Neon Genesis Evangelion Fan Fiction ❯ The Swim of Things ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

The Swim of Things

By Ret Nuh

 

 

It was 9:00am on Saturday morning. Asuka stood beside Rei's bed and was poking her in the shoulder. “Up and at' ems Blue.”

 

Rei answered with what could at best be described as mumbling in her sleep. “Go away you red headed demon.”

 

“Oh c'mon Rei. You can do better than that” Asuka said. “I get called much worse than a demon on a daily basis.”

 

Rei turned her head and barely creaked open her eyes. It wasn't all just a terrible dream. Asuka really was standing over her on a Saturday morning telling her to get up. Rei was still very tired and she felt so warm and comfortable in her bed that she had no intentions of getting up anytime soon. She didn't even try to put up her usual proper front as she let out a drowsy “Go away.”

 

“But Shinji just made a really yummy breakfast” Asuka tempted.

 

Rei responded to her by turning her head back to the side and pulling up the blankets.

 

“Now Rei, you need to get up” Asuka lectured. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” She watched as Rei pulled the blankets up over her head in a futile effort to hide from her.

 

“Don't make me drag you out of this bed Blue.” Asuka warned her but was then surprised by an authoritative “Asuka Langley Sohryu! Will you please stop tormenting that poor child.”

 

“B-But I was just inviting Rei over for breakfast” Asuka said a bit on the whiney side as an explanation.

 

“Well it's obvious that she doesn't want any” Misato told her.

 

“But breakfast is the most…..” Asuka tried to argue back but was interrupted by Misato who grabbed her by the arm and started to drag her away. “Yeah, Yeah. Tell it to someone who hasn't already heard that a million times. Now let Rei sleep.”

 

“But- but…” Asuka tried to argue again.

 

“And stop being such a hypocrite” Misato also told her.

 

“I'm not a hypocrite!” Asuka yelled in her defense.

 

“Oh yeah? Who just tried to take a swipe at Shinji only a half hour ago because he woke you up like you asked him to the night before?”

 

“That was an accident” Asuka cried out. “I didn't mean to do it...”

 

The door to Rei's place then shut and her apartment became quiet once again. Rei put her head back above the blankets and let out a little moan of happiness as she fell back to sleep in her cozy bed. An early bird she was not.

 

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Asuka returned at noon. This time though she knocked on Rei's door first and asked if she may come in. Rei chuckled to herself as Asuka's words definitely sounded forced, then told her she may enter. Both Asuka and Shinji did, but not before Asuka threw a glare down the hall.

 

Asuka then looked at Rei who was sitting in one of her chairs, reading a book and munching on an apple. “At least you're eating something healthy.”

 

“I always eat a piece of fruit in the morning” Rei informed her.

 

“That's good” Asuka replied “Ready to go shopping?”

 

“If you would prefer, you may go to the mall without me. Just purchase a similar type lamp and bring it back while you two enjoy yourself.”

 

“A couple problems with that” Asuka said. “One, I would not prefer that. I would prefer if you came with us. And two, I have had enough of a talking to for today and if I went to the mall without you that talking to might get upgraded to a yelling at.”

 

Rei frowned at that answer as she really would have preferred if they went without her.

 

Asuka responded to the frown with “How can you not want to go to the mall? You're a girl. It's hardwired into us.”

 

“Not all of us are the same” Rei answered. “We all have different likes and dislikes.”

 

“But shopping? How can you hate shopping?”

 

“I do not hate shopping” Rei answered and then corrected Asuka. “I hate the mall.”

 

That statement cleared up a lot of confusion Asuka was having. “You get uncomfortable around all those people, huh?” Rei nodded her head yes. “Boyfriend-boy back here has the same problem” Asuka said pointing back to Shinji.

 

Rei looked over at Shinji and asked “If you're not required to go and don't want to go to the mall, why are you then?”

 

Shinji smiled and pointed at Asuka behind her back. Asuka knew he was doing that anyway but it actually made her feel good. Shinji cared enough about her that he would put his insecurities aside to go with them. Asuka smiled as she said “Because I asked him too. I have really enjoyed the time we have spent together and I wanted to spend more.”

 

“Then it would be better if I didn't go” Rei reasoned. “I would only be intruding.”

 

Asuka let out a frustrated and annoyed sigh. She raised her voice and announced “You're going and that is final!”

 

Rei responded with a quintessential `do I have to?' face.

 

Asuka nodded yes and told her “Now hurry up and get changed. Times a wastin'.”

 

“Changed?” Rei questioned.

 

“Yeah changed” Asuka responded. “You're not planning on going to the mall dressed in your school clothes, are you?”

 

“I see nothing wrong with them.” Rei said in her defense.

 

“For heavens sake Blue you're as bad as Shinji” Asuka complained. The truth behind that statement was that Shinji dressed up in his school clothes today as well. But Asuka made him go change into blue jeans and a t-shirt. Which he only owned because Misato got him the jeans and Asuka got him the shirt last Christmas. Asuka then shooed Shinji out of the apartment so Rei could change. She walked over to Rei's closet and opened it up to find something better for Rei to wear.

 

Rei winced a little as she knew Asuka was not going to like what she saw in there. This was proven by the involuntary twitch Asuka got when she looked.

 

Asuka turned around and almost growled at Rei “Where are the rest of your clothes?”

 

“That's all of them…” Rei answered a bit on the frightened side.

 

“You mean to tell me that your entire wardrobe is made up of school uniforms!” This came out a bit louder than expected as Asuka started to lose her cool.

 

Rei looked down to avoid Asuka's eyes and hesitantly nodded yes.

 

Asuka then started speaking very coarsely in German for a minute before covering her face with her hand and letting out a very big breath. While rubbing her temple she declared “Sometimes I still believe that you and Shinji will be the death of me.” Asuka then slammed Rei's closet door, grabbed her by the arm, and dragged Rei out into the hall. She lined her up right next to Shinji. She looked both of them over very thoroughly with beady little eyes. “Sometimes it is so fricken obvious that you two share genetics that it's not even funny!” Asuka then grabbed both of them by their hands and dragged them off.

 

Both Rei and Shinji looked at each other behind her back and silently chuckled at each other. They both knew they were the epitome of bad dressers when compared to Asuka's fashion conscious senses.

 

The laughing quickly stopped though when Asuka chose her designated route out of the apartment complex they lived in. Asuka was more or less a fitness freak now so she did what normal fitness freaks do in buildings, they take the stairs. It didn't help any that they lived on the top floor of a ten-story apartment complex. At least they were going down the stairs instead of up, that would have been true torture.

 

While Asuka was basically pulling them down the stairs Shinji asked between breaths “What's the hurry?… We're only going… to get a lamp.”

 

“Like hell we are!” Asuka answered picking up her pace. “After that nightmare of a closet I'll be damned if all we leave from the mall with is a lamp.” She heard two very big gulps coming from her counter parts behind her. “Trust me Rei, that gulp wasn't nearly big enough. And Shinji, I promised you this morning that we aren't going clothes shopping for you today so don't worry. As for next time, worry your hotty ass off.”

 

At the bottom of the stairs Asuka stopped. The other two took this as a chance to catch their breaths. Asuka was doing that too but there was another reason she stopped. She was still holding Shinji's hand and she didn't want to let go of it yet. But when they stepped outside she knew she would have to. Outside people could see them and it was almost guaranteed that they would run into people they knew at the mall. Asuka really wanted to be comfortable enough to go out in public with him and not hide their relationship but she wasn't. She wasn't ready for the renewed newlywed chants, the questions about what it was like to date Shinji, or the even bigger question. What was it like to be `with' him? She was uncomfortable enough when Misato made the implication, how would she react when someone she didn't trust or like did. Because she knew there would be teasing. Oh would there be teasing. There would be a lot of teasing. She had gone out of her way to prove there was nothing going on between them in the past. And for people to find out there really was something now, well it would be gold for those who would rip on her.

 

Asuka leaned her head onto Shinji's shoulder and let out a sad sigh. “Sorry” as she let go of Shinji's hand.

 

“It's ok” Shinji told her. He understood what she was saying and for many of the same reasons as her knew it had to be like this.

