This chapter is set parallel to NME chapters 36 and 37, spanning the whole week after the Arael battle.

It was Monday, and despite the battle with the angel the previous Friday, life went on. For Hikari, that meant school and all that entailed, from helping students with their schedules to organizing the cleanup duties and taking a hand in managing the school's ever shrinking clubs. She noticed that Shinji, Rei, and Asuka were all absent and concluded that the two girls were probably taking care of their friend. Touji had told how badly Shinji had been during the fight. It was not a situation Hikari approved of, but one that was understandable.

Touji, Kensuke and Kaworu on the other hand? Hikari had more concerns there. The three were sitting together at a desk and enjoying their lunch meals. Whatever bad blood had existed between Touji and Kaworu since Misato's party seemed to have disappeared, and Kensuke was back to joking with his old friend as well, the first time in a week. That all was good and well, but it were the looks between Kensuke and Kaworu that concerned Hikari. Ever so often, one of them would look at the other in a way Hikari could only describe as 'strage'.

She raised an eyebrow at Touji one time this happened, but he just shrugged and continued to scarf down his rice.

Eventually, after a great deal of frustration in attempting to use them, one of Kaworu's chopsticks flew out of his hand, smacking against the opposite wall with a dull thud, earning a laugh from Touji and Kensuke and a disapproving look from Hikari. She had little tolerance for such spectacles… so her jaw dropped when, after a beat, Kensuke took his own chopsticks and fed the gray-haired boy a dumpling from his plate directly.

Kensuke looked at Kaworu and shook his head, chuckling. "They let you pilot a hundred tons war machine but you can't figure out how to use two pieces of wood."

Kaworu smiled. "I admit there are some intricacies to living in Japan that I have not yet mastered. I am just grateful I have someone here to teach me." Without a word, Kaworu reached down and grabbed Kensuke's free hand for a quick peck, which made Kensuke blush.

A great wave of realization swept over Hikari. Immediately, she looked over at Touji to gauge his reaction to this… event. To add to her shock, the look on her boyfriend's face was one of forced nonchalance. Hikari, on the other hand, was having none of it, sneering as she picked up her food to eat somewhere else.

Touji in turn got up, looking at his girlfriend and sensing her distaste "Hikari, come on. Don't be like that."

Hikari was not enthused. "Are you really okay with that?" She motioned with one hand to Kaworu and Kensuke, who were both still sitting but watching the display.

Touji stood tall. "He's my friend, as is Kaworu. Now let it go."

A look of slight revulsion came over Hikari. "A weirdo is one thing, but I thought you'd think twice before hanging out around disgusting little pillow biters," she huffed, storming off out of the classroom door before anything more could be said.

Touji thought for a moment about chasing after her, but let it go. He knew well that sometimes people needed time to cool down. Instead, he turned his attention to his friend and his fellow pilot. Not wanting to say anything stupid, he instead opted to let silence reign.

Kaworu was in a garden, of that much he was sure, though of what kind or make he could not say. Green seemed to cover every inch that he could see. Such a variety of plant life astonished him. Trees of all shapes and sizes mingled freely, heavy with both fruit and with flowers. Kaworu felt called to inspect it all, every leaf and bud, every root and stem. But there was something else within him, a deep calling to push further into this garden. As he went, Kaworu saw more than just plant life. Lying in the shade of the trees were animals of many descriptions, all seemingly content to recline in the shade and watch as Kaworu approached.

The call was stronger now; the more he walked, the more it pulled. Kaworu could hardly keep himself from running as he pushed deeper into the center of the garden. He could not focus on the beauty around him as the ringing in his head became a cacophony, screaming at him, compelling him onward... until finally he saw his purpose.

