Wandering Soul
Chapter 4: Reunion / Reengagement of Past Acquaintances
An Evangelion Fanfiction
By: Legato Deathscythe
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Misato didn't want to be in that office or anywhere near NERV central command. There was only one place she wanted to be.
Right next to Shinji.
But at that moment, she had to try to throw more people off the scent for a bit longer. Especially the UN Special Observer to NERV. Jean-Luc Bosquet had arranged for their routine weekly meeting which usually amounted to arguments about budgeting and the occasional orders from NERV's UN masters. Misato paid him minimal amount of attention today, and Bosquet could tell she was distracted. He also knew the reason why.
Commander Katsuragi hadn't mentioned it yet, but Bosquet had avoided the issue to see if she would on her own. Considering the subject of the latest intel his agents had uncovered, he could understand why she hadn't mentioned the reappearance of Pilot Ikari. He also knew of the unusual nature of this reappearance; unusual enough to where he hadn't informed his superiors about it. They would have demanded Pilot Ikari's immediate arrest. Bosquet decided if she wasn't going to bring the subject up, then it was time to see how far he could lead her until she did.
"Commander Katsuragi, I am curious as to why the operations and scientific divisions had become so active in the past few hours. They seem as if they have something drawing their interests. I don't think I've seen a group of scientists this active here in quite sometime."
"The MAGI detected some peculiar readings coming from parts of the city. Section-1 is trying to figure out if it's a sign the Angel's could be re-initiating their offensive," Misato responded. She kept her cool and kept spinning her cover story as best she could.
"So the fact that the distortions are originating from the location Shinji Ikari was reported to have disappeared from has nothing to do with it?"
"You're well informed," Misato replied.
"I'm paid to be. What I'd like to know is how you came across a young boy who apparently fits Ikari's description at the time of his disappearance?"
"You are very well informed Mr. Bosquet," Misato said, irritated.
"As I said, I'm paid to be. And don't worry, my overseers at the UN know nothing of this yet. I wanted to see how your investigation went before deciding if they needed to be informed. Ikari's disappearance was one of the biggest mysteries since Second Impact. If I may make a request I'd like to observe the scientific investigation. I'm not here just because of my political connections."
"I'll arrange it with Dr. Ayanami, I don't think she'll have an problem with it. As of now, the investigation has revealed that he is the Third Child. The DNA test came back a one-hundred percent match. Even a clone would have some difference in the DNA structure. Finger prints, blood work, retinal scans all came back positive. I can even see it in his eyes…" Misato trailed off, pressing her fingers into the bridge of her nose.
Bosquet leaned forward, appraising the Commander, "You took care of him like he was your own. I understand that very well. I have two children and I can't even begin to imagine what you are feeling right now. If the same thing had happened to one of them... then I don't know what I would have done in your place. But you need to keep perspective on this. Once the UN find out he's back, regardless of the situation they may begin to act rather drastically."
"I know that damn it! I've seen more then enough about certain members of the UN to know they would rather persecute him for an obviously false sense of superiority then know what really happened. I've fought hard since becoming commander NERV to prevent them from trying to track him down. I wanted him, wherever he may have ended up to be able to have his own life. Obviously now that he has apparently not had that chance I'm hoping I can at least use that to keep some of those jackals off him. If you'll excuse me, I have to get back to the investigation."
Misato rose quickly then left room. She hoped the inspector hadn't seen the tear sliding down her cheek.
Which the older man had in fact seen, and smiled.
"I'm sure you are correct, Commander Katsuragi."
--
When many thought of where Gendo Ikari was being incarcerated, many thought he was being kept in a four by six jail cell like so many other convicts. However, this was no ordinary prison, and Gendo Ikari was no ordinary prisoner. The facility he had been housed in was considered extremely high security, its location classified Above Top Secret. Only the hierarchy of NERV and the UN Secretary General knew the exact location of the facility aside from those tasked with tending to the single inmate. His living arrangements also were not what one would expect. Instead of the bars and open walk ways, Ikari was housed comfortably in a simple studio apartment with plenty of ways to keep himself occupied.
The reason for this arrangement had been the former commander's willingness to give the UN information relating to SEELE, the Human Instrumentality Project, and all who were involved. He had gone down, but he made damned sure that he took Keil and as many of the old men with him as he could. A few had actually managed to escape capture this whole time. Gendo was impressed, annoyed they weren't sharing a cell block with the rest of SEELE but impressed.
No one really visited him except for the monthly visits from various UN officials wanting to get more information from him. After the first five years Gendo had cut them off, not because he wanted something, but simply because he had been out of the loop for so long. He had told the last interrogator, "I doubt any information I may have left will be of any use to you now. It is more then likely irrelevant, as no doubt those members of the committee still at large will no doubt know of my betrayal."
So while the UN continued to send lackeys to him every month, they had stopped asking any questions of importance and kept everything to a minimum. Mostly they had wanted his opinion on various matters of UN actions concerning use of NERV outside it's previous mandate. He didn't mind giving them what they wanted. At this point in his life he didn't have much choice. He could either live out his days here in relative comfort or in the cells with SEELE. Either way, he was fine with it. Ikari simply enjoyed knowing he was better off then that old bastard collection of flesh and bio-implants.