 

Asuka left her head on his shoulder for a moment longer as a thank you for him being so understanding before straightening back up and going outside.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

On the train to the mall Asuka and Rei were sitting in seats near the back of the car while Shinji stood beside them with one arm holding onto the railing above him. While walking to and waiting at the station a nagging thought had been picking at Asuka's brain. She turned and looked at Rei. “Misato was right. I am being a hypocrite.”

 

Rei looked over at her not understanding Asuka's comment.

 

Asuka continued. “Here I am too chicken to hold Shinji's hand in public for fear of what others might think or do yet I'm dragging you to the mall even though I know why you don't what to is the same reason.”

 

“They're not completely the same reasons” Rei answered as there were definite differences in her mind. “You are simply not ready for the pressure of a true relationship. I dislike being judged for something I am not.”

 

“You're right Rei” Asuka said. “But you're right about both of them. I'm not ready and I hate being judged. It's something that's bugged me my whole life. No matter where I went there were people judging me based on everything from my academic achievements to my nationality. It may not seem like it but I worked very hard to get where I am academically and while I did I got constantly criticized for not doing even better. While at the same time I was seen as a freak for being so young yet that smart. The worse is when people didn't even look at my accomplishments and they saw me as an abomination because of my heritage. Personally I'm very proud that I am part Japanese, part German, and part American but some people look at me like I'm a sin of nature. I have troubles sometimes dealing with that.”

 

“They see what is different in you, not what is the same” Rei answered with some sadness.

 

Asuka nodded her head yes “I think we can understand each other very well on that issue.” Asuka then looked up at Shinji. “The world needs more people like him. People who judge you by who you are, not what you are.”

 

Rei looked up at Shinji too. “I agree.”

 

Shinji, who was just standing there looking out a window as the world passed by while listening to his music, could feel he was being stared at. He turned his head and saw the two girls looking up at him and lightly smiling. They were both friendly smiles but he didn't know why they were smiling at him so he became nervous. He took out one of his earphones and asked “I-is something wrong?”

 

“Nope” Asuka answered. “Everything is perfectly fine with you.”

 

“Ummm… ok?” Shinji mumbled back while getting some color to his face. He then put his earpiece back in and turned back towards the window and tried to ignore the two gawkers. They were being strange again.

 

With his head turned he didn't notice the two girls giggle at him “He is quite easy to fluster” Rei commented.

 

“I love that about him.” Asuka said. “He just looks so cute and cuddly with those rosy red cheeks of his.”

 

Rei simply nodded yes to that and then things got quiet again.

 

After a while Asuka let out a long sigh and leaned her head back against the train cars window. “So which name do you hate the most?”

 

“Name?”

 

“Nickname” Asuka answered. “Which nickname do you hate the most? It isn't Blue is it? Because if it is I will stop using that one.”

 

“No, I don't mind that one” Rei answered. “The one I dislike the most is Goth girl.”

 

“I've heard that one about you a couple times” Asuka said. “But it's kinda ironic if you think about it. There are girls at our school who strive to look like you yet your look is so clearly natural compared to them.”

 

“It's not clear.” Rei informed Asuka. “Many times I get asked what kind of makeup, or hair dye I use, or which brand of contacts I have in.”

 

Asuka looked at Rei amazed. “You mean to tell me even though you have been going to school for all this time with the same people they still haven't figured it out?”

 

Rei shook her head no at Asuka.

 

Asuka could only shake her head negatively and utter “Baka” as she couldn't believe it. She had been around Rei for a lot less time than the rest of the Marduke children and she knew.

 

Rei smiled at her as she added “I have tried to tell people who asked the truth but the girls never believe me and the boys always say `prove it' now.”

 

“I hope you slapped them for that” Asuka told her while raising an eyebrow. She certainly had to any boy stupid enough to ask her to prove she was a real redhead.

 

Rei asked “Why?” as she was unclear as to why that request should be responded to with crude violence.

 

“You don't know what `prove it' means when a boy is talking about your natural hair color, do you?” Asuka said with a little smirk.

 

Rei didn't really know. She had always assumed it had something to do with pulling a hair out of her head and showing people her roots. But the way Asuka had put it she couldn't help but think that she was wrong. She shook her head no “I think I may be unclear about its meaning.”

 

Asuka leaned over and whispered into Rei's ear what it really meant.

 

Rei's eyes shot wide open as she let out a very forceful and offended “That is a highly inappropriate request!”

 

“And that's why in the future you should slap any boy who asks that.”

 

Rei responded with a very adamant “I Will!” to Asuka's statement. She was very offended at the thought of some strange boy seeing that private part of her. In her mind it had happened too many times already in her past so there was no way she was ever going to let another.

 

As Asuka sat in her seat watching Rei grumble at the offenses she had now realized she was a part of, Asuka couldn't help but giggle. Rei always had the demeanor of a proper and polite young lady since coming back from 3I. But right now it was clear she was pissed off and she wasn't trying to hide it. To Asuka this was funny.

 

Rei looked over at her and said in a rather chilly way “I don't see what is so funny.”

 

“You are” Asuka answered while giggling. “You're all grumpy and well… It's just funny.” And Asuka started laughing out loud.

 

In an almost demanding tone Rei told her “Please stop or…” Rei had to think about this for a second. This was a relatively new experience for her so she didn't exactly know what to do. “…Or I will insult you too.”

 

“Do your best Blue” Asuka responded while still unable to stop giggling.

 

Rei thought for a minute and then called Asuka a “Red Headed Demon” again. Normally she would never do something like this but she was pretty hot under the collar right now.

 

“C'mon Rei, you can do better than that” Asuka told her. “Plus you already used that one this morning.”

 

In a flash another word came to Rei's mind. But it was a very impolite word and not one she liked to use so she chose a different B word. “You're a brat.” This caused Asuka to start laughing out loud again. “That was not intended to be funny” Rei said getting frustrated.

 

Asuka let up on her laughing and explained “I get called a brat every single day. Just this morning Misato used it twice and even Shinji used it once.”

 

Rei looked up at Shinji for a second, then back at Asuka, then she looked back up to Shinji again, and finally she looked back at Asuka with disbelief “He called you a brat?”

 

Asuka smirked at her “I deserved it. I was ragging on him pretty bad about his clothing selection.”

 

“That I can understand” Rei quipped back. “But I still find it difficult to believe Shinji would insult you.”

 

“It's not really an insult to me” Asuka said getting up. “Here I'll show you.” Asuka then pulled out one of Shinji's earpieces and asked “Shinji do you think I am a brat sometimes?”

 

Shinji took a quick look at the clothes he was wearing and nodded yes at her.

 

“But I'm your little brat and you like it…” Asuka added on a very pouty “… Right?”

 

A little red faced smile crept over Shinji's face as he nodded his head yes again.

 

Asuka smiled back at him and put his earpiece back in his ear and then she sat back down. She turned to look at Rei and let out a smug “I told you so.” Rei responded with a look that displayed she was anything but impressed. “You probably can call me that other B word for that” Asuka snickered at her.

 

“I do not like using that word” Rei stated. “It's very crude and vulgar.” Plus now she hard a hard time matching that word to Asuka.

 

“Yes it is. But I have behaved like one to you in the past so I deserve it.”

 

“But will you not get angry at me?” Rei asked.

 

“Not when I know I deserve it” Asuka told her. “And don't worry about it hurting my feelings or me holding it against you. Misato calls me a prissy little one whenever I get too much of an attitude and Hikari tells me to stop acting like a bossy little one whenever I cross a line with her.”

 

“So you will not get offended?”

 

“Nope. But try to make it creative” Asuka told her. “I get so bored when the other girls call me a regular one.”

 

Rei had to think about this for a couple seconds. It seemed to her that maybe this was Asuka's way of apologizing for how she had treated her in the past. So maybe it was okay, just this once. Surprising to her she already had a creative way of saying it thought up. She turned and looked directly at Asuka, and after a deep breath said “You are a Queeny Little Bitch.”

 

Asuka's reaction to it was not what Rei expected. Those ocean blue eyes shot wide open and her jaw dropped as she instantly fell in love with the phrase. In Asuka's mind it fit her to a T. Asuka then informed the shocked and over her head girl that from now on anytime she pushed any of Rei's buttons or crossed a line with her, Rei was to use that phrase on her.

 

Rei gave her another `do I have too' look and Asuka answered yes. Since Rei was stuck with this phrase she asked “May I use it now?”

