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Author: Zentrodie - R - English - Romance - Reviews: 181. Forever United2. Urusai Asuka Chp 13. Urusai Asuka Ch 24. Urusai Asuka Ch 35. Urusai Asuka Ch 46. Misato's Christmass party7. Side Story H.I.8. I used to love her

MY disclaimer!!!

I don't know where your reading this, hopefully on darkscribes but its not a ds original, hope ya like

And as this fic contains lemony scenes NO CHILLINS under 18 GO away or show me your fake I.D. i'm one card short of a full deck, no da! unraveling fast.....its true :( and that card is the ownership card to anything so.... I don't own anything wow, i feel kinda bad for neglecting you ppl, but holidays do take alot of time away from us don't they? well enough of my rambling lets get started with

PART ONE of the QUARANTEEN SAGA!!!

Rei-Asuka-Hikari

------

{recap from last eps, Shinji, Maya, Shigeru, and Makoto have been put into quarantine for eating a sample of an angel}

-next day-

Asuka: I can't believe this, ruining all our plans...what was that baka thinking cooking with angels.

Rei: I am glad I do not eat meat.

Asuka: Times like this make me consider it as well.

Hikari: I can't give Shinji-kun my gift to him now... Asuka: You got him a gift, thought you wanted to make up with that other stooge?

Hikari: Not anymore, let the perverted jock lust after the Misato until he's 50.

Rei: Major Katsuragi will be elderly by then.

Asuka: Why do you even bother to try to comprehend what we're talking about?

Hikari: Speaking of the other stooges, where are they, did they leave?

Rei: While the movie was playing they were rendered unconscious.

Hikari: And then?

Asuka: I hog tied them and stuffed 'um in a closet.

Hikari: Is that safe?

Asuka: Do I care?

Rei/Hikari: No.

Asuka: Than why ask.

Rei: Miss Horaki, your gift, what is it.

Hikari: Um..well..you see...I can't...

Asuka: Spill it.

Hikari: Is there anyway to escape telling you?

Rei: Cut off your tongue or stitch your lips shut.

Asuka: Technically she's right, but we'd make you right it down then.

Hikari: I bought him a movie.

Rei/Asuka glare at her: What type of movie?

Hikari blushes: PLEASE don't make me tell?

Rei: You don't have to tell us 'rips tape from her hand' we will watch it

Asuka: And then decide if you can give it to him.

Hikari: Ok...

Rei: You realize we are not satisfied with the current situation.

Hikari: Neither am I, but what can we do?

Asuka/Rei: Kill each other is the only alternative to the arrangement.

Hikari: But then he'd hate the survivor.

Rei: Not if it looks like an accident 'puts tape in' but we need pilots. Asuka: So you'll be the first Hikari-chan.

Hikari: I doubt that 'sits, oh Kami-sama they'll kill me'

Asuka: 'wonder if the stooges are still alive?'

(Begin MST, My snazzy >>> will lead you to the promise jokes)

I USED TO LOVE HER

>>>Asuka: Gee I wonder what this is about.

>>>Rei: You are already in negative numbers Ms.Horaki.

Writte by Alain Gravel Assisted by The Mysterious Collaborators Who are The Mysterious Collaborators? Sore wa himitsu desu ^_^

>>>Asuka/Rei/Hikari: That’s cruel.

>>>Asuka: How much would it cost for Kensuke to hack and find out for us?

>>>Hikari: Why?

>>>Rei: We will have to have them eliminated. http://www.geocities.com/rakna01/

Based on characters created by and copyright GAINAX Started on November 26th 2000 First pre-reader draft finished on April 25th 2001 Second pre-reader draft finished on May 12th 2001 Final draft finished on May 29th 2001 >>>Mst started on 1-5-02

STANDARD WARNING: This story is a LEMON, or rather a story with lemon scenes.

>>>Hikari: He..he...he...

>>>Asuka: You wanted to give him a lemon?

>>>Rei: If it features me, I have no objections but others and I reject.

>>>Asuka: Well that makes 3 of us...4 if you count that damn spy Mana.

In other words, this story contains scenes involving anime characters performing various sexual acts. If sex bothers you, or you are underage, please close this file now! If you don't, then it's your responsibility.

>>>Rei: I doubt any child would follow said rule, children are known >>> for breaking rules.

>>>Asuka: Technically WE can't watch this you know.

>>>Rei: Than leave, I have no problem with it. >>>Hikari: Neither do I.

Besides, an edited copy should be available (soon) anyway.

>>>Rei: You can wait for the edited copy 2nd.

>>>Asuka: Hell no.

======

Horaki Hikari, age twenty-one, stood on the other side of the street, watching the workers she had hired make the final touch to the building standing in front of her.

>>>Asuka: You bought him a porno movie that features him and you....

>>>Rei: I am surprised the 2nd or I did not think of that first.

>>>Hikari: IT’S A REALLY GOOD STORY FIRST!!

>>>Asuka: Of course you'll say that.

While Hichibara Street wasn't as busy as a street located in mid-town Tokyo-2, the numerous private little business located on it still made it relatively crowded, with cars blocking her view every minute or so and countless people walking behind her, each with their own purpose in mind.

>>>Rei: Revenge for betrayal.

>>>Asuka: Hurting a backstabbing friend.

>>>Hikari: OH you're just jealous.

>>>Asuka/Rei: That you thought of it first.

It was all lost to Hikari, however, as her attention was focused on a single object. She squealed in joy, momentary startling a few pedestrians, as the men walked down their ladders and the white and red sign remained fixed over the building's entrance. Proudly, the red kanji characters and English letters

>>>Rei: Why must we cater to the Americans?

>>>Asuka: They're just too simple to understand Kanji.

>>>Hikari: Can you read the sign?

>>>Asuka: um..... announced the birth of a new business in the Juuban district: Hikari's Cafe.

>>>Rei: You have no originality.

>>>Asuka: Coming from you that is the mother of all insults? >>>Rei: It is Lilith?

>>>Hikari/Asuka: Huh?

"Mother... I hope you're proud of me. Our dream has become a reality."

As she crossed the street and walked toward the building housing her restaurant - no, *her* building - Hikari felt overwhelmed by contradictory feelings, mainly excitement and fear.

>>>Asuka: You should feel fear right now.

>>>Hikari: I do...boy do I ever.

Finally, all her efforts, those three years in cooking school and that year in a special college in France, would pay off. Her childhood dream, a dream she had shared with her mother before illness had taken her away, would no longer be a dream.

>>>Rei: And would be stolen by a countrywide depression due to Eva costs.

>>>Hikari: Oh...how could I forget that.

She would be a cook; no a chef, as Pierre, her French teacher had often insisted, in her own restaurant. All those people working daily on Hichibara Street would come eat her food,

>>>Asuka: Then get sick and sue.

>>>Rei: You think too highly of your cooking skills.

>>>hikari: Hey, lay off, ok, I know your pissed that Shinji likes me to but >>> I can't help that.

>>>Rei: You lie, you can simply refuse to respond.

>>>Asuka: Why does that baka have to be so damned nice.

>>>Hikari: I can do what I want so there! then they would bring their family for dinner, and if she worked hard enough, perhaps she would even get clients to come from other Tokyo-2 districts! The little bar and four Karaoke rooms in the basement would also assuredly provide her with a handful of regular customers.

>>>Hikari: Karaoke...our scariest contribution to the world.

>>>Asuka: Why do you Japanese have to butcher perfectly good songs?

It was scary, really scary. No doubt it would be hard managing this business while having to do the cooking herself. No doubt she would have to work harder than she ever had in her life. But it didn't matter. As much as it scared her, she looked forward to it.

>>>Asuka: Look I see a debt collector already!

>>>Rei: Prepare the out of business sign. - - -

The best way for Hikari to describe the following sixth months would probably be "as a blur."

>>>Asuka: Misato likes to call that post yebisu depression.

It had been indeed a lot of work, even more than she had expected. But Horaki Hikari had never been afraid of work and she gave it her best... and was rewarded.

>>>Rei: I can see why you enjoyed this movie.

>>>Hikari: I finally get a break!

>>>Rei: I can give you a break.

>>>Asuka: Um..Ayanami..don't hurt my friend..it's my job.

>>>(in closet)

>>>Touji: Their watching a movie?

>>>Kensuke: Why don't we ask them to untie us?

>>>Touji: No..somethings off, let’s watch.

>>>Kensuke: I don't want to watch, my face is in the crack of your butt!

As it was, Hikari's Cafe was booming, to the point where people had to take reservations if they wanted to be sure to have a table on weekends and where Hikari was starting to seriously consider hiring a cook to second her.

>>>Asuka: Slacker.

She could still handle the workload, but her days lately left her more and more drained, not to mention that she hadn't done much in the last weeks aside from cooking.

>>>Rei: I wonder how Shinji-kun will factor into this.

>>>Hikari: It’s really a neat thing.

>>>Asuka: Sure I bet it is.

Even if it was her life, she still started to crave some time off to finally go out and see what was out there in Tokyo-2.

>>>Rei: Relief centers for the injured.

>>>Asuka: Don't forget intensive care wards from that Jet-alone thing.

She hadn't really visited the city since her return from France and it had only been to find a suitable place to set her home and business. She had lost touch with the place ever since she had started her college studies in Osaka, over three years ago.

>>>Rei: Why did you not open your cafe' there?

>>>Asuka: Then she couldn't steal Shinji from me.

>>>Hikari: Have to go where the clientele is.

It didn't really feel right to know almost nothing of what her new home looked like now. And while it kept busy, work didn't fill the gaps of a solitary life.

>>>Hikari/Rei/Asuka: That’s true.

Loneliness. That was what was affecting Hikari the most. She had never been on her own before and it was getting to her. In high school, she had been living with her father and sisters.

>>>Hikari: More like tending to them...can't believe they need so much attention.

>>>Asuka: Maybe you should go check in with them?

>>>Hikari: I'm staying here until we hear from Shinji-kun.

And even if her older sibling eventually left for college two years before her, she still had her little sister Nozomi and her father. In Osaka, she had lived on campus with a roommate called Akari with whom she had quickly made friends with. The same had occurred in France, with a Russian girl named Tanya.

>>>Rei: That is not a Russian name.

>>>Hikari: Asuka isn't a German name.

>>>Asuka: I'm part Japanese.....unfortunately.

Hikari giggled as she remembered their first awkward attempts to communicate in French, before both girls realized that they were more fluent in English. Those had been good days.

>>>Asuka/Rei/Hikari: Damn English.

>>>Asuka: Every word means everything and nothing.

But now she was on her own. Living alone on the second floor of the building she had bought, using an inheritance left by her mother, to house her business.

>>>Rei: You robbed your family of their inheritance for a cafe.

>>>Asuka: How low will you sink?

>>>Hikari: But she really did leave it to me!!

>>>(closet) Touji: Their really giving Hikari a hard time. >>>Kensuke: Don't you think you waited to long to care about her?

>>>Touji: Tons of other fish in the sea, I'm wondering why they are thou.

>>>Kensuke: Maybe Hikari tried to seduce Shinji or something.

>>>Touji: Yeah sure.

>>>Kensuke: How did you fracture your arm again?

>>>Touji: Hikari's sister did it to me for...laughing when she kneed Shin-man in the crotch.

She managed the living part easily, after all she had taken on herself most of her family house caring tasks after her mother's death. The alone part, however, was not as simple.

She had friends... of sort. She was especially close to Keiko, one of her waitress. Two years younger than her, she was a student in management,

>>>Asuka: Maybe she should learn to manage a tray better.

>>>Rei: She continues to drop them. who was looking forward to enter Tokyo University the next year. She was a very bright girl, who could manage the best grades even while having a part time job and indulging herself in the occasional party.

>>>Asuka: Then she'll get drunk then pregnant.

>>>Hikari: Known to happen, I'd fire her of course but, hey, nobodies perfect.

Unfortunately, either some duties to take care of or simply fatigue had forced Hikari to decline so far all of Keiko's offer to go out and "have fun". Which saddened Hikari as she really liked Keiko and really wanted to spend more time with her.

>>>Rei: Is it possible that this will not feature any of us at all?

>>>Asuka: You...don't...swing 'that' way do you?

>>>hikari: No.

>>>Asuka looking very relieve: Whew...not that theirs anything wrong with that.

"Yo! Hi-chan! A Salmon Special Okonomiyaki and a Garlic Shrimps & Snails Deluxe Plate for table thirteen!"

"On its way, Kei-chan!"

"Oh, and I think that someone wants to talk to you..."

>>>Rei: Kami-sama for deceitful ways.

>>>Asuka: Me! what type of friend are you not getting me a job. Hikari groaned, leaving her pots and pans for a few seconds to poke her head through the opening between the kitchen and the tables room, the opening by which the waitress made their orders and picked up the meals to be delivered. As she had suspected, a five foot Chinese girl was standing there, heavily blushing.

>>>Rei: So tall!

>>>Hikari: 5 feet, that’s odd for a Chinese girl right?

>>>Asuka: You're all shrimps to me!

"Yes Sze-Mi?" asked Hikari frowning slightly.

>>>Rei: Where is Capt. hook?

>>>Hikari: She didn't Shmee.

>>>Asuka: You read "peter pan"?

"Ta... table two will take an order of pork and eel ramen with rice, a small western style pizza with fries, and a serving of tempura noodles, Ho... Horaki- san."

>>>Hikari: Better call the hospital, their stomachs will rupture from all that food.

>>>Asuka: Or its preparation.

"That'll be ready in ten minutes. Take care of their drinks, then you can take table one and three's order. Just... just leave notes here, and I'll pick them up in a few minutes."

>>>Asuka: Hikari Horaki- Cafe Nazi.

>>>Rei: You like to issue orders.

>>>Hikari: I'm not class rep for nothing.

"Yes, Horaki-san," replied the girl, blushing further under Hikari's gaze before running away to prepare drinks.

"Yes, Horaki-san," repeated Keiko in a rather bad imitation of Sze-Mi voice. "Why are you blushing like that, Mi-chan? Is it because of 'Horaki-san'?"

"Ah, ni hen tao yen!" (1) replied the small girl before running toward one of her tables, blushing all the way. Keiko just stared and blinked.

"What did she say?"

>>>Rei: Who cares what the Chinese say.

>>>Hikari: China?

>>>Asuka: Why do you Japanese hate China? >>>Rei: It was instilled into us by parental figures.

Hikari shrugged and sighed as she returned to her kitchen, made the final touch to the meals already cooking and prepared the new orders. She had had mixed feelings about the girl. Sze-Mi had been working for her for one week and it had been enough to determine that the girl was a hard worker.

>>>Asuka: But having a girl have a crush on you would creep any straight girl out.

>>>Hikari: I'm glad the others stooges won't see this.

>>>(closet) Kensuke: Carpet...

>>>Touji has to bite his tongue to keep from laughing.

She also had a cheery demeanor which, added to her frail china doll look, had actually won her a part of Hikari's nightly clientele.

>>>Asuka: Not another doll!

>>>Hikari: Great, my cafe is a haven for perverts.

From what she had observed, as well as what Keiko had told her, Sze-Mi had no trouble handling her clients. In fact, Keiko even mentioned how "wild" the little girl had been when the two of them had gone out one night.

>>>Rei: Does that mean?

>>>Asuka/Hikari: I don't want to think about it.

For some reason, however, each time the Chinese girl found herself facing her, she appeared to freeze, blush as if her cheeks were on fire and act like a shy schoolgirl talking about her first crush.

>>>Hikari: I didn't look like that with...

>>>Asuka: With Jock itch, you bet you did.

>>>Rei: I found it comical.

Hikari couldn't really understand why. As far as she knew, she wasn't much of an intimidating employer.

It was really weird, not to mention that it was at times annoying. Fortunately, Keiko had came up with the suggestion of simple written table orders, although from time to time, Sze-Mi seemed to want to give her the orders herself. Still, Hikari liked the girl and she had never fired an employee yet,

>>>Asuka: Gee, and you have had 2 whole employees too.

>>>Rei: Your shop was open for 6 months was it? >>>Hikari: Yeah, what of it! so she was ready to overlook that little problem for now. Besides, it wasn't that much of a problem overall as productivity didn't suffer, Sze-Mi compensating quite easily with her hard work.

For a while, Hikari went through the motions of cooking, loosing herself in a sort of art she had spent years attempting to master. Eventually, the dinner rush was over and soon, Hikari emerged from her daze as she realized that the orders were no longer coming anymore.

>>>Hikari: I overcooked again.

>>>Asuka: I'd call it shrink..but after eating it you'll be so FAT!

A glance as a clock on one of her stoves confirmed that is was nearly 9 PM. This was confirmed by the arrival of Kasumi, a part time employee who currently took care of the kitchen until midnight and then would assist at the bar until closure time. There was not a lot of customers at night, and Hikari had limited the menu available at this hour, so she didn't have to handle things herself.

>>>Hikari: See I have three employees.

>>>Asuka: Sorry MY mistake a whole three.

Removing her cooking apron, Hikari walked out of the kitchen to check on the girls. As she had suspected, all tables were now customer-free and being cleaned by Keiko and Sze-Mi while only two customers were left in the more private boots.

>>>Rei: Why do you have booths set up for such activities?

>>>Hikari: Um...I have no idea.

>>>Asuka: Set up in the red-light district?

Glancing at the other side of the room, she could see that the bar was full as expected.

Ayame, a thirty-year old woman who reminded Hikari a lot of NERV's Major Katsuragi, part-time waitress and part-time barmaid,

>>>Asuka: That has to be the biggest mistake you made, you'll lose all the >>> bars liquor that way.

>>>Rei: Part waitress/ barmaid, full time drunkard and seductress. smiled at her to indicate that all was fine and lifted a finger to point out that one of the four karaoke rooms was currently in use. Hikari nodded and returned to the kitchen to give Tokiko, her assistant, a hand.

>>>Rei: That is where my spare went.

>>>Hikari: It’s a joke hand. >>>Rei: My mistake.

Even with two dishwashing machines, there was still a lot of cleaning to do before Hikari would deem her kitchen ready for another day. Then, she could leave the rest in Keiko and Ayame's hands, take a long soak in the bath and hop into bed. She looked forward to it.

>>>Asuka: Actually so far this is kinda quaint.

>>>Rei: Such things change quickly.

Things didn't really work that way, however, as Ayame came to her as she exited the kitchen for what she had hoped would be the last time until breakfast.

"Got a problem."

>>>Asuka: Isn't that an understatement?

Knowing that Ayame was a woman of very few words, Hikari didn't ask for details and followed the woman. She didn't really mind, as Ayame had proven herself to be very reliable and competent, not to mention hard working.

>>>Rei: Then how is she like the major?

>>>Hikari: Wears really short clothing...did you hear something?

>>>(closet) Touji: quiet man or they'll know we're awake.

>>>Kensuke: Sorry..but just thinking of what they said...man..hey..I'm free!

She did also complement Keiko well as the younger girl, contrarily to Ayame, always had something to say.

Ayame lead her to a booth where a man was sprawled on a table, with half a dozen empty sake bottles around him.

"Did you try to call a cab for him?" asked Hikari.

"Says he doesn't want to go home."

>>>Rei: That man looks very battered.

>>>Asuka: I can do worse.

>>>Hikari: 'They didn't notice yet.'

Hikari nodded. This wasn't the first bar Ayame had worked in, although it was probably the calmest. She had handled worse cases too. However, Hikari was her employer and most likely the woman wanted her approval.

>>>Asuka: Suck-up.

"Didn't pay for those too," added Ayame pointing at the empty sake bottles. Hikari's right eye twitched. Someone getting too drunk to get out of her place on his two feet she could handle, but someone who wouldn't pay...

"Why?!"

"Got mugged."

>>>Rei: That is Shinji-kun.

>>>Asuka: IT IS SHINJI!! HIKARI!!!

>>>Hikari: I didn't say you were wrong before did I?

Grabbing the man's shoulder, Ayame pulled him in a sitting position, which revealed a swollen eye, numerous bruises and a bleeding lip.

"Holy shit! This guy really isn't nice to look at!"

"Keiko!"

>>>Rei: If you remove the swelling he is.

>>>Asuka: And the blood.

>>>Hikari: Nobody looks good half-dead.

Hikari frowned, considering her options. The best thing was likely to get the man to an hospital. She could handle the loss of six sake bottles and couldn't really be upset at someone who got beaten up like that. Furthermore, there was something about this face that seemed familiar...

"Well, it's true!"

>>>Asuka: This is just too convenient.

>>>Rei: Where are we at?

>>>Asuka: Better have a GOOD explanation of it too.

"Perhaps, but it's not something nice to say about someone who was clearly a victim here, Kei-chan. Guess we'll have to try and get the guy's name then call for an ambulance, uh?" Hikari asked Ayame.

"Was what I had in mind. Guy's name Ikari Shinji by the way."

>>>Rei: If you fall on him now we will fall in on you 'eyes flicker'

Hikari gasped. That was why that face was so familiar! Now, while the bruises made it a bit harder to tell, this did seem like what Shinji would look like if she aged the face in her memories by six years.

"Ikari-kun..."

"You know that guy Hikari?" asked Keiko, a bit worried. Hikari seemed obviously disturbed. >>>Asuka: Disturbed is the word all right, some gift hikari, anything else tied in >>> with it?

>>>Hikari: My Asuka i don't follow.

"Back... back in Tokyo-3..."

"Is that the guy...?"

Hikari shook her head. The girls had shared stories about their love lives... well, rather stories about Keiko's love life as Hikari's was rather empty. She had talked about her first love, back to her days in Tokyo-3, and how it had ended.

"No, that was Touji-kun. Ikari-kun was... a friend."

>>>Hikari: Even saying his name makes me sick, the pervert.

>>>Rei: You were warned of it at first.

>>>Hikari: I know..I know.

Looking at Shinji, she couldn't really tell the girls that this man had used to be one of the three Evangelion pilots that had saved all mankind. While some of NERV's actions and goals had been heavily judged and criticized, mainly their implications in the near Third Impact disaster,

>>>Rei: I bet the commander's head is still on a pig-pole somewhere.

>>>Asuka: I'd put it in a jar.

Evangelion pilots were considered heroes, particularly in Japan. It wouldn't do for people to have their images of those saviors shattered by the sight of a beaten up drunkard.

>>>Hikari: But they don't know the names...odd.

>>>Asuka: Here's your hero's...but don't ask for names.

"Oooooh! A friend!" said Keiko with a grin.

"Cut that out!"

Hikari's mind was racing as she considered her options. Shinji didn't seem hurt too badly, and perhaps it would be best if not too much people heard of what had happened to him.

>>>Rei: You are planning to keep him away from us.

>>>Hikari: It’s a good plan.

>>>Asuka: Won't work, we both tried it but somehow somebody finds out.

"Ayame, I'll take care of him myself. We'll close for tonight. Keiko, go take the names of the people using the Karaoke room and offer them a free night, whenever they want. Then you two clean up and you can go. I'll take care of him."

>>>Rei: I don't like you idea of care.

>>>Hikari: Where is your mind at Ayanami?

>>>Rei: In my skull.

Ayame nodded and returned to the bar, where she announced to her customers that they were closing for the night.

"You're sure that guy won't be a problem?"

"Don't worry, Kei-chan. Ikari-kun is totally harmless," replied Hikari with a smile, remembering with nostalgia some of her days in Tokyo-3 and the way Shinji always melted and seemed ready to run away under her class rep gaze.

>>>Rei: He wants to run from most things.

>>>Hikari: I could use my powers for good...or evil..I wonder.

>>>Asuka: What are you planning to do Hikari?

Everyone had left when Hikari walked out of the kitchen, two mugs in hands, one filled with her favorite blend of Cappuccino and the other with strong black coffee. She knew of course that coffee was no remedy for alchohol intoxication, but if she wanted to know what was going on, Hikari had a feeling that she might need something strong to keep Shinji up long enough for her to decide what exactly she would do with him. It had seemed like a good idea at first to take care of him, but now that she was alone...

>>>Hikari: The mind tends to wander.

>>>Rei: What were your hopes for such a gift as this?

>>>Hikari: Get him into second gear.

>>>Asuka: That would be a first.

Time could change people. And it certainly wouldn't be any different for Shinji.

This *was*, however, Ikari Shinji. A gentle but meek boy who had never been able to make a stand for himself.

>>>Rei: You wish to break his spirit.

>>>Asuka: But it is REALLY close to how he is.

>>>Hikari: You miss him already don't you. >>>Rei/Asuka: Yes.

But that same boy had also beaten more Angels than any other Evangelion pilot and had literally torn apart nine Evangelions in frenzied anger. Hikari had seen footage of that battle on TV. It had been shown as part of a public inquiry about NERV and its involvement in an attempted Third Impact.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun would have known about that but..

>>>Asuka: Aren't those the same things guarding our apartment?

Even after a few years, she still shuddered as she remembered the bloody demise of those Evangelions. At the time, it had given her nightmares for days...

And that hadn't come close to the sight she had seen in the sky, above Tokyo-3, where Shinji's Evangelion, looking like a demon from hell, had torn apart that giant white Angel that looked like Rei...

>>>Rei: I see your plan now, what is the 2nd killed by a meteor or something.

>>>Asuka: AHAHAHAH he tore your head off, he LOVES ME!!

>>>Hikari: Now that’s graphic.

>>>Rei: Remember the name of the movie, USED to love her.

>>>Asuka: Oh...HIKARI!!

>>>Hikari: Oh hush, you know that just as well as I do they're movies like this with you >>> in them.

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Perhaps she should just call a taxi and have Shinji sent to an hotel or something. After all, it wasn't too late.

>>>Asuka: And if he had money that would do something.

Only then, did she realize that Shinji had regained conciousness and was looking in her direction.

Perhaps it was too late after all...

The young man squinted his eyes, or rather his left eye as the right was practically swollen shut, in what Hikari guessed was an effort to focus on her. Then he tried to get up, but he was so unsteady on his feet that he couldn't even take a step toward her, before collapsing to the floor.

>>>Asuka: Baka..he he, what clown.

>>>Rei: No, he is hurt.

>>>Asuka: Than he's simply a baka.

