Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ Neon Genesis Evangelion: Power of the Spirit ❯ Chapter 0:8 The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 0:8

The Straw The Broke the Camel's Back

Rei's eyes slowly fluttered open and she found herself lying in the hospital bed. Her crimson eyes glanced around the room before finally settling on Major Katsuragi, who was gazing out the window of the room worriedly.

"Is there a problem, Major Katsuragi?" Rei asked in her usual monotone voice.

"Rei!" Misato squeaked, jumping slightly, "You spooked me, I'm glad your awake," the Major said, though the worry in her eyes seemed to multiply rapidly.

"Has something happened to Pilot Ikari or Pilot Sohryu?" Rei questioned, blinking at the elder woman.

"No, not directly no," Misato stumbled over her own words.

"Then something has happened, or else your being at my beside would be pointless," Rei stated, frustration barely showing in her features. "I am not a child any longer, I can handle anything you must say to me."

"Rei, it's Kensuke …" Misato said barely above a whisper.

Rei, not catching the angst in the Major's voice, let her face brighten slightly at the mention of her boyfriend's name, "Has he done something to find himself in trouble again? Perhaps I should take Dr. Akagi and your advice on putting him on a dog leash."

"Rei, this isn't going to be easy to say," Misato took a deep breath.

"Why?" Rei asked, tilting her head in innocent curiosity.

Misato put her face in her hands and with a muffled voice spoke, "You're not making this any easier, Rei."

Misato turned to the girl and took one of her hands in both of her hands, "Rei there was an … an accident, during a battle a few hours ago." Misato explained, glancing away not wanting to see the reaction of what she would say next. "Kensuke … somehow or another found himself mistakenly on the battlefield …"

"He is alright?" Rei asked, her already pale face almost going transparent.

"I'm sorry, Rei," Misato gulped, "Kensuke was … he was killed."

Rei gave a small smile, "Major, your attempts of humor are actually better when you are under the influence of alcohol."

Misato blinked in surprise, but couldn't look the girl in the face. "Major, you're trying to tell a joke … right?" Rei asked, feeling her chest tighten suddenly. "Right?"

"I'm so sorry, S-01 grabbed whatever it could, and Kensuke was unconscious in his overturned jeep, we don't know if he died from the crash or … being crushed by S-01," Misato forced out, followed by a sob.

"Pilot Ikari … he didn't know what he was doing …" Rei managed to say through a suddenly tightened throat, "His Eva went berserk, right?"

"We … we don't know yet," Misato replied, still not able to look her in the face.

"You must know, you were monitoring the battle, were you not?" Rei asked, looking away from the Major, "Ikari would not harm anyone, let alone Kensuke, perhaps you are wrong, perhaps it was just a similar jeep, have you seen the body?"

"We're … we're still trying to remove the vehicle from the Archangel's skull, we haven't gotten it out far enough to see any body, but … the license on the jeep's remains match's Kensuke's," Misato explained.

"Then he could be just hurt," Rei said hopefully, "He may not be in there, he may be ok, maybe he's just hurt, maybe … maybe …" the albino girl suddenly rolled to her side with her back to Misato, "I do not feel well, please go. Let me know when you find Kensuke."

"O … ok, Rei, I'll … I'll come back when we find something," Misato said softly, before walking out of the room, before leaning against the door, "Oh God …What's happened to you, Shinji-kun …"

----

The door to the solitary cell screeched loudly as it swung open. "Hey, Baka, you awake?" Asuka asked, hitting the light switch.

Her sea blue eyes scanned the small cell, and finally found Shinji with his back to her, standing before the sink. "That's a step up, not curled in the fetal position I see?"

"I'm not in the mood, Asuka," Shinji snapped with a slightly trembling voice.

Asuka sighed before walking to his side, to see him rubbing his hands raw under the running water, "those pesky dead skin follicles, so hard to get them all, huh?"

"Leave me alone," Shinji snapped, glaring at the German for a moment, before going back to scrubbing.

"Oh come off it, idiot, do you honestly blame yourself for what happened?" Asuka asked, resting her hands on her hips.

"Whose fault was it then?" Shinji asked, turning fully to face her, making her step back from the intensity of his gaze, "Who grabbed Kensuke's jeep? Who drove it like a nail in that Archangel's skull? Oh wait … THAT WAS ME!" any more retorts were cut short as his jaw and Asuka's clenched fist met.