Standing under a tall tree in a clearing away from the others was her. She was beautiful; her immaculate ivory white skin and red hair seemed to stand in defiance to the glaring sun. Kaworu moved closer, keeping hos glance on the boy, whose freckled shoulders called out to his touch. Kaworu realized that he was naked, but felt no shame, for he was with his most beloved. When he looked into the burning red eyes of Adam he felt a connection more profound than can be known. Kaworu smiled as he looked her over. He placed a hand on Kaworu's cheek, and when she spoke, it was Kiel's voice that echoed.

"Fulfill your purpose!"

Here? Now? But he was enjoying himself! He had people he loved! Still, the compulsion swelled inside him. With desperate pleading, Kaworu wrapped his hands around Rei's throat, squeezing as the call pulled him to continue. Kaworu shook and he wept, but he could not stop, throttling the girl before him who seemed to bear the faces of everyone he knew, of all Lilim, until slowly her gentle rasping and spasms stopped.

Kaworu rocketed awake, his body soaked in sweat. Shaking, he tried to make it to the bathroom before collapsing and vomiting the contents of his stomach onto the carpet floor. Half crawling, half staggering, he made it into the shower stall. With an errant hand, he turned on the tap, drenching himself in a blast of steaming hot water. As Kaworu rocked back and forth, the cascading stream pouring down his back, he looked at his hand. His own tears mixed with the water as he realized that some part of him still felt his hands around her neck. "I'm so fucked up."

Breathing deeply, Kaworu marched on towards the apartment blocks in the distance. At the very least, he could deliver the warm wishes of Shinji's friends in class. Touji had called Shinji a hero and had asked Kaworu to tell Shinji that he would slug anyone who said otherwise. Kensuke had echoed the heroic sentiment, but had added that if Shinji did need more time to recover, he could borrow any of his manga or DVDs to pass the time. Even Hikari, who Kaworu was not on good terms with since the previous day, had asked that he convey her best wishes for a speedy recovery.

The door opened and Kaworu was met by Major Katsuragi. She did not, by Kaworu's appraisal, seem to be in the best of shape. There were bags under eyes, her uniform was disheveled and her hair seemed to be sticking out in every direction at once.

The woman took a moment to look Kaworu over, her eyes brightening with recognition. "Nagisa? What are you doing here?"

"I tried to visit Shinji in the hospital on Saturday but I was told he was not there, so I assumed he was at his place of residence. However, since he hasn't been to school, either, I was a bit worried." Kaworu smiled at the Major.

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry to say he's not here." Misato seemed to be anxious as she said it, as if she was guilty of something. "He is... in good hands, so don't worry."

Kaworu shrugged. He had hoped to see his friend, but it seemed that was not in the cards. "Well, it was nice seeing you then, Major," Kaworu said as he turned around and began to walk toward the elevator.

"Wait!" The Major's voice almost sounded like a plea. "I'm sorry he isn't here but... would you like to stay a while? Maybe have some tea?"

Misato showed Kaworu in, waving a hand as she apologized for the state of the place. "I'm sorry about this," she said, gesturing to the boxes of take out and the pyramid made from beer cans. "It's sad how fast things can just get away from you." Misato looked sad too. Kaworu, for his part, was unsure what to say, instead silently taking a seat at the kitchen table.

It took a while for Misato to find the tea – apparently, since his arrival, Shinji had made the kitchen his own domain. Eventually, a small box of chamomile was procured from above the stove and Misato fetched two mugs from the cabinet. Kaworu smiled as he saw his had a playful cartoon kitten wrapped up in yarn.

Misato noticed the boy's reaction. "That one was a gift from a good friend. Well, she was a good friend, anyway. These days, I'm not so sure."

Kaworu smiled mournfully as Misato poured some water from the kettle into his mug. "Human relationships are more complicated than I imagined. Back in Germany, everything was so clear. Everyone was a doctor or a teacher or a servant. This… ambiguity is something I am getting used to."

Misato perked up at the words. She had known Kaworu was from the Hamburg branch of Nerv Germany, but admitted that she had never thought the way they trained their pilot applicants was any different than Berlin's. Great, just what I need. Another reason to feel guilty.