Seeing this, Hikari put her two mugs on the nearest table -- the Cappucino she used was an European import and she had no intention of risking one drop of it -- and went to Shinji's aid.

>>>Asuka: Shinji or coffee!

>>>Hikari: But it’s really expensive.

He was trying to get up on his own, but was rather unsuccessful until Hikari gave him a hand. While taking care of drunk men was more Ayame's job, Hikari still had some experience dealing with this type of problem.

"Will you be okay, Ikari-kun?"

>>>Rei: You needn’t ask that question.

>>>Asuka: Misato pose number 4, the "I'm going to puke" look.

"I feel sick... can you tell me where's the nearest restroom."

In a decision made both to help her old friend and to keep her floors clean, Hikari didn't take any chances and led him.

>>>All: EW! - - -

Hikari was beginning to worry. It had been a bit over ten minutes now since she had left alone a pitiful-looking Shinji in the men's restroom. She was pondering whether she should go and see if he needed any help

>>>Rei: With what?

>>>Hikari: Cleaning up the mess he left on the floor. when she saw him approaching. While still clearly inebriated by his unsteady steps, Shinji looked much better than before. He seemed more awake, didn't look as sick and had apparently cleaned himself up a bit. There were still a good number of bruises on his face, but without the blood it didn't look that bad.

>>>Asuka: Wow, now those are expert hits.

Actually, if she judged by the left side of his face, which wasn't as badly injured than the other side, Shinji had grown to be actually rather good looking. Not surprising, since he had already been cute back in the days of the Angels War.

>>>Hikari: He's a hunk!

>>>Rei: Half of him is.

>>>Asuka: And your dead Ayanami.

She could remember vividly a few whispered conversations bewteen some of her classmates in the PE changing room about how nice his ass looked. >>>Rei: What does that have to do with anything?

>>>Asuka: Something nice to slap.

>>>Hikari: Its like Shinji-kun is a piece of meat.

Hikari blushed heavily as she realized that she was staring at his crotch, wondering if he still had a nice ass and if those clothes hid anything else of interest. She looked up to see a mixture of confusion and guilt on the young man's face.

>>>Asuka: Hikari, I misjudged you.

>>>Rei: So have I, I thought you liked the 2nd for a while.

>>>Hikari: What about Touji?

>>>Rei: An illusion to throw off the unwary.

"Sorry to be a bother..." said Shinji, looking flushed and embarrassed. "I... I... don't handle alchohol well. I try to keep that in mind, but... it tends to slip. Sorry."

>>>Asuka: He's still Chib..'looks at closet' Shinji.

>>>Hikari: He takes the blaim for everything.

Hikari smiled. She had been worrying for nothing after all. He was the same old Shinji, always apologizing for little things. Although, Hikari certainly wished that all her clients were as nice...

>>>Rei: And didn't mind if you stared at their crotch.

>>>Asuka: Or their ass.

>>>Hikari: Um...what are you two looking at?

>>>Rei/Asuka: Nothing.

"It's alright, really. You managed to hold on until you were in the restroom instead of puking all over the floor, which is a feat unfortunately not everyone can manage."

>>>Hikari: And sawdust is hard to clean up.

Shinji stared at her, something apparently troubling him. For a moment, he looked at her face, then her chest, then seemed to scrutinize every inch of her body not hidden behind the table she was seated at. Hikari couldn't help but feel very nervous being stared at like that.

>>>Hikari: He doesn't have x-ray vision or anything?

>>>Rei: What is he doing?

>>>Asuka: Getting sized up for a funeral shroud. >>>(closet)Kensuke: This at least sounds good.

>>>Touji: Shinji and Hikari...damn.

What if she had been mistaken about Shinji? Asuka had often called him a pervert... what if she had actually been right? Besides, sometimes alcohol could change the nicest of man into a wild beast...

>>>Asuka: Or woman 'glares at Rei'

>>>Rei: I never had sake before.

>>>Asuka: And I hope you don't again.

Maybe he was contemplating approaching her so that he could grab her and pin her to the floor, where he would immobilize her with his weight,

>>>Asuka: Shinji...Hikari you could bench-press him.

>>>Rei: And in his current state, he can't even walk forward, let along >>> coordinate an assault. before kissing her with lust filled passion. She would probably feel his hardness press against her pubic area, as he would roughly massage her breasts and then...

>>>Rei: You seem to be thinking rather hardly on that subject.

>>>Asuka: Kinda like you wouldn't mind if it happened.

>>>Hikari: I..um..I'd slap him.

>>>Rei/Asuka: I don't believe that.

"Do I know you?"

"Uh?" Hikari vocalized, her rather diverting thoughts sliced into nothingness by Shinji's question. Again, the girl blushed violently as she realized how badly she had let her thoughts go wild... and how it had actually turned her on. How embarassing...

>>>Rei: So you were hoping he'd assault you.

>>>Hikari: And you don't?

>>>Rei:.....

>>>Asuka: You two are both sick, wanting him to do such a..

>>>Rei: I have recordings of you in your sleep.

>>>Asuka:.....

If there was a pervert in her restaurant, it certainly wasn't Shinji... "Because, you look a bit familiar, but... I... I just can't think straight. Sorry."

To emphasize his words, Shinji blinked and let out a long yawn. Hikari figured that he was struggling a bit not to go back to sleep on her table...

>>>Asuka: And you can't have that now can you.

>>>Hikari: Drool doesn't come off a table easy.

"You don't have to apologize, Ikari-kun. Here, why don't you sit and have a cup of coffee? It should help relieve the bad aftertaste you surely have in your mouth after emptying your stomach and I made it really strong, so it should wake you up a bit."

>>>Hikari: I would not like to know the taste in his mouth.

>>>Asuka: Alcohol plus vomit, tasty mix.

Shinji nodded, and sat down, then politely tasted the coffee. And smiled.

"A bit strong for my taste, but it's good. You... you called me 'Ikari- kun'... so I do know you, right? I'm really sorry that I can't seem to put a name on your face. It's really familiar, but..."

>>>Asuka: I'm going to have to leave and never come back.

>>>Rei: Kill you for knowing too much.

>>>Hikari: take me out to dinner?

"Well, I guess you're not to blame. After all, I'm not as flat chested as I used to be and my hair used to be brown and done in twin ponytails," answered Hikari, grabbing her black hair in both hands and bringing it to each side to create the illusion of her old hairstyle.

>>>Asuka: Black hair...I liked the brown.

>>>Rei: You still look rather flat chested.

>>>Hikari: AYANAMI BE NICE!! we can't all be amazon Goddesses like you two.

>>>Asuka/Rei: I like who I am.

Shinji nearly choked on his coffee.

"Horaki-san!"

The girl laughed at Shinji's outburst.

"If this was a quiz, you'd have won a prize.

>>>Rei: You get prizes for quizzes?

>>>Asuka: I wish, I'd have so many plushies I'd use them for targets. Although, I wouldn't mind offering you another cup of coffee if you don't choke on this one."

"Horaki-san! I..." The initial surprised left Shinji's features to be replaced by a more somber mood. "I didn't expect to see you again... I didn't expect to see again any of the people from... back then..."

>>>Hikari: Oh, to bad you guys, he doesn't want to see you.

>>>Asuka: Get bent cafe-nazi!

>>>Rei: Why did they have to have me die.

"I was pretty surprised to see you too. I mean, after the inquiry, you and Asuka disappeared without a trace."

>>>Asuka: Good!

Shinji cringed at those words.

>>>Asuka: WHAT!

>>>Hikari/Rei: Ah, to bad.

"All... all I wanted was to move on. And... I... I couldn't face Touji."

>>>Hikari: Nor would I want to...what was that?

>>>(closet) Kensuke: Shut up man!

>>>Touji: Sorry..sorry, just took a shot to my pride.

Hikari nodded. She knew that Touji held no grudge against Shinji for what had happened to him, but she was also pretty sure that a reunion between the two would only bring back bad memories on both parties. She could understand Shinji's decision to try and forget the past and move on. It was a shame Touji hadn't been able to do the same.

>>>Hikari: Touji learn something...words don't seem to mesh.

>>>Rei: I would not want Shinji-kun to 'move on'

>>>Asuka: I wouldn't mind, his moving on was with me anyway.

"You... you work here?" asked Shinji, visibly attempting to change subject. Hikari didn't object to that. The mention of Touji's name had brought back memories she didn't really want to dwell on herself.

"Not only do I work here, but I also own this pleasant little establishment! Welcome to Hikari's Cafe, Shinji! Here you can find the best Japanese and European cuisine in all Tokyo-2,

>>>Rei: Is that something to be proud of?

>>>Hikari: Yes. >>>Rei: Why? a cozy little bar and rent a karaoke room for the night! But I think you already tasted what our bar has to offer."

Shinji looked sheepishly at his hands.

"Err... yeah..." He looked up again, still visibly embarrassed. "It really sounds great. I know you loved to cook. It's nice to know that you do something you like."

>>>Hikari: He is so sweet.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Where am I?

Hikari nodded.

"It's hard work, but I'm really happy here. So, what do you do for a living, Shinji, now that there's no need for Evangelions?"

>>>Rei: Eva Muyo?

>>>Asuka: I don't like the sound of that, keep the alien goddess away from >>> Shinji.

"Just a salaryman for Makajima Heavy Industries. I... I'm not really talented at anything, so I don't mind."

Shinji gulped as Hikari gave him "The Look". For a moment, he had the impression that he was back in high school in Tokyo-3.

>>>Rei: You enjoy your power of representative too much.

>>>Hikari: It’s a gift, it really is.

>>>Asuka: Look at him shrink

"Ikari Shinji! Don't think so little of yourself!"

Shinji recoiled in his seat at Hikari's outburst. He suddenly remembered why Hikari had been a well respected class representative.

>>>Asuka: Get ready...3..2..1.

"So... sorry..."

>>>Hikari: We have Ikari-launch!

"No, Ikari-kun, it's okay..." said Hikari, surprised herself by her reaction. "I'm the one who should be sorry. It's just that... it pisses me off when good people undervalue themselves like that, when they think 'Oh, I'm not good enough for that'. It's not true,

>>>Asuka: Sometimes it is.

>>>Rei: Agreed, some people do know their limitations. Ikari-kun. If someone puts all his heart in making something work, then it will work out.

>>>Asuka: So if somebody wants to fly by flapping their arms?

>>>Hikari: Well....

>>>Rei: Your logic is flawed.

You just need to take the chance and give it your all. You can do more than a simple salaryman job if you don't like it, Ikari-kun. I mean, despite being busy saving the world, you still managed to get passing grades back in high school, so you're not dumb."

>>>Rei: Observe Horaki, the 2nd is trying to refrain from a belittling comment.

>>>Hikari: How can you tell?

>>>Rei: Her face is red and she's biting her tongue.

>>>Asuka: HE IS SUCH A BAKA HE ASKS ROCKS FOR HELP!!

"I... I don't know Horaki-san... I... I... maybe I should go..."

Something was bothering Shinji, Hikari could feel it. Something more than simple low esteem. Shinji's opinion of himself had never been high, even back in

Tokyo-3. No, there was some other reason and he was ready to run away to avoid mentioning it.

>>>Asuka: He misses me so much it hurts!

>>>Hikari: He's afraid he'll make a pass at me.

The question was... did she have to do something about it? After all, Shinji was an adult, and therefore he was responsible of himself. She didn't have any obligations over him and he would no doubt want her to mind her own business.

>>>Rei: But you will ask anyway.

>>>Hikari: Of course, I'm concerned.

>>>Rei: If you didn't the movie would end before I found myself ill.

But... he had been a friend. One of the few links she had to her past, and she didn't feel quite ready to see him walk away... at least not like that. But she couldn't really force his hand, could she?

"Are you sure you don't want another cup of coffee?"

"No, I... thanks, but... it's okay. I've got to go..."

>>>Asuka: That’s a good boy, kennel..kennel.

>>>Hikari: Where is that? >>>Rei: The sofa.

As Shinji left his seat, Hikari noticed the way he winced and tried not to show it. Maybe he was hurt a bit worse than she had expected. Her concern only grew as Shinji stumbled and fell to the floor after a few steps.

>>>Rei: Maybe Shinji-kun shouldn't drink again.

>>>Asuka: It was funny last night but..thats just sad.

"Ikari-kun! I don't think you should be walking on your own. Sit down, I'll call a taxi to get you home."

"No!" Shinji shook his head, with a bit too much energy for Hikari's taste. "Horaki-san... it's... it's not necessary..."

>>>Rei: It appears he doesn't want to go home to you.

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

>>>Hikari: 'whistles'

"You won't get there on foot," she said sternly.

"It's alright... I... I won't be going so far anyway. I... I remember there was an hotel not far..."

Hikari frowned.

"And with what money will you rent a room?"

>>>Asuka: The same money you were going to have him use once you kicked him out.

>>>Hikari: Oh...yeah.

Shinji just looked away.

"I'll... I'll manage..."

Hikari sighed.

"You don't want to go home."

>>>Asuka: Gee Holmes you solved another case.

>>>Rei: That was such an obvious statement any comment was pointless.

Shinji just remained quiet.

"You don't have to explain. But you might as well stay the night here. Come on... I have a room upstairs."

"Horaki-san..."

"I won't take no for an answer. Come on..." >>>Asuka: Come into my parlor said the spider to the fly.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun can be to trusting.

>>>Hikari: What do you think I'd do something to him?

>>>Asuka/Rei: You wanted to give him this movie.

>>>hikari: Both of you had the idea too, can I trust you?

>>>Asuka/Rei: Have a point.

Shinji resigned himself and just remained quiet as Hikari helped him get on his feet and carried him upstairs to her apartment.

"Now, hold on... one more step..."

Hikari signed in relied. Apparently, the pain Shinji was trying to hide, added with the alcohol he had ingested and tiredness, had put him in worse shape than she had expected.

>>>Rei: Is that what the major refers to as 'beer belly?'

>>>Asuka: No, its dead weight.

Shinji had nearly collapsed after struggling to walk up half the stairs on his own. So she had been forced to help him with the rest, which hadn't been an easy task, as Shinji could hardly stand on his own and hadn't really helped her much. At least, it was fortunate that Shinji didn't weigh that much, but dragging him upstairs had reinforced how tired she was after a full day of work.

>>>Rei: He received several bruises from the stairs.

>>>Hikari: I can't carry him...could only drag him.

>>>Asuka: Bet I could lift him.

"I really need to find the time to exercise more often," thought Hikari bitterly.

Finally, they reached the top of the stairs and Hikari helped Shinji sit down, before taking her keys out. Despite the fact that the stairs leading to the second floor of the building were only accessible through the kitchen downstairs, Hikari preferred to lock her door, just in case, even if she trusted all of her employees.

>>>Rei: So you don't truly trust your workers.

>>>Hikari: Slackers would sleep in my house if I didn't.

>>>Rei: Or find the tied up men. >>>Asuka: 'smiles' wonder if Shinji knows how to untie a not. - - -

For a moment, Shinji found himself struggling not to fall asleep. His eyes fluttered a moment, his vision blurring, before he finally gave up and kept them closed. He felt so tired, all he wanted was to sleep and forget all that had happened today.

>>>Rei: That is what I would want as well.

>>>Asuka: Forget all about 'this'.

>>>Rei: And YOU can forget about using this as a gift.

But he knew that he couldn't fall asleep here, not with all the efforts Hikari had made to carry him up here. He felt really bad for imposing on her kindness.

Shinji winced as he applied pressure on one of his sides, the pain making his eyes snap open. Just in time to see that Hikari had unlocked a door that presumably led to her apartment.

>>>Hikari: He just doesn't stop giving does he.

>>>Rei: He inflicted pain upon himself to help you...

>>>Asuka: Baka.

Ignoring the pain and tiredness, Shinji tried to get up.

"Ikari-kun, don't..."

Shinji pushed away Hikari's efforts to help him get up. He just couldn't keep selfishly abusing her help like that. Hikari was kind enough to wait for him to get up on his own,

>>>Asuka: Sure she was kind enough...hey here's an idea, why not let him shoot >>> himself so he doesn't have to eat your food?

>>>Rei: No, that would cause a mess, jump from the balcony.

>>>Hikari: And you two claim to like him. before, leading him inside her apartment. But as they walked inside, Hikari froze in her steps.

"No! Don't look!"

Shinji blinked as Hikari pushed him through the doorway and closed the door behind him.

>>>Asuka: And...

>>>Hikari: He fell down the stairs...forgot about the lack of motor skills. Chuckling, he opened the door to see Hikari struggling to pick up clothing laying all over the place. Scanning the apartment, Shinji was surprised by its size. It was twice as big as his own apartment in Tokyo-3. But what Shinji found more surprising was how it seemed reminiscent of Misato's apartment a few days without him to put it in order.

>>>Hikari: Does this place really look like that if he doesn't clean?

>>>Asuka: Worse, we get stray cats and dogs in here eating scraps.

The kitchen table was covered in old empty microwave food packaging.

>>>Rei: Is there not a saying "It’s a poor cook that can't eat their own food"

>>>Asuka: Yup, so don't cook for me anytime...k Hikari.

>>>Hikari grumbles something.

The living room floor was covered in papers. And of course, there was the clothes that Hikari was now holding in her hands.

"I've been busy..." explained Hikari sheepishly when she noticed Shinji staring at her.

Shinji just nodded. Then blushed, as he pointed toward one piece of clothing Hikari had missed.

>>>Asuka: Why, not like he hasn't seen them before.

>>>Hikari: Yeah, somebody has to do the laundry, Kami-sama knows you can't.

>>>Rei: 'mental note-learn to do laundry'

"You forgot... those..."

Hikari gasped as she looked toward the pair of pink satin string thong panties Shinji was indicating.

>>>Asuka: You wear things like that?

>>>Hikari beet red: They were a gift from my sister!

>>>Rei: But you chose to wear them anyway.

>>>Hikari: Um..well...AH!

>>>(closet) Kensuke: You ever see those?

>>>Touji: Never...now just untie me ok.

"Don't look!" shouted Hikari, as she dropped the bundle of clothing she was holding to snatch the panties from the floor and hide them in a pocket. "You... you shouldn't be up... Why... why don't you sit down while I put... that... away?" suggested Hikari as she indicated a large sofa in the living room. Shinji nodded. Hikari would feel less embarrassed that way and he was feeling a bit dizzy again. While heading toward the sofa, Shinji picked up one of the papers on the floor.

>>>Rei: You lack cleaning skills.

>>>Hikari: I've seen what you call clean, at least my walls don't have >>> sludge all over them.

>>>Rei: It is required to maintain structural integrity.

Accounting. It probably explained why Hikari was too busy to even take care of her apartment. Administrating her cafe while also working there surely took a lot of her time. Hikari was someone with a dream and who made every effort to obtain it. Unlike him...

Shinji sat down on the sofa and let out a sigh.

>>>Rei: It appears Shinji-kun's life is rather pathetic in this movie.

>>>Asuka: Hell, it’s only now becoming good for him.

>>>Hikari: I know 'smirks at her couch mates.'

He closed his eyes. The sofa was rather comfortable and sleep was just too tempting.

Shinji woke up at the sensation of a wet towel against his skin. He winced as he felt the fabric against his swollen right eyebrow and opened his left eye to see Hikari at his side, apparently cleaning his wounds.

>>>Hikari: Just need about 100 stitches, a therapist, and 20 years to heal >>> 'all' his wounds.

"Sorry to wake you up, but I thought it would be better to clean this up to make sure it doesn't get infected."

Shinji didn't know what to think. Someone... an old friend... actually cared enough about him to help him.

>>>Asuka: Why do I suddenly get a bad feeling.

>>>Rei: The comment that nobody including you cares for him.

>>>Asuka: I vote we burn this tape after we're done.

"Thank you, Horaki-san."

"It's nothing. And you know, you're lucky. It's not as bad as it looks. It'll heal quickly. Still, by the looks of it, you got severely beaten up."

"It wasn't so bad. They only hit me a few times. Think I didn't make an interesting target for them when I collapsed after the first few punches. >>>Hikari: I wonder how he survived Touji's beating at the beginning of the year.

>>>Rei: Or the repeated harassment from Miss Sorhyu.

>>>Asuka: I'm building his tolerance up.

And I wasn't looking so great to begin with. Guess they took pity on me," added Shinji with a lifeless chuckle.

"Well, those guys are creeps." Shinji winced as Hikari cleaned the last bit of dried blood around his swollen eye. "Sorry."

"It's alright... I've been hurt worse."

"Yeah... after all, Asuka used to hit you often and pretty hard back in Tokyo- 3."

>>>Rei: What do you calls those again?

>>>Asuka: Love taps, if I really hit him he'd be unconscious.

Hikari had expected Shinji to blush. She hadn't expected his reaction to be one of shock and fright. Shinji pulled away from her and seemed about to bolt from the couch, in the same manner a rabbit would try to flee from a fox.

"Ikari... what's wrong?"

>>>Rei: He is frightened of anything concerning the 2nd.

>>>Asuka: At least I'm alive in this, Wondergirl.

>>>Rei: Considering the alternatives, I am glad they killed me off.

"Nothing! I... I..."

Shinji suddenly got up and would have run away, hadn't Hikari grabbed one of his wrists. Shinji let out a yelp that was impossible to miss this time.

"That's enough! I know there's more than your face that's hurt! Show me!"

"Horaki-san..."

>>>Asuka: I bet you hope they kneed him in the crotch.

>>>Hikari: All injuries need attention.

"NOW!"

Cowering under Hikari's gaze and tone of voice, Shinji reluctantly pushed back the sleeves of his shirt to reveal multiple purple and yellow bruises.

>>>Rei: Those are several days old. >>>Asuka: Wow, that looks like good aim.

While she was no doctor, Hikari could clearly tell that most of these dated from a period prior than just a few hours. Hikari began to feel rather uneasy as her brain started to put two and two together.

But... no, it just wasn't possible.

"Take off your shirt..."

>>>Rei: And the purpose of that?

>>>Hikari: Check for more bruises of course.

"Horaki-san..."

"I need to see... please..."

Very slowly, Shinji began to undo the buttons of his shirt. Hikari gasped as he removed it. The could see clearly where Shinji had gotten hit by the muggers.

>>>Asuka/Rei: I'LL KILL THOSE BASTARDS.

>>>Hikari: My word, he looks like one big bruise.

His left side showed a lot of fresh bruises. But there were also numerous older bruises all over his body, mainly on the sides and arms. Hikari also felt very disturbed in seeing distinct and fresh marks on his right shoulder that seemed to be bite marks. It was easy to imagine many reasons to explain the other injuries, but that one...

>>>Rei: You need to find a better way to express yourself.

>>>Asuka: I can't help it though.

>>>(closet) Touji: Did you hear that !

>>>Kensuke: I had my suspicions but...

>>>Touji/Kensuke: That poor bastard.

"Can... can you turn around?"

His back was worse, Hikari noted. There were bruises like on the rest of his body, but also two sets of parallel marks; Hikari guessed that they had been done by nails.

>>>Rei: "mental note-maintain short nails'

>>>Hikari: Asuka, ever think of therapy for your sadism?

Very certainly, these had hurt badly and were very uncomfortable every time Shinji sat on a chair or laid on his back.

"Dear God..." >>>Asuka: Make this end.

>>>Rei: Give me another body.

Shinji winced as Hikari traced those last injuries with her own fingers. They had been made by small hands. Like hers. A woman's hand...

No, it wasn't possible... but...

>>>Hikari: One can only delude themselves so much.

>>>Asuka: I'd never....

>>>Rei: Get caught.

The way he had just reacted to her name before...

"Not... not all those bruises on your faces are the result of you being mugged, aren't they? You... you said that you hadn't been looking so good before you were attacked... that's because someone hit you before they did. She hit you... didn't she?"

>>>Rei: You need to think before speaking.

>>>Hikari: So I don't want to just believe my friend would abuse somebody.

>>>Asuka: HEY!

"It's not her fault Horaki-san... sometimes... she just gets angry..."

Hikari couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Shinji just looked at the floor in shame.

"Liar! You must be lying! Asuka... Asuka would never..."

>>>Rei: You don't like facing reality.

>>>Asuka: maybe because it isn't!

>>>Hikari: Um...in this movie it is.

>>>Asuka: Holy-hell!

"It's not her fault," repeated Shinji, tears streaking down his cheeks. "I'm clumsy, annoying, useless and I don't always mind my own business..."

>>>Rei: You seemed to have completely shattered his spirit.

>>>Asuka: So it’s one of 'those' movies is it.

>>>Rei: Yes, but I tend to be the star of them..how unpleasant.

Hikari could deny Shinij's words, but... not his pain and tears. Dear God... her friend... Asuka... was abusing poor gentle Shinji. Hikari shuddered at the thought.

"Why... why would she do this?"

>>>Hikari: I'll get the book out and take what number.

>>>Asuka: I didn't do all that to him.....

>>>Rei: You don't want to finish that sentence.

"Asuka... She also works at Makajima Heavy Industries. She's the one who actually got me hired there. She... she's very ambitious.

>>>Hikari: That’s an understatement.

>>>Asuka: I go for what I want.

She's been slowly working her way to the top, promotion after promotion. Now, I always suspected how she did it, but... today was the first time I saw it..."

The hurt in those eyes...

>>>Rei: It seems you employ 'dirty' tactics to gain your position.

>>>Asuka: If this is what I think...I'm going to puke.

Hikari knew that Shinji had always been a sensible person, easily hurt. But this... it went beyond anything she had ever imagined. These eyes spoke of deep emotional wounds...

Shinji gasped as Hikari took one of his hands into his. She gave him a reassuring smile, which seemed to put him more at ease.

She didn't really want to hear more, she didn't need to hear more, but she felt Shinji needed it... and she needed to hear it... to believe.

>>>Asuka: And to make me feel like shit too?

>>>Hikari: Asuka-chan..I didn't intend for you to see this.

>>>Rei: That is obvious due to the subject matter.

"Go... go on."

"I had some urgent work to finish, so... I... I missed the tramway ride I always take to go home. Since I'd have to wait another half-hour for the next ride, I... I went to see if Asuka was still in her office... in case she decided to go home early today... so that I could ride with her.

