Tokyo-3 Baby-sitters

Written by Alain Gravel

Story based on characters created by and copyright GAINAX
Started on May 9th 2000
First pre-reader draft finished on July 1st 2000
Second pre-reader draft finished on August 2nd 2000
Final draft finished on November 22nd 2000

Chapter 5 - Family and Friends

    Earlier, Hikari had received a phone call from Major Katsuragi. Normally, this wouldn't have worried Hikari, but she could sense something was terribly amiss. Her thoughts again visited the earlier call, unbidden...
    "Hikari... something happened to Asuka. I... I can't really talk about it, but... well she's on her way to your home. So... keep an eye on her and... well... be there if she needs a friend."
    No doubt about it, the call from the Major had really scared Hikari. The woman on the other side of the line had seemed really worried, so something very wrong must have been going on for her to actually call. Not really knowing what to expect, Hikari paced back and forth just inside the apartment's entrance. If anything, it only made the wait longer. With each step, the girl's anxiety rose. The Major had said that Asuka was on her way, but it was taking her so long!
    The girl let out a shriek as the sudden sound of thunder scared the life out of her. A second, higher pitched scream followed hers. Seconds later, a terrified Nozomi bolted from her room right toward her middle sister.
    "ONEECHAN!"
    Hikari embraced the weeping nine year old, pushing her own fears aside. She understood her sister all too well; she was herself terribly afraid of thunder and lightning. She could remember running to her mother in a way similar to what Nozomi had just done. The difference was that now there was no longer someone to comfort her; rather it was now her duty to appear strong and comfort her kid sister.
    As she pulled the curtains over the windows, just to be safe, Nozomi following her around like a lost puppy, Hikari somewhat forgot her own fears and grew worried at the heavy rain that was now falling. Asuka was outside... in such weather. For a moment a battle raged inside her between her duties to her sister and to her friend. She was worried for her friend, but she couldn't really leave Nozomi alone to go look for her. Asuka might have found herself the big loser if it hadn't been for Hikari having someone she might rely on upon such a situation.
    Little sister still in tow, Hikari headed toward her big sister's room.
    It would have been wrong to say that the older Horaki sisters didn't like each other. They weren't however as close as Nozomi and Hikari were. It really wasn't anyone's fault. Kodama was simply a solitary soul. In a way, she reminded her of Ikari: Kodama was a nice person, but she also was calm, quiet and distant. Hikari couldn't help sometimes worrying about her. Sadly, Hikari could remember that it hadn't always been like this. Not while her mother had been alive. But then again, her mother's death had changed all of their lives.
    Knowing from experience that her sister wouldn't answer if she tried knocking, Hikari simply entered the room.
    "Oneechan?"
    Kodama turned her head from a very thick biology book she had been reading at the call. She was wearing a Chinese pajama similar to the one Hikari herself wore at night, although black and much better filled. She definitely fit Touji's tactless definition of "A babe."
    "I'm busy Hikari. What do you want?"
    Another person might have considered Kodama's reaction as rude, but Hikari was used to it. Kodama wasn't rude, she was simply very direct. A lot like Ayanami, Hikari realized. In fact, as far as she knew, Kodama never got angry at anyone, except at her father, for which she made no effort to hide her hatred. She hadn't taken well his choice of his work over his dying wife, even if it had been a necessity. The fact that he had started drinking heavily following their mother's death, making himself drunk each time he came back from work, hadn't helped at all. At least they now barely saw each other anymore, their father having taken to working on the night shift two years ago.
    "I need you to watch over Nozomi. There's thunder outside. She's scared."
    As if to emphasize Hikari's point, the said thunder made itself heard again, making the two youngers sister shriek in fright. While Hikari quickly recovered, Nozomi had sought protection in her arms and was shaking like a leaf.
    "I'm busy. I don't have time to play baby-sitter."
    It was a fact that Hikari knew well. After her mother's death, Kodama had set her mind on becoming a scientist, intent on researching for a cure to the type of cancer which had broken her family. So the girl dedicated most of her time to her studies and when she was not studying, Kodama worked in a part time job, partly to compensate for the loss of one of the family's source of income and also to save money for studies abroad.
    "Kodama... please..."
    Maybe it was because of Hikari's pleading look, or maybe Kodama was actually weary of her studies, but with a sigh she closed her book and gave in.
    "Is it really that important?"
    "Yes! I... I have a friend who may be in trouble... outside..."
    "You, going out in a storm? It HAS to be important. Alright... I guess I studied enough for tonight."
    Getting up, the older girl pulled the sheets of her bed and slipped herself in, then moved in one side, so that there would be enough room for another person.
    "Hey, squirt, want to sleep with Oneesan tonight?"
    "Can I?!?" asked a bewildered Nozomi.
    "As long as you don't make a habit of it," answered Kodama with a smile.
    Seeing Kodama smile was a rather rare thing. And when it happened, it was usually contagious. Hikari smiled herself, while her little sister made a little joyful dance, before jumping in bed with her sister.
    "Thank you."
    "No prob, sis. But really, you should stop worrying so much about others and worry about yourself instead."
    "I can't, Oneesan. If I do that, then no one will care about them."
    "Maybe, but then, who cares about you?"
    "It doesn't matter, Oneesan. It doesn't matter..."
    Sadly, Kodama shook her head as she watched her sister leave.

