Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Unbreakable Bond ❯ First Night ( Chapter 5 )

Unbreakable Bond

Chapter V First Night

 

WOW! HOLY COW WOW! 90 REVIEWS IN TOTAL AND 30 FROM YOU GUYS! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WHAT A RECORD!!! I'm so pleased that I've managed to attract this many readers. Heck this is on the alert of over 50 readers! So what if roughly only 3/5 of all of my readers review, I don't care!

 

Anyways, I hope that you guys enjoyed that little scene between the three of them. Amusing was it not? I'm sure that those who got replies from me noticed I asked about the scene. Anyways, now it's on with the next chapter. Let's see how our trio handles the afternoon, after a word from our good Operations Director and Head Scientist.

 

“How is this going to Shinji and Rei?” Misato mumbled through her arms.

 

“I'm not all that sure Misato,” Ritsuko replied as she leafed through her `notes'. “All I can is that they can probably fight fairly well together. How well and if they can do it in their Evas, I'm not sure.”

 

“Great,” Misato mumbled with her face still in her arms and cafeteria table, “just great. How effective will we be if two of our pilots can't pilot separately?!”

 

“Well we could bring in the Forth and Fifth Children,” Ritsuko offered. “We could requisition Units 03 and 04, to act as substitutes if Rei and Shinji can't pilot separately.”

 

“Units 03 and 04? I thought that the 1st and 2nd Branches were going to test them.”

 

“They are,” she replied with a shrug. “But we could easily order the Evas to be given to us and we activate them here.”

 

“Can we?”

 

“Yup.”

 

“Well that's one problem I can put aside of now,” Misato grumbled as she took a swig of her coffee. “So when are we going to test them to see if they can still pilot separately?”

 

“I've already arranged for synchronization and harmonics tests this Tuesday,” she replied. “They just need to be informed.”

 

“I'll do that when I get home,” said Misato when she suddenly groaned. “That is if I have a home to go to.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I left them with Asuka.”

 

“That would've been interesting,” Ritsuko casually stated, withholding the fact she had been monitoring them throughout most of the conversation, or at least the aspects of their brainwaves.

 

“I just hope Asuka didn't trash the place,” Misato whined. “I've had a rough morning, and I just want to relax tonight.”

 

“Well at least you only have to worry about Asuka, since Shinji and Rei currently live next door to you.”

 

“Thanks for reminding me,” Misato grumpily grumbled. “I saw their place. It's a bloody dump! I mean, rats, minimal food, barely functional cooking and lavatory appliances, two futons, and that's about it! Oh and at least half an inch thick layer of dust throughout the place. I'm going to have to help them.”

 

“Have to help them, or want to help them?” Ritsuko asked in a philosophical tone.

 

“What's that suppose to mean?”

 

“Do help them because it's your obligation as their senior officer, as their neighbour, or as their friend and from their goodness of your heart?” While Misato pondered on the question Ritsuko continued to go through her data. Boy she was having one hell of a field, or rather a field week. With all the data she just might be able to go about certain business she had planned.

 

Meanwhile back at Misato's apartment, Asuka had taken a nap to recover from her rather interesting conversation with Shinji and Rei. Said two were in the formers bedroom, packing his belongings. There wasn't much to pack. All there was was his cello, his S-DAT player, his uniform, and some clothes. He didn't really bring much when he first came to Tokyo-3, and he still didn't have much.

 

However in the hour they spent packing, he thought about his life thus far. Before his accident, even before he became a pilot, he was nobody; a person who existed with no meaning in life. He just drifted from one thing to another living with his teacher. He just did things because he was told to. He had no dreams, no goals, and no real purpose for himself. His father's back took all that away from him. He had no self-esteem, no friends, no support; no nothing. He had no family. He was alone, save for his teacher, but even then that was a strained relationship. His teacher gave him what he needed, nothing more. No love, no friendship, just a professional relationship.

 

That was the existence he had throughout the 10 years he spent since he was left with his teacher. But then he was summoned by his father. He thought that he had a purpose in life. Maybe there was a chance for him to live out a life of some sort. However such possible hopes were crushed when his father told him that he only summoned him because he had a use. But it was then he met Rei. He slightly smiled when he remembered how he held her in his arms, as he tried to bring her some sort of small comfort. To try to ease the pain she was in. He remembered the blood, he remembered her painful expression, he remembered her gasps of pain; he remembered everything, and more. He suddenly found it odd how he remembered things from that day he came. He took a moment and searched. There something odd about those memories and he was going to find out.