"Do you like it here?" she managed to ask, sitting down with her own mug.

Kaworu smiled wide. "I do. I have not been here long, but I have met so many wonderful people." Misato went wide-eyed as she saw the enigmatic boy blush. "Things here feel so… alive and real. I am very glad I have had the chance to come here. Even if the circumstances are a bit grim."

Misato looked away. "I'm sorry I haven't paid very much attention to you. Things have been so stressful since your arrival, and…" Misato caught herself. "But that's not really an excuse. It's supposed to be my job to look after the pilots. And as this past week has shown, I'm not doing a very good job."

Kaworu thought for a moment. He wished that he could apologize for his brothers. He wished he could undo the damage they had caused. "You are doing what you believe you have to. I suppose that is all anyone can be asked to do. Only when it is all over can we ever be sure that what we did was right or wrong. When our souls are measured and our feathers weighed, we will know. But for now, the important thing is living long enough to be able to allow ourselves the luxury of regret. For now, survival takes priority."

Misato gritted her teeth. "I know, but for now – if you need anything, even just someone to talk to, I am here. I know I push you guys too hard; you have every right to hate me."

Kaworu nodded. He was going to tell Misato to think nothing of it, but… looking back on everything that was going on, perhaps it would be unwise to throw away a favor. "I will keep that in mind. And Major–" Kaworu smiled. "I don't hate you."

Misato got up and began to rummage in the pantry, not wanting the boy to see her wipe something from her eye. "There must be some cookies or something in here," she said with a weak voice. "Not even Shinji is that restrained."

Misato returned with a forced smile, holding her findings: Half a box of what she assumed to Asuka's cookies. "There," she said, "I can at least pretend I am a good host now."

Kaworu took out a thin chocolate mint cookie and nibbled happily. "Don't worry about it, Major. Compared to Kensuke, you are a master host." He did not mean to slag his love, but the boy often was so wrapped up in his own interests he lost track of others.

Misato perked up. "Kensuke? Touji's friend? I remember you brought him to my little celebration party at that karaoke place. I'm glad you're getting along. Of course, he was not the only one you brought, hmm?" Misato could not help but notice the way Kaworu had looked at the Mana girl during his song.

Kaworu became a bit flustered. He was not supposed to reveal his relationship with Mana to anyone. A pang of regret went through his mind, regret over the fact that Kensuke and himself had been exposed so thoroughly. It would be quite awkward when Mana did return, having part of the relationship public while another part private.

Kaworu stopped when Misato gave a short laugh. "It's okay, you don't have to tell me, I understand… When you're a teenager, everything feels so complicated and immediate. When you look at the stars, you think they were made just for you." Misato turned her head, not wanting Kaworu to see her like this. "Hold onto that for as long as you can." Misato had never felt that way. Her teenage years, in contrast, were spent alone in a padded room, far away from anyone.

"Oh, I know," Kaworu said, thinking of all the things he had done since his arrival. Of holding Kensuke in his arms and kissing Mana in the rain. Of fighting and singing and eating. Meeting wonderful new and exciting people: Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, who orbited each other like shooting stars; Toshiro, strong and proud like his son; Kaji, sly and clever; even Hikari, with whom he was not on the best terms, made Kaworu smile to think about – her warmth and caring showed through even when she was hurtful; and finally, the Major, who sat across from him now. Kaworu could feel a great burden on her. It was no surprise that she acted as she did. Kaworu then thought of the dream, and its meaning, and wondered again what he could do to protect those he loved. "It is important to grasp joy when it comes, because we never know when it will end."

