AS THE EYES OF THE WORLD FALL UP ON YOU

Misato slowly turned the corner seeing that the large open garage of the Argentous Tower which was wide open and awaiting her arrival and that off the other pilots. She turned her car around the corner going in side. She put the break on as she parked it getting out seeing a well dressed burly man appear smiling as she shut the door locking it.

He had short brown hair and green eyes and his voice was filled with excitement as he spoke. "They told me your car was awesome to look at it's the Mazda Cosmo Sport right?" Misato turned to Nobu he was such a fun guy to be around and he always made sure that the pilots were really well taken care off but he had a special love for cars and motorbikes. "Yes it is."

Nobu moved over putting his hand on the white bonnet. "Does it have three cores?" Misato looked at him smiling widely. "Yes it has three cores though the safety feature on mines been modified so it I can be disregarded so it can go much faster." Nobu felt a wide smile form. "That's so cool." He turned watching as purple Lamborghini Huracan came screeching around the corner coming to a stop opposite. He watched as Mari got out locking her car. "Oh wow I've seen Lamborghini's before but I've never seen a Huracan in purple!"

Mari smiled as adjusted her best clothing as everyone had to be much more formal tonight. "Hi there Nobu it's been a while." She watched as he came over. "She's new, you see my other car was shit so I upgraded." Nobu looked at the beast of a sports car. "Three cores I assume?" Mari nodded. "Yeah but it has a safety feature on the third core." Nobu looked up as another sports car rolled in though the gate it was not going at speed as it parked up opposite Mari's car and Toji and Sakura got out. "Is that a Lotus Evora Sport?"

Toji turned giving him a wave along with his sister. "Hey Nobu it's really great to see you again." He patted the bonnet. "Come look she's quite new and I still have my military range rover at home just in case." Nobu moved closer. "Two and half cores right?" Toji smiled. "Yeah I never went for the three I want to have a racer not a death trap." He eyed Mari. "No offence!" Mari raised her hand. "None taken." Nobu turned watching as a beautiful Yamaha V Star with sidecar rolled in parking up.

He watched as Shinji got off and Kaworu pulled himself out the side car. "Oh there she is as always." Shinji gave him a smile as he pulled off his helmet. "Hello Nobu." Kaworu turned slightly. "You could never get Shinji to part with this motorbike, he loves it too much." Nobu looked up meeting Shinji's calm gaze. "Hey don't you normally come in with your sister?" Shinji looked at him. "She has her own motorbike now and we have rather different tastes when it comes to style."

Nobu turned as Rei came roaring around the corner parked up opposite. "Oh I see what you mean that's a Yamaha Olympia motorbike." He paused looking closer as Rei got off pulling her helmet off. "Wait no it's not that a totally different suspension it's from the Yamaha Titan and the engines different." Rei smiled pulling her clothes bag out of the back holder. "It's been modified." Nobu leaned down eyeing the engine. "Hang on that's also a Titan part, how fast does this go?"

Rei felt her smile widen. "Very fast it's even got a sport's mode and when you press it feels like someone is kicking you." Nobu looked at them all as he pulled the controller out of his pocket to shut down the private garage. "That's all of you right?" Misato shook her head. "Nope there is one more to come." Nobu turned sharply. "Langley's coming?!"

There was massive thundering screech as a black and red Trident came flying into the garage as its rider slowed it to a stop parking it next to Rei's bike Nobu stared watching as Asuka pulled off her helmet. "Oh my god…" He eyed her motorbike. "That's a BMW Trident!" He came closer. "Wow that is so amazing." Asuka eyed the man as he came closer. "Don't touch my motorbike!"

Misato watched as she got off opening the back compartment taking out her clothes bag. "Asuka I'd like you to meet Nobu as you have not been here these past three years you won't know that he will be taking care of your every desire while you're here before the interview starts." Asuka eyed the man who was looking at her like she was some form of goddess or something. "Okay."

Nobu looked at her. "I am so delighted to meet you I've never seen you in person before I mean I heard that you had real red hair they weren't kidding." He paused. "Can I see under the patch?" Asuka eyed him speaking evenly. "No." Nobu's smiled widened. "But I heard that you've got a cool glowing eye under there." Mari turned eyeing Nobu. "You know you shouldn't push it Nobu." She felt a coy smile form. "She takes a while to warm to new people."

