THE STORY OF ISAMU FUYUTSUKI

Part 6 – Episode 10

 

Author’s Note:

  Well here I am, again, and there you are, again. I haven’t got much to say this time apart from sorry for the delay and if anyone has an idea for better name for this fan-fic than ‘The Story of Isamu Fuyutsuki’ then please tell me since I feel the title is somewhat…drab. I am thinking of doing another fan-fic for Bubblegum Crisis 2040 but I doubt it’d be much different to this. All comments, etc. please send to ‘isamu_fuyutsuki@evangelion.com’ now since I’m changing ISP soon, and don’t bother telling me how stupid that address sounds – I already am quite aware of it.

  Anyway, enjoy as always.

 

-          Adin Knight, 18th June 2001

 

P.S. MS Word gives me the shits.

 

P.P.S. When Asuka says “What” it would actually come out “Vot” since there is no ‘W’ in German, but for simplicities sake I’ve put “What” here.

 

 

Part 6 – Episode 10

  To tell you the truth, the timeline has gone a bit awry since NGE doesn’t have a clear description of space between episodes so I’ve decided to ‘wing it’. At this point Isamu has been at NERV for approximately 3 weeks, so it’s about 2 or 3 days after Part 5.

 

  “You could at least try to adjust to Japanese schooling,” Misato said calmly. Asuka bared her teeth at her in a grimace of rage.

  “This sucks!”

 

*             *               *

 

  “Man, it must really suck being an EVA pilot,” Touhji said suddenly. It surprised Isamu, as they’d been standing in silence for what seemed like ages.

  “I guess some things about it do,” he replied. “I can’t really say much since I haven’t been on a mission yet.”

  Isamu didn’t really know Touhji too well, and had only spoken to him rarely during the 3 weeks he’d been at NERV.

  “But so far I’ve enjoyed it,” he concluded.

  “Oh…”

  They lapsed back into silence – leaning over the railing on the balcony on the airport roof, watching planes taxiing along the tarmac and thinking quietly. Presently Hikari emerged from the entrance behind them.

  “Suzaharra – you’re supposed to be with the class group!” she yelled at Touhji, who turned around and hung over the railing in a lazy fashion.

  “I already told you; I told Kensuke to I’d meet him here. You know how easy he gets lost,” he said. Isamu paid them no heed, or they him.

  Hikari growled and marched back through the doors, leaving them alone again.

  Touhji slowly turned back around muttering “Women…” He looked momentarily at his companion as he turned. Thinking about it now, he didn’t know Isamu well. They’d only swapped greetings occasionally. His attached ness to Shinji seemed…odd, though Touhji appreciated his attitude towards Asuka.

  Any enemy of hers is a friend of mine he thought and grinned. Isamu heard the chuckle but said nothing.

  After another long pause Isamu looked at his watch. “They’re ten minutes late,” he announced after letting his arm rest on the rail again, then added “Hopeless.”

  Touhji smiled again.

  “To think the fate of the world is on their shoulders,” he said.

  Isamu grinned like someone had just told him to see the lighter side of a car crash.

  “Yeah, we’re a sad bunch.”

  They both laughed lightly. Touhji decided to try and keep the conversation going.

  “I’ve noticed how well you get on with Asuka.”

  Isamu gave an exaggerated roll of the eyes, exclaiming, “Hasn’t everyone!” They both shared another laugh. Touhji found it refreshing to be able to say that name around another guy without him going into a swoon.

  “It’s impossible to get along with her,” Isamu said, turning to look at Touhji for the first time.

  “She ought to be shot!”

  “Amen to that,” Touhji laughed, then added “Though you could be charged with cruelty to animals.”

  Isamu chuckled in a false way, feeling a bit of a hypocrite. He was about to change the subject when he was interrupted.

  “What the hell are you doing here?!” came that most angelic of voices from behind them, making them both startle.

  “Speak of the she-devil…” Touhji muttered under his breath to Isamu. Asuka heard it too.

  “What was that?!” she bellowed at him.