Tuesday did not see the return of the Shinji, Asuka or Rei; neither did it seem to cool the widening tension between Kensuke and Hikari. Some part of Kensuke knew what she wanted. Hikari was a strict old-fashioned girl; he could probably get her off his back if he apologized. But dammit, Kensuke did not want to! And why should he? He had done nothing wrong, and neither had Kaworu. The worst thing he had done was to be obvious, and secrecy would not be necessary if simple things like a peck on the hand didn't draw this much ire. Kensuke did not hate Hikari, he was just frustrated. He had only recently gotten over these feelings himself, and now it seemed that he had to go on the defensive every time he wanted to be who he was. God knew what would happen if Hikari found about Mana? About the three of them?

Thinking about Mana made Kensuke feel guilty. Compared to Kaworu and his piloting and Mana and her… whatever was going on with her, Kensuke felt quite petty. A strange insecurity bubbled up within him. Kaworu was funny and insightful and kind, Mana was strong and brave and cheerful in a way that could fight back anything. Kensuke was… Kensuke. It was clear he could not compete.

He did not hear his friend approach him as he sat in the shade, waiting for gym to be over. "You know, you should do a few laps." Touji looked down at him. "Otherwise sensei will be pissed."

Kensuke shrugged. "Sensei has been pissed since an angel stepped on his car. Me doing a few laps won't change anything." And then after a moment, he added, "Did you hear what he said to me and Kaworu?"

Touji sighed as he sat down next to his friend. Their gym teacher had had a few choice words, threatening the two before his class not to even think about doing anything untoward in the lockers or the showers.

"I'm sorry." Touji's normally tough demeanor shifted. "I'm not sure what to say. You're my friend no matter what, you being gay won't change that."

Kensuke looked out onto the field. A small group of runners, Kaworu among them, tried to keep pace with one another in the sunny haze of the afternoon. "Bi actually, but I appreciate the sentiment." Kensuke smiled a bit at the thought. It probably meant little to Touji but it meant a great deal to Mana.

Touji raised an eyebrow.

Kensuke shrugged again. "I like both. I wasn't lying when I gushed over those pictures I took of Soryu that we sold."

That seemed to brighten Touji up. "Gods, we did that, didn't we? That feels like a lifetime ago. Ever since I became a pilot things have gotten..."

Kensuke nodded. He understood Touji's meaning. "I mean, it was never easy. Remember when we were almost killed by that lobster looking angel? Or when they had to shut off the power to power that gun?"

"Or when they dropped that N2 bomb on that starfish thing a while back. There was still danger but... There was a sense of awe and adventure then. It didn't all seem so gloomy and hopeless," Touji continued. "Maybe it never was. Maybe we were just too disconnected from all of it to see it. Makes me really feel for Shinji. He has been fighting the longest of us. He didn't deserve what happened to him."

Kensuke could sense the implication. Shinji did not deserve what happened to him in the last battle, Touji did. Kensuke could feel Touji's anxieties radiate off of him. Despite all the pain and the turmoil, by all accounts Touji had contributed very little in the engagements in which he was present. "You tried to help. That is all anyone can ask of you. More than what anyone could ask of you, really."

"Yeah." Touji dismissed him, "I guess." He rolled his eyes as he filled his words with sarcasm "Maybe the next angel will be defeated by amazing stretching powers. You know, the ones whose only downside is all the agony?"

Kensuke snorted, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, you're a real Stretch Armstrong."

Touji raised an eyebrow "Who?"

"Reed Richards?" Kensuke tried.

Touji's blank face persisted.

"Monkey D Luffy?" Kensuke asked, thinking perhaps Touji would recognize something closer to home.

Touji just stared at his friend. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Now Kensuke rolled his eyes. Doeshe never open a comic? "They are guys with stretchy powers."

"Oh," Touji laughed "You're such a nerd." Kensuke shrunk a bit at the comment. Seeing this, Touji shook his head. "Nah, I don't mind. You're you, Ken, that is all you should ever be."

Kensuke smiled and continued to watch his boyfriend jog around the track. The only thing I should ever be, is me.

