Chapter 9: Oddities

Ninetri9: Ok, looks like the coast is clear. Good, I can get this chapter done in peace…

Asuka: There he is!

Ninetri9: groan

Touji: AHA! Dude, we still got some negotiations to do cracks knuckles

Hunter: Calm down, you need him in one piece

Kensuke: We know, which is why we're going to leave him his head and his hands

Shinji: Hey, come on. Leave him alone

Ninetri9: Thank you Shinji!

Kensuke: No way, we want more time on screen, and we're getting it!

Misato: groanHey, could you keep it down?

Ninetri9: Misato, why were you in my bedroom?

Kaji: Hey, sorry about the mess in your bed. Don't worry, it can be washed out.

Ninetri9: YOU DID NOT!

Kaitos: The fact that Misato is wearing Kaji's shirt, and the fact your room smells like you-know-what, I can conclude that they did

Ninetri9: I am never sleeping in that bed ever again

Asuka: If you think that's bad, then you probably don't want to know what Pen-Pen did on your carpet

Pen-Pen: Wark

Ninetri9: I better get started before I get anymore grossed out. First, I do not own NGE, Gainax does. I do own all original characters that appear in this fiction…

Touji: Why does that sound so wrong?

Ninetri9: If there is any resemblance to characters in other stories or to real live people…

Shuri-Shara: Fat chance of that

Ninetri9: It is merely coincidental

Kensuke: Hey, you can't start the chapter!

Touji: Yeah, we haven't begun our negotiations yet

Iak: This is going to take awhile

Shinji: noddingIt seems like it

Temporary Base

Sitting together surrounded by an armed group of about 20 Section 2 agents, the three traveling pilots were having a conversation

Taking another swig from his medicine bottle, Kaitos said, "Is someone supposed to have picked us up by now?"

Lying on his back, Shuri-Shara replied in his echo voice, "We're supposed to be on our own as soon as we made contact with the pilots"

Swirling his bottle around, Kaitos ascertained that he was running low on medicine. Looking over, Hunter noticed the movement and commented, "Running low?"

Nodding, the cripple replied, "Not enough to last the hour"

Leaning back, the young pilot murmered, "Guess it's almost time to go"

After that comment, the three remained still and silent. After about 10 minutes, the already pale Kaitos became more pale and his breathing become ragged. Draining the last of his medicine helped ease him slightly. After a few more minutes, the cripple began to cough violently, gripping his chest.

One of the guards asked, "What's wrong with him"

Shuri-Shara got back up and felt the forehead of the pale pilot, "He is very ill, I think that he should get a medical treatment"

Frowning, the agent went to the leader of the group to discuss the recent illness.

After listening, the leader called the current commanding officer, a.k.a. Ritsuko, "Excuse me ma'am, but I think we have a situation here"

From her tone it could be told of her irritation, "What is it?"

"One of the prisoners has fallen ill and requires medical attention"

Irritably, Ritsuko replied, "Then take care of it!"

Not wishing to make the doctor angrier, the agent did so. He had four of his agents carry the ailing pilot to the nearest medical facility. Feeling like he did the right thing, the officer was able to relax again.

After a few moments of quiet, the agents were disturbed by the youngest pilot asking, "Excuse me, but I need to go"

Feeling angry, one of the guards said, "You are not going anywhere"

Sighing in exasperation, Shuri-Shara said, "Idiots, I mean that I need to go to the restroom!"

Looks of understanding on there faces, two guards went with the child to the nearest restroom, leaving 14 agents to watch the military pilot.

Medical facility

Lying in bed was the unconscious body of the cripple pilot. The doctors had diagnosed the body and prepped medicine, which they gave to the man.

Slitting one of his eyes open, Kaitos was pleased to see that the coast was clear. Quietly climbing out of bed, he slipped up to the door, to find it guarded by two agents outside. Going to the window that was next to his bed, the crippled traveler found the other two underneath it.

"Heh, a challenge"

He then picked up a plastic IV bag and filled it with water. Going by the window, he cracked it open just enough to stick a finger through. Clapping his hands, he then placed them back on the bag. The water in it instantly superheated and turned to steam. Kaitos then opened the bag, releasing a huge cloud of steam through the open window.

