Chapter four is here! Yeah! Don't worry i took the time to edit and polish this one up first. Read and enjoy!
we're taking a quick jaunt back to the Evangelion universe to see what's happened since Rei left . . .
Ch. 4: Life
Shinji awoke to find himself lying on the beach. Exactly where he had been when he had dozed off some time before. He watched the clouds absentmindedly for several seconds trying to make sense of the odd dream he just had. Had Ayanami just died? No couldn't be, there was no way. But her screams where so real. He could still hear them ringing in his ears. Shinji shook his head to clear his mind. "I have the strangest dreams." He muttered.
Beside him he heard Asuka groan as she began to stir. Shinji sat up and rubbed his head. He was exhausted but there was no time for him to be spacing out or dozing off. It wasn't long until nightfall and Asuka would need a safe place to rest. Shinji got to his feet. "I'm going to look around. Stay here and rest, okay Asuka?"
Asuka mumbled something in German that sounded suspiciously to Shinji like "Go to hell."
Right, thought Shinji. As if this place wasn't. Shinji shrugged and went off into the jungle of rubble that lay beyond. He would worry about the German girl's comment later.
As the sun began to sink over the horizon Shinji was once again scrambling over the mountains of debris that lay between him and the beach. He had walked as far as he dared into the distance but had seen nothing but more of the same. He returned now carrying the spoils of his search. It was a large fairly flat sheet of metal that he intended to pull Asuka around on until she got stronger. It was crude, he knew, but he couldn't bear to leave Asuka laying here. She wouldn't be able to do anything for herself. At least that's what he told himself but his real reason was entirely different. He didn't want to be left alone, not again. He needed someone's company or he feared he'd go insane from the silence. It didn't matter that it was Asuka he'd be grateful for even her.
The only other thing Shinji had was a small collection of bandages and pain pills for Asuka. He hadn't had a chance to examine her injuries closely but judging by what he could see she would need a lot of care before she would be properly healed.
Shinji sat down next to Asuka and wrapped his arms around his legs. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so tired. Not even the night Misato had forced him to pull an all-nighter in Unit One because of a false alert had left him feeling this bad. Misato . . .
Shinji stopped himself right there. He didn't want to think about her right now. His last memory of the purple haired woman was still too fresh and painful for him. "Hey, Baka Shinji, Did you get us any food?" Demanded Asuka's voice beside him.
Shinji cracked on eye open to look at her; thankful for the distraction. "Gomen." He muttered.
"Don't tell me you couldn't find any!" Asuka snapped.
"No. I couldn't . . ." Shinji stammered.
"Baka." Asuka snorted.
Shinji felt rotten now. He had nothing to offer Asuka to eat. He knew they needed food but there had been nothing at all. Still he really should have tried harder. Reluctantly he glanced over at Asuka to see just how mad she was. To his surprise Asuka wasn't even looking his was at all. Instead it appeared she had gone back to sleep, her face displaying the peaceful cast of rest. Shinji decided to take a cue from her and get some sleep. There wasn't anything else he could do until morning anyway.
The harsh morning sunlight woke Shinji long before he was ready. He groaned and rolled his stiff body away from the direction of the light. Day two of life had begun. Oh, joy, Was Shinji's thought on the subject.
Two years later . . .
Kaji stumbled the last few weary steps through the LCL Ocean, Misato in his arms. He was exhausted and breathing hard. Learning to breathe air again had taken a lot out of him; more then he'd ever expected it could. Part of him wondered how the children where able to do it so easily time and time again. What he didn't know was there was that brief moment when in the back of each child's mind they thought they were going to drown and all they wanted to do was scream or cry. Just before he reached the shore his body gave out and the two of them hit the sand, half in- half out of the LCL. What was going on? He wondered. From the looks of things it looked like third impact had happened, but how was he here? Kaji knew for a fact that he'd been shot to death before that. He even had a scar on his chest from where the fatal bullet had gone through him to prove it. He held his hand above his head and stared in wonder as if it was beyond him how he was here. His jaw clenched and his fist tightened momentarily as he replayed the flash of the gun just before he died. He took a few deep breaths, the anger passed and his body relaxed. It was okay now, Kaji told himself. He was alive with the woman he loved beyond all others and that was what mattered. He looked over at Misato who was beginning to stir. It made sense to him now. The reason he was alive once again. Kaji couldn't help but smile to himself. She'd wanted him after all. That was the only explanation; she had wanted him back again. "Thank-you, Katsuragi." He murmured.