  Shinji emerged from the doors behind her, giving her an angry look. Kensuke followed him timidly, hiding from Asuka behind him. She’d already told him what she thought of him twice today.

  “Gee, Asuka – settle down a bit.”

  Asuka growled at him and crossed her arms over her chest. Isamu was pleased to see Shinji actually standing up to her, in a metaphorical sense.

  Shinji passed her and stood next to Isamu while Kensuke stood between them.

  Touhji looked to Kensuke with excitement in his eyes.

  “You all ready for our trip Aida?” he asked triumphantly, much to the discomfiture of the pilots. Kensuke gave him slapped his out-stretched hand.

  “You bet! I brought everything!” he said and began sorting through his bag. Unsurprisingly ‘everything’ in his vocabulary was another meaning for ‘lots of blank cassettes.’ Touhji seemed to deflate a bit, then turned to Isamu and Shinji who were watching and looking rather depressed. Asuka was almost in tears.

  I guess we should feel sorry for our friends who won’t be joining us,” he said, insincerely. Shinji looked hopeful that he might get some sympathy.

  “But I’m just too excited!”

   Shinji slumped. “Aw…”

  Kensuke joined in.

  “Yeah, looks like no fun for them!”

  Shinji began moping and Isamu looked away with an irritated ‘Hmph’. Asuka growled ever the fiercer from behind them, but Touhji and Kensuke weren’t afraid of her now. This was there moment of triumph.

  Hikari appeared carrying a travel bag over her shoulder and looking angrily at Touhji and Kensuke.

  “Come on you two! We have to get going!” she yelled at them, and then turned to go, waving to Asuka as she went. “Hey Asuka, I’ll bring you back something nice!” Asuka watched her go, almost in tears again.

  A week with those boys

  Touhji and Kensuke ran after her. Touhji turned just inside the doors and raised his hand, looking back the pilots. “Don’t worry – I’ll have enough fun for the three of you!” he whooped and then sped off after Hikari. Close behind him, Kensuke did likewise, yelling “Sayonara suckers!” while video taping their expressions so he could savour the moment forever. Then he was gone and the doors closed with finality as the three pilots stood alone on the balcony.

  Isamu was the first to turn away from the doorway, leaning on the railing again. Shinji followed suite, and finally Asuka walked over to stand nearby.

  They remained that way until after the plane left, and then Asuka stormed off, leaving the two males alone.

  “Oh well, back to work for us…” Isamu sighed, standing up straight. Shinji stood up and stretched his back. Slowly they turned and left through the doors into the main foyer.

  As they made their way through the crowd, dodging people, Isamu asked Shinji “Where are you heading now?”

  Shinji continued in silence until they reached the airport’s main entrance. He stopped and looked around the sky. It was a nice day. He took a deep breath of air.

  “Well, Misato is angry at us for our low school marks recently, and Asuka was asking me to meet her soon, so I think I’ll just go back to NERV and study.”

  Isamu turned up his lip to show his surprise to Shinji’s commitment.

  “Hmm, well have fun then. I’m going to go check out a comic book store I saw on the way here. I’ll catch up with you later,” he said and turned to go. He began to walk away, then looked back and waved.

  Shinji waved back, then headed for the train station.

 

*              *                *

 

  “A school trip, huh? That sounds pretty reckless in times like these,” Ritsuko commented.

  Misato continued looking off into the distance thoughtfully.

  “I guess the idea is to let all the kids have time to get out and act like kids,” she said, then added an ominous “While they can.”

  Ritsuko hummed a response while still reading the report. Her eyebrows furrowed as she came across a discrepancy. She looked over her shoulder to the centre of the command centre’s balcony.

  “Lieutenant Fuyutsuki, please come here,” she called.

  Shigeru Fuyutsuki looked up, and then quickly put down his air-guitar before hurrying over to where she was sitting. As he passed Misato he smiled and nodded to her, which she returned.

  “How are you doing Shigeru?” she asked him.

