Writer notes: first of sorry for taking a while but here it is and it's the bigger chapter I done this far so hooray for that and second I know Shinji and company are supposed t be fourteen but I find that a little off so please assume the common age here is sixteen.
Chapter 5 The Leash.
The rest of the night was rather normal since Asuka refused to leave her room and didn't show up for dinner, Shinji also had conflicting feelings about the girl he didn't know if he wanted her or not in the apartment, he already took care of Misato and even if cooking wasn't a big deal for him he was already making lunch for four people and he had serious doubts the girl would cook for herself.
The next morning his routine went like normal wake up wash his face start cooking, today was one of those days that Rei woke up to help him, which normally ended up with Shinji having to redo what Rei screw up, the girl had a great memory but she didn't have the same skill as Shinji yet.
The table was set and everything was ready even Misato was up already and waiting at the table.
"Shinji where is the food!"
"Wait a moment woman I can't split in two"
"I am hungry!" Misato whining for food was normal.
"Yeah coming" Shinji and Rei put the plates with food on the table and seat themselves.
"Why did you put an extra plate, waiting for someone?"
"What do you mean? Don't you remember Soryu the red demon that come to live with us yesterday?"
"Ah yeah, by the way where is she? Isn't today her first day at school"
"I don't know, sleeping I guess, and hell if I am going to be the one to wake her up"
"Come on Shinji she is just a girl are you scared?"
"I am more worried about what things we could break if we fight"
"Would you really hit a lady Shinji?"
"Of course I wouldn't hit a lady but Asuka is another matter"
"Look I know she can be hard but you guys are not just roommates but also fellow pilots you should try to get along that goes for you too Rei"
"Okay okay look I do what I can but don't expect miracles"
Rei just nodded her head in acknowledgment.
Most of breakfast past and Shinji and Rei were ready to leave when Asuka got out of her room.
"Why the hell does not one woke me up I got no time to prepare damn it" Asuka stormed out and directed to the bathroom.
"Oops I knew a had forgotten something" Misato was still at the table with a beer in hand.
"We are leaving" Shinji was already through the door with Rei.
Asuka didn't lose any time to hop in the shower and as fast as she could she was changing in her uniform when she was done she got to the kitchen to see if there was something.
"Asuka if you're looking for something to eat there is a plate for you in the table"
Asuka was a little hesitant to eat since she remember what Misato´s cooking taste like, but at the table she found a nice surprise first it wasn't an instant meal and second it looked edible and even tasty, and when she took the first bite it even taste good, she didn't like Japanese food that much but even she had to admit that it fit her standards.
"Wow Misato it's incredible did you take a cooking class or something?"
"Nah my cooking is as bad as always Shinji is the one that takes care of the food in the apartment"
Asuka pause a moment and consider leaving the rest of the meal but since she didn't had any supper the day before her stomach was firmly against that decision.
Hating the fact that she was actually enjoying the meal she quickly finished and was trough the door in no time, sprinting her way to her new school.
XX
Shinji and Rei were in the middle of their walk to school and Rei spoke.
"Do you agree with Misato in her decision of making the second live with us Shinji?"
"Well about that Misato has a point we are indeed fellow pilots and there is a big probability that we are going to end up putting our lives in the others hands to I think is a good opportunity to build a relationship, but it depends in Asuka too, she is a teen age girl she may find unpleasant living with a male teenager"
"For what reasons could that be?"
"Well I think that most likely would be for shame or she might as well simply doesn't like me"
"I see… I find difficult to understand it"
"Yeah I guess not to offend you but you lack in the shame department"
"Is that bad?"
"No is just the way you are, I would say that you and Asuka are as close in personality as heaven and earth"
"I see..."
XX
When Asuka arrived in school it was two minutes before the bell was supposed to ring for first period, and when she arrive at the teachers' lounge she was already late, the teacher let it slide and they proceed to the classroom.
"So kids today we have a transfer student" The old teacher spoke and Asuka presented herself.
"I am Asuka Langley Soryu the new Eva pilot from Germany" Asuka didn't forget to make a pose to make her point.
Most of the boys didn't hear her name they were all too busy drooling for the new girl and the girls were equally shocked but in a more unpleasant way, jealous for her figure and distinctive characteristics her blue eyes red hair and European figure.
Asuka liked what she saw, she was the center of attention like it should be even the two idiots that she met not long ago, but Shinji and Rei weren't like that the two were looking out the window not at her, she didn't like that someone was ignoring her.
"Well Asuka you can sit there next to Shinji" when Shinji hear his name he finally snap out of his thoughts and looked in front to see a glaring Asuka his way, unfortunately the only sits that were not taken were beside him so she didn't really had a choice.
Asuka moved close to Shinji and when she was close enough try slap his head, Shinji just move his head to dodge.
"Hey what's your deal?" Shinji wasn't going to take Asuka´s bullshit.
"Why didn't someone wake me up in the morning! I was late because of it" Asuka was sure that one way or another it was Shinji's fault.
It didn't took more than a second when all the male brains besides his own process the information and all the male population was now glaring at Shinji, "he already have Ayanami for fucks sake is he also going to take the new girl" that was the common opinion for the boys
"look princess in the first place I have no obligation to wake you up second I did try to wake you up but I gave up when the only response I got was you throwing your damn clock at me" Shinji had in fact try but the Asuka after he finished his meal but it was impossible for him.
Now Asuka knew why her clock was broken, but she had to win the argument. "You should have try harder"
"I told Misato to wake you up since I had to get ready it's not my fault she didn't do it" but Shinji did had the feeling that Misato could have forgotten since she is like half dead in the mornings.
"Whatever" in her head the argument ended in a draw since it was Misato´s fault.