The only other visitor he ever received was the one person he always least expected to continue caring about his condition. His relationship with Rei had been tense for a long time after his arrest. She knew exactly what he had asked of her, Gendo had never hidden that from Rei. Part of his arrangement when he turned on SEELE was the Rei be left out of it and the UN maintain her security. In spite of himself, Gendo was proud of his creation. She had adapted well to life beyond what he had envisioned for her. The only thing he regretted in his old age, and had for a long time before this, was that he had never had such a close relationship with his own son.
He could only assume that Shinji had moved on and was leading his life the way he wanted. It was equally possible that his son was somewhere cold and alone, if not dead. However, Gendo choose to think the best had come to his estranged son. After all, any good father would want the best for his child. Evangelions not withstanding of course. The UN never made him any promises about finding out Shinji's whereabouts, nor was he interested. Best the boy be left to find peace on his own terms.
Gendo was enjoying his morning coffee and reading the local newspaper, updating himself on events in the outside world. Now that the fates of millions no longer rested on his decisions, plans, and scenarios he had time to sit back and see the world for what it was. Or, as he usually chose to instead, read the comic section over and over again. It was odd to him that now he would be more interested in the happenings in a short fictitious story then what the UN was up to. Perhaps it simply was because the apathy he once had shown his son had now really infected his entire being. More then likely though, he'd simply had enough of the political motivations, maneuvering, and deceptions of the world of power that held society together.
He was brought out of his morning ritual by the sound of one of his keepers entering his quarters. The man was in a simple black suit, similar to what Section-2 wore. The guard approached Ikari, followed by the slim and familiar form of Rei Ayanami.
"Ikari, you have a visitor," the guard said.
"Obviously, thank you very much Mr. Yokomoto. You can wait outside as per usual," Gendo said, in the same dismissive tone he now reserved for the men tasked with keeping him under lock and key. They cycled them through quickly, so as to never have one guard there long enough to loose touch. Technically the facility, and Gendo Ikari, didn't exist.
Once Gendo and Rei were alone, the old man's visage switched from one of apathy to a warm smile and friendly demeanor. He stood up and gave Rei a quick hug before indicating the chair across from his. "It's good to see you Rei, but I wasn't expecting you for another week. What brings you out here?" Gendo asked.
"A situation at Nerv Central, something that I feel you should be made aware of. Commander Katsuragi was not as interested in you knowing, but relented," Rei said.
"A situation at NERV? Rei, I'm no longer the Commander of that place, technically I don't have any right to know what goes on there in general. You know that, which tells me it has almost nothing to do with NERV itself, what is going on?" Gendo asked.
"While it is true your security clearance as it relates to operations is revoked, you do have a personal stake in what has occurred," Rei said.
Gendo sat there for a moment contemplating what Rei would consider a personal stake for him. He honestly couldn't come up with anything for a moment, but then it struck him. However he almost refused to believe it until he had more information. "So what has happened Rei?"
The doctor didn't speak, she simply pulled a file from her ever present brief case and slid it over to Gendo. He pulled it open, the outside already designating it as a personnel file. The label gave him all the information he needed without looking at the contents, Gendo knew this file by heart.
"Why did you bring me this Rei?" he asked.
Rei still didn't speak, opening the file and taking out the identification photo of the Third Child. She sat it down in front of him, then pulled an image up on her data pad. She sat the two next to each other Ikari took a look from one to the other. The image on the pad was of Shinji laying in the infirmary. Gendo picked up the data pad and hefted it in his hands.
"I take it there is some reason for you showing me two ten year old images."
Rei said only, "Look at the date stamp on the data pad."
Gendo did as such, and now noticed that the date was only a few days ago. He chuckled slightly, "Rei, you know that sort of detail can be altered rather easily. If this photo was taken when this date said then there is no way that is him."
Rei said nothing holding his gaze. She did not seem amused, though she never did Gendo knew. He studied her face and manner as he looked back and forth between the images. He sighed and sat it down.
"It's not like you to try to play a trick on me Rei. We both know he's gone, there is no questioning that."
"He has returned, exactly as I showed you," Rei said calmly.
"Impossible. Assuming for the moment that he would return of his own free will, then time would have already taken it's toll on him. Unless... "
Rei knew the conclusion he was coming too, she had already thought the same.
"You know what this means Rei," Ikari said after a long period. His voice was colder as he thought of the implications.
"They will be coming, and soon."
--
Shinji remained in the hospital ward for almost a week. The doctors there could find nothing medically wrong with him, however had not ruled out any possibilities. It wasn't the doctors however that bothered him. He didn't have a problem being poked and prodded while they took blood samples and readings every few hours. None of that was what mattered to him. The biggest thing on his mind was the fact that in one single moment everything had changed. And not in the way he had hoped the next cataclysmic change in his life would occur.
Ten years, all gone in an instant. His friends had moved on with their lives, the Evangelion project still ran at full speed unabated. His father for whatever reason he still didn't understand was a prisoner for the rest of his life. Misato as commander, and Asuka in the position she once held. It was just so much to take in.
The interviews were getting tiresome, trying to make the doctors and the tacticians understand that to him no time had passed had become maddening. He never talked when they came into the room now, preferring to save his words for the people he actually wanted to talk to. Considering the fact that as far as he knew there were only three people he even knew still there lead to him being silent most of the time.
He wanted to go home.