She raised her hand. "After all if you want something you just need to get Rei to soften her up for you." Asuka eyed her as she slung her bag over her shoulder speaking sarcastically. "That's really funny Mari." Rei leaned over taking Asuka's arm. "Come on Asuka just ignore her." Misato leaned over putting her hand on Asuka's shoulder. "Very important thing Asuka, please do not swear even in German." She turned eyed Mari. "That goes for you as well!" She looked at them all. "There will be children watching you all over the world and some will be in daylight time slots." She took in a deep breath looking at Nobu. "Lead the way."

8

Tsutomu stroked his goatee beard as he froze the image of the angel monster footage from Australia. "So you are telling us Ouroboros built this?" Misato looked up from her central chair to her right she had Rei and Asuka while next to them was Shinji and Kaworu and in the two seats opposite were Toji and Mari, behind each pilots single red seat was there oni banners in there units main colour though Toji's was just plain black at present as his unit had yet to be named with its oni name. "Yes we don't know how they got the technology to build something like this and they named this one Bukavac." Tsutomu took in a deep breath looking at the monster. "Does it have beast mode or controlled berserk?"

Misato looked up. "We currently don't know its capabilities only that it uses a duel piloting system." Natsuko pushed her dark red medium length hair back bringing up a facial photo on the opposite screen. "Yes we read about this the pilots names are Hikari Horaki. "She paused bringing up the other image. "And Kensuke Aida, both rejects from the Evangelion program fighting on the opposite side, ones a reject from Germany the other China."

She breathed in deeply. "Hikari was rejected because her temperament wasn't quite right even as a child while Kensuke was rejected because of his constant rule breaking at the Chinese base which included taking naked photos of men and women in the changing rooms without consent, behaviour which is deemed unacceptable on the Evangelion program regardless of gender." She eyed Toji who was looking at Kensuke's photo. "I do believe you two were in the same training class together."

Toji folded his arms. "Yes we were and I really hated the guy he treated me like I was a moron and tried to manipulate me he was also very disrespectful towards my little sister, I was really glad to see the back of him personally." Tsutomu looked at her files. "But in the beginning you two were really good friends I mean rumour has it you played cards a lot together and were never apart they even called you the two stooges."

Toji breathed in, in annoyance. "Yes I was his friend up until the day I caught him selling those naked photos to other men and women in the Chinese division. After that our friendship slowly fell apart and in the end I hated the sight of him it was the complaints that got him thrown off the program and rightly so as he just wouldn't stick to rules and kept breaking them to him it was all a big game."

Tsutomu looked up slightly seeing it was time to change the subject as Toji looked unimpressed he turned back to Misato "So this is a rather bad turn out for Nerv not to mention that your Evangelion's got caught with their pants down." Misato put her hands together. "I think that a deeply unfair criticism all of the pilots that day acted incredibly bravely and the next time this thing shows up we will be more than ready for it."

Natsuko smirked. "Yes well you still have not gone into the whole Asuka and Hikari thing." Misato looked up. "I do not need to the public statement and proof of Asuka's innocence was released to the press in full including Hikari's open confession, therefore I have nothing to say." She eyed them folding her arms. "I think it would be you both who maybe need to apologise for calling my pilot a violent, crazy, narcissist in front of the whole world last time she was here which was three years ago."

Tsutomu rolled his eyes turning his attention to Asuka who was sitting quietly saying very little as always she was wearing her favourite leather jacket and casual clothes unlike the others who had made an actual effort and looked slightly more formal. "Hi there Asuka you want to chip in any time soon? After all you do always tend to have an opinion on everything."

Natsuko leaned forward. "Yeah like where have you been for the past three years?" Asuka eyed them speaking calmly. "I've been re-evaluating my life." Tsutomu laughed as he sat back. "Oh I see, that's very funny what did you have a spiritual awakening, forgive me if I'm wrong but you don't look like the type who'd wake up and pray." Natsuko felt a smirk form on her lips. "Clearly the UN Alpha test unit incident has messed with her brain in some way."

Asuka eyed her for a very long moment. "When you find yourself staring into the abyss and the abyss starts staring back at you, you get a lot of time for personal inner reflection." Tsutomu looked at her in confusion as he turned eyeing Misato. "You made her say this right?" He turned pointed at the red haired woman. "Because that is not Asuka, I know Asuka Langley and she never says things like that."

Rei breathed in deeply as she spoke. "You don't know Asuka at all, people go through transition and change and they become better people." Natsuko sat up. "Ah you finally speak, we were about to get to you." She felt a cold smile form on her lips. "So tell me what in your right mind caused you to pick her of all people to be your girlfriend?"

