Okay guys here it is! Chapter 11! This one came out really easily, it almost wrote it's self. I should warn you it is long so prepare!

Other then that read and review!

Ch. 11 Some Explanation Required

Peace ruled for the rest of the day. Most of it was spent unpacking and getting settled. The next day however was anything but. Lady Ririko wanted to see me first thing in the morning. I could not get Rin to go on without me so we went together to Lady Ririko's room. I opened the door and bright sunlight stung my eyes. "Good morning. So nice to see you Rei." Lady Ririko's voice called.

I stepped inside; squinting my eyes against the light. Lady Ririko was waiting inside smiling triumphantly. I glared at her waiting for her to reveal what she thought was so funny. "I finally figured out your weakness. You're an albino and as such you dislike bright light. So I want you to work outside, with no protection."

"That's unwise. Do you know what would happen to me?"

Rin's small hand was pulled roughly from my mine. I turned to see a group of Inu Youkai holding her. Lady Ririko snidely, "You'll do it or I'll make the girl suffer right before both of you are thrown out of the Westernland."

I looked at Rin's pleading eyes and back at Lady Ririko. "Then I'll do it."

If you lay so much as one finger on her you'll regret it. I mentally added on as I left the room. I kept this to myself however as I feared its vocalization would lead to more trouble. She would hear from me as soon as I had Rin safe. I found an old kimono in my room and switched into it then headed outside.

I worked in the garden all day and by the time I was done it was well after dark. Exhausted, half blind and scorched by the sun's wrath I had no desire to go to dinner and let the rest see me. So I retreated to my room and curled up in the darkest corner I could find. Gingerly I tied up the sleeves of my kimono so that it no longer touched my sunbrunt skin. I had a bowl of cold water with a rag soaking in it beside me and I ran it across the sunburn hoping to cool my skin. I had begun to doze when I heard the door open. I didn't have the will to move but I had my A.T. field ready incase I didn't like who it was. "Miss Rei?"

I cracked my eyes as I recognized the familiar voice. "Hi, Rin."

"Why did Miss Rei not come to dinner?" Rin asked.

I heard her footsteps as she approached. "I did not feel like it."

"Is Miss Rei sick?"

"No. I'm fine Rin." I assured her.

Rin reached up and placed her hand against my forehead. It was cool and soothing to my skin. "Miss Rei has a fever." Rin declared.

With that said she left saying she was going to get help. I looked over at my bowl of water and sighed. Maybe this wouldn't be bad. I dipped my fingers in and was relieved to find it was still cold. I heard footsteps in the hallway. Someone was coming. I sensed and was glad it was only Rin and Sesshomaru. A few moments later my door was opened my Sesshomaru. "Rei, are you alright? Rin said you were sick."

"Yes, I am only badly sunburnt."

Sesshomaru came close to get a good look. His eyes went wide then narrowed. "Rin I want you to bring me the blue jar from the cabinet and some ice, okay?"

Rin nodded and hurried out obediently. Sesshomaru sat down beside me, apparently waiting for Rin to come back with the requested items. "So, what happened? How did you end up working outside all day?"

"Lady Ririko said it was that or she would hurt Rin and force us out of the Westernland."

Sesshomaru clenched his fist with a look of anger and outrage across his face. "How could she?" He growled out "Why didn't you say something or fight back?"

"I couldn't. I don't want you to fight this battle for me. Besides that would just prove her point that we're more then comrades in arms against Naraku. That's why she's doing this, because she fears us being close."

"But I thought . . ."

"Yes, I know. But do you think she needs to find out?"

Sesshomaru relaxed slightly and nodded in agreement. "I don't know whether to call you crazy or extremely kind to go through this trouble for everything."

"Both?" I suggested.

"Maybe."

Just then Rin returned carrying a blue bottle and a bowl of ice. Sesshomaru took the lid off and I peered inside. It seemed filled with a thick brownish pasty substance. I wrinkled my nose as a sour stench wafted up from within. "It's not pretty but this stuff works on sunburns and skin irritation."

"If you say so."

Sesshomaru took one arm and Rin the other. They worked together covering my skin with the herbal concoction. Then they spread it over my neck and face. By then I couldn't smell it anymore and I was secretly glad for that. It had gotten late so Sesshomaru took Rin to her room and put her to bed. When he was done he came back in and sat down. "So," I asked "Why does your mother hate the thought of us being together?" I asked.

"I think it's because you remind her of Inu Yasha's mother Izayoi."

"Go on."

I was interested in hearing this story. "My parents never really loved each other. They were forced to marry by their parents and they never got along. So once I was born my dad didn't stay around much and that drove my mother crazy. My father spent his time fighting enemies and protecting the people of the Westernlands. Then one day he was fighting a powerful enemy in the middle of a human village when a young woman stepped in asking them to stop. She was badly injured so she fainted moments later but my father remembered the look in her eyes. He defeated the demon and took care of the woman, who's name was Lady Izayoi for months until she was stronger."