--
"Do you really think that you could take him in again? Before was one thing, but this?"
Asuka and Misato had been fighting this battle on and off for the last four days. Neither gave any quarter or budged any inch from their positions. In all the years they had known each other they had never had an argument last as long or be as heated as this. Unfortunately Sub-Commander Kirashima was taking care of duties related to the Third Branch. Rei was also not available, as she had gone to see Commander Ikari.
"Do you really think there is any way in Hell YOU of all people could take care of him?"
It had been going on like this, this time around for nearly an hour.
"He needs someplace he's familiar with. Not trying to get used to some place where you are always out doing your job," Asuka fired.
"And what about you? You're about as busy as I was when I was Chief of Operations!" Misato countered.
"I have a roommate whose boyfriend was one of his best friends. He's already familiar with the apartment, and all his stuff is already there. It's bad enough he's been thrown like this, we should try to lessen the blow as much as we can." Asuka said, though it was nearing a scream. The two women were very much alike in regards to how they dealt with things they felt strongly about. Perhaps that's why this had taken so long to settle. Neither Misato or Asuka really understood the meaning of compromise. Usually Rei would be the tie breaker between the two. When they got like this no one wanted to get between them. No one that is except one man known as the Fifth Child. If only for the chance to get near Capt. Soryu.
Why he was there neither woman could say, he had come in for something that needed the Commander's sign off. Misato had absentmindedly let him in not quiet paying attention. If anything the presence of the red eyed Romeo had simply reinforced Asuka's attempts in this exchange. If only because the presence of Nagisa usually made her that much more confrontational. Misato saw a lot of herself and her long lost love Kaji in the two, except for one vital difference.
They had been pretty successful the last several days keeping the information on Shinji as close to the vest as they could. However a secret never really lasted around here, or the truth for that matter. The rumor mill had been steadily grinding away for the last week. The strange behavior of the Captain and the Commander, Dr. Ayanami's extensive use of the MAGI genetic database, and bringing Unit One out of cold storage were all indications that something was up but no one really knew what.
"Excuse me, but while I always enjoy seeing you two this lively I do need to get this signed," Nagisa interrupted.
Misato grabbed the form and signed it real quick, not even bothering to look at what she put her signature on. She shoved it back at him, giving every indication that it was time for the Fifth Child to leave this room and possibly save himself from never walking straight again.
The argument continued as he closed the door to the office. Though they had tried to keep what they were fighting over hidden when they knew he was there, they did let one piece of information slip as he closed the door. Nagisa could only smirk as he heard the name Ikari.
--
Rei and Gendo had gone over the information she had brought with her. Rei focusing more on the technical aspects of what had transpired while Gendo went over one piece of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Specifically he was closely examining the prophecy related to the Twelfth Angel, Leliel .
"And the great sea shall consume the Third, taking him out side of light, of darkness, of time. He shall be as nothing until the Third can defeat his greatest adversary," Gendo read aloud. There was more on the way the angel would come, and the shape it would take. However Gendo didn't pay it much mind this time. He leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to relax some of the stress out.
"We always thought the Twelfth would show up as a Sea of Dirac, similar to what took the Second Branch. However prophesy as with most things is open to interpretation. We always assumed that when the scrolls mentioned the Children they referred to the three of you being in the Eva's."
"Perhaps, but I don't see how this is relevant," Rei said.
"You've become much more logical over time, Rei. You never were one for the subtle subtext of prophecy, only that which was hard evidence," Gendo said.
"We both know why that is," Rei responded, her voice slightly strained.
"Perhaps, but this explains what may have happened. You said you picked up a very hard to detect AT field and blue pattern at the time Soryu reports the Third's reappearance. What does this tell you? Nothing in our knowledge base has any evidence for such an occurrence," Gendo said.
"But does it automatically translate to being Angel related?" Rei asked.
"How could it not be? The prophecy does state that the Third would be held outside of Time as well as space. Of course I don't think we expected that to be as literal as this event seems to be," Gendo said. He had moved his left hand to stroke his chin as he spoke, thinking.
After a moment Rei spoke up, "This is why when he had been gone so long you ordered that he be confined if found."
"After going over the scrolls I felt it was a possibility. I stopped Katsuragi's search because if it were true she was simply wasting time and resources," Ikari admitted.
"But you weren't certain," Rei said.
"We tried for six months. He was either extremely good at circumventing Section Two security, or he was dead. Either way we had spent more then enough time trying to find the Third Child," Gendo replied, his voice had grown much colder.
Rei stood and gathered her things. As she did she said, "I'm still not convinced it is Ikari. I'm going to attempt a sync test with Unit One, that will eliminate all doubt."
Gendo merely nodded.
Before Rei left she asked, "Why is it that even now you can't use his name?"
"Do I even have the right to share that name anymore Rei?" was the response he gave.
He was still sitting there several hours after Rei had left.
--
He was just finishing the food the nurse had left him when Rei came in. She was going over her notes as he looked out the window, watching the lights in the Geofront slowly dim. It was the only indication he had that night had fallen on the surface. Rei sat down next to him and appraised the boy. Part of her was warring with the other to accept that this was Ikari. But the other part of her, the part that knew and understood the process by which she herself had come into being would not be as easily silenced.