Outside, the agents had noticed the steam coming from the open window and mistook it for smoke. Picking up his walkie-talkie, the agent said, "We have a possible fire in the prisoners ward, requesting assistance"

While saying this, both ran around to the entrance. As soon as they rounded the corner, the window opened all the way and amidst the clouds of steam Kaitos climbed out. Looking around, he checked for witnesses. Seeing none, he ran for his Eva as fast as he could limp.

Bathroom

"Okay, here we are" said one of the agents that came along with the captive.

Going in the restroom, one guard took position outside the facility, while the other waited outside the stall that the odd child had gone in.

Inside the stall, Shuri-Shara rubbed his hands in anticipation, "Only two agents? Piece of cake"

Making a hand gesture, he said quietly, "Ninja art, Separation Jutsu!"

A small puff of cloud, and instantly there were two people in the stall. One was a boy in a purple plug suit; the other was a girl in an orange plug suit. Both looked almost exactly alike, and had feature of the original form.

With a mischievous smile, the girl said, "Well bro, let's do this"

The boy smiled a bit more shyly, "I decoy, you K.O.?"

Nodding, the girl sneaked under the stall wall. The agent waiting outside had heard snatches of conversation.

"Hey kid, what are you doing in there?"

A sheepish voice came out, "Taking care of business"

At once the agent was suspicious, the boy had originally had a doubled voice and now he was hearing a single boy's voice. Pulling open the stall door, the agent demanded, "What is going on?"

He saw a boy different from the one he brought in sitting on the toilet looking scared. Frowning, the agent pulled out his gun and pointed it at the boy.

"Where's the other kid?"

"In front and behind you!"

Turning, the agent was just able to see an orange foot hit him square in the face. Once he was down, both kids pulled the man into a stall and tied him up using strips torn from his suit.

Grinning evilly, the girl said, "One down, one to go"

The boy had a nervous look as he said, "Shara, take it easy. We don't have to hurt them so badly"

Glaring at the boy, the girl said, "Shuri! You need to be tough"

Resigning himself, the boy half held his hands together, "Ninja art, Transformation Jutsu!"

Instantly, the boy turned into a perfect replica of the guard they had just taken out. Shara followed suit, transforming into a replica of their combined form, Shuri-Shara. Going out the door, they met up with the other guard.

"What took so long?" the other agent asked

Shrugging, the disguised boy said, "You know, fighting the kid, getting knocked out, being tied up with pieces of torn clothes, the usual"

Frowning from confusion, the agent barely had time to think before he was hit simultaneously in the face and the gut by both disguised kids. After the remaining agent was knocked out, the two dragged him into the restroom and tied him up the same way as the previous guard.

"Alright," said the disguised Shuri, "I'll go save the Loot while you go get to the Eva"

Nodding, Shara changed back to herself and began to run like the ninja they were towards the Evas. At the same time, Shuri ran back to the collection of guards surrounding their remaining team member.

Upon reaching the site, he was greeted by the sight of all the remaining agents laying around in various poses of pain and unconsciousness. Changing back with a puff off smoke, Shuri went up to the only remaining person standing. Looking over, Hunter nodded to the boy.

Looking around, the boy said, "I guess that you didn't need much help after all"

Smiling, Hunter said, "Years of being in the military as well as living in the jungle helps"

Without another word, the two began running towards the Evas.

By the Sea of Dirac

All was silent as the clock ticked down to the eminent bombing. Everyone was tense, preparing either for their destruction, or the Angel's. Inside the Evas, both pilots were experiencing waves of nausea or worry. Rei tightened her grip on her controls, the only outward signs of emotion she displayed. In the red Eva, Asuka's face was tight with nervousness and preparation.

Almost a minute from the assault, an alarm blared. Jumping in surprise, both Rei and Asuka turned their Evas to see what the commotion was. To their surprise, all three Evas of the captured pilots were activated and moving.

Rei contacted Ritsuko, "What's going on?"