She pointed to Mari. "I mean you could have picked her." She moved her finger in Toji's direction. "Or even him." She turned back. "What was your thinking, easy option, desperation or a quick fix to show the world that you do actuality date?" Mari folded her arms. "I object to that statement." Natsuko eyed her. "Oh yeah and why is that? Humour me."

Mari sat up in her chair. "Because I think Asuka's just right for her Rei." Toji raised his hand. "I second that plus." He eyed Rei. "You're really not my type, no offence." Rei looked at him and Mari feeling a smile form. "No offence taken." Natsuko slammed her fist down hard. "Answer the question Ayanami!" Rei folded her arms as she spoke calmly. "I love her, what else do you want to hear."

Tsutomu eyed her for a long moment. "Okay so you love this crazy, violent woman." Rei eyed him in annoyance. "I think you missed the visitor centre video that's floating around because if you watch it she's extremely gentle and that's how she is with me very loving and gentle and she treats me with the up most respect." Tsutomu folded his arms. "Ah yes the visitor centre." He pressed his button changing the image to Rei's painting. "I don't believe for a second that Asuka painted this, this has to be Shinji's work."

Shinji rolled his eyes. "It's her work it's not mine, plus that's a romantic image why would I paint my own sister that way? That would be very creepy." Asuka took in a deep breath as she pulled out her A3 digital scroll pulling out her pen as she opened it speaking calmly. "I get it Tsutomu, your still really sore about that time I punched you live on air seven years ago because you insulted my late mother."

She eyed him. "So here are some new drawings just for you." She turned back to her digital scroll plugging in the sofa USB cable which allowed her to put things on the screen. "Anneberg images one and two please." She watched as Anneberg appeared behind her bringing up an image of pastel soft sun flowers fields, followed by another image which was off 00's face close up all in vivid blue details." Anneberg's green eyes blinked as he eyed Tsutomu. "I have heard that you're an idiot and so is your co-host."

Asuka turned ignoring the smirks from the others as she brought up a half finished picture of the Delphi gardens all in soft colours. "I'm really sorry Anneberg is an AI learning personality I have no control over what he says." She began to sketch. "You should both say something back it's very rude to ignore him." Tsutomu eyed her. "I'm not talking to an AI learning personality, they're toys you can buy them from shops!"

Asuka carried on drawing so everyone could see it on the screen. "That's very rude you'll hurt Anneberg's feelings." Anneberg's icon scowled as he showed off all his teeth speaking again. "Yeah well for a human being you have zero personality and I am not a toy." Natsuko leaned over now slightly curious she wasn't the only one Mari and Toji were looking over along with Misato. "So you're not programmed by Asuka in any way?"

Anneberg shook his head. "No Asuka didn't program me in any way, my learning parameters are all my own." Natsuko eyed him for a long moment admittedly she was quite curious now as she had not come across an AI learning personality like this before as normally they didn't answer back or have an opinion of themselves. "So Asuka let you grow and learn your not slave driven in any way?" Anneberg's eyes blinked. "That's correct Asuka is very nice she lets me do what ever I please."

Tsutomu turned to Natsuko as he slammed his fist down hard on the desk. "You're talking to a toy, it's not real it's just imitating some clever piece of coding that makes it look and sound alive!" Anneberg's eyes suddenly narrowed. "That's a nice coffee maker you have." Tsutomu looked up sharply. "What?" Anneberg's eyes suddenly flashed white. "I said it's a nice coffee maker you have."

Rei turned watching as the automatic coffee maker on Tsutomu's side of the desk suddenly went crazy as it started to boil as Anneberg's eyes narrowed. "Don't these items break once the temperature gets far too hot?" Asuka didn't look up as she carried on drawing. "I'd say you're sorry." She felt a sly smile form. "Because he will blow it up plus if he hacked through to your desk your personal security fire wall must be really weak you should really fix that."

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Mari laughed as she sat back. "I have one of those learning AI personalities as well mines called Cheshire and the thing about them concerning boiling water, all true they don't understand the concept of heat and burning flesh." Tsutomu turned sharply. "Okay I'm sorry!" He watched as the coffee maker stopped boiling. Anneberg looked up slightly. "Annoy me ever again and I'll flip your ex's angry e-mails on screen you know the ones about you not paying child welfare."

Asuka carefully finished her drawing easing it up so the camera woman could see it and it could now be seen opposite Shinji's large painted canvas which was behind his chair and showed a forest landscape. "Well everyone out there watching here's the finished item just so you all know it was me and not Shinji."

