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NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: SENSHI NO MICHI

"Are you insane?" Hikari burst out, without thinking. "That's – that's –"

"Quiet, Hikari!" Her father roared, and the girl quieted, shrinking back away to her previous position with a humiliated blush and a chill in her spine.

A hand came down on Hikari's shoulder, firmly, and she chanced a glance over at Kodama, who returned the gaze with stern eyes. In front of them, their father looked around at the assembled group, before his eyes rested on his daughters once more.

When he spoke, his voice was steely, firm.

"My daughter, Hikari – is in something of a unique position." The man began, watching as the girl in question shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of the entire clan. "Only hours ago did we receive word that the pilots of NERV's Evangelion weapons attend the same school she does – indeed, they have been placed in her own class. This is an opportunity we cannot pass up."

Hikari felt the urge to speak up again, to question what her father was hinting at, but Kodama's firm grip on her shoulder reminded her to keep her mouth shut.

"Over the next two months, Hikari will ingratiate herself with these two children – and once she has, she will then use her connection to those two to tell us anything she can about NERV – its layout, its security measures, anything that could be of aid, all without arising suspicion."

Hikari bristled silently.

So I'm going to be a mole? And befriend Ikari and Sohryu for all the wrong reasons?

"And when she has obtained enough information – we will make our move. This operation will require the entirety of the clan, and every scrap of dedication and skill we can muster. NERV is not an opponent to be taken lightly – neither is Gendo Ikari."

Once the group had dispersed, most leaving the house to return to their own homes, Hikari was confronted by both her father and her sister. The two of them wore disapproving expressions, and she felt powerless under their judgemental eyes.

"I think it goes without saying, Hikari – you're slipping up. Despite your performance in the field today, this is not the first time you've lost your composure during clan affairs." Kodama said, her father silent beside her.

Hikari had little choice but to reply quietly, demurely – and the submissive tone in her voice made her blood boil with impotent frustration. "Forgive me, Kodama – Father. I know I haven't had the clan's best interests at heart for some time now, but I –"

Her father held out a hand to silence her, and Hikari quieted, inwardly wincing at the words to come.

"We've heard it all before, Hikari." The man began, crossing his arms. "The first three times, we were willing to afford you leniency – but with such a sensitive operation on the horizon, we can't risk any more of your antics jeopardising our efforts."

"Think about the example you're setting for Nozomi." Kodama interjected, eyes narrowed at her younger sister. "You see your duty to the clan as a burden – something done with regret and hesitance. You dodge training whenever you can, using your studies and obligations at your school as an excuse –"

"I never said it was a burden –" Hikari interrupted, but quieted with another firm stare from her father. Kodama turned to face the man, arms folded.

"With all due respect, father – I believe Hikari needs a trial by fire. Sink or swim, as it were." She said, somewhat cold, and the man faced her, a small measure of interest on her face.

"Go on." He replied, eyes narrowed.

"I'd like to offer myself up to take the shot atIkari, whenever the time comes – and I want Hikari there, at my side."

A cool evening wind ghosted across the balcony, blowing Misato's fringe out of her eyes as she nursed a lukewarm can of Yebisu. Still dressed in her uniform jacket and skirt, she stared out at Tokyo-3, her eyes tracing the form of every towering building and tiny tenement.

We saved all of that today. We saved even more than that, in truth.

So why do I feel so bereft? So lost?

She looked back through the glass doors leading back into the apartment, watching as Asuka padded across to the kitchenette.

I haven't seen Shinji in hours. Didn't think that lecture would spook him that badly.

Then again – when he was thrashing on that stretcher – there might have been something else amiss.

What the hell, it doesn't matter. So far you've done a subpar job of acclimatising two children to a new, bizarre life – and the cracks are already beginning to show.

