Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ The One I Love Is...Mst ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Standard Disclaimer!

Yes I don't own anything..or talent..or self-esteem but you know what?

I DON'T CARE!

me is a happy person :)

Its been a prolonged absence for me but I'm back, Its odd what switching
jobs and family crisis can take up your time. Thats over now and I'm back!
hope you enjoy what I'm doing..but I was a bit sad that given my absence I've
only recieved one email claiming they wished me to get work done :(

I sometimes think I only have a few readers...if I do, I DO THIS FOR YOU!
he he enough of me....


oh and sorry for how long this took, it is one LONG chapter
--------------------------------------------------------------- -----------

Asuka: Lets get the mats set up and get this thing started, I want
to win and start the next movie soon.

Rei: What is it we will be doing again?

Hikari: We're going to play Dance Dance Revolution.

Touji: How I got dragged into this I don't know.

Shinji/Kensuke: You're hormones.

Touji: Oh yeah..forgot.

Asuka: Ok now listen up stooges this is how its going to work, first we have a
three two player matches then the last three do a single and the highest
point scorer wins.

Rei: I don't...

Asuka: Just follow the instructions!

Kensuke: Guess she's getting tired.

Shinji: No, just wants to show how good she is.

Hikari: Asuka, is it me or does Shinji-kun look awfully confident.

Rei: He does.

Asuka: Hey, she asked me, and he does.

The mats are set up and the first two contestants get on the mats.

Asuka: Wondergirl you're going down!

Rei: Is that part of the game?

Touji: Man that be a cool game to watch.

Asuka: Hikari?

Hikari: Way ahead of you 'smacks him upside the head.'

Rei: Why is it asking what song?

Asuka: I'll pick. 'she selects "Be my Lover Boy."

The duo begins the selection with Asuka way in the lead.

Rei: What do I do?

Shinji: Step on the pad that the arrow is pointing at.

Rei: Understood.

The song continues and Rei begins to catch on but not soon enough to catch
up to Asuka's score and the first winner is Asuka.

Asuka: Simple!

Kensuke: But she was catching up to you at the end.

Rei: I lost.

Shinji: Did you have fun though?

Rei: I think so.

Hikari: Then thats all that matters, Its Touji and my turn now.

Touji: Stupid game, I pick the song 'picks "Stomping to my Beat."

To put it mildly Hikari floored Touji, as he kept looking at her and getting a
nose bleed.

Touji: 'Why did she have to change into that get up' (think sync training)

Hikari: Touji, I thought you'd do better than that.

Asuka: He's a boy, what did you expect.

Kensuke: Move aside and watch a master at work.

Kensuke and Shinji get on the mats.

Kensuke: I'm picking the song.

Asuka: Boy I wonder what it will be.

Hikari: So its going to be you or me that wins, ne Asuka 'smiles.'

Kensuke: Bite me, both of you 'selects "Captain Jack."

The match is under way, Kensuke fumbles along with his footing a bit, and Shinji
seems to be missing every 5th step.

Hikari: Um...Asuka something is wrong with this.

Asuka: He's doing ok, we both did better.

Rei: He is intentionlly missing steps.

The match concludes with Shinji just beating Kensuke.

Kensuke: I lost, that sucks!

Touji: AHAHAHAHAHA thanks for the lesson Kensuke.

Shinji: I just got lucky.

Rei: Is it now time for the singles?

Asuka: I'll go first, so you two can weep at how you have to do.

Hikari: Sure thing.

Asuka selects the new "Kung-fu Fighting" and breaks into her groove she kept up
fairly well on the medium level.

Hikari: 'clapping' Go Asuka go!

Rei: How can her feet move like that.

Touji: Man thats scary.

The song comes to an end and Asuka scores a B rating.

Asuka: Beat that 'winks at Shinji' hope you didn't get to good a look.

Hikari: I'm going next, ok Shinji-kun?

Kensuke: MAn you know if you ask him he'll let you, all part of Mega-playboy.

Touji: Better not be 'scowls at Shinji.'

Hikari: Be nice now 'gets on the mat and picks "Bumble Bee"'

The music keys up and the arrors start moving, She does a fairly good job keeping up
with the more advanced moves but...

Touji: Ah Hikari-chan you're missing alot.

Hikari: 'Bit winded' I..I'm tired.

Shinji clapping: She's doing well.

Rei: This music is fairly good.

Asuka: Guess I'm the winner.

Hikari's run ends and her grade is C.

Hikari: I tried.

They all clap: You did good!

Touji: Well Shin-man time to lose.

Asuka: WAIT! this time no holding back like you did with Kensuke.

Rei: Agreed.

Shinji/Kensuke: WHAT!

Kensuke: Holding back!

Shinji: How did you..

Hikari: Come on Shinji-kun show us what you're made of.

Shinji steps on the mat with an odd sense of confidence. He selects his song
"ButterFly remix"

Hikari: Um..Asuka isn't that...

Asuka: The hardest song..at the hardest setting..he's got to be kidding.

Shinji's eyes snap open as the music keys up and scores perfect on each foot
setting.

Touji: DAMN!

Rei: He moves very quickly.

He keeps moving perfectly with the music as the arrors dissapear.

Kensuke: YOU DA MAN!!

Hikari: I don't believe it!

Shinji jumps off the mat and does the moves with his hands not his feet.

Asuka: 'Increadable' I..I...

Shinji jumps back on the mat and finishes off the run with a flawless performance, and
getting an S rating.

Asuka/Rei: How?

Shinji: I practiced for the sync mission on this game..alot.

Touji: AND THE MEN TAKE THE GOLD!!!

Kensuke: Shin-man saviour of the male spirit.

Shinji: I..really like this game, but can we sit down now?

Rei: I've keyed up the next movie while you took the mats down.

Kensuke: We never said what the prize was going to me.

Shinji: I'd be happy with a soda.

Rei/Asuka/ and Hikari?: I'll get one for you.

Touji: What?

Asuka pushes Rei back and heads to kitchen 'I never knew...'

Back in living room the seats are divied up, Shinji-Rei-Hikari on the couch, Touji
on the chair by Hikari and Kensuke by Shinji.

Rei: Shinji-kun, that was most impressive.

Shinji blushing: It wasn't much.

Touji/Kensuke: He's in his groove now.

Hikari: I think this should be the last one for tonight, its getting late.

Asuka returning with some drinks: HEY! where am I supposed to sit?

All: The floor.

Asuka grumbles as she passes the drinks out and plops down on a pillow on
the floor.

(begin MST look for my pretty >>>)

The One I Love Is...
Chapter 6 - Friends

>>>Asuka: Guess this chapter is about me.

>>>Hikari:Why you say that?

>>>Asuka: Baka Shinji and Wondergirl don't really have friends.

Written by Alain Gravel <rakna@globetrotter.qc.ca>
Assisted by Darren Demaine <ddemaine@ualberta.ca>
Based on characters created by and copyright GAINAX

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Teahouse/2236/

(*) See translations notes for details
(number) See the author's notes for details on a specific subject

>>>Kensuke: Do we care?

>>>Touji: Nope, that means we have to learn something.

WARNING: This chapter contains lime scented elements.

>>>Shinji: What does that mean again?

>>>Touji: That you give your Mega-playboy powers a work out.

>>>Asuka/Rei: This better feature me!
=================================================================== ====

Chapter 6 - Friends

Part 1 - The trip

>>>Kensuke: The fall.

>>>Touji: And the painful recovery after.

A month had passed since the Twelfth Angel's attack. Things had
pretty much gotten back to normal. Well, as close to normal as my life
could be, anyway.

>>>Shinji: Yeah normal, Giant robots, Angel attacks, and two very
>>> determined women.

>>>Kensuke: Sounds normal to me.

>>>Asuka: And that tells us alot about you, freak.

After some difficult moments, Asuka and Rei had
managed to "solve" their differences in a civilized matter.

>>>Touji: A ten day battle to the death.

>>>Hikari: Maybe the agreed to disagree?

Asuka could
now do whatever she wanted with me on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,
while I was Rei's on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

>>>Asuka: This is going to be sweet!

>>>Rei: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I could get used to that.

>>>Touji: I don't think you'll get alot of sleep Shin-man.

>>>Shinji: So I'm just an object to them?

>>>Kensuke: Yup, a living object of desire.

>>>Hikari: Thats a bit much don't you think?


I tried to object
to the idea of having my life run by a schedule that I had no role in
working out,

>>>Shinji: How is that different from now?

>>>Asuka: They didn't factor in the Nerv Tests.

especially since the possibility of freedom was only one
day a week, Sunday. There was no way I could possibly stand long against
*both* of them, so I just accepted their arrangement.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Good boy, you're learning.

Besides, it wasn't
really that bad. In fact, many of the guys at school envied my
situation.

>>>Touji: Only for Misato, you can keep the other two.

>>>Asuka/Rei: WHAT!

>>>Kensuke: Well don't get mad but, 'points to Asuka' nobody wants to
>>> get beat to death, and you 'points to Rei' you don't have the best
>>> personality or any for that matter.

>>>Touji: WE wonder what Shin-man see's in either of you.

>>>Rei: That was a foolish thing to say 'backhands Touji.'

>>>Asuka..um..she's doing really painful things to Kensuke.

>>>Shinji: Their just idiots.

>>>Hikari: Thats evident since the beginning.

>>>Rei and Asuka calm down after the compliment.

Still, there were some changes. Asuka was now definitely nicer to
me. She still called me 'baka' almost a hundred times a day, but she
barely yelled any more.

>>>Touji: She...still hit him...I bet...

>>>Hikari: If you can't speak normally don't talk.

>>>Shinji: That red mark isn't fading.

Most of the time, anyway. For her part, Rei had
changed considerably. She was definitely more open to others now and,
while not the extrovert type, she did show a bit more how she felt to
the people around her.

>>>Rei beams with happiness.

>>>Asuka: Are you smiling?

>>>Shinji: She is, 'smiles.' its so kawaii!

>>>Hikari: It looks like she's looking normal.

>>>Shinji: Thats her smile.

>>>Hikari/Asuka: Oh.

Her biggest improvement was the fact that she now
actually had a friend outside of NERV, one of our classmates, a girl
named Hotaru.

>>>All but Shinji: Who?

>>>Shinji: SHE'S EVIL SHE'LL KILL US ALL, SHE MUST DIE DIE DIE!!!

>>>Asuka: Shinji..you ok?

>>>Shinji: What the hell was that?

>>>Touji: We..want..to know.

(Fyi Hotaru, from sailor moon, sailor saturn, senshi of destruction, Shinji's voice)
( Actress played the part of Uranus, she wanted to kill Hotaru to save the world)

Even with the recent changes, that girl seemed to be the
only student of our class who didn't seem uncomfortable in Rei's
presence.

>>>Shinji: Hey!

>>>Rei: That is unkind.

Well, beside me and Asuka to an extent.

>>>Kensuke recovered: Asuka comfortable with Ayanami?

>>>Asuka: I'm just as creeped out as you.

Even Touji and Kensuke
didn't yet feel at ease around her. Maybe the closeness of the two new
friends was due to the fact they were very much alike.

>>>Asuka: She's an albino freek too?

>>>Rei: She's one of my sisters?

>>>Shinji: Sisters?

>>>Hikari: Do we have enough window space for two of them?

Hotaru was a shy
girl who had clearly no friend, like Rei months ago. Because of her
frail complexion, her skin had the same porcelain qualities as Rei's.

>>>Asuka: SEE SEE a DOLL!

>>>Shinji: Its just a color comparision.

>>>Kensuke: And she could be a cup, they make porcelain cups.

If
her short hair had been blue instead of black, the two could have passed
as sisters (1).

>>>Shinji: Um...her eyes arn't red.

>>>Rei: She could get contacts.

As I looked at them happily eating lunch together, I couldn't help
being proud of Rei. She had made a lot of progress in the last few
weeks.
"Shin-chan! We have to do something!"

>>>Touji: MEGA-PLAYBOY!

>>>Asuka: NOT THAT YOU HENTAI!

This sudden outburst from my red-headed companion dragged me from my
thoughts.
"Uh? What do you mean?"

>>>Kensuke: She means you-her the closet, NOW!

>>>Touji: Give them you're camera.

>>>Shinji: Shut up.

"Look at them!" she almost shouted, pointing at Touji in a corner of
the school cafeteria, then Hikari a few seats away. "The way they try to
ignore each other, even though they are madly attracted to each other,

>>>Hikari: I wouldn't say 'madly.'

>>>Touji: Hey!

>>>Asuka: I still don't know what you seem in him.

>>>Rei: He has very few redeming qualities.

is driving me insane! We must help them! They too deserve to know the
happiness and love we share!"

>>>Shinji: What the heck does that mean?

>>>Kensuke: Um..she wants to have a foursome?

>>>Asuka: Oh...Gawd I'm going to be sick 'gets up punches Kensuke in the
>>> neck...causing him to faint and rushes to the bathroom.'

>>>Touji: I'm glad she did it, I'd have had to do it myself.

>>>Hikari: Agreed.

>>> The tape is paused while wretching sounds come from the bathroom and
>>> Asuka returns.

Those last words got the attention of the entire student body. Not
that there were many students in this school these days.

>>>Asuka: So we drew the attention of two people?

>>>Shinji: Looks like one, the other must be sick today.

Still, we
couldn't help but blush under all those looks. I almost crawled under
the table when I noticed Rei's burning glare.

>>>Shinji: Escape mesure number 190.

>>>Touji: What Ayanami or the desk?

>>>Rei: I believe I am number 2 in his escape protocol.

>>>Shinji: She's right, rember the first day at school.

>>>Asuka: Yeah, when you beat the hell out of him.

>>>Touji: Now I rember.

She could be really scary
when she looked at you that way.
"What are you all looking at?" shouted a suddenly angry Asuka.
Scared of the red-headed fury, everyone decided to get back to
whatever they were doing a few moments before.

>>>Asuka: Its hard to be so powerful.

>>>Rei: They fear a mental unstable person, that is understandable.

"Are you really sure she likes him?" I asked, trying to calm her
down.
"Sure! I asked her. I don't know why, but she has the biggest crush
on that baka. Personally, I think she deserves better, but if she want
him that bad..."

>>>Hikari: ASUKA!

>>>Touji: DEVIL-GIRL!

>>>Asuka: What, its the truth isn't it?

"Hey! Touji's a nice guy!" I objected, wanting to defend my friend.
"He's just a pervert like you!"
Wide opening here...
"I didn't know you liked perverts..."
"I don't!"

>>>Rei: So be default you don't like Shinji-kun, so I may have him.

>>>Asuka: No..I mean..yes..I mean, HELL!

>>>Touji: Hikari, is it normal for her veins to throb like that?

"Then we don't go out tonight like you had planned? You did call me
a pervert a few seconds ago..."
For a few seconds, Asuka didn't know what to say.
"Fine, you're not a pervert. But he's still one."

>>>Asuka: You not a pervert..whats gotten over me.

>>>Shinji: I told you I wasn't a pervert.

>>>Touji: Just a play-boy.

>>>Kensuke mumbling: Mega

Well, there was no point in starting that argument all over, so I
stayed quiet. Besides, I knew that deep down, Asuka probably didn't
really think Touji was a pervert. She just needed to complain.

>>>Hikari: I don't want put you down Asuka, but its true, if you don't
>>> complain about something you get irritated then violent.

>>>Touji: Why don't you make Shin-man your permanent whipping boy and leave
>>> the rest of the male species alone?

>>>Rei: Because I will not allow her to do so alone.

>>>ALL: Um...K.

"Okay, she likes him and I know that Touji has a little crush on her
as well. So?"
"So? We help them get together, of course!"
"We? Why we?"

>>>Rei: Because she has an alterior motive.

>>>Asuka: Now why would you say that?

>>>Shinji: Because you're eyeing the screen while rubbing your hands together.

"Because I've got a plan. And I need you to help me."
"Me? I can't even solve the problems of my own love life!"
"That's because you're too stupid to realize that Wonder Girl ain't
a match for me!"

>>>Asuka/Touji: Yeah!

>>>Rei/the propped up Kensuke: NO!

I tried to ignore that last comment. Now was not the time for *that*
fight. Again.
"So, what do you have in mind?" I asked, trying to change the
subject.

>>>Touji: I don't think you want to know.

>>>Hikari: I don't think I want to know.

Asuka took some time to look around. Whatever she was looking for,
she didn't really seem satisfied by what she saw. In a few seconds, she
finished her meal, then grabbed me and dragged me out to a deserted
classroom.
"Less spying ears here," she explained, seeing my puzzled look.
What was with the paranoia all of the sudden?

>>>Shinji: Section 2?

>>>Hikari/Touji: Us?

>>>Rei: Me.

"A camping trip," she then said flatly.
"Uh?"
"A camping trip. We will all go on a camping trip."
"A camping trip?"

>>>Touji: How many times will they say that, WE GET IT!

>>>Kensuke finally back to normal: He got some?

>>>Rei: Stay silent or we will hurt you again.

>>>Kensuke: I'll be good.

How was that supposed to draw Touji and Hikari together?
"Yes. You go with Touji. I go with Hikari. Then, by some twist of
fate, we all meet at that lake you showed me on our first date. When
night comes, you and I take the tent you were supposed to use with
Touji, so he and Hikari will have no choice but to sleep together in the
other tent.

>>>Rei: You're plan is mainly self-serving isn't it.

>>>Shinji: Share a tent with Asuka?

>>>Touji/Kensuke: Get the funk on..baby...go Shin-man go!

>>>Shinji: And you're sleeping with Hikari.

>>>Hikari: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

>>>they all look at her.

>>>Hikari blushes: Um..sorry.

If Touji is like any other male, he will take that
opportunity to put the moves on her. Perfect plan."

>>>Asuka: And you better be a normal male too.

>>>Shinji: EEP!

>>>Rei: I will need to place a tracker on you.

I wasn't sure I liked the sound of that plan. It seemed... devious.
"What if she doesn't want him to put the moves on her?"
"Are you kidding? She's only waiting for that!"
"She told you that?"
All of the sudden, Asuka became quite embarrassed.

>>>Hikari: ASUKA WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!!

>>>Asuka: Um..its just a movie?

>>>Touji: I'm the MAN! see Shin-man thats how you do it!

>>>Shinji: No...I think you're wrong on that.

>>>Hikari: Dead wrong.

"Well... no..."
"You don't know, then!"
"Of course I know! Remember when I spent a few days at her house?
You should have heard her in her sleep, moaning that baka's name and..."

>>>Shinji/Kensuke: Now who's the play-boy?

>>>Touji: I..didn't do anything...

>>>Hikari about to faint: I'm...going to break you..into cubes..little cubes..ASUKA.

>>>Rei: Pause the movie.

>>>Shinji does as asked while Hikari flips and assults Asuka...they run around a bit...
>>> nothing really happens because Shinji and Touji step in to calm things then they restart.

She was almost crimson red now.
"And what?"
"I really can't tell you. You'd get a nosebleed..."
Being a boy, I imagined quite a few scenarios. All of them with the
potential of being hit by Asuka and called a pervert if I expressed
them. Since my own cheeks suddenly turned red, Asuka seemed to guess
what was crossing my mind.
"Pervert!"

>>>Touji: Now we see the double standard, its ok for women to think like that but men?

>>>Shinji/Kensuke: NO!

>>>Asuka: Damn straight!

>>>Rei: I also agree with this.

>>>Shinji turns pale as he recieves a few..ok two..odd looks.

>>>Kensuke: Can we call them perverts?

>>>Touji: I wouldn't recomned it unless you want to sleep again.

"Ouch!" I complained, after being hit behind the head.
Before I even realized it, I put my foot into my mouth. Again.
"Like I'm sure you did nothing when you saw her!"
"What!?"
This time I was slapped.
"You're really worse than Touji!"

>>>Shinji: Saw her, what does that mean?

>>>Asuka/Hikari: NOTHING AT ALL!!!!

>>>Rei simply looks confused.

Before I could even think of a reply, she had stormed out of the
room. Then, her head reappeared.
"You'll come to the mall with me after school, we've got camping
gear to buy. Try to control your hormones in the mean time."

>>>Shinji: Yeah I can do that, just let me turn the dial down on my hormon BELT!

>>>Asuka: IF you had one it be set to zero already..I swear you're a eunich.

>>>Hikari: Thats not what you said before.

>>>Rei: He has moments where he doesn't.

>>>Kensuke: Its like men aren't even human...isn't it.

This said, she was out again.
"That girl is a pain. Can't wait for tomorrow. It's safer with Rei."

>>>Rei: So choose me right now.

>>>Asuka: Safe is borning, thats why he hasn't chosen you!

>>>Hikari: Um..don't look to deeply into this ok?

>>>Touji: Its a Shin-man meat market.

* * *

"A camping trip?" asked a dumbfounded Touji. "You're asking me to go
camping with you?"
"Well... yes."

>>>Touji: You know how gay that sounds?

>>>Asuka: Very.

Oh, man... That wasn't going well. I just knew it, this was a bad
idea. Why something so complicated? Why couldn't Asuka have thought
about something simpler like going to the movies and having both of them
sit together?

>>>Rei: Because she couldn't exploit the situation to for her benifit.

>>>Hikari: Why do you say that?

>>>Rei: Her, shinji away from the city and me.

>>>Kensuke: The devil has always been cunning.

"I dunno. It's more Kensuke's thing..."
I knew it. He was trying to find a way out of this.
"I asked him, but he said he couldn't. Something about a new Top
Secret military project. Come on, it would be fun. Aren't you tired of
Tokyo-3? I sure am."

>>>Hikari: Nice cover.

>>>Rei: If it was top secret, how would you or Aida know of it?

>>>Shinji: I just can't lie well.

>>>Rei/Asuka: And we're glad for that.

"Well..."
Time for pleading, I guess.
"Everything's ready! I don't want to go alone..."
"Misato is letting you go? Just like that?"

>>>Shinji: If I said she was coming would that help?

>>>Touji: I'd be backed before you finished the sentence.

"She gave me some tracking devices to carry with me. NERV will know
exactly where I'll be and they can get me to headquarters in around ten
minutes. Besides, we'll be away only from Saturday afternoon to Sunday
afternoon. I really doubt an Angel would choose that time to attack..."

>>>Rei: Why do you say that?

>>>Shinji: I don't know, they do tend to attack while I'm away.

>>>Rei: So it be best if you moved closer to HQ, my apartment is only a blockaway.

>>>Kensuke: Is it me or is she getting smoother at her attempts?

>>>Touji: Bout as smooth as a wet-sander.

Well, at least that was what I hoped.
"And what about your girlfriends? Aren't you owned by Asuka on
Saturdays? Surely she won't let you got that easily..."
"Hey! She doesn't own me! And they're not my girlfriends!"

>>>Asuka/Rei: Why can't we?

>>>Hikari: You do exactly what they tell you to.

>>>Kensuke: I'd say they own you already.

>>>Touji: You're their dog.

"Yeah, right..." said Touji, barely suppressing a chuckle.
Damn, I really hated being reminded of my problems with the girls...
"Asuka doesn't really mind."
If he knew that was actually her idea... Maybe Touji was right. I
really needed to stand up a bit more to Asuka...