Ritsuko replied, "The prisoners have escaped, they're in their Evas and making their escape"

Asuka shouted, "I'll get them"

She then extended her slightly weakened AT field and prepared for combat. Almost instantly, a moaning sound could be heard. Turning, Asuka saw that the ball in the sky was beginning to shake. Underneath, the ground where the Sea was began to crack and break.

The three escaping pilots took a moment to look at the Angel before resuming their escape.

"Time to leave" rasped Kaitos, tired after his run to his Eva and breathing heavily

All three then disappeared among the buildings. On the sensors of the base, all three had disappeared.

"I can't get a reading!" Maya said frantically

"Forget them for now, figure out what is happening with that Angel!" Ritsuko shouted back

Behind them, Misato was staring up at the ball as it lost the white stripes and became fully black. The moaning had ceased, although its trembling increased greatly. Looking up, Misato remembered the words of the escaped pilot child, 'A miracle will only happen if you fight to the very end'. Smiling, Misato had faith that Shinji would come out okay

The Angel had finally ceased its trembling and hung there in the sky. Moments later, one side of it began to bulge out, as though something was trying to burst out from the inside. Within moments, an arm pierced the surface. Completely covered in blood and gore, it was soon joined by the other arm as the Angel's blood spewed out. Grabbing the edges of the hole it made, they tore apart the Angel, revealing the trapped unit 01. Roaring in victory, the purple behemoth proceeded to rip the Angel apart, sending trails of blood and gore across the sky. While this was going on, Asuka was staring in shock.

Am I piloting one of those monsters? She thought

There was no other time that the red-head was scared of the machine she was in, or of the boy piloting the monster before her. She was so focused on the bloody Eva that she didn't notice another one sneaking away. That is, until her attention was brought around by the other Eva bumping a car that set off its alarm.

"Aww crap" said a deep voice

Ritsuko looked over and saw the black Eva that had jumped into the Sea after Shinji. Her phone rang, and when she picked it up it was the Commander on the line

"Capture that unit as quickly as possible" came his cold, dead voice

"How-"

"You lost the other units, and I wish to earn more from these people"

Wincing at the reminder of her failure, she assured him and hung up. She then said to the pilots, "Capture that unit"

Immediately, the blue Eva rushed in to grab the black Eva. It had grabbed the foreigner in a bear hug, trapping its arms.

The dark face of the pilot appeared on Rei's screen, "Well, aren't we affectionate?"

At the same time, Shinji's face appeared on her screen. Although her face didn't show it, Rei was intensely relived to see that he was alright.

"Let him go, Rei"

Asuka turned her Eva to face the recently escaped unit 01.

"What do you mean, let him go? We have orders to capture him"

Barely out and he's trying to take control!

Upstage him and make sure that the prisoner doesn't escape

The dark unit twisted around and out of the grip of Rei's Eva. It only got a few steps before it was knocked down by unit 02. It had the wanted man in a head lock, trapping him against the ground.

"Okay, not a comfortable position" Cairn said

Again twisting, he was able to slip his Eva's head out of Asuka's headlock. Angry that he was about to escape, Asuka threw a hard uppercut, sending him flying. When the black Eva landed, it caused several buildings to collapse.

Shinji tried to get Asuka to stop, "Please, Asuka leave him alone!"

Sending him a death glare, Asuka responded, "Stay out of this Third, this time it's my turn to show you how it's really done"

With that, she launched herself at the fallen unit. Without the limitations of the umbilical cable, the Evas have greater range and mobility, as well as being nearly unstoppable with a limitless power source. Landing atop her victim, she then began pounding on the black Eva. After taking a few punches, the black unit grabbed the red unit's arms. It had become a power struggle; both began pushing each other, each trying to force the other into submission. After a few long moments, Asuka seemed to have the upper hand. Then, she lost her balance and was pushed into the air, where she was then kicked by Cairn. Landing on top of unit 01, unit 02 was momentarily stopped.

Wiping his forehead, Cairn said, "I need to leave, see you later Shinji"

With that, he had his unit jump into a growing shadow cast by the rising sun. It then began to sink as the purple Eva had hours before. Within a minute, the unit was completely gone.

