Chapter 0:7

Pain

Unit 02 approached the gathering of emergency and recovery vehicles and her fellow Evas. "What the hell happened?" Asuka called over the radio.

"The Archangel got away," Kaworu stated as Unit 05 touched down. "And Ayanami's been hurt."

"What did the Archangel do to the First Child?" Asuka snorted to hide her concern.

"Nothing," Kaworu said blandly, "It was Shinji."

"WHAT?"

{Flash Back}

"Easy," Shinji said as Unit S-01 and Kaworu in Unit 05 flew on either side of the falling Archangel. "This thing's up to something, remember we don't know what it can do so just keep herding it in this course." Shinji then looked up at his HUD, "Ayanami, it's headed your way, ready your canon."

"Hai, Ikari-kun," Rei replied, "I will require another fifteen seconds to arm my canon, can I have the time?"

"We'll do what we can," Kaworu replied.

As if the Archangel heard Kaworu, its eyes lit up and it spread a set of demonic bat-like wings, and shot down toward Unit 00, which was trying to arm its long-range canon. "Ayanami! Heads up!" Kaworu barked, as the demon dove at the unaware pilot, with blade like claws.

"Damn it!" Shinji cursed, flapping S-01's wings and diving after the Archangel, with its anti-matter claw glowing.

Unit S-01 finally caught up to the Archangel and pushed the claw through the monster's arm's shoulder, slicing through it as if it was nothing and amputating its arm in the process. Unfortunately the speed at which Unit S-01 made it almost unstoppable and it continued on through the now injured and falling Archangel, on down onto Unit 00.

Ayanami Rei's screams echoed through the communications channel as Unit S-01's claw pushed itself deep into Unit 00's chest and on out the Evangelion's back.

Shinji in Unit S-01 stood there for a few moments over the sprawling in pain Unit 00 before finally putting its massive foot on the broken Eva's thin stomach and slowly pulling the LCL and blood covered claw from the armored body. Shinji then turned to see the damaged Archangel fluttering away in the distance then down at the severed arm, before clenching both his and the Eva's fists, "It … It got away …" he then spread its wings to pursue the monster, "YOU WON'T GET AWAY FROM US!" he screamed in a voice that would make Gendo tremble.

"Negative, Shinji," Misato stated in her official voice, "We have a pilot down, and that takes precedence."

"But …"

"No buts, stand down," Misato ordered, "We're sending an emergency and recover crew out there, please stay with Rei."

"No," Shinji said icily, "05's here, and 02 on its way now. We're coming back in."

Kaworu watched as the Super-class took to the air back toward NERV HQ and released a sigh, "So it begins."

{End Flash Back}

"Shinji just left her?" Asuka asked as Rei's unconscious form was pulled from the Entry Plug. "Shinji wouldn't abandon a stray cat let alone the First Child!"

"He seems to be under a lot of stress," Kaworu stated, moving to a private channel to speak solely to Asuka, "Perhaps he could use a 'best friend'?"

"I know exactly what the Baka could use," Asuka hissed, her fists trembling, "and I'll give it to him as soon as I get back to base!" with that Unit 02 turned and marched back to NERV HQ with a purposeful step.

"My work here is done for the day," Kaworu said contently.

---

Asuka, still in her plug suit searched the usual 'sulk points' in Central Dogma, before finally giving up and asking around which proved to be no help either. No one had seen hide or hair of Shinji. "Where is that Baka?" Asuka stomped her foot on the catwalk before Unit S-01's cage. When she heard a faint growl.

-Ym-

"Huh? Who's there?" Asuka asked, looking around wildly. Then the growl came again, this time she found the source was from Shinji's Evangelion itself

-Gym …-

"Gym?" Asuka blinked, wondering if she was hearing things or if the Evangelion was actually talking to her. "Oh hell, it's worth a shot."

As Asuka left the room, the massive white and purple Eva's eyes flashed a moment and it sounded a soft content growl, before going quiet once again.

---

'It got away,' Shinji thought as he punched at the large punching bag. 'It got away from me, from us …' he though punching harder and harder by the second.

You know, you might try punching something that will punch back," came a voice from behind him, he turned to see Asuka standing there in a tank top and shorts and her hair pulled back in a ponytail, "It's less boring."

"Yeah, well, what do you suggest?" Shinji asked, resting his back against the bag.