Shinji expect at least one day before the whole "I live with the transfer student" thing would come to light but it looked like Asuka had another plans, is not like he was worried about his other classmates jealousy but it was annoying when they try and get information or some other things from him, like it had happened with Rei, Shinji didn't realize how popular Rei was until the boys that like her started to ask him if he could present them to Rei or asking for more private information and the biggest idiot of a human being that tried to make him stole Rei´s panties for money, the guy was in the ground before he could say how much he was offering.
XX
The first periods were as expected for Asuka she was being bombarded with messages from her new classmates all asking one idiotic question after the other, Asuka didn't bother to try and respond, for now she was going to let them wonder, she knew from experience that being too open with boys was a bad idea since they think she was inviting them for something.
But now was time for lunch and she didn't have anything prepared, she had to go to the school cafeteria and get something, but she didn't expect what happened.
"Here" Shinji put a packed lunch in her desk it wasn't small it was a two layered one like the ones he always make for everyone, but Asuka didn't want to just take it and feel like she owe him something.
"And what makes you think I want to eat what you cook" Asuka knew she was lying if the breakfast this morning was any indication that Shinji was a great cook.
"*sigh* look just take it, if you want throw it away or whatever just give me the container later" Rei was just in front of him ready to open her own lunch to eat with Shinji "Rei could you give me a minute I need to do something"
"Affirmative" Rei was put on hold momentarily, and Shinji go in the chase of his two friends.
Asuka now with a lunch just put it in her desk and follow Shinji since she had an idea about what Shinji had to do.
Shinji climb the stairs to the rooftop were tōji and kensuke where opening the door Shinji spoke.
"Kensuke give me the camera" Shinji and Asuka both realize that the geek had took pictures of Asuka in the times the swarm of boys were on top of her.
Asuka thought "I got you pervert I knew you were like the others, all boys are perverts" and she was ready to jump in and beat the guys but she waited, she wanted to caught Shinji red handed.
"What? Why do you want my camera?" kensuke was bad at playing dumb.
"Look kensuke I am not blind I know you took pictures"
"Damn it *sigh* what do you want? A share of the profits?"
"You were going to sell them? No it's not happening give me the camera I am going to delete the photos" Asuka thought she was hearing bad
"What? What the hell man I thought we were friends cant you let it slide?" now tōji was defensive.
"first of kensuke I also noticed you took pictures of other girls including Asuka and Rei, and second tōji I am your friend that's why I am asking for the camera and not taking it like I would otherwise"
"look Shinji if you want I can erase the photos of Rei if you want but the photos of the red devil are going to sell like hot cakes, I give you half the profits what do you say?" kensuke tried to negotiate with Shinji.
Now Shinji was getting impatient "look first of this is not about Rei and I am warning you if the girls ever learn that you are selling those kind of pictures they would go from ignoring you to full bully and second if you guys take pictures in your underwear and put then in the common board for everyone to see then I let you sell those, so for the last time would you give the camera or I take your pictures in underwear?" Shinji use a completely serious tone he was indeed going to put the pictures.
Now tōji and kensuke were a little afraid but kensuke thought he still had room to negotiate "ok look erase all of them but the ones of red you don't even like her so it's a win win situation"
"kensuke look I don't hate Asuka either she just have a different temper and she is still a girl even with that so no deal so now don't make me repeat myself" Shinji extended his hand to receive the camera.
Kensuke was evaluating the probabilities of tōji and him beating Shinji and getting the photos but he knew he was useless in a fight and tōji had no hope of beating Shinji so with a defeated expression he hand over the camera.
"good them now if I ever realize you guys are doing this kind of bullshit again I knock the two f you unconscious take pictures of the two of you naked hugging each other and post them all over the school you guys got it?"
Tōji and kensuke were terrified of the punishment people already thought they were weird always being close to the other but that would put them in the bottom of the barrel, so they just nodded and wait for Shinji to erase the pictures.
XX
After seeing this Asuka didn't like to admit it but the only thing better that Shinji didn't do was give the two boys a punch and still tell the girls about the pictures but she guess it was some sort of mercy, and she didn't expect the guy to be so manly ordering the big guy the glasses to order him or face the consequences, he wasn't Kaji but he was without a doubt the alpha male, and her biggest surprise was that he didn't had the bad impression that everyone that seemed to know her for more than an hour had meaning being a bitch that was a more pleasant surprise that she imagine.
Going back to the classroom the lunch Shinji had made was still there waiting for her when she was about to eat a brown haired girl with freckles approach her.
"Uh hi Soryu I am Hikari Hokari can I um have lunch with you?"
Asuka only saw the girl as plain and simple and it was welcome company that wasn't drooling in her company.
"Sure and call me Asuka I don't like formalities" Asuka open her lunch and was pleased to see a full lunch and a fork is not that Asuka couldn't use the chop sticks but rather Shinji decided to make sure she could eat.
"Wow your lunch looks good did you make it?" Hikari also had a packed lunch but it pale in comparison with Asuka´s.
"Ah no Shinji did it" at that moment Shinji enter the room and took a seat with Rei to enjoy his own lunch.
"Oh! Shinji did? Wow I thought all guys were useless in the kitchen, so you really are living together I thought maybe it was a misunderstanding so is he like that always or he acts different in your home?"
Asuka noted that Hikari was very eager when talking about Shinji she hoped it was her imagination.
"Actually I moved in just yesterday, but what do you mean with the way he acts?" Asuka was having a healthy interested in Shinji now.
"I mean he is always spacing out in class and doesn't really talk too much except tōji, kensuke and Rei and when girls talk to him he just shrug it off"
"Huh it looks like you pay attention to Shinji"
"wh-wha no I am the class rep so I keep an eye on everyone" now Hikari was getting nervous it was true what she said but she indeed look at Shinji more often than the others.
"Well not like I care" she did even if just a little, the rest of the day went on as the first half had, the guys were all over her, at the end she even make some plans with her new friend Hikari.
