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

20. Chapter 20

Standard Disclaimer

Man money issues are always a pain, thankfully I don't have them but help alleviate them in others. Still my accounts are a little pained due to it. Oh well that's life. Trying to keep this moving and not stagnating but with so much emotional ground to cover AND the plot points I want from a dramatic/adventure point of view…whew lot to go.

X-X

Friend of my Enemy

Chapter – 20

Sitting in the position of hell on the command deck, Misato was surrounded by complaints and reports. Everybody in the city was clamoring for Nerv in some regard, for good or ill. The city proper was upset that more wasn't done prior to the operation to prevent damage to buildings and countryside. Religious organizations were a buzz about the 'holy significance' of abusing the celestial light, claiming they were forcing a holy man into service. Shinji as a holy-man, Misato did think him a blessing around the house on most days but holy man? Well he was a blessing when he wasn't making Misato remember how lonely she was.

"I hate all of these reports! I don't care about some unused field outside of town! Nor do I want to let some cult of religious wackos to get their claws into Shinji-kun!" Misato scribbled her name on some release forms. Hours of this and she still hadn't made a dent, nor had Ritsuko and Makoto next to her. Pausing in her assault on Paper Mountain, Misato watched Ritsuko work for a few moments. Just who was Ritsuko seeing up until now? Girl never went out without Misato around, so it had to be somebody on staff. Leaning closer to her re-united friend, "You doing alright over there, Rits? Been quiet since our little outing yesterday?" She blamed the booze for her fainting spell yesterday. Having seen Shinji in the buff and standing proud before only made her a little itchy…so seeing him do the deed shouldn't have made her faint!

Resting her forehead against her palm, Ritsuko didn't look up as she worked. "Just filling out requisition forms for me. Need a lot of new chemicals for the commanders new little project," the word commander dripped out of her mouth like a curse. The woman still had that sunken look about her that drew Misato into a night out drinking that went to Ritsuko's apartment, a small blackout, and then home. Flicking her pen on Misato's stack though, Ritsuko's lip curled up in a sneer, "You though have all the fun ones. And judging by those rings under your eyes, somebody have a bad night last night?"

With only two other people in the apartment, Misato SHOULD have had a good night. "Don't talk to me about last night. Well not right now, not something for everybody to hear," Misato just grumbled. Her pen started going dry with all the damn signatures she had to write. With each jotting of her moniker, her agitation grew higher and higher. Four hours of this hell was to much, in a craze of motion the woman beset her temples with her hands. "I'm taking a break! Ritsuko you're coming with me as punishment for the other nights drinking!" Misato's finger pointed at Ritsuko's jugular tellingly.

"Go ahead Akagi-san, I can finish your our reports. Katsuragi-san you could have the rest of those sent of to Kaji-san. He IS supposed to be helping you with those," Shigeru mentioned without looking up. He had been present when both women sat down, and showed every indication of being there after they left. A somberness filled his body, an aura of sadness, "Or I could do I to. I just don't want to go…"

The two women looked at one another, and Ritsuko held her finger up when Misato went to speak. Pointing at the hallway, Ritsuko flinched her head and started walking. Once they got out of earshot of the downtrodden man, "He split up with his girlfriend yesterday. Something about joining a new religion or something. A bit of that going on since footage of the last fight hit net, so best to keep Ikari-kun aware of it." Filling her coffee cup to the brim, the haggard woman collapsed into a chair and gazed up at the ceiling. After a long groan, "I need a cigarette and some relief, maybe not in that order. I hate long days."

Sitting across from the scientist, Misato colored at the woman's flippant statement and how a few tech's heard it. Ritsuko was a little stranger after her breakup with phantom boyfriend. "I would have another drink, but after our little session and what I went home to. Thinking I'd rather be sober until Noihara and Minamoto are back. I…I walked in on Shinji-kun and his newest demon servant," Misato felt haunted. To think her little Shin-chan could be so…manly? How long had it been since she felt like Lizlet had, well never by the sounds. "Don't like how that's making me feel either. I mean…you've had more action than I've had lately," it was meant as a joke, if off color.

"Don't remind me, Misato, please don't. I'm not proud of what I've done with him. I thought…lets not go over it again and just tell me about what you saw?" Ritsuko forced her body to shift. Moving from hanging over the back of her chair to slapping her fists on the table, Ritsuko was issuing her own ultimatum. The two women had spoken of Ritsuko's 'relationship' over their many drinks two nights before. It had been a bad night, and neither wanted to go back to it. Laughing darkly though, Ritsuko sipped her coffee, "Think we can get Shinji-kun to see us like he sees them? Be nice to be with a man that actually has actual emotions! Never been with a man that actually loved me."

Had Kaji loved her back when they were together, or was it just the whirlwind of lust? "Know what you mean. At times I wonder if it's worth asking Makoto-kun out. But if I did that, I'd have to have him surgically removed," they both shared a good laugh at that. Leaning her chair back and letting it fall forward and slam on the ground, Misato felt the impact in her teeth. When did she start thinking of Shinji as a man and not the timid boy that she took in? Well seeing him standing proudly had been a start, but it truly was yesterday's showing of skill. But she couldn't see him like that, had to stop it! "So tell me about this whole cult BS would you? I haven't had a lot of time to read the paper or see the news," she hoped it blew over fast.

With a small shrug, Ritsuko hid her face behind her fingers as she rested against them. "I think Makoto-kun would explode in his pants if you even hinted at it. And I'm serious about Shinji-kun, Misato. Ayana…Rei-kun even asked if I wanted to 'join the pack' with them. He's a nice boy, really polite and charming really. A woman could do a lot worse than him, even if he is young," Ritsuko let one hand fall against the table. It was a lifeless falling, her body still devoid of caring. A shell of her old self as her hopes and dreams had been drained. Laying her head on that arm, Ritsuko yawned soundlessly, "But you DO have Kaji if you want. He'd always let you back in. As for that cult…it's just dumb people thinking those lights are spiritual. Not…well you know."

Knowing the source of the light did ease Misato's conscious a little, but at the same time made her worry. "Yeah, but dumb people can do dumb things," cultists weren't to be trifled with. Cults dedicated to the angels popped up from time to time, and Second Two had to put them down. But never a cult dedicated to Shinji. It was just an oddity from his whole slayer powers, hell Asuka could do crazy things like that too. But only Shinji was seen on camera doing it, and his other little accidents well…the flock has started to grow. But more to the point now, Misato's concern for Ritsuko was growing, "You're kidding about Shinji-kun right, and Ayanami? She didn't actually ask you about…?"

Sitting back up wholly, light returning to her eyes, Ritsuko downed her drink fully and cleaned her face with the back of her hand. "Oh she did. I had to tell her some real bad news about something she…well I'll let you know that another day. But it was after my little revelation, I was low, mentioned how lucky Rei-kun was to have somebody that actually cared. Over the evening of drinking with her, well she let me in on a lot of things. Your little Shin-chan really knows how to please her, and she said he does care for us. Well you more than me, but she said I could be her…I could be HER pupil as she is Minamoto's," Ritsuko just shook her head and stood back up.

"Could have lived my whole life without knowing that. I don't….don't think I like thinking of Shinji-kun in that way. I mean we're adults and they're…" not children. Chizuru was older than both of them combined! Shinji acted more mature than she did on both good and bad days. But it was just…it made her feel dirty. "Do we have to go back to work? Can't we just avoid it and go home? I mean Shinji-kun's at school so I can have a talk with that little sprite. And if you want to meet another freak…I mean lovely lady your welcome to come," Misato wanted to talk to that Lizlet. Just what was going on with those two. Over breakfast she was positively glowing with post climax bliss…there was enjoying it and there was flaunting it!

Stuffing her hands into her deep pockets, Ritsuko shook her head. "Sorry Misato, but I'm going home and getting some sleep. I've promised Rei-kun I'd help her with her problem, and I mean to. Maybe that could be my bargain to get that apprenticeship she offered. Not like I have anything else in my life. And…I'm a little interested to get to know him better. Never know," she patted Misato's shoulder as she passed. The sounds of Ritsuko's steps echoed along the corridor as the woman disappeared into the distance.