Kaji laid back and closed his eyes as he tried to recall the events that led to him being here. He remembered the gun pointing at him and hearing it go off followed by a sharp pain before everything went black. The next thing he knew he was floating in the LCL with Misato nearby. When she didn't respond he had carried her to the shore. So here he was, back alive and personally he didn't mind . . .
Beside him he heard Misato begin to stir. She sat up slowly and began to move. Then for a moment all was still then she leaned over him. Misato grabbed his shoulders and began shaking him violently. "Kaji! Kaji!" Her voice cried out.
Kaji opened his eyes to see Misato looking down at him. Her eyes were full of fear and desperation. He smiled softly at her and her hands began to tremble. "Katsuragi . . ."
Kaji gently placed his hand on her cheek and Misato burst into tears. "Kaji! Oh, Kaji, I can't believe it! You're alive . . ."
She broke off as her voice was over powered by her sobs. Absent mindedly he began to stroke her hair the way he used to back when they first met. Misato dried her eyes and looked at him. "You . . . you said you would have said the things you should have said years ago . . ." She reminded him.
Kaji smiled. Yes, there was one thing left unsaid. Using a section of her hair he pulled her closer to him. Kaji leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "I love you, Misato."
Misato cried out with joy as fresh tears streamed from her eyes and she threw her arms around his neck. "I love you too, Kaji!" She replied.
Several hours later Kaji was watching the sky while Misato slept peacefully beside him. He was debating weather to go get food or not. On one hand he could easily get lost but they were both starving and needed something to eat. That was when Kaji spotted him, a figure far down the beach walking their way. Kaji was intrigue by the strange presence and propped himself up on one elbow so he could watch them. As he got closer he saw that the figure was actually a pale boy with white hair and red eyes dressed in a white shirt and black pants. He stopped when he reached them. "Congratulations," He said "You've made it."
"Who are you?"
"My name is Tabris but you can call me Kaworu Nagisa." The boy replied.
Kaji was shell shocked. He was talking to an angel. What surprised him the most was that he didn't even look like one. He looked as much angel as Ayanami did. Kaji remembered that the seventeenth was supposed to look human but it was definitely creepy to see. Yet he seemed calm and tranquil. Despite his best efforts Kaji felt nothing malicious or dangerous about him. If fact his instincts told him this angel was to be trusted. "Wake Miss Katsuragi up. Shinji and Asuka have a car and clothing waiting for you." Kaworu said.
Kaji nodded and gently began to shake Misato's shoulder. "Katsuragi, wake up." He said
Misato opened her eyes and screamed, she gripped his shoulders tightly as she stammered, "Ah-ah-ah-angel!"
Kaji put his finger to her lips. "Shhh. It's okay. He's on our side. He says Shinji and Asuka have a car nearby waiting for us."
So they helped each other up and down the beach. The angel, Kaworu walked a head of them whistling Ode to Joy as loudly as he could. Kaji and Misato stayed behind holding onto each other as they walked. When they reached the car there was no one was near, but Kaworu assured them Shinji and Asuka weren't far. He gave them water to clean off with and then he showed them the clothing selection and told them to pick out what they liked. The selection wasn't much, only what the children had managed to salvage from the rubble. Kaji chose a shirt and pants and Misato chose a pair of overalls a skirt and a spaghetti strap t-shirt. Clean and dressed they awaited Shinji and Asuka. Kaworu sat up front where he had retreated to while Kaji and Misato had been dressing. Kaji and Misato sat together in the trunk, they where holding hands and enjoying the sweet taste of life. Sure enough Shinji and Asuka showed up not long after leading a small child between them. Shinji looked strong, sunburned and a little worse for wear and Asuka looked about the same. "Hey, Kaworu!" Asuka called "She's the only one we found. How did you do?"
"Go around back and see for yourself." Kaworu said mysteriously.
