From: doc7dmz@aol.com (Doc7dmz)
Subject: [Eva][FanFic]From all Corners they Cried... Part 1 (Repost)

Disclaimer:  Neon Genesis Evangelion and all its characters belong to 
Gainax, ADV Films, and anyone else involved with it I may have forgotten.

Author's note:  11/18/99- This story is my first attempt at writing an 
Evangelion fan fiction piece.  Usually I'm prone to either Star Wars and 
Doctor Who, but this series is just so captivating that I had to jump right 
in.  I haven't yet had the pleasure of seeing either Death and Rebirth or 
End of Evangelion, so if somewhere in the course of this work I contradict 
something within them, you know why.  Criticisms, comments, and suggestions 
are all welcome and encouraged.  As I said, this is my first Eva fic so I 
want as much feedback as possible as to my handling of the characters, 
direction of the story, etc.  I can be reached at either doc7dmz@aol.com or 
Asuka_rocks@naboomail.com.  * . . .* indicates a character's thoughts.  
Without further rambling on my part, I present

"From all Corners they Cried..."
An Evangelion Fan Fic
by Dave Ziegler

Part One: "Two Days Before"
Version 1.3

	Asuka Langley Sohryu slipped quietly from her bath, a small smile of 
contentment sliding unnoticed across her lips.  Its tranquil radiance 
brightened her usually angered features.  A good bath always did this to her;
make her feel warm and peaceful.  The encompassing and embracing steam was 
like a guardian spirit.  It could shield her, at least temporarily, from any 
of the various worries that plagued her anywhere else.  Here Asuka was alone,
safe.  Nothing could touch her.
	Having dripped sufficiently in her estimation, Asuka dragged her feet
across a small frayed carpet, the coarse friction erasing the last traces of 
moisture there.  Getting up that extra bit earlier than usual had been worth 
it, Asuka realized.  She felt composed now, ready and willing to face 
whatever the day cared to offer.  Glancing in the full length mirror a few 
times before smiling in evident satisfaction, Asuka reached for a towel.  The
rack was empty. 
	 *Damn Misato!* she silently cursed.  Asuka had forgotten it was the 
one time a month that their guardian was actually responsible for taking 
care of the laundry, and so had not bothered to make sure there were clean 
linens in place.  She should have expected the entire fiasco before she even 
stepped into the water.  Misato was never reliable when it came to the 
domestic front.  Still, it wasn't entirely her fault.  Shinji knew as well 
as Asuka that Misato couldn't be trusted in this facet.  He should have 
anticipated it like usual, and done the laundry himself, the idiot!
	Well, she was Asuka Langley Sohryu and she'd be damned if something 
as trivial as lazy roommates would impede her any.  If there wasn't a towel,
then there wasn't a towel.  She would just march to her room like this.  
Asuka's lips thinned in determination as she seized her balled up nightshirt 
and slid the door quietly open.  A trail of empty beer cans indicated that 
Misato had long since left for NERV HQ, and the door to Shinji's room was 
still closed.
	"Good," Asuka whispered.  "I wouldn't want to give the little boy 
the satisfaction of having me ask him for help."  She listened closely for 
a few moments longer, straining to hear the faintest indication of stirring 
within Ikari's room.  *Right then,* Asuka thought, satisfied that Shinji 
was still asleep, *now's my chance.*

*	*	*

	Shinji fought to stay asleep, but the rumbling of his stomach 
eventually guided him out of bed and stumbling to the door.  He groped 
blindly for a few moments, searching out the latch and handle.  Grumbling 
about school work and the amount of sleep he had lost the previous night, 
Shinji slid the door open and began vigorously rubbing his eyes.  He hoped 
Asuka was awake, cooking breakfast today was not something he really felt 
up to doing.
	Shinji stepped from his room, fists still working away the fatigue.
	"PERVERT!" Asuka's thunderous tone crashed throughout the apartment 
and boxed Shinji into consciousness.  His eyes snapped open just in time to 
see a nude, glowering red head cock her fist back and land a punch squarely 
on his jaw.
	Shinji staggered, stepped upon an empty beer can and proceeded 
to tumble backwards in a mess of flailing limbs, before finally striking his
head on the corner of a table.

*	*	*

	Asuka peered down at Shinji as his eyes rolled into the back of his 
head and unconsciousness overcame any last flickers of movement.  Flashes of 
regret and fear flew across her features, but were quickly chased off by a 
mask of utter rage and disgust.  "SHINJI, YOU IDIOT!"

*	*	*

	"All right Asuka, what happened?"  Major Misato Katsuragi was not 
pleased.  She had been in the middle of a meeting with Ritsuko to discuss 
the latest results of the children's synchro tests when she had received a 
phone call on her cellular asking to her to come and retrieve Asuka and 
Shinji from a local doctor's office.  She had been initially fearful of some 
sort of incident at their school and had rushed off despite Ritsuko's 
protests.  Misato knew better now though.  The three of them were back in 
the apartment, Shinji sporting a mild concussion, stitches, and a wicked 
looking bruise, and Asuka fine, yet bridling under Misato's interrogation.
	"Look Misato, I already told you it was an accident!" Asuka 
challenged.
	"That bruise on his jaw doesn't look much like an accident to me.  
Have you two been fighting again?  Trying to kill one another now?"
	"It's okay Misato," Shinji quietly interjected, trying to defuse the 
situation.  His head still felt as if someone had decided to hold a tennis 
tournament inside, and the prospect of having to listen to Asuka go after 
Misato full blast conjured an image of rounds of pair's play furthering his 
pain.    "I'm all right."
	"You are suffering from a mild concussion Shinji, I would hardly say 
you're all right!"  Shinji wilted under Misato's glare and resigned himself 
to playing host to the championship match.
	"Misato's right you fool.  Sit down, shut up, and rest!" Asuka 
commanded.  "I can handle this myself."  While Shinji shrunk still further 
into his chair, Misato whirled on Asuka, an eyebrow slightly raised.
	"Don't look at me like that!  I had to carry him all the way to that 
damned office, I just want to make sure he lives long enough for me to exact 
payment for this stiff back!"  Shinji noted that for some reason Asuka had 
turned an even deeper shade of crimson.
	"Well perhaps you shouldn't have done anything to him then, Asuka!"  
When Misato wanted to she could drown out anyone in her path, but for now 
her parade ground voice was in check.  She was merely matching Asuka decibel 
for decibel. 
	"The little pervert deserved it, gaping at me like that!"
	"Once and for all," Misato ordered, "what exactly happened to cause 
all this?"
	Asuka stabbed an accusing finger at Shinji.  "Dummkopf here peeped 
at me while I was coming out of the bath."
	"Um, Asuka... you, you weren't exactly in the, uh, bathroom when I 
woke up this morning," Shinji ventured.
	"And whose fault was that?  She didn't clean any of the towels!  How 
else was I supposed to get back to my room?" Asuka thundered.
	"I'm sorry," Shinji stammered.  "I didn't realize..."
	"Don't apologize Shinji."  Misato cut off his protest with a quick 
wave of her hand.  "Asuka is the one who did the damage here, and she is the 
one who is going to do the apologizing."
	"WHAT?  I am going to apologize to HIM!?  It's just a bruise Misato!
Besides," Asuka sniffed, "I think baka Shinji here should consider himself 
lucky.  After all, any NORMAL man who saw me in such a state would die of 
instant and overpowering bliss."
	"Is that so?"  Misato's ire rose at the girl's arrogance.  Normally 
Asuka's unfailing self absorption did not bother Misato.  Granted, it 
rankled her when the girl constantly insulted Shinji, but she had decided 
early on not to interfere.  It had seemed best to allow the two of them to 
work out their differences in private.  After all, they would be living and 
working together, and it had seemed a necessity to be able to function 
without constantly antagonizing one another.  But now that Asuka had started
getting physically violent, well, it was time to draw the line.  "Now listen
to me Asuka..."  But Misato didn't have a chance to finish. 
	"Stop!  Both of you stop!"  Shinji leapt from his chair, clutching 
his head.  "This is not worth fighting over!"  He ran from the kitchen 
leaving both women momentarily stunned.
	"Baka," Asuka muttered.

*	*	*

	Asuka lay atop her bed, staring at the ceiling.  It wasn't fair.  
She didn't deserve to be punished like this.  It wasn't her fault baka 
Shinji had managed to step on one of Misato's beer cans and crack his head 
on the nearest available table.  All she had done was make sure he paid the 
price for being such a pervert.  It was within her right as the victim, 
after all.  Besides, didn't she deserve some credit for hiking across town 
with the fool on her back?  Asuka just knew that NERV SS had had a hearty 
chuckle at her expense observing that scene.
	"Ahh!  This is pissing me off!"  Asuka rolled over and buried her 
head under a pillow.  It was too late in the day now for her to go school, 
classes would be just about over.  And as part of her punishment she wasn't 
allowed to telephone Hikari or even listen to any of her cassettes.  Misato 
wanted Asuka to sit in her room and 'think about what she had done.'
	Well, Asuka knew damn well why she had done what she did.  It was 
perfectly reasonable after all.  To think Shinji had had the nerve to come 
out of his room when he did.  To think he had stepped out just as she was 
passing by without anything to cover her,  without anything to keep her 
hidden from his prying eyes.  He had taken advantage of her when she was 
vulnerable, when events hadn't been. . . Mein Gott, this was stupid!  Misato 
was just trying make her feel guilty because Shinji was her favorite.
	Well, Asuka wouldn't fall for it.  She knew why she had clocked him.
She knew exactly why.

*	*	*

	  Dinner had been a total waste that evening, even though Misato had 
tried her best to microwave something both her charges would enjoy.  
Shinji had secluded himself in his room, claiming he didn't feel well enough 
to come out and eat.  He had mumbled something about tennis and a headache, 
before burying himself underneath a blanket.  Frankly, Misato thought he was
just afraid he might act the catalyst and spark another fight.  So Asuka was
actually right about one thing, Shinji did need to develop himself a more 
reliable backbone.  Still, it was his own way, kind of endearing if you 
thought about it, and he always came through when you needed him the most.  
Best to let it rest then, and not press the boy.
	Then there was Asuka.  The girl hadn't even so much as spared Misato 
a glance, except to grimace at the meal on her plate and the instrument of 
its delivery.  Any attempt at conversation was quickly killed with a wall of 
deathly silence on Asuka's part.  She didn't even flinch when Misato had 
dangled their synchro test results in front of her, which did not bode well 
in the least.  Misato was still angry with the girl, no doubt about that, 
but it wouldn't do her or anyone else any good if she were to alienate Asuka.
She was, after all, one of the only three Eva pilots, and Misato was her 
immediate superior.  As well as her friend.  
	God, she was new at this parenting thing.  How long were you 
supposed to punish siblings for fighting anyway?
	Hah!  Siblings.  When did she ever start thinking of Asuka and 
Shinji like that?  As a matter of fact, when had she started looking at the 
three of them as a real family?
	Misato smiled, then snuggled herself deeper into the bed.  It didn't
matter when.  All that did was that the idea felt. . . right.

*	*	*
 
	  Asuka huddled beneath her covers.  Damn Misato!  Damn her, damn 
her, damn her!  Every time she closed her eyes all she saw was baka Shinji 
falling, hitting his head, or his limp body sprawled on the floor.  Asuka 
had tried not to give into Misato's trick, but with nothing else to do her 
thoughts continued to wander back over the day's events.  
	Ahh!  It was all Misato's fault!  Asuka couldn't get away from him.
The images of Shinji just continued to tumble throughout her mind, no 
matter how much Asuka tried to banish them.  All she wanted was some
sleep. . . and peace from the conflict.

