Standard Disclaimer
Well last week was a bust for writing as my nephew wanted to visit and stayed over. Adding to things is work messing with my head, its been hard to concentrate. But I'll get over it, hope you enjoy this next chapter.
X-X
The Friend of my Enemy
Chapter – 3
First thing Shinji noticed as his soon to be hectic Sunday started was an enormous heat. With Misato's love of air conditioning the apartment was never above seventy five degrees which was what sparked his quick assent to consciousness. After his initial shock wore off, a second larger shock sent him to near hyperventilation. A body was pressed against his back, actually spooning his body as the mystery woman slept. How did Shinji know it was a woman…well simply because some very nice cushioning.
The boy's first thought was Chizuru due to the size of the cushioning and the long and toned legs wrapped around his. That lead Shinji to remember the fact that Himari actually was quite stacked too, his face went considerably redder as one of the legs rubbed up and down his. "Uh, it-it's morning, maybe we should…g-get up?" he whispered hoarsely to his sleeping companion. As awkward as it was though, Shinji found he rather enjoyed the warmth. "M-Misato-san said that nobody was supposed to…" Shinji's jaw opened as he remembered something very important. Misato had slept in his room to insure neither of the demonic women could cheat the other.
The still dreaming Katsuragi however wasn't one to abide her own rules, "Hm…Kaji you smell so good." Whatever dream Misato was having took a turn for the randy as she bite softly into Shinji's ear. "Taste good too," she cooed as she snaked her free arm south of the border.
As Misato's long fingers crested the boxer line, Shinji screamed like a little girl in shock. Not his crowning moment of awesome, but the lad wasn't really expecting his guardian to do that. Calling him a strange name and grabbing for something nobody save him and the doctor at Nerv touched, Misato was breaking some sort of mental law. "Misato-san wake up!" he demanded after his shrill yell died from his voice.
Her hand snapping back out from the elastic prison, Misato's eyes shot wide open. "Pork chop sandwiches!" she rambled out as the peaceful escape of sleep was stolen from her. Laying prone for a moment Misato slowly and cautiously asked, "Shinji-kun...why are you in my futon, and why are my legs entwined with yours? Typically a guy has to buy me a legion of drinks before I even kiss him." Misato was a woman of the modern age.
Throwing the door open to Shinji's room, Himari was clad in her sleeping garments and had her sword drawn. "Foul beast of lust what haft thy done to my master," Himari shouted expecting somebody else. "Katsuragi? Thy lying tart! Unhand Shinji-sama this moment lest you wish a thrashing," the cat-girl hotly contested.
All but throwing Shinji out of her arms and unto the unforgiving floor, Misato panicked at the new addition to the room. "I-uh, Himari I just forgot where I was is all. Right, Shinji, tell her this doesn't happen often," the flubbing woman just added fuel to the fire with her wrong word choice. Waving her arms back and forth, "I mean, uh…never. This never happens. I cling to things in my sleep and I haven't had a man in my bed for a very long time," Misato wasn't helping herself in any regard.
His head swimming with images of double and triple count, Shinji found the sudden cold very unwelcome. "What happened to my shirt?" he dumbly asked as he found himself clad only in shorts and boxers. Being helped to his feet by the firm yet gentle hands of his bodyguard, Shinji found that heat was quickly back, "S-she's right. Aside last night we've never…it was an accident?" Dear god he hoped it was an accident, or he might never be able to look Misato in the eyes again. But who was this Kaji person?
Skillfully removing Shinji's shirt from the futon with her sword, Himari earned a very profound 'eep' form Misato as she pointed the blade at the woman. "I doth believe this be your garment, Shinji-sama," Himari kept her unarmed hand on Shinji's shoulder. Her power blue attire opened far more than a dainty woman would allow. Letting the shirt fall off her blade at Shinji's feet, Himari kept her firm gaze on Misato a moment longer then nodded. "I shall trust you had no forward intent, Katsuragi, but know that I shall be keeping watch over your actions," Himari warned as she herded Shinji out of the room.
Tossing his shirt on with reckless abandon, the lad found it a little embarrassing to be topless before Himari. He wasn't muscular, quite slim in fact, and his self esteem or lack there of had him picturing Himari laughing mentally at him. Freeing himself from her warm embrace, "D-did you sleep well Himari-san?" A tried and true male tactic, change topics away from the 'other woman in your bed', was firmly in play.
Fixing her clothing to cover up her exposed flesh, Himari shrugged lightly. "Had I been allowed to doze at your side it would have been far more enjoyable," she teased. Sliding up to his side, Himari fixed Shinji's ruffled shirt. "The young master has a very attractive form," she added with a smile. "But as it doth hurt me to say, Shinji-sama should acquire the days other element. Minamoto Chizuru shall answer too much for her actions," Himari's scowl was down right frightening.
The warm fuzzies in Shinji's mind and stomach died as that little fact exploded on the wall like a bird that lost its way. Himari and Chizuru had met just last night and they didn't take well to one another. "I-I'll go get her…should I bring her brother too?" maybe having another male over help keep things under control. "And I'm sorry I didn't…I didn't think it…I thought it was a dream in the music room," Shinji felt compelled to apologize. Himari seemed to have nothing but his best interests in mind, and before he even knew her, but he was suddenly involved with Chizuru.
Leading him to the door, her arm wrapped around his, Himari only sighed lightly. "For now I believe the younger could remain absent. As for thine actions, doth not apologize. Having watched you, Shinji-sama, for some time I know of power of your loneliness. Perhaps, even, it could be seen as an olive branch to the elder pure demons," Himari didn't sound happy or even accepting of what she said. Opening the door for Shinji, Himari bowed, "I shall speak with Katsuragi as you gather up the beast of lust."