>>>Asuka: You BAKA you've corrupted him! he was perfect the way he was.

>>>Rei: No, he was to submissive to you.

>>>Shinji: I can't help it.

"Oh, alright... I'll go with you!"
"Great! Trust me... you won't regret it!"
Silently, I hoped this would be true...

* * *

Once we got out of Tokyo-3, Touji seemed to relax a bit. Once we
actually got to the lake, he seemed to actually be glad he had agreed to
come with me.

>>>Asuka: If you come out of the closet now.

>>>Rei: He is outside, he cannot leave any closet.

>>>Hikari: Its an expression.

>>>Touji: I'd have to leave.

>>>Hikari: NO-bodies leaving.

"You know, Shinji... this wasn't such a bad idea after all," said
Touji, lost in contemplation over the lake.
I only half listened to him. Without really realizing it, I walked
toward the lake and stopped a few meters away. I bent down, and touched
the green grass. There was nothing specific about that particular spot
of grass I touched,

>>>Shinji: It then turned into an angel and ate my arm.

>>>Asuka: Our first date.

>>>Hikari: Or what should have been if you didn't explode.

>>>Rei: I believe it was due to Shinji-kun and my first date.

>>>Asuka: Why yo..

>>>Shinji: Hey look at that. 'Please kami-sama let this one slip by.'

but the memories it stirred made me go through a
wide range of emotions. This was where I had shared my first kiss with
Asuka...

>>>Touji: Did that ever end bad, you kiss her she tries to kill you.

"So, that's the place?"

>>>Shinji: No, the grave I dug for you is behind that bush.

>>>Kensuke: And the other 2?

>>>Asuka/Rei: HEY!

Startled, I raised my head to see Touji at my side, a big grin on
his face.
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, Shinji. I heard the story. This is where you first kissed
Asuka, isn't it?"
"What?! How do you know about that?"
"Hikari."

>>>Asuka: Hikari! you can't be trusted with anything can you?

>>>Hikari: And you can! just look at what you said about me!

>>>Asuka: Point taken.

"I see... I guess girls would talk about such things..."
"So, that's the place?"
I nodded. Touji's grin grew even wider. I was about to tell him to
stop looking at me that way when someone called our names.
"Suzuhara-kun? Ikari-kun?"

>>>Asuka: If I see Rei I'm going to flip.

>>>Rei: You can do acrobatics?

While I expected that turn of event, I was still surprised. Not as
much as Touji, however.
"In... Inchou?" (*)

>>>Kensuke: Still can't call her by name in this.

Both girls had appeared behind us, carrying similar backpacks as
those Touji and I had brought with us. While Asuka seemed oblivious to
the weight on her shoulders, Hikari seemed almost exhausted.

>>>Kensuke: Asuka the pack mule.

>>>Asuka: If I'm a mule..that makes this a mule kick 'kicks him in the leg hard.'

>>>Kensuke: I can't feel my toes!

I was only
a bit surprised to see Touji run up to her and take that burden off her
shoulders. Hikari thanked him and both of them blushed.

>>>Hikari/Shinji: Aahh.

>>>Touji/Asuka: Eeww.

When I took my eyes off that scene, I realized Asuka was staring at
me. I understood why as I realized I was still kneeling down on the spot
of grass I had previously touched. Silently, Asuka walked toward me. I
stood up. We stared at each other for a few seconds, then Asuka
surprised me with a deep kiss.

>>>Shinji: Where did THAT come from?

>>>Kensuke: Maybe it really should be played-boy.

>>>Rei: I am not liking this.

I knew that Touji and Hikari were
watching, so I froze at first. It was the first time we actually kissed
in public. But after a short moment, I forgot about our friends.

>>>Kensuke/Touji: What else is new, you forget about us the second one of your
>>> masters call.

"This time, we did it correctly," whispered Asuka, after she broke
the kiss.
When I brought my attention back to our friends, I noticed that
Hikari had an astonished look on her face while Touji showed again that
damn wide grin.
"What are you boys doing here?!" suddenly shouted Asuka, startling
me.

>>>Asuka: What was 'that?'

>>>Rei: You're mood shifts.

I knew it was part of her plan to try to convince both Hikari and
Touji that this was not some scheme, but I still didn't expect her to
yell just after kissing me.
"Camping of course!" replied Touji, pointing at our belongings, a
few meters away.
"What a coincidence!" exclaimed Hikari. "We came here to do the
same..."

>>>Kensuke: No that doesn't sound supsisious at all.

>>>Touji: Two groups of campers just happen to find the same spot, on the same
>>> day, at the same time.

>>>Kensuke: And they have all have 'issues' with somebody else their.

>>>Rei: Her plan is paper thin.

That was just perfect. Coming up herself with the coincidence
hypothesis was the best thing that could have happened. However, even if
he didn't mention it, I could feel that Touji felt sceptical about this.
"So, what do we do now?" I asked.

>>>Touji: Do you have to ask?

>>>Asuka: He better, and you better not be thinking what I think you are.

>>>Rei: And you the same.

>>>Shinji: Hikari...do we matter much?

>>>Hikari: Sometimes I can't tell.

Asuka had expected Hikari to take advantage of the situation. She
did.
"Well, we had planned for a girl trip, but now that we are all
together, why not all stay here? It would be fun! The more the merrier!"

>>>Kensuke: I bet...

>>>Asuka: Rember last time you suggested that?

>>>Kensuke:.......

I noticed Asuka had trouble hiding a grin. Realizing this, she
played her usual role, which was yelling and making a lot of noise about
nothing.
"What?! You want us to camp here? With those perverts?!"

>>>Asuka: For once I'd like not to have a mood shift.

>>>Shinji: But would it be accurate then?

>>>Rei/Kensuke: No.

>>>Hikari: Yes.

"We're not perverts!" I objected.
From that point, things just escalated into the kind of argument we
usually had.
"You are! I'm sure you heard I was coming here and came yourself to
take advantage of the situation! No Misato around... Admit it, you the
other baka planned all this so that you could do all sort of perverted
things to us, defenceless girls!"

>>>Shinji: I'd never call you defenceless.

>>>Touji: IT WAS YOU'RE IDEA YOU'RE THE PERVERT!

>>>Hikari: I side with them.

>>>Asuka: Hell, so what at least I can use the situation if you're to scared.

"What?!" shouted Touji.
"Oh, my..." said a dumbfound Hikari.
The argument continued for a while, until we got tired of it and all
decided to stay, exactly as Asuka had planned, of course. Since dinner
time was coming fast anyway, nobody had the time to find another place
where they could camp.

>>>Rei: How convinient isn't it.

>>>Asuka: Quite.

Soon, Touji and I were handed the task of setting
up the tents, while Asuka and Hikari were gone in the woods to put on
their swimsuits.

>>>Shinji: So we work as you play?

>>>Hikari: Looks that way.

>>>Touji: Something is wrong with this.

>>>Kensuke: You guys are whipped thats what.

"Why do we end up with all the work?" complained Touji, while trying
to figure out how to set up Asuka's tent.
"Because we're guys? Besides, I'm sure you're happy to lend Hikari a
hand..."
"Yeah, but this is still the Demon's tent..."
"Hey! Asuka-chan's not that bad!"

>>>Asuka: OH- he said it, SAY IT AGAIN!

>>>Rei: Where am I during this?

"Oh, so it's Asuka-chan now? That kiss must have been something..."
Damn! I had let that "chan" slip... Oh, well, after what he had seen
earlier...
"Nah... That was nothing. You should see us when we sleep
together..."
"What?!"

>>>Touji/kensuke: WHAT!!

>>>Hikari/Rei: Asuka/Ikari!

>>>Shinji: JOKE!

>>>Asuka: Bout time!

Touji was so surprised that he lost his hold on the tent. Everything
went down. I smiled. I had my revenge.
"Oh, man! I've got to start over now!"
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. Touji soon followed. So far,
everything seemed to indicate it would be a pleasant day.

>>>Rei: I like that.

>>>Kensuke: Why?

>>>Rei: Foreshadowing, 'seemed to indicate'

>>>Asuka: OH man..she's right, that happend before didn't it.

* * *

The day had gone by pretty nicely. Since the girls had resolved to
catch some sun while we were taking care of the tents, it seemed that
the task of gathering wood for a fire and prepare dinner would fall on
us gentlemen.

>>>Shinji: Tents and firewood, what are we?

>>>Asuka: Workers, you can't expect us delicate ladies to do such hard work.

>>>Kensuke: I'd expect you to use your fangs and bite through the wood.

Since Touji's cooking skills were limited to the use of
instant microwave meals, he decided to take care of the wood. When he
had gathered together a reasonable pile of branches and timber, I worked
on starting up a small campfire. By the time the girls got tired of
lying around,

>>>Rei: What time would that be?

>>>Hikari: When we're hungry.

>>>Asuka: Nothing good to watch...like others working.

>>>Shinji: Thats cold.

our meal was under way and the sun was slowly leaving us.
We ate, then chatted for a while until Asuka went to our tent and
came back carrying a sake bottle and a six pack of Yebisu in each hand.
"Let's start the real party now!"

>>>Rei: And now the real purpose of you're plan.

>>>Shinji: Asuka, you're so deceptive.

>>>Asuka: Nothing wrong with a little social drinking.

I was, to say the least, more than surprised.
"Where the hell did you get that, Asuka?!"
"Where do you think? The same place Misato buys her weekly supply of
alcohol. The owner didn't even suspect a thing when I put those on her
credit."
"You did what?!"

>>>Rei: She stole the Major's credit card and used it to buy alcohol to use
>>> in seducing you.

>>>Touji/Hikari: And using us as bait!

"Relax Shin-chan... It's not like she keeps count of how much beer
she buys..."
I shook my head in disbelief. Sometimes, Asuka just went too far...
"We shouldn't be drinking... we're too young..."
"Oh... Is little Shinji scared?"
"I'm not scared!"
"Prove it."

>>>Kensuke: The old scared move, no man...not even Shin-man can escape it.

>>>Rei: 'Mental-note: Claim Ikari-kun is scared to get him to act.'

She handed me a beer, a smirk on her face.
"It won't work Asuka. I'm not going to drink that."
"Just as I thought. You're a wimp. Say, Touji, are you more of a man
than Shin-chan here?"
"I've got nothing to prove to you."

>>>Rei: Good.

>>>Asuka: You say that like you believe it.

>>>Touji:Just delayed Mega-playboy powers.

I had expected Asuka to give up, but instead, a huge grin grew on
her face as she eyed Hikari.
"Then I guess you're the only one left, Hikari. Shall we show these
guys we've got more guts than them?"
"I don't know Asuka..."
"You don't want the boys here to think you're a shy girl, do you,
Hikari-chan?"

>>>Hikari: ASUKA what has gotten into you in this, you're just using everybody!

>>>Asuka: I..don't know, its not me..really.

>>>Rei/Shinji: I..have to agree.

I knew that when she had said 'boys', Asuka had meant 'Touji'. And
by the way Hikari glanced at my friend, I knew Asuka had hit a nerve.
"No... of course not..."
Reluctantly, Hikari took the Yebisu can Asuka handed to her, before
taking one for herself. Both girls opened their cans. Hikari took a shy
sip.
"It's not so bad..."
"Come on, Hikari, that not how you drink!"

>>>Touji: And you would know?

I was stunned to see Asuka lift the can and make a very good
imitation of Misato. I was impressed.

>>>Touji: Never mind.

>>>Asuka: Whow! guess Misato's life does effect ours.

>>>Shinji: That is a feat.

She drank the entire can in one
shot. I couldn't help but seriously wonder if this was the first time
Asuka drank beer.
"Yeah! Misato's right, that's the way to drink!"

>>>Asuka: So you don't taste it.

"You want me to do that?!" shouted a still stunned Hikari.
Asuka nodded.
For a while, Hikari stared at her can... then she attempted to copy
what Asuka had done a few minutes earlier. She didn't really manage it,
but she still drank most of it before almost choking and splashing some
of it all over herself.

>>>Hikari: Touji you have to close you're eyes...now.

>>>Touji: Why don't they have too?

>>>Kensuke: Because we're not looking at where the booze landed.

>>>Shinji: Ken...

>>>Hikari: You too Kensuke.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: Damn Shin-man..getting away with..'they gripe as the shut thier eyes.'

Then she burst in a fit of giggles, followed by
Asuka. Touji and I looked at each other. We both nodded and grabbed a
beer ourselves...

>>>Rei: Why is Section 2 allowing that.
* * *

I'm not shy to admit it. I can't handle alcohol. It was the case
back then and it's still the same today.
After the first can of Yebisu, I felt its effects. I was a bit
light-headed and I realized I was laughing a lot more than I usually
did.

>>>Touji: That would mean he's actually laughing.

>>>Asuka: You don't laugh that much do you.

>>>Shinji: What do I have to laugh about?

After the second can, I had problems walking straight, which I
realized is annoying when you have to walk any significant distance to
get some privacy while paying for one of beer's side effects.

>>>Shinji: Um..could you shut you're eyes..why are they showing that.

>>>Asuka/Rei: We refuse.

>>>Hikari Shuts her eyes....partly.

After the
third can and a couple of drinks at Asuka's sake bottles, I realized
that any attempt at moving any of my limbs in a coordinated way was
almost futile. While my mind was more or less clear, my body was
completely out of it. And as time passed, I was very slowly but surely
drifting off to sleep.

>>>Shinji: I thought the mind was the first thing to go.

>>>Rei: I am greatful for it not, I demand more screen time.

At least, I wasn't the first to get drunk. Hikari was totally out of
control before I finished my second can. I must say it was... an
interesting sight. I don't know if she used the pretence of being drunk
as an excuse, or if she was really that drunk, but soon enough, she was
glomping Touji.

>>>Hikari: I'm glad you're eyes are still shut.

>>>Asuka/Rei: So that is how you do it.

>>>Shinji: Um...Ken wanna switch seats?

>>>Kensuke: No. I can' look you can't move.

At first, this scared the hell out of the guy, but after
a short while, he seemed to relax and actually enjoy the situation.
Maybe the beer was helping.

>>>Rei: So it does effect judgement.

Asuka quickly followed Hikari's example and was soon all over me.
Like for Hikari, the effects of the alcohol rapidly showed on her
attitude, as she kept switching from an overly happy demeanor to a shy
and silent attitude.

>>>Shinji blushing: You have you're eyes shut still Asuka?

>>>Asuka wiping off a bit of drool: Nope, come over her now 'glomps Shinji'

>>>Rei: 'Glares at her' Get off him now.

>>>Asuka: Don't wanna.

>>>Shinji:'That kinda feels really good..ok it does really feel good.'

>>>Hikari: Remind me never to drink again..or in the first place.

>>>Rei pries Asuka off Shinji so he can reform himself..but he is really gone right now.

Touji didn't really seem affected by the alcohol, if we didn't take
into account the fact that he got comfortable pretty quickly to the
attention Hikari provided him.
Sure thing, we had a lot of fun, something I didn't experience that
often. We sang songs, told jokes that we normally wouldn't have laughed
at if we had been sober,

>>>Shinji: Those jokes sucked.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: Can we open are eyes now?

>>>Hikari: Sure.

and even went as far as a midnight swim in the
lake. Fortunately, none of us were stupid enough to swim out too far, so
no unfortunate incident occurred.

>>>Rei: Damn.

>>>Touji/Hikari: What was that?

>>>Rei: I didn't mean you.

I guess the party ended when Asuka realized I was seriously dozing
off.
"If you'll excuse me, I'll go put my dear Shin-chan to bed before he
falls asleep and manages to get himself into the fire, or something
stupid like that."
Touji, of course, had a good laugh.

>>>Touji: That is so ironic, you want to take him back to hell with you and
>>> that means fire anyway ahahahaha.

>>>Asuka: I AM NOT...repeat NOT a DEVIL!

I felt someone grabbing me and dragging me somewhere. It must have
been hard on poor Asuka, because I really had trouble walking. Not that
I really tried to help her...
Eventually, I heard the sound of a zipper being opened and I was
thrown forward into my tent.

>>>Shinji: Not to different for what I do with Misato-san.

>>>Touji: Can I shake your hand?

>>>Kensuke: Me first.

>>>Hikari/Asuka: Baka.

"Oh, yeah..." said Asuka to Touji before following me, "Earlier
today, I moved my things here and put your gear into my tent. Surely you
understand that I want to spend the night with dear Shin-chan..."
"What?!" shouted what sounded like an obviously shocked Touji.

>>>Rei: So you admit now that your true intention was to sleep with him.

>>>Hikari: And blew your cover story.

>>>Asuka: Like I care.

They argued for a while, but I didn't pay attention. Lazily, I
removed my shoes using only my feet and crawled toward my sleeping bag.
Well, I supposed it was mine since it was the only one in the tent and
it was where I had last put it. Slowly, I unzipped it, then crawled
inside, although not closing it. I felt too lazy to remove my clothes,
so I just lay there, ready for a welcome night of sleep.

>>>Asuka: Not so fast.

>>>Rei: I am beginning to greatly dislike this scene.

Of course, I
was shaken awake by Asuka a few minutes later. I guess this meant that
she had won the argument.
"Come on, don't fall asleep yet, you baka! Geez, talk about low
alcohol tolerance. You're really pathetic..."

>>>Kensuke: Yet you find yourself in HIS tent?

Those words struck me as odd. This wasn't the drunken girl that had
been glomping me a while back. That thought was enough to keep me awake
for a while. As I opened my eyes, I realized Asuka definitely seemed
like her usual self.

>>>Hikari: You were acting?

>>>Asuka: I get a bad feeling about this.

"Well, that's better. If we're stuck together, you could at least
keep me company."
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing. You know, you're the one
who's always crawling in my bed!"
"Of course... Your bed is more comfortable than mine."
For a few seconds, I really asked myself if she was serious or not.

>>>Asuka: I am, Misato splurged on yours, got me a shitty little futon..sucks.

"Speaking of bed, where's your sleeping bag?" I asked, trying to
change subject.
"Left it at the apartment, I had to make some room for the beer and
sake."
"What are you going to do?"
"What do you think? Use yours of course!"

>>>Touji: Who ever didn't see that raise your hand.

>>>Shinji raises his hand.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun..you're a naive person.

"What? It's mine!"
To affirm my claim, I grabbed it with all the strength I could
muster. Asuka just shrugged.
"So? There's room enough for two..."
It was probably useless to try to argue, so I kept my mouth shut. It
would be a bit tight, but I guess we could manage to squeeze ourselves
in a single bag. I really wonder... When we had gone shopping, she had
insisted that I take a larger bag, saying I would be more comfortable.
Had she actually planned to leave her bag way back then?

>>>Asuka: Duh.

But if she did,
why did she buy one in the first place?

>>>Rei: To convince you.

Just so that I wouldn't grow
suspicious? It seemed a bit too much, even for someone like Asuka.
Oh, well... It wasn't like it was the first time we'd share sleeping
space anyway...
"Shinji? Do you think I'm pretty?"

>>>Kensuke: And here it comes.

I was taken aback by this question, but answered before even
thinking. Not that I could really ponder much on this question.
"Of course I think you're pretty, Asuka-chan! Who wouldn't find you
pretty...?"
I expected her to be all smiles after such an answer, but her face
was very serious. I didn't recall seeing her this serious before. It
felt... almost as if I was looking at the Rei I knew two months ago.

>>>Shinji: Now that is a statement I never thought I'd hear.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Me too..disgusts me.

"Do you think I'm prettier than Rei?"
I cringed at that question. I really didn't know what to answer. If
I said no, I might hurt her. If I said yes, Asuka was likely to tell
Rei. Why did she have to ask that question...?
"You're both the prettiest girls I know!"

>>>Touji: AHAHAHAH even the movie you used that corny excuse!

>>>Rei/Asuka: You and you're escapist ways.

>>>Shinji: So?

I knew this wouldn't satisfy her, but at least it would buy me some
time. Not that it really helped...
"Oh... So, I'm as pretty as her, am I?"
I just nodded nervously. Part of me, however, was really worried
about her. The way she had asked that question, in a monotone voice
similar to Rei's...

>>>Shinji: Their it is again!

>>>Rei: Even I have more tone to my voice than that.

>>>Hikari: Something is just wrong with this picture.

"I see..."
In fear, I awaited her wrath. I never would have anticipated what
she did next.
She stood up, then, before my brain registered what she was doing,
she let her swimsuit top fall at her feet. I was shocked beyond belief.
Not to mention a bit scared.

>>>Asuka: EYES!!!

>>>Kensuke: Already shut, who'd want to see you anyway.

>>>Asuka: Shinji.

>>>Rei: That goes for him seeing myself as well.

>>>Touji: Did we ask?

>>>Hikari: Touji!

Still, I couldn't help but stare at her newly exposed breasts. It
was, after all, a lovely view... However, I felt slightly disturbed by
the emotionless expression on her face. It was like what she had just
done didn't mean anything at all to her.

>>>Shinji: Asuka..are you alright?

>>>Asuka: I am..but..not me on the screen.

"So, is Rei still as pretty as me?"
I tried to give some kind of answer, but no words managed to came
out of my mouth.
"I see you still need some convincing."

>>>Hikari: Oh..this is bad.

>>>Rei: 2nd you are making mistakes.

>>>Asuka: I know that..but why don't "I" know it!

I can't believe I didn't either faint or suffer from a major
nosebleed when I realized that the "convincing" consisted of removing
her bikini bottom. Part of my mind commanded me to close my eyes and run
away, but another part was just too fascinated to do anything else but
stare. So that's what I did.

>>>Asuka whispering to Shinji: Told you I was a natural red-head.

>>>Shinji..tries to keep it togther....but..is out again.

>>>Rei: At least he won't see whats about to happen.

>>>Hikari: For better or worse.

"So, am I prettier then her?"
I just nodded like an idiot. If that's what she wanted to hear,
that's what I would say. Quite frankly, I didn't really give the
question much thought. And I didn't care much at the moment.

>>>Rei: I think the blood flow has been altered.

>>>Kensuke: What does that mean?

>>>Touji: Whats happening?

>>>Asuka: I'm painting.

I barely reacted as Asuka slowly moved to position herself on top of
me, her knees on each side of my body. Probably too much for my brain...
She bent over, so that her breasts were only inches away from my eyes.

>>>Rei: She seems to not even care...what is wrong?

>>>Asuka: I..I..'I'm afraid..I know that what it is.'

"Do you want these?"
"Asuka, you should stop that..."
She didn't listen. Instead, she grabbed each of my wrists and simply
put my hands on her breasts. I gasped at the touch. They were soft, yet
firm, warm, and delightful. It realized it felt a bit similar to Rei's
breast I had accidentally grabbed months ago.

>>>Asuka: If he was awake I'd smack him for compairing me at a time like that.

>>>Rei: The alcholol is working, you are succeeding.

>>>Asuka: So why do I feel like shit about it?

Although, unlike then, I
could take the time to enjoy the sensation.
Again, I felt a hint of worry as Asuka's face seem fixed in a mask
of indifference. Something was wrong here...
"Asuka... we... we shouldn't be doing this..."

>>>Touji:Mega-playboy?

>>>Kens uke: Dude..something isn't right with what I'm hearing.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: Agreed.