Mana held onto the rail as the water ran down her ragged body. The past few days had been nothing but a cycle of food, sleep, and testing. Shinden, Raiden, Rajin. Over and over and over. It did not matter how much she suffered, or how much she asked to stop. The data was more important. Walk over here, shoot that target, lift this container, it never seemed to end. It was exhausting and painful. Her M200 implant had been reactivated, and that meant that pain and spasms had become constant companions again.

However, at least it was just physical pain. That was something she could deal with. She would never say it out loud, never admit to them how much it affected herm but Mana preferred this to her infiltration training. At least here, after a shower, she could feel clean.

After toweling off and switching into her casual clothes, Mana walked slowly to the quarters she shared with her fellow pilots. Her muscles still ached and her head spun, but the shower had helped quite a bit. What helped more was the memory of her conversation with one of the doctors after the testing today. He had been harsh like always, but at the end added that she better shape up so they would get enough data before she returned to Tokyo-3.

Before I return to Tokyo-3... She repeated the words in her mind. That implied they were going to send her back. When her commander had told her that she was going to return to the base for testing duties this week, she had become terrified that they would cancel her mission and just make her a pilot again. It was not like she had gotten very far in her mission anyway. Shinji Ikari seemed farther away now then ever, guarded by Asuka and Rei.

If she was honest, those two girls scared Mana. They were pilots like her, in a way, but they acted so differently. Asuka was ferocious to anyone not a pilot. If she ever found out about Mana's mission to get close to Shinji, the prospects for the infiltrator could be dire. Meanwhile, Rei was just… cold. Mana could only imagine the conditions that had lent themselves to her state of being. It was surprising then how close Asuka and Rei seemed to be, given their differences. But ever since the fight with the parasite angel, it seemed like Rei, Asuka and Shinji were inseparable. It was something that made Mana's job very difficult.

Her mind drifted predictably back to Kaworu and Kensuke. What would they say if they knew about her? About her mission? Mana felt terrible. After all she had done and all she would be forced to do, she did not deserve them.

Mana found her co-pilots Keita and Musashi getting ready for bed as she entered the room they all shared. Musashi was playing solitaire with an old deck on his cot, while Keita lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Both turned to her as she entered the dorm and gave a curt nod.

"You certainly took your time," Keita said, trying to get comfortable.

"I'm... unused to doing this again. It's taking a good deal of getting used to." Mana responded, heading over to her own cot.

"Yeah well, at least this is temporary for you. Soon, you will be back in your cushy new job in Tokyo-3," Keita whined. "While we are stuck here." His comment earned a glare from Musashi. Mana was sure he had his own doubts about Mana's mission, but she knew he hated whenever any of them complained.

Mana was too tired and fed up to take the comment lying down, however. "It's not like it's a vacation. I have to lie and manipulate people I like, I have to pretend to be something I'm not. It's not easy playing the stupid happy girl to everyone all the time."

Keita sat up and looked at her. "Hell of a lot easier than piloting these things all day. You really lucked out when your body rejected the implants." A sour expression crossed his face. "A few kisses aren't the end of the world."

Mana knew Keita was hurt, and that he probably didn't mean it. She knew sometimes he lashed out because he wanted to feel in control of something in his life. She also knew that if she waited a few days he would most likely apologize. She did not care, though. She was sick and tired of pretending this was all okay, she was fed up with being the reasonable sensitive one.

"I never asked for any of this!" she yelled at him. "I didn't ask for the implants not to work. I never asked to be sent to Tokyo-3 and I certainly fucking did not ask for that horrible sick 'infiltration training' .If you want someone to yell at, go talk to the Commander! Because I'm done."

Musashi got up from his bed in a flash, scattering the game cards all over the floor. "That's enough, you two. Back off. Both of you shut up and go to sleep before your yelling brings the Major down on our heads."

Keita opened his mouth to say something, but chose not to and retreated to his bunk. Mana followed suit to her own cot, throwing the blanket over her head. Just a few more days, I can last a few more days"

Touji and Hikari strolled down the sidewalk outside of the movie theater slowly, not wanting to rush anything. The only place they wanted to be was with each other. Tentatively, he reached out to hold her hand. The action made her blush, but she did not withdrew the hand.

