AMONGST FRIENDS AND FOES ONCE MORE

Ritsuko eased up the set of six weird tools which were in a see through case with three of each along with two old style syringes. Seele had, had them sent to her last night with instructions on how to use them and what order to use them in and frankly they had confused her. All she got from reading up on them were they somehow tested the health of a person’s soul, though that made so little sense to her.

Seele had said they wanted both Asuka and Rei tested and the results sent back to them before they were let out. She watched as Misato appeared behind her speaking calmly. “So tell me what are these weird tools are for?” Ritsuko eyed her. “They are need to know and you don’t need to know anything other than they came from the Seele directly.”

She moved up to the glass of Asuka’s quarantine seeing that she was asleep as was Rei. She eased up her hand tapping the glass. “Okay open up Asuka’s quarantine.” She watched as the door was unlocked allowing her to come in as Misato followed looking uncertain as they moved towards the bed. “Rise and shine Asuka!”

She paused getting no response as she moved closer. “Come on wake up, you’re being let out!” She paused feeling the annoyance take over. “I knew they shouldn’t have let her go through three fucking food trays last night the eating machine, all she does is think with her stomach sometimes.”

Misato moved in front of her. “Give her a break she was starving and in a very bad way.” She moved over shaking Asuka’s shoulder as she spoke softly. “Come on Asuka its time to wake up.” The next moments caught her off guard as her hand was grabbed hard as Asuka’s eyes snapped opened. The left one igniting for spit second as Asuka’s teeth grinded together as she looked up directly at her. Only for her grip to loosen as she realized who was walking her up as her expression turned to confusion and uncertainty. “Where am I?”

Misato looked at her. “You’re in quarantine you’ve been sleeping all night Asuka. Do you remember coming in here?” She watched as both of the younger woman’s eyes darted as her face changed as the memories came flooding back. “Yes, I remember.”

Misato breathed in watching as she sat up pulling the covers off rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “I know you’re not feeling great but I need you get up and walk to the bench we’ve set up outside your room. Normally we’d do this inside but since Rei’s not going to take this well you’ll be done outside next to her.”

She paused. “I don’t need to tell you that I’m sure you’ve seen how it works when we do it the other way.” Asuka turned her head looking in to the other quarantine room seeing that the other woman was under the covers sleeping. She knew just how much Rei hated this place as she hated the hospital ward in the same way. “Yeah I know she hates it.” Misato put a hand on her arm. “Can you stand?” Asuka looked down slightly she had no energy for bravado, she just felt drained despite all the eating and sleeping. “No can you help me.”

Misato gently eased the younger woman on to her feet seeing the pain in her face as she walked her over to the bench outside, as she helping her sit down on it. Ritsuko moved to stand opposite as she looked at her putting the six tools down on a tray stand in the centre. “Believe me you’re going to feel much better after these tests.”

Asuka caught sight of the LCL bandage which had been put back on after she’d used the tanks under her clothing. She turned eyeing Ritsuko as she spoke coldly. “You know I don’t believe you, so stopping acting like you give a scheisse.”

Ritsuko turned moving toward the other door. “Open this one!” She watched as it came open as Misato once more followed her in. “Rise and shine Rei!” The brown haired woman groaned pulling the covers over her head. “I’m tired go away!” Misato breathed in deeply. “You’re being let out Rei.”

The next moment caught them both by surprise as Rei grabbed the covers throwing them off as she bolted past them and out of the door only to look annoyed as she turned to them. “The main doors are not open to the changing rooms!” Misato breathed in deeply. “No they aren’t. You’re having tests remember?”

Rei narrowed her gaze. “Can’t I just skip them?” Misato shook her head. “No you can’t now please just sit yourself opposite Asuka.” Rei turned seeing Asuka who gave her, her best smile. She didn’t think as she walked up to her coming to stand in front of her as she put her hand’s on both sides off her face as she spoke softly. “It’s so good to see that your finally awake, I was really worried about you.” Asuka breathed in about to speak only for the other woman’s lips to meet hers in a very slow and sensual kiss. Ritsuko’s angry voice suddenly hit the air. “Oh for the love of the gods get off her and take a seat Rei!”