>>>Rei: You would allow him in a car that you own?

>>>Asuka: If he sits in back.

She has her own car you see. So I went to her office... and I saw vice-president Ichihoji... kissing her and fondling her breasts.

>>>Asuka: HENTAI HENTAI! AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH 'body goes limp'

>>>Rei: She fainted, Horaki-kun {remember -kun is for ppl under you} >>> you have poor taste in gifts.

>>>(closet) Touji: Shut the door, sick man, who'd wanna touch the >>> demon.

>>>Kensuke: She is hot..but Kami-sama she's just so evil!

>>>Touji: True...another reason to shut the door, if he say anything... >>> they WILL kill us.

I... I couldn't help it... I got angry... and told her that she shouldn't do such things just to get a raise. So she got angry herself... and told me to mind my own business. Then she beat me. She punched me in the face, then, when I lost my balance and fell to the floor, she kicked me a few times... I... I couldn't really stand so I had to crawl outside her office...

>>>Rei: And nobody heard this in the office?

>>>Hikari: Or that it happens so often that they don't care.

People laughed... I... I ran... then... I don't know, I walked without knowing where I was going... then I got mugged... then... I ended up here..."

>>>Hikari: Talk about one BAD day.

>>>Rei: It is customary for Shinji-kun to also fight an angel on such occasions.

And Shinji went on. It was as if a dam had suddenly burst and now everything was coming out. Hikari listened to each stories, knots in her stomach getting tighter and tighter with each story.

>>>Rei: If your stomach gets tight, will that not cause health problems?

>>>Hikari: You really don't understand sayings well do you.

>>>Rei: Such trivial things never mattered before.

He told her of the injuries Asuka sustained in the last battle of Tokyo-3 and how she blamed Shinji for everything.

>>>Hikari: When in doubt blaim Shinji?

>>>Rei: It is one of her escape measures.

>>>Asuka: uh...Is it over?

>>>Rei: No, it has reached its halfway mark. How Asuka would punish him for every little single thing that didn't work right in the apartment they shared. How she used him as a sex toy, even at times when it was obvious that she just had sex with someone else.

>>>Asuka: And what a great part to wake up to.

>>>Rei: He would be very skilled at this point.

>>>Asuka: But come on! they made me into some sort of monster.

>>>Hikari giggles: Good think the stooges aren't here, we'd have to skin them.

>>>Rei: I heard something 'looks at the closed closet door'

How she threatened to make him lose his job if he ever left her.

In the end, Hikari felt almost overwhelmed by Shinji's pain and was about to cry herself. Something inside her wanted to do something for him, but... she had no idea what.

>>>Asuka: I'm sure you know what you want to do to 'ease' his pain.

>>>Hikari: Now that’s not called for.

>>>Rei: But true.

So she settled for things she could do here and now.

"Ikari... you look exhausted... let me show you to your room..."

Shinji nodded as he followed her. Normally, he would have been impressed by the size of a room for a guestroom, but he was currently too emotionally drained to notice anything. Hikari led him to a bed, and helped him in, going as far as even tucking him comfortably in the covers. She hadn't done anything like that ever since the time her little sister had been a child.

>>>Asuka: If I weren’t so pissed right now I'd say that was kawaii..

>>>Hikari: Um...Ayanami..if she doesn't release that pent up frustration...

>>>Rei: She'll break something.

"Goodnight, Ikari-kun."

Hikari then surprised both herself and Shinji by kissing his forehead. Both of them blushed and Hikari wasted no time to head outside the room. But Shinji's words stopped her.

>>>Rei: Couldn't help yourself?

>>>Hikari: Guilty, he looks so cute like that.

"Horaki-san... thank you... for listening..." Hikari turned around and gave him a slight smile.

"My pleasure, Ikari."

And then she let him get a well-deserved rest.

>>>Asuka: And it better be all night too. - - -

Her daily bath was by far Hikari's favorite moment of the day. Nothing could give her more satisfaction than the smooth feel of soap washing the day's worries as well as the smell of cooking from her skin and hair, and nothing could relax her more than a dip in the furo's warm water.

>>>Asuka: YOU HAVE A FURO!!

>>>Hikari: I've always loved them.

Ever since she had started living in this place she now considered as home, Hikari had been able to enjoy taking a traditional Japanese bath, something she hadn't been able to do in her teenage years. While the apartment her family had used in Tokyo-3 had been big enough for their needs, it had been far from having the accommodations Hikari had been used to in her childhood in Izumo.

>>>Rei: You require a great deal to make you happy.

>>>Hikari: But I really loved my horse!

>>>Rei: You had a horse....

>>>Asuka: That is so unfair! {Check the MST of obsession if you don't understand}

The same had applied to the dorms she had used in her college years, especially in France.

>>>Asuka: How can they stand peeing on the street.

>>>Rei: They lack social skills. and good taste.

>>>Hikari: They really pee on the streets?

>>>Asuka: In little booths on street corners.

So when she bought Hikari's Cafe, Hikari didn't hesitate to have a furo installed in her new home.

Each time she came into this room, Hikari always found herself filled with sweet memories. As far back as she could remember in her childhood she and her mother had always bathed together until the Horaki family moved to Tokyo-3.

>>>Hikari: Mommy!

>>>Asuka: Bathing with another person, what is up with you Japanese. >>>Rei: They realize that nakedness is nothing to be ashamed of.

>>>Asuka: That’s one thing this is another.

It had been a sort of privileged time between them, where they could chat while soaking in the warm water. Hikari had greatly missed those times when they moved to Tokyo-3,

>>>Rei: And her death must have hindered things as well.

>>>Hikari: There is a thing called restraint Ayanami. but now, she would gladly give up using a furo ever again if it could bring her mother back.

Hikari closed her eyes as she dumped cold water over herself, before taking her bathing accessories and going through the usual motions performed day after day.

>>>(closet) Touji: Oh man...

>>>Kensuke: Um..shut the door.

>>>Touji:Hell no!

>>>Kensuke: I have a bad feeling..do it!

>>>Touji: No!

She couldn't really find any peace of mind, however, as she always did. Her mind was focused on Ikari Shinji, and all he had told her. At first, she had been doubtful of him, but now she realized that there was no way someone could fake the amount of pain her old friend seemed to be in.

>>>Rei: And those wounds weren't self-inflicted.

>>>Hikari: Unless Shinji-kun has girl hands that stretch to his back.

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

Had she not known Asuka personally back in Tokyo-3, Hikari might have doubted Shinji's words. The idea of a woman abusing a man seemed... inconceivable. Men were violent, not women.

>>>Asuka: Did you here that?

>>>Hikari: Maybe...but Asuka you are more violent than Shinji-kun.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun is a unique male specimen though.

Some men still considered themselves superior to women, some even almost considering them as slaves. That was particularly true in Japan where the mentalities had been slower to change then in occidental countries. >>>Asuka: See another flaw with you people.

>>>Hikari: Unfortunately, but hell Shinji won't so why bother?

>>>Rei: 'glares at the others' 'that' is the unfortunate part.

Hikari had an aunt who had been forced to leave home because her husband beat her up almost daily and she feared to inform the authorities.

But Hikari had seen Asuka hit Shinji for no reason on too many occasions. She had seen her use every opportunity she had to insult and belittle Shinji. She had seen the level of anger Asuka could reach.

>>>Rei: But only Suzuhara and Aida have felt such levels of anger.

>>>Asuka: Thankfully, nobody of importance is hurt.

>>>Hikari: Now that time I heard it, are you sure those to are unconscious?

Was it really possible that Asuka was an abusive spouse?

>>>Rei: That is similar to inquiring as to the possibility of a sun set.

>>>Hikari: AYANAMI a joke!

>>>Asuka: I know..I'm scared too.

Was she really the kind to keep Shinji around just because he was convenient in bed and around the house?

Sadly, Hikari came to the conclusion that it *was* possible.

>>>Asuka/Rei: HOW WOULD YOU KNOW!!

>>>Hikari: he he he....

But she couldn't understand why. The Shinji she knew was all she could want in a man herself. He was kind and sensitive, to the point where it actually hurt him to hurt others.

>>>Hikari: He's so sweet.

He didn't often stand up for himself, but he had proven time and time again that he was more reliable than anyone she knew of.

>>>Rei: He is very determined to keep us safe 'smiles softly...so only Shinji would know >>> IF he was present)

When motivated, he could be an incredibly hard worker. In a way, he was a lot like Touji, without the rough edge.

>>>Asuka: I'm willing to forget that part, he is a hard worker but >>> Touji?

>>>Hikari: Never, momentary lapse of stupidity.

And he certainly was good looking. He no longer was the small almost bishonen boy from high school, but had grown into an attractive man.

>>>Rei: That isn't important but...very appreciated.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: He's a STUD!

The soft looking face had taken more serious edges, which could probably inspire respect if Shinji wanted to.

>>>Asuka: He doesn't care about respect...how odd.

While still not showing much muscle, Shinji's body had grown taller and he no longer looked scrawny. In fact, those wider and larger shoulders and arms looked rather comfortable and Hikari could very easily picture herself snuggling against his chest, while being held by him.

>>>Hikari in lala land: Oh my...

>>>Asuka: She's having another daydream.

>>>Rei: It is a tempting thought.

And a fugitive look to his crouch had suggested that some other parts of his body had grown as well...

>>>Asuka: Hikari you hentai...'she's right but...'

>>>Rei: I noticed you looking as well.

>>>Hikari snaps from her dream: Ah.

Hikari sighed as she realized that one of her soapy hands was massaging her right breast, her nipple hard and erect, while the index and middle finger of her other hand were teasingly brushing the outside of her vaginal lips.

>>>Asuka pauses the tape: That’s it, what is that noise!

>>>(closet) Kensuke: I told you to shut the door!!

>>>Touji: Oh shit we are so...'door opens full' dead.

>>>Asuka with Rei and Hikari behind her: Well well well, two dead stooges.

>>>I'll spare you the gruesome details about the beating..the tar..and the feathers... >>> needless to say Touji and Kensuke were punished...to extreme...and will not >>> be making another appearance in this mst /\_/\ after though the sit back >>> on the couch.

Part of her wanted to scold herself. It was not proper, not with Shinji so close. What if he woke up and walked in on her while looking for the bathroom or the kitchen for a glass of water?

>>>Rei: Doesn't look like that thought will stop you...what are you doing anyway?

>>>Asuka/Hikari facefault: Oh Kami-sama you didn't ask that.

Hikari found herself even more aroused just at the thought. She groaned. She was so horny lately. This was the eighth day in a row!

>>>Asuka: You need help Hikari.

>>>Hikari: Its natural...I think.

While her stay in college had taught her to loosen up and that it was perfectly normal for girls to masturbate, even on a daily basis,

>>>Rei: So that is what she is doing, why?

>>>Asuka blushing: DON'T ASK US THAT,...ask Shinji when he gets back.

>>>Hikari: Asuka!

>>>Asuka: What, do you want to explain?

>>>Hikari: Um....yeah ask Shinji-kun when he gets back. she still couldn't shake the idea that something was wrong with her. Just two days ago, she had found herself drooling over the new delivery guy and might have actually suggested to him to come back after closing time hadn't Sze-Mi brought her an order of ramen to cook.

>>>Rei: So that is what deprivation looks like.

>>>Asuka: Hikari...I don't know you at all.

>>>Hikari: Do I need to remind you about that 'talk' we had about Shinji-kun?

>>>Asuka: Eep! no.

"Maybe Keiko is right..." thought Hikari as she closed her eyes to enjoy the feelings spreading through her body, "Maybe I should just go to a bar, grab a guy, get laid and be done with it..."

>>>Asuka: If you want to completely throw your morals away.

>>>Rei: Or acquire a STD

Hikari felt like an old maid. She was twenty-one and she was still a virgin.

>>>Asuka: Heaven-for-fend.

>>>Hikari: 21...that’s it? Now, there wasn't anything wrong with that... after all she was just waiting for the right guy. No, nothing wrong at all... But dammit! All her friends had done it a long time ago!

>>>Asuka: And you can't let your friends have something against you.

>>>Rei: I care nothing about what you two think.

>>>Hikari: But what 'who' we do 'smirks.'

>>>Asuka: HIKARI!

Keiko kept talking about her the sexual prowess of her 'Mamo-chan'! Even shy Sze-Mi had a lover!

>>>Rei: What sex?

>>>Asuka: I don' think I want to know that.

Heck, her older sister already had two kids and even Nozomi, her younger sister had recently started having sex with her boyfriend! And she was just sixteen!

>>>Hikari: SIS!! NO!!

>>>Asuka: Ah, now this is funny, your whole family has a problem.

But... doing it just for the sake of the act itself... she just couldn't. Maybe she was old fashioned, but if she was to give her virginity away, she wanted it to be at least to someone she cared for.

>>>Rei: What about after?

>>>Hikari: I am not a woman of lose morals.

>>>Asuka: That is yet to be seen.

Perhaps not love, but at least someone she cared enough for it to be special.

Hikari took an intake of air as she slipped the first digit of her middle finger in her vagina,

>>>Hikari deep red: I ..really don't want...

>>>Asuka: You wanted Shinji to see this didn't you.

>>>Rei: That looks pleasurable, what did you call it again?

>>>Hikari: OH My please...we're corruption Ayanami

>>>Asuka: I'm surprised she didn't know already. then slowly moved her finger in and out, letting the base of her hand make contact with her clitoris. Her other hand moved from one breast to another, to give it the same treatment as its twin. >>>Rei: Reminds me of the time we watched that other movie with Shinji.

>>>Asuka: Um...please doesn’t say that.

>>>Hikari: You've seen movies like this before?

>>>Asuka nods.

She suppressed what would have been otherwise moans of pleasure, knowing that she had to be quiet about this. It wasn't easy however.

So good, it was feeling so good.

>>>Rei: 'mental note-...... ' (sorry but not my style ;) )

>>>Asuka/Hikari: I'm not going to ask her, you do it!

But after a few minutes, the girl just stopped and felt like sobbing.

While her nightly sessions were always pleasurable, they had also been getting more and more frustrating of late.

She had been thirteen when she first discovered the pleasures of her own sexuality.

>>>Hikari: I should have watched more of this instead of fast....

>>>Asuka: Oh couldn't wait for the good stuff eh!

>>>Hikari: Um...kinda...they have too much personal info in this.

>>>Rei:....

>>>Hikari: Maybe we should fastforward this now.

>>>Rei: You are thinking too much on the matter, you need not worry.

She had noticed a few times how nice it felt when she washed down there, but had never really dared explore those feelings further. Her father had taught her that the region between her legs was something she shouldn't show anyone and that she shouldn't touch it, except for keeping it clean.

>>>Asuka: Is your father a monk or something?

>>>Hikari: Old fashioned.

>>>Rei: I think you should listen to your father.

>>>Hikari: Gee, I wonder why.

Of course, she had been six at the time, at an age where her father had considered her far too young to be taught the facts of life. Not in a hurry to see his girls dating boys, her father hadn't bothered to rectify the situation, leaving the girl to learn on her own.

>>>Asuka: What, watch one episode of any TV show?

>>>Hikari: School?

>>>Rei: Manga.

Which she did one day as she heard two older girls taking about sex while she was in the school restroom. A few days later, Hikari actually worked out the courage to finally try a few things she had heard those girls talk about, and had been pleasantly surprised by the results.

>>>Asuka: You listened to the freaky whores that live in the bathroom!!!

>>>Hikari: They have some really good hair tips though..look at how shiny my hair is.

>>>Rei: They taught you that?

>>>Hikari nods.

From that point on, it became a regular exercive, often on a weekly basis, at times daily. It wasn't quite the mind blowing experience some girls made it sound like, but Hikari had figured that these girls were simply exaggerating.

>>>Asuka: So the bathroom chicks lie...go figure

>>>Rei: Sages living in public restrooms.

Before Kishiro Kazushi.

She preferred not to think about that, even if it was because of him that she had learned just how different pleasuring herself was from being pleasured by another.

>>>Asuka: So now we hear about another man you seduced.

>>>Hikari: I don't remember reading about this!

>>>Asuka: And that makes it even worse.

Ever since that time her masturbation sessions hadn't been as fulfilling as they had before. It didn't stop her from doing it, it was as if she had grown addicted to the act with time,

>>>Asuka: Is that even possible?

>>>Rei: The glazed look in her eyes would prove it to be factual.

>>>Hikari: Well technically anything could become addictive. but she hadn't been able to reach climax, like she had on that one single time. There had been times she had felt being close, but only to admit failure and end up sobbing in frustration as she was now.

>>>Rei: Why are you crying again?

>>>Hikari: Frustration...I hope.

Dousing herself in cold water both to calm herself and to rinse the soap of her skin, Hikari then made her way toward the furo. At least, that was a pleasure she wouldn't be denied of.

>>>Asuka: Unless you forgot to leave the water in.

>>>Rei: It could have become full of bacteria.

>>>Hikari: Why don't you two cut me a break?

She sighed in delight as she slipped herself into the warm water. The day had been exhausting. If her business kept improving, hiring a new cook wouldn't be a convenience, but rather a necessity. She'd have to seriously think about looking around or putting an ad out.

>>>Asuka: 'But wait I don't have to put an ad out I have Shinji here!'

>>>Rei: Such a convenience.

>>>Hikari: Well he is a good cook.

And then, there was Shinji... Dragging him upstairs, preparing the extra room for him and then actually dragging him there had added a lot of strain to an already exhausting day. But, despite the circumstances, she was actually glad they had met today. Her relation with her new friends was still new and bit shaky, so she still often felt lonely and seeing his familiar face a brought back a lot of memories.

>>>Asuka: Oddly you don't think kindly of me.

>>>Rei: And you believe me dead.

>>>Hikari: A giant angel and an abusive wife, wow what good friends you two >>> would have made anyway.

Some bad... like Touji... but most of them good.

The girl then blushed, as she remembered the trip up the stairs. His warmth against hers, his hot breath on her skin,

>>>Asuka: You have an itchy trigger finger don't you.

>>>Hikari: Its just the fatigue. despite that it had reeked the smell of sake, and a certain hardness she had felt brushing against her leg a few times...

>>>Rei: How were you carring him to be in such a position? >>>Hikari: Um...

>>>Asuka: Or did you have wondering body parts.

>>>Hikari: 'I should never had even mentioned this to them.'

Hikari groaned as her hands, almost out of their own will, again made their way to her breasts and between her legs. She couldn't believe how horny she was.

She gasped as her middle and index fingers grazed her clitoris. Perhaps... perhaps this time...

>>>Asuka: I really don't want to see you do that again.

>>>Hikari: Um...Ayanami..what are you doing?

>>>Rei: Taking notes, I have never seen a person abuse themself in such a manner.

>>>Asuka: Rember to ask Shinji about that.

>>>Rei: I plan to.

>>>Hikari: 'Poor Shinji-kun'

Roughly, she pushed the two fingers inside the vaginal channel, despite the lack of lubrication caused by the water. Yes, this time...

And then, she heard Shinji scream.

>>>Asuka: Thank Kami-sama, I really don't think I could see that again.

>>>Hikari: You really were never supposed to.

Sohryu Asuka Langley sighed as she drove her red Phoenix (2) to her designated spot in her apartment complex's underground garage.

>>>Rei: I feel inadaquate.

>>>Hikari: I didn't know you were in this.

>>>Asuka: I'm a goddess! and look at that car!

Finally, home. She really looked forward to a shower. While she was ready to accept the fact the business industry was led by old perverts who were more interested in young flesh than people's skills,

>>>Asuka: Just the business industry, nearly all men are like that. it didn't mean that she had to put up with the taste of that disgusting Ichihoji's semen in her mouth or his scent on her skin any longer than she needed to.

>>>Asuka: W...w...what!!! >>>Rei: It seems you take advantage of the 'old perverts' by allowing them >>> access to your body.

>>>hikari: Now Ayanami..that wasn't..

>>>Asuka: HIKARI!!!

>>>Hikari: Eep!

>>>well...the movie had to be paused again while Asuka calmed down.. >>> and for about another 5 minutes to stop chasing Hikari with a butcher knife.

At least, servicing the vice-president of Makajima Heavy Industries was an improvement over Administrating Manager Anno, or rather former Administrating Manager since the title now belonged to her. The old fool had never seen that coming.

>>>Rei: Is that a pun.

>>>HIkari: Please don't encourage her.

>>>Asuka: Dirty...the dirt won't come off...hurt...hikari...back-stabbing..

Ichihoji, however, would be more careful, so Asuka figured that she would have to wait a year or two before approaching the President. The thought was almost enough to make her sick.

Asuka had once learned that you couldn't trust anyone else, only yourself. She'd forgotten that simple fact for awhile in Tokyo-3, but her last battle had burned the savage truth into her soul. If you wanted something in life, you had to do it yourself.

>>>Rei: Is that why they had shown Horaki-kun performing that act?

>>>Asuka: Um...no.

>>>Hikari: Asuka you have serious trust issues.

What right did Shinji have to complain about her fucking the vice-president?

>>>Hikari: Maybe because you two were supposed to be a couple?

>>>Asuka: Cubes...break you...into little...cubes.

>>>Rei: You do not appear to have any morals in this movie.

>>>Asuka: AAHHHHHHH they made ME into a HENTAI...WHY!

It didn't mean anything; just a means to an end. Didn't he realize that someone had to pay for the apartment, the food, and make sure their jobs were there for them?

>>>Rei: That is done by working the job assigned to you, not what you were doing.

>>>Hikari: Or who..'snickers' >>>Asuka: You're just loving this aren't you.

Since the perverts who ran the company couldn't recognize her brains, she used whatever tools she had to succeed. If Shinji couldn't see that, then it was too bad for him.

The need to be better than what she was now, the ambition to become more was merciless for her, a beast that judged her every action. But she faced it down with equal fortitude. Whatever it took, she would beat them all. One day she would stand above them all so she would never have to do any of these things again!

>>>Asuka: Then I will personally kill all that touched me...skin them alive.

>>>Hikari: And think it will only take about another 5-6 years.

>>>Rei: Barring you being caught or fired.

Shinji had never understood this however. It ticked her off that he was willing to just accept certain things in his life,

>>>Hikari: Well he didn't like seeing you with that vice-president.

>>>Rei: And you beat him for it, hypocritical actions.

>>>Asuka: Can we just go back to the Hikari stuff..this is making me ill again. that he had no fire in him. While she was out degrading herself for their benefit, clawing her way up with these perverted freaks he just sat there, wasting space. How did he expect to achieve anything if he wasn't willing to do what was needed!?

It was infuriating. She didn't enjoy hurting him, despite how frequently it happened.

>>>Rei: Or the satisfied look on your face when you do it.

>>>Asuka: That’s a different form of hurt.

>>>Rei: What is the difference?

>>>Hikari: She doesn't leave marks.

She tried not to release all her frustrations on him, but eventually he would get on her nerves and she would explode.

It wasn't working out. She was aware of it. They weren't meant to live together. But each time she considered kicking him out of her life, she remembered that Shinji was inept at living on his own. As a man, Shinji was a failure.

>>>Hikari: What about you keeping him around as a toy in bed?

>>>Rei: Has to be some reason you keep him around. >>>Asuka: Shinji really is nothing but a piece of meat in this movie.

His whole attitude in NERV's last battle had showed it quite clearly. People had invested their trust in him and he had utterly failed them. Misato had paid for this error with her life and she had lost the use of an eye.

>>>Asuka: What no cut scene?

>>>Hikari: Maybe later.

She couldn't trust him. Not with anyone's life and even less his own.

Her musing was interrupted when she noticed a man approaching her. Someone familiar. Asuka frowned.

"About time, Sohryu. I've been waiting for hours. Working late trying to gain Ichihoji's favors I presume? Or were you out doing the streets like the cheap whore you are?"

>>>Hikari: Asuka put the remote down! its just a movie.

>>>Asuka: Not after what that lil-bastard said! I'll kill him even if it >>> means breaking the t.v.!

"My, if it isn't *former* Administrating Manager Anno. What an unpleasant surprise." Asuka said, putting as much venom she could in her voice. "Couldn't even stand a month without sweet little me, uh?

>>>Rei: You enjoy provoking him, anymore and he may make an attempt on your life.

Too bad that I no longer have a use for you..." She then gave him her best angry look. While she didn't expect him to shiver and hide like Shinji, she did hope it would emphasize her intentions. "Now, get that ugly face out of here before I kick your ass!"

>>>Hikari: I wonder how he even got into the parking garage.

>>>Rei: Security must be easy to bribe.

>>>Asuka: I have another cold feeling.

The man didn't appear threatened; in fact his face twisted into an expression of furious anger.

"You bitch! Because of you I lost everything! My job, my reputation... When my wife learned of this, she left with my children! I received the divorce papers this morning!"

>>>Hikari: Well if you cared about your wife maybe sleeping with other women isn't >>> the best way to express that a love.

>>>Rei: That also stands for ones job.

Asuka snorted. Like she'd care... >>>Rei: About anybody.

>>>Hikari: About the pain she causes others.

>>>Asuka: about some asshole hentai.

"Ah, an intelligent woman. Although, why she married you in the first place is beyond me..."

"You ruined my life! Don't you even care about that?"

>>>Rei: He need ask?

>>>Hikari: Not the smartest vice-president.

Asuka took a pause, as if to seem to reflect on the question.

While she tried to keep a neutral expression, she smiled inwardly at the shock that appeared on his pace. She frowned, however, when the man closed his eyes, looking resigned.

"Well then... why should I care about taking you with me?"

>>>Asuka: You have one shred of dignity left?

>>>Rei: No, that was shreaded by your added insults.

>>>Asuka: 'maybe this time I was wrong.'

As Asuka wondered what he had just meant by that, the man pulled a gun from a pocket of the business trench coat he was wearing.

"Wait! What are you...?"

She was interrupted by the sound of gunfire.

>>>Asuka: He killed me...ME!

>>>Hikari: You did want out of the movie...well you are now.

>>>Rei: 'looks at Hikari' so both of us are dead, and you have Shinji-kun at >>> your apartment.