"She's defiantly different since her breakup," but Misato didn't think it was a big worry. Ritsuko couldn't have meant what she was saying regarding Rei and Shinji. Just a strange emotional state, on the rebound, or any number of other things, she couldn't be actually considering it. Popping her back, Misato made the slow trudge back to her desk and the waiting papers. Shigeru was still plodding his way through his stack, mostly gone by the look of things. Lucky bastard. "I miss anything while I watched Ritsuko unhinge her jaw and inhale a cup of coffee? She did leave by the way," Misato recaptured her pen and her vision went unfocused. Damn fatigue was setting in already.

Leaning across the desk, Shigeru tapped on a new addition to Misato's paper challenge. "That showed up for you, marked urgent. Somebody from the UN was up in arms it get your signature right away," Shigeru's deadpan delivery sapped the insistence.

Grabbing the paper, Misato read the header and just scoffed. "I don't care about another one of these stupid forms," she scribbled her name on the paper without reading it. Slamming it down on top of the stack of finished sheets, Misato eyed the remainder. It was her punishment wasn't it, for having stray thoughts about her ward. Sleepily, "Think I will have Kaji finish these. It is about time he started pulling his weight around here." It had only been that one time in the shower, but Misato still felt horrible. Shinji trusted her and looked up to her! And yet when she closed her eyes she could still see Lizlet, her tongue lolled out, eyes rolled up, as Shinji pistoned into her in ways Kaji never tried. And nobody took care of her physically and emotionally as Shinji does.

"Now that wasn't so hard now was it Katsuragi," Meruhi slid the paper into her leather satchel and snapped it shut. Her professional suit was clean and crisp, a strict beauty that of untouchable art or a model posing for a picture. Bending downward, giving Shigeru a tantalizing glance at a her thighs as her skirt rode high, Meruhi grabbing Misato's nose and wiggled it. Smiling brightly as Misato tried to grab her hand but missed, "With this the procedure is finished. After I turn these in, my daughter will be part of the Ikari-clan as both Yui and I wanted."

Coldness seeped into Misato's stomach, the whole of which felt it was about to slide out of her. But in equal measure was blazing rage, tricked…she was tricked! "Give that back! I'm not going to just let that happen, not today! I've had a shit day, and I am NOT going to hand my legal responsibility over to you and your…to some girl I've never even met!" Misato got off her chair and it fell down with a crash. Misato was not handing Shinji over to some tart of a girl, assuming the daughter was anything like the mother. Swiping her hand widely, her paperwork went tumbling to the ground, "I know about you and what you can do, but with how I feel right now I'm willing to risk thrashing you right here and not to get it back."

Tugging at her lip with her finger, Meruhi was showing zero concern. "Attacking a UN officer is cause for dismissal Major Katsuragi, or do I have to remind you of professionalism. You are a soldier first and a…well not a mother, hell you're not even family to the boy. Shinji and Kuesu were meant to be together since there births. Bloodlines, history, and family honor you know nothing about are at stake. They know it's for the best, and I think they might even like one another," the UN representative left Misato stewing.

"Shigeru, you might want to leave right now. I want to break something, and if you're here it might be you," Misato seethed. Grabbing the lip of her desk, Misato felt her body pulsating and her muscles tense. Yes she wasn't his actual parent, just a guardian in paper only. He was her guardian, even without the whole slayer powers. And she had just signed his freedom away without looking at it! He'd…he'd never forgive her! How could he forgive her, how could any of them! "I'm going to get that woman…and pop her head off with a rusty spoon" her muscles surged and she tripped her desk over. Slamming her shoulder into it, the heavy metal counter fell sending even more garbage everywhere.

Stomping her feet on the ground, Misato chased after the departed Miruhi. "Going to find you woman, and I'm going to hollow you out and sleep in you if you don't give those papers back!" Misato howled. Rushing down the hall, hunting for that finally attired suit, she spotted the familiar black and dashed. This couldn't be how she repaid her little Shinji damn it! He had done so much for her, even if he filled her with feelings of loneliness and shame! "I don't see him like that…I don't…I…I…" Misato's steam ran out.

As she got closer to the woman, she saw the hair was wrong…to short and the wrong color. Meruhi was gone, gone with the papers that would effectively end Shinji's relationship with Chizuru! How could Shinji stay with them when married! It wouldn't…it wasn't… "I don't know what to think anymore…I just don't." Did she actually consider Shinji a man or was she just lonely and confused? Would that paper change anything or would Shinji and Chizuru just elope. Would he leave her…leave her alone again? "I don't want him gone…he's…he's important," and she never wanted him far from her. Just what were her feelings for that lovably man? She loved him yes, but was she 'in love' she fought to say no to. It would only hurt. Ritsuko's comment about joining the pack…Misato wanted more than that. More than just being a body in a group.

Leaning against the wall, Misato's legs went out and she slid down till her bum felt the cold metal. "But he doesn't see them like that, I even heard…" Shinji said such warm words to Lizlet. She had overheard the pair's coupling as she drunkenly approached the room. Those words, Shinji meant them as did the tea-sprite…they weren't just bodies. "Why can't life be easy?" she just held herself as she tried to make sense of everything. But nothing made any sense, it was just too much too fast. Maybe she should talk to the lot of them about this. What did Rei really mean, what did any of them really mean?

X-X

Tayura ran, as fast and far as he could. Bowling people over at first to escape the school, their cries of injustice and anger fell deafly on his ears. Next came the 'older' citizens as he made his way through shopping district and residential alike, at least there the people had a chance to get out of his way. Legs burning and chest hurting, Tayura slowed to a stop once he reached the outskirts of the city. Trees, shrubs, and vegetation his only companions at the moment. Finally he could truly vent his rage.

"That lying cheating fucking bastard! He said he wouldn't do anything!" Tayura screamed as his ears and tails popped out. Claws sank deeply into pulpy trees as easy as if it were made of Styrofoam. A howl more akin to something Saku would have made reverberated out of his gullet with sickening ease. Carving the tree he had toppled into chunks, the heartbroken fox-boy hurled hunks of wood like projectiles. Through gritted teeth and eyes stinging with bitter yet unshed tears he grunted, "Suzuhara, you promised me!"

But it wasn't all Touji's fault for Tayura's current state of temporary insanity. Asahina had her hand in the event to, it was she that asked the jock out after all. Before Tayura's sudden need to almost expose his demon-animal nature, it had been a simple day of school. The issue with Hikari was safely being ignored due to Sunday allowing both teens a reprieve from one another, and the class rep not making eye contact during the school day. Now Tayura was going to honor that pledge to his human friend and tell the girl he wasn't interested. That was before he saw Akane timidly approached the damn thieving prick. Life slowed down for the boy still pining for his missing sister as he watched.

'S-Suzuhara-kun…do you…want to…g-go out with me?' Akane still had that hard glint in her eyes. Though while her voice cracked her body was still disciplined and poised, just what Tayura loved about her. Only it wasn't directed at him, but the boy that wasn't supposed to care.

Growing balls of foxfire in his hands, Tayura chucked them at some of the pieces of wood he hadn't thrown. They erupted in a deep wafting smell of wet burning wood, deep billowing black smoke filled the air and the boy's nostrils. How easy it would be to remedy the situation, to oversee a little accident for the abysmal human. Examining his claws, they glinted in the sun, oh how sharp they were, how easy it would be. Flexing his whole body, tense and raw as an exposed nerve, the boy sank those sharp claws into a log that he pictured as Touji's ribcage. Imagining the scream of pain, the splash of blood over his arms and chest…Tayura sank to his knees then fell backward. "Why did he have to say yes," he bemoaned as his ears and tail faded.

His anger abated, washing away his strength but not his pain. Pulling a large section of tree over to the burning sections, Tayura just sat there warming his hands. Not physically cold in any regard, the emotional chill did benefit from the heat though. Watching the flames dance and the wood pop, Tayura drew his knees close to his chest and hugged them. "Why couldn't it have been me?" he pleaded the open air. First Chizuru was taken from him, and now Akane was being taken as well. Even his mother was unavailable right now to console him since Chizuru demanded she not be distracted. Rocking back and forth on the log, his dreams and fantasies for Asahine were dimming and vanishing already. Pitifully he muttered, "Am I always going to be alone?"