Asuka hopped up to sit on the edge of boxing ring in the center of the gym and smiled mischievously, "You could try me, but I'd understand if you didn't want to be beaten by a girl."

Shinji smirked and climbed into the ring while Asuka rolled under the ropes.

Shinji and Asuka circled each other in the squared circle. "I don't know, Asuka," Shinji smirked, "Hitting the bag was a little more exciting then watching you prance."

"I don't prance," Asuka hissed before jumping at Shinji with a swift kick that he easily dodged.

"Whoa, if you were just a few feet to the right you would have got me," Shinji laughed, before leg sweeping the German, sending her hard on her rump. Shinji placed his hands on his hips and smiled down on the redhead, "Awe, hurt yourself? Want me to kiss it better?"

"Who would have thought," Asuka shook her head. "The worm would evolve into an ass, amazing scientific findings all around," She said, kicking him in the knees, sending him down as well.

Asuka jumped back to her feet, and grinned down at the dazed teen. "Still want a piece of the Great Asuka Langley Sohryu?"

"Na, not a piece," Shinji said getting to his knees. "I want the whole thing!" He said grabbing her from behind her knees and jerking her back down to the ground screaming, and quickly putting her in a leg lock. "What now, Great Asuka Langley Sohryu? Ask nicely and I'll let you go."

"If I ask you you'll let me go?" Asuka asked timidly, through gritted teeth, "O-Ok …" she said, small tears forming in the corner of her eyes, as she looked away. Shinji caught the look, and released his grip slightly. "BAKA!" Asuka snapped, turning back to him with a look that would chill a fire. Before Shinji could react, Asuka got her left foot free, and sent it between Shinji's legs with her full leg strength while gripping Shinji with her other leg. Shinji screamed as she continued to grind her heel into his sensitive spot.

"Ask nicely, and I'll let you go, Baka." She stated not letting him squirm away.

Shinji muttered something under his breath. "What was that, Baka-Shinji?" Asuka asked toyingly, "I didn't quite hear that?"

"I said … m-mercy!" Shinji replied louder in a higher octave. Asuka immediately released pressure on his personal area and he rolled away flopping like a fish out of water.

"Oh, stop it, Baka," Asuka said pulling herself back to her feet, looking down her nose at the flopping youth, "It didn't hurt me." She then leaned over, resting her hands on her knees, intentionally giving him a plain view down her lose tank top, "Awe, did it really hurt? Want for me to kiss it all better?"

"What the hell did I do to deserve to be tormented by Bitch from Hell?" Shinji moaned, not meaning to say it out loud.

"That's from Germany, Baka, and remember it!" Asuka snapped, standing back up to fold her arms under her chest. She then turned her back, "Well if your gonna lay there and moan, I'll go hit the showers. Later Ba-" She cut off with a gasp two arms slid around her waist and neck. "I … I thought you'd be down for a good five more minutes!"

Shinji said nothing but continued to hold the shorter girl tightly. "Biting through the pain, so now what are you gonna do?" he said, his breath tickling her neck.

"I … I …" Asuka stammered, running through several escape plans in her head, but Shinji's stance negated all of them. "If I ask nicely will you let me go?" Asuka asked hopefully.

"Sorry, the offer has expired," He said, pulling the girl closer to where she could feel his chest on her back.

"So … so what are you going to do?" Asuka asked nervously.

"Something that I should have done a long time ago," Shinji stated, spinning her around to face him.

She looked up at his knowing smirk, and began to tremble slightly. "Shin-Shinji?" She noticed him moving close and she unconsciously did the same, then she felt his fingers and realized what he was doing, "NO!"

Shinji began a merciless tickle attack, and she fell backwards trying to get away, but he merely followed her down, staying slightly on her and slightly at her side, tickling up and down her ribs. "SHIN-JI! STOP … IT … I'M GONNA … KICK YOUR … ASS!!" She cried between laughs, as she kicked and writhed under his attack. She finally got a good hit with a kick and he groaned and collapsed on top of her. Both breathing heavy they continued to just lie there in the middle of the ring, Shinji on top of her and his face buried in her hair.

"Thanks, Asuka," came Shinji's muffled voice, "I don't think I'll have kids now …"

"I've done the world a favor then," Asuka said as Shinji slowly got back to his hands and knees over her. "Cleanse the gene pool you know …" She drew off when she realized how close their faces were.