    For a long time, Misato stared at the lifeless screen of her laptop computer. As far as she knew, neither Shinji or Asuka were aware of its presence in the apartment. Misato was very reluctant to take work home, and when she did she usually worked in the privacy of her bedroom. But considering the current situation, there was no reason to remain there. Asuka was gone and Shinji was sleeping peacefully in Rei's arms. As she watched the teenage girl holding the child, Misato couldn't help but feel tinges of jealousy. She would have preferred being in her place instead of having to do this. It felt... so unfair.
    Besides, she had to admit it, she felt envious of how handling the child seemed to be much simpler for Rei than her.
    With a sigh, Misato turned the laptop on. The screen flickered to life and soon, the familiar MAGI terminal screen appeared. It was surprising how fast this thing was, despite using phone lines.
    As she logged on the MAGI, Misato wished that she hadn't stopped drinking, despite knowing that no amount of beer would have made the task easier.
    Opening the Second Children's file, Misato began typing a report on the latest events.

    For the tenth time since she had left, or maybe even more, she hadn't kept count, Hikari swore at the Earth's erratic weather. For most people, the very concept of Hikari swearing was rather a scary one. But fortunately for most people, only her older sister Kodama knew just how scary it could be. Maybe it was the result of keeping a good appearance on a daily basis, of always keeping anger and anguish all repressed deep down, or maybe it was something else entirely, but one fact remained... it really wasn't a pretty sight. Upon hearing her, mothers would very likely have fainted on the spot and sailors would have been proud. At least, that was Kodama's opinion.
    And so, Hikari swore at weather that could be a bright sunny day at one moment, and a raging storm the next. Despite the fact that she was wearing a rain coat, with hood over her head, along with rubber boots and even an umbrella, Hikari felt chilled and soaked to the bone. It was that bad. To make matters worse, a car had passed by and drenched her. Fuming, Hikari cursed once more. That was it! She was about to go back home - there was no way Asuka could have been so stupid as to stay outside in such a storm - when she noticed something very wrong. She couldn't see very well, but she could make out what seemed like someone laying on the ground, on the side of the street. As she walked closer, she realized that this person was wearing a female school uniform. And that she had long red hair. Her heart tightened in her chest as she came to the only logical conclusion.
    "ASUKA!"
    Her umbrella found itself forgotten, and was carried away by the wind, as Hikari rushed toward her friend. Hikari was close to panicking when she realized that Asuka was laying on the concrete sidewalk and not moving.
    "Asuka! Asuka!"
    Quickly, Hikari turned her friend around so that Asuka would lay on her back. Taking the soaked head in her lap, Hikari turned her body so as to shield the drenched figure from the rain as much as possible.
    Hikari's fears were slightly eased when she saw the faint rising and falling of Asuka's chest, but she was still very worried, especially by Asuka's shivering and the clammy feel to her skin. Asuka's clothes were so soaked that you could easily see her bra through the fabric of her white blouse. But what was really perturbing Hikari was Asuka's lack of reaction. Had she fainted, or fallen and lost consciousness?
    "Asuka! Wake up! Asuka!"
    Slowly, Asuka's eyelids opened. Even more slowly, her eyes, devoid of life, looked toward her friend. Asuka's lips moved in a regular motion, but no sound seemed to come out. Hikari had to kneel down and almost put her ear on Asuka's lips to hear her.
    "Hi... ka... ri...... Hi... ka... ri...... Hi... ka... ri......"
    This, more then anything else, scared the ponytailed girl. Asuka was acting like... some sort of broken automaton.
    "My God, Asuka... what happened to you?!"
    Only the same three syllables came out of Asuka's lips. Over and over and over again, before she finally closed her eyes again and her lips stopped moving.
    "What can I do? What can I do?!"
    There was really only one solution Hikari could think of. Painfully, she hauled an unresponsive Asuka to her feet. Then, she forced her to walk. Fortunately, while she still had to carry part of her friend's weight, Asuka actually made some effort to walk. It would be tedious, but Hikari would see her friend back home. Hikari was so focused into helping her friend that she forgot to swear as another car passed by and soaked her yet again.