XX
"I am home" a good couple of hours after school finish Asuka arrived at the apartment.
"Welcome" Shinji in the living room where some music was playing answered
Moving to her room to chance her clothes and later moving to the living room, Asuka didn't expect what she found there, Shinji was in the couch reading a book and Rei was lying in the couch with her own book and using Shinji's lap as a pillow.
"What? Am I interrupting something?" Asuka didn't think that Shinji had a girlfriend already and much less the first, Asuka had also ask about Rei around but all she got was guys saying that she was an introverted and that she only talk to Shinji.
"Huh? No, no really why?" for Shinji this wasn't a big deal and Rei like it so he didn't mind.
"What do you mean with that, I mean I didn't know you were a couple you could have told me?"
"we aren't a couple we are just reading in the couch, and if you mean Rei she just like the position" Shinji was calm not really taking his eyes of his book Asuka had misunderstood it was normal given the apparent intimacy of the pose but Shinji didn't thought about it too much.
Seeing the console connected to the TV Asuka had a new target already "is this yours?"
"Ah, yes its mine" Shinji had bought it but since the only person to play was Rei he hadn't really use too much.
"Wow you got some good games, you any good?" Asuka really liked fighting games and just as Shinji she didn't have someone to play in NERV German branch.
"Well I am pretty good if I say so myself" Shinji was expecting Asuka to be more close since she was the one that was so pissed about living with them.
"Oh boy I am going to wipe that grim of your face" this was more like it for Asuka since most teenage girls didn't really like video games it was nice someone that shared your hobbies, and taking a seat at the small couch she handed a controller to Shinji.
"Just don't cry when I wipe the floor with your ass, do you mind the noise Rei?" Rei just lay there with her book.
"Negative I don't mind" Rei felt that even if Shinji was doing something else it didn't matter since just being with him was enjoyable, but she still had mix feelings about the redhead that had come to interrupt them.
Ten rounds later the marker was seven to three in Shinji's favor.
"Hahaha so much for wiping my grin huh" Shinji didn't have much skill in the game but it was his fast reflex that gives him the advantage over Asuka.
"Ahg damn it it's just you're lucky I should be winning" Asuka didn't like to lose and she won't admit it but Shinji was winning fair and square "the next round I get you"
"Haha sorry that have to wait I have to start with supper" Shinji moved from the couch to the kitchen leaving Asuka with Rei, both girls were silent neither knowing what to do or say but Asuka had something to ask the pale girl.
"So Ayanami do you like Shinji?" Asuka was curious if the rumors were true a lot of people saying that they were a couple and even if Shinji said they weren't that didn't mean she didn't like him.
"… Shinji is very important for me, why do you inquire?"
"Very important huh? So that's your answer well have it your way" Asuka leave her seat and go to her room and then to the kitchen and putting the container of her lunch she put it in the counter "here it is the container"
"Ok put it in the ditcher"
"so Shinji I will allow you to make my meals" Asuka was liking this now a good cook a nice rival at video games, a manly guy and she even thought he was kind of cute, she thought she had found a nice toy and even if Rei liked him it wasn't going to stop her.
Shinji hearing this turn off the stove and move to face Asuka "ah no, this is not how is going to be, you don't allow me to cook for you, today I did it because I was being nice but is not how it is going to be, if you want me to cook for you, you have to say it and say please at least one time" Shinji wasn't going to spoil the girl even more Asuka needed a lesson in humility and since Shinji saw that no one would try and give her one he would.
"What? You want me to ask you and say please, come on you're just cooking, and how do you think you're I don't say please I take what I want that's how I am" Asuka thought that Shinji would give in if she pressure.
Shinji just move to the stove again and turn it on again giving his back to Asuka while he spoke "Ok then if that's what you want I guess it's up to you, then you can make your own meals and lunches and I am the one that buys the food here so if you want to cook you have to buy that too so until you're ready to say it don't expect me to cook for you" Shinji was firm in that he knew from Misato that Asuka big pride was what made her like that so Shinji was going to break it or at least bend it , and he was going to start from this saying please wasn't a big step but it was something to start with.
"What you serious? Well how about a fuck you and stick your cooking up your ass, you regret this" Asuka was angry not only had he refused but even told her that she have to cook herself, she was the great Asuka Langley Soryu she didn't cook she wanted to make him regret it.
"Yeah by the way I say it now to try and warn you, I don't usually hit girls but believe me when I say that I don't plan on taking any one bullshit, if you hit I hit back and I am pretty good at hitting back" it was the only warning he was going to give.
XX
Like that four days went by Asuka was trying to live by eating out but since she lived at Germany when she lived with Kaji she was already sick of that food she loved the men but he was a horrible cook, not as much as Misato but close and Asuka even try cooking on her own that left her with a bit of a stomach pain and at lunch she was going to the cafeteria, it was like torture for her waking up in the morning and smelling the aroma of delicious food and having it denied, once she even try to take it by force but Shinji was more than ready with a soup spoon he had hit her hands away more than ten times before she gave up and he was making sure not to leave any leftovers giving then to pen-pen or disposing of them, Asuka also try to take revenge first it was in the way of rumors but there was flaws in the plan mostly that girls didn't really believed it and second she didn't expect Shinji to give a rat ass about what they say, she then try to mess with other things like his shoes and even his books, Shinji was merciless, he had put a very sticky and smelly liquid in Asuka´s shoes, it was so bad that she had to replace them but the smell was still lingering in the shoe locker and when she mess with his books, he had cut down her precious clothes and use them as rags to clean, and when she try to go for a more direct approach and simply beat the shit out of him, she manage to give a one and only hit the result of a surprise attack and then she found out his reflex were not only for games in less than thirty seconds she was face down in the ground with Shinji twisting her arm in a very painful position and then tied up and throw in her bed until Misato arrive to untie her, basically Shinji was fulfilling his promise and also was hitting back harder than she expected, it was now the morning of the fifth day of their not so silent war.