>>>Asuka: You dont plan to remake anyparts of this movie do you.

>>>Hikari smiles inocently: Whatever do you mean?

After hastily covering herself with a large towel, Hikari rushed out of the furo and into Shinji's room. There had been something about his scream, a sort of desperate anguish, which had made her shiver.

She found the young man curled up in ball on the bed, shaking and whimpering. >>>Rei: That looks rather sad.

>>>Hikari: What happend to him to cause that?

>>>Asuka/Rei: He won't tell.

For a moment, Hikari found herself at a loss about what to do. The last time she had seen such a sight had been years ago, the night following her mother's death. She had gone to her father's room, seeking comfort, when she had found him in a similar position.

>>>Asuka: Your dad?

>>>Hikari: Well...yeah, dad was a real wreck.

Obviously, he had taken her mother's death even harder than she had and had finally broken down when he had no longer been required to look strong.

>>>Asuka: Or simply couldn't act anymore.

>>>Rei: Horaki-san never could act well.

Emulating what she had done all those years ago, Hikari joined Shinji on the bed and hugged him, a hug which the young man returned fiercely, almost frightening Hikari for an instant.

>>>Asuka: And all when wearing a towel.

>>>Rei: At least she has the towel on.

As he buried his face in her shoulder and wet hair, Hikari tried to reassure him, to tell him that everything was alright now.

Apparently, it worked, as Shinji soon calmed down.

"Ikari-kun... what happened?"

>>>Rei: He screamed.

>>>Asuka: He knows of my death and is tramatized.

>>>Hikari: No, he was tramatized by you being alive.

>>>Rei: And the mere mention of you name.

Shinji remained silent, his breathing now regular. For a moment, Hikari wondered if he hadn't fallen asleep in her arms.

"Ikari?"

"Nightmares... it happens some times. I'm sorry..."

>>>Asuka: That again. >>>Rei: Does Shinji-kun really do that?

>>>Asuka: Yeah...its odd but when I check..Misato's already their.

While she loosened the hug, Hikari didn't try to move away, at least not for now. She supposed it was better to give Shinji a few more minutes, just to be sure that he had really calmed down.

>>>Asuka: Sure, keep telling yourself that and maybe you'll believe it.

>>>Rei: Denial is a powerful tool.

"It must have been a very bad dream. Do you want to talk about it?"

Mentally, Hikari kicked herself for asking. She didn't really want to pry into Shinji's life, and she wasn't sure she wanted to know what could have disturbed him so much.

>>>Asuka: Learning about clones and angels and...

>>>Rei: You.

>>>Hikari: His whole life?

But it was a question born of habit; after their mother's death, her little sister Nozomi had developed a tendency of coming into her bed after being waken by a nightmare.

"Kaworu... Misato... Rei... Bad memories. I'd rather not talk about it."

"It's alright..."

>>>Asuka: Kaworu...isn't that the girl in Toili?

>>>Rei: Yes..but somehow being a girl doesn't really seem to fit.

While she didn't know anything about someone called Kaworu, she could guess why the two other persons would be part of Shinji's nightmares.

>>>Hikari/Asuka: Easily.

>>>Rei: What are you implying.

>>>Hikari: That you scare Shinji-kun.

>>>Rei: How?

>>>Asuka: 'Asking him those questions and...' you don't know how to moderate your >>> actions.

>>>Hikari: Faster than a speeding bullet.

The fate of Major Katsuragi had been revealed when the JSSDF made a public apology in the take over attempt of NERV, which had played a role in the near success of a Third Impact. It had been said the Major had been killed in the line of duty, in a valiant effort to protect one of the Evangelion Pilots. Ikari Shinji.

>>>Asuka: She'd die for him!

>>>Hikari: How heroic.

>>>Rei: 'mental note- check majors true intentions'

As for Rei... while there had been testimonies that the First Children had been seen afterward, the official word was that she had sacrificed herself to kill the Sixteenth Angel.

>>>Asuka: And let me guess, to save Shinji.

>>>Hikari: And of the three of you, the one that gets him is the one that >>> beats him and belittles him.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun has poor luck.

Although, Hikari had some doubts about that, considering how that giant white Angel, which had almost triggered Third Impact, had looked just like Rei.

>>>Asuka: Until its head fell off.

>>>hikari: Don't remind me, looked like blood splattered on the moon!

"Thank you."

Hikari blinked at those words, realizing that she had been lost in thought again. She then realized that he was staring at her face. She found herself locking her gaze on those soft dark blue eyes,

>>>Rei: Soft yet dark.

>>>Asuka: Is that combination possible? which spoke of pain and turmoil, but also gratitude. Those beautiful blue eyes. Before she realized what she was doing, she lowered her lips toward his.

>>>Rei: You took advantage of an umotionally weakend man.

>>>Asuka: For your own twisted gain.

>>>Hikari: Oh no, I've become like you two.

>>>Asuka/Rei: HEY!

Shinji broke away from her embrace, eyes wide. Hikari gasped herself, not believing what she had done. She had kissed him! She had kissed someone who was living with a girl who had once been her best friend!

"Ikari-kun, I'm..." >>>Rei: taking advantage of you.

>>>Asuka: A back-stabbing woman.

A girl who couldn't appreciate what she had and didn't deserve him.

"I'm sorry..."

The feel of his lips against hers had felt so nice... it took Hikari all her willpower not to jump on him and kiss him again, forcefully if needed.

>>>Asuka: What has happend to you in this!

>>>Hikari: I..don't know..but..tell me it wouldn't be worth it?

>>>Rei: If you have lost your morals as the 2nd did.

"I should leave...

She was just about to get off the bed when Shinji grabbed her shoulders and drew her to him. For an instant, their eyes met again, and this time, Hikari read a hunger and longing she hadn't seen before.

Shinji was the one who initiated this new kiss, and Hikari found herself melting into his arms as he deepened it. They shared a soft, languorous kiss, unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

>>>Hikari melting into seat: wow.

>>>Rei: I am jealous.

>>>Asuka: Where did he learn to do that?

>>>Rei: You taught him.

A kind of kiss that didn't make her feel warm with arousal, but rather something else. Not a burning heat, but rather a comfortable warmth.

"Don't leave," he whispered to her hear, before hugging her close, then making her lay on the bed at his side, his arms embracing her, his head resting against one of her shoulders. It felt strange to lay this way in bed against someone, yet... it also felt... very nice.

>>>Asuka: Why couldn't that be me.

>>>Hikari: Because you're dead?

>>>Rei: It would mean he would have to touch you.

With a smile on her face, Hikari soon followed Shinji into sleep.

Shinji had no more nightmares that night.

>>>Asuka: Well at least that’s nice.

- - - Asuka's eyesight was going blurry, making it hard for her to focus on the only thing in her field of vision, the ceiling of the underground parking lot.

>>>Rei: Does that mean its important?

>>>Hikari: If you like looking at pipes.

She realized it wouldn't be long now since she was feeling as cold as the concrete she was laying on. Any warmth she might have felt was escaping her body in a pool of red all around her.

>>>Rei: Their is the concept of red again.

>>>Hikari: Yes a nice pool of it.

While she couldn't look around, she knew that Anno was also laying on the concrete. There had been another gunshot after she had fallen. He probably had a gaping bloody hole in his skull.

It was strange that she was still aware of her surroundings, she mused. Shouldn't the shock of a bullet in her stomach and another in one of her lungs have knocked her out? But then again, she was used to worse pain, even if the last time had been six years ago.

>>>Rei: And not actually happening to you.

>>>Asuka: It feels like it though.

>>>Rei: Didn't say it didn't.

But now... she just felt numb. Physically and mentally. She was dying, she knew it, and this time no amount of struggle would change that fact.

It was pathetic. She had survived fighting giant monsters, just to be killed by mere 9mm bullets. What was even more humiliating was that she would die, her womb still full of that pig Ichihoji's semen. Disgusting...

>>>Asuka: I'm going to haunt that man until he dies.

>>>Hikari: Nice to have hobbies, even in death.

Often in the past, she had found Shinji mutter something about mankind being the eighteenth Angel, when he was either showing disgust toward her or himself.

>>>Rei: More likely himself.

>>>Hikari: Brought on by you I bet.

>>>Asuka: Yeah yeah they made me a monster.

It was something Misato had apparently told him before her death. Asuka had never realized how true it was until now. Man didn't need Angels to ruin its life... all it needed was itself.

>>>Hikari: hell is other people.

As she thought about Shinji she felt an odd kind of relief that she'd chased him away earlier. If anything could bring a bit of consolation to her, it was the knowledge that he would still be alive. Had he been here with her, Anno might just have killed him as well.

>>>Asuka: See that I do care about him...to bad it had to happen after I was shot!

>>>Rei: Irony is a strong tool.

But then again, maybe he would have been able to save her. He had always managed to do so somehow. Too bad she always managed to wreck his efforts.

"I guess this is my punishment", she thought, as tears slid down her cheeks. "I couldn't never love people. I didn't have that quality. I could only reject the entire world, hurt myself and others."

>>>Asuka: Thank Kami-sama I'm not like that anymore.

>>>Hikari: Have to agree with you.

>>>Rei: You allow one person to care for you now.

>>>Hikari: One's better than zero.

She closed her eyes, knowing that her time was about over. "I'm sorry," she thought, although not knowing to whom she was apologizing.

It was the last thought that came to her before darkness enveloped her like a blanket.

>>>Rei: And your soul desent into hell for having cheated.

>>>Hikari: Is that a sin?

>>>Rei: Of course.

>>>Asuka: DAMN IT! - - -

She was dreaming.

She was in a mist covered forest, walking a narrowed path. The mist wasn't too thick however, so Hikari never found herself having problem seeing where she was going.

She just had no idea of what her destination was.

>>>Rei: Fraud would call that mild sexual confusion.

>>>Asuka: Fraud was obsessed with sex, weird Austrian. Not to mention that it was a bit chilly only wearing a simple sundress. One she didn't own and had never worn before in her life. But since she was dreaming, it didn't really matter, did it?

>>>Asuka: If its a dream she doesn't realize it IS a dream so it DOES matter.

>>>Hikari: Its not really happening so should we even care?

It was strange. It was the first time Hikari could recall being actually aware that she was dreaming.

Soon, she emerged from the forest to end up on a small hill. Before her was a small clearing, lush green grass and tall trees around it. Hikari gasped at the sight before her. Not at the landscape, but rather at a person she could see standing in the clearing. Herself. She was staring at an older version of herself, perhaps by five to ten years. Her hair was back to its original color, she noted.

>>>Hikari: Back to brown.

>>>Rei: It looks more of a dirt color.

The Hikari in front of her was laying a blanket on the ground. Hikari gasped, as Shinji walked by her side, apparently unaware of her, carrying a heavy basket. Hikari blinked as that Shinji, also older, grabbed her copy's waist with his free hand and kissed her neck, before the other Hikari turned around and kissed him on the lips.

>>>Rei: Odd dream.

>>>Asuka: More like wishful thinking.

"Mama! Papa!"

Hikari felt her heart skip a beat as another figure, this time smaller, walked past her. It was a little girl, only a few years old, wearing a white and blue sundress. Her brown hair was done in a familiar twin ponytails style.

>>>Asuka: Only she didn't have enough hair.

>>>Rei: She looks to familiar.

>>>Asuka: YOu..you...

>>>Hikari: I'm a mother!

She hugged the older Hikari, before Shinji grabbed her and pulled her in the air, spinning on himself, making the child giggle in delight.

This dream was simply eerie. Without giving it much thought, Hikari walked toward the people standing before her and gave the child a good look. She gasped, as she recognized on her face familiar freckles, as well as other familiar traits, mixed with dark blue eyes. "My God..."

>>>Rei: You dream of very simplistic goals.

>>>Asuka: You're going after my widow!

>>>Hikari: No, you two were never married.

Hikari nearly collapsed, this whole scene nearly overwhelming.

"What is this?"

If someone heard her question, that person remained quiet.

Hikari woke up with a start. What a weird dream!

She quickly relaxed however, relishing in the feeling of being snuggled against a man. It was very warm... very comfortable. It was something she had longed for a while, a simple tender act she had wished for, but had begun to doubt she would ever experience.

>>>Hikari: but deserve.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Not only you.

Even if this setting wasn't the one she had dreamed of, to wake up in the arms of someone she loved and loved her back, she still felt a certain feeling of fulfillment. Even if this was a moment not meant to last, even if this was only an illusion, a twist of reality... it still felt good.

But... it could become reality...

>>>Rei: If you manipulate him enough.

>>>Asuka: The reality will truelly become twisted.

It was... Hikari didn't know if the thought was either scary or attractive. Better try to forget that stupid dream. Her, perhaps married to Shinji, and being the mother of his child?

That was definitely too wild of a dream...

>>>Rei: Not wild, if it were she would be in the bath.

>>>Asuka: Have to side with wondergirl on this one.

>>>Hikari: Shove it, the both of you.

Opening her eyes, she carefully watched his sleeping face. He seemed a completely different person than the Shinji she had seen hours earlier. He seemed... at peace, as if all his troubles no longer existed. Hikari surprised herself in actually wishing that she could see him this way more often. >>>Asuka: Surprized my ass, you wanted this to happen since the movie started.

>>>Hikari: Maybe, just didn't admit it until now.

Eventually, her ears picked up the faint sound of her alarm coming from her bedroom. Time to prepare for a new day. Trying to avoid sudden movements, Hikari slowly freed herself from the arm which was draped over her and crawled out of the bed. Shinji could be entitled for a bit more sleep.

The woman blushed as she suddenly realized that she had spent the night in the same bed as Shinji only wearing a bath towel.

>>>Hikari: What is surprizing is that the towel didn't fall off.

>>>Rei: It is hard for it to be removed with you crushing your body against his.

>>>hikari: Point taken.

Quietly, but as fast as possible, she went to her room in search of something to put on and to turn off her alarm.

A few careful steps alerted Hikari that Shinji was up. And that he was trying to leave without her noticing.

"Now, Ikari-kun, it's very impolite to leave without saying a word, especially when your host is cooking breakfast for you," said Hikari without drawing away her attention from her cooking. "Why don't you sit down, it's almost ready."

>>>Asuka: You're good.

>>>Rei: An intermediat, to be an expert she must be able to move like a shadow.

>>>Asuka: Is that how you keep getting in the apartment?

Hesitant steps told Hikari that Shinji did as she had told him.

"I... I'm sorry... Not just for that, but... last night, I... I..."

Hikari turned around with two plates and a smile on her face. Shinji was standing in front of the kitchen table, a sheepish expression on his face.

"It's alright, Shinji. I shouldn't have kissed you first. Besides... you're a good kisser."

>>>Asuka: That statement is so confusing, just what are you saying?

>>>Rei: She was glad he kissed her, but wants to save face.

Shinji turned crimson at that remark.

"Come on, sit down. I don't know what you usually like, so I made a traditional Japanese breakfast," explained Hikari as she put down a plate, on which stood a bowl of miso soup, a bowl of rice and a plate of grilled fish, as well as a cup of tea. "Although, I thought that tea would be more suitable than sake considering how much you had last night.

>>>Hikari: And considering I don't want to carry you around the apartment.

>>>Rei: His tolerance is very small.

Hope you like earl grey, that's all I had left. I'm more of a coffee person."

Finally, Shinji gave her a small smile as he sat down and picked up the hot cup of tea.

"She rarely drank anything other beer, but... earl grey was Misato-san's favorite..."

>>>Asuka: Has to have his daily dose of depression.

>>>hikari: And having the same drink as of one that died saving him would be a >>>> very healthy dose.

Hadn't Shinji been smiling, Hikari would have felt very bad for bringing up something that would remind him of the past. It was fortunate, however, that this seemed to bring back only good memories.

"So... what are you going to do, Ikari-kun?"

"What... what do you mean?"

"Asuka."

>>>Asuka: Even though I'm dead you still want him to leave me...twisted.

>>>Rei: I would rather he leave, staying with a corpse would show mental illness.

Shinji dropped his chopsticks. It was a good thing Hikari had asked before he had time to pick some rice.

"Have you ever considered leaving her?"

Mentally, Hikari kicked herself. What was she doing? She shouldn't get involved in this...

>>>Rei: It is too late for that.

Shinji surprised her by taking a very serious expression.

"I can't."

Hikari rose an eyebrow.

"Why?"

>>>Asuka: he loves me. >>>HIkari: I doubt he's that big of a masocist.

Somehow, she expected him to answer that it was because he loved her. It would be like him... to take such weight on his shoulder for such a reason.

"If I do that, I won't have a home or work anymore."

This surprised Hikari. Apparently, Shinji had given the idea some thought.

"Why would you find yourself without work?"

>>>Hikari: Pissing off the boss gets you fired.

>>>Rei: Vengenence, she has to hurt him some how.

"She can have me fired. She said she would if I left."

Hikari gasped. Did Asuka really go that far? Using blackmail over her own....

But then again, the way Shinji had described things to her, Shinji was at most a slave for Asuka. So why wouldn't she use blackmail on him?

>>>Asuka: you don't blackmail slaves, you just add more rope.

>>>Rei: You have given that idea to much attention.

"Shinji... do you like that job? The way you spoke of it yesterday..."

Shinji just looked down at his plate, chopsticks picking on his fish.

"I... There's nothing else I can do... I'm not good at anything..."

Hikari gave him a scowl, which was missed entirely by a Shinji still looking at his food. But it occurred to her that perhaps it was true in a way. Shinji lacked too much self assurance to get any important job. She actually doubted that he would seriously look for one.

>>>Asuka: He'd sooner pick cans off the street.

>>>Rei: If I were alive he'd need no job.

>>>Asuka: Why?

>>>Rei: I stockpile all the money I reiceve from piloting.

>>>Hikari: How do you live then?

>>>Rei: I take supplies from the Geo-front.

"Surely Shinji, you must be good at something! There must be something you like doing!"

"I... I'm not good at anything... The only thing I do right is clean and cook..."

Something clicked in Hikari's mind. Cook. Shinji could cook. She could remember how delicious the food was the few times she had been invited to eat at the Katsuragi household back in Tokyo-3. The few times she had exchanged recipes with Shinji...

>>>Hikari: How he does what he does..its scary.

>>>Asuka drooling: I want his cooking now...

>>>Rei: You will need survive on your own or the Majors.

>>>Asuka: Chibi-hentai come home!!!

Hikari got up and slammed her palms against the table, the shock nearly causing Shinji to jump through the roof.

>>>Asuka: Its a carnavel game, whats next Wondergirl-whack- a mole.

"I know! You can cook for me! I've been thinking of hiring a second cook for a few weeks now... you'd be perfect for the job!"

Shinji blinked a few times, as the words registered in his brain.

"But... but... but... I... I'm not that good. Be... besides I don't know the sort of dish you probably have here."

Hikari didn't waste time on any of Shinji's feeble attempts of protest.

>>>Rei: Or even think he didn't want the job.

"You can learn! You have the ability, I remember how good your food tastes.

>>>Asuka: You just couldn't recognize him.

I can teach you the dishes and you can watch me work. And in the mean time you can work on the more simple dishes, which will still take away a lot of my workload. Yes, it's perfect! And... and... you can even stay here until you find a new place!"

>>>Asuka: you are so sneaky, you just slide that in their.

>>>Rei: I have underestimated you talents at deception.

>>>HIkari: You two are good teachers.

"But... but..."

"Look around, this place is huge. I can take in a roommate for some time. And... to be honest... the company would be welcomed."

"Hikari, I..."

Hikari gave Shinji a warm smile.

"If you're not interested or simply don't want to do this, it's alright. I can't force you.

>>>Hikari: But I can try to guilt you into doing it.

>>>Asuka: If you just ask him he feels guilty about not doing it.

But I think it's a great idea, so why don't you at least take some time to ponder on it. You don't have to answer right away."

Shinji nodded, obviously relieved.

"Listen, I'll have to go soon to open for breakfast. Why don't you stay here to take some time to think. I don't think you can go to work with a bloodstained shirt. And I doubt that you can go to your apartment, then get to work without being late anyway. So why don't you call in sick?

>>>Rei: Call in sick?

>>>Hikari: yeah, sick day.

>>>Asuka: She's never taken a sick day.

>>>hikari: Then..why don't you go to school?

>>>Rei:......

To at least give yourself some time... I'll be back after the breakfast rush, what do you say?"

"A... alright."

"Good."

Hikari finished her meal and then put her plate away to be washed later.

"I'll be back soon, Ikari-kun."

Shinji nodded, finishing his meal himself. She noted he seemed more relaxed now. Maybe there was hope for him after all.

>>>Asuka: And of course for you as well.

>>>Hikari: With you two out of the picture I'm a shoe in!

She left him behind, wondering, as she had often done since yesterday, what exactly she was thinking and what she was getting herself into.

A wide smile on her face, Hikari entered the restaurant section of the building to see Keiko and Sze-Mi already hard at work. While neither of then could handle some of the more complicated Japanese meals and most of the foreign ones, they were sufficiently skilled to handle the breakfast section of Hikari's Cafe's menu.

>>>Asuka: You keep talented workers.

>>>Rei: That is a lie, they cannot serve 75% of the menu.

>>>Asuka: Sarcasm.

>>>Rei: Oh.

A quick look around confirmed that the girls had already set up the place and that two of Hikari's regular early customers, a salaryman answering to the name Tanaka and mister Hida, a police officer from her district, were at their usual tables, sipping hot coffee and reading the daily paper. Hikari waved at mister Hida who smiled back. Tanaka's eyes never left his paper, but Hikari was used to that.

>>>Asuka: Is he a pervert too?

>>>Rei: He's not staring at the waitresses.

>>>Hikari: That’s not proof enough.

Now that she had gone through the usual morning ritual, Hikari put on her apron and went to supervise the girls' work. She could have taken over, but she knew that the girls loved to help in the kitchen now and then, especially Sze-Mi for whom it seemed like a great ego boost.

"Hi girls! Umm... that miso soup smells good."

>>>Hikari: Is that instant! for shame!

>>>Asuka/Rei: Nothing wrong with instant.

"Really? Thank you, Horaki-san," answered a beaming Sze-Mi, before giving her a polite bow. "And good morning to you too."

"Yo! boss..."

Hikari watched Keiko turn to great her, then frown. Hikari suddenly felt very self conscious by the way Keiko glared at her.

"Hikariiiii-chan... Did you get laid last night?"

>>>Rei: she is straight-forward in her inquiries.

>>>Hikari: How could anybody ask that question.

Hikari gasped while Sze-Mi almost dropped a bowl she was holding.

"WHAT?!" chorused both girls.

"That goofy grin, the way you're almost oozing happiness and contentment... someone here got laid last night and it isn't just me." "Well... uh..."

Sze-Mi blushed and seemed to suddenly find her shoes quite interesting. Keiko groaned.

>>>Asuka: They both...what sort of hiring policy do you have?

>>>Rei: Very sexually active.

>>>Hikari: Kami-sama give me strenth.

"Not you, Mi-chan! I mean Hi-chan!"

"Ooh! Congratulations sempai!"

Hikari tried to look upset at the girls for thinking such a thing, but she knew she was blushing too.

"I didn't... I... I didn't... do anything of the sort!" Hikari finally managed to blurt out.

>>>Rei: You mearly slept semi-nude with a man that you had hoped to.

"I just slept with a man and wished we'd have done it," she mentally added, however.

>>>Asuka: At least your honest to yourself.

>>>Hikari: Can't lie forever.

"Umm.. this sounds fishy..."

Hikari gulped.

"I... I swear I didn't... have sex last night. Or any previous night for that matter."

Keiko frowned again.

>>>Hikari: What is that girls obsession with my sex life?

>>>Asuka: Or lack-their- of.

>>>Hikari: Maybe I'll need to change that no-fire policy.

"There's still 'man' written all over you. Heck, I'm sure if I were to take a sniff at you..."

"I DO NOT SMELL! Now, back to work!"

>>>Rei: Your shampoo gives off an aroma.

>>>Asuka: And you reak of hormones.

Sze-Mi cringed and turned back to her soup.

"Hai, hai..." just shrugged Keiko. Deep down, however, Hikari knew that Keiko was partly right. She felt happy, almost giddy. It was probably stupid to be like this just because she had slept in a man's arms, especially considering that it hadn't meant anything,

>>>Hikari: To him.

>>>Asuka: Everything means something to him.

>>>Rei: That is why we are upset you wanted to give this too him..it means >>> our number truelly has increased by one.

>>>Hikari: You mean..I'm accepted!

>>>Asuka/Rei: Unfortunatly. but she couldn't help it.

"Don't worry, Kei-chan," said Hikari as she gave her a smile, before picking up a frying pan. "If something does happen, you'll be the first I'll tell."

"You better."

Both girls giggled.

"Life is good," thought Hikari with a smile.

>>>Asuka/Rei: For the living.

Hikari gave her watch a dark look. Nine past ten. Somehow, breakfast time had seemed to keep stretching over and over. Or was it that she had never been in a hurry before and had never noticed the time? Hopefully, it hadn't been too long of a wait for Shinji. Maybe he had gone back to sleep? Three more hours would probably have done him good.

>>>Rei: Or snuck out on you.

>>>Asuka: Can't have him escape.

The young woman gasped as she entered the apartment. What had just happened here? It was as if a tornado had gone through the place, but instead of putting everything in disarray, it had put everything in order.

>>>Hikari: So its a backwards tornado.

>>>Asuka: Its the Shinji-effect.

>>>Hikari: He's just to clean.

She blinked in disbelief as she realized that she could see her faint reflection on the now polished wooden floor.

Obviously, such a feat was Shinji's work. There were no other explanations. >>>Rei: Aliens.

>>>Hikari: Possible explanations.

Then, something occurred to her and a feeling of dread washed over her.

"Oh no..."

In an instant, Hikari was in the living room to find the previously spread, but otherwise organized in her mind, paper used for the cafe's accounting. It was lying on a neat pile on a low table.

>>>Asuka: That’s your punishment.

>>>Hikari: My system ruined!

"No..."

Hikari felt like crying... days of work, ruined.

She picked up the pile and looked through it, then blinked in disbelief. She skipped directly to the last page to see that everything had been done, apparently impeccably, accurate.