    It had taken Misato an hour to write her report. The words had not come easily. She felt even more miserable now that it had been sent. In normal circumstances, she would have taken a drink to forget about all this, but right now, all she could do was seek the company of others and tell herself that she had done the right thing.
    "How's our little angel?"
    Misato sat beside Rei on the living room floor. The girl had not moved since Asuka's sudden departure.
    "Sleeping peacefully."
    "You're lucky. He rarely wants to sleep when I'm taking care of him."
    Again she felt jealous. It looked so right for Rei to hold Shinji in her arms as she did. Probably more right than when she held him herself.
    "Thank you."
    Misato gave Rei a curious look.
    "What for?"
    "For this opportunity."
    At first, Misato didn't understand, until she followed Rei's gaze toward the sleeping child.
    "I should be the one thanking you. I'll have to admit, I was scared at first, but you've done better than I had expected. You've taken very good care of him. Sometimes... better than me I think."
    "In your arms, he can also find peace, security and comfort."
    It felt good to hear that. Oh so very good. Rei was probably one of the most honest people Misato knew; she sometimes had the feeling that Rei often didn't tell what she knew, but she never lied. So to hear her acknowledge that she did a good work... it relieved her from most of her self doubts.
    "Thank you, Rei. Sometimes... I find myself wondering if I'm really qualified to take care of him."
    "You are."
    Since all there was to say about that topic had been said, an awkward silence seemed to fill the room, at least for Misato. She could never really guess what the girl sitting next to her was thinking and it made conversation with her extremely difficult. Rei seemed to be opening a bit more lately, but it didn't make things much easier. With Asuka it was easy, she just had to listen to the girl ramble about herself. It was harder with Shinji, but he had loosened up with time and they could now and then manage some interesting discussions. That is, when she hadn't been drunk, which hadn't happened that often, she thought bitterly. But Rei... Rei was a sort of mystery. Often, she almost reminded Misato of a child. There were things, mundane things, that Rei seemed unaware of. The girl could seem cold, but there was to her a certain amount of innocence. But there was also something deeper... like her own two charges, Rei didn't have the eyes of a teenage girl. It almost seemed like... she knew exactly what her fate in life was, a fate she had resigned herself to without a word. In a way, it was sad. And it just made it harder to talk to her.
    "Why did the Second react as she did?"
    This question surprised Misato. Rei was rarely one to initiate conversation. And a show of curiosity about Asuka of all things was the last thing she would have expected.
    "What do you mean?"
    "She was afraid. She looked at me and Shinji and fear overwhelmed her. Why is that?"
    For a moment, Misato wondered how she could explain Asuka's reaction. Fact was, while she had a vague idea, she wasn't completely sure what was truly the cause. But whatever it was, it mainly regarded Asuka's personal life and she knew how much Asuka valued her privacy on this subject.
    "Well... she went through some hard times in her youth. And... some scars aren't healed yet."
    "So, this is related to her mother's suicide?" asked Rei very casually, as if she was asking what time it was.
    Misato gasped. This was restricted information! As far as she knew, the only people in Tokyo-3 who had access to the Children's personal files were herself, Ritsuko, Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki and Commander Ikari. Kaji probably also knew too. How had Rei accessed that information?
    "How...? How do you know that?!"
    "It was in her file," answered the girl matter-of-factly.
    Rei had access to Asuka's files... which meant that she had a security clearance at least as high as her own. Misato's eyes narrowed. Just how much did this girl know? Somehow, she was getting the impression that the people around her were better informed than herself. Ritsuko, Kaji and now Rei. It was almost enough to want to scream in frustration. But instead, she focused in staying calm. While she was reluctant to manipulate the girl, she kept a mental note to try and get some info from her if the opportunity presented itself.
    "Well.. it's not quite that simple. Before killing herself, Doctor Sohryu suffered from severe mental disorders and prior to that, Asuka's father left his family to marry another woman. All this affected her. The poor girl didn't have much of a childhood. And there can be wounds which will remain open, which might one day get you killed... something I fear at times for Asuka."
    Rei nodded, as if Misato had just confirmed an analysis the young girl had made herself.
    "Ikari-kun lost his mother when he was young and was sent away by his father. Is this why he... suffers?"
    As she asked this question, Rei's voice hadn't been so detached as it had been when she had inquired about Asuka. There was a certain apprehension. Maybe it was related to her relationship with the boy... or his father.
    "Probably."
    Rei nodded again, but this time with traces of a certain sadness on her features. Maybe Misato could guess some of the girl's thoughts. Shinji had suffered because his father had neglected him. But from what she knew about Rei, the Commander was the closest thing to a father figure in her life, even if it didn't seem much like a good one, in Misato's opinion.
    "I see. So good parenting is necessary to ensure a child's happiness?"
    "Not necessarily, but I think it always helps. Who knows what Asuka's or Shinji's lives would have been with their parents at their side. Or yours."
    Misato didn't miss how Rei's body suddenly stiffened. The girl never talked about herself, and, Misato guessed, probably wouldn't want to either. It was interesting however to see how those words had somehow hit a nerve.
    "Or mine..." the purple haired woman finally added with a whisper, this talk about family reminding her about her own bad memories.
    Somehow, even if the conversation had been in a way very informative, Misato found herself in a far more depressed mood then she had been before talking to Rei.
    "Then we must make sure that this child remains happy."
    It was a simple comment. One a teenager, one who had barely struggled with the hardships of life, would innocently say. But this was no simple teenage girl. This was a girl who practically lived on her own and had to do things most adults would never even imagine doing. To hear some conviction and hope in the girl's voice... it made Misato feel suddenly a whole lot better. Rei was right; there was no point in dwelling with the past. What was important was the future and currently, it was sleeping innocently in Rei's arms, unaware of the dangers of the outside world.
    "Yeah... we should do that, Rei. Yes... we'll do that."