 

Asuka laughed a little bit but said “Sorry Rei, you still have to go to the mall.”

 

“Even though I do not wish too?”

 

“If I don't take you” Asuka answered “The prissy version of that phrase will most likely be coming out of Misato and at a louder than normal level.”

 

“So it's an order then.” Rei sighed.

 

“For you, yes. For me, it's because I want to go to the mall with you guys. I just think it will be fun for all of us” Asuka answered.

 

For some reason that answer made Rei feel a little better about the predicament she was in. But she still didn't want to go to the mall.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

The end of the train ride had come much too soon for Shinji and Rei. Asuka on the other hand was getting very impatient so when they got to the station at the mall she couldn't have been happier. Rei tried to suggest that they head straight to the department store and pick out a lamp so they could leave and not waste time but Asuka was having none of that. She wanted to treat the two of them to a true shopping trip, which of course to her meant wandering around and visiting every shop in the store with no real intent to buy anything.

 

After two hours of this torture Asuka led them to one of her main destinations. It was a clothing store specially designated for teenage girls. “Ok Rei, time to find you some real clothes.”

 

Rei let out a little whimper as Asuka dragged her into the store. This was simply too much of an experience for the poor girl.

 

Asuka's first question was what size jeans did she wear? Since Rei had never worn a pair of jeans she didn't know. That didn't stop Asuka though, in fact that just bolstered her convictions. Asuka took a long look at Rei and then selected ten pairs of pants for her to try on with the instructions of Rei telling her which ones fit the best. That wasn't the end of it though as when Rei finished with the first ten Asuka gave her another ten to try on. This torture went on for a good hour before Asuka was satisfied with a pair.

 

Rei was not very happy with the one that Asuka had picked out for several reasons. First, they were more formfitting than she was comfortable with. They almost screamed `look at my ass'. Second, they were exactly like the pair Asuka was wearing. She was growing to like Asuka as a friend but she was not on the same page as her about style of clothing. Asuka liked flashy and showy and she like conservative and comfy. The third and the most egregious reason was the fact that the pair Asuka had chosen was from the original ten. That meant the ceasingly endless trying on of clothes she was just subjected to was pointless.

 

Asuka's flip little remark of “Yeah, that happens to me all the time too” didn't make Rei any happier.

 

But now it was over. Now they could go get her lamp and head home. Except for the fact that while Rei was folding up her new pants Asuka threw a pile of shirts over the top of the door for her to try on. Rei sat down on the little seat in the room and wept “Please make it stop.”

 

“But we're just getting started” Asuka responded in an upbeat manner. “Plus this is really fun, isn't it Shinji?”

 

Shinji, who up to that point was nothing more than a walking clothes rack with arms following around Asuka, replied with an unenthusiastic “Uh yeah.” Asuka just shook her head at the two. How this could not be fun was beyond her comprehension. Those two could be so weird sometimes.

 

After trying on about 25 shirts and Asuka not liking a single one of them Rei had simply had enough. Asuka had pushed her to her limits and exhausted her patience. “I am done!” That was delivered with a scowl.

 

“But we haven't found a good top to go with your pants yet?” Asuka argued.

 

“I don't care” Rei answered and tried to walk out of the dressing room.

 

Asuka grabbed hold of her arm and said “Ok, ok point taken. But just let me pick out one more?”

 

“No” Rei replied and tugged her arm away while turning her back to Asuka.

 

Asuka replied with a very sad and drawn out “Pleeeaaassseee” that would have challenged even Keiko in the desperate wanting of something department.

 

Rei let out a sigh and said “Do you promise only one more?”

 

“Cross my heart and hope to die” Asuka said as she pulled Rei back into the room. She then told her to wait right there while she went out and searched for the perfect shirt. As Asuka looked around the store she knew she had to pick something simple. Anything flashy she had tried on Rei simply didn't look right. The shirt had to be simple, maybe a little on the girly side to lighten up Rei's outer exterior, and now as she thought of it something that no Goth would be caught dead wearing. She decided to go for a cute little T. She looked at the selection the store had and one t-shirt stood out among the rest. It was a white t-shirt with a pink heart in the middle of it. It was simple, a bit girly, kind of preppy, and absolutely perfect. She immediately brought it over to Rei and had her try it on.

 

When Rei had the shirt on she let Asuka come in the dressing room to look at it. Asuka smiled happily at first when she saw Rei but the more she looked and studied the blue haired girl the gloomier her expression became.

 

“Is there a problem with the shirt?” Rei asked. “Because I'm not going to try on another one.”

 

“The shirt is perfect” Asuka grumbled. “It's those things that I'm mad about.”

 

Rei looked at where Asuka was pointing and it was her chest. She looked at Asuka rather strangely as she didn't know how to respond to that complaint.

 

Asuka then sat down on the chair in the room, crossed her arms, and whined out “Why does everyone have to have bigger tits than me?”

 

Rei had no clue where that came from and she answered “That's not true Asuka. You are clearly above average. In fact…” Rei then looked at her bust in the mirror and at Asuka's “…I believe we are the same size.”

 

“No we aren't.” Asuka complained again.

 

Rei let out a sigh as she could plainly see Asuka had nothing to be insecure about, but yet there she was feeling bad about herself. Rei decided to at least attempt to make Asuka feel better. “May I inquire as to what bra size you wear.”

 

“36C” Asuka answered while pouting.

 

“Then I was correct.” Rei replied. “We are the same size.”

 

“Well yours look bigger” Asuka shot back.

 

“I don't see a difference.”

 

Asuka looked back in the mirror and sighed “I do.”

 

Rei was quickly growing tired of this. Asuka's self doubts were unfounded and this was a waste of time so she threatened “Then I shall have to get a second opinion.”

 

Asuka knew exactly to whom Rei was refereeing to and more importantly the Rei would actually do it. Asuka looked in the mirror one last time and at least partially agreed that it might be possible that they might be the same size. Rei turned to head out of the dressing room and Asuka quickly clutched onto her arm and said “Ok we are the same size.”

 

“That's better” Rei responded. “Now may we please leave?”

 

Asuka had to chuckle at that. Rei had demonstrated that if she had too she knew exactly what buttons to push to make Asuka cooperative. Rei was much more of a formidable opponent than Asuka had given her credit for. “You have an interesting way of forcing a point Blue, I will give you that.”

 

Rei just gave her a little smile and they left the dressing room together.

 

Outside the dressing room Shinji was just sitting on the floor up against a wall listening to his music. He was basically waiting for the girls to finish up and commenting to himself in his mind how much nicer his new I-pod was to his old SDAT, which was now dust in the wind. It held a lot more songs, there were no tapes or discs to fumble with, and he didn't have to worry about accidentally hitting a button and making the song skip around. This was by far one of the greatest gifts he had ever gotten. He was definitely going to have to thank Kaji for it again for about the millionth time.

 

While thinking all that he was noticed sitting there by two girls. Unfortunately for him those two girls weren't Rei and Asuka. They were two girls from his school and one was even from his class. Shinji stuck out like a sore thumb in this store. It was a store for teenage girls and the only boys who ever entered it were ones dragged in by their girlfriends. So seeing Shinji waiting outside the dressing room was quite a surprise for the girls. The gossip potential of this event was off the scale as Shinji had never taken any interest in girls before. The two girls decided to stick around and wait to see who came out.

 

Rei was the first one to walk out but quickly jumped back in before she was noticed. She stopped Asuka and wouldn't let her walk out.

 

“What are you doing Rei?” Asuka asked. “Don't tell me you want to try on more clothes?”

 

Rei got a serious look on her face and shook her head no. She then pointed outside the room.

 

Asuka played along with Rei's little act and peaked her head around the corner. When she brought her head back her eyes displayed that this was anything but an act. She started to take some big breaths as she talked to herself out loud. “Ok Asuka. We knew this might happen. Running in to people at the mall we know is very common. Just use the excuse you thought up this morning and everything will be fine.” Asuka took a couple more deep breaths and put on her queen of the world face. She looked over at Rei and told her “Just follow me and I will handle everything.”

 

Rei wholeheartedly nodded yes. Deception and subterfuge were only her game if being quiet and mysterious would pull it off. This situation required fast thinking and even faster talking, things that were not her forte. This situation was best left to Asuka.