Sesshomaru paused to organize his thoughts while I waited penitently. "No one knows what happened during that time but I believe they began to fall in, love. All too soon my father forced to leave her and return home. However he never forgot Izayoi and he saw her as often as possible. For a time they were able to keep things a secret until Izayoi became pregnant and everyone knew my father was the father. My mother yelled, threatened, cursed, cried and pleaded but he refused to stay. In the end he went to see her and died protecting her and the new born baby."

"Your mother never forgave him did she?"

"No. She still feels bitter towards him. So she fears I will also give my heart to a human even though it has no ties."

"I see. So what can I do? Obviously I can't leave but I can't stay either."

"I suggest that for now you stay in here and recover. My mother will be told you're sick and we'll make sure she doesn't see you. All she'll do is laugh and gloat if she saw your sunburn."

"I think I might be able to cover the worst so I look ill if she comes to visit."

"Even better. As for after that we'll see then."

"Okay. What about Rin?"

"She needs to be kept away from my mom as she doesn't turn on her."

"Okay. I'll keep her with me as much as possible. As long as someone is between Rin and Lady Ririko things will be okay."

Sesshomaru smiled and gently pushed the hair from my face. "You're being awfully calm."

"Well, its better then being hysterical right?"

"True but it's not, normal."

"So now I'm abnormal?"

Sesshomaru blushed and looked away. "I wasn't saying that. I meant you're unusually strong."

I smiled back at him. "Thanks."

"Now get some sleep. I'm sure you need the rest."

"Right."

Sesshomaru leaned foreword and our lips met. For a few seconds it was sweet perfection. I held on a little too tightly, completely oblivious to the pain. Slowly we let go and Sesshomaru stood up. He smiled and left closing the door behind him. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. I felt about fifty million emotions all at once. Eventually I calmed myself by taking several deep breaths and forced myself to bed.

Over the next several days Haruko and Kagome took great care of me. I must admit I wasn't the easiest patient but they were forgiving and understanding. It all began the next day. While my sunburn was no longer burned it crawled at the first sign of sunlight or heat. So I found the most comfortable kimono I could and wore that. I braided my hair and retreated to my dark corner. That's where Haruko and Kagome found me. "Rei what are you doing?" Haruko asked.

"Hiding from the sun."

"Come on you need to get cleaned up." Kagome suggested.

"No. It won't work unless the water's cold but if it is I'll freeze to death."

They each took by the arm and pulled me from the room to the baths. I tried to fight back they used my sunburn against me. "This would be easier if you'd cooperate."

"Well, that's not what I had in mind."

"Then what were you planning?" Haruko asked.

"To avoid water and baths alike."

"Ewwwwwwwwww." They both cried in unison.

They pushed me inside the bath room and told me to take off my clothes. Gingerly I pulled off my kimono and climbed into the tub of water. It was ice cold and made me shiver. Haruko took a bucket of the water and dumped more on top of my head. I shuttered and had to fight the urge to jump out. Kagome produced soap and a sponge so they could scrub me down. They even got my hair soaked. Finally they let me out. I emerged shuttering and trembling with cold. They wrapped me up in several spare blankets. My shoulders itched but I fought the urge to scratch.

Soon I was dried and redressed. "Now that wasn't so bad was it?" Haruko asked.

The pair sat down behind me ad began to comb my hair. "It was horrid!" I replied dramatically.

The both laughed at my remark. "Well then, are you glad it's over?" Kagome asked.

"But it nearly killed me!" I exclaimed.

They laughed again and Haruko declared, "You're a sissy! Scared of some cold water"

I didn't see Lady Ririko until the next day. I sensed her coming long before she entered my room. I used my powers to disguise my skin to look like it was flushed from a fever not from sunburn. I lay against the wall looking as weak and sick as possible.

She entered looking smug and snide when she entered. However the minute she saw me her demeanor changed. "So it's true. You really are sick." She stated softly.

I made a convincing face that said what did you expect? She turned and left as quickly as she had gone. I sighed and closed my eyes. That had been close but it went as well as possible.

A couple more days holed up in my room did the trick and my sunburn was gone. I hadn't seen much of Sesshomaru since the night I'd been sunburned mostly because he was busy with his mom and his duties as the Lord of the land. Rin, Seki, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango and Haruko had done a great job of keeping me company thought.

That day was cold and a wet snow rain mix had been falling steadily since early morning. I was standing under the awning outside my room watching the rain fall as my breath made little white puffs in the air. Today would be my last day of rest before I had to decide what to do about Lady Ririko. Would I continue to bite my tongue or would I stand up and fight back? Half of me screamed don't let her do it again but the other half said be logical and don't upset her. I sighed and cast eyes over the winter garden hoping to distract myself.

From the corner of my eye I caught movement farther down. It was Inu Yasha I realized. He was walking hurriedly like he had some destination in mind. I let my gaze wander for a moment but turned it back when I realized Inu Yasha was coming my way. I looked again to assure myself that he was really coming to see me but I didn't have to. Inu Yasha's destination was clear.