    "Thank God! We finally made it!"
    As she entered her apartment, Hikari nearly collapsed. The only reason she stayed up was because if she fell, then she was sure Asuka would have fallen along with her. Despite now being out of the rain, Hikari was shivering. Dragging Asuka along she had gotten as soaked as her friend. She sneezed once, then twice, before leaning Asuka against the apartment's door as delicately as she could.
    "If we stay like this, we'll be sure to catch a cold and get sick. You stay there okay? I'll be right back."
    Asuka just stared into to what seemed empty space for her.
    Quickly, Hikari removed her rain gear and headed for the bathroom, for once not caring if her soaked clothes left traces on the floor. It was only water and she could take care of it later. There were more important things to take care of.
    Hikari shed her clothes and put them on the previously empty pile for wash, then prepared a bath... a hot one. Draping herself in a towel, even if she knew well that only her sisters and Asuka were in the apartment, Hikari exited the bathroom and picked up Asuka from where she had left her. As she had feared, Asuka had not moved a muscle. Again, she dragged Asuka along and, getting tired of getting nothing from the girl, simply dropped her on the floor. Asuka simply stared at her for a few seconds before looking at the ceiling... or more accurately just looking straight in front of her.
    Removing Asuka's clothes took some work, but if the girl wasn't helping, she wasn't resisting either. Then, Hikari unceremoniously dumped Asuka in the bath, before jumping in behind her, just to make sure the girl wouldn't drown. It was a tight squeeze, but there was enough room. Hikari sighed in contentment as the water warmed up chilled bones. While she remained silent, the other girl, whose head was lying against Hikari's shoulder, seemed also to relax from what Hikari could tell.
    For the next half hour, Hikari took care of the other girl, washing her from head to toe, then drying her, before dressing her in a thick cotton nightgown, over which Hikari usually preferred her silk Chinese pajama. It was much simpler then trying to force Asuka into her usual sleeping gear. By that time, there seemed to be more life in Asuka. She had taken Hikari's washcloth when had come the time to take care of some more... sensitive parts Hikari didn't dare touch, and now she more or less walked on her own, even if it was actually necessary to guide her where you wanted her to be. But she still remained silent and never seemed to focus long on what was happening.
    It was only later in the night, while Hikari was sleeping, Asuka at her side, that the red-head finally snapped out of the state she had been in so far. Hikari woke up with a start, surprised to find Asuka crying, mumbling the word 'Mama' and something about dolls. While Hikari was glad to see that Asuka was finally showing signs of life again, she also felt saddened by her friend's pain. Not really knowing what to do, she simply hugged her friend, who returned, but with much more strength, holding onto Hikari as if her life depended on in. It felt strange to see her friend so weak, but Hikari figured that Asuka was human, just as she was, and that no one was safe from grief and sorrow, not even someone as proud as Sohryu Asuka Langley.
    "Hikari... thank you... for everything..."
    It had been only a whisper between two sobs, but it still filled Hikari with joy and pride. She didn't know what had happened to her friend, and she doubted that Asuka would tell her, but at least, this time, she had been able to help.