Things between them had moved very slowly. Ever since that day after his first Eva battle, the two of them had walked a mile of tiny first steps. Touji could not pin down the exact time or date that Hikari's sympathy and concern had grown into something more. She was not a shy girl, but she was quite old fashioned and so had insisted on taking things calmly and slowly. At first that had driven Touji crazy, but now he could almost enjoy it.

There was a simple pleasure to be found in something like this. If he closed his eyes and listened to her voice, he could almost pretend that things were normal. That his sister wasn't sick and the city wasn't under siege from monsters beyond his imaginings. As he gently swung his arm in time to their steps, he smiled, looking at her. It was almost a cliché, a date at the movies. But some things were clichés for a reason. Some things rose above.

"So," Hikari said, breaking the silence, "what did you think of the movie?"

Touji rolled his eyes a bit. From all the trailers it had seemed like there was going to be more action. Instead, most of the movie had seemed to revolve around relationship drama. Still, it was clear from her gasps of joy during and afterward that Hikari had been enraptured by it. "It was pretty nice. I'm not sure I understood much of what was going on. I guess I'd need to have read the books to get the full experience."

Hikari beamed. "I loved it. And don't worry, I have all the books if you're interested. Things kind of fall into a slump in the third one, but they look on track for the fourth one to be great. The author has been putting out previews on his website and..." Hikari stopped when she saw Touji's slightly blank expression. "Sorry, I'm talking too much. I just really like the series."

Touji waved a hand dismissively. "Ah, don't worry about it. I get that from Kensuke all the time. It doesn't bother me." Touji noticed that mentioning his friend seemed to sour the girl's disposition, and so tried to change the subject out of desperation. "You know, it is still pretty early. Is there anything else you want to do before I take you home. I mean, walk you home." Nice save idiot. Touji thought to himself as he watched his girlfriend consider his question.

"Well, I know I shouldn't, but on such a hot day I always crave a scoop of ice cream." Hikari smiled as Touji nodded and the two went in search of a place.

Eventually, the two found a small parlor a few blocks from the theater. It's faint neon sign in the window declared it to have over twenty flavors available. Inside colorful was framed the almost empty parlor, its sea blue booths all vacant with the only occupant being a very tired looking server who looked only a little older than them who was manning the cash, trying not to collapse from the heat. The two quickly came to their orders: Touji with a chocolate ripple with nuts and Hikari with a strawberry cheesecake. Touji paid the boy and they sat in a booth by the door, trying to stay as close to one of the fans that dotted the place as possible.

They chatted idly for a bit, mostly talking about their classes and the movie. Hikari seemed to understand the way that piloting affected Touji and tried to avoid mentioning it whenever possible. Touji though this a mixed blessing. While on one hand it was good to take a break from the problems that faced him, ignoring them felt wrong, too, somehow, like the great elephant in the room would step on them. Eventually, and somewhat inevitably, the subject found its way to Kensuke and Kaworu.

"I don't understand it at all," Hikari said, careful not to speak with her mouth full of desert, something Touji struggled with. All in all, dating Hikari seemed to be a crash course in manners. "I mean, it's one thing to do that behind closed doors, but to flaunt it like that in class?" Hikari shook her head in disbelief. "I mean, I know they do things differently over in Germany, I have had enough conversations with Asuka to know that…" The thought made her giggle a bit. "But I had no idea they did that."

Hikari's words made Touji stew a bit as a knot formed in his stomach. Dammit! He was not the person for this. He had barely come to terms with Kensuke and Kaworu's… feelings for each other himself, helped by the fact that one of them was like a brother to him and the other was his fellow pilot. Touji was unsure what to say, but some part of him knew it had to be him. He was the bridge between the two groups. And he knew that if he did nothing, the divide would only grow until he could only have one or the other. "I kinda want to talk to you about that, Hikari." His expression soured as she looked up at him.

