Sorry for the mistake everyone...thanks to zoie2asuka i noticed it. Thank you again.

Chapter Forty

Festival

Asuka was finishing dressing up in her kimono. She still can't believe that she was going on a date tonight...and with Shinji no less. It warmed her heart that he had asked her out but…

She stopped in what she doing was glanced toward the picture of both her and Shinji from last year. She loved Shinji…that much she knew…but did she loved him enough to be in a relationship?

These doubts had started at the end of their second week of dating. She didn't know where they came from but they didn't stop. As days passed, they grew more and more frantic making her wonder what could have caused such reaction…

Half of the time, she felt like something was missing.

Then she heard the doorbell ring, making her turn her eyes toward the door listening to the voices that were talking…muffled a little, but she recognized Shinji's voice. Taking a deep breath, she grabs a purse and made her way toward the kitchen.

Shinji Ikari was in the living room dressed in a nice blue shirt, his hair combed. His small brown eyes found Asuka and a warm smile crossed his face, and Asuka found herself smiling back, her doubts disappearing, if only for a little while.

"Hey Asuka."

"Shinji-kun," Asuka answered, "You ready?"

Shinji gives her a nod, "let's go."

The two made their way out.

"Enjoy your time…and don't do anything I wouldn't," Misato called behind them, drawing blushes from both Asuka and Shinji.

When they left, Hikari stepped inside the room.

"Who was that boy?"

"A friend of Asuka's," Misato told her, 'You wanted something."

"Yes, I have a message for you," Hikari said, showing her the envelope, "It bears our Symbol."

Misato took the envelope from her and tear the seal open and pulled out a small card like paper. She recognized Kaji's handwriting as she read.

Misato,

It has begun…the Organization we spoke off it's starting to move…and they've send someone to Japan…they might be an Angel's Tear there, hidden in the country. We must let if falls into their hands.

Misato read and reread the note when look crossed her face. Hikari must have noticed it for she ask.

"What is it?"

"Is the Lance in Asuka's room?" She asked.

Hikari headed there and returned a few second later.

"No."

"Fuck…we need to find Asuka and warn her," Misato said.

"Misato, what is going on?" Hikari asked.

"Remember the people we've talked of that know about the Angel's Tear…well, they are heading here to Japan."

"But…how will they know who have the Lance?" Hikari asked.

Misato stood there. She hadn't thought about that.

"Good point…but the thing is…how did they know the Lance was in Japan in the first place? It had been in Rome for the past decades…could we have a spy…"

Hikari looked at her shocked.

"That's…not possible…"

Rei Ayanami had left the Ikari house shortly after Shinji had left. She was a little surprised at how similar she and Yui Ikari resembled each other; she could have passed for her daughter. She had never expected Gendo to marry, much less marry someone that looked so much like her.

Gendo…after all this time, you still can't let me go can you? She thought.

She stepped inside a bar...thought she had no idea why considering that she can't drink nor eat normal food…Human foods. She stepped back outside.

The nightlife in Tokyo was something that had always been vigorous. The buildings were all filled with the light and in seconds, find her in a festival.

"I wonder how the fireworks will be this year," a young woman said.

"I'm sure they will be spectacular," The man beside her answered with a smile.

She followed them into the festival where mostly everyone were dressed in yukata. A few were playing in the games as couples walked up and down the streets with excited talks and cheerful laughter. Those kind of places Rei usually avoided, for simply staying in those crowds made her feel lonely…

"Ayanami?"

Rei turned toward the voice, finding Toji standing there. He was dressed in a yukata and carrying a large teddy bear underneath his arm. He looked truly surprised to see her.

"Toji…" she blinked.

"Wow," he said, "Never thought that I will ran into you of all people here of all places…you with someone?"

"No," Rei answered, "I just wandered here."

"Want to hang out with me then?" he asked.

"Aren't you with someone?"

Toji just grinned, " Just me and my sis. She love seeing the fireworks at the festival. C'mon."

Rei didn't say anything but simply followed him through the crowds until they arrived by a stand where a small girl stood. She was also in a yukata with petals design on it, her brown hair pulled into a ponytail.

"Ni-san," she said, "you're late."

"Sorry," Toji said, "I've got your bear."

"Yay," the little girl said hugging the large toy.

Then she noticed Rei.

"Ni-san…is she your girlfriend?"

Toji turned bright red and Rei smiled a little. This little girl was too cute.

"No she isn't," Toji said, "She is a girl from my class."

Rei kneeled in front of the little girl, "You're here to see the fireworks aren't you. I'm just grateful that your Ni-san had invited me along."

"You have pretty eyes," the girl said.

Rei froze, before letting a smile work on her face.

"Arigato."

The trio made their way toward the spot where the fireworks would start. They were already many other peoples all of them talking excitedly with each other.

"Any seconds now," Toji said, checking his watch.

As soon as he spoke a large boom echoed across the sky showering it with colors. Then they were other in many patterns and colors drawing "Ooohs" and "Aaahs" from the crowd that was observing the spectacle.

Then Rei smell a familiar scent, tearing her attention away from the sky, glancing throughout the crowd, searching and she spotted it, and it make her heart wrenches painfully.

Asuka and Shinji were seating a little way away from them, holding hands as they watched the fireworks, very close to each other. She felt the rage grew again, but before she could lose control like before, she closed her eyes, calming herself down.

"Are you okay?" Toji's little sister asked.

"I'm going to have to…"

"Is that Shinji?" Toji suddenly said, "Oh! He is so going to…"

"Don't," Rei said, stopping him before he could move.

"Eh…why?"

Rei looked down toward the couple.

"Leave them alone for tonight," she said, "You can tease him at school tomorrow."

Toji was looking at Rei, frowning slightly.

"You're probably right I guess…but, I'll never think that he'll finally be a man and do it," he said, "he had been in love with Asuka since forever now."

He didn't notice the look that crossed Rei's face then.

Here is the chapter end.

Jacques0 out.

R&R.