"My God..."

>>>Asuka: He can do accounting that fast!

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun has more talents than we know about.

>>>Hikari: Praise be to KAMI-SAMA!!

Finally relaxing, Hikari realized that there was a familiar sound coming from the kitchen.

"Not that too..."

Hikari raced there to find Shinji wearing her pink apron and having just completed washing her dishes. Shinji turned around to smile lightly at her gaping form.

>>>Asuka: He...he he..AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA pink....ahahahaha

>>>Rei with a slight smile: He looks humerous.

"Welcome back."

Once again, Hikari found herself staring in disbelief. Was that the same Shinji she had left alone earlier this morning? There was no way he could have cleaned her apartment, done her accounting and washed her dishes on so little time. It wasn't humanly possible! Or was it?

>>>Rei: it is humanly possible as it has already occured.

>>>Hikari: she doesn't get metaphores well does she.

>>>Asuka: Not at all. "How...? What...?"

>>>Asuka/Hikari: when? where? who? why?

Somehow, Shinji seemed to guess what she was asking.

"I felt guilty abusing of your generosity, so I thought I could lend a hand. This was really nothing compared to the messes I used to clean up in Tokyo-3."

Hikari had heard rumors about the Katsuragi household, but still...

"And this? How do you explain this?" she asked as she showed him her accounting papers.

"Oh, that... I noticed a few errors last night, so I thought I might help with that too."

"But... how..."

>>>Asuka: Not to bright are you.

>>>Hikari: I'm sorry but just a bit overwhelmed.

"I've worked for the finance department at Makajima Heavy Industries for about a year. That was my first assignment. It was tedious work, but I guess I still learned some stuff... Would have been quicker with a computer however. I was surprised to see that you still do all that by hand."

Hikari looked at the floor in shame.

>>>Rei: And ended up looking in her own eyes.

>>>Hikari: Damned polished hardwood floors.

"Well... I didn't quite understand how the software worked. I was supposed to read the manual, but I never took the time and doing it by hand seemed faster than trying to struggling to make it work..."

Shinji nodded.

"I can show you some time, if you'd like."

"Really?"

>>>Asuka: No, just wanted to make you happier for a few seconds.

Shinji smiled. Hikari didn't really understand how, but somehow, he seemed happier and more at peace now. Perhaps an effect of losing himself in all that chore work? Either way, she preferred him that way. He was rather cute when he smiled.

>>>All: that is for sure.

>>>Asuka: To bad he doesn't smile to often. >>>Rei: You are partially to blaim.

>>>Asuka: You too!

>>>Hikari: STOP FIGHTING!!

"Thank you," she whispered, then surprised both herself and Shinji by kissing his cheek. Both of them turned crimson red, embarrassed by that gesture, even if it was only a friendly one. Still, Shinji touched the spot where her lips has touched him, in mild disbelief, while Hikari looked away and stared at the floor. "Dear God, I feel like I'm turning back into a high school girl or something," she thought.

>>>Asuka: Looks like you never grew out of it.

>>>Rei: I would like to do that now, If Doctor Akagi doesn't work fast, we will have to... >>> motivate her.

A long tension filled moment passed, this single act reminding the both of them of the kiss they had shared the previous night.

"Hikari..."

>>>Rei: I want to leave.

>>>Asuka: Don't do that again.

>>>Hikari: Table.

The mention of her name startled the girl, who looked back to see Shinji staring at her seriously. Thoughts of the kiss had also reminded him of the reason why he was standing there in the first place.

"The proposition you made me... I'd like to try. I've called the office and was granted a week of vacation time I had been due to take a while back. I want to try this... I want to try if I can work here... You're right, I don't like it there, but I always liked cooking, so, maybe..."

>>>Asuka: He can take over the cafe and give you the boot.

Hikari beamed at that. And not only at the thought of *finally* having dedicated some help in the kitchen.

"And... her? How are you going to deal with her?"

>>>Rei: You have to add that too, don't you.

>>>Hikari: Its all for his benifit.

Shinji frowned, but his expression didn't lose it's seriousness. If anything else, it seemed to get more determined.

"I... I'll leave her a note saying that I'm leaving to visit Father. She hates that place (3), so she won't ask to come."

>>>Asuka: Where is he, buried I hope.

>>>Rei: Jail.

Now, it was Hikari's time to frown.

"So you're going to lie to her."

"I... I can't face her... not now. If this works, I guess..." answered Shinji sheepishly.

Hikari's expression softened.

"I guess I understand. You can try this first, then... well, we'll see what happens, alright?"

>>>Asuka: If I was still alive, I'd have to kill him for doing that.

>>>Rei: Why do you think he will lie to you.

Shinji nodded in relief, while Hikari found herself wondering once again why she was involving herself in all this.

She sighed.

"Would you like me to accompany you?"

Shinji nodded, relief again evident on his face.

>>>Asuka: You still asking 'why'?

>>>Hikari: The movie me just hasn't accepted the fact yet.

>>>Asuka: Good, maybe I'm not really dead.

While uneventful, the trip to Shinji's place surprised Hikari as they found themselves riding a tramway all the way through Tokyo-2 to reach the opposite side of the city. She hadn't expected Shinji to live so far. No wonder their paths hadn't crossed until now. In fact, it was sheer luck that they had met at all.

>>>Asuka: Yeah luck, more like directors interventin.

>>>Hikari: He must be a visionary, and a romantic.

>>>Rei: Or didn't have any other way to get him to meet you.

As if destined by fate.

Quickly, Hikari tried to chase that thought from her mind. She believed in free will and not destiny. And she wasn't sure what to think of the idea of a fated meeting. >>>Hikari: Well if it WERE fate I'd be very happy.

>>>Asuka: I'd wretch.

The stop where they got off was relatively close to where Shinji lived, as it took less then five minutes by foot. It was a rather dense residential area where most of the buildings were multilevel apartment blocks.

"It's here," said Shinji as they stopped in front of a modern and well kept building.

>>>Asuka: See wondergirl normal people leave in nice apartments, not condemned ones.

>>>Rei: I fail to see the reason, a home is a home.

It was clear that it housed above average apartments, only judging by the fact that it was equipped with an underground parking lot. The floor tiles in the hallway and nice carpets on the higher levels confirmed it. That place wasn't just for your average salaryman.

>>>Asuka: It isn't...I had..had...

>>>Rei: To 'sleep' your way into the apartment.

>>>Asuka: don't remind me of that.

They took the elevator to the fifth floor, and Hikari followed Shinji, until he stopped in front of a door. Apartment 55 she noted.

>>>Hikari: Why I'd note that, I have no idea.

>>>Rei: If things do not go as you plan you plan to return to the apartment.

"If her career is as important to her as you say, I doubt she'll be here," said Hikari, guessing what was worrying Shinji.

"I guess you're right..."

Pulling out a keycard Shinji slid it into its slot and entered a code, opening the door for them.

>>>Rei: 404, I wonder how he chose his passcode.

>>>Hikari/Asuka: Shut up.

Hikari followed Shinji inside, to find herself in front of a sight similar to one she had witnessed earlier; a clean apartment. Actually, her mind noted that this place nearly sparkled, in contrast to the 'simply' clean state of her apartment.

>>>Asuka: They should have his face on the Mr. Clean bottle.

>>>Hikari: I can't even get my room that clean.

One could tell that this place was meticulously taken care of. Hikari also noted how well furnished the place was, and gasped as she mentally added the cost of a few things like the expensive wooden kitchen table and chair set, or the leather couch in the living room, which sat in front of a home theater set.

>>>Asuka: If you have the money, spend it.

>>>Rei: What about savings?

>>>HIkari: Retirement?

>>>Asuka: Nope, could die tomarow so why bother.

She nearly bumped into Shinji as she kept walking, her mind wandering.

"Something wrong?" she asked, as she noticed that Shinji was frowning.

>>>Asuka/Rei: To manythings are wrong to mention them all.

"It's strange... Asuka didn't come back last night..."

"How can you tell?" asked Hikari, as she looked closer at the living room, gaping at the huge forty-inch TV. On a storage shelf, she saw numerous video and music disks, as well as a dozen pictures, all of Asuka.

>>>Rei: You enjoy looking at yourself.

>>>Asuka: I'm just beutiful, and everybody should see me.

>>>Hikari:.....so we don't all look like models...don't flant it.

In some, she was wearing a feminine business suit, on others she wore more casual dressing. Hikari glared at one in particular where Asuka only wore a skimpy bikini, which barely hid ample breasts. She felt pangs of jealousy, as she compared the redhead's figure to her own modest one.

>>>Hikari/Rei: That doesn't seem fair.

>>>Asuka: I do know how to fill out a bathing suit don't I?

>>>Rei: And for that picture alone I will not allow Shinji to see this.

>>>Asuka: Oh, is wondergirl jealous she didn't 'grow'?

Until she noticed that Asuka wasn't smiling in any of the pictures.

"She doesn't do the dishes..." replied Shinji, worry evident in his voice.

At first, Hikari didn't get what he had meant, until she joined him in the kitchen, very well equipped, part of her mind noted with envy,

>>>Hikari: What is this, flant everything I want but can't have in my face day!

>>>Asuka: You wanted to go with him, live with it. and realized that there was no empty dirty dishes around.

"Maybe she ate outside this morning. After all, I bet she doesn't cook..."

"Perhaps..."

>>>Asuka: I cook!

>>>Hikari: Well look for microwave containers then.

>>>Asuka: I....'I need to learn how to cook.'

Hikari frowned.

"Why worry about her anyway? You still owe her that," she said, lightly touching Shinji's still bruised eye, which made him wince.

>>>Rei: Trying to keep him focused on leaving.

>>>Asuka: You know that if he stayed any longer he'd refuse to leave with you I bet.

"I guess... Let's... let's get this over with."

"Good idea."

Like the apartment, Shinji's room was spotless. The sight, however, greatly disturbed Hikari. Unlike the rest of the apartment, it was almost completely bare.

>>>Rei: I have more belongings than he does it seems.

>>>Hikari: What a boring room.

The furniture only consisted of a king sized bed, western style and with plain gray bedding, a chest of drawers and a bedside table, on which stood an alarm clock. There was no sign of life in this room, nothing to reflect the soul of it's owner. No posters, paintings, or pictures. No books or crumpled magazines, none of the little useless sentimental knick-knacks one would normally find in someone's private sanctuary.

Nothing.

>>>Asuka: Maybe he sleeps in MY room.

>>>Hikari: No, don't think it would be sleep.

>>>Rei: Abuse and sado-masocism.

The extra rooms in her own place had more life than this room, despite being unused. Hikari felt her eyes grow wet, as she witnessed first hand just how empty Shinji's life seemed to be. It was almost a wonder that he was still alive. Such a room gave the impression that its owner had no hope in life.

>>>Hikari: And who's to blaim? >>>Rei: At the present moment no doubt exists.

>>>Hikari: Exactly.

She felt like saying something, but she found herself at a loss of what to say. And somehow, words seemed meaningless here.

>>>Asuka: His whole room is a void of nothingness, even words are sucked into the void.

While Hikari had been looking around, Shinji had walked toward a wardrobe, from which he had pulled two duffel bags. Hikari moved behind him to take a look. Like the rest of the room, it was limited to the strict minimum. Sets of pants, shirts and jackets, one for each day of the week. An extra pair of shoes at the bottom. A heavy coat, for those days where it was cold outside.

Shinji picked up three sets of clothes, folding them with care so that the fabric wouldn't wrinkle.

>>>Hikari: Wouldn't want that.

>>>Asuka: Nit-pick nit-pick, that’s why we can't travel with him.

Then he closed the wardrobe and moved toward the set of drawers. From there, he picked up more casual clothing such as sweaters, t- shirts, shorts and jeans, then picked up a good number of socks and some underwear Hikari tried to avoid looking at.

>>>Rei: But she continues to look at.

>>>Asuka: Not trying really hard.

He then surprised Hikari by reaching under a pile of clothes in a drawer and pulling two frames.

"What are those?"

>>>Rei: They..

>>>Hikari: I know WHAT they are, but who are they off.

Shinji simply handed the frames to Hikari.

"Those are..."

To the young woman's surprise, the frames held two pictures. The first one was a group picture, which had been taken at a party she had attended to celebrate Katsuragi Misato's promotion to the rank of major, over six years ago.

>>>Hikari: Did we take a picture of that?

>>>Rei: No...no we didn't.

>>>Asuka: Then whats that then!

>>>Hikari: Creepy. On the picture she recognized herself, as well as Shinji, Asuka, Kensuke, Touji, the Major and blond woman she couldn't quite remember the name. The picture had been taken by that mister Kaji Asuka had fancied so much.

>>>Asuka: k...K....Kaji...

>>>Hikari: You know Ayanami, Shinji-kum may do to Asuka what I did to Touji.

>>>Rei: Lustful eyes tend to make the heart go far away.

Hikari felt contradictory emotions as this picture brought back good and bad memories.

The other picture was a very small one, only an inch by an inch of an half, taking only a small portion of the frame. It showed a familiar blue haired girl with red eyes, looking as impassible as she always had.

>>>Asuka: And theirs your big spot in the movie.

>>>Rei: I appear only in the form of a picture, I feel cheated.

>>>Asuka: I don't, after what they did to me you got off easy.

"How did you get those pictures?"

"Misato gave them to me. I had been keeping them in my locker, at NERV headquarters. It helped, sometimes, when I would ask myself why I was riding that thing. That's why they weren't destroyed along with Tokyo-3."

"I see..."

>>>Rei: He had a picture of me to keep him going.

>>>Asuka/hikari: Don't say it.

Hikari smiled as she handed the frames back to Shinji. There was some hope for him after all, if he had managed to keep those few precious memories all this time.

"I think I have all I need. I'll leave a note for Asuka, then we can leave."

Hikari nodded. She didn't want to stay here too long. It felt wrong somehow, coming inside the home of a person she somewhat wanted to separate Shinji from.

>>>Asuka: Maybe its because it is very WRONG to do that.

>>>Hikari: Its for his benifit I keep telling you!

>>>Asuka: Yeah out of my house and into YOUR bed!

>>>Hikari: I'd NEVER!

>>>Asuka: That what on his?

>>>Hikari: Where is your head at? >>>Rei: Rembering the scene of you in the tub.

>>>Hikari: AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHh!!

Written in clean and clear writing, Shinji's note had been explicit and to the point. "Gone to see Father." If felt rather cold, but Hikari couldn't really blame Shinji.

>>>Asuka/Hikari/Rei: He's to bad at lies to write more.

And despite everything, she hoped that these weren't the last words which would be exchanged between Shinji and Asuka. Although, she doubted it. Already Hikari feared to face the German girl once Asuka learned Shinji had moved into her home rather than being in Kyoto with his father. She had no doubt that Asuka would eventually know everything; Shinji wouldn't be able to lie to her.

>>>Rei: And she would either drag him back home or kill him their.

>>>Hikari: And me for trying to 'steal' him...good thing..

>>>Asuka: That I'm dead...right?

>>>Hikari: Um...yeah.

But then again, if what Shinji had said was true, and Hikari found herself doubting him less and less, Asuka was the one who was cheating on him. Not that they were that much of a couple in the first place it seemed...

They were about to leave when the door buzzer made itself heard. Shinji nearly panicked, until Hikari pointed out that Asuka wouldn't ring at her own door.

>>>Asuka: AHAHAHAHAHAHA baka AHAHAHAHA

>>>Hikari: So easy to panic.

Still, Hikari thought it would be better to answer the door instead of a still nervous Shinji. She pushed the open button and the door slid open to reveal a black haired woman in a police uniform. Immediately, Hikari got a bad feeling about this. The police rarely visited without reason.

"Mister Ikari Shinji?" questioned the police officer, looking past Hikari and toward Shinji.

"Y... yes? What... what can I do for you?" asked Shinji, as he approached the door.

>>>Asuka: Get your hankerchief, your beutiful talented girlfriend is dead.

>>>Rei: And she was pregnant.

>>>Hikari: he..heheheheh.

"My name is Kobayakawa Miyuki, I'm from the Bukooto Precinct. You share this apartment with a Sohryu Asuka Langley, correct?"

Shinji simply nodded.

"Can I come in? There's a few things I need to tell you."

"Su.... sure. Would... would you like some tea?"

The officer blinked, then smiled.

>>>Hikari: And take time to give false hope...their he's not even expecting it.

"Thank you, I would love to."

As Shinji lead the female officer toward the kitchen, Hikari's worries grew as she noticed the smile on the woman's face fade once Shinji wasn't looking at her, to be replaced by a sad look in her blue eyes. Something told Hikari that she would have to call the restaurant and tell them to close for the day. She had the feeling that she wouldn't make it back for lunch time.

>>>Asuka: I am still pissed they killed me off.

>>>Rei: At least you had a speaking role.

The sky was gray and heavy, as if it had sensed the reason why the couple stood in front of the black marker. Hikari found herself disturbed by the lack of people who had come to pay their respects to Asuka. Were Shinji and herself the only ones who had cared about the German woman?

>>>Asuka: Well if you held the funeral in Japan yes, but if it was in >>> Germany!!

>>>Rei: The claim that pilots were hero's must have been exagerated.

For a moment, Hikari wondered if this was the reason why things had gone so wrong. Would things had been different if someone had been there for Asuka, as a friend? Would Asuka's life had been the same if she had never left for college?

>>>Asuka: Maybe, so your selfish desire to better yourself killed me.

>>>Hikari: I'm sorry I wanted to have a better life.

Hikari chased those thoughts away. Wondering about 'what if' never brought anything good.

As they stood in silence, Hikari looked at Shinji. She frowned. He was staring at the marker, but there was something weird about his whole composure. His gaze was focused, his face serious. She had expected many reactions from Shinji, but not one of apparent cold indifference.

>>>Rei: Do you expect slaves to be mornful of their cruel dead masters?

>>>Hikari: I guess not. Had she ever entered NERV Headquarters, Hikari would have been amazed at how much Shinji was currently looking like his father.

>>>Asuka/Rei: BOOO!!! never say that again!

"There was a time I used to love her, Horaki-san," finally said Shinji after nearly ten long minutes. "So, I should be sad, shouldn't I? I should be sad, but

I'm not. I tried to try. I tried to feel hurt. I really tried. But I can't. All I can feel is relieved. Does that make me a monster, Horaki-san?"

>>>Asuka: My..goodness...was I really that cruel to him.

>>>Hikari: That’s a very bold statement for him, you can be cruel to him... >>> but I doubt that cruel, not anymore.

>>>Asuka: If..if I do get that bad...you'll tell me right.

>>>Rei: I would have already stopped you.

>>>Asuka: Good...good.

Hikari gasped. Was Shinji really feeling this way?

"No! You're... you're no monster, Ikari! I don't know any one as sensible and nice as you. I think... that some times, things just don't work out. Like me and Touji."

Shinji just stood there, looking down at the marker. Hikari approached him and put a hand on his shoulder, surprising Shinji by their close proximity.

"Just let it go."

Shinji nodded and gave Hikari a look she had learned to recognize as a silent thank you. Approaching the marker, he kneeled down and deposited a rose in front of it. He did the same for two other markers standing at the left of Asuka's. They were marked "Katsuragi Misato" and "Ayanami Rei". This done, Shinji faced the middle marker and pulled from his pocket a white cross.

>>>Hikari: Is it me, or does Shinji-kun have the worst luck.

>>>Asuka: And I thought I had a bad life at times.

"I'm sorry, Misato-san. I failed again. No... I failed her six years ago. I... I don't know what I'll do now. But... I hope I can one day make you proud."

>>>Rei: He suffers so quietly.

>>>Asuka: Baka, remind me to slap him when he gets back for not being more >>> supportive of himself.

>>>HIkari: Isn't that counter-productive?

>>>Asuka: Only at first. Finally, Shinji was crying, but Hikari wondered if it was a good thing or not. Then again, crying was better then letting his feelings eat him from the inside. Shinji now had a new chance. Hikari just regretted that Shinji hadn't been able to grasp it while Asuka had been alive. It might have been harder for him, but it probably would have felt better in the end.

"Come," said Hikari, sensing that Shinji was done. "Let's go home."

>>>Asuka: And by that I assume you mean your home.

>>>Hikari: That I do.

As the car speeded on the rarely used road, the landscape changed quickly, the desolate land of death that had once be proudly known as Tokyo-3 being replaced by empty plains, still recovering from the blow dealt by Second Impact on each side of the road, and the hint of Tokyo-2's highest towers far ahead. The car's engine roared as Shinji pushed further on the accelerator, the wind blew against the car's passengers faces and hair, and the hands of one scared Horaki Hikari were holding on her seat and door so tightly that her knuckles were turning white.

>>>Asuka: Misato drives faster.

>>>Hikari: Is..that my hair falling out?

>>>Rei: Rapid acceleration and g-force could cause that.

Paralyzed by fright, she found herself unable to expressed them, until Shinji made one sudden move with the steering wheel to avoid crashing against a car moving only a bit faster then the speed legally allowed on this road.

>>>Asuka: Slow poke.

>>>Hikari: I mean, who really goes the speed limit anyway?

Unfortunately, Hikari's frightened "eep" was drowned out by the sound of the sport car's engine.

Finally managing to move, Hikari looked at her right to see a contented smile on Shinji's face. Despite the insane speed he was driving, he looked calm, at peace and not in the least concerned by anything, even going as far as driving only using one hand. While Hikari was glad to see him smile, she couldn't help but worry for her life.

>>>Hikari: Doesn't moving at the speed of sound waste alot of gas?

>>>Rei: Sports cars tend to have larger tanks to accomadate such actions.

What if... what if the latest events had been too much for Shinji? What if he had decided to finish it all, to kill himself in a spectacular car crash? Maybe the peaceful expression on Shinji's face wasn't one caused by the joy of the rush of driving this car like a madman, but rather one of resignation to his fate? >>>Rei: But he would not commite murder.

>>>Hikari: I know, but if you're hystarical you don't tend to think about >>> such things.

Hikari tried to push those thoughts aside. While a reckless Shinji wasn't a common sight, it was more believable than the idea of a Shinji intending to take her with him into death.

Right?

>>>Asuka: WRONG, three seconds later he crashes into a siderail!

"Aren't... aren't we going a bit too fast?" Hikari finally managed to stutter out.

"We're barely over the two hundred kilometers per hour. This car can handle much more abuse," just casually replied Shinji, before making a sharp motion with the steering wheel, to avoid another car.

>>>Rei: A collision at such a high rate of speed, and factoring weight... >>> your body would be liquidated.

"I'm gonna die..." mentally whimpered Hikari.

>>>Asuka: Eventually.

Thankfully, they soon reached the outskirts of Tokyo-2 and the growing traffic forced Shinji to slow down. But he's driving was still too recklessly for Hikari's taste.

"I... I didn't know you could drive. When did you learn?" tentatively asked Hikari.

>>>Rei: You allowed him to drive, not knowing he had a license?

>>>Asuka: Who has the death wish?

Perhaps if she got him to talk, he would slow down a bit? Then again, breaking his concentration might not be such a good idea after all. But it was already too late.

"Well, Asuka forced me to learn, just in case. Like when she would go to a bar and end up too drunk to drive. Although she would never let me drive this car unless it was really necessary.

>>>Hikari: You had TWO cars!

>>>Asuka: Be nice, wouldn't it?

I never had the chance to enjoy it as I did today. Reminds me of the old times, when I was forced to ride with Misato-san," explained Shinji. "Her driving was wild and scary," he added with a chuckle.

>>>Rei: Coming from him, I will not allow the major to transport me anywhere. >>>Hikari/Asuka: Agreed.

The smile that had appeared on Shinji's face when he had said those words quickly faded as his expression sobered, most likely because of the happy memories had also brought back less enjoyable ones. Hikari felt sorry for bringing that up. It was so hard trying to know more about him without bringing back painful memories.

>>>Hikari: All his memories are tied to painful ones.

>>>Rei: It does hinder efforts to learn more about him.

>>>Asuka: Thank Kami-sama for movies, ne?

Perhaps she should refrain herself from asking personal questions until some wounds had a bit more time to heal...

"Oh... I see..."

"I hope I didn't scare you too much. But I wanted to enjoy this car one last time..."

>>>Asuka: Before I kill myself to join my be-loved.

>>>Rei: He would go to hell...oh I see.

>>>Asuka: Hey they made me evil in this, why the hell not.

"No, it's... it's alright. It was... fun," Hikari lied. "But why would this be the last time?" she asked worryingly. There were a few ways to interpret these words, and some of those she didn't like.

"Too much trouble. I don't want to go through the expenses and hassle necessary to take care of this car. I don't really need it, and here, in the middle of Tokyo-2, it's more of a pain than anything else. Besides... it was Asuka's toy, not mine."

>>>Rei: In a sense he was as well.

>>>Hikari:In a sick twisted way he was.

>>>Asuka: I bet he enjoyed it, a bit at least.

"I see..."

For a moment, they rode in silence. Hikari couldn't think of anything positive to say, or which might cheer Shinji up, so she opted for not saying anything at all. She looked at him again, but his eyes were partly hidden behind sunglasses. She wondered what he was thinking.

>>>Asuka: Probly of a way to lay the blaim for everything on himself.

>>>Rei: Or who he's let down the most.

>>>Hikari: Ok, so mister possitive he isn't. Were his thoughts as erratic as hers, jumping from mundane things, like how she would soon need to buy new frying pans, to deeper thought, like Asuka's death and it's consequences? If her old friend's death was affecting her in such a way, then wasn't it reasonable to guess that Shinji was much more affected by this then her?

>>>Asuka: Shinji be affected...hm...that’s a no brainer, 1000yen says he's >>> totally shaken by it.

>>>Rei: He is very sentimental.

>>>Hikari: He's not the normal guy is he.

Even with his current feelings toward her, he had still loved her for a long period of time, and had shared is life with her for far longer.

Yet, aside from a short display in front of Katsuragi's grave, Shinji hadn't shown any sort of grief ever since they had left for the funeral earlier that day. Knowing him, he was probably keeping it all bottled inside. It worried her.