I said the words, but part of me didn't mean them. I was nervous as
hell, but I knew that this wasn't the reason why I tried to resist this
redhead goddess. The only thing that kept me from surrendering to her
was fear. Fear of hurting Rei. And fear of hurting her too...

>>>Asuka: He..knows?

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun is more preceptive than you give him credit for.

>>>Touji:All I know is I get to share a tent with Hikari and that ain't not bad.

I gave a sigh of relief as Asuka removed my hands from her chest,
but froze as she started to undo the buckle of my belt. The girl had not
listened to a word I had said. I couldn't really blame her, since I
wasn't putting out much of a fight. Not to mention that a certain part
of my anatomy clearly showed I didn't much believe in my own words.

>>>Asuka: Can we skip this part?

>>>Hikari: Unfortunatly we can't.

>>>Rei: With how this is going we can already tell it will end poorly.

>>>Touji: Whats up with Shinji..he ain't talking.

>>>Hikari: He's...busy.

It
didn't help that I let out a slight moan as her hand "accidentally"
touched it. Finally, some expression appeared on her face. A small, but
clear grin.
"Tonight, you're mine."
"Asuka, please..."

>>>Touji: Shut up?

>>>Kensuke: Drop dead?

>>>Rei: Think?

I couldn't say more as pulled down my pants.
"I'll be your first. This time, I'll beat Rei..."

>>>All: Thats in POOR taste!!!

>>>Asuka: I..what the HELL was that?


Those words had as much impact on me as an N2 explosion. My thoughts
became crystal clear as I understood one simple reality. With those
words, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

>>>Hikari: Yes it does..doesn't it

The camping trip.
Getting us drunk. Us sharing the same tent. Even Asuka's expression.
Asuka's purpose had never been to help Touji and Hikari in admitting
their feelings.

>>>Touji: Thanks alot Devil, using us for you own twisted gain.

>>>Hikari: Does it matter really?

From the very beginning, Asuka's sole intention had been
to achieve what Rei had failed to do: have sex with me.

>>>Rei: After this, I doubt I have much trouble.

>>>Shinji: Huh..what I miss?

It wasn't even
something she wanted to do, her cold attitude was proof of that. Without
even thinking, my hand lashed out. Asuka fell, her eyes widened in
surprise. She raised her trembling fingers to the cheek I had just
slapped.

>>>Asuka: How could you do that!

>>>Hikari/Rei: He had valid cause.

>>>Touji: I wish you'd let us watch THIS!

"All along, you've been manipulating me... Did you ever care for me?
Or was it just a competition with Rei, with me as the trophy?"

>>>Kensuke: A rug or a stuffed doll?

>>>Touji: I'd say a doll.

>>>Asuka/Rei: But we already...

"Shinji... I..."
"Shut up."
I had spoken in a voice barely louder than a whisper. But it had
more effect than if I had shouted, as the words carried all the hurt I
felt.

>>>Asuka looking shocked: Whow..felt that from here!

>>>Hikari: As did I, you really did make a big mistake their.

>>>Shinji: Um..why is she still like that..and me?

>>>Rei: You don't need to know.

I put my pants back on, grabbed my gear, with the exception of the
sleeping bag, and left the tent. Strangely, I didn't feel the effects of
alcohol anymore.
"Shinji!"
She screamed my name a few times. As I walked toward the fire, I
ignored her calls.

>>>Asuka: Son of a BITCH!

>>>Touji: Looks like I am going to lose.

>>>Kensuke just smiles.

Finally, my legs gave in and I collapsed. I didn't try to get up. I
didn't have the strength, or the will. If death would have been coming
my way, I wouldn't have moved.
"Why?" I shouted, hitting the grass with a fist.
Why? How could she have done this? Did she ever love me in the first
place?

>>>Asuka: I guess thats how he's going to get those grass stains.

'You should not worry about her. If she cannot even say that she
loves you, than she cannot be more than a friend.'
Maybe Rei was right. Asuka had never actually said that she loved
me. Only that she liked me. It could mean anything...

>>>Touji: Like to torture you.

>>>Kensuke: Mess with your head.

>>>Rei: Mess with me.

Of course, I was guilty of the same crime. I never had found the
courage to tell either of them that I love them. Yet, I knew I did. But
I never told them, fearing that those words may eventually hurt one of
them if I chose the other.
Could this be only a misunderstanding...
'This time, I'll beat Rei...'

>>>Shinji: I don't think theirs much room for interpretation.

>>>Kensuke: Without seeing it, I still have to agree by the sounds of it.

No, there was no other way to interpret those words. Asuka was
just... toying with me. Like she always did.
I felt like crying, but resolved myself not to. I had suffered
enough because of my father. I wouldn't cry for another puppeteer.
"Damn you, Asuka!!! Damn you! Damn you! Damn you..."

>>>Rei smiles softly.

>>>Hikari shakes her head: 'bet Asuka wants to leave but...'

>>>Asuka: 'I'm leaving..you better believe I'm leaving.'

* * *

"Man, you look awful..."

>>>Shinji: Thanks for the compasion.

>>>Asuka: Eyes open.

I raised my head, just enough to see that Touji had joined me near
the fire.
"You should be in Hikari's arms right now, not here trying to cheer
me up..." I told him, trying to drive him away. I didn't feel like
receiving someone else's pity.

>>>Touji: Hey..shouldn't you..wait thats not going to happen.

>>>Asuka: Thanks alot jerk! 'slaps Touji'

>>>Hikari: What was that for?

>>>Asuka: Reminding me.

"Yeah... But it seems Hikari can't handle alcohol. She fell asleep
the instant she laid on her sleeping bag."
"It's a shame."
"It's not so bad. I know how she feels now. Thanks Shinji."

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun..what were you thinking?

>>>Shinji: Well um..you see..kinda...

>>>Rei: He was expecting you and Suzahara to be doing the same thing as the 2nd tried to.

I gave him a puzzled look.
"Hey! I'm not an idiot!"

>>>Girls: Thats debatable.

said Touji. "I know it wasn't a coincidence
we all met here."
"It was all Asuka's doing. She just wanted to drag me away from
Misato and Rei so the she could use me like the idiot I am."
"Maybe... but you... you did this for us, didn't you? So, again,
thank you, Shinji."

>>>Touji: AT least Shin-man's decent, not like you.

>>>Asuka still in shock: Yeah..whatever.

>>>Rei: 'Mental-note: The 2nd is now severly depressed...odd'

I took some time to analyze what Touji had just said. Then I smiled.
"Hey, if this mess can make my best friend happy, then I guess it's
worth it."

>>>Kensuke: Guess I know where I am now.

>>>Shinji: Right by him.

Touji smiled in return. Then, he gave me a serious look, the kind
that only appeared on his face when he was worried.
"So, what happened?"

>>>Shinji: An N2 mine exploded.

>>>Kensuke: The devil made her move and well screwed up.

>>>Asuka: I want to leave.

>>>Hikari: You promised to stay.

I explained it all to him. Even the most intimate details. It wasn't
like it had meant anything in the end anyway.
"If it weren't for the fact that I'd be angry too if I were you, I'd
call you stupid. A lot of guys would kill for a chance with that girl."

>>>Asuka:.....

>>>Shinji: Asuka, you usually say something about stuff like that.

>>>Rei: She is still in shock.

>>>Hikari: 'It doesn't get much better till the end.'

"She can fuck any guy she wants, I don't care..."
Without any warning, Touji hit me hard on the head.

>>>Without warning Asuka slaps Shinji..hard.

>>>Shinji: Guess...she's not..completly out.

"Hey!"
"Baka! You don't mean that and you know it! Otherwise, you wouldn't
feel so miserable over this."
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right.
"I guess you're right. Maybe that's why it hurt so much. You know, I
envy you Touji. Hikari's a nice girl. She's cute, honest and she really
cares for you. You won't have a love life as complicated as mine."

>>>Touji beeming: I do have it good don't I.

>>>Kensuke: Yeah but if you keep lusting after Misato you'll screw it up.

>>>Touji: How?

>>>Hikari: 'Shinji-kun is so sweet sometimes..and he keeps looking at 'her.'

>>>Kensuke: Call it a feeling.

"Maybe you should let Asuka explain herself..."
"So that she could try and manipulate me again? No."
For a while, we both kept silent, not knowing what to say.
"At least, you still have Rei. There's no doubt that she loves you."
"Rei."
At the mention of her name, my heart actually seemed to feel
lighter.

>>>Asuka looks worse.

>>>Rei: I feel happier now, I have at least been mentioned.

"Maybe you should be happy about this. That solves your problem. Now
that things are over with Asuka, then you can go forward with Rei. You
did say that you loved them both as much. One or the other... what's the
difference?"

>>>Shinji: Saying that makes them sound like I'm buying something.

>>>Kensuke: In a way.

>>>Rei: I am not something to be purchased.

Those words perturbed me. Was... was it really over? Like this? But
Touji was right. It did solve my problems. Didn't it? Suddenly, I wasn't
so sure anymore.

>>>Rei: What?

I used to think that I loved both of them equally. But
was it really the case? What if... what if I loved Asuka more than Rei?

>>>Asuka perks up: What?

>>>Rei: But she screwed up!

"Say, you're not going to sleep outside, are you? You can sleep in
our tent if you want."
"No, I don't want to impose."
"Really, Shinji..."
"I'll stay here, Touji."

>>>Shinji: If Hikari-san wakes up I don't want to be their.

>>>Kensuke: Be kinda loud wouldn't it.

Realizing he wouldn't change my mind, Touji left. He quickly came
back from his tent, holding a sleeping bag.
"Here. At least you won't catch a cold."
"And you? What will you do?" I asked, worried.

>>>Hikari: Borrow from the book of Asuka?

>>>Asuka: YOU DID THIS TO ME HIKARI!!

"I'll manage, don't worry. At least I don't have to worry about the
rain or the wind."
"Thanks, Touji."
Touji gave me a proud smile.
"Hey! What are friends for?"

>>>Touji: Getting hookers for their friends?

>>>Kensuke: Bailing them out of jail?

>>>Asuka: Tring to fix them up the RIGHT WAY!

>>>Hikari: Understanding?

Then a serious expression showed on his face again.
"Shinji... We live in a crazy world. You should know that better
than any other. Whatever decision you make, don't wait too long. Because
if you do, something may happen and you could regret it. Think about it.
I've been doing that a lot myself these past hours..."

>>>Shinji: Hours..more like days.

>>>Kensuke: At least somebody is thinking.

>>>Asuka: ' I feel sick...now I have to watch the rest of this...damn.'

When Touji left, I had indeed a lot to think about.
I wished I had brought my SDAT player. It always helped to push any
thoughts out of my mind.
Damn...

>>>Shinji: My faithful number 1 escape route.

* * *

I awoke, regretting I did. I didn't know if it was the result of the
alcohol, or the fact that I had slept under the stars, but I felt
miserable. Well, more than the previous night.

>>>Shinji: Is that possible?

>>>Kensuke: I guess sleeping on a rock doesn't help.

I was feeling dizzy, it
felt like all my muscles hurt. My mouth felt dry and gritty, like I'd
been eating sand.

>>>Shinji: Or Misato-sans cooking.

While last night the alcohol had affected my limbs but
left my mind free, today the after-effects were just the reverse. I had
perfect control over my body. Too perfect.

>>>Rei: That statement is confusing.

>>>Touji: What the hell did that mean?

It seemed as if I was oversensitive to everything.

>>>Shinji: Me oversensitive?

>>>Asuka: Sounds about right.

Any movement sent a blizzard of signals
that slammed into my brain. Nothing was missed, no sensation too small
to overload my mind with its buzz.

>>>Kensuke: Thought the buzz came while you were drinking?

This maelstrom of feelings added to my general feeling of
rottenness. I had been betrayed. Again. Betrayed by someone I thought I
loved. No. Not thought I loved. Loved.

>>>Asuka slumps down again: Damn it.

>>>Shinji: Asuka, it IS only a movie.

>>>Hikari: Yeah..just a movie.

That's what made it so painful. I
had nothing left here. The euphoria I had experienced yesterday had
collapsed in ash, choking me with its remains. I should have remembered
what I'd learned before coming to Tokyo-3: never open your heart.

>>>Rei: If you do, blood will not circulate and you will die.

>>>Hikari: He didn't mean his heart as an organ.

They
couldn't hurt you if you didn't let them in. I'd let Asuka in; I thought
I could trust her. Instead she'd torn something from me. I could almost
hear her mocking laugh.

>>>Touji: Oddly we don't see her laughing do we.

>>>Asuka: Because I'm not.

Worse, I could almost see the smirk that must be
on her face. I'd seen that same smirk in my nightmares. It was the same
as my father's. That hurt most.

>>>Kensuke: Maybe Asuka is Shinji's astranged sister?

>>>Asuka/Rei: No.

Painfully, I got up and stared at the sky. It was barely dawn.
Awake, but my mind not really focused on what I was doing, I dragged
myself toward the lake and, using my hands as a cup, I took a few sips
of water, then splashed my face. For now, I tried to bury my pain deep
down, like I always did. I found it harder to do then usual.

>>>Shinji: Odd, usually I can push even the most painful things into a tiny ball.

>>>Rei: What do you do with it then?

>>>Shinji: Add it to the pile.

In the process of trying to focus on what was going on outside my
mind, I noticed a very important detail I had neglected to see a few
seconds earlier. On the ground laid a towel and some clothing. That
meant... that someone was bathing in the lake!

>>>Hikari: Not the most sanitary places to bath.

>>>Kensuke: Bathing in fish crap.

And since I doubted that
Touji wore panties, that someone was very likely female.

>>>Touji: Yeah..right..um..'nobody must know.'

Okay, it wasn't a problem... I just had to turn around, go back
inside Touji's sleeping bag and fake sleep.
But part of my mind wouldn't let go of a single thought... it could
be Asuka.
How pathetic. With all she's done, here I was, almost drooling at
the thought of seeing her...

>>>Asuka perks up some more: Hentai.

>>>Shinji: Um..well..

>>>Rei: I fell left out again.

Partly disgusted at myself, I raised my head. As I suspected,
someone was in the lake. A brown haired girl. Hikari I supposed, as she
was the only brown haired girl around.

>>>Kensuke: Didn't you see the sign, Brown haired girl summer camp?

>>>Shinji: Touji..calm down, please?

>>>Touji: You...saw...my..girl..naked!!!

>>>Hikari seems oddly indifferent.

I didn't know if I should have felt relieved or disappointed.
Since the girl wasn't facing me, she hadn't noticed yet that I was
staring at her naked back. Of course, with the luck I've had these last
weeks, she had to turn around before I could decide to do the same and
leave. So, when she did, not only did it confirm that the girl was
indeed Hikari, but it also gave me a perfect view of her breasts.

>>>Rei: You have been seeing those alot lately Shinji-kun.

>>>Asuka: What am I not good enough for you!!

>>>Rei: If this movie is acurate, yes.

>>>Asuka: Why did they make me DO THAT for!!!

While
the view was nice, I couldn't help but to be overwhelmed by fear. I was
dead. If Hikari didn't kill me, Touji would.

>>>Touji: You're damn right I would..if I wasn't afraid of your posse

>>>Rei: Good for noticing.

>>>Asuka: I can still keep his weak ass safe.

And I was sure that the
dumb smile I had on my face wouldn't help at all...
How stupid!
"I'm sorry!" I managed to mumble as I quickly turned around and got
back to the now dead fire where I awaited my death sentence.
It only took a minute before I felt a presence at my back.

>>>Touji: It was a gun.

>>>Shinji: I'd say a knife.

>>>Kensuke: She may still be naked and..'thud.'

>>>Touji: Sorry Ken but I couldn't let you finish, now my knuckles hurt.

"Ikari-kun."
"Horaki-inchou... I... I..."
As I turned around, I forgot any excuses I was trying to say. Hikari
was standing just in front of me, only wearing panties and Touji's sport
jacket. That last fact caught all my attention. Did they...?

>>>Hikari: Great Kami-sama I hope not.

>>>Touji: HIkari?

>>>Hikari: Marriage first.

>>>Asuka/Rei: yeah..'sure.'

>>>Shinji: 'I hope their just kidding.'

As I
noticed the overly happy expression on her face, I concluded that indeed
these two indeed had... shared some good time. Asuka had been right
after all. At least this whole trip wasn't a waste.

>>>Touji: At least I get some!

>>>Asuka: Only in the movie hentai..only in the movie.

Asuka...
Couldn't she just leave me alone? Why couldn't I get her out of my
thoughts?
My mind absent again, I didn't react at first when Hikari bent over
me and planted her lips on my mine. But when I realized what had just
happened... It had been only a very light kiss, but it still shocked me.

>>>Touji: NOOOOOOOOOo his mega-playboy powers corrupted her too!

>>>Asuka: Hikari..what the hell is this movie all about?

>>>Hikari: YOu said you wanted a longer movie, you got it.

"Thank you, Playboy-kun..." (2)

>>>Shinji blushing: I..still don't agree with that.

>>>Others..save Kensuke: You can't hide it anymore.

I stared at her as she left for her tent, humming an happy tune, and
kept staring for a whole minute after she had gotten inside, my brain
unable to function correctly. I tried to analyze the latest events.
Touji and Hikari had apparently slept together.

>>>Rei: I thought they had intercourse.

>>>Hikari: AYANAMI!!

>>>Asuka: Thats another way of saying it.

>>>Rei: Ok.

Then, I had seen Hikari
naked, but I was still alive. Not only that, but she had kissed me
instead of breaking every bone in my body. Surely that girl wasn't the
usually shy, sometime bossy Hikari that I knew.

>>>Hikari: I think you're confusing me with somebody else.

>>>Shinji: Maybe.

>>>Asuka: Whats that mean?

Maybe she was still
drunk. Yeah, must be it. Satisfied with this conclusion, I decided to
completely forget about the last minutes and go gather some wood to
start a new fire. It would be breakfast time soon.

>>>Asuka: And he's back to being so damned caring!!

>>>Shinji: 'Rei'll be pissed but this depression is ruining things, plants one on her.'

>>>Rei: 'Glares..I agree her lapse into depression was dispariging..but to go so far?'

>>>Touji/Kensuke: THATS LIKE OUR PLAY-BOY!

>>>Now..its Asuka's turn to melt..into a nice lump of woman on the floor.

>>>Shinji: Sorry..but she was getting to depressed.

>>>Rei: Now I am depressed.

>>>Shinji: Oh boy..

At least, what had just happened did have some positive side
effects. For a few moments, I had stopped thinking about Asuka. And now
that I thought back at what I saw a few minutes ago, I couldn't help but
smiling. A very small smile, but one nonetheless.
"I envy you Touji. She's a nice, cute, normal girl..."

>>>Rei takes a few moments..then looks down.'

>>>Touji: Man now their playingyou again Shin-man.

>>>Shinji: Well at least it will be a bit quieter, 'plants one on Rei..with the same
>>> result. only is on the couch.'

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun you're so bold tonight.

* * *

Breakfast was nearly ready when Touji and Hikari joined me. I
noticed that they were holding hands. For the first time ever, neither
of them was trying to hide their mutual feelings. In fact, with the
broad smiles that showed on their faces, these two seemed to be in some
sort of private paradise.

>>>Touji: It would be private if you left.

>>>Shinji: But who would cook?

>>>Touji: Good point.

Another fact that surprised me was that Hikari didn't wear her usual
hair style. Instead, her brown hair was falling loose over her
shoulders. It was a thought that I usually tried to avoid, but this
time, I couldn't. Hikari was a very cute girl.

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun. Do you really think so?

>>>Shinji: Well..yes.

>>>Touji: Watch it, thats all I'll say.

>>>Kensuke:Why did you hit me so hard?

I couldn't help but shudder once Hikari finally took notice of me.
However, she kept quiet about the previous incident. In fact, she was
overly nice to me. Maybe she was just so happy that she didn't feel like
being angry at me. I relaxed as I realized that we would simply share an
enjoyable meal. And I must admit, even thought I felt a bit depressed, I
did have a lot of fun watching Hikari feeding an embarrassed Touji.

>>>Shinji/Kensuke: HAHAHAHAHA what a WUSS!

>>>Touji: SHUT UP!

Soon, we were all laughing. But the laughter died down as soon as Asuka
came out of her tent.
Hikari excused herself, mumbling something about plates needing to
be washed.

>>>Kensuke: In the fish crap again.

>>>Touji: Guess you have to do what you have to do.

Touji volunteered himself to fetch some wood for the fire,
even though there was still plenty left. I was now all alone with Asuka.
Some friends I had, deserting me like rats fleeing from a sinking ship.
Asuka stood in front of me. She bore a neutral, emotionless face. I
knew I probably had the same expression myself.
"Shinji, I..."

>>>Shinji: I'm kinda glad their....

>>>Touji: Makes this scene go by easier..what did you do to them?

>>>Shinji: Nothing special.

>>>Hikari: I'd say you fullfilled a wish.

"Stop." I commanded. "Not a word. I don't want to hear a word. No
excuses, no explanations, no insults, nothing."
I could clearly see the surprise on her face. And, to some degree,
the pain.

>>>Shinji: She did do a very bad thing though.

>>>All awake: Agreed.

"Right now, I'm not sure I can trust any of your words."
I didn't leave her the chance to reply. I left. She said nothing to
hold me back. Good.
If she wanted breakfast, she would have to cook it herself. I
wouldn't.

>>>Hikari: Thats bold but crual of you too Shinji-kun.

>>>Touji: Well she just tried to take him by force Hikari-chan.

>>>Kensuke: As sick as that would have been.

>>>Shinji: Lets just forget it, only a movie.

* * *

An hour later, Hikari suggested that we should return to Tokyo-3. We
all silently agreed. The fun was over now. We picked up our gear, and
left. Asuka, Hikari and Touji headed directly home. However, rumor said
that later that day, Touji and the class representative had been seen
together in a park, in a very cozy position.

>>>Touji: I'd like to see that.

>>>Hikari: As would I but...the tape for that was broken.

>>>Shinji: They had a tape for that?

>>>Hikari: See how it says insert tape C for sidestory?

>>>Kensuke: Ah, now I get it, but whats this one maked B?

>>>Hikari: NOTHING!!

They didn't deny the
rumors, but rather confirmed them with a kiss right in the middle of a
class full of astonished students.

>>>Shinji: That kid passed out again!

>>>Asuka still 'affected': What I miss 'leaning back against Shinji's legs'

>>>Hikari: Touji and I kissed in front of the class.

>>>Asuka: Thats nice....

I wandered for a while before returning to the apartment. With all
my camping equipment, I attracted many curious stares, but I barely
noticed. I had some heavy thinking to do. I let my thoughts wander.

>>>Touji: Why not drink somemore?

>>>Kensuke: Seemed to help before.

Mother. She left me. Sometimes all I could remember about her was
how much it had hurt when I knew she wasn't coming back.
Father. He too, had left, but I'd always secretly hoped we could get
another chance. Well, that hope had died recently, and if I hadn't had
the two girls to think about, I don't know what I would have done.

>>>Asuka: If you tired I'd follow and bring you're baka-self aback.