    Rei stared at her reflection in the glass. Morning had come and the Major had awakened her for school. Rei had removed her clothing and had been about to wash herself when her eyes caught her own gaze in the bathroom mirror.
    For a moment, her mind wandered.
    "This is myself. This face I see is mine. Red eyes, blue hair. This body is the vessel of my soul, a means for others to identify myself, for me to verify my existence. When I touch my skin, it feels warm. If this body is hurt, it will bleed and I will feel pain."
    "If I can see myself, then why am I uncertain about who I am?"
    "Am I still myself?"
    "It feels as if there are two selves within this body. The one which is here now, and the one that exists when I am near him. The one I am staring at and the one that smiles when I take him in my arms."
    "Who am I really? Who am I?"
    "Can this other self also be myself?"
    "If it is, am I still myself?"
    "Or have I become another?"
    "But if I am aware of myself, then am I not myself?"
    "If that other is myself, then should I accept it?"
    "She is wild, erratic, emotional."
    "Emotions should not be sought. They make you weak, confused. They make you lose your focus. They are not needed. This is what Ikari taught me."
    "But I feel them."
    "And this other self expresses them."
    "I am confused. Lost. What is and what should be? Who am I?"
    Turning away from the mirror, the girl thought about those she knew.
    "Commander Ikari. Still and cold as the mountain. But he injured himself to save my life, even if I can be replaced. His face is hard and stern, but sometimes he smiles when we are alone."
    "Major Katsuragi. Professional and in control in time of crisis. Sloppy and lazy at home. Yet also full of care and attention for Shinji."
    "Ikari-kun. So weak and fragile. But he stayed here, fighting with more strength than we might have expected of him."
    "Sohryu Asuka Langley. The Second Children. I have seen her scared, haunted, lost, last night. I have seen her smiling, standing tall and proud. She is chaotic, conflicting in nature. Showing different sides of herself. Which is the real one? Which is really Sohryu Asuka Langley? Are any of them as they appear to be? Am I as I appear to be? Or is there more?"
    "Is it possible that there are many selves to one self? If so, what is the real self? Can the sum of those selves be one true self? Is there such a thing as one true self? Or are humans beings of chaos with no notion of self? Running wild like a river, endlessly changing, but looking the same to the naked eye?"
    "Is this the truth to man's identity? If so, must I accept it?"
    "Must I... accept myself?"
    "Was I... denying myself? Is it possible to deny oneself? Am I not myself if I am aware of myself?"
    "Then how could I be myself and not be myself?"
    "Who am I?"
    "Who am I?"
    "Who am I?"
    "Is this other self also myself? If so, should this self become part of myself? Or perhaps it is already part of myself but I had not recognized it before?"
    "What must I do? Who must I be? Should I remain myself or become someone else who would also be myself?"
    Conflicting images and memories ran through the girl's head.
    Ikari Shinji, asking her to smile if she felt happy.
    Commander Ikari, reminding her of her role, the purpose of her existence.
    Major Katsuragi, trusting her with the duty of taking care of baby Shinji.
    And finally baby Shinji, sleeping contently in her arms.
    And so, the girl came to a decision.
    "I am... I am Ayanami Rei."
    Now certain of what she had to do, the blue haired girl exited the bathroom and went to face a rather tired Misato. The Major blinked and gave the naked girl in front of her a curious look.
    "I will not go to school. If not needed at NERV, I will remain here to take care of Shinji."
    Misato almost protested, but Rei's eyes showed such determination that Misato knew it would be a wasted effort.
    "I'm not your guardian, so I can't tell you what to do. But I'm not sure that the Commander will approve."
    "I will deal with the Commander."
    Rei had said this so casually, as if it was nothing. For her to be so sure of herself, even in face of the threat of having to explain herself to the Commander... Misato felt both bewildered and proud.
    "Fine," she said, a smile on her face. "Judging by your state of undress, am I right in assuming that you were about to take a bath when you made this very sudden decision?"
    Only then did Rei seem to notice that she was indeed naked. However, if this fact brought her any embarrassment, it never showed.
    "Yes."
    "Then you won't mind taking the opportunity to give Shinji a bath?"
    A wide smile lit up the girl's face. Misato smiled herself. For some reason, she found Rei's smiles to be very often contagious.
    "I do not mind."