"But you're not alone, Tayura, just not with who you want to be with," Shinji said as he stepped over some brush. Stepping on tall grass, making a path through the weeds, Shinji approached slowly with Kensuke not far behind. Holding his hands up in a sign of peace, Shinji had a small mournful smile, "Followed the smoke to find you. God you can run fast when you want to."

Tripping over a vine, bouncing off Shinji and sending both boys stumbling forward, Kensuke reached Tayura first. With two good meaty smacks on the back, "How you get wood that fresh to burn anyway! I never can when I go out camping." Sitting down on the log close to Tayura, but not crossing the barrier most boys keep to prevent unease, Kensuke grabbed a stick and poked at the wood. With the light reflecting off his glasses, "Guess you took the news just as I thought you would. Who would have thought she would have been the one to ask him."

Feeling his claws growing at the unwanted company and unbidden memories, Tayura sank them into the log. "I have ways," was all he'd say about the fire. It wouldn't do him good to expose himself to humans, part of the laws of the school. If he got found out he'd be expelled and punished, leaving Chizuru alone. Well as alone as she could be now that she was permanently affixed to Shinji. The log shifted as said boy sat flanking Tayura, maybe he could take out THIS boy too…and then Chizuru would end him. And with that the pain would go away! Kicking and dragging his feet in the dirt, "And I don't want to talk about Asahina and that damn traitor."

"You can't blame Touji fully for this though, Tayura. I mean it wasn't like he tried to get her to ask him out. We all saw how he treated her. And if she did like him that way, would you rather have asked her out only to have her turn you down?" Shinji asked simply. The slayer has his hands gripping the back of the log, he lost himself in watching the fire and waved his head about. With a deep intake of air, "Would that have been better or worse?"

Worse, it would have been far worse to have been turned down after his emotions exposed. But he couldn't admit that! Not to Shinji of all people, insufferable girl magnet that he was! "I can blame him, and I will blame him. He could have turned her down, and then I would have been there to pick up the pieces," Tayura felt the need to hit something again. It just wasn't fair! Everybody got what they wanted except him damn it! Anger rising again as the tidal fury of emotions made another cycle, "He should have told her no or he wasn't interested so many times before this! But like you he goes and steals from me!" Tayura whipped his head towards Shinji making the boy twitch.

"Tayura, calm down man. Shinji didn't take anything from you. And it's not that bad. I mean, not like they're aren't other girls other than Asahina. Hasn't the class rep been spooking around you lately?" Kensuke asked. Edging slightly away from Tayura, Kensuke got to his feet and made a circle around the fire. Eying the tree line for something, Kensuke wasn't stopping in any regard, constant movement. Mouthing opening in a big 'O' the lad found what he was looking for, a sturdy stick, and grabbed it. Giving it a swing, "Never know it might not last long anyway."

Bravely staring down the semi-enraged fox-boy, Shinji stayed close to Tayura. "Yeah, you said it yourself that Hokari-san has been nicer to you lately. So just relax and move on. I mean we've all been the…" he was going to say there but Tayura cut him off. Said interception took the form of a backhanded fist to the gut that sent Shinji twirling off the log and rolling on the ground. Groaning in pain, Shinji coughed up a plumb of dust as he pulled his face away from the ground. "Ow," was all the lad could say as he rolled onto his back.

Leaping onto Shinji's chest, using his body to hide his claw from Kensuke, Tayura's was livid. "Don't YOU tell me you've been there. Don't you tell me you know how I feel when I KNOW you don't! How could YOU the damn pimp of Tokyo-3 know what any of us mere mortals feel? How many women do you have now besides my sister again?" Tayura throttled Shinji angrily against the ground. Grabbing the prone boy by the shoulders, Tayura shook him as his anger exploded. It wasn't Shinji's fault, and to a point Tayura knew what Shinji was getting at, but he just couldn't hear it right now, not from Shinji.

"Down, Tayura, back down!" Kensuke sprung to action as if he expected it. Rushing to the throttling, Kensuke deftly stuck the branch between the two and pulled back hard. The branch nearly snapped, but luckily held long enough for Kensuke to dislodge Tayura from his perch. Twisting to the side, falling heavily on the ground with Tayura in tow, "The hell's gotten into you man! We're just here to help! Of course Shinji can't say he understands you NOW, but I can at least. I know how it feels."

Staring up at sky, the pillar of smoke blocking out half of it, Tayura was dizzy and it was more than just the sudden blow. Stomach queasy, head light, and legs liquid he just listened to Shinji coughing hoarsely. "What did I do?" he asked aloud. Oh he could remember that he attacked Shinji, wouldn't have stopped either, but for what? Shinji hadn't even fought back, he just accepted it as a mandatory payment for things. Arms going out wide, he closed his eyes and just felt cold again, "I'm-I'm sorry Shinji. I…I don't know what came over me."

"Emotions…understand…my head hurts," Shinji muttered as he tried to sit up but failed. Thanks to Kensuke rushing to his side, the dazed pilot was brought back up and seated. There they all just stayed for a few minutes as everybody collected their thoughts, was enough to think about. "I won't tell Chizuru-san about this if you're worried, Tayura. You just had a bad moment. You hit really hard," Shinji added timidly. Pulling his shirt up, sure enough a red blotch that promised to bruise was already evident.

Having moved over to be in between the two, Kensuke made a crude circle out of the three. "Yeah, man, that was something else. We all know you have a temper, but never thought I'd have to pull you off Shinji. And over what? Nothing you can't move on from," Kensuke started rifling through his pockets. Pulling out a small piece of paper, he chucked the wad at the still laying fox-boy. Getting off the ground, dusting his pants, "That's Hokari's number. She made me promise I'd give it to you after you ran off. And just so you're not still feeling all alone in the land of the dateless. Remember that I don't even have a prospective girlfriend. Unlike the rest of you I'm not even considered, so before you go all emo again, remember that. Want to go get that check out Shin-man?"

"I guess I overstepped my bounds there, Tayura, sorry," Shinji accepted Kensuke's aid. Still wobbly from the head blows, he leaned heavily against his smaller friend. "And I could put a word in for you Kensuke. With…with all those rumors about me, can't we do something to get you some attention…if you wanted?" he didn't sound sure, but Shinji did sound willing.

Looking at the numbers on the paper, Tayura felt that spike of shame double in size and sink further. "I know you both mean well, and I'm sorry for everything. Just right now I want to be alone…alright?" Tayura couldn't look at Shinji. Damn guy was just too good…to clean for Tayura. Even after getting beat on, Shinji was going to keep it a secret from Chizuru. Sitting up, hunched over and staring at his hands on his lap, he felt he had to address Kensuke as well. "You're…you're not as bad as you think, Aida-kun. Just need to try I'm betting," Tayura sulked, "Talk to you tomorrow. And…thanks for being there for me." They were his friends, he never really had those before other than Chizuru.

"Let's go, see you tomorrow. And what are friends for anyway. Just don't do anything stupid and put the fire out before you go," Shinji spat out a little blood and waved. The two followed the path they made as they first came. They could be heard talking softly as they left, stalling just before Tayura was out of sight, and then gone.

Shinji didn't have to warn Tayura about the fire, the boy sat and watched it burn until it was cool embers. The night sky was in all its glory, the moon a beautiful half crescent. Still owing up to his destruction, he stamped on the remains of the wood until they were dispersed ash. As he sat there brooding, Tayura came to one conclusion in the end, he was happy for Asahina. Touji was still in his shit house and would be for a LONG time, but Akane was exempt from his anger. He wanted her happy, and if Touji was what she wanted…well like Chizuru Tayura would stand aside.