>>>Rei back and leaning on his side: I'll set up servalence to keep you safe.

>>>Hikari looking at the Shinji sandwich: That is a little..much?

>>>Touji: He did it to himself.

>>>Shinji meekly: help?

>>>Kensuke: Nope.

And now Asuka had left me as well. Not in a physical sense, but
emotionally. Left me feeling used, toyed with, controlled. As always.
I'm so pathetic...
People I loved died.
People I loved left me.
People I loved used me.
Was everyone I loved going to abandon me?

>>>Rei: I'm here.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: What about us?

No. Rei wouldn't. Rei wouldn't die like my mother. I had the ability
to protect her. Nothing would happen to her, I wouldn't let it. She
wouldn't abandon me like my father. We each had nowhere else to go.
She'd stay with me. And she wouldn't use me, like... like...

>>>Rei: Unless you want me to 'lays head on his shoulder.'

>>>Asuka growls: Hey, this is only a movie, I'm not like that, I'll do it!

>>>Touji: Guess the silence is broken.

Damn her!
Rei was all I had left, all I could count on. Even if there was no
one else, I could always believe in her completely.
'Did Rei tell you her secret?'
I banished my father's words from my head angrily. I could trust
Rei. I could! She'd never hide anything from me. She was my last hope,
and she wouldn't let me down.
She wouldn't.

>>>Shinji: Right?

>>>Rei: I'll tell you later.

She wouldn't...
If she did...
When I finally got back to the apartment, I was relieved to be told
by Misato that Asuka was in her room. I headed toward mine, emptied my
backpack of most of its content,

>>>Asuka: I sense something bad.

>>>Rei: Really? I sense good.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: MISATO-SAN!

then packed most of my clothing. I
grabbed my schoolbag, my SDAT player and exited the room.
"Shin... Shinji? Where... where are you going like this?" asked
Misato, visibly surprised and worried.
"To Rei's place, Misato-san. I'm not sure I could handle living here
right now."

>>>Kensuke: So next-door? not that far away, is it?

>>>Touji: Would you want to move far from that?

>>>Kensuke: I'd still live their.

>>>Shinji: You guys are idiots.

Even though she still looked worried, I could tell Misato felt
relieved. She had probably thought I was planning to run away again.
I gave a last look around. To think I had started to consider this
apartment like home. Now that I felt at peace here, I had to leave. Was
this some kind of twisted fate?

>>>Shinji: No twisted fate would be me NOT having some sort of pain.

>>>Touji: Oddly thats true.

First, Father had dragged me out of the
boring but peaceful life of my uncle's home. Now, I had to leave this
place, kicked out by Asuka...
I hated my life.
"When will you come back?"
"I don't know. Maybe I won't come back."

>>>Rei: I will like that arrangement.

>>>Asuka: Until you're drowned by red tape.

>>>Shinji: She does have two other bedrooms.

>>>Kensuke: Hikari its asking to put tape B in now.

>>>Hikari: DON"T YOU DARE.

>>>Rei: 'Mental Note- After their asleep tonight, wake Shinji, watch tape B'

>>>Shinji: Whats so wrong with it?

>>>Asuka: You don't want to know. Look the next section is starting.


=================================================== ====================

Part 2 - I Love You

I woke up, still holding Rei's naked body in my bare arms.

>>>Rei: Eyes.

>>>Touji: GO SHIN-MAN!

>>>Asuka: Ah...shit man..beat me to it.

>>>Shinji: Rei..you don't sleep in the nude do you?

>>>Rei: I do not (Watch EoE and when they show her...SHE'S HAS A SHIRT ON!!!)


Like the
previous mornings since I had moved into her apartment. Since Misato
wasn't around, the blue haired girl didn't see the necessity of wearing
anything in bed.

>>>Kensuke: Must be cold at night.

>>>Hikari: I..don't think heat is a problem.

>>>Rei: The human body can generate enough heat, is that not right Shinji-kun?

>>>Shinji: What did they do to me! what was that tape B!

>>>Girls: NOTHING

And after the last few nights we shared, I didn't see
the point either.
As I stared at the ceiling, I thought back to what had happened a
few days ago...

>>>Touji: Give details man details!!

>>>Kensuke: Few nights..few nights GO MEGA-PLAYBOY!

* * *

After putting my things in an empty room, I collapsed on the floor,
unable to hold back the tears anymore. I felt sick about myself. I was
just a weak little boy. No wonder others used me as if I was just a toy.
A toy you could play with, then discard when you got tired of it.
Father, and now Asuka.

>>>Shinji: Well you asked for details, I crush the scene with depression.

>>>Asuka: Thats just who you are, I am so glad this is a movie now.

Through the walls, I heard yelling. Two voices I knew very well.
Misato was obviously very angry at Asuka.

>>>Asuka: Why, I didn't get the chance to do anything!

>>>Hikari: Maybe the fact he moved out?

>>>Shinji: Why would she..'phone rings' hold on..

>>>Kensuke: All in favor of continuing without him?

>>>All: AYE

As best as I could, I tried to
tune them out. But each time I heard her... I think I snapped and yelled
at them to shut up. I'm not entirely sure, maybe I just imagined I did.
But moments later, I stopped hearing them.

>>>Rei: Or maybe the police arrived to calm them.

>>>Kensuke: You'd need a tranquilizer gun to calm her.

>>>Asuka: I am so going to rip you a new one.

Soon after, I was wrapped in Rei's delicate arms as she tried to
calm me down with soft, tender words. I felt safe and warm in those arms
and shed on her shoulder all the tears I had kept deep inside myself all
those years. I cried myself to sleep.

>>>Hikari: He had a tough life.

>>>Asuka: Damn, I thought I had it bad.

>>>Rei: My shirt is wet.

>>>Touji: We know...eyes.

I awoke the next morning to find myself still in her arms. But now I
was in her bed, rather than sitting on the floor of the other room. I
don't know how she managed to carry me all the way there without waking
me up. Maybe I had just been too exhausted to notice.

>>>Asuka: How much can you lift?

>>>Rei: With what?

>>>Hikari: You're arms what else.

>>>Rei: 100lbs.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: Then how did she...

I was startled at first to realize that we were both naked, but soon
relaxed, as I realized it felt warm and comfortable.

>>>Asuka: HEY!! how did you do THAT!

>>>Rei: I'm a quick study, and I altered you're earlier attempt.

>>>Shinji: I'm back..hey you didn't stop it.

>>>Hikari: Who was it Shinji-kun?

>>>Shinji: Misato-san, she'll be home in a bit.

We remained in the apartment all morning. I tried to convince Rei to
go to school, but I could never make her change her mind. She just said
she wanted to stay here for me, that it was more important than
listening to Sensei ranting about Second Impact.

>>>Touji: What isn't more important than that crap?

>>>Kensuke: Dying.

>>>Shinji: Fighting angels.

>>>Rei: Negative, Angel fighting holds priority over school.

>>>Shinji: I wish it didn't.

>>>Asuka: Wuss..'smiles though.'

While I didn't say it
out loud, I was really grateful that she didn't go.
She prepared breakfast for both of us. As always, I couldn't help
but be amazed at how good she had become in the kitchen. As she handed
me a cup of hot tea, she asked me what was wrong.

>>>Touji: You'd think she'd put 2 and 2 together on this one.

>>>Asuka: Hey,not her fault she's so dense.

>>>Rei: What do you mean?

>>>Shinji: 'Sometimes I can't tell if she's joking'

I asked her to follow
me in the living room where we both sat down around the low table. Then,
I told her everything. As I talked, I noticed the way she frowned a few
times.

>>>Rei: I agree, such vile acts 2nd.

>>>Asuka: You're glad I did it so you wouldn't try it yourself!

And when I told her what happened in the tent, anger clearly
showed on her face. But she quickly regained a calm and passive
demeanor. Once I had told her everything, her words surprised me.
"I do not think she intended to hurt you."

>>>Hikari: Depends on your defintion of hurt.

>>>Asuka: From what I've been told, I'd be the one hurting.

>>>Kensuke: Shin-man you the MAN!

>>>Asuka: Oh..now I'm sick.

"What?! How can you say that?! She tricked me! She used my friends
to get to me!"
"Maybe she thought it was the only way..."
"The only way?"
For a few seconds, Rei seemed lost in thought.
"I am not sure. There are many things about her I do not understand.
There is a wall around her,

>>>Rei: I do not see one.

>>>Asuka: I'd gladly show you a brick or two.

>>>Shinji:Asuka, she just doesn't understand.

>>>Asuka: So?

>>>Rei: I do know she has a very complex mental disorder.

>>>Hikari: Well that got her.

>>>Asuka:........

a wall that pushes people away. It must be
hard for her to try and express her feelings, when all that she knows is
how to repress them."
Dumbfounded, I stared at Rei as my brain processed what she had just
said. Somehow, I knew she was right. Asuka never opened herself. She was
like a fortress. Impregnable.

>>>Kensuke: And full of guns and an urge to kill.

>>>Touji: Or keep people in line.

>>>Shinji: I'd say the latter.

>>>Asuka:....

>>>Hikari: This is rather hard on her..isn't it.

>>>Rei: You picked it.

Her anger was her weapon, whose purpose
was to push people away. In ways she was... like me.
However, it couldn't explain what had happened that night. It wasn't
just a problem of lack of communication. She had manipulated me. Used
me. Used Hikari. Used Touji...
"Do not let the past hurt you..."

>>>Shinji: If I could do that would I be me?

>>>Kensuke: Why don't you just flip the Shin-switch and be normal?

I felt her hand on my arm. Only then I realized that my anger had
pushed me to clutch my hand into a fist. Her touch calmed me.
"I am here..."
I looked at those red orbs below the blue hair and saw how much she
cared about me.
"I am here for you..."
Slowly, she leaned toward me, her gaze never leaving mine.
"There is no need to worry about her..."

>>>Shinji: Now that is a bad thing to do.

>>>Touji: I worry she'll break into my room and skin me alive.

>>>Kensuke: Break my computer.

>>>Rei: Step on me.

>>>Asuka: At least he worries for GOOD reasons.


I couldn't resist. Her lips were like magnets.
"I love you Shinji..."
I lost myself into a long series of deep passionate kisses. But I'm
sure that I said the words that came to my mind.
"I love you too, Rei-chan."

>>>Rei wipes a few tears from her eyes: That was beutiful.

>>>Asuka: Now who's manipulating him?

>>>Shinji blushing.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: He is the man..the only Play-MAN

>>>Hikari: Oh boy is that something.

We spent most of the morning locked into a warm embrace. Only in her
arms did I felt the calm and peace I longed for. We barely talked. Each
time we did, it followed a simple pattern; I would say how much I felt
hurt and betrayed by Asuka and Rei simply answered that she would always
be there for me.

>>>Rei: Why don't you talk about me?

>>>Asuka: Ha ha even though he kissed you he's still hung up on me!

>>>Shinji: 'Alright..my life is over..I belong to them..well could be worse.'

After lunch, Rei left the apartment. I could see that she didn't
want to, but she said she had to go for some tests scheduled by Ritsuko.
I assured her that I would be all right and told her to go. But before
that, I asked if she could get my cello from Misato's apartment.

>>>Kensuke: Ten-bucks says Devil girl broke it and burnt it by now.

>>>Touji: Or took a dump on it.

Once
she was gone, I tried to lose myself into the music I played. I wasn't
very good with the instrument, but playing helped me get my mind off
Asuka.

>>>Asuka: Quit with the false modesty.

>>>Shinji: Huh?

>>>Hikari: You play great, thats what.

All day, I tried to keep myself busy. I started by setting up my new
room, which was done very quickly since there wasn't much to do. From a
closet, I picked up a futon, a pillow and spare blankets. Rei had bought
those under Misato's suggestion, just in case someone would have to use
this room.

>>>Rei: I thought he was in my room?

>>>Asuka: Its a flashback.

>>>Touji just smiles.

Another example of good planning by the Major. Since I had
only brought part of my clothes, setting everything up only took a few
minutes. This done, I wandered around the apartment, in quest of
something, anything, I could do.

>>>Asuka: Go talk to me.

>>>Hikari: Go to school.

>>>Touji: Set the mood for a night of getting the Funk on.

>>>Rei/Shinji: HEY!

But ironically, now that I had shown
Rei how to take care of her apartment, there wasn't much to do.
Everything was almost impeccable, including the bathroom. I still
decided to wash the bath and the toilet,

>>>Asuka: Why, what you do to it?

>>>Hikari: Thats sinful!

>>>Touji: You two are sick.

as well as all the floors and
windows, just in case. Then I proceeded to make some laundry, starting
with Rei's bed sheets, followed by whatever I could find in Rei's wash
basket, as well as some of my own clothing.

>>>Shinji: I don't think thats a good idea.

>>>Rei: I don't have much cloths.

I eventually found myself
wasting time organizing the content of her fridge, before giving up
trying to be "useful". Since Rei didn't have a TV, I finally grabbed my
cello and played for what was probably the longest time in my life.

>>>Shinji: 10 Minutes?

I wasn't sure when Rei would come back, but I still made dinner for
both of us. I figured it would at least make more dishes to wash.
When she came back, a few hours past dinner time, she found me
working hard on my class assignments. Somehow, I had done more homework
in a single day then I usually did in an entire month.

>>>Hikari: Good, you're so behind you'll need to do that again and you could
>>> catch up.

>>>Shinji: Yes class-rep.

Rei tried to apologize, but I interrupted her. I was just too
relieved to see her back. I fixed a quick meal for her and watched her
eat. She couldn't help but blush under my gaze.

>>>Shinji: That just happens to infrequently..but so cute!

>>>Rei: Thank you.

>>>Asuka: Just because she's so damned emotionless you find it cute.

>>>Kensuke: Take a hint and stop being so BITCHY.

When it came time to go to bed, Rei seemed disappointed when I
walked to the guest room, where I had set up a futon, but didn't say a
word.

>>>Asuka: What a surprize.

While I felt comfort in her presence, I wasn't sure I really
wanted to sleep in the same bed as her. This was how everything had
started in the first place...

>>>Rei: Agreed, so it would not be anything new.

>>>Kensuke: And nobody would interupt this time.

>>>Shinji/Asuka: Please stop.

Later that night, I stood against the railing of the balcony,
staring out into the night. I had been awaken by nightmares and since
then I had found myself unable to close my eyes. After getting tired of
looking at the unfamiliar ceiling of my new room,

>>>Asuka: Shinji, the ceiling is EXACTLY the same as your other one.

>>>Shinji: I know but..

>>>Asuka: No buts get over it.

I chose to gaze at a
more pleasant view.
The night air was cold against my bare arms and legs, but I barely
registered it. I just looked in fascination at the numerous lights of
Tokyo-3. Tokyo-3... The city that I was defending. Why didn't I care
about it?

>>>Kensuke: Because its made of steel and concrete?

>>>Touji: The people don't know your defending it so don't give a rats ass about
>>> you?

>>>Rei: You're confused.

Really, what was there left to care about? Why did I go on?
Bringing my head down, I looked down at the road below. It was quite
a distance from where I stood on the balcony. I couldn't help but
wonder... Would I feel any pain if I were to fall all the way down
there?

>>>Asuka/Rei: HEY!

>>>SHinji: What?

>>>Asuka/Rei: What about ME!

Again, for maybe the hundredth time, I remembered the last part of
the nightmares that had plagued my sleep. Asuka was standing behind me,
a slight smirk on her face. Then, between laughs, she spoke...
'Baka!'
'Just a toy.'
'A pathetic little boy.'
'Did you really think I could love you?'
'You're so pathetic.'
'A coward.'
'Hypocrite.'
'Meaningless.'
'Worthless.'

> >>Touji: All the favorites huh?

>>>Shinji: The most used yes.

>>>Asuka: So?

'Useless!'
'Why should we care about you?'
'Who could love a boy like you?'

>>>Rei: Me for one.

>>>Shinji: Rei!

>>>Rei: Is it not obvouis us by now?

>>>Rest: Yeah.

>>>Shinji: Oh.

'Who could...?'
'Who could...?'
'Who could...?'
I stiffened when I suddenly felt two arms wrapping around my waist
and a head leaning against my shoulder. For a brief moment, I was frozen
with fear, thinking that those arms belonged to Asuka.

>>>Shinji: Um...how?

>>>Touji: Phantom pain?

>>>Hikari: This is making less and less sense.

But I quickly
relaxed as I realized that this was reality and not a dream, which meant
that those arms could only belong to Rei.
"You will catch a cold if you stay out here much longer," she
whispered to me. In the cool night air, I could feel her warm breath
against my back. I can't begin to tell how good it felt to me right
then.

>>>Rei: Try.

>>>Shinji: Its..not..really..me.

>>>Rei: Then allow...

>>>Asuka staring at her' Think before you finish.

"I couldn't sleep."
As I felt her lips against my skin, slowly kissing every inch of my
neck, I lost complete interest in any thought that I previously had. I
turned around and stared at the blue-haired girl.

>>>Shinji: If you don't...oh..you did already.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: We know the drills you.....'grumbles.'

>>>Hikari: Ayanami..how did you learn to do that?

>>>Rei: Movies.

She wore only a light
blue nightgown that left very little to the imagination.

>>>Asuka: Shinji, shut your mouth.

>>>Rei: I don't mind.

>>>Shinji: Um..maybe I should shut my eyes.

>>>Rei: I'd rather you didn't.

I had convinced
her to at least wear something when she walked around the apartment,

>>>Touji: Nice narrative Shin-man..Ayanami..um..that true?

>>>Kensuke: Should ask mega-playboy first.

>>>Rei: I were normal cloths to sleep, please don't think of me in that way.

>>>Shinji: If you guys do, I'll tear your eyes out.

>>>Asuka: Protective.

>>>Hikari: He said the same thing for you before too.

>>>Asuka: Really! good.

in
case Misato or someone else from NERV happened to come over unannounced.
She also had on her silver cross, now attached to a silver chain. As far
as I knew, she always wore it except when she had a swimsuit or plugsuit
on.

>>>Shinji: Wouldn't that give her a rash?

>>>Hikari: Well at least the green ring is gone now.

>>>Shinji: Misato must have won it at a grocery store.

So far, I hadn't thought about asking her what that cross meant for
her.
I looked into her red eyes and saw how much she cared for me. In a
common accord, our lips met and we stayed locked into each other's arms
for what seemed an eternity.
"I will make you forget about her..."

>>>Asuka: How did she say that?

>>>Hikari: Not with her mouth..thats..occupied.

>>>Shinji just blushes while Rei watches the screen.

Rei took my hand and showed me the way to her room. I did nothing to
resist. Before leaving the balcony, I looked once more at our city. I
had been wrong. There was still something to care about...

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun let us leave for a while.

>>>Hikari: WRONG! nobody leaves while the movies playing.

>>>Rei: May I resind my agreement to that rule?

>>>Hikari: No.

The next day, I woke up to see that Rei wasn't in bed anymore. A bit
worried, I got up went to look for her. I found her in the kitchen,
putting the final touch on breakfast. We greeted each other with a small
kiss,

>>>Asuka: I'm so tired of seeing them kiss.

>>>Kensuke: Whow look at them GO!

>>>Rei: 'Mental note- I should write this down'

then she told me to sit down and that she would bring my meal. It
felt weird to be taken care of that way. An odd thought then crossed my
mind... that was how a wife would act for her husband... well, unless
she had a more important job then his.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: HOUSE-WIFE WHAT YEAR IS THIS????

>>>Touji: Yeah, Shinji's more of a house-husband.

I could barely picture women like
Misato or Ritsuko taking care of a husband... well, especially Misato,
since she could barely take care of herself.

>>>Kensuke: Let me do it..PLEASE!!

>>>Shinji: You wouldn't like it..feeding..cleaning..doing the laundry.

>>>Touji: Yeah..I'd VERY much like to do that!

>>>Shinji: Idiots.

Still, that thought was
odd. It also reminded me of what Rei had said a month earlier.
'It should be a matter of time before we are engaged.'
This wasn't such a bad idea. If we were engaged, she wouldn't have
any reason to go away, right?
"Take your time to eat, Shin-chan. I will go take a bath, then
prepare yours."

>>>Asuka: Chan...chan...chan..it just sounds so..wrong when you say it.

>>>Touji: Or you saying it.

"You won't eat?"

>>>Kensuke: Do you even eat?

>>>Shinji: You are kinda thin Rei.

>>>Rei: I only need vitamins but will eat when asked.

>>>All:...ok.

"I am not hungry. Do not worry, just enjoy your meal."
"I always enjoy the meals you cook."
Rei blushed, then left. Once she was out of view, I happily started
to eat.
Asking her to be my fiancee. Could I do that? Did I really want
that? Was Rei the girl I wanted in my life? But did it really matter?
There was no one else now...

>>>Rei: Why the questions, just do it.

>>>Asuka: You see, he still favours me thats why.

>>>Shinji: Um...

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun, if you ever choose..you'll be killed.

>>>Touji: Its all your own fault though.

>>>Shinji: Yippie.

I was done eating my miso soup and rice when I heard the doorbell.
That was odd. Who would come by Rei's so early? Curious, I went to see
who it was.
"Who is it?" I asked as I pressed the button for the intercom.
"It's me."
I felt a surge of anger when I heard the reply. Asuka! That damn
little...!

>>>Touji: Bitch?

>>>Hikari: Confused friend?

>>>Asuka: Goddess.

>>>Kensuke: Knife welding maniac.

Deciding to ignore her, I headed back to the kitchen. But she kept
buzzing, and when that didn't work, she started to knock. Very loudly,
too. After the fifth knock, I gave up.

>>>Shinji: As she put a hole in the door.

>>>Kensuke: How many times did she break your door anyway?

>>>Shinji: Twenty, until I got the steel inforced ones.

>>>Asuka: Thats why I keep breaking nails.

I had forgotten how annoyingly
persistent she could be.
"What do you want?" I asked as I opened the door but stood in the
opening not to let her in, putting as much venom as I could in my voice.
Asuka didn't react at all. Her face was blank, emotionless. She just
simply said, "Today's Tuesday."

>>>Rei: And?

I immediately understood the implications of what she had said. I
couldn't believe this girl. How could she dare to ask me to spend the
day with her after what she had done?
"So what?" I replied, the venom still in my voice.

>>>Asuka: Don't you be getting an attitude with me!

>>>Kensuke: Why not, you forget all that stuff you did to him?

>>>Asuka: Yes.

>>>Shinji: Ken..drop it..or you'll lose a tooth.

Was it my imagination, or did she actually flinch at bit at those
words? Whether it was my imagination or not, part of me actually enjoyed
it.
"It's over," I added. "Go away."
"No!" Her outburst surprised me. Before I could react, she knocked
me down to the floor using her elbow, then entered the apartment.

>>>Shinji: She wants me to forgive her and she..

>>>Rei: Attacks you, nocking you to the floor.

>>>Touji: A repeat of the tent scene?

>>>kensuke: And Ayanami will join them this time he he he.

>>>Rei/Asuka: NO!!!

"We need to talk!" She didn't seem angry, but rather... desperate. I
was confused. This wasn't the Asuka I knew.
"Get out."
Startled by those words, I turned around to see Rei standing behind
me. Obviously, she had still been in her bath when Asuka decided to
burst in, as she stood there naked, soap and water dripping on the floor
from her hair and skin. Her eyes seemed to burn with anger.

