now, I just need to have some me time."
"You time? But, Misato," Ritsuko chuckled in a slightly annoyed way, "You already have you time. In fact, you take extra you time. I KNOW that you always take days off just so you can drink. And then there's all those days you come in late. And those days when you leave early. And those days where you show up but you spend the entire day sleeping in the wreck room. And guess who always gets stuck with your work on those days!"
"You?" Misato responded shyly.
"And many others! Maya for one. And Shigeru! And Makoto! And Shinobu! And Hotaka! And-"
"Yes, yes! And Jake from State Farm! I get it Ritsuko. I know. And I'm sorry. But, Ritsuko, these kids are tearing me apart."
"Really now?"
"Y-yes! Why would I lie?"
"Well," Ritsuko sighed, "I guess maybe you have a point. Rei came to my office last night and asked if she could used my phone to call the Second Child. It sounded… like she was shot down pretty quickly."
"Wait? Really? Rei called Asuka? What did she say?"
"Nothing really? Why?"
"Well, because Asuka has just been… off recently."
"Hmm, off? I haven't run any sync tests on the kids recently. Do you think I should? Maybe accompanied with a psychiatric review?"
"Ugh, can't we just meet up like I asked, please? I think that would be simpler to start there instead and I'd rather talk about it in person," Misato pleaded as she unlocked her car and stepped in.
"Mmm… I dunno, Misato."
"Please, Ritsuko! I'll pay for the drinks! What have you got to loose?"
Ritsuko sighed.
"My precious, precious time. That's what."
"Please, Ritsuko! Please!"
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll come. But, only if I get to bring someone else along."
"Deal!"
Ritsuko sighed again, hoping she wasn't about to get into something she'd regret.
"So… where are we going then?"
"I'm happy you asked. I had just the place in mind."
"Oh, that sounds marvelous," Ritsuko mumbled sarcastically.
/
-Fragments in One Direction-
/
Misato had just entered what was probably one of her favorite restaurants in town. But, she could already see that this wasn't going to yield the enjoyable experience she'd been hoping for.
"R-Ritsuko! Why… why'd you invite him?!" Misato whispered angrily as she approached the booth Ritsuko was seated at.
Kaji waved at Misato innocently.
"Obviously so that we have someone who can drive us."
"I don't need anyone to drive me when I'm under the influence!" Misato mumbled quietly as she took her seat next to Ritsuko on her side of the booth.
"Oh, I'm sure you don't. I bet you probably drove here at least having had three or four beers beforehand."
"It… it wasn't that much…" Misato said deflatedly.
The three adults were sitting in a dimly lit sushi diner and bar. Ritsuko didn't seem too fond of the way Misato had described the place, but after arriving, she found it wasn't as bad as she'd expected. Though, perhaps Kaji's presence just put her more at ease than she'd thought.
"So, Katsuragi, is your snoring still keeping Shinji up at night?" Kaji said, finally greeting the woman.
Ritsuko could be heard choking on her drink and Kaji could see Misato was glaring at him like nobody's business.
"Misato! Ehuhuh," Ritsuko coughed, "Y-you told him?!"
Kaji had a very intrigued look on his face as he considered what Ritsuko's words could mean.
"Told him? Told him what?" Misato asked in a hushed voice, "Wait! What? Told him!? No! I didn't tell him tell him! Why would I tell him that! I don't even talk to him unless I absolutely have to!"
"So… your snoring does keep him up then," Kaji said with a smirk before taking a sip of his drink.
"It- It does not! Shut up!" Misato quietly hissed with an uncharacteristically embarrassed blush.
"Well, I suppose if you say so…" Kaji sighed as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little plastic bag with a pill inside it. The pulled open the bag and then popped the pill into his mouth.
Ritsuko gasped as she saw him swallow the pill.
"Ryo, you shouldn't be taking that with alcohol and you know it!"
Kaji chuckled quietly.
"You worry too much, Ritsu."