Shinji Rei and Misato were in the Table having breakfast when a red blur pass the door and the entrance door was open and slam close.
"Shinji for how much time are you going to keep this up I think Asuka is ready to snap" Misato had let this go on trusting Shinji had an idea of what he was doing.
"This is going to go on as long as necessary I don't have any plans to get on my knees for no one and if you want any possibility that we could ever get along, she is going to have to have to fix that attitude of hers, we are equals here she is neither better than Rei or me she have to accept that"
"And what if she tries something worse than last time?"
"Misato there is nothing that girl can do that I can´t handle I can assure you that"
"*sigh* and what do you think Rei? I know this is not your fight but she is a pilot too"
"I trust Shinji and if he say that is the correct path I concur, and if the second tries to hurt Shinji again I make sure she deeply regret it" Rei really didn't care about what Asuka was doing until she attacked Shinji, it happened in the apartment after school Asuka had somehow got home before they did and prepared a surprise attack in the living room, Shinji had easily turn the tables on Asuka but Rei now see that Asuka in fact was trying to hurt Shinji and if Shinji didn't tied her up Rei was ready to pounce on Asuka, but Shinji had stop her saying it wasn't anything major but now Rei was wary of Asuka, "how dare she to try and hurt Shinji, the one that save me from the hell hole that was my life" Rei thought.
"Rei I told you already I have it under control and don't worry about it unless she tries to hurt you then shit is really going to go down for her ok?"
"Look kids I find really sweet this all I protect you thing but please try to keep this above the table, we can´t have pilots disable much less when unit 0 is still not ready for combat and more importantly you guys should try to get along with Asuka"
"I won't give in I tell you that"
Rei just nodded her head even she knew the importance of having healthy pilots she couldn't enjoy her new life if she was dead, but Rei knew enough methods to make her regret it that it didn't involve physical damage.
XX
Last days were rough for Asuka in the food department but this shit was the cherry on the cake, for lunch she usually go to the cafeteria of the school to both get away from Shinji and to get something to eat but this day while she was having her meal she notice something off in her food and taking a closer inspection she found a cockroach under her meat it the damn thing was still twitching, she fight she urge to vomit and drop the rest of the food in the trash bin and move to the bathroom to vomit the rest, she thought it was bad enough that she was eating the horribly bland food but to think that they would serve a fucking insect in her food she was ready to kill someone but her body protest it , she didn't have much energy since her new diet on junk food was taking her tool on her health, at this point she was almost ready to give in to Shinji and ask for a decent meal, but her oh so big pride was still in the way and now she regret taking those first meals from Shinji, it was like someone had given her a piece of a drug and then have it denied, her stomach growl just with the memory of the tasty meals Shinji had given her.
And with and odd timing her cell phone rang, since she haven't gave her number to anyone there was only one possibility.
"Asuka get to the geo front now the radar catch an angel" Asuka had been waiting for this it was finally her time to shine.
"On my way!"
XX
Unit 1 and 2 were deployed and waiting orders close to the shore where the angel was supposed to come.
"Ok kids this is the plan Asuka you are the vanguard so take a melee weapon and stand ready Shinji take a rifle and support Asuka"
"I finally get to be the star, take that third"
"Misato I think we have gone through this before but I doubt a rifle is going to be any help, if anything we should try and overwhelm the angel in a two on one"
"We don't know what could happen Shinji and also we don't know if the rifle will work or not stick to the plan"
"Yeah third don't try to steal the spotlight just sit there and watch me beat the angel"
"Come on Misato at least give me a melee weapon to have in reserve the knife is good and all but I need something with more range"
"Ok Shinji I guess it doesn't hurt but stick to the plan covering Asuka is your main objective"
"Roger"
"Ok send the progressive axe , sword and a rifle" the giant weapons emerge from the earth moments later Asuka took her axe Shinji his rifle and the sword and stuck it in the ground ready for use and prepare the rifle.
Minutes later the next angel emerge from the water a weird shape without head and a face that look like a ying yang shape.
"There is the target approach with cauti-"
"He is mine!" Asuka didn't care about orders and moved ahead jumping in the air then swinging her axe down the angel didn't have time before the axe cut him down right in the middle "see that's how it's done third watch and learn"
"Well I be dammed that was quicker than I thought" Shinji was glad that for once it didn't end up with him in the hospital
A small window in Asuka plug open showing ritsuko.
"The blue pattern has not disappear is not dead yet!"
A second too late the two sides of the angel each one took the shape of the original but smaller and they both move their hands and swing at Asuka, the blow moved unit 2 into the air and out of commission landing in the soft floor of the chore in sank till the waist.
"unit 2 has been silence, Shinji open fire" Shinji was already on the motion bullet after bullet but again the at field of the angel reject the bullets, discarding the obsolete weapon Shinji took the sword "it's useless I be using the sword"
Shinji took stance and charge at the nearest part of the angel, the sword clash with the claws but unit 1 was a bit stronger and manage to push it off but the other half was already on the move behind him, thankfully Shinji had more than enough experience in two on one battles evading the incoming claw he rolled to the side and face both parts, the angel moved at his two flanks u sing the sword Shinji met the one at his right and before the other claw connected unit 1 kicked him n his mass center sending him flying, buying enough time Shinji over powered the other angel breaking his guard and then slashing right trough the core.
"One to go" the other angel was already in his feet and running where Shinji was, Shinji moved to intercept again clashing with the angel claws and then Shinji kicked again the lower half that was unprotected bringing the angel to the ground, Shinji stab the fallen angel in the core.