>>>Shinji: Or soap in her eyes.

>>>Rei: I use the no-tear shampoo.

>>>Asuka: Why?

>>>Rei: I have...accidents.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: 'If I laugh..I'll be hurt..but..KAMI-SAMA THATS FUNNY'

Asuka didn't say a word. She just stood there, looking at Rei, then
at me, then back again at Rei. The pain became obvious on her features.
"I see..." she whispered between gritted teeth. As she said those
words, I could feel the hurt in her voice. I also couldn't help but
wonder, why? Why should she feel pain in the first place?

>>>Hikari: Its because Asuka-Chan likes to jump to conclusions.

>>>Kensuke: What would you think in her possition?

>>>Hikari: She got out of the shower.

>>>Kensuke: And.

>>>Hikari: Drop it.

Because
someone else was now playing with her toy? Well, too bad for her.
"Get out of my apartment," Rei said in a quiet, subdued voice.
Asuka obeyed the order without so much as a word of her usual
protest and even closed the door behind her. I could hardly believe it.
What had just happened here? I didn't understand anything anymore. Did
she...? Did she have feelings for me after all? But in this case... why?
'Maybe she thought it was the only way...'

>>>Asuka: If it was, I would have succeded.

>>>Touji: Thought you forgot about that.

>>>Shinji: Kensuke..pick him up before he swallows his tongue.

>>>Kensuke: You'd think he'd learn.

Could that be it? No, that was just too easy... Then why?
"I think I will stay here with you today," said Rei, breaking my
train of thought, as I stood up.
"You don't have to..."

>>>Kensuke: Put anything on?

>>>Rei: Dry off.

>>>Kensuke: Hey, stole my next one.

>>>The other, well not Touji as he is still reeling from the last bout just try
>>> to ignore the statement.

She gave me her sweet smile.
"I want to."
Not bothering about her state of nakedness, she walked toward me and
her lips met mine.
As my hands wandered on her wet skin, I stopped thinking about
Asuka...
We spent a quiet day together. I mostly tried to catch up with the
school work that I had neglected over the last few months. Rei simply
read quietly. Well, until she started to read a few manga she had
borrowed from her friend Hotaru.

>>>Hikari: Um..Ayanami..why didn't you ..put anything on?

>>>Rei: Why bother?

>>>Asuka: Maybe some people don't want to see you naked?

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun doesn't seem bothered.

>>>Shinji: 'Be a stone..be a stone..be a stone.'

Seeing her giggling is always something
that amazes me.
An hour after dinner time, both Rei and I were startled by a knock
on the door. Afraid it was Asuka again, I let Rei answer.
"Hotaru-chan!"
"Rei-chan!"
I was amazed to see both friends, one of them usually very shy and
the other still quite reserved, except with me, hug this way. Rei was
obviously beaming with joy, seeing her friend here.

>>>Kensuke: Bored with Shinji already?

>>>Rei: I would never be.

>>>Hikari: That hug seems a bit...long.

The moment she noticed me, the young girl became suddenly quiet. I
was probably making her uneasy.
"Hello, Tomoe," I said, followed by the warmest smile I could
manage.
"Hello, Ikari-kun," she replied, her head bowed.
I really wondered why this girl was so shy.
An awkward moment of silence followed. I was about to retreat to my
room, since my presence obviously make everyone nervous, when Rei's
friend spoke again.

>>>Asuka: Now thats a laugh, how could you make anybody nervous.

>>>Shinji: Act like my dad?

>>>Asuka: That would do it.

"Ikari-kun... can... can I ask.... can I ask you a question?"
If possible, she seemed even more nervous then before. She was
almost red with embarrassment.
"Er... Sure, ask."
"Why are you here at Rei-chan's apartment? Isn't it Tuesday today?"
I couldn't help but to groan. Did everybody know?

>>>Hikari: There's weekly bullitens at the school.

>>>Kensuke: And a growing pot on who gets him..lately the both catagory is getting more
>>> bets.

>>>Shinji/Rei/Asuka: Is it?

"It doesn't matter anymore which day we are. It's over."
The frail girl seemed surprised.
"Does that means that you're Rei-chan's boyfriend now?"

>>>Rei: Is that a question needed to be asked?

>>>Kensuke: Maybe one last go before he left?

>>>Rei: Foolish statement Mr. Aida.

>>>Shinji: And once again I'm the only male conscious.

"Hotaru-chan!" said a blushing Rei.
I gave the idea some thought. If I considered the last few days, I
could really give only one answer.
"I... I guess I am."
"Yay!"
That wasn't a reaction I expected. In fact, this change of attitude
was almost scary...

>>>Shinji: Didn't think Rei could yell so loud.

>>>Rei:'looks at Touji and Kensuke's bodies' I am glad they are asleep.

>>>Asuka: Yeah.

"I won the bet!" said the girl proudly, before realizing that she
shouldn't have said that... Rei had a scolding look on her face, while I
had a dumbfound look.
"A bet...?"
"Er... You... you know our classmate, Kuno Minami? Short brown hair,
rich family girl?"

>>>Shinji: She just gave the discription of about 75% of our class.

I nodded. The name did seem familiar. I also remember hearing the
Kuno name from some argument Misato had on the phone a few weeks ago. If
I was right, Kuno Minami's mother was the owner of one of the biggest
companies that worked on repairing the Tokyo-3. Her services were
rumored to cost a fortune but, when it came to repairing damage, her
crew was supposed to be the fastest.

>>>Hikari: Maybe she should go to somebody else..the buildings keep falling.

>>>Shinji: Angel related?

>>>Hikari: No, one fell when a kid bounced a ball off it.

"Well, she started a bet about which girl would be your girlfriend
between Rei, Asuka and Hikari."
Not those rumors with Hikari again... Well, luckily Touji and her
were going out now, so I didn't have anything to fear anymore. Unless
Hikari told him about what had happened at the lake.

>>>With that Touji wakes up: WHAT HAPPEND AT THE LAKE!!

>>>Hikari/Shinji: NOTHING!

"It seems," continued Hotaru, "that she got the idea from her
mother. Minami's mom made a lot of money betting on which girlfriend her
sister's fiance would date. Some rumors also says something about bets
concerning which boyfriend her sister's fiance would date, but it
doesn't really make sense..."

>>>All: HUH?

"And you bet on me?" simply asked Rei.
The girl blushed.
"Well... you're my best friend. I had to support you..."

>>>Shinji: I can't get the thought of some pink pig-tailed girl out of my head.

>>>Touji: Mega-playboy having problems with all the girls he's known?

>>>Shinji: No..I don't understand it.

Rei's face softened.
"That was sweet of you Hotaru-chan."
"So, what brought you here, Tomoe?" I asked, trying to change the
subject. I still couldn't believe someone was wicked enough to make a
bet about my love life...
"Oh... I almost forgot."
From a bag she carried, she pulled out to big stack of paper.
"Here's your printouts."
Damn! And I had barely caught up with my past homework... Oh well,
it would keep me occupied.
"That much in only two days?" I asked, a bit curious. It was, after
all, a bit odd.
"Well, Sensei is sick and his replacement isn't really interested in
Second Impact history."

>>>All: Dear Kami-sama no..

>>>Rei: We must get the sensei more medication.

>>>Shinji: NOT MORE HOMEWORK NOOOOO!

"So we're actually working in class for once?"
"Yes. And our homework is really hard..." complained the girl.
"Do you need any help?" asked Rei.
The black haired girl seemed to beam with joy.
"You would help me?"

>>>Shinji: She's easy to please.

>>>Touji: Maybe a bit too easy.

>>>Rei: What do you mean?

>>>Hikari: Nothing you need be concerned about..I hope.

Rei nodded, a smile on her face.
"Great! But I left my own homework at my place..."
Rei looked at me. In silence, I agreed with what I knew was on her
mind.
"Then we will go there."
After a few minutes, the girls left. Maybe it was a good thing. Some
part of me felt guilty about monopolizing Rei here, even if it was her
own choice. It was good to see her go out with a friend and classmate
like any normal girl would do.

>>>Asuka: Rei..normal..nope words don't mesh.

School. Maybe it was time that I go back. But Asuka would be there.
If I tried, could I ignore her presence? I wasn't sure. But I couldn't
really stay hidden here much longer either.
Maybe just another day... There were still a few things I needed to
figure out. Mainly my feelings for both girls.
When Rei came back near midnight, I was still awake, waiting for
her. We exchanged brief kisses, then we both headed towards her room. It
felt natural this time.

>>>Asuka: I am so not liking this now.

>>>Rei: And my bed is very small.

>>>Touji: I wish Kensuke could see that.

* * *

"You do not mind if I go take a bath first, do you?"
Those words snapped me back to reality. I had been so lost in
thought that I didn't even realize that Rei was up. I smiled as I looked
at her. She was so cute, her eyes still barely opened, her hair even
more a mess then usual.

>>>Asuka: Maybe you should splerge and buy a COMB!

>>>Rei: A fork works fine.

>>>Shinji: A..fork?

I couldn't help but to give her a deep kiss. She
didn't complain, quite the opposite in fact.
"What a nice way to be greeted in the morning," she said with a
smile.
"You know I can do better," I replied with a grin.
Rei simply answered back by giving me a quick kiss on the forehead
before getting out of bed.

>>>Shinji: That actually looks like a nice way to...oh no..

>>>Asuka/Rei: 'looking at him, wake him up is a must.'

>>>Touji: Sealed you're own grave.

"Sorry, but I should really go to school today. Hotaru-chan wanted
to meet me early, there are still a few things she needs my help with."
I nodded.
"It's okay. Besides, I want to leave early for Headquarters, to see
if I could find Kaji-san."
She nodded.
"Yes. I am sure he can help you. If I understood correctly, Major
Katsuragi rejected him in the past.

>>>Asuka: Why bring that up?

>>>Rei: So he can get information on how to deal with you,the rejected one.

He should be able to help you
understand. Then, you will see that there is no need for you to let the
past affect your life."
It sounded reasonable. But even after all those years, Kaji still
had feelings for Misato. Would it be the same with Asuka? Was it
possible to forget? Maybe.

>>>Shinji: Possibly.

>>>Touji: Kinda.

>>>Hikari: Nope.

I did have Rei. It was a very good reason to
forget...

>>>Asuka:The mess you leave in the bathroom everymorning.

>>>Shinji: My dad?

>>>Touji: What being a father a few hundred times will be like.

"The more time passes, the more I feel that I can believe you, Rei-
chan."
She smiled.
I watched her gather her school attire, then leave for the bathroom.
Only then did I get out of bed myself. Despite everything, I felt rather
good. Humming a little tune, I proceeded to go make breakfast.

>>>Kensuke: Feels like I was hit with a brick.

>>>Hikari: You were. Where did you hide it anyway?

>>>Rei: Somewhere.

* * *

After searching for a while, I found Kaji leaning against Misato
over a vending machine. Both of them had a very serious expression on
their face, which was quite unusual for Kaji. Some important discussion
must have been going on.
In an instant, both of them moved away from each other and tried to
act casual. They had probably heard my footsteps. When she saw me,
Misato seemed uneasy. Something was going on.

>>>Shinji: Boy isn't that a shocker.

>>>Asuka: When isn't something going on?

>>>Kensuke: Maybe Misato has a thing for Shin-man?

Probably something I
wasn't supposed to be aware of.
"Well, I've got to see Ritsuko..." said Misato to Kaji. Then, she
looked at me. "Hello, Shinji-kun."
"Hello Misato-san."
She barely looked at me. She just walked away. Was it because I
chose to leave her apartment for Rei's? Well, I'd have to deal with that
later. For now, I had other problems to deal with.
"Hi, Shinji-kun!"
Kaji was now back to his usual cheery demeanor.
"Kaji-san... I'd... I'd like to talk to you... about something..."
"Judging by the expression on you face, this seems important."
"It is to me."

>>>Shinji: Well that narrows it down again, man everybody is so vague in this.

>>>Hikari: Makes it more..suspenceful.

>>>Kensuke: Or drawn out.

The man took a few seconds to think. Then, he smiled.
"Very well. But this is not a good place to talk. Come with me, I'll
show you something good," he said, flashing that ladykiller smile of
his.
"I'm a boy," I reminded him.

>>>Touji: But if you let your hair grow you'd look like a woman.

>>>Kensuke: And be attractive too.

>>>Hikari: Maybe the reason Kaji isn't married is because..he..likes young boys?

>>>Rei: Then why not date the 2nd, she's rather masculine.

>>>Asuka: I..am...going..to..ignore..that.

* * *

What a surprise! As I leaned over to get a better look, I couldn't
believe my eyes. To think that there was something like this, here, this
close to NERV Headquarters...
"Are these watermelons?"
"Don't you think they're cute?" said Kaji, obviously proud of his
work. "This is my hobby. Keep this secret from the others. Making
something or growing something is wonderful! We can see and learn many
things through it. It also brings pleasure."

>>>Rei: If you have a God-complex.

>>>Shinji: Then dad would love it.

"It also brings pain."

>>>Kensuke: What is it with you and pain, think your a masocist.

For the second time this day, I could see a serious expression on
Kaji's face. Probably as serious as mine.
"Do you hate pain?"
"Yes..."
"Did you find what brings you pleasure?"

>>>Rei: I believe he did.

>>>Shinji blushing: Um..maybe nows not the right time for that discussion.

"I thought I did. But it only brought more pain. Now, I don't
know..."
I couldn't help but think about the last few days. Even now, as I
started to feel happy again thanks to Rei, I wondered if it would last.
"I see. This is about the camping incident, isn't it?"

>>>Shinji/Asuka: NOOOO.

>>>Hikari: No need for sarcasm.

"You've heard of it?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, Katsuragi told me. A fine mess, really. You want my opinion
about this, do you?"
I answered with a nod.
"Asuka is a complicated girl,

>>>Shinji: Well holy understatements bat-man how did you guess!

but not a bad one. I don't think she
intended to hurt you. You should probably give her the chance to explain
herself."
"That's what Touji said."

>>>Touji: That kaji guy is like me?

>>>Asuka: Please..never..and I do mean NEVER say that again.

As I said those words, Kaji seemed surprised, but the expression
left his face as fast as it appeared. Strange.
"That was wise advice. You should listen to your friend."
"But... I just don't know what to do. I... I... I'm afraid to face
her."

>>>Shinji: Again, Kaji is master of the obvious

>>>Asuka: What do you mean your afraid!!

>>>Shinji cowering: Sorry!

Again, Kaji took a few seconds to think about it.
"Katsuragi is leaving for a business trip and I'm supposed to watch
over you kids tonight, although nobody sees the point anymore,
especially with you and Rei living in another apartment. You could come
with me. Maybe my presence will help calm things between you two.

>>>Hikari: You think?

>>>Kensuke: She'll be to busy drooling over Kaji to worry about you.

>>>Rei: Good, but I am not liking the turn of events.

You
know that you two need to talk, do you? Otherwise, you'll always wonder
why she acted as she did."
"Yes, I guess we do," I muttered, not enthused at the prospect.
The eternally unshaven man smiled.

>>>Shinji: Razors just don't cut it.

>>>Rei: Maybe the micro lazers could do some work.

"Good. You kids have synch tests this afternoon. Once you're done,
we can have dinner together, then you can come to Katsuragi's apartment
with me. I'm buying."
Synch tests. I had forgotten. That meant I would see her... I
banished those thoughts from my mind and tried to cheer up.
"Great!"
>>>Shinji: Who said that?

>>>Rei:It was to dark to tell.

>>>Asuka: Shinji said it, wants to see me!

>>>Touji: Maybe I can still get my money.
* * *

"Well, Shinji-kun, ready?"

>>>Kensuke: To get the funk on!

>>>Touji: Ready set GO!

>>>Shinji: Yeah..sure..whatever.

"Not really, but it'll have to do."
Kaji nodded, then knocked at the door. I could have opened it
myself, I still had my keycard, but I guessed it would be better to let
Kaji handle this. A few seconds after he had knocked, we heard Asuka's
voice from the apartment.
"Kaji-san!"
So, she seemed to be as infatuated with Kaji as she used to be. That
wasn't much of a surprise I guess.

>>>Shinji: If you ripped his face off and snapped his arms she'd still be.

>>>Asuka: Well..I..you see.

>>>Hikari: And you want Shinji-kun to like you? seems like Touji and Misato.

>>>Rei: And you want to stop seeing him over that 'smirks.'

>>>Touji:What?

The red haired girl opened the door, a wide smile on her face.
However, the moment she saw me, that smile faded completely.
"I believe you two have to talk," Kaji said simply as he entered the
apartment.
Both Asuka and I stood still, neither of us daring to make a move,
or say a thing. Only when Kaji told us that the living room would be
more suitable for a talk did we move.

>>>Rei: This may prove entertaining.

>>>Hikari: Are you a sadist?

>>>Rei:...

>>>Kensuke: Man, Shin-man I feel so sorry for you.

However, once we sat down on, each
of us at one side of the low table, we froze again.
"Well, while you two talk, I believe I'll go take a bath..."

>>>Asuka: YAHO...um..I mean, he's sneaky.

>>>Shinji:Sure you did.

>>>Rei: You're nose is bleeding.

Hearing that, I nearly panicked. Kaji just gave me a small smile and
disappeared into the bathroom.

>>>Shinji: One two three...

>>>All: BASTARD

Only then did I again turn my attention
to Asuka. Well, here I was now. Shouldn't I ask the question that had
been plaguing my mind since that night? How hard could it be?

>>>SHinji: Lets think, harder than killing every angel at the same time?

Very hard, apparently, as the words kept dying in my mouth. Each
time I was about to do something, the visions of the dreams that I kept
having at night came to my mind, putting a stop to any attempt to speak.
What would be the use anyway? She would just laugh at me. But... as I
looked at her... The Asuka I had before me was nothing like the one I
dreamed about.

>>>Touji: This one had cloths.

>>>Shinji: That too...'closes his eyes, that was the dumbest thing I've said.'

>>>Kensuke: That must have been the dumbest thing he's ever said.

>>>Rei: I'd ask if he dreamt of me that way but, the 2nd has rendered him
>>> unconscious.

>>>Hikari:But she was smiling while she did it.

This Asuka just stared at the floor, not knowing what to
say, not daring to look at me. This was not an Asuka I knew...
"Why?" I finally managed to say.
Thank God! Okay, now the ice was broken, the ball in her court.
Asuka took her time before answering. She seemed very nervous. A few
times she seemed about to say something but stopped, biting her lip.

>>>Hikari: You have sharp teeth, your lip is bleeding.

>>>Asuka: It's a skill mostly.

It
was an unusual sight.
"I... I... I didn't know what else to do... I... I didn't intend
things to go that way. When... when I said I wanted Touji and Hikari to
get together... I really meant it!

>>>Touji: I don't believe it.

>>>Hikari: Asuka-chan you're so sweet.

>>>Rei: Lies.

That was my goal at first. But
quickly... I... I realized the possibilities. Once those two would get
together... that would mean... that we would be left on our own. Alone.
Without Misato or Rei to interfere. Just a moment for us... only us."

>>>Kensuke: Thats what alone usually means.

>>>Touji: She just wants to hear herself talk.

"So we could have sex without them knowing!" I shouted, unable to
keep calm, not even taking the time to fully analyze what she had just
said.
Asuka shook her head.

>>>Asuka: Don't let Kaji hear you!

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun can't hear you, you punched him in ..in..

>>>Kensuke: The source of his Mega-playboy powers.

"No! I didn't think about that! I swear! It just... I feared that
night... that it wouldn't last!

>>>Kensuke: You mean time doesn't just stop on occation?

>>>Touji: I thought a moment could last forever.

>>>Rei: You two can't grasp symbolism.

>>>Asuka:And you can?

We would have a good time, then the
weekend would be over... and then... then... we would be back here in
Tokyo-3 and... the next day... you... you... would be back in her arms!
Like you always do!"

>>>Rei: And you're plan worked wonderfully.

>>>Hikari: Sent him right into her arms.

Those words struck home. I finally made the connection I had failed
to see. As I saw tears flowing freely from her eyes, I felt her pain in
my heart.
"Do you realize how much it hurts?!" she continued, slightly shaking
as if she were about to burst into tears. "Do you know how it feels to
hold you, at night, knowing that the next day you'll hold her in your
arms instead of me?!

>>>Rei: I could say the same, but it doesn't matter to me.

>>>Kensuke:Why is that anyway?

>>>Rei: I know Shinji-kun would run rather than choose so, why have a choice?

>>>Asuka: I need some time away from him anyway.

Do you know how I feel when we're eating together
at school and that you look at HER instead of me?! I... I... I was
desperate... I knew that... in the long run... I'd lose you. I'm only
good at piloting EVA...

>>>Asuka: And damn good at it too.

>>>Touji: Way to miss the point.

That's the only thing I can do and I'm not even
the best at that anymore. Her... she cooks like a chef... while I barely
know how to make instant. She cleans, does the laundry, her apartment
always sparkles... here, I expect you to do all those chores and my room
is a mess.

>>>Rei: I would rather he do them also.

>>>Asuka: Good thinking, I guess I 'could' get along with you.

>>>Hikari: If he was awake I bet he'd say he'd be happy to do it.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: The death of the male spirit.

She's good at school... do you know that she's our class's
top student, even though she misses half the classes? I can barely keep
up because I can't understand all the kanji... me... a college
graduate... how pathetic..."

>>>Hikari: Um..you graduated college at 14 and you think your dumb?

>>>Asuka; No, I think you japanese are, stupid chicken scratches.

>>>Rei: I can read all of them.

There before me, from this girl who'd never shown anything but self
assuredness, was a catalogue of failures. I couldn't believe it. Asuka
was the toughest person I knew, and definitely the most stubborn. I'd
never seen anything but self confidence emanate from her, and hearing
her words drove home just how much I expected it. More than expected,
because in its own way I'd found her arrogance comforting.

>>>Touji: Ok, its ashured, he is a masocist.

>>>Asuka/Rei: We know.

>>>Hikari: Um...ok...lets say we don't talk anymore about that topic.

I know it
sounds strange, but seeing the imperious way she acted, I secretly hoped
that one day I might be able to deal with my doubts the same way. To
have that kind of courage.
And now I watched as she did a wonderful job of tearing herself
apart. I'd thought once before that she was a lot like me, by pushing
people away... but I'd never imagined this. It was distressing to find
out how much we really were alike.

>>>Touji: Those three deserve each other, all mentally screwed up!

>>>Kensuke: Nothing like us.

>>>Hikari: Yeah, you two are poster children for condem use.

I was living one of my worst nightmare. As I had feared, my
indecision had hurt one of them. I felt really ashamed of myself. It...
it was all my fault. All of it. I was the one to blame.

>>>Shinji mumbles: Number 4.

>>>Touji: Even in his pain caused sleep.

Like always, I
was the source of my own misery. But I had blamed her... I had been mean
to her. I even hated her. And now... whatever self-esteem I had began to
shrink at an exponential rate.
If it was possible, Asuka's expression darkened. It felt as if a
knife had suddenly been thrust into my heart.
"If it was only that... but... she's nice to you. She takes care of
you. I'd bet she'd do anything you'd want her to do!