 

How odd it was, as he didn't like to get his nose into anything. He always took things face value. He never did go nosing around trying to find out whether or not anything was true, as he figured since his life was a giant lie he there was no point trying to find out the truth. It was similar in this setting, as before any memories he would experience he didn't recall, he would normally consider something he forgot in the rush of things. However he chose to dig further and try to find out what was wrong. Soon he found his answers.

 

The memories were of Rei's. Not only he remembered that day through his eyes, but he now saw it through her eyes. He remembered pain. He remembered a lot of pain. And then he felt a small comfort when someone held him, or rather her. Rei had felt some warmth within herself when someone had actually tried to help her. He looked back further into her memories to see that no one cared for her. No one saw to her needs unless they were ordered to. Only his father, but even then it was limited. Rei had lived a lonely life, and the fact someone had tried to help her out of concern aroused something within her that she had never experienced before. She had actually experienced relief, but she couldn't find the word to describe the feeling.

 

It was truly amazing how she could live such a life with practically no one much like he did, but her life was also sad, as she never knew what it was like to be loved. Gendo cared for her, but never loved her. Shinji for a time felt love, despite the fact he never clearly remembered it. But at least he used to be part of a family. Rei was created, forced into the world. He reflected back upon his life and hers and found many similarities. However they had dealt with them differently. Shinji merely curled into a ball and let everything happen. He simply existed. Rei would just ignore the world and did what she was taught. She was to simply exist until her time came. That was their lives in a nutshell. They each had nothing back then. And up until the accident, they still basically had nothing.

 

Shinji let out a sigh and looked around at the few remains of his belongings that had yet to be packed. He then looked at his packed belongings and frowned. He had never really thought about it before, but he really had nothing. No pictures, no real clothes, heck the music and the player he figured wasn't really his. Most of the things he had were once owned by others, or were given by others. His uniform was from the school, his clothes were from his teacher prior to moving, and even the cello was something his teacher bought for him. A further inspection revealed he had no pictures whatsoever. No pictures of himself, his friends, Misato, no one. He didn't like it. He didn't know why, but he didn't like the fact his personal belongings had very little.

 

When he thought about it and the phrase, “A picture's worth a thousand words,” he realised it was true. A picture could say many things. It could tell one how close the friends were, or whether the image was of a nice occasion, or of something sad, or it would even serve as a reminder of what people in an image had during that time. It really was amazing how a simple photograph could tell so much. It was then he decided that when he had finished moving he could get himself a camera, and capture aspects of his life. The old Shinji would never do this, but then again, he never did anything. It was something he was thankful for. The accident gave him a shot at life, and seeing things from Rei's perspective helped him see that life was indeed worth living, especially after getting killed twice by the man who dared to call himself his father.

 

As he continued to pack with Rei, he thought where the thoughts came from. They weren't his and they weren't hers. So who exactly did they belong to? As he finished packing the last of his belongings he came to a conclusion. The thoughts were theirs. It was born from the bond they shared. Ever since the accident they came to realise many things. Their thoughts about one another, their separate lives, the fact that they depends on one another to function properly, the fact that one can't live without the other, even their feelings were similar. Maybe in some small way they thought the same. He just hoped that they would never reach the point that they would become one mind. Being linked in a neural duel was one thing but to become a single mind was something unto itself. He hoped that it would never come to it. He didn't like who he was, but it didn't mean that he would want to destroy it. He was still he, she was still she, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

 

He sighed again as he looked at Rei who had sat down next to him on the bed, staring at the bare wall deep in thought. He couldn't help but notice how much she changed, how beautiful she was. She was a bit more open, albeit highly confused. She couldn't help it. She had lived her life in solitude, never talking to anyone, never experiencing emotions, never really living. The accident taught her that life was indeed worth living and that one should cherish every moment. Seeing each others live taught them that life was something special. Rei also learned a vast array of different emotions and emotional responses from Shinji, but had yet to fully integrate them into herself. Shinji had learned ways to control his emotions, but yet to learn how to fully suppress them when he needed to.

