The Friend of my Enemy

by Mercaba

A spring rain and a short walk bring Shinji to the the attention of a young woman that changes not only his destiny but the lives of all the staff of Nerv

19. Chapter 19

Standard Disclaimer

So much to do so little time! Trying to keep this moving at move than a snails pace and interesting. Hope I'm doing a good job at it, this is the story I worry the most about being less than inspired at times. Oh well, still fun to write it. So go out, get in the pool, and enjoy the last few weeks of 'summer'.

X-X

Friend of my Enemy

Chapter – 19

He was tired, but then again Kensuke was always tired on Monday mornings. Today though, he had a slight hope in his chest. Living vicariously through his friends, Kensuke was hoping for some real juicy gossip today thanks to Touji and Shinji. The buzz of Shinji's week with Kuesu and Touji's 'date' with Asahina would be good for a laugh. Stealing a peek in the room, Kensuke was a little stunned to find Touji already present. Finding his tall friend looking dazed and staring off into space, Kensuke just shrugged and ventured in.

Hikari was talking to a few other girls, Asuka being one of them, Kensuke waved at them only to have them ignore him as always. Swing and a miss…again. Oh well not like Kensuke expected his moment in the sun following the basketball game to last long. Back to being shunned by the pretty girls, Kensuke slung his bag over his desk and let the returning sense of loneliness pervade him. Hello my old friend, how have you been, me I've been hoping for a little something. Finding it odd that Asuka was there but Shinji wasn't, Kensuke slapped Touji on the back. "So how was your day out with Tayura's girlfriend?" Kensuke teased.

"What?! Huh? Oh Kensuke what are you doing here?" Touji jumped in his seat and nearly fell out of it. His hands clutched at the edge of the desk, going white with the strain, Touji had the look of a fugitive before a police officer. Slowly the tension left the jock as he continued to survey the room, "Just you? Thought Tayura was with you…don't really want to see him right now."

Being well trained in people watching, all he really got to do, Kensuke was enjoying Touji's spastic motions. Touji was never good at masking his emotions or whims, and right now Touji was rife with fear. Sliding his chair closer, "So I take it things went wonderfully for the two of you then? What did you guys do anyway?" Having had stuff to do on Saturday, some new VTOLS were flying in that he wanted pictures of, Kensuke had missed the dating strategy session. Waving at Shinji as the boy walked in, damn Shinji looked tired, "Going to have to tell Tayura that he missed his chance?"

Shushing Kensuke, Touji's eyes went wide again, now that was an unexpected visual tell. Touji was watching Hikari like a hawk, "Not so loud Ken! What if she's in here and listening to you? Not something we should be talking about. And we went to an amusement park…that's…that's all" Touji was nearly vibrating in his chair as Shinji collapsed into the chair next to them.

Dark circles under his eyes, Shinji waved weakly at the two boys and laid his head down. Letting out a powerful yawn, the pilot kept his eyes open despite the clear sign it wasn't what he wanted. "Morning guys, have a good Sunday?" his voice warbled with fatigue.

"Hell, Shin-man, you look beat! But you are just in time to hear about Touji's date with Asahina. He was being all secretive about it too! Then you can tell us about your day with Jinguji-san, bet it can't hold a candle to Touji's story though," Kensuke was eating this up. It did him good to see the oft overbearing and mocking Touji put in his place. Watching Shinji yawn again, "So why are you so tired man…your ladies not let you get any sleep?" Maybe there was too much of a good thing, Shinji looked outright done.

Still watching Hikari, the girl was smiling broadly at something Asuka had told her, Touji swiveled his head like a broken oscillating fan. "It was just a normal day at the park is all. We rode some rides, ate some food, and nothing else so back off already Ken. I know you're trying to imply something, but nothing happened…nothing. Now Shinji!" Touji twisted his head fast and hard. Thick cords of muscles and veins popped out as he strained, "He looks like he has a story or two to tell. Right, Shin-man?"

Sitting up in his chair, arm draped over the back of it, Shinji just waved his hand dismissively. "Just didn't get a lot of sleep. After the bed with Kuesu-san ended, Himari-san and Chizuru-chan wanted to talk to me about what happened is all," like Touji, Shinji wasn't making a believer out of anybody. Pulling his books out of his satchel, he set himself up for the day trying to avoid eye contact. "As for yesterday with Kuesu-san, all we did was go out for some food after catching up on…lost time," a sparkle in Shinji's eye was more telling than anything he actually said.

"YOU! Tell me what you did with Asahina-san," Tayura announced his arrival with his typical worry and fret. Forming the last side in the square, Tayura alternating finger pointing from Touji to Shinji. Where he had been angry at Touji he shifted to annoyed at Shinji, "And…next time Chizuru calls you over in the morning…can you 'talk' to her without waking me up? Or keep Ayanami out of it too…girl has lungs when she wants."

His fingers stalled from their typing as Tayura let slip part of why Shinji was so haggard. "Shin-man getting himself some early morning lovin?" now that was something to think about. Kensuke didn't think people actually HAD early morning trysts, well outside of his movies, but Shinji was living proof! Not seeing Rei to confirm anything, Kensuke flinched his head at Tayura hoping to get Touji to join in. Masking his intent with some fake typing, "Not to pry Shinji, but is it true? I mean you spend a week with another girl, your fiancé, and next day you're off with your girlfriend?" He didn't believe the whole Rei thing, girl was just odd was all.

Waving his hands off dismissively, Tayura preempted anything Shinji's suddenly pale face could utter. "I don't want to hear about Shinji, my sister, and her little protégé! I heard enough from them already, AND I'm forbidden from come home until after eight every night this week. So don't let him tell fibs about it. You SO owe me some good food for all this business Ikari. All I want to here right now is how you gently let Asahina know that you're not interested in her," Tayura seemed to grow larger with each word spoken.

This was getting good, Kensuke had to admit, watching Tayura and Touji fret over their respected crushes was great! Updating the betting pool he had for these two, Kensuke added a little fuel to the fire. "You mean the girl that just joined the class rep and Shin-man's best friend?" Kensuke pointed at Akane and Asuka. That was another thing that was odd but interesting to watch. Shinji and Asuka had something odd going on between them the last few weeks. Nothing romantic by the looks of things, but they acted real chummy whenever Asuka and Shinji interacted.

Both Touji and Tayura found themselves reacting to Kensuke's little detail. Touji opened and closed his mouth a few times, unable to get words to form or leave his gob. After a few aborted attempts, "W-we just went to the park like you already knew we planned, Tayura. Just some rides and food is all…that is…that was all." Crumpling down on himself, Touji found a stain on the ground and focused his whole will on it.

"Well did you at least tell her that it was a one-time thing? That you weren't interested in her like that?" Tayura insisted as he sat back in his chair. He jerked his head to the door as Rei and Himari both seemed to float into the room. While Rei was her normal emotionless self, her body just was more fluid and poised than normal, but Himari was glowing with joy. "Oh damn, Shinji…your bodyguard there looks like my sister did…you didn't…how could you…never mind don't want to know. Touji talk!" Tayura glared at Shinji a few moments more.

While Kensuke wouldn't lie and say Himari didn't often look alluring, but right now she was positively radiant! So many pretty girls in the world, gave Kensuke a little hope that maybe one of them might match his personality and like him too. "Now we know why Shinji looks ready to pass out. Too much strain for one morning. Now if you add Misato-san into the mix I think we have a movie that we can sell for a mint!" not like Misato didn't already factor into Kensuke's fantasies. Fantasies were one thing though, and he wasn't one to let his mind fall into them. He stammered as Asahina giggled, looked at Touji and bashfully looked away, "Dude what was that? She just gave you the eye?"

"I'll be back in a second guys, I want to…" Shinji ticked his head towards Himari and Rei. A smile ate his fatigue away leaving him refreshed and quite lively himself. Shinji, it appeared, always had some extra time or energy for the women in his life. Sliding out of his chair, the pilot skipped over to the two new arrivals for a hushed conversation. Kensuke couldn't help but see Asuka scowl as it happened.

Blocking the line of sight between Touji and Akane, Tayura went pale as he grabbed Touji by the biceps. "That wasn't the look a girl gives a guy that turned her down. I see that look on my sister all the time, and it's when he shows up or does something for her. So you tell me exactly what you're hiding and if I don't like it…I'm trapping Hokari in a closet with Shinji-kun," Tayura threatened as best as he could.

"Oh Shinji-sama, this mornings…spar doth be an event we should do on occasion. I hath no belief it would haft been so invigorating," Himari's rich and amorous voice filled the room. It was their cover, an excuse for why the girl was radiant and overflowing while Shinji was a drained husk.

While it was fun to joke and tease about this whole Akane/Hikari thing, but Kensuke didn't want any actual fights over it. "Look Tayura, calm down a little alright," Kensuke held his hands out calmingly. Trying to lighten the mood, "If you lock those two up all it would do is drain Shin-man even more! And after what you've said…he couldn't handle another woman in his life." A few girls around overheard him through and pointed at Shinji giggling. Damn did he over hear some of them talking behind closed hands…they wanted to see if the rumors were true?