"Shinji behind you" this was not something Shinji was used to usually when he bring down someone they stay down but there it was the other angel like nothing had happened.
"Damn it!" in a bad position the angel hit Shinji of his other half "what the hell is going on I thought I kill that thing" still with sword in hand but now bleeding from his arm where the angel struck.
"It looks like the two cores are connected and one send energy to the other" ritsuko explained
"So the one fucker is regenerating the other just great!" Shinji was fending off the twins but with two at the same time he was overpowered this time, sending unit 1 crashing into a mountain unit 1 was now bleeding from more places and the hand that hold the blade had a deep cut.
"Shinji fall back we are going to launch an N2 mine" luckily unit 1 was kind of far from them since they launch him to the mountain, unit 1 still bleeding move to stand and took off to the opposite direction of the angel, for a moment the angel stood there confuse about why their opponent was fleeing but not too long later the mine fall from the sky engulfing the angel in an explosion, as they were force to take time to regenerate.
XX
In the debriefing room Misato, Shinji, Asuka and Fuyutsuki and the photos of unit 2 in its falling pose and some of unit 1 injures were being show, fuyutsuki finally spoke.
"this is terrible the un are laughing at us for having to escape with our tail between our legs, and I don't blame them unit 2 was in combat for less than a minute and unit 1 was badly damage, if it wasn't for the quick decision to bomb the angel we might have suffered even worse, so now I ask you pilots what's your job?"
Asuka always quick on her mouth "it's to pilot the evangelions"
"It's to avoid the extinction of humanity"
"wrong and right, pilot Soryu you did not only disobey direct orders but also fail completely to be any help and even get unit 2 in that poor state, pilot Ikari even if you had a more equal fight against the target you still lose and unit 1 still was also badly damage, something to say for yourself pilots?"
"It's this idiot fault he didn't cover me after I went from the angel"
"How the fuck was I supposed to do that when you rush off all on your own"
"It's not my fault you can't keep up with me"
"Hahaha yeah lasting less than thirty seconds against the angel sure as hell I don't want to keep up with you, and in all due respect sir I did propose to let me use a melee weapon since the start to have the advantage but the idea was rejected"
"Ooh and what do you have to say for you Katsuragi" Asuka was verbally sparring with Shinji while Misato spoke.
"it is standard position for an operation to have a main force an one supporting sir I see no wrong on my orders"
"Katsuragi you certainly would be right in a normal situation but this war we have going on is anything but normal, the enemy is adapting to our tactics and you have to do the same if we wanted someone that always goes by the book we had way more better candidates but we choose you because we thought you could do better, don't disappoint us, pilots you are dismissed you will stay in your residence until further order, Katsuragi you will stay we need to think of a plan to face this angel"
XX
In the apartment Shinji and Rei were in the living room on the couch while Asuka in her room.
"That girl is going to be the end of us literally" Shinji was also frustrated with the satiation.
"I believe the second needs more discipline is her lack of it that lead the situation array"
"ahg the damn angel is going to regenerate in a week and we need a new plan for then, fuck if it wasn't enough to have the duty to save humanity now they want me to put up with a spoiled brat that just wants to show off, if we don't die because of that thing I swear I am going to need something to relax or I am going crazy"
Asuka enter the room and sit down in front of the tv and turn on the game console not caring about the people in the couch but she did spoke.
"And you think that having to put up with you is a walk in the park got to be kidding me"
"look redhead I have do nothing to you that have not been in response to one of your attempts to fuck with me if you get off your god damn high horse and look and reality you would realize that the god damn world don't spin around you and if you let you pride even a little you may just may be able to have a real friend instead of the army of idiots that only knows how to drool"
"What the fuck you know about me third, I don't need friends or class mates or you I just need myself and how can you talk, when you are only in this position because of your father you call me spoiled but you're the commanders son your life must have been a walk in the park and the only reason you pilot unit 1 is because you must have ask your daddy if you could pilot"
"hahahahahahahahaha" Shinji started laughing in a hysterical way and Asuka was at lost why was he laughing? "yeah I ask my daddy if I could pilot unit 1 because you know the pay is great it makes you popular and how could forget that you have to risk your life every time an angel comes, I always wanted to be a hero so how could I not want to do it" Shinji manage to talk between laughs.
"Why the fuck are you laughing are you crazy?"
Shinji stop laughing and look seriously at Asuka "Let me ask you redhead, how many times have you been attack by a gang of delinquents, how many times have you ended up so beat up you couldn't move, how many times did your teacher told you that there was nothing he could do when all your classmates bully you, how many times have you want to scream out for someone to help you when you are already down and they keep kicking you anyway, because I stop counting when I got to the three digits if you think my life has been a walk in the park the average kid would have die already!"
Asuka was surprise at Shinji's outburst, she have never seen him actually mad and was more surprise at what she heard "wasn't he supposed to be the commanders son?" She guessed that the lives of the other pilots has been like hers, sure her dad didn't really care about her but she never had trouble outside of that since she was with NERV she never had to suffered problems related to that and since she was always considered a genius she was always popular, her life was easily the best between the pilots, even Rei was surprised she have never heard of this before, but she didn't ask either.
The discussion was interrupted by Misato coming into the apartment.
"Shinji, Asuka I have the new plan we need to discuss it" Misato say as she entered the living room with a big bag.
"Great the new plan so what great plan do we have today?" Shinji was heavy on the sarcasm.
"We are going to beat the angel using two EVAS and synch them to fight the angel on equal terms, using this" Misato rolled out what it looked like a dancing mat in the living room "you and Asuka are from now on going to walk sleep talk even breath in synch for this to work so get ready we have a week before the angel completely regenerates and so the EVAS get repaired, so get ready"
"What? That's not possible are you expecting me to synch with this monkey! And how was the tremendous piece of retard that come up with this plan?"