Pushing Shinji away, Asuka scrambled up and looked around frantically. Seeing that her target was now gone she screamed.

Turning to Shinji, she yelled, "You BAKA! You let him get away!"

Receiving no reply, she saw that Shinji had fainted in his plug.

Coming up to the inert unit 01 was a rescue team. Misato was up front and was waiting as the rescue team extracted the entry plug that Shinji was trapped in. As soon as the plug opened, the purple-haired guardian pushed past the personnel. Jumping into the plug, she picked up the slumped form of her charge. Pulling him into a hug, Misato began to cry.

Shinji had blacked out, and he was in peaceful slumber when he heard sounds. Realizing that the sounds were sounds of tears he began to wake up. Looking around, he found himself within the clutches of Misato's hug. Reaching up, he had the strength to pat Misato on the back. She then looked up and smiled when she saw that Shinji was alright.

"I wanted to see everyone again" Shinji said before losing conscious

Nerv Hospital

Shinji was waking up, and once his eyes fully opened he found himself staring up at the ceiling.

"Another unfamiliar ceiling" he said

Noticing a flash of blue to his right, Shinji turned his head to find Rei wearing her school uniform, sitting next to his bed. His eyes opened slightly in surprise.

Rei asked, "I am glad to see you are feeling better"

Pulling himself upright, Shinji replied, ""Yeah, it's good to be back"

The blue-haired girl tilted her head quizzically. Shinji smiled slightly before saying, "While in there, I found myself looking forward to seeing you and everyone else again"

True to form, Rei didn't even blink when he said this, "You can rest today" she got to her feet, "We can take care of everything"

Sitting straighter, Shinji replied, "I'm fine now"

"That's good"

Not showing much surprise, Shinji just watched as Rei walked to the door.

"I'll see you at school later"

Rei stopped momentarily at the unopened door. Turning slightly, Rei asked, "Why do you seem so much more positive"

Shinji flushed slightly and said, "I just learned that you can't always be negative in life"

The door opened revealing an eavesdropping Asuka. Jumping, the red headed girl flushed and jumped out of the way as Rei walked past. Asuka was embarrassed, but unwilling to show it. She heard some chuckling and peeked back into the room to see Shinji holding himself while he laughed.

"Hey, are you laughing at me?"

Stopping himself, Shinji stuttered, "N-n-no, A-Asuka"

Smiling, Asuka was about to say more when she was pushed into the room. Turning angrily, the red-head was about to berate whoever was behind her. She found herself staring at a pink winged, pink robed bird-man. Hearing more laughter, she turned to see Shinji pointing at the weird man while holding his sides.

"Shut up Shinji, there's a reason that I'm wearing pink" the man said in a gruff voice

Between bouts of laughter, the boy was able to gasp out, "But, your wings!"

Frowning, the said, "Blame my team for this. They voted me to be 'cupid'"

Asuka was about to explode, ready to tear someone apart to get some answers when she heard that last part. At the same time, Shinji stopped laughing and looked at the pink bird-man with a look of shock.

Asuka shouted, "What the fuck do you mean, 'cupid'? Who are you?"

Pulling a scroll from the sleeve of his monk style robes, Iak replied, "My name is Iak, and not 'cupid' as in forcing two people to be in love with each other"

Blushing heavily, Shinji asked, "B-but, isn't t-that what cupid does?"

Shaking his head, Iak replied, "No, forcing someone to love someone else is morally wrong, which is why the original is still in prison for the next millennia"

Looks of confusion reigned on the faces of the children, the pink man attempted to elaborate, "Our organization don't enforce laws so much as we make sure to people are being morally right and doing the right thing"

Regaining her composure, Asuka asked, "What organization are you from, 'Bird Brain Losers Convention'?"

Frowning, Iak stepped close and bent down to look the red-head straight in the eyes, "We are an inter-dimensional organization. Our duty is to make the key people in their worlds to make the right decisions to benefit the whole. We are the Avatars of Change, and sometimes morals are what will keep a world from being destroyed."