"Hold up you two!" Misato said as she forced her way into their conversation, "Ryo? Ritsu? Why are you calling each other that? You sound like you're together or something! Ritsuko, I thought you were dating Maya! Are also dating… him?" Misato gulped.
"You jealous, Katsuragi?" Kaji chuckled again.
Ritsuko giggled.
"No, Misato, you're reading too much into it. We're just friends, just like we were back in college. It's obvious though that… both of you have kept a lot of secrets from each other in the what? Eight years since we graduated?" Ritsuko said as she tenderly looked back and forth at Kaji and Misato.
"Hmph, I have my reasons." Misato huffed indignantly, starting to sound a bit like Asuka.
Kaji simply smiled as he looked at a dark corner of the restaurant.
"Oh, come on you two! Are you really going to treat each other like this? Its because of you two that I stayed away from dating for so long. What ever happened between the both of you that caused this bad blood?"
"Hmph!" Misato huffed again as she took a drink of her sake and crossed her arms.
"It's a long story, Ritsu, but it's not bad blood."
"It's not? Well, what even is it then? Neither of you talk to me about it?"
"Eh, I dunno if Katsuragi would really want to talk about it right now. But, I don't harbor any ill will towards her. I can just see that she doesn't want me, so I leave her be."
Ritsuko once again looked back and forth between her two oldest friends.
"Well, can't you two at least act sociable enough to enjoy yourselves? Kaji, stop brooding or… whatever it is you're doing in that dark corner of that booth. And, Misato, quit acting so stuck up!"
"Nah, I'm a ninja. The shadows are my thing." Kaji said jokingly as he comedically scooted himself further into the corner of his booth and wrapped a grey scarf around his face.
"No!" Misato said simply as she stuck her nose up in the air, making her seem even more stuck up.
"And, this is why humans are horrible investments," Ritsuko sighed as she took a shot of sake before lighting up a cigarette.
"You know, you sound just like Asuka, Katsuragi. You think she's rubbing off on you? Maybe in… more than one way." Kaji's slightly muffled voice chuckled through his scarf.
Misato gasped but chose not to say anything as she angrily glared at Kaji. She knew she was good at twisting innocent words into all kinds of sexual sentences. But, she'd partly picked up the skill from Kaji. And, she didn't really know if she wanted to test her wits against him. He had had years now to refine his wits and she had the feeling she'd end up loosing to him if it really came down to it.
"Well, that's not like you at all. The Katsuragi I knew would have shot back some kind of… well, something. Ritsu, are you sure this is really her. She seems a little off. NERV isn't replacing its employees with robots, right?" Kaji laughed as he relaxed back into his seat.
"You shit!" Misato spat under her breath.
"Would both of you stop. You're acting like children."
"But, Ritsu, didn't you know? Real men never grow up. We still laugh at mouth fart sounds when we're forty. And it's even funnier when it's a real fart. I should tell you that story about the time my friend was giving his daughter a piggyback ride but then he realized he had to take a dump and he farted right in her face as he was letting her down off his back."
"Disgusting! I can't believe I ever thought you were attractive! To think you'd laugh at something like that. So immature," Misato growled.
"I thought you were into immature guys. That's why your snoring keeps Shinji up at night."
"Oh, lord," Ritsuko said as she puffed out a cloud of cigarette smoke and rolled her eyes, "Truly, the Kami are not finished with us yet."
"Would you stop saying that! What does that even mean?!" Misato hissed across the table quietly to Kaji, "Besides, even if I was dating Shinji, he's ten times more mature than you!"
Ritsuko looked at Misato with an expression that basically said that those weren't the optimal words she would have used to make her case if she was in Misato's position.
"I mean, if you say so," Kaji said with an innocent shrug.
"Urrhhhh! What's that supposed to mean?! And- And who are you to criticize me when you spent all that time alone with Asuka back in Germany."
Kaji raised an eyebrow in amusement and let the woman continue talking so she could at least try to make her point.
"Yeah, I bet you could have done all kinds of inappropriate things with her. I know how much she fawns over you. It would have been easy to take advantage of her."