"We're ready for the sync test. Only my most trusted assistants will be working on this," Rei said. She left out that if the test failed she would more then likely need as few people around for when he was disposed of.
"You don't believe me either do you?" Shinji said.
"I have some indications that what you are saying is accurate. I just want to be sure. Unit One never would activate except for you," she said. Rei didn't want him to know someone else had been able to get the giant to awaken from it's slumber.
Shinji merely nodded, she said she wanted to be certain. Hell, he couldn't really blame her for the caution. Still, it felt odd being mistrusted by Rei of all people. He could have handled it from anyone else but her. Still, she was the one in charge of the Eva's now. Shinji had to admit that she may know best. He stood and followed her out into the hallway and to the changing rooms.
Neither of them noticed the other pair of red eyes watching them.
--
"Beginning stage one activation check," the tech said over the comm system. Shinji paid it no mind, simply relaxing as he normally would for something like this. It was difficult however, so very difficult to clear his mind and wait for the sensation that being within Unit One always filled him with. As the final nerve connections were made however he felt something. It was almost as if the Eva was, for lack of a better word, happy to see him. It was terrifying to feel the beast want him so badly. And there was one other thing odd about being in Unit One now.
Something he had only felt similar once.
--
Asuka and Misato were watching the test from the box. They both knew what a failure would entail, and neither wanted to have to give the order. As the final connections were made had anyone been looking at the two they would have seen the slight fear of what could happen. Having Bosquet there didn't make Misato any more comfortable, however it was the only way to buy his silence for that much longer.
Both woman started breathing again when the Evangelion activated.
"Ma'am, sync rate of the pilot is at sixty-two percent and holding," one of the techs said to the Doctor.
"That's about three points lower then the last recorded activation test with Pilot Ikari from 2015. Understandable under the circumstances. I would have been happy however with thirty, basic activation is all we really needed to see in order to be certain." Rei said.
"So it IS him," Asuka said. It wasn't a question.
"Yes, without any further doubt," Rei answered. She went to the mic on the control panel and said, "Thank you Ikari, we have what we need. We'll be shutting down the system now."
Shinji didn't say anything, simply nodding. As Rei saw to the Eva's deactivation she also instructed her staff to speak nothing of the events that had happened. The three women had agreed to maintain secrecy as long as they could. Bosquet walked over to the Commander and offered his congratulations
"I suppose this does prove it. I'll see what I can do to quiet the UN. Dr. Ayanami's data should be more then enough to keep them off your back regarding the matter. Of course if it comes down to it I have a few favors to ask certain members of the Security Council should it take a veto. Either way, he's all yours," he said.
"Thank you for your patience in the matter," Misato said.
"But of course," Bosquet said. He left the room shortly after. As he did, and the techs began leaving and shutting down the systems the three women began walking down the hallway towards the briefing room. Shinji would take a moment to get out of the plug and make his way there. However before he did there was still something to settle.
"Wondergirl, what should we do now?" Asuka asked.
"For tonight I believe we should keep Ikari at the hospital. It is late, and I would rather not throw him into anything too jarring yet. That includes leaving what could be very well the place he's going to feel safest for a long time."
"Well, i guess I'll have my place cleaned and ready for his arrival," Misato said.
And the war heated back up again.
"How did Akagi deal with those two for so long?" Rei thought.
She finally decided enough was enough, "Should I go get a progressive knife and cut him in half so you can both have part of him?"
This stopped the arguing as both women seemed to get slightly embarrassed. Asuka was the first to recover, "Oh thank you very much for the offer Queen Solomon."
"Have you two been doing this for the last week while I did real work?" Rei asked. Neither woman could meet her gaze.
Rei shook her head, and slide her hand over her eyes, "If Akagi wasn't already dead, I'd kill her for leaving me to deal with these two."
Rei turned and walked down the corridor, leaving the two women behind. They caught up quickly though. Quicker then Rei had hoped, thankfully she had the nicest music in her office for just such an occasion. That would have to wait. As usually she knew she would have to be the peacemaker on the matter.
"Ikari will be returning to Capt. Soryu's apartment. No arguments," she said, looking straight at the Commander.
"Are you trying to give me an order Rei?" Misato said, her eyebrow twitching.
Rei was unmoved, "Ikari is still a pilot until you decide otherwise. As such, my orders in regard to his wellbeing override your own."
Misato grumbled, "Whose brilliant idea was that?"
Rei turned and walked away, "Yours, as your first act as Commander."
Asuka chuckled as she left the brooding woman in the hall. Being dressed down by Rei was one thing, having your own general order tossed back at you was another. She was just about to catch up to Rei when, "And I had better not find out you seduced him first thing when he gets home, Devil."
Asuka sputtered, and was like that when Misato stormed past her.
--
Shinji sat in the conference room when the other two women entered. Rei had already given him the preliminary results of the activation test. She then, having take the liberty of being prepared for both possible outcomes, handed him an updated NERV ID and a cash card. They didn't need him as a pilot anymore, as they had plenty and would rather send out the older pilots before forcing him into a battle. However no determination had been made to his status yet, and Rei felt he might be more comfortable being able to visit the Geofront as he would normally do without any interference.
"Now that you two have finally decided to grace us with your presence," Rei said.
Shinji was a bit shocked by this, but said nothing leaving it to one more thing that had changed.