Rei pulled away ignoring Asuka’s utter shock as she took a seat beside her on the bench. “What I was just saying hello, I’m sure you do it all the time with my father.” Ritsuko eyed her in annoyance seeing Misato smirk as she spoke coldly. “No you’re not. You’re stalling because everyone knows you play up in quarantine during tests, the same way Asuka does in the ward.”

Rei folded her arms. “Yeah great to see you to…clearly you didn’t miss us.” She paused before speaking in a dead pan tone. “Bet you and my father drunk wine and fine dinned while we were both captured.” Ritsuko moved to stand between them. “Your father was very concerned about you!”

Rei eyed her in disgust. “Yes I’m sure he missed the fact that I couldn’t run 00 and wasn’t out on the job.”

Ritsuko slowly sorted the strange equipment. “You know I fully expect back chat from Asuka but not from you!”

Rei narrowed her gaze no longer caring that she was pushing buttons. “Oh why, because my mother never behaved this way you know I get so sick of everyone going you look like your mother. Oh I knew your mother I wanted to sleep with her or your mom was hot you look just like her!”

Asuka raised her hand tiredly. “For the record I know you’re not like your mother.”

Ritsuko grabbed a tool angrily. “Are you done Rei!?”

Misato moved forward putting her hands on Rei’s shoulders squeezing gently. “Okay you need to calm down now Rei and take it easy.” She wrapped her arms around her cuddling gently. “You have to be calm for these tests…you can’t have an elevated heart rate.”

Ritsuko turned the tool on watching as its green neon light came on. “It’s fine I’ll do Asuka first…since Rei needs to calm down.” She moved over to Asuka pointing the pen like tool down. “Okay, lift your head up and look directly in to this light you shouldn’t feel any pain.” Asuka eyed the strange tool. “What are these tests for?” Ritsuko pushing her face up higher. “It’s classified just know they are for your own good.”

She turned the tool on fully watching as four glowing round bands of holographic light started to turn focusing like a holographic camera on her neon blue glowing eye. It beeped signalling to do the other eye, she turned her head shining it carefully in to her other eye watching the bands appear turning once more as they focused before it beeped again. She put it down picking up the other as there were three tests in all along with two old style syringes filled with neon glowing liquid almost like mercury one for each person.

She eyed Asuka as she pressed the tool watching as it sprang to life glowing green. “Open your mouth.” Asuka eyed her nervously she hated dentist tools and her visit to the Nerv dentist which had to take place every three months. “Maybe we could pass on that one.”

Misato walked over to Asuka watching as Rei moved her hand over hold taking the other woman’s. She put her hand on her shoulders. “Open Asuka its fine.” Asuka swallowed as slowly opened her mouth feeling the tool go in only for it to open as it locking her mouth open, pressing against all of her front and canine teeth on the top and bottom. Ritsuko eyed her. “Bite hard, with your normal teeth.”

She watched as Asuka started to bite causing the sensor to go on as it started measuring only to beep as it finished she pressed it closing it pulling it out of her mouth then put its tip in an LCL cleaner vile. She picked up the final tool which looked more like a medical gun but wasn’t. “Open your hospital shirt.” Asuka eyed her in annoyance. “I’m not wearing a bra you know.”

Ritsuko turned the gun on. “Just the top of your chest Asuka where your collar bone is…I don’t need to see the rest I saw it all in the quarantine tanks and I put the LCL bandage on your bruises afterwards. Though, you might have been too tired to remember.” Asuka eyed the medical gun as she unbuttoned her shirt slightly. “What even is that its looks nothing like a Nerv medical gun?” Ritsuko turned pushing the gun in to her chest. “You’ll feel a tingling sensation all over your body ignore it, it will go away.”

She watched as a spinning round green holographic counter came up only for the green to turn orange she breathed in deeply. “Well that’s not good.” Asuka felt the tingling stop. “What’s not good?” Ritsuko ignored her as she turned the tool off picking up the old style syringe flicking it with her finger watching as the mercury like liquid turned to an almost air like substance which glowed white as she eyed Misato. “Hold her shoulders tightly.”