Misato lifted the can to her lips again, but received only a dribble of beer. She gave the can a small shake, and when she didn't hear liquid sloshing about, cursed silently, and crumpled the can in her hand, tossing it over the balcony without care. She rubbed at the bridge of her nose, and turned, leaning back against the railing of the balcony, as she looked into her new home once more.

It was empty again – Asuka had most likely disappeared inside her room again, and there was no evidence of any kind of life inside the apartment. Even Pen-Pen was nestled inside his fridge – Misato wouldn't be surprised if the penguin had sensed the tension and chosen to remain inside.

At the moment, she wouldn't say no to nestling herself in a cold, dark place herself, and getting a few hours' sleep.

From out of the corner of her eye, she spotted movement, and she focused on the corridor leading into the main room, pursing her lips.

Slowly, Shinji stepped out, still dressed in his casual t-shirt and jeans. His eyes were somewhat reddened, but his expression appeared a great deal sunnier than the dour boy who had disappeared into his room after dinner.

Misato straightened up on the balcony, watching as the boy approached, and shifted to the left side of the balcony as he slid the door open, silently stepping out beside her.

The two avoided each other's gaze for several moments, and when Misato finally found the strength to speak, so did Shinji – the two started, then stopped to let the other speak, then started again – eventually Misato stopped herself, and spoke.

"You first."

The boy nodded in response, and inhaled before replying.

"I'm sorry, Misato. " Shinji breathed, looking up at the woman. "For today, for – for disobeying your orders, and for shutting myself in my room. I should be better than that –"

"Wait, Shinji." Misato said, stepping forward to interrupt. "You don't need to apologise."

"I do." The boy replied, bowing his head slightly. "I do. And I promise that I won't act like that again, if I can help it."

Across from him, Misato looked out at the sprawling cityscape of Tokyo-3, then back to him again. "I'll accept your apology, Shinji…" she began, voice somewhat heavy. "If you accept mine."

The boy looked up, a measure of confusion on his face.

"Ever since I brought you and Asuka here, I've tried to make things easier for you – tried to make things seem normal. But I was wasting my time, being a fool to myself." Misato leant against the railing once more, and sighed.

"Nothing about this is normal." She continued, and gestured out at the city. "And I was holding you up to impossible standards, given the circumstances. You were only doing what you thought was right – to protect people. And I threw that back at you, along with a reprimand."

"I took you away from a safe, caring home, and threw you into the midst of this insanity – I expected you to act like any other soldier." Misato murmured, ignoring Shinji's attempts to humbly interject.

"And to be honest – you've been doing impossibly well. And I had the gall to call you out on that –"

Suddenly, some of the wind left the woman's lungs as a weight impacted softly against her – it was only when arms looped around her that she realised Shinji was hugging her.

"Apology accepted." The boy murmured, face buried in her jacket.

After a moment of hesitation, Misato closed her eyes, and returned the hug, swallowing.

"I hate to break up the moment, but there's a call for you, Misato."

The two broke apart suddenly, and sought the source of the voice – Asuka stood just behind the doorway, a phone in her hand, with a small, triumphant smirk on her face.

"Nice to see you two made up."

"It was a stroke of luck that your son was able to recover the Angel's core in such condition." Fuyutsuki observed, watching as several teams of construction crews worked in tandem to transport the scarlet, spherical heart of the Fourth Angel on a motorised tread. "But the Old Men will most likely desire it for other purposes."

"Unit Four is nearing completion in Nevada." Gendo said, watching beside the older man. "No doubt they will attempt to install it on the EVA – another ace in the hole that they control."

"Besides the EVA Series? Clearly, they have little concept of moderation." Fuyutsuki mused, with a tight expression on his face.

"Little more than a reflection of how insecure they ultimately feel." The Commander replied, sharply.

"Perhaps." Fuyutsuki murmured, hands behind his back, before he turned and began to stroll away from the window. "Ikari – what are your intentions towards your son? He has proven complacent so far."

"So far. I doubt that will last for long." Gendo said, also moving away from the window.