  “Good thank you, Captain Katsuragi,” he replied, walking over to stand behind Ritsuko. Misato watched him for a while. She had always liked Shigeru – he was polite and friendly, unlike the arrogant and rude Ryohji Kahji.

  Misato sighed and looked away off into the distance, thinking of things that seemed ages past.

  Shigeru and Ritsuko began loudly discussing the report, which intruded on her dreams. She walked away, wroth, towards where Makoto Hyuga was working on something feverishly. She put her hand on his shoulder and he looked up at her for a moment, and then hurriedly covered the screen in front of him with a comic book.

  “Sorry, Captain!” he blurted and, picking up a nearby pad book began pretending to work furiously. Misato looked at him in surprise. Makoto hadn’t acted like this before. He was usually calm and sensible, and a great assistant tactical officer – not a bumbling twit.

  And he was a lousy actor.

  Misato smiled shyly and bent down to look him in the face.

  “What are you up to, Hyuga?” she asked coyly. He avoided her stare.

  “Oh, nothing…really, nothing,” he quailed, trying to appear calm. But Misato could see sweat beading on his forehead.

  Misato grinned wider, and leant over to remove the comic.

  “Then you won’t mind if I read this then!” she exclaimed, removing it.

  Makoto’s heart leapt into his chest.

  Misato began reading the screen out loud.

 

“Ode To Hooters

Tits are such good fun.

I wanna squeeze ‘em one-by-one,

Nibbling on them is so yum.

Tits are such good fun.

 

OH how I love her breasts.

Like giant, jingly castanets,

Like two blimps stuck to her chest.

Oh how I love her breasts.”

 

  (In reality – of the story – this would be a very sweet and heartfelt poem, which would suit the moment really well and probably win me an award or something, but due to the author’s stupidity and ineptness at poetry, all that could be put here was some dribble. You’ll have to provide the imagination for it to work out.)

 

  Makoto shuffled uncomfortably in his chair as she finished reading it. Misato moved back from the screen with wide eyes, and he prepared for what was to come.

  “Did you write that, Hyuga?” she asked.

  Makoto literally jumped in his chair.

  “No! No!” he exclaimed quickly, and then reconsidered.

  “Well, yes. Yes, I did.”

  Makoto Hyuga was petrified out of his mind. It was the moment he’d been waiting for.

  “That’s really good!” Misato said.

  Makoto stared at her in amazement. It wasn’t what he’d been expecting.

  “Who’s it for?” she asked him, looking straight into his face. Makoto decided to take the cowards’ way out – looking away from her.

  “It’s…uh…for my mother. She’s not well,” he stammered. Misato laughed loudly, launching his heart back into his throat. She laughed for a few seconds – not a teasing laugh but one of innocent amusement – and then looked at him again with a sly grin, which made him feel funny.

  “Makoto, that’s a love poem,” she told him, moving closer to him so that her breath tickled his face. Makoto felt his heart would simply burst.

  Misato continued looking him in the eyes.

  “So, who’s the lucky girl?”

  Makoto was now in a trance. He knew this was it – this was the moment of truth. This was the moment that defined men and boys.

  This was his moment.

  He knew it in his heart and soul.

  But as usual, his heart failed him.

  “Oh, err – you wouldn’t know her,” he murmured, looking down at his feet. Misato smiled wider and gave him a friendly pat on the back.

  “Well, good luck!” she said happily and skipped off in an air of total innocence.

  Makoto’s heart his the floor. He sighed the sigh of a broken man and collapsed on the terminal in utter despair.

  Maya Ibuki had been watching the entire episode. She giggled to herself, looking at Makoto with sympathy.

  Makoto closed his eyes. The metal of the console cooled his brow. Suddenly the screen n front of his face lit up with a beep. He read it and smiled.

 

  Poor Hyuga!

 

  He looked over to Maya, who winked at him then returned to work. He sighed a shorter, more relieved smile, then went back to his own work, vowing to win Misato one day.

 

  Misato walked up behind Shigeru and peered over his shoulder at the document he and Ritsuko were studying intently.