Misato eyed her in confusion. “What why?” Ritsuko eyed her. “Just do it because this one will hurt her!” Asuka felt Misato grab her firmly as the syringe came down going in to the side of her neck as it was pressed in which caused instant pain causing her to jolt violently only for it to suddenly end as the needle was eased free.

Misato felt Asuka force her off as she leaned forward clearly in pain. “What did you do what did you give her?!” Ritsuko raised her hand. “Shut up and give it a moment!” She watched as Asuka suddenly stood up her teeth turning to razors as her right eye turned glowing green its pupil becoming cat like as her left ignited in a blast of violently white and blue light.

An utterly inhuman roar came out of her mouth followed by her slouching back in her chair as everything returned to normal as she breathing heavily as her eyes closed and she passed out. “Give her a few minutes, she’ll come around then she’ll perk right up, she’ll stop feeling like shit despite her body not being so great.”

She turned her focus on Rei who suddenly looked very nervous. “Your turn….”

Rei eyes darted. “Can we not do this?”

Ritsuko picked up the first tool again taking hold of her face. “No.”

She eased it up slowly doing the same thing she’d done to Asuka seeing Misato move behind Rei. Though unlike Asuka she could feel Rei shivering under her grip clearly feeling way more anxious than Asuka. Ritsuko switched to the second tool. “Open your mouth.” Rei did as she was told though much faster than Asuka. “Bite….” She watched her do as she was told. She turned it off pulling it out and putting in it cleaning LCL putting it to one side as she moved grabbing the gun. “Chest bone, same as Asuka.”

Rei looked over at Asuka. “Is she going to wake up?” Ritsuko put the device against her chest bone watching it read only for it to go orange. “Great you to…” She grabbed the other filled syringe looking at Misato. “Her shoulders….” She watched as Misato did it but once more but didn’t look happy about it as she tapped the syringe watching as it turned to light as she met Rei’s gaze which turned to utter fear. “Yes she’ll wake up and so will you.”

Misato felt Rei suddenly struggle wanting to get away. “Rei you need to settle down.” Ritsuko pushed the syringe in as fast as possible. “I get it Rei, you were born to hate quarantine but believe me this once when I say this is for your own good.”

She pulled it out watching as Misato let go as the pain appeared in Rei’s face as she clutched her stomach though she didn’t get up her teeth slowly turned to their razor form and her eyes turned to glowing red for a long moment before suddenly going back to normal as she lay back on the bench slowly passing out.

She breathed in deeply feeling so glad that this shit was over. “That could have been so much quicker.” Misato eyed her in disgust. “You know I have a right to know what you just did to these two since you’re not the only one Seele talks to as they speak to myself and Kaji!” Ritsuko turned eyeing her. “You will be told but not now.”

She turned watching as Asuka’s eyes suddenly opened as she came around. “Better now?” Asuka breathed in all of the sluggish feeling was gone through the pain was still there. She eyed her. “Yes.” She watched as Rei opened her eyes opposite groaning painfully as she pushed her short hair back. “Better?”

Rei eyed her feeling a cold sneer form. “No…that hurt!” Ritsuko shook her head. “Because you were struggling and making it worse for yourself...” She paused eyeing them both. “Nether of you are to have any form of sexual activity for forty eight hours, is that clear?” Misato folded her arms in annoyance. “Oh come on, since when has that ever been quarantine protocol. You never do that to the others?”

Ritsuko eyed her in disgust. “This is necessary and they will do it, they are both grown women they can handle it I’m sure.” Asuka breathed in trying to ignore the anger she was now feeling since she now had the energy to feel anger again. “Clarify to me what you mean by sexual activity. Because I’m really verfickte curious to hear you say it aloud.”

Ritsuko turned pointing at Rei. “You don’t sleep with her it’s really simple you want to masturbate personally fine, you want to kiss, cuddle fine but you don’t go to third base!” Asuka felt wide toothy grin form. “Wow can you say third base again? It’s just seeing your face when you say that is hilarious.” Ritsuko raised her hand trying to ignore that Rei was smirking and trying not to laugh. “Get out both of you!”