He appeared unsettled as he approached and leaned on the railing a little to dramatically. "So I hear you've been sick." He said.

"Yes, I have."

"It looks like your doing better."

I nodded and waited for him to speak but he didn't. I was still wondering what he wanted to say but I had no idea. "What did you want to see me about?"

Inu Yasha opened his mouth and closed it abruptly. I watched him repeat this procedure twice before he finally let out a sigh of frustration and spoke. "What does it mean to be a half-breed? I mean we don't fit in and most people and demons don't like us. I tried to ask the old crone down at the far end of the palace but she said to ask you. She said you might not be able to answer but that you would be more helpful then anything she could say."

Wow. That was a big question. What does it mean to be a half-breed?

After I thought I remembered the woman he'd referred to as the old crone. The sooth slayer Shido, an elderly demon woman with the power to read the future. Her eyes where so pale blue they were almost white and many had said she was nearly blind. I had only seen her once but never talked to her. "As you said it means being different and not fitting in. However it's it also being part of both worlds. The strength of one side and the human heart of the other."

"Yeah, but that's why no one likes you when you're a half-breed. The human's fear your strength and the demon's mock you for weakness."

"Then that is their folly. We are not horrible creatures as they claim we are still living beings are we not? I believe we are burdened with our image because of the distrust between the two halves of our heritage."

"Well, I wish they wouldn't. It's not fair."

"True. That's why it's up to us to show them differently."

Inu Yasha nodded. "Yeah but it's not easy."

"Well, you should be glad then that you have such good friends to help you out."

"True. I guess its nice having them around."

With that Inu Yasha straightened up and left. I understood the unspoken words. I'm not so alone anymore. I had to agree with that statement. It was better to have company then to be alone.

The next morning I got up before the sunrise and went out into the garden to prepare myself mentally for the day ahead. I knew both sides of the issue. Lady Ririko didn't like me because I was like her late husband's mistress and she feared my influence over Sesshomaru. I on the other side needed her to understand that I was not going to impose and I didn't like her treatment of me. My solution was to calmly explain my side of the argument to her. I was still uncertain if I could do it but I knew to do so I would have to release my anger from the latest incident.

"Rei?"

Kaworu's image appeared in my mind. "Hi. I haven't talked to you in a while. I take it's been busy over there."

"Correct as usual. I've been busy excavating Nerv. It's quite a mess down there."

"And . . .?"

"I've got good news."

"What is it?"

I wondered what Kaworu had found down there after all these years. I couldn't wait to hear. "I finally made it to Nerv and you'll never guess where I am."

"Where?"

"Come on guess."

"The Command Center with the Magi."

"No. Try again."

"Central Dogma?"

"No."

"Where?" I whined with impatience.

I was getting frustrated with his little game. "The Eva cage."

I was vaguely aware of a gasp from myself and my stomach sank out of existence. "And . . ." I forced out weakly.

"Units Zero and Three are here before me in perfect condition."

"No way." I mouthed.

"Way. Can you see it?"

Slowly the image came into focus as I was linked to Kaworu's eyes. There they were looking exactly as I remembered them. I starred transfixed at the sight of them. My mind rebelled against their presence and persisted in insisting this was the illusion. They were gone, destroyed. "Shocking isn't it?" Asked Kaworu's voice.

"Yes." I replied in a soft voice.

"I know she's there right?"

"Yes, right again, can you feel her in there?"

"Of course I can we are almost identical, are we not?"

"True, but she does not remember her physical from, she can not separate herself from the Eva."

"Should I . . .?"

"Only if you want to. You know the risks . . ."

"Don't get caught, right?"

The last time we had spoken Kaworu had warned me that Leliel had developed a vendetta against me and I should use caution if I didn't want to get caught by her. "As always."

Deep within the bowls of the Eva cages the eye of Unit Zero began to glow for the first time in over four years. Kaworu smiled and made his way upstairs. It was time to tell the others. Unit Zero was awake.

A short time later Units One and Two had been placed in their old cages and all five children were dressed in their plug suits nearby. Kaworu had requested they be ready in case something went wrong. After all he was uncertain how things would go. So he and Arael had carried the massive forms of the other two Eva's down one at a time and set them in place. Kaworu would have preferred that Leliel had come with them because he wanted to keep his eyes on her but she had vanished, that could be trouble.

Kaworu was still surprised everything had gone as smoothly as it had. He had fully expected Hikari to keep Touji away at all costs. She seemed almost paranoid of the Evangelions ever since the mishap with Unit Three had nearly killed Touji. Asuka or Shinji he'd expected that at least one of them would have declined since they had their new baby to worry about. Yet, one way or another they were all here, dressed and ready to go. Kaworu had to admit if that wasn't a miracle; he didn't know what was.

Upstairs the rest of the former Nerv people had begun to come and explore the upper levels. Arael and Armisaelwere up there keeping an eye on them. There was nothing that could go wrong or so he hoped.

I felt around in Unit Zero's core for her soul. "Sister where are you?" I called quietly.