Kaji smirked.
"Careful, Katsuragi. You're letting your insecurities show," Kaji continued smiling devilishly while pouring more sake into his shot glass, "But to answer your question, the people over at NERV-03 chose me to be her guardian because they saw that I, being a mature person, would put her before myself. And, I like to think I did a pretty good job of parenting her. I didn't let her have the run of the place at the least. And I didn't allow her to drink either… not regularly at least. Can you say the same, Captain Katsuragi?"
Misato's eyes widened.
"Of- of course I can. I wouldn't let her drink. She's just a kid."
"Hmm, really? Well, that's interesting because I've been getting an increasing number of drunk texts from her recently."
Ritsuko looked at Misato in alarm, but quickly tried to hide her worry.
Misato however, was simply lost. After all this time, Kaji could still see right through her. How much did he know? She hadn't barely spoken to him in years but Misato still had the feeling that he knew too much; probably more than he was letting on.
Misato finally closed her agape jaw and simply sat in silence. Was it even worth it to try to keep up the bluff? No, of course it wasn't. Kaji already knew the answer and it seemed Ritsuko did too. If she tried to say anything else, she'd just be saying it to try to convince herself.
"You know, I think I'm just going to go, Ritsuko."
"You're what? But, you haven't even told me why you called me out here."
"Yeah, and you didn't tell me you were inviting him. I thought you'd just bring along Maya or something, but no! It had to be him. ...I'll talk to you about it later," Misato said as she attempted to get out of her seat.
"Misato, get back over here!" Ritsuko said as she reached for Misato's wrist and pulled her back into the booth.
Misato glared back at Ritsuko sadly, tears almost welling up in her eyes.
"I don't want to be here anymore, Ritsuko."
"Damn it, Misato. You said Asuka was acting off, right? Don't you want to fix her then?"
"I… guess…"
"Then this is how you do it, Misato. Look! Kaji and I! Don't you think maybe we'd be able to help? Because that's why I brought Kaji here! Maybe he has some insight."
"I, uh… I probably don't," Kaji stated bashfully, which earned him a quick glare from Ritsuko.
"What? It's the truth!" Kaji said with a shrug.
Misato looked expectantly at Ritsuko, waiting for her to get her reasoning straight.
"Misato, just sit down and let us sort through this. I'm sure Kaji can help in some way."
Kaji shook his head behind Ritsuko's back, obviously signaling that he really wasn't going to be able to help.
Misato looked sadly and doubtfully at Ritsuko, but finally decided to sit back down.
"Okay then, Kaji," Misato sighed, "What do you know about Asuka? Why's she been acting the way she has?"
"Before we get to that, I'd like to ask exactly how she's been acting. No one has even told me what's been so off about her so far."
Ritsuko looked over at Misato, pressing her for details.
"Well… she's been… angry…"
Kaji looked at Misato silently for a second before raising his eyebrow expectantly.
"Was there… uh… any more to it than that? Because, angry isn't exactly descriptive enough when it comes to Asuka."
Misato took a sip of her alcohol and then began running her fingers through her hair.
"She's been more angry, I mean. Like, angry even by Asuka's standards."
"See, I told you Ritsu, I'm not going to be able to help Katsuragi with this."
"Ugh, damn it," Ritsuko hissed, blowing out a cloud of cigarette smoke.
Misato looked down into her glass of sake. It sat so calm and still on the dark polished table.
"Look, Katsuragi, I'm sorry. I know Ritsuko's been making sound like I might know what's wrong with her, but I don't. I know she has some problems, but I don't know specifically what they are or where they come from other than probably just general trauma from what happened with her and her mother. I don't know how to help with whatever is troubling her. I never dug into her personal life."
"And yet, you're probably the only one who could have," Misato mumbled absently, "You're the only one she trusts. She looks up to you."