Finding his way home, Tayura stopped to pick up some carryout food to ease the pain in his gut. Extravagant and mighty were the portions, a meal for three people, and he had every intent to destroy it all himself. Wouldn't do good to ask Shinji to cook for him, not after his little attack, he was going to apologize to Shinji again for that. "I was being a jerk," but it still felt good, a little revenge for everything he had to suffer. Standing outside his apartment, Tayura was worried for a moment that Chizuru was home, funny that. He missed her and even that odd Ayanami, he had grown accustomed to them being there. But right now, Tayura still wanted to be alone.

"For a change she does do what I want her too," Tayura found the apartment dark and silent. Sensing no magic, meaning no Chizuru hiding in her room with Shinji doing all the things Tayura didn't want to know of. Turning the lights on and the television, Tayura just put the food on the coffee table and got a soda. Plopping down, he turned on one of his favorite shows and started his one man feast. It went well, the unsuspecting food items were beset by the big bad fox-demon and a little over half of their forces were devoured. A retreat to the refrigerator spared the remaining food…for now.

Falling onto the couch, Tayura eyed the phone and pulled out Hikari's number. "She was brave enough to tell me she liked me, and I said nothing. How is she feeling right now, worse or better than me?" he felt such a coward. A small and frail human girl could say her emotions, while he kept his hidden until it was to late. And what was it his friends said hours ago? What was worse being turned down or never having a chance? Grabbing the phone, he dialed the number but his finger hovered over send, "Is this a good idea? What will I say to her?"

It didn't matter what his plans were, the phone started ringing in his hand and in his surprise he hit the button, "H-hello?" Tayura never got a call, it was always Chizuru that did!

"M-Minamoto-kun, is that you? Hi! I-uh-wanted to see how you were doing," it was Hikari and she had such a fake enthusiasm it was comical.

Nearly dropping the phone as his hands went slack, Tayura again was amazed at the courage of this woman! "Oh, hey Hokari-san, I'm…doing better. Had a little blow out in the forest with Aida and Shinji-kun. D-did one of them give you my number?" he didn't know how else she'd have gotten it. Why was she calling, was she going to mock him, add to his pain cause he hadn't said anything to her?

There was a small hesitation, a yell from somebody in another room, but Hikari was back, "Glad to hear it. After what you said about Akane-san, I was worried about you. I wasn't expected her to make such a spectacle in the classroom. And yes, Ikari-kun called me and gave me your number. I'm not bothering you am I?" Her question was pregnant with anticipation.

"N-no you're not bothering me," and Tayura mostly meant it. While he wanted to be alone, brood and stew in his depression, but he found he wanted to honor her valor. So they chatted for almost a full hour, meaningless things, but enjoyable. Hikari kept Tayura's mind off of his problems, and dulled the pain. After checking the time, Tayura was stunned that it was so late, "I guess we should…end this. It's getting late, and we do have school. D-did…did you want to do something tomorrow after school? A thank you for cheering me up?"

She did, it took five additional minutes of awkward conversation to get her to agree to something though. Just a little meal at a restaurant of her choice, but it was something. And as Tayura laid down for bed, he found it wasn't nearly as bad an idea as he thought at first. They weren't date, no that would be silly…they were just going to be friends. That's what he told himself as he went to bed…the dream he had though that night painted another picture and required he throw his sheets in the wash.

X-X

"Tis a terrible event that occurred this night," Himari rolled over another body and grimaced. This wasn't supposed to take as long as it had been, but then again they hadn't expected to find the council attacked. It wasn't just the council that was destroyed either, there had been a massive battle here. Protectors of the council members lay motionless in the glen in the forest, some of the elders as well. Though most of them seemed to have sacrificed their lesser to avoid their fate, "Our hopes for answers shalt not be met here it seems."

Washing over some of the hurt but not lifeless demons, Shizuku did what little healing she could without straining herself. "No answers for your battle rages or why that son of Yig attacked?" her normal mocking nature was absent. The pair had been quite silent after they left the apartment under Lizlet's care three days ago. Himari couldn't move as quickly as Shizuku could due to her corporal form. Bending at a nozuchi that was still breathing, Shizuku dribbled water down its snout, "Some of the fires are still burning. This had to have happened within outs Neko-hime. Best be wary."

"I be always on guard," Himari had her sword in hand and ready. But as much as she wanted to believe what she said, Himari knew it was a small fib. Shinji, as much as she was loath to admit it, caused her to slip and become distracted. Her jealousy when seeing him with other women clouded her vision to the world around her, and her fear of her battle rage double affected her. Finding some patches of footprints in the ground, Himari followed them from the glen into the woods around them. Sniffing the air, a familiar scent struck her olfactory, "I smell more sons of Yig but no bodies do I find. Cowards are…"

Calling out as loud as she'd allow in the situation, "Neko-hime come back here where I can see you. This one is waking up and might have answers for us." Surrounding the ball of fur and long grey elephant nose with her healing waters, Shizuku forced it off the ground. Once she was satisfied with her efforts her hand stopped being a glob of water and reformed into her hand. "What happened here, what happened to the council members?" Shizuku gave a few helpful smacks to get the creature talking.

Thinking she saw a few pairs of glowing eyes in the darkness of the woods, she walked backwards and keeping herself ready. Something was watching them, it was expecting more easy prey, "What doth thou have to say on this matter. Who be the one to bring such pain," and stole her hopes away. She was loath to approach the council, her clan had been shunned since pledging to support the Ikari-clan. But she'd swallow her pride if they had a way to keep her from losing herself to the wrath. Her blade set down within easy reach, Himari joined Shizuku at the lesser pure demon's side.

"Shuten-douji," it wheezed out of its trunk. The nozuchi shook a lot of the ambient water off its fur and flexed its large legs. Weakly, but growing in strength, "He approached the council. Wanted us to wage war against the humans. Stop the destruction of the guardians, reclaim our rightful place. Council…council objected." Falling backward into Himari's hands, the creature seemed to grow and shrink in random intervals.

Gesturing to all the unconscious or dead demons, Shizuku balked, "He did all this damage himself? What good would it do to eradicate his own wanted army? Does he know of Slayer-kun, has he said his plans?" Odd to hear emotion from that pale deathlike face, but it was evident. The mizuchi was worried and it wasn't just for herself. Encasing the nozuchi in more healing waters, her face went a little red as unwanted sensations wafted over her, "Tell us more before you pass out. Tell us or I'll finish what he started!"

"Yes, this is a matter of great import. Ye must tell us what spurred his attack," Himari heard more rustling. Motions in the woods, their hunters were coming closer and waiting to strike. Maybe this nozuchi was a trap, but she'd step into it. Knowing of a trap is the first step in avoiding its dangers. Rubbing her hands against the dirt, drying them of the perspiration she garnered from her fears and angers. Glaring at Shizuku though, "And test me not your resolve. I know of your feelings for my master, and will not stop them. But we strive for life not death. Threaten the poor thing not." What little they did talk as they came to this grizzly end was about their wants. They both wanted to stay in Shinji's life, and Shizuku asked Himari if she could…in all ways. Himari had accepted, this had been what Chizuru and she agreed on.

A sound of what could have been pain or pleasure warbled out of the creature. Forcing itself to abide by Shizuku's demand, "Shuten-douji only hurt the elders. Called them weak, and said he'd feast on the two known slayers. It was…the Yig that attacked after…the sons of Yig have betrayed the council." After it rattled off the details of the second attack, the nozuchi fainted. The account had been brief, but informative. After the council had been beaten by Shuten-douji, many of the elders moved, the lizard men attacked. In the confusion they were great an adversary and the remains of the meeting were run down.

"Cowards, thy thieving lizards have always been of the conniving sort. But we might get some answers from them," Himari grabbed her sword and removed it from her sheath. Those eyes, those serpentine eyes, were just at the rim of the trees, four eyes…one for each of them. Himari wanted to feast on them! They were denying her what she wanted most in life, to be with her beloved master for her whole LONG life! Getting up, she smoothed her kimono, and readied her blade. With a challenging declaration, "We doth see thee in the wood! Thee shall answer for the loss committed here!" She would avenge these poor souls, get their reasons, and then return…she had been away from Shinji to long.