[End Part One]


"From all Corners they Cried..."
An Evangelion Fan Fic
by Dave Ziegler

Part two: "The Focus" or "Ground Zero"
Version 1.3

	"Guten morgen Shinji."  Shinji Ikari eyed his roommate warily as he 
made his way to the kitchen table.  Asuka was smiling.  That was dangerous.  
Even more confusing, or disturbing if you thought about it, was the sizzling 
pan she was toiling over.  Asuka never cooked.  Never.
	"Um, good morning Asuka."  Shinji edged into a chair on the far side 
of the table, his eyes never leaving Asuka.  It was better safe than sorry, 
to be sure.  Asuka, cheeriness, and a combination of the two rather made 
Shinji want to run for the nearest shelter.  
	"And how are you feeling today?"  Asuka flipped a wedge of egg onto 
itself as the pan continued to crackle.
	"I'm. . . I'm much better, thank you."  Shinji let the silence 
linger for a few moments, struggling for something to say to a suddenly nice 
Asuka.  He was just too used to arguing with the girl.  Come on, think.  
"What are you doing, Asuka?"
	"I'm making breakfast of course."  She promptly lifted a mass of 
white and yellow omelet from the pan, dropped it on a plate, and deposited 
it in front of Shinji.  "Here you are.  Enjoy."
	"Wow, I didn't know you could cook."  Shinji took a quick bite of 
egg, eager to keep Asuka and this pleasantness going for as long as he could.
"What is it exactly?"  The egg was actually quite good, and he smiled his 
appreciation.  
	"It's an omelet.  An egg with cheese and vegetables.  And of course 
I can cook, idiot.  I went to college you know."  Asuka plopped the 
remaining egg on another plate and took the seat opposite Shinji.  Regarding 
her as she sat,  Shinji was beginning to feel better able to gauge Asuka's 
smile, now that the initial shock of seeing it had worn off.  It didn't 
quite have that 'I'm going to nail you this time baka!' look to it that most 
did when she meant him trouble.  Strange as it was starting, this could be a 
good day after all.
	"I know, I know.  I always thought they had cafeterias or something 
at universities," Shinji said around a mouthful of egg.
	"Yeah, they do, but you can't have expected me to eat that slop.  I 
lived in an apartment and had my very own kitchen," Asuka proudly stated.
	"Was it really that bad?"
	"Look at it this way third child.  Misato's cooking is something to 
anticipate compared to what they served."  Shinji nearly gagged on his food.
	"You're joking," he accused.
	"Not at all."  Asuka began to silently chew her own breakfast and 
stared down at the plate.  Come on, come on.  Keep the conversation going 
Shinji, he chided himself.
	"Misato's left already?"
	"Hmm?"  Asuka spared Shinji a momentarily dazed look.  "Misato?  Oh 
right.  Yeah, she left early again today.  Said something about having more 
work that needed catching up on.  Of course, I don't think she's going to do 
any work at all.  I'd give you odds Misato's just having an early morning 
rendezvous with Kaji."  This time Shinji actually did choke.
	"Asuka!  How can you say something like that?"
	"What?  It's probably true.  She's begun to take every opportunity 
to sneak off with him and leave us in a lurch."
	"Even so," Shinji said failing to fight back a deep flush, "it's not 
any of our business."  
	"Well, I suppose not," Asuka sighed.  "Not if you're going to be 
such a dull little boy on me."  Asuka returned her gaze to the plate and 
began to idly draw patterns with her utensil.  Suddenly she bounded out of 
her chair and pinned Shinji with an intense gaze.  "Hurry up and finish 
already, Shinji.  You are going back to school today, and we wouldn't want 
to be late."  Asuka danced to the sink, dropped her dishes and spun back to 
Shinji.  "We'll let Misato clean up.  After all, I'm sure she'll be the most 
energetic of any us once the day's through."
	Shinji watched, baffled, as she skipped out of the kitchen. 

*	*	*

	"Asuka, are you feeling all right?"  Shinji and Asuka were about 
halfway through their morning walk to school, and she had shown no signs yet 
of returning to her usual self.  Breakfast had been quite nice, but Shinji 
was beginning to become wary again.  If this perpetual state of boundless 
enthusiasm for him kept up, he might start believing the real Asuka had been 
abducted and replaced with an angel or something in their last battle.
	"Of course I'm all right.  I'm not the one with the waning 
concussion, am I?"
	"Well, no," Shinji stammered.
	"There you go.  You're the injured one here, so don't go worrying 
about me."  
	For the next few blocks, Shinji watched her in silence.  Asuka kept 
up a lively gait and her smile never fell out of place.  At this point, he 
wouldn't have been at all surprised if she suddenly started whistling.  It 
just wasn't Asuka.  The girl next to him was too picturesque, too happy, 
too. . . saccharine and artificial.
	"Asuka, why are you being so nice today?"
	"WHAT?" Asuka whirled on him.  "Are you trying to say that I can't 
be kind, third child!?"  Shinji stumbled a few steps away from her, taken 
aback at the entirely Asuka-like outburst.
	"Well, yes. . . I mean no. . . I mean, well, you're not usually.  To 
me at least."  He yanked his briefcase in front of his face, not wanting to 
tempt fate, and Asuka's fist, twice.
	"Thank God!" Asuka exclaimed.  "There might actually be something 
rattling around inside that head of yours.  Finally, I don't have to play 
little miss sunshine anymore.  Oh, it was really starting to irritate me!"
	Shinji peeked out from behind his case.  "Misato?" he ventured.
	"You've got it in one.  Misato told me if I didn't start acting 
kinder towards you she'd sign the authorization papers for my Unit-02 to be 
painted that hideous purple they have your Eva slopped in.  I couldn't let 
her do that to my baby, so you had your little breakfast and a taste of 
Asuka the housebroken."  Her expression suddenly darkened.  "Don't you expect
this to become a regular occurrence, I don't care what Misato threatens."
	Shinji watched as the old Asuka took control.  The forced smile was 
gone, and she reclaimed her proud and elevated posture.  For some reason 
quite beyond Shinji's understanding, he suddenly felt more comfortable 
walking with her.  "You know something Asuka, I. . . kind of like you better 
the way you are anyway."  The words slipped from his mouth before he 
realized what it was he was saying.  Asuka gaped at him, confusion 
momentarily overriding any other response.  Fortunately, before she was able 
to regroup, Shinji noticed Rei appear just a little way in front of them.
	Rei had just turned the corner from the alley up ahead, and 
maintained a steady walk.  Eager to escape whatever Asuka might conjure up 
for his loose tongue, Shinji sprinted to catch her.  "Hey, Ayanami!  Wait 
up."  Without a word, Rei paused just long enough for Shinji to get to her 
side, then resumed her progress.  "Good. . . morning. . . Ayanami,"he 
panted.
	"Good morning Ikari."  Her voice was flat, as usual.  Lacking any 
intonation or inflection, it merely cut through the waves instead of riding 
them.
	"Aren't you usually at school by now?" he asked finally reclaiming a 
steady breath.  "That is, uh, on those days you actually come."  Shinji 
stumbled through the question, unwilling and unwanting to probe too deeply.
	"I had obligations to meet this morning," Rei stated.
	"Licking the commander's boots again wondergirl?" Asuka jibed, 
having finally closed the distance between Shinji and herself.  Remaining 
impassive to Asuka, Rei stopped at the next street corner and faced Shinji.  
	"I walk this path to school.  Good-bye Ikari."
	"See you later Ayanami," Shinji flung the parting at the girl's 
retreating back.  He wasn't sure he would ever quite understand Rei Ayanami.
Even if she didn't enjoy dealing with people as he, it didn't explain her 
almost robot-like lack of feeling.  The only time he had ever even seen her 
smile had been when he'd coaxed her into it after just slipping past death 
at the hands of an angel.  
	"I can't believe she ignored me again!"  Asuka's shriek tore Shinji 
from his reverie about Rei.  "Of all the conceited things to do, just 
because she's Commander Ikari's little doll they let her get away with all 
kinds of crap they'd nail us for!"
	"Asuka."  Shinji's voice began to waver.
	"I just won't stand for it, do you hear me!  I will not stand for 
it!"
	"ASUKA!"
	Voice.  A crack of thunder.  Once.  Twice.  Three times.

*	*	*

	Blackness.
	"Hello?"  Asuka's voice rang through the expanse, echoing, then 
finally faded into nothingness.  It was dark here, lonely and cold.  She 
could feel no warmth, see any light, nor catch any fragrance.  The very 
emptiness of the place frightened her to death.
	Death.
	Well, considering what had just happened she could very well 
be. . . No, No, NO!  No.  That wasn't an alternative.  It couldn't be.  
Circumstance wasn't that cruel, was it?
	A cone of light.  A body.
	Rei.
	Rei Ayanami.
	"Oh Christ, as if being here wasn't punishment enough!"  Asuka flung 
her hands heavenward in agitation.  "Now I have to deal with you too, 
wondergirl?"  Secretly, she was glad the first child had appeared.  The halo 
of light illuminating her would, at least, allow Asuka to determine wherever 
it is she was.  That had been the theory anyway.
	Rei stood on a black even floor which sped off into the distance.  
The bright white and green of her school uniform contrasted viciously with 
the sheets of darkness that flanked her.  Okay, so the light didn't do a 
whole hell of a lot of anything in terms of helping her see.  It was still 
somewhat comforting to have around.
	"Do not call me that," Rei intoned.
	"What?" Asuka challenged.  "Wondergirl?"  If she was going to end 
up trapped in this hell, wherever it was, she most definitely was not going 
to passively endure this aloof little bitch.
	"Yes."
	"And why shouldn't I?  Does it hurt your feelings?" she sneered.  
"Oh wait, I'm sorry.  You don't have any, do you!?  Doll!"
	"This is a deception.  If you embrace deception you will not 
survive," Rei answered.  Damn the girl, why couldn't she react for once?  
Why couldn't she just crumble?
	"What the hell are you talking about?"  Rei suddenly lunged forward, 
grabbed Asuka by the shoulders, and pulled her into the circle of light.  A 
startled cry escaped Asuka's lips.  She had been hoping for a reaction, but 
never thought wondergirl would have the guts to actually go after her.
	"Asuka Langley Sohryu.  The second child.  Designated pilot of 
Evangelion Unit-02.  All these things, yet more.  You face ahead of you an 
arduous journey.  I may aid you in surviving, if you allow it."
	"What makes you think I would let you help me do anything!?" Asuka 
snarled, shoving Rei away from her.
	"If you wish completion, you will permit it.  Think on it, Sohryu.  
We shall speak again."  And Rei was gone.

*	*	* 

	Asuka awoke screaming.  It was a cry of frustration and anger, one 
quickly replaced by excruciating pain.
	"Hold her down!  Hold her down, before she aggravates the injury!"  
Voices flew around her, bucking and weaving past her head and occasionally 
deciding to dip in an ear to whisper hints as to just what was going on.  
Asuka didn't much care though.  Such pain as she had never experienced was 
crashing up and down the length of her side with the force and consistency 
of a raging geyser.  As if by doing so it would somehow perform a miraculous 
warding, Asuka screwed her eyes shut and bit firmly down upon her lip to 
prevent any further cries from escaping.  She could feel several pairs of 
hands grab hold of her, and slowly force her down.  Her head hit a great 
soft lump, 'pillow' Asuka reminded herself hazily, and slowly the bursts 
began to ease into a comfortable ache.
	Once her breathing settled and a pair of cool hands had clutched her 
wrist, Asuka heard a quick series of footsteps clap across the floor and the 
heavy rattling of a door swinging shut.  For a moment following the parade, 
there was nothing but silence.
	"Asuka?  Asuka listen to me, I know you are awake.  You need to 
avoid any further sudden movements of the upper body.  We don't want to risk 
you making things worse for yourself, okay?"
	Asuka knew that voice.  It was the same one that had been yelling 
before.  It belonged to. . . belonged to. . .  Oh yes, Dr. Akagi.  That was 
it.  Dr. Ritsuko Akagi.
	"Fine," Asuka's voice came out cracked and hoarse.  God, her throat 
was dry.
	"Good.  Now, we have managed to remove the bullet and repair most of 
the damage, but the healing will take some time. . ."  Asuka's thoughts 
erupted in a jumble, swiftly masking anything else Ritsuko said.  Bullet, 
bullet, boy, gun, Eva pilots think they're something else don't they?better 
than the rest of us?, shinji, crack, crack, no, no, no, god help us, shinji, 
crack. . . Shinji.  ". . . hit your left shoulder, so it will be painful 
for quite awhile yet, and you might not immediately have full use of it," 
Ritsuko continued to dictate.  "Now. . ."
	"Shinji," Asuka croaked, finally cracking open her eyes.  They felt 
sluggish, content, almost as if she'd been asleep most her life and they had 
become accustomed to the position.
	"Misato is with Shinji, don't worry."  gungunboyguncrackshinji... no.
	"What happened to HIM!?"  