"Kensuke knew what he was risking being out there. It was his fault for having his baka ass out there in the first place," Asuka growled, glaring down at the stunned teenager. "Oh and don't forget Dr. Akagi and Misato and all their greatness thinking that just because your new Eva is damn near a god, they think you can just jump out there and control it perfectly without that much power effecting you? Tell me that's wrong and sure, I'll drop all the blame on you, but I believe I'm right on that. So am I right or am I wrong about you growing a spine?"

"I lost control, Asuka," Shinji said barely above a whisper.

"Oh yeah, Berserker Ikari, how many times have you and the old 01 gone nuts?" Asuka shot right back.

"This time was different then before," Shinji forced out, "This time I was aware of everything. I recognized the jeep I picked up, I couldn't really place it, but I knew I knew it. But I didn't … I didn't care."

"Mein Gott, stop being such a damn drama queen …" Asuka started, but stepped back as Shinji hopped to his feet, and glared at her.

"You really don't get it, do you?" Shinji asked in an almost foreign voice. "I didn't care I knew who it was, hell, Asuka, maybe I did know it was Kensuke, all I cared about was one thing. I wanted to hurt the Archangel. I wanted to see it bleed, I wanted to watch it die… As slowly as possible."

"Shinji …" Asuka gulped, her eyes widening in shock.

Shinji sat down on his bed, "I don't like it anymore then you, but that's what happened." He then glanced up at the stunned girl, "I need you to do something for me."

Asuka blushed a moment, but shook it off, barely forcing her usual superior expression. "Bout time you realized my greatness, what do you need?"

"I'm afraid that won't be the last time I lose control," Shinji nodded, staring at the ground, "If I lose it again, Asuka, I want you to stop me, stop me before I hurt anyone else."

"Ba-baka, are you nuts?" Asuka stuttered, her stuck-up mask shattering, "I wouldn't … I couldn't …"

"You have to," Shinji asked, boldly looking up into her wide eyes. "You're right, Asuka, you're the best, you might be the only one who can take me down when I get like that. I know you can do this."

"Shinji … I … I …" Asuka stuttered, shaking her head in shock.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Ritsuko said stepping into the cell. "You're not going to be brought up on charges, Shinji, but S-01 will be locked down and you will be going through heavier tests and training. I had concerns when I learned of the new ratio you have with the Evangelion, but I assumed you had the natural skill to not be overwhelmed. It seems I overestimated you."

Shinji nodded and Asuka seemed to take a relieved expression on her face. Whether she was relieved about Shinji not being brought up on charges, or the fact he wouldn't be able to go up in the Eva taking the chance of making Asuka live up to his request was anyone's guess.

"Has … has anyone told Rei yet?" Shinji spoke up.

"Yes, Major Katsuragi has informed her," Ritsuko said turning her back and walking out, "She said it seems she is fighting it with denial. I suggest you both change out of your plug suits, Misato's waiting for you outside."

----

The funeral came three days later. Misato, Asuka and Shinji approached the main plaza of NERV HQ, where Shinji's funeral was held at two years prior. Misato patted Shinji's shoulder before the entered and joined the line leading to the closed casket of Kensuke Aida.

When they approached the casket, the sight of the girl sitting beside it made a chill run down Shinji's spine. The Rei Shinji has gotten to know since his return had seemed more intoned to her emotions, while not understanding them or comprehending many of them, she was far from what she once was. But the girl that was sitting in the folding chair beside Kensuke's picture and casket was like a look in his more disturbing memory.

This was more like the Rei he first met almost three years ago. Her red eyes were cold, and her face was void of all emotions.

"Rei … I …" Shinji started, but the icy glare the girl gave him shut him up quickly.

"Don't," Rei said with no emotions in her voice, "Ikari, after Kensuke saved me from your father's advances toward me, his using me, he made an attempt to lighten the mood by saying your father couldn't be that bad because he produced you with your mother. I had agreed with that assumption." Rei stood up and finally showed some emotions in her eyes, hurt and anger, "Kensuke thought of you as a brother. I thought of you as a brother. What is the term, Ikari? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree? You have proven that true. You and Commander Ikari are monsters and deserve the worst kind of punishment."