She flipped it onto the screen feeling a toothy grin form. "This is an image of a very beautiful place in Nerv called the Delphi gardens." She breathed in calmly. "You should all come down to visitor centre because they have loads of books there showing the inside of Nerv which is an amazing place to work." She paused before speaking. "Hey maybe some of you would like jobs, then you can maybe see us and we have divisions all over the world." She raised her hand. "Plus if you work at Nerv central here, you'll get to see 00, 01, 03, 04 and 05 in all there glory up close and personal and they are all amazing."

Shinji looked up. "She missed out 02, which is also very cool to see." He watched as Asuka gave him a smile before turning to Anneberg. "Return and pull in images." Anneberg nodded pulling the images off before vanishing from the screen. Asuka closed her scroll putting it away along with her pen as she leaned back in her chair eyeing Tsutomu and Natsuko who were staring at her utterly gob smashed. "Was there any thing else you wanted to add?"

Rei smirked putting her hand on hers. "No Asuka I think they're done with regards to you and me." She eyed them speaking coldly. "Aren't you?" Natsuko breathed in recomposing herself. "Yes we are done we have no further questions to add." She breathed in turning to Shinji and Kaworu. "Well moving on someone captured a rather interesting video of you two."

She pressed the button watching as a video came up with the both of them kissing in a restaurant clearly taken on a camera phone. "Now this was a huge surprise for us, Kaworu we weren't surprised about because we know he's dated men before it's no secret but Shinji we had no idea that you liked men." Shinji looked at them. "Its something I've only recently come to terms with but like Asuka I'm bisexual."

Tsutomu breathed in finally recomposing himself. "Are you just bisexual because you want to keep your opinions open so you can run back to Asuka one day if it doesn't work out?" Asuka raised her hand. "Let me make this crystal clear because I thought after three years away this issue would have been put to rest, so I'm going to put it to rest right now. I didn't love Shinji and he didn't love me and I was in love with Rei well before Shinji my love for her goes right back to our school years but at the time I wouldn't admit it to myself because I was scared of my own feelings and sexuality and I also didn't understand what love was and my feeling got confused with more negative ones."

Shinji put his hands together. "What Asuka just said is absolutely true, word for word and we are happy just being friends and like Rei said people change they move on and I love Kaworu. I've loved him for a long time it just took me a very long time to come to terms with my feelings and define my own sexuality."

He breathed in speaking coldly as he eyed them. "So no I'm not defining my sexuality this way so I can run back to Asuka, it's who I am." Kaworu sat up eyeing Tsutomu. "I'm very thrilled that Shinji wants to be with me it's made me every happy and I say to all the people watching this in whatever country or town you're in that that you should be who you want to be in everything including your sexuality."

Natsuko breathed in deeply ignoring Misato's smug smile she was clearly enjoying this way too much and she hated it. "Okay our next item on the list." She paused bringing up a video of Mari kissing a girl outside a club. "I believe this is about three months old and it would appear Mari that you've been keeping secrets and you were lying to us as in our last interview as you stated you only liked men."

Asuka turned eyeing her. "You know there are so many swear words I'd like to use right now to describe how low it is to out someone on live television but I can't say them because of watershed issues in certain corners of the world first Shinji now Mari you are both really disgusting." Shinji turned looking at Asuka. "Its okay we knew this was going to happen we had prepared ourselves for it."

Kaworu nodded as he looked him taking hold of his hand. "What matters to us now is that its out in the open and everyone knows as we can move forward with our lives." Mari raised her hand as a coy smile formed on her lips. "Really its fine Asuka, I mean the world was going to find out sooner or later anyway about me and I'm okay with it."

She eyed the girl licking her lips as she pushed up her glasses. "She was quite a dish better than anything either of you would ever get I'm sure and we had one hell of a night together." She ignored the looks from the others who were trying not to laugh. "Yes I'm a lesbian, in case you were wondering." Tsutomu rolled his eyes as he spoke coldly. "Great another lady killer, like Asuka being bisexual wasn't bad enough." He eyed Toji. "You know you must feel really out of place being the only straight male of the group?"

Toji felt a smile form. "No not all Mari is my best friend and she helps me out with everything so no unlike you no I don't define her or the others by their sexuality I define them by who they are as people. I love being around them all as they can teach me so much as they are all so very different as are there experiences in life."

