Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Neferius –I think she needs a sabbatical. But I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

Grey Wolf4 – Welcome back to fanfiction.

Chapter 8 – Prelude to the Future

The sun was beginning to set as Shinji walked back home from NERV. It was occurring to him that he did that a lot, especially after his training with Qui-Gon. In fact, it was on such a walk that he met the Jedi master in the first place. But back then, his thoughts were going about in its usual cycle of depression and self-blame. Now, they served as times of quiet reflection for his thoughts, to mull over things that had happened.

Like his earlier conversation with Dr. Akagi…

Silently following the faux-blond doctor, Shinji found himself at the Eva cages. His senses were trained on Ritsuko, taking in the various emotions that were flowing out of her; emotions he was more than familiar with. They finally stopped near a railing, which was overlooking the three bio-machines. The silence continued, but Shinji simply waited patiently beside her, knowing she needed time to gather her thoughts, whatever they were. And then finally…

"Shinji, I never apologized for what I did to you…what I had showed you…"

She stopped speaking, but Shinji knew what she was saying. She was referring to the time when she revealed to him and Misato the truth of Rei's origin in the Terminal Dogma; the time when she broke down almost completely as she gruesomely destroyed the clones. He wasn't as trained with the Force as he was now, but he remembered feeling the heavy shame, guilt and despair from her at the time almost as if it was his own. In some ways, it was his own, as he knew that kind of pain personally.

"I'm so sorry, Shinji."

The young Jedi let a moment pass before letting out a slow breath. His peripheral vision watched her face and while there were no tears or any of such outward emotional signs, he could note the control she was struggling to hold on to in order to keep such in check. And…he was sensing something deeper. But first thing's first. Taking a slow breath, he replied.

"I knew Rei wasn't a normal girl. I just had no idea how true that was. I was shocked to be honest, but… I think I needed to see that. I wouldn't have believed it otherwise, even if she told me herself."

Her eyes widening, Ritsuko turned suddenly to the youth. "But…"

"What's done is done. Let's just leave it in the past where it belongs. But, I appreciate your apology Dr. Akagi." Turning forward and closing his eyes, he gave a wry smile. "Even if I am just the warm-up."

Confusion crossed her features. "Huh?"

"She never hated you, not once."

Turning forward, she fully grasped what Shinji had said, amazed and stunned that he was able to somehow pick that up, almost as if he read her thoughts, or more likely, her feelings. She shouldn't have been surprised. She remembered how, after destroying the clones and practically breaking down in front of him and Misato, it was Shinji who bent down to comfort her. But he was right; he was the easiest to apologize to. Asuka, there was nothing really to say to her, so an apology to her would be an empty one.

But Rei was an entirely different matter altogether. She had treated the girl badly; blaming her for things she had no control over and for imagined wrongs. It took time for Ritsuko to see how much she was messed up and that realization only began when the world was in jeopardy of destruction. She had to make amends to Rei more than anybody.

"I… I don't know if that makes it easier or harder."

With a light shrug, Shinji replied. "It won't stop you from doing it though, will it?"

No, it wouldn't stop her… Time had passed only enough for her guilt to tapper down to remorse for her part in the plans of the former commander as well as SEELE. And with that came the need for forgiveness, although she didn't see herself as deserving of it. Shinji could understand and relate to that; that had been his mindset in times past. The difference was that his 'faults' were usually misconceived in his mind while hers were actual reality.

Even still, there had been far too much pain and suffering in the past to hold grudges or things of that sort. And Shinji wasn't one to do so; neither were the other two Children (well, maybe Asuka would, but that was unlikely now). Shinji had said it himself, "What's done is done. Let's just leave it in the past where it belongs." And he believed that. He wouldn't have survived as long as he had if he hadn't. Or if he had, he would be in the same shape Ritsuko was in, if not worse.

Looking up, he realized that his legs had taken him on a slight detour (or not so slight) up a familiar hill that overlooked Tokyo-3. Continuing on, he soon reached the top and looked out at the city. No matter how many times he did this, he would never grow tired of seeing the sight. But it was more than the sight; it was the memories that went with it. The memory when Misato first showed him this spot, letting him know what he had accomplished; saving the city; Another memory of meeting Kaoru Nagisa, his first best friend, for the first time; And a third memory, standing beside Qui-Gon after the Angel War had finally come to an end.