Moving quickly out of the apartment, Shinji's heart nearly burst. Himari was just so…cute didn't fit right adorable was more accurate. The classic clothing, her actions all reserved and dignified, images of the classic nadesico entered his head and took up roost. But if Himari could take down Section-2 agents, and Shinji had seen what Chizuru could do, it meant that despite the beauty behind the women, they were deadly and powerful. How could he ever be expected to fight and slay such things…he would die if he tried.
The jaunt to Chizuru's was uneventful, several early morning drivers slowing up the progress. Shinji just let his mind wander, trying to recapture hazy childhood memories. A girl with black hair, young, his age…a kiss by a lake. Was that Himari? Was it even a real memory or just something he saw from a movie? Ascending the stairs, the lad let his depression over lost memories vanish in the early morning mists. It was time to focus on Chizuru and Himari now. Still uneasy calling himself Chizuru's boyfriend, Shinji didn't know how the girl really took to learning of Himari.
Pressing the button next to her door, Shinji could feel his nerves fraying. Was she going to be mad, think he was cheating on her already? He had spent the whole day with her and didn't mention Himari once. School had been odd yesterday, and well…Chizuru had an effect on his mind. All he wanted was to make the girl happy, see that woman smile, and know that he caused it. It wasn't love, not yet anyway, but a powerful attraction and growing sense of affection. Two weeks ago he had never thought of a girlfriend, now he had one and another girl pledging to be his servant. Talk about a change in reality.
Opening the door, Tayura leaned against the frame heavily. Eyes adorned with heavy black circles, he yawned mightily. "Oh thank god you're here. Take her…take her now so I can get some sleep," the tired man managed to get out as he slid down the frame. In a quasi dream speech, "She's been up all night panicking and planning to go to your place. So loud that I couldn't sleep…take her and leave me in peac-GUH"
"Don't say stuff like that to him!" Chizuru exclaimed at her now unconscious brother. The book she chucked at the back of his head being one of his study aids, worked very well in helping Tayura into the land of unconsciousness. Dragging her brother back into the apartment, Chizuru stuck her tongue out mischiviously and lightly rapt her head with her knuckle. "Stupid boy doesn't know when to shut up. Give me a moment to…tidy up Shinji-kun?" Chizuru asked as she hoisted Tayura up.
Blinking rapidly, Shinji wasn't sure what the hell he just saw, but it wasn't necessary to understand. "Uh-yeah sure. Take your time, Chizuru-san," Shinji took a hesitant step away from the door. Watching Chizuru shoulder Tayura and shut the door added more proof to the fact that demonic women weren't made of glass in any respect.
Listening through the door, Shinji heard crashes, yelps, a few curses, and something close to water splashing. Whatever was going on inside that apartment, he was very certain he could life the rest of his life without knowing it. After a fairly audible cry, "Chizuru-san, are you alright in there?" His hand already opening the door, he found Chizuru on the ground amid a pile of magazines…dating magazines.
Pulling a magazine off her face, Chizuru actually blushed. "Shinji-kun I didn't want you to see these," she gathered up her reading material and shoved them under the couch," she confessed. Her typical flirty vibe dwindled, "I wanted to make sure I was doing things right. Haven't had a boyfriend before you know, I'm a delicate flower." Her eyelashes fluttered as she finally garnered some eye contact. Her pink nighty however did much to counter the cute vibe she was trying to portray with lingering sex appeal.
For a moment Shinji didn't know what to do or even what to think. This woman, idolized by every male he knew, was just as lost when it came to dating as he was. For the first time, the idea that life was being cruel to him vanished. It was going to be odd, scary, painful, and many other negatives, but Shinji found himself not caring. Overcome by the sheer sense of gratitude, Shinji found himself reaching out and drawing Chizuru into a hug. She was ridged at first, but after a few moments of shock wore off, she returned it.
"I don't know how to be a boyfriend either, Chizuru. So don't worry about it so much. We can…can learn together how to go about this," he confessed. The heat was back again, maybe it was just how women were, or maybe the women in his life were just warm blooded. Releasing Chizuru, Shinji found the most endearing look of bashfulness on the typically outgoing woman, "S-sorry if that was to FAAAH!"
Pouncing on the boy, Chizuru knocked him to the ground as she recovered. "Shinji-kun is such the ladies man, I'd eat you right up right now if we didn't have to…" her boisterous voice faded as did her statement. After a very sensuous kiss, Chizuru wiped the saliva off her lips, "That servant of yours needs to learn her place is under the wife and not the husband. But you know what they say about her clan." Rolling off Shinji, Chizuru helped the fallen boy to his feet.
He would never get tired of that, it wasn't the physical pleasure, though that was damn nice, but the sense of acceptance a kiss presented. She accepted him, good and bad, and that was more than he could hope fore. "W-what about Himari-san? I-I'm new to all this demon slayer stuff. A-and aren't you afraid of me? Himari said that I'm from a line of hunters or something…" he asked while Chizuru dragged him through the apartment.
Pulling Shinji into her room, Chizuru pushed him towards the bed then shut the door. "Why that they share the same mating practices as normal cats. Feral, violent, and overly driven by lust when they're in heat. But then again humans are in heat all year round too. Be careful or she'll tear you apart," Chizuru casually pulled her top off and tossed it into a mesh cloth hamper. "If you don't keep her out of your room she's libel to attack you in your sleep…and cats have nasty claws," she racked the air with her fingers. "As for your family line, I don't put any stock in old histories. You already hunted my heart and claimed it as your victory," said devoid of any hint of aversive or falsehood.