"No, Misato, she doesn't. She thinks she does. But, she's just… infatuated. She doesn't actually love me, she's just conditioned herself into believing that she does. And that's why I had to put distance between she and I. It was dangerous for both of us. She obsesses over the thought of me. And, that's simply not healthy for her and could get me into a lot of trouble."
'And… I really don't need anyone thinking of me suspiciously with the line of work I'm in,' Kaji thought to himself woefully.
"I think that's just an excuse," Misato spat, "You men, you're all the same. Always putting work and money and reason before love and care. Neglecting her like that when she's the only person in your life. What did you with her all that time in Germany? Did you do anything with her at all? Anything that might resemble something a family would do?"
Kaji sighed and took a drink.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Misato hissed, barely keeping her voice below a whisper, "You sound just like my father! You're always distracting yourself with something. You don't even know how to love someone!"
"Misato!" Ritsuko gasped, "That was uncalled for!"
"No, she's right, Ritsu," Kaji said as he leaned into his seat, "Maybe I should have taken greater care with her. But, I couldn't. And, that's why I handed her off to you when we came here to Japan."
They all remained silent for a few moments.
"We really have grown up so much," Ritsuko mumbled to herself before taking a drink of her sake.
"Yeah… I don't know if I even recognize us anymore," Misato said as she once again found herself staring into her cup.
"The first time we all get to spend time together in eight years, and all we talk about is our troubles and responsibilities. It's nothing like back in college…" Kaji said as he shook his glass gently before taking a sip.
"Well, I guess it's obvious that the problem with Asuka isn't going to be solved today. I may try to call her to my office and evaluate her. Either way, we're going to need to lean more if she continues to act troubled. But, for now, maybe we should just try to enjoy ourselves," Ritsuko said before putting out her cigarette, taking a shot, and then pulling out another unlit cigarette.
"Hear, hear. And Ritsu, would you pass me a cig. I'll pay you." Kaji said as he leaned forward over the table.
Ritsuko pulled out a cigarette for Kaji, and oddly, one extra. The faux blonde leaned across the table, handing Kaji his cigarette and then lit it for him.
Misato eyed Ritsuko curiously as she watched her face her and smile.
"Close your eyes and open your mouth, Misato."
"That doesn't sound lewd at all. You aren't going to kiss me are you?"
"Shut up, you dork. Just do it."
"You know I don't smoke, right?" Misato said as she closed her eyes.
"Maybe not any more. But, you used to smoke all the time back in college. In fact, I'd say you went through twice as many as me and Kaji did combined at least."
"Yeah, but that was then and this is now."
"Yeah? And, why'd you stop?" Ritsuko asked as Misato finally let her put the cigarette in her mouth and light it.
"Because it was unhealthy."
Ritsuko and Kaji both rolled their eyes.
"Oh, really? It was unhealthy?" Ritsuko said sarcastically, "So, why are you still drinking then."
Misato rubbed her arm bashfully while blushing.
"Because… that one guy in my food science class in high school said red wine was healthy," Misato giggled.
"And, how often do you actually drink red wine?" Ritsuko asked, slightly amused by Misato's words.
"…Sometimes."
"And you're aware it's not the alcohol in the red wine, but the polyphenols in it that's healthy for you, right?" Ritsuko asked with a raised eyebrow.
Misato blushed a little harder.
"I might've heard something about that…"
Ritsuko shook her head, but couldn't help smiling.
"Just enjoy the cigarette, you retard," Ritsuko chuckled.
"You don't sound very much like a qualified Doctor when you actually tell someone to go out and smoke. You know that, right?" Misato laughed.
"And, you seem the least qualified out of all three of us to be a parent. But yet, you're the only one with kids to look out for," Ritsuko shot back comedically.
/
-To Pieces Again-
/
"Well, she always was the most lightweight out of all of us…" Kaji said as he looked at the passed out Ritsuko who he'd just placed into the back of his car.
Kaji sighed and looked over the roof of his care to see Misato drunkenly dancing a silly dance in the rain underneath a streetlamp in the parking lot.
"Come on, Misato. It's almost nine at night and I'm not going to let you drive yourself home," Kaji casually said as he shut the door to his charcoal Rolls Royce.