"NO, Kensuke, no. I have to hear this from his own mouth. Suzuhara knows how I feel about things, and he swore he'd do the right thing. If he betrayed me…then I see no option other than to let Shinji have another. Not like he doesn't have the stamina for it. Chizuru is out today because of his morning visit," Tayura was just a little too loud. If Chizuru had been there, she'd have rendered the boy unconscious for his little info slip, as it filled the room with its intensity. Now everybody knew partially what Shinji had done that morning, and who.

The room erupted chaos after Tayura's last shouted sentence. Eyes all went onto Shinji, who did himself no service at being seeing with two girls he was rumored to be with. He shrunk into himself, Himari stood defiantly and proudly before them. Her kimono clung to her body and the sound of silk cloth moving was audibly perceived. The bundle at her side was held in her hand, but her lips curled back in a feral grin. "Shinji-sama's prowess be not your concern, nor whom he cherishes with his time. He be not some male-whore, it be only a fruit of love. Now the fox and the pup here are not conquests…nor be myself. So take your eyes off of him, and your hushed jibs at him! Or know I shall not be forgiving," she thumped her parcel and the sound of heavy metal chimed in the room.

After Himari's bold declaration, Kensuke couldn't help but update a few files he had on his computer regarding Shinji. The girls he had overheard were now whispering heatedly, not a good sign. "He look, the Devil is leaving," Kensuke pointed at the upset German walking out of the room. Guess Asuka didn't like hearing that her friend's fiancé was servicing other woman, who were very defensive of him. To make matters worse, both Hikari and Akane were now fixated on Tayura for his disruption of class, "Well Touji, better confess now as Asahina is on her way over here." Maybe this wasn't a good thing, emotions made fools of those two larger boys.

"Tayura-kun, you shouldn't say such things out loud and set the class into panic. Think of Ikari-kun's feelings and your sister's before you just blab such personal things out loud," Asahina towered over the seated boy. Her hands at her hips, a fierce frown holding court on her face, and the sun reflected on her exposed forehead. Pointing at Touji, "Now I know I was hard on him last week, and I need to apologize for that. Ignorance is no excuse for bad behaviors. Why can't you be like Touji-kun here and think before speaking?" Did her voice soften when she said Touji's name…hell she said his first name?!

Blushing as a few classmates watched him, Tayura cowered under Akane's intense stare. "S-sorry, Asahina-san, it was just…I didn't mean to. Just a bad morning for me is all," he shrugged listlessly and couldn't meet the woman's gaze.

"Not here you have to apologize to," Kensuke admitted as he added three girls' names to his growing list of 'Shinji fans'. It wasn't like Shinji was trying to create a following of girls or list of rumors about his stature, so Kensuke didn't hold it against the kid. But to think that Akane was apologizing for her own actions, and browbeating Tayura was something else! Waving his hand over, "Don't be too hard on him Asahina-san, it's like he said though. Can you imagine waking up to…that?" Pointing at Shinji and Himari as they were huddled over with Rei, Kensuke hoped to short circuit Akane's wrath.

Blinking rapidly as she followed Kensuke's gesture, Akane opened her mouth and just went silent. "I-uh-well," Akane covered her mouth and cast a quick glance at Touji. Forcing a cough into her hand, she collected herself and stood a little taller. "I see your…point, Aida-kun, and I guess you have a reason to be a little unruly Minamoto-kun. Just keep your voice down when you're talking about…things like that," the girl paused as she turned to leave. Looking back at the trio of boys, her head lost its focus and moved about at random until settling down. "And…thanks again for Saturday, Touji-kun, I had a lovely time," her cheeks colored before she ran off to the safety of the female herd.

They sat there stunned for a few moments, Kensuke and Tayura just gaping at Touji as if he had grown a third arm. Hard to forget the look on that girl's face, it was so emotional that even they could see what is was. Girl had it bad for Touji, and he didn't refute her either! Just what was Touji not telling them, what was the truth of the little date? "Touji, you did tell her you weren't interested in her right. I mean I know it's not really my place to say anything, but I thought Tayura and you had an understanding," Kensuke found it hard to breathe.

"I meant to…I really did," Touji started but his shoulders sank and he shrugged listlessly. Throwing his hands outward in a placating gesture, "I didn't expect to have as much fun with her as I did. I just thought, I mean I wasn't expecting to have her say what she did. It was an accident." Touji flinched as Tayura got up and knocked into his desk.

Without a word, Tayura walked off and out of the room, Kensuke patted Touji's back supportively. "At least you didn't kiss her or anything," Kensuke saw Touji go ashen, "right?" Maybe it wasn't worth it after all, this whole dating business. Touji looked ready to bolt, Shinji was being drained of his bodily fluids, and Tayura was pissed off…not the best evidence of something good. His computer, his hand, and an active imagination might be better after all.

X-X

Now Chizuru knew that she was often spoiled by the men in her life, Tayura and Shinji, but even she felt a little bad about how she abused Shinji the last few days. It hadn't been his fault that she made that damn bet, but he was paying for it in spades now. To be fair to him though, it wasn't as if she wasn't spoiling him as well with their evening activities. Shinji was just better at it than she was, and he was a giver. So while she was paralyzed in orgasmic bliss and being pampered, Shinji was a sweating and panting mess. Oh and Himari was doing the same thing to him, gods she loved her man. Shinji just had infinite energy it seemed.

Hell that Sunday evening she had abused his charity all night to the point she skipped school! Sneaking into his window that evening just after midnight, Chizuru found something that displeased her massively. So Lizlet had imparted a big payment for her task in trailing Kuesu all week. The Shinji sandwich left Chizuru green with envy as those ungrateful thieves got to sleep in Shinji's bed every night! She was the official girlfriend and she only rarely got to sleep, just sleep, with him!

So she stealthily replaced Shinji with a body pillow that the blond bombshell clasped to and dry humped as she left. Waking him and keeping him silent had been easy, he had missed her just as much as she missed him, so her kidnapping had been more liberation. That night they made up for lost time in manners that Chizuru hadn't anticipated. To think Shinji could lift her and hold her in the air as they made love! Well it wasn't her favorite position, that was still fox style, it was mind numbing. Then Rei came into the room around four in the morning while they were taking a break. That ended the break as the trio found Shinji still had the skill and stamina to break both of them. Her darling Rei had tried so hard to outlast him, but if the matron couldn't what hope did the pupil?

After that missed day of school they had two dates, one that consisted of just staying in and Shinji cooking up a storm and them playing card games. They didn't have to make love to express themselves, it was a delicious icing on a cake several layers high. Cuddling on the couch, Rei on his left and she the right, the watched television and talked of his time with Kuesu. He spared no detail, no matter how it effected her, as he didn't want to be duplicitous. The day that separated there dates, Shinji had tended to the cat. Chizuru found she didn't mind it anymore. It gave her time to plot and plan for their next time together and let her appreciation grow! She had to repay him…had to keep her place in his heart as something other than something to tend. Tending him was a rare thing he allowed, but she would do it.

That's why she left a note for him in his shoebox this morning to come to the roof during lunch. Oh and to bring Noihara with him, never let it be said that Chizuru couldn't share. It was a store bought lunch, better than she could cook, but it wasn't the meal that she had planned. The magazine she had read during her week abstinence, said guys sometimes liked being serviced in public. It sent a shiver of electric bliss down her spine, being naughty had its places.

"But likely Shin-chan won't let us just tend to him," Chizuru grabbed the fence tightly. Her tails started to rebel against her as her mind wandered down avenues of carnal delight. A small tremor rocked the school building again, "Second one today, hope we're not due for a big one." Having lived through many earthquakes, Chizuru was apt to want to avoid them. "What do you think, I've smelled you on him last night snake," Chizuru hadn't mentioned it to Shinji though. So Shizuku took some liberties, it didn't stop Shinji from being honest with her.

Sliding off the water tower, Shizuku reformed at the door and opened it. "Slayer-kun never lets people do things for him without repayment. I helped him and he…" her normal pale skin appeared almost normal for a moment. Mumbling under her breath she lifted the store bought lunch with her tongue and waggled it, "Not home made, and here I thought you'd match Neko-hime with a few cut fingers."

Willing her rambunctious tails to quell there anxiety, Chizuru stomped her foot indignantly. "Damn it I knew I should have at least tried. That Black Cat is always trying to one-up me," her moment of laziness likely would cost her a few points. Everybody was trying to score points, and she had to defend her position as queen of the hill. Leaning against the fence, a strange scent in the air caught her attention. Sniffing at the aberration, "That smells like…" But then the smell was gone, though for a moment she thought she smelled Shinji on the wind, as impossible as that was.

"So why doth thou force us to sojourn up here where we could dine in the lush refinery of the quad?" Himari asked as she lead Shinji by the arm through the door. Stroking his hand with loving tenderness, she relinquished her hold as they neared Chizuru. Himari knew her place, and didn't begrudge for it, or at least show any. A lunch box in her hand, Himari smirked at Chizuru's plastic bag, "Oh, you allowed some peddler to provide our meal? Such lack of care for your lover, tis a shame." Oh how she lorded up her position.