    Horaki Hikari liked to sleep. Once she hit a bed, she became extremely lazy. If it wasn't for her trusty alarm clock, the odds were that she would likely oversleep every day. It was one of her few guilty pleasures in life. However, being in charge of the house, as well as her position of class representative, made it hard for her to indulge herself in this activity.
    But that didn't mean that waking up every morning was an easy task for her.
    Hikari groaned as the sharp buzzing sound filled her room, awakening all her senses against her wishes. She had chosen her alarm clock especially for its loud volume and also its resistant look; her two previous alarms had been destroyed by flying projectiles. It's surprising the amount of damage a math manual can cause when thrown by an angry teenage girl.
    One long minute passed, alarm working non-stop, before Hikari's sleeping form finally started to move. If the alarm had been close to her bed, she would likely have stretched an arm and shut it off, or worse, thrown it against a wall, but experience had long ago taught the girl that it was best to keep her alarm out of reach on the opposite side of the room. With a grunt, a disheveled head emerged from below her covers. Worrying about Asuka, Hikari hadn't slept much the night before and so, she wasn't really happy to hear the sound she dreaded every morning.
    She yawned, then opened her eyes, to gasp in surprise as a little bundle of energy jumped into her bed.
    "ONEECHAN!"
    Hikari silently cursed herself for forgetting her backup alarm clock. If the sharp buzzing couldn't pull her out of her sleep, Nozomi usually did. For a moment, Hikari wished that she was older and living on her own; at least then she might perhaps be able to sleep as much as she wanted to. Although, part of her pointed out that it might actually be even better to be older and living with someone she could cuddle in bed... someone like Touji.
    She wondered how he was. She hadn't been able to see him ever since that time after the incident with Unit-03. And at the time, it had taken a lot of pleading with Major Katsuragi to manage a few minutes.
    While part of her thoughts were wandering, another part realized something was wrong. And it seemed to be related with Nozomi jumping on her bed...
    Asuka!
    Panicked, Hikari looked around, afraid that her sister was jumping all over her friend. But she quickly realized that the redhead was nowhere to be seen. She wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or worried at that thought.
    "Nozomi. Did you... did you see my friend Asuka?"
    "Oh!" exclaimed the little girl as enlightenment seemed to hit her. "I almost forgot! Langley-san told me to wake you up! Come, come!"
    "Huh? Where?"
    "To the kitchen silly! Come, come! Langley-san made breakfast!"
    Hikari suddenly felt quite lost here. From a conversation she had heard, not intentionally, between the members of the "idiot trio", Shinji was apparently the one that did everything in their apartment. The cooking, cleaning and washing. She was told that Misato sometimes cooked, but the result apparently ranged from bland to awful, depending if her charges were lucky that day, each time she tried. Never had she heard anything about Asuka cooking before.
    Dragging herself out of bed, she followed her over-energized sister toward the kitchen. For a moment, she wondered if Asuka's notion of breakfast for Nozomi had been a few bars of chocolate with chocolate milk; Nozomi sure showed all the signs of being on a sugar high.
    Hikari gasped at the sight that awaited her. While she felt like she had gone to Hell and back, Asuka seems as fresh as a daisy. She was already in her school uniform, her hair combed and had a large smile on her face. But the scarier part was probably the fact that she was wearing a pink apron, standing in front of the kitchen table where she could see a stack of pancakes.
    "Guten Morgen, Hikari-chan!"
    Hikari nearly fainted in hearing this overly cheerful Asuka.
    "Good... good morning... Asuka..."
    "Langley-san made pancakes! They look so yummy!"
    Nozomi nearly jumped toward her seat, where Asuka handed her a plate that she filled with an handful of pancakes. After adding a bit of raspberry syrup, the little kid began to chow down on her meal.
    "Something smells good in here."
    Again, Hikari's eyes went wide as she saw her other sister exit her room. She usually ate on her own while studying a bit.
    "Langley-san made pancakes! Langley-san made pancakes!"
    "I heard you the first time, squirt."
    Calm as always, the complete opposite of her younger sister, Kodama sat down and was served a few pancakes by Asuka.
    "Umm... good too. Hikari usually prefers a more traditional type of breakfast. Interesting change."
    Hikari couldn't believe her eyes. Kodama was sitting at the table AND was making conversation?
    "Don't you want one?" asked Asuka as she grabbed a pancake with a fork and wiggled it in front of her friend.
    Seeing that all eyes were on her, Hikari sat down. After a bite, she had to admit, it was very good. Very good indeed. She watched, as both her sisters smiled and complimented the EVA pilot again.
    The pigtailed girl frowned. They rarely complemented her on her cooking.
    She felt... very annoyed.
    But she couldn't help but worry. This... didn't seem like Asuka at all...
    Something was wrong here. Very wrong.