"Now I've already informed Shinji about the test results. I've also taken the liberty of issuing him a new NERV ID and a cash card from Quartermaster. As it relates to the needed documents and information he is completely taken care of. Shinji, for tonight you'll stay at the hospital. I don't want to just throw you back out into the world this late at night. Capt. Soryu will pick you up early and get you home."
Shinji nodded at Rei's orders. She turned her attention to the other two occupants of the room.
"Asuka, I don't expect you back here for at least two weeks. No arguments, and before you start questioning me on this Commander, I already got the order signed. Nagisa should have brought it to you when I asked. He seemed rather interested in knowing that Asuka was going to have such time off."
Asuka began to fume, "And what did you tell the gray haired man-whore?" Asuka said through gritted teeth.
Rei didn't budge, "I told him it was a personal matter and none of his concern."
Asuka didn't relax instantly, however she did seem to fade from red to slightly pink. Shinji however was too tired to notice. He didn't care though, tomorrow he would get to go home. That's all he wanted right now. Rei motioned for him to follow her and he stood and walked out the room. It was still setting in even after a week. But tomorrow he'd have to start trying to reintroduce himself to people he already knew.
And he was wondering why the inside of Unit One smelled so much like Asuka.
--
The apartment was dark when Asuka got home. She had been holding off questions from Hikari and Touji for the last five days. Tonight though they would have to be brought up to speed. She didn't want anything to overload Shinji while he adjusted. Maybe the could have Nozomi and Mariko over for a while. She didn't expect that to help too much but it was worth a shot.
The thump she heard, followed by other sounds she heard all too often told her exactly what the two were doing. She marched right down the hall to Hikari's room and banged on the door. "Sorry to disturb you two and your practice for the 2028 Summer Games, but I need to talk with you. Both of you."
She heard them shuffle around in there as Hikari's voice called out, "Be just a bit!"
Asuka shook her head then went to the kitchen for a beer. She hadn't had a drink since she had found Shinji at the stove. She cracked it open and took a big gulp, trying to calm her nerves for what she knew was going to be a bad night. She sat down at the table and held her head in her hands, not sure if she should be relieved or scared. Her and Shinji in the same apartment, again. But this time however...
Rei had only been slightly joking earlier.
The two lovers feet shuffling at the kitchen entrance let her know they were there but she was slow to acknowledge their presence. Hikari became worried when she saw Asuka sitting there as she did.
"Asuka, what's going on?" Hikari asked quietly. Asuka looked up and Hikari could see the tears in her friends eyes.
"I suppose first thing is that I'm going to have to ask you both to either be quieter from now on or go to Touji's if you want to get it on," Asuka said, trying to joke but knowing it didn't come out that way.
Touji spoke first, "What's happened?"
"Sit first, you really need to sit for this."
When they did Asuka told them everything that had happened at NERV the last several days. To say they were shocked would be an understatement. They listened closely to everything their red haired companion had to say. Everything she had been holding in the last several days came out, and when she was done Hikari rushed to her side and hugged her tightly.
Touji looked thoughtful for a moment then said, "What can we do to help?"
Asuka looked up at him and only said, "Just be patient and help him as much as you can. Rei's probably going to be doctoring his school records so that eventually he can go back. Do you know where Kensuke is?"
"Yea, I can get a hold of him. He'll be here as quick as he can I bet."
"Good," Asuka said. She finally was able to get a hold of herself. She felt tired more then she had in years.
"When are you going to bring him home?" Hikari asked.
"Tomorrow around noon, it will take that long to get through the paperwork and get across town both ways. I don't think we'll have a party for it though you KNOW Misato will want to do something at some point. I just hope she holds off until he gets settled. The last thing he needs is a loud party and such."
Touji nodded, "Mariko was going to come over tomorrow with Nozomi to work on some things. I'll ask them to head over to my Dad's place instead. I may have gotten over what happened, and Mari never held a grudge, but you know Shinji never could forgive himself."
"Thanks," Asuka said. Touji watched the two, knowing full well Asuka was letting go of a lot of stress. He may have seemed to most to not notice the subtle details, but fact was he could see when levity was needed. Now was one of those times.
"So when should we expect Section 2 to be breaking down the door?" He asked.
Asuka looked at him curiously, "What are you talking about?"
Touji smirked, "I'm just wondering how long before they come trying to get you for killing Misato. There's no way she would just roll over and let you have Shinji. I bet you hid the body somewhere under her desk. Or did you stuff her and sit her up at a bar where no one would notice?"
It wasn't a particularly good joke, but Asuka just couldn't help but laugh at it.
--
It had been a well established fact that Kaworu Nagisa, the Fifth Child, had taken over the spot in NERV as the ladies man after Kaji Ryoji had been murdered. As he had grown, he became the focus of the eyes of every lady in NERV. But then again, those crimson eyes of his sought out only one other soul.
And those crimson eyes had locked on to the crown of red hair he desired most in the entire Geo-Front.
"Well, if it isn't the ravishing Capt. Soryu. And how is the lovely Second Child today?" Kaworu asked, his voice dripping with smooth confidence.
"Stick it, Wonderboy," was the response he got.
How typical.
Asuka continued on filling out the forms and paper work she needed for Shinji to be released into her care. The last thing she needed or wanted to deal with was the other Albino Wonder in her way. She didn't even want him in her universe, and if she could... she would have crushed him in the hand of an Eva long ago.