"Well this was Kaji´s idea you can thank him later, so we start right now put this on" She was showing two tights one blue one pink.
"Misato do you really think I am going to put that on?" Shinji was about to tear up the tights as to make sure he didn't have to use it.
"Its part on the training you guys need to be in synch in everything"
"If what you need is similar outfits there is way better choices"
"Shinji this is an order like it or not"
"Misato I am going to let the world end at the hands of the angel before I put that on so at least you plan and force me inside that thing I am not putting it on"
"Well I had to try I get something new later for now we have to start here this is the steps to follow" Misato handed Shinji and Asuka a piece of paper.
"Wait I haven't agreed to this and there is no way I am sleeping with this pervert, he will defile me in my sleep"
"Asuka if Shinji wanted to defile someone he would have done so already I have the reports from section 2, I know there is more than one girls that would be eager in your class and I trust Shinji, besides I will be with you so don't worry, and Rei I have bad news for you, you will have to stay in NERV temporarily we need the less amount of distraction possible so for the time I have arranged for you to move, I am really sorry about this" Misato half bowed to Rei to show her apology.
Rei didn't like this but she nodded.
And like that start the first day of training.
XX
It was a long five hours since the training began and Shinji and Asuka were breathing heavy in the living room, Misato watching over.
"Ok good job kids the max we had was a 25 but don't worry we still have time for now dinner a bath and to sleep you have a long day tomorrow" Asuka and Shinji in their new outfits being an unisex style grey shirt for both and a white short.
"Good then I am making dinner" Shinji stood up and head to the kitchen, Asuka was moving to the phone to order her own meal before Shinji stop her "don't order anything I am making dinner for you too"
"And what makes you think I want to eat what you cook?" Asuka lie, she wanted to accept.
"Look Misato say is part of the training to also eat too and I am not eating food from those places you like so just take it as part of training and at least that you want Misato or yourself to cook then just leave it be"
Reluctantly just for show Asuka just moved to the living room where Misato was to wait for dinner, Misato with a beer was watching TV, seating besides her Asuka just sit not really interested in the program.
"So I hear a bit of your fight when I came early" Misato still facing the tv spoke.
"You did?" Asuka also didn't look away from the tv.
"Yeah it was hard not to Shinji was practically screaming, so what did you do? I know him for a couple of months now not even when confronting his father I heard him so angry"
"I just say that his life was easy and he over react to it"
"Hahaha" Misato like Shinji start laughing but a lot less hard "I see I understand now, no shit he was so mad"
"And what do you mean?"
"I guess you couldn't really know, life for Shinji has been rolling down the hill since her mother die a long time ago"
"His mother died?" Asuka was surprised it was much like her story.
" yeah and right after that Gendo the commander that bastard leave him in a foster home but since then Shinji was bullied for not having parents, you know small children are the cruelest and his teacher wasn't the best either or any adult around him for that matter, but Shinji wasn't weak and instead of breaking he started fighting back of course at first his foster parents told him not to but they didn't really tried either, since then his life has been going down in a spiral of violence, he was in the hospital way more times than any child should have and eventually even that stop his foster parents said it was too much trouble and get him a room in a dorm close to their house and give him barely enough to survive, he even had to got a job to survive, I was surprised at his cooking skills myself so I read deeper in his file and understood, he has been alone from a long time Asuka, and now you go and tell him his had an easy life I am more surprised he only shout at you, but hear me rambling I am sure I had one too many beers, and don't tell Shinji I told you this he kill me if you did?" Misato shut up knowing she had spoke to much.
Asuka just shut up and start contemplating what Misato just said, Asuka thought Shinji had lied in his outburst but this was prove that Shinji know pain in an equal if not greater manner than she did.
Half an hour later supper was served in the table, Asuka was sitting in front of her plate almost drooling, a second later she attacked her plate and in less than five minutes she was done and full.
"It looked like someone was starving" Misato had watched Asuka in pure awe how the slim girl eats.
"I guess she was bored of the junk food" Shinji was just eating calmly.
"You could say that" a satisfied Asuka say rubbing her stomach.
XX
It has been four days since the synch training had started when Misato had passed by the geo front to get Rei, and now the girl was in the car on the way to her apartment.
"So what situation requires my presence in the apartment?" Rei sat in the passenger car while Misato drive.
"Take this" Misato handed the same page that she had to Shinji and Asuka.
"Is this the routine that is in the plan to the next operation?"
"Yeah I need you to learn it you may need to do it with Shinji?"
"Am I able to replace the second in the plan?"
"Not really but for now it could serve to inspire Asuka"
"Inspire?"
"Yeah you will understand when we get there"
XX
Tōji, kensuke and Hikari were in the lobby when Misato came with Rei.
"Huh, what are you kids doing here?"
"Ah miss we were looking to visit our friends, oh hello Rei" Hikari took control of the conversation.
"Ah, I see so you guys are here for that too?"
"Ah yeah Shinji has not been in school so we thought we could visit" kensuke talk this time.
"Do you know her?" Hikari was surprised.
"Yeah we meet her some time ago she is Shinji's guardian" tōji informed Hikari.
"Please to meet you I am Hikari Hokari Asuka´s friend miss"
"Call me Misato and you guys came with good timing follow me to the apartment"
A few floors above Misato open the door and the teenagers step into the apartment and made it to the living room, there Shinji and Asuka were ending one of the routines and the screen read 65.
It was a blue blur and a second later Rei was in front of Shinji and opening her arms she hug Shinji in front of everyone and then spoke "I missed you" it had been four days since Rei had seen Shinji and even she was mildly surprise, not to mention everyone else.
Shinji look at Rei and hug her back and talk "yeah I missed you too but I think right now is not the time for this ok Rei?" Shinji say while letting go, Rei let go a second latter and join the other shocked teenagers.