"But, Kaji! Muh car! I can't leave it heeeeere!" Misato drunkenly whined.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow before work and I can drop you off here so you can get it. Now, come on, Katsuragi. You have to get home and I have to tend to my melons!"
"Nuhuh" Misato shook her head in defiance, which proved to not be a good idea with all the alcohol in her as she nearly lost her balance.
"Well, why not?" Kaji asked, trying to keep himself from chuckling as she started flailing around dizzily.
"B'cuz I can hold my liqueur better th'n you and I can drive p'rfectly fine. So... go t'nd tuh yer m'lons, Kaji."
Kaji laughed and rested his head on the roof of his car before looking back at Misato.
"Misato, we both know you can't hold your drink as well as me. And you were drinking years before I was."
"Yes! I can too hold my drink j'st as good! C'mon! Let's go back inside 'n I'll prove it!"
Misato then began stumbling back towards the door of the sushi bar.
"No! No! Misato, we are not going back in!" Kaji said as he jogged around his car to catch up with Misato.
"Yes!" Misato declared as she adamantly marched back to the door.
"No! Because, then I'm going to have to pay. And, I know that Ritsuko said you were the one who was supposed to pay. And then when we had to pay, you had no money. And, I'm not paying anymore because you girls drunk almost twenty thousand yen's worth of alcohol tonight."
Kaji finally caught up to Misato and grabbed her by the hand.
"Hmph, then it's settl'd. I win 'n I can drive home muhself."
"No! That's not happening either. You're drunk!"
"Says who?" Misato asked in a challenging but non-serious way.
"Says me!" Kaji said as he turned Misato around to face him.
"Yeah?" Misato asked, her excited breath shooting over Kaji's face, "N' what qualif'cation's d'you have to say I'm too drunk?"
"Qua- Qualifications? Well…I'm the Chief Inspection Officer…" Kaji said, unsure if that was satisfactory enough for Misato.
"N' what does an Inspection Officer inspect, huh?" Misato breathily gasped.
"Okay, Missy. I see where this is going and that's enough of that."
"Yeah, what does an Inspection Officer inspect? What DO you inspect? What could you- Uwaaahhhh, Ryoji! Put me down!"
"I'm gonna have to politely decline your request," Kaji said as he slung Misato over his shoulder and carried her to his car.
"No! Put me down this instant and tell me what you inspect! I insist, you simply must tell me what you inspect! Ryoji, heeheehee," Misato squealed while trying to keep herself from giggling.
Kaji was having a notably difficult time containing his amusement as he set Misato down and pushed her up against his car.
"You gonna be a good girl and get in the car for me?" Kaji asked as he leaned on his car while simultaneously pinning Misato to it and smoothly opening the passenger side door for her.
"I dunno… You gonn' tell me what an Inspection Officer inspects?" Misato asked with a devious smile on her face that Kaji knew all too well back from his days in college.
Kaji leaned forward even more and whispered into Misato's ear.
"What an Inspection Officer inspects is a secret. But, if you get on my good side, I might tell you. So, you wanna get in the car for me so it doesn't look like I'm trying to snatch you?"
"I knew it!" Misato gasped, "If it's a secret, then you must inspect panties!"
Kaji's shoulder slumped and he looked away from Misato before shaking his head in amusement.
"Just get in the car before you bamboozle yourself again, Misato."
"Heehee, bamboozle! Who even says that?" Misato snickered drunkenly.
/
"Okay, Misato. This is Ritsu's place. I'll be back in a moment. Just… try not to destroy my car while I'm gone," Kaji half joked and half pleaded as he carefully lugged Ritsuko's unconscious body out of the back of his car.
Kaji wasn't even entirely sure Misato had heard him through her drunken singing.
"Celestial noise detected. Delirium unsuspected," Misato melodically mumbled.
Kaji sighed before he resumed lifting Ritsuko out of his car and kicked the door to his car shut.