Asuka had long since let go of her animosity towards Rei. They had been comrades in arms, and after the trip to Terminal Dogma, she couldn't hate the blue-haired girl. She still called her Wondergirl on occasion, but it had become more of a pet name nowadays. Asuka had even taken "Red Devil" as sort of a nickname. Wondergirl and Red Devil had become the First and Second Children's call signs after a while.
That did NOT transfer over however to this pale skinned, gray haired, red-eyed gigolo. Just thinking of what she had done six months ago made Asuka sick. Maybe this is how Misato had felt about Kaji after a while.
"But my sweet little red-haired goddess, I just heard something extremely interesting and I wanted to see if you already knew," the Fifth said.
"What, did you hear that we finally found a way to colorize you? Sorry, but I'm afraid the best we can do for you right now is some cheap markers and a full body dye," Asuka said.
What she had left off was that she wanted the dye job to actually BE a "Die" job.
"No, I heard that the Great Third Child had finally come out of hiding wherever he's been hold up for the past ten years. And I heard he's in NERV as we speak," Kaworu said, whispering slowly into Asuka's ear.
"Oh that, yes I know all about that. I'm the one that brought him in."
"Oh really. Tell me, has ten years finally built a spine into the little boy? I'm sure by now he's grown into something resembling a man, but I could be wrong. We all know what kind of man his father was, and you know what they say. Like Father, Like Son."
The sound of flesh hitting flesh rang throughout the hallway after that. Kaworu had crossed a line no one ever dared cross with Asuka, and she had drawn his blood in retribution. The cut to the Fifth Child's cheek slowly dripped blood as Asuka glared at him with the force of a thousand suns.
"If you ever say that again, even if they were to find your body, rest assured they would never be able to identify it from what was left," Asuka said coldly.
Asuka stalked off after that, leaving the Fifth Child to nurse his wounds. A wound that had already healed.
--
Misato slowly waked through the hallway towards Shinji's room. They had placed him in a nicely lit area in the medical ward. Not one of the colder sterile rooms that the boy had awoken in too many times before. As she walked Misato couldn't help but think…
Think of all the times she walked through the apartment at night and slide the door to Shinji's room open. There had been times before she had given Asuka the apartment that Misato expected to see Shinji there. To see his body lying in bed while he found the only peace he ever did know in sleep. The neatly folded clothes in the drawers, and the school uniform set out for the next day by its meticulously tidy owner.
Shinji's room had been his sanctuary, the one place where he could find such peace and solace in the nightmares that had plagued the boy in the real world. And seeing that empty bed for so long had finally been too much for her. She had given the apartment to Asuka and Hikari after she had been named Commander NERV after Fuyutsuki's retirement.
She looked inside the room, and saw Shinji sitting at the small table by the window. He was just looking out into the Geo-Front, watching the artificial environment behind the cool glass of the hospital window. He seemed for a moment to be at peace, and Misato didn't want to do anything to break that peace.
But even her presence would do that. But perhaps…
Misato knocked on the door to let Shinji know she was coming in.
When the door was halfway open, Misato stepped through and saw Shinji looking back at her.
"Hi, thought I'd stop by and check on you," Misato said.
"Thank you Misato," Shinji said, and then went back to looking out the window.
Misato came in the room and took a seat next to Shinji. She could tell from the way he looked out the window that he was trying to get the words put together with the thoughts in his head.
Finally he spoke, "It still looks the same, just like it did the other day. I look out there, and I couldn't tell if it were now or ten years ago. It's almost as if this whole thing never happened, and was just a bad dream. Then I remember. I remember that it isn't the way it should be, and that everything changed in a second almost literally. All I have to do is look at anyone here to know that. I knew almost every nurse in this hospital after being brought in to it so many times. Now, I see so many faces I've never seen before, so many faces I once knew."
Misato said nothing, but placed a hand on Shinji's shoulder. She could tell that he wasn't finished, so she waited for him to continue.
After feeling Misato's hand on his shoulder Shinji looked at his hands as the sat in his lap. A tear slid down his cheek as he continued, "Asuka told me the Angels stopped attacking, no details though. I should have been here, not in some limbo while Asuka, Rei, and Touji stood watch over the world. I didn't want to save the world, didn't want to be a hero, you know that. I just wanted some place I felt I belonged. I thought I had that, but now? Now I've lost my place in time. I'm scared Misato, but I don't even think that's what I'm really feeling. I just… " Shinji trailed off as his voice began to crack.
Misato got closer to Shinji and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, "Just?"
"I just want to know why this happened. I have to know, or I'm never going to be able to understand."
Misato and Shinji sat there together for a while as the trees outside fluttered in the artificial breeze.
Misato broke the silence after about a minute, "For the last ten years, I couldn't help but wonder if it was something I did. If something I did to you made you run so far away that Section 2 was never able to find you. I was always scared, that I had hurt you in some way that you could never forgive me for. Now that you're back, like this I can even place a finger on what my heart feels. I'm happy you're back, don't even think otherwise. But I'm also scared. I'm scared about what might happen to you."
Misato tightened her hold, then released him as she got up and kneeled in front of his chair. She took his hands in hers and looked into those dark blue eyes - looking for something. Looking for anything that would tell her he wasn't Shinji.