They began to stare in each other's eyes as if hypnotized, and their faces slowly drew closer. "A-Asuka?" Shinji asked lowly.

"Don't talk," Asuka whispered back closing her eyes and tilting her head to meet his.

As their lips were less then a fraction of an inch away, the base intercom sounded, "Pilots Ikari and Sohyru please report to Major Katsuragi's office immediately, Pilots Ikari and Sohyru please report to Major Katsuragi's office immediately, thank you!"

Shinji and Asuka leapt apart, and quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen them. "T-To M-Misato's office then," Shinji forced out trying to keep from looking Asuka in the face.

"Stop stuttering and c'mon, Baka," Asuka ordered, keeping her back to the boy so he won't see her deep blush.

---

"You called, Misato," Shinji said as he and Asuka walked into Misato's small office.

"Yeah, I was worried about you, Shinji," Misato said looking up at the teen, "I know how you usually react to these types of things."

"Is Rei alive?" Shinji asked in a cold voice.

Misato blinked for a few moments, "Y-Yes, she's hurt, but expected to be released from the hospital wing tomorrow."

"Then why should I be concerned?" Shinji asked causing Misato and Asuka to stare in shock. "She got in the way and a mistake happened, I will practice and work on my control more, and it won't happen again. End of topic." Shinji turned his back and started toward the door, "If that's all, I have some working out to do."

"Shinji!" Asuka shouted, not really sure why.

"Don't worry, I'll have dinner ready tonight," Shinji said walking out the doorway.

"Well …" Misato said watching the closed door, "That was different …"

---

Shinji walked out of the office and decided to take a swing by the hospital wing and check on Rei.

Shinji peaked in through the window and saw the blue haired girl resting peacefully. He released a faint sigh of relief before turning and walking back the way he came hoping he wasn't seen. "Hey, Shinji!" he was.

Kensuke ran up to him and pushed his glasses up on his nose, "Hey, Shinji, we haven't had to talk much you and me since you … came back, and was wondering if you had a second."

"Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?" Shinji asked cocking an eyebrow.

"Dude, she's got so many drugs in her right now she probably wouldn't even know I was there anyway," Kensuke laughed, "now come on, I'm hungry."

Shinji and Kensuke walked to the dinning area of Central Dogma and took a cup of noodles a piece from the refreshment bar. "So what do you want to talk about?" Shinji asked.

"Well first off, I want to make sure you're not blaming yourself for what happened with Rei-chan," Kensuke stated. "I've learned my past year of working here that it's a risk just being anywhere near the battle field. No one's perfect, even my perfect little Rei-Rei."

"Rei-Rei?" Shinji choked on a noodle, "Please, please don't refer to her as that around me … Please …" he forced out pounding on his chest. "I'm not blaming myself, I understand that too."

"Ok, well there's something else I wanted to talk to you about," Kensuke said, suddenly becoming uncomfortable.

"What's up?" Shinji asked, blinking at his friend.

"Well, Rei seems to consider you her brother," Kensuke said, "She talked about you almost as much as Asuka avoided you being brought up in conversation while you were … gone. And that's the main reason I wanted to talk to you before I … do what I'm planning."

"Kensuke, what are you up to now?" Shinji rolled his eyes.

"Well I … I had planned on this today, but with her being injured, I thought I'd wait for her to get out of the hospital," Kensuke said looking away, then reaching into his pocket, "but I'd like to ask … your blessing first."

"Blessing for what?" Shinji said, feeling just as uncomfortable as his friend looked.

"Well … Rei and I, we've been together for over a year, and lived together for six months now," Kensuke gulped, before bringing out a velvet box, "Iwanttoaskhertomarryme."

Shinji stared for a moment, then stared a little while longer. Then he laid his head on the table laughing hysterically, pounding his fist to control his fits. "That's funny! Heehee, I thought you were going to say something serious! Now stop kidding around and tell me what you want!"

Shinji calmed down and looked back up at Kensuke's solemn look and paled, "Great Kami, you're serious, aren't you?"

Kensuke answered by popping open the box to see a large diamond ring. "Damn … how long did it take you to save for that?"

"I took out a loan," Kensuke smiled bashfully, "I'll be paying on it for around the next five years."