"Why that little …" Asuka growled, but was held back by Misato.

"She's right, Asuka," Shinji said sadly, glancing back at his roommates, then turned back to the pilot of Unit 00. "Rei, I am sorry for what happened, I did care for Kensuke too, he was my best friend, you have to believe that if I could I would go back in time and stop that from happening. I just hope someday you can forgive me."

Rei nodded, "I believe you would do this if you could, Ikari. But you will never have my forgiveness. Never."

"I … I can accept that," Shinji said turning and walking toward the exit.

Misato gave a bow before leading the seething Asuka to where Shinji was stopped at the exit. She shivered slightly when she saw what had stopped him.

"You work was commendable," Commander Ikari said to his son, "control will come in time. My hope in you becoming as you should has been increased, son."

Asuka glanced from the emotionless commander to the downcast Shinji, and she literally felt her temper snap, "Now listen here, you Angeber*! He's been through enough without you making him feel like a grade an ass, you're just a Kotzbrocken**!!"

(* blowhard, **son of a bitch)

"I take offence, Captain Sohryu," Gendo said turning his gaze to the German teenager, "I am not in anyway a blowhard. Unless you would like Pilot Ikari to take your position and responsibilities as a Captain in the NERV command tree I suggest you stand down and learn to watch your tongue."

Gendo's eyes twinkled as Asuka seemed to ponder this for a moment, and then refused to avert her gaze at all. 'So the rumors of her fondness for my son is true?' Gendo thought returning the girl's glare. 'So much for believing she was broken by Shinji's passing, if he hadn't have returned she could have been perfect, but it is not too late yet.' Gendo then gave one of his rare smiles, "You're spirit is strong, Captain Sohryu," Gendo said surprising the three roommates, "I respect that. Good day, Captain, Major. Shinji." He said nodding to the three and entering the plaza.

"Strong spirits are made to be broken," Gendo whispered to himself as he watched the three exit, "And I do enjoy that, and no point in making me a liar to my son."

---

The next Saturday morning, Shinji's mood has improved slightly but was still quite depressed about it. Luckily his roommates were as lazy as ever leaving him with plenty to do to keep his mind off Kensuke's death.

Shinji was relieved when Touji and Hikari weren't angry with him, Touji saying that he knows first hands how out of control those overgrown sardine-cans could be and his girlfriend agreeing.

"Breakfast is … wow …" Shinji said, spinning around and almost dropping the skillet of eggs on seeing Asuka.

The redhead had her hair braided behind her and she was wearing an almost identical uniform as Misato's only more red-based in color and her skirt was a tad slightly higher showing a bit more of her thighs.

"What, Baka?" Asuka asked, sitting down at the table, "never seen a girl in uniform before?" She then stopped and gave him a death glare, "you had better not have had any Hentai thoughts just then, or you'll regret it."

"What's the occasion?" Shinji asked, avoiding the accusation and turning to hide the sudden blush.

"Oh, got a meeting with the Commander," Asuka rolled her eyes, "I haven't done anything wrong, so hopefully I'll get another promotion!" the girl suddenly got a mix evil and dreamy look on her face, "Oh if I make Major it would burn Misato's ass so much!"

"What time's your meeting?" Shinji asked, taking a bite from his eggs.

"Nine," Asuka mumbled through her mouthful.

"That's a bit early, isn't it?" Shinji asked, finishing his plate, "weekend crew's mostly skeleton till at least ten or eleven."

"Probably just wants to get it done and over with," Asuka shrugged, dropping her fork loudly on her plate. "Well I'm done, I've better hurry get to base!" she announced heading toward the door.

"Wait, I'll come with you!" Shinji said suddenly, jumping to his feet. He blushed scarlet when Asuka gave him a strange look, "I thought I'd hit the gym while it isn't crowded, that's all."

"Well then, Baka, get a move on," Asuka ordered, placing her hands on her hips, "I'm not going to be late."

----

Asuka stood before the door to Commander Ikari's office, and took a deep breath to steel her nerves, before she knocked. The door opened and she walked in slowly all the way to the Commander's desk, "You asked to meet with me, Sir?" Asuka asked, holding her head up high, her eyes not missing the fact that this was the first time she was alone with the Commander in his office. This did not help her nerves at all.