Ten years ago, Misato had gotten a funny feeling looking into those eyes of Shinji's. They always had the look of a small child scared and calling for his mother in the dark. After a while Misato had almost convinced herself that he had been her son, but not quite.
Looking into these eyes before her now, gave her that same feeling in her gut and she knew right then that this wasn't an imitator. No one could imitate the haunted look in those eyes.
"Shinji, I want you to know this. We are going to find out what happened to you, and we are going to find out why. I promise you that," Misato said, conviction and determination filling her voice.
Misato pulled Shinji into a hug and held him against her, "I am so happy you're back now. I don't care what happened, or why. I always felt guilty for not telling you before, now I get a second chance. I love you Shinji. I love you like my own child. I've held this for ten long dark years, and I can't let you leave this hospital without telling you."
Shinji said nothing, simply melted into Misato's embrace. Slowly he brought his own arms around Misato and deepened the hold, both of them falling into a pleasant silence.
It was a time when words wouldn't do for what needed to be said.
When Asuka looked in, she couldn't bring herself to break up the scene. She simply stood back and smiled, and watched a reunion between two whom could have been mistaken for Mother and Child.
--
Asuka drove at a more normal pace as they wound their way to the outskirts of the city. She had called ahead to the apartment, and Hikari had said everything was ready. The apartment was clean and knowing her roomie there would be something waiting for them to eat. She didn't know if Shinji would be hungry or not, but hoped he'd at least have something. She didn't want him to spiral into some dark place in his mind.
"Hikari is just losing her mind," Asuka muttered. She also knew she had said it just loud enough to be heard.
"You live with Hikari now?" Shinji asked.
"After Misato became commander she had to move into the secured quarters for the position, just in case. She took Pen-Pen and gave me the apartment. Since Hikari was just starting out figured we'd live together. She's just freaking out over your return, wants to make sure everything is perfect. Girls a damn perfectionist," Asuka said.
"I didn't notice any real difference when I came in."
"That's cause she uses Misato's old room. We kept your room as untouched as possible, and Hikari is about as much of a neat freak as you are. I'm not surprised you didn't notice too much of a difference."
Shinji looked down at his hands as silence returned to the car. Asuka glanced over at him as the apartment came into view. She wanted to say something to make him feel better, but really could think of anything. What could she say? What words would be enough to get him out of this funk?
She knew there wasn't much that could be said right now. She had had the last ten years to fight and overcome her personal demons. Ten years to grow and finally come to terms with aspects of herself that she had been unwilling to deal with when she first came to this city. Shinji hadn't had that, hadn't been given that time or the help she had.
So she decided on the one thing that she really could do at the moment. She took Shinji's hand in her's and squeezed it gently. Shinji looked up at that and saw Asuka giving him a comforting look he had only seen far too few times from anyone. The car was stopped now, he hadn't even noticed them pull into the apartments car park. They just sat there for a moment.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure everything is okay," Asuka said.
Shinji smiled for the first time that week.
--
Hikari ran about the apartment checking everything. She wanted to make sure the entire place was perfect for Shinji when he got there. Touji was sitting on the couch watching his fiancée' practically lose her mind. It was almost as if they were having important family over. Touji just shook his head.
"'Kari relax, everything is as good as it can be," he said.
"They'll be here any minute!" she said checking that lunch wasn't burning.
"Yes, and I think Shinji will have more on his mind then how clean the apartment is. We should focus on not freaking out too much when we see him. Asuka said he wasn't handling this well as it was. I don't think you trying to be ultra-hostess in his own home is going to help."
Hikari glared at him then relaxed. She knew he was right and that she was over doing it. It just was her way of dealing with what Asuka had told them the night before. She wrapped her arms around Touji's shoulders as he sat there and rested her head against his.
"Were you able to get a hold of Kensuke?" she asked, her voice subdued.
"Yeah, he's on his way back from that assignment in Washington. He gets around a lot for a reporter, never thought he'd be covering anything more important then some city council thing here in town." Touji said.
"Thought he'd be hosting his own cable access show about aliens or anime or other goofy things didn't you."
"This IS Kensuke we're talking about," Touji said. He kissed Hikari on the cheek and stood up as he heard the front door begin to open. Hikari stood in front of him, Touji's arms wrapped around her as the prepared to welcome their long lost friend. No matter what Asuka had told them, or how hard they had prepared themselves the reality of the boy who followed Asuka in was difficult to bare.
Asuka walked into the room with Shinji just behind him. Touji and Hikari put on their best welcoming smile they could. It didn't work, Touji could already tell he was going into depressed and moody mode. How could he not when he saw his friend in this manner? Touji knew the mood was going down fast so he did the best thing he could do.
He went into what Asuka called his "Stooge Mode."
"Hey Shinji, need a date? I'm sure we could hook you up with Hikari's sister and OOF!" he said as Hikari slammed her elbow into Touji's stomach. The look on her face was one of great annoyance at her fiancée'.
Shinji couldn't help but chuckle at the display. He looked up a little at Asuka's face and saw her grinning, "Hikari, you are getting way to good at that."
Times and people change, places can as well. But even when everything has been unraveled and mixed around the most important things always stay the same. As long as they could show him that, then they had a chance to get him through this. Asuka knew she could count on the two in front of them to help as much as they could. She knew that when the time came their sisters would help as much as possible. She just was scared of when Shinji learned more, of how he would take learning about events that had brought them there.