  Gibberish!

  She turned away and walked over to the coffee machine near Ritsuko. After pouring herself a cup she took a long sip. Her mind began to slow to a daydream state.

  “It’s been a long day,” she said to herself.

  “Well has it now? You know that stuff stunts your growth,” Isamu said as he walked past, poking her in the ribs. He stopped in front of her, smiling stupidly.

  Misato slapped him lightly across the face. He looked at her confusedly and rubbed his cheek.

  “What was that for?” he asked.

  Misato looked at him seriously, holding the cup up to her face.

  “You know I hate that.” She said, and then sipped again.

  “Well I’ll make sure I do it more often!” Isamu exclaimed and began laughing like he’d just made the funniest joke ever.

  Misato looked at him in disbelief.

  Idiot

  She waited for him to calm down again before trying to continue the conversation.

  “Well, what have you been up to Isamu-Chan?”

  Isamu shrugged.

  “Not much really.”

  “What about school? Settling in ok?” she asked, sipping her coffee again.

  “Yeah, it’s ok. The other students are nice to me.”

  “Good,” she replied and ruffled his hair. Isamu laughed and pushed her hand away. Shigeru walked past them on his way back to his post. Isamu jogged over to him.

   “Hey ugly, watcha doin’?” Isamu asked.

  Shigeru sat down and gave him a high-five.

  “Getting in trouble, Shorty,” he replied, nodding towards Ritsuko.

  “I want that done right away, Lieutenant,” Ritsuko reminded him.

  “Yes, Dr. Akagi,” Shigeru said, looking a little surprised she heard him. He waved Isamu away and went back to work.

  “Isamu, have you memorised the emergency power stations around the city yet?” she said, still browsing a document on her clipboard.

  Isamu blushed.

  “Uh, well no – not yet,” he said timidly, digging his feet in the imaginary dust. Misato found it very unsurprising – he’d always been a lazy kid.

  “Well, get it done!” Ritsuko scolded him.

  “Yes Ritsu, my dear,” Isamu replied graciously, bowing low even though she wasn’t looking. He turned back to Misato.

  “Where’s Shinji?”

  Misato sipped again, trying to remember.

  “At the pools.”

  Isamu gave her a slight bow, which she returned in good humour.

  “I’ll see you later,” he farewelled, running towards the elevator, blowing a kiss to Ritsuko as he went. Misato waved to him then finished her coffee.  As he reached the elevator, the doors opened. Isamu stopped fast and looked up into the face of Gendou Ikari. Isamu stood still for a moment, looking up at the Commander in surprise. The Commander looked back at him with what could be only closely described as disgust. Isamu finally moved away.

  “S – sorry, sir,” he apologised, looking down at his feet.

   The Commander said nothing, and walked past him towards Ritusko. Isamu watched his back for a moment and then remembered the elevator. He jumped through the doors just as they began to close and gave Misato a last wave before he was hidden from view.

  Misato watched him go uneasily. Seeing the way Commander Ikari looked at him made her feel…well, feel odd. And Ritsuko was still acting very much unlike her usual self as well.

  Commander Ikari approached Ritusko.

  “I wish to speak with you alone Dr. Akagi,” he said bluntly. His voice made all the other noises of the Command Centre fade away.

  Ritsuko finally looked up over the rims of her glasses at him.

 

*              *                *

 

  “Hey Shinji! Looky-looky!”

  Shinji turned away from Rei to look at Asuka who was watching him from the edge of the pool with her scuba gear on.

  She yelled “Back-roll entry!” and then tumbled backwards into the water.

  Shinji stared at where she’d just been, dumbstruck, then sighed with bewilderment before returning to his studies.

  The pools were almost absolutely silent. The silence helped Shinji feel calmer, and the gentle lapping of the water at the pools edge soothed him.

  He liked being alone.

  “Hey Shinji,” Isamu said as he walked past him and sat at the far end of the table. Shinji immediately felt irritated at being interrupted, but he felt the better of it after a few moments. He also felt calm around Isamu…most of the time.