Seeping into the ground, leaving just her head above it Shizuku gave Himari a worried expression. "You sure you want this Neko-hime? It's only been a few days and you're not sounding to calm. I could take care of them easily enough. Though if you do leave your senses behind, I can take you out, and then Slayer-kun is mine," she waggled her tongue out at the cat-demon.

A sword not used rusts and is useless! "I be a warrior from birth till my end. Ne'er will I flee from battle as a coward," her mind was already fogging over. Oh yes she wanted to feast on these evil things hearts! Crush, slaughter, destroy them for what they did! Then she'd return to her home and take what was hers! While Shinji was her master, she knew she could take whatever liberties she wanted…and she wanted him! Rushing towards the moving set of eyes, "Be still and face my blade ye cowards!"

A red fog descended over her mind and eyes, the world dimmed. The beauty of the forest lost its meaning, only the battle mattered, only the kill mattered! Fight, slay, mate were all that mattered! The black battle aura surrounded her as she closed in on her opponent. Now she could make out the green scaly hide and the sharp white claws and teeth, a weak opponent! Not worthy of a trophy to Shinji, not worthy of her blade! As she swung out at the creatures neck, it was stunned by the oppressive aura of her intent, Himari's heart was filled. An image of a sorrowful Shinji cradling her fallen body was first, then she saw the inverse…saw her standing over his broken body with her blade embedded deep in his chest. "No! I am stronger then these base feelings!" her blade twirled in her hand.

When the fat of her blade connected with the Yig's neck, a sick crack was followed by the creature falling to the ground. It clawed at its throat, a trickle of drool left its mouth, eyes closed, yet its chest continued to rise and fall shallowly. The mighty warrior stood bewildered at her own actions, looking at the reversed blade with a hint of pride. The other lizard man though, took Himari's distraction as a sign to attack. It lashed out as Himari stood confused over her fallen foe, claws extended and carved upward along the girl's back. Her tail went ridged and her cat ears flicked wildly as the trail of blood glimmered in the night air.

Falling to her knees as the pain overtook her ability to stand, Himari felt an odd calm wash over her. Inside…one of the claws broke off inside her back and puncturing a lung. Her refusal to succumb to her heritage left her open, nobody to blame but herself. "Though I may die, I at least shall go to my fate clear minded. Tell Shinji-sama of my apologies for leaving him…take care of…" but the blow that should have come never did. From her kneeling position, Himari just fell forward on the ground and breath deep in the loamy scent of grass. "Did thee need to wait so long…do you take joy in my pain?" Himari just closed her eyes waiting for whatever snarky comment Shizuku said.

Standing atop the second unconscious creature, a red line around its neck from being nearly crushed, Shizuku laughed her ominous 'hu-hu-hu.' Stomping on the creatures chest, it coughed out loudly, Shizuku hopped off it and picked up the hand with a missing nail. "I was just a little distracted. I was thinking I'd have to knock you out again, which is fun. When you came to your senses without Slayer-kun around I was stunned. Now, what do I get for healing you?" she asked while kneeling close to Himari. Tugging at the frayed lines of tattered and bloody cloth, "Your kimono is ruined. Don't think I can stitch it back together."

Were those claws poisoned? Himari had to think they were as a fierce burning radiated out from the wound and deep inside. "Then the glut of elaborate clothing master got for me might finally get use," Himari winced as she spoke. Despite the pain though came contentment, she had found a way to fight against her dark nature. Maybe, maybe there was hope for her after all! A spark spike of pain rippled down her back, grabbing at the grass she yanked out clumps of it. Panting heavily as the heat increased, "Now what doth though desire to ease me of my stupidity?" Or was this some game of the mizuchi and it was her end after all.

"This is going to hurt Neko-hime, I have to pull out the talon before I heal it. And my price is…I get first use of our little Slayer-kun. I…will side with you and him from now own. I owe the council nothing, and I've grown fond of him," she twirled her fingers into a torrent of water. Slowly drilling the water into the central cut, flinching when Himari let out a savage yowl of pain, Shizuku found the offending hunk of bone. "Or if you can't let me have the first go when we get back, can I get a promise from you? I'm sick of you pouting like a scolded kitten whenever you make a mistake and running. Next time something happens, TALK to Slayer-kun before we do something this foolish again," she dropped the talon in front of Himari's face.

The absence of pain was so great that Himari actual sighed blissfully. Grabbing the talon she considered throwing it away, but wrapped her fingers around it instead. "No, it shall be a reminder of this day. That my mind be my own if I strive for it. But even still I need to keep attention," she would never forget. The fear of losing her life paled to the notion of never seeing her Shinji again. Now when Shizuku truly started healing her back, Himari did moan out despite herself. Blushing as she never wished to feel this way without Shinji around, "Foul creature, you make light of me! Play me not like you do Shinji-sama, as I am not one to…to…" Her face went even darker red, so much that her chest and arms were red as well.

Continuing her laugh, Shizuku dabbed her tongue against Himari's face. "Sensitive princess today aren't we. I need to get my payment in this too. Now do I have your word that I either have a rightful place in this little coven, or you'll not be so quick to punish yourself when I can do that for you? It'd be boring without you to tease," she rubbed herself against Himari's wounds. The pure water of her body leeched the poisons from the wound and knit the flesh back together without blemish.

"Both, as low as I am to allow the former. I have missed my master, but feel unworthy of his sight. I have nearly forced his hand to do what I pray he never does. But I shall admit yon fox and I accept the need of allies, and that master is quite caring," Himari felt that odd sensation building in her. It wasn't as wonderful as with Shinji, just sensation and no emotional context. Containing herself, willing off what Shizuku strived for, she was stronger than that. Climbing out from under the mizuchi, Himari felt the cold air on her moist back. "What shall we do with these two? It may be more than a short period to get answers from them, and we are not best at interrogation," she gave the one that hurt her a quick kick to the head.

Finding some vines from the trees, Shizuku tossed a large strand to her compatriot. "We leave them for the council then. Let them get the answers for us, they'll want them just as much as we do," Shizuka started tying the first felled son of Yig. Hands bound to ankles and then to the other wrist, she gave it a hard tug. Rolling the beast onto his stomach, "And you're not kidding me about my requests, both of them? I'm tired of seeing Slayer-kun so worried about you. You've nine-lives and yet he is terrified of losing you."

"And I him, tis a fear I may never fully lose," Himari mimicked Shizuka's knots on the other lizard man. Maybe after this business with the guardians and Shuten-douji was over they could live in peace. A life of a normal person would never be hers, but she could share her master's life! While she wanted to thrash that teasing Kuesu, Himari suspected that the gray haired woman would be 'wife'. Well no matter, it was just a word. "Come, let us return to…our…master. I have been without his companionship for too long. If he takes me back after my…what?" Himari was not expecting to see Shizuku standing with her hands on her hips.

Scoffing, an irritated tick on her face, Shizuku just started for home. Calling out, her deadpan voice fell flat in the night air, "If you think Slayer-kun would ever blame you for something you're delusional. So drop the tragic heroine act already. That man loves you even if you turn into a rage filled insane cat…you know a normal cat." She wiggled her tongue in the air and just continued for home.

It would take time to get back, but by this time tomorrow she'd be home. "You speak to lightly of things, but I'll try to be less…dower," she would at least try. Ever vigilant, yet soft…she could do that. But first thing she was going to do when she got home was take a bath, cuddle up on the couch with Shinji and talk. In time they'd train again, go out and do all those enjoyable things they did, and once her mind was ready they'd end their problems! They had enough harshness, and she was ready for a prolonged vacation.

X-X

"I need to stop hiding from this," Asuka moaned as she pressed her head to the elevator door. Running from her problems, her fears of Shinji and his 'friends', was not something Asuka ever expected to do. But her immediate reaction to the event on the school roof were to flee from her best male friend to Kuesu like a frightened child. Pounding her fist against the cool metal, "And I'm just being a pain to her too by not telling her what happened." It was time to owe up to things, stop hiding and go home. Today she'd tell Kuesu about the event and then go home afterward.