Embracing Chizuru tightly, Shinji kissed her cheek softly before shaking a hand dismissively. "It's the thought that counts, and with the four of us eating the more the better," Shinji was always quick to minimize hostilities. Spreading a blanket on the roof of the school building, Shinji quickly set the three boxes of food out for all to gather. Chizuru's looked better than Himari's while Shinji's beat both of them. Go figure since he was the best cook of the three. Relaxing and stretching his legs out, "We should eat up here more often though. The wind is lovely."

Another tremor rattled the building a little stronger than the previous, Himari fingered the blade at her side questioningly. "A strange scent be on the air. Mayhap it be the food yon fox provided, but I think not…let us dine and see to what the fox wishes from us. Today be my day if she remember," Himari leaned against Shinji and tickled under his chin. With Chizuru and Himari flanking the boy, it was Shizuku that sat across from him and smiled and 'hu-hu'd when appropriate.

Scooping food off of Shinji's small plate the Mizuchi deftly slid it into his mouth as he opened his mouth to speak. Playing about inside his mouth for a few moments, she stopped only when Chizuru and Himari moved to act. "Such defensive princesses we have today. Am I to think I'm not wanted here? It is Kitsu-hime's plan to lock the door and beset her captive prey is it not? Maybe three on one might finally see a defeat on Slayer-kun's side. Though, if not careful Tea-hime might be sucking him dry in his sleep," Shizuka leaned back as Chizuru's fist filled the air where she had been.

"You ruined my plan for surprise! If he didn't know the plan he couldn't find a way out of it!" Chizuru latched onto Shinji's side. Using her large bust to encase his arms between them, Chizuru rubbed sensuously against the prone lad. Giving him the best puppy-dog eyes she could, dripping in pleading, "I wanted to make it up to you for…us abusing your nature the last few days. It wasn't your fault what happened with…that other woman…and yet you've been ever so attentive." Just the memory left her a little damp. Odd how even the non-sexual elements left her body just tingling and joyful. Love truly was a marvel.

Joining Chizuru in the mental assault against her master, Himari stole the other arm. Stealing his gaze away from Chizuru, she battered her eyelashes and pursed her lips. "So that twas the plan was it? To steal my master from mine side to repay him for his generosity for your faults? It would be a dishonor for myself to not attempt the same. He has been far to hard on himself for things outside his control. And I too have found myself…shamefully…move!" Himari belted out and tore Shinji from Chizuru's embrace.

Stunned at the unexpected move from her begrudging friend, Chizuru didn't move as Himari tumbled to the ground. "What the hell are you doing? Look I know we have had a few issues…" that's when the lunches exploded around and covered her in food. A smoking hole in the roof destroyed a large portion of the structure and set the blanket aflame. Suddenly finding herself under assault, Chizuru rolled back to avoid another blast and got to her feet. Finding that damn bitch of a girl and the Nue flying above them, "You ruined our romantic lunch, girl. Hope you're ready to pay for it!"

"Onii-chan doesn't need people like you in his life. Onii-chan just needs to accept his fate," Minori said as the pair descended to the roof. Taking a few steps towards Himari and Shinji, her advance stopped when the sword was drawn. Appearing a little older than the last time, and a hint more masculine, Minori's voice didn't contain the whimsical timbre it had before, "Destiny that was thrust upon the two of us. We were not meant to live a life of ease…I was given life to…then he was found born…Onii-chan needs to do what he was destined for."

Picking up Himari's scabbard, Shinji closed his eyes and focused intently, "I don't know what you're talking about. We we just want to be left alone! Can't we just have peace?" The Light's Ferry blossomed out of Himari's scabbard as Shinji inched closer to Chizuru. Never taking his eye off of the pair, they themselves showing every indication of an attack at any moment, Shinji went to up their odds of success. "Is it so wrong for me to be with them? Why can't a human love a non-human?" Shinji reached out for Chizuru blindly.

Taking his hand, it was warm and inviting despite the situation, Chizuru clasped it warmly. Just hearing those words would always make her light headed, Chizuru wallowed in his emotions like a pig in mud. "We can and we will, I'm not letting this whelp come between us. I don't even mind Himari anymore," it was worth it. Twirling around Shinji, the Light Ferry empowered scabbard was warm to the touch. Feeling herself lose her coporial body, "Let's show her our love again." And Chizuru found herself lost inside the soul of her beloved.

As the trio of diners rotated around the pair of intruders another crash on the roof caught there attention. A large reptilian body, body rippled with taught muscles and gleaming claws, crunched the foundation tiles of the roof like tin foil. "Father'sssss blessing be upon me'zzzzzz thizzzz timezzz. No defeat from frail female! Break and tear your bones, Slayersss," the child of Yig called out with a deafening roar. Slashing out at Shinji, who barely got out of the way, the once defeated lizard man trashed about wildly.

"More party crashers. And I thought the descendants of Yig would abide the councils decree to leave the Slayer alone," Shizuku actually sounded a mix of astonished and angry. Lashing out her watery tendrils at Nue, the Mizuchi set the battle partners as fairly as she could think. "I'll see to the bird, Neko-hime take the girl, and you Slayer-kun…maybe you could kill him this time?"

Taking control of Shinji's body, Chizuru felt something new this time. "Oh I won't kill him, it's more fun to demoralize him. He was so easy to defeat last time, I'm sure he'll be no challenge this time too," Chizuru goaded the lizard on. So this was what slayer magic felt like, Chizuru never felt the pure radiant energy of Light's Ferry so directly before. Not skilled with weapons though, she hardly was able to defect the lizard's claw with the scabbard. Leading her quarry away from the others, fighting in cramped quarters would only make things harder. Summoning a small ball of foxfire as rapidly as she could, she tossed it at the lizard, "Haven't you learned your lesson after last time?"

"Be careful Chizu-chan, something feels different about him this time. He's not the same as when we beat him before," Shinji's voice wafted into her ear. It wasn't that she heard him, his soul was what spoke to her. It was cute how he was worried about her, in this form they'd never lose! "You can't use our larger fox fires though or you might hurt Himari-san or Shizuka-san!" Shinji reminded as Chizuru had already summoned another ball of flame.

Realizing that if she threw her current projectile it would burn horribly through Shizuku, Chizuru had a slim moment of temptation. She snuffed it out instantly, she'd rather share Shinji than ever risk losing even a fraction of his esteem. "Well we can't have that now can we," she smirked knowing Shinji felt it. Tossing the ball at the bastard, he was sent flying back towards the entrance, a large portion of the roof now a gaping hole.

Calling out almost with feral hissing, Himari blanched, "Ye try to kill us all thieving fox? To be less of us to kept Master all to yourself? I shall not let you, I shall not let this deceitful beast harm a hair on his head either!" Himari slashed out viciously at her opponent that took a glancing blow down her arm.

Blood trickled down Minori's arm, and the girl looked at it mystified as if such things weren't possible. "N-Nue…it hurts! IT HURTS" she cried out as the fight left her body and she crumpled to the ground. Not that it helped her, as Himari was on top of her in a blink of an eye. Grabbing at Himari's arm, the one the red-eyed cat-girl used to hold her prone to the ground. Crying out hoarsely, "D-don't kill me! Nue help!"

Distracted by the show of Himari losing herself, Chizuru and Shinji failed to notice the lizard standing up and shaking its head clear of its blow. "What the hell is going on up here Shi…" Asuka, most likely sensing the spiritual energy rushed out onto the roof. Stunned at the destruction and the presence of several powerful demons, skittered to a halt.

"Soryu get out of here now! We don't need more distractions!" Chizuru yelled in her odd mixture of Shinji and her voice. To much was happening to fast, the battle was going well but with Himari losing herself things just got worse. Knowing the cat-girl would never forgive herself for taking a life, Chizuru tossed a small ball of fire at the pair. The blow didn't hurt them, but stunned Himari long enough for Nue to viciously claw at her and knock her off. Shizuku was quick to pin Himari down as Nue flew off with the crying Minori. Letting out a sigh, Chizuru turned back and felt her blood run cold, "Oh hell not that!"

Holding Asuka's head between its mighty fingers, the lizard man lifted the girl off the ground with its nails close to her throat. "Yesssss, victory be mine alone! Now give Slayer to me or watch this one die!" the lizard man nicked Asuka's throat causing blood to pour.

"I'll eat thy heart and drink thy blood lizard!" Himari spat and yowled as she rebelled against Shizuku's hold. "Let me go lying seductress snake or ye be next!" Himari glared pure hate at Shizuku.

Not knowing what to do, Chizuru felt herself being replaced by Shinji. "S-Shinji what are you d-doing?" but it didn't feel like Shinji. No, it was that familiar dread of her accursed last tail! The one she couldn't control, her private shame, and it was supplanting her control over Shinji and her combined body, "What's going on!?"

"That woman is mine, they are all mine…you will not touch them. This world is mine…its ALL mine!" Shinji's voice said with a slick and cool detachment. Picking up a rock, it flared with golden light as he threw it at the lizard man. Striking the creatures head with a thick meaty smack, black blood pooled out of the wound as it fell to one knee. Taking steps closer to the recovering son of Yig, Asuka still paralyzed with fear and a small seepage of urine from the near death, Shinji laughed hard. "Light's Ferry the ultimate defense…but what if I do this?" Shinji flicked the scabbard with a finger.

