undeadyeti: I actually CAN picture Shinji standing on top of a BTR and shouting 'Wolverines!' But…why would anyone want to get that image of total AWESOMENESS out their head?

CHAPTER 21: A WAR WITHIN A WAR

Slowly, Misato buttoned up the front of her bra as she looked at herself in the mirror. She gently ran her finger along the scar between her breasts as she thought back to that horrible day. She remembered that it started like any other in Antarctica, frigid cold. But the cold was broken by piercing heat and powerful shockwaves. Misato was thrown through the window of the tin shelter, gashing her. The entire camp was being blown to bits by the supernatural elements assaulting the camp and the entire continent.

The being that rose up over the camp gave off an eerie glow that bathed the area in a gloomy shade of red. Misato faded in and out of consciousness as the heat and wind assaulted her prostrate body. She barely noticed that someone had picked her up. She could barely notice the staggering steps said person took in what seemed a futile effort to find safety. She finally came to as she was placed in a survival pod. Blood was running down her face and some of it into her eyes but her vision cleared enough to reveal her father standing over her.

The pod sealed and when she opened it again the pod was floating in an ocean, having been thrown many miles from the blast as the entire continent was blown to bits and its ice and snow melted instantly. She vividly remembers the two towering pillars of light coming from where the camp used to be and the shrieking howl of the wind. Then, she blacked out.

XXXXX

The rain was back with a vengeance. This time it came out of nowhere on an otherwise perfectly clear morning. Toji and Kensuke had come by before school and just happened to still be outside when the downpour started. "Thanks for letting us in, Shinji," Toji said as the two soaked teens stepped inside. Shinji grabbed a couple towels for them to dry off with. "That rain came out of nowhere. I thought we were done with this shit weather."

"The weather guessers must've failed," Shinji replied. "Again."

"So," Kensuke spoke up. "Where's Misato?"
"She's probably still sleeping," Shinji replied. "She was working late again. She's been doing that a lot lately."

"Well, she's got a tough job," Toji shrugged as he and Kensuke ran the towels through their hair. "Actually, you all do."

"Well, I guess we'd better be quiet so we don't wake her up, right?" Kensuke added.

"Good idea," Shinji whispered.

"HEY!" So much for that plan; at least when Asuka is involved. All three of them growled as they looked in her direction. "What the hell are these creeps doing in here!"

"SHH!" Kensuke and Toji shot back.

"We're conferencing on our upcoming improv show at the Chicago School of Performing Arts," Shinji replied sarcastically. "What the fuck does it look like? They got caught in a sudden downpour and now they're drying off."

"Talk about lame excuses," Asuka grumbled. "Well, I'm changing in here," she growled leering at them. "And if you peep you're all dead!"

"Egotistical little, bitch!" Toji snapped. "Who'd want to see a snake like you changing its skin, anyways!"

"What was that!"

"Whatever happened to keeping it down you idiots?" Shinji asked. As if on cue, Misato exited her room, already in uniform.

"Ah! Misato!" Toji snapped to.

"Did we wake you up?" Kensuke asked.

"Actually, I was already awake," Misato smiled as she came into the kitchen. "Thanks for asking though. Shinji," she turned to the pilot. "You've got a harmonics test this afternoon, so don't forget."

"But I was thinking of taking a sabbatical so I can focus on my poetry," Shinji replied as Toji and Kensuke chuckled. "I'm still working on this kickass haiku."

"Bull shit," Misato snapped back with a soft smile. "Just be there, you smartass."

"I will, I will."

"Hey, Asuka!" Misato called out. "Did you hear that?"

"Yes, ma'am!" She shouted back as Kensuke leaned closer to look at Misato's uniform.

"WOW!" Kensuke snapped and bowed. "Congratulations on your promotion, Misato!"

Shinji just slapped his forehead. 'So much for that,' he said to himself.

"Oh! Yeah!" Toji joined in. "Congratulations!"

"You're too kind," Misato smiled as she made for the door.

"No, ma'am, you deserved it!" Kensuke added as she gathered her shoes.

"Bye!" Misato called out as she exited the apartment.

"What's going on out here?" Asuka said sticking her head out from the bathroom, towel in her hair. "Did something happen to Misato?"

"Didn't you see her new badge?" Kensuke replied. "It's got two stars above her bars instead of just one. That means she's been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel." Shinji slapped his forehead again.

"Promoted! I didn't notice!"

"You didn't notice!" Toji snapped. "What kind of lame person are you?"
"Did you say something, arschloch?"

"That poor hard working woman," Kensuke shrugged. "Do you have any idea how difficult it can be handling the two of you at her age?" Asuka just growled and went back into the bathroom.

"Damnit, Kensuke!" Shinji snapped as he stomped on the otaku's foot.

"OW!" Kensuke shrieked. "What was that for!"

"You just ruined a perfectly good prank, buddy. Misato got promoted three days ago!" He clarified holding up an equal number of fingers. "I wanted to see how long it took Asuka to notice!"

"Whoops!"