Had he not been so shell shocked at how easily Chizuru disrobed before him, Shinji might have protested the comments about Himari. But as it was, Shinji was just mollified at the site before him. "E-excuse me, wha?" he stammered as he turned away from his nubile girlfriend. "Why did you b-bring me in here if you were going to get changed?" he asked hearing drawers open and close. Chizuru might not know about dating, but she knew how to get his blood boiling.
"There, now mother-in-law I think will appreciate this," Chizuru modeled her clothing chose before a mirror. "Stylish and yet not constricting. I'm going to show that country girl that you don't need a bodyguard. I'll tend to my husband's every need," she grabbed Shinji's arm and gingerly pulled on him. "You love it," she cooed as Shinji openly stared at her fancy white layered top and blue jean shorts.
He might not know fashion, but Shinji knew what he liked. And he loved Chizuru's clothing selection. "L-lets go. Best not to keep them waiting. Going to be a long day I bet," he had no idea how correct he was. Falling into idle chatter, Shinji found himself enjoying Chizuru's company more and more. Open, energetic, yet hinting at times to being protective and worried, the girl wasn't simple by any stretch. She was complex and full of mystery. But in the back of his mind, Chizuru's comment about Himari was troublesome. Could Himari really act like that? Their first night together had been a real eye opener. He had seen a great deal of her flesh, and she even hinted at wanting a more physical relationship…maybe he best keep her to the guest room for awhile.
A very pensive and pacing Himari greeted them at the entrance of Shinji's apartment complex, and an apologetic yet sober Misato was found upstairs. They were going to have a little competition between the girls. See who was better than whom a number of things and Misato and Shinji were to be the judges. First up was cooking breakfast.
The fire alarm was set of numerous times.
X-X
His finger gripped the trigger but he squeezed it not pulled it rapidly to let two rounds fly into the demons head. It went down in a pile of blood and a soul chilling scream, but several more were already coming up behind it. Reloading quickly, hiding behind a metal barrel, the enigmatic agent-G signaled to his partner. "Two on the left coming quick, don't mess it up this time. I don't think I can take anymore!" he warned as he popped pack up.
"Man I'm not good at this, I've told you before," said partner let fly his barrage of lead at the approaching horde of demonic taint. Two of six shots went wild, the others found a home in the skull of a demonic beast with rabbit ears. Laughing weakly, "I'm not much better off than you are so don't be giving me any lip."
"Foolish humans! Nothing can stand between Flowers Petal and the destruction of the human race!" bellowed a large blue dragon as it erupted out from underneath the intrepid pair. "Now die!" he followed its command with a hot stream of concentrated flame.
Both agents were seared to a burnt scorch mark on the ground. The continue sign appeared on the screen and started counting down to zero. For our heroes however, they were out of tokens.
Tossing the plastic gun back in the holster, Touji shrugged. "I told you Ken, these aren't my type of game. And how the fuck was I to know a damn dragon was going to attack?" Touji took his defeat in stride. With the line behind them growing, the pair would have to try beating 'House of the Were-fox' another time. Another fun Sunday of wasting time with Kensuke when he should do anything else, but Touji enjoyed it regardless. "So what do you want to do now? I'm tired of the arcade," he was already opening the door to the outside.
Shielding his eyes from the drastic shift from dark arcade to blinding sun, Kensuke winced. "Food? It's about lunch time anyway," he stuffed his hands in his pockets and kicked at random garbage on the ground. With a hint of jealousy, "I'd say we could check on Ikari and see what he's up to, but we can both pretty much guess what he's doing today."
Ah yes, the missing member of the trio, Touji didn't want to bring Shinji up at the moment. Damn lucky kid got a girlfriend before he did, but Touji wasn't going to hold Shinji at fault for to long. What really hurt was the fact that Shinji got asked out before Chizuru even knew he was a pilot, so Touji couldn't lie to himself and think that was the only reason. Guess Shinji just had something that Kensuke and he lacked.
"Yeah, if I were him I'd be doing her right now too," Touji was only half serious. Spying a few lovely ladies from, judging by the upscale clothing, a prep school, he smoothed his hair back. "Guess it was only a matter of time till he got a girl. Just glad it wasn't some gold digger or fame monger," he waved casually at a green eyed girl that met his glance, she looked away.
Patting Touji on the back, Kensuke's snide tone added insult to injury, "Swing and a miss slugger. You might have done better if you targeted her friend. She was more our league." Kensuke spun around to keep his eyes on the trio of girls as they passed by and let out a low whistle. "Seriously though, think Shin-man and Minamoto are…" Kensuke made a circle with his left hands thumb and forefinger and stuck his right hands index in the mock hole.
While the jock's mind was technically thinking about ladies and how to woo them, he wasn't totally ignorant to the world around him. "Nah, knowing Shinji, he'll want to get to know her and shit first. He don't seem to be the type for a quick fling or nothing," Touji actually felt good about that thought. Shinji just didn't seem to be like Kensuke or himself in regards to women. They teased him about girls a little, but Shinji never bit. Hell the girls in the class had all but flaunted themselves before the great pilot and the boy declined. Though Touji did add the caveat of, "Though with how Minamoto was all over him, I'd think it's only a matter of time."
Pulling out his wallet, Kensuke grimaced as he checked his current funds. "Damn, spent more than expected. Anyway, I guess you're right about Shin-man. But I'm going to want details for when the event does happen. I mean he is the closest one of us to the promised land," he gushed. Fixing his glasses, Kensuke pointed at a ramen stall, "You up for a bowl?"