Leaning closer, causing Asuka to lean back uncomfortably, Iak continued, "I dare you to insult us again"

Feeling scared, Asuka only stepped back, making contact with Shinji's bed. Going up to the girl, Iak was about to go on when he was stopped, oddly enough, by Shinji.

"Leave her alone!"

Swiveling her head, Asuka saw that Shinji had gotten out of bed and looked ready to attack the person. She looked at his face and saw that he had a determined look. Asuka could hardly believe it, Shinji, spineless perverted boy, was standing up for her, defending her.

Is that really Shinji? She thought, Why is he doing this?

Once again, her thoughts regarding the boy returned. The girl could not stop herself from thinking that Shinji actually cared for her.

Iak had stepped back when Shinji had gotten up, and was smiling minutely. Opening the scroll in his and, he continued as though nothing had interrupted him.

Clearing his throat, the pink man said, "Alright, we have a few terms that you need to hear"

Pulling herself together, Asuka asked, "Terms to what agreement, you pink loser?"

Looking up from his reading, Iak said, "As I said, I am playing 'cupid', the two of you need to get along far better than this for the future attacks"

Both pilots looked at each other before blushing very hard. Turning back, they yelled simultaneously, "WHAT?"

Going back to his reading, Iak said, "Not in a romantic way, if that's what you wondering about. We need you two to be less, um, argumentive with one another"

Asuka recovered, although still very red, and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Rolling his eyes, the bird-man said, "Are you going to keep asking questions or are you going to let me continue?"

Ready to argue, the red-head was stopped when she felt a hand on her arm. Turning, Asuka saw that Shinji was there, with a wry look.

"We better listen to what he has to say, he did help me get the strength to get out of the Sea" Shinji said cajolingly.

Despite the need to rip out the bird-man's wings, Asuka couldn't help but calm down. Something about Shinji had changed; he was bolder although he was still a little timid. Even though touching her would normally be rewarded with a beating, Shinji had put his hand on her, stopping her from carrying through with her deed.

Sitting down next to Asuka, Shinji gestured towards Iak to continue.

Nodding his appreciation, Iak resumed, "The terms: one, both Shinji Ikari and Asuka Langley Sohryu are not allowed to be more than five feet away from each other. Two, what one feels, the other feels. Three, the duration of the agreement is to last is not available"

"What?"

"That is what I have said, no exception"

Shinji, looking slightly scared, asked, "Why are you doing this again?"

Rolling up his scroll, Iak replied, "To ensure that this reality is not destroyed, we need the champions of this reality, i.e. the Eva pilots, to be fully prepared for anything"

Bowing, he then walked out of the room leaving two very confused kids. Recovering first, Asuka stormed up to the door.

"Get back here; we still have questions for you"

She had taken about two steps out of the room when she felt a tug strong enough to cause her to fall over. Landing hard on her rear, she heard a yelp of pain from the room that Shinji was in. Walking out, Shinji looked around and found Asuka laying on the ground. Going over, he held out a hand towards the girl.

Smiling ruefully, Shinji said, "Guess we're stuck together"

Asuka looked angrily at him and was about to retort when she felt worry and concern coming from the boy. Surprise showed on Shinji's face as he noticed the same mental connection. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her up. At the same time, Misato came around the corner and spotted the two.

Rushing over, their guardian grabbed Shinji in a bear hug, "I'm so glad to see you're alright"

From his current position, Shinji was having a hard time breathing; he was also unable to speak due to where his face was. Asuka was able to feel the same feeling of discomfort that Shinji was feeling. She was also able to tell that Shinji was unable to breathe

Going up to the crying woman, Asuka pulled her off saying, "Stop, he can't breathe"

Releasing the boy allowed him to regain his breath. Misato turned to Asuka and asked, "Oh, did I disturb you two?"

Going red, Asuka spluttered, "We weren't doing anything!"

Smiling, Misato asked Shinji, "You ready to leave yet?"

Nodding, Shinji went back to his room to change with Asuka following close behind.