He turned looking offside watching as Sakura gave him a wave from her seat which was hidden from the cameras where Nobu was looking after her while this interview was taking place. "I mean I get up to work and I wake up my little sister Sakura and we get into my car and we drive to Nerv central and she goes to a great school while I get in one of the most amazing war machines in the world and train with all of these guys who are all amazing pilots I mean who could seriously ask for more?"

Misato smiled raising her hands. "Well there you have it in a nut shell, like Toji said we have a great group of pilots here and rest assured Ouroboros, Cerberus and Ankh will keep trying but we will be there every single time for a long as we have to stop them along with the angels."

8

Rei slowly parked her motorbike in the large restaurants car park which was on the outskirts of Tokyo three, she had just told Asuka to follow her she hadn't told her where they were going. She watched as she pulled up opposite getting off her Trident pulling her helmet off as she eyed the odd looking building which looked European with its stone brick and black wood parts.

Asuka watched as Rei pulled her helmet off. "What is this place?" Rei smiled inwardly she was going to really enjoy this, Asuka had told her to book a restaurant where ever she wanted after the press conference and this place had really caught her attention. She looked up at the huge red sign above which read Kegel Inn in Japanese. "I found this place when I was looking for somewhere to eat I booked in advance so they know we are coming."

Asuka eyed the sign. "Looks like ones of those pubs over in Europe." Rei smirked she was only half right, she moved towards the wooden doors which had decorated glass. "Come on." Asuka raised an eyebrow. "Are you really hungry or something?" Rei looked up slightly. "Yes I am." Asuka moved towards her shaking her head okay that was a first normally she was the one who wanted to eat everything. Rei smiled as she put her hands on the doors. "Asuka welcome to the Kegel Inn."

She pushed the doors open watching as the German restaurant and bar came into view in all its wooden authentic glory. Complete with wooden table's chairs and décor, the restaurant had a smoker for meats and a whole section for sausages and cheeses and another for a sweets and beers. On the second level there was a huge statue of unit 02 in its new form standing on its hind legs with its jaws wide open in a roar while its clawed hands were striking out.

Rei ignored everyone who had suddenly turned to look at them as it dawned on them who they actuality were she eyed Asuka who was staring in complete shock as she took everything in. "I always hear you complain about how you only like German coffee and it got me thinking that you must really miss home sometimes and I know you say the German junk food in your fridge never measures up."

She raised her hand. "I thought you might like the real taste of home and this restaurant is run by a real German family who cook real German food, everything is like in your home country right down the beer." She turned catching sight of one wall which had a lot of Asuka's pictures from over the year's right up to present including images of them in the visitor centre. "They're also fans of yours."

Asuka's mind suddenly snapped back in to gear as stomach started to kick her brain before she could stop it. "Oh gods is that braised brisket and Mettwurst?" Suddenly she was walking over to the food counters eyeing up everything. "They even have Teewurst!" She eyed the cheeses no longer giving a damn that everyone was staring at her in utter shock. "Harzer, Romadur, they've even got Weisslacker I can never get these over here."

She turned her attention to the desert counter. "Carrot cake, Bethmännchen, Black forest cake I haven't had any of these in ages." A big woman appeared giving her wide smile as she spoke in a thick German assent loud enough for everyone to hear. "Well I thought my big brother Axel was having a joke when he said Rei Ayanami had booked a table here."

Her smile widened. "Because I said now why would Rei Ayanami want to eat here?" She eyed Asuka who literally looked like some little kid in a candy shop. "It's because of course she wanted to bring her girlfriend here, how stupid of me." She paused seeing that she now Asuka's attention. "Welcome to our fine establishment Asuka Langley Soryu!" She raised her hand. "Please allow me to take you to your booked seats."

She led them over to a comfy corner table which had a high wooden surround to give them much more privacy she watched as they both sat down. "Please make yourself more at home my name is Elfriede and I'll be serving you both today, I'll just go and get your menus." Asuka watched as she left she turned to Rei who was just smiling at her she took hold of both of her hands kissing them. "Thank you, this means so much to me, even at Nerv central I can't get real German food, it's like German, Japanese cross and it's just not the same."

Rei looked up seeing that the light was coming through under the patch. "I knew the press conference was going to be really stressful for you, I though since you are always going out of your way to make me happy I wanted to return the favour somehow." She looked around her. "This place has been open for two years but I knew that you would probably not know about it as you've had a hard few years and you haven't really gone out much."

Asuka looked at her for a long moment. "Yeah that would be true." She met her gaze. "The press conference wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be in all honesty, I felt things were worse for Mari, Shinji and Kaworu, it's like they were trying to bury them."