    Most people were usually intimidated by the size and dark ambiance that characterised Ikari Gendo's office. Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki Kuzo was used to it. It was an office he had visited quite often in the last year. In fact, he was currently playing Go with Ikari. It was one of the rare pastimes the Commander seemed to have. And even in this case, they still talked business, to his regret.
    "I've received a report from Major Katsuragi," said Fuyutsuki, as he made his move. The commander gave a short glance to the pile of reports his second in command had put on his desk earlier. "The details were sketchy, but it seems that the Second Children went through another trauma, similar to those noted in her file."
    As Kuzo expected, Ikari showed no reaction.
    "Was it necessary to detain the Second Children?"
    "No. In fact, reports from Section 2 didn't note anything unusual about the pilot, other than that she appeared unusually cheery this morning. It seems consistent with previous occurrences."
    "People continue to live by forgetting things."
    Kuzo was tempted to comment that some people here were actually doing quite the opposite, but wasn't in the mood to start an argument with Ikari. Besides, he himself was among those people.
    "Nevertheless, at this stage, we can't afford a mentally unstable pilot. Not with Unit-01's pilot incapacitated. If we also lose Unit-02's pilot, it would leave Rei on her own. In her report, Major Katsuragi suggested that we find and train a new backup pilot as soon as possible. I would tend to agree."
    "I have already discussed these matters with the Committee and request for a Fifth Children has been denied. The old men seem more worried by the incident with the Third Children and how it fits in their scenario than by our increasing difficulties to defend against the Angels. But don't worry, old friend. If the Second Children does indeed become of no use and the Committee still refuses us the Fifth Children, then the Fourth remains available."
    The older man gasped at those words.
    "Ikari! That's insane! The boy is missing an arm and a leg!"
    "He is alive. And he was able to synch with Unit-03 before it was taken over by the Thirteenth Angel. That is all that matters."
    "Why must those children suffer so much?"
    "Because we have no other choice."
    There was a moment of silence as both men went on with their game.
    "By the way Ikari, how is your son? I unfortunately didn't have the chance to see him since the... incident. It must be a strange sight. It's been fourteen years, but I can still remember the day Yui-kun showed him to me. She's always been so proud of him. But then again, he was a very cute baby."
    Fuyutsuki almost had trouble not grinning from ear to ear. The occasions to tease Ikari were so sparse...
    "I hear that Major Katsuragi has grown very attached to him in such a short amount of time. And it seems that he's all Lieutenant Ibuki and Doctor Akagi ever talk about of late... well on the rare times they show themselves anyway. I even hear that Rei herself fell under his charm."
    While no reaction could be read in the Commander's face, Fuyutsuki won the game for a change.