Tendrils of black appeared to seep out of the golden blade until it was only whole dark. Grazing the scabbard against the ground, whatever it touched simple ceased to be. Effectively carving through the roof like a slab of butter, Shinji raced at the fallen Lizard man with death fully his intent.

Forcing herself out of Shinji's body partially, making him see her, Chizuru couldn't hold herself back any longer! "That's not something the Shinji I love would say! Claiming us as objects! Saying that the trainee is his! That the WORLD is his! Keep talking like that and I won't spoil you or let you spoil me!" her eyes were ringed red at the fear of it. And just like that, the blade lost all light returning to just a normal scabbard again.

Falling to his knees, Shinji blinked a few times as if coming out of a dark dream. "W-what happened…is-is Asuka alright?" Shinji asked as Chizuru retook her form. Being helped up by the nude girl, Shinji surveyed the damage. The roof was totaled, Asuka was recovering from her shellshock holding a cloth to her bleeding throat, and Shizuka held an unconscious Himari over her shoulder. "Who is that person in you Chizuru…she said she was part of you…that she'd help me stop Himari and save Asuka if I helped her…" Shinji took Himari from Shizuka effortlessly.

"A…a secret I can't keep any longer," Chizuru felt shame swell inside her and threaten to overcome her. Her damn tail had tried to corrupt Shinji, tried to do terrible things! Another earthquake rumbled through Tokyo-3 causing the already overtaxed roof buckle and start to collapse. When they got back down stairs, they found Rei waiting for them, Nerv had called. The found the source of the quakes, and angel.

X-X

Walking onto the command bridge, Misato had flipped her serious switch from off to on. A lot was going on in her life, most good but a few confusing or bad, but right now it was the quickly descending mass of angelic monstrosity so focused on. "Give me a status on that thing and our potential plans for it?" Misato barked out. Those around her jerked in response to her sudden demand, but they all did their job professionally. Say what she wanted about her crew, they knew when to focus and when not to.

"Captain, as the commanders are still gone, we've little in the way of preparation. The pilots are being summoned right now and the units are being prepped for combat," Makoto said without looking away from his console. His fingers wafted over his keyboard with various readouts and percentages in unison with his actions. Flinching his head to the left, "I believe Ibuki-kun and Akagi-san have more on the actual angel."

With a nod and a quick glance up at the command deck, Misato wasn't sure if she was happy or sad to see it empty. Three days prior the commanders left to acquire something from the arctic, something Tendril's Leaf said would be necessary. Those 'sources' that aided Nerv, Misato wanted to know more about them, a great deal more about them, but was forbidden. That's what made her nervous, that she was told point blank to avoid contacting Nerv's benefactors'. What was there to hide? While the commanders often provided little in the general combat plans, this time Misato might have liked the additional input.

Fixing her barrette, it had slid as she walked fast and purposefully, Misato found it funny that an hour ago she was sleeping without a care in the world. Her concern was how to cook the meal Shinji left for her and hopefully avoiding that new girl…the tea sprite. Girl was stacked and had such an attractive face, Misato didn't want to accept her at first. But with Shinji knowing what she was and saving her life…Misato couldn't kick her out. Then Himari showed how the girl was indestructible by stabbing her without batting an eyelash. Next was the legal documents from that bitch Jinguji that she 'forgot' about. Now thoughts of what happened in Shinji's room at night were replaced with fears he'd never sleep in there again.

"So what do you have for me Ritsuko, and please tell me it's good news," Misato found Ritsuko hovering over Maya's back. Ritsuko, two weeks ago Misato was worried her friend was getting close to going over the edge. Long hours at the base, late nights in the commander's office, and just a haggard and listless expression, now it was different but if it was better she didn't know. Something was driving Ritsuko, but she was so emotionally distant it was hard to tell. If they lived through this, Misato would try and change that. Joining the duo at Maya's free side, Misato glanced at the screen, "All I know is I was knocked out of my futon by this thing, my live in maid handed me the ringing phone, and Shigeru said it was an angel."

Sparing a moment to look away from the angel's readouts, Ritsuko proved she could remain calm and collected under any situation. "I thought Shinji-kun was at school when the angel attacked. You making him your cabana boy now or something? How is his girlfriend and bodyguard taking that?" she joked. After a few pregnant moments of silence, the duo started laughing breaking the tension just a little. After a shared nod with Misato, Ritsuko pointed at Maya's screen. "Those earthquakes were reactions from the angel dropping portions of itself as it corrected its aim at the city. Now we're reading it changing itself in preparation for dropping itself on us," Ritsuko stood up tall with a frown.

Maya spun around forcing Misato to take a few steps back, her face was pallid and she looked ready to vomit at any moment. "Th-the force of the impact will destroy the entire city and the base itself if it hits in any of these locations," she pointed a circle that covered most of the city. What the angel's plan was with this suicidal attack was hard to fathom, maybe it was just more of a team player. Tugging on her collar, "What are your orders, Captain?"

"Get drunk and pray won't work, but I guess I can come up with something better," Misato joked to keep her cool. This was a real nightmare situation, and everybody was looking to her for answers. Looking over the projected landing area, Misato selected three entry points. She hated it, but she had to put Shinji in the center position which was the most dangerous. He was the fastest and best suited for reacting on the fly. Rei and Asuka were to by the books, and for this to work it would need something more. They'd have to catch the thing, hold it, find the core, and destroy it while the thing tried to crush them. No…Shinji would have to hold it most likely if odds were considered. "Ok, this is the plan…"

While the pilots were brought in and suited up, Misato went over the plan with the command staff. They went ashen with the whole plan boiling down to Misato's intuition and the pilots abilities to respond in split seconds. But they had no alternatives they wanted to say, so they went about their jobs. Waiting in the meeting room for the pilots, Misato saw Himari and Chizuru waiting there for her. She'd have to tell them as well wouldn't she? Her boy was going to be at most risk again, and his two significant others would want blood if he was hurt.

Finding the two girls listless and silent, Misato couldn't refute them for that. Misato hated putting the pilots in danger, Shinji most of all not that she'd ever tell anybody. Did she love him as a son or not she didn't know. She'd had two more little accidents in the shower, it got easier each time, but she didn't have any plans for him. It was easier to blame the fact that he was the last male she'd scene in the nude and he was quite finely crafted. "Want the news first or want to wait to hear it with the others?" Misato asked the pair.

Barely hearing Misato, Chizuru looked up with red rimmed eyes and a panicked almost wild expression. "Oh…oh mother-in-law, sorry, my mind isn't…I can wait," Chizuru didn't sound to want to be there. Understandable, seeing how their lives were all in danger. Nudging Himari with her knee, Chizuru prompted the other girl to act.

Her sword sat uncovered on her lap, Himari clutched it with her long fine fingers so tightly they were white with spikes of red. Body trembling slightly, her hair was no longer bound up in its glorious pony tail and her kimono was ripped and torn in places. "Tis better to only speak it once, though my mind is not with this. I have failed in my duties today, my honor, my life was near forfeit," Himari's toneless voice echoed in the nearly empty hallway.

"What are you two talking about, did something happen before you got here?" Misato couldn't believe what she was seeing. These two girls that were so full of life the day before it made Misato feel old were now empty sacks of depression. What could have caused this? It couldn't have been anything to drastic or they'd not be here, but what? Tapping her shoe on harder, Misato wanted the pilots here now. The sooner she got this started the sooner she could stop hating herself for what fate forced on her. Sending children off to fight for her, sending family out into harm's way, and sending these girl's lover to bear the brunt of it. It made her sick, but she kept her mask of professionalism on. "That Lizlet was worried over the earthquakes breaking her cup, is that what has you two worried? Shinji's wrap job on that cup would survive the building falling on it," maybe that was all it was.

Tapping Misato on the shoulder, Shizuku's tongue waggled at her yelp and jump. While she seemed the same as always, something in how she stood spoke of things best not learned. "We'll tell you after this whole issue is over. No reason to complicate matters more with factors not involved with the guardian," Shizuku pointed her tongue over at the approaching pilots, "they need your full attention."

With a heavy heart and a mighty sigh, Misato turned to the pilots only to stop upon seeing them looking just as mortified as Himari and Chizuru. "Asuka are you alright, your neck is a little red," Misato couldn't help but notice. It was just a small line that went all along her throat, a tiny red line of healed flesh. Just what the fuck happened today?! "Tell me later, I can only focus on one issue at a time," Misato cut Shinji off as he opened his mouth to answer. Handing the trio several print-outs Ritsuko provided for this, "This is what we're up against. And the plan.

The pilots liked the plan less than the command staff if that were possible. Knowing they were responsible for things and not just watching it would be a great cause for that. "I know the chance of success is low, but I have faith in you three. But if you want you can…you can fill out a will," Misato hated having to say that. Children filling out wills, lives far too young to have to deal with that fact. Her eyes lingered on Shinji and felt a cold nub growing in her chest. Somehow this time felt different, she felt different about sending him out knowing how unlikely his survival was.

"I don't have a need for a will, I'm not buying it here," Asuka said and dropped the paper on the ground. Casting a quick glance at Shinji and the two sitting demons, Asuka opened her mouth to speak but shut her mouth and walked off.