And now that Asuka was gone... she wondered how he would handle himself.

>>>Rei: You will be living with him so you will know.

>>>Hikari: I forgot, I guess I will.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you all the way home?" asked Shinji, pulling Hikari back to reality.

"I'm sure, no need to trouble yourself in trying to drive all the way there. I know it would be a hassle and it'll be quicker by tramway anyway."

"Alright. I'll leave you at the closest station then."

Shinji seemed somewhat disappointed. And... she felt disappointed herself. She really should have invited him to come with her... but considering the recent events, it didn't seem right.

>>>Asuka: Only if you have something in mind, being considerate and friendly >>> would be good.

>>>Rei: But that isn't what you are planning, is it.

Somehow... she could guess thatShinji would need some time on his own to sort out his feelings.

No, it was better not to rush things.

Then, why did it hurt to see him drive away after he had left her at a tramway station?

Hikari looked up at the afternoon sky, darkened by heavy clouds. The wind was strong, the rain falling hard on the city. The intensity of the storm paled compared to some of the storms that had once hit Japan in a time where seasons were clearly defined, but still it was enough to prompt people to avoid going out unless it was absolutely necessary.

>>>Hikari: NO! the storm took one of the cows!!

>>>Rei: The beef market will be in tormoil.

>>>Asuka: Over one cow?

>>>Hikari: That’s 25% of all beef.

Which meant that Hikari's Cafe was empty. If it hadn't been for the fact that Hikari was reluctant to send the girls out in such a weather, she would have given them the day off. But for now, she decided to wait and see if things would calm down. If not, she would call a cab to send everyone home.

How appropriate. The weather reflected well Hikari's state of mind: dark and gloomy, her thoughts raging in her mind. Focused on a single thing.

>>>Rei: The first sign of obsession.

>>>Asuka: And he isn't even there.

>>>Hikari: That doesn't make SENSE!!

"Horaki-san... are you alright?"

>>>Hikari: NO I'M NOT I HAVE NEEDS AND THEY ARE NOT BEING MET!

>>>Rei: Her hormones have taken over.

>>>Asuka: Its funny.

Hikari turned to see her young Chinese waitress looking worryingly at her.

"Everything's fine, Sze-Mi. Don't worry."

Wanting to avoid further questioning from the girl, Hikari returned to the kitchen. Perhaps she would find some peace of mind there.

>>>Asuka: Amoung the knives and other sharp things.

If she didn't find a way to keep herself busy, she would just find herself thinking of him again. Maybe it was time to attempt few dessert recipes she hadn't found the time to try yet. Something with chocolate might be nice.

>>>Asuka: Oh this isn't good, no wonder you so emotional.

>>>Rei: I do not follow.

>>>Asuka: You..don't? >>>Rei: No.

>>>Hikari: Asuka you're wrong...just like chocolate.

Again, Hikari signed. She knew very well that no amount of bakery would let her escape from reality.

That idiot! It had been four days! Four days since the funeral... and he hadn't shown her any sign of life. No visit, no phone call. Nothing. It really infuriated her. She worried about him, and that jerk didn't deign to give her any news.

>>>Rei: He could be dead.

>>>Asuka: Death does seem to be an important part of this movie.

>>>Hikari: I know that he's not dead.

>>>Rei: Yes, you fast forwarded to the scene of your preference.

Part of her was aware that she was over reacting to this, and it worried her. After all, he was only an old acquaintance who had just reappeared in her life, wasn't he? Why should she worry so much about him? They hadn't even bee that close before.

Yet... she did. Somehow, as days had passed without any news, she had found herself thinking of him more and more, wondering how he was... and if she would see him again. That last thought perturbed her the most.

She wanted to see him again... and the possibly that she might not upset her greatly.

"Baka Shinji..."

>>>Rei: And the transformation begins.

>>>Hikari: NO! I don't want red hair.

>>>Asuka: What color would you get if you mixed red, brown and black? she muttered to herself, while looking for a few bowls. She might as well try her hand at a triple chocolate cake after all...

>>>Asuka/hikari: Triple...chocolate...cake..

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun makes that rather well.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: We know...

Her attempts were cut short, however, when Keiko entered the kitchen.

"Hey, Hikari."

"What's wrong, Keiko?"

>>>Rei: My lack of screen time. >>>Asuka: My portrial.

Hikari gave her friend and employee a worried look. She was acting serious and this was something that didn't happen very often. Hikari had no idea where Keiko took all that energy, but she almost always had a smile on her face, a cheery disposition and an habit of teasing her.

"I don't know... there's this guy who just came in and asked for you..."

>>>Rei: A police man.

>>>Asuka: Being arrested for hiring that guy to kill me.

Hikari rose an eyebrow.

"Oh? And you're passing out this chance to tease me?"

>>>Hikari: Maybe she wants to keep her job after all.

"Well, the guy is cute, but... it's weird. I have the feeling I've seen him before, and... Look Hikari, just looking at this guy, you can feel that he's not here to order the Sunday special. That guy is here to see you and his business is important enough to go out in a storm like this one.

>>>Hikari: Shinji would go out in a storm like that for milk if asked.

>>>Asuka: He'd go out in it if you asked him to see how wet the rain was.

>>>Rei: It is water, it is very wet.

>>>Asuka and Hikari just sigh.

So I'm worrying about you, okay? You're my friend, and... you're one of the rare persons who cares about me aside from Mamo-chan..."

Hikari could feel the worry in the younger woman's voice and in her eyes. She smiled and hugged the girl.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it's nothing."

>>>Asuka: Then the bullets came tumbling down.

>>>Hikari: Be my luck.

That seemed to satisfy Keiko and cheer her up.

"Alright... and if this guy tries something weird, I'm gonna kick his ass!"

"I have no doubt about that," chuckled Hikari.

Keiko rarely spoke of her past. It seemed to be, for her, a sore subject. Hikari knew, however, that her friend had spent a short period of time in juvenile detention. From what little Hikari knew, Keiko's parents had both been NERV employees, her father a security agent and her mother a simple technician. Both had been killed in the JSSDF attempt to take over NERV. >>>Rei: it is nerv's business to ruin families.

>>>Hikari: God is in his heaven, all is right with the world.

>>>Asuka: If you don't mind not having a mother or father.

Keiko had eventually ended up in a foster family that hadn't really cared for her and that, added to her hatred for the Japanese government and their involvement in her parents' death, had led to what Keiko had referred to as 'rather troublesome and wild teenage years'.

>>>Asuka: She's still a teen.

>>>Rei: She still appears wild to me.

The only thing that had been able to calm her down and save her chances at a bright future was her meeting with her boyfriend Mamoru.

In any case, despite the fact that Keiko had now mellowed down, Hikari was still certain that the girl would be able to actually carry on her threat of kicking ass... literally.

>>>Hikari: What good it would really do to kick a person in the ass.

Hikari signed. In many ways, Keiko reminded her of Asuka, especially now that this part of her past had been brought back into her life.

>>>Rei: I fear for Mamoru.

>>>Hikari: Wonder if he's being beaten as well.

The fact that Keiko had lately taken into dying her hair in a fiery red shade just added to the impression.

Removing her apron, Hikari stepped out of the kitchen, Keiko close behind, her mind apparently set in acting as her bodyguard. She found Sze-Mi at the restaurant's entrance, talking with a man, trying, apparently futilely, to get him to follow her to a table. The way he was standing, Hikari couldn't see his face.

>>>Hikari: that would make this to easy.

>>>Asuka: Nothing can be easy.

A drowned rat. That's the first thing that came to Hikari's mind when she looked more closely at the man. Obviously, he had been outside for an extensive period of time; he was soaked to the bone. His hair, while short, was matted to his head, the heavy gray trench coat he was seemed to cling to him, as did his equally soaked pants, and a small puddle of water has begun to form under him.

>>>Rei: You continually look at his pants.

>>>Hikari: just making observations. Had this man really put himself under such a state just to see her. Hikari had a bad feeling at that thought.

"Sir, are you sure you don't want to sit down and get a cup of coffee?" Hikari heard Sze-Mi ask. "It's fresh and it'll warm you up. Maybe some hot apple pie with that? I really like a good piece of apple pie when I'm cold..."

>>>Asuka: While your at it why not get a stake, eggs, tea..a boiling cup of water.

>>>Hikari: She's a poor sales-woman.

"No thanks, really... I'm just here to see miss Horaki."

That voice...

"Ikari-kun?"

The man turned to indeed reveal a very wet Shinji.

"Horaki-san... Hi."

For a moment, Shinji stated at her and she did like wise, Shinji apparently feeling as embarrassed and as confused as she was.

Keiko and Sze-Mi gave them curious stares.

>>>Asuka: This has got to be the most trite piece of..

>>>Hikari: Its sweet, and you know it.

>>>Rei: You just keep looking at eachother, say something.

"Ikari..."

"Horaki..."

"...how..."

"...I'm..."

"...are you?"

"...sorry I didn't give you any news..."

>>>Asuka/Rei: Ok, that was pointless.

Both of them blushed, while Keiko grinned and Sze-Mi looked slightly distressed.

"You first," suggested Hikari.

"I'm... I'm sorry I didn't give you any news... I could have called, but... Things have been so strange and hectic these few days. I had to take care of the succession,

>>>Rei: Inheritance, he is now a rich man.

>>>Asuka: And who had to suffer for it!

>>>Rei: You allowed it to happen.

>>>Asuka: Ew...just the thought makes my skin crawl. and... well after the funeral I called to quit my job at Makajima. I've also made an arrangement with the owner of the place I live. With what happened, he agreed to let me go if I pay the next two months. He couldn't argue much, considering that the lease was under Asuka's name."

>>>Asuka: Bastard, I'll hunt him too.

>>>Hikari: Ah, trying to make amends from beyond the grave.

>>>Rei: How futile.

"You two know each other?" interrupted Keiko. "I wasn't aware that Hi-chan had a boyfriend..."

Shinji blushed.

"I'm not... it's not like that..."

>>>Hikari: Not yet anyway.

>>>Asuka: Going to wait a day or two before jumping him?

"Keiko! It's not like that at all!"

"Yeah, right..."

Hikari fumed and ignored that.

"So, Horaki-san... Does... does your offer still stand. About... the job, and... well..."

Hikari blinked.

"Oh! Of course! Of course my offer still stands! It doesn't look like it today, but I sure can use an extra cook."

"Extra cook?" both asked Keiko and Sze-Mi.

>>>Rei: Your employees wanted that job, and now they will leave.

>>>Hikari: Good riddence, anymore teasing I'd serve them as dinner.

"Yes. It's getting crazy out there in the kitchen."

"Ah, yeah, I remember... you mentioned the idea of a new cook before... so... are you going to present your mysterious guy to us?" Hikari nodded, choosing to ignore what Keiko might have tried to also imply.

"Ikari-kun... the two lovely ladies are my friends and your future fellow employees, Amano Keiko and Lau Sze-Mi,"

>>>Asuka: Giving him a management position, he didn't even have to sleep his >>> way into it.

>>>Rei: But she hopes he will.

>>>Hikari: Maybe I meant co-workers? said Hikari as she designated each girl as she mentioned her name. "Girls, meet my old friend Ikari Shinji."

Keiko frowned at that.

"Wait a minute... Ikari... My god! Is that the guy from last time? The guy you slept with?"

>>>Hikari: Technically yes.

>>>Asuka: And by the look of things, the other way as well 'grinds her teeth'

Sze-Mi gasped as she heard those words and might have lost her standing hadn't Shinji caught her.

"I... I haven't slept with him..."

Hikari felt herself blush deeply. She didn't want to lie to her friends, but if she said this...

"Well, not *that* way, anyway."

Now it was Shinji's turn to blush.

>>>Asuka: And he's so cute when he does.

>>>Rei: He looks like a tomato 'smiles softly.'

Keiko grinned wickedly, while Sze-Mi fainted.

Hikari developed a sweat drop.

"Keiko, why don't close the door and put the 'closed' sign. I'll warn Ayame. We won't be getting any customers today anyway, so there's no point in keeping open. You can join us upstairs afterward.

>>>Asuka: Just give me a few minutes alone first.

>>>hikari: ASUKA!!

>>>Asuka: Sorry.

Ikari-kun, I'll help you carry her to my apartment. I'm sorry, the poor girl is a bit emotional. Oh, and we can get you out of those wet clothes there too.

>>>Hikari: Neither of you say a word!

>>>Asuka and Rei shut their mouths and return to watching the screen.

I'm sure you'll like a cup of hot tea too."

Shinji smiled, before surprising Hikari by lifting the small Chinese girl in his arms.

"I'd appreciate that."

Hikari had to keep herself from laughing out loud. Poor Shinji seemed like he wanted to dig himself a hole and hide. Since all his clothes had been wet, the only thing available for him to wear was Hikari's pink cotton nightgown. It was something Hikari kept for chilly nights, and it was the only article of clothing in her wardrobe she figured would have fitted Shinji's frame.

>>>Asuka: H...he...heheehhehehe pink...

>>>Rei: It looks nice on him, 'chuckles VERY lightly'

>>>Hikari: Theirs a gift idea.

Needless to say, Keiko didn't miss this opportunity to tease him. Hikari smiled at that... between laughs. If Keiko was teasing him, then it meant she liked him, which pleased the cook. Shinji sure could use all the friends he could get, and Hikari wanted all her friends to get along.

>>>Asuka: But once the get an eye for him then what, kill them too?

>>>hikari: I didn't get you killed!

Which made her worry about Sze-Mi. She didn't seem to take well Shinji's appearance in her life. Hikari had suspected that there might be more to Sze-Mi than simple admiration, but... she didn't know what to think of it. While it was flattering... she had no real interest in women.

>>>Rei: To bad Doctor Akagi didn't think like that.

>>>Asuka: That is still a scary thought...she has video of us...

>>>Rei: It will need to be re-acquired.

And she didn't want to lose Sze-Mi's friendship. She sighed. The situation could get... complicated...

"Let me get this straight..." said Keiko, after taking a sip at her beer. "You hire him as a cook... and he'll be living here from now on?"

>>>Rei: Yes, it is the stupidest set up imaginable.

After Shinji had changed, everyone had gathered around the kitchen table, where Hikari had distributed everyone drinks and a piece of lemon pie. For some reason, she had baked a lot of desserts in the last few days...

>>>Hikari: I like to eat when I'm nervous.

>>>Rei: It shows, you have gained some weight.

Then, she had explained to the two girls the proposition she had made to Shinji. While Sze- Mi's expression became somber, as she had feared, Hikari hadn't expected Keiko to take this as seriously.

"Umm... yes... Well... until he finds something closer and more appropriate for him."

Shinji agreed to that, after a sip of tea, before trying to look as small as possible again.

>>>Asuka: That will be hard wearing a pink woman’s nightgown.

>>>Hikari: Look at him squirm.

Keiko grinned widely.

"About time girl! You finally managed to get yourself a male. And a fine looking one at that," she said, before turning toward Shinji with a thumb up. "Way to go Ikari, didn't think any man would ever manage to break Ice Queen Hikari.

>>>Rei: That’s my nickname.

>>>Asuka: No, that’s doll.

>>>Hikari: All my employees have too much interest in my love life.

>>>Asuka: Be quiet he he Ice Queen.

Oh, and don't hesitate... give her all you got! The girl's got a lot of catching up to do."

>>>Asuka: Kami-sama no..

>>>Rei: Your employees, I do not approve of them

>>>Hikari red again: I'm only 21!!

Hikari choked on her cappuccino, and then tried to beat Shinji in a blushing competition.

>>>Rei: That is impossible.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: All hail Chibi-hentai, King of blushing.

"KEIKO!!!"

Hikari glared, while her friend laughed. Everyone suddenly became quiet, however, when Sze-Mi turned toward Shinji and gave him a solemn look. "Ikari-san... please be gentle with Horaki-san..."

Hikari groaned and felt like banging her head on the table.

"Sze-Mi... not you too..."

>>>Asuka: You know if Shinji ever did see this he'd blush and pass out.

>>>Hikari: Gentle should be Shinji-kuns middle name.

>>>Rei: That or kind. - - -

The early morning sun woke up Hikari. For a moment she nearly panicked, realizing that she was late. Then she remembered and calmed down.

Her alarm hadn't woken her today because she had the morning off. Shinji had reached a point where Hikari had considered him capable of handling breakfast and had decided that this morning would be his first solo experience and that she would sleep late.

>>>Asuka: And that thought caused you to wake in a cold sweet.

>>>Rei: No faith at all.

She had been so used in waking up early to go to work that it seemed her body had forgotten the notion of sleeping late.

Well, while it was still early, at least she had slept longer than usual; and she was really feeling great this morning.

Lazily, Hikari went through her usual morning motions. It felt really good to relax. If this experience worked out well, she might just let Shinji handle breakfast once in a while. Perhaps even on a weekly basis? She had no doubt that

Shinji would be able to handle that.

>>>Hikari: I guess dumping the work off wouldn't hurt.

>>>Asuka: Lazy.

Shinji had been working for her for about two months now and quite frankly, Hikari had found herself impressed by the man's cooking skill, if not a bit jealous. He seemed to take in every recipes she would show him as a sponge would water.

>>>Asuka: he's a cooking ace!

>>>Hikari: Why do you think I come over so much lately?

>>>Rei: I wish I could eat meat.

>>>Hikari: No you don't, it gives you the chance to ask for special treatment.

She had always suspected that Shinji could do a lot ot things if properly motivated and was far more talented and intelligent than he believed, but she had never expected anything like this. If things kept up the way there were going, it would only be a matter of a few months before he would have mastered recipes and techniques she had spent years learning. It was both impressive and infuriating.

But it also pleased her. He was happy, she could see him. He would cook, help the girls serve clients, give Ayame a hand at the bar at night, he even sometimes helped clean the place and he all did it with a smile.

>>>Asuka: Did you see that girl grab his butt!

>>>Rei: Hikari's Cafe has a steadier female clientele.

>>>Asuka: And look at all the work she dumps on him.

>>>Hikari: But look how good he does it!

A genuine, happy smile. To see him so different from the day they had met again weeks ago... it was very heart warming.

And it had been a good business decision. If Shinji lacked ambition, he was a hard worker and an excellent administrator. He had quickly organized and optimized the restaurant's inventory and book-keeping and he was currently making negotiations with the Tokyo-2 Culinary School for graduate students to have a training period at the Cafe.

>>>Hikari: Is their anything he can't do?

>>>Rei: Hurt one of us.

>>>Asuka: To bad, I'd have him all to myself if he did.

>>>Rei/Hikari: Excuse me?

This way, Hikari would be able to have free part time workers, she could learn the latest cooking techniques and in exchange students could acquire real life experience. A brilliant idea, one she wished she had thought of herself.

>>>Rei: But you didn't, how did the cafe stay out of the red without him.

>>>Hikari I do alright...don't I?

But Shinji's best move had been without contest... the TV.

When he moved in Hikari's apartment, Shinji had been at a bit at a loss about what to do with the forty-inch screen TV from his old apartment. It had really mainly been Asuka's as Shinji admitted that he rarely watched.

>>>Rei: What time did she to watch TV, between affairs?

>>>Hikari: Bet late at night, but some sick movie and and...'blushes'

>>>Asuka: In fantasy land again. Likewise, Hikari never watched TV either. She hadn't had the time before. Shinji thought about trying to sell it, when he had an idea. It took some convincing, but finally Hikari gave him and let him put it in a corner of the bar as well as subscribe to a number of sport channels.

As word of this spread, the bar suddenly developed a more substantial steady clientele. Sumo competitions, as well as boat-racing and horse-racing events were particularly popular and when those occurred, Ayame usually borrowed Shinji for a few hours and Hikari had found herself at first forced to borrow chairs from the restaurant area.

>>>Asuka: All his idea's...couldn't you see that dumb male sports would bring dumb >>> males to watch them?

>>>Rei: I still see many lustful women touching his rear.

>>>Hikari: Some plans backfire.

Not that it was a problem, since people tended to migrate from the restaurant to the bar anyway.

Yes... offering Shinji a job was one of the best decisions Hikari had done so far, she decided with a smile. And best of all, the girls liked him too. Even

Sze-Mi had actually grown fond of him... perhaps a bit too much for Hikari's taste...

>>>Asuka: She'll have to die.

>>>Rei: It will look like an accident.

As she was about to make herself breakfast, it dawned on her that Shinji was actually doing just that downstairs. With a grin, Hikari put her ingredients back into the refrigerator and cupboards. It couldn't hurt to visit the customer side of her own establishment once in a while. Besides, it was a good way to evaluate Shinji's progress, right?

>>>Rei: You can't even convince yourself.

>>>Hikari: So I want to talk to him...ok.

Hikari found Shinji in the kitchen, totally focused on his task. His movements were precise and fluid, no moment was wasted when he moved from the grill, to boiling pots, to a cutting board. The odor of various meals and ingredients were mixed in the air, making Hikari's stomach growl and her mouth water.

>>>Rei: That would mean something nice, if her head wasn't focused below his waist.

>>>Asuka: It does kinda ruin the sentimentality. It was a sight she hadn't seen in years, ever since her mother died. The sight of someone cooking and pouring all his heart into it. It brought a tear to her eye.

She was about to make her presence known, when a mischievous idea crossed her mind. It was something she had always loved doing to her mother. Moving silently until she stood behind him, Hikari waited for the right moment, not wanting to cause an accident. Then, when it was finally safe, she gave Shinji one big hug from behind.

His reaction was not what she had expected.

While her mother had always appreciated this affective gesture and would usually turn around and hug her back, Shinji freaked out. He screamed and Hikari found herself thrown to the floor was he freed himself from her embrace.

>>>Rei: When you are dealing with a subject that withstood great abuse >>> and sexual trauma it is not wise to 'grab' them.

>>>Hikari: What a dumb thing for me to do.

>>>Asuka: That is the sound of nobody disagreeing with you

He instinctively ran behind a table and gave Hikari a frightened look.

"Ikari-kun... I... I didn't mean to scare you... I'm sorry, I..."

>>>Asuka: Just forgot about the years of mental conditioning you received.

>>>Hikari: That sucks..I bet I just ruined two or three months of work.

Keiko and Sze-Mi entered the kitchen at that moment, alarmed by Shinji's startled scream.

"Ikari-san? Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?" asked Sze-Mi as she began to inspect Shinji closely and probe him.

>>>Hikari: I don't think he hurt that.

>>>Asuka: Just making observations huh?

>>>Rei: I am surprised the music hasn't started yet.

"I'm fine... something just startled me," answered Shinji with a fake smile for the shorter girl, before looking worryingly toward Hikari.

"Yeah, I'm sure everything is fine. Let's get back to work," said Keiko with a frown as she also noticed Shinji's expression, before grabbing one of Sze-Mi arms to drag her, while also dragging Hikari with the other arm. "Now, Hi-chan, why don't you tell us what happened..."

>>>Rei: This will be a good story.

- - - Keiko fumed, her cup of coffee shaking in her hand. Hikari had just finished explaining about Shinji's past and how it was related to what had just happened.

She wondered if she hadn't just done a mistake.

"That bitch! How could she do that to someone like Ikari? He's the nicest guy I know! Well, aside from Mamo-chan..."

>>>Rei: If it really happened, I would be the one to kill you.

>>>Hikari: With my help.

>>>Asuka; Yes yes, and you'd have my blessings too.

The mention of her boyfriend seemed to calm down the fake redhead somewhat.

"I don't think any of this happened on purpose, Keiko. Asuka... I've never known the details, but I think in her own way, Asuka suffered just as much as Shinji. They probably... just weren't meant for each other."

"Still... well, at least he has you now."

>>>Hikari: True 'smiles.'

>>>Asuka: I admit my past does suck..but its no where NEAR his life.

>>>Rei: At least you have a past.

"Keiko... I... I told you many times. It's not like that..."

The waitress took a sip of coffee and gave Hikari a serious, knowledgeable look.

"Bullshit. You two work together. You live together. When you have some time to yourself, you guys go out to see movies, or to have dinner, go dance or whatever... You two go on what a normal couple would call a date,"

>>>Asuka: So who runs the cafe?

>>>Hikari: Not those two I assure you.

>>>Rei: I sense a plot hole. said Keiko, surprising Hikari a how true it was. "I've seen the smiles and glances Hikari. The looks you give him when you think no one, and specially not him, is watching. And I've seen how he looks at you... how he began to smile more with each days,

>>>Rei: Not being beaten for not taking the trash out will do that to a person.

>>>Hikari: And not being used like a human...

>>>Rei/Asuka: We have those.

>>>Hikari: Forgot. how you're more cheerful now than you were three months ago. Deny all you want, you two are made for each other. It's just a matter of both of you facing facts and one of you daring to bring it to the next level. And I think you know as well as I do that he won't dare that."

>>>Asuka/Hikari/Rei: Know it all to well.

>>>Asuka: I'm just...

>>>Hikari: ...... going to...

>>>Rei: .....let him have it.

Taking a last sip of coffee, Keiko left a stunned Hikari to resume her work. The waitress had said a lot of things that felt right and Hikari found herself with a lot to think about.

Hikari stared at the ceiling of her bedroom and contemplated her life. A week had passed since the kitchen incident. Everything had seemed to return to normal, but only on the surface.

>>>Hikari: Whenever I walk by him he cringes.

>>>Asuka: I know what that’s like.

On the inside... confusion raged within Hikari. She didn't know what to think. she was at a loss. Shinji. There was something between them... that went beyond simple friendship. Trying to define their relationship was always a very frustrating experience for her.

Keiko's words had made it much more complicated. Because she had exposed truths she hadn't been quite ready to face.

She enjoyed every moment spent with him. One moment, he could make her laugh and smile, while other times she would worry about him or even hurt, when his eyes would show the hurt caused by wounds not yet healed.

>>>Asuka: That’s why you realize some of them won't heal...ever.

>>>Rei: The concept of tip-toeing around subjects is very easy once you get >>> the hang of it.

Shinji was kind, gentle, trustworthy, the perfect gentleman. While often shy and unsure of himself, he had numerous times shown a strength nobody suspected within him.

>>>Asuka: Like jumping in that volcano....