Spotting only one chair at the outdoor stall occupied, and by a cute behind he had noticed, Touji flashed the thumbs up. "You to damn fixated on that shit. I bet your laptop is full of porn," Touji joked knowing full well that it was. Kensuke was his primary source of internet goodness. But being the 'leader' of the stooges, Touji felt the responsibility to needle and tease his subordinates. Popping up on the chair one down from the female, Touji examined the options. "As for Shin-man and his lucky lady, I give it a week before its go time. Girl will wear him down faster than a fat kid on a piece of cake," he hoped the girl heard and enjoyed his little joke.
She didn't, Asahina was very forthcoming with that fact, "SUZUHARA! Don't ridicule people with weight problems!" The girl's forehead had a light sheen of sweat due to the summer like heat and humidity, but her expression was one of venom and menace.
"Akane?" both boys pulled away from the girl that ran against their only close female friend.
Pointing an accusing finger at the opponent for class representative, Touji was as suave as ever, "What the hell are you doing here? Are you stalking me?" The girl just had the way of showing up wherever he went, like a needle on the floor to jab his foot. "And why can't I make fun of fatties?" always the supportive and gentle man.
Grinding her teeth, Akane, snapped her chopsticks in her hand. Her face was red, from anger or embarrassment was unknown, "I am not stalking you Suzuhara! And what if it's not there fault if they're overweight! You adding to there self esteem issues isn't something that should be accepted!" The girl's body trembled with energy as she leaned heavily over the shrinking jock.
Girl was cute, Touji did notice that, but she was Hikari's enemy so she was instantly hated. "Whow now, back off a little. Didn't think of it like that," he honestly hadn't. But in his mind, those people that let themselves gain weight got what they deserved in being ridiculed. "We just want some food is all, we won't bother you, if you don't bother us. Alright?" he tried his best diplomatic voice. Touji made a mental note to punch Kensuke later for the snickering he was hearing.
Leaning back over her half eaten bowl, Akane grabbed another pair of chopsticks and tried to play off her earlier excitement. "Hmph, with friends like you its no wonder Ikari-kun is being led astray by that hussy. You should be trying to keep him away from trouble like that," her self satisfaction was mighty as she twirled her ramen.
"Why do you care who Shinji dates anyway, Asahina? You jealous or something," Touji grumbled as he pointed at the bowl he wanted. The man behind the counter took his money and with a nod of his hat started cooking. Akane just had every inkling of a busybody that stuck her nose where it didn't belong. Touji wanted, no needed, to know why she had such a dislike for Shinji and Chizuru being together.
This time the girl's utensils fell to the ground rather than being broken. Her eyes widened into saucers as her complexion paled. "I-I-I don't like Ikari-kun I li…I don't like anybody! she stopped and clenched her fist. "I have my reasons!" was her best retort and recovery. "Minamoto-san is," she started to say.
Kensuke cut her off however as he pointed at a very unexpected sight. "Minamoto is running behind some girl in a kimono. She doesn't look to good," Kensuke's eyes were fixated on two bouncing globs of flesh. "Anybody know the other girl?" not that Kensuke cared to much with so much sinful motion before his eyes.
Touji had a hard time accepting the sight of the two girls running. Whoever the kimono clad woman was, she was far better at running that Shinji's girlfriend. Black haired girl didn't even look winded as Chizuru was dripping with sweat and staggering as she ran. "Well guess Shinji isn't with her, want to call him" he asked as the two girls ran out of their line of sight.
"No, no I don't. I don't even want to know what that was about," Kensuke turned back around to continue waiting for his food.
Spinning around as well, Touji had to agree Kensuke had a point. "We'll ask him tomorrow about it. Never thought I'd see that girl chasing after another woman. Who wears Kimono's in today's day and age anyway?" he snickered at the silliness. Old time ways were silly and dumb, Touji was beyond such things.
Eating their bowls after they arrived, just after Asahina finished hers and left, the friends chatted and joked. It was really best to leave the crazy to Shinji, while they continued to enjoy the normal. Normal was highly underrated, Touji was all about it. Get a nice normal girl, brown hair and freckles, nice relationship, and just go with the flow. Yeah, that sounded great.
X-X
Cracking open another beer, Misato didn't know who to root for, but she knew she was having one hell of a good time watching. Shinji however, she couldn't help but notice, wasn't taking the constant battles nearly as well as she was. Boy was too soft, but that was rare in a man and in a sense very endearing. "Don't worry, Shin-chan, they're not hurting each other. And they need to get this out of their systems," Misato wrapped an arm around the boy's neck and gave him a shake.
From their vantage point on the couch, Shinji gave Misato a very 'not buying it' look and turned back to the coffee table. "Couldn't they, I don't know, break their wrists or something? Arm wrestling does that right?" his apprehension couldn't have been more obvious if his emotions were color coded on his skin. "And they just won't stop…this isn't…I don't know why they keep doing this," he sighed exasperated.
Squeezing Shinji's shoulder, Misato knocked back more of her drink. He had to know, he just didn't want to accept it she thought. "Consider this laying the pecking order, Shinji. Women like to know where they stand in relation to other women. Add in feelings and you got one nasty cocktail," Misato emphasized the last word to Shinji's embarrassment and her mirth. Those two girls, if she could call them that, were something else though and Misato acknowledged it.
Cooking went to Himari, only because classic cuisine beat charcoal. Chizuru proved she could sing better than Himari but only slightly. The race around town went to Himari as Misato had to drive Chizuru back. Social knowledge was knocked out of the park by the queen of the school while Himari was left scatter brained and utterly defeated. Now it was a test of strength, and Misato was stunned to see Himari was red faced and huffing while Chizuru was smiling confidently.