  “Hey Isamu,” he replied irritably. Isamu gave him a hurt look.

  “Is something wrong? I didn’t mean to intrude or anything,” he apologised, getting up to leave. Shinji waved his hand in dismissal.

  No, it’s quite alright.”

  Isamu sat back down.

  “Thanks. What are you doing?”

  Shinji rest his head on his right hand to illustrate how bored he was.

  “Physics.”

  Isamu looked at him in astonishment.

  “Really?”

  Shinji suddenly felt rather uncomfortable.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  Isamu sat back in his seat and stared into the water, his face as blank as a sheet.

  Shinji began feeling very uncomfortable.

  “What?!”

  Isamu just stared into the water.

  “Wow,” he said slowly, as if tasting the word.

  Shinji was now feeling extremely uncomfortable – so uncomfortable he was out of his seat.

  “WHAT?!”

  Isamu looked into his face, and then grinned madly.

  “Misato only told you last night about your test scores and here you are already studying! Amazing! Such conviction! Misato’ll be over the moon.”

  Shinji couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or just utterly stupid, so he just sat back down and mumbled a “Thank you.”

  Isamu began looking around the room.

  “Why did you come down here to study?”

  Shinji smiled.

  “I find it relaxing here. It’s quiet and away from people,” he replied reflectively, looking around and listening to the silence.

  Isamu laughed.

  “Sure – I bet you were perving on Ayanami,” he said and winked. Shinji’s face contorted.

  “No! No, I didn’t know she was here!” he exclaimed. Isamu patted the air as a sign he should settle down.

  “Shinji, it’s ok. I was only joking. Don’t be so pedantic. I’m not accusing you,” he Isamu drawled, trying to look as relaxed as possible. To his surprise Shinji actually settled down and even smiled. Isamu supposed Shinji was getting used to him by now.

  Good, he’s beginning to relax.

  “How did you know she was here?” Shinji asked after a slight pause.

  “I ran into her on my way here,” Isamu replied staring away at the far side of the room. He seemed to drift off a bit so Shinji just nodded and began studying again. After a while a splash caught Isamu’s attention. He looked in its direction and noticed a shape in the water.

  “What’s that?” he asked Shinji.

  Shinji looked up from his work at the shape and chuckled at his choice of words.

  That is Asuka,” he informed Isamu, who became somewhat more interested. He looked at Shinji in wonder.

  “What on earth is she doing?”

  Shinji smiled and then began typing at his terminal again.

  “Scuba diving.”

  Isamu gave him a sceptical look so he attempted to explain.

  “You see, since we didn’t get to go to Okinawa she’s…”

  “…Going scuba diving here,” Isamu finished, nodding. Shinji nodded agreement.

  Isamu began rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Shinji found it amusing as he’d seen Ryohji Kahji do it before, though Ryohji actually had something on his chin to stroke. After a while Isamu seemed to reach a conclusion.

  “What a silly person.”

  Shinji smiled and went back to work, while Isamu went back to staring at the water. Isamu was too dazed to hear Shinji get up, or notice a dark shape approaching in the water.

  “What are you doing here?” Asuka asked, though not accusingly. She had spotted Isamu some time ago. She felt a great urge to flaunt herself.

  “I’m talking to my friend,” Isamu said in a ‘matter-of-fact’ way. He was trying very hard not to look at her body as she rested on the edge of the pool. He knew he must at all costs avoid looking at her…

  Asuka’s breasts were resting on the edge of the pool.

  Isamu felt his face heat up and quickly looked away from her, hurting his neck. Asuka knew what he’d seen from his reaction.

  “I know – he’s such an exemplary student,” she yawned, purposely stretching her back so Isamu could get the…full view. “He’s no fun.”

  Isamu was drawn into the trap, sneaking a peek when he thought she wasn’t looking. He once again turned his eyes to the far wall, clenching his teeth, as his face got hotter.

  Asuka saw him out of the corner of her eye and smiled slyly – she has him where she wanted him.

