Haibane Renmei Fan Fiction / Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Sacrifice and Redemption ❯ Memories ( Chapter 3 )

[ A - All Readers ]

Disclaimers:Haibane Renmei and all related characters, concepts, etc., is property of Geneon¨ Entertainment.Evangelion and all related characters, concepts, etc., is property of Gainex¨ Entertainment.This is a "what if" story so keep that in mind as you read, plus a bit of knowledge of the anime series would definitely be helpful. The story happens approximately at the end when Rika's accent, and when the twin cocoons are found.AN: italics are a characters thoughts!Third Person POV:Chapter 3: Dreams and Memories Two weeks after the arrival of the 'Elan-Haibaine' to the walled in town of Glie, Rei Ayanami was looking for her wayward 'twin' Shinji Ikari. As she searched, she remembered some of the incidents since they had both accumulated to their new home. Rakka, and then Kana gave them a tour of Glie and the lands that surrounded the isolated community. The wall was a source of contention for both newcomers as the stories were told to them of the wall's significance, and danger was explained to them. They stayed clear of it.Later as they visited the town proper they were met with apprehensive, yet curious gazes; probably for the fact that their wings were almost double in size than the rest of the Haibaine. The obvious points coming out of their halos didn't make things any better. So, they were looked upon by the rest of the community with looks of curiosity and trepidation.Rei sighed as she sat down below a shade tree just off to the side of the trail she was following. In the distance she could see the Electric wind-mill farm just over the next rise. She had a hunch, more like an internal feeling that Shinji would be there. The windmills themselves she could admit to herself seem to give off a calming effect as they catch the winds energy for the communities' use. The futuristic looking giant columned propellers were designed to turn to the wind as it changes. Sort of like how life is a constant set of events that keeps going and going, changing and yet continuing to turn. Rei shook her head and had a real smile on her porcelain colored face. After an initial apprehension with the newcomers the other Haibaine were very helpful and patient with both of them. Kana seemed to have 'adopted' Rei as she was the one to give her the "new" Haibaine tour and helped her find out what type of job she'd be good at. Though the Haibaine were different they like the others who lived in Glie had to make a living, and did their part in bringing income to Old Home. Eventually she took over Nemu's old job at the town library, and to the Librarian's surprise she was much more efficient in cataloging and putting the various books returned back in place. Course Rei didn't take five to six 'catnaps' as Nemu had, but regardless she seemed happy with not only filing the books back but having the time to read them. Through that she learned of Glie's history and that of the original Haibaine. With that knowledge tucked away in her analytical brain for later use she continued on her journey.It didn't take long for her to find Shinji. She found him sitting at the base of one the the largest of the electric Windmills as its paddles whirled and whooshed above him.She walked up to him purposefully within his field of vision so he could see her coming. His nod was the only form of acknowledgment Rei got from him as she efficiently sat down next to him. Only the slight flutter of their wings caused any changes as they sat for a few more minutes in silence enjoying the view, the smells brought to them by the windmills and each others company."So." Rei said breaking the silence between then, "How was your day helping Rakka clean the inside of the ÔwallÕ?"Shinji smiled and looked at his companion. A slight gaze greeted her as he replied. Rei had remembered how Rakka had described her job cleaning the inside of the very wall the Haibaine were warned not to go near. Rakka, and now Shinji were safe though due to their suits they wore keeping the influence of the wall from them.She smiled as Shinji replied. "Nothing out of the ordinary... but I felt something... familiar there. Something I haven't felt here, but from... before." His eyes let Rei know he meant before their rebirth. "There was a crack that opened to the walls interior." His gaze said enough."What do you mean Shinji-kun? What was familiar?" Rei was now very apprehensive. She also remembered her past and his words evoked feelings, visions and even smells from their lives before their arrival in Glie. Then Shinji spoke confirming a few of what she had remembered."It felt... like... an AT-Field... when I was in Unit-01." His hesitant answer intensified her fear and so Rei put an arm around Shinji's shoulders carefully above his now nervously moving wings.Rei said, "So