>>>Rei: Burning his hands to free me.

>>>Hikari: Braving my sisters.

Lately, Hikari had found herself missing him when they were separated for an extended period of time. Seeing him in the morning made her smile, and seeing him leave for his room at the end of the day left her with a tiny void inside her.

What she felt for him was nothing like the blind passion she had felt for Kishiro Kazushi, someone she had met in college. Nor the teenage crush she had felt for Touji. No, it was different, yet Hikari wondered...

Could it be....?

>>>Hikari: Yes!

>>>Asuka/Rei: Why NOW!

She didn't know. What Hikari knew was that one day, this old friend had appeared and brought havoc into her life, and now... while she could imagine her life without him... it somehow looked gray without him.

She cared for him, this she was sure of. Very much in fact. But love...?

Perhaps...

The possibility alone was both scary and exhilarating.

>>>Rei: Back to being confused.

>>>Asuka: The basics are the best.

In any case, she had come to a decision. It was a very bold one. Perhaps even a bad one. Still, she hoped that it might give her answers, and perhaps it would also do Shinji some good, as well as herself.

Tomorrow would be Shinji's twenty-first birthday. But Hikari intended to give him her gift tonight... if he was willing to accept it.

>>>Rei/Asuka: Oh you are twisted.

>>>Hikari: Birthday x-mas...same thing.

Getting off the bed, Hikari took a few seconds to look at herself in a full body mirror. Despite the dim illumination, Hikari could still make out the way the satin low-back slip she wore hugged her every curves. She winked at herself, then walked toward Shinji's room.

>>>Rei: I do believe it is time to key the music up.

>>>Hikari: You better believe it. - - -

For a long time, Hikari watched Shinji sleep. He looked so peaceful. For a moment, Hikari felt a bit guilty about waking him up.

>>>Asuka: So don't wake him up. The frequency of his nightmares had increased lately, and perhaps she was about to ruin one of the rare uninterrupted nights of sleep he had in a while.

But she had a task to do.

>>>Rei: His corruption.

Slowly, being careful not to wake him up, Hikari crawled on his bed, until she was kneeling on all fours above him. Slowly, she lowered her lips to his, shivering in anticipation.

Then they made contact.

>>>Hikari: I'm good.

>>>Asuka: Yes, good at seduction.

>>>Rei: Which is something nobody should be.

It was just a simple contact, but it sent spark of electricity along her spine.

Slowly, tentatively, she licked his lips. Despite still being asleep, Shinji answered by parting them. Hikari took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Still asleep, Shinji followed suit and Hikari almost gasped as one of his arms grabbed her waist and pulled her against her.

>>>Rei: You trained him to well.

>>>Asuka: Even in his sleep...damn I really screwed his head up.

>>>Hikari: I'm not going to complain.

Dear God, she hadn't realized how much she wanted to kiss him again until now. Suddenly, her eyes went wide as she felt something hard rub against her thighs and try to position itself against her sex. All the while, his hands roamed on her body, bringing her marvelous sensations.

>>>Hikari: How true is any of this?

>>>Asuka/Rei: We have no idea.

>>>Hikari: Really?

>>>Rei: No reason to lie.

>>>Asuka: Maybe he really is a eunuch.

Then, Shinji apparently realized this dream was a bit too realistic and woke with a start, pushing Hikari away who landed on the floor.

"Ouch! My butt! Ikari, play nice!"

>>>Asuka: He is, its you that’s playing dirty. >>>Rei: A flag has been dropped for foul play.

Shinji blinked, coming fully awake as he realized Hikari was glaring at him. It was only then he noticed what she was wearing.

"Horaki?! What... what are you doing?" he asked, gulping hard.

>>>Hikari: Clueless.

>>>Rei: She has made a fool of herself.

Mentally, she asked herself the same question. Well, too late to go back now... "Happy birthday, I-ka-ri-kun."

Shinji gulped again.

>>>Asuka: Which means you have gotten his attention.

"It's midnight... so I thought that now was as good a time as any to give you your gift." Hikari tried to give him an alluring smile, then slowly turned around, showing him how the satin lingerie showed every curves of her body.

>>>Rei: Are you sure you want to do that?

>>>Asuka: You're so bony!

>>>Hikari: Shut up...I'm not. 'I don't think'

While she tried to give him a good show, she was nervous as hell and knew it was a poor performance. But Shinji didn't seem to notice, as he just stared at her.

>>>Asuka: Then fell back to sleep.

>>>Rei: That would be a comical sight.

She smiled as she saw him unconsciously lick his lips. "I bought this... *just* *for* *you*. What do you think?"

>>>Rei: If it is for him, it is too small.

>>>Hikari: Um...no, Its just to easy.

>>>Asuka: Now you understand me a bit more.

Shinji stared at her, then covered his body with the sheets. There was something akin to fear in his eyes now. Hikari bit her lip. Was this really the extent of what Asuka had done to him? This was one more reason to do this... to fix the damage she had caused.

>>>Rei: Or cause more.

>>>Asuka: You've just been conditioned to perform in your sleep, what do you want to >>> do now? >>>Hikari: Not do it again, but to bad for him.

"Horaki... I'm sorry... I don't think this is a good idea..."

Hikari sat on the bed and took his hand into hers. He tried to take it away, but she held it tight.

>>>Rei: If that doesn't work will you use drugs on him?

>>>Asuka: Who's worse in this movie, me or her?

>>>Hikari/Asuka: You.

>>>Rei: Both of you.

"Ikari... you don't have to apologize. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. This is my gift to you. If you want it, you just have to take off this sexy wrapping off. If you don't... well, it's okay."

The fear disappeared, but he was still tensed, unsure, confused, Hikari could feel it. With the tip of her fingers, she could feel through his wrist how rapid was his heartbeat.

"Horaki... I... I can't... it wouldn't be right..."

>>>Asuka: But will that stop her...NO

>>>Rei: I would be interested to see her actions if he fully refused.

>>>Hikari: I would not force HIM!

>>>Asuka/Rei: Looks like you are to me.

Hikari shook her head, then kissed his knuckles, before releasing his hand. He didn't try to pull it away this time.

"The only thing that wouldn't be right would be for you to do something you don't want to do.

>>>Rei: He did say he didn't wish to continue, if you were listening.

>>>Hikari: What?

Ikari... I... I wouldn't be here if I didn't want this. I... I care a lot about you... and... I... I... I would like to see if our friendship can move beyond what it is right now. If you're willing. But if not... it's okay.

>>>Asuka: Now the guilt approach, Better watch you more closely.

>>>Rei: I did not foresee Miss Horaki having such skills.

I'm not Asuka. I won't force you into anything. And I know this is very sudden. But don't worry, whatever our choice, you'll still be my dear Ikari- kun." They stared at each other. Hikari tried not to show how much she wanted it, and hoped that if he said no, that she could manage to hide her disappointment. She gave him a shy smile, which seemed to have more effect on him than anything she had previously said.

>>>Asuka: I am so pissed at you right now.

"Even if I wanted... it would be too risky... You could get... pregnant."

>>>Rei: And we see her actions bear fruit.

"No risk," Hikari said, although she hoped that she was right. "I've been using birth control pills for a few years," she explained. "My periods are really irregular, so it makes dealing with them easier," she felt the need to add.

>>>Rei: But if you have never involved youself with such activities before >>> what is the need?

>>>Hikari/Asuka: I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that.

Shinji looked at her uncertainly.

"Horaki... I... I..."

Hikari lowered her head. She had promised that she wouldn't insist and she would keep her word. She was disappointed, but also, relieved. It had been a bad idea, she could see it now. She couldn't believe she had been so selfish.

>>>Asuka: Look at this movie, its all you've been.

>>>Hikari: You lie!

>>>Rei: The restaurant, actions to drive him from the 2nd, offering your >>> 'birthday' present.

She could only hope that this wouldn't be the end of their friendship. Already, she wondered how she would be able to face him in the morning.

"It's alright Ikari-kun... I understand..."

Hikari was leaving the room, when she felt two arms encircle her waist and someone hugging her.

>>>Rei/Asuka: No...its the music.

>>>Hikari: You've heard it before?

>>>Asuka: Once..or twice 'blushes.'

"I don't want you to go... not like this... I... I... if you really want it... I mean... you look so sexy..."

"YES!" shouted Hikari mentally, as she grinned like the cat who had ate the canary. >>>Hikari is currently doing the same while Asuka and Rei look like the >>> dog that is eyeing the cat that ate the canary.

She freed herself from his embrace, and looked at him. He swallowed hard, then a determined look appeared on his face, followed by a caring yet confident smile.

Hesitantly, both of then moved toward each other, resuming the kiss they had begun. This time, however, Shinji kept his hand away, to Hikari's disappointment.

>>>Hikari: But I bet that doesn't last long.

They kissed for a long time, breaking it so that both of them could catch their breath.

>>>Asuka: To bad I didn't rumba he had to breath.

>>>Rei: Both Horaki and myself are glad you did.

Then they looked at each other... and both of them knew it was time to move on.

They both sat on the bed... and looked at each other, both of them feeling awkward.

Hikari suddenly found herself losing her previous assurance, as Shinji stared at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to make the first move. It made sense, considering who had been his previous bed partner.

>>>Rei: An overly controlling sadist.

>>>Hikari: That too.

>>>Asuka: Need I remind you that this is a MOVIE and that wasn't REALLY ME!

But, while Hikari knew the basics of that was supposed to happen, she had no idea on how to begin things and no previous experience to help her. She found herself looking down at the bed in shame, wondering if this was a good idea after all.

"What's wrong, Horaki?"

>>>Rei: She found herself with a conscious?

>>>Asuka: It should be me.

She nearly gasped as Shinji's fingers delicately touched her chin to lift her face, so that he could look at her eyes.

"I've... I've never... I don't know what to do... I'm sorry..."

Shinji's eyes went wide for an instant, before he gave her a warm smile.

"I see..." "Besides... remember, I want you to do what YOU want, right?" she added sheepishly.

>>>Rei: That was an easy way to remove the blame you deserve.

>>>Hikari: It is his present after all.

"I will."

Hikari gasped as suddenly Shinji pinned her to the bed. But her fears were soon forgotten as he tenderly kissed her again.

"Thank you," she whispered, relieved at Shinji for taking the initiative. She didn't have the opportunity to add anything, however, as Shinji began to trace kisses the length of her neck. Hikari moaned in delight, then gasped as she felt him nibble on one of her earlobes. Shinji just gave her an uncharacteristic grin, before kissing her mouth again.

>>>Asuka: Um...Nevermind.

>>>Rei: Well trained indeed.

Slowly, Hikari found herself melting under Shinji's slow ministrations.

He slowly kissed her mouth, cheeks, neck, shoulders, collarbones and her chest, but never going further than exposed skin. While he kissed her, he also mercilessly teased her with feather light touches on her belly, sides, thighs, jaw and neck, but never on the areas she would have liked him to touch.

>>>Asuka: Always the freaking gentleman, I've watched this thing NOW LETS SEE >>> SOME ACTION!!!

>>>Rei: He is allowing her the opportunity to back out.

>>>Hikari: If I was a Nun maybe I would...but since I'm not....

Still, all this attention made her feel as if she was in seventh heaven and had the experience ended there, Hikari still would have felt content and fulfilled.

He was making her feel good, desirable, loved, and she enjoyed every bit of it. She felt a bit guilty, however, letting him do all the work, but Shinji didn't seem to want it any other way.

>>>Hikari: Bet that’s how it always was, except when ..

>>>Asuka: Its the nail thing isn't it.

>>>Rei: And the bite marks.

Every attempt she made to reciprocate was stopped, and eventually, Shinji even took hold of her wrists and held both her arms over her head. So, Hikari decided to let herself melt under Shinji's ministrations, resolved to give him back some of the pleasure he was giving her later. Her musing was cut, however, when Shinji blew hot breath against one of her now exposed armpit, before kissing it. Hikari shivered in delight at the unexpected sensations.

>>>Rei: You are very selfish.

>>>Asuka: I'm wondering how he learned all this stuff!

"I want to see you," whispered Shinji. For a moment, Hikari wondered what he had meant, after all she was lying under him, before it dawned on her. He wanted to see her... naked. It made sense of course, after all they were about to have sex. But... the thought of him... seeing her like that...

She felt herself blush from head to toe.

>>>Asuka: How old are you?

>>>Rei: You wanted to give yourself to him, but the thought of being nude makes you >>> uncomfortable, nothing is wrong with nudity.

>>>Hikari: Momentary lapse of concentration.

"Ikari..."

Hikari couldn't protest, however, as he removed his shirt, then grabbed her waist and made them roll on the bed, in order to put her on top.

"Ikari!" she scolded. Her annoyance was short lived as she felt Shinji's naked torso under her hands, and something hard poking on one of her inner thighs.

>>>Rei: Again with the mention of that.

>>>Asuka: She's obsessed with that.

>>>Rei: I am jealous.

>>>Asuka: No way he gets this tape.

While Hikari found herself wondering what to do with that warm body under her, Shinji began to lift her satin slip. Reflexively, Hikari pushed his hands away.

Then, she realized what she had just said...

"Ikari... Shinji... I..."

>>>Rei: If it wasn't for the music I would hope this would be the end.

>>>Asuka: But NO! its just a buzz kill.

Not really knowing how to explained that she had simply panicked for a moment, she simply removed the pink garment herself. Shinji smiled, then Hikari gasped as again she found herself being rolled on the bed, to be pinned against the bed once more. Then, Shinji got up on his knees and took a few steps back on the bed. Hikari felt herself blush and had to fight the reflex to cover herself as he gazed at her for what seemed like forever. She felt her head spin as Shinji mouthed one word.

"Beautiful."

>>>Asuka: Of course he'd say that.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun is very easy to please.

>>>Hikari: Are you insinuating something?

With both hands, he cupped her breast, eliciting a surprised "Oh..." from Hikari, as his palms brushed against her painfully hard nipples, which sent an electric thrill through her breasts.

"A perfect fit," whispered Shinji as he loomed over her to kiss her neck, while massaging her breasts. Hikari felt relief at those words... with only an A-cup size, Hikari had feared that Shinji might have been disappointed in her chest.

>>>Rei: Why isn't he?

>>>Hikari: He's doesn't care about a body!

>>>Asuka: You weren't planning on watching this with him were you?

Which didn't appear to be the case, considering the manual treatment he was giving them. This was even more emphasized as he took one of her nipples in her mouth. If the though of his hands and lips against her skin had been blissfully erotic, these new sensation nearly sent her in a frenzy.

"Shinji! Keep doing that!"

>>>Asuka: Didn't take long for you to try and take control of things again.

>>>Rei: I would pay money for him to bite down hard.

>>>Hikari: That’s...so cruel!

>>>Rei: I agree.

She didn't give him much choice, considering that she held his head there with both hands. Shinji didn't protest

>>>Rei: Due to the lack of oxygen he'd have passed out.

>>>Asuka: Not much room to breath is their.

>>>Rei: She may have cracked ribs with the force she's applying. and carried his task with enthusiasm, also giving the same treatment for her other breast. He stopped, however, as Hikari's breathing started to become heavier.

"Shinji!" moaned the woman in frustration. >>>Hikari: Can I yell that loud?

>>>Asuka: Trust me, it gets louder.

>>>hikari: How do you know?

>>>Rei: Last movie we saw like this was similar.

"Not yet," Shinji replied simply with a confident, crafty grin, carrying the promise of upcoming pleasure.

Hikari groaned as Shinji returned to his slow teasing. Although, she had to admit that his lips and feather light touches on her bare skin felt awfully nice. She laughed a bit, as he licked her navel and grazed her ribs, then felt herself turn crimson as one of his hands moved toward her sex. She gasped, then let out a soft moan as his fingers slowly began to explore her, a few millimeters at a time, at a maddening slow pace.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Maybe we shouldn't be watching this.

>>>Hikari: Its not me you're looking at, or should I say seeing.

>>>Asuka/Rei:Tis true.

Hikari had been about to urge him to hurry up when finally she felt him move his fingers to her inner lips and her clitoris.

"Oh...."

This definitely felt better then doing this herself. MUCH better.

"Shinji... please, keep doing that..." she whimpered.

>>>Hikari: He is nothing but a piece of meat in this movie.

>>>Asuka: Well this movie isn't all about story so..

>>>Rei: It will be overlooked.

She could feel it, as Shinji concentrated on her clitoris, while again bringing his mouth to suck on an erect nipple and his free hand to caress the other. Any traces of shyness left her, and her pleasure became more vocal, expressed through a series of quick, sharp gasps that grew in volume with each passing moment.

>>>Rei: If anybody is left in the cafe, they have a good show to listen too.

>>>Asuka: If he really is that good, we'll have to rent him out.

>>>Hikari/Rei: HEY!

>>>Asuka: Kidding. 'But I do need some more spending money...'

She felt hot, her heart was beating like crazy in her chest, her breathing was out of control, as if she was running a race. Then, it happened. For an instant, all her muscles stiffened, then she felt a great spasmic wave pass over her body. Then another wave began, spreading out like a great wave of warmth from her center until it filled her body, and another wave and another.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god! Shinji!"

>>>Rei: Kami-sama isn't pleased with your actions so maybe yelling at him >>> isn't a good thing.

>>>Asuka: That’s not poetry your spouting off. she cried out, first loudly, then sobbing to herself. She was crying, hot tears running down her face.

For a moment, Hikari thought she would pass out. Then it was over, and she closed her eyes and let herself slump on the bed, her whole body spent and her breathing slowing to normal.

>>>Rei: Why isn't the music stopping.

>>>Hikari: Round one?

>>>Asuka: Bullshit, you watched this before you know!

"Horaki? What's wrong?" Shinji asked, brushing her cheek with his finger to dry her tears, concern discernable in his voice.

"Thank you... Shinji..."

She opened her eyes to see him smile at her.

"We can stop there, if you want..."

>>>Asuka/Rei: We want you to stop!

>>>Hikari: Now that is jealousy.

Hikari shook her head.

"No. I want to do it. Now more than ever."

"Alright."

Hikari had expected him to position himself above her, but instead she felt his hand return to her sex, where it found enough lubrication to proceed further. The first digit slid in without effort, although it was a bit tight. Hikari had never tried to use more than two fingers and when she did, she would usually find that she had a lot less room to maneuver than with a single finger.

Shinji was only using one, but his fingers were close to twice as big has her own.

>>>Asuka: Let the degradation begin.

>>>Rei: It began with the open credits. Initially, it felt rather good to feel him finger her, but soon it paled to his earlier ministrations. She was about to voice that fact when she felt him withdraw from her and play with her clitoris once more. She hadn't expected that, but she had no intention to complain.

>>>Asuka: Doesn't look like you can formulate complete thoughts right now.

>>>Hikari: No..no it doesn't.

However, before he could even bring her close to a state similar to before, his fingers moved lower to her tight tunnel again.

>>>Rei: Going for a rhyme scheme?

Hikari gasped this time, and Shinji slowly wormed two fingers in, up to the point where they almost brushed her virginity. This was more than Hikari had ever used and she felt a mild discomfort as she was stretched slightly. But it wasn't painful and it soon passed, as he began to move the fingers in and out, making her moan slightly in pleasure again.

>>>Asuka: What is going on here?

>>>Hikari: Something beautiful.

>>>Rei: In your eyes..

After perhaps a minute or two, Shinji removed his fingers and his other hand moved downward to stimulate her clitoris again, to her delight. But she suddenly tensed as she felt Shinji trying this time to insert three fingers inside her.

"Shinji, I don't think..."

>>>Asuka: We've been over this, you're not thinking.

>>>Rei: He is more experienced then you, he would know better.

>>>Hikari: Over my body?

>>>Rei: It is possible.

Her protest was cut short was Shinji intensified his work on her clitoris. Apparently sensing her more relaxed, Shinji began again to work his fingers inside her vagina.

This time, Hikari felt a tinge of pain as she found herself stretched beyond anything she had ever felt before, but it was soon forgotten. Again, Shinji stopped fingering her after a minute or two, but instead of focusing solely on her clitoris as before, he looked straight at her, his expression serious.

"If you want to change your mind, now is the time."

>>>Asuka: You..don't mean...

>>>Rei: I think he did. >>>Asuka: That overly sweat baka.

Hikari watched as Shinji got off the bed and removed his shorts and underwear. She gasped at the sight of his manhood. It stood straight and erect.

>>>No comments will be made about the reactions on the three's faces... >>> feel free to add your own comments here 'k?

It was bigger than she had expected -- even if she later learned that Shinji was of average size -- and suddenly, Hikari started to reconsider her position. How could that thing ever fit inside her?

>>>Asuka: You lucky...

>>>Hikari: Hot damn its about time!

Yet, as she watched it...

Before she knew it, Shinji was back into bed and hovering above her. Hikari shivered, a mix a pleasure and fear, as she felt something hot and stiff press against her thigh.

"Do it Shinji," whispered Hikari. "Fuck me," she added, restraint and modesty long gone.

>>>Rei: What crude language.

>>>Asuka: I'd have said she lost modesty once she began praying to Kami-sama.

>>>Hikari still blushing like a stop light.

With a nod, Shinji positioned himself against her entrance and began to thrust in, slowly and gently, but firmly. The head of his penis split her labia.

"My God... he's going inside," thought Hikari has she felt the swollen lips of her vulva spread wide to receive his hardness.

>>>Rei: That is what tends to happen during this act.

>>>Hikari: But the thought is something in itself.

>>>Asuka: Why did Touji have to be such an ass to you...dammit!

Hikari was a bit surprised at the initial entry. From a few stories she had heard, it was supposed to hurt, but she simply felt a slight stretching, as the head slid in. Only then did it occur to her that Shinji's previous ministrations had serve not only to pleasure her, but also slowly prepare her.

>>>hikari: Does he ever stop thinking about others pain?

>>>Rei: After watching this, do you need to ask?

>>>Hikari: No, I guess I don't Shinji entered her slowly, making small in and out movements, giving Hikari time to get use to him and enjoying her the warmth of her thigh walls, until he reached her hymen, where he stopped.

"Point of no return," he told her simply.

>>>Asuka: That’s long since disappeared.

>>>Hikari: That point was me walking in the room.

Hikari nodded.

Shinji brought his lips to hers and both of them shared a long, sensual kiss. Then, he took Hikari by surprise as he gave a short quick trust, breaking through her virginity. Hikari's shriek caused by the sharp tearing sensation was muffled by his mouth and soon after, Shinji brushing her cheeks with his lips, tasting her salty tears.

>>>Again, nothing will be said about what they actually said...you can >>> fill in the blanks with a joke...a nice comment...laughing..anything.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright... the pain is fading quickly."

It was true. The pain had been sharp and sudden, but Shinji had been kind enough to remain still, letting her recover as they kissed again, and the feeling of his warm and pulsating manhood inside her was enough to forget it, until it was no more.

>>>Rei: He grew bored?

>>>Hikari: I meant the pain.

>>>Rei: Shit.

Then he withdrew a bit to push forward again, proceeding slowly and tenderly, taking his time, letting Hikari open up and take more of him into herself. He pulled out and then slid back in, her vagina more welcoming. Hikari felt her walls stretch to accommodate him.

He thrust in deeper, each inch brought her a new sensation of fullness. And then, finally, she could feel his groin against her, his penis fully embedded within her. And it felt delicious.

>>>Asuka: Guess that’s a way of saying it.

>>>Hikari: Whets wrong, I know this isn't a normal movie but..you are way beyond >>> depressed.

>>>Rei: This is actually the second movie to be this graphic, first featuring myself.

>>>Hikari: So.. >>>Asuka: ALL I GET IS A PERVERTED BOSS!!! WHATS WRONG WITH DIRECTORS!

For a moment, Shinji laid on her, breathing hard. Then, as both of them relaxed and got used to the feel of each other, Shinji began to thrust inside her, his pace increasing with each thrust.

"Oh, Shinji..." she whimpered. "So good..."

>>>Asuka: You need some better lines.

>>>Rei: She is the only one even speaking.

>>>Asuka: What do you expect him so say, "You ok?"

But good didn't even begin to describe what she felt. She was sobbing again, she knew, but she couldn't help it. She bit into his shoulder,

>>>Rei: And we have gone full circle.

>>>Hikari: Guess Asuka wasn't the only one being a cannibal in this movie. to muffle a gasp, but soon gave up, and cried aloud. Her back arched as she rose to meet him, as with each thrust his manhood filled her.

>>>Asuka: This is...a bit much.

>>>Rei: 'mental note- assist doctor Akagi in getting Shinji-kun released'

Shinji cried out her name as he suddenly went still. Hikari felt his penis throb and something warm gushed into her as he spasmed. This sensation appeared to be all she needed and she hit her own orgasm, crying out his name. Shinji thrust a few more times, before he finally collapsed over her.

>>>Asuka: And died.

>>>Hikari in wonderland.

>>>Rei: Movies.

They stayed that way for a short time, catching their breath, before Shinji removed his now limp manhood from her and lay at her side, before kissing her again and embracing her in his arms.

"Did you like it?" asked Shinji, his voice barely louder than a whisper. While there was concern in his voice, it seemed more directed at her than about the quality of his performance.

"I loved it..." whispered back Hikari. "I just wished I could have done more for you..." she admitted guiltily.

>>>Asuka: If their is a sequel to this movie..I'll kill the director.

>>>Hikari: Its the one that did TOILI.

>>>Asuka: Ah!...no FAIR! "You didn't have to. I never enjoyed more making love to a woman more than I did today."

Her heart lept in her chest at those words. His eyes told her that he was sincere. Hikari felt a warm feeling at that thought. She remembered the pictures of Asuka she has seen in Shinji's old apartment. The jealousy she had felt. But Shinji had enjoyed her more than that German beauty...

>>>Asuka snarls and looks at hikari.

>>>Hikari: Um..movie?

>>>Rei: If I wasn't dead...

She snuggled closer to Shinji, who instinctively held her tighter.

"And next time I'll make it even better for you."

Mentally, Hikari gasped. She knew that Shinji had been serious while saying that. She could hardly imagine anything better than what she had felt today. And could hardly wait to find out. She would have be tempted to find out here and now hadn't she been feeling exhausted and sore. But for now, she was content to simply being able to snuggle against him.