*	*	*

	Shinji Ikari woke up.  He didn't immediately make any attempt to 
move, his body felt too strange.  The left side of his chest and shoulder 
tingled, like someone was moving about above him lightly pricking him every 
few moments with a needle point.  And his head, his head was absolutely 
throbbing.  It was worse than he had felt right after the concussion.  
Forget about tennis, this was comparable to one of those American football 
matches.
	  Shinji opened his eyes expecting to see the flat white of the 
Infirmary ceiling.  After all, where else could he be if he felt this 
terrible and woke up in what definitely felt like a bed?  Although, the 
exact reason for his current state of malady seemed to slip past his 
conscious grasp.  He had probably been injured in another angel attack.  
Again.
	When his eyes finally slid completely open, Shinji was surprised.  
The now familiar infirmary ceiling didn't greet him as he expected.  
Everything around him was dark, a collage of black masses and blacker lumps.
Maybe someone had forgotten to turn the lights on?  Maybe the power was out?
No, that didn't make any sense.  Shinji could hear some kind of machine 
beeping and chattering just off to his side.
	"What's going on?" he whispered.
	"Shinji?  Are you awake?"  That voice, God was he glad to hear that 
voice.
	"Mi. . . Misato, what's happening?  Where are you?"

*	*	*

	Despite her parched mouth and throat, Asuka had managed that last 
verbal assault upon Ritsuko with a healthy dosage of volume and vehemence.  
Ritsuko, for her part, stared at Asuka for a moment, then simply shrugged.
	"Shinji took the first two bullets.  You the third.  The initial 
shot entered his body near the left collar bone, and imbedded itself there.  
We have since removed it, and attended to what damage we could.  The second 
grazed low near his left temple, tearing flesh, bone, and most everything 
else.  There were certain damages, however, that we could not repair."
	"Certain damages?"  Asuka suddenly found her inner fire fading and 
suffocating, and could not muster any strength to put behind the query.  It 
came out weak, trembling. . . disgusting.  Damn it, and she couldn't help 
herself.  She just could not stop.
	"The second bullet caused some severe damage to the surrounding 
nerve tissue.  Many of the connections were shattered and irreparable.  To 
be blunt, the immediate result of this damage concerns his eyes.  He's blind,
Asuka."  
	Asuka could find no reply.  Her head simply sank deeper into the 
pillow, her body suddenly apathetic.  "The boy who attacked you is dead, of 
course.  There were a few witnesses, but intelligence was able to provide us 
with most of the details.  I understand Shinji acted very bravely."
	God, not this.  "Shut up," Asuka whispered.
	"Actually, if I'm interpreting the reports correctly, I'd say that 
Shinji would not have been as seriously injured if he hadn't tried to shield 
you.  In fact, the second  bullet would most likely have missed him 
completely."
	"SHUT UP!" Asuka exploded.  Her face was flushed a bright red and 
she held the infirmary sheet in two viciously balled fists.  It was becoming 
increasingly difficult to control herself, as her emotions continued to 
rapidly jackknife.
	"You asked," Ritsuko said.
	Asuka took a few precious moments to try and gather herself as best 
she could.  A few moments to wall away everything that was assaulting her, 
leaving her this pathetic vacillating creature.  "Kaji?" Asuka managed to 
ask.
	"What about him?"
	"Is he here?" 
	"No.  He never came."  
	Asuka closed her eyes.

*	*	*

	Misato Katsuragi stepped from Shinji's room within the infirmary.  
She couldn't stand to see him like that any more, crushed and lifeless.  
Once he had pried the information concerning his condition from her, Shinji 
had shakingly held his hand near his face and waved it back and forth a few 
times.  He then collapsed onto the bed, unwilling to move or speak.  It was 
as if he were catatonic instead.
	  Misato could feel the cold, hard edge of a knife twisting around 
inside her chest, aiming for those things she cherished most.  And doing a 
damned good job of it at that.  Still, at least Asuka was all right.  
Ritsuko had said her injury was relatively minor compared to Shinji's.  She 
could be thankful for that, at least.
	Tears began to suddenly struggle to the surface, but Misato 
staunchly fought them back.  There would be time to cry later.  Right now, 
there were people in Intelligence who needed their collective asses 
kicked. . . and Misato felt she had the biggest foot around.

*	*	*
	
	"Well, Fuyutsuki?"
	"It still seems problematic at best to me.  We are operating under 
some rather tenuous extrapolations here," he replied.  Gendo Ikari smirked.
	"We shall see."
[End Part two]  


End Notes:  1)  I do not tackle the topic of blindness lightly.  I have 
family who are, and I must deal with the looming possibility.  I am not 
making light, and do not want to offend anyone.  Just so we are clear.  
2)  Having said that, know that I'm not a doctor, so if this isn't entirely 
medically accurate, well. . . sorry.  Just remind yourself that it's a fic 
and you really should relax, as they say on MST3K.  Or at least they would.  
3)  I need to do some cultural research regarding the common dishes served 
for breakfast in Japan.  As if that wasn't evident.

From: doc7dmz@aol.com (Dave Ziegler)
Subject: [Eva][FanFic] From all Corners they Cried, Part 3


Disclaimer:  Neon Genesis Evangelion is the property of Gainax, 
A.D.V Films, and other such people.  I'm making no profit off this 
work whatsoever, so let's put the lawyers away now.  Thanks ever so 
much.

Author's Notes:  All comments, criticisms, and lengthy explanations as
to why I should have never have tried to write an Eva fic in the first
place are welcome.  I can be reached at Doc7dmz@aol.com, 
Asuka-chan@fanfix.zzn.com, or Asuka_rocks@naboomail.com.  
Take your pick.  Many, many thanks to Axel Terizaki and Misty Ikari 
for sitting through and offering advice on the six some odd drafts of 
this chapter.  It's good to have people keeping you honest.  
1) * . . . * shows thoughts. 
2) <. . .> shows the other side of a telephone conversation.


	He was sleeping.  Yet for Shinji Ikari this act held no respite,
no rest.  His body gave way to another tossing fit, twisting the layer of
flat white sheets further round his legs and forcing their edge into a
bunched and wrinkled mass that lay stomach high.  His hospital gown, the
same pale hue as both the sheets and room itself, clung to his chest
through a thin sheen of perspiration, a visible signal of his agitation
and discomfort. 
	A small chair stood stiffly beside Shinji's bed, its occupant
holding a lengthy watch over the boy.  Rei Ayanami had done this before,
had watched over Shinji as he recovered from injuries sustained during
their conflicts with the Angels.  He had always seemed peaceful when in
bed, disseminating an aura of unaware comfort.  Never before had she seen
him so . . . active while in the throes of sleep.  It was curious. 
	Suffering another spasm, Shinji spun over, returning to his back
and feebly clutching at the surrounding covers.  Rei stared intently as
his mouth worked, but the word he struggled to form refused to produce
itself.  Finally, a thin and brittle voice worked its way to the surface. 
"A. . . Asuka," Shinji pleaded.  "Asuka."  Rei blinked.  Once.  Then she
resumed her vigil. 

"From all Corners they Cried"
An Evangelion Fan Fic
by Dave Ziegler
Part three:  "Fallout/Two Days Hence"
Version 1.5

	"Miss Sohryu?  Miss Sohryu?"  Asuka lay upon the bed and refused
to open her eyes.  The nurse could call until her voice gave out or hell
froze over, Asuka didn't care which.  She wasn't going to respond.  What
would be the point?  They were probably just after her for another round
of prodding and changing.  Why they needed to stare at her wound in idle
contemplation every time someone removed the dressing on her shoulder was
a complete mystery to Asuka.  Couldn't they just change the damn thing and
be done with it?  There was no need to ogle her pain like a bunch of
torturous school children playing with a bug each and every time the door
opened. 
	The worst thing of it was that the doctors and nurses were the
only actual people who did come through the door.  Kaji hadn't come to
visit her yet.  Talk about self absorbed, ignoring her at a time like
this.  Asuka couldn't believe she had actually. . . oh the bastard was
probably off somewhere jumping into a broom closet with Misato just to get
his kicks.  He couldn't care less what happened to her.  Asuka couldn't
give him what he wanted, and so she fell by the wayside, nothing more than
a nagging consideration. 
	And then there was Misato.  To think Asuka had actually believed
that she would come to check on her.  She had almost begun to buy into
Misato's little myth that she was more to her than just an Eva pilot. 
That she wasn't a responsibility.  Instead of acting upon and validating
her words, Misato had run right to hug, cry over, and hold her little
Shinji; afterward, she never returned.  Asuka couldn't have asked for a
sharper and more decisive kick in the teeth to help steer her back to a
clear view of reality. 
	"Miss Sohryu," the nurse continued to badger.  "You do remember
you are going to be released later today?  I need to give your shoulder
one last look before we return you to the custody of your guardian.  So
sit up slowly please." 
	*Great,* she thought acidly.  *Home.  With Misato and that. . .
and that. . .* Asuka firmly shut away any further thoughts on the matter
before slowly pushing herself up off the bed. 

*	*	*

	  Misato glanced at Asuka who was perched upon the passenger seat
and staring pointedly out of the window.  The flickering streetlights
flashed across the girl as Misato sped by, displaying momentary glimpses
of her face, and revealing more to her guardian than Asuka would have
desired. 
	"Asuka, are you sure you feel up to coming home?  You look a
little on edge."  On edge really wasn't the proper word to describe it. 
The second child

wasn't just nervous, she was absolutely riddled with tension.  Her
shoulders were hunched and both her neck and face were stiff, as if they
had been carved from wood.  Across her lap, Asuka's fingers danced a
constant waltz with one another, ducking and riding between each hand. 
She wasn't sure which, but it seemed likely to Misato that Asuka would
either explode or breakdown from whatever she was wrestling with.  While
Misato could understand her struggle, she also knew that neither
eventuality was really preferable.  Not at the moment, and not with Shinji
in the state he was.  Misato needed one of them to be strong.  She was so
close to the edge herself that she sought in one of the children the
reassurance to replenish her own demeanor. 
	Misato had always assumed it would be Asuka. 
	Damnit all, the girl was just shot.  Who the hell was she to be
sitting there expecting Asuka to come back home, pride and arrogance in
place and ready to tackle the world after such an ordeal?  She was the
adult here and should not be relying on the children to help her cope.  It
was her position to aid and comfort them, not the other way around.  She
could be weak in her bedroom or not at all.  End of story. 
	"I'm fine Misato," Asuka mumbled unconvincingly.  The car raced
through the deserted night for another few moments.  The streets were
black, bleak, and

bare, clutching an almost surreal abstinence from life.  "Misato?" 
	"Yes," she answered, risking another glance at her charge. 
	"Where is Shinji?  Wasn't he released today too?" 
	"Yes.  Yes, he was.  I picked him up earlier in the day and
brought him home.

Ritsuko had finished all of her tests and he was in such a bad state. . .
I just thought getting Shinji back home as quickly as possible would the
best thing for him." 
	"Why didn't you collect me at the same time then?" Asuka quietly
questioned. 
	"You know how emotionally fragile Shinji is Asuka, and, well, the
doctors told me that they wanted to make one or two more checks on your
shoulder before they released you.  Some precautionary ones to make
completely sure that there was no sign of an infection setting in." 
	"Oh," Asuka said, then muttered something silently to the window. 
Misato was about to question the last the phrase when Asuka leant her head
against the seat and resumed silently staring outside.  Well, whatever it
was it could wait.  Misato did have something more important to ask her. 
	"Listen Asuka.  I have some work that needs to be finished
tonight, so I'll be returning to NERV once we get you home.  While I'm
gone, I would like you to watch out for Shinji.  Try to make sure he stays
optimistic and takes care of himself, okay?"  Then Misato smiled warmly at
her charge.  "Take care of yourself also, Asuka."
	"Yeah.  Whatever you say," Asuka replied without turning. 