Now it was a new time and they all had to leave the past behind. Ritsuko was working on that just the Children were. But to move on, she felt she had amends to make, particularly with his blue-haired friend. And while Shinji knew that it was business between her and Ritsuko, he would be lying if he said he wasn't curious as to how it would turn out. But he wouldn't pry.

Jedi didn't pry…much.

Two days later…

'Boring…'

Granted, that was the general consensus for the entire class as the teacher droned on about the effects of Second Impact on the economy (again), but for Touji, even more so. In all honesty, it wasn't so much boredom for him as it was more like restlessness. He wasn't sure why that was, but he bet it had something to do with the three Children who occupied the same class as him.

At least, that's what his senses were telling him…

"Thank you for your offer, Qui-Gon-san. But I don't think I'm cut out for that sort of thing."

"I understand. But my offer will always be open to you, Suzahara-san. In the meantime, may I offer a compromise?"

"A compromise?"

"I would at least, like for you to have an understanding of what will happen to you as time passes. So perhaps I can offer you a few lessons, to let you know how to deal with it when that time comes."

"You think I'll change my mind?"

"Whether you wish to be a Jedi or not, one thing will remain unchanged. The Force is strong with you. And your path is your own to choose. Whatever that path is, I would like at least to help prevent any confusion that may come up."

"Oh…Okay. That sounds fair. Thank you."

The Jedi master had only taught him for a week's time, and it was generally only how to feel the Force, but it seem that was more than enough. Now being back in school, he became more aware of things than he had before. Of particular note were the affectionate feelings he had sensed from their class representative toward him. Granted, he long had a hunch that Hikari liked him on some level, but now it seemed a bit clearer. And it simultaneously made him giddy and nervous.

Not that he would show it in public; he had an image to maintain.

But more than that, he now felt the active presences of Shinji, Asuka and Rei. It wasn't anything in particular; he was just…more aware of them. Perhaps that was where the restlessness came from? He could ask Shinji about it later; Qui-Gon had said that he could talk to them about things like this. So into thought about this that he almost missed the silent text that popped up on his laptop.

From: AidaKensuke -Something up, jock-meister? Looks like you're thinking hard there.-

Groaning inwardly, Touji shook his head. He was generally more laid-back than this. It wasn't like him to be thinking so hard, at least, not when the situation didn't require it. With a shrug, Touji typed in a return reply.

From: SuzaharaTouji -Just really, really, REALLY bored-

From: AidaKensuke -If you say so. Anyway, did you hear about the newest manga set coming out?-

Touji smiled. 'Now this was more like it.'

The door opened with a silent click, allowing for the figure on the other end to quietly step in. Taking a quick glance about, Kaji entered into the small studio apartment. If his contacts were correct, then the assassin he was looking for had been housed here. If he was fortunate, the assassin would still be here. Or actually, that wouldn't be fortunate.

He was quite fond of living…

While he had always been wiling to risk his life for the truth, that didn't mean he had a death wish. And nowadays, he had more of a reason to live, particularly a certain lavender-haired commander. But he was a spy, and she knew as well as he did that occupation carries a certain level of risk, which was why she required his help in this regard to begin with.

Keeping quiet, Kaji ventured on, his eyes searching for something, anything, of interest. A clue to the assassins' identity, perhaps even something that would tell Kaji who hired him. Granted, he didn't think he would get that lucky, but he's been surprised before. So far, there was nothing out of the ordinary, but perhaps it was the ordinary he should be looking for. Reaching the desk at the end, he began snooping around, looking for anything of value.

Unaware, that he was being looked at…

Several buildings away, the target of Kaji's search was gazing at him in his temporary residence through a single set of high powered visual equipment. It could easily be a set of binoculars he was gazing through, but this was instead a single scope device, settled on the top of a larger and very deadly weapon.

A sniper rifle…with its barrel trained to Kaji's head…