>>>Kensuke: Anything?

>>>Rei: I would, with moderation, but Shinji-kun does not ask for such things.

>>>Hikari: Ayanami, you could try not telling us everything.

>>>Asuka: Yes, please shut up you sick freak.

She'd probably die
for you if she had to! And she's almost as beautiful as me!"

>>>Kensuke: Even while putting herself down she has to complement herself.

>>>Asuka: Well I am the most beutiful, and they all know it.

The tone of her voice dropped. It suddenly felt almost empty. All
you could feel from it was despair. As I watched, she seemed to shrink
in on herself. She wrapped her arms around her chest tightly and drew
her legs up.
"But worse... she loves you and isn't afraid to show it. So, tell me
Shinji... how can I expect to win against her?

>>>Hikari: Well...you could, I don't know, NOT ACT SO MEAN!

>>>Asuka: HIKARI I never....ok well I do so what, he actually cares.

>>>Kensuke:Why we don't know.

I have no chance... no
chance at all... so I thought... that if we shared something you two
didn't have yet... maybe you would... It was a stupid idea."
"Asuka..."

>>>Touji: That was the dumbest plan?

>>>Rei: I love Rei, go away?

>>>Asuka: I love you?

>>>Shinji very high pitched: Water..water.

Her face was now bowing low, her eyes, partially hidden by her red
hair, were closed.
I didn't know what to say. I felt overwhelmed by Asuka's words. So
she truly loved me?

>>>Asuka: Cpt. Obvous.

>>>Shinji: WHA?

>>>Touji: What you do swollow helium?

"I can't blame you for choosing her. Anybody with the slightest bit
of common sense would make that choice."

>>>Rei: I am popular.

>>>Kensuke: Thats a joke right?

>>>Shinji: To..me..their are.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Good enough for me.

"Asuka... I..."
She interrupted me. Well, sort of. I really wasn't sure of what I
wanted to say. What could I say? Even if she truly loved me, I still had
feelings for Rei.
"Don't worry Shinji. So far, I've lived on my own, by my own, only
for me, only for my own values and my own satisfaction.

>>>Asuka: But that doll is getting really worn...out.

>>>Hikari: Asuka..ssh.

>>>Shinji: I better check all packages before you guys get them.

I don't need
you, or anyone else for that matter. I... I don't want to be lonely
anymore. If I could... I'd rather be with you then be alone. But it's
too late now. And besides... half of your heart is not enough.

>>>Asuka: I doubt that it'd be only half.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun is either all or nothing.

>>>Shinji: Thats why I don't do to much.

If I
can't have you all to myself, then I'd rather not have you at all..."
"Asuka..."
She raised her head and looked at me. I could see sadness in her
eyes, yet there was something else. It almost seemed as if she suddenly
felt at peace. A hint of a smile appeared on her face, a kind of smile I
had never seen before. Despite the situation, the only thought that
crossed my mind at that moment was that I had never seen anything as
beautiful before.

>>>Rei: This is NOT what I wanted to see.

>>>Asuka: YES!

>>>Touji: Eat that Kensuke, I'm going to win.

>>>Kensuke: Shut up.

"It's okay. I can manage on my own. You be happy with Rei...
Shinji... I... I love you..."
This said, all that remained of her strength collapsed and she
retreated to her room.
She had just said that she loved me... she loved me...

>>>Shinji looks just as happy as he did when Rei said it to him.

>>>Touji: That boy is starved for affection.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Good.

I wanted to go after her, but a strong hand grabbed my shoulder. I
was surprised to see Kaji, still in his clothes and his hair obviously
dry. Apparently, he didn't took that bath after all.

>>>Hikari: He...waited to get Shinji-kun alone he's a petophil!!

>>>Asuka: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>>Shinji: I need a shower.

"Leave her alone for now. She needs time to think. You need some
too. You shouldn't make the same mistake you did before and make rash
decisions again."

>>>Shinji: We all know what that can do.

>>>Touji: If 'somebody' thought before acting this scene would have been made.

While my heart commanded me to go after her, I understood his words.
I nodded and Kaji released his hold on me. Then, a wide grin appeared on
his previously serious face.
"Well, well... I didn't expect her to actually say it. If things
weren't so complicated, I'd congratulate you, Shinji-kun. Not just
anybody can claim that girl's heart. So, what will you do now?"

>>>Shinji is still all smiles.

>>>Asuka: 'Damn this thing is accurate'

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun is just the lady killer.

I didn't know. I really didn't know. More then ever, my thoughts
were a mess.
"Go to school tomorrow, I guess. Then, we'll see what happens..."
I was about to leave, but suddenly changed my mind. I wasn't sure
that facing Rei now was a good idea.
"Kaji-san? Would you mind if I stayed here tonight. I think I could
use a bit more advice..."

>>>Kensuke: Advice for what?

>>>Touji: How to satisfy his women.

>>>Rei/Asuka: He already can.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: WHAT!

"I don't know if I can be of further help, but I will enjoy your
company, Shinji-kun."
"Thank you..."

>>>Shinji: Odd lil section.

>>>Asuka: Liked the end hated the beginning.

>>>Rei: End sucked, beginning was good.

>>>Kensuke: Did she just say sucked?
=============================================================== ========

Part 3 - The Fourth Children

>>>Asuka: That just doesn't look good.

>>>Touji: I have to say I agree with ya.


It was still early in the morning when I left Misato's apartment for
Rei's. I had wanted to leave the apartment before Asuka would be up and
I wanted to get to school early. That way, I could at least avoid Asuka
until there.

>>>Hikari: Shinji-kun, maybe you should bath before going to school?

>>>Kensuke: You stink man!

>>>Shinji: How can you tell?

>>>Kensuke: The plants around you are dieing.

Now, with everything cleared up, I knew I had no reason to
try and avoid her. However, I felt uncomfortable with what she had told
me.
She loved me.
But she told me to be happy with Rei.

>>>Rei: So follow her wishes and get over her, now.

>>>Asuka: Its reverse psycology.

This was so confusing. Did... did she really love me that much? So
much that my own happiness was more important to her then hers? But...
did she really love me? This could be another trick...

>>>Touji: You check under your bed every night don't you.

>>>Shinji: Yes.

>>>Kensuke: You are so paranoid.

I drove those
thoughts out of my head. Those tears I had seen were real. She wouldn't
have cried if she had wanted to trick me. She wouldn't have seemed so
hurt inside.

>>>Rei: Or it is all an oliberate trick.

>>>Asuka: I am good at acting but thats not an act.

No... her feelings were genuine. But... what were mine
exactly? How did I feel about her now? And how did it compare to my
feelings for Rei?
I sighed in frustration. How did things get so complicated?

>>>Shinji: I acted normally.

Oh, yeah... because I made the stupid decision of trying to date
both of them...

>>>Kensuke: Wasn't it Kaji's idea?

>>>Hikari: Thought it was Misato's.

>>>Touji/Asuka: S/He would never suggest such a dumb thing!

A surprise was waiting for me when I entered Rei's apartment. Rei
was up, already in her school uniform, finishing setting up the table
for breakfast.
"Your bath is ready, Shinji. By the time you are finished, your meal
will be waiting for you."
For a few seconds, I stared, eyes wide.
"I have surmised that you would want to possibly avoid Sohryu this
morning, so I prepared everything for you."

>>>Shinji: Damn she's good!

>>>Rei: It is a talent.

Was I so predictable?

>>>Asuka: Yes.

In any case, this was a sweet thought. I smiled at her.
"Thank you, Rei-chan."
Happy, her face softened and she smiled back.
"Go take your bath. You can explain to me what happened yesterday
night while eating."

>>>Rei: And leave out NO detail.

>>>Kensuke: YEAH!

I nodded and walked toward the bathroom. Minutes later, I came back
clean and wearing fresh clothes.

>>>Touji: A few minutes! what the hell you do drop a bucket of water on your head!

I then proceeded to explain everything
to her between a few bites. While she didn't seem to react much, I could
tell that Rei wasn't pleased with these latest turns of events.

>>>Rei: Why would I be?

>>>Asuka: You know you'd lose and you want me happy?

I had
gotten better at reading her expressions in the last few days. I didn't
expect her reaction however.
"Please... stay."
"Uh?" I said, confused.
"I know that when you came here, it was to avoid her. Now, you do
not have any reason to avoid her anymore. Still... I am asking you to
stay here... with me.

>>>Shinji: Rei-chan..your voice..

>>>Asuka: Oh I did not here that!!

>>>Rei: You said chan.

>>>Hikari: kawaii!

>>>Touji and Kensuke put their fingers down their throats.

This... this... is... the... the first request I
have ever made in my life. Please... stay with me..."
Here, right before me, was Rei... pleading for me to stay with
her... Rei... a girl I believed even stronger willed than Asuka...

>>>Hikari: I think its more of a lack of will that makes her that way.

>>>Asuka: like a programmed robot.

>>>Rei: Say what you will, he called me chan.

>>>Asuka: And if he doesn't call me chan I'll skin him for playing favorites.

"These last days... you were happy, were you? Why leave? So...
please..."
She looked so fragile... so beautiful.... I... I simply couldn't
refuse. And I owed her. She had been there when I had needed her the
most. I just couldn't leave like that.

>>>Asuka: Oh sure you can, didn't I look like that?

>>>Hikari: You looked hurt..Ayanami looks like she's looking at an oncoming truck.

Otherwise, it would be as if I
had only been using her. Like my father used everyone.
"I... I'll stay with you, Rei-chan..."
I wasn't sure it was a good idea. But then again, here or at
Misato's... both places would make any choice difficult.
'If I can't have you all to myself, then I'd rather not have you at
all...'

>>>Kensuke: You are so possesive.

>>>Rei/Asuka: So?

At least Rei wanted me here. It was probably for the best after
all...
Then, why did it feel like I was betraying Asuka? Why did I feel
this dull ache? Was there anyway I could ever be happy?

>>>Kensuke: Run away, far away.

>>>Touji: Start again or start a harem.

>>>Asuka: Help me kill those two.

"Shin-chan!"
She took my hand into hers and held it tightly. I guessed that she
would likely have hugged me if a table hadn't been between us.

>>>Kensuke: She could just jump on the table and ripe her..nevermind.

>>>Shinji: Thats better.

She
looked so happy... it made me feel so good. Yes, that was for the best.
I would stay here... with Rei. Smiling, I got up and took her in my
arms. She held me tightly. I was surprised to hear a faint sob. Was she
so happy that she was crying?

>>>Hikari: 'Wiping a tear' its so touching.

>>>Asuka: She's just worried about how I'm going to get him back.

>>>Rei: I am so happy. 'lips curl up in a tiny smile.'

As I looked at her face, I dried two
lonely tears with a finger. Then, we kissed. Not a deep kiss, but rather
a soft, tender one.
The guilt I had felt almost instantly vanished.

>>>Asuka: I can fix that real quick.

>>>Shinji: Why do you want me to feel guilty again?

>>>Rei: To have you move back, and then have me move in.

>>>Kensuke: Is their enough room here?
* * *

Life is ironic. That morning, Rei and I tried to leave early to
avoid Asuka. What did I see when exiting her apartment? Asuka, coming
out of Misato's. We both froze upon seeing each other, Asuka as much
surprised as me.

>>>Touji: She as a ZIT!!

>>>Asuka: HEY I cover those up with make....up.

>>>Hikari: Oh..Asuka..you shouldn't have said that.

>>>Guys: AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA.

It seemed that she wanted herself to avoid me. For a
second, I wondered if this situation wasn't a consequence of our
synchronization training.
"Shinji..." said Asuka as I spoke her name myself. Yes, definitely
some side effect of our synchronization training.

>>>Shinji: That is like that time you had me flip Hikari's skirt up!

>>>Hikari: ASUKA that was your fault?

>>>Asuka: It was just a joke...didn't think it would really work.

An awkward silence followed.
"We should leave if we want to be on time," said Rei, apparently
deciding to take the situation into her hands.
Without a word, we rode the elevator downstairs, then headed on our
way to school. This lasted probably five minutes until Asuka finally
broke the silence.

>>>Kensuke: Suprize suprize Asuka broke the silence.

>>>Touji: With a smack?

"Wonder Girl..."
We all stopped walking. As Asuka seemed tense, I deduced that she
had something to say. Something probably related to what had happened
the night before. Rei looked at her, an odd annoyed look on her face.
"Shinji chose to be with you. Fine, I can live with that..." As she
spoke, Asuka gained back her confidence. "But you better watch out,
Wonder Girl! If I feel that Shinji's unhappy, I'll take him back!"

>>>Asuka: With force if need be.

>>>Touji: And by now pen-pen is dead, eaten, and the bones buried.

For a moment, Rei just stared at Asuka, without reacting. Then she
answered. I must say it was totally unexpected. Before replying, I could
swear I saw an evil grin on her face.

>>>Shinji: Evil...that is a new one.

>>>Asuka: I don't think she, her very existance is a plague.

>>>Kensuke: To you.

"Do not worry, Demon Girl. Shinji will be happy with me. I will not
harass him, nor will I take advantage of him and certainly will not do
anything to hurt him... like someone else did."

>>>KEnsuke: SIT DOWN! she told you off!

>>>Touji: I never thought I'd see Ayanami slam you so HARD

I gasped at Rei's words. She acted so... so... Asuka-like. No, even
worse... this... this wasn't my Rei...
I expected Asuka to be offended by those words, but instead, she
turned her head away, as if she couldn't stand Rei's gaze.
"I see. Forgive me... Ayanami. Take care of him."

>>>Asuka: Kami-sama knows he can't do it himself.

>>>Hikari: But he's the one who cooks, cleans...

I couldn't believe my ears. Asuka was... apologizing... to Rei? Did
I just miss something important here?
"Well, don't want to be late for school..."
This said, Asuka ran away. I just stared at her departing figure,
confused.
"I just made sure that she understood that she should not bother us
anymore. And I also showed her how unpleasant it can be to be called
names," Rei tried to explain, noticing my confusion.

>>>Rei: And did you enjoy you're lesson?

>>>Asuka: Wonderfully.

"Still... I don't understand how she could give up so easily..."
"Because of you."
Because of me?
"Come, we should go."
Without really thinking, I followed her.

>>>Touji: Shin-man not think?

>>>Kensuke: Like asking the sun not to shine, boy never stops thinking.
* * *

I didn't know what to make of this new situation. Again, without
much protest, Asuka had just accepted my relationship with Rei. But what
exactly was my relationship with Rei? Thankfully, we got to school
quickly enough, so I managed to put those thoughts aside for the moment.
As both Rei and I took our places, I noticed in amazement that we were
actually the first to arrive. Strange, where was Asuka?

>>>Hikari: I better not find you in the bathroom again.

>>>Asuka: It was just that one time!

>>>Hikari: But it took me 2 hours to get you out.

Soon, other students came. Most of then, I didn't know. They were
just familiar faces, nothing more. I smiled as Hotaru came through the
door. I frowned when I noticed a short brown haired girl; Kuno Minami.
For a few seconds, I mentally debated about telling her about the
displeasure I felt concerning her bets.

>>>Touji: Want us to..re-educate her?

>>>Shinji: Like you did me?

>>>Hikari: You hit a girl I'll skin you.

I was getting close to gather
the courage to face her when suddenly I noticed someone walking toward
her desk. Asuka.
"Hey! Kuno!"
The brown haired girl raised her head from her laptop to look at the
redhead. A slight grin appeared on her face, almost as if she had just
spotted a defenceless prey.

>>>Kensuke: Or to Asuka, anybody else.

>>>Rei: Do you hunt animals for sport as well?

Which was quite odd, since I knew that Asuka
was anything but defenceless.
"What can I do for you, Asuka-chan?"
"Here."
Without saying more, Asuka pulled out a wad of yen from a pocket and
handed it to the girl. She seemed a bit surprised for a mere second,
then her eyes narrowed and her grin widened as she took the bills.
"What for?"
"Cause I lost the bet," simply said Asuka as walked toward her own
desk.

>>>Toiji: NOOOOO if you lose..that means I LOSE

>>>Kensuke: Why don't you just fork it over now and get it over?

>>>Asuka: NO! I refuse to give up until its all over.

These were simple words, but they had an enormous impact. It only
took a few moments before all eyes were focused on me and Rei. Our
increasing blushes answered everyone unspoken question.
"My God! It's true!
"What?"

>>>Rei: I am the victor.

>>>Asuka: Its the twilight zone.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: Mega-Playboy strikes again.

"Whaaaaaaaa... I'm ruined..."
"Shinji you lucky dog!"
"I knew it! I knew it!
"Does this mean we can date Sohryu now?"

>>>Asuka: If you want me to shove a knife in your pants!

"So did you two do it?"

>>>Rei: It is unclear but I would assume so.

>>>Shinji: REI!

"I'm soooo jealous!"
"Damn you, Ayanami!
"Ikari! You bastard!"
Half of the class had gathered around my desk, the other around
Rei's. However, Rei used her usual emotionless act and just ignored
everyone to stare outside the window,

>>>Hikari: Or..in this case somebodies head.

>>>Asuka: Why are all the girls so pissed off?

>>>Kensuke: Because he is...MEGA-PLAYBOY!

so everyone turned toward me. I
just tried to tune out all those voices as well as Rei seemed to do. Not
paying attention to my classmates, I noticed Hikari entering the class.
It immediately struck me as odd. Hikari was always one of the first
students to arrive, not the last. And that expression on her face... she
seemed... worried. Something was wrong, usually Hikari was very
cheerful, except when she was acting as the Class Representative.

>>>Kensuke: Then she's a real b.i.t.c.h.

>>>Hikari: Its a job.

From
the look on Asuka's face, I could tell that she too found Hikari's
behavior out of the ordinary.
Quickly, the girl observed the whole classroom. Then, she looked in
my direction. It almost seemed as if her eyes were locked on me. As she
walked toward my desk, I expected her to tell everyone to behave and go
sit at their places. She completely ignored the other students, in fact,
she shoved a few of them aside in order to reach me. She almost
looked... desperate.

>>>Touji: No..No NO NO NO NO

>>>Shinji: What?

>>>Kensuke: That kiss at the lake..she wants more.

>>>Asuka/Rei:She better not.

"All of you. Return to your places. Now."
Everyone in the room seemed to freeze in astonishment. Rei had just
addressed the whole class, something that never happened before, as far
as anyone could recall.

>>>Shinji: And her having a boyfriend is?

>>>Rei: I believe Hotaru needs help.

>>>Hikari: She's hyperventilating.

While her words had been said in a very normal
tone of voice, they had as much impact as if Hikari had been shouting
orders. Without a word, everyone left, leaving me alone with Hikari.
Obviously, Rei had noticed as well that Hikari had a problem.
"Horaki-inchou, can I...?"
"Ikari-kun! Have you seen Touji?!"

>>>Touji: I'm gone?

>>>Kensuke: I bet you're skipping again.

Touji? Why would Hikari be this worried over Touji? Did... did
something happen? Now it was my turn to be worried. Strangely, I noticed
that Rei had gasped when she heard his name and for a moment, she seemed
perturbed, before hiding everything behind her usual cold expression.
What was going on here?

>>>Touji/Shinji: I really want to know.

"Everyone! Out! Now!" shouted Asuka.
Apparently, our classmates had become very interested in hearing
Hikari's question. However, fear of the Legendary Wrath of Asuka Langley
was enough for most to forget about their curiosity. The others were
almost literally kicked out by the said Langley.

>>>Shinji: That kid bounced really high.

>>>Rei: The one she threw out the window will require medical attention.

>>>hikari: good, should have left when she told him.

"This seems serious, so we may as well do without all the gossip,"
said Asuka in a severe tone. "We've got a few minutes before Sensei
shows up. So Hikari, what's the problem?"
"Touji... Touji disappeared..."
"Disappeared?"

>>>Shinji: Did d..d..

>>>Kensuke: David Copperfield.

>>>Shinji: David Copperfield come out of retirement?

"Yes... I... I can't find him anywhere... he's not home... he's not
at the hospital... Kensuke hasn't seen him since school yesterday.
Ikari-kun... did you see him this morning?"
"No... but... you know... Touji always get here late. He'll probably
show up..."
"But..."
"Is there's something you're not telling us, Hikari-chan?" asked
Asuka, her eyes narrowed by suspicion.
"Well..."
Quickly, Hikari turned completely red.

>>>Asuka: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>>Shinji: I can guess what that means.

"When is the last time you saw Touji?" asked the redhead, still with
an inquiring expression on her face.
"Er... well... maybe... maybe... around... one... one in the
morning..."
"One in the morning?!" I gasped. "What were you two doing together
at such an hour?"
Asuka groaned.

>>>Rei: You're movie self is not as sharp.

>>>Touji: I am just to good!

>>>Hikari: Sure, keep telling yourself that.

"Dummkopf! (*) Really Shinji... just look at the way she's blushing.
I'm sure even *you* could guess what they were doing together..."
Quickly, the gears in my brain went into work. Then, the answered
appeared, amazing me by it's simplicity. I quickly felt my cheeks
burning, as I understood the implications and constructed many scenarios
in my mind.

>>>Hikari: HENTAI!

>>>Touji: Why are you thinking bout MY girl like that!

>>>Shinji: Guys..movie!

"Oh!"
An awkward silence followed. If possible, Hikari's blush increased.
"He... he came to my place last night... I wasn't expecting him.
He... he didn't look well... he looked... worried. When I asked, he told
me everything was all right, but I didn't believe him. I... I hugged
him... I wanted him to feel that I was there... for him.

>>>Asuka: And then you took him...in your ..ew.

>>>Shinji: Who's the Hentai now?

And then... one
thing led to another...
I really wasn't sure I wanted to listen to that. But Hikari seemed
to need to talk about it. So I just continued to listen.
"We... we had decided to wait... for a while. I was scared and
wasn't sure I wanted that. But... it felt so good... feeling him so
close. And I wanted him to feel better..."

>>>Kensuke: Why would you go over at 1 anyway?

>>>Touji: Do you need to ask?

>>>Hikari: Last time he did Daddy used mase on him.

>>>Asuka: To bad you didn't get picturs.

I tried to hide my surprise. I was sure those two had done it back
at the lake...
"So you...?" asked Asuka.
Hikari nodded. Both Rei's and Asuka's interest in Hikari's story
seemed to increase.

>>>Shinji: Why?

>>>Asuka: Need to know what works and what doesn't.

>>>Shinji: HUH!

>>>Rei: Field testing.

"When... when I woke up... he was gone... without a word. It... it's
not like him to do something like that. So... so I tried to find him...
but I couldn't... I'm... I'm so worried! What... what if... what if he
never liked me? What if he only wanted to...? And now that we..."

>>>Asuka: He'd be so dead.

>>>Hikari/Shinji: Agreed.

>>>Touji: What is the the inquisition?

"No way!" I said firmly. "Touji isn't like that and you know it."
"Yeah. You told me yourself it was his gentle side that you loved,"
agreed Asuka.
Hikari nodded and wiped a few tears. Rei put a hand on her shoulder
and gave her a small smile.
"Do not worry. I am sure everything is fine. Maybe he had something
important to do and forgot to tell you."
"You... you think so?"