Kaji and Misato snickered softly to themselves. They couldn't wait to see the look on the children's faces. They weren't disappointed. Both Asuka and Shinji's eyes grew wide and their mouths hung open. Asuka was the first to recover. "Misato! Kaji!" She cried and she threw her arms around both of them at once. Shinji was more reserved. When Asuka was done he stepped foreword and presented Misato with her cross, saying "Welcome back, Misato"
Misato put it around her neck and before Shinji could stop her she seized him in a hug. Shinji blushed but didn't resist. Misato let go and Shinji stepped back still looking embarrassed. "Well, did I do good?"
Everyone turned to see Kaworu standing behind them with the child. Asuka nodded vigorously and gave him a thumb up. Shinji smiled shyly with gratitude and said, "Thanks Kaworu."
Kaworu smiled. "I'm glad you approve. Now if you'll excuse me we need to get going the suns going to set soon."
Asuka looked at the sky for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Hop in everyone. I'll have you home in no time." She said.
Shinji and Kaworu paled. "Uh, Asuka, are you sure you want to drive?" Shinji inquired.
"Of course! Why can't I? I'm not an invalid anymore you know." Asuka retorted.
"Come on! How bad can it be?" Misato insisted.
Shinji leaned over, "It's bad. She makes your driving look good."
"Oh, dear."
"Asuka why don't I drive?" Offered Kaji.
"What? Don't trust me?" Snapped Asuka.
"No I just think you might want to rest. I'm sure you've had a busy day." Kaji explained.
"Well, I'm fine. Hop in you big sissies."
By Asuka's tone of voice it was clear there was no alternative, Asuka would drive. Everyone got in reluctantly and Asuka revved the engine. She stepped on the gas and they were off. The car bounced up and down and jerked around the entire trips. It swerved dangerously several times nearly getting into an accident with everything that lay in their path. Thirty minutes and several grey hairs later they arrived at their destination. They staggered pale and shaken out of the car. It didn't take Kaji and Misato long to realize where they were, Tokyo III. Shinji directed their gaze to a small group of apartments that looked miraculously, relatively unharmed. "That's where we've been living." Shinji explained. "It may not be much but it's become home."
"What I don't get is how anything in this city survived." Kaji said.
"This small group of buildings were buried by their neighbors so most of the structure was undamaged by third impact. It took forever to unbury them and be sure they were safe. After we did that we moved as many of the survivors as we could inside. The upper floor of all three of them is a total loss but the rest of the levels are safe enough to live in."
Misato nodded approvingly. "I'm proud of you guys. You've done well."
"Thanks, Misato." Shinji and Asuka said in unison.
"So why did we stop over here?" Kaji asked.
"The rubble between here and there is too tough to drive over safely so we have to walk." Shinji explained.
"The suicide combat zone as the stooges affectionately call it." Asuka put in.
The walk turned out to be quite interesting. The debris was clumped into huge mountains and valley like structures that had to be avoided or walked over. By the time they reached the first building the sun was already low in the sky. "You'll probably have to stay with us for the night." Asuka explained "There isn't time to get you guys a place today."
Asuka took the lead and led them to a three bedroom apartment on the fourth floor of the second building. Kaworu produced a key from his pocket and let them in. Inside the apartment was dark and simply furnished but it was homely enough looking. As Misato and Kaji were making themselves comfortable the door to the bed room area slid open. A girl with shoulder length black hair stood in the door way. She was tall for her age but she was also pale and thin which combined to make her look sickly. Her clothing, which consisted of a very oversized t-shirt and shorts, only helped to exaggerate the effect. "Let me introduce you to our room mate, Yuka Hanabishi." Kaworu said.
"She's Kaworu girlfriend." Asuka whispered to Misato.
Kaworu clenched his fist and shot an irritated look at Asuka, "She's not. She's just our guest." He insisted.
Yuka smiled hello to them and turned to Kaworu, saying sternly; "You didn't tell me we were expecting company tonight. Had you told me I could have had something waiting."
"I didn't know we would be having guests over. Besides you've just come back yourself and are still tired and weak. You should take it easy." Kaworu said.
"Besides we still need to fatten you up." Asuka chimed in.
"Asuka!" Shinji exclaimed.
"No. really, it's okay. It's true; I really do need to put on some weight."
"So, Yuka why are you here? Living with these crazy kids." Kaji asked.
"My mom didn't take well to coming back and she's been really sick so these guys have been letting me stick around."