*	*	*

	Misato slammed her fists against the uncompromising keyboard of
her terminal.  Since leaving Asuka at the apartment she had made her way
back to NERV to try and gather all the details of the attack on the
children.  She had yet to be fully briefed on the situation as she had
spent most of her time with Shinji or listening to doctors' reports.
Unfortunately, when she had visited Section-02 to speak with the secret
service agents who had been shadowing Shinji and Asuka that day she had
been told that those individuals were unavailable, and that she was to
return to her duties and let them handle the details.
	Rather pissed, in the absolute angriest sense of the word, Misato
returned to her office and decided to pull the files on the shooting. 
From them she could attain the names of the agents involved, and then pull
their own active duty files so she might discover what was keeping them so
indisposed.  When she tried to access it however, the database showed no
records of any kind pertaining to a shooting involving the second and
third children and a rather large hole where the duty roster for Alpha
rotation should have been. 
	"Just what the hell is going on here!?" Misato snapped, glaring
down at her monitor. 
	"What's the matter sunshine?"  Kaji strolled into Misato's office,
hands stuffed carelessly in his pockets and a half cocked grin on his
face.  "Something troubling you?" 
	"Cut the crap Kaji."  Kaji pointed to himself, radiating
innocence.  Misato swung her glower from the computer to her new guest. 
"And you can haul your smug ass right back out of here.  I don't have the
time to play around." 
	"I'm hurt Katsuragi.  After all we've been through.  I thought I'd
come and help you to ease your frustration.  You know, a little song, a
little dance, a bit of a dally with my. . ." 
	"Don't even finish that sentence!" Misato barked. 
	"Not even once, Katsuragi?"  Kaji grinned as he turned her radio
on and dialed up the volume. 
	"Can't you tell when your not wanted?" 
	"I beg to differ.  I have something you want very much." 
	Misato cringed.  "Listen, Kaji.  I know we've been. . . doing
things lately, but we're not in college anymore.  We can't just. . ." 
	"Section-02," Kaji quietly interjected.  Misato sobered instantly
and sank back into her chair. 
	"I'm listening." 
	"The men you're looking for, those comprising the late Alpha
rotation, are no longer in Japan.  They were transferred to the third
branch in Germany yesterday." 
	"What?  By why would they be. . ." 
	"Moved so suddenly?" Kaji interrupted.  "That remains to be seen." 
	Misato's eyes narrowed as her mind conjured implications and
scenarios.  "This doesn't feel right at all." 
	"No, it doesn't.  And there's still even more to consider,
Katsuragi.  Those men in Section-02 are professional killers.  Does it
stand to reason that an average junior high school boy would be able to
confront the children, draw his weapon, and fire three shots before being
eliminated?" 
	As Misato's face darkened, Kaji flipped off the radio, leaned over
the chair, and pulled her into a kiss.  When he finally stepped away, Kaji
wore a very self satisfied grin and winked at Misato.  "You're still the
best ever, Katsuragi."  And then he stepped from her office. 

*	*	*

	Asuka lay on the couch, her legs curled behind her and head
resting upon a stray pillow.  Her body trembled slightly every few
moments, causing a strange and twisted shadow to fall across the wall in
the low glow of the television set.  Upon stepping into the apartment,
Asuka's hand had flailed lifelessly at the light switch until finally her
fingers caught and struck the lever, shutting her away from the influence
of the fixtures and lamps. Somehow, all that light and warmth just hadn't
felt right at all.  It was too. . .  normal. 
	Once the room had been draped in evening's gown, Asuka had hauled
herself up onto the couch and flicked the television on.  It had seemed as
good a way as any to momentarily forget about Misato, Kaji, the bandages,
the sling:  everything. 
	However, the television held no sway over her; Asuka stared right
through the flickering images that inhabited the screen, and found her
mind pushing back toward those forbidden subjects.  Misato.  Misato had
asked her to check on Shinji, to watch over Shinji.  But why the hell
should she do anything Misato asked?  The woman had coned and toyed with
her until Asuka slipped and found herself believing in someone again. 
Misato had toyed with her, both here and back in Germany.  HER!  ASUKA
LANGLEY SOHRYU! 
	But Shinji. 
	Shut up.  What about Shinji? 
	Shinji protected you. 
	Who the hell cares?!  That baka is always trying to play the hero. 
Everyone just loves the invincible Shinji.  That's why he did it, no other
reason.  None at all! 
	Are you sure? 
	Shut up! 
	For now.

*	*	*

	Arms folded beneath her chin, Rei Ayanami laid upon her bed and
stared up and out a small square window.  The moon was full and bright
tonight, its shine spilling into her apartment and washing over her hair
and face.  The only discernible movement in the entire apartment was the
infrequent shifting of her eyes. 
	*I believe Ikari would enjoy this,* she thought.  *It is. . .
wrong that he now be incapable of doing so.* Rei had remained with Shinji
through each and every night that he had been in the hospital, simply
watching him.  Nothing else.  The last night before his return to Major
Katsuragi's custody, he had said something in his sleep.  Something that
still puzzled Rei.  'Asuka.' He had spoken the second child's name. 
	Why had he called for her?  Was it because he desired her
presence?  Ikari had been injured, did he go to the second child when this
occurred?  Pain.  Did she somehow avert his pain?  Rei attempted to wrap
her mind around such a foreign and abstract concept.  She was familiar
with physical pain, piloting Eva had made very sure of that.  But Rei was
also aware of something else the others experienced, something that hide
within her own being, just outside of her grasp. 
	Perhaps if she truly understood this pain, she would be able to
conclude why Ikari had called for the second. 
	Yes, perhaps. 

*	*	*

	  Asuka stood before the door to Shinji's room.  Its white panes
were thin yet obtrusive, blocking her away from any revelation of what was
held within.  Well, there wasn't much point standing around then.  She
would just have to go in wouldn't she?  There was nothing wrong with it
after all, she was simply performing a duty.  Just like when she had
carried the idiot to the doctor's office after he had managed to concuss
himself.  Misato could think whatever she wanted to, Asuka wasn't doing
this as any sort of favor.  It was all about orders and duty.  The
military obligation. 
	Her obligation. 
	She reached slowly forward, her hand coming to rest just
centimeters from the door's handle.  *Come on, get on with it already. 
The way you're shaking someone might actually think you were afraid to see
him,* Asuka berated herself.  Sucking in a deep breath and finally forcing
her hand to cease its infernal quivering, she quickly grabbed the handle
and eased the door along its track. 
	*There.  That wasn't so hard, was it?  Now, just take a quick look
in and make sure he hasn't done anything stupider than his norm.  Yeah,
that's the ticket.  A quick in and out.  There's really no reason to hang
around.*
	Asuka stepped slowly into Shinji's room, intensely aware of the
thick and oppressive darkness that cloaked it.  She shivered as it pressed
inward, a chilling reminder of something she couldn't quite lay a finger
on but knew and feared nonetheless.  Suddenly the presence of light
fixtures seemed an unbelievable and intensely desirable boon, instead of a
mocking reminder of normality. 
	Groping slowly along the wall for the proper switch, Asuka's
inching fingers finally slid over a thick downcast nub.  Entirely too
pleased that she had found the device, Asuka flipped the switch upwards
and doused the room in a flood of a hard white light.  When her eyes had
finally eased up and readjusted, she instantly noticed that Shinji lay
upon his bed staring directly at her.  Asuka choked, suddenly unable to
think of anything to say or do.  He was supposed to be asleep or absorbed
in that SDAT player of his, not ready and waiting to pounce on her.  It
was just in and out, in and out.  No looks, conversation, any. . . 
	Wait.  Shinji wasn't looking at her, it was like he was staring
through her.  Asuka's temper began to flare.  Just what the hell was he
doing?  She had been kind enough to come and check on the idiot, the least
he could do was acknowledge her presence and thank her for her trouble. 
But no, he was just going to lay there doing his best impression of
Wondergirl and completely disregard her presence.  Asuka balled her
available fist, letting her ire take over and suffuse her mind with a
reddish fugue. 
	"WAKE UP, BAKA!" she exploded. 
	"Asuka?" Shinji muttered feebly, inclining his head slightly in
her direction.  "I didn't notice you come in.  I'm sorry." 
	"What the hell do I look like to you?  A pane of glass?" 
	Asuka watched with sudden horror as Shinji's placid features
twisted into a disturbed caricature of the boy she knew.  "Actually, you
look like a great grey blob," he snickered.  "Everything's a great grey
blob." 
	"Just what is that supposed to. . ." Asuka began not willing to
pale simply because Shinji was acting strange, but quickly slapped a hand
over her mouth.  Oh God, what was she doing?  How could she have. . .  how
could she have. . .  Oh God, oh shit, oh God.  She had forgotten. 
FORGOTTEN!  And then she had yelled. . . oh God. 
	Asuka eyes were wide and her mouth moved silently, struggling for
something, anything to say to repair what she had just done.  "Shinji. . .
I didn't mean. . . just forgot. . ."  Asuka's breathing was becoming
steadily more ragged as fear and pain tightened their grip on her.  "I'm.
. . I'm sor. . . I'm sorr. . ."  The words were choked, desperately
outside of her reach. 
	Unable to express anything, Asuka gave a brief shriek of emotional
frustration and quickly ran from the room.  Shinji, recognizing the rapid
thumps of Asuka's departure, rolled onto his back and brought his hand
before his face.  "Grey.  Everything's grey and black.  Asuka.  I can't
even appreciate. . . You're there, but not really.  It only feels real if
I picture you in my mind.  And that's just a lie, a fiction.  It's not
true.  I've nothing left to hold on to.  It's all so worthless," he
muttered.  "Worthless."

*	*	*

	Something harsh and buzzing invaded the sleep filled mind of Touji
Suzuhara.  He desperately tried to ignore the sound, to preserve his
sleep, but it would not yield.  Finally giving up, Touji rolled out of bed
and snatched up the offending phone. 
	"Yes," he snapped, thoroughly irritated after having been woken
up. 
	<Touji!> Kensuke Aida's voice roared through the phone.  <I caught
you.  Great.>
	"Kensuke?" Touji mumbled, still trying to recover his wits.  "Do
you realize how late it is? I was sleeping." 
	<Of course I realize, but this is important.>
	He grimaced.  "It better be, or I'm gonna pound you for all you're
worth tomorrow."
	<It's about Shinji and Asuka.  Well, Shinji at least.  I just
threw Asuka in for corroboration.>
	"They've been absent from school.  I know that already, Kensuke," 
Touji replied grumpily. 
	<They've been gone for three straight days.  Rei's been missing
for the past two,> Kensuke excitedly pointed out. 
	"Come on, Kensuke.  You know more than I do about all that weird
testing NERV makes them go through.  They're probably just training. 
Besides, Rei's absent all the time anyway." 
	<Aren't you the least bit concerned about Shinji, Touji?>
	"Well, yeah.  But that doesn't mean I'm going to jump to
conclusions or wake my friends up in the middle of the night.  If you're
so worried and can't wait, why don't you call Shinji and talk to him?" 
	<I tried, but no one answered the phone.>
	"Well, maybe their not home!" 
	<This late at night?> Kensuke suddenly paused, and Touji swore he
could fee his friend's eyes growing wide.  Oh boy.  <Maybe the government
has kidnapped them, and are subjecting them to strange and terrible
experiments to discover what makes them capable of synchronizing with
their Eva's!>
	"Yeah, and maybe the red haired devil will ask you out on a date. 
Listen Kensuke, I'm tired and I want to get back to bed.  But just so we
can find out what's going on, and so you can leave me alone, if Shinji's
not in school tomorrow we'll stop by his place afterwards and check on how
he's doing.  Okay?" 
	<Fine,> Kensuke said, unhappy that his theory was being paid such
little mind. 
	"Great.  Good night." 
	Touji dropped the receiver back into its cradle and sighed in
exasperation before making his way back to bed. 

*	*	*

	The cone of light snapped to life, enveloping the slight form of
Rei Ayanami.  She said nothing at first, but simply stood, awaiting
recognition. 
	"You again," Asuka spat, her backed turned to the girl.  "What do
you want?  And why the hell is it so dark in here?" 
	"I have often wondered that myself," Rei said, stepping nearer to
the girl.  "But as this place was not of my creation, I can do nothing but
guess." 
	Asuka whirled on Rei, her face twisted and livid.  "What do you
mean?  You're the one who dragged me here, I know it!  And only you seem
to be able to make that light, so you must know what's happening!" Asuka
thundered, accenting each word with an upturned fist. 
	"It is true, the light is my own.  But this place is not."  Rei
raised a slender finger and gestured toward Asuka.  "You, pilot Sohryu,
are responsible for these surroundings." 
	"What the hell are you talking about?  I can't even make that
damned light, so how could I be responsible for all this?" 
	Rei stood silent for a moment, contemplating her next words.  "You
are not ready to create the light." 
	"Why not!?" Asuka fumed. 
	"I cannot say why." 
	"Ahh!  You are seriously pissing me off, Wondergirl!  I want some
answers." 
	Rei inclined her head, almost as if grateful for Asuka's demand. 
"Your trial has begun, and you have not fared well so far, Sohryu.  You
escape and so you fail.  Reverse this course and yet you may prevail." 
	"You are hopeless!  Misato's made more sense than that after nine
beers!"  Asuka loomed over her fellow pilot, fists balling ever tighter. 
She still didn't understand what was happening, why she kept finding
herself in this atrocious darkness, but Wondergirl there seemed to be
grasping it all and not telling her.  The bitch was mocking her, throwing
the fact of her superior station in this environment in her face. 
	Asuka's eyes fell shut and her jaw clenched until it felt as if
her teeth would explode from the pressure.  "I'LL KILL YOU!" she screamed
and launched herself forward, arms outstretched and ready to seize Rei's
neck. 
	But Rei was already gone. 