She appeared in front of me so suddenly that I almost collided into her. "What do you want?" She asked faintly.

I studied her silently for a moment and I noted the fact that the soul of the Eva and Second were on in the same. There was no way to distinguish them. I needed to figure out how to re-separate them. The problem was how? "Do you remember when you where two instead of one?" I asked.

Her eyes became wide, "I can't . . . I don't . . ." She muttered frantically.

"Then let me help you remember." I offered.

I held out my hand and she accepted reluctantly. I called up everything I could remember from the Second's time and let her see it through our connection. Her eyes where impossibly wide and her rasping breathing came in short gasps. She began to faint and I let go. I caught her in my arms and held her while she was out. Gradually she came around and opened her eyes. "I remember." She whispered softly.

I could see the separation was starting to occur. She was indeed starting to remember. "Do you want to go back?" I asked.

Her answer was slow in coming but sure when she spoke. "Yes I want to go back. I don't want to stay here anymore."

I took her hand and let my energy complete the division. I watched as the LCL of the entry plug formed into her physical shape. It came easily since she was recreating herself from what was already her's. In almost unbelievable time she lay spent and exhausted in the pilot's chair. I activated the entry plug ejection and prepared to leave. Suddenly something grabbed my wrist from behind. "Remember me, Zero?"

I can't recall anything else as everything went black in that moment.

Sesshomaru had been enjoying the peace of his garden when Eto had found him. She said that Rei was sitting unresponsively in the middle of her barrier again. He wasn't concerned since Rei had done this before but when he heard that she had started to bleed he became worried. Something was wrong, that had never happened before, there had been no blood.

Sesshomaru had gotten up and gone to see for himself. When he'd gotten there he saw that Rei was sitting in the middle of her A.T. field as Eto had said. Her head was bowed this time however like she had no strength to hold it up. On top of that her face appeared tense instead of calm. From her arm blood was dripping from a deep cut in it. Sesshomaru stood trying to figure out what to do. From nowhere a scream arose from between her lips echoing in the air.

That's what had done it. Rei was in trouble there was no doubt about it. Sesshomaru took several steps back and charged the barrier slamming his shoulder against it with all his might. An orange hexagonal pattern flash through the air but Rei's A.T. field didn't budge. Sesshomaru growled and charged again this time to the same effect. This wasn't going to work Sesshomaru grumbled. He had to come up with something else.

Sesshomaru flexed his claws as an idea come to him. The sword was too dangerous because he risked running Rei through. So his claws were the safest way. Sesshomaru charged the barrier with all his might. He had to get to Rei, who still sat unresponsive in the middle.

At first Rei's barrier resisted this new attempt to penetrate it. It displayed a strange hexagonal pattern where he made contact with it. Gathering all his strength he charged it with everything he had. Slowly the ends of his claws entered; then his hand and then his arm. Without warning the entire thing suddenly seemed to give way and Sesshomaru stumbled forward. He reached for Rei but everything suddenly turned into a black void. From deep inside voices began to come at him.

You're a doll!

Just a mindless brainless doll, that is all you are!

doll, doll, doll, doll, doll!

I'm not a doll

Smack

Shut up! Just Shut Up! I hate you. I hate you! I hate you!

Pain

You'd kill yourself if your commander ordered you to!

Yes.

Ikari!

Boom!

Why don't you just die!

Loneliness

I bet you'd make a great mother, Rei.

Want to be friends?

Why?

Because it would be convenient.

If I am ordered to.

Wondergirl

Isolation

Why am I here? What is my purpose?

I am not like others

Smack

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

During the assault Sesshomaru had closed his eyes. As the screams died away he opened his eyes again. He beheld a strange new sight all around him. He appeared to be, floating . . . inside a giant tube. This thing was filled with a yellow orange liquid yet Sesshomaru could breathe like he was breathing air. It was the strangest sensation ever. There was almost a disconnect being here. This place had a funny smell to it, Sesshomaru noticed, it, it smelled like blood and. . . Rei. Every last inch of it was covered with her smell. She was everywhere yet nowhere all at once. It was comforting in a way. He looked around hoping to see her. No luck. She wasn't anywhere in sight. From the recesses of the core a scream began to rise. At first it was a merely soft echo but it quickly grew into a defining roar. It grew so loud that Sesshomaru shut his eyes against the din.

When he opened his eyes he was no longer in the tube, he was on an artificial bridge of some kind. Below him was four strange giant creatures contained in what smelled suspiciously like blood. They were each a different color and style. Somehow he knew he'd just been in the blue on that stood on his far right. It was number 00, the same number on the front of Ayanami's outfit. As he watched the red glowing eye went out signaling the deactivation of the beast. Following the line down he noted the other ones after it. The next one was purple and green and had a 01 painted on it, after that was the flaming red one with the number 02 and finally was the dark blue one containing 03 on the front.