"I'm sorry to hear that. So how your mom doing?" Misato asked.
"Better. They think she'll be out in a week or two."
The next morning Kaworu woke early before the others. He found Kaji and Misato curled up together on the sofa bed. Kaworu smiled to himself at the sight of their intermingled sleeping forms. They would be fine; after all they had brought each other out of the LCL with their love still in tact. Turning he headed for the kitchen, it was time to make breakfast. Today was going to be an interesting and long day if Kaworu was any judge.
It wasn't long after when Shinji made his grand appearance. He had a bad case of raccoon eyes and looked like he hadn't slept at all last night. It made sense because he slept in the same bed as the German Fireball. He been advised by more than one person to think twice but he'd insisted and this was the price he paid. Kaworu understood why Shinji had chosen to share a bed with her. Shinji loved her and wanted to be by her side as best he could. It wasn't uncommon; most people who had come back who had lovers with them were sleeping together but this was Asuka they were talking about. "Morning . . ." Shinji muttered half coherently.
Kaworu smiled and handed him a cup of coffee. "Good morning Shinji."
Shinji smiled gratefully and went out to the porch to watch the sunrise. Kaworu left the others breakfasts on the table and went out to join him. "Rough night?" He asked his friend.
"Yeah, Asuka kept me up all night long. She's really nervous about today and I don't think she wants to do it. Personally I don't blame her but if she doesn't do it she'll keep running away. I just know it."
Kaworu nodded "I agree. She must face her fear but I wouldn't worry, it will go fine. She's a brave girl. Besides there's nothing dangerous about it, the only thing that can hurt her is her own fear."
"I'm just afraid that she'll blow up before then. She can be really scary when she's in the kind of mood she's in."
"Let's just hope she sleeps late."
Shinji nodded, "Besides Maya told me they won't be ready to try this until later this afternoon so it's not like she needs to hurry."
Just then Hikari and Touji showed up. Touji's arm was placed protectively around Hikari as they came up the road and it was no small secret why. She was pregnant and it was showing quiet clearly in her protruding stomach. Since he had learned Touji had become concerned about her safely and quiet careful with her. There were times when Shinji wondered what had happened to the two them in there. Hikari had been so shy about how she felt about him before instrumentality and Touji had always ad been so careful to respect her feelings, unsure of how to approach her but now it was like they weren't afraid any more. Hikari smiled and placed her head on Touji's shoulder. They looked so happy and carefree. Behind the happy couple Kensuke appeared dressed in his mock military costume. Shinji sighed, despite all the strangeness in the world some things never changed. Maybe, Shinji decided, that was a good thing.
Behind the foreword three came the ethereal form of Arael, the fifteenth angel. Her long white hair swung behind her and her cherry red eyes scanned her surroundings. She was the strangest person Shinji knew. Able to communicate with Asuka in a way no one ever could because she was privy to her deepest secrets. She could communicate with Asuka in fluent German something no one else was able to. In fact the two had become fast friends. Shinji figured it was good for her to have someone she could connect to so well but he wasn't so sure he liked the frequent mocking in German behind his back.
"So, Shinji, today is Red's big day huh?" Inquired Touji.
"Yeah. Don't worry it's safe for now, she's still a sleep."
"Hikari and thought we should come offer her our moral support."
"I came to offer my support as well." Kensuke said proudly.
"Me to. I wanted to wish her luck." Arael said softly.
"I sure she'll appreciate knowing everyone is rooting for her." Kaworu said.
Shinji nodded in agreement. Asuka would defiantly appriacte knowing the people who care about her where backing her up today. Shinji motioned toward the porch swing and said, "Well you'll have to take a seat for now."
Misato and Kaji emerged from the apartment not long after. Both of them were also quiet happy and in a good mood. Misato blinked in surprise when she saw Hikari. "Hikari, look at you! How have you been?"
"Hi, Misato! It good to see you again, did you just get back?"
"Yeah, Kaji and I just got back yesterday. So what about you? It looks like you've been busy. When's the baby due?"
Hikari blush slightly and lightly touched her swelling stomach. "I'm due mid March. Four more long months away from now. Touji and I are hopping everything goes well until then."
"Then Touji's the father? It makes sense you two always seemed like such a cute couple."