*	*	*
	
	"Hello Shinji."  The voice was soft, warm, inviting.  A slow but
earnest mix of violins and cellos floated about, playing just beneath the
melody of the voice.  For some reason he could not explain, Shinji Ikari
felt at ease.  He slipped gently forward on his seat and attempted to
identify the person opposite him. 
	"Yes?" he asked, a slight smile showing his appreciation of the
surrounding concert. 
	"How do you feel?" 
	"How do I feel?" Shinji echoed.  He was still unable to see past
the well placed shadows that concealed his companion.  The violins and
cellos began

to suddenly race, anticipation strumming an excited and tense symphony. 
	"Yes, Shinji.  How do you feel?  I'm concerned.  After all, you
just lost your sight."  The train car pitched into darkness, eliciting a
yelp of surprise from Shinji. 
	"What the hell is going on?"  The voice smiled. 
	"You silly boy.  You're blind." 
	"But. . . but. . ."  The panic that flooded Shinji's mind kept him
from forming any coherent response. 
	"Hush.  You need to think about something now, don't you Shinji? 
How will you be of any further service to you father?" 
	"I don't care about him!" 
	"I didn't say you did.  The question still applies." 
	"I don't want to think about that," Shinji whined. 
	"You must." 
	"Who are you?  Why don't you leave me alone?" 
	"Because Shinji, you're father has used you long enough.  I've
missed you.  I want you to come back home.  You need to realize it's time
to come back home." 
	Shinji felt something stir within him, a sudden and intense
realization and recognition.  "Mother?" he gasped. 
	Crescendo. 


*	*	*

	Misato snapped a smart salute upon being led into the Commander's
office.  "Commander Ikari.  Commander Fuyutsuki," she formally stated to
each in turn.  "Doctor Akagi," she nodded having finally noticed Ritsuko
lurking in the shadows near Ikari's desk.  "May I ask what this is about
Commander?" 
	Gendo Ikari sat at his desk, hands clasped firmly before his
mouth, and stared out at Misato through the red tint of his glasses.  "You
have been summoned here Major because I have reached a decision regarding
the third child." 
	"A decision?  What do you mean?"  Fuyutsuki stepped forward and
into the faint light of the office that surrounded Gendo's spartan desk. 
	"As you should know from Doctor Akagi's reports, Shinji is no
longer a viable Eva pilot due to his recently acquired condition.  He is
now incapable of acting as the third child," Fuyutsuki explained. 
	"Therefore," Ikari continued, "Unit-01 will be reset for Rei, and
the Marduke Institute will be contacted in regards to finding the fourth
as a replacement. Shinji will be remanded to the custody of his previous
guardian before the end of the week." 
	Misato had continued to pale throughout the commanders'
explanation, fearing the direction in which it had been heading.  But now
that her suspicions were confirmed, the fright fell prey to a rising fire. 
"What!?  Shinji's a human being, goddamnit!  Not just some piece of
machinery to be thrown away and replaced!" 
	"On the contrary Major, that is exactly what he is.  A broken cog. 
If the Angels are to fall and humanity to survive, I cannot allow any such
faults to exist within NERV." 
	"He's your son!"  Misato lanced back. 
	"That is irrelevant.  My decision has been made.  You are
dismissed Major Katsuragi," Ikari calmly stated. 
	Misato's voice and demeanor seized into stone.  "Yes sir," she
forced out before turning smartly on her heel and marching towards the
door. 
	"Wait."  Misato stopped as Ritsuko stepped toward Ikari's desk and
beckoned her back.  "If I may Commander? she asked.  "There is another
option." 

[End Part three]
From: doc7dmz@aol.com (Dave Ziegler)
Subject: [Eva][FanFic] From all Corners they Cried, Part 4A

Disclaimer:  Neon Genesis Evangelion is the property of Studio GAINAX, and the
US distribution rights belong to AD Vision.  No profit is being made from this
work, 
so let's file all thoughts of lawsuits away.  Thanks much.

Author's Notes:  Hi there, folks.  Anyone remember me, or this story?  Just
kidding.  Actually, I would like to dedicate this chapter to anyone and
everyone who e-mailed me over the past year inquiring about the status of
Corners and its newest chapter.  If it weren't for your persistent and
enthusiastic questions, I probably would never have worked up the enthusiasm
myself to sustain me through an all night writing session to get the rough
draft of this done.  So, my many and sincere thanks.  And now, a year late, but
two months earlier than originally thought, Part 4 of "From all Corners they
Cried."  I hope you enjoy.
	Oh yes,  any and all comments and criticism are welcome.  I can be contacted
at doc7dmz@aol.com, Asuka-chan@fanfix.zzn.com, or Asuka_rocks@naboomail.com. 
Take your pick, I check them all.
1)  * . . . . * shows thoughts.

	One A.M.  One A.M., and she was still at it, still sitting in front of 
her console, typing away, entering line after line of code.  Hyuga and Aoba had

long since left, and anyone else remaining on the bridge of NERV control was 
obscured by the grand shadows that crept everywhere in its low lighting.  What 
was she doing here?  If she kept at it any longer, she might never be able to
type 
again, much less participate in a further upgrade to the Magi systems.  It was
definitely time for a break.
	 Lieutenant Maya Ibuki pushed her chair away from the slaving keyboard and
painfully stretched her fingers out, wincing each time a joint cracked.  She
could type, enter data, no doubt about it, but the sheer volume necessary to
perform an upgrade and improve the Magi was staggering.  Maya had been
absolutely sure that Dr. Akagi would have wanted to oversee the final stages of
such an important event herself, but had been equally stunned and astonished
when her mentor had delegated that duty to her.  It was a test of sorts, she
had said, to see if Maya had really progressed in her abilities and
understanding to the point where Ritsuko thought she was.  If so, it would be
easily possible for Maya to find herself moving on to bigger and better things
within the organization.  After all, it would be an incredible shame if they
were to waste a mind such as hers forever on the bridge.
	Or so Dr. Akagi said.
	At the thought of promotion, Maya found herself somewhat uncomfortable.  It
wasn't that she minded taking on more responsibilities or greater challenges,
her current job was somewhat limited in that department, she just felt. . .
.she felt so used to being where she was.  This had become her station.  Yes,
during some of the off shifts and odd times, others sat here, but any time the
Major or either of the Commanders were on the bridge, she was here.  Even as
much she didn't want to admit it, Maya had even become fond of both Hyuga and
Aoba, despite their seemingly odd and childish propensities.
	Perhaps that was a problem.  Perhaps she had become too comfortable here, too
prideful of the fact that whenever an emergency occurred she was moved in over
anyone and everyone else.  Perhaps she should welcome these greater things that
Dr. Akagi had spoke of.  Shouldn't she?  Faint images of the Evangelions, the
children, and their stone cold commander flashed through her mind, reminding
Maya of what exactly advancement within NERV might mean for her.    
	Maya ground the heels of her palms into the dark spots beneath her eyes. "I
must be more tired than I thought.  There's no reason for me to be getting 
jittery."  Glancing quickly at her watch, Maya noted that she had lost five
minutes 
to idle contemplation and dreams.  Rolling her chair forward, she stretched her

fingers across the keyboard and flicked her eyes over the printout Dr. Akagi
had 
given her.  There were about four hundred more lines of code to go.  Right,
time 
to get this finished.
	The Commander had deadlines, after all.

*	*	*

	Rei followed the faint glimmer through the thick darkness, looking 
entirely too much like a fascinated kitten stalking a stretch of twine.  There 
was light here.  Light that was not her own.  It was amazing, it was
astounding. . . . it was impossible.  Unless. . . .
	No, that couldn't be it.  Could it?  Sohryu could not have made such progress
since the last time she confronted her.  Beside which, Rei had decided not to
visit her this morning.  She had done so the previous day, and it had proved
largely ineffective.  It would be better, perhaps, for her to let that day's
events settle without any further interruptions.  It was true that her time was
limited, but then nothing worthwhile had ever been gained by rushing about
blindly.  A process such as this was delicate and fragile, especially with a
girl like Sohryu.  One push too many and everything could shatter forever.
	And all her hopes would be lost.
	There!  She could see it now!  It was a band, small and thin, almost 
obsequious in its near invisibility.  Rei thought her heart would soar at the 
sight.  At first, when she had initially noticed the glimmer, she had not been 
sure it was actually there.  Even while tracking it, it had seemed eminently 
possible that it was just a figment of her imagination, a whim of fantasy to 
give her hope.  But now, now she could see it!  It was there, casting a shadow 
of light across the floor that distorted the darkness.
	Trembling, Rei knelt in front of the black wall and ran her fingers 
along its smooth surface.  Her eyes were fixated by the light, and her small 
finger tips fell into the rough crack that allowed the beauteous event inside. 

She hungrily pressed her face against the wall, and moved her eyes along the 
crack.  There were greens, reds, blues, yellows!  Everything that she had so 
long been denied.  It was all there, and so very, very close.
	Rei fell away from the wall, and felt the corners of her mouth turn 
instantly upwards.  "There is hope, after all," she sighed.     

"From all Corners they Cried"
An Evangelion Fanfic
by Dave Ziegler
Part four A "Fallout/Three Days Hence"
Version 1.3

	Beep.  Beep.  Beep.
	Asuka stirred momentarily, then fell back into her pillows, 
completely ignorant of the small buzzing clock that sat next to her bed.
	Beep.  Beep.  Beep. 
	The clock chimed a little louder this time.  Asuka emphatically flipped 
her pillows on top of her head.  
	BEEP.  BEEP.  BEEP!
	"Oh, for God's sake," Asuka muttered, climbing out of bed and harshly 
swatting the off switch on her clock.  "Why do I have to go back to school
today, 
anyway?"  She moved toward her dresser and dimly searched through its stray 
contents, before picking up her sling, arranging it around her neck, and gently

easing her injured arm into it.
	Her shoulder was still raw and tender from where the bullet had entered, 
and where the doctors had needed to operate to remove it.  While she couldn't 
make the arm move in many of the usual and appropriate directions, Asuka was
sure she wouldn't have any trouble recovering in the long run.  Nothing as
simple as this would keep her down.  She could endure the pain.
	The sling was damn annoying, though.
	While she could free her arm at night when sleeping, the NERV doctors had
ordered her to wear, when awake, a sling.  The apparatus would help to keep her
arm immobilized, and therefore discourage it from making any sudden or awkward
movements that might endanger the healing process.  It also served the function
of support, alleviating any of the normal pressure a free arm would apply to
said shoulder.  Unfortunately for Asuka, the device left her feeling like an 
invalid, as she was unused to doing anything with just one hand.  Still, she 
could survive.  Asuka refused to let a lousy wad of fabric and plastic get the 
better of her.
	This was just another trial for her to face.
	Trials.  Asuka sighed heavily as she slipped out of her room.  She had 
had another of those nightmares last night, the ones with the angelically
illuminated Rei moving about a landscape of utter pitch.  The first she had
merely attributed to shock from the attack, but now that it had happened again,
she wasn't so sure.  It could still be the reason, she supposed.  Being shot is
not something you're likely to get over in a few days.
	Actually, it didn't really matter much what brought them on.  Asuka just 
wanted them to stop.  They frightened her.  The damn things actually frightened
her!  Wondergirl was not her favorite of people to begin with, but to have the
girl moving about inside her dreams, talking of trials in riddles, it was too
much.  Especially that landscape: Ayanami's realm, the never ending stretch of
blackness.  Asuka couldn't stand it.  She hated black.  Things should be bright
and bold, like red.  Terrible things hid in the dark, dire twists and fearful
surprises.  All should be in the open, where she could see it, and where she
could control it.  
	Struggling to put the dilemmas of the night behind her, Asuka slid her 
door closed, then stepped toward Shinji's.  She stopped just sort of grabbing 
its handle, then thought better of it.  Shinji was still in no shape to go 
to school, and, after what she had said to him yesterday, it was probably not
the 
best of times to rouse him in her usual fashion, if to speak to him at all.
	Gently rubbing her forehead, Asuka strained to figure out how life had 
gotten so screwed up.  She had been shot by a cowardly little boy, terminating
her status on the active roster of Eva pilots for a time (something she found 
extremely irritating), and now she was feeling guilty about saying stuff to
Shinji.  
That idiot.  Of all people, why would she have to go and feel sorry for
bothering
him?  It was totally undignified.
	Then there was Misato.  Not that Asuka expected much from her personally, but
the woman had always seemed to be extraordinarily devoted to Shinji.  After the
accident, she would have thought that Misato would be running about the
apartment almost twenty-four hours a day, playing nursemaid to Shinji's every
need as he recovered.Instead, NERV's precious director of operations had dumped
all of those duties on Asuka, then disappeared the entire night.  A quick
glance toward Misato's room told her that she had yet to even come back.  Maybe
Misato wasn't as concerned for Shinji as Asuka originally thought?
	"No," Asuka surmised.  "Couldn't be.  That woman would go to hell and back for
him.  She's probably just learning to cope with it all.  And more than likely
in Kaji's bed," she uttered, her voice laced with danger.  
	Just as Asuka was about to begin brooding on the topic of her one time and
current guardian, a very large and very deafening crash roused her fully, and 
brought her running into the kitchen.
	The room was an utter mess.
	A white mountainous mass of rice lay spread across the countertops, 
oddly contrasted by the equally large pile of coffee grinds that sat within a 
relative distance of the brewer.  A loaf of bread lay opened and discarded upon