Hearing commotion coming from the far end of the room below him he turned towards the bridge in front of the blue one. Rei was lying unconscious on a stretcher dressed in the same strange out fit she'd been wearing when he first met her. How was she wearing that thing when she'd had on her kimono when he'd last seen her? There where four other people standing around her dressed in similar clothes. Each had a corresponding number on it. "Rei!" He called trying to get her attention.

It didn't work, she didn't even look at him but one of the boys did. He had gray hair but Sesshomaru realized it must be white like his own in daylight. Sesshomaru gasped when he saw the boy's eyes. They were blood red. Just like Rei's eyes. The boy tuned back around and said something to the brown haired boy who had been leaning over Rei. Sesshomaru didn't hear what it was though because he was distracted by a woman coming his way screaming "Sempai, Sempai!"

As she approached the woman didn't even stop. In fact she ran right through Sesshomaru like he wasn't even there, leaving him with a strange empty feeling in his stomach. He blinked in wonder as she disappeared then turned his attention back to the group of people below. Sesshomaru noticed instantly that the white haired boy had disappeared. Where'd he go? He wondered.

Sesshomaru didn't have to wait long to get his answer. A few moments later Sesshomaru felt a hand on his solder. Hiding his surprise he tuned around to face the aforementioned boy. "Hi." He said.

"Who are you?" Sesshomaru demanded defensively.

"Kaworu Nagisa or if you prefer my true name Tabris and you would be . . .?"

"Sesshomaru."

"Ah, Sesshomaru, At last we meet. Rei has told me much about you."

"She . . . she . . . has?" Sesshomaru stammered in surprise.

Kaworu laughed. "Don't worry. It's been nothing bad. In fact to say the truth I think she has a thing for you."

"Really?"

Kaworu nooded in the affirmative and tuned so he could lean on the rail. "I suppose you want to know where you are."

Sesshomaru nodded that was exactly what he wanted to know. "You are in Nerv HQ. I believe you got here because you got inside Rei's AT field and this is where Rei's mind currently is." Kaworu said as he pointed to the blue beast.

"She's . . . in . . . in there? Then who is she?" Sesshomaru asked, pointing to the girl on the stretcher.

Kaworu nodded. "That girl is also Rei."

"But how can that be?"

"Rei is an artificial being created by the man who used to run this place, Gendo Ikari. In order that she could never die before he was done with his purpose for her he created hundreds of clones of her body. The one you know as Rei is the third one. The one you see down there is the second."

"Why did he do such a horrible thing?"

"He needed her to fight us, the angels and then reunite earth's people souls into one reuniting him with his wife in the process. The irony he used the DNA from Lilith and his wife to make her and for a soul he gave her Lilith's.

Sesshomaru wasn't getting much of this, angels, Adam, Lilith who were these people? His head hurt. Fortunately Kaworu seemed to understand. "Don't worry about trying to understand. Ayanami should be able to better explain it to you when you get back."

"Back?"

"To your world."

"Oh, I see. How do I get to Rei? I'd like to get back."

"I can do that . . ." Kaworu stopped in mid sentence.

"What's wrong?" Sesshomaru inquired.

"Rei's not there."

"What?"

Before either could say anything else they where interrupted by the arrival of a third person. A young girl with short white hair and red eyes had stumbled onto the bridge. Her left hand was busted in several places; dripping blood and leaving a trail of it behind her. She staggered towards them making soft gasps of pain as she went. "Leliel." Kaworu exclaimed "What happened to you!"

"He's here! He's here!" Giggled Leliel.

"Who's here?" Kaworu demanded.

"Father!" Leliel exclaimed.

"What are you talking about? Leliel your hurt; let's go get your hand looked at okay?" Kaworu said soothingly.

"No! No! No!" Shrieked Leliel.

Using both her hands she pushed Kaworu away leaving a bloody hand print on his shirt. He stumbled backward into the rail on the other side of the catwalk. "Leliel please. I don't want to hurt you. Please just come with me." Kaworu insisted.

"For shame." Leliel scolded "I though you most of all would want to see father, Tabris. You who made it the closest to him of all."

On the floor behind her a dark hole appeared. Chained to a red cross in the middle of it was Rei. She was hurt but still alive. Sesshomaru was furious in an instant, how dare she hurt Rei? "Give her back!" He roared.

He advanced towards Leliel but Kaworu stepped in his way. "Stop. I know you're worried about Rei but you'll accomplish nothing like this. To save her you'll have to keep Leliel calm while I go in there."

"Why can't I? Snapped Sesshomaru.

"Because you know nothing of her power. She'll easily trap you and you'll never reach Ayanami."

Sesshomaru watched sulkily as Kaworu walked over to the black void. Just as he was about to enter it Sesshomaru stopped him. "Let me come with you." He insisted.

Kaworu nodded. "Very well. Stick with me and do exactly as I tell you."

"Tell me something, what's with those scars on Ayanami's body? Where did they come from?" Sesshomaru asked suddenly.

"Those are the injuries to her soul, the wounds that haunt her so to speak." Kaworu replied softly.

