-- Episode Two --

A Neon Genesis Evangelion Fiction

By Not Illegal In The Least Productions and Ultima

Author's Notes:

This Episode is actually based on a little challenge - it had to focus on Asuka without featuring her in many scenes - plus I had to write this chapter alone. Losers. (Yes, I probably will get kicked out for that, but I HAVE THE No Leaf Clover EMAIL! HAHAHAHAAAA!!)

Oh, and the picture of the Eva (Aqua? What the? See what happens when you take drugs, hehe) is the new beast that Asuka gets to pilot - man, that part of this chapter was almost fun to write...

Oh, and C&C is required, as is PRE-READERS!! Oh, and if you want to use this fic on your site - just give me (the main writer...the others are in it for the money...) a line at the_no_leaf_clover@metallica.com and I'll send you all the files and conditions ^_^

PS: About that Blinding Agony, Burning Pain, Purity thingo on the graphic. That is about Asuka, see, Lotsa pain in her mind, but outwardly, she seems fine and pure. Get it?

Oh and one more thing- just what I'd like to stated:

Title: No Leaf Clover

Author: Not Illegal In The Least Productions

Email: the_no_leaf_clover@metallica.com

Episode 2

"Peeved to see her back, huh?"

The question caught Shinji by surprise - he thought he was alone as he watched the girl's P.E class go through their stretching excercises.

"Well," He replied, carefully thinking through his words, "No...not really. Asuka's been fairly nice to me lately."

Kensuke's questioning face turned into one of disbelief.

"Then how come you're always looking at her like ... that..., like you're annoyed at her or something."

Shinji sighed heavily, shaking his head.

"It's not that - I'm not annoyed at her at all...I'm just wondering..."

"About...?" Pressed Kensuke, the sun glinting off his spectacles.

"Well, she's not acting normally...she's quieter, more polite, not so arrogant - yes, it's great that she's nicer...but it's strange to talk to her and find that she's a completely different person."

Kensuke listened thoughtfully to Shinji, nodding.

"You know, Shinji," He said finally, "I wanted to ask you something."

Shinji shrugged.

"Go ahead..."

"What happened to the 17th Angel? Was it defeated when I left Tokyo 3?"

"...Yeah, he's...it's dead...Hey, do you want to go see Touji today? He must be pretty lonely at hospital by himself." Said Shinji quickly, changing the subejct as he got up, and brushed off the dust from the back of his jeans.

"Hey...thats actually a pretty good suggestion, Shinji..."

[Night time in the remains of Tokyo 3...]

The form of Asuka Sohryu lies still on a bed in a darkened room, a sad look on her face as she remembers the happenings of the last few days...

"...err, it's nice to see you back, Asuka..." Says Shinji nervously, as if he expected her to hit him for the slightest mistake.

...

"Asuka! It's great that you're better now!" Says Hikari happily, grasping her hand and tugging her off into the classroom. "It's SO lucky that my family chose to come back to Tokyo 3 just a couple of days ago!!"

...

"Pilot Sohryu. Congratulations on defeating your illness. I take it you wish to progress with you're piloting?" Asks Sub-Commander Fuyutsuki, obviously forcing a smile.

...

"I can't believe you're back. I guess it's true that only the strongest can defeat themselves." Smiles Misato, leading her into her old room. "At least you can have some more fun now - from now on you'll be living with me again!"

...

Everybody's happy to see me back, I suppose.

They're happy to have the old Asuka back.

They want the old Asuka.

They want a fake version of me.

They don't want me.

But then...

who am I now?

I've regained my control of my life...but it's changed me. It's too obvious to everyone now...Everyone gives me strange looks now.

But I'm trying to act like her.

I'm trying.

It's hard...maybe I should just act like me? I mean, I'm not that different to her...just not so arrogant...

I hate acting...

"...so everything is on schedule, Miss Ibuki?" Stated Commander Ikari, although it was spoken like a question.

The young woman seemed hesitant to reply.

"...not really...well, just one thing, really. I think we need to perform more tests on Asuka, to make sure that the core we transplanted from her old Eva is functioning perfectly. It was a costly procedure to take the core from Unit 02 and place it into...into the unnamed Eva Unit."

"Well then perform the tests. Everything must be in working condition at all times, unless it is absolutely unavoidable. I'm sure you know this." Ikari seemed to be surprised at her apparent lack of assertiveness.

"Yes, sir. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me about?" Answered Maya, feeling a small twinge of nervousness.

Ikari seemed to think for a movement before removing his hands from infront of his face, and shaking his head.

"You have your leave, Miss Ibuki."

"...and the strangest thing thats happened lately is that Asuka's back - pretty unfortunate, if you ask me. Now they have the space for a new pilot filled, dammit. Man, I was top-spot for that position!!" Declared Kensuke, gauging Touji's reaction.

"Ken, the guys at NERV didn't even look at you, did they?" Said Touji, chuckling slightly.

"Well, I was close to being looked at!!"

Touji laughed loudly, causing the nurse at the other side of the hospital room to glare sharply at him.

"Well, it's good to know you're feeling better, Touji. School isn't the same without you, really. Oh, and Hikari wanted US to give this to you." Said Kensuke, handing a package to Touji, and in the same movement, nudging a silent Shinji with his elbow. "Whats up with you anyway, Shinji? You haven't said a word since we arrived!!"

Shinji blinked in surprise of being awakened from his daydreaming.

"Err, I was just thinking."

"About what?" Pressed Touji.

"Oh, you know." He replied, gesturing vaguely. "Besides, aren't you going to open your package?"

Touji shrugged.

"Maybe later. I haven't seen you guys for such a long time, I'm beginning to miss school!!"

"So how'd the tests go?" Asked Makoto cheerfully, handing a cup of steaming coffee to his superior.

"Shut up." Was the mumbled reply.

"Ahhh, so Asuka did provide a little resistance, did she? Well, don't say I didn't warn you, Maya. And let me guess, Maya. There are more tests to be performed, huh?" Smiled Makoto.

"Shut up Makoto. Just shut up." Moaned Maya sleepily.

"...and if you don't mind me asking, Commander, why are we creating a whole new Evangelion for Asuka? Unit 02 is still fairly intact. It just seems slightly wasteful to me."

Gendo smiled slightly under the cover of his hands.

"Unit 02 may be slightly contaminated from the last Angel battle. We have no idea what are the limitations of Tabris' control over the Eva. Although the 17th Angel has been destroyed, traces in the Eva may remain."

Maya nodded.

"I understand your concerns, Commander. But what will you do with Evangelion Unit 02 now?" She asked.

"Freeze it. Allow no-one except for neccessary technicians near it." Replied Gendo.

The next morning, Shinji was awakened by something quite unordinary - the delicicous smell of food.

"What the...Aww, don't tell me someone cooked Pen Pen!!" He groaned, smelling something decidedly livestock-ish mixed in with the tantalizing odour of other foods.

Running to the kitchen to stop whoever was it that was disrespecting the penguin in such a macabre way, he saw the figure of Asuka behind the kitchen bench...frying...eggs and...something undistinguishable.

"Guten morgan, Shinji!! I made bacon and eggs for us this morning!!"

"..wha?..?!...Y-you m-made b-breakfast?!?!" He stuttered in shock. Okay, I was able to handle 'evil' Asuka, 'peppy' Asuka, 'violent' Asuka...and even a little bit of 'nice' Asuka...but...

Shinji's brain promptly gave out.

*********

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