She looked at the calender, and felt her confidence wane slightly. In all the hustle and bustle of getting Shinji taken care off she had forgotten something important. Something she hadn't been looking forward to before, and even less now. She didn't want to think about that at the moment so she turned to Hikari and asked about lunch.
They had a decent meal in the kitchen as Touji and Hikari filled Shinji in on their relationship. The last several years of it. Touji almost tried to go into other matters but a quick hand to the back of the head by Hikari then Asuka stopped that.
Hikari because she would be horribly embarrassed by the subject matter, and Asuka cause she didn't want Touji to corrupt Shinji. It all reminded Shinji of Misato's promotion party, one of the few times he could remember having anything that could be considered a good time. After lunch the front door opened again, allowing two girls who appeared to be his age in.
"I thought you two were going to Dad's?" Touji asked.
One of the girls who had walked up to Touji and hugged him answered, "We were, but we need some books on Germany and thought Asuka might have some to borrow. If it's alright that is."
Asuka gave Shinji a quick glance as she answered, "No problem, just check my bookshelf. You should be able to find something that's not a romance novel or something like that."
"Thanks," she answered. The other girl meanwhile had slide next to the fridge and grabbed a can of juice. She gave Shinji an appraising glance.
"So who's the hottie?" she asked.
Hikari turned red and faced the other girl, "Nozomi! It's not polite to ask such things!"
The girl just waved her hand, "Thank you miss prim and proper, I'll remember that next time you stay the night at your boy toys place."
"Not like it matters much when their here alone either," Asuka muttered. Shinji could only blush with Touji and Hikari as even he was kind of embarrassed by the course of conversation. Asuka messed up his hair and laughed. Shinji didn't notice the other girl starring at him intently. He had never met her, never seen her, but she knew him as well as anyone else in the room. She never had any reason to hate him. However she didn't have any reason to like him.
Touji noticed her conflict, he knew her all too well. He hadn't mentioned it to Asuka or Hikari but Mariko had a habit of becoming depressed because of her injuries. Especially as she got older and started to watch the other girls around her. Touji knew all too well what was on her mind.
"Hey Asuka, we're going to go see about those books. You don't mind me being in your room do you?" he asked. His tone was just as unworried and playful as ever. His eyes however told Asuka all she needed to know.
She kept up the act, "Just do go looking through my underwear drawer or Hikari will be a widow before she's a bride."
Touji led the other girl to the back room and as he closed the door she wrapped her arms around herself. Touji gave her a worried look, seeing that something had unnerved her. He stepped up and took his sister into a tight embrace.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Were you going to tell me he was back?" she asked.
Touji sighed, "I only found out last night, and from what Asuka told me and Hikari I wanted to hold off on you finding out until I saw it with my own eyes. Ten years and he hasn't aged a day."
Mari tightened her hold on him, "I never met him before, but the look in his eyes was just..." she began to shed a few tears.
"I know you haven't been happy lately, and I know it has to do what what happened. Are you going to be okay with him around?" Touji asked his sister.
"I don't know. I was the one who smacked you for hitting him when it happened. But I can't help but start getting angry when I look at the scars. I guess I was angry at him all this time," she gave a joyless chuckle.
Touji nodded then pulled away enough to look into Mariko's eyes, "If you need to talk about it just let me know. I know for a fact he never forgave himself for what happened even though I did. And if what Asuka told me is true then for him it's only been a week since he last saw us."
"How is that possible?"
"Don't know but I think I would get a headache if I asked," Touji said, giving her a happy smile.
They hugged each other tightly as Hikari's scream filled the apartment. "NOZOMI!"
"I guess 'Zomi started talking about your sex life or something," Mari chuckled.
"I dread to think she's hitting on Shinji, that would just not go over well right now with Asuka," Touji said.
"Wouldn't Asuka end up in jail if she tried anything?" Mari asked.
Touji couldn't help but laugh.
--
The girls left shortly after with Touji. He was going to give them a ride to Hikari's dad's place and then head back. While he was gone Shinji went into his room and took a look around. Nothing had changed, it was still his room. Everything was exactly as he had left it when he came home. He looked down at the homework that was on the desk.
"I guess this assignment is a bit late," he thought.
He ignored it, deciding to pull out the ever present SDAT that was in his backpack. He popped the ear buds in and turned the small player on, hoping to block out the world for just a few moments. The sound that filled his ears however were not the relaxing sounds he had put on there.
He threw the device back, the horrifying sounds the greeted him terrified him. His body felt clammy, sweat starting to collect on his brow. He couldn't feel anything now, his mind slowly shutting down. He curled up on his bed, unable to see anything aside from the nightmare his mind was showing him.
To Be Continued...
Pre-read by SDB.
Net Chapter: The Angels have returned, and will attempt to destroy all that has born fruit over the last decade. All the while Asuka attempts to guide Shinji towards a more peaceful path, but her appointment at Matushiro may cost her more then she realizes. Rei and Misato race to find a way so they can keep Unit-01 from having to take the boy again, but will the succeed. Or will Unit-01 demand the sacrifice neither of them are willing to make.
Next Time: As if Unto a Dream, Falling into a Nightmare