8

Mari watched the closed dressing rooms double door which was the final door out of quarantine Shinji was waiting opposite her. She was feeling deeply anxious about this meeting and after spending time with Marcus and talking to him about everything apart from her link to her family and Ankh as she was not ready yet to tell him about that. She felt like had gotten a lot was off her chest but now she had to deal with this and she just didn’t feel up to it.

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One the bright side he knew she was with Maya now and had given her his congratulations along with weirdly throwing a load of dirty magazines her way. Which she didn’t understand to be honest but she wasn’t going to complain or ask where he got that idea from.

She watched as Rei opened the door adjusting the clothes which they’d brought from Asuka’s home last night as she pushed her short hair back before looking up a wide smile appearing on her face. Shinji ran towards her grabbing her in to a hug as he kissed her gently. “I’m so glad you’re out.”

Rei held him tighter unable to stop the tears. “I’m just so glad to be out of there, I hate that place.” Shinji felt the words come out before he could stop them. “I should have been there at the auction house I could have stopped this, or done something.” Rei breathed in deeply. “No Shinji you couldn’t have done anything and they weren’t after me, they only wanted Asuka.”

She hugged him tighter. “I’m just so glad to be home again, I missed you all so much.” Mari pushed up her glasses. “I don’t mean to be rude but is it okay if I speak to Asuka alone. It’s just we have something really important to talk about.” Rei pulled away knowing instantly what Mari was talking about. “Yeah we can do that Mari.”

She ignored her brother confusion. “Come on Shinji we’ll wait outside the other door.” Shinji blinked in surprise. “What’s going on?” Rei looked at him speaking in a very serious tone. “I’ll tell you later when Mari says I can. I promise it will all make sense.” Mari raised her hand as Rei left with Shinji. “Thank you Rei, I promise I’ll make this up to you somehow.”

She watched as they closed the outer doors she knew they could still see though the glass windows on the other side but most important they wouldn’t hear anything and would have no idea what this was all about. She watched as the door opened as Asuka walked in though it felt like an eternity before the smaller woman was standing in front of her. Though her left eye was un-patched which meant she could see the neon blue colours pulsing. She could see that Asuka’s face was not showing a great deal of emotion and was unreadable.

She took in a deep breath thinking how best to frame her next words. “I’m guessing you know the truth about me and where I come from and who my family are?” Asuka looked at her for a long moment before speaking. “Yes.” Mari felt the pain in her chest hit home hard. She had so wanted to avoid this for it not to be so but now she had to face her demons and it felt so painfully. “Then you know about what happened at my parent’s lake…because you couldn’t remember…” Asuka looked at speaking calmly. “Yes.”

Mari couldn’t help her next movement as she found herself falling to her knees in front of the other woman as she grabbed at her leather jacket bottom unable to stop the floor of tears. “I’m so sorry! I’m such a fucking coward I hurt you terribly and for what? I sat there watching you drown because I was afraid. I just couldn’t take it, I just couldn’t watch you die!”

She spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m so sorry you deserved so much better and I know there’s nothing I can ever do to put this right. I kept it from because I was afraid if you ever knew the truth you’d never want to speak to me again!”

Asuka blinked in shock this was not how she had expected this to go at all and the last thing she wanted was to have her older sister on her knees pleading this way, it was utterly heart breaking. She moved her hands putting them on Mari as she spoke sadly even through the glass she could see that Shinji looked shocked on the other side while Rei just looked sad. “Mari, please get up off your knees.”

She watched as the other woman’s head shot up staring at her in surprise she spoke again unable to keep the pain out of her voice. “Never ever kneel to me or beg to me. You are not my lesser and it makes me uncomfortable, so stand up.”

Mari’s face turned to utter confusion as she spoke. “But…I don’t” Asuka felt sneer form as she spoke sharply cutting her off. “Get up now Mari!” She watched as the taller woman stood up looking truly confused and out of her element. “You do not owe me any apology.” She paused before speaking much more calmly. “Yes I met your family, your vile grandmother who told me she beat you with a horse whip. Along with your stupid older step brother, who is a verfickte poser and your look a-like sister who is twisted as scheisse.”