"Guess she does have a few years on Himari, just I bet she can't focus it as well," Misato reasoned as Chizuru slammed Himari's hand against the table. Pen-Pen warked in shock and waddled over to his fridge, Misato snorted at that sight. "Well what is next? Supper I hope as its getting late in the afternoon," Misato patted her stomach as the girls pulled out form under the table. Oh that look on the official girlfriends face was something Misato felt a resonance with.
Despite Misato's initial appraisal of Chizuru, that of being a floozy that would only hurt Shinji in the end, she was coming around to a new belief. The girl was fun! Not easy, but just plain fun to have around! Chizuru teased Shinji more than she did, but since they were dating Misato had no problem with it. When Misato saw an older boy hitting on the fox-demon when they went to collect her, she was sure the girl was going to respond to the taller more muscular boy. Color her shocked when the bombshell proudly proclaimed herself Shinji's woman and shooed the boy off. So quite against Misato's earlier thoughts, Chizuru was loyal and her feelings seemed genuine. Himari was never questioned however by Misato, anybody willing to take three clips to the face was proof enough.
Bowing deeply to Shinji, Himari's face was pale and her fists shook. "Shinji-sama, I have shamed thy in my lack of brute strength. Allow me to challenge her openly! I know I can defeat the ero-beast in a battle of skill and not muscle!" Himari's head pressed against the ground hiding her shame.
Leaping onto the couch, making the first occupants bounce, Chizuru snuggled up close to Shinji rubbing her cheek against his. "Sore loser is a sore loser, kitty," she stuck her tongue out at the defeated samurai. "How about a kiss for the victor, Shinji-kun!" Chizuru puckered her lips and closed her eyes.
It took all of Misato's willpower not to bump Shinji into Chizuru's amorous embrace. "You did pat Himari's head after the race, Shinji," the tipsy captain goaded. Seeing Shinji leap and look back at her, that embarrassed but quasi-serious look on his face was priceless. Yeah, this was going to be fun, and she didn't have to worry about it being a fake! The sheer effort both girls were exerting was pretty telling. "As for a fight," she turned to the now quivering with rage Noihara, "I think we can all just agree to award you the point for that one. You have trained where I don't think she has." Misato poked her thumb at Chizuru.
"Yeah I ah!" Shinji tried to agree but Chizuru opted to take her prize herself. The boy's hands flailed about before settling on her shoulders, as Chizuru leaned further into it. Falling back against Misato as the girl pushed more, Shinji visibly stopped resisting and started reciprocated.
Getting to her knees, Himari thumped the butt of her katana's sheath on the ground loudly. "How can I let her get away with such? I demand another contest! This time the victor gets the honor of bedding with Shinji-sama!" Himari's bold declaration filled the room. The connotation might not have been what she meant, but after a few moments, three sets of eyes on her, Himari realized just how it sounded. Her face turned crimson, but the firm resolve didn't waver.
What would be a good challenge for two hormonally active teenage girls that wanted to shag her little man? "I'd suggest who could kiss better, but I don't think I'd be a welcome judge for that," she teased all three to equal panic. A little fun was all well and good, but Misato wasn't going to let it go to far. She might be irresponsible, but come bed time Shinji was going to sleep alone regardless of the winner. Her voice slurring a little as she spoke, "How about a game of poker? You two versus me since Shinji needs to keep you from cheating."
"I like your first idea better, Misato," Chizuru was never one to butter up to the in-law. Calling Misato 'mother-in-law' hadn't worked well, but the girl was a quick adapter. "Shall we show them how close we can get with just kissing, Shin-chan?" she toyed with her favorite plaything. Grabbing Shinji's cheeks before anybody could protest, Chizuru kissed Shinji on the lips and in a flash of light was gone.
Rubbing her eyes, Misato reached over Shinji and picked up the girl's top. "Ok, what the fuck just happened? I know I've had a few but not that many," she burped as she tossed the top back down. Pointing at Shinji's head, "You have black fox ears and whiskers…and that better be a tail touching me or I'm going to be very firm with you young man." Misato grabbed at the fluffy thing thumping against her exposed thigh.
Patting at his own face, Shinji stood up and examined himself thoroughly. A mixture of exultation and whimsy filled his whole being, "I forgot we could do this. She…she um…she merged with me, Misato-san." Shinji stated it as if it were a simple math equation. "Just hope she doesn't burn the apartment like she did the school," he tugged on one of his whiskers nervously.
"Heathen beast! How dare thee violate my master with thy filthy continence!" Himari grabbed Shinji. Throttling the boy back and forth, a rare showing of exasperation, Himari was as skilled at battling teasing as Shinji was. "Leave his form at once less he become corrupt with your form!" Himari tossed Shinji to the couch. "Let us play this…poke-her, that Katsuragi suggested!" she grumbled.
Popping out of Shinji's chest semi-corporal, Chizuru appeared content to be seen topless by man and woman alike. "You're just jealous that cat-demons can't posses the living like I can," she wrapped her arms around Shinji's neck and drew in close. "A sign of his love and acceptance of me. But since you CAN'T do it, I guess we can play," she finished phasing back into normal reality taking Shinji's ears and tail with her.
Finding Shinji slack jawed and babbling at seeing a woman's holies of holies for the first time, Misato had her limit breached. Grabbing the young man, Misato lead him out of the room and out of the apartment. He obviously wasn't ready to cross that line with either girl, and Misato was going to beat that knowledge into both super powerful demons even if it killed her. "Shinji-kun, SHINJI!" she had to scream to knock him out of his paralysis, "Go get us some take out or something. I'll take care of things here."
Shinji's head tilted for a moment of continued mysticism, before shaking his head and thoughts clean. "S-sorry about that, Misato-san. Just wasn't ready for that," he confessed before he darted off amid a flurry of Himari and Chizuru's bickering getting louder.