 

The two girls walked around the corner leading from the dressing room together and as Asuka stopped by Shinji she snapped “Wake up you stupid baka! And make yourself useful.” Then with a good amount of force she whipped the clothes she was carrying at him while demanding “Carry these!”

 

Shinji was rather surprised at this outburst but that quickly switched to nervousness when he looked up and saw who else was there. Behind Asuka there was two girls from his school spying at them from a nearby rack of clothing.

 

With her back to the other girls Asuka gave Shinji a peculiar look that asked him to play along so Shinji slowly got up while leaving his eyes pointed to the ground and bleated out a whipped “Yes Asuka.”

 

Asuka then turned around and acted surprised to see the other two girls standing there. The question of what are you doing here from the girls was immediate.

 

“I accidentally broke one of Rei's lamps the other day while goofing around and we came here to get a new one” Asuka answered simply and then slipped into her I am the boss tone. “And since we are here I figured I might as well do some shopping for myself.”

 

This sounded like a plausible answer to the other two girls but it didn't explain Shinji so that was quickly the next question. There had always been rumors about those two but Asuka always seemed adamant about squashing them so him being here with her didn't make sense.

 

Asuka let out a very annoyed huff and explained “Baka Shinji was forced onto me. Misato wanted the house quiet so Keiko could take a nap she made me take him with me.” She then looked back over her shoulder at him and glared “I should have ditched you at the train station.”

 

After that Asuka acted like she was bored of talking about him and switched the conversation over to some more normal type of girl chat with the two girls. Just your basic gossip session between teenage girls.

 

Shinji and Rei pretty much stayed quiet and behind the three chatting girls while Asuka made her purchase. Right now it was best for them to be in the background as them doing anything out of the ordinary would just draw suspicion. Plus this was how Rei got all her gossip. She was the quiet girl in the background that no one ever realized was listening in on them. After all, Rei was a true blue teenage girl too.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

After Asuka said bye to the girls she was chatting with and the two groups separated she left the store and ducked around the nearest corner. Rei and Shinji were right behind her and saw as she let out a huge sigh of relief. With the eyes of the world no longer on them she reached out and touched Shinji's cheek. “You know, right?”

 

“I know” Shinji answered her. Asuka, much like himself, was just scared of the situation.

 

That made Asuka feel so much better again and she began to smile. She had felt horrible for what she just did. It was mean, it was callous, and it was now something against her heart. But Shinji understood why she did that and that was what made her happy. Somehow this boy could understand her when so many couldn't.

 

Asuka wasn't the only one smiling though. Rei was quite happy to witness this touching moment and felt perfectly comfortable displaying her true emotions around the two. Asuka noticed this and took her hand off Shinji's cheek. “So according to your trashy books, what are Shinji and I to do next?”

 

Rei thought for a moment and then whispered the answer into Asuka's ear. Rei then took a step back to watch Asuka's reaction.

 

Asuka turned to look at Shinji and instantly turned a bright shade of red. “”Bu- but we haven't even kissed yet! And we're supposed to be doing that??”

 

“That's what happens in many of the books I read” Rei replied. She purposely waited a minute to watch Asuka fidget before she added “But those stories are mere fantasy and not reality.”

 

“Thank god!” Asuka exclaimed. But she noticed Shinji looking at her oddly, it was written on his face that he was curious about what Rei had said to her. Since they were now getting in the habit of not keeping secrets from each other Asuka stepped up to him and whispered what he was wondering in his ear.

 

When she stepped back Shinji's face had gone from curious to nervous and his hand was in full twitch mode.

 

Asuka reached down and help his hand shut. “I'm glad that we see eye to eye on that.”

 

Shinji had to take a couple beep breaths to cool himself down before he could agree with Asuka on that. If they tried what Asuka had just told him he probably would have fainted or worse yet made an outright fool of himself as he wasn't even sure if he knew how to do what she had said.

 

The two embarrassed teens just stood there for a couple minutes being embarrassed in front of each other until Asuka noticed the hall she had ducked into. It was one of those tiny alcove halls that had a pair of phones and the entrance to the bathrooms. She shook the shopping bag in her hand with Rei's new clothes at Rei and told Rei to follow her. Rei questioned why but Asuka only answered by grabbing her hand and pulling Rei into the bathroom. Asuka knew if she told Rei why she would just get resistance to her idea so she decided she was going to have to be a bit heavy handed with uncooperative girl right now.

 

Shinji had been waiting outside the bathrooms for about fifteen minutes before Rei and Asuka came back out. Asuka had a very proud of herself look on her face while Rei was blushing. The blush was due to the fact that Asuka had made Rei change her clothes. She was now standing in front of Shinji wearing a tight pair of blue jeans and a cute little T that was a bit tight in its own right.

 

“You look nice” Shinji told her trying to be polite and bolster the obviously nervous teen's confidence.

 

“Nice?” Asuka said understatedly. “She looks hot.”

 

“I don't want to look hot” Rei squeaked out. This was so embarrassing for her.

 

“Well how about this then?” Asuka offered. “You look normal.”

 

“Normal?” Rei questioned.

 

“Yeah, normal” Asuka said. “A lot of girls dress like that, granted you pull it off better than most, but still just like that. Look around the mall and you will see it's true.”

 

Rei became curious about that and she did what Asuka had told her too. She peaked around the corner and looked out into the mall area. As she saw the myriad of teenage girls out there she noticed many of them wearing the same thing as her. Jeans and a t-shirt. Asuka was right.

 

This made her smile a bit. Normal was a good thing to Rei. She had always been special and different, but maybe, just maybe what Asuka had done for her was a good thing. Asuka really was trying to help her fit in to this strange world. So as the three strolled around the mall looking at things Rei felt a little less uncomfortable. Sure she still didn't want to be there but now it wasn't such an unbearable thing to her.

 

Asuka was just thankful Rei was in her own little world right now because if the girl was looking around at the other people in the mall she would have probably noticed heads were turning when they saw her. Quite a few people were checking the blue haired girl out right now.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

As Shinji, Asuka, and Rei walked around some more they were spotted by another duo from their school. This time the two people were sitting in the food court sharing a double fudge cookie dough blizzard treat on the other side of the mall opening. Hikari put her hand up beside her face and tried to hide. If Asuka saw what she was eating she knew the redhead would freak.

 

Touji on the other hand became confused. The trio was about 30 yards away from them but he could clearly see Rei, in a very different style of clothing than he had ever seen on her before, walking next to Asuka who curiously enough had Shinji walking on the other side of her. Even more strangely Asuka was talking to Shinji and both were smiling. After the trio had walked out of his sight he turned to Hikari for an explanation. “Ummm…. Babe? What's going on?”

 

“Nothing” Hikari immediately said and then told him he didn't see what he just saw.

 

When he insisted he did she repeated herself and told him not to say anything and just let them be for now.

 

Touji's mind wasn't as thick as Asuka accused it of being and he figured it out. Something was happening but right now it was none of his business so he should just keep his mouth shut.

 

Hikari then took a spoonful of the blizzard and licked the delicious treat off the spoon. She followed that up by taking another spoonful and putting that one into his mouth. “So what was it again that you thought you saw?”

 

“Absolutely nothing” Touji answered.

 

“Good. Now lets get out of here before the people we didn't see swing back around and the redheaded one has a hissy fit over what I'm eating.”

 

Touji chuckled a bit at that and then the two took off to go do something else.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

Asuka stopped by a cookie shop to get a little treat. She realized how patient Shinji and Rei were being with her and she wanted to give them something that said she was thankful for that. She wasn't trying to be overbearing and pushy but it was obvious even to her that it was coming out that way. She bought a chocolate chip cookie for her and Shinji to share but when she looked at Rei she got a funny feeling. “You're not a big fan of sweet things are you?”

 

Rei shook her head no. Her tastes were pretty Japanese.

 

“I figured as much.” Asuka said and had to think as she looked at the selection of cookies in front of her. It was actually a German type of cookie she picked out for Rei.

 

When Asuka handed Rei the gingersnap she took a hesitant nibble of it. There was a bit of sweetness to the cookie but the overwhelming flavor was the ginger. It kind of snapped at her tongue and she could taste why it was named what it was named. This cookie was a very acceptable treat.