Hikari blushed as she nodded and placed her hand in Touji's. "Yeah, He the best." She said softly.
Misato looked over at the others. For some reason they weren't so happy. "What's with the glum faces this morning?" Misato asked.
"Asuka's going to reawaken unit two today and we're a little worried."
Misato quirked an eyebrow in interest. "Really, is it possible? I thought unit two took heavy damage and was incapacitated."
"But her soul is quiet awake in there. All Asuka has to do is get in and unit two should be able to handle the rest." Kaworu explained.
Misato grinned. "It looks like we chose the right day to come back eh, Kaji?"
Kaji nodded vigorously in agreement. "If it's so simple why do we not look more excited about Asuka's big day?"
"Because Asuka isn't." Shinji explained "So we're all afraid she'll do something drastic when she gets up."
"I see. That explains a lot." Misato replied.
"So when does this thing happen?" Kaji inquired.
"Everything should be ready by early afternoon so anytime about then, I guess." Replied Shinji.
Misato nodded. She surveyed with pride the children who had worked to create all this. To her surprise she noticed someone was missing, Rei Ayanami. When she asked where the former pilot of unit zero was she was told a strange story. Apparently Rei had been attacked by the sixteenth angel and disappeared, completely from this world. No one had seen her since and no one could find her.
Asuka remained holed up her and Shinji's bedroom until it was almost time to go but none of them had the heart to bother her until necessary. They all knew why she was so upset. The last time she had been in her Eva she had experienced the indescribable feeling of connecting with her Eva's soul, her mama. Asuka was afraid that unit two was so damaged that it wouldn't be the same or that her mama wouldn't be there. Silently Shinji prayed she would be. When the time came it was only by much persuasion on Arael's part and a little force that they managed to get her out and dressed in her plug suit. For once Asuka didn't want to drive today preferring to sit in the back seat with her arms wrapped around Shinji's arm. Hikari sat beside Touji trying not to become carsick before they reached their destination. Kaworu drove while Arael sat beside him with Misato and Kaji. Asuka talked a lot, like normal but to those who knew her she was evidently hiding her fear.
After an hour-long car ride they arrived at the site where the massive form of unit two laid. All around her former Nerv technicians scurried, completing the final preparations for reactivation. Overseeing it all was the former bridge tech Maya Ibuki trusty laptop in hand. Although obviously missing her two fellow Nerv technicians. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't even notice them arrive until Misato stepped up behind her. "Hey, Maya. What's up?"
Maya gasped and looked up, exclaiming, "Misato!"
Misato flashed one of her trademark smiles and from behind her Kaji beamed one of his own. "Long time no see."
Maya laughed and hugged both of them. "It's great to see you!"
"Yeah, it's great to see you again too." Replied Kaji and Misato in unison.
Misato pulled away and looked around. "Wow. You've organized all of this by yourself?"
Maya nodded. "I've had to. Sempai isn't here. The last person to see her said she was headed for terminal dogma. No one has seen her sense. Time however goes on and so does our need for the Eva's power. With them we can clear away rubble and build new houses. We'll use the Eva's for good."
Misato nodded in agreement. "That's a good plan. So that's why we're here to reawaken the Eva's, isn't it?"
"Yep. That's why were here. If this isn't enough for you don't worry. We're going to do this again in two months and then again if we ever get into Nerv."
"Huh? I thought there was only one other unit, Unit One."
"That's what I thought. But according to the angels units Zero and Three are with in the Eva holding area. Unfortunately they can't be safely brought out yet. Unit one is the odd one out. She's floating up above us. According to our best estimates gravity will be pulling her back in and she'll make a crash landing two miles from her."
"Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you."
Maya nodded in agreement. "I know. It's almost overwhelming to think about but I'm trying to keep my mind on the task at hand and not worry too much about the future tasks."
"Well, good luck."
They both turned to look as Shinji led up Asuka to the platform. From below Touji, Hikari, Kaworu and Arael cheered her on. Maya turned to follow them to the top. Misato and Kaji returned to the bottom with the others. There was nothing more to do but wait for Asuka and Unit Two to do their thing.