Leaning against Shinji, Rei let hers fall as well, "All I am is either Shinji-kun or Chizuru-sans, I have no reason to fill out this." Her hand trialed down Shinji's spine before she walked over to Chizuru. The soft spoken albino said a few hushed words to which Chizuru hugged her hard and smiled. Without another word Rei joined Asuka in getting into her plug.

Shinji at least handed Misato back the document with a lethargic shrug, "Not like I have much to give away anyway. You're all the only things I care about, so if I don't make it…it's all yours anyway." Offering Misato one of his small smiles, the type he didn't know that melted her heart a little, "I trust your plan, Misato-san. And we'll tell you about what happened…after we get back. C-Chizuru-san, Himari-san how about we go out for some food after this?"

Wrapping an arm around Shinji's shoulder, Misato hugged the boy. His warmth was intoxicating, or maybe it was just her fear, but she didn't want to let him go. "How about we all go out for some steak after this is over! I'll pay for Asuka if you pay for your girlfriends," she winked at Shinji. Sadly he didn't blush like he oft did, but with death on the mind it wasn't like he was to be flustered with something so inane. Letting him go, not like the mission could start without him, Misato swallowed her emotions less she lower moral even more. With him gone, "So you three want to watch with us up on the bridge? Not supposed to let you up there, but to hell with regulations the commanders' aren't here."

The pair got up on unsteady legs, Himari never relaxing her grip and Chizuru looking frumpy for the first time to Misato's knowledge. Following behind her like lost kittens, they didn't speak or even react to the looks and comments people gave them. Misato found them all some seats as she put her head set on and opened communication to the pilots. "We'll be feeding you up to date information on where the angel is headed. But it's mostly guess work so use your best judgment when it comes to conflicts," Misato was proud of those three. They didn't look afraid at all, quite the opposite.

"So you're buying me steak after this, Misato?" Asuka asked with a renewed sense of pride. Whatever happened to her, she was feeling better in her Eva.

The girl's energy was infectious and Misato found herself giggling at it. "You bet, so if that isn't a reason insure you win I don't know what is," her false bravado held firm. Steak, a small reward for such a big risk but it was better than nothing. For good or ill, the battle would be over in less than ten minutes. Her stomach tightened into a knot and she felt her bladder pressing hard but she'd either tend to it after the mission or it'd not be an issue. "Begin operation, launch the Eva's and good luck!" she wished she could have done more.

Everything was now in the hand of her subordinates with slight corrections and commands from Misato. Maya and Shigeru with help from Ritsuko coordinated the movements of the Eva's in regards to the angel's tumbling to earth. Makoto was rushing to insure power lines were up and charging stations if needed were loaded up from there underground caches. All while the three demons sat watching with rapt attention, a fire could have started and they'd have sat and roasted in it without reacting.

Sadly the battle happened just as Misato thought it would have, and it was Shinji that was at the initial point of contact. The external camera's captured an image that those that knew Shinji already believed, the demonic form of Unit-01 held up the angel single handedly. It was equally as horrifying to see the power the timid lad could summon from the purple behemoth as it was inspiring. Lights of purple and orange clashed with as the AT-Field showed themselves and clashed, Unit-01 and the angel. Unit-02 and 00 were closing in but all could see the ground buckling under Unit-01. Shinji's strained screams of pain and determination elicited matching from Chizuru and Himari as they watched.

Just as they thought Shinji was about to fall, moments before Unit-02, the orange hexagon underwent a change. The odd shimmering orange became a sheet of pure light, beautiful and awe-inspiring, and unlike the other times Shinji used Light's Ferry, it was fully recorded by multiple sources. Misato found it crushingly stunning, and more importantly it held and allowed Asuka and Rei time to get in and act. Starting at just above Unit-01 the golden light faded outward allowing Asuka to carve up through the field and Rei access to its core. The angel erupted in a white blast that knocked out communication and shorted out the cameras.

"They're readings are coming in, they're all safe. But…Misato what was that light? Unit-01 has never…what was that?" Ritsuko both calmed there nerves but called attention to the bigger issue.

Her heart relaxing, her breath coming out in large droughts, Misato fell back against the bay of computers as sweet relief washed over her. "Thank god for that, Ritsuko. And I think we both know who we can ask about that light. And we've a date with them once we get those three out of there," Misato turned to Chizuru and Himari. She had heard about Shinji's abilities but never really saw them, not like that anyway. A lot was going to have to be addressed, and she hoped she liked some of it. "Now let's go greet our heroes shall we?" Misato finally felt herself smiling earnestly since she got the phone call that morning.

X-X

Life was not going particularly well for Tayura for the last few days. Five days ago he had his blow out with Touji over the jock's betrayal in regards to Asahina. Then there was the latest guardian attack and the ambush on his sister, followed by whatever truly caused the issue between Chizuru and Shinji. Oh how Tayura wanted to blame Shinji for the emotional wreck that was his sister, he really did. But Chizuru had made it painfully clear, the pain came from a sound beating, that it was her fault and not to take it out on Shinji. The last two days had been Chizuru staying at home and thoughtfully Shinji asked Rei to stay with her.

"S-so how is she doing?" Shinji asked the brooding younger brother. Packing his books and notebooks into his satchel, Shinji failed his anxiety terribly. He took sneaking glances at the taller boy, hands wouldn't stop moving, and he just wouldn't stop moving. Gripping the satchel as he shut it, the sound of the cloth stretching was clear in the dwindling classroom, "She eating the food I send over at least?"

Why did Shinji have to be such a good guy? Tayura wanted to have somebody or something to take his frustration out on, but he couldn't find one! "She hasn't been, Shinji, but I have and so has Ayanami. And before you ask, Chizuru HAS been talking and playing around with her when she does anything," Tayura sat at his desk. Writing down a list of the food he needed to buy, Tayura was going to try and cheer Chizuru up through her stomach. When Chizuru did anything it involved Rei, otherwise she brooded in her room with the door closed. Folding the paper and stuffing it in his pocket, "I'll let you know when she's willing to talk to anybody. But I bet you know it before I do."

"Hey you guys, want to hit the arcade or something? Shinji, not like you've anything going on. Not with both Noihara and Minamoto sick," Kensuke held his satchel behind his head. Of the trio of boys, Kensuke was the only one in a jovial mood, positively alight with energy. Thumping the bag against his head, "Oh and you going to tell me about that new weapon Nerv is using Shin-man? I saw some crazy vid's last night on the net. That light was exactly like the ones being spotting at that shrine. So what gives, people are thinking Unit-01 is linked to them."

Oh yeah, the cover for why both of Shinji's primary female companions were missing since the last guardian, sickness. Tayura was glad for that, otherwise he'd have to watch the flock of girls swarm over the wounded prey that was Shinji Ikari. And he could see them moving about, each day those two girls stayed away they moved in closer. "I don't know about Shinji-kun, but I have to get some groceries. Nerv won't let him over to cook, don't want him to get sick or something. So I have to cook for her," Tayura said loud enough for those spies to hear. If they believed it or not he didn't know.

"I guess I could go for a while, don't really want to go home right now. Things are complicated right now," Shinji's gaze fell over Asuka's empty chair. Returning a wave at a troupe of girls that called out to him, Shinji bashfulness threatened to overcome him. "I've a few…questions for Tayura-san about Chizuru-san, so could you wait for me in the hall Ken, I'll be right out," Shinji actually sounded forceful, and that got the geek to move.

Trailing his hand over Touji's desk, Tayura slammed his fist on it and splintered the wood. Thankfully Shinji was quick to step in front of it to hide it from the cleaners for the day. He saw the damn bastard walking out with Akane not ten minutes ago, she said she had something to talk to him about. His powers threatened to spill out as his anger increased. Touji knew…he knew how Tayura felt about Akane, but did that stop him? Growling softly as he spoke, "What did you want to ask, Shinji? I just want to get out of here, get her food, and go home."

Brushing some of the dust off the splintered desk, Shinji didn't back down from the show of strength. "I won't keep you long, and I think Asahina-san might just want to see how Touji's grades are," Shinji's mild platitude fell on empty air. Neither of them believed it, both Touji and Akane were just oozing with apprehension. With a deep breath, Shinji closed his eyes and leaned over the broken desk, "Do you know about Chizuru-san's black tail? I don't know what she told you about the fight that destroyed the roof. But during it, while we were merged, I was contacted by a part of her. It was her but different. It took over both of us."

A black tail, an aspect of Chizuru he hadn't heard of before! "I…I haven't heard of it before. From time to time I see her getting really introspective and looking at the mirror. I'll talk to her about it I guess," Tayura found his anger dissipating. Waving Shinji off, that damn compassionate look was eating into his bitterness lessening and he wanted to keep it and stew in it. Gritting his teeth, "Just get going Shinji. I don't know anything and I want to be alone right now. And we both saw how he looked at her, it's a matter of time."

"Well, don't let it get to you. I know how you felt, but maybe it's for the best?" Shinji offered weakly. With a small wave goodbye, Shinji walked out to join Kensuke and the pair vanished out into the day.