the floor, the toaster sitting just above, mocking in its proximity.  And near 
the burning stove, amidst a pile of fallen pots and pans, sat Shinji, wearing
the 
most frustrated and angry expression Asuka had ever seen grace the boy's
features.
	"What the hell is going on here?" she demanded, not all happy about facing the
prospect of fixing the mess.
	Pen-Pen, who stood just outside his refrigerator and watched the scene with a
slightly worried air, turned to Asuka and squawked with concern.  Shinji, for
hispart, crumpled at the sound of Asuka's voice and lost all of the fire and
emotion 
that had been evident in him only scant moments before.
	"I couldn't sleep, Asuka," Shinji said, his voice quiet and strained.  "I 
needed something to do to get away from the nightmares."
	"Oh, and let me guess," she sneered, "destroying the kitchen and scaring
Pen-Pen seemed the perfect solution for insomnia to you?"
	"I was just sitting at the table," Shinji said, "thinking."
	"Then what is all this?"  Asuka threw her arms wide to encompass the 
entirety of the kitchen.  Shinji couldn't see her gesture, but it did not
matter. 
He already knew exactly what she was talking about, and the thought of this one

more lost ability nearly crushed his voice and spirit.
	"It's my turn to make breakfast, isn't it?  Besides, Asuka, you never like 
to do it, even when you're supposed to.  I thought it would be easier with your
shoulder, too," he managed.
	Asuka pulled a step away from Shinji, gently running a hand along the sling.
"My shoulder?" she asked, this time finding her own voice subdued.
	"Misato told me about it, when she brought me home from the infirmary." 
Shinji's face remained placid and static.  "You might as well help yourself,
Asuka.  I can't do anything.  You are right, too.  I don't even know why I
bothered trying. I'm sorry."  Shinji let his face sink into his knees.
	The idiot, why had he tried to do this himself?  Asuka knew she could have
handled it, one handed or not.  Why did he have to go and feel sorry for her,
likeshe was in worse condition than he was.  He couldn't possibly think that he
was more capable than she, that she needed coddling.  This was just too far
beyond his normal levels of stupidity, it was. . . . it was. . . .it was
something he had done before.  Even when they were both uninjured, he had moved
to shield her in any number of situations.
	As if she needed any help from him.
	"Get up," Asuka said.  Her voice wavered for a moment, as if it wasn't 
quite sure what tone to take, and awaited the victor of her silent battle.  
Shinji, meanwhile, still cradled his head and made no move that showed he 
was even acknowledging Asuka's presence, much less her demand.
	"GET UP, IKARI!" Asuka thundered, the battle now over.  "You are not 
running away from this one, so get off your ass!"
	Survival instincts kicking into gear, for he dared never ignore 
Asuka when she adopted that tone, Shinji scrambled to his 
feet and turned himself toward her explosive voice.
	"All right, Third Child.  We're going to have to do something about 
all this.  First off, I think you should turn off that stove before something 
even worse happens in here."
	"How?"  Shinji's voice was suddenly laced with a mix of remorse, anger,
self pity, and apathy.
	Asuka, though, wasn't about to let him indulge in any of it.  "Are you 
stupid?  Turn the dial, of course!"  
	"That's easy for you to say, Asuka.  You can still see the damn thing!" 
Shinji exploded.  "I can't!  Or did you forget again?"
	Asuka's mouth went dry.  Shinji's words had struck something inside her, and
now it was blaring inside her head, clamoring for all the attention it could 
gather from her.
	'Guilty, guilty, guilty,' a voice sang inside her.  'It's all your fault, 
and yet you forget.  It's all your fault, and yet you push it away, down deep,
like
it never really happened.  You want clean hands don't you?  You want to be able
to distance yourself from it all, pretend you're not involved.  You can't
though, 
you are the center, the eye of the storm.  You know you're guilty, guilty,
guilty.'
	No.  Asuka would not let Shinji's words affect her like this.  She would 
not give in to the pressure.
	Asuka quickly took the few steps that lay in between her and Shinji and
grabbed the boy by his shirt, pressing her face very close to his.  "Listen to
me, Shinji.  You are going to turn off that stove, you are going to clean up 
this mess, and then you are going to make me a decent breakfast.  You want to 
know why, Third Child?  Because you know this kitchen better than any of us, 
and could have created a feast if I had blindfolded you just last week.  So, 
get off your lazy ass, Shinji.  I am hungry!"
	"Do you really think I can?"
	"Ah!  If you don't move it now, Ikari, I might just go find Misato, 
and get her to cook us something."
	"Right," Shinji said, taking a step back from Asuka as she released 
him.  "I can do this."
	"That's the attitude, Shinji!  Now, let's get going.  You don't want 
to press me when I'm really hungry," Asuka stated.

*	*	*

	The door slowly swung open as Dr. Ritsuko Akagi made her way 
into the office.  She swept a quick hand through her blonde hair, and 
produced a small shoulder bag bearing a large red cross on its side.  
"Well," Misato asked, nodding her head in the direction of Ritsuko's 
accessory.
	"Everything I need is in here," the doctor replied evenly.  "I'm 
ready anytime you are."
	Misato continued to fidget with a pen from her desk, her nerves 
getting the better of her.  Fighting Angels she could handle, this was 
different.  "You are sure this will work?" she asked, hoping her friend 
would assuage her fears.
	"I can't make you any guarantees, Misato.  You should know that. 
We can't be certain of a positive outcome."
	Misato leapt to her feet.  "Then why the hell are we even considering 
this?"
	"Would you prefer," Ritsuko began, still very calm in the face of her 
friend's mounting anger and anxiety, "that we followed through with the
Commander's original plan, and simply send Shinji back to his previous
guardian?"
	"No," Misato replied, suitably subdued.  "I wouldn't want that at all."
	"Well, it seems your only choice is to let me proceed, then," Ritsuko 
said, patting her bag.  "Don't worry, Misato.  I'm sure this will all work out.

Have some faith.  After all, you are putting Shinji into the very capable 
hands of science."

*	*	*

	Asuka focused on the form of Shinji Ikari, as he moved methodically about the
kitchen.  The rice, bread, and coffee no longer lay about in a haphazard 
mess, but were neatly placed in a row upon the countertop. The pleasant smell
of 
fresh toast and butter slipped through the air and tickled her nose.
	He was almost finished cooking.
	For a moment, Asuka felt dread at that prospect. She was safe here, at the
opposite end of the room. But every time that Shinji strayed near her in his
endeavor, that tiny voice within her head found a megaphone, and promptly
started
blaring its message. 
	Damnit all, she wasn't guilty of anything, though!  The decision to act
was his, right?  Asuka never had any influence upon it.  Right?  RIGHT?
	"Ugh," Asuka groaned, pushing her face into her palms.  Between this and the
nightmares, she would be certifiable within the week.  Why couldn't it all just
go away, and leave her in peace?
	"Asuka?" Shinji called.  He walked carefully toward the table, tentatively
placing each foot in front of the other, almost as if he were worried the floor
might sink beneath him. In one arm he nestled the plate of toast, while the
other
balanced a large bowl of steaming rice.
	"Here," Asuka resignedly beckoned, "let me take the rice. Wouldn't want for
you to trip and have to start all over again, now would we?"  She watched
Shinji scowl slightly at the comment, but he made no remark in return.	
	No, argument this time.  No easy escape. Just a little peace, then?
Please?

*	*	*

	   There was a short click, then the door to the apartment slipped
open.  Misato stepped quickly through, kicked off her pumps, and threw her
bomber jacket into a spare corner.  Ritsuko, for her part, neatly removed 
and stacked her own shoes, then followed the major into the living room. 
"Just out of curiosity, Misato," Ritsuko ventured, "does Shinji ever have 
any friends over to the apartment, or do your blatant displays of sloth and 
laziness embarrass him too much?"
	"Ha, ha," Misato muttered.  "For your information, Ritsu, Shinji does
have friends over, and he isn't at all embarrassed by me."
	"Are you sure he just doesn't mention it to avoid creating any sort 
of problem?"
	"Oh, just shut up, will you."  Misato turned from Ritsuko, and cupped 
her hands around her mouth.  "I'M HOME!" she bellowed.
	Ritsuko rolled her eyes.  "Of course, how could you possibly 
embarrass him?"
	After receiving no immediate response, the pair made their way 
to the kitchen, following the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast.  Sitting
at the small table were both Shinji and Asuka, frozen in the act of eating.
	"Well, well," Asuka commented darkly, her eyes cutting into Misato, 
"look who finally decided to come home."
	Misato matched the young girl's glare for a few moments, then backed
off in perplexity.  "You're an hour late for your first day back at school, 
Asuka.  Don't you think you should get a move on?"
	"Oh, Christ!" Asuka shouted.  Her eyes flew from Misato to her watch.  
Fleetingly gathering the information there, Asuka then sped from her chair 
and out of the kitchen, a string a muttered curses and harsh words falling 
in her wake.
	Ritsuko smirked at the scene.  "I can see what a positive influence 
you are turning out be, Misato.  Should you ever actually have children, remind
me to send them a sympathy card at birth." 
	A haze of red and green flew past the kitchen doorway yet again, 
followed by a quickly discarded "See ya, Shinji."
	"Bye, Asuka," the boy called back, startling both Misato and Ritsuko
momentarily.  They had, in the moment, found themselves so intent on Asuka 
that neither had really yet acknowledged the presence of the person they came 
to see.
	"Have a nice day, Asuka!" Misato threw in too, having waited long 
enough for her own good-bye.  The front door simply slammed shut.
	"Well, now that that's over, might we get on with things, Misato?" 
Ritsuko asked, turning toward Shinji.  "Good morning, Shinji.  How are you
feeling today?"
	"Pretty good, I guess," Shinji managed around a further bite of toast.
Ritsuko waited for him to elaborate, but was disappointed.  Well, perhaps
Misato might be able to coax something further out of him.  
	"Misato," Ritsuko began, then stopped.  The woman was standing frozen,eyes
locked on the doorway of the kitchen.  The expression that played with her face
was one of puzzlement and subdued anger.  "Misato," Ritsuko called again.
	"Huh?  What?"  Misato spun toward Ritsuko.  "Did you say something?"
	"Can we get this moving, please?"
	"Sure thing, Ritsu."  Misato plopped herself down in Asuka's 
discarded spot, and took a healthy bite of rice.  "Morning, Shinji," 
she enthused around the rice.  "Wow, this is good.  Nice of Asuka to make
you breakfast, wasn't it?"
	"I made breakfast today," Shinji corrected her.
	Misato choked on her rice.
	"You made all this?" she queried in disbelief.  Her eyes took in 
the large bowl of fresh rice, the platter of toast and butter, and the pot 
of boiling coffee, all ready for consumption.  "With Asuka's help, right?"
	Shinji shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  "She did help at first, 
actually.  Asuka kind of got me motivated by yelling.  But I did make it all 
myself."
	"She yelled...." Misato began angrily, rising from her chair.  Ritsuko,
fortunately, interrupted her.
	"I see, Shinji.  Asuka helped you to remember that you do most of the 
chores around here anyway, and by virtue of that fact, should know the layout 
of the all the necessities quite well."
	Shinji merely nodded his affirmation.
	"Well," Ritsuko approved, "she can put that mind of hers to use 
when she's so inclined.  Now, Shinji, Misato and I have something very 
important we need to discuss with you.  Do you understand?"
	"Okay," Shinji agreed, not at all sure he liked the sound of 
'important'.
	"As we discussed before, your current condition is a result of 
the damage done to your optic nerve by the gunshot wound you received to 
the head.  Now, what you may or may not be aware of is the fact that the 
nerve was not completely severed, and so the brain is still receiving bits
of the information gathered by your eyes."
	"Is that why when I move toward the sound of your voice, I can see 
a kind of  tall grey blob?"
	"Basically, yes.  I won't bother to go into many of the specifics, 
but the fact that your nerve was not completely destroyed is a very critical 
point.  Because we have live tissue to work with, it may be possible, with
the use of a still experimental drug, to stimulate a regrowth and regeneration 
of your optic nerve."
	"What that means," Misato chimed in, "is that we may be able to fix 
what's broken, and get you your vision back."
	"That's great!" Shinji enthused, allowing himself to show signs of 
hope and excitement.  He suddenly felt like jumping out of his chair and 
dancing around the kitchen.  If Doctor Akagi could fix this, then he would
be able to pilot Eva again.  Heck, he would be able to do the laundry, cook 
like he used too, watch the moon, or even a slow sunrise.  He would simply be
able to do again!
	"There are some things we should warn you about, though, Shinji," 
Ritsuko stated, eviscerating his happy mood with a clinical incision.  "The
drug we plan to use, Rhoxtenphelin, is new and experimental.  It has yet to 
be tested upon the human physiognomy, but it has exhibited great success among
tests with different animal subjects.  It is just a matter of tweaking certain
bits of the drug to suit the desired species.  Because of the untested nature 
of it, though, there may be a possibility for unforeseen and dangerous side 
effects."
	"We need to know whether or not you think it is worth the risk, Shinji," 
Misato told him.  "We need to know whether you want to try this."
	Both women waited while the young boy sat upon his chair, eyes closed
in concentration.  It was not, despite his earlier jubilation at the prospect,
an easy decision to make.  After all, as Ritsuko had said, there could be any 
number of side effects from this drug, some possibly even dangerous.  Was his 
sight worth risking his life over?  But then how much of a life could he live 
without it?  He could not pilot Eva, which meant that he was of no use to any 
one here.  And he wanted to stay.  
	Shinji wanted to stay right where he was.
	"I want it.  I want to try this," Shinji stated lifting his head.
	"Good." Ritsuko slipped the bag from her shoulder and placed it on 
the table next to the rice.  "I have the first injection right here, Shinji.
So, we'll start now.  After this, you should receive about one every week. 
I suspect we should start to see some signs of its effects within the first 
two weeks.  Then after reviewing the results,  we will proceed from there."
	"I understand," Shinji affirmed, and prepared himself for the bite of 
the needle.