She watched as Mari eyes darted. “You know what I learnt from them?” Mari shook her head but said nothing. “I learnt that you’re still my hero, despite everything and how they viewed you, you still leapt in to save me.”

She paused taking in a deep breath. “You’re not a coward they abused you and messed with your mind. They asked a child to murder another child while standing and watching and you denied them their rite of passage at great cost to yourself.”

She raised her hand pointing at Mari’s waist where she knew the scar was and still remained to this day. “You even hid that from me when we were children. You played it down that you had an accident at school, I was too young to understand but I understand now, it was no accident you took that for saving me.”

She lowered her hand. “So tell me again how your coward? When you’re the only one who was brave enough to save me and take the beating of your life for it.” She shook her head sadly. “Worse they still refer to you as the runt of the litter but their logic is wrong. Since those who get a bad start and need help to grow are normally the strongest.” Mari stared at Asuka as she raised her hand feeling so confused by how this was turning out. “No you should be angry at me. You should hate me for lying to you and betraying your trust!”

Asuka shook her head sadly knowing what she had to do next to make this clear since her older sister wasn’t getting it. She moved forward wrapping her arms around her pulling her close as she gave her gentle kiss on the cheek. “You’re a four eyed idiot…don’t you see there’s nothing to forgive. You were an abused child who was doing what an adult told you to do and it changes nothing between us and I could never hate you, you’re my family in fact I’m grateful now that I know the full story.”

She felt Mari grab her tightly in a hug as she started to cry hard in to her shoulder. “I promise you that when I tell my family they’ll see the same thing as me. As you are part of our family now and nothing will ever change that.” She paused as she lowered her voice more to whisper hoping her next words would cheer Mari up. “And between us you’re the much better looking sister.”

She watched as Mari pulled away blinking in surprise only to laugh slightly though her tears her hand moved up as it ruffled her hair as a warm smile forming. “You mean that princess?” Asuka nodded. “Yeah of cause I do. You’re the real deal she isn’t.” Mari moved forward pulling her in to a tighter hug. “I missed you so much Asuka, forgive me for ever doubting you.”

Asuka hugged her tighter. “I missed you to Mari.” Mari pulled away looking at her as she wiped away her tears recomposing herself feeling the relief sweep over her. “I have some amazing news.” Asuka put an arm around her shoulder. “Yeah what is that?” Mari felt a sly grin form. “I fucked Maya the other night I rode her like a...”

Asuka turned sharply as spoke cutting her off. “I love you, you’re my big sister but you’re not going to finish that sentence.” Mari pushed up her glasses. “But you want to hear this!” Asuka put a hand on her face in frustration. “No I don’t…”

8

Misato sat in her office watching as Kaji sat next to her while Sumire stood up. She’d asked them both here to be present during Miki’s phone call as this one could be very hard since Miki had seriously post traumatic syndrome and there was a chance she could become hostile or deeply emotional and since Sumire had dealt with this personally she could maybe help guide them.

She breathed in pressing the desk watching as the larger holographic scene came up as the call started. She watched as Miki appeared on the other end, though her face looked unreadable and uncertain. “Hello Miki.” Miki paused before speaking. “Hello Colonel.”

Misato breathed in deeply. “I’m calling you regarding Akane.” Miki’s body tensed even under the hospital pyjamas she could see it. “Can you tell me more about her. I mean what was she meant to do the night of the auction?” Miki looked up sharply. “She told us she would meet us an hour in to the auction…she had never shown any signs of disloyalty.”

Misato typed bringing up a photo of a bullet. “This bullet was pulled from the door guard head…it was very out of place with all the other bullets retrieved as they were from military grade machine guns and pistols but this was from a Ruger LC9S which is more a pistol that’s lighter and concealed.”

She took in a deep breath. “Would I be right to assume that you own a LC9S?” Miki face turned to a very cold scowl. “Are you trying to fucking say that I’m reasonable, because I did not kill anyone!?” Kaji raised her hand. “No that’s not what we are saying. We just want to know if you own one.”