 

Asuka didn't even need to ask Rei if she liked the cookie, it was obvious. The beautiful blue haired girl was nibbling on it and smiling in a very cute fashion.

 

Rei was so concentrated on her treat that she didn't even notice the increased attention to herself she was drawing. There were more than one or two boys now that turned their heads to take an extended look at the exotic beauty as she walked by.

 

Asuka gave Shinji a nudge to point it out to him too. For someone who always wanted to be in the background she sure seemed to shine in the spotlight. Asuka was also feeling a bit proud of herself as Misato had requested of her to try and bring Rei out like this. Misato really was worried about Rei and she wanted the girl's inner beauty to come out more often.

 

All this thinking halted immediately though as Asuka's eyes noticed a new shop in the mall. She had stopped dead in her tracks and whimpered out “Of all the stores that had to open up, it had to be that one.”

 

Shinji looked up at the sign and said back to her “It's just a candy store.”

 

“Godiva chocolates are not just a candy!” Asuka stressed. “They are like the ultimate form of decadence.” Both of her companions gave Asuka a puzzled look and she realized she had completely lost them so she explained it another way. “Regular candies are like the Jet Alone robot and Godiva truffles are like our Evas.”

 

“They can't be that good?” Shinji questioned.

 

“Trust me they are” Asuka answered.

 

“Then I'll get you some” Shinji said and started to walk towards the shop.

 

Asuka grabbed his arm and pulled Shinji away from the store while warning “Don't you dare Shinji Ikari.”

 

“Why?” He was simply trying to be nice.

 

“Because one, I already had my treat for the day. Two, those things are addicting and I know I can't trust myself around them. And three…” Asuka stressed this as it was the important part “… they are like Evas in another way. They're horribly expensive. A single box of four will cost you 2500 yen.” And that was the end of that conversation as Asuka didn't let him respond. She said no and that was final.

 

After hurrying away from the accursed but alluring shop they finally got to the mall's anchor department store. Both Rei and Shinji could see the light at the end of the tunnel as the lamps were right in front of them, but unfortunately that wasn't were Asuka was heading. She took them in a different direction “We will get to those in a minute but first I want to show Rei something.”

 

Rei let out a purposely loud sigh. She was very close to using a certain phrase she was given permission to use.

 

Asuka though told her this was something she would like as much as that cookie so she should just be patient with her one more time.

 

Rei didn't believe her but since they were finally in the right store she went along with it one last time. Asuka led her over to the chair department and had her sit in a weird looking black leather one. It was comfortable but not very cushy like hers. Plus there were weird groves for your feet and legs and it was sort of bumpy. It was almost reminiscent of the seat in her Eva. Rei had a hard time understanding why this chair was so special and truthfully she liked hers a lot better. That was until Asuka grabbed a remote and pushed a button.

 

A very unexpected “Ohhh” escaped from Rei as all those bumps started to vibrate and move around and she quickly realized why this chair was so special. It wasn't a normal chair, it was a very high class and expensive massage chair. The vibrating and pulsating of the modules inside the chair felt insanely good on her sore muscles. Rei had never known anything like this existed before but that didn't stop it from becoming an instant need in her life.

 

Asuka told her “I have begged, pleaded, whined, cried, and got on my knees and promised Misato I would be a perfectly behaved girl if she would buy me one of these.”

 

“You clearly have not done enough” Rei answered while at the same time forgetting why they were at the mall in the first place.

 

Shinji looked at Rei and Asuka, who was sitting down in one of the other chairs now, and figured this might be a while so he told them “I'm going to find a restroom.” He heard a “take your time” come from both girls. And that's what Shinji did. Mainly because he was not going to the bathroom like he said he was, he was going to do something else.

 

Twenty minutes later he returned to find the girls exactly where he left them. Rei was sitting there with a smile on her face and her eyes closed, almost like she was asleep. Asuka though signaled for him to come over to her. “Could you be a really nice Shinji and go get the lamp for me? I just want a couple more minutes and then we can go home.” Shinji nodded his head yes as Asuka gave him some money from her purse and he went and did what she asked.

 

When Shinji got back with the lamp Asuka was showing Rei the main obstacle to getting the chair, specifically the one million yen price tag. Rei let out a little sigh and took one last look at the chair. At that price it was an unattainable dream. So with everything bought that they came to the store for they finally headed home. Much to the joy of Rei and Shinji.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

While riding the train the three were sitting side by side with Asuka in the middle. Shinji reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box that was gold in color with a gold bow. He placed it on Asuka's lap.

 

She didn't even need to read the gold lettering on the box to know where it was from. “Shinji Ikari! Didn't I just tell you not to do this?”

 

“I know, but you said you liked them.”

 

“I also said they're not good for me. Especially now during training.”

 

“It's only four of them” Shinji replied.

 

“That's too many. And you shouldn't be spending your money like that.”

 

“Why?” Shinji asked. “It's my money.”

 

“But it's too much” Asuka argued.

 

“Not if it makes you happy.”

 

“Yes it is” Asuka stressed. “I appreciate the sentiment but expensive things are not what I want from you.”

 

“I didn't get them because they were expensive” Shinji explained. “I got them because you wanted them.”

 

“But I don't need them.”

 

“I was just trying to be nice.”

 

“I know you were…” Asuka began to say but was stopped as at this point Rei had enough of their petty bickering. In her mind they weren't allowed to argue anymore. She envisioned them as a romance story come true and she wasn't going to let something as silly as this spoil her vision. So she stood right up in front of the two, grabbed Asuka's hand, placed it on Shinji's cheek, and in what sounded like an order said “Remember.”

 

This caused both Asuka and Shinji to stop what they were doing. Rei was giving them a chilly looking stare as she wasn't happy with them at this moment. If those two could get together than anything was possible, she may even be able to find someone. Rei may have been quiet and withdrawn but she was still a real girl complete with a real set of emotions, wants, and fantasies.

 

Asuka and Shinji both started to chuckle. It was obvious to them that Rei did not like them arguing so Asuka made a suggestion of compromise. “Ok Shinji. You can buy me these if you want, but no more than four a month, understand?”

 

“Understood” Shinji answered. That made Rei feel better and she let go of Asuka's hand and sat back down.

 

They both turned to look at Rei and Asuka said “Umm Rei. You are not planning to do that every time we have a little spat are you?”

 

“If I have to, yes.” Rei declared.

 

“You know we aren't a romance story” Asuka told her.

 

“In my mind you are.” Rei said back.

 

“Life is rarely that simple” Asuka argued.

 

“But it is that hopeful.” Rei told Asuka looking directly at her.

 

This was responded to by a “Huh?” from Shinji.

 

“If you two can find love and happiness, than anyone can” Rei responded.

 

Shinji was about to answer back but Asuka put a finger gently on his lips to quiet him. She then looked at Rei “Is it really that important to you?”

 

Rei nodded yes and replied “Hope sometimes is all I have.”

 

Asuka smiled at her new friend and teammate. “Not anymore. Now you have us too.”

 

Rei pondered on that for a minute and looked at Asuka earnestly “Thank you.”

 

Asuka smiled back at her and then turned her attention back to Shinji. “Now what were you going to say?”

 

“Nothing” Shinji answered but as he did he gave the finger that was still pressed up against his lips a little peck just to remind Asuka she had kept it there.

 

This caught Asuka completely off guard. But instead of involuntarily slapping him out of reflex a bit of her true self shown forth as she developed a schoolgirl type blush. Asuka was overwhelmed by what Shinji did and she didn't even notice the small giggle coming from the girl sitting beside her. Asuka only sat there with a stupid, but happy, grin on her face and a head to toe blush.

 

And that is pretty much how the rest of the train ride went, silent. Asuka was blushing, Rei was happy, and Shinji was surprised by Asuka's reaction to something so simple. It was only a little peck on the end of a finger, how could that be this big.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

As Asuka, Shinji, and Rei were walking towards their homes from the train station a green moped zipped by them. It quickly slammed to a screeching halt. The rider that got off the bike was wearing a green helmet with a shaded visor and a leather coat that had the words `Shin Seiki's Delivery' on the back. The rider turned his head to look at them.

 

“You better get going or you will be late with your deliveries” Asuka told him.

 

The rider though asked “Umm, what's going…”

 

Shinji stopped the question with a shake of his head. “Please don't ask any questions. We want some time.”