 

Then there was her beauty he began to admire. Her milky white skin was something special. He remembered how the skin on her face glowed, especially in the light of the moonlight. It highlighted many of her features, such as her cheeks, her nose, even the outlining of her eyebrows. Then there was her hair, blue as the sky, and light as the wind. He remembered that on the day prior to the attack of the 5th Angel how her hair floated lightly around her face as the doors opened as well as when they went down the escalator. Her eyes completed the picture; blazing blood red eyes that could pierce through flesh and bone and delve deep into the soul. That was the Rei Ayanami he saw sitting next to him. That was the Rei Ayanami that his heart longed for, ever more so since the accident.

 

“Rei,” said Shinji.

 

“Hai, Shinji-kun?” she calmly replied, turning to look at him.

 

“What do you think about this … `bond'?”

 

“I am unsure as to the question you are asking.”

 

“I mean … well, I'm asking for your thoughts really. I mean for me, I find this a bit creepy. The fact that we can sense each other's thoughts, we need each other to live and work normally, I just find it scary.”

 

“I see.” Rei stared at the floor thoughtfully as she tried to come up with a suitable response.

 

“I am unsure. The fact that we require one another in many respects has impeded my function, and also our function as pilots. I suppose the term is uneasy, and possibly confused, as I now question my future and how we shall serve our function as pilots of the Evangelions.”

 

“I suppose,” Shinji breathed. “People already look up to us considering you and I, along with Asuka are the only ones who can really fight off the Angels. No one else can at the moment. And that thought scares me, especially if you and I can't do anything.”

 

“Why does it scare you?”

 

Shinji took a moment to think upon it, as he was somewhat unsure. He had first fought because Rei was injured. And then he fought to gain his father's approval. But what happened only a couple days ago, changed all that. So he found it a bit difficult to find an answer. But as he thought about it, images of his friends, Misato, Asuka, the `bridge bunnies', Ritsuko, and Rei appeared in his head.

 

He smiled confidently as he said, “I don't want to lose the people I care about.”

 

“The people you care about,” Rei quietly repeated.

 

“Hai,” he said as he nodded his head. “I do it to protect Misato, Touji, Kensuke, the school, NERV, Asuka, and you.” Rei blushed when he mentioned her. She knew that he cared for her, but to hear it from him was completely different. Knowing it was one thing, but to hear it from him was something different. It was warm and comforting. Something Rei had never felt around Gendo. It was something she could possibly enjoy.

 

“Thank you, Shinji-kun.”

 

“Rei-san, There is something we have to talk about.”

 

“Yes, our current situation concerning Commander Ikari.”

 

“Don't use that name,” Shinji spat out venomously. “He is not my father, hasn't been for 10 years.”

 

“I apologise,” said Rei. “I shall refer to him as Commander Rokubungi then.”

 

“No,” he replied a bit calmer. “That belonged to my father. Gendo Ikari and Gendo Rokubungi are dead. He's just the Commander to me.”

 

“Very well, however how shall we proceed?”

 

“Well … at this point I want to kill him,” he hissed as his clenched and unclenched his fists. “He willingly killed me. He tried to kill me once and did it for real once. If that doesn't say my father's gone I don't know what will.”

 

“However, the Commander is the one capable of our battle against the Angels,” Rei stated in a reasonable manner. “He is the only one who can at this time lead NERV. Sub Commander Fuyutsuki although capable is `inadequate' in certain respects as the Commander of NERV. Reason being that he lacks the unfortunate ruthlessness and manipulative skills required for the position.”

 

“All the better for killing him,” Shinji snapped back.

 

“However,” Rei began calmly, “only the Commander can possibly let our bond go by undiscovered. Only he could possibly relieve us of SEELE's scrutiny. Do you understand?”

 

Shinji sighed dejectedly, “Hai. I understand.”

 

“I understand your desire to eliminate him. However you must see that our causes will become lost causes if we were to act now. Patience is important. Until we are sure the Commander is no longer an important figure, we must withhold our desires to eliminate him.”

 

“I suppose your right,” he sadly replied.

 

“However,” she began, perking him up as he listened, “that does not be we can approach the matter by other means.”

 

“Go on.”