Confused, Misato asked, "What are you doing? Shinji's going in to change"

Her face changing into a mischievous smile, "Ohh, I see, decided to move in on him huh?"

Turning as red as her hair, Asuka shouted, "It isn't like that!"

Laughing, the purple-hair woman said, "Then why were going into his room while he was changing? Admit it, you wanted to see him"

The door opened revealing a fully dressed Shinji who had a face as equally red as Asuka's.

"It looks like you missed your chance, but I'll be sure to give the two of you some alone time when we get back"

If possible, the two turned even redder. While they attempted to stop their laughing guardian, she led them to her car. Leaning against the wall on the other end of the wall was the pink-robed and pink-winged Aerolan.

"I still don't see why I had to be the cupid for them" he said irritably

Appearing above him with his feet planted firmly on the ceiling was the ninja Shuri-Shara. He wore a purple sweat shirt with orange cargo pants and sandals.

"You were outvoted, and besides, you have the most experience with matters of love"

Flushing ever so slightly, Iak turned and walked down the hall. Following, the younger one continued to walk on the ceiling.

Breaking the silence, the double voiced boy said, "We may be able to delay the next Angel long enough for things to heat up between those two love birds"

More silence met the boy. Again speaking up, Shuri-Shara asked, "What's wrong?"

Looking the upside-down boy in the eyes, Iak said, "I am still pink. I do not wish to remain so. Change me back, or heads will roll. Literally"

Growing pale, the ninja jumped down next to the pink bird-man. Pulling out his own scroll, he scanned it momentarily before saying, "The spell is supposed to last for eight hours, so I guess you have to sit tight"

Laughing weakly, the boy stepped back a few steps. After a tense moment, Iak resumed walking down the hall, Shuri-Shara following quickly. They soon reached a fire exit and opened the door without triggering the alarm.

Shuri-Shara, tired of the silence, asked, "Are you mad at me?"

"No, but you should know that I am never being the cupid again"

He said this with such vehemence that the boy stepped a couple of feet away from him.

Outside, the two met up with the others. Kaitos was sitting on the curb, massaging his right leg. Hunter stood on lookout while Cairn was juggling some rocks.

"Hey, check it! I told you guys that I can get five going!" he said pleasantly

Seeing that the others had arrived, the dark man dropped the rocks. He was wearing a pair of black jeans that reached just below his knees, a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket unzipped over it, and a pair of black sneakers.

Hunter and Kaitos also got up and moved over to join the group. Hunter was wearing baggy green pants with a green utility vest over a yellow t-shirt and combat boots. Kaitos wore a blue t-shirt with a red sleeveless hooded shirt over it, as well as short white pants and was also wearing sandals.

Nodding to the group, Iak led them away from the hospital. Reaching the end of the street, Iak turned towards Cairn.

"Open a portal" he said tersely

Not arguing, the shadow master opened a portal that was completely dark. Going in one by one, Cairn was the last one in and closed the portal behind him. Their destination was an abandoned building complex on the outskirts of Tokyo-3. In the building was a campsite filled with computers and survival gear.

Sitting in the middle at one of the terminals was a cloaked figure with his hood down. The face of a fourteen year old boy with short blond hair with streaks of red in it was seen protruding from the cloak.

Looking up, the boy said, "Welcome back…"

He saw that one of them was dressed in pink with pink wings and began to laugh uncontrollably. The others silently backed away while saying prayers for the poor boy. Iak walked up to the laughing boy and picked him up by his collar. The boy's laughing had eased, but not stopped.

Getting up close and personal, the winged being asked in a deadly quiet tone, "Do you find something funny?"

Wiping tears from his eyes, he replied, "Yeah, you completely pink" and burst out laughing again.

He stopped laughing as soon as he was bodily thrown through the nearest wall and the wall behind that. Walking over, Kaitos poked among the wreckage while everyone else took seats around the room.

Pulling a dazed kid out by his foot, Kaitos asked, "You alive, or can I use your body for scientific study?"

Coughing, the boy pulled his foot out of the cripple's grip saying, "I'm perfectly fine, thanks for asking"

From the general direction of the kitchen a child's voice came asking, "What in bloody hell is going on out there?"