"I heard that, Shinji!" Asuka shouted from the bathroom. "You're in big trouble, mister!"

"I'm so scared!" Shinji shot back sarcastically. He then turned to Kensuke, finger in his face. "Don't forget, buddy, you and your big mouth still owe me one. Don't make me add an extra surcharge."

"Yeah," Kensuke said in a deflated tone. "I know."

XXXXX

In the test control room the tech team plus Ritsuko and Misato monitored and administered the weekly harmonics test on the three EVA pilots. On the central split screen the three pilots' faces were passive with their eyes closed. Asuka and Rei looked a little more tensed up due to them being on the verge of the contamination zone, their synch limit. Shinji however looked much calmer. He just had a haircut giving him the usual crew cut but with a flat top instead of just rounded over.

"Both Unit-00 and Unit-02 are on the edge of the contamination zone," Maya reported. "They've reached their limit."

"Unit-01 can still tolerate a little more though, can't he?" Ritsuko asked noticing Shinji's readings. "Lower the graph depth another 0.3." Maya complied and on the screen Shinji's face lowered farther down. His eye brows furrowed and his eyes squinted slightly. Other than that his face remained even.

"He's still holding stable," Maya announced.

"Think he can handle another 0.2?" Ritsuko asked.

"Maybe, but that would be pushing it, ma'am," Maya nodded. "I know Shinji is tough. But I wouldn't want to risk breaking him."

"Very well then, just lower it by 0.1, just to be safe." Maya agreed and Shinji was lowered some more. His face tensed up even more as he fought to maintain his focus.

"That did it." Maya announced. "He's almost reached the contamination zone."

"And he's still getting these readings?" Ritsuko added with enthusiasm. "He's just wonderful." "His harmonics and synch ratios are rapidly catching up with Asuka's," Maya added. "He's a natural."

"He certainly does have talent, doesn't he?"

"It's as if he was born to become an EVA pilot," the technician to Ritsuko's left spoke up. "Isn't it?"

"That may be true," Misato interrupted. "But that's not really what Shinji wants."

"I know," Ritsuko shrugged. "He's only doing it for the noble cause of protecting others."

"Don't be such a smartass, Ritsuko," Misato snapped, slightly angered. "Does everything someone does have to be motivated by some kind of selfish desire for personal gain? There are truly selfless people out there you know. Most people just don't notice them."

"Shinji certainly fits that bill, Colonel," Maya agreed with her.

In the test chamber the test plugs slid open and a catwalk was extended over the LCL pool so the pilots could exit. "The test has been completed," Maya announced over the P.A. "You may exit the plugs now."

"That was excellent work, Shinji," Ritsuko announced the second the pilots entered the control room.

"What do you mean?" Shinji asked. "I just sat there thinking about the new upcoming Godzilla vs. Evangelion movie."

"Very funny," the doctor snapped, not amused. "But, seriously. Your harmonics value has increased by nine and a half values since the last test. That's very impressive. And your synch ratio has adjusted accordingly."

"But it's still forty points below mine," Asuka said smugly. "And his synch ratio is still fifteen points lower."

"Well," Shinji muttered under his breath. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, bitch." Rei pondered on the word 'bitch'.

'A word for a female dog,' Rei said to herself. 'It is also a derogatory word for a human female, usually one who is rude and obnoxious.'

"What was that, Third Child!"

"Calm down, Asuka," Misato spoke up keeping the Teutonic Terror under control.

"You're right about your scores, Asuka," Ritsuko nodded. "But nearly a point a day over the last ten is still amazing."

"I don't think it's so great!" Asuka snapped as she turned around. "Okay, Klugscheißer, enjoy your little victory while you can," she said as she strode past him and Rei.

"Don't mind if I do," Shinji shot back.

"Scheistkopf," Asuka muttered under breath as she left the room.

"Bitch," Rei muttered under her breath so softly Shinji, who was standing right beside her, barely heard it. He began to wonder if he had accidentally taught her a new word.

Asuka took the train home leaving Shinji, Misato and Rei to drive back. "Sorry I didn't say this earlier," Shinji said as they exited NERV. "But congratulations on your promotion. I just wanted to see how long it would take Asuka to notice."

"That's mean, Shinji," Misato chided him. "But, thanks anyways."

"Does this mean I actually have to follow your orders from now on or risk a court-martial?"

"Nah," Misato replied sticking out her tongue. "I've pretty much gotten over your cowboy antics, Shinji. Hell, if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have killed half the angels you did."

"Yeah," Shinji said looking out the window. "You don't seem too enthusiastic about your promotion though."

"Truth is I'm not that thrilled with it," Misato said.

"I understand."

"Besides, that's not the reason why I do my job."

"Sounds like some kind of personal vendetta," Shinji replied. Misato remained silent. "Sorry if I prodded in any way."

"No, its fine, Shinji," Misato chuckled. "But thanks for being so considerate."

"While we're on the subject of praise," Shinji said changing the subject. "How come Asuka always gets pissed if someone isn't praising her? What's her story? Is she one of those people with a confidence complex or something?"