 

“Despite the fact we are unable to remove him from power, we are aware of his unstoppable desire to go down the path of Instrumentality, as you are fully aware from my memories. Therefore, we shall take advantage of the situation.”

 

“How?”

 

“We make things difficult.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“The Commander has a set scenario. While I am not aware of all the details of the scenario, I am aware of many things. As you know, I am aware of the details of my creation, and the Dummy System. And I am aware he has a schedule set for everything. Although I am unaware of the specifics, if we can disrupt his scenario, it may be possible to as the phrase goes, `rattle him up'.” Shinji smirked. He liked where this was going, and he was going to look forward to every minute of it. His new found self would avenge the old Shinji, and ensure the Commander suffered.

 

“I suppose that makes up for not killing him,” said Shinji. “However, what exactly can we do to disrupt his scenario?”

 

“As of now, we do nothing. The opportunity shall present itself when the time is right,” Rei philosophically stated. Shinji couldn't help but smile. There was something about her deadpanning nature that always brought a smile to his lips.

 

“Shinji-kun, there is something I too wish to discuss.” Shinji raised an eyebrow curious of what she could be thinking about. Despite the bond, he was unable to read her mind.

 

“It concerns us. Now that we are aware of each other's feelings, what is the appropriate course of action?” Shinji blushed. He had not expected that, despite the fact he thought about it.

 

“Well … uh … I suppose that uh … we could explore on the possibility of uh … well … uh …”

 

“The possibility of a relationship?” Rei said completing Shinji's sentence. Shinji weakly nodded.

 

Rei in turn smiled as she said, “I would like that. However, should we not have any limits to our relationship?”

 

“Well,” he paused for a moment as he thought about it, “we definitely cannot have sex due to our age. Everyone would probably be uncomfortable with that.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

“I suppose that's the only real limit. I mean after all we are basically linked. We know one another inside out.”

 

“What is your point exactly?”

 

“My point?” Rei nodded as she waited for his answer. He turned his head towards the floor, while his eyes darted back and forth between the floor and Rei as he tried to come up with an answer. Finding the lack of words to answer he question, he did the only thing that came to mind. He gently leaned in and kissed her. Rei already sensing the possibility of a kiss returned it. It was brief, but it lit up like a blazing fire in that instant.

 

In that instant, many things were felt. Both of them felt the other's body heat rise, as their hearts started to beat faster. It was beautiful. They could vividly feel the emotions they had for one another. They broke the kiss and looked at one another. Rei's face was considerably flushed along with Shinji but to a lesser degree. Despite the briefness of the kiss, both of them were panting for breath. They felt their hearts constricting their chests as it took up more and more room. They were in a minor haze, yet still aware of their bodies. Both smiled as they simply stared into one another's eyes.

 

As they stared, Shinji could see Rei's desire to protect him. He had seen it many times before, but this time it was different; before it was out of duty. Now she wanted to protect him because she wanted to. She wanted to ensure that he would live. Rei saw Shinji's new found fire in his eyes. He wanted to protect her, because he cared for her. Possibly love her. She hoped that she too could have those feelings and protect him for the same reasons. But for now, she would protect him out of friendship.

 

Shinji could help but smile as he slowly wrapped his arms around Rei's waist and pulled and pulled her in close. She complied as she rested her head in the crook of Shinji's neck. Her left arm wrapped around his waist as her right absentmindedly started to trace abstract images on the cast on his left arm. For once in their lives, they were content, just happy to be in the arms of one another.

 

`Shinji-kun is warm. It is enjoyable. I wish to experience more of this.'

 

`Rei-san … no, Rei-chan is one of a kind. She's so warm, even though she's so pale. Don't worry, I'll protect you somehow. I won't let the Commander use you anymore. The Dummy System can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.'

 

So comfortable in each other's arms they were unaware of an onlooker. Asuka who had all but given up on trying to sleeping decided to see what the two were doing. She had opened the door a crack when she heard them talking. She had approached the room when they started to talk about their relationship. As she watched, she felt uncomfortable was compelled to watch. There was something about the scene before her that drew her to it. She was about to leave when she had witnessed them kissing. She suddenly felt some sort of pang inside herself. She couldn't place her finger on it, but something was stirred inside her. She was unsure, but it hurt. She couldn't tell what she was feeling. She just prayed it wasn't jealously. The last thing she needed was some sort of emotional attachment to anyone. She continued to watch as they held each other. She couldn't help but smile. Of all the people, the idiot and doll was a match made in heaven. She knew it wasn't jealousy. As she closed the crack and headed into the kitchen, she started to wonder, if it wasn't jealousy, what exactly was she feeling?