Kaworu turned and held out his hand. He stuck it deep into the black hole. Sesshomaru did the same. Once they were both in Kaworu spread his own black void. "My void should cancel out hers and allow us to find them." He explained.

Deeper they went until they had finally reached the core. At first it seemed no different than anywhere else in this dark place. Then they found Rei, she was severely injured, bound to a cross by chains. She was conscious but not quite lucid and her eyes couldn't focus. Sesshomaru began to untie the chains. Suddenly Kaworu shouted, "Look out!"

He pushed Sesshomaru out of the way just in time to keep him from being captured by a pair of white hands that had appeared behind them. They disappeared and Leliel came up from behind Rei.

"Let her go!"

Leliel pulled out a knife and held it to Rei's throat. "No! Not until she returns Zeruel to me!" Cried Leliel.

"Please, Leliel, Rei can help you, but only if you let her go."

"Never!" Leliel screamed.

Sharp spikes appeared and began to fly everywhere. Sesshomaru pulled out his acid whip and with mighty cracks of it struck them back. Then a round of swords and arrows appeared threatening to impale their targets. Sesshomaru beat them back while Kaworu defended against a dragon that had appeared. "What is this place?" Sesshomaru asked Kaworu.

"Leliel's mind. Whatever she imagines becomes real in this place, as you can see."

"What do we do about it?"

"I can try to freeze her."

"Do it." Sesshomaru said as he smacked a flying clown that had appeared out of nowhere.

Kaworu nodded and began creating a giant ice field to cover Leliel. It worked for only a moment before Leliel was free again. During her temporary captivity Kaworu explained his plan to Sesshomaru. "I can not duel her like this. She is too powerful here."

"Then what's the plan?"

"I need help to get Rei out of here. I can construct a prism around Rei that should protect her from Leliel while we go find it."

Sesshomaru grunted not liking to declare defeat but realizing how little hope they had. A pair of swinging axes passed him dangerously closely nearly cutting him in two.

Moments later Leliel came back at them with a thick spiked whip and clashed with Sesshomaru. Behind the dueling pair Kaworu was constructing a prism around Rei hoping to keep her safe. "Come on!" He shouted to Sesshomaru went he was done.

Kaworu grabbed Sesshomaru's hand and the pair disappeared. They returned to the bridge where they had been before. Kaworu took off running taking the lead. Sesshomaru followed him through the maze like corridors. Finally after what seemed like an eternity he stopped in front of a pair of large double doors. He pressed a button and they opened with painful slowness. As soon as it was wide enough to admit his thin frame Kaworu slipped in forcing Sesshomaru to wait a few agonizing seconds alone before he remembered he had no physical presence here. As he stepped inside he heard Kaworu ask, "Do you know where Arael and Armisael are?"

The small group within the room shook there heads. "I thought they went downstairs to look around." A young woman with brown hair nodded.

"For shame Tabris, your getting far too accustomed to acting like these Lilum do." Said a voice.

The body of a young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, appeared from the wall. She had long white hair that flowed freely about her head and a face that looked severe but amused at the same time. Her eyes like Rei and Kaworu's were scarlet in color and her skin was unnaturally pale. She smiled jovially as she appeared from the wall. "You should have called. We hear that much better then your voice." She said in an explanatory manner.

Behind them the form of a girl appeared out of thin air. She appeared younger then the other one, about Rei's age but she still had the eyes, hers were cherry and the hair. Unlike her counter part she was built with a bird like lightness but appeared to have great physical strength like an athletes. "What's up?" She asked as her feet touched the ground.

"It's Leliel. She lost it, went after Rei and captured her. I need you to help me rescue her."

"But I thought your power was in the mind as well." The first woman said.

"True but the void is her world and I cannot beat her alone there."

"Then let us hurry." The second one agreed.

Both women's eyes seemed to focus on Sesshomaru at the same instant. "You have a tag along Tabris." The first said.

"That is Sesshomaru. He's a friend of Rei's."

"It is nice to meet you. I am Armisael." Said the first woman.

"And I'm Arael." The second put in.

"It's a pleaser to make your acquaintance." Sesshomaru replied.

With the introductions in order the foursome returned to the bridge where Leliel's shadow still lay. "Came you explain to me why Leliel thinks Rei can take her to this Zeruel guy?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Leliel is . . . in love with Zeruel. However when Rei was sent to your world Zeruel was sent somewhere as well. This has distressed her greatly and caused her to act rashly." Armisael explained.

"I'd say." Sesshomaru agreed.

The plan was simple. Subdue Leliel long enough to get Rei out of there.

The four went into the black void. Kaworu led the way into its depths. "You agreed to help awfully easily. Aren't you still mad at Rei?" He asked Armisael.

"No I realized that she was right and I was being foolish. I bear her no ill will anymore."

"That's good."

They looked around unable to find their target. Sesshomaru approached Rei and Leliel came at him from behind. Before she could attack him though the other three came after her. Leliel screamed angrily and bursts of hot fire flew everywhere. Sesshomaru ducked as he tried to keep untying Rei. Kaworu summon a huge wave of water to put out the fire. "Let her go." Arael insisted. "She can not do anything in this state."