The ding of the elevator and the grinding of the door against her forehead forced Asuka back to reality. Running a finger against her neck, Asuka felt that cold chill again, "It was so much different than when in my Eva." And that was the crux of the matter. While she felt invincible in her mighty Unit-02, her first foray into demon fighting was a monumental disaster. The damn thing didn't even consider her a threat, just a tool to forcing the real combatants to stand down! Walking down the hallway to Kuesu's apartment, she pulled out the extra cardkey she had been given. Just a hostage, that was all her training equated to a hostage.

And then there was Shinji's bold little declaration of ownership. That left Asuka more afraid of the lad than enamored with him. He had been possessed by Chizuru, at least a part of the girl. They had explained what little they could as they headed to Nerv for the angel, but it still left Asuka terrified! Did Shinji really have those thoughts inside or was it just the dark part of Chizuru talking? While if things had been different, Asuka could have seen herself happy with the boy. But Shinji was Kuesu's, and Asuka wasn't going to mess with that. Didn't want to think of the option. It wasn't an option!

"Hey Kuesu I'm here. You don't mind do you?" Asuka asked as she walked in. Kuesu never complained about her visits, hell sometimes Kuesu wasn't even there. Her friend went out on demon hunts, Kuesu was hunting a named one…one doing a lot of nasty things. When Kuesu asked if Asuka wanted to join in though, that fear clutched her heart. That scaly green hand, the effortlessly splitting of flesh, and drawing of blood. No, Asuka didn't go on those little hunts. "Kuesu?" Asuka saw a very different apartment than the last few days. "You'll never believe what happened today. Hikari said she was on the phone with Minamoto all night last night," she didn't like what she was seeing.

Destruction, controlled thankfully but destruction nonetheless. Paintings torn off the wall, papers ripped up and strewn about, and more than one carton of food spilled. Clothing was left on the ground in piles, and some of Kuesu's slayer gear just chucked at a wall and left behind. Something had happened, and it got a violent response out of the sliver haired maiden.

"Oh Asuka you did come here today, good. Want to go up to the roof for a spare?" Kuesu asked softly from behind her desk. At first glance nothing seemed wrong. Clad in her traditional faux-maid uniform, the girl stared at a small piece of paper. Eyes unfixed, hand trembling softly, and the timbre of her voice was just queer. Pushing herself out of her chair, the woman holstered her sidearm and grabbed her limiting tome. Fluffing her hair over her shoulder, ruffled and mused, "So Hokari is trying to date a demon. Maybe everybody should…maybe there not all evil."

Crossing the room to Kuesu's desk, Asuka wanted to know what was on that piece of paper. "Sure we can have a spare. It's the least I could do for you putting up with me for so long," she stopped her advanced quickly. Out of nowhere Kuesu was suddenly just in front of her and shoving the training spear she oft used. Making a subtle move to round Kuesu to see that paper, Asuka backed down when Kuesu matched her. No seeing what that was, no details…unless she sucked up on her fear again. Letting Kuesu lead her to the roof, "What's bothering you, Kuesu. I know something is, your apartment, that letter, tell me?"

Propelling Asuka up the stairs, not giving her friend a chance to change into something more fitting, Kuesu kept her hands on Asuka's shoulders. "You tell me why you come here with that look in your eyes, I'll tell you mine," she whispered dangerously in Asuka's ear. No slowing down, no room for refusal, Kuesu was driven by something powerful and consuming.

"S-sure, I was planning on telling you today anyway," Asuka felt a cold spike run down her back. This was bad, but she didn't know why! Her eyes went blind for a moment when the sun hit her face, and just like that the game was on. Kuesu's comforting hands shifted from shoulder to back, and gave Asuka a shove. Teetering forward on one foot, hopping to regain her stance and using her spear to balance. "Kuesu! Aren't we going a little…" Asuka spun and fell backward. A round going over her head. Game was on.

Advancing with an all-consuming passion, "You have to always be ready!" was all Kuesu said. Summoning several small balls of blue flame, the skilled slayer hurled them at Asuka. Not slowing down though, she ran as Asuka scrambled and fired off several more volleys. Two of them hit home, one on Asuka's thigh and the other her back. "I can't believe it! It wasn't supposed to be this way!" she created an ice lance and aimed it.

"K-Kuesu what are you talking about?" Asuka panted hard as the rubber bullets impact were felt. Heat was all around her, those blue flame didn't go away like the normally did. Forcing herself onto her feet, her left leg was sluggish and numb. "Calm down a little bit alright?" Asuka dove to avoid the hurled chunk of ice. It shifted midair and shattered right in front of her. Shards of ice cut her cheek, it was another red flag. Summoning up a shield as best she could, Asuka was bewildered by the sensation during her drawing. Kuesu was a maelstrom of emotions, good bad, happy sad, and just totally overwhelmed. Focusing powers to keep herself safe, "Kuesu stop please. You're going to hard!" Fears of the roof were upon her again.

Hurling two more globs of ice at Asuka, Kuesu wasn't even full cognizant of her actions. "It's done and finished. She did it without even telling me…and now I have to…I have to tell him!" Kuesu dashed in. Round after round bounced off of Asuka's feeble defenses sending the girl falling backward onto the roof. "And you! You've changed, Asuka, something happened after that last angel hadn't it! You've been with him haven't you! That's why you can't face him and you're here! My best friend with a secret she can't tell me! What did you do with my husband?!" Kuesu yelled as she pounced on Asuka.

"Husband?" Asuka yelped as her hands grabbed Kuesu's wrists. Suddenly able to go on the offensive! While Kuesu was far more skilled a martial arts and spell craft, Asuka was physically stronger. But the hate and fear on Kuesu's face, the confusion and worry was so powerful it left Asuka stunned. Rolling on top of her friend, Asuka forced the girl's hands down on her chest, "Calm down! I didn't do anything with…what happened was they were attacked! I…I went to see what happened and I panicked. All your training…and I panicked and I was nearly killed."

The fire drained from Kuesu, all strength fled her leaving her a limp noodle of a person, a human sized doll. "You were attacked?! What…who?" Kuesu's features melded from hate to utter concern. Fighting against Asuka's holds, Kuesu wasn't released quite yet though. Bucking a little, not comfortable with the sudden weight on her chest, her sanity was returning slowly. Embarrassed and not meeting Asuka eye-to-eye, "C-could you get off me Asuka. Sorry about…before."

"Oh you're not sorry enough yet by far," Asuka giggled and released her hold. God her body hurt all over, even her mind hurt from the sudden surge of emotions she got from Kuesu. Collapsing on the roof, her body dripping with sweat from the sudden bout of acting as Kuesu's punching bag, Asuka slugged her friend in the arm hard. Panting heavily, "You promise not to go all alpha female on me, I'll tell you all about it. Alright?" But Kuesu's accusation had one other important detail, Kuesu said husband! When had that happened?

Not reacting harshly to Asuka's small retaliatory strike, Kuesu actually took hold of Asuka's hand and held it. "Sure, go ahead. I-I apologize about my actions too. I got my mother's note today saying she finalized the paperwork. Technically I'm Kuesu Ikari now, even if he…he doesn't want it. I wanted him to come to me and ask me, not have my mother force us into this. So I just…broke a little. And when I saw you today, I remembered how timid you've been all week and I just…just went dark," Kuesu clenched Asuka's hand harder. Sniffing hard, Kuesu's body convulsed with its myriad of emotions.

"I guess if I was forced into a marriage, even if it was to somebody I wanted to, I'd be a little off. And I guess you weren't kidding you don't want to share him," Asuka let Kuesu have her moment. Nobody wants to be pressed when out of sorts, and Kuesu must be having one dilly of a day. Once the sounds of tears subsided and Kuesu's grip lessened. Another spike of pain reminded Asuka of the abuse she just suffered, "As for what happened to me that got you all in a huff. Well maybe I shouldn't tell you. You might go off on me again. But I want to tell you…" For the next thirty minutes Asuka told her halting story. It was her turn to let her emotions flow. Never had the proud girl ever felt so weak and helpless. Having somebody she did have a passing fantasy about save her and then say those things…it was hard.