 

The rider shrugged his shoulder and said “Ok.” His attention was then directed towards Rei. Even with his helmet on you could tell he was looking her up and down. Rei was starting to feel uncomfortable and was startled by the rider asking “Ayanami???”

 

“She looks cute in that doesn't she?” Asuka asked the rider.

 

“I wish I still had my camera” The rider responded. “I don't think anyone would believe this.” He then got back on his moped and took off as he had deliveries to make.

 

Rei was confused. She had tried to see who the person was behind the visor but he took off too quickly for her to get a good look. For some reason he seemed very familiar though. It was clear that Asuka and Shinji knew who he was so she asked them. The answer she got confused her even more. “Will he not tell everyone?”

 

“No” Shinji answered. “We can trust him.”

 

“Are you sure?” Rei asked as she was not sure about that person.

 

“There are circumstances you don't know about” Asuka answered. “But Kensuke is someone who will keep his mouth shut.”

 

This didn't sound like the same Kensuke Aida that she knew and grew up with. He had always been an overly curious boy with loose lips and who tended to act like a pervert most of the time. But Asuka and Shinji seemed to have faith in the boy that he would keep quiet about what he saw. Those circumstances that Asuka mentioned must have been meaningful. Her thoughts were interrupted by “I bet you another box of chocolates that he stops at our place.”

 

Asuka looked at Shinji and flicked his head with her finger. “Remember I am the prodigy here.”

 

Shinji chuckled “It was worth the try.”

 

“No it wasn't” Asuka sassed back. “But I am glad you did. Now lets get home before the food gets cold.”

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

The trio entered the apartment just as Misato, Kaji, and Keiko sat down at the table. “You're just in time guys” Misato said welcoming them. “Doesn't the dinner I made look yummy?”

 

“Yeah right.” Asuka jeered while sitting down at the table.

 

“And what's that supposed to mean?” Misato shot back.

 

“I means Kensuke passed by us when we were walking home from the station.”

 

“So” Misato said.

 

“He was heading in this direction” Asuka smirked.

 

“That doesn't prove anything” Misato said shifting here eyes away. “He could have been delivering to any number of people in this building.”

 

“Uh huh” Asuka said with a roll of her eyes.

 

“Stop being a brat and eat your dinner.”

 

“Yes ma'am” Asuka smirked.

 

Misato then turned her attention towards Rei. “That's a cute outfit.”

 

“Thank you” Asuka answered.

 

“Why you? I was talking to Rei.”

 

“Because I bought that for her. Asuka answered.

 

“That was awfully nice of you” Misato said but looked directly at Asuka as she added “Why?”

 

“No reason” Asuka said. “I just felt like being nice.”

 

This time it was Misato's turn for an unbelieving “Uh huh.” … “That is about as true as me making this dinner.” Misato then started to stare directly at Asuka.

 

Asuka hated when Misato did this. She couldn't explain how or why Misato's glare affected her like this but ever since Keiko was born it did. There was just something more to it and after a minute Asuka cracked. “Ok, Ok you can stop with the mommy stare. I bought her the outfit because when I looked in her closet I saw nothing but school clothes. And that just isn't right.”

 

Misato stopped her stare and smiled at Asuka as she agreed with her. In the past Misato had given Rei a clothing allowance and the idea behind it was for Rei to buy real clothes, not more school clothes. Apparently her idea was a failure and the mommy stare changed it's recipient.

 

This was the second time Rei noticed this look was aimed at her, and like the time before she became nervous. Rei was a master of the cold stare that could throw anyone off but this kind of stare, … well it was just something beyond her abilities. And just like Asuka she succumbed to the powers of it and answered truthfully when Misato asked “Rei, did you spend all the money I gave you on school clothes?”

 

Rei looked down while answering “Yes ma'am.”

 

“That's not what I intended that money to be used for” Misato told her. “Tomorrow we will correct that mistake.”

 

“Yes ma'am” Rei repeated but quickly looked back up when she realized that meant another trip to the mall.

 

Asuka got a big smile on her face when she realized that too. But the “Wipe that grin off your face young lady. You're not going” quickly erased it.

 

“Why not?” Asuka cried out.

 

“Because you're still grounded and it's too short of notice to get a baby sitter so I need someone to watch Keiko for me.” Misato told her and had to add “Plus you are the biggest pain in the ass at the mall I have ever met.”

 

“It's not my fault you don't know how to shop” Asuka sassed back. This was in reference to Asuka's and Misato's completely different shopping styles. Asuka was a girl who could spend all day at the mall and not buy anything. Misato was the type that knew what she wanted, went to go get it, and then left.

 

Misato answered Asuka's flip remark with “At least I didn't spend five hours at the mall with only one outfit to show for it.”

 

“And a lamp.” Asuka corrected.

 

“Big whoop. An outfit and a lamp. I could have gotten that in a half hour and been out of there.”

 

“Yeah, well that's not all” Asuka sassed back again and got up from the table. She walked over to her purse and retrieved something out of it. She then came back and slapped a gold box down on the table triumphantly.

 

Misato's eyes grew large as Kaji groaned out “Oh God No!”

 

“Hush up Kaji” Misato quickly told him and demanded from Asuka “Where did you get these?”

 

“Even though I told the baka not to, Shinji bought them for me.”

 

Misato turned her attention to Shinji “Where?”

 

“At the mall.” Shinji answered.

 

“I know that much Shinji” Misato chastised. “Where at the mall did you find these?” She only got a look of confusion from Shinji so she turned her attention back to Asuka.

 

“Third floor, west side, two shops down from Starbucks.”

 

Misato then looked at Kaji “You got that?”

 

“Yes dear” Kaji replied like the good husband he was. He then told Shinji “Guess where we have to stop while we run errands before going fishing tomorrow?” Shinji let out a groan for his answer.

 

Asuka though was not happy to hear this. She didn't mind watching Keiko, but she had never done it alone. Plus she knew what running errands meant. Boys didn't shop, they ran errands. Specifically they ran errands to the Electronics stores, Hardware stores, and the Sportsmen store. AKA the trifecta of toy stores to all boys over 14. So that meant everyone else was going to be shopping but her.

 

A noticeable twitch was seen on her right eyebrow. But instead of losing her head and yelling a sinister smile came over her face. It was aimed at her usual target. Shinji gulped and Asuka told him in a voice that matched her smile. “Shinji. You better pray I do something really really bad this week. Because if I'm not grounded next Saturday I'm taking it out on you. And trust me we will be spending the whole day out at the mall. AND you will be the one I'm shopping for.”

 

A bead of sweat could easily be seen on Shinji's brow. Misato tried to stick up for him though “You shouldn't pick on him like that.” But her effort wasn't apparent as the way she said it was like she didn't mean it.

 

Asuka answered in way that did though. “But I'm going to.”

 

Misato looked back over at Shinji “Can't say I didn't try to help you.”

 

Shinji turned to Kaji for help but Kaji's mouth was full and it would be impolite to talk with a full mouth. And it was apparent that his mouth wasn't going to empty any time soon. Shinji then looked over at Rei with pained eyes. Rei in return asked Asuka. “Will I have to be part of this?”

 

“No offense Blue, but this is going to be a Shinji and me thing.”

 

“No offense taken” Rei replied and looked back at Shinji. “This matter does not concern me. I apologize but I cannot be of help.” And Rei went back to her meal.

 

Shinji was running out of options at this point but he did have one trick up his sleeve. “What if we run into people we know?”

 

Asuka thought about this for a second and asked Misato “Can Shinji and I take the bullet train down to Kyoto next Saturday and shop over there?”

 

“Sure” Misato answered. “Have fun.”

 

There was only one thing Shinji could whine after hearing that “I'm screwed.”

 

Misato couldn't let that comment go without a playful remark. “No… that is what Asuka needs to say after she pays you back for the trip.”

 

Misato then braced herself for the two loud “MISATO!!!” that she knew would come from the two embarrassed teens. It was fun playing devils advocate with those two.

 

\\\\||||////

*********** OOO ***********

////||||\\\\

 

On the Sunday after Rei's little shopping adventure with Asuka, Misato knocked on her door at around 1:00pm. Rei was dressed in her school clothes. “Will I have to change?” she asked tentatively.