Slapping and rubbing her palms together, Misato had to douse the flames of lust or one of those girls was going to go just a little too far. "Alright girls, time for a game and a little chat!" she slammed the door behind her. They were nice girls, she liked both of them, but Shinji was miles ahead of them in her book. "And Chizuru please have something on while we play, I do not want Shinji to have a show like that in my presence again!" a phrase Misato would have said better had she been thinking. Alas she wasn't.
X-X
Shinji liked walking around the shopping arcade in the late afternoon. The fading sun covered everything in such a lovely red hue that he found it beautiful. It didn't hurt that most of the kids his age were gone and it was full of busy adults going about their last minute errands. He recognized a few of the women outside of the grocery store he frequented. It was a small shop with the best deals so the patrons got to know one another quite well. They were older women, but nice women that he could actually talk to.
"Not like what's going on at the apartment," Shinji groaned and ran his hand up and through his hair. Coming up behind the marginally pudgy pair of gossiping women, Shinji wondered what he was going to cook for the trio of women waiting for him. Life was indeed throwing him yet another curveball, only this time he was going to try and enjoy it. "Any good deals today?" he called out to Takeo and Hideyoshi.
What to make of his new 'troubles' in life, Shinji was still trying to put weight to. He had a girlfriend now, and a very attractive and outgoing one at that. Upon seeing Chizuru for the first time, Shinji's self-confidence clearly chimed in saying 'out of your league'. His self-confidence wasn't a nice thing, but it wasn't needlessly cruel, it was just a realist. Girls like Chizuru typically didn't go for the shy and quiet type. And despite the abruptness of their pairing, Shinji felt that Chizuru was being honest with him with her feelings. And he in turn was responding and felt that her nature, so opposite of his own, was a welcome thing.
Hideyoshi, a traditional wife in her early forties, was garbed in a plain green kimono and held her green plastic basket in her tight grip. Spinning around, her wooden sandals clopping, she fanned herself with her free left hand. "Oh, Ikari-kun, good evening. Unfortunately not today, that old miser Gato isn't running any sales today," her plump face housed a welcome and soothing smile for a moment before her jowls relaxed.
It was the garments that got Shinji's mind moved onto his other new addition, and his more pressing concern, Himari. Try as the young man might, he couldn't find a way to quantify the classical beauty. What was her real objective, honor, pride, or was it more personal? She said she wanted to protect him regardless of the ancestral pledge, but why? He hadn't had much time alone with the girl over the past few days, and Chizuru's playful and open acceptance of causal contact left his mind mush. With Chizuru it was a matter of them being a couple, but what did Himari think of him…why did he matter to her?
Walking into the small grocery store, only a grand total of five aisles and a meat/vegetable counter, Shinji wasn't shocked with the older women followed behind him. "That is unfortunate Hideyoshi-san. But I guess I can make something simple for supper instead," he knew to behave and agree with the women by now. This act played out many times over the short time he lived in the city. The women would follow him, gossip, and each would try and get him to agree to meet their daughters, both were well out of his age bracket. "How are you Takeo-san?" he asked the other mother of two.
In a white button-up collared shirt, Takeo just rolled her eyes as if the world had it out to get her, which she often claimed it was. "The twins got into a fight at that school of theirs, going to get expelled from it if they don't stop. Private schools are expensive, Ikari-kun, and they think I'm made of money. Damn ex isn't paying more than half the tuition," the working single mother expounded. "I think if one of them got a good boyfriend it'd help give them something to focus on. Give them something to use that excess energy on," she was non-too subtle.
Laughing nervously, Shinji didn't know how to tell Takeo that he had a girlfriend now for one, and two her twin daughters were in high school and three years older than him. Wandering the small crowded aisles, he picked up the ingredients for sashimi and headed to the counter. He could hear Takeo and Hideyoshi arguing again. Today's argument was whether it was tolerable to have an ex-husband pay the bills for a working woman. "Gato-san, Gato-san I'm ready to check out," he called out to the elderly man behind the counter.
"She's there again," the aged yet firm voice of the bald and wrinkled man said distinctly. His white shirt protected by a dark green smock with his family name embossed in the corner, Gato towered over Shinji in height and mass. Sticking his meaty finger up to his window, "Girl has a uniform like the one you have. You know her, Ikari-kun?"
While he'd never say it to the shop keeper's face, Shinji was intensely intimidated by the older man. Strong, foreboding, and large, Shinji saw a lot of his father in Gato…all the scary parts. So of course he wasn't going to disobey the man's comment. Leaning over the counter to get a look at the girl in question, Shinji already had 'no' on his lips, but when he saw the girl was unable to say it. "Ayanami-san? Is she here often?" he boggled as he too pointed at the familiar mop of blue hair.
"Is that odd girl staring at the spare-rip shack again?" Takeo peeked her head out the door at the center of attention. "Is she an acquaintance of yours Ikari-kun? Boy of your standing shouldn't be fraternizing with girls that poor, they'll just try to get ahold of your money," she said snidely. Leaning against the doorframe, eyes looking off into the distance, "That's what they do. Get a rich one and just try to sponge off of them until they bleed it dry or a better sucker comes along."
Ayanami was poor, Shinji wondered at that. Paying for his food, taking up the three bags of food, he bowed to the shopkeeper. "I know her, she…works with me," he never told the trio of his status as a pilot. After the explosion of attention it got him at school, Shinji felt it best to let as few people as possible learn of it. "And she is in my class, Takeo-san, but I didn't know she was poor," he hardly knew Rei at all. Bowing respectfully to his elders added, "See you next time."