"Oh?" Hikari made a complicated expression. It was a simple one syllable phrase that carried a depth of meaning. It both beckoned Touji to continue and warned him to measure his words carefully.

"I want you to leave them alone." Touji breathed. "I know you're not exactly comfortable with all this, but I really want you guys to still be able to get along." He tried to appeal to her sense of harmony and unity. If nothing else, those things were always important to Hikari.

Hikari scrunched up her nose. "I wouldn't have said anything if they had not done it so publicly. If they have to do… that stuff, at least let them do it away from the rest of us."

"Oh, come on, Hikari, it wasn't that bad," Touji protested. "Kaworu barely touched him. You reacted much less harshly when you found Mayumi with that boy under the bleachers." Touji did not want to start an argument, but he did not want this to fester. "Look, I am not asking you to suddenly change your mind, but can you at least just try to treat them fairly?"

Hikari shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "I suppose so...", she said weakly, poking her ice cream with her spoon. "I mean..." Hikari seemed to take a step before poking the elephant. "I guess with all that is going on, especially with Nagisa, I can try and look the other way."

Touji exhaled. Well, that was probably the best that he would get. And far more than what he had hoped for. Scraping some of the peanuts from his bowl, he smiled. "I am sure it will be fine. And besides, with all the crazy stuff going on, I don't think it could get any more complicated."

Hikari chuckled at that. Then, after a moment, she grabbed a napkin and dabbed the corner of Touji's ice cream stained mouth. "I don't know..." She smiled as she looked at Touji. "I am starting to like complicated.".

Kaworu tried to act and look as detached as always as he walked the aisles of the pet store for the third time already. It wasn't quite working. The pet store was a small affair, and it was quite plain that he was lost and confused. This was clearly a task where his usual philosophical approach was failing him.

Lilim, Adamim… but what is it that cats need? Food, of course. Veterinary care… he would have to think about that one. And apparently, also entertainment. Are cats alone as well? Do they as well need distraction from the loneliness in their hearts?

...Kaworu felt silly even mentally asking this question about that adorable creature that was waiting for him in his apartment. He idly mused if someone at NERV knew. He wondered if Rei did. There was something about that girl that stood out…

He shook his head. I should concentrate. Hm… Toys…

He had sought the help of the staff before, who seemed overjoyed that anyone would still care about such mundane things as pet toys. Tokyo-3's shrinking population seemed to have hit them hard. But it had soon become clear that they recommended items based on what was most expensive and not necessarily on what was best for the cat. Unfortunately, Kaworu himself also didn't know what would be best for her.

The door to the shop was opened, and Kaworu heard someone from the staff greeting the new arrival with almost excessive friendliness. Idly curious, he turned to look. To his surprise, Ritsuko Akagi, the head of Section 3 and of Project E, had just entered the store. She seemed to be well known here.

It was an odd sight to see Akagi of all people make small talk with the staff. Kaworu had never seen her like that in NERV. She seemed to be almost a different person in here – much more relaxed. She allows herself to lower the barrier around her heart a bit. Then her eyes wandered over the store… and met Kaworu's. She tensed, immediately and visibly. Under the surprised looks of the staff, she stomped off to the store's food section.

Kaworu turned around with a sad smile on his face. He had not been here for long, but it was clear the relationship between pilots and staff were at an all time low. He didn't think the pilots had done anything wrong the week before. They had, after all, simply not done something they didn't want to do. But Kaworu was in fact saddened by how that incident had soured relations. He had hoped that Akagi would understand the pilots' concerns, some of whom after all had been mortified by what had been asked of them. It was disappointing to see that things weren't as easily solved – disappointing to watch the barriers around people's hearts in action.