  “I guess so,” Isamu said, his voice choked up. He could see what was happening.

  Dammit! I’m so stupid!

  Asuka pushed herself back out into the water leaving only her head now above the surface. Her smile was growing larger by the second. She was enjoying this.

  Isamu could feel his teeth grinding themselves to pulp.

  “Would you like to come swimming?”

  Isamu’s eyes hit the roof.

  “Err…” he said, gawking at her. She gave him the sultriest look he’d ever seen.

  Isamu felt that part of him waking up, and crossed his legs to hide it.

  No! No! You’re getting sucked in! his mind warned him.

  That made him feel even randier.

  “No, thanks. I’ll just…sit here,” he said weakly, giving Asuka nervous glance.

  Asuka turned up her bottom lip and then turned and swam away, muttering “Pity,” under her breath. She’d half wanted him to say ‘Yes’.

  But Isamu didn’t know that. When she was gone he punched the chair in rage. He’d been so easily defeated. He now knew he’d underestimated her.

  One point to you, babe.

  He finally remembered his companion, and looked over to where he’d been sitting a moment ago.

  She’d chosen her time well.

  Shinji was nowhere to be seen. Isamu realised he’d been so swept up in thinking (or something close to it) he hadn’t noticed Shinji’s departure. When Shinji did return, he was holding a drink.

  “Sorry, you looked like you were really concentrating and I didn’t want to disturb you,” he apologised when he saw Isamu’s expression.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Isamu replied impatiently, taking the proffered can. He opened it with one hand and took a swig from it. Shinji looked at him for a moment curiously then looked around the room.

  “Where’s Asuka?”

  Isamu felt the remains of his teeth clench again.

  “No idea.”

  Shinji looked at Isamu again.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing!” Isamu snapped, and then sighed in frustration. “Sorry.”

  Shinji continued looking fearful for a little while, but said nothing.

  “I was just thinking about some boobs…I mean uh…jobs. Yeah, just some jobs I had to do,” Isamu explained quietly, cursing himself for the mistake. Shinji grinned when he was sure Isamu wasn’t looking.

  So, he’s having girl troubles! I bet it’s some girl from school. Didn’t take him long, did it? Must run in the family…

  Shinji decided to keep quiet and went back to work, while Isamu sat in thought.

 

*              *                *

 

  “And me?” asked Rei.

  “The special equipment we will be using hasn’t been standardised for the prototype,” Maya replied, a little surprised.

  “Rei and Unit zero will remain here on standby,” Ritsuko informed them all.

Rei seemed un-phased. 

“I see,” she replied. Isamu glanced sidelong at her. He couldn’t sense any sort of disappointment or anything from her.

  Asuka peered past Shinji and Isamu at Rei.

  “Aw, poor little Rei – she doesn’t get to have any fun,” she teased. Rei made no reply, but Shinji and Isamu shifted uncomfortably.

  What an obnoxious bitch! Isamu thought to himself, still sore about being outsmarted earlier. He looked at her angrily, along with Shinji and Maya.

  How could anyone like her? Shinji thought. He noticed that even Ritsuko was shaking her head slightly, and then straightened up again.

  “EVA Units 1 and 3 will be on standby at the volcano to render assistance if necessary.”

  Isamu snapped his fingers in disappointment.

  “Damn! My big debut and I’m playing second-fiddle to super-ego,” he complained. Asuka growled audibly, while the others (except Rei) smiled.

  “You should privileged,” Asuka told him quietly.

  Isamu rolled his eyes and muttered “Sure.”

  Ritusko decided it was time to get the meeting back on course.

  “Now that an A-17 has been ordered we’ve got to roll out immediately.”

  The four children snapped to attention and barked a unanimous “Roger!”

 

  As the huge transport planes ferried the three EVAs to the volcano, Isamu’s communicator flicked on, presenting him with a shot of Misato’s face. She was smiling happily – the first time all day. There was a great commotion in the background. Technicians were everywhere.