Rei breathed in feeling Asuka put her arm around her shoulder. "Yeah that thing with Mari was disgusting I did love though that she threw it right back in their faces." She looked up slightly. "As for Shinji and Kaworu I expected that because they love to play me off against Shinji but it's no less annoying as neither of us need it right now."

Asuka looked at her for a long moment. "Thank you for sticking up for me when you did I realize that was hard for you because those two assholes love to paint me as a monster." Rei eased up a hand running it through her long red hair. "I enjoyed defending you as you always defend me." She felt a sly smile form. "I thought the thing with Anneberg was very funny though, Tsutomu's face with that the boiling water moment I mean was that true what Mari said?"

Asuka raised her hand. "Half true, it only applies to young AI learning personality's not long running ones but he wouldn't know that and I wanted to watch him squirm since he was the one who made me feel like scheisse three years ago." She looked at her hand. "Plus he is still so sore about me punching him." Rei moved her hand taking the other woman's. "I know everyone brands that as one of your crazy impulsive moments but looking back I get it, he was discrediting your mothers work and insulting her."

Asuka took in a deep breath. "No that was me being impulsive but at the time I was so just so angry because I'd visited Germany some months before that press conference and my Grandma showed me my mothers lay out sketches for 02 and how it was going to look armoured up. Granted every plate on it is new now from years of use but the Evangelion body is still her concept, she even put in four eyes so if it took damage to the face the two others could still work."

Rei looked at her. "I only have one myself on 00." Asuka looked at her. "Yeah but its like this amazing chameleon swivel eye like you can turn your units eye only where as I'd have to turn 02's head, I love the new horned crest they gave you as well as it makes it look so furious." Rei looked at her for a long moment before speaking. "Kind of wish 00 had a mouth like 02 though I mean you can extend 02's jaws really wide and you have all those razor teeth its like you can use your units body as a weapon even when you have no weapons." Asuka breathed in deeply. "I never thought about it like that but you're right."

She turned as Elfriede reappeared with the menu's a big muscled man appeared behind her smiling. "Here are your menus." She turned. "This is my big brother Axel." Axel put his hands together. "It's so great that you're both here, we never thoughts you'd come here because he heard that Nerv's central Arcade has every restaurants under the sun."

Asuka looked at him. "Trust me they do not have a real German restaurant." Axel blinked in surprise. "Really?" Asuka breathed in deeply. "They have this weird Japanese, German food hybrid but it's not the same, because the food is not cooked in the old fashioned way." She put her hand her chest. "Trust me I love my food to taste like home and the only reasons I have not been here yet is because I've had a rough two years."

Axel's smile slowly widened. "All of our food is fresh in house, you know just like mama used to make." He paused looking uncertain as he spoke nervously. "I realize your both out to have fun but would it possible when you've finished your meal for us to get a photograph with you and get your autographs so we can put them on the wall?" Asuka looked up. "Sure that won't be a problem."

Rei turned eyeing him. "Of course we'd be happy to." Axel turned pointing at the wall. "We were thinking about putting a section up for you Rei you know since you're together and we are trying to get hold of one those large standing statues of the new 00 to go opposite the 02 one we already have but last week they all sold out. I mean from what I've heard they are having issues with supply and demand over you in terms of your merchandise recently." Rei blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Asuka felt a sly smile form. "Really can't imagine why." Rei smirked eyeing her. "Clearly must have something to do with the company I keep." She paused eyeing him. "On your wall though I would like one opposite Asuka it would mean a lot to me." Axel felt his smile widen. "We'll be sure to sort that out for the next time you come here." He leaned forward. "By the way you make a nice couple and I hope you have a long fulfilling relationship."

He leaned closer whispering in Rei's ear. "Plus we German's are such tigers we are ravenous in bed." Asuka eyed him seeing that Rei was laughing while trying to hide her blush. "Okay now that's enough, be nice to my girlfriend and go get us some drinks namely something nice tasting that's none alcoholic because we are both driving."

She watched him go as his sister pushed him playfully away shaking her head as they left. Rei breathed in recomposing herself. "Is he right though, I mean are you a ravenous tiger when you make love?" Asuka looked at her for a long moment as she fidgeted uncomfortably. "Not anymore in my past I was."

Rei looked at her for a long moment in all this time they had been together they not made love yet after what she'd experienced in the hot tub she suddenly wanted to because it seemed to her that the tiger was still there in force but all of the emotion was controlled and giving and she could imagine the experience being something deeply special and moving.

End of part 49