"She will give me Zeruel or I swear I'll kill her."

Sesshomaru tore at the chains snarling furiously. "Come on." He growled. "Work with me."

Leliel tried to attack him but the other three angels had her surrounded. She slashed and tore at them; unable to get through. With one furious move she sliced off Kaworu's arm. Kaworu screamed as bright LCL began to flow. Leliel charged past him and came at Sesshomaru.

"St, st, stop!" Rei plea came in short gasps.

Leliel stop short starring angrily at her. "What you dare to speak to me, half breed."

"No more. This won't bring Zeruel back."

"This will get revenge on you for taking him away."

"But it won't bring him back. Let me go."

"Never. I'll never let you go."

She slashed Rei across the chest creating a deep gash. Sesshomaru lunged at Leliel and pinned her against a large floating rock. "Touch her again and you'll regret it." He snarled.

Leliel infiltrated his mind through the contact of their skin. Sesshomaru let her go and leaped back all too eager to get her voice out of his head. Leliel smirked and produced a huge sword. She came out him but the other three intervened. "Stop this madness." Armisael said.

Leliel stopped, glaring angrily. "What are you going to do about me?"

"This."

Armisael fist wrapped around Leliel and held her tightly. Leliel squirmed and wriggled but could not move. She began to shutter and then she started crying. Slowly everything went black. When Sesshomaru opened his eyes he was back on the cat walk. Rei, Kaworu, Armisael, Arael and Leliel where lying near him. Sesshomaru went to see if Rei was okay but he barely gone a few feet towards her when things went black again. When he opened his eyes this time he was back in his garden. With a start he realized Rei's AT field was gone and she was falling foreword.

I felt everything fall to pieces around me. I could feel myself falling foreword. A strong arm seized me, holding me up. Slicing through the fog came Sesshomaru's voice. "Rei, Rei, can you hear me?"

I opened my eyes; slowly they focused on Sesshomaru's face. It brightened when he saw me gaining consciousness. "Are you alright?"

"Uh-hu." I mouthed.

"Good, don't scare me like that."

"Like what?" I asked in a barely audible whisper.

"Like what? I saw that strange place you went to!" He exclaimed.

I moaned softly. I couldn't believe he'd seem that. So far he had accepted my lie but now he'd have questions and want answers. I tried to speak, to say anything but my throat closed up and I couldn't say a word.

Sesshomaru shook his head. "You look pathetic."

He lifted me up so that his arm was supporting me from below and my head was resting against his fluff. He carried me through the palace and to my room. He laid me in my bed and tucked me in. "Good night." He whispered in my ear.

Rei. It is time.

My eyes snapped open in an instant. There he stood like a terrible oni in all his evil horror. "Commander Ikari?"

How could this be? Hadn't I destroyed him along with everyone else? I was suddenly away that my body was small and weak, like the firsts. He reached forward and wrapped his hand around my neck. Like Dr. Naoko Akagi before him.

Rei.

You are mine.

My doll. My tool. Got that.

The seen suddenly changed; I was the second now and the Commander was the angel trying to infiltrate my mind. My back arched reflexively as I tried to pull away from the pain.

You can't defy me.

For to kill me is to kill yourself.

You know that don't you. Your life is beholden to me.

The scene switched and we were standing before the form of the white angel, Lilith like just before I had merged with her.

You can't escape.

Your body and soul belong to me.

Now do what I created you for.

Take me to her.

The next thing I knew I was standing in the middle of the garden screaming in blind terror. I collapsed to the ground shaking with fear. He is gone, I told myself over and over again. Still I kept looking over my shoulder expecting to see him there. "Go away." I whispered to the shadows "You have no power over me. I'm not yours anymore."

It was a long time before I dared to move and even longer before I had the strength to stand. I wrapped my arms around myself as I gazed at the full moon above. Trying to keep the terror in or out? I didn't know. Slowly I made my way on shaky legs back to my room. Once inside I lay down on my bed and starred wide eyes at the ceiling. I held this position for what seemed like an eternity before sleep overcame my body.

In the morning when I emerged from my room, slightly bleary eyed from the night's adventures, Sesshomau was waiting for me. I had delayed this as long as possible but I knew it was inevitable. I had to tell him the truth. "Good morning." He said.

"Same to you." I replied trying to sound calm.

"Rei, can we talk?"

"Sure." I agreed reluctantly.

Sesshomaru led me out into the garden to one of the benches. He sat down and motioned for me to join him. I sat beside him and he looked at me. "I want you to tell me the truth. What are you? Who is Ayanami Rei?" He asked.

"I . . . a . . . I'm a half angel."

"You mean like the heavenly beings in those stories."

"No, well not exactly, in my world they're real beings made of flesh and blood, skin and bone. Just like the demons of your world they are superior in physical strength the only difference is that they are less in number."

"So why where you born? Did one of these angels fall with a human?"