  “Your first mission,” she said. Isamu smiled and gave her a thumbs up. To Misato he looked a bit nervous.

  “Excited?”

  “Yeah,” he said soberly, trying to keep his cool as best he could. He reminded Misato of his father.

  She looked away momentarily and another two small screens opened up showing the other two pilots.

  “Get ready – we’re almost there,” Misato told them all.

  “Roger!”

  Misato gave them a reassuring smile then her screen winked out.

  “Wow – my first mission,” Isamu said quietly to himself.

  “Enjoy it – just don’t get in my way,” Asuka warned him, then her screen disappeared as well.

  Shinji noticed his saddened expression, though mistook the reason.

  “Don’t worry about her. She’s a little…overwhelmed,” he said cheerfully.

  Isamu looked at him and smiled in an overwhelming way.

  “Thanks Shinji.”

  Shinji’s screen winked out, leaving Isamu alone again.

  Well, almost.

  “Here we go, big buddy!” Isamu said, patting the wall of the tube like he would a friend’s shoulder.

  Isamu rested back in his seat, and closed his eyes in silent meditation.

 

  “EVA Units 1, 2 and 3 have arrived.”

 

  “What kind of jerk would order something like that?” Shinji yelled.

  Ritsuko replied in a ‘you just answered your own question’ way.

  “Commander Ikari.”

  Shinji opened his mouth in surprise, and then sighed irritably. Isamu watched him from the communicator screen.

 

  “Hey, Shinji, look at this!” Asuka squealed, commanding attention. Isamu and Shinji both looked down at her.

  “Perfect scissor dive!” she narrated her own descent into the lava.

  Isamu looked on incredulously then shook his head. Shinji just stared bemusedly.

 

  “Asuka!” came Misato’s commanding voice. Asuka looked up. “We’re going to drop you Unit One’s progressive knife! Stand ready!”

  “Understood,” Asuka acknowledged, looking up, until a loud beep caught her attention.

  “Oh jeeze! Drop it now!” she shrieked as a form loomed out the darkness, obviously moving at speed.

  Shinji raised Unit One’s arm to hurl down the knife in it’s first.

  “Here it comes!” he shouted, but was cut short, as he was about to move by Isamu.

  “Hyah!” he yelled as he flung Alphonse’s knife into the lava from nearby.

  “Isamu!” Misato screamed in anger when she realised what had happened. “This isn’t a damn game!”

  “Why the hell do you think I threw it? You said she needed a knife!” he said impatiently, looking down into the lava lake.

  Misato stopped in mid-reply, realising she’d misjudged him. She had thought at first he’d done it to get his own share of the action.

  But he hadn’t

  He did it for her.

  Misato cursed herself for being harsh.

  “Sorry Shinji,” Isamu said, all element or humour gone in his voice.

  Shinji looked at him – or more looked at EVA-03 – in disbelief. He had been taken by surprise.

  “D – don’t worry bout it.”

 

  Maya looked up sharply from the read-out in front of her. Sweat was rolling down her brow.

  “The coolant pipes are torn. She can’t survive much longer.”

  Misato looked at her in disbelief. Ritsuko put her head in her hands and Makoto looked at the life sings read-out sadly.

  Misato lunged for the communicator panel.

  “Asuka!” she screamed in despair,

  “Ma’am, it’s no use.”

  Misato collapsed in tears.

 

  Shinji looked down at the magma, thinking he had to save her.

  He looked over at EVA-03.

  It wasn’t there.

 

  Asuka looked up at the distant surface.

  “That’s it – I’m done for,” she murmured.

  So this is what knowing you’re about to die feels like she thought as she heard the Type-D armour beginning to crumple in on itself and the last pipe tare.

  Slowly EVA-02 began to sink into the unknown depths, to be lost forever.

  Asuka clenched her teeth and eyes as she waited for the end, but suddenly EVA-02 lurched.  “What the…” she said, as she began looking around, and then finally up.

  Two white eyes looked back at her.

  EVA-03?