 

She had entered the kitchen when a thought hit her. Why not check out their new place? She shrugged, grabbed the key card the two had left on the table, put on her shoes, and looked at the neighbouring room. The entrance hallway was the same, but when she opened the door her face paled. The hallway walls were covering in layers of dust and grime, the corners were infested with cobwebs and spider webs, and there were even patches of wall that had broken off. She looked down and saw that the floor was covered in a thick layer of dust. How the hell was they suppose to live in here, she didn't know. She kept her shoes on and entered the main room. She nearly flipped at the sight. It almost made Misato's room look clean. It was ridiculous, it was disgusting, and it was gross. Asuka turned on the spot and walked back into her home.

 

Upon entering, she cleaned her shoes, walked up towards Shinji's room, took a deep breath and ripped the door open as she said, “Shinji, Rei, get your butts out of there. We've got work to do!” Shinji and Rei looked up from their comfortable spot and looked at Asuka questioningly.

 

“We're going to clean as much of your apartment as we can this weekend,” Asuka huffed. “Now c'mon, we've got plenty of work to do if we want to make it so that you guys can even live in there for a night!”

 

“Asuka,” Shinji called out, “exactly why-”

 

“Are you doing this?”

 

“Don't you hate us?”

 

Asuka was momentarily frozen as they spoke in sync again. She shook her head as she cleared her self from the momentary shock.

 

“Although I don't like you guys, I don't expect my followers to live in a dump like that! Only exception would be your stooge friends. Now c'mon before I change my mind.” Shinji and Rei looked at each other, disappointment written on their faces. But they knew that their room was a mess, and they would need to clean it up soon. She with reluctance they both got off of Shinji's bed, and walked out of his room and towards a broom closest where Asuka was rummaging through it as she pulled out random cleaning supplies. She noticed them and passed them, or rather tossed them a couple buckets full of cleaning supplies and then pulled out a few brooms and a mop before closing the door and headed out. Shinji opened the door again and pulled out a vacuum that Asuka had missed. He wasn't too surprised as he had hidden it behind a bunch of extra buckets and brooms last time. After a rather interesting incident where Misato used it he was never going to trust her with it again.

 

He pulled out the vacuum cleaner from the closest, wrapped the piping around his arm, and then grabbed the handle as he carried it out, with Rei not too far behind. They entered their room to see Asuka was already sweeping the floor when she noticed the two enter with the cleaner. Needless to say, she was not happy.

 

“WE HAD THE VACUUM CLEANER THE WHOLE TIME?!” she shrieked which was only met by a nervous nod. She threw her arms in the air as she started to curse in German, grabbed a bucket, a mop, and stormed inside as she started turning on lights. Shinji and Rei watched her until she disappeared inside, before looking at one another. They smiled slightly and briefly kissed each other before Rei went inside, mindful of the amount of distance she could put between herself and Shinji.

 

Shinji then set about doing what he did best, clean a place up. He quickly found an outlet on the other side of the wall, plugged it and started vacuuming, starting with the main hallway. Rei on the other hand went about sweeping the main room clean to at the very least ensure that their temporary sleeping area would be clean. Asuka meanwhile just returned from moving Rei's things to Misato's apartment, went about preparing a mix of plaster. She had noticed that there were plenty of holes in the wall, and she had a funny feeling that they served as access points for the rats.

 

They had spent most of the afternoon cleaning the apartment, and by the time they had finished, the floor of the hallway, and most of the main room was of a deep oak, rather than the depressing grey that it was before. The walls still looked like shit, but that could be dealt with tomorrow. Looking about, there were still signs that rats could still be running rampant about the place. They or rather Asuka had called in for an exterminator who could come in the following afternoon to get rid of any rats and other pests that might've made their apartment their home.