As the group at the bottom waited for the action to begin an iron blue four door car bounced in. Aoba climbed out first. Hi s head was bandaged up along with his left eye and upper right arm. The passenger door opened and Hayuuga came out next. He was propped up on one crutch and his right arm was in a sling and wrapped partway up in bandages along with his hand.
Misato hurried up to meet them in time to hear Aoba say to Hayuuga; "See I told you I could drive just fine."
"Uggg. You call that good driving? I think you need an eye exam." Hayuuga groaned.
"Hey guys? What happened to you? How'd you get so beat up?" Misato called out.
The pair looked up to see the group of people for the first time. Hayuuga smiled and Aoba waved. "Hi, Miss Katsuragi. Glad to see you again." Hayuuga replied.
"Same here. I'm glad to see you guys are still here. So? How are you doing?"
"Could be worse but then again could be better." Aoba told her.
"I can see. How'd it happen?"
"We were trying to make our way to the command center of Nerv a few days ago when the walls caved in. This poor full took the brunt of it that's why he looks so bad. It took hours for us to get out of there." Aoba explained.
"Wow. That must have been scary. Do you know what cause it to collapse like that on you?"
"We had Kaworu and Arael check out the path before hand and they told us it was safe. So no one was there with us, we thought it was safe. However there was a second group exploring using a more unstable rout that day at the same time we were. They had Kaworu going with them to keep the walls up. We believe his AT field unintentionally started a reaction the brought the walls down on us."
"Woah. You really have to be careful when you go exploring around here don't you?"
"You're telling me. I'm not allowed to use my arm or walk with out this (motions towards his crutch) for a while."
Maya met Shinji and Asuka at the top platform. Asuka tried to look confident but it was evident that she was scared and nervous. Shinji looked calm and resolute. "So is everything ready?"
Maya nodded and pointed toward the Eva. "Everything's ready for you Asuka. All that's left is to extract the entry plug." She said.
Asuka moaned softly and Shinji squeezed her hand. Asuka shot him a death glare from the corner of her eye. Shinji shrugged and smiled at her. "It's okay." He whispered in her ear.
A few moments later the plug slowly made its way out slowly out of the back of the Eva. Maya stepped foreword and began turning the latch for the door. Shinji led Asuka forward and as the door swung open they looked in. Asuka screamed and buried her head in Shinji's shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her shaking body and held her close trying to comport her. It didn't like to see her so upset. He looked into the dark expanse of the entry plug trying to see what had gotten to Asuka. Shinji blinked and stared at the strange sight before him as it slowly came into focus. Floating in the LCL that remained in the entry plug was a battered plug suit. The tears in it corresponded exactly with the scars he knew so well on Asuka's body. It was the one Asuka had been wearing the last time she was in her Eva, Shinji realized. No wonder she was so distraught, he was sure he would probably have a similar reaction. Shinji did his best to calm Asuka down. Eventually she seemed to regain her usual composure. "I'm ready. Let's go Asuka." She said softly to herself.
With a deep breath she stepped into the entry plug. Shinji sighed and stepped back. "Thought she wasn't going to do it for a moment."
Maya placed her hand on Shinji's shoulder. "You shouldn't have. Asuka's a strong person."
Shinji nodded in relief and made his way down to where the others where waiting. They watched and waited for the Eva to move. After several anxious moments unit two's skin began to bubble and the injuries began to self-repair. Slowly her great hand rose to the air and seized one of the lances embedded in the body of the Eva. With a mighty groan she pulled it out and let it drop to the ground. One by one this process continued until all the lances had been removed. Then she slowly rose to her feet and she turned to look at the crowd below. After a moment of stunned silence everyone there broke out into a thunderous clapping. Unit two crouched down and the entry plug disengaged. Asuka leapt out and practically flew down the stairs. She stood in front of them beaming. "That was nothing. Beat that baka Shinji."
Shinji couldn't help but smile as he wrapped his arm around her waist. He didn't need a translator to know what Asuka truly meant. He was so happy for Asuka. She had found what she had been looking for.
Okay now that you finished all that. (And we all know that was truly pointless) it's time to return to the story. In the next chapter: Chapter 5: Punishment: Rei's now under Naraku's control and he's given herhis new orders, kill Inu Yasha. Rei has no coice but to follow them but will she complete her orders or will a certain fluffy individual arrive in time to break things up.