 

“No” Misato answered. “If you're comfortable in that it is fine with me. By the way this is going to be a quick and efficient shopping trip. Shinji and Kaji will be out for a while and Asuka is really nervous about having to take care of Keiko by herself so I don't want to leave her alone too long.” Rei could already tell this trip was going to be very different from the previous days one.

 

And it was, as by the time it was 2:30pm she already had two more pairs of jeans, some shorts, a couple new skirts, a blouse, and even a nice casual dress. Next up on Misato's list was a formal dress for special occasions, some shoes, and a couple different kinds of shirts for different types of weather. But before they got to that they passed by the cookie stand.

 

Misato was a little surprised as it was Rei who stopped. She asked if they could take a little break and maybe have one. Misato of course said yes and she even got the same kind of cookie that Rei got. Personally she was more of a chocolate macadamia nut type of girl but she hadn't had a gingersnap since she was last in Germany many years ago.

 

When they finished Rei looked a little guilty. Misato could guess why and told her “I won't tell Asuka if you don't.”

 

That made Rei feel better. And while they continued shopping Rei didn't have an answer why but she felt very comfortable around Misato. Plus the clothes they were buying were things she agreed on. She didn't mind the outfit that Asuka had gotten for her but it wasn't really her style. She liked a more conservative one. One in which she could curl up with a good book and be comfortable wearing. Asuka may have meant well but Rei was not ready to be wearing clothes that said `look at me, I'm a hottie.'

 

The final stop was also Rei's idea. She just had to sit in that wonderful chair again. This had Asuka's influence written all over it. But the situation looked much different to Misato concerning Rei. Rei seemed much more relaxed in the chair than she had ever seen Asuka. It was a little bit of excess luxury in a world that had been sadly devoid of it. Misato grabbed a brochure for the chair before they left.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

While they were driving home Rei started to feel guilty again. Misato had bought her a lot of clothes and some of the items weren't cheap. This was a generosity she wasn't used to. Very few times in her life was she ever given things of value. And as she thought of it not only was Misato giving her things of value but words of value too. Rei was a little overwhelmed by all of this. “Mrs. Katsuragi….”

 

“Misato” Misato corrected.

 

“But that is…”

 

“Sorry Rei dear” Misato smiled at her. “But Mrs. Katsuragi is what strangers call me. The people I care about and like call me Misato.”

 

Even though it wasn't supposed to that made Rei feel even worse. “…I… I feel like I am taking advantage of your hospitality.”

 

“You're not” Misato said.

 

“I will try to pay you back” Rei told her. She had no clue how though.

 

“No you won't” Misato answered. “These are gifts to make your life more comfortable. You deserve it.”

 

“The cost is too much. Will it not put financial burden on you?”

 

“Oh please” Misato laughed. “If I bought you our entire apartment complex we wouldn't be in financial hardship.”

 

A confused Rei responded “I wasn't aware that you were that financially secure.”

 

“That's WE are financially secure, not the word you” Misato corrected. “As you can tell with Asuka and Shinji when I get my hooks into a child I care about, I don't let go. You're now part of the family and I expect you to start thinking and acting that way.”

 

That last line was delivered with a bit of emphasis. But what it meant had even more impact on Rei. Rei surprised even herself as at that moment her mind made a decision that agreed with all those emotions she usually kept all bottled up. Misato was someone she could trust. And not just on the basic levels, she could trust Misato on all levels. Misato was more than simply someone who could be her friend. She was someone who could watch out and take care of her. Someone who could be a guide in her confusing life. And it wasn't because Misato needed her for something but because Misato wanted to. “…. Thank you Misato”

 

“You're welcome sweetie” Misato smiled back. “But do me a favor and don't say anything to the other two about how much money we have.”

 

“They do not know?”

 

“Thank heavens no” Misato said with relief. “Shinji could probably handle it ok but, especially now, he would blab it to Asuka. And Asuka is already a big enough spoiled brat as it is. Can you imagine what she would be like if she knew we were loaded?”

 

“I would rather not” Rei replied dryly. That wasn't a good thought at all.

 

“Scary thought isn't it?” Misato laughed. “And if you think that chair she showed you is important to her ask her about that metallic red Beamer convertible she wants because she is 16 and can technically drive.”

 

“But she told me she has begged for that chair?” Rei questioned.

 

“She has” Misato answered the blue haired teen. “But that's only one of her tricks. She'll usually start off asking nicely, then she will rationalize it, next she will whine and complain, and finally she will beg and make promises she can't keep. Compared to most of the things she wants that chair is but a trinket.”

 

“I would be happy with only the chair” Rei replied.

 

“That's a much more logical answer than I would ever get out of Asuka” Misato commented. “I may love that girl with all my heart but sometimes she really needs to grow up.”

 

Rei tried not to but that comment made her laugh just a tiny bit. She quickly regained her composure and said “I believe Shinji will help with that.”

 

“I'm hoping they both help each other” Misato started. “A relationship with Asuka will give Shinji the swift kick to the butt he needs and it should teach Asuka what is truly important. They both need to learn that happiness is something they can find in each other but it's something they will also have to work for.” Misato kind of threw a little glance at Rei after she said that. Those words weren't only meant to describe Asuka and Shinji. She saw Rei let out a small sigh and she knew her message was delivered so she moved on. “So Rei, which outfit do you like the best?”

 

Rei looked in the backseat of the car “I think I will enjoy the sweater with the sweatpants the most.” She already had big pans for that outfit.

 

The blast from Third Impact had put the world back on it's proper axis and each year since the weather was correcting itself. Already it was cooler than it was at this time last year. But even though cold weather was not among Rei's list of like, snuggling up in warm clothes, some hot tea, and a steamy romance novel was. But as she looked at the large number of bags behind her a question popped in her head. Where did all this money come from? Kaji only had a mid level corporate job so it couldn't be from his paycheck. It might be considered rude but curiosity got the better of her and she just had to ask the question.

 

Misato told her “Kaji's job is to keep him out of trouble. Too many people from his past would offer him jobs that I wouldn't like if he wasn't kept busy. As for the money… It was called a finders fee. Both SEELE and Nerv had a nasty habit of hiding money so it could be used at a later time. But most of the people who knew where that money was didn't come back. If it wasn't for Dr. Fuyutsuki Nerv's money would still be lost. And as for SEELE, let's just say a certain somebody knew more than he was supposed to. And you know, when everything was added up the total sum of this money was more than some of the high ranking U.N. country's GNP's so everyone was thrilled to get it back. And as a reward they split 10% of that up and gave it to the people who helped retrieve it. Which included Maya, Makoto, Shigeru, Dr. Fuyutsuki, Kaji, and myself.”

 

Rei thought about this for a second. The names listed were the ones who also happened to know the most. “The money is to silence you.”

 

“Basically yes” Misato answered. “But in truth they didn't need to. The only good thing about our pasts is we can learn from our mistakes.” Misato then turned into the parking garage and drove to her assigned spot. The spot next to hers was still empty so that meant the boys must have still been out fishing. She then looked at the clock and it read 4:05pm, which was five minutes later than what she told Asuka she would be home by. She quickly helped Rei with her bags and made her way to her place.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

Misato was greeted immediately with “Danken Sie Gott Sie sind haupt!!!” from an overwhelmed and worn out redhead. “She's been crying since she woke up at three. I've tried playing with her, feeding her, milk, juice, videos, toys, even her nook-nook but nothing worked. Plus she has a runny nose and I don't know what's wrong.”

 

Misato stopped the panicked babysitter there and took Keiko from her. She walked over to the counter and grabbed a tissue. She wiped her little girls nose gently and carried her over to the rocking chair. As Misato started to rock she pressed the crying child to her chest and told her while using a soothing motherly tone “shhh little one. Mommy's home now. Are your teeth hurting you again? Just let mommy make it all better.”

 

Asuka watched as the crying lowered down to a sniffle and then down to silence.

 

Misato looked up at her “You have a lot to learn about babies.”

 

“NO I DON'T!!!” Asuka steamed. “Because I am never going to have one!” And then Asuka stormed out of the room and even out of the apartment.

 

Misato smiled to herself and whispered “We'll see, we'll see.” She then looked down at Keiko “It's not nice to wear out auntie Asuka like that.”

 

“Wan Mommy” Keiko sniffled.