*	*	*

[End part A]
From: doc7dmz@aol.com (Dave Ziegler)
Subject: [Eva][FanFic] From all Corners they Cried, Part 4B

"From all Corners they Cried"
An Evangelion Fanfic
by Dave Ziegler
Part four B "Fallout/Three Days Hence"
Version 1.3


	"Idiot, idiot, idiot," Asuka muttered to herself.  "Why did I have
to spend so much time dealing with that idiot."
	The school's lunchroom was a very crowded affair.  Usually, each and
every table was packed with friends and students taking the one respite they
could enjoy in a day full of academics and pressures.  Today, however, every 
table toward the room's far corner lay intentionally abandoned, left to a 
brooding and generally unhappy Asuka.  It had long since become common
knowledge among the student body that steering clear of the girl on one of her
good days was an idea wisely adopted.  Crossing her on a bad day was something
best not thought about.
	And so Asuka sat alone, one arm folded atop the chipped formica table,
and her head a layer after that.  "If he hadn't been distracting me so much I
wouldn't have forgotten my lunch, damnit!  And I'm hungry.  Breakfast wasn't 
nearly that good," Asuka grumbled.
	"Thinking about, Shinji," a polite and happy voice inquired.  Hikari 
Horaki promptly sat down next to Asuka, blatantly defying the school's unspoken
code.
	"Hi, Hikari," Asuka managed.  "And, no, I was not 'thinking' about
him.  I was simply contemplating the various ways I can inflict pain and
suffering upon him for, first, making me late and humiliating me in front
of the class, and, two, for making me forget my lunch."
	"You can have some of mine, if you like, Asuka."  Hikari pushed her
lunch box between her and her friend.  As Asuka rose to greedily grab the 
spare set of chopsticks that Hikari was holding out to her, she noticed that
her friend was looking straight ahead at the wall.  Asuka frowned as she
followed Hikari's nervous eyes, and found them constantly glancing from 
her sling  back to the wall.  *She couldn't possibly be that conscious of
social niceties, could she?* Asuka thought, shaking her head.
	"It happened during an exercise," Asuka stated, startling Hikari 
into looking at her.
	"What happened?" the pigtailed girl asked.
	"My arm," Asuka asserted, gesturing with her chin in the direction
of the offending limb.  "My shoulder, actually.  I was injured during a
practice sortie with our Eva's.  The entire mess was baka Shinji's fault,
anyway."
	"Was it?  How did he.... I mean how did the accident happen?"
	"Well," Asuka began, "I'm not allowed to go into specifics or anything 
with unauthorized personal, but let's just say it was all due to another of 
his typical examples of clumsy piloting."
	"Oh," Hikari managed, trying to reconcile the story with her knowledge
and image of Shinji.
	"Don't worry about it, Hikari.  I'll be good as new in a few weeks. 
And, besides, Shinji got hurt in the accident too.  A lot worse than me,
actually, so I'm revenged."
	"Asuka!  That's horrible!" Hikari berated her, straightening right 
up in her chair.  "You should never be happy because of someone else's pain."
	"What?  Why not?" Asuka demanded, dropping her chopsticks.  "I'm stuck being
the living impaired for a month all because he can't control himself."
	"It's not something you should do, Asuka.  It is a disgusting, evil 
trait."
	"Well, live with it, or move somewhere else.  I have every right to 
be angry with Shinji."
	Hikari backed her chair away from the redhead, wary of the blaze that 
her eyes held.  For a moment, she looked as though she would actually get up 
and follow Asuka's advice, but then Hikari steeled herself and settled back 
into her chair.  "No, I think I'll stay, Asuka.  After all, you're going to 
need my help to get rid of this anger.  Accidents happen, we just need to 
learn to accept them and move on.  Brooding over the consequences won't 
accomplish anything."  Hikari smiled confidently at Asuka.  "You'll see 
it my way, eventually, I'm sure."
	"I wouldn't bank on it," Asuka grumbled, then took a swift bite of food.

*	*	*

	"Mr. Aramaki!"
	Kaji rose from the small chair next to the pretty young 
secretary's desk where he had been waiting for the last twenty minutes,
and nodded his acknowledgment of the man who now stood before him. 
Masaki Ikeda was a short fellow by all standards, round of the face 
and stomach, but possessed of very keen and knowledgeable eyes.  His 
black suit was sharp and pressed, and the red tie that hung at his neck 
was not a centimeter out of place.  
	"Had I but been informed of your arrival earlier, Mr. Aramaki, I 
could have arranged for a suitable workspace for you."
	Kaji waved off the man's worries with a warm smile.  "Not at all, 
Mr. Ikeda.  The Board of Education doesn't want to put any additional stress 
on you and your staff.  I'm here to help, not burden you.  All that I
require is a spare computer terminal from which to review the child's records."
	Ikeda nodded, and waved for Kaji to follow him through the office. 
"I am very pleased that the board gave us such a prompt response.  This 
child is beginning to worry me.  She comes across very unstable, to the point
where even her teacher's are beginning to worry."
	"Unstable in what sense, sir?" Kaji asked.  One hand moved to adjust 
his own tie, while the other lay inside his jacket pocket, quietly fingering 
the description that he had acquired of the boy who attacked both Shinji and 
Asuka.
	"Emotionally.  Now, normally I or my staff can handle such problems. 
We are all trained to the utmost, and are very knowledgeable about the stresses

that children can undergo, especially living in the time we do.  But this one
is 
different.  This child's situation is unique, and I don't know exactly how we 
should handle it."
	"Hence your request for a specialist," Kaji smiled.
	"Exactly," Ikeda conceded.  "I only hope that you can find out what 
the root of the girl's problem's are, and help the child."  Ikeda continued to 
walk for another few paces before stopping in front of an open door.  "Here we 
are.  This is Mr. Hino's office, but he is currently on a leave of absence. 
So,
it is yours for however long you need it."
	Ikeda walked into the small room, Kaji following a step behind.  "The 
computer terminal is on the desk, and online.  And should you need anything
else
to help you in your work, please do contact me."  Mr. Ikeda moved to leave, but
then stopped.  "Oh yes, and before you decide to talk to the girl, do please
update me of your plans.  I would much appreciate it."
	"You can be sure I will, Mr. Ikeda," Kaji assured the man, while taking
his place behind the desk.
	"Good, good."
	"Ah, Mr. Ikeda," Kaji began, stalling the shorter man from making his
exit.  "There is just one thing before you go.  I need to know the name of the
student you wish me to help."
	"Oh, yes.  Of course.  Her name is Sohryu.  Asuka Langley Sohryu. 
She is a transfer student from Germany, and one of those Evangelion pilots.
  That's one of the reasons that I believed we couldn't begin to meet her 
needs in terms of counseling.  But neither could I ignore the fact that she
consistently creates an aggressive and hostile atmosphere around her, one 
that has bothered both students and teachers.  It is not good for her, her
fellow students, or this school.  I leave the situation in your capable 
hands, Mr. Aramaki."
	Kaji frowned, then folded his hands in front of his face.  "Don't 
worry yourself, Mr. Ikeda.  I think I can be of great value and effect
here."
	"I'm very relieved to hear that.  Well, I will let you get to work 
reading her file.  Until later then, Mr. Aramaki."  Ikeda turned and left 
the small office, closing the door behind him.  Kaji, for his part, shook 
off the disturbing revelation he had just encountered, and filed it away
for future action.  He had a purpose in coming here, and it was time to 
get down to business.
	Spinning his chair toward the computer terminal, Kaji grabbed ahold 
of the keyboard with one hand, and brought the piece of folded paper from 
his pocket with the other.  He quickly spread it on his desk, reread it
to check the mental image of the boy he had compiled, then went to work
bringing up student files and photographs.

*	*	*

	Rei Ayanami stood within the small copse of trees just outside 
of the school yard, cloaked in a shade of browns and greens.  If anyone
had actually concentrated upon the grove, they might have noticed two
deep points of red staring intensely out of the blackness, following 
their movements with unequivocal precision.  But as it was, Rei's subjects
were completely unaware of both herself and the trees.
	"So, she wouldn't tell you anything about what happened?" Toji 
Suzuhara complained, thrusting his hands into the air.  "Typical of the 
Red Devil."  Rei was familiar with this boy.  He was a classmate of both
hers and Ikari's, yet something more to Shinji.  He spent much of his time 
with this boy, very similar to the amount she spent with the Commander when
inside the Geofront.
	"No, she wouldn't specify, Suzuhara.  Asuka just said that there was 
an accident while training, and that it was Shinji's fault somehow.  She
said that he did something clumsy.  And don't call her Red Devil."  Hikari
Horaki, the class representative.  Two brown pigtails, a matching set of 
eyes, freckles, hidden strength, something of an extrovert: Rei's mind 
flashed through all the information she had catalogued about the girl since 
they first came into contact.
	"Aw, come on, Hikari.  Both me and Toji have seen Shinji fight in his
Evangelion.  He may not like it, but he is good at it.  Can you see him 
screwing up because of clumsiness?" Kensuke Aida, another of Ikari's
associates.  Somewhat more reserved than the other two, this boy spent less
time around others, Rei noted, and more time working with his computer.
	"Yeah," Toji added.  "I bet you she's the one who screwed up, and is 
just trying to pass off the blame to save face while Shinji's not here to
give the whole story."
	"Suzuhara!" Hikari exclaimed.  "Stop that.  I do not know what really
happened any more than you, but indulging in scandal won't help.  If anything,
we should go to the Major's apartment, and see both of them ourselves.  They
are hurt, you know, and that means that they could use some cheering up from
their closest friends, right?"
	They meant to go to Ikari and Sohryu.  Would that be permissible in the
Commander's eyes?  If they were allowed inside, then the fabrication that was
created to cover up the truth about the attack would be destroyed.  The 
disruption caused by such a revelation could cause problems for the Commander's
work.  "That course of action cannot be permitted," Rei stated, stepping from
the trees.  "Both Ikari and Pilot Sohryu are not allowed visitors at this
time."
	"Rei!" Toji gasped in surprise.
	"Ayanami," Hikari stuttered, "were you eavesdropping on us?"
	Rei felt her cheeks tinge slightly with color, and she looked quickly
toward the ground.  Suddenly she felt uncomfortable, but still, she could
not let that stop her.  "I apologize.  But you must not go to Major Katsuragi's