"Asuka's always been at the top of everything she's done," Misato replied. "Top rated simulation scores, top synch ratio, top pilot skills, top athleticism…that is, until you came along."

"So it's my fault she's always pissed?"

"No, not really. You just show a natural ability to do things that she wishes she had. When you first arrived you took to piloting an EVA like a duck to water. It took her years to get to where you're at. You're one of the fittest people I know and your synch ratio is catching up with hers."

"Soryu feels challenged by Shinji's abilities," Rei spoke up. "She's been 'number one', as it is called, for so long that she's unused to this rivalry."

"Very good, point, Rei," Misato smiled. "You're pretty sharp. You really should join in more conversations with others."

"I'd much rather be in conversations with Shinji."

"Er, herm," Shinji coughed breaking the train since he knew it would lead to Misato teasing him. "So, about your promotion…" Shinji said.

"Ooh," Misato chuckled. "Changing the subject are we?"

"Grr," Shinji growled. "Does it mean longer working hours? Or shorter?"

"Nothing's really changed in that regards," Misato replied. "I just got a glorified pay raise is all. But, I will be able to take command if Vice-Commander Fuyutsuki and Commander Ikari are not present. When I was a Major the rank was considered too low for that."

"I see."

XXXXX

During the promotion celebration Shinji found out the real reason Asuka skipped ahead on the train, she invited Hikari. Not that it bother Shinji any. Though Toji seemed a little annoyed by it. But Shinji could tell that he actually liked her. Asuka however, didn't seem enthusiastic about Rei's attendance and Kaji's lack thereof. As Asuka, Toji and Hikari got into a heated argument about manliness Shinji excused himself to the sidelines. Rei followed.

"You are not enjoying the party?" Rei asked.

"The party's alright," Shinji shrugged. "I just don't like large crowds and loud parties." There were too many people to keep track of and too many opportunities for chaos to ensue. As if to emphasize his point, Asuka shrieked at Toji about something and the argument got so lively that even Pen-Pen started squawking.

"I don't imagine that I'm the 'party type' either," Rei said.

"Oh, by the way," Shinji said going over to the bookshelf. "Before I forget. I got a book for you the other day."

"A book?" Rei blinked.

"Yep," he pulled it out. "It was hard to find one in Japanese but, lo and behold, the little bookstore on the corner actually had one copy. Of all places." He handed it to her.

"Dune," Rei read the title.

"You said you liked to read epics," Shinji shrugged. "Dune is considered by many to be the greatest science fiction novel ever written. Many compare it to the Lord of the Rings. It's a classic. The author, Frank Herbert, was partly inspired by T. E. Lawrence, AKA Lawrence of Arabia."

"Sounds like an interesting read," Rei said eagerly looking forward to reading the book.

Off to the side Misato could barely hide her chuckle and smile at the sweet sight of Shinji giving Rei a present. At that moment the doorbell rang and Kaji arrived with Ritsuko. "We just happened to bump into each other on the way here," Kaji said slyly.

"A LIKELY STORY," Asuka and Misato said in unison.

"I swear to God everybody in this city must've practiced speaking in concert with each other," Shinji said to himself. "Either that or there's something in the water." He then glanced at his glass of water and began to feel paranoid.

"I must give you my sincerest regards, Lieutenant Colonel Katsuragi," Kaji said bowing. "I suppose I have to be polite to you from now on."

"That's a laugh," Shinji snuck in. Misato responded by throwing a paper cup at Shinji's head, which he dodged easily.

"And just what do you mean by that, Kaji?" Misato said from behind her Yebisu beer.

"Well, Commander's Ikari and Fuyutsuki have never left Japan at the same time before," Kaji clarified. "I guess they feel ol' Katsuragi here is dependable and up to the job."

"They're both out?" Shinji asked speaking up.

"That's right, Shinji," Ritsuko nodded. "They're both at the South Pole."

'Now what are they doing there?' Shinji asked himself. 'I doubt they're taking in the sights.'

The next day, after getting home from school Shinji found Misato out on the balcony. "You have a thing for sunsets?" Shinji asked. "Or is it just when I'm around?"

"No," Misato chuckled. "I was just thinking." Shinji nodded and turned to go back inside when Misato's voice stopped him. "Shinji, you know when you asked me about why I joined NERV? Well, it had to do with my father…"

That night, Shinji realized exactly why Misato was so driven to do her job. She felt she had been personally attacked by the angels. On the one hand Shinji felt it was good that she had such a powerful motivator. But, as he pointed out to her, "That drive can be a double edged sword, if you're not careful." He walked up to the railing next to her. "If you can keep it in check you can be almost unstoppable. But, if you let your guard down, you could rush into something you're not prepared for and get your ass kicked. Remember the first battle with the Seventh Angel?"

"Yeah," Misato nodded. "That's definitely a text book example of headstrong aggression. Thankfully your aggression happens to be well timed, mostly."

"I still get my fair share of ass whooping," Shinji replied.

"But you always bounce back."