Listing against his desk, Tayura just pinched the brow of his nose and grunted. How had Chizuru hid something like that from him for so long? It made sense though, well with Chizuru it made as much sense as anything else. He'd have to talk to her about it when she got home, but it was up to here whether she answered. Grumbling and kicking at garbage as he came across it, Tayura brushed past people as they came his way. Brooding over that last little scene of Touji and Akane, Tayura's imagination played out numerous scenarios between the two. He liked each less and less.

Thankfully his imposing size and his latent demon-animal nature forced people to walk around him as he went. Hands stuffed firmly in his pockets, his school work left behind as he didn't care about it, he stalked his way to the grocery store. If he wanted any sort of conversation with Chizuru, he'd have to placate her. And that sniffy, those red rimmed eyes, and her warbling voice lanced Tayura every time though! He hated seeing her like that, it pained him to, stupid emotions. Even if he didn't feel that same sense of 'love' as he did prior to Shinji showing up, he still loved her as a sister.

Stomping through the aisles, mother's pulling their children out of her his way, Tayura was moving on autopilot. Tearing his list of items out of his pocket, he filled his basket roughly. Just dropping the items without care, they clanked against one another and the vegetables weren't inspected or cared for. Standing at the meat section, he broke out of his latest vision of Touji's betrayal. "Maybe get something better for myself. Have him cook it for me. After what he put Chizuru through, Shinji owes me," he nodded to his own logic. Putting a side of steak into the basket, that would be his reward for services rendered.

"Oh Minamoto-kun, you're here alone?" Hikari asked as she approached the cold case with a trolley of meat. Putting new product up in the spaces she found them needing, the girl's apron was tied tightly and quite form enhancing. Plucking the note out of Tayura's prone hand, Hikari helped the boy shop. "How you doing today, your sister…really sick or are the rumors true?" Hikari put the package of beef next to the tomato she replaced.

Oh great, Touji's other lady friend, just what Tayura needed right now. Oh and she was one of those that heard those damn rumors. "Yeah I'm here alone, and yeah she's sick," he said with all the believability of a bound man. Deftly plucking the note back from her, he put it in his pocket, that was the last of the items anyway. Setting the basket down, Tayura watched as Hikari worked, "Those rumors about Shinji-kun and her breaking up are just…she's going through some personal issues right now is all." If what Shinji said about that tail is true, it was so personal she kept it secret from everybody.

Fixing the product placement, Hikari took masked looks at the boy at her side and fidgeted. "Well that's good. They seem to make each other so happy. I'll try to tell the others to stop they're…well some of the girls. I've overheard them making plans to make a move on him," Hikari stood still. Her trolley was empty, but she just stood there awkwardly eying Tayura's basket and feet. Timidly she stepped closer to the boy, "H-how are you doing, Minamoto-kun. You've been really distant in school the last few days. Is it your sister or something else bothering you?"

Scooping his basket back off the ground, Tayura elbowed it and kicked at the ground angrily. Had he been thinking soundly he'd never gripe about her personal life, but his need to vent overwhelmed him. "It's Suzuhara and Asahina. I told him a while ago that I liked her, and I'm pretty sure that after their date last week and today that…and I trusted him," he stomped his foot. Looking up at Hikari, he saw her take a trembling step towards him, she understood! Taking her outstretched hand, finally somebody that understood, "And now I just…just need to get over it I guess. It still hurts through."

Once her hand was encased in his, the spell that had fallen over Hikari was shattered and she tried to yank it free. Her body just didn't have any strength to it though, "Y-you like Akane? I thought…I didn't think you had anybody that you…and Suzuhara and she are…" Tugging her hand against his encasement, Hikari became a frightened animal. A tremor warbled into her voice, "I need to get back to work, c-could you let me go Minamoto-kun please? I-I I have to get up front and…and…" And then the flood gates opened, soft yet constant tears.

Stunned, Tayura found himself gripping Hikari tighter as she rebelled against him. Thankfully nobody else was at that side of the grocery store, otherwise he'd look quite the goon. "Ho-Hokari-san what's wrong, you need to calm down. Is it…do you like Suzuhara?" it made sense. She started crying when he mentioned Touji and Akane, maybe that jerk hurt Hikari as well! Not fair, Touji had both Akane and Hikari going after him! Hikari wasn't that bad a girl, quite nice in fact, so she didn't deserve to have this sort of thing happen to her. Damn he hated seeing crying women, it just lanced right through him! Pulling her closer to him, hoping to calm her down, "D-did you ever tell him? Maybe you should before things…you know go to long."

Using her free hand to rub at her eyes, thankfully for Tayura they were drying, Hikari was still puffy and stopped fighting. "N-not Touji…he's a childhood friend and I'm happy for him. A-Akane said she liked…and I like…I like you, Minamoto-kun," Hikari's chin pressed against her chest. Her hand fell to her side as Tayura's grip went limp. Standing before him, her shoulders hitched a few times, her visor slipped off her head and rolled along the ground. "I like you, T-Tayura-kun," she finally found the courage to look at him. After their eyes met, whatever well of bravado she had left her and she fled to the employee's only room.

In a daze, Tayura found the world wafted past him in the whiplash of Hikari's confession. How he got home, man he hoped he paid for the food, he didn't know for sure. Thankfully the food was in plastic bags so it was unlikely he stole it. The class representative liked him…HIM?! But she was supposed to like Touji that way Asahina would be open to date him!

This was all backwards, so what was he supposed to do now? Unpacking his groceries, Tayura found the apartment dark, the light in Chizuru's room was on and Rei's room was open. Once the food was done Rei would drag Chizuru out again, girl wouldn't miss a meal for anything. Not wasting any time, he started making Chizuru's favorite curry while trying to block the girl's, he tried to dislike but never fully could, face out of his mind. He failed, oh boy did he fail.

"It's going to burn unless you take it off now, and the rice is boiling over," Chizuru announced and rudely broke Tayura out of his reverie. Lowering the heat on the stove and turning off the rice cooker, the girl was clad in some of her normal clothing and looked unexpectedly alert. Pouring herself a glass of water, she took a seat at the dinette set and sipped it, kicking her feet in quick jerking motions. "Going to take Rei-chan with me and go over to talk to Tamamo," she put her finger in the glass then drew on the table with the water.

Filling up three plates of the food he almost ruined in his distraction, Tayura peeked around for Rei but couldn't see her. "Your student not dining with us, and what…do you need to talk to mother about?" would she admit it? Reading Shinji's name and hers in the small heart drawn in water, Tayura swallowed guilt. Maybe he was wrong to want Chizuru to tell him about this issue. It was personal, more so than maybe he deserved to know. Setting the plate down before his sister, Tayura saw that some of the shame was gone, but it wasn't replaced with anything…just emptiness. Maybe he should have brought Shinji over rather than insist he give Chizuru a few days.

"I sent Rei-chan over to tell Shinji about my…plans. Going to spend a few days over with Tamamo to talk about something I'm not…something I'm ashamed of. It'll likely be a few days, and I don't like…if he wants Rei-chan to stay here I'd not mind. But since I can't take him with me…and you're here…I don't want to be alone," she held her spoon with food just before her mouth but didn't bite it. Setting the spoon down, she hung her head over her plate. Biting back self-loathing, "I lost control of myself Tayura. A part of me I tried to block away and forget about. It…when I merged with Shin-chan it approached him. The things it did, what it almost caused…all because I didn't tell him. How can he trust me again? I nearly caused him to kill somebody! All because I was sure I was in control and he didn't need to know!"

Chizuru was afraid and worried, Tayura never saw her get this bad before. Sure she had issues, everybody did, but to this degree, never. "You could ask her to go with you, Shinji would never refute you. And I know she can get a little odd about this 'alpha' business, but she keeps calling you her matriarch. I'd go with you though, if you want," he took a chance and pat her hand. She didn't lash out or even respond, just sat there with her head hovering over her food. Eating some of his portion, it was slightly burnt and the rice chewy, "Does this have to do with that black tail?"

Now she did break off from him and push his hand away, grapping her spoon again Chizuru took that bite and blanched. "This tastes foul! Shin-chan should be cooking for us, or you shouldn't have been eating the food he made for me," she glared at him but ate regardless. Clenching her eyes shut she drew in a mighty breath that forced her to sit up tall. "I'll take care of this tail of mine. Once it's under control I'll be back and then, then I won't be afraid of hurting him. I can't trust myself around him, can't risk merging at least, until this is solved. But I won't-won't force this on either Rei-chan or him," a grim resolve filled the room. She was serious, no waffling like she oft did.

"I'm sure he'll be waiting for you to break into his room whenever you're ready," Tayura believed. Today Chizuru needed him to be there for her, so no talking about Hikari. He watched her eat and complain in silence, he tended to the dishes and let Chizuru vent her frustration and fears. Tayura understood then, why she hadn't told him of this issue. Until Shinji it wasn't an issue, nobody merged with her so the tail was semi-dormant. Now it was actively attacking Shinji in a manner nobody could protect him from save himself.

Maybe had he been there, Tayura would understand more, but since he had been pining for Akane he missed the fight. When Rei did come back, wolfing down her semi-warm food without complaint, she informed the pair that Shinji asked her to go with Chizuru to keep her company. Damn Shinji knew Chizuru better than Tayura did, and he was happy for that.