apartment."
	"Why not?" Kensuke demanded of her, peering through his somewhat thick
glasses.  Fantasies about espionage and conspiracy danced in his mind as he
considered what Rei, of all people, might be doing eavesdropping on them.
	"Ikari's injury requires a great deal of attention," Rei stated.  "His 
care must not be interrupted."
	"Is it that serious?" Hikari wanted to know, her hands bunching together 
at her chest in worry.
	"Yes."  Rei intently watched their three faces as they twisted into frowns
and other troubled expressions.  "Ikari's situation distresses you?  Are you in

pain?" she ventured.
	"Well, of course, we're in pain!" Toji spat.  "Our good friend is hurt, 
you're telling us that it is a serious injury, and that we can't even see him!"
	Rei stared blankly at them for a moment, pondering Toji's response.  Finally,
she asked, "You say you are in pain, yet I can see no injuries on any of
you.  How is that?"
	Toji's mouth worked silently for a moment, trying to find some response 
to the blue haired girl's question.  Kensuke, for his part, simply remained 
silent, observing the exchange with a keen and practiced air.  It was finally
Hikari who took a step forward, then placed her hands on Rei's shoulders.
	"The reason you can't see our injuries, Rei, is because they are blows
to the heart."
	Rei stared blankly back at the class rep, one delicate hand tracing an 
area of her chest.
	"No," Hikari shook her head, smiling.  "It's not our actual hearts that 
have been injured, Rei, but our spirits."
	The word spirit thundered throughout Rei's mind.  Was this how pain
operated?  Was this why she could not understand what the others were 
experiencing?  Because she was less than they, lacking a soul, or spirit 
as Horaki called it.  Was she deficient in comparison to these three other
children, being only a mere creation?  Was she condemned for it?
	"I do not think I understand," Rei said, bringing her eyes to meet
Hikari's.
	"That's all right," the class rep assured her.  "You will."

*	*	*

	The lights in the Katsuragi apartment had all long since fallen
silent.  Night stalked the outdoors, and no life stirred within the
confines of this building's walls.  Misato had managed to make it
home tonight, unable to come up with a viable excuse to be out all
night two times in a row.  She decided it would be easier to try and
track down some more information regarding the Section 2 operatives
tomorrow during her regular hours.  
	Aside from all that, she had been worried about Asuka.  She had
come home in something of a gargantuan huff, which had only intensified
when she first laid eyes on Misato.  Asuka had immediately thrown 
herself into her room and refused to talk to either of her roommates.
	Dinner had come and gone without her venturing out.
	Misato had struggled vainly to get Asuka to leave her self 
assigned prison, and talk about what was bothering her.  Not a single
plea had worked.
	Now Misato dozed in bed, fighting for a comfortable sleep.  She 
wanted to dream happy dreams.  She wanted to dream of a time and place
where she jovially shared an apartment with both Shinji and Asuka.

*	*	*

	Asuka awoke to find herself trapped in an ever present stretch
of darkness.  Scrambling into a crouch, she took note of the shadows
upon shadows that seemed to grow from every crevice, and tried to 
locate the tormentor she knew must be lurking somewhere near.  After
all, she had not yet been in this place once without Ayanami showing
up.
	And Asuka wasn't to be disappointed.
	Rei came storming from the thick darkness, an intense fire
leaking from her eyes.  She strode toward  Asuka and grabbed the
girl by the front of her blouse.  "You...." Rei struggled and frothed. 
"You...."  Unable to articulate her feelings, Rei simply let out an
unearthly roar of frustration, then began to drag Asuka through the
pitch environment.
	"Hey!" Asuka roared.  "What the hell do you think you're doing? 
Let go of me this instant, Wondergirl!"  She began to claw at Rei's
hands, but the other girl's iron grip never wavered.  Increasingly 
incensed that she could not break free, Asuka tried the only thing she
could think of.  Bullying.
	"Listen up, I'm giving you a chance to regain your senses here, 
Wondergirl, before I do something that might permanently damage you. 
And we know that no one wants the Commander's precious doll to get 
broken, don't we?"
	"Shut up," Rei commanded, then tightened her grip on Asuka.
	Asuka's eyes grew wide in shock and anger.  How could Rei talk
to her like that!  She never said two words to anyone, much less 
aggressively defended herself.  And that tone, she had trouble 
believing that it had left Ayanami's mouth.  What the hell was going 
on?  
	Before Asuka was able to voice any of her displeasure, though,
she found herself abruptly thrown forward.  She skidded for a scant 
few moments, then came to a dead stop as her back butted against something
solid.
	"Ow!" she complained.  "Damnit, that hurt!"  Asuka untangled herself,
and quickly prepared to strike back at the albino bitch, but then stopped
short.  She felt something warm on her shoulder, a presence that seemed
distinctly alien in a place such as this.  Turning around, she found a 
small stream of light shining upon herself, cutting through the darkness
and warming her now seemingly freezing body.
	"Look at it," Rei told her.  "Feel it.  Did you know that it was 
twice that size this morning?  I could actually see through the 
crack that lets it in.  I could see outside."
	"What is it?" Asuka asked, temporarily forgetting her anger 
with Rei and indulging in this sudden fascination.
	"It is hope.  Or at least that is what I thought.  But now 
it's almost gone, banished by you and your selfishness.  Why did 
you do it, Sohryu?  Why?  You were so close!"  Rei's eyes gleamed
again, and Asuka swore she could feel the angry stare through her 
back.
	"I don't know what you are talking about!  You haven't
explained anything to me!  Hell, why should you!  These are 
nothing but nightmares.  They don't mean anything."  Asuka 
stubbornly crossed her arms, then moved further into the small
stream of light.
	"You are wrong, Sohryu.  When you wake, that is the true 
nightmare.  Look," Rei began again, realizing she wasn't making 
much of an impact with Asuka.  "How do you feel, now, while in the
light?  And think a moment before you answer.  What is the experience 
truly like?"
	Asuka huffed in agitation, but proceeded to close her eyes
and concentrate.  She sat motionless for a moment, allowing the
light to play off her chest.  "I feel.... I feel warm," she began.
  "It's like I want to be here forever, luxuriating in it.  I feel 
wanted, needed, almost as if there's nothing to fear any more."  Asuka's 
eyes snapped open.  "But that's stupid.  I know better.  I've learned
better."
	"No," Rei quickly countered, feeling as if the battle were
slipping away from her at an even faster pace.  "It is not stupid.
You can have that feeling, Sohryu.  You can claim it in the world
that is so dark for you now."
	"I don't like being lied to," Asuka snarled, beginning to seethe 
again.
	"I am not lying.  You began the journey earlier.  Truly you did.
But now, now you're lost again, and  you must pull yourself back.  
Quickly, Sohryu, before it is too late."
	"I'll live my life however I damn well please, Wondergirl.  So,
from now on, you can just keep your nose out of it."
	"It's not just about you!" Rei exploded.  "I need to be free,
Sohryu!  I've reached my limit!  I can no longer survive in this 
prison you've staked me to!"
	"What?" Asuka gasped, spinning back around to face Rei.  She 
was too late, though.  Rei had disappeared once again.

*	*	*

	"So, Shinji," Asuka questioned him, a sickeningly sweet smile 
twisting her lips, "how does it feel to be helpless?"
	Shinji tried to sink further into his bench, hoping that the 
dim light of the train car would somehow fail to illuminate him. 
Perhaps then Asuka would leave him alone.  She had been here, with
him, for hours it seemed, prattling on and on about him, and his
current blindness.  He had tried once to run from her, but found 
that both ends of the car were locked.  There was no escape.  He was
utterly at Asuka's mercy.
	"I'm not useless," Shinji weakly offered in his defense.
	"Oh, of course you are," Asuka countered merrily.  "How could
you be anything but, when I have to lead the poor little blind boy
from A to B to C, just so he can accomplish a simple task like 
cooking breakfast.  I mean, good lord, talk about self delusion, Shinji.
You're good for nothing now.  Face up to it."
	Shinji buried his face in his hands, and tried to find something 
within him that would spur him on to fight back.  He searched for anything,
something that could save him.  Perhaps he could mention that she didn't
exactly lead him, but more spurred him into action?  No, that wouldn't 
work.  Asuka would have an answer for anything he said.  She always did. 
He was beaten, well and truly.
	Maybe, then, he was actually worthless.  Maybe he had no redeeming 
value left.  Maybe it was time for him to move on, to keep from being a
burden to the people he cared about.  Maybe....
	Shinji's thoughts were interrupted by the sharp sound of flesh 
striking flesh.  His head flew from his hands, and his eyes snapped
open.  Standing in front of Asuka was a very angry looking Misato, 
arm held out in the follow through of a strike.  
	The red and purple welt that was quickly rising on Asuka's
cheek seemed to envelope and distort her young body.  Shinji watched,
enraptured, as her now fuzzy limbs and torso elongated, and her mane
of hair shortened to a mop.  When finally the body that sat opposite
him returned to clear focus, Asuka was no longer there.  Instead, Yui
Ikari stared back at her son, a hand clamped firmly to the spreading 
injury on her cheek.
	"Glad you finally decided to show him who was behind all this," 
Misato stated, smiling in victory.
	"Shinji," Yui calmly said, ignoring the major, "we need to talk 
alone.  Could you tell your friend to leave please?"
	"Mother, I...." Shinji wasn't sure what was happening.  First 
Asuka....oh God, Asuka....for so long, just sitting there, tearing him
to pieces.  Then all the sudden there was Misato, and now his....his 
mother.  His mother.  HIS mother!
	"Misato, do you think you could leave us alone for a few minutes? 
It's been so long since I've seen her," Shinji asked, choked tears 
springing from his eyes.
	Yui smiled politely, pleased at the request, while Misato
gaped in shock.
	"No," Misato countered adamantly.  "I won't leave you 
alone." 
	"Misato, please?" Shinji looked pleadingly at her.
	"Damnit, Shinji, you don't understand.  You can't listen to 
anything she tells you.  You mustn't accept her lies!"
	"Shinji, dear," Yui interjected, gracefully leaning forward 
on her knees.  "If you don't want her here, she can't stay.  You 
have the power to make sure of that."
	Misato waved her arms widely, trying to distract his attention.
"No, Shinji.  Don't do this.  Do not listen to her!"
	"Misato," Shinji stated.  "Please leave, for now."
	Suddenly a great gust of wind thrust itself through the train
car, pulling Misato with it, and throwing her through the now open
door at its end.  She tried to cry out a last warning, but her voice
was swallowed by the howling and whipping of the gale.  When her last
stretching fingertip slipped through  the door, its great metal bulk 
swung shut.
	"Very good," Yui stated, very much pleased with the display. 
"Now, listen to me, Shinji.  We have much to discuss about your 
current situation."
	As she began to speak, neither of them noticed the far door 
creak open a fraction, its lock bolt having missed the proper 
clasp.

*	*	*

	Asuka stumbled out of her bedroom, a cold sweat awash on her 
skin.  She fell against the hallway's wall, and slid shakily to the 
floor.  God, they wouldn't stop.  Why couldn't they stop?
	"Asuka?"
	Her head snapped up, eyes opening wide in the heavy darkness.
Crouched against the opposite wall was Shinji, curled up in something
of a protective ball.  Asuka simply stared at him for a moment, noting
the vulnerability of his position and tone of voice. 
	"Nightmares?" she finally asked, her own voice barely rising above a 
whisper.
	"Nightmares," Shinji confirmed in equal quiet.  "You?"
	"Yeah," Asuka said, pulling herself into a similar position as Shinji. 
"Nightmares."
	Neither of the children even twitched when the phone began 
to softly buzz.

*	*	*

	Beep.
	"Katsuragi.  It's me.  I'm going to have to take a rain check on
that date we had planned.  Something's come up, and I'm leaving for Germany
early this morning.  Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it when I get back.
Well, that, and you can show me how much you missed me.
	Anyway, wait to hear about my trip, before you starting planning anything on
your own. I'll talk to you later, then, Katsuragi.
	Oh, one more thing.  Talk to As...."
	Click.
	The answering machine shut off.
  
[End Part four]	  


End Notes:
I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank my pre-readers:  Axel Terizaki,
Misti
Ikari, Kyo Tetsuei, Skull_Leader, and Sebastian.  As always they, have proved
an enormous help in the writing of this fic.  Round of applause for them,
please.
Dave Ziegler
members.aol.com/doc7dmz/index.html
-Proud member of the Para-para school of dentistry.
-All hail Asuka-chan!