 

“Mommy's here now so everything's all better.” And Misato continued to hold and rock her little child.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

Down the hall at Rei's apartment she heard a loud pounding at her door. There was only one person it could be and she opened the door saying “Hello Asuka.”

 

The frazzled girl standing outside the door asked “You like quiet, right?”

 

“Yes” Rei answered.

 

“Good” and Asuka came in and marched across Rei's place over to one of the reading chairs. She picked up one of Rei's books and began reading without even saying a word.

 

Rei could only think `And people call me weird' as went back to putting away her new clothes. After she was done she grabbed the last bag and went into the bathroom with it. She came out wearing a pair of grey sweatpants and an oversized blue sweater. She then sat down in the chair opposite Asuka and began reading a book too. Asuka looked up and started to shake her head. A plain “I did not ask your opinion” was Rei's answer.

 

“Ok, whatever” Asuka said and went back to her book. Personally she wouldn't be caught dead in an outfit like that. It was so boring and plain. Asuka just thought to herself `Rei is weird.'

 

About a half hour later both girls jumped as a ringing phone startled them. Asuka was quite surprised Rei even had a phone and Rei was even more surprised as she had never bought a phone. It rang again and they started to search for the source of the sound. On the third ring Rei tracked it down to one of the drawers in the stand beside her chair. Rei opened the drawer and saw a cell phone sitting in there and on the forth ring she tentatively answered it “Hello?”

 

“Hey Rei, it's just me” Misato answered clearing up the question of who was calling her and also who probably put that phone in her apartment in the first place. “Tell Asuka to get her scrawny butt back here and make dinner… and why don't you give her a hand. Bye.” And Rei heard a click as Misato hung up before Rei could even say anything back.

 

“Misato right?” Asuka asked as she knew only one woman who talked like that on the phone.

 

“Correct” Rei answered.

 

“What does she want now?”

 

“We are to make dinner” Rei answered a little on the nervous side as she wasn't kidding about her not knowing how to cook.

 

“Figures” Asuka grumbled. “And right when I was getting to a good part.” Asuka then got up and walked towards the door “C'mon Blue. It's not wise to keep that woman waiting.”

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

As the two girls walked down the hall it was an unusual site to a group of casual observers. Walking in front was a stunning redhead with her head up, chest out, and a definite something-something to her walk. The skintight jeans and tight t-shirt that said `Grrrl Power' added to the appeal. Behind her shuffled an exotic looking blue beauty. She was dressed very differently and had a much more relaxed posture but there was just something in the way her sweater hung over her breasts and her pretty face that made her breathtaking. The casual observers, a group of 15 year old boys, continued to watch the young women walk by until they entered an apartment at the end of the hall. “Man I wish I had two hot girls like that living on my floor” one of the boys said.

 

The boy who did live on the floor answered “If you think they're hot you should see the woman who lives there too. Her tits are huge.”

 

“Man you are so lucky.”

 

“Have you ever talked to any of them?”

 

“Ummmm…….” The boy who lived there answered avoiding the true answer of no.

 

“You should.”

 

“Yeah” one of the other boys said “I heard older girls like to do it with younger boys...” That got several looks of `are you nuts' but he tried to defend himself with “Well I did.”

 

The other boys shook their heads at him and the boy who lived there went on to describe how big of a rack the raven haired woman who lived there had.

 

****^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^****

 

As Rei stood in front of the stove she took a nervous swallow. At least Asuka knew how to turn it on because she didn't have a clue. The only thing she had ever used her stove for was a place to put food when she took it out of the microwave. Asuka herself was looking at the stove too. She didn't want to do what she was thinking. She should really try this time. Be a little creative. Do something different. But against her thoughts and wishes she was taking out some chicken strips, frozen vegetables, rice, and cream of mushroom soup.

 

Asuka hung her head in shame as Rei spooned in the can of soup and stirred the whole concoction together like Asuka told her to. Rei was actually feeling quite proud of herself though. She had helped make something that didn't involve the microwave, plus she even learned how to use a rice maker.

 

Their attention was turned towards the door as Kaji and Shinji arrived home. In one hand Shinji was helping carry an ice chest and in the other was a bag with CDs in it. They put down the chest and Kaji walked over to give Misato something. Misato made sure to show off her gold box as she waived it around. Asuka just let out a “Hmpf” and called Shinji over. She looked in the bag of CDs he bought. One was a classical overture by Beethoven and the other was a classic rock compilation.

 

Asuka held up the classic rock one “Can you put these on my ipod too…. Pleeeaaassseee?” Shinji of course said yes to that and then Asuka sniffed him a couple times. “Yuck. You smell like fish.”

 

“Sorry” Shinji answered.

 

“Don't apologize for it “ Asuka lectured him. “Just go and get a shower.”

 

“Ok”

 

“And one more thing” Asuka added.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Fix this!” Asuka said pointing at her casserole. Shinji smiled and grabbed the salt and pepper first. Asuka stopped him though “I already remembered those two but the salt shaker is broken.”

“It's broken?” Shinji questioned as it didn't look like it to him.

 

“Yeah, when I shook it nothing came out.”

 

“And you can see salt is in there” Rei added.

 

“Ohh” Shinji said figuring out the problem and corrected them. “This is rock salt. You have to turn the top of the shaker and grind it out like the pepper mill.” And Shinji demonstrated for them.

 

Both Kaji and Misato winced at this. They could see the girl's faces and Shinji couldn't because his back was to them as he added some salt to the dish. Shinji had, inadvertently as it was, made total fools out of them. Even the normally calm and collected Rei looked like she was going to smack him.

 

When Shinji turned around he instantly noticed an irked Asuka and out of the corner of his eye he saw that Rei was no happier. Asuka's mouth was open and her finger was raised as she was about to rip into him for making her look like an idiot.

 

Shinji could tell he was in for it but got surprised as he saw Asuka open both of her hands and take several deep breaths. She then stuck out her tongue and showed Shinji she was biting it while looking directly at him. Shinji got the message loud and clear and he took off towards his room saying “I think I'm going to get a shower now.”

 

He heard a terse “Smart move Ikari” as he quickly went into his room to get a fresh pair of clothes.

 

Misato though walked up to the two girls and told Asuka “I'm very impressed at how well you handled that…. And a little mystified at how you managed to without biting your tongue off.”

 

Through clenched teeth Asuka answered “It wasn't easy.”

 

“I'll bet” Misato snickered. “But you don't have to ask Shinji what would be good in that dish, because I know.”

 

“And what would that be?” Asuka answered with sarcasm as she already knew the answer.

 

“Curry!”

 

And just as fast “No!” but from Shinji's room Asuka heard “Actually curry would work well in that dish. Use three shakes of that, one of cumin, and two from that red jar labeled `Indian Spices'.” Shinji then made his way from his room over to the bathroom and added “And don't let Misato help you and don't let her near the curry shaker either.”

 

Misato yelled at him “Hush up Shinji and go get a shower already.” She then went back into the kitchen to help the girls but they had already done what Shinji had told them and Rei was putting the casserole in the oven. “HEY!”

 

“Oh I'm so sorry, did you want to help?” Asuka falsely asked.

 

Misato just grumbled something under her breath. She then saw Kaji take a stringer of fish out of the cooler as he was getting ready to clean them in the sink. “You know what? Fresh fish sounds like a really yummy idea. How about you make us some Asuka?”

 

That got Asuka good and Misato laughed as she ducked the large wooden spoon hurling at her. What made her stop laughing though was when she saw Keiko crawl up to the spoon and throw it while saying “Asa pay, Asa pay.” Misato let out a very unhappy mother like “Oh really…”

 

That was followed by a quick “I didn't teach her that.” And Asuka took off towards her room to hide.

 

 

(A/N: That is the end of chapter three. And if you haven't noticed by now, which I am sure you have, my endings are kind of abrupt. That is because this story is being written as a one shot and in a free flowing of ideas fashion. I realized very early on that it was going to be too long for a one shot but instead of creating definitive chapters I chose just to find convenient places to break it up. Sorry if that is a bit confusing. (A/N: I Re-re-edited. Changed a few words around. Fixed some grammar. Broke up some of the bigger blocks of text. And expounded on some parts to make them clearer. Basically gave this a good once over to improve its quality.) Doesn't that make you just so very happy :-p)