X-X

"Thanks for helping us move these boxes, Ikari-kun," the tallest of the three girls said as she held the door open. It was the last of three trips from the classroom to supply closet, each one saw the trio of girls moving small bundles of paper and Shinji a large box of printouts. With a slight hint of adoration, "Anything we can do to show how appreciative we are?"

Setting the box down next to the other two he brought before, Shinji stood up tall and popped a kink in his back. Waving his hand dismissively, "No, that's quite alright. Just glad to help is all." This was the second time he'd have girls approach him, well second time since Chizuru stopped showing up at school. Just the day before Rei presented him the option of whether to let her stay with Chizuru or if he wished her to stay and tend to him. Knowing Chizuru hated being alone, Shinji of course told Rei to insure his girlfriend was tended to. Dragging his hand against his forehead, he was pleased not to find sweat, his training was having an effect. "Was there anything else?" he didn't like how they were blocking the door.

The triumvirate of girls, two he recognized as upper classmen, were all standing in the room and had wide smiles on their faces. It was the girl from his class that spoke, one of Asuka's clique by the name of Charlotte Orimura, shut the door and leaned against it. "Oh I'm sure we can think of…something to reward you with. No need to be shy, Mega-Playboy, we all know how things are," the faint click of the lock could be heard.

How what things were, Shinji felt his body seize up and go cold. So was this how he was viewed by people that didn't know him, how he thought of himself when his self-esteem was low? Holding both hands up at chest level, "You could let me out, that would be thanks enough. I've some things to do, and I think I've helped you enough today." He could hope to lie to them. What did he have to do really right now? Chizuru and Rei were off speaking to Tamamo, Asuka was sequestering herself at Kuesu's, and Himari wasn't emotionally ready to accept being spoken to. So unless Misato had the evening off the apartment would be empty, meaning more time with Lizlet or Shizuku.

With a nod to the other two, Charlotte advanced with a timid yet confident stride. "W-we'll let it out if you really want. We-we've all heard the rumors about Minamoto and you breaking up. And with all the other things w-we heard about how g-good you are," her eyes went straight to Shinji's crotch. With a swallow, she and the other girls started to unbutton there tops. Her tone was reverent and awed, "We all want to take her place. I mean…we saw the news…you caused those holy lights at the temples, and you're…you're…"

"We heard you're nine inches and know how to use it. You're a sweet guy, got a nice body on you, and to good to be single for long. So we want to show you how much we appreciate everything and…" a green haired girl from two grades up pressed against Shinji's side. Her hair was closely cropped much like Shinji's own, an inch taller, and a bust line just a smidge larger than Asuka's.

Oh how Shinji was going to have to crush those stupid rumors about him! So what if when he was with those he actually loved he seemed to buck the trend of the man finishing first. It wasn't like he was 'good' at it or anything, he was just attentive! Backing up, his legs caught against the box he just sat down and fell onto it. Knees splayed wide, his butt hurt a little from falling onto it, Shinji just alternated between the three girls. "Those are just rumors, I'm not th-that big, seriously. Chizuru-chan was just misheard, and we are still…" but where they?

Chizuru, she was just being so distant and so difficult, but Shinji was used to that. He wasn't blind to how she treated Tayura and the others, and realized she treated him better. But since the accident on the roof, she had been cold and abrasive. And Shinji knew why so he was being patient with her. Chizuru blamed herself for his semi-possession. That dark element within her that merged and overtook him, fed on his baser instincts and powers, she had known about it. Shinji had been quick to tell her he didn't fault her for not telling him about the entity, whatever it was. Sadly Chizuru didn't agree, and said she wanted a few days separated from him. Just how she meant separated, Shinji didn't know.

Losing some of her confidence, Charlotte stopped mid button as her two compatriots advanced regardless. "You're still seeing, Minamoto-san? B-but what about the others then? Ayanami, that girl that's always with you, and don't you have a fiancé? Not like you've not been faithful to her. And they all said you're…maybe we show we're better or at least on equal footing with them," she tugged on her long orange braid.

Putting a hand on Shinji's shoulder, keeping him on the box, the green haired woman was inching closer. "Like our little pet said, you're here so we can prove we're better than that glory hog Minamoto. Tired of seeing her lord up her relationship with you in class. She's not that great, and we know it. So it's time to knock her down a peg, steal her boyfriend from her…and" her hand went to Shinji's crotch and rubbed it. After a few moments her small smile went wide and her eyes danced, "Oh you are a fibber…maybe not the full nine but it's more than my ex ever had."

No, he wasn't going to just let this happen. Maybe the girl from his class had honest intentions, but these other two just wanted a trophy or to hurt Chizuru. Standing up and pushing the girl away from him, he'd be upset with himself for reacting later. "I'm sorry but no. I'm not just a body, they're not just bodies to me. I admit it looks odd to those that don't know us, but we honestly care for each other. I don't know you three, and I'm not going to be some…living relief aid for you," he pulled from his training. It didn't come out harsh or rude, just authoritative and convincing.

The older girls blushed hard from exposed chest to cheeks, Shinji's actions having the inverse effect than what he wanted. It was Charlotte that took on the look of shame, "S-sorry for doing this. T-they said they heard Minamoto-san and you broke up. And it's not like we-I want to just because of those rumors. You really are a-a…" She stopped when Shinji put his hands on her shoulders, instantly she closed her eyes and inclined her head.

"You're a nice girl, anybody that Asuka hangs out with has to be good to some degree," Shinji felt himself embolden. He kissed her cheek softly, it was all he was going to do with this girl, "But you should get to know somebody more before doing this." Of the three she had at least been honest with herself and him. Those leaked videos of the battle were causing a lot of problems, aside from old rumors of his prowess. Hadn't this girl mentioned them? With the press doing stories linking Unit-01's 'new attack' to the odd lights at the Shinto shrine, many were trying to impart some religious significance. Only his classmates, thanks to Kensuke and Asuka, knew he was the pilot of the purple Eva.

The door opening, Yukino held it open using her body as a wedge. "Ikari-kun is correct Orimura-kun. It takes a special connection to go to the level you three are watching. Now I will need to speak to the three of you in my classroom. Ikari-kun you are excused," she accidentally brushed her hand against his rump as he past.

"Thanks Yukino-sensei," Shinji gushed and hurried past her. The cold hand against his behind had been proof enough that Shinji needed. Yes that was Yukihana, she had touched him similarly last time he visited Tamamo's establishment. Somehow when he was with those two it didn't feel bad, it was something more spiritual, something close to how he felt for the others. He heard the emotionless woman start to berate the older girls, as he beat feet down the halls to the door. "Those two really are wonderful ladies," Shinji smiled at the memories of Tamamo and Yuki. 'Training for your partners', they could call it whatever they wanted, but it was more than that.

Waiting for Shinji at the gates to the school, Chelsie stood with her hands neatly clasped below her waist. "Oh Shinji-sama, I was starting to worry you left some other way," the girl gushed. Brushing past the small troupe of boys, that had coincidentally stood at the gate talking amongst themselves. Once she called out and ran to Shinji, the groaned and departed. "Noihara-san sent me to watch over you. She said Shizuka and her were going to talk to some…council about you know what," she whispered softly. Her lips close to his ears, wisps of warm breath and moisture caressed his ear, and left departing students gossiping.

"Well I should have expected that. When she did talk it was about how odd it was for both groups to show up when they did," Shinji patted Chelsie's hand. She was just so overly affectionate that it was hard not to respond in kind. Gently grasping Shinji by the elbow, the impossibly strong for her frame girl, guided Shinji down the street. Himari had been avoiding him again, and he knew she wasn't ready to talk about it. Once Himari started eating breakfast or supper with them again she'd be willing to listen to him. But to be going off with Shizuku to talk about the Child of Yig's attack, he should have expected that. "Is Misato-san home?" he tried not to drink in Lizlet's beauty…his itch was getting very pronounced.

Humming softly to herself, she hugged his arm a little harder, "Oh, no she isn't. Katsuragi-san went into your work place after that Akagi woman called her. She left a note though for you." Pulling the folded note out from the window her maid outfit provided to her chest. Now that got an older man's attention as they passed him, man almost fell over. Pressing the paper to Shinji's chest, Chelsie held it for a few moments after Shinji took it, "You're very warm today," she gushed.

She didn't mean it, she was just trying to replicate what she saw and all, but Shinji found that delicate touch inviting. "Akagi-san has been over a bit these last few days. They didn't like what we had to say about the roof," Shinji said more to himself. Ritsuko had been strange the last few days he had seen the woman. More open, a mixture of sadness and hope, and he wouldn't lie and say he didn't notice her occasional glances at him. Neither Misato or Ritsuko took the details of Chizuru's black tail or Himari's battle lust well. Didn't help that Asuka had took a haunted look when the details of her being hoisted up by the head and the source of the nearly vanished red line along her neck.

Reading Misato's note, Shinji pushed the thoughts of Lizlet's supple form out of his mind, but the sensation swelled.