 

“Well at least we made this place somewhat presentable,” said Asuka, as she proudly looked at the work she'd done. Shinji and Rei merely smiled. They had done quite a lot of work, and accomplished cleaning most of the floor, and sealed up ever single rat hole they could find in every room, and replaced any bulbs that were broken or burnt out. All in all it was a good afternoon. They left the apartment, taking out all of their cleaning supplies, and left the door ajar in hopes that rats would do the smart thing and leave.

 

As they were about to walk in, a familiar voice called out, “What are you guys doing out here? And why are you dirty?” They turned around to see Misato give them a rather curious look. The pilots looked at one another to suddenly realise how hard they had worked. They were covered from head to toe in various sized patches of dust, their fingernails filled with dirt and grime, and their shoes were utter messes. Shinji and Asuka started to snicker as they looked at one another. Misato giving them a hard look started to laugh as well. Not only were they seemingly cooperative at the moment, they looked absolutely silly, being covered in a layer of dust and grime. Even Rei joined in the laughing; however it was a small giggle that no one heard.

 

They spent a few minutes outside of Misato's apartment laughing before their stomachs growled. Misato, who somehow had the foresight that something might happen, had bought dinner. She entered the apartment to find it spotless so to speak. There was the usual mess of her beer cans and a few articles of clothing, but that was it. No sign of a fight, no mess, nothing broken, nothing! It was a miracle. Misato smiled widely as she put the bag of takeout down on the table and grabbed a can of beer. Shinji went about fixing up Pen-Pen's dinner while Rei grabbed plates. Soon enough everyone had settled down and ate dinner in relative silence, but it was a more comfortable setting. Even Shinji was more comfortable eating with Asuka than usual.

 

After everyone had eaten they washed up for the night, and Misato had agreed to let Shinji and Rei stay for a couple nights while they cleaned their room. However for terms of appearance Misato had made it sound more like an order. The two had agreed, and after a much needed shower, separately after a lengthily discussion with Misato, they were in Shinji's old room and prepared to go to sleep. Also to the insistence of Misato, Rei had put on one of Shinji's dress shirts to cover herself. As they prepared to go to bed, Shinji noticed Rei's uneasiness.

 

“Rei-chan, is something wrong?”

 

“I am … somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of the fact that we must share this bed.” That surprised Shinji. He figured that since they were bonded that she at least wouldn't mind the idea of sharing a bed. Perhaps there were some major individual aspects of her that still remained. For that he was glad. Glad that they still had most of their individuality intact.

 

“It is rather small.” Shinji faltered as he fell, face first onto the floor anime style. He had not expected that was the reason behind her uneasiness. Of all things, it was the size of the bed! How weird can you get? He groaned as he got up and chuckled slightly under her curious gaze.

 

“Shinji-kun is something wrong?”

 

“No, no problem,” Shinji nervously replied as he got up. “I just didn't expect that was the reason that's all.” Rei simply nodded in understanding, and then approached the bed as she snuggled as close as she could to the wall. Shinji could see the problem. It was a single, and was sure they'd probably fall off during the night. He paused for a moment, and then turned around and opened the closest across the bed. Sure enough, he found what he was looking for, and pulled out a twin sized futon. He laid down the folded futon and then rearranged his boxes at the foot of his bed, and then laid out the futon. Once sure that it was ready, he pulled out a few more things as Rei got out of the bed, got into the futon and laid down. Shinji soon returned as he kneeled down as he laid down a pillow and covered the futon with a thin blanket.

 

Happy with his handiwork, he got in himself, wrapped his arms around Rei and laid his head down and stared at her. Shinji couldn't help but notice how adorable she looked under the glow of the moonlight which shone through brightly through the window above his bed. It was like staring at an angel. Somewhat ironic as Rei was half angel, but he could care less. He was just happy to have her in his arms. It was something he could very easily get used to.

 

“Oyasumi Rei-chan.”

 

“Oyasumi Shinji-kun.”

 

They snuggled up against one another as they soon let the sound of their breathing lull them to a quiet and restful sleep.

 

Well I hope that you folks enjoyed this chapter. I hope that you people who've been wanting a mushy scene have been satisfied. There will be more of these as the story progresses. Next chapter, let's see how the two stooges and the rest of the class of 2-A handle Shinji and Rei's new found bond. Hang on to your stomachs, because it's going to be amusing!