"No. It was nothing like that. Eons ago the first human, god in a sense, whose name was Adam, got into a fight with his wife Lilith. They sealed each other to crosses like the one I was pinned to. The explosion that was created caused what is known as First Impact, which created the human race from Lilith's AT field and the angels from Adam's. Almost twenty years ago, in the year 2000, humans found Adam and Lilith. They learned that his children, the angels, where coming to avenge him so they tricked Adam into dormancy. The resulting explosion is known as Second Impact. Four years later the man, who headed the group that caused Second Impact, Gendo Ikari, lost his wife, Yui Ikari, in a failed testing experiment of a biomechanical creation that was modeled after Lilith called Evangelion Unit 01. The first successful copy of me was created from the fusion of his wife's DNA and Lilith about six years later in 2010."

"Wait, wait, wait. You said the first successful copy of you. How many of you are there?"

"Yes, you're looking at the first successful human clone from my world. There where over a hundred or so perfect copies of my body created, three including myself where given souls. The other two died. The rest were destroyed."

"Then who was the girl who looked like you on the stretcher at that place?"

"She was the Second. She had just been brought back to life."

"Second? Oh, you mean she was she was the second one to be given a soul."

"Yes."

"So what do you mean she was brought back?"

"The reason I- no we were created was to stop the angels' then reunite all human souls removing the pain and loneliness of human existence, in the process reuniting Gendo Ikari with Yui through Third Impact. During the defeat of the angel I, no she was forced to kill herself to save everyone else. Since then she was trapped in the remains of Unit Zero. I had just helped her reclaim her physical form."

"I see, so what happened during Third Impact? When did you kill so many people as you claim?"

"I was the key to it's doing but once it began I had no power. I was forced to listen to the desires of another to destroy everything and end the world."

"But then why do you blame yourself?"

"Because I could have stopped Instrumentality or tried to take control myself."

"You don't know that and to blame yourself for what could have been is pointless. You're not doing yourself any favors."

He had a point. I really wasn't doing myself any good by hating myself for Instrumentality. "Maybe."

"So tell me. What was life like for you?" Sesshomaru asked gently.

I felt the edge of a weak smile come to my lips. Sesshomaru hadn't asked because he'd wanted to have something on me, he'd asked because he'd cared. Starting with what I could remember of the First through the Second and then me; I told him everything. About, the pain, the loneliness the confusion and lack of understanding. I told him about the dummy plug, which the commander claimed was the manifestation of the angel viciousness I harbored deep inside but I believed was his attempt to give a human face to a monster. By the end I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, I felt so relieved. I was glad he knew about that part of my life.

For the rest of the day I had to work for Lady Ririko doing more sewing. I got the feeling she was still angry with me. By the end of the day I was tired sore and cross-eyed. "You're awfully quiet today. Anything you'd like to say?" Lady Ririko asked.

This was my chance to make a stand. I took a breath and turned to face her. "Yes," I began slowly "I would like to ask you not to be so hard on me from now on. I know you do not like me and I feel I have been unfairly judged."

"Are you accusing me of being resentful against you?" She demanded.

"No. I think you're being unfair towards me."

"Is that all?" She snapped.

"Yes,"

"Out." She barked.

I did not like the way she sounded. I hurried out of there as fast as I could. I made my way back to my room and went to bed hoping things would be over in the morning. "Rei."

Someone was calling my name, soft and distant as if from the long forgotten past.

"Rei."

Sharper and more commanding. Like a swift rebuke.

"Rei."

I opened my eyes at the third call. Sesshomaru's face came into focus just inches from my own. His long white hair cascaded over his shoulder and on top of me. "What's wrong?" I mumbled.

I struggled against the urge to close my eyes and tried to focus on Sesshomaru. "You've got to get out of here, now." He growled.

His low voice reverberated through the air. I was awake now. "Why?"

"Don't ask, do." He commanded.

"What's going on?"

My voice sounded hallow and faint in the close darkness. "My mother intends to do away with you today. I need you and Rin to disappear for a while until she calms down and this blows over."

I nodded mutely and rose to my feet. Sesshomaru took my hand and pressed something small, hard round and smooth into it. I looked, it was a small rock. "Take this. I'll let you know when it's safe."

"How?"

"If it glows blue its all clear, if red I need to see you but there's still danger."

I let the stone sink into my hand and vanish. "Right. I'll go and get Rin. Then we'll get out of here."

I hurried from my room and made my way as swiftly as possible to Rin's room. I opened the door and slipped silently inside. I lifted Rin in my arms being sure to keep on hand on her back so she would stay asleep. I slipped out the door and into the garden. From there I sneaked through it to the far side only pausing in the branches a tree long enough to look around. Once I reached the farthest bench from the palace I inverted my A.T. field to create a sea of durac beneath my feet. I sank slowly into it and disappeared. Things were going to get interesting.

So what happens next? Well, only I know and I'm not telling! Mwahahahahahahaha! In the next chapter; We're going back to the Eva universe . . . .