Begrudgingly getting off the ground, Kuesu gathered some of her healing bandages from a hiding place on the roof. Kneeling at Asuka' side, she tenderly started working over the damage she had done. "That explains a lot, especially coming from you," both girls knew of the issues problems with pride. Applying the bandages as needed, "I…really did a number on you. As for the roof, it happens to the best of us. Just don't put much thought into what Shinji-kun said. Everybody has those thoughts in their minds, doesn't mean they really mean it. I mean even I think of y…"

Both girl's just paused and stared at one another uncomfortably. Kuesu truly did just say she had thoughts of a beyond friendly variety. "I never knew you were a carpet-muncher," Asuka tittered as the pain ebbed away. Sitting up with Kuesu's help suddenly aware of the warmth of the girl's hand, Asuka was ready to go home. Batting Kuesu away gently, "Do I need to tell your…husband that he needs to be worried you're playing for the other team?" Joking and teasing helped ease the tension. It was a slip and that was all, hell even Asuka found herself wondering from time to time. Nothing came of it, just idle thoughts. So what if Shinji had those too! Take it as a point of pride that Shinji even had stray thought about her and him.

Getting off her knees, Kuesu yanked Asuka back up and smoothed Asuka's clothing out. "Yes you must fear me ravaging you again and again. Only reason I keep you around is because you're so easy on the eyes. Though I might have MY husband break you in first. Apparently he's very good at it…" then Kuesu's body went stark white. Her ancestral heritage stood out proudly with her sudden paleness, "I-if we are married…he WILL expect us to…to…mother will want grand children to keep the family." Swallowing comically hard, Kuesu just gripped Asuka's biceps hard.

"Yup, your mother wants you to be a baby factory. Better get ready for it. Judging from the sounds coming out of his room when they THINK they're being quiet…" Asuka was beset with the giggles. Now this was what she came over for, not the savage beating she initially got. Friendship, even if it was the teasing kind. Now being the leading factor, Asuka brought the frazzled Kuesu back to her dirty apartment. Family obligations though, those had to be hard. Sure Kuesu and Shinji did pledge marriage to one another in childhood, it was something else to be forced into it. Then the fact that one family would want children, well Kuesu had a lot to think about. "But I'm thinking Shinji won't mind waiting for children. And if you don't want to…you know…somebody will tend to that thing for him," more than one were lined up already. At least Hikari wasn't, she was making her move on Tayura and oddly Asuka was glad.

When her color finally came back to her, Kuesu went from white to pink and stayed there. "I guess it isn't that bad. And I did offer…and he said he didn't mind if we didn't. He is sweet that…oh did I…I didn't say that!" Kuesu found Asuka's mouth open and agape. In a flurry of actions, pulling, pushing, and shoving, Kuesu herded Asuka off her couch and out her door. "Don't say anything Asuka just don't! I…I need some time alone. G-go see Shinji-kun. You shouldn't be afraid of him…he would never do anything to you if you don't want," Kuesu slammed the door and a heavy thud against it was heard.

"Take care of yourself, Kuesu. I heard the honeymoon is often more anxiety than anything," Asuka teased through the door. That damn warm queasy feeling was back in her stomach. Thinking of Kuesu and Shinji in that way always did it to her, so she tried not to think about it. Having Kuesu say she offered, and Asuka was sure the girl wasn't ready yet, and Shinji wasn't a pig and took it. "He really is cut from a different cloth. Going to tease the hell out of him about this though," she skipped down the stairs. A limo was parked outside, called from Kuesu upstairs, and it took the squishy girl home.

Walking into the apartment, finding it oddly quiet, Asuka felt that wave of trepidation. "Shinji you home?" did he know yet? Asuka didn't see Himari's sandals or Misato's shoes, but Shinji's were there. Oh please don't let him be with somebody in his room, was Asuka's first thought. "Just back from Kuesu's and I'm hungry as hell, you better be cooking. And she told me an interesting story about that last Sunday date with her," she had planned for a little petting, not Kuesu offering the keys to the kingdom.

Running out of the kitchen, clad in his pink 'kiss-the-cook' apron, Shinji had a skillet in his hands and a smile on his face. "You-you going to stay this time? I've been worried about you," Shinji worked the fine smelling food in the pan. Following Asuka to the kitchen, he fixed them both plates, "A-and what are you talking about…we didn't do anything…just had a nice time getting to know one another again." Oh he looked guilty and wanting to hide.

"Oh I know what did happen, and what she offered," Asuka felt an overwhelming need. This was her friend, one of if not her best she found in life. And he had been caring and understanding to a girl Asuka knew was plagued with fears. Rounding the table, she found her prey suddenly very aware of her, "You did the perfect thing you big dummy. And I'm sorry I was afraid…of you and them…" She hugged him, big and hard going so far as to lift him off the ground. Spinning him around, she kissed his cheek, "I can tell why she loves you, ya big dope, just don't forget about her." She'd not breech the married issue, if he didn't know it wasn't for Asuka to say.

Joining the two humans, clad in a very reveling black lacy piece of sinful delight, Lizlet sleepily walked past them. Making herself some tea, "Oh Soryu-san is back. Was she going to join us, maybe if I had some help I could…outlast you this time."

Both Asuka and Shinji just watched, unsure what to do or say, Lizlet just had the lack of subtlety that could spoil a moment. Disengaging from Shinji, Asuka just grabbed her plate of food, and the tea from Lizlet. "I won't ask or comment on anything, Shinji. Thanks for the meal, and the tea. Think I'm going to go put my headphones on and…" she didn't know. Just that the heat was back, and that darn itch…maybe take a shower a nice long and cold one.

X-X

Setting the pot of coffee next to the kettle of tea, Shinji wiped the little sweat off his brow. Cooking for so many again was a little bit of a workout. With the elaborate meal he created though, a 'welcome back' breakfast, it wasn't surprising. "Breakfast is on the table if you want it," he called out. Setting Pen-Pen's plate of fish down along with a Yebisu, Shinji settled into his own place. Wondering who would come first, Shinji waited to eat, "Was a strange couple of days. Still feels odd without Chizuru-san around."

Himari and Shizuka had come back the previous night, as did Asuka, making the apartment fill full again. Though knowing Chizuru and Rei were still off talking with Tamamo, something still felt a little off. If Shinji had his choice of people to have his girlfriend off with though, Tamamo was number one. Even Shinji could tell Chizuru's mother was powerful beyond words. "Just glad she's on our side," Shinji sipped his tea. Pulling out the chair next to him, Shinji gestured to Himari to sit as she entered the room. "Enjoy sleeping in a real bed again?" he rubbed her hand as she sat.

"Thou has spoilt me with such refinery. But tis the company that I have longed for," Himari winked at Shinji. Clad in one of her new outfits, a white blouse and blue skirt set, Himari just oozed contentment. Drawing her steaming brew to her lips, she stopped to look at Shinji with one closed eye. "Wasn't expecting to find thee sleeping so comfortably with thy waif of a maid though. Taking liberties with the servants are thee? Shall I fear for my own self?" the edge was there, playful and vigorous. They had their blow out when the two travelers returned.

Shinji felt Himari ran off due to his 'corruption' by Chizuru's tail, while Himari pleaded for forgiveness for her falling to temporary madness. It took Shizuku to grab Himari's chest and grope Shinji between the legs to get the tension out of them. Apologies came all around and the tired group fell asleep. Chelsie reverted to her cup for the night of just sleep, the maid had been most flustered upon waking. Once Chizuru came back, Shinji would talk to her about that darkness in her. Everybody had issues, dark parts of them, but Chizuru was trying too hard to block hers out.

"I…well its complicated with Chelsie-san. I tried to talk to her about her 'service', even said we could get her to go to school with us. Maybe find her somebody of her own if she wanted," Shinji watched Asuka walk past them and into the bathroom. Her hug the day before had been odd, but fitting for her. Powerful kinship, both learning of this slayer madness and demons together. Kuesu was the epoxy that held the two friends together. Knowing Asuka heard of Kuesu's offer, well that had been humiliating. Feeling Himari jab him with her chopsticks, no wandering eyes today, he continued, "She misunderstood me, or understood me to well. How she can be happy with this I don't know."