the 'Wall'...... Is alive; in a sense." Shinji concluded. He saw the confused look on her face, "It was like when we synced in the practice entry plugs, they seemed alive, but without a connection like what I felt in Unit-01.""It felt alive, yet soulless?" Rei asked, wanting to confirm her suspicions. They both seemed to remember what was really in the Eva's core. "Yes. It felt exactly like that." Shinji was now looking intently at Rei as somehow their wings had gathered around them instinctively, almost like a feathered wall keeping the outside world away as they talked.Rei sighed and then brought up something that might help them understand this more. "Do you remember during Third Impact when Lilith rose, and you felt isolated and alone, scared of seeing my face a thousand times bigger than it was, then as Third Impact continued, feeling millions of others thoughts and feelings, And your fear left you for a short time?" Shinji meekly nodded as she continued."Did you not also feel this when we all gathered to congratulate you after your decision, but before youÕre returned back to that desolate Earth?" Again he nodded but with a more apprehensive look on his face."And finally when you... rejected me for Sohyru, you felt it again."Shinji instinctively hugged Rei then, as she was silently crying at what he saw as his rejection of her."Rei, I would never reject you, but I knew deep down that Lillith was using your image to task me, to taunt me, to influence me. With everything else and everyone else I could feel, I knew deep down that it wasn't you but her, and knew where I had to go to redeem and resign myself." But Rei interrupts him."But... we both ended up here." She sees he understand through his emotion filled eyes. He puts up a single finger on her lips and smiles. "I think that I'm still there with Asuka as well as here with you."Shinji's insight was brilliant yet unbelievable at the same time. "But how...""Rei... I 'touched' the crack on the 'wall'." The statement seemed to make Rei understand. "When I touched the crack a window seemed to open in my mind, and I saw Asuka and I living, surviving on that desolate Earth. Then I saw another reality where Asuka was sitting in front of a freshly dug grave crying with soldiers around her." Shinji took a deep breath then continued. "Rei... she was holding a child," Rei seemed to be a bit dazed yet started to slowly understand Shinji's line of though. Shinji continued, "Then another where I was with Hikari and several others running a restaurant in Kyoto. Finally I saw you, me and Asuka taking what seemed like six children of various ages to an amusement park. They all seemed similar yet all had either light bluish and reddish hair. I still can't believe what I saw. Course when I finally became aware of my surroundings I saw Rakka yelling at me to wake up." That last sentence seemed to awaken Rei's concern."Why was Rakka-san yelling at you Shinji, were you hurt?" Rei started to quickly physically check Shinji who grabbed her hands with his own and smiled."Well it seems when I touched the 'Wall' I sorta fell over and luckily landed on the round dingy we use. If I had been a few feet to the left or right... well I would have a very wet suit and more than Rakka being angry at me." Rei had lost her kind look and now looked rather annoyed. Shinji then squeezed her hands with his. "I'm sorry Rei for worrying you like that but don't you see."Rei held her hand up. "Yes I do," She sighed, "it seems that 'wall' is somehow connected to why we are here." Rei seemed to decipher.Then he looked at her intently. "And, it showed me where we might end up next." The further revelation gave Rei a surprised look passed on her face. "Why would you say that Shinij-kun?"Shinji smiled at her question. "Call it a gut-feeling but I think what I saw somehow tied to why we're here."Rei didn't completely understand, but she nodded so she could calm her friend. But, Rei knew she also had to make something clear to him above anything else.. "I will always be here for you, to hear your thoughts and to protect you Shinji-Kun, and where ever we go we will be together." He looked at her in surprise, and then he smiled and nodded."I will always be there for you too Rei. So I expect you to be at my side wherever we go." Both their wings seemed to flutter on their own.A smile graced her light featured face and they stayed in each other's arms enjoying the cool breezes and each other's touch until dusk, and their hunger made them return To 'Old Home'.When they returned they were surprised by Rakka standing the the old home entrance with an envelope in her hands. Clearly seen was the signet of the Toga. Maybe they would get some answers now.Next time: Rei and Shinji find out what their true destiny is and what will be an end will also be a new beginning. Chapter 4: Destiny RevealedThanks to Anubis for pre-reading this chapter!