"And what about the Second? I haven't seen much of her – but she appears to have a strong bond with your son." Fuyutsuki inquired, as he and the Commander left the observation deck.

"For now, it only appears to strengthen their performance in battle – their confrontation with the Third Angel is evidence of that." Gendo replied, coolly. "However, if it obstructs the scenario in any form, I will not hesitate to shatter it."

The next day didn't find Shinji and Asuka back at the school – but at NERV, to some measure of dismay from both of them.

They had been split up – Asuka had been sent to the Pribnow Box to immediately begin training in the simulation bodies, whilst Shinji had been ferried over to the Medical Wing, and poked and prodded at by Doctor Akagi.

Thankfully, it was a short examination, and Shinji was given some time to wander around the base before he was called to begin his own training. He found himself walking the paths to the locker rooms, to the command bridge – and eventually, to the EVA Cages.

Shinji lingered at the door for a brief moment, before he walked through. Shoes clapping along the walkway, he looked out at the scarlet form of EVA Unit Two.

A scaffolding of sorts had been extended out to its damaged shoulder, and numerous technicians and workers scurried across it and the top of the shoulder, occasionally shouting out to a partner or co-worker.

The boy then walked on further, past the crimson titan, and came to face the bone-white helmet of Unit One. There were no repair crews, as far as he could see – the EVA had been submerged in LCL below its shoulders – but on closer inspection he could see faint lights shining up through the dark liquid.

They must be working underwater…

Sighing, he glanced back up at the face of the EVA. Images of the battle against the two Angels flashed through his mind, and suddenly, Shinji felt somewhat tired, heavy. He slumped down, legs dangling over the edge of the walkway, arms resting on the middle rung of the railing, and stared at Unit One.

It's such an impossible creature – and I'm meant to control it.

How can I be sure that it isn't controlling me?

Shinji's hand came up to idly massage his throat as he remembered his strange vision – and the violent, twisted doppelganger who had tried to kill him.

Satsui no Hado…

Maybe, if I see Gouken-sensei again, I'll ask him about it.

Inhaling, Shinji let his eyes drift shut, leaning his upper body against the middle rung of the railing. He concentrated on the passage of his breathing, seeking the calm, solid presence of his hado in the midst of all the uncertainty that surrounded him.

"That is not a recommended rest area." A toneless, feminine voice intoned, from somewhere behind him.

Shinji's eyes snapped open, and he quickly drew his legs in, back under him, and he stood up, turning to face the new arrival – Ayanami. Her crimson eyes were benign, but they bored into his all the same.

The two stared at each other, silent, as mechanical sounds and loud voices reverberated around the expanse of the cage. Eventually, the girl turned to walk away, the soles of her school shoes scuffing across the metallic deck.

"Wait!" Shinji blurted out, and then blushed slightly, ashamed at his blunt manner. In front of him, Ayanami turned again, and approached with a look that seemed somewhat displeased. However, her entire manner was inscrutable, making any kind of judgement difficult.

"I – I was wondering if I could get your name. Your full name – I don't know much about you." The boy offered, meekly. Across from him, Ayanami seemed to contemplate this, before speaking in her small, quiet voice.

"Rei Ayanami."

Shinji nodded, mouthing the name silently, rolling it over in his mind before he replied.

"Shinji Ikari." The boy said, and Rei blinked in response.

Without any audible reply, she turned around, and began to walk away once more.

Shinji's face fell, and he sighed, gazing at the unmoving face of Unit One. Above him, the intercom rang out.

"Would Shinji Ikari please report to the Pribnow Box? Repeat, would Shinji Ikari please report to the Pribnow box?"

With one last glance at the armoured titan before him, Shinji allowed himself a brief moment of silent hesitance, and then set off for the Pribnow Box, his only companion the ever=present stench of blood that had wafted up onto his clothes.

And that's Episode Four wrapped up! Read and review!