    In the bath, baby Shinji giggled as he splashed water all over Rei's face with his little hands.
    The girl smiled, and laughed. Not a loud one, but one of joy and delight.
 

[To be continued...]
 
 
 

Omake/Extra:

    Misato let out a loud sigh as she sank into the tub. It felt so good to relax after such a long day of babysitting. Sure, Shinji slept most of the time, but when he was awake... It actually made her long to get back to work at NERV. That had never been anywhere near as stressful as trying to take care of a baby.
    Oh, well. Rei was there to help, and she was currently looking after him. Misato finally had some time to herself, able to just kick back, relax, and soak for a long, long time...
    "Major Katsuragi! Come here! Quickly!"
    Misato sat up instantly, frowning in confusion. That had sounded like Rei. But it couldn't have been. The voice was too excited. And as long as she had known the girl, Rei had never been excited about anything.
    "Major! Come here! It's Shinji!"
    That got the Operations Director out of the tub and dashing out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her torso. Something was wrong. Something had happened to Shinji, she just knew it. Why else would Rei sound so agitated? Numerous scenarios ran through her head as she ran down the hall, time seeming to slow itself as she did. He was sick, he had hurt himself, he had eaten something that he shouldn't have (the fact that he wasn't crying hadn't crossed her mind)... Though concerned as she was for the boy-turned-baby's well being, the more primary thought on her mind was, "Oh, man, Ritsuko's so going to kill me!"
    When she finally arrived to the living room, she encountered Rei, who was standing there waiting for her. Strangely enough, the albino girl didn't seem to be worried in the least. In fact, she actually had a smile on her face. That made Misato worry even more, especially since Rei had even less experience with babies than she did, despite the fact that Shinji had warmed up to Rei rather quickly and unusually.
    "What is it?! What happened?!" she cried. She had to restrain herself from grabbing Rei and thrashing the girl. "Is he hurt?! Is he sick?! Rei, tell me--"
    "Look," the girl said calmly as she released herself from Misato's grasp. She turned slightly and pointed behind her. Misato looked, and gasped.
    Shinji was up. On his legs. Standing. A little wobbly, but standing none-the-less. With his little arms out in front of him to keep his balance, he began to take little steps across the room, hesitantly at first, but a little more quickly and more confidently with each new one as he approached the two females. He was about to fall over when Misato quickly reached forward and caught him, picking up into her arms for a hug.
    "I thought that you would want to witness his first steps," Rei said, a hint of bliss in her voice.
    Misato said nothing, not even to bother to correct the First Child that, technically, it wasn't Shinji's first steps. Instead, she just held the little baby in her arms, hugging him as he giggled and cooed happily.
    "Such a big boy," she whispered. She gave him a little kiss on his forehead. "Yes you are, my little Shinji..."
    Her little Shinji said nothing, save for a little coo as he laid his head on her shoulder while being held to her bosom. Which was now bare after Misato's towel had fallen off.

[This scene was a suggestion from my friend Jeremy Mullin. I couldn't use it, however, as Shinji is much too young in T3B to walk. It was a cute scene however and I didn't want it to go to waste.]
 
 
 

Author's notes:

Well, this is the revised edition of what originally was Chapter 5. I cut slightly in the Horaki family characterization and gave back some room to Rei and Misato. In whole, I think it all works better.

For those few who have read the initial draft and actually liked very much the initial Horaki scenes, well all I can say is that I have serious intentions to write a fic that will focus on Hikari and elements brought up in this chapter's first draft. For those who wonder what I'm talking about... let's just say that you shouldn't expect a happy fic. And don't expect it too soon either.

"Why such a characterization Hikari's of family life?" some might ask? Well, in NGE, Hikari was what many people considered as only the 'normal' character in the show. I had to change that. Surely there was more to Hikari than a nice girl and a sometimes overzealous class representative. Of course, I could have chosen a nicer family picture, but that's just how things flew.