Miki folded her arms eyeing them. “Yes I own one but I don’t take it to auctions, it’s only for when I travel outside of Japan, since my mother and fathers position makes me a possible ransom target.” She eyed them for a long moment. “Customs even know I have it, it’s been cleared by my parents.”

Misato breathed in deeply knowing her next words would not go down well. “Well it seems that Akane landed in China not long ago and checked your gun through customs with some bullshit story that you have her permission. One of Nerv’s special division’s in China is going to arrest her when she leaves the airport. Since a huge sum of money was shoved in to her account the night you were attacked in the sum of millions, we believe she was working with Ankh and sold you out.”

She sat back in chair. “And she used your weapon to kill someone in cold blood. We believe that was about her setting you up since your brother was also punished.” Miki’s face slowly turned to anger as she suddenly smashed her fist down hard on the hospital table. “That worthless scheming little bitch, I thought she was our friend and loyal to my family! Because of her my brother is now in a coma and they're not ever sure he’ll ever wake up and if he does they say there’s a chance he could never be the same again.”

Her hand rose as she pointed at the screen. “Mark my fucking words Ankh are going to pay for what they did to my family!” Sumire shifted slightly. “As someone who has lost family through terrorists, you should be thankful that your brother still lives.”

Miki eyed her as she spoke coldly. “And you are?” Sumire looked at her. “Nagara I’m one of the bridge crew but I’m someone who knows your feelings and that the medication your on now is not good as I had to have it myself once.”

Miki anger slowly faded as she sat back genuine sadness appearing in her eyes. “I hate this medication, it makes me feel fuzzy but they won’t take me off it until my heart rate stays down and I can control myself emotionally but I hate it so much.” Sumire put her hands behind her back. “I advise that you use these next few days to push this all from your mind and focus on getting well. Then you will be free of the heavy medication and they will focus on your mental health with therapy and lesser drugs.”

Miki looked up the tears coming before she could stop them. “I’m such an awful sister, I think my brother is the biggest idiot going and I hate that he causes me so much trouble. He has even stolen my boyfriends from me in the past but he’s still my brother and I did nothing, while that piece of shit that defeated Asuka beat him up. I stood there like a coward because I was so afraid.” Sumire looked up slightly. “It’s not your fault and you are not a bad person Miki, these men and women who have this mind set do what they do regardless. I read in the report that you tried to drag your brother to safety.”

Misato eyed Sumire clearly she was good at this, better than she’d ever realized. “These people will pay Miki mark my words there will be justice for you and your brother.” Miki breathed in sadly wiping her tears away. “I hope so Colonel.”

Misato paused before speaking. “You rest up Miki Nerv has your back now we’ll put this right, I promise.” Miki nodded suddenly looking very tired. “I need to rest now I hope when they discharge me you can keep me updated.” Kaji leaned forward. “We will Miki and thank you.”

Misato watched as the holographic screen turned off she turned in her chair towards Sumire. “You know I’m starting to think that hiring you was the best thing I ever did.” Sumire blinked in shock. “I was just doing my job you, asked for my help.” Misato raised her hand. “Yes I did but I didn’t realize you were really good at talking traumatized people down, that’s not in your resume.”

Kaji nodded. “Yeah she’s right you’re really good at it and Maya can’t always be around which makes this skill very useful.” Sumire breathed in nervously. “I’ll be going now Colonel I need to pick up Maya’s paperwork.” Misato watched as she quickly left closing the door behind her. “Yeah you were right hiring her was the right thing for me to do.” Kaji felt a smile form. “Yeah well your instincts do tend to be right.”

8

Toji looked up as the rec room doors opened. He turned to Kaworu and Sakura who were playing on the pin ball machine. “They're here!” He watched as both Rei and Asuka appeared they were both with Shinji and Mari who looked the happiest they’d been in days. Sakura turned sharply as she shouted out not caring who could hear her. “You’re here!” She ran up giving Rei a huge hug as the others all got up. “We missed you so much!”