The two mothers waved and said their mixed goodbyes as he left the shop, its doors bell chiming as he walked out. What did he really know about Ayanami? Aside from the fact that she was a pilot, was in his class, and now seemingly bandage free, nothing. Walking over to her, he found her staring at a man selling packets of spare-ribs in plastic packages. If he was making the very reasonable wages he was, why was Rei just gazing at the food she so evidently wanted.
"Hey are you that girl's boyfriend?" the seller called out to Shinji as he approached Rei. "Yeah I can see it on your face kid, not passing judgment. So why don't you buy her a package for a change? She's creeping out my other customers by just looking at them for hours," he held out a helping of ribs to Shinji. The man was desperate, his white paper hat and smock were covered in sauce, as he looked at the others passing by giving Rei a wide berth.
He did want to get to know his fellow pilot, Ritsuko had hinted at Unit-00's activation test was less than a month out, so Shinji took the package from the man and handed over the pittance for it. If Rei knew he was there, she paid him no mind, she just kept watching the numerous plastic containers of meat. "A-Ayanami, d-did you want some? I-I'm going to be cooking supper so I don't want…want this one," he held the package out to the girl.
Startled from some unknown internal monologue, Ayanami took a step back from Shinji's very broken statement. Taking the thin container from Shinji's trembling hands, she just held it and looked down at it. "I can have this?" she sounded unsure of herself, of anything. Popping the top, it sounded of cheap plastic nearly breaking, she held it up to her nose and sniffed hard. "Is it alright?" her stoic nature conflicted with the trickle of drool inching down the corner of her mouth.
Scratching at his cheek, Shinji was unsettled by the drastic shift in Rei's actions. The girl was so quiet and placid while at school, but the reaction to the simple offering of food was worrisome. Maybe she was poor, somebody stealing her money, or maybe her family was dependent on her for food. He'd have to ask Misato about Rei sometime when Chizuru and Himari weren't around, best not add fuel to that fire. "I don't see why not, unless you're allergic to it," oh boy he'd hate if she were and he ruined her day.
Shaking her head, Rei picked up the two haunches of meat by the bone and let the plastic fall, she crunched it under foot. "I do not," she said simply. Opening her mouth wide she took a mighty bite out of if, tearing more than half the meat off. For several moments she chewed in silence, body rod stiff, just chewing. Swallowing audibly, Rei just stood with eyes closed, her face that insane neutral that defied standard human emotion.
"Ay-Ayanami-san, are you alright," Shinji leaned in as fear she was choking rose. He had never seen anybody take such dramatic action for something so simple. Maybe she was allergic and he was going to have to try and get it out of her. The Heimlich, no, fingers down her throat? Maybe. How such a simple issue of avoiding his girl did troubles to get food turn into this? He wanted time to think about what Himari meant to him and why she challenged Chizuru so vehemently. Part of his Chizuru stoked male ego wanted to think that maybe she liked him…but he was still in shock over one demon liking him, to have two would cause a short in the brain pan. Back to the matter at hand however, Shinji put one nervous hand on Rei's shoulder, "Ayanami?"
In seconds the remainder of the first rib was in Rei's mouth, as she set upon the food with unbridled passion. While the girl looked as bored as ever, her hands held the haunch tightly and never got an inch away from her mouth. After the meat was gone, she licked the bone clean of juices. The second piece was gone in less time than the first. Rei then beset the shop. Opening and eating package after package, a small mountain of packages at her feet. She didn't speak, didn't thank Shinji, she was in her own meat world where she had to eat herself free.
As the number of animal bits reached the twenties, Shinji saw the greedy eyes of the shop keeper on him, with his hand out. Pulling out his wallet, Shinji started doing mental math to calculate his bill…then his face went pure white. "I…uh…" he barely had enough and Rei had another package in her hand. Reaching into his pockets, the hope that some money fell out, Shinji found to his shame that no…no he didn't. Handing out the all of his cash, Shinji, the ever caring yet stupid boy he was, didn't want to tell Rei to stop eating since she looked so happy. "Here is all I have," he held out his cash.
Before the greasy man could take it however, Rei held out a larger bill to the man with the hand not holding the latest package. "Here," Rei said simply as she stuffed a piece of rib into Shinji's mouth and turned away. Walking down the street, people sagely keeping out of her way, Rei continued to chomp down on her food, bones littered her path.
Sampling the food, Shinji found the rib to be lacking in flavor. "I can cook better than this," he took another small bight. Maybe as a way to get to know his fellow pilot he might…maybe make her something better? Cleaning up the mess Rei casually left behind, Shinji's phone rang. Misato, with a sulking Chizuru behind her, was asking what was taking to long. "I, I ran into something strange, tell you when I get back," Shinji confessed and headed home. He'd try to come to terms with his relationship with Himari while cooking. Maybe he could talk to her about it without Misato or Chizuru turning it into something it wasn't.
X-X
Making her last examination of the apartment before turning in for the day, Himari tugged on the hem of her yukata. That damn fox had been defeated as easily as she thought Chizuru would be. Unfocused and wild, Chizuru did have power behind her. And the fox-spirits ability for magic far outclassed her own. "Learning of frilly things and of today's society…perhaps I have neglected a vital part of my training," she moaned.
Just being a sword and shield wasn't going to cut it, not if she stood out like a sore thumb. All she'd do is call attention to herself and her master, and that would make matters worse not better. Finding Pen-Pen waddling from the bathroom to his fridge, Himari was blinded by the sudden influx of light. "I am letting this foolishness interfere with my duties," she clutched her prized blade's sheath so hard her knuckles popped.
What did the young master think of her and her damn ignorance? Of course he'd favor the pretty girl, the fun girl, and not the socially inept one. Stepping out on the veranda she spied the glowing lights of the city. So much she didn't know about this place, so much her elders hadn't prepared her for back in the country. "Shame we couldn't remain there," she longed to run through the forests and breath in the healthy aroma.