"Blue diamond, red rubies, white gold, dude you didn't hold back huh?" Shinji gawked.

"Only the best for my Rei-R … chan," Kensuke smiled, he then looked hopefully at his friend, "So do I have the blessing?"

"Only if I get to be the best man," Shinji nodded.

"Deal!" the blonde smiled happily. He then jumped to his feet, now if you'll excuse me, I have to go pack up some of Rei's things for her stay at the hospital. Cya, Shinji, thanks!"

Shinji watched him leave before standing up himself, and making his way back to the gym.

---

Shinji was just finishing his hour workout, when the alert siren sounded through the base. He quickly made it the locker rooms and jumped into his Plug Suit and ran to his Entry Plug as fast as his legs could carry him.

Misato suddenly appeared on a monitor in front of him after his plug filled with LCL, "Kaworu's Entry system is malfunctioning and Asuka is on her way but will be a few minutes," Misato explained, "You're going to be on your own for a little bit until we can prep Asuka and Unit 02. Think you'll be ok, Shinji?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Point …" Misato blushed, "Well, be careful. It's the Archangel from earlier today. A injured animal is usually the most dangerous kind."

Misato looked around her command crew and noticed Kensuke's absence. "Where's the kid?"

"He called, there was some straggling Civvies, he was going to get them to a shelter in his jeep, then come on in ASAP," Maya answered.

"Fair enough," Misato nodded acceptingly, "Launch Unit S-01!"

The angelic Unit S-01 flew from the catapult and straight toward the Archangel that was already over Tokyo 3, "You won't get away this time," Shinji hissed as the Evangelion roared, opening its mouth slightly.

Shinji dove at the monster from behind, only to be hit by a roundhouse punch, sending the airborne Evangelion hard into the side of a tall building.

"Oh, now its on," Shinji growled, as the Eva flew at the monster again, both claws glowing with anti-matter. Eva S-01 this time grabbed the Archangel by the throat and forced it down through a building on across the interstate highway in the center of the city sending vehicles flying and falling it their wake.

"Damn, they're already in an un-evacuated area!" Ritsuko cursed, watching the monitors.

"Up the Evac alert!" Misato ordered as she watched the battle.

The Archangel's armor began to bubble and melt under S-01's claws, but it quickly reached up and gripped the Eva's wrists squeezing till the armor began to buckle and the glow began to fade from both claws. "Damn, it's found the anti-matter generator!" Shinji growled, before letting go with the other hand, and began to pound the Archangel's armored head as hard as it can. "You! Are! Not! Getting! Away! This! Time!" Shinji yelled, emphasizing each blow with a punch.

The pounding continued even after the Archangel seemed to be losing consciousness. Shinji didn't care; he was lost to his rage.

"No! I won't let you get away!" Shinji yelled as Unit S-02 grabbed a random overturned vehicle from the highway, and began using the jeep as a hammer and, once the quickly crumpled vehicle was crammed into the open crack in the Archangel's helmet piece, used it as a nail. "I won't let you hurt another person like you hurt me! I won't let you monsters torture anyone else!"

Shinji continued to pound and pound and pound until the blue jeep was imbedded deep in the Archangel's skull. "Blue Jeep?" Shinji asked out loud as realization returned as the color left his face, "Oh god …"

"Misato! Kensuke's there isn't he?" Shinji asked, his voice trembling in fear, "Kensuke are you there? Misato is he there? Answer me!"

"Shinji, I want you to deactivate S-01 and exit the Entry Plug, ok?" came Misato's nervous reply.

Shinji gulped, but quickly did as told. He jumped from the Eva on to the lifeless body of the Archangel. He scurried up to the bloodied skull piece, and began looking inside the destroyed jeep hoping it was abandoned.

His answer came in the form of a small object laying in a crack on the monster's destroyed face piece. A blood covered crushed velvet box. Shinji's trembling hand picked up the box and a small white gold ring with all the gems broken out of it dropped to his hand. Shinji's needs quickly became too weak to support his body as he fell to his knees in tears.

Shinji had made the phrase on the inside ring a lie, and it would be forever on his conscience.

Ken And Rei-Rei 4 Ever

To Be Continued …

C.Cowboy: am I evil or what? Chuckle, that was a fun chapter to write, expect the next one soon with a bit more A/S in it. Don't forget to review!