Coming out, the voice's owner was a ten year old child with dark brown hair wearing suspenders over a white dress shirt with pince-nez (a type of glasses without the parts that go over the ears and stay on by a pair of springs where the nose is) on his face. He was also wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon.

Stretching on a fold up chair, Hunter replied, "Sorry Keevan, Iak just lost his temper"

Looking over to said person, the boy asked, "Why are you pink?"

Frowning as the others suppressed their laughs, Iak said, "Your spell. The others thought that I would make a great cupid and thought that I should look the part, so they borrowed one of your books and made a color change spell"

Sighing in exasperation, Keevan asked, "Can I see it?"

Handing over the scroll, Shuri-Shara said, "Sorry for not asking permission, but it was sort of last minute"

While the child looked over the spell in the scroll, Kaitos repaired the collapsed walls. The person who was thrown through them sat back down at his console while wincing.

"You didn't have to do that you know" he whined

Sighing, Iak leaned back in his chair and asked, "Where's the other one?"

Pulling out a stick about a foot in length that had a star on its end, Keevan answered, "He went for a walk on the roof"

Waving it, the boy said, "Reverto ut prius"

With a flash of light, Iak returned to his normal color, black wings and black robes.

Shaking his head, Shuri-Shara said, "We have to blend in, so why don't you wear some normal clothes?"

Stretching his wings, Iak replied, "Is there any normal human clothes that I could hide these under?"

"They hid well under those cloaks"

Cairn interrupted, "Only because I made them that way"

Throwing his hands up in exasperation, the ninja gave up. Over at the console, the boy said, "I got the location of the Nerv branch in America as well as dates for the activation of unit 04"

At the same time the door opened to reveal their cloaked leader. Going over to the terminal, he said in his cold voice, "If we can delay the activation of the Eva, we may be able to delay the Thirteenth's arrival"

Nodding, Hunter said, "Okay, Kaitos and Cairn, you guys are with me on delaying the next Angel"

Looking unconvinced, Iak asked, "Why are we delaying it?"

Shuri-Shara answered with nervousness, "Well, we thought, since it's impossible to delay the others, and the kids need more time together, it's…"

Angrily, the winged man said, "We are not matchmakers; we change the outcomes of the worldly fates"

Interjecting, the only one still masked, said, "It is all part of changing the worldly fate. By putting Shinji and Asuka together, it becomes easier to change the direction of fate for the world, the only way to stop SEELE and their plans"

Keevan added, "There's that, and the fact that we need more hours for a positive report to the higher ups"

To this, Hunter also said, "Besides, what are you so eager to get back to? Almost everyone in your world wants to kill you. You'd think that being somewhere else is a good thing"

Shuri-Shara looked around and said gleefully, "Looks like it's time for another vote. All in favor of delaying the Angel say 'aye', and all opposed say 'nay'"

There were seven ayes, extras due to the fact that the ninja separated himself for an extra vote. Iak was the only one said nay, and looking around he sighed in resignation.

"All right, we delay the Angel. Hunter, Kaitos, and Cairn will head to America to delay unit 04's activation and delay the Thirteenth's arrival"

Looking perplexed, the boy on the terminal asked, "How long could we delay it?"

Picking up a piece of paper, the crippled traveler worked furiously at a serious of equations before replying.

"I hypothesize that we may delay it for two month's, two and a half tops"

Looking pleased, Shuri and Shara said simultaneously, "Perfect!"

"While on the topic of schedules," Hunter said, "Sai, you and Keevan have to go to school tomorrow, so you better get your things together"

Keevan remarked, "Already done, but I think Sai's going to ditch"

Angry, the boy at the terminal said, "I am not! I'm actually looking forward to school"

Sighing, Iak said, "Do not irritate the children, especially Asuka. She is not going to be in such a nice mood after what you guys made me do to them"

Handing the scroll with the spell used on Shinji and Asuka to Keevan, Iak asked, "Why isn't there a time limit or expiration date on this thing?"