"Hmm? Maya?" Ritsuko mumbled sleepily.
"No. Not quite," Kaji chuckled as he carried Ritsuko to her modernly styled house in one of the more expensive residential areas of Tokyo-3.
"Oh, Ryo. Is… is that you?"
"Yeah, that's more like it. You know where your keys are?"
"Yeah. My right pocket."
Kaji awkwardly tried to slip his hand into the woman's pocket while carrying her. And, being a rather dexterous man, succeeded in getting a finger into one of the key rings.
"Alright, which one is the house key?"
"The… The brass colored one. Its… the only one," Ritsuko mumbled, almost passing out midsentence.
Kaji arrived at the door and inserted the key into the lock, taking every care to make sure he didn't hit Ritsuko's head on anything.
"Aaaaaand… we're in."
Ritsuko's house looked to be about what anyone would expect a house that belonged to a workaholic to look like. Clean and crisp. Stains on nothing. No signs of use. Perhaps not even really an actual home. Obviously, the woman spent too much time at work.
Kaji carried the woman through a few rooms of her house, eagerly looking for her bedroom before he eventually found a room with a bed that looked like it had never been touched. A puffy white comforter rested perfectly on it and Kaji almost wondered if it was even right to mess up such a pristine looking bed.
He eventually came to his senses though and gently put Ritsuko onto the bed.
"Goodnight, Ritsu," Kaji said after turning off the light to her room, which strangely was on when he had arrived.
Obviously, she'd forgotten to turn off the lights before leaving. Hearing the woman softly snore brought a smile to his face as Kaji went through the rest of the house and turned off the remaining lights Ritsuko had left on.
/
"Kaji, what was th't medicine you took earlier at th' bar?" Misato asked as Kaji drove calmly through the night towards her apartment.
"Not everyone can carry themselves through the day unassisted, Misato."
"What does th't mean? How does th't ans'r my question?" Misato asking looking at Kaji oddly.
"It's nothing you need to worry about, Misato. So, don't."
"That's not fair!" Misato pouted.
"What's not fair?"
"…You're betraying my trust."
Kaji looked at Misato through the corner of his eye with a raised eyebrow.
"He that holdeth fast unto his convictions shall never count betrayal amongst his crimes, though all the world may call him villain."
"Hmm? What's th't mean?"
"Nothing. It's just a quote I like."
"See!? Look! You're doing it again!" Misato shouted as she flung her arms about to add emphasis to her proclamation.
"Misato… calm down. You're probably not even going to remember any of this tomorrow."
"Mmm… I guess you're right. But, still. Why do you have to hide ev'rything from me?"
"Hide? I'm not hiding anything from you. I just thought you were through with me. So, I don't know why you'd want to talk about it," Kaji shrugged as he pulled into Misato's parking lot.
"I was t'lking about… before I was through w'th you," Misato mumbled, causing Kaji to glance at the woman in surprise for a split second as he put the car in park.
"Well, this is your stop," Kaji said cheerfully.
"Hmph," Misato huffed as she crossed her arms, "Carry me!"
"Carry you?"
"Yeah! You carried Ritsu to her place. You should carry me too."
"Well, Ritsu was unconscious and couldn't get to her place."
Misato immediately pretended to pass out, her tongue lolling out of her mouth unrealistically.
"Ooookay, I see how it's gonna be," Kaji groaned as he unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out of the car before walking around to Misato's side and opening the door.
"Up we go," Kaji said as he snaked his arms under Misato and lifted her up and out of the car.
Misato wrapped her arms around Kaji's neck and pulled herself a little closer to him. Cold droplets of rain fell on her cheeks and she attempted to warm herself by burrowing her face into the man's chest.
As Kaji began the ascent up the stairs to Misato's apartment, Misato once more felt the need to ask him about the medicine he had taken earlier in the day.
"Ryoji, can't you tell me what that pill was you took? Please?"
Kaji sighed.
"It was just an antidepressant, Misato."
"What? But why?" Misato whimpered as she looked up into Kaji's eyes sadly.