Rei ignored her aching body as she held the young girl tighter enjoying the feeling that she was finally home. As well as safe and surrounded by family, friends and her girlfriend. “We are so happy to be back here and thank you for the welcome.”

Asuka turned as Sakura moved over to her giving her a hug despite her back shoulders and neck still hurt it was still a nice feeling. “I’m surprised they let you in here.” Sakura pulled away from Asuka’s gentle hug as she pulled out her Nerv card. “They upgraded my card. It’s now a cool multi-pass which means I can go in to the wreck room since I’m nearly thirteen.” Rei looked at the young girl. “That’s an interesting name for it.” Sakura felt her smile widen. “Misato really likes it.”

Kaworu moved over to Rei pulling her in to a gentle hug. “Welcome back we missed you both so much.” Asuka turned only for Toji to grab her pulling her in to her hug. She spoke calmly. “Please don’t squeeze to tight or the LCL bandage will break.”

Toji loosened slightly. “They really put that new weird stuff on you?” Asuka nodded. “Yeah it feels odd like liquid but it sticks and they don’t want me to wash it off until very late tonight.” She paused feeling the raw emotion hit her before she could stop it as she felt a tears start to run down her face. “It’s so great to see you all again…I really missed you all.”

Kaworu moved forward giving her a hug. “We missed you to we heard that they somehow used a part of Bardiel to track you as he left a marker behind.” Shinji watched as he moved away taking his moment to give Asuka a hug. “We are just happy you are back Asuka...It’s just not been the same without ether you or Rei.” Mari adjusted her glasses as she eyed her younger sister. “Yeah he’s right it just hasn’t.” Toji didn’t think as he grabbed Rei in a warm hug. “Yeah he’s right, we were all worried and we all wanted you both back so badly.”

He let her go carefully. “And we saw the footage.” He paused unsure how Asuka was going to take his next words or Mari. “I mean we saw the mobile phone footage of you getting kicked by that guy and his weird friend who looks kind of like Mari.”

Asuka wiped her tears away with her leather jackets sleeve as she took in a sharp breath. “Verfickte bastard only beat me because he’s one of Ankh’s pilots. So is the other woman hence they have the same abilities we do.” Mari folded her arms she was only happy with Asuka, Rei Shinji and Maya knowing the truth right now. Not anyone else. “Yeah well my look like is a pure bitch and I’d rather we not talk about her right now and focus on Asuka and Rei returning to us.”

She felt a sly smile form. “Plus you should give them their gifts and the food we got and you can tell them all about Sumire, who you still have not asked out yet.” Toji eyed her. “Why don’t you tell them about Maya you know since you rolled around with her the other night?”

Asuka put a hand on her face. “Please let’s not go in to that I don’t want you to give her an excuse to go into every vivid detail!” Rei turned sharply. “Really you’re both together now?” Mari raised here hands. “Yeah I was going to go in to it when you’re both more settled.” Rei gave her a wide smile. “Congratulations, I’m really happy for you Mari.”

Mari leaned over. “Thank you, that means a lot.” Sakura moved over to pilot’s central table where all the gifts and food were. “You guys should sit down. I mean we got you some awesome stuff and we’ve made you some nice food as well as brought some.”

She looked at Asuka. “We heard you eat a lot we weren’t sure if you were hungry.” Asuka raised her hand. “I would never say no to food from any of you.” She paused before speaking. “If my teeth come out I apologise in advance. I had no control over them the other night.”

Shinji watched as Rei and Asuka seated themselves in their normal chairs next to each other as the others sat around them including Sakura who now had a chair opposite Mari’s. Which Toji had, had put in this morning. “Well Kaworu and I made some food, we used one of the old mess halls and we’ve made some really good stuff.”

Rei looked at her brothers cooking. “I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed yours and Asuka’s cooking throughout this.” Asuka raised her hands. “Yeah I missed us all being together.” Mari adjusted her glasses. “Yeah well we all missed you both. We thought we’d never get you or Rei back.” Kaworu looked up slightly. “Yes we need you both you complete the elaborate and unique family.”

End of part 36

Silvermoonlight