"What are you doing?" Hikari snap out of it first and ask, her reaction to Rei´s actions was not too big since she kind of expected something like that.
Shinji and Asuka look at her and speak in stereo ""what in the hell are you guys doing here?""
"What?" tōji was surprised at the matching outfits and the synch answer, he was curious about Rei but more about what they were doing.
""We are training to defeat the next angel""
"I brought them here they were worried for the two of you, but I see the two of you still don't surpass the 65 but well don't let us stop you keep going while we watch" Misato was still surprised about Rei but manage to let it pass, and kensuke just stare back his brain still trying to process the information.
""Are you serious?""
"Yeah keep going"
The new crowd observe how the two initiate the end the routine and always ending up in the same result, but there was something weird the both of them looked better than the machine say but the result was 65 none the less.
"Rei you think you could match Shinji?"
"I think I most certainly could"
"Then give it a go, Asuka switch with Rei"
""What?""
"Yeah I want to see if Rei can do better let's just say it's a team exercise"
Asuka just glare at Misato and moved to the couch while Rei moved to the mat.
The music started and Shinji moved, Rei following started the routine they moved in almost perfect synch, step by step the routine was follow with utmost perfection and when the song ended the new mark was 95.
"Good great then the Shinji's pet can take my place see if I care!" Asuka stand up and move to the door and smash the door close once out.
All guest were looking to the door Hikari finally talked "Shinji what are you waiting go get her!"
Shinji was still in his mat "Hikari no offense but I been doing this for around five hours, give me a god damn minute to rest, besides Asuka has no money in her she is not going far"
XX
A couple of minutes later Shinji followed, when he got out of the apartment complex he look where he could have gone, spotting the convenience store close he choose his way.
There she was looking at the ice cream section, he got close from behind her and talk "well that's quite a reaction for someone that doesn't care"
With out looking away from the ice creams Asuka responded "and what are you doing here I though you would be celebrating with your pet that you get her as your new partner"
"Asuka I thought you were supposed to be smart, you know the state of unit 0 is not close enough of being repair and I think there is literally no way that Rei could use unit 2"
"Of course she isn't that's my unit, and you didn't respond what do you want then"
"I am here to bring you back"
"so it's like that, you don't care you're just here because you don't have a choice don't you"
"Asuka you should guess by now, that I don't do things just because someone order me to do them or because there is no choice, I am here because I think I should, on my own accord"
"Then what are you going to make go back by force or something?"
"No there is no need, tell me Asuka do you think Rei can replace you?"
"You know that yourself she is better with you that I am"
"That was not the question Asuka, do you think Rei can replace you? Do you think so?"
"She could is she could pilot unit 2"
"No, this is where you are wrong Rei can't replace you for one simple reason, she is not you, she simply is not Asuka Langley Soryu, so for much that you or Misato or Rei herself wants to, she simply can't do it"
"And you? Do you want to replace me for Rei?"
"*sigh* if I wanted Rei to replace you, you think I would come for you?, and also are you okay with that, with throwing all our work in these four days to the trash and give up because someone is better than you, are you really ok giving up? and I may regret to admit this but you're indeed the best pilot we got I feel safer knowing you will be the one to come with me"
Asuka finally moved to face him "she isn't better than me, and there is no way in hell that I am okay with her replacing me, I have to work with you for four days, four days I won't let that time go to waste and don't worry third me the best Eva pilot will protect you" Asuka finally look fired up
"Great now take the damn ice cream and let's go we still have to practice"
XX
That night in past eleven Shinji, Asuka and Misato were in a mattress in the living room, Misato long sleep and Shinji and Asuka awake.
"Third you awake?" Misato was at the center so it was difficult to know if the other was sleep.
"Wide awake redhead what do you want?"
"you know that redhead thing is starting to bug me"
"Well I don't like being called third so, if you call me Shinji I call you Asuka, deal?"
"Sure whatever"
"So what it is?"
"Yeah well I am curious about something"
"Ooh what can I do to satisfy your curiosity?"
"Shinji, why do you pilot?"
"That's rather random any reason to ask?"
"No as I said just curious"
"Well if you want to know why exactly I say it's a bit long"
"I try and listen if I fall sleep don't blame"
"That's rude for the person that asked me in the first place but I guess I let it pass, you know I moved here no more than a couple of months ago and since then I have made a life here new school, friends, NERV, Misato, Rei, you, a lot of things new in my life, a lot f things that I consider important in my new life, and there is one thing that I want, for my life to keep going with the things I care, and the angels are that thing that can make it end"
"So you pilot to protect your life and those around you, that's so cliché is not even funny"
"Maybe but one thing I know and that is I can protect the people around me, I can make sure that those that I care for can keep going on with their lives, I pilot because like that I can with my bare hands protect the things I want to protect and if I ever fail I can make sure that I did everything in my power and I will die in peace but not until they go through my cold and dead body"
"You're rather extremist aren't you?"
"Maybe, that doesn't matter its just the way I think"
Asuka didn't talk anymore neither Shinji, the both of them just stare into space until they fell sleep.
XX
Asuka woke up in the mat alone half sleep she looked for someone easily finding Shinji close to the machine that had made them suffer for the last four days he had a screwdriver in one hand and the open box of the machine in the other.
"What are you doing?" the still half sleep Asuka talked.
"I think this thing might be broken or something I am just making sure" Asuka just moved over to Shinji and stared at the inside of the box "I knew it this damn wire is loose, this might have to do with our lack of progress"
"What!? But what about what happened yesterday?"
"My guess is the machine is much more tune that it should and it may think that there is a bigger lag in our movement at least is completely synch like Rei so our score might not be 65 I think"
"You serious?"
"I am not sure want to try before breakfast?"
"sure!" Shinji close the box and put it back in its place them each one was in position and started with the music, as always the two were following the moves in synch with a lot of accuracy and the music ended.
