Life After Death

After a few minutes of the pair together, Asuka stood up and got him a wheelchair, as his legs would probably feel like jelly after being in the LCL.

As they left the medical bay, five soldiers seemed to be just within sight of them at all times, armed in full gear and weapons, Asuka didn't bother with them, she knew why they were here.

She took him to a small noodle place she knew, it was cheap and it was the best food she could think of. For him, someone who only remembered the food from before the fall of humanity; it would taste bland, unflavoured and honestly tasting like shit, but Asuka seemed to be happy with it, everyone else who was there did too.

"Nutrient rationing stop a lot of people being able to come here, but as the pilot of the EVA, I get some privileges" she explained.

"Noodles, at least some things do not change in the world we live in. Even in the most harsh of times." Kaji replied with a kind smile as Asuka was taking care of him now. With all the time lost between the two it seemed just a few moments ago he was in N.E.R.V. Headquarters fighting for his life before Asuka come to his rescue with her Evangelion.

"So I have been gone so long..." Kaji's tone was now hinted with sadness due to the fact that he no longer knew anything of the new world. He was the man with plan after plan and knew almost everything but now he knew nothing.

"Asuka, I am sorry that I was unable to save you from all of this."Scooting close to Asuka he smiled before whispering into her ear.

"I failed you, I can see this now. Forgive me." With that a deep sigh left his lips. His gaze looking upon others as they looked upon Kaji and Asuka. He knew that they would not speak of to much while in a public setting and he was already on the defence of Asuka in case someone had something ill to speak of her.

Settling her chopsticks down, she shook her head when he told her he failed her. She wanted to lean in and kiss him but knew not to in public.

"You never failed me Kaji, it was I who failed you. I should have defended the world against the Third Impact, I failed; and now I pay for it" she told him, looking down at her hands.

"I have not aged a day, I am a 14 year old girl in body, but I am 29 years old. I have become a slave here, all they need me for is to pilot the EVA" she told him quietly.

"I should have died on the day of Third Impact but I did not" she took his hand and hugged him tightly, speaking into his shoulder. "I'm not the same girl you met back then, it has been a long time… as I said before I've done horrible things while you were away, and I want you to forgive me for them" she added quietly

"Forgive me" she whimpered in tears

"I forgive you, Asuka." Kaji spoke softly whispering into her ear during the embrace. Had things gone any other way he would be a lost soul who meet his death along time ago. If it was not for her he would be dead.

Kaji smiled softly as he wiped the tears from Asuka's eye. "Let us finish eating and we can talk more about things." Noticing the evil eyes and the glares they got from others Kaji gave a large smile looking at the onlookers.

It did not matter to him the things Asuka had done wrong in the world for she saved his life and proved her love for him. His eyes did not leave her as he continued to eat knowing that food in the world was precious and far and in between. Even now she was sacrificing for him in this new world created by the third impact.

Once he finished the food he smiled to Asuka and spoke softly, "Thank you, my dear."

Rising from his seat he walked behind Asuka and begun rubbing her shoulders as he leaned in whispering into her ear. "You always have me."

"I hope I have you forever" she whispered, only to suddenly sit up with a single eye wide.

Behind her, a guy had walked right up and with both hands, grasped her rear and gave it a tight squeeze.

"Oh Asuka my pretty, we had an appointment today, you never showed. Who's this? Not a new client is it?" the guy asked, he was ugly, fat, full of pimples, skin rashes and his hair was barely there.

Asuka actually stayed quiet as she looked over her shoulder at him.

"Not now Terry, I'm busy, I'm… off hours, you'll get your appointment later" she mumbled, and the guy licked up her neck.

"She's all yours mate, have fun with her." he laughed and began to walk off, licking his finger and sniffing it, it seemed it had gone somewhere Asuka was embarrassed by as she went red.

"I... I have done a lot… since you left… I had to survive… they… they thought of me as less than human, but needed me to pilot. I needed money" Asuka admitted.