With a sigh, she shut and locked the glass door to the veranda and headed back towards her room. Stopping outside Misato's room, the woman was reliable when necessary but to negligent when not, she heard the resident snoring. Taking a peek inside, Himari blanched as she saw Misato sleeping in naught but her bra and panty. Examining her own formal sleepwear she turned to Shinji's room and wondered. Would he prefer if she slept like that?
Gliding on her toned and trained legs to her door, she pushed such foolishness out of her head. She was to be strong before him, betray not her own private fears and worries. A servant was to not burden the master with petty things. But she was a woman as well, and a woman that felt more than a servant's emotion for her master. About to head to her room, she stopped when sounds inside her cherished master's room tripped her honed senses. He was awake, or somebody was in the room.
If it was the fox what would she do? She had no right to block a relationship that had begun before she reveled herself. Has Chizuru been deceitful or less than honest with her feelings, Himari would have cut the bitch down. Sadly, Minamoto Chizuru had not pulled any punches, had faced a better warrior to garner Shinji's affection. Himari honored that spirit, if not the woman possessing it.
Slowly she opened the door naught but a few inches and spied inside. No blonde haired twin eared seductress, only her master pacing in his sleeping shorts and t-shirt. Forcing her emotions to subside, a warrior who failed that lesson was a dead one, she opened the door earnestly. Softly she crept up behind the man she pleaded her life to defend and grasped him around the waist, "Young master, you should be at rest. Our first day at of conjoined learning begins at dawn."
Jumping within her grasp, Shinji tried to turn to face her but found her feather light hold as strong as steel. "H-Himari-san, sorry I uh…was thinking and couldn't sleep. S-shouldn't you be asleep as well?" he stammered. His body fidgeted a few moments, but slowly it eased against her hold and leaned back against her. After a prolonged pause he whimpered, "I'm sorry for everything that happened today."
Not releasing him, Himari just rocked from side to side and took Shinji for the ride. Such a caring and pleasant lad, such pain and hardship he faced and yet didn't break. Yes, he was worthy of her affection. "A poor guardian is one that rests while her master wanders aimlessly. If thy want I could work that energy out of you," she teased. It was an open invitation, Himari had pledged her body and soul to him and was willing and wanting. Taking a deep sniff of his neck, "And thy have nothing to warrant an apology."
His hands wandered south and landed on top of Himari's. "You had to do so much today because of Chizuru. Both of you just kept going regardless of who won the previous round. I don't know why…I don't know why you did it," he confessed. Leaning back against Himari he gasped as her arms wrapped tighter. "C-Chizuru did it because she, for some reason, wants to be my girlfriend. But you…you do it for me and I don't know why. I feel I'm taking advantage of you," his voice was fragile as glass.
Resting her head on his shoulder, Himari could have stayed like that for the whole evening and been ready for school. Such a silly boy she was bonded too. She had watched him grow from an abandoned child, to a happy youth with his grandparents, and then neglected by his uncle. All through it she wanted to reveal herself, but her oath had been set by her elders. Not until he was no longer protected from the seal could she serve him. Yet though it all she watched, felt his pains, his joys, and shared in all of them. She knew more about him than anybody else.
"Silly, Shinji-sama, thee could no sooner take advantage of myself than lift this dwelling," she lifted Shinji off the ground like a baby. Cradling the teenager in her arms, she playfully pressed her forehead to his, as expected he blushed such a lovely hue. "I do my duty as protector out of affection not obligation. All will be known at its proper time, but till then know that thee own mine heart and my body. I shall share your pain and pleasure as wanted," she swung him back and forth like an infant.
Carrying him to the bed she laid him down and followed. Laying at his side, one hand on his chest, she could feel his heart rate spiking. He was such an innocent, so fun to tease, just Chizuru could do it better. "Shall we rest now, Shinji-sama, or shall we further explore one another's being?" she reached for the top of her yukata and pulled it open slightly. Not as full as Chizuru's, Himari was proud of the firmness, as she showed her master top of her bust.
Grabbing her arms, Shinji tugged them back together sharply. "N-n-not tonight…and it-it isn't fair to C-Chizuru," he stammered and spun around quickly. "This is so crazy, two weeks ago I wouldn't think this would happen…now…now I feel like I'm cheating on both of you," Shinji didn't move further away from her however.
Taking advantage of his closeness, Himari spooned behind the foolish man that still didn't get it. "A servant shall not be bride, the hand of a slayer is to rare for such. Thy will be wed to another slayer for political reasons. But to the future, the name concubine shall be synonymous with wife," Himari whispered into his ear. In the past her elders had insisted she read an odd English novel called 'Dune', and at the time she didn't know why. But now…now she understood it. Like the heroines in that odd story, she would not be her beloved's wife, but a title didn't denote affection or love. She could be close to him regardless of title.
Shinji stiffened up as Himari's arms draped over him, but he didn't complain. A few minutes of silence ended when his soft snores rumbled out of his chest.
Snuggling up close, Himari wondered who it would be that took that one thing from her master. Would it be Chizuru or her, she hoped it would be her, but only time would tell. She couldn't be to bold in public, but in private she would spoil and be spoiled if possible. But that was for another day, today was sleep, and tomorrow a new environment to learn of to better protect her master.
X-X
Notes
Getting along quite nicely now. Setting up this is harder than other stories cause I want it to be believable and in character. As for Rei and the ribs, it's a very close retelling of an event from Kanokon. I'll explain it more in time, but suffice to say its plot relevant.
Later
Mercaba