"Yes, Captain, I did," Gendo asked gazing at the young woman. He gazed up and down her before continuing. "I have noticed you have become closer with my son since his literal return from the dead. He hasn't acted … suspiciously, has he?"

"No, not at all," Asuka said firmly, as Gendo walked around the desk.

"I'm glad to hear that," Gendo said unconvincingly, "please have a seat," he said leading the girl toward a pair of side-by-side cushioned chairs.

Asuka stared at the chairs before shrugging and sitting down beside the Commander, "I'm glad to have him back, not that I missed him or anything, but he is the second best Eva … Commander?" she asked quietly when she felt a hand on her knee.

"You enjoy your job, don't you, Ms. Sohryu?" Gendo said in a voice that made Asuka's skin crawl.

"Yes …" Asuka said unsurely.

"Do you know why you received your promotion, my dear?" Gendo asked, giving the girl an evil smile.

"My skills as an Eva Pilot?" Asuka gulped, feeling somewhat paralyzed under his gaze.

"Wrong, your skills as an Eva are ranked third compared to the four current Evangelion Pilots. Ikari taking top and Ayanami following close behind him, you are several points below Ayanami," Gendo explained coldly, enjoying the emotional flood in the girl's eyes. "So you see, you becoming Captain over Ayanami was a personal favor from me."

"W-What?" Asuka asked, standing to her feet, and moving quickly toward the door. "I don't know what you're playing at, but …" she was cut off when Gendo grabbed her arm and slammed her back against the glass window overlooking the Eva cages.

"I believe you should repay me for the favor," Gendo said, pinning the now thoroughly frightened girl against the glass. Not noticing the glowing eyes of S-01 gazing up at the office window.

----

Shinji sat on the bench in the barely populated gym lifting the dumbbell slowly, when he suddenly jumped throwing the dumbbell across the gym, "HE'S DOING WHAT?!?"

Shinji ignored the stares, "No don't do anything, I'm on my way there now!" he then turned to one of the stunned NERV employees. "You, call security, have them go to Commander Ikari's office, NOW!"

"Wha?"

"DON'T ASK QUESTIONS! DO IT!!" Shinji yelled, before dashing out of the gym as fast as he could.

Shinji ran straight to the office and kicked at the solid door several times, but it wouldn't budge, and hearing Asuka's screams on the other side didn't help matters. He then glanced in the directions of the cages frantically. "Help me!" he begged. A moment later a loud crash came from the other side of the door. Shinji stepped aside as Unit S-01's hand shattered both wall and door, giving Shinji access to the office.

Shinji climbed through the rubble and what he saw in the room made his vision go as red as Asuka's plug suit. Asuka laid on the floor, her top torn open and her skirt pulled up, with Shinji's father on top of her. "Get. Off. Her." Shinji growled through clenched teeth as he stomped toward the surprised Gendo and terrified Asuka. "Get. Off. Her. Now!"

Shinji pulled the man up off the ground, and said a silent thank you to every known deity to see he had his pants still fully on. "You're mine you sick bastard," Shinji said, picking him up off the ground and slamming him on and then on through his desk.

Asuka curled in the fetal position on the floor while Shinji pinned his father to the ground and began pounding his face with every ounce of strength he has. By the time security arrived Gendo was a bloody pulp.

"What's going on here, Shinji? Asuka?" Misato asked as she glanced around the destroyed office.

"Commander Ikari tried to r … attack Asuka, Misato," Shinji said, pulling the barely conscious Gendo off the ground, "Check the memory recorder of S-01 for evidence."

Misato glanced at the trembling Asuka, then turned to the security personnel she brought with her, "Take him away, lock him up until further investigation."

Gendo was in no condition to complain as cuffs were slapped on his wrists and was led out of the office. Misato felt some sense of finality at see him hauled off, before remembering the situation and turning to her other female roommate. "Asuka are you …" she started but gave a small sympathetic smile at the scene before her.

Asuka was wrapped up in Shinji's arms, trying desperately to hide the fact she was crying, while Shinji just held her and stroked her back. "Shhh, it's over, Asuka, he isn't going to hurt you, I won't let him hurt you, it's over …" he cooed over and over, as her shoulders trembled in sobs.

"Shinji, I'll leave you two alone. When she's calmed enough, help her to the medical wing, then report to my office," Misato said gently, "I think we need a talk."

To Be Continued …