"Hell yeah I knew we were better than 65" Shinji was happy to see a glowing 90 in the screen of the machine.
"Well I got to admit you can have nice ideas once in a while, now how about breakfast"
"yeah on my way"
By the end of the day with a lot of effort they manage to score a solid 100
XX
It was the night of the six day Shinji and Asuka had already done the practice making a score of 100 nine out of ten time and the time that wasn't a 100 it was a 99 so they were relaxing in the living room when the phone rang Shinji moved to answer the phone.
"Hello"
"Ah Shinji good that it's you, I am sorry about his but we are too busy with preparations so I won't make it tonight so you guys can go ahead and eat with out me"
"Yeah sure just don't push yourself good night"
Shinji hang up and moved to the couch again.
"Who was it?"
"It was Misato, she said she is busy so she won't make it tonight"
"Great I finally be able to sleep away from you"
"Yeah I guess you can"
"What are you sad sleeping all on your own?"
"Yeah someone else warmth is the best for sleeping" Shinji winked at Asuka.
Asuka was a bit surprised she heard Misato and Shinji tease the other quiet often but it was the first time he was doing it to her "you're spending way too much time with Misato, you perv"
"Haha maybe, now if you excuse me I have to make supper" Shinji moved to kitchen to start his work.
An hour later Shinji called Asuka to eat.
"Wow!" Asuka was surprised to see large quantity and variety of food on the table and two of Misato´s beer "what's up with this?"
"Not much I wanted to eat and drink like it was my last day on earth so I might as well" Shinji sat in the table and open his beer.
"Beer? Ok now I know you spend too much time with Misato, and isn't that a little pessimist" but she still sit in the table and open her own beer.
Shinji tool a sip of the beer and cringe his face "this taste awful, well you might say is a goodbye banquet or an early celebration I don't care right now"
Sipping her own beer Asuka also cringed "I don't get how Misato drink this in the morning, aahhh! Is that stroganoff?" Asuka was already reaching her hands when Shinji slip it out of her hands.
"You have one last chance Asuka just say please and its all yours" Shinji moved the dish in front of her but not close enough for her to reach.
"What? You dick are you serious"
"Come on Asuka is just one time and is all yours, I know is your favorite I asked Misato"
Asuka about to explode but she realize that he indeed had make that just for her and for her alone he was asking to say please such a small thing that even she could do but that mean that she loses that she submitted to him well at least that's how she see it.
"Just one time, I will say it one time s listen well, PLEASE COULD YO GIVE ME THE DAMN STROGANOFF!" Asuka give in, after their long war she could see no good in keeping the stubborn thing so she gave in, if that mean that she could eat the whole plate in the next five minutes even better finally after more than twelve days their silent war came to an end.
"Sure thing Asuka, see it wasn't so hard"
"Don't push it"
XX
"From now on this door is the great wall of Jericho you will face the consequence if you dare to cross it" Asuka was in the frame of Misato´s door the closest to the living room in a rather light clothing giving Shinji a well view of her breast.
"Asuka couldn't you be less redundant, you might as well have said the Berlin wall, and we know how that ended up so if you want to sleep here just do it no reason to pretend" Shinji looked from the mat in the living room how Asuka´s face turn two shades of red.
"You idiot I was trying to be subtle cant you take the hint"
"Asuka you're as subtle as a brick and I am not about to crawl into Misato´s room in the middle of the night, I would really feel like a pervert if a do that so just come here and sleep we have something important tomorrow" Shinji pat the mat next to him, slowly Asuka moved next to him and lay in the mat.
"If you tell someone about this I kill you" Asuka cover herself and took a pillow to rest.
"As if someone would believe anyway" Shinji also lay in the mat staring at the ceiling.
Around half an hour later Shinji was about to fall sleep and Asuka stand up and moved to the bathroom Shinji half sleep just try to ignore it, then Asuka fall back in the mat, Shinji moved to face her in an subconscious matter and there she was way closer than Shinji thought more like her face was directly in front of his their noses practically touching.
Shinji was conflicted the girl wasn't bad he could remember someone much like her in his memories but this was different the fact was she was beautiful there was no doubt but if Shinji took action she could be awake or sleep and he didn't like the result of any of those but also doing nothing was a bad choice then Asuka whispered.
"Mom" and a single lonely tear fell from her eyes, Shinji knew what to do now.
Shinji moved his arms one around her shoulders and one to her head stroking her hair he whispered.
"It's okay here I am" not long later he was sleeping too.
XX
It was action time both Asuka and Shinji were in their EVAS waiting for the incoming angel.
"are the two of you ready?"
""As much as we ever be"" they talked in stereo again.
"That's what I like to her now it's time to kick some angel ass"
(So for the next just pretend that it happened like in the anime I really don't want to bother with it, including the shouting contest at the end and lets go to the next scene).
XX
Shinji finished his shower after the fight and like always he changed and got out ready to head back home but outside the shower area Asuka was waiting for him.
"Oh, hi I didn't expect anyone here"
"shut it Shinji I want to know what happened yesterday" Asuka looked mildly annoyed.
"Well there isn't much to say we slept you moved I moved and we ended up like that not much more to it"
"Did you really didn't do anything to me while I was sleep?" Asuka moved closer to inspect his face.
"Of course I didn't I swear as a boy scout"
"What? You were a boy scout?"
Now Shinji moved closer and give Asuka a peck on her cheek before he started running before he answer.
"Of course not that's the point!"
A second later Asuka started running after him and shout "where the hell do you think you going third come back here and explain that to me you pervert"
Writer notes: and that's it dear readers another chapter completed as always please review if you can it helps my English and my writing in general so do it if you find something to say and I still don't have a beta so anyone interested please send me a pm, any way see you next chapter.