"I'm surprised," admitted Hikari. "I didn't expect you to be this gentle. I didn't think that Asuka was the kind to go for tender love-making."

>>>Asuka: WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY!

>>>Hikari: that’s it, I MEAN YOU LIKE PAIN SO MUCH GENTALNESS ISN'T IN >>> YOUR VOCABULARY!

>>>Rei and Asuka are stunned as Hikari's outburst and the punch to Asuka's arm.

>>>Rei: Point taken.

"You're right," answered Shinji. "Asuka did like it rough. But... there were times... she seemed so lost... so in need of someone to be gentle..."

"I'm sorry for bringing that up..."

"It's alright," reassured her Shinji, as one of his hand softly stroke one of her cheeks. "It's all behind me now. I've learned that tonight."

>>>Hikari: My plan worked!

>>>Asuka: And the new form of conditioning begins.

Hikari was glad. She had hoped that this would help him put his past behind. It had also helped do the same for her...

"Shinji... as you probably guessed... things never worked out between me and Touji.

>>>Asuka: No shit, was it the sex part that gave it away? >>>Rei: Or the fact he hasn't made an appearance yet.

He just kept saying that he wasn't good enough for someone as pure as myself. He... he never could quite accept his injuries."

>>>Hikari: Well Shinji-kun appeared to happy, had to bring up bad memories and guilt.

Shinji looked crestfallen at those words. Perhaps she shouldn't have said it.

"I... I'm sorry..."

Hikari shook her head.

"No, Shinji. It isn't your fault. Even Touji knows that you weren't the one controlling Unit-01 when it happened and that there was no way for anyone to know that his EVA would turn out to be an Angel."

>>>Rei: If that were to happen, the commander would know.

>>>Asuka: Like this whole thing was scripted...bet that army of Mass Production EVA's >>> pissed in his oatmeal though.

Shinji remained silent at that. Hikari thought it would be better to go on than drag this specific subject.

"I... I took Touji's rejection badly. For a time... I thought that it was my fault. That I hadn't been good enough for him. Then, I left my home for college.

>>>Hikari: Why do I have a bad feeling now?

>>>Asuka: You are ...were a innocent college girl at an older age than myself. >>> they'll eat you alive.

For the first time ever, I was all alone, in a place I didn't know, without friends. I was a stranger there, nobody paid attention to me. Not that I expected them to. Until I met someone. His name was Kishiro Kazushi."

She looked at Shinji. She had all his attention. She continued.

>>>Rei: This part makes me more content, it is Miss Horaki's turn to be humiliated.

"He was two years my senior. He was good looking, very good in sports... he had a nice smile. He took interest in me... showed me around campus... introduced me to people... helped me adjust.

>>>Asuka: And all he wanted was...

>>>Hikari: I can wager a guess.

He invited me for a cup of coffee. Then showed me around town. Then took me for a movie. Before I knew it, we were officially dating and I was falling head over heels for him. He befriended me, managed to slip through the walls of my self doubts, with his persistence, gentleness and non-stop compliments. He had managed to make me feel good about herself again, to convince me that love wasn't impossible.

>>>Asuka: And the glass tower gets higher and higher.

>>>Rei: Lets throw some stones.

"Two weeks after our first meeting, he invited me to his apartment after a movie. I accepted. How naive of me. We listened to music and chatted over a bottle of wine. I didn't want to drink at first, but I gave in. I didn't get completely drunk, but it did get me... relaxed.

>>>Rei: Or your inhibitions were lowered to the point he could manipulate you.

>>>Hikari: That’s why I hate booze.

Some time later, we found ourselves kissing, then making out. We had kissed before, a bit intimately even a few times, and I had let him feel me out a bit once, but never like that.

>>>Asuka: After only two weeks of dating.....

>>>Hikari: This is a joke right?

>>>Asuka: Faster than a speeding bullet is right.

"It was scary, but it also felt good... so I let him touch me. Because... I feared more losing him than... what could happen. I didn't want to be rejected if I told him no. So when he began fondling my breasts, I said nothing. Neither when he began to remove my clothes. And... as he slowly progressed... as his fingers and his tongue... played with my nipples... as his touch made its way between my legs... my fears and reservations dissolved in a fog of bliss.

>>>Rei: Much like they did before.

>>>Asuka; Why would you tell anybody this?

>>>Hikari: I have no idea.

>>>Asuka: Making me sick is what it's doing.

It was feeling good, better than anything I had never felt before. He... he gave me the first orgasm of my life and... had I been more inhibited... perhaps... we might have gone all the way. But when I realized that he was removing his own clothing... I got scared. I wasn't ready to this far yet. I managed to push him away... convince him to wait.

"Thankfully, he didn't force himself on me.

>>>Hikari: I feel violated.

>>>Asuka: YOU DO! what about me! >>>Rei: Are you still complaining about that, you are dead, let it go.

But... he asked me to... please him... orally. I reluctantly agreed. It seemed somewhat... fair.

>>>Hikari: EW!!!!

>>>Asuka: Well he did force something on you.

>>>Rei: That is a bad mental image.

I was lucky it didn't go further. The... the next day... I surprised Kazushi talking with two of his friends... about how much of a slut his new plaything was and how soon he'd be getting her cherry.

>>>Hikari: Asuka?

>>>Asuka: Kazushi got it, we can hunt him down tomorrow.

That day, I ran to my room in tears, but not before slapping him hard in front of his friends. The swelling showed for two days," added Hikari with a chuckle.

>>>Rei: No kick or knee to the groin?

>>>Hikari: Saving that for later.

"I don't know why I told you all this... Before today... I could never trust a man enough to get into another relationship. I guess... I want to thank you for being so nice..."

"I should be the one thanking you. That was a marvelous birthday gift."

Hikari blushed.

>>>Hikari..well blushed.

>>>Asuka/Rei: He's getting another present.

"I'm... happy you enjoyed it. I wasn't sure... after someone like Asuka..."

Shinji lifted himself on one of his elbow and looked down at her, his expression a serious one.

"Hikari... don't do that to yourself. It's my role to feel inadequate,

>>>Hikari: And for what?

>>>Rei: Just his personality type.

>>>Asuka: If he doesn't feel bad about something, something is wrong. not yours. You're a marvelous person and a very beautiful woman."

"But... Asuka was surely more experienced... and she was taller... and had bigger breasts..." >>>Asuka: And sharper features, cuter...

>>>Hikari: But you died and I win by default so...

>>>Rei: It will decompose.

"... and you were so tight it took all of my willpower to keep myself from cumming before being fully inside you. Being inside you... felt like heaven. And... the old twin ponytailed class representative grew to become a very attractive woman. On par, if not better looking, than Asuka did."

>>>Asuka/Hikari/Rei: Not that cope out again!

>>>Asuka: Would it kill him to say one of us looked better than another?

>>>Rei: Saying it wouldn't kill him, one of you two would.

>>>Asuka: Are you saying you look better than us?

>>>Rei: Did I have to say it?

Shinji smiled. Hikari almost felt dizzy hearing those compliments.

"You really mean that?"

"Yes," answered Shinji, looking like he was meaning it.

Hikari snuggled closely against him, feeling content.

"Thank you..."

>>>Hikari: And goodnight.

No other word was said as they stayed that way, holding each others.

Despite being exhausted, Hikari found herself unable to sleep. Her mind was in turmoil. Somehow, she had managed to seduce a man into making love to her.

>>>Asuka: She admitted it!

>>>Hikari: Well duh!

Not only her first time had been an experience many girls would have been jealous of, but it been so incredibly good that Hikari couldn't even think of anything else that could equal the experience, much less surpass it.

>>>Asuka: We could make a fortune..

>>>Hikari: Their is a growing list of girls that want to date him.

>>>Rei: I will not allow him to be with anybody on my time.

>>>Hikari: Me either. >>>Asuka: Shit.

And she had been promised that the next time would be even better. She was laying in bed with a not only an exceptional lover, but also a man she was now certain that she loved.

>>>Hikari: See its a sweet story about love.

>>>Rei/Asuka: With a healthy dosage of lust.

What were they now? She had no idea. Friend? Lovers? A couple? She didn't know. She would need to discuss with Shinji. Hopefully, his feelings were the same as hers. She had no idea what she would do if it wasn't the case.

>>>Rei: Shinji-kun wouldn't do that without love.

>>>Asuka: That’s why I'm pissed no director has used ME as the STAR!!!

>>>Hikari: Maybe trying to tell you something.

Hikari didn't know what would happen next, what the future had in store for her. The uncertainties were scary. But, somehow, Hikari felt that her future, no, their future, would be a bright one.

She was dreaming again.

She was standing on a small hill. A familiar one. Which the scene before her confirmed. It didn't seem as eerie or even scary as it had the first time. There was no reason for that anymore. In fact, as she watched the family enjoy a picnic on a bright sunny day, Hikari found herself envying the other Hikari in front of her.

>>>Asuka: Going to 'forget' the pill one day.

>>>Rei: Or simply throw them away.

>>>Hikari: Have to talk about it first.

Hikari looked at the couple down the hill. Both of them were laying on the picnic blanket, her copy's head resting on Shinji's chest. That other Hikari looked very comfortable. Then she looked at the child, who was giggling while watching a bird on the branch of a tree. Hikari found herself wondering what it would be like to have such a child. After a moment, she found herself envying that other Hikari...

>>>Rei/Asuka/Hikari: Until the pain of the birth hits.

"Horaki Ikari Yume. That would be a nice name for a little girl," she thought, as she closed her eyes and laid on her back in the thick grass, to let the sun warm her skin. It was very comfortable.

No, it wasn't a bad dream after all... >>>Asuka: For you.

>>>Rei: Nightmare for us.

>>>(remember I don't MST the notes...its the authors sacred ground but more is after them) ---

Author's notes:

(1) "Ah, Ni hen tao yen!" Mandarin which roughly translates to "Ah, you're very annoying!" or even "Ah, you're impossible!" I should know about this one.

(2) Think Ford Mustang, but around twenty years in the future and built by a Japanese company. (Hey, I think Phoenix would be a great name for a sport car) Also, while owning a car is uncommon in Japan, since it's very expensive and also not needed with public transportation, this is Asuka we're talking about. Also, how Asuka managed to have acquired a driving license with her visual handicap will remain unknown. Perhaps it's best that way.

(3) Refers to the high security Kyoto state prison. Ikari Gendo has been found guilty of acts of treason against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment. Other countries, namely the United States, still request at that time that he be executed for his crimes instead.

Some may have noticed that I mentioned events occuring in EoE. I'm keeping vague the details on purpose, as it's not the focus of this story. The only important thing is that Third Impact was avoided.

My use of honorifics. Considering what happened to him, I'd imagine that Shinji would have grown even more meek and polite with time, hence the use of the suffix "-san" after Horaki. Also, considering that he and Hikari weren't that much of a close friends, Horaki seemed more appropriate than Hikari. The same thing applies with Hikari's use of Ikari-kun, in opposition to the more friendly way she calls her employees.

Nozomi. Out of the first eight readers, two have shown concern with that simple line. While this is now less of an issue then in the initial draft (where I forgot to add a year to her age, after I changed the time from five to six years after EoE) I still think a note could be useful. First off, her boyfriend would be the same age as her, so, unless I'm mistaken, statutory rape laws don't apply. Also, while the other doesn't either denounce or condone underage sex, it is still a reality. If you look at statistics, at least for Canada and the US, you'll see that these days, there is a very high percentage of people having sex for the first time between the age of ten to fourteen. This line is merely here to reflect this reality. Besides, if a story can have Asuka end up pregnant at age thirteen and be a wide success, is there really subject to concern about a sixteen year old Nozomi having sex (especially if it's only a one line mention)?

Hikari's "problem". The fact that some woman can have difficulties achieving orgasm is yet another reality, which was used to give this story a more... authentic feel. To summarize the situation, I'll quote a bit from The Sex Project webpage (http://www.sex-project.com/) :

"The inability to have an orgasm is the number one sexual complaint among women in their twenties. It's common for a number of reasons. First, in order to have an orgasm, a woman has to be familiar with her body and her sexual response, and many women are not. Secondly, women may feel guilty about enjoying sex, tense about the experience of sex, or fearful of the loss of control an orgasm may bring. The good news is that most women can be taught (or can learn, through exploration and experience) to have orgasms."

(hey! I did do my homework before writing this, you know...)

Why kill Asuka you might ask? Some will probably think it was because I wanted to be mean to her or because it was an easy way to get rid of her. It's really not anything like that. It's more a matter of irony, really. She did everything to push Shinji away and the only time he's not around... this happens. Poetic justice in a way. But this is the Asuka in this story. Normally, I like Asuka ^_^

Actually, I was a bit inspired by these lyrics from a song from Guns and Roses:

I used to love her But I had to kill her I used to love her, Mm, yeah But I had to kill her She bitched so much, She drove me nuts And now I'm happier this way, yeah Whoa, oh yeah

I used to love her But I had to kill her I used to love her, Mm, yeah But I had to kill her I had to put her, Oo, six feet under And I can still hear her complain

(wouldn't that be typical Asuka?)

Oh, and yes... I know some people will hate me for this. So I'll just say this... it could have been worse.

In this story, I tried to break away the usual lemon cliche:

Girl and boy make out (optional orgasm for the girl) Girl sucks boy (orgasm for the boy) Boy eats girl (orgasm for the girl) Boy fucks girl (orgasm for the girl and boy) Repeat previous line for as long as the boy stays hard, even if it's the third and forth time he cums Optional anal sex

BUT... in this story, Shinji is shown as quite experienced. So I opted for a scene where Hikari, due to lack of experience, remains passive while Shinji pleasured her. Although, I kept cunnilingus for a later time (which you'll have to picture in your mind as I have to move to other things). I'm hoping I managed to write a nice sex scene, sufficiently detailed and erotic without making this a story to be posted on the alt.binaries.sex.stories newsgroup instead of the rec.arts.creative.anime newsgroup.

In any case, I hoped you enjoyed this and found it to be a bit more than a means to relieve certain tensions ^_^

This story is dedicated to my good friend Deina, without whom it wouldn't have existed in the first place. She gave me the encouragements I needed when I doubted being able to manage this story. Thank you, Deina.

Alain Gravel April 25th 2001

Editor's Notes: Well, all in all, a great story, and I feel privileged to have been chosen to edit it somewhat... Sometimes, my sensei could be a little long- winded in his descriptions, and his scenes. I've tried to tone this down, dividing up-what I think, anyway-some of the longer paragraphs into smaller ones, and have corrected some of the more, ermm, visible typos.

A wonderful piece, even if some would debate otherwise. Sure, sensei's a pervert, but that doesn't mean he's not a likeable pervert.

I'm glad to have been able to help with this project, even if it is just with the editing. I hope everyone likes the end result.

--Myssa Elaine S. Rei Finished Editing, August 17, 2001

>>>Asuka: That dirctor was really trying to cover his tracks.

>>>Rei: The movie isn't over.

>>>Asuka: Theirs MORE. >>>Hikari giggles: Yup.

One More Final... The Morning After

>>>Asuka: Shinji was gone, never to come back again.

Hikari stood at the counter of her kitchen, humming happily. The events of the previous night were still fresh to her mind, and her face reddened, with a hint of embarrassment, but also with arousal, as she remembered the pleasure that had racked her body.

>>>Rei: Another visit to the bath?

>>>Asuka: I fear it to be much worse.

Her hands put down the eggs she had been about to break, one of the ingredients she had gathered in order to make waffles, and lowered one of her hands, brushing the tips of a finger against her lower lips. She sighed in frustration; it was not her fingers her sex longed for, but rather

Shinji's hardness and warmth.

>>>Asuka: In the kitchen...while cooking?

>>>Hikari: When the need hits...it hits...like.

>>>Asuka: QUIET!

>>>Rei: Do tell miss Horaki.

>>>Hikari: Well one time when Asuka spent the night I woke up really late an

>>>Asuka: They'll never find the body if you continue.

>>>Hikari: nevermind.

So entranced in her thoughts, she didn't realize that Shinji was standing behind her, and had seen her shyly touch herself. She didn't see either the grin that spread on his face. So she was totally taken by surprise as he grabbed her waist and pulled her body against his.

>>>Rei: Not again.

>>>Hikari: That is nice music isn't it.

Hungrily, he brought his lips to hers,and began fondling one of her breasts through the thin material of her nightgown. Hikari was first surprised by this bold move from his part, but parted her lips to accept his kiss.

>>>Asuka: Really, and her I didn't think Hikari would EVER do something like that.

Shinji responded by hungrily probing his tongue deeper into her mouth. Hikari found herself quickly aroused, as Shinji wasted no time, expertly playing with her body with his hands. When one of them finally slid between her legs, it found a pair of panties growing wetter and wetter.

>>>Asuka and Rei just look at her.

>>>Hikari blushing: You two were never meant to watch this..

>>>Both of them: We know.

One of his fingers pulled down the small garment, then Hikari let out a moan as the same finger ran the length of her lips.

"We shouldn't be doing this... we'll have to open the restaurant soon," tried to protest Hikari, when Shinji finally broke the kiss.

>>>Asuka: Like you weren't supposed to be doing what else you were doing too.

"But I want breakfast..." he replied back with a grin.

Hikari found herself puzzled by this reply, until Shinji grabbed her waist and surprised her by dragging her across the kitchen. He kicked away a chair that was in his way, then lift and sat her on the table.

"What are you doing?!"

>>>Rei blushes: When did he get so strong?

>>>Asuka: Boldness...odd In him...but..

>>>Hikari: Yeah.

His answer came under the form of him completely removing her panties and then parting her legs. Hikari gasped as Shinji positionned his head there.

"Shinji, what...?"

A moan interrupted the question as Hikari felt something warm run the length of her slit.

>>>Asuka: That shut you up.

>>>Hikari: With good reason.

Gently, Shinji's tongue slid back and forth, from the patch of pubic hair to her rosebud.

>>>Rei: What?

>>>Asuka: Shinji..ask him.

Shinji looked back a bit, breathing in her intoxicating scent. He gazed for a moment at her sex. While Asuka had inherited from her German origins of a thick and well furbished patch of pubic hair,

>>>Asuka: WHAT!!! >>>Hikari/Rei: To much information.

Hikari showed a lot more modesty, none that would impede in the way of pleasuring her orally. Shinji brushed his lips there, letting the fine dark hair tickle his nose, then moved lower, taking a sharp intake of hair as his fingers revealed the rosy flesh of her sex in all its glory. Lovingly, he licked up one side of her labia and then the other. Over and over again. Sometimes it just barely grazed the side of her now exposed clitoris and sometimes it didn't.

>>>Asuka: If he doesn't get home soon...I'll kill the guards.

>>>Rei: We would have to pull a Hikari manuver though.

>>>Asuka: Masterful work of manipulation.

"Oh god, Shinji, that's incredible! Don't ever stop," she whispered.

Hikari abandoned any will to resist and let her mind float away as the tension built higher and higher. Shinji's tongue stroked her lips again and again. She had heard of this, but it was much better than she ever thought it could feel.

>>>Asuka: Bet those girls that work for you are taking bets on time.

>>>Rei: Or have a video camera set up to record it.

Waves of pleasure shot through her as Shinji suddenly blew her clitoris with his warm breath, before giving it a quick little suck by pulling it into his mouth and letting it go. He then began to gently suck on it, at the same time flick his tongue over and around it. It was driving her wild!

>>>Hikari: Is it getting hot in here?

"Don't stop! Oh please don't stop! Oooooooohhhhhhhhh!"

>>>Rei: That was original.

Hikari was soon shivering, reaching for her climax quickly as Shinji alternated between sucking on her clitoris, and licking her vulva and vagina. She felt his strong, expert tongue stroking up the length of her hot labia...God! She was close, so close.

She moaned in frustration and disappointment as he stopped.

>>>Asuka: Well this has gone beyond good taste so...might as well enjoy it.

>>>Rei: 'looks oddly at her'

"Shinji! Please!!!"

She felt a shiver ran through her as Shinji raised one of her legs and began to kiss her tight, lovingly, caressing her and holding her as if she was a rare porcelain doll. >>>Rei: Hey.

Slowly, he began to lick her bare leg, moving down with care, giving it thorough treatment, his hands running the length of her leg with feather touches. Hikari gasped as he reached her foot, covered it with kisses, before his tongue made its way to her little toe, licking all around it, before taking it into his mouth, nibbling a bit before sucking on it. One by one, he proceeded to literally make love to her toes.

>>>Asuka/Rei: Right.

>>>Hikari red again: oh my.

Hikari felt a warmth spread to her, at the sight of her lover nearly worshiping her foot. In a stray thought, she wondered if some of the juices she could feel running down the crack of her ass had dripped on the table and if it would stain the wood.

>>>Hikari: Would it?

>>>Rei: Alot of acids do exist in bodily fluids.

His gaze then returned to her sex which had grown a bit wet while his attention had been focussed on her leg and Hikari moaned in delight as he began to lick her juices.

"SHINJI!"

>>>Asuka: You have odd taste in movies.

>>>Hikari: You could leave.

>>>Asuka: Didn't say I wanted to do that.

He took her by surprise by pushing his tongue inside her and Hikari bucked her hips into his face,

>>>Rei: That would hurt. loving every moment of it, as he explored her most private place with his warm tongue. As his fingers began to tease her clitoris, it became too much for her. An intense wave of pleasure surged through her, shaking her like an earth tremor. Her vagina throbbed and throbbed. But Shinji continued relentlessly his work, and another wave hit her, and another.

>>>Asuka: Ok we get the point.

>>>Rei: I don't.

>>>Asuka/Hikari: And you probibly never will.

Hikari had been on the verge of fainting, when she managed to force his head away from her sex to make him stop. While deliciously wonderful, she couldn't handle more.

Or so she thought. >>>Rei: that was a set up.

>>>Asuka: Close the cafe, the head cook won't be able to walk.

After a few moments to catch her breath, Shinji helped her down the table, and walk toward the counter. She found herself still a bit weak and appreciated the help, not sure she would have managed to get there on her own.

"Here, I'll help you," whispered Shinji, as he positioned himself behind her, his arms around her.

"Thank..."

Again, Hikari found herself loosing her words as she gasped, feeling him enter her from behind.

>>>Asuka/hikari/Rei: WHOW! 'they tilt their heads'

>>>Asuka: Did he really just.

>>>Hikari: That’s something.

>>>Rei: He has an exsess of skill.

"Shinji... breakfast..." she half gasped, half complained, as he slowly moved in and out of her.

"Don't worry, I'll prepare it."

Hikari found herself speechless, as Shinji took the eggs and broke them into a bowl, while moved inside her, as if it was nothing.

>>>Asuka: That’s talent.

>>>Hikari: Asuka drool.

>>>Rei: You as well.

True, his breath was a bit ragged, but other then that, he acted as if nothing was going on, measuring milk and flour, mixing the ingredients with relative ease, while Hikari found herself forced to hold on to the counter, as she felt new wave of pleasure rise within her.

>>>Rei: Multi-tasking.

Once all the ingredients were mixed together except the melted butter, Shinji finally stopped pretending that nothing was going on. His hands went to her breasts, pinching her erect nipples, and Hikari held on the counter for dear life, as his strokes increased in intensity and strength. Hikari let out a scream, which she was sure the girls had probably heard if they were setting the place downstairs, as she climaxed again. >>>Asuka: And found out the winner on the betting board.

>>>Rei: Or lite sparklers.

With her muscles clenching on Shinji, she felt him throb and spill himself inside her, sighing at the feeling.

Shinji removed himself from her, and Hikari laid there, still holding on the counter, eyes closed, out of breath. Her eyes snapped open as she felt something cold touch her sex.

"Shinji! What are you doing?"

>>>Hikari: Need I keep asking?

Shinji just grinned, as Hikari felt cold metal run the length of her slit, then she gasped, as she felt two fingers enter her and wiggle inside her channel.

>>>Asuka: No..he couldn't.

Then, the fingers were out. She gave Shinji a quizzical look, which he answered by raising his fingers and a spoon. He used the spoon to remove the most of the mixed body fluids that were coating his fingers and Hikari gasped in disbelief, as Shinji put the spoon into the waffle batter.

>>>Rei: He did.

He couldn't possibly expect her to...

Shinji just smiled as he heated some butter, added it to the mix, then began to make pancakes, whistling an happy tune.

Oh God... he really wanted her to...

It was so... dirty.

>>>Asuka: Damn right it is.

>>>Rei: I want pancakes.

>>>Hikari: Me too.

Hikari sighed as she felt a new warmth grow between her legs.

Yes, it _was_ dirty. And she loved the thought. She smiled evilly, trying to think of a way to take 'revenge' on Shinji.

Somehow, she had the impression that her life was taking an interesting turn.

(end mst)

Rei: That is one way to look at things. Asuka: Hikari..you really wanted to give this to Shinji.

Hikari: Well, that and I wanted a copy.

Rei: What happend when he visited you house 2 months ago?

Hikari: Well...

Asuka: Do I get to kill him?

Hikari: Not THAT!...something nice.

Rei: It is now totally official, we are three in number.

Asuka: Well...I say we storm Nerv and get him.

Rei/Hikari: Agreed!

Asuka and Rei head out...hikari waits a few moments then gets the tape and follows.

------MST author notes why do a lemon fic with just those three? To see those two's reaction to the addition of Hikari to the list and as i have strict rules to my lemon msts i was only allowed 3 msters rember I really don't care for lemons...at all but for my readers i'll mst them :) hope you liked it and i have to say something to those who have been emailing me about wanting to be prereaders...I'd love you to do it but I've lost your addresses as my email service just changed and i've lost all my old letters so if you wouldn't mid sending them again I'd be happy to send you my mst asap for prereadings

LATER!!! zentrodie ([email protected])

[ Click here to report possible abuse to staff ] 1. Forever United2. Urusai Asuka Chp 13. Urusai Asuka Ch 24. Urusai Asuka Ch 35. Urusai Asuka Ch 46. Misato's Christmass party7. Side Story H.I.8. I used to love her