Sitting in the corner seat, Shizuku let her tongue out and baiting her freshly poured cup of coffee with it. "What Slayer-kun is dancing around is he didn't know Tea-hime loves him. Tried to push her off on some other boy if she wanted. She just waited till the day after the offer, and woke him up by moistening the mast," she drained half her cup without lifting it. The sense of mischief in her eyes, "Am I correct, or did Tea-hime lie to me last night to cover for your dalliance?"

His legs jerked as two hands beset his thighs from under the table. Must they always tease him like this in the morning! Squirming against the not-fully unwanted touches, Shinji flexed his toes to keep the blood moving and not pooling someplace bad. "T-that was what happened. A-are you upset? Misato-san is I think, she's been strange after walking in on us," what he could think of anyway. If he walked in on her with Kaji-san or somebody, he'd be terribly uncomfortable around her. He didn't want to think of Misato in that light…Misato was friend not…not god his life was complicated.

"Tis that all that happened while we were gone? Thy Fox hadn't caused issues, or the princess?" Himari helped herself to some bread. Slathering it with jam and butter, she took a big bite leaving her lips a mess of greasy tasty goodness. Tensing up as motion in the living room was heard, a crash and muted swear as Misato fumbled about in pre-Yebisu state, Himari stopped her physical assault on Shinji. With a sigh and fanning herself with her hand, "As for yon sprite, I haft expected said events to transpire. I doth not find you fully at blame. Though remember tis I and the fox that own your heart pre-most."

Being awake enough this time to wear her morning clothing, not that it was much better than scantly, Misato fell into her seat. Grabbing blindly for her fuel, "Shinji-kun, Ritsuko is calling in her favor for you letting Ayanami run off for the week. Something about…fake bodies." The can opened and subsequently drained, Misato was awake and bewildered by the returned women. Pointing the can at the two, "When did you two get back? What's with the spread?" Misato picked up her plate and started to inhale it.

"Last night we finished with our little sojourn so Neko-hime could get her moping out of the way. Found out I don't have to go to the council anymore," Lizlet was finally using her chopsticks. It wasn't that she needed to, but Shinji and Misato had said multiple times watching her eat with just her tongue was disconcerting. Laughing as Misato sudden jumped in her chair away from the mizuchi, "We just heard about you getting a free show. Any comments, critiques, or questions? Slayer-kun said you've been avoiding him since seeing it."

Did they have to talk about that now? Shinji wanted to forget that little event, pretend it didn't happen! Not wanting to get a big head about himself, Shinji had to think Lizlet was just overly sensitive due to her sprite nature. So when Misato walked in on them with Chelsie nearly a mass of rubbery over pleased mess, Shinji was beside himself. People just HAD to think him a pig, even if nobody truly involved did. While he didn't mind being looked down on by strangers, it happened all the time, he didn't want those he was with to suffer. "H-how about we hear more about your time with the…council?" he hadn't known why Himari wanted to talk to them.

"None on all three of those little miss dead girl. What Shinji-kun does with you girls is between yourselves. I'm just glad you're back. He's been worried about you both that I was getting worried about him. And s-sorry for how I've been lately, Shinji-kun. Never thought I'd see my little man in that way, even if I tease you about it," Misato said between bites. She didn't look at him though, eyes on Himari with an unreadable expression.

Finishing her meal, "Let us get a move on then, Shinji-sama. Would not do us good to leave yon cat-terror alone. Who knows what feline she might beset," Himari pushed her plate forward. Excusing herself from the table, she guided Shinji out even though his food wasn't gone. "Snake, tis your duty to tend to the cleaning is it not? As for our arrangement, I will hold to it. Now is not the time for such matters anyway," she gripped his elbow and tugged firmly.

"I guess we can go early. Haven't spoken to Akagi-san since the last angel. And I do owe her for letting Rei-san go with Chizuru-san," Shinji felt Himari stop her pull. He hadn't had the chance to tell either of the missing of what happened to Chizuru. "She went off to talk to her mother about her tail business. I haven't heard from them since. And Chizuru is…she gets lonely," Shinji was lonely without her too. Funny with so many people in his life now he still felt somewhat incomplete without Chizuru around.

Grabbing the plates that were empty, and taking Misato's to refill it, Shizuku raised her eyebrow questioningly. Curtly and with a hint of distrust, "If you go against our little deal I'll take two or three times the amount when the time comes. And I expect you to explain this arrangement later. Wouldn't be good for unneeded drama." Dropping the plates off, Shizuku turned to the bathroom and turned the water on with a smirk. Asuka's shrill yelp was a quick answer to the 'why' of it. Frustration needed to be passed around like the flue.

"Well I'll see you all when we get back. Have a good day," Shinji let Himari lead him out of the apartment. Once they were out on the sidewalk, he patted her hand and fell into step with her. "You look really good in that," he wasn't being fully truthful. She looked ravishing in her new attire, but he wasn't the type to say such things. The sword was a necessary but regretful accessory. Always on the lookout for trouble, always needing to be watchful. Shinji wished Himari could relax, but such was the lives they lead.

With a small hip bump, Himari rapped her knuckle to Shinji's head. "Don't tempt me, Shinji-sama. Yon serpent and I have an agreement that I will not break. Now tell me of your time without me to insure you don't get yourself into trouble. Though it seems ye will always be in some sort of trouble. I leave thee be for a few days and you've already brought another under your sway," she come off to lightly. The cat-demon did have moments of jealousy and possessiveness, and after Shinji's admission it wasn't unexpected.

"Well funny you say it like that…I've been good actually!" Shinji was already feeling her dragging him faster. Oh yes, Himari was back to her normal self and punishing him for his 'allowed transgressions'. Faster and faster they 'walked' till they were running. He nearly stumbled when he looked down to avoid a rock. Wow did Himari have fine calves, normally hidden behind her kimono. "I guess what happened was due to the battle," Shinji went over all the new rumors. Chizuru's absence generated contact with other women, the ordeal in the storage closet, and ending with Asuka's little hug. "So…I've been doing good in getting rid of rumors!" he hoped at least.

Finally stopping her acceleration just outside of the gates of Nerv, Himari tilted her head in thought. "I shall give thee credit for telling those striplings the truth. A lesser man could have let them have their wish. But…if you can forgive thy for my own transgressions, I can forgive thee for thy own. Just as long as…as long as you don't forget me when I can't continue to follow you," she enfolded her arms around him and held tight.

"You can't…say things like that," Shinji felt his eyes stinging as the brutal honesty of Himari's statement. They HAD to find a way to prevent Himari's fear, HAD to. If he had to forbid Himari from fighting he would, it might make her hate him though. Having her alive and hating him or die while loving him, well it was an easy answer. Returning the embrace, they swayed a little before the doors. Late workings passed them with odd looks, but they didn't care. Master and servant, man and woman, guardian and protected…those terms didn't matter. They were companions, they were going to stay that way too.

After a good ten minutes of just standing there, the two headed into Ritsuko's lab. A long day of Shinji sitting in a test plug sans clothing to test simulated bodies, left the trio a little off. Ritsuko just had to make comments about things normally not seen, and Himari did inform Shinji of her deal with Shizuku. Now that left Shinji flustered, and well…Ritsuko had a little comment about thermal expansion that left both Himari and Shinji rushing out of the room at the end of the day. An odd day, but a great day to have so many of his friends back. He called Tayura up, but got him while out eating with Hikari and ended the call early. Still no word from Chizuru. If he didn't hear from her soon, Shinji would go visit Tamamo himself.

X-X

Notes

Trying to keep the drama/action moving in equal footing here. And wanting to add a bit more time for everybody to get there moment of glory going. Things happening all over, people coming to realizations or quandaries. Well anyway hope you enjoyed it and I realize that with what I want to do, this will go beyond my normal 26 chapter rigor as I've a lot left I wanna do. So you've that to look forward to/dread.

Later

Mercaba