>>>Rei: No, it is a mild attempt to calm your emotional state.

>>>Hikari: Gee...thanks.

"He is strong willed. Nothing will go wrong."
Both Asuka and I eyed Rei curiously. Something was odd here. Rei had
talked as if... she knew something. But if she did, why didn't she say
it? I gave her an inquiring look. She just smiled, then walked back to
her desk. Soon she had returned to gazing at the view through the
window.
"Rei..." I whispered.

>>>Asuka: Hey Shinji, looks like wondergirl has a secret!

>>>Shinji: I guess.

>>>Asuka: And you said you could trust her..boy were you wrong.

>>>Rei: Stop that.

An unsettling thought selfishly pushed Hikari's problems out of my
mind. Could Rei really... hide something from me?
Soon, our classmates came back. I noticed that Kensuke was among
them. He looked really depressed. This got me worried, but before I
could ask what was going on our sensei arrived and classes began. As
Hotaru had said, this sensei's classes were not focussed on Second
Impact, so I found myself so busy trying to follow that I couldn't find
the time to talk to Kensuke through our school internal mail.

>>>Kensuke: We cannot ever allow sensei to get sick.

>>>Touji: I have those lectures memorized I can't do it again!

Guess I
would have to talk to him at lunch time. I looked at Touji's desk.
Empty. Were Hikari's worries genuine?

>>>Kensuke: Knowing Touji...

>>>Shinji: Probibly not.

>>>Touji: Thanks for the vote of confidence.

I tried not to think about this
for now and listen to Sensei. Didn't I have enough problems of my own?
Why should I worry about my friends problems as well? I groaned. Why was
life so complicated?

>>>Rei: By its very nature life is complex.

>>>Shinji: But mine seems overly complex.

>>>Rei: It is not to much for you to handle, so you can handle more.

>>>Shinji: I don't think I want to continue this discussion.
* * *

Seeing that Rei and Asuka were taking care of Hikari during lunch
time, I decided to join Kensuke. He had isolated himself, looking as
depressed as when he entered the class. Not really knowing how to
approach him, I opted for asking a straight question.
"What's wrong Kensuke?"

>>>Kensuke: I want to pilot but THEY WON'T LET ME!!

>>>Shinji: It has to be something else, they haven't let you pilot for over a year now.
>>> How can that still bother you?

>>>Kensuke: It just does.

The boy barely raised his head to acknowledge my presence.
"It's not fair! Why, Shinji? Why didn't they choose me as the pilot
of Evangelion Unit-03?"

>>>Asuka: Oh you whiny lil SOB!! We thought it was something important.

>>>Touji: Thanks for your friendship.

"Uh?"
I stared, confused.
"Evangelion... Unit-03? There's no Unit-03..."
This brought Kensuke back to life.
"What to you mean, no Unit-03? It arrived from the United States
yesterday! They'll be doing the activation tests at the Second
Experiment Installation in Matsushiro today! Don't tell me you don't
know!"

>>>Shinji: Well I did just say there was no Unit-03 didn't I, isn't that
>>> proof I don't?

>>>Touji: Who's the idiot going to get bashed around by that thing, I bet another
>>> girl to mess with your love life even more haha ha.


A fourth EVA unit... Well, that would explain why Kensuke was
feeling so down.
"No... I didn't know... I haven't been talking much with anyone
lately. Hey? Matsushiro you say? So that's why Misato's had to go
there!"

>>>Hikari: Makes sense doesn't it?

>>>Shinji: Oddily enough yes.

An activation test. Maybe that's why Misato had been avoiding me the
other day. Maybe she was afraid I might get worried. After all, Unit-
00's first test did result in Rei getting hurt. Still...

>>>Asuka: She survived.

"I'm so jealous," said Kensuke. "I wonder who's gonna pilot it?
Touji, maybe? He's absent today..."
I stared in disbelief at Kensuke's comment.
"Touji? No way! Nobody would give him an EVA!"

>>>Asuka: That would have to be the biggest mistake NERV ever made, bet he'd
>>> steal it to show it off to Kensuke!

>>>Touji: Bet I could use it to get a piece .....

>>>Hikari: What was that?

>>>Touji: Nothing..I said nothing..

Touji? Piloting an EVA? No way! I knew that even if he had forgiven
me, he still hated the EVAs for hurting his sister. He would never ride
one. And unlike Kensuke, he seemed to have understood that piloting EVA
only brought pain...
"It probably had a pilot already, like Unit-02," I added, although I
really didn't know about that. "Probably some American guy..."

>>>All: American's HAH bunch of violent..wait...

>>>Asuka: You Japanese are more violent than the Americans.

>>>Touji: And you're move violent than any of us.

>>>Shinji: Guess the Americans are so peacefilled they couldn't handle the combat.

>>>Rei: That is also a jaded statement.

>>>(FYI all the Native japanese people I know claim that the Japanese ARE more violent
>>> than Americans...ever see japanese TV?....scary :) )

Kensuke went back to his depressive state. Damn!
"Makes sense..."
I had to try to cheer him up a bit...
"I'm sure the guy isn't as good as you would have been."
"You think so?"
"I'm sure." I lied.

>>>Kensuke: Lying bastard!

>>>Hikari: He wanted you to be happy.

>>>Shinji: You're all depressed.

>>>Kensuke:I guess.

>>>Asuka: And if you actually believed it I'll call you the biggest idiot of all time!

>>>Rei: Agreed, If you had any potential you'd have been selected for the 1 or 2nd unit.

Evangelion Unit-03. Why didn't anybody tell me?

* * *

As we came back from lunch, I noticed that Rei was clearly agitated.
Instead of looking at the window, she just kept glancing at our class
clock every five minutes. Asuka seemed to notice Rei's odd behavior as
well, as she gave her a strange look.

>>>Shinji: How is that different from her usual look at Rei?

>>>Touji: She doesn't appear to be immagining knives.

Rei either didn't see it or simply ignored her.
Suddenly, our classes were interrupted by the ringing of three cell
phones. Everyone froze and looked at us EVA pilots. Asuka seemed excited
as she picked up her phone.

>>>Asuka: Finally a way to release all that pent up emotion, tear something apart.

>>>Shinji: I must not run away I must not run away.

>>>Kensuke: Touji, If he dies of unexplained causes will you help me take revenge?

>>>Touji: No...not a chance I go after that freaky woman.

Surprisingly, Rei seemed uneasy. She just
glanced at the clock for a few second before finally picking up her
phone, her hand shaking. I did the same thing, but I didn't really need
to do it to know what was going on. A loud siren soon confirmed it. An
Angel...

>>>Shinji: Or a pizza order.

>>>Asuka: Chinese Take-out myself.
* * *

We were quickly picked up from school and rushed to NERV, then to
our lockers. As we rode the elevator that would lead us to the EVA, I
could hear Asuka muttering something like "This time I'll kill it..." as
if it was a mantra, before running toward Unit-02.

>>>Asuka: Beats that running crap you say, at least mine is functional.

>>>Rei: His has merit, he wishes to run so much.

>>>Shinji: If things didn't get so weird I wouldn't have to....ok wrong choice of words.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Just what is WEIRD!

Unlike Asuka, Rei
walked out of the elevator calmly, an air of peace on her features. I
froze as I tried to make a step forward. For some reason, I couldn't
help but have this strong feeling of dread.

>>>Shinji: And we have the expected foreshadowing!

>>>Touji: Watch as the pilot of Unit-3 is disemboweled for your viewing pleasure.

>>>Kensuke: Maybe its a good thing I'm not a pilot.

Something bad was going to
happen. I could feel it. Maybe I was just scared, as the events of our
last battle came to my mind, but still... the feeling was there.
Rei walked toward me and put her gloved hand on my shoulder. I
looked at her and saw a worried look on her face.
"I can't help but to think that..."

>>>Shinji: Those plug-suits are very uncomfortable.

>>>Asuka: Its like wearing plastic wrap.

>>>Rei: Would you really call the suit a glove?

"Do not worry," said the girl, cutting me off. "Sohryu and I will
take care of it."
I could now see determination on her face.
"But if..."
"Then do not hesitate. Whatever happens, fight our enemy. You must.
Please... take care of yourself..."

>>>Asuka snorts: Yeah right.

Her lips brushed against mine. Then, she was gone.
'Whatever happens, fight our enemy.'
Those words... it sounded as if she already knew what we would be up
against. Rei... why those secrets?

>>>Rei: If I told you know I'd have to kill them 'looks at their class-mates.'

>>>Kensuke: I'd die happy knowing.

>>>Shinji: Somehow I doubt that.
* * *

"An accident at Matsushiro?" I gasped. "But... Misato's there!
What...?"

>>>Touji: The.

>>>Kensuke: HELL, NOT MISATO!!

"Contact has not been restored yet," Rei said simply.
My God! Then we didn't know if... No, I didn't want to think about
it. Misato was surely all right.
"So... what... what shall we do?"
Asuka's image appeared. Naturally, she seemed annoyed.
"What are you whining about? We don't have time to worry!"
"But we have to fight the Angel on our own..."

>>>Shinji: I fail to see how that is different, Do you rember any actuall help?

>>>Asuka: No.

>>>Shinji: You?

>>>Rei: No.

>>>Shinji: And that is my point, It is JUST us out thier..cushy desk job's my ASS!

We always had relied on Misato's orders. Without her to guide us, I
felt... lost. As if I was asked to fight that Angel with a blindfold.
"Commander Ikari is taking direct command for now."
"The Commander is...?

>>>Shinji: Ok..I can't say it, that set up was to easy.

>>>Asuka: Than I will, a cold-hearted, egotistical, self-serving BASTARD.

>>>Shinji: Thank you.

>>>Hikari: And you really know him?

>>>Asuka/Rei/Shinji: Not really.

>>>Hikari: Alright then.

Father was going to lead us. The feeling of dread I had felt before
came back stronger than ever.

* * *

Inside the entry plug, I waited for our orders, now that we had all
taken position. Curiously, I was designated as the last EVA to intercept
the Angel, so it meant it would have to get through both Unit-02 and
Unit-00 to reach me. That was odd. It was the first time I was assigned
as backup.

>>>Asuka: I'm in the LEAD, FINALLY!

>>>Rei: They are hoping for one pilot to be killed, do you feel better now?

>>>Hikari: AYANAMI! how can you say such a thing.

>>>Asuka: Its standard practice, to make are lives suck more they DO want a death
>>> per battle.

Over the comm, I heard both Shigeru's and Makoto's voices.
"The target is approaching."
"All units, stand by for ground battle."
I gasped as I saw the said target on the viewing screen. There was
no way to mistake the shape. It was an EVA...
"What? No way... an Angel? You mean that's an Angel?"

>>>Rei: The commander does not stutter.

"Correct. That's the target." I cringed as I heard my father's
voice.
"The target? But... it's an EVA, isn't it?"
Could it be... the Evangelion Unit-03 Kensuke had talked about? It
would explain the accident at Matsushiro...

>>>Touji: You're as thick as marmalade in December.

>>>Shinji: Just not as quick to catch on to some things.

>>>Asuka: Another understatement.

"Gott im Himmel! (*) I can't believe it! Was it taken over by an
Angel?"

>>>They all look at Asuka.

>>>Asuka turns red: Hey..the pilot could have went AWOL...right?

>>>They shake their heads and start watching again.

Asuka sounded slightly worried. I couldn't blame her, I felt the
same. Then, suddenly, a disturbing thought occurred to me.
"Is it piloted by a kid, just like the other units? Someone my age?"
That was a disturbing question. If someone was inside, what should
we do?
"What?!" exclaimed Asuka "You think it's piloted by someone? What
the..."
I heard her scream just before all communications with her EVA
ceased.
"Asuka? Asuka!"
I was really worried

>>>Asuka: About me, the mission, or the other pilot.

>>>Touji: The other pilot, its a new girl and once you and Ayanami die she'll take your
>>> places.

>>>Kensuke: Wonder what she looks like.

>>>Shinji: Please you two..they didn't mean anything..sit down.

>>>Asuka and Rei heed his request and stop their planned assult.

"Eva Unit-02 was silenced completely," announced Makoto.
"Pilot has ejected. Salvage crew is on the way."
Thank God! She was all right!
"The target is moving toward Unit-00."
Unit-00... Rei...
This time, it's my father's voice I heard over the comm.
"Rei, avoid close combat, and stop the target."
"Hai." (*)
A few silent seconds passed. Nothing. Then I heard my father again.
"Rei. Fire on the target."
"I... I cannot."
What the...? Rei was actually disobeying one of Father's orders?

>>>Rei: With the latest developments, yes.

>>>Shinji smiles softly.

"Rei!"
Through the comm, I heard Rei scream. I felt anxious. Not Rei too!
Silently, I hoped that she would be all right.
'Do not worry. Sohryu and I will take care of it.'

>>>Hikari: They tried to at least.

>>>Kensuke: Great job too, really kicked some ass.

She had seemed pretty sure of herself. She probably would be okay.
But Asuka had been easily defeated...
After some time, I heard Maya's voice.
"Mid-level damage to Unit-00, and the pilot has been injured."
"Rei!"
My heart was racing. Rei was injured! I clenched my teeth. That
goddamn Angel! It would pay!
But... the enemy was also an EVA. My anger died down as fast as it
came.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: wish..wash..wish..wash, you switch sides so fast.

"The target is approaching," said the Commander. "Contact within 20
seconds. Take care of it."
"You say it's the target, but isn't there a person inside?" I asked,
although I wasn't sure if I was asking the Commander or myself. "A kid
my age?"
I stared at the black EVA as it came closer and closer. My finger
was ready to hit the weapons trigger, but my hands just kept shaking. I
couldn't do it. I couldn't attack it without being sure if someone was
inside or not...

>>>Asuka: You can easily beat an EVA without hitting the entry plug.

>>>Rei: It is a very small object when compaired to the EVA.

>>>Shinji: I have bad luck.

>>>Hikari: I'd say you had the other.

Suddenly, it jumped at me. The speed of the attack took me by
surprise. Before I knew it, my EVA was lying on the ground. As my EVA
stood up, I got a good view of the other EVA's back. There, I saw it: a
white entry plug, apparently stuck with a weird bluish substance.
"An entry plug! There's someone inside it!"

>>>Rei: Possesed or killed by the angel by now but yes their is somebody.

>>>Touji: I don't like this scene.

>>>Asuka: You DON'T! they have me charge head long while wonder girl has to..
>>> "keep her distance"

The black EVA was still on the ground on all fours when suddenly,
its arms extended to an unbelievable length and its arms caught Unit-
01's neck. Unit-01 was lifted off the ground, then thrown over a hill.

>>>Kensuke: Thats our hill!

Then, Unit-03 squeezed.
It was an odd feeling. I felt an almost unbearable pain. I had
trouble breathing. But still, I somehow stayed calm, just staring that
the black EVA.
"Shinji, why don't you fight?" asked the Commander
"There's a person inside, I think."
"It doesn't matter. It's an Angel. Our Enemy."
"But I can't do it. I have to save the pilot! I can't kill a human!"
How could he expect me to kill someone else? What kind of monster
was he?

>>>Asuka: So..you let it live..it kills all of humanity..one person..all people.

>>>Rei: Either way the pilot dies.

>>>Shinji: I guess I'd rip it a new one then.

>>>Touji goes pale.

"You will die."
"I don't care! It's better than killing someone!"
Suddenly, everything went dark. The pain and pressure against my
throat died down. This could mean only one thing: they had cut my
synchronization with the EVA.
I wondered... what happens next?

>>>Kensuke: Large scale death?

>>>Rei: Tang.

I was startled as red light flooded the interior of the entry plug.
An odd whirring sound filled the air, much like the turning of a turbine
engine. My head swung around at the sound of a computer terminal
switching on. But I couldn't really see anything.
"What the hell are you doing, Father?!"
I knew I had sworn to myself not to call him that ever again, but in
situations like these, you often forget such details.
Then, to my surprise, I felt the EVA move. Slowly, I saw it raise
its arms, then it grabbed Unit-03's neck, the same way it was holding
Unit-01's. Then it started squeezing. Quickly, it became obvious that
Unit-03 was suddenly losing the battle against Unit-01. Then, suddenly,
in a sickeningly sound, Unit-03's neck snapped.

>>>Shinji: I hear that sound alot.

>>>Kensuke: Unit-01 is kicking ASS!

I stared, horrified, as
I watched its head roll limply forward and its arms fall from Unit-01's
neck to hang loosely by its sides, like a lifeless, broken puppet.
A single thought came to my mind. The pilot! If I had felt the pain
while Unit-03 was squeezing Unit-01's neck, then what had just happened
to the pilot... could he... my God! No!

>>>Rei: You had you're EVA's arm broken rember.

>>>Shinji: Yeah.

>>>Rei: Is your arm broken.

>>>Shinji: No.

>>>Asuka: So take a clue.

But this was only the beginning of the horror. For a few seconds,
Unit-01 squeezed even harder on the other unit's neck, then it twisted
itself around and slammed Unit-03 on the
ground, hard. Furiously, it brought its fist down on the black EVA's
head. It literally exploded in a shower of red blood, metal and bones.

>>>Rei cringed into Shinji's side: Ew.

>>>Asuka noticing this springs onto his lap: I'm scared.

>>>Shinji looks blankly at the screen: 'Just pay attention to the movie..only the movie..
>>> I've got a lovely bunch of....'

Teeth flew in one direction, an eye in another. Paralyzed, I just...
watched. I don't know how I managed not to be sick at that sight. A
single though kept repeating itself in my head in an endless cycle: "The
pilot! We're killing the pilot!"
I only reacted when Unit-01 started to completely dismember it. The
shower of blood seemed endless. Arms were forcefully broken and thrown
away.

>>>The two female pilots cringe a bit more..finally getting a responce.

>>>Shinji with arms around shoulders: Movie rember?...but man

>>>Kensuke: Clean up crew is going to have a field day.

>>>Touji: I feel sorry for people with white houses.

Unit-01's fist pounded without rest the other EVA's chest after
its armor plate had been pulled out violently, destroying every organ,
covering everything with blood. With all my might, I pulled the
controls, trying to stop the EVA, but to no avail.
"Stop it! Father, no! Please stop doing this!"
No answer. The EVA just kept hitting and hitting and hitting... like
a beast hungry for blood and destruction.
"Damn! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!..."

>>>Hikari: If this wasn't the second time I saw this..I'd be like them.

>>>Touji: Man that sucks!

I was now crying. Helpless and crying.
Suddenly, I stopped hearing Unit-01's pounding. With a flicker of
hope, I raised my head. But soon hope became utter despair. In it's
hand, Unit-01 held the other EVA's entry plug. The white cylinder shook
under the pressure of the EVA's fingers.
"Aaah! Stop it! Make it stop! NOOOO!"
The gigantic hand clenched shut. LCL poured from the now twisted
plug.

>>>Shinji: And thus ends the foreshadowed bad events.

I screamed in horror. If any hope had subsisted, it was now gone.
The pilot was dead. I... I... I had killed a human being... I was a
murderer. Those hands. The hands of my EVA. My hands. My failure to stop
the beast...
Again, I cried.

>>>Asuka: How are they you're hands?

>>>Rei: An uncontrolable EVA is not your responcibility.

>>>Shinji: I guess.
* * *

"Shinji..."
Misato's voice. It took me out of my daze. I was still crying, but
my brain refused to think. I couldn't... if I did... my God! What have I
done?!
"Misato-san... you're okay..."

>>>Touji: Thank Kami-sama.

Part of me felt relieved. Only a small part of me. The other part
was still obsessed with what had just occurred.
"I... I'm sorry. I... I had to tell you something important, but..."

>>>Rei: She gave no effort.

>>>Asuka:If you call running away in fear an effort maybe.

She sounded weak. And she did truly sound sorry. But I barely
noticed.
"Misato-san, I've... a person... I've killed... my father... I
begged him not to..."
"Shinji, I'm sorry. I'm sorry..."
Over the comm, I noticed Maya's voice.
"Report from the entry plug salvage crew. Survival of the pilot
confirmed!"
These words hit me hard. Alive! I raised my head, full of hope.
Alive! So I hadn't killed the pilot!
"He's alive?!"

>>>Rei: But he would be in sorry shape.

>>>Touji/Kensuke: He's alive?

Over the comm, Misato continued what she seemed to be struggling to
say.
"The pilot of Unit-03 is... the 4th Children is...
I looked down at the twisted form of the entry plug. Indeed,
something seemed to be removed of it. I zoomed the image. My heart
stopped...
A boy... a boy in a dark plugsuit... a boy I knew well...
"Touji?"

>>>Shinji: OH..that ain't good.

>>>Hikari: Touji..

>>>Kensuke: AHA HA HA you got the shiznit beat out of you!

>>>Touji: At least they let ME pilot!

I think Misato started to call my name over and over again. I'm not
sure.
I stared at the boy. He looked hurt. And the content of the entry
plug. It was red. Not yellow as LCL, but red. Red as blood.
Touji... Touji!
I screamed. Then my mind went blank.

>>>Asuka: I knew letting one of those two pilot would be a mistake.

>>>Shinji: Touji, never pilot, ok?

>>>Touji: You think I will after this!! hell NO!
* * *

Why? Why Touji? Why did he have to be hurt. This was a question that
I kept asking myself. I tried to ask Father too, but I was denied an
answer. Even as I threatened to destroy HQ, the only answer he gave me
was knocking me out by increasing the pressure within the entry plug.

>>>Shinji: Whow whow whow, back the tape up! what did I threaten to do?

>>>Hikari: Destroy the NERV HQ.

I
awoke in the infirmary, then was escorted into a prison cell. I stayed
there for a while, until I was escorted to my father's office. No, the
Commander's office, I mentally corrected. My father had died a long time
ago...

>>>Rei: Then why is his name Ikari?

>>>Shinji: I ment in spirit.

>>>Rei: Oh.

I regretted the fact that my hands were held behind my back by
handcuffs. As I looked at him, I would have liked to put those hands
around his throat,

>>>Kensuke: Still could.

as he had forced my EVA's hands to strangle Touji's.
It wouldn't matter much. I had came close to killing Touji. Who knows,
maybe he had died at the hospital. So, why should another murder matter?
But it wouldn't really be a murder. He was after all more a monster then
a human being.
The Commander spoke.

>>>Shinji: And nobody listened.

>>>Asuka: I bet he'd kill himself if that happend..Hikari where are you going?

>>>Hikari: Bed..its to late and I've already seen the rest of this, its almost over.
>>> 'heads off to Asuka's a.k.a. the girls room'

"Disobeying orders. Personal occupation of an EVA. Crude
intimidation. These are all criminal acts. Do you have anything you want
to say?"

>>>Shinji: I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't stand on you.

Oh, there was a lot a wanted to say. A lot. Countless insults came
to mind, a few in German, thanks to Asuka's influence.

>>>Asuka: I knew they would come in handy one day.

