Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ 'What If...' Kaji Hadn't Died? ❯ Third Chance ( Chapter 1 )

`What if…' Kaji Hadn't Died?

By: Byakko of the West

Disclaimer: Usual disclaimer applies.

A/N: Now, I just started reading/understanding Neon Genesis Evangelion so if something is wrong or out of place, it's not my fault XP.

Prologue

Mourning.

No one like it but everybody has to go through it at least once in his or her lifetime.

Much like Misato was right now. Over the lose of an old flame.

Or so she thinks…

Chapter 1

"Asuka!" the stubborn redhead turned to the door of the EVA pilots babysitter. "Can you come in here for a minute?!"

Getting up from the floor, she left Shinji and PenPen alone in the living room. Asuka Langley opened the door to Misato's room and spotted her leaning against the wall while sitting on her bed, one leg bent at the knee.

"You called for me, Misato?" Asuka whispered softly. Though she had been just as defistated as the other woman when she heard the message, Asuka didn't think that she had the right to mourn over her one-time crush/now father figure. Misato had known Kaji Ryougi longer than she and didn't have a crush on him. She was whole-hearted in love with him.

Looking up from her spot on the wall to the German pilot, she struggled to hold back her tears.

"Asuka…how do you feel…about Shinji-kun?"

The girl in question stepped back in shock, obviously not expecting that kind of question. "W-what? What does that baka have to do with this?"

Her featured unwavering, Misato stared at her for a second, looking an awful lot like Rei. "I didn't have a chance to tell…Kaji about how I really felt. And Kami knows that there may never be a tomorrow." She paused for a moment, regaining her wits. "You still have a chance to tell him how you feel."

Nervous, Asuka went into defensive mode, folding her arms over her chest. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Sighing, Misato stood from the bed, letting the long sleeve shirt that belonged to Kaji drop to her mid-thighs. "You can't fool me Asuka. You give him the same look -when he's not looking- that I used to give Kaji. It's unmistakable." She told her.

Looking down at her feet, the younger girl, gave a little nod.

"Misato! Asuka! Come here quick!" They heard Shinji yell from the hallway.

They rushed to the woman's door to the hallway, looking down they were both shocked to see Shijni standing there with Kaji's arm thrown around his shoulder, struggling to stand up from the heavier man's weight.

"KAJI!" Shinji was sure he'd be deaf for the rest of his life after the exclamation from the two girls reached his ears.

Looking up slightly, Kaji forced a slight smile, then winced in pain.

Misato gasped when she saw the bullet wound in his chest. Rushing over to him, she took his other arm and put it over her own shoulders.

"Asuka, open the door and lift the covers of my bed." She commanded, helping the boy drag the wounded officer into her room.

After settling him down in her bed, Misato turned to the two teens. "Shinji, get me some bandages. Asuka, I need some hot water and some cold water!" they both stood there. "Now!" and they were gone before you could say EVA.

After they were gone, she turned back to the male in her bed.

"Kaji…" he struggle to open on eye. "What happened?" she asked gently.

HE smiled at her a little. "I …was…shot…"he got out between gasps of breath.

She smiled back, placing a hand on his sweating forehead. "I can see that, baka." Her eyes softened and became teary. "I thought I lost you…" she told him in a whisper, running her hand down his slightly long than usual stubble covered cheek.

His smile widened by a fraction of an inch. "Third times a charm, ne?"

Before she could ask him what exactly he meant by that, her door swung open, revealing a panicking Shinji hold rolls of bandage and several clothes. "Is this enough?"

Nodding, she took the items and placed them on the floor. Looking back at Kaji, she smiled before unzipping his shirt until it got stuck at the bullet wound. "Shinji, go find me something that could take out the bullet; tongs, tweezers, anything!" he was gone in a flash.

Lifting the shirt, she finished unzipping the clothing then removed it with the help of his arms. When she discarded the contraption, she placed a hand on his abdomen. "Are you feeling okay?"

Chuckling slightly, he smiled at her. "Apart from having a bullet stuck in my chest, I'm just peachy keen." He told her teasingly.

With a giggle, she took the bowl of hot water from Asuka who had just come in and place it next to the cloths. A few seconds later, the pilot of EVA 01 reappeared with a pair of medical tongs. With no time to question, Misato proceeded to remove the bullet, only once stopping when Kaji hissed through clenched teeth but continued after he told her he was all right.

When the bullet was out, she placed a cloth that had been in the cold water on the wound to stop the bleeding. She looked back at the two teens who were watching expectantly. "You two should get to bed, you still have school tomorrow."

One nodded while the other shook their head frantically. "I want to stay here until Kaji-san is better!" Asuka exclaimed, bringing her closed fists to her chest.

"Asuka-" she was cut off when Shinji placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Asuka, I think we should leave them alone for now, he'll be okay in the morning." He turned back to Misato. "Right?"

With a smile, the purple-haired woman nodded. When Asuka sighed, hanging her head, Misato smiled at Shinji, signifying her thanks. He smiled back.

When the two had left, she turned back to Kaji who had been silent the whole time. She was surprised to see that he was sleeping softly, a light snore coming from his throat. Smiling, she stood up, grabbing an excess pillow that he wasn't using and an old comforter from a chair nearby. After pressing a kiss to his forehead, she walked to the door, looking back at him while turning off the lights.

"Goodnight, Kaji-kun." She said with a smile.

~*~

A/N: Phew! That was my first NGE ficcie so please be nice *puppy eyes*. Please review, I have an idea for the next chapter buy I won't continue if no one likes my story.

Make Love Not War! *Victory pose*