Scanning the scroll, the boy eyes widened dramatically while his jaw dropped. Turning to the winged man, he asked, "Who made this spell?"

Everyone turned their heads toward the twin ninjas as they tried to stealthily sneak away. Despite their ninja abilities, they could not escape the gaze of one angry and one furious people.

The angry Keevan asked, "Where did you get this spell?"

Laughing weakly, Shuri answered, "You know that self you have that's off limits?"

Nodding his head, he motioned them to continue.

Drawing a deep breathe, Shara said, "We borrowed one of them and-"

"Which one?" the boy asked through gritted teeth

Even though the duo was taller, they seemed to shrink under the gaze of the younger boy.

"Um, I think it was called Periculosus quod Potent Alica?" Shara said timidly

Turning red with rage, the boy shouted, "HOW COULD YOU!"

Cringing, the two merged back together and said, "I thought that the best spells would be in there"

Iak asked, "What is going to happen?"

Calming down, Keevan said, "Nothing unless the people affected do something. The spell says that it cannot be cancelled until they do something"

Still deadly calm, Iak asked, "What?"

Shuri-Shara answered meekly, "Until they confess their feelings for each other or until they, um, you know"

Getting up, the avenging angel walked slowly towards the trembling ninja. Everyone else was getting out of the eminent slaughter house. Soon, everyone except the cloaked person and the two conflictors had left.

Deciding enough was enough, the masked man said, "We don't have time to waste, just allow him to proceed with his plan and let the pilots grow closer"

Sighing, Iak sat back down, much to the relief of the ninja who collapsed to the ground. Seeing that there was no blood or screaming, everyone else returned.

Pointing to Hunter, Cairn, and Kaitos, the masked leader said, "Proceed with your mission"

Nodding, the group left through a portal that the dark man opened.

Waving a hand in mock salute, Kaitos said, "Don't kill anyone, or if you do, preserve their bodies"

Stepping through, he was followed by Hunter who gave a strict and correct military salute. Cairn followed after with a wave and said, "We see you when we return, keep things chillin' till then"

Leaning back, Iak asked Keevan, "Is dinner ready?"

Ninetri9: Okay, I agree to give one Touji Suzuhara and one Kensuke Aida more time shown in this fanfiction.

Touji: Good, and make sure that me and rep get some hot and steamy action

Hikari and Asuka: PERVERT slapping sounds

Kensuke: Hey, when am I getting any action with girls?

Ninetri9: sigh

Kaji: I was wondering…

Ninetri9: Yes?

Kaji: When am I going to show up?

Ninetri9: groan

Misato: Hey guys, I got more beer!

Shinji: Misato, I think that you should cut down on the alcohol

Misato: NO WAY!

Asuka: Seriously, it's bad for your health

Hikari: Why does Pen-Pen have a beer can

Pen-Pen: Wark?

Ninetri9: I'm sure you know the answer to that

Touji: Urgh, what hit me?

Shinji: The girls

Rei: Where are your spare towels?

Ninetri9: You're taking a shower in my bathroom?

Rei: Yes, since last night I have been unable to leave, so I stayed. Now I require a shower.

Shinji: Down the hall, thedoor on the right

Rei: Thank you, Ikari

Ninetri9: How do you know that?

Shinji: Well there was laundry lying around, so I thought…

Ninetri9: sighNever mind. Okay, that's the end of another chapter, so I hope that you enjoyed it…

Touji: Yeah right, we weren't in it

Kensuke: Yeah

Ninetri9: Please R&R and I'll get back as soon as possible

Iak: I think you should also apologize for the lack of warning in the last chapter

Ninetr9: Thanks. I apologize if the last chapter seemed a little off track from the original storyline and if it seemed all touchy feely. From now on, I will try to make it less so in future chapters

Touji: Hey, what happened to our written agreement?

Hikari: Where did you last leave it?

Shinji: I think it was around here

Kaji: Oops, sorry but I used it as a tissue

holds up sodden paper

Kensuke: Aww man

Ninetri9: Guess I don't need to do anything

Touji: Hey, get back here!

Shinji: I guess that's all there is

Hunter: See you all later