"Well, Misato, why would someone take an antidepressant?"
"R- Right… I guess that was a stupid question..."
"It's nothing to be worried about. Ritsuko insisted that I take them. But, I really don't think I need them."
"Well, that's good," Misato said as she nuzzled her cheek in Kaji's chest.
"But, fair's fair, Misato. I answered one of your questions, so you should answer one of mine."
"Yeah, I guess." Misato sighed.
"What is going on with you and Shinji?"
"What? Me and Shinji? N-nothing!"
"Misato, don't lie to me."
"O-… Okay…but you have to promise not to tell anyone."
Kaji smirked, and Misato imagined that meant that he agreed. Misato took a deep breath and tried to convince herself to speak.
"I… oh, god. I... I put my mouth on him, Ryo."
"So, you kissed him?"
"No, Ryo. Like, I really put my mouth on him. Like, how you and I used to do it."
Kaji didn't say anything and kept walking up the stairs.
"It was only for a few seconds! I swear! And, later that day, an angel came. So, I don't think he even remembered it really but… Oh, god, Kaji, you don't think I hurt him, do you?"
"I don't know, Misato. I really don't."
"He's got to be okay, right? I mean, what boy doesn't dream about doing his young female teacher, right?
"But, Misato, you're probably more like his mother. And, what you did, even if he was okay with it… it's not good for you to do that. You'd get in huge trouble if NERV ever found out about that."
"I know that, but I don't care about that. I…probably deserve it. But, it'll be okay if he's okay…
"If that's what you want to believe."
"But, Ryo, there's more."
Kaji exhaled.
"Of course, there's more. There's always more."
"I tried to…I tried… to move on Asuka too. But, I didn't get as far with her."
"Misato, you cannot do that" Kaji groaned as he looked down at her, his voice denoting that he was maybe more than a little frustrated.
"I wish I could just die," Misato whimpered as she started quivering.
Kaji sighed, obviously realizing Misato was taking things the wrong way. Perhaps this wasn't the best time to talk about this.
"Don't say that, Misato. If you die, you can't fix anything."
Misato sobbed into Kaji's shirt for a few moments before lamenting something into his chest that Kaji couldn't quite understand.
"What, Katsuragi?"
Misato pulled her head out of Kaji's chest and sniffled.
"How, Kaji? How did you ignore her advances all those times Asuka went after you? Please, you have to tell me! I have to learn to control myself around them!"
Kaji tensed up a bit at her question.
"I don't think anything I can say will help you, but if you want to know how I was able to dismiss her affections so easily, its because… I still love you, Misato," the man said rather solemnly as he set the woman down in front of the door to her apartment.
Misato's eyes widened as she stared at Kaji while simultaneously trying to stand up on her cold, shivering, drunken legs.
"You… still… lo… love… Even after I left without saying anything?"
Kaji reached his hand behind Misato and opened the door to her apartment while she looked at him in disbelief.
"Yep," he said as he closed his eyes and warmly smiled at her.
"Kaji… I-"
Kaji put a finger on her lips and pushed her into her apartment.
"Goodnight, Kat."
Misato sat in shocked silence, trying to figure out what she wanted to say.
"Ka- Ryoji, I'm sor-"
Kaji quickly pulled the door shut before Misato could finish her sentence, effectively silencing the woman. Misato didn't know if she should feel angry or relieved.
'Kat… He hasn't called me that since before we broke up."
A tear fell down Misato's face and she pulled open her door to see Kaji walking away.
She stumbled out the door, almost falling over and slipping on the rain slickened walkway her first few steps pursuing the man.
"Ryo, wait!" she shouted as she barreled towards him.
"M- Misato?", Kaji asked in surprise as he saw the woman charging towards him.
The woman almost slipped, but managed to grab ahold of Kaji's shirt before she lost her balance.
"Ryoji, I promise! I promise I'll make it up to you!" Misato said before she lunged her lips forward and kissed him.