But I kept quiet.
It would be a wasted effort. The man didn't care. He didn't care about
anything.
"I won't pilot EVA ever again."
"Very well then. Leave."
I nodded. Then, against my better judgment, I asked the question
that plagued my mind since I saw the broken entry plug.
"Why him?"
The Commander surprised my by answering.
"Because it was convenient."

>>>Touji: I don't like him.

>>>Kensuke: I don't think you're supposed to.

The son of a bitch! If looks could kill, I would have killed him a
thousand times over.

>>>Shinji: And Asuka me.

>>>Asuka: No, if I'm going to kill you, it'll be with my bare hands.

Without waiting for the security agents' indications, I turned around and left.
"You are running away again. You disappoint me. I assume we won't
meet again."
"For your sake, we'd better not," I said, my seriousness surprising
myself.
Ikari Gendo... how I had wished to see you dead.

>>>Rei: That would be a problem for NERV.

>>>Asuka: We have a second commander.

>>>Rei: True, proceed.
* * *

Lying on my bed in Misato's apartment, I stared at the ceiling. What
now? What could I do? What would happen? If I didn't pilot EVA, then my
purpose here had come to an end. I no longer worked for NERV. I was not
sure I could be allowed to live here or at Rei's. I wasn't sure I wanted
to stay here either. This place reminded me too much of NERV... the
EVAs... Touji...

>>>Rei: But you promised.

>>>Touji: He could use M-P powers of smooth-talk and get out.

Touji... Misato had told me that he had been saved and he even had
regained consciousness. But he had been badly hurt. His left arm and
leg... (3) too damaged... they had to... no! Dammit! Dammit! NO!

>>>Touji: That picture was missing something.

>>>Asuka: A leg and an arm.

>>>Kensuke: Their goes your hope for a basketball scholorship.

Silently, I felt the tears slowly soaking my cheeks again. It wasn't
fair! It wasn't fair! Touji did not deserve this.
I would have wanted to shut my mind off. But I couldn't. Instead, it
was spinning with images and memories.
I saw Touji, glaring at me for hurting his sister.
Unit-01's fist descended, the black skull cracking under the force.
There was Touji, demanding I go all out and hit him.

>>>Shinji: You two saw this already..does it still scare you?

>>>Asuka/Rei: No.

>>>Shinji: Then why?

>>>Touji: Shin-man..just let it go.

The spray of blood from a torn leg painted a building with a
gruesome arc.
Touji, bugging me about looking at Rei in her swim suit.
Unit-03, the final shudder as its neck collapsed.
The blood rushing to his face as Hikari shyly presented him with her
chocolates for Valentine's day.
The blood rushing free from the neck of Unit-03, trying to feed the
decapitated head.
My best friend drooling over Misato when she leaned over to pick up
a file from the floor.

>>>Touji/Kensuke drooling over the image of Misato when she leaned over
>>> to pick of said file.

Internal parts, like intestines, tossed carelessly over a traffic
light. From them a liquid dripped down to the street, turning the ground
red.
Touji, giving me a friendly smile.
Broken bones, pieces of metal, shredded scarlet flesh; the remains
of Unit-03.

>>>Touji: At least I went out in a blaze of glory.

>>>Kensuke: And a cleaning bill the size of Tokyo-3.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I ignored it. I
didn't want to see anybody. Almost silently, the door slid open.
Out of the corner of my eye, It was her. Rei...
"Shinji."
Her voice seemed neutral, but I knew that she felt uneasy. Good. She
had reasons to be.
"Why?" I asked. "You knew, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

>>>Rei: This does not bold well

>>>Asuka: Good its your turn to squirm in the breeze.

"It would not have changed anything. You did all you could do to
protect him. Knowing who was the pilot would not have changed the
outcome."
I promptly sat up and gave her a hard glare.
"That's not what I mean! You knew before, did you? You knew when
Hikari came to me that morning, looking for him, did you?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Monday. Since he was chosen as the Fourth."
I felt my anger rise. My hands clenched into fists.
"Why?! Why didn't you tell me, dammit?!"
"It would have worried you. I... I did not want to add this to your
pain."

>>>Shinji: I don't think thats a good excuse.

>>>Asuka: Get more upset, get so mad you run into MY room this time!

>>>Kensuke: Using the situation again?

I jumped to my feet and without thinking, grabbed her shoulders with
all the strength I could and slammed her hard against a wall. While she
hadn't reacted, the tears that fell from her eyes attested that it had
hurt. But I didn't care. I didn't really realize what I had just done.

>>>Shinji: I..I'm sorry.

>>>Rei: You did nothing.

>>>Touji: Cut the crap, I'm getting sick.

"Dammit, Rei! You should have told me! I... I could have convinced
him not to pilot! Touji... Touji knew... he knew how much pain EVA can
bring... he would have understood... you... you hypocrite! You're no
better then Asuka! While you were saying that you wouldn't hurt me, you
kept that secret all to yourself. You're no better than her!"

>>>Asuka: Good, equal standings again.

>>>Rei: 'Mental note- tell Shinji'

"I... I am sorry..." said Rei, tears in her eyes, still a bit dazed
from the impact against the wall.
"This doesn't change anything!" I yelled. Rei seemed to shudder in
fear.
"Even if I had wanted to..." Rei tried to explain, "Commander...
Commander Ikari... had ordered me... not to tell you..."

>>>Shinji: Father..ordered.

>>>Rei: This is not good.

>>>Kensuke: Guess nobody is going to win that bet Touji.

Father! The mention of his name only increased my rage...
"I don't give a damn about that bastard's orders! He's not God! He
can go to hell for all I care! Is it how it'll always be? Will you
always choose him over me?"
Confusion and pain showed all over the girl's face as she tried to
answer.
"I... I..."
"Do you care more about him than me? Just say it, you don't really
love me, do you?"
"No!"

>>>Asuka: YES!! 'pushes Rei off Shinji's shoulder' I WIN!

>>>Rei: How?

>>>Asuka: You said no, you don't love him and you hurt him so I WIN!

>>>Rei: But that is a movie this is reality 'repossitions herself'

>>>Shinji: I am SO confused.

It came out as a strangled cry. Tears poured down freely in her
satin white skin. I didn't give a damn.
"Then why... why didn't you tell me? WHY?"
"He would not... have changed his mind. His sister... NERV promised
to take care of his sister..."
His sister... He did this for his sister...
I felt suddenly weak. I might have fallen if Rei had not caught me.
She dragged me back to the bed.

>>>Touji: Always the bed with you, before in this..now..whats with that?

>>>Rei: Convienent.

>>>Kensuke: Call it what you want..I'm going to bed, fill me in on what happend in the
>>> morning 'heads to Shinji/Mens room'

My fault. It was all my fault.
"It's my fault... I failed to take control of the EVA... Father...
my hands... he used me to harm Touji. And now... you say he piloted
because of his sister? It's... it's all my fault! If I hadn't hurt his
sister in the first place, none of this would have happened! Touji
wouldn't have piloted! IT'S ALL MY FAULT!"
Rei took me into her arms. But for the first time ever, her touch
didn't bring me any comfort.

>>>Asuka: This is getting better for me.

>>>Touji: You are so going to hell when you die.

>>>Misato and Ritsuko enter the apartment.

>>>Misato: Shinji?

>>>Rei: Silence, we are watching a movie.

>>>Misato/Ritsuko: We just finished one.

"It is not your fault. Suzuhara's sister was hurt because she
neglected to reach a shelter and because your EVA went berserk. You had
no power over this. Nor did you have the power to stop Unit-01 from
destroying the Thirteenth Angel. It is not your fault..."
I stood up, freeing myself from Rei's embrace.
"You don't get it, do you? It's my fault! If I had acted
differently... if I had been willing to fight against the Third Angel
instead of being frozen in fear... if I had tried to stop Unit-03, maybe
pull the entry plug out..."

>>>Shinji: All possibilities..maybe.

>>>Ritsuko taking a seat: What we miss?

>>>Asuka: 5 movies, and 95% of this one.

>>>Misato: Oh.

Rei shook her head.
"You could not. Unit-03 acted too fast. You would have had to fight
back... and it would have brought the same result."
"You don't know that!"
Rei bowed her head for a moment, then she raised it again. I could
see fear in her eyes. She was shaking. She tried to speak, and almost
failed, but still managed to say a few words.
"If... if you need someone to blame... blame me..."

>>>Asuka: Ok.

>>>Shinji: Why?

I gave her a confused look, not understanding what she meant.
"What do you mean?"
She just lowered her head, unable to look at me.
"Answer!" I shouted as I grabbed her shoulders again and shook her.
"The data... the data from the system that took over... the dummy
plug system... it... it came from me... so in essence... it... it was
I... who fought against Unit-03..."

>>>Ritsuko: You know its against policy to tell secrets.

>>>Rei: And to date you're higher ups!

>>>Misato: Ritsuko?

>>>Ritsuko: Um..not really.

>>>Misato: Good.

"You?"
This killing frenzy... this hunger for blood and destruction... Rei?
Such a thought... I couldn't handle that thought. Not able to look at
her, I exited the room. I was about to leave the apartment, run away
from Rei, when I almost bumped into Hikari as I opened the door. I
stared at her in disbelief.
"Ikari-kun!"
Then, she burst into tears.

>>>Shinji: What is this installment Shit on happiness day!

>>>Touji: I'm happy..zzzzzzzzzzz.

>>>Asuka: Thank Kami-sama.

"Ikari! They... they won't tell me anything! I've learned from his
father that Touji was hurt in the last Angel attack, but nobody knows
any more then that! He's not even at the hospital! I'm... I'm so
worried..."
I froze as I heard her words. I looked at her. The fear and hurt in
her eyes... the tears... Then, before I knew what was going on, she was
in my arms and crying again my shoulder. This sent me over the edge. I
didn't think about anything, I just reacted. I pushed her away, as if
she was some sort of monster. Then I ran. I ran away.

>>>Asuka: You...BASTARD..she's my friend.

>>>Misato: Try saying that when you're not sitting on him 'smiles.'

I couldn't face her. Not her. Not knowing that I had hurt Touji.
That I had tried to kill him. That because of me, he would never walk
again like any other man would. I had almost killed... the man she
loved.
I ran, without knowing where I was going.

>>>Shinji: Thats escape method number 12
* * *

I was standing on a small hill outside Tokyo-3, looking at this
city. This accursed city. Because of it, my friend had been hurt. I
didn't want to do anything with it. But... I didn't want to leave
either. I... I had nowhere else to go. And leave, would mean never
seeing Rei or Asuka again.

>>>Misato: Shinji, do the rest of us mean that little to you?

>>>Shinji: its the premise of this movie.

>>>Misato: 'Its obvious, but they'll never do anything on their own..I bet
>>> Rits and I can help that...and maybe have a bit of 'fun' are selves.'

>>>Ritsuko nods in silent agreement having come up with the same thought.

Rei... did I really want to see her again.
'If... if you need someone to blame... blame me...'
I... I just couldn't. As much as I tried, I couldn't. This... this
was my responsibility to bear.
"You are in pain, are you?"

>>>Shinji: And it must be Kaji, master of the obvious.

>>>Misato: HIM! ha! he wouldn't no obvious if it bit his ass.

Startled, I turned around to see a girl my age, bearing a warm
smile. She wore a white sundress and her shoulder long white-gray hair
flew with the wind. One thing that surprised me was how pale her skin
was and the color of her eyes: dark red.

>>>Shinji: Something is amiss..but kawaii.

>>>Asuka/Rei: No..after what has happend..no.

>>>Shinji: Ok ok sorry.

Could this girl be related to
Rei? I had never seen her before. I shook that idea out of my head. As
far as I knew, Rei had no family. It was probably just a coincidence,
just someone passing by.

>>>Ritsuko: Sure, albino's are an everyday thing in the America's but in Tokyo.

>>>Misato: I don't know..alot of brothers love their sisters and vice versa.
>>> ( no not a slam agaist Rei/Shinji, it is a in joke for her voice seiryu
>>> ( In maze, she plays a sister that loves..and actually becomespart of her
>>> ( brother)

I didn't feel like talking to anyone, so I just tried to ignore her.
"It must be hard on you to know that you could not do anything to
save your friend. The human heart is fragile this way."
I gasped and turned around to face the girl.
"How... how do you know?"
"I just do."

>>>Rei: Those who believe she is not natural.

>>>Girls raise their hands.

The girl seemed about to leave when she spoke again.
"Piloting EVA can only bring you pain. The Fourth was only the first
to be hurt. The First or Second could be next. You should leave while
there is still time. Otherwise, you will be destroyed along with those
you love. It would be a shame."
Who was that girl? What did she mean? Did she mean that Rei and
Asuka could also be hurt because of me? Was it possible? If it was, how
could she know that?
"Who are you?"
The girl just walked away. I thought she wouldn't answer my question
when I heard her voice again. Barely, because of the distance, but
still, I could hear her.
"Call me Kaoru... Nagisa Kaoru." (4)

>>>Shinji: Kaoru...sounds nice.

>>>Rei: I think something is wrong with that name.

>>>Asuka: Agreed.


[To be continued...]



Next time:

The One I Love Is...
Chapter 7 - Awakening

>>>Misato: Nice title, gives away the whole story premise.

>>>Shinji: But its a good movie.

Omake:


- Scene 1 -

Of course, my brain lost to my hormones, so I raised my head. As I
suspected, someone was in the lake. A brown haired girl. Hikari I
supposed, as she was the only brown haired girl around. Since she wasn't
facing me, she hadn't noticed yet that I was staring at her naked back.

>>>Misato: How many girls do you have Shinji-kun?

>>>Shinji: Please...not you too.

Of course, with the luck I've had these last weeks, she had to turn
around before I could decide to do the same and leave.
I stared, utterly shocked.

>>>ASuka: OH MY GOD!!

>>>Ritsuko: Guess she won't be having kids...guess..can't really say she.

For a moment, I didn't know whether I should feel surprised, or
disgusted. To think I had found her cute... My brain decided to solve
this dilemma in a convenient way.
I fainted.
"She's a boy..." I muttered before blacking out.
Poor Touji. When he found out he'd been glomped by a guy...

>>>Shinji: I'm glad he's asleep...um..where is he?

>>>Rei: In the room with Mr. Aida.

- Scene 2 -

Shinji had cried himself asleep. Softly, Rei caressed his hair. This
seemed to work wonders on the boy as his face relaxed. Rei didn't know
exactly what had happened, but simple logic suggested that it was
related to the camping trip, therefore Asuka. She felt an odd feeling,
something she wasn't accustomed to yet. Anger. She felt anger toward the
girl who could hurt her Shinji in such a way.
"Sohryu."

>>>Asuka: Hey, I'm not the only one now...wonder-girl.

>>>Ritsuko: but you do work wonders physically on him.

>>>Asuka: So?

Just whispering her name gave her a bitter taste in her mouth.
As the boy snored lightly, she looked around her. She would need to
set the room up. It wouldn't take long, but she was reluctant to let the
boy go. Then, a thought occurred to her. A chance. She smiled. Had he
been awake, Shinji may have been startled by such a wicked smile.

>>>Shinji startled: I am..awake..

>>>Misato: Such an odd expression..wait..AN expression.

As she dragged the boy to her room, Ayanami was quite surprised to
see that the boy didn't wake up. He was sleeping so soundly... Her smile
widened. The boy didn't react either when she lifted him on her bed, nor
when she removed his clothes.

>>>Misato: Isn't that date rape?

>>>Ritsuko: You would know. (read my mst of Lonly Hearts for b-g)

She stopped at the last item. Her hands
were shaking. She didn't know if she should... But the curiosity was too
great. She removed it. Her eyes flew wide open. One pale hand flew up to
her mouth, covering the lower part of her face.

>>>Shinji: DON'T LOOK!

>>>Asuka: WHERE DO YOU HIDE THAT THING!

>>>Shinji is so red he..well..he passes out.

>>>Misato: It matches the other movie..guess its real.

>>>Ritsuko: WEll...guess the boy isn't tiny all around.

For a long moment there
was silence in the small room. Then, despite all her self control, a
small sound broke from between her fingers.
A strangled giggle.
Before she knew what had hit her, she was laughing loudly, biting
down on her fingers in an attempt to keep the mirth from overwhelming
her.

>>>Rei: I am shocked.

>>>Asuka: So am I.

>>>Ritsuko: Guess it was to much for them to even see.

>>>Misato: I guess I'm lucky.

>>>Asuka: WHAT! 'bites Misato's arm as she tries to rub Shinji's hair.'

>>>Misato: OUCH!

- Scene 3 -

The black Eva was still on all fours when suddenly, its arms
extended to an unbelievable length and caught Unit-01 by the neck.
Unit-01 was lifted off the ground, then slammed into a hill. With
fantastic speed, Unit-03 then drew Unit-01's face in close and opened
its growling mouth.
"Shinji!" the black mechanical giant demanded. "Is it true you saw
my Hikari naked?!"

>>>Asuka: And if a man too.

>>>Rei: That part was fake.

>>>Ritsuko: Maybe.

Hearing this, Unit-01, the pride of NERV and mankind's only hope,
started to sweat nervously.



Author's notes:

(1) This is only a slight cameo, no mystery there. Some of you may have
recognized the Hotaru I briefly described as Tomoe Hotaru, from
Sailormoon. I considered using Mizuno Ami instead, but the Hotaru
"before Chibi-Usa" felt more appropriate.

(2) Inspired by a scene in DNA2. I couldn't help but to include that
little quote here, considering Shinji's recent, and future, relations
with the NGE female cast (you guys! stop drooling, that's not what I
meant by "relations", you hentai! - I knew I shouldn't have put that
lime scene in Part 1... ^_^ ).

No, in Part 1, Touji and Hikari didn't go all the way, as Shinji
imagined, although it came close. I'd like to think that it would take
more than one night for them to get that deeply involved. Besides, as
Hikari said herself, despite his rough exterior, Touji's a nice, caring
guy. Probably enough not to risk getting Hikari pregnant. However, as
indicated by Hikari, this changed before the activation test of Unit-03.
Guess Touji followed his own advice: 'Whatever decision you make, don't
wait too long. Because if you do, something may happen and you could
regret it.'

About Shinji and Rei you ask? That is a secret. You may discover later
whether they went all the way or not...

Unit-03 and the Fourth Children. Why did Shinji and Asuka not seem to
know anything about that. Well, Shinji isolated himself for a few days
and Misato avoided him, so he never learned about it. As for Asuka, in
the series, she learned about the Fourth Children why trying to get
Kaji's attention. However, her mind is on Shinji now. So she never went
to see Kaji, therefore she never learned about the Fourth.

(3) I know this point is slightly controversial, but no matter how many
times I looked at that scene, I just could come to only one conclusion:
that left arm isn't there. Unfortunately, unless they've added something
in those numerous editions of "Death/Rebirth" and "End of Evangelion",
we don't get to see Touji later. So I decided to follow the trend we
usually see and have that arm removed. It just bring more drama ^_^

(4) Kaoru... Some of you are probably displeased a bit by my little
twist. There's nothing I can do about it. While I could still have used
the Nagisa Kaworu we know, I find that a female Kaoru gives me more
possibilities to mess up my little love triangle even more.

Just to be sure everyone understands, this is still Nagisa. The origins,
his/her motivations and his/her feelings will basically be the same,
although since I may have to improvise a bit: we don't really see Nagisa
much in the series after all and it makes a full analysis of the
character a bit more difficult.

The idea of a female Nagisa came from visiting NGE pages. In one of
those, I've discovered that Kaworu could be spelled either "Kaworu" or
"Kaoru". In my mind, it felt weird (I had always spelled it "Kaworu"),
since for me "Kaoru" somewhat referred to Kamiya Kaoru (I'm a big
Rurouni Kenshin fan). So, here I was, looking at Kaoru on my RK poster,
pondering in the use of her name on males and females when the idea
struck me: why not change that bishonen gray-haired jerk (my apologies
to the Kaworu fans - I don't really mean that) to a girl? The potential
was great, mainly possibly really having a (love?) relationship between
Shinji and Kaoru. And it's original.

Initially, I had planned on using Mana from "Girlfriend of Steel" as a
graphic model. After many days of reflecting on this, I finally decided
against it. While using Mana would have been very convenient, a lot of
people who knew about the character were either confused or not really
comfortable with that change. I'm not that stubborn, so while I keep
Nagisa as a girl, I modified her appearance for a more conventional one.

I had comments that Rei was quite OOC (out of character). I'm not much
surprised. However, keep the context in mind. For more then a month and
an half, Rei has been learning to experience emotions, to recognize them
and to express them. So I believe it would be natural right now that she
would be more "alive" then initially. Also, you will notice that so far,
she seems to express those emotions to only three persons: Ikari Shinji
(her love), Asuka Langley (her rival - source of emotions like anger,
jealousy and hate) and Tomoe Hotaru (her friend - to show that Rei can
find more in life then just Shinji; Hotaru's loneliness, similar to the
one she felt without Shinji, was what attracted her). Rei acts more or
less like the old Rei with anybody else. She hasn't developed a bond
with Misato as Shinji and Asuka did. When she gave "support" to Hikari,
she mainly did it to calm her down, so that Shinji wouldn't be worried
over his friend. She still doesn't interact much with her class. In
fact, Shinji is still basically the core of her life. While she express
herself more, it's mainly because of him (Hotaru being the exception,
the awakening of her individuality).

Some will have noticed, I've put an "Assisted by" note at the beginning
of this chapter. Darren graciously offered his help in commenting and
writing a few scenes for me. Think you can find them? Just look for a
wider range in the vocabulary... Thanks, Darren! Thank you very much!


---


Translation notes:

Inchou : You may be more familiar with Touji's use of 'Class rep'. I'm
not certain it's how you exactly translate it, but that's what ADV used.

Dummkopf : Simpleton

Gott im Himmel! : God in Heaven!

Hai : Yes



Alain Gravel
rakna@globetrotte.qc.ca
July 18th 1999

Started on April 15th 1999
First pre-reader draft, Part 1, revised on May 28th 1999
First pre-reader draft, Part 2, revised on June 13th 1999
First pre-reader draft, Part 3, finished on June 26th 1999
Second pre-reader draft finished on July 9th 1999
Final draft finished on July 18th 1999
Final revisions on March 10th 2000
>>>Mst December 10th 2001

(end MST)

Ritsuko: What an odd show you girls watch, wake Shinji-kun up, he has to..um..come with us

Misato: Yeah..for..sync tests.

Rei: Negative, you saw what we did and want to make use of it.

Misato: No we saw another movie...thats why

Ritsuko moves over by Shinji and tries to wake him until Rei slaps her.

Rei: He is to be left as he is.

Asuka: I think it best if you left now.

Misato: Sure..sure..we'll be back though..it is my apartment.

Ritsuko and Misato leave smiling.

Asuka: Do you think that was real?

Rei:They seemed to think so

Asuka: I said you could only watch it if I was with you.

Rei: And Shinji-kun.

Asuka: Wake him.


----------------------------------

MST author notes.

MAN THAT WAS SO LONG!!!

took me longer than usual

hope you liked it and by overwheling demand I will do the one side-story
so you lil hentais out their have something to look forward to
but it will be after i finish a few other pieces of work

as always requests are welcome ifyou tell me who you want to be mst'ers

Zentrodie (zentrodie@secondimpact.com)