'Shin-chan,

Ritsuko's having a bad day, something about breaking up with boyfriend I didn't know she had. So I'll likely end up at her place to keep an eye on her. When she gets low I get worried, and she's strange low right now. Don't do anything to crazy with your free time

Love

Your Misato'

"Did she have to kiss it with lipstick on?" Shinji groaned at the pucker mark on the piece of paper. Refolding the paper he slid it into his pocket with a small chuckle. "Hope nothing is wrong with Akagi-san, to many bad things happen to her," Shinji said knowing Chelsie didn't know the woman. Stopping at the local grocery store, Shinji and Lizlet made a few meal choices and fell into their current pattern. Despite the fact Chelsie didn't need to eat, Shinji liked to provide for her anyway and always took her advice on tea products to buy. Going with her request for supper, they made the purchase and headed to the apartment.

Taking the bags from Shinji, Chelsie batted her eyes at the boy and peeked up at him as she lowered her chin. "I'll go put these away if you'd like to…relax on the couch. We could watch a darling movie I found in Katsuragi-san's collection and then maybe…you know…" she interlaced her fingers together, tittered, and ran off with the bags flopping.

"At times I think she's still out to get me Pen-Pen," Shinji pet the bird as he passed. The avian houseguest warked and jumped up on the far side of the couch. Bird was setting a dangerous game, leaving only the center space open for Lizlet. "I need to talk to her about this. She's been great since she's moved in, but she's going too far," he couldn't believe her innuendo was wanted. Just because he spared her life was no reason to be so subservient. Since the event, Shinji had the crushing emptiness of Himari and Chizuru's need for time apart wash over him. Chelsie and Misato filled that void though with games, talks, and palling along. Just, it wasn't quite the same.

Turning on the player and television, Shinji didn't know what to expect from the movie Chelsie picked. Anything from a child's cartoon to an erotic movie was possible. Misato had a wide variety of movies, and the tea-sprite's personality was all over the place too. Some moments Shinji thought she was childlike in her innocence, and the next she was casually reaching for his belt. Talk about tea and she was a genius, other topics and she was quite the dither brain. But she was always positive, glowingly so at times, and Shinji felt his heart rate spike when she plopped down next to him. "Have any problems finding room for it all?" he asked as she nestled up next to him.

"Left it on the counter so we can have easy access when we need it," she cooed softly. Pulling her legs up on the couch, wrapping around but not touching Pen-Pen, she laid against Shinji. "I've…I've really loved the last few days, Shin-sama. I know it was caused by something really bad. But if that hadn't happened…we'd not have had so much time together. I…I love every moment with you, and being alone is even better," the sprite whimpered. Taking the remote off Shinji's thigh, she hit play and got cozy.

With Chelsie's head laying on his thigh, Shinji was prone both emotionally and physically. "I-I…well I've enjoyed getting to know you better too," Shinji confessed. Her twin tails fluffed about a little as she ground her head against his leg to get into a better position. Truly she was a unique woman, just like all the others. The movie started, and from the name he knew it was a chick-flick, but he'd suffer through it without comment. After all she'd done for him the last few days, he could suffer through a sappy film. Wrapping his arm on the back of the couch, not feeling right to put it on her as he would the others, "How did you pick this movie?"

Murmuring sleepily, Lizlet yawned loudly, "I heard Katsuragi-san watching it this morning after everybody left before I left for my shift at the cafe. She was sounding really into it when I did. I thought…" She went quiet as the movie began in earnest.

"Well Misato-san's tastes go all over the spectrum, but she has good taste," Shinji didn't want to know anything else about Misato's morning. Paying the movie more attention just to ignore the fact that Chelsie had her head on his thigh and it felt nice, Shinji found it actually quite fitting. It was like Misato herself, he realized. It was funny and serious, action packed yet slow, and it had beauty mixed with extreme sexiness. Damn it really was like that woman… So enraptured by the movie, Shinji didn't notice he fell into his typical movie night habit.

His hand was stroking Chelsie's hair, he had taken off her hair braids letting the longer than expected locks spill forth. If he had been at Chizuru's apartment however he'd likely have been massaging the girl's breast, thankfully to took to his Himari movie nights. "So-so did you like the movie?" he hoped he didn't either offend or strike a cord with the girl. Hating how his body was screaming for a little release, he wouldn't abuse his position with Lizlet at all. "Lizlet-san are you o-ok?" she wasn't saying anything. Was she pissed or the opposite?

Then she started snoring, soft little snores befitting a girl her build that were more cute than distracting. So there the young man sat, stroking the tea-sprites hair as she snored for a good ten minutes after the movie ended. When she fell asleep, Shinji had no way of knowing as he had been to busy comparing the film to his cherished guardian. Thanks to a car backfiring outside, Lizlet popped her head up and wiped at a trickle of drool going down her cheek, "We're under attack! Get Shin-sama to safety fast!" Diving on the boy, taking him to the cushions, she smothered his face with her ample chest.

"It was just a car, Lizlet-san, that's all," Shinji got out somewhat muffled. Closing his eyes he fought hard, the vibration of his talking made her rub against his face, an all around pleasurable sensation for both of them. Pushing her off of him, noticing the heavy crimson on her face, "W-want to get to cooking now? W-we can make some food, and then you can read that book I saw you reading and I can get some cello time in. Wi-with no school tomorrow we can make a day of it?" Every primordial part of him was screaming at him to lower her back down and to seal her lips with his own…he resisted.

For a brief moment Chelsie seemed to be trying just that, to force Shinji to lower her down. But after his grip remained steadfast she rolled off him. "If that is what Shin-sama wants, we can do that. O-or we could…I can feel you down there…I could…I want to repay the kindness you showed me. First with saving me, then what you did to my cup. I-I know you're with Minamoto-san and Noihara-san, but you're also with Ayanami-kun and Shizuku. I want…I want to be with you like that. D-do you like me like you like them?" she gushed as she started fondling Shinji's chest.

Not one to let himself be swayed by physical sensation, Shinji was having a hard time keeping that trend alive. "I do…I do like you Lizlet-san, but we don't really," he was going to say know each other but stopped. Over the last few days, and the weeks of him visiting the tea shop, they had gotten to really know one another. He told her of his past, what he remembered anyway, and in return she told him of her past. Chelsie spoke of her time as a cup in England, and the year in Japan at the shop where she finally gained her spirit body. "And I don't want…to abuse things. I know you feel you owe me for saving your life, but I did it because you deserve to live. Not because I wanted you as my servant," he didn't want to offend her but he wanted to be honest.

"Oh Shin-sama!" she broke through his hold and fell on top of him, "I thought you hated me! I thought that was why you wouldn't let me be with you as you are with them!" She wiggled against Shinji full body. Bucking and sticking her leg between Shinji's, she gently rubbed. Nibbling on his ear, "And I knew you'd never abuse me! That's why I gave myself to you! I chose to do this, not because I thought I had to. S-so would you like to sample your milk tea now"

Mind short circuiting, Shinji did what he thought best and hoisted her up again. "How about food first! I think…you should think carefully about this Lizlet-san. I mean we can get you enrolled in school with us and you could find somebody else. Somebody you wouldn't have to share with. A man or woman all your own," Shinji didn't want to impose a sexuality on the tea-sprite. Who was he to know, maybe she'd find a girl and shift her body to a boy's or something. "W-we spend the day like we did the others this week, and if you're serious…and ok with things between myself and the others…we can talk about it tomorrow. We'll have all day to talk about it," he nodded fast hoping to keep her without emotional hurt but not pushing to hard.

Rolling off Shinji, she dazzled him with a mighty smile, "Of course master! Lets go eat and then…" Skipping to the kitchen, the maid started going about her cooking ritual.

Waiting a few minutes to calm down and let himself stop standing at attention, Shinji joined his servant in cooking. Almost as if she hadn't just tried to savage him through his cloths, Lizlet was all smiles. Whatever was going on in her head, she didn't say but oh that expression was near orgasmic. Just what had he said to her that she misunderstood? They ate and chatted about her day at work, Shinji did NOT mention his ordeal in the supply closet.

After food they spent time doing what they wanted, Lizlet reading and Shinji playing his cello. Asuka's game console got a little play, and they watched another movie before calling it a night. And when he woke, Shinji realized just why Lizlet had been so happy. He had thought she understood his comment, not that he suggested they'd spend all day Sunday making love if she still felt the same way. As she did…Shinji woke with the sensation of hot and wet wrapping around his member. Throwing off the blanket, he saw Chelsie stop her bobbing to blush beautifully before continuing.

Well she made her choice despite Shinji's attempt to dissuade her. Chelsie knew her place in things and didn't mind it, in fact loved it! So rather than just let her degrade herself, he started to participate. Girl was insatiable, but she still lost the count to Shinji, her body was just to sensitive. The near nonstop sessions ended when a hung over Misato threw his door open around noon yelling at them to shut up. As the tea sprite was facing the door as she sat on Shinji's lap who was on his bed…the newly promoted major passed out.

X-X

Notes

And what we all expected and were waiting for happened, the busty tea-sprite got what she was hunting for during the last few chapters. Trying to keep the plot moving and add a bit of adventure and action flare to the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. So many options and I think this is fitting…hope you agree.

Later

Mercaba