He heard muttering from the food section. "Don't tell me they've raised the prices again…"

Still unable to decide on a toy, and with his mind now occupied by Akagi's presence in the store, Kaworu walked over to the food section. The scientist spotted him immediately. She got up from a semi-kneeling position looking at food bags and shot a stern glare at him. "Is there something you want, Fifth Child?" Kaworu didn't know how to respond. He hadn't expected such hostility. After a while, Akagi added, "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Looking for necessities for my cat," Kaworu simply told her.

"You have a cat?" Akagi asked.

Kaworu smiled at her. "A stray kitten I found near my apartment. She seems to have taken a liking to me." One of Lilith's creatures that does…

Akagi's lips twitched. Slightly. "So you have been adopted. Well, cats are noted for being strange creatures." It sounded rather dismissive. She turned around to the food again.

Kaworu blinked. "I have been adopted?"

Akagi looked at him again. "What? Do you think you are the master in the relationship? You didn't find a stray dog."

"You seem… knowledgeable about cats," Kaworu remarked.

"I have two of them," Akagi told him. "They'd not nearly be as interesting if they were all obedient and well-behaved."

Kaworu smiled again. "I must admit, some of her actions have… surprised me already. I thought this to be a consequence of her youth and inexperience…"

Akagi scoffed, though there was some unexpected humour in there. "Believe me. Cats always know what they're doing. Always. Even if they, say, get themselves caught in coat hangars. That's what they have us humans for, after all."

"That is something that has happened to your cats?" Kaworu inquired.

Akagi just scoffed again, with less humour this time, and took a food bag. "I need to get this back home. If I don't get them their precious high quality food, the cats might eat me in my sleep." She stopped and looked at Kaworu, again with a stern face. "I hope you'll be at the next synch-tests."

Kaworu shrugged. "I was planning to. Until then, I hope watching your cats'… antics will give you some enjoyment."

Kaworu had expected Akagi to go to the register with the food now, but instead she didn't move and kept looking at Kaworu. Then she sighed and put the food bag back. "So, tell me. What exactly are you looking for here?"

Kaworu looked at her slightly awkwardly. "I think my cat should have a toy, but I don't know what would be best for her."

Akagi smirked. "You won't be able to tell before you give it to her. If cats were predictable they would not be cats."

"That is… inconvenient," Kaworu stated.

"Let's take a look at what they have here," Akagi told him and began moving over to the toy section. "Hm. Haven't been in this aisle for a while."

"No?" Kaworu asked.

"There are only so many toys I can store in the apartment for my spoiled beasts," Akagi told him. "So… you said your cat… it's a kitten?"

She sounded almost enthusiastic about that question. Kaworu continued to be surprised. He nodded. "A young one, I think. She clearly craves attention, but..."

"I hope she's getting that from you!" Akagi interrupted him sternly.

Kaworu smiled. "I like playing with her. Hence my being here."

Akagi nodded, as if approving. "Then let's see what they have here…"

During the next half hour, Kaworu learned more about cats than he had ever thought was known to the Lilim. Possible illnesses, what they liked, food they couldn't digest, how much activity they needed, the address of a good veterinary nearby… Akagi likes cats. She bonds with them. Maybe easier than with fellow Lilim. Is that the secret of her loneliness?

Meanwhile, Kaworu had to tell her everything about his kitten. It felt to him like he was describing her every little action she had ever taken, and yet Akagi always remained interested. It was a strange sort of talk they had. They chatted freely about cats, but Kaworu realized that should the topic ever shift, that peace would be broken.

Eventually, they both stood at the register, each with items in hand. Akagi sighed. "And somehow I ended up with new toys again. Ah well." After both had paid and stepped outside, she hesitated. Finally, she said, "You take good care of your cat. Cats are one of the few..." She stopped. "You just take good take of her." And with that, she walked, no, stormed off.

Kaworu remained behind, looking after her with a confused smile. Clearly, a person showing such care towards living creatures couldn't be so bad. Why then this gap between us?