Evangelion 2: Rebuild (Q): The Changing Of Instrumentality

Chapter 2: Love Once Lost, Now Earned

Shinji opened his eyes to find himself no longer on a hill looking at the skies, but at a simple blank ceiling. Completely ignoring this factor, he lifted himself up in bed, taking in his surroundings.

His bed was queen-sized and made for two people, and was placed in the center of the room similar to the layout of a general hospital room. Two dressers were to his direct left and right, suggesting that this room was intended to be shared between two people. Shinji deduced from these factors that this room was made for a couple.

As he took in all of the details around him, Shinji noticed that he was wearing his sleeping attire. This confused him, as he had fallen asleep upon the hill with Rei in his usual uniform and—

Wait.

Shinji paused at this thought. Did that really happen? The room he was in itself reinforced this thought, sure. But he has woken up before in somewhere completely different from his previous position.

He looked up, and the same comment like every other time was said. This time however, with a touch of humor.

"Another unfamiliar ceiling. I seem to get used to this everytime…"

Shinji then tilted his head down, looking at the hand which Rei's tears had dripped onto during their reunion.

"…Still though, It felt so real…"

"…Because it was real."

He lifted his head to the source of the voice.

There he saw Rei, wearing a short and simple white nightdress that ended midway down her thighs. He blushed at the clothing she wore, noticing how revealing the attire was.

Completely innocent and unaware, Rei walked beside him and sat on the previously empty side of the bed.

"You look a bit confused, Ikari-Kun."

Shinji gave a mild chuckle and a small smile. "Well, it's to be expected when you have a weird dream of meeting your dead loved ones in the afterlife…"

The Bluenette just snuggled up to the brunette pilot's person, laying on the bed. Surprised by how bold Rei had actually become, he eventually rested his head back on the pillow.

"When did you get all soft on me?"

Rei just blushed, her pale face now a vibrant pink.

"By the way, I appreciate your help in trying to get me and dad to bond… Sorry your life ended the way it did. It's my fault-"

Shinji was interrupted by Rei placing an index finger over his lips and leaning closer to him. "It was never your fault, Shinji-Kun. I made the mistake that day of attacking Zeruel with that missile, not knowing it would not do anything. It's my fault." She looked at the bed in guilt.

Shinji took his hand and raised her face. "Hey! As you just said, you didn't know the consequences. I don't blame you for anything, either. You did great, but eventually something will have to get the better of us sometime."

Rei just smiled. And even though he was focused on her smiling face and her crimson red eyes, he could not help but notice the slight shiver she gave. Suddenly time-conscious once again, Shinji asked;

"How long do we have?"

"We have until 1000 hours to meet the 19th Angel of Life at the citadel. The time right now is 0715 hours… Why?"

Shinji thought; 'Perfect. Now's a good time more than any other.'

"Do you want to climb in with me? You look freezing…"

Rei blushed before giving a slow nod. As he pulled the covers back, she cuddled up next to him and rested her delicate yet athletic frame upon his muscular and well-built one.

"...It's strange."

"Hmm?"

"…You were my first for a few important moments in my life. You were my first friend. You were the first person I thanked. The first person I wanted to do a good deed for… What I want to say is that… You make me feel warm inside…"

Shinji tried to speak, but could not find the right words for the situation except for two choices that he now mashed into one.

"…I feel the same, Rei-Chan."

She looked into his eyes as he casted his eyes to the ceiling.

"The feeling where to even see that person makes you happy. When you share the same emotions as them and whenever they go through an emotional time, you want to be there for them. When you want to be around them solely just to make sure that they are alright…"

No longer looking at the ceiling, Shinji now looked directly at Rei.

"…What I'm trying to get that is that feeling is love, Rei-Chan. A-And even if it's not the same as how you feel, I love you anyway."

Rei just looked at him, each staring into each others eyes.

"…Why do I feel like you deserve better than me?"

"Because we all make mistakes that we're not proud of. But I'm with you on whatever decision you decide to make…"

Rei broke the hug, leaning over Shinji who was watching her every move as she slowly placed her lips upon his as they expressed their emotions regarding one another in a kinetic matter.

After the kiss, Rei found the words she wanted to say with the greatest smile on her face.

"…I love you too… Shinji-Kun."

And soon again they were encased in another passionate liplock.

After waking back up from their passionate moment from earlier on, Shinji and Rei were just leaving the apartment building where Rei lived.

"Whoa…" He could not stop thinking about the huge size of half of the skyscrapers in front of his eyes

"Let's go, Ikari-Kun!" And in a flash, Rei had pecked his cheek and ran off with a blush.

"H-Hey, Rei-Chan! Get back here!"

Shinji proceeded to chase his now-girlfriend to the ground floor where he eventually caught up with her and picked her up, swirling her around and generally being a cute couple. When they stopped, they proceeded to walk hand-in-hand to the nearby train station and hitch a ride to the citadel.

Once they reached the main building, Phoenix was waiting for them at the corresponding elevator.

"Hey. Glad to see you two have finally sorted things out between yourselves." She had stated as the elevator opened, revealing Kaworu and another very familiar face.

"Shinji!" Lieutenant Captain Misato Katsuragi rushed out of the elevator to greet her old charge and roommate.

"Misato! It's been way too long!" Shinji embraced her and instantly recognised the scent of her favourite beer on her jacket.

"Well anyway you two, we all need to head upstairs if you don't mind… You can have your reunion later…" Phoenix had now moved into the elevator, which now occupied the rest of the group. The old roomies had slowly entered the elevator and went up the thousands of floors which took only a short amount of time to cover.

When the elevator reached the executive floor, Shinji stepped out and noticed the huge window. Looking outside, he was struck in awe.

The height of the Citadel was large enough that from this window, you could see everything that happened in the city. What looked like the entrance to the heavens was seen enrolling new citizens into the city, and the distance covered was enough to see the edge of the heavens, despite the fact that those who have all died were still housed within this floating land.

"What you see here Shinji-Kun is Sovngarde, the floating city of the heavens. It is your home now, and your job is to assist in it's protection and safety."

And with that, they all walked into Phoenix's office to discuss their situation.

END OF CHAPTER 2: LOVE ONCE LOST, NOW EARNED

Hi guys, NotShinji here;

Well actually I'm Shinjiikari1995 on Twiiter, which is a Roleplay account… So I actually AM Shinji. Hooray, whiny bitchass turned witty new commander of NewNERV. Awesome.

I've read the reviews from a few people, and I want to say thanks to those who have taken the time to Read and Review. Your constructive criticism is very helpful in my improvement as a writer, and so every comment is much appreciated.

My basic plans for the series involves Shinji having more of a backbone. Because he is also going back through time and knows about Human Instrumentality, the plan is that he will attempt to prevent SEELE's plans of using Third Impact to control all life and become gods.

Gendo Ikari (That's Papa Shinji to you) and his desires for Human Instrumentality are to actually bring back Yui, his dead wife and Shinji's loving mother. So I'll plan to use this to my advantage, but at either rate Shinji will tell his father that he knows the truth about his secret work. This should add some decent plot twisting, so keep 'em peeled!

Sovngarde: The land of the heavens. The term is heard in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.