Kaji didn't respond to her at first, but found himself unable to resist the woman he still loved with all his heart. He eventually brought his arms up and embraced her, shielding her from the cold wind of the night.
/
It had been a long day for Misato, and none of it had really turned out the way she had expected.
She sat down on her couch and opened a can of her Yebisu before chugging all of it in a few seconds and picking up another spare can she had laying on the couch.
She could hear some muffled giggling coming from what sounded like Asuka or Shinji's room. And, while she was curious what the two kids were laughing about, she figured she'd leave it alone for now. She didn't want to accidentally walk in and ruin something if Asuka was indeed in a better mood now than she'd been in earlier in the day.
And more than that, her mind was quite simply elsewhere right now.
She didn't exactly mean to kiss Kaji when she'd gone stumbling off after him. But, she sorta just couldn't help herself. It just happened. And, now she was stuck on her couch thinking about all the fun times she'd had back in college. All the times she'd skipped class to do inappropriate thing with Kaji. All the nights out drinking and eating pizza. And the time the both of them brought their blankets from their dorm and made a pillow fort in the campus library… which was obviously removed a few minutes later at the behest of the Librarian.
The way her nostalgia had her remembering her college years, she was astonished she'd ever graduated. Of course, she quite astonished she'd ever gotten anywhere after what happened… during Second Impact.
Misato stood up from her couch and made her way to the AC control panel. It read 67 in Fahrenheit. Misato cracked open her can of beer and impulsively turned the temperature down to 62.
'Father… how cold was it that day?'
/
-From Me to You-
/
"So, that is Earth?" a ghostly looking boy asked nobody in particular as he sat in tranquility, watching the spectacle that was the blue planet from afar.
He ran his fingers through the fine white dust beneath him and then threw it in the air. The pale dirt floated above his head mesmerizingly and he observed it for a few seconds before returning his gaze to the blue planet in the distance.
"That is what the Lilin fight to protect."
The boy closed his eyes before leaning back and letting himself fall into the bright white dust all around him.
"How precious. Soon, I will send them my message; my…" the boy's eyes opened, "…answer."
.
"Damn it! You jerk! Taking advantage of me like that! I can't believe it! I just know I'm going to be livid at you next chapter! I already read the script!"
"Now, calm down, Misato! You know I would do no such thing! Besides, this isn't the time for this! We have a chapter preview to do! We can talk all about your repressed romantic urges after we've tended to our responsibilities as hosts."
"Hmph!"
*Misato crosses her arms*
"Well, I guess I'll handle this chapter previe-"
"NO! No... This is my job."
*Kaji gestures for Misato to continue*
"So, well, basically...everyone just kinda...
*Misato looks over her shoulder at Kaji*
*Kaji raises his eyebrows for the billionth time this chapter*
Well, basically, everyone is just- LOOK, ALIRGHT, everyone wakes up after weird events next chapter. Obviously, I kissed Kaji. And... well there's that. Rei got a gift from Gendo. And, also, Shinji and Asuka waking up in the same bed... like, that's not gonna go over well, I'm sure... It's tumultuous times, alright? Look, okay? Just listen; it's complicated, alright!? But, it'll all be in the next chapter of Neon Genesis Evangelion: A Journey of Hate, Power, and Love; A Not So Normal Morning.
And uh... there... there might be some fan service somewhere in the next chapter."
*Misato grinds her heel on the floor timidly*
*Misato sticks her tongue out teasingly*
*Misato winks*
"Well, that performance could do with an encore. What say you, Misato? Wanna recite the chapter preview again? Because your confidence was abysmal."
"Sh-shove it, Kaji! I've had a hard day."
"It's about to get a lot harder. Maybe you should come over to my place if you want some...alone time, that is."
*Misato blushes*
"K-Kaji! Weren't you just the one telling me this isn't the place for this?"
*Kaji smiles devilishly*
.
Update: Hey everyone. Sorry for not updating. I've been at my grandmother's house again and writing got away from me because she's just a handful. I expect the next chapter to be out in a few days though.