  Asuka smiled a relieved smile.

 

                *                *                *

 

  Shinji, Asuka and Misato stood before the hot-baths, already sweating with anticipation. To Shinji it seemed like the perfect end to the mission – he felt he deserved a happy ending for once.

  Even though the company wasn’t the greatest.

  “Oh, but I need to change!” Asuka whined. She was picking irritably at her plug suit. “This is all hot and sweaty!”

  Misato almost knocked Shinji’s eyes out of his head when she gave him a congratulatory slap on the back (he’d been watching Asuka).

  “Well, here we are – like I promised!” she announced. Shinji gave her a weak smile. She smiled at him and rubbed his hair.

  “Let’s go in.”

  The trio began making their way over to the building. The faint scent of body shampoo crept into Shinji’s nose. He inhaled the smell, and felt better. Then something dawned on him.

  “Where are Isamu and Rei?” he asked.

  Misato stopped dead and began looking around.

  Asuka kept walking.

  “I saw Isamu a moment ago, I could’ve sworn,” Misato said to herself.

  “Who cares where they are?” Asuka said, having now reached the doors. She turned around and glowered at them with her hands on her hips.

  Misato looked at her sourly, then shook her head and followed her through the doors. Shinji by himself a moment, thinking, then hurried after them, reaching the doors just as a delivery truck pulled up…

 

*              *                *

 

Isamu looked down at his feet. He could tell Ritsuko was not impressed.

  “You’re dismissed, Rei,” she said sharply.

  Rei silently turned and left, walking away towards the entrance to the EVA cage. Isamu watched her go, until she disappeared around the corner.

  Now he and Ritusko were alone on the umbilical bridge I front of a rather sad looking Alphonse. Most of his armour was melted beyond recognition.

  Sorry buddy Isamu apologised.

  Alphonse didn’t reply.

  Isamu wasn’t enjoying standing there. He could tell he was in trouble.

  When the EVAs had returned to NERV, Ritsuko had led him to the waiting room and ordered him to wait there. Isamu supposed she’d been debriefing Rei.

  And then he’d been summoned to the cage to await his own ‘debriefing’.

  At least in the waiting room he could get a drink.

  Ritusko circled him slowly, looking at him. Isamu squirmed uncomfortably. He couldn’t even remember her being angry with him before. He wasn’t even sure why she was angry.

  Ritusko stopped walking when she reached the side of the bridge furthest from Alphonse, and looked out over the coolant reservoir.

  “What did you think you were doing out there?” she asked suddenly, startling him.

  “W – what?” he replied. He still had no idea what it was about.

  Ritusko spun around in a flash and looked at him.

  “Listen hotshot – we do things as ordered here! We don’t have time for ego-trips or heroics! Asuka accepted the risk of becoming an EVA pilot like you did! If you can’t do as you’re told then leave now!” she screamed at him. She paused to receive a reply from him but got none. Isamu was too petrified to speak. He stood totally still, looking at her with open eyes.

  “Do I make myself clear?!”

  Isamu recoiled in fear, holding his hands up in front of his face.

  “Y- yes!” he whimpered.

  It was her stare that frightened him the most. The look in her eyes was far more telling than any words. It alone was enough to make him shrink away.

  I never knew she had so much pain.

  Suddenly her eyes softened and she quickly turned away from him.

  “Get out of here,” she said, her voice beginning to waver.

  Isamu was too confused and frightened to move away. He took a step towards her, about to offer her help. But he was cut short with kind words on his tongue.

  “NOW!” she ordered and Isamu thought he caught a teary muffle to it.

  Isamu began walking backwards away from her, then turned and ran, leaving Ritusko alone with her tears.

 

After-note: You may have noticed how ‘horny’ (for lack of a better word) this fan-fic has gotten, not much mention how silly. I assure you this is just a phase brought about by the author needing to release built up anxiety from school (or possibly thinking with genitals too much) and that this isn’t about to become some weird hentai crap